"The Lost Pamphlet"
By Wenceslao Salguero
Ensign, Feb. 2001, 60–61
I was born and raised in El Progreso, a small town in southern Guatemala. When I was about 10 years old, an unusual pamphlet came into my hands. It contained the story of Joseph Smith, a young boy who saw a vision of God the Eternal Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
I was deeply impressed by this story. Unsatisfied with the training I was receiving in the religion of my parents, I wanted to know more about the boy in the pamphlet. But I didn’t know where to get information. In time I lost the pamphlet, but I never forgot about it. I wondered if I would ever find another like it.
As a teenager and young adult, I investigated several religious denominations. I even took classes in their doctrine and received diplomas. But there were aspects of these religions that troubled me, and I felt uncomfortable with the criticism that clergy of different faiths sometimes directed at one another. By this time I had started reading the Bible, and as I compared the Bible with what I saw in the religions I had studied, I became convinced those religions lacked God’s authority.
I knelt many times in prayer, pleading with God to guide me to His true Church. I promised that if He did, I would be faithful in keeping His commandments and would always serve Him.
I had dreams, too, in which I told God I was willing to do anything to receive forgiveness for my sins. I would wake up and find my pillow wet with tears. I also asked God to help me find the pamphlet about Joseph Smith again.
By 1968 I had a wife and son. We moved to Guatemala City so I could find better employment.
On the afternoon of 20 November 1975, two young American women, simply dressed, knocked on our door. They said they had a message for my family. We made an appointment for them to come back at a later time.
I remember the first discussion clearly. One of the young women said a prayer, and then the other one began to talk about Joseph Smith. In her hands was a copy of the pamphlet I had read as a boy! My search for the truth had come to an end in my own living room.
No words can express what I felt at that moment. I wanted to snatch the pamphlet out of her hands. The sisters noticed the way I was looking at it and said they would leave it with me. When they gave me that precious pamphlet, I could hardly believe it. I put it in my shirt pocket to keep it near my heart.
Two days later the sisters returned. When they saw the pamphlet in my pocket, they asked if I had read it. I told them they didn’t realize what it meant to me. I explained I had read it as a boy and had prayed to find it again.
On Sunday our family went to church. We arrived very early, and the sisters were surprised to see us. They hadn’t really invited us, just told us where the building was.
The sisters continued to teach us. Although they didn’t speak Spanish very well, they taught by the Holy Ghost. When they taught us about repentance, I felt something I had never felt before and started to cry. Then I realized we were all crying. I was convinced I had found the true Church.
My wife, Rosa Élida, had a similar experience. It happened when the sisters invited us to be baptized. “Sister Salguero,” they asked, “do you want to follow the Savior?” She realized right then that she did.
When I asked the Lord to help me find His Church, I promised I would serve Him. From the first time I went to church, I have faithfully attended and have tried to serve diligently. I have had many wonderful Church callings, including serving twice as bishop. My wife has served in the Primary and Relief Society and in the family history program. My eldest son served a full-time mission, and now his younger brother is preparing to serve. We have two daughters who are also active in the Church.
Whenever I am asked to speak in church, I try to communicate the joy I feel as a member of the Lord’s Church. I know that God lives and that through the Prophet Joseph Smith He has restored to us His gospel, His Church, and the authority of His priesthood.
Showing posts with label conversion stories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label conversion stories. Show all posts
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Your Book is a True Book-Conversion story #2
Your Book Is a True Book
By Ann Cue
Ensign, Apr. 2006, 67–68
The day the missionaries knocked on my door will always stand out as one of the pivotal moments of my life. It wasn’t that I was searching for meaning—I had been deeply religious since childhood. I had spent seven years in a convent, and although I had left that lifestyle because it wasn’t bringing me closer to God, I was involved in my church congregation working with the choir and teaching religion.
In fact, I had made a firm resolution not to discuss religion with any door-to-door missionaries because the spirit of contention frequently arose when conflicting interpretations of scripture were discussed. But the Lord, in His goodness, had prepared me for this visit. A few months earlier I had heard someone make a remark about a “Mormon book” connected to the mythology of South America. This prompted me to want to investigate any light such a book might shed on some themes I had already studied. I had filed this away for future reference, knowing that sooner or later I would read the Mormon book and investigate its mythological validity.
Answering the door that day, I was not thinking about books or mythological themes. I was a busy young mother spending most of my energy tending a small baby and chasing a very active three-year-old. But as I approached the door, my mind was overcome with a kind of vision, a mental picture of Abraham going to the door of his tent on the day he received an important message. I was impressed with the premonition that opening that door would bring a message of some importance.
Nevertheless, I was confused when all that stood there were these two young men labeled as Latter-day Saint missionaries. If it hadn’t been for the “vision,” I would have politely said good-bye and shut the door. I decided, instead, that I needed to find out what sort of message they had for me.
It started out all wrong. One of them asked me if I believed in prophets. Of course I did. But when these young men enthusiastically presented me a photo of 15 men in modern business suits and proclaimed that prophets and apostles were currently on the earth, credibility was stretched to the limit. I had been brought up in a religion whose clergy dressed the part, and business suits were not what they wore! So I decided, generously, to ignore the remark. And I searched mentally for some rational foundation for the “vision” still fresh in my mind.
I do not remember how I made the connection that “Latter-day Saint” missionaries might know something about a “Mormon” book. But once that thought crossed my mind, I was quick to pursue the topic.
“Don’t you have some kind of book?” I asked. They did. I told them I had not found it in the library and did not know where to get it. Maybe they could help me. They could. They volunteered to come back with a copy the following week. And I made a mental note to be unavailable for religious “discussion” so they could simply drop off the book and leave.
When I finally did receive my copy of the book, I thanked the young men and agreed, again without any sense of commitment, that they could come back to answer any questions I had. Later that evening with my husband home from work and the children somewhat settled down, I picked up the book and began to read.
Nothing had prepared me for what I found in its pages. And it was with awe, shock, delight, and some confusion that I shortly announced to my husband my most amazing discovery: “This is a book of scripture!”
There was no doubt at all. I had done enough serious scripture study and had read enough of the world’s sacred literature to become immediately aware that this book was not a record of myth or an ancient history text or anything other than the true word of God. It spoke to me with that spiritual voice, and as I began following footnotes and looking up topics that interested me, it gave me answers to many of the theological questions I had puzzled over for years. It was, without doubt, the most exciting book I had ever picked up, and it continued to amaze and edify me whichever page I opened it to.
When the young missionaries returned as they had promised, I was home. And I had a message of great importance for them. I told them something I felt they needed to know: “Your book is a true book!” And I demanded to know why it was the property of their church, feeling that it was entirely in the wrong hands!
At that point, I was ready to listen to what they had to say. After many months of investigation, I came to know that this wonderful book had not only brought me light and knowledge beyond my highest expectations, but it had also led me to the fulness of the gospel, the power of the priesthood, and the knowledge that those 15 men in business suits were evidence of the true Church of Jesus Christ, present again upon the earth.
By Ann Cue
Ensign, Apr. 2006, 67–68
The day the missionaries knocked on my door will always stand out as one of the pivotal moments of my life. It wasn’t that I was searching for meaning—I had been deeply religious since childhood. I had spent seven years in a convent, and although I had left that lifestyle because it wasn’t bringing me closer to God, I was involved in my church congregation working with the choir and teaching religion.
In fact, I had made a firm resolution not to discuss religion with any door-to-door missionaries because the spirit of contention frequently arose when conflicting interpretations of scripture were discussed. But the Lord, in His goodness, had prepared me for this visit. A few months earlier I had heard someone make a remark about a “Mormon book” connected to the mythology of South America. This prompted me to want to investigate any light such a book might shed on some themes I had already studied. I had filed this away for future reference, knowing that sooner or later I would read the Mormon book and investigate its mythological validity.
Answering the door that day, I was not thinking about books or mythological themes. I was a busy young mother spending most of my energy tending a small baby and chasing a very active three-year-old. But as I approached the door, my mind was overcome with a kind of vision, a mental picture of Abraham going to the door of his tent on the day he received an important message. I was impressed with the premonition that opening that door would bring a message of some importance.
Nevertheless, I was confused when all that stood there were these two young men labeled as Latter-day Saint missionaries. If it hadn’t been for the “vision,” I would have politely said good-bye and shut the door. I decided, instead, that I needed to find out what sort of message they had for me.
It started out all wrong. One of them asked me if I believed in prophets. Of course I did. But when these young men enthusiastically presented me a photo of 15 men in modern business suits and proclaimed that prophets and apostles were currently on the earth, credibility was stretched to the limit. I had been brought up in a religion whose clergy dressed the part, and business suits were not what they wore! So I decided, generously, to ignore the remark. And I searched mentally for some rational foundation for the “vision” still fresh in my mind.
I do not remember how I made the connection that “Latter-day Saint” missionaries might know something about a “Mormon” book. But once that thought crossed my mind, I was quick to pursue the topic.
“Don’t you have some kind of book?” I asked. They did. I told them I had not found it in the library and did not know where to get it. Maybe they could help me. They could. They volunteered to come back with a copy the following week. And I made a mental note to be unavailable for religious “discussion” so they could simply drop off the book and leave.
When I finally did receive my copy of the book, I thanked the young men and agreed, again without any sense of commitment, that they could come back to answer any questions I had. Later that evening with my husband home from work and the children somewhat settled down, I picked up the book and began to read.
Nothing had prepared me for what I found in its pages. And it was with awe, shock, delight, and some confusion that I shortly announced to my husband my most amazing discovery: “This is a book of scripture!”
There was no doubt at all. I had done enough serious scripture study and had read enough of the world’s sacred literature to become immediately aware that this book was not a record of myth or an ancient history text or anything other than the true word of God. It spoke to me with that spiritual voice, and as I began following footnotes and looking up topics that interested me, it gave me answers to many of the theological questions I had puzzled over for years. It was, without doubt, the most exciting book I had ever picked up, and it continued to amaze and edify me whichever page I opened it to.
When the young missionaries returned as they had promised, I was home. And I had a message of great importance for them. I told them something I felt they needed to know: “Your book is a true book!” And I demanded to know why it was the property of their church, feeling that it was entirely in the wrong hands!
At that point, I was ready to listen to what they had to say. After many months of investigation, I came to know that this wonderful book had not only brought me light and knowledge beyond my highest expectations, but it had also led me to the fulness of the gospel, the power of the priesthood, and the knowledge that those 15 men in business suits were evidence of the true Church of Jesus Christ, present again upon the earth.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Why do people join the Mormon church??
Why do people join the Mormon church? Joining the Mormon church may not be “the popular thing to do”, but neither was it popular to join Noah on the Ark, or to follow Moses into the Red Sea, or to even join with Christ when He was here on the earth teaching the truthfulness of the Gospel. So why are some people willing to do the “unpopular” thing?
We (Mormons) are blessed in our day to not have to deal with the persecutions that the early Mormons had to deal with in their day. The early Mormons suffered through so much injustice. Many of them lost all that they had. They were driven from their homes and suffered persecution beyond imagination. Life could have been so much easier and much less painful if they had just been willing to deny their beliefs. Yet because of their strong convictions and faith in God and the Savior Jesus Christ, they were willing to take the harder road and endure these horrible persecutions. They were not willing, under any circumstances to deny their beliefs.
A question for each of us to ask ourselves…Do you and I have a strong enough conviction in our beliefs (whatever our beliefs are) that we would do the same?
I love reading the conversion stories of others. Throughout this blog, I will include conversions stories that will answer the question…Why do people join the Mormon church?
Conversion Story #1:
I wanted to start with the conversion story of Parley P. Pratt who became a member in the early days of the church.
Although Parley and his family didn’t belong to a particular denomination, Parley grew up in a religious home with parents who taught their sons a respect for the Bible and the Christian faith. Parley was always interested in religion and began a serious study of the scriptures at age 12. As he grew older and continued to study the scriptures he began to become aware of the discrepancies between biblical teachings and contemporary churches and sought to find a Christianity closer to that which he found in the New Testament.
At age 18 he sought baptism by immersion from a Baptist group. However, during a delay in his baptismal date, he became convinced that the church wasn’t patterned after the New Testament Church. While continuing his search he heard the preaching of Sidney Rigdon, a minister of the campbellite movement which sought to restore the practices of New Testament Christianity. Parley felt that he had found someone who taught the “ancient gospel in due form.” Yet he still felt that “one great link” was missing-“the authority to minister in holy things-the apostleship.”
In 1830, at age 23 Parley met a minister in upstate New York who told him of a “strange book, a very strange book!” A book that a young man had claimed to have translated-the Book of Mormon. The very next day, Parley obtained a copy of the Book of Mormon and began eagerly reading it.
He wrote, “I opened it with eagerness, and read its title page. I then read the testimony of several witnesses in relation to the manner of its being found and translated. After this I commenced its contents by course. I read all day; eating was a burden, I had no desire for food; sleep was a burden when the night came, for I preferred reading to sleep.”
“As I read, the spirit of the Lord was upon me, and I knew and comprehended that the book was true, as plainly and manifestly as a man comprehends and knows that he exists” (Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, ed. Parley P. Pratt Jr. [1938], 37).
Parley found what he had been searching for and was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints on September 1, 1830. Parley spent the remainder of his days in missionary service.
"What's right isn't always Popular, and what's Popular isn't always right." (Howard Cosell)
We (Mormons) are blessed in our day to not have to deal with the persecutions that the early Mormons had to deal with in their day. The early Mormons suffered through so much injustice. Many of them lost all that they had. They were driven from their homes and suffered persecution beyond imagination. Life could have been so much easier and much less painful if they had just been willing to deny their beliefs. Yet because of their strong convictions and faith in God and the Savior Jesus Christ, they were willing to take the harder road and endure these horrible persecutions. They were not willing, under any circumstances to deny their beliefs.
A question for each of us to ask ourselves…Do you and I have a strong enough conviction in our beliefs (whatever our beliefs are) that we would do the same?
I love reading the conversion stories of others. Throughout this blog, I will include conversions stories that will answer the question…Why do people join the Mormon church?
Conversion Story #1:
I wanted to start with the conversion story of Parley P. Pratt who became a member in the early days of the church.
Although Parley and his family didn’t belong to a particular denomination, Parley grew up in a religious home with parents who taught their sons a respect for the Bible and the Christian faith. Parley was always interested in religion and began a serious study of the scriptures at age 12. As he grew older and continued to study the scriptures he began to become aware of the discrepancies between biblical teachings and contemporary churches and sought to find a Christianity closer to that which he found in the New Testament.
At age 18 he sought baptism by immersion from a Baptist group. However, during a delay in his baptismal date, he became convinced that the church wasn’t patterned after the New Testament Church. While continuing his search he heard the preaching of Sidney Rigdon, a minister of the campbellite movement which sought to restore the practices of New Testament Christianity. Parley felt that he had found someone who taught the “ancient gospel in due form.” Yet he still felt that “one great link” was missing-“the authority to minister in holy things-the apostleship.”
In 1830, at age 23 Parley met a minister in upstate New York who told him of a “strange book, a very strange book!” A book that a young man had claimed to have translated-the Book of Mormon. The very next day, Parley obtained a copy of the Book of Mormon and began eagerly reading it.
He wrote, “I opened it with eagerness, and read its title page. I then read the testimony of several witnesses in relation to the manner of its being found and translated. After this I commenced its contents by course. I read all day; eating was a burden, I had no desire for food; sleep was a burden when the night came, for I preferred reading to sleep.”
“As I read, the spirit of the Lord was upon me, and I knew and comprehended that the book was true, as plainly and manifestly as a man comprehends and knows that he exists” (Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, ed. Parley P. Pratt Jr. [1938], 37).
Parley found what he had been searching for and was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints on September 1, 1830. Parley spent the remainder of his days in missionary service.
"What's right isn't always Popular, and what's Popular isn't always right." (Howard Cosell)
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