“The questions – “Why am I here?”, “What happens when I die?”, and “What is the meaning of life?” plagued me at the young age of 13.
Even though I was born to kind, faithful, and active members of the church, I felt the need to understand and know for myself if what I was being taught was truth.
Around this same time, a girl my age, moved into my school and eventually neighborhood. We became close friends. She loved the gospel of Jesus Christ and set an example of living and loving it. I was influenced by her kindness and goodness.
Around age 14, we started church Seminary in Junior High School. The first year of study was devoted to The Book of Mormon. Every time I read from its pages, I was touched by the messages from these prophets concerned about our welfare today. Because the Isaiah passages were difficult, I remember being grateful for Nephi’s easy to understand interpretation. Everything made sense. I knew it was a divine book sent from God. When I came to the end of The Book of Mormon, I called my good friend. She walked over and we finished it together, taking turns reading the final passages. It was a sweet, joyful experience.
Because I knew it was true, I accepted Joseph Smith as a prophet of God, called to restore the gospel of Jesus Christ once again to the earth. And I have been grateful for each of Jesus Christ’s succeeding prophets and apostles leading and guiding us in these Last Days in preparation for His return.
I love all of His holy scriptures- the Old and New Testament. They, along with the Book of Mormon testify that Jesus is the Christ.
The most wonderful, beautiful knowledge is to know that He lives and loves me, loves all of us! I know why I’m here, what happens when I die, and the meaning of life.
This is joy. This is peace.”
I Am Converted 