Mormon Bloggers

~by Michelle Several weeks ago, we linked to a variety of “Mormon pioneer” stories, both of early members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as modern Mormon pioneers. Bindu Sabbavarapu’s story was one to which we linked. She has given us permission to share some of her story (and photos) here. Bindu grew up in India, where the predominant religion is Hinduism. Although she showed some interest in Christianity even as a young child, she hid that interest because of her father’s strict Hindu beliefs and activity. Ten years ago, Bindu’s friend introduced Bindu to missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A little meeting with a handful of Latter-day Saints and four Mormon missionaries began a process that changed her life. “I never thought of becoming a Christian until I met the missionaries and learned more about the Church. I learned from the scriptures and understood the standards of the Church like going... Read the rest of this entry »

In this video, a Russian member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (“Mormon“) shares her faith and testimony, and some of her conversion story. This woman also shares some of her feelings about serving as a Mormon missionary at Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Read More →

Anne Osborn Poelman is a Mormon woman and a world-renowned neuroradiologist. She joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while in medical school at Stanford University. She was impressed by the demeanor of one of her professors, and was very surprised when she found out he was Mormon. But she didn’t think much more of it until two years later, when she met another man with a similar demeanor. She must have somehow known that he was LDS, because she approached him and asked if he would tell her a little about the Church. She shares this about his response: Well, unlike every other Mormon that I’ve ever known since then, he didn’t immediately launch into a discussion of that. He kind of took a step back, and he looked at me, and he said, “Well, why do you want to know?” And I said: “You know, that’s a really good question. I’m not really sure. I only know one other Mormon, and there’s something very different about the way... Read the rest of this entry »

The conversion of Augustín Zapata is a story about the power of the Book of Mormon and the way faith can be strengthened by associations with other members. I met Augustín Zapata after he had had his first discussion with the missionaries. I had just been transferred to the area, a city called Fray Luis Beltran. The previous Elders had found Augustine and given him a Book of Mormon. When my companion and I returned to check up on Augustín a few days after the first discussion, we found that he had read the entire Book of Mormon. He loved the Book of Mormon and couldn’t help but read it in its entirety and then start reading it again. When I heard that, I thought Augustín was “golden” and that he would be baptized in short order. Well, it didn’t quite turn out that way. We continued teaching Augustín the discussions. He greatly enjoyed our visits, he felt the Spirit while we were there, and he believed everything that we taught him. But when we invited him to get baptized,... Read the rest of this entry »

Jennifer, a now-Mormon woman, shares how learning about prayer helped her get her own firm answer about joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Read More →

Have you ever wondered what it’s like for someone to convert to Mormonism after being in another religion (or no religion at all?) Before providing some links, let us first say this, quoting President Gordon B. Hinckley: We recognize the good in all people. We recognize the good in all churches, in their efforts to improve mankind and to teach principles that lead to good, stable, productive living. To people everywhere we simply say, ‘You bring with you all the good that you have, and let us add to it. That is the principle on which we work.’ We as Mormons believe there has been a restoration of truth that can add to the good that people already have in their lives, and help them both face the challenges that life brings and also deepen its joys . Reading Mormon conversion stories can help you get a feel for why people choose Mormonism. Here’s a story about a Buddhist man who converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Read a Mormon conversion story from... Read the rest of this entry »

I met the Laurino family, Luis, Susana, and their three kids, when I was serving in the heart of downtown Rosario, Argentina (check out this map of where the Laurino family lived). It was summertime (December) of 1996, when my companion, Elder Wasden, and I almost literally ran into Luis on the sidewalk outside his home. Luis invited us to come back on another day to teach his family the full first discussion. Humbled and Guided to the Book of Mormon When we met Luis and his family, they were down on their luck. Just a few months prior, the Laurino’s had been doing very well, they lived in a mansion, as they put it, and Luis had job that paid very well. Then Luis lost his job, they lost everything, and wound up renting a tiny, run down house where we found them. While he was out of work, Luis had found an old copy of The Book of Mormon and began reading it. Luis felt the book was true, a got a new job, and was just getting on his feet again when we met him. How About a Cold Drink? When... Read the rest of this entry »

I met the Godoy family, when I was serving in the Godoy ward in the city of Rosario Argentina.  Carlos and his wife, Beatriz, were at a photo shop, with their two children, Carlos Jr. and Angelica, getting a family photo made when my companion and I walked into the store.  We commented on what a cute family they were, and we chit chatted for a minute, but we really didn’t talk about the gospel before they had to leave. The next day, we were visiting a new member at his work and we just happened to run into Carlos Godoy again. This time we did talk to him about the gospel, and he seemed eager to learn more. We asked if we could come to his home to teach a discussion to his entire family, and we set the appointment for a few days later. When we arrived at the Godoy’s home for the first discussion, we found their extremely modest home in pristine condition. We could tell they really made an effort to clean the place up in preparation for our visit. We sat down with the whole family around... Read the rest of this entry »

Cornelia, a Mormon woman originally from Zimbabwe, shares the remarkable story of her conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a little about the growth of the Mormon church in Kasane, Botswana. ~by Cornelia (pictured in center of photo above) This is my story about how the Church came to Kasane but for me, it certainly did not start in Kasane…. I was not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when I moved to Botswana after my two year working holiday in the UK. My parents had moved to Botswana after being forced off our farm in Zimbabwe, so I decided to follow them there. It was during a holiday break back to Zimbabwe just after the move that I met up with three wonderful friends (Reeve Nield, Laurette Maritz and Cecilie Lundgreen) and what was meant to be an afternoon visit on a golf course turned into two weeks of spiritual stirrings. This fortnight at the end of January 2005 changed my life thanks to my three missionary friends and... Read the rest of this entry »

~by Candace I know this is the true Church of our Savior Jesus Christ and that we are led by a living prophet, Thomas S. Monson. My story: My life challenges started at a very early age. I was eight years old when I was first molested. He was a friend of the family and I had a child’s love for him. He broke my heart and severely injured my spirit. Unable to tell my parents, my trust of people around me was shaken. I became very insecure and frightened of life. When I reached my teens, my insecurities and lack of participation in school activities became evident and a concerned counselor started drawing me out and I felt comforted by his concern. But, once again my life was jolted when he betrayed my trust. One day he offered me a ride home. I accepted his kind gesture. I soon realized he had other intentions. We took a ride into the hills near our town and the unspeakable happened. Once again I was shaken to the core and afraid to go to my parents. I had no idea how to deal with any... Read the rest of this entry »

I am privileged today to share a very special story about a woman who found the Gospel and stood strong in the face of the immense adversity which came her way. I am very inspired by Jessica Rodriguez and am grateful to her for granting me permission to share this wonderful conversion story. Sister Rodriguez dated this account April 6, 2009 I am led to begin to bear my testimony by sharing that I was raised in the Catholic Church, was married in the church and converted into non-denominational Christianity in 1975.　 　 In 1993 I was introduced to evangelism through an outreach ministry in downtown Sacramento, California. We walked the streets sharing the good news of the gospel in predominantly areas highly populated with homelessness and persons challenged with addictions and substance abuse. My personal experience with ministry stretched into many areas that included prayer ministry, teaching ministry and so much more. 　 I continued with outreach ministry until the year 2002... Read the rest of this entry »

I met German (pronounced Herman) Arrieta on one of my first days in the Godoy neighborhood of Rosario. The previous missionaries had found German and taught him and his wife, Sara, the first discussion.  Then I was transferred to the area and arrived prior to the second discussion.  When we went to German’s house and taught the second discussion, Sara asked lots of questions, and seemed genuinely interested throughout the discussion, while German remained quite and pensive. At the conclusion of the second discussion, I decided to invite German and Sara to be baptized. Based on how they had reacted to the first two discussions, I thought for sure Sara would accept the invitation, while German, I assumed, would turn down the invitation to be baptized.  I was wrong on both counts.  When I invited them both to be baptized, German spoke right up and said he would like to be baptized.  Sara, however, was hesitant and said she would have to think about it longer. Two weeks... Read the rest of this entry »