I was sent this amazing conversion story and had to share it with all of you. His testimony has made mine grow. I hope you will read through his experience and reflect on your own testimony and conversion. It made me think of where I am at now and where I'd like to be. I know that each of us can grow and be strengthened by the testimonies of others and I am grateful that he has taken the time to share with all of us.
Unto all who reads,
I
am a convert to the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints. I grew
up in a loving family that taught me good morals and supported me from
day one. I love them! We were not very religious however, so I really
had no solid spiritual foundation. Friends in elementary and high school
spoke to me about Jesus and the Bible, but I did not understand Their
importance at that time in my life. When I was about 15 years old my
kidneys began to fail, and I eventually ended up on dialysis by the age
of 18. I was a very miserable teenager during those high school years.
It was a difficult challenge having a chronic disease, and I was
depressed because of it.
Fumbling
through life, I partook of anything and everything the world had to
offer. You could say I was quite comfortable in the presidential suite
of the "Great and Spacious Building" (what the world has to offer). At
the age of 19 I received kidney transplant, selflessly donated by my
grandmother. It was like night and day with my health. I had been sick
for so long that I had forgotten what it was like to be healthy! I had a
new lease on life (or so I thought.) Not only did I have a new kidney, I
was now also of legal age and could go to the bars and clubs -
involving myself foolishly in them. I began to hang around people whom
you could consider modern-day Gadianton Robbers (bikers and gang
members). I began to have a chip on my shoulder, thinking the world owed
me respect. The false sense of security I had around these "gentlemen"
had also puffed up my pride even more.
Then,
one morning, my mother woke me up and told me to turn on the
television. It was September 11, 2001. My heart sank into my stomach. I
was scared, confused and ashamed. Ashamed at how I had been living my
life up to that point. Ashamed by my selfish recklessness and utter
disregard for the sacrifices my family and friends had made for me over
the previous years. Something stirred inside of me. I had a deep
yearning to know the TRUTH. What was I doing with my life? Why had I
gone through so much? What was the meaning of it all? I had been given a
second chance at a healthy life, yet I was literally wasting it away
with frivolous living. I was also troubled because those who allegedly
crashed the planes said they did so in the name of their God and their
religion. This did not sit right with me. From the little I knew about
God, I was under the impression that He loved us - or He at least liked
us enough to not have us kill each other! From that point on I began a
“spiritual binge“. I quit cold turkey all of the substances, places and
people that had been a negative influence in my life. I had no desire
for ANY of it. I went to the library on many occasions and studied the
different religions and beliefs of the world. Islam, Buddhism, Taoism,
Sikhism, Hinduism. I LOVED it!! I was soaking it up. I was a sponge.
Eventually, I began to learn about Christianity. I cracked open an old
bible and began to read.
"In
the beginning..." As hard as I tried, I couldn't really understand it.
And to make things even MORE confusing, there were many, many different
denominations and sects within Christianity itself. Catholic, Baptist,
Methodist, Seventh-day Adventist, Presbyterian, Evangelical,
Episcopalian... You get the idea. I was overwhelmed! And who WAS this
Jesus? My answers soon came.
About
mid-October I was at a "friend's" house, sitting on a couch. Whilst
sitting, I had an unmistakable feeling that I had to leave, NOW!!! -
that it was not safe to stay. I abruptly left and got into my car. I
began to drive home, wondering if the impression I just had was real.
Then, all of a sudden, a thick warm blanket of pure love and light
enveloped me from head to toe. To describe this experience with mere
mortal words cannot do it justice. The feeling was like having all of
the best times of my life wrapped into one joyous, happy moment. The
feeling was like having every birthday party, Christmastime and
colourful dream coming true - all at once - multiplied by infinity. My
heart burned within me. It was so familiar. Someone or Something not of
this world knew exactly who I was, and loved me with a love that is
indescribable. I began to ball like a baby and wept with sheer joy. I
then began to weep with sadness, realizing that the life I had been
living was not what I was put on this earth to do. I felt encouraged to
continue seeking, searching and I would find the answers I was so
desperately yearning for. I experienced peace in my heart, comforting me
and urging me to continue to the Light - to continue to fight for good.
That moment changed me forever. I know that what I felt and experienced
was real and true. I also know that God knew it, and I could not deny
it - neither dared I! From that day on I continued my spiritual journey.
I learned more about the different denominations and doctrines, but
they were more confusing than comforting. I even went to a bible study
group. They spoke about God and Jesus, which was good, but something was
missing. Where was that feeling that I had previously experienced -
that burning within my heart that had filled me full of hope, faith,
love and light? I was starting to get frustrated.
November
13, 2001 was my father's birthday. That evening, my family decided to
go out for dinner to celebrate. I wasn’t feeling too well so I stayed
home, alone. I turned on the television to one of my favourite shows. A
woman on the show explained to a man that she was a Mormon. What was a
Mormon? Was it another religion I could study? I was getting excited.
And while I was pondering this new topic, the doorbell rang. Oh, who
could that be?! I was watching my show, just beginning to process this
new information about Mormons.
I answered the door...
Two
missionaries from The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints stood
before me, The Book of Mormon in their hands. These two young men
introduced themselves, both curiously named "Elder". They explained to
me their message about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ,
Joseph Smith’s First Vision and the purpose of the Book of Mormon. What
touched my heart the most was their invitation to read passages from the
Book of Mormon, and then ask God MYSELF to know if it was true. We
talked in the doorway for about 20 minutes. They gave me a copy of the
book and said they would contact me in a few days. I felt like I was
walking on air.
I
immediately went upstairs and began to read. I did not understand
everything right away, but I knew in my heart that I had to pray to God
to know if this was what I had been searching for. Besides, it just
couldn't have been a coincidence that the Mormon missionaries showed up
at my door at the EXACT same time there was a Mormon on television,
right? I got down on my knees, not knowing how to pray, but prayed
silently nevertheless. I offered up the sincerest desires of my heart
and asked God to show me what was true. I asked Him if it was right to
meet with the missionaries. I prayed to know if the Book of Mormon was
true. I got up, poured myself a bowl of cereal and opened a magazine to
an article in the back. I began to read. The article was about BYU's
football team. It explained how players on the team sometimes left
football for two years to serve throughout the world as missionaries for
The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints. This was NOT a
coincidence any more. This was divine intervention. This was an answer
to the prayer I had said only minutes before.
I
met with the Elders the next day. They taught me many truths - plain
and precious truths that had been lost due to the Great Apostasy – that
were restored once again to the earth through the Prophet, Joseph Smith.
They boldly testified of living Prophets and Apostles upon the earth
today, teaching me how I could find out for myself if what they were
telling me was really true. How? By sincerely studying, pondering and
then praying to my Father in Heaven. I learned about the Holy Ghost. Who
is the Holy Ghost and what does He feel like? He is a Personage of
Spirit – the third member of the Godhead. He testifies and bears record
of God the Father and Jesus Christ. He reveals all truth. He can cause a
warm burning within our chest and heart - like purifying fire. He can
cause sudden strokes of ideas and quicken our understanding about
scripture and doctrine. He can fill us full of hope, faith, love, peace
and light - all of the things I had felt that day driving home!! The
Holy Ghost is also a still, small Voice. If we are too preoccupied or
distracted, we can drown out that Voice. After a couple of meetings, the
Elders then asked me to pray aloud for the first time. I had never done
that before! Nervously, I bowed my head and crossed my arms. I began to
pray to my Heavenly Father. And you know what? My chest burned within
me! I felt pure warmth and peace. I had received a witness from the Holy
Ghost! I had found what I was looking for! Over the next two weeks I
participated in the concluding lessons, and prepared myself to enter the
waters of baptism. I was baptized November 29, 2001 and received the
gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands a week later. The
Spirit of the Lord has been my constant companion – my guiding light (so
long as I remain worthy of His companionship). Entering into this
sacred covenant with God has been the greatest and best decision I have
ever made.
I testify
that God lives, and that the Heavens are open. He is the Father of our
spirits and Jesus Christ is His Only Begotten Son - the Redeemer and
Saviour of the world - our Advocate with the Father. Through His
Infinite Atonement, He has made it possible for us to return to the
Father’s presence by obedience to the Gospel principles of faith in
Jesus Christ, repentance and the ordinances of baptism and confirmation
(receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands) by
proper Priesthood Authority. God the Father and His Beloved Son have ALL
power. Their timing is perfect. Jesus Christ is the Light and the Life
of the world. My greatest of joys is knowing exactly who I am, where I
came from and where I am going – that there is a plan for each and every
one of us. I testify that Joseph Smith truly was a Prophet called of
God, and that angels ministered to him (and to us) continuously. Joseph
was an instrument in the hands of the Almighty in restoring the Fullness
of the Everlasting Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Church of JESUS CHRIST
of Latter-day Saints is the only true living church upon the face of the
whole earth - God Himself bearing witness of it. This knowledge has
opened and softened my heart. I love and care for EVERY human being upon
the face of the earth. We are ALL God’s children – each and every one
of us! It’s magnificent! The Bible AND the Book of Mormon are true. They
are the Words of God – both witnessing and testifying of the glory of
Christ. I invite all to exercise faith by reading these scriptures,
(especially The Book of Mormon) and you will come to know that they are
true for yourself. Come; humbly learn what The Church of JESUS CHRIST of
Latter-day Saints has to offer. God is faithful, and will not leave us
alone in the dark - if we but reach out and seek Him. This humble
testimony I leave before the entire world, in the most sacred name of
Jesus Christ. Amen.
My warmest regards,
Dustin Lee Burnham
