Conversion Stories

Since I hate writing, I decided to start a blog based on my scripture study and other spiritual notes. I'm doing this mostly for me, but not for the benefit of getting more comments, but because I want to remember what I read and study, and hopefully be helpful to others. In Missionary Prep today we talked about how important it is to keep a record of your writings, so I'm trying to get better at it, and eventually I'll print off all of these posts and preserve them for my posterity.

Anyway, this weekend was full of conversion stories. My roommate came home from a date yesterday, and said that the guy she went with made a complete 180 with his life. He used to be on the pathway to nowhere good, but is completely different now, and made the decsion to serve a mission. In Sacrament Meeting today, one of the Relief Society Presidents gave a beautiful talk about how her grandparents were converted when they were 90. And when I got home from church, I picked up from where I left off reading in Alma 36, which talks about Alma the Younger's conversion story. I took this as the Lord's way of telling me I need a conversion story.



I'm not necessarily a 'sinner.' I try to do what is right, but sometimes fail hardcore with it. Recently I haven't been reading my scriptures as diligently as I should be, and saying my prayers was like a chore for me. So it was really good to be reminded of all these stories where people weren't living the way they should, realized that they weren't happy, changed their ways, and ended up being these great people who have so much love for the Lord and his work. This is just what I needed to hear. So I'm working on my 'conversion story' where I will always have that same desire to do good, just like Alma the younger, who was probably the best missionary of all time.

I just want to close with a few passages from what I read today. I seriously was bawling by the end of every chapter because I knew this was meant just for me, and that just goes to show how inspired the Book of Mormon really is, and that the Lord truely hears and answers our prayers. "The Book of Mormon, combined with the Spirit, is the most powerful resource in conversion." -Preach My Gospel


Alma 36: 12-22-- "I was racked with eternal torment for my soul was harrowed up to the greatest degree and racked with all my sins.
Yea, I did remember all my sins and iniquities, for which I was tormented with the pains of hell; yea, I saw that I had rebelled against my God, and that I had not kept his holy commandments.
Yea, and I had murdered many of his children, rather led them away unto destruction; yea, and in fine so great had been my iniquities, that the very thought of coming into the presence of my God did rack my soul with inexpressible horror.
Oh thought I, that I could be banished and become extinct bothe soul and body, that I might not be brought to stand in the presence of my God, to be judged of my deeds.
And now, for three days and for three nights was I racked, even with the pains of a damned soul.
And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold , I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of the one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world.
Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death.
And now, behold when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more.
And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!
Yea, I say unto you my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy.
Yea, methought I saw, even as our father Lehi saw, God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels, in the attitude of singing and praising their God; yea and my soul did long to be there."


My favorite talks in General Conference have always been the ones testifying of the Book of Mormon.

The first one that comes to mind was a talk given in October of 2008 by Elder Marcos A. Aidukaitis called "Because My Father Read the Book of Mormon."

The second one was given in October of 2009 by Elder Jeffery R. Holland called "Safety for the Soul"

If there's anyone reading this, I would encourage you to read both of these talks and Alma 36, even if you're not struggling with your testimony, or you don't need a conversion story, because everyone needs to be reminded that the Book of Mormon is true. It is an inspired book. And it was preserved and brought to pass just for us and for our day.