Wayne’s Conversion to Mormonism

This is Wayne’s conversion story...

When I was about 22, living a life of alcohol, drugs, and contention with the girl I was living with, I wanted to find a way out of the misery. When I searched for solutions, all I seemed to find were ads promising love, fame or fortune.

One night, my girlfriend and I found ourselves on our knees. Something which we had never felt before had filled the room, a divine presence. The powerful feeling lasted for just a few minutes, but we both knew it was of God.

I began to feel and experience many miraculous things from that time on. A deep desire to read the Bible led me specifically to the New Testament. But, after about two months, these great and amazing feelings seemed to fade. Still, I desired to join a church and be associated with good people. My girlfriend chose not to act upon the spiritual experience we shared that night, and I moved out. The Spirit never lingered with her like it did with me. It seems the experience was meant for me and not so much for her.

From my studies, I had concluded that there must be only one true church and that this church would have to believe in the whole of the Bible. I set out to find this church with questions in mind, which had come to me while studying the New Testament. I was raised in the Anglican faith, so that was my first stop. I didn’t feel that the people I spoke with were able to answer even my first question, so my next stop was the Catholic Church. At this point, I was certain this must be the one, because my mother was raised Catholic, and I knew her to do no wrong. Again, I was not receiving answers that satisfied my thirst for the truth.

After about two months of talking with individuals from all kinds of denominations, I was on the verge of giving up my search and forming my own church. Oddly enough, the Yellow Pages turned out to be the source for finding the true church on earth. I looked up “churches” and searched for a name I thought might be what I was looking for. After talking unproductively to some Jehovah’s Witnesses, I noticed “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,” or Mormon Church. The phone rang, and a Mormon janitor answered the phone. I proceeded to question him. To my complete and utter amazement, all of my questions were answered to my satisfaction. Somehow, even this janitor, with his knowledge of his faith, knew more about the kingdom of God than the trained clergymen I had spoken with.

After talking with the janitor, I remembered my mother saying to me that one of our neighbors was a Mormon, so I made the trip over to his house and found him home. I told him my story and he said he would contact the missionaries, and I left. I waited several days and then called the missionaries myself. They came over shortly after that and we talked about what had happened to me. They knew it was of God, and we had many wonderful visits as they prepared me for baptism.

The hardest thing for me was to give up cigarettes. I had quit after much effort, but had started again as I was to be baptized. I remember well, how I did not feel the Spirit at all at my baptism or confirmation, most likely because I had started smoking again. After about two months the Elders Quorum President and one of his counselors paid a visit, knowing about my smoking problem, and asked if I might want a priesthood blessing. I of course agreed, and not long after that I woke up one morning and automatically went for a smoke. I got a little angry at myself for that, and this was when the blessing took effect. I had no desire or craving for three days. After that, the cravings came back but I was able to withstand them.

Another addictive habit I had a tough time with was pornography. This was easier to overcome than smoking was, but it took much longer. I think this one is overcome through the passing of time. The more time that goes by, the more I forget the images placed in my mind until they are gone. I also realize this sexual desire is natural but needs to be controlled. Over time it gets easier, as one becomes more centered on the gospel of Christ.

After over thirty years as a member of the Church I cannot say it’s been easy. The first seven years I struggled very much trying to find happiness. After about three months, attending church services became very boring, and I often wondered why I was not feeling any joy or happiness. I was doing all that was required of me such as attending the temple and performing by callings etc., but for some reason, I was not feeling the Spirit. I knew I must be doing something wrong but could not see what it was. I stopped going to church for a long time. About six years ago I decided to give it a go again and started to attend some of the church meetings here and there. After over a year of luke-warm commitment I wiped the dust off of my scriptures and placed them on the table. Still wondering why I had not found the joy of the gospel, I decided I would read the scriptures in a different manner than the way I used to. I decided to try reading them the same way one would read a favorite book. I used to read a chapter a day. I started reading the Book of Mormon, and after about twenty minutes I started to feel the Holy Ghost. I thought to myself, could it be that this is what I had been doing wrong, not reading the word of God correctly? The next day I tried the same thing and found that my assumption was correct…Today, four years later, I still prayerfully read in the Book of Mormon, as well as other scriptures, and now enjoy the companionship of the Spirit almost constantly. Church is not boring anymore, and life is great. There are still struggles, but as I try to improve, it’s wonderful to feel God at my side…..