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Stories: Diane Bowes, A former Jehovah's Witness Conversion Story
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| The statement that motivated me to investigate The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came from a tall, feisty, white haired, eighty-year-old pioneer member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. June had no idea that her comment would change the spiritual direction of my life.
I was also a full-time pioneer. I had arranged my work schedule so I was able to go out every morning with June. One morning, while we were out on field service, June knocked on the door of a friend of mine, Dianna Roberts-Khan. June presented the Watchtower and Awake magazines and talked about the end times. My friend Dianna explained, '''the half hour of silence has not yet occurred."
Since I had not heard about this, I asked, "What is the half hour of silence?" Dianna said it was in the book of Revelations and that she believed that it had not occurred yet. I stated that I was not aware of this, however, I would be glad to research it and come back to talk about it.
June finished talking with Dianna. When I was back in the car with June, I expressed this excitement to June, that I was eager to do the research and share the common ground, the Bible, with Dianna. June stated, "We have nothing in common with her because she is Mormon." I was stunned! I felt it was very unfair. This feeling motivated me to find out for myself about the Mormons.
The next day, Friday, November 23rd, 2002 I called Dianna and asked if I could attend church with her. I could hear the surprise in her voice as she said she would be glad to take me. She had asked me in the past and I had politely refused. I explained what had happened and that I thought that the statement made by June was very unfair.
Dianna met me at the door and escorted me through the church and the meetings. My head was filled with questions, yet my heart was filled with a joy I did not understand. Dianna saw that I had questions and introduced me to the missionaries, and asked if I would be willing to take the discussions at her house. I said I would, being willing to learn about the Mormons for myself rather than through secondhand information.
Since I was a Jehovah’s Witness I had to take the discussions in secret, as I would receive great pressure from other members of my church if they knew what I was doing. I had to make the decision to investigate with out having the pressure of my church during the process.
I read the passages in the Book of Mormon assigned to me and found my self amazed at what I was reading and felt the Holy Spirit during the process. I was still fighting all of this on an intellectual basis. "Why is this information only in this church?" I thought. The answer that came to me was, ‘Why did so many people doubt Jesus Christ?’
During the fourth discussion I felt the Holy Spirit very strongly. I remember thinking that this is what the people who followed Moses must have felt. The missionaries asked me if I would like to be baptized. My heart agreed, but my mind was still catching up. I said that I would. Again I was following my heart—just as I did when I asked to attend the LDS church.
Dianna asked me to pick a date for the baptism. I said at first that I couldn't because I would have to move out—my roommate was a Jehovah’s Witness. But Dianna suggested that I set a date and the rest would follow. I took a leap of faith and it was worth the leap.
I was baptized February 8, 2002. I felt the Holy Spirit very strongly that day. Today, my mind is still working to catch up with my heart. However, what I am learning confirms what my heart and spirit already knew: That this is the true church of Jesus Christ; that he lives and that we are guided by prophets just as Moses guided the people many years ago.
The process of becoming a former Jehovah Witness was very painful. I sent a letter of disassociation, which was read to the Juneau congregation. Upon hearing the letter, all the members are required to shun me or in other words turn their back on me whenever they see me in public. I experienced the loss of friendships of a hundred people who have some of the truth, and are trying to do what is right and live according to their beliefs.
It was worth the pain! The joy I have felt during the discussions, the baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit, and becoming a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the true church, has filled my heart to the brim. The order that is present within the church, the support from the members, and the opportunity to attend the temple to do work for others has given me a confirmation that following my heart was the right thing to do.
May your heart be filled to the brim with the knowledge that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true, that Jesus loves us, and that we are led by our Prophet, President Hinckley, who is our modern-day Moses. Imagine the blessings we can receive as we are baptized, given the gift of the Holy Spirit, perform temple work, and serve callings for the Church. It is through our service to others that we understand a small part of the service that Jesus did for us. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. |
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