This book is a compilation of conversion stories, written by individuals from a variety of religious backgrounds. I really enjoyed reading the personal accounts. These individuals were hungry and they found the truth!

Like so many Latter-day Saints, my conversion didn’t end at baptism, or when I was ordained, or when I received my endowment, or on my mission.  Conversion, if it is to have the long-lasting effect God desires it to, must be a lifelong pursuit (pg. 127).

When I read those tracts, or when I talked to those who were seeking to “save me from the Mormons”—and from what appeared to be sure damnation—I felt dark, confused, frustrated, and more.  However, when I was talking with the missionaries, attending the LDS Church, reading the Bible or the Book of Mormon, I felt uplifted, at peace, happy, and so on (pg. 124).

If we are committed to a belief system that is less than what God wants for us, sometimes the only way for Him to wake us up to something new—something bigger than we currently have—is to bring a little instability into our lives.  If He can get our attention, He can recalibrate our direction (pg. 152).

 

I recently read the conversion story of Meredith and Randall Casto.  Meredith grew up going to church regularly. She attended college, then a seminary, and was ordained into the priesthood in the Episcopal Church. A pastor of two congregations was her next role, "Yet," she explains, "I was still hungry."

"I was hungry. Not the hunger that can be satisfied with a meal, but that deep, abiding hunger I could never seem to quell.  it was a hunger that brought with it a great depth of sadness, loneliness, and longing for something more."

Meredith became friends with two ladies who were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while serving at a senior community center.  The two ladies shared The Family Proclamation with her and welcomed her into their social circle.  She listened to General Conference and then attended church with them.

Meredith explains, "What we learned was that priesthood authority (and heavenly power) was once again restored to the earth and that it had been taken from the earth upon the death of the Apostles.  We discovered that spouses and families could be together forever, sealed by the authority of the restored priesthood."

"Our lives became alive! We have finally started living! We are no longer lonely, or longing. We've come home.  We are joyful in the fullness of the gospel.  We are one in our Lord's fullness."

(From a book I recently read titled Converted: True Mormon Conversion Stories from 15 Religions by Alonzo L. Gaskill)

Yesterday in Young Women's we talked about testimonies and during one section of the lesson each class member molded playdoh into something that resembled their testimony. 

There was a snail because as one young woman put it, "My testimony is steady but slow-growing."
One made a basket and said she has been coiling her testimony for years.
There was a boat because a testimony keeps you afloat and above the water.
Someone made a flower with roots and someone else made a tree.
One young woman did not make anything out of her playdoh because she said her testimony is always changing and feels different each day.
An iron rod was made to represent the word of God which strengthens one young woman's testimony. 
Two young women, independent of each other, made hearts because a testimony is heartfelt, and because when one has a testimony they feel love for God and for others.
There was a candle to represent the light we shine through sharing our testimonies.
One sister made an earth because she feels of God's love and power through the earth's creations.
I made a little treasure box of jewels. I treasure my testimony over any other possession and it is of great value to me.  My testimony is something I can take with me when I pass from this existence into the next.  

Some days I read the Bible Dictionary and I not only learn things but I am inspired.  The Bible Dictionary reminds me of that little book "True to the Faith".  Both explain things in clear and concise ways.  Here are a few nuggets I have read recently from the Bible Dictionary:

Under "Adam"--Adam's transgression in the garden of Eden, although designated as a "fall", was necessary to the advancement and spiritual progress of humanity on this earth, and Adam rightly should be honored, not denigrated.

Under "Amos"--The offering the Lord most cares for is a righteous life...

Under "Atonement"--By transgression man loses control over his own will and becomes the slave of sin....This means of atonement is provided by the Father and is offered in the life and person of his Son, Jesus Christ.

Under "Confirmation"--To confirm means to make more sure.

Under "Conscience"--We are born with a natural capacity to distinguish between right and wrong, due to the light of Christ that is given to every person.  We have a faculty by means of which we can pass judgment on our own conduct, either approving or condemning it, so anticipating the divine judgment on it.  This faculty is called conscience.  The possession of it at once makes us responsible beings.  Like other faculties it needs to be trained, and may be deadened through misuse.

Under "Conversion"--Conversion will change a natural man into a sanctified, born again, purified, person--a new creature in Christ Jesus.  Complete conversion comes after many trials and much testing.  To labor for the conversion of one's self and others is a noble task.