This was written by Margaret Slighte, writer and editor at Slightely Mormon.
The wooden floor was cold on that early March day, but the light beaming in from the attic window warmed me. I was frustrated after having called the phone number that Google had listed for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Meetinghouse nearest me again.
No answer, again. Don’t they have a Bishop or someone who answers the phone? What about the Missionaries?
A month previous, a friend had taken me to a potluck at her church. I felt a Spirit there and wanted to know more, but she wasn’t talking to me anymore…there were strange happenings where she lived. I still longed to know more. So, I downloaded the Book of Mormon and prayed about it. The “burning in my bosom” feeling was very new to me, but I felt that the book was true… Now what??!!
I was 46, alone, living in an abandoned attic that I had permission to stay in, but I had reached my bottom. My life had been full of heartache and I wanted something different. I prayed to God, “How do I become closer to Christ?!” Immediately I was impressed that not only for my sake, but for the sake of my granddaughters who I had a limited relationship with, I needed to become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
I had met my granddaughters only 3 years before, when they were two. My son had married and abandoned their mother when she was pregnant. They were being raised by their Mormon grandmother, the mother of theirs. Their grandmother become mother was named Mary and I admired her patience and fortitude. I knew nothing about her religion. I knew after that prayer I needed to give her a call.
She answered quickly, “Hi Mary, I have a question for you, how do you get the Missionaries to your house?”
She laughed as I relayed the story of my prayer and exclaimed, “WHAT A TESTIMONY!”
Confused, I answered, “What’s a Testimony and how do you get the Missionaries to stop by?”
She comforted me with the information that she would have her Missionaries in her area contact their counterparts in my area (about 30 miles south).
After getting off the phone, I steadied myself. I braced for the idea that I would have to talk to young men. I had a history of abuse by males since infancy and I struggled to strengthen myself for interaction with more men.
God knew my heart. Just like He knew that the one way to get me to do anything is to remind me of that action’s effect on my grandchildren. He also knew of my history. When I answered the knock at the door less than half hour later, there were the two most beautiful young women standing there waiting to teach me the Gospel!
“God knew my heart. Just like He knew that the one way to get me to do anything is to remind me of that action’s effect on my grandchildren.”
I was Baptized three weeks later and a little over a year later went through the Seattle temple for the first time. I have spent time volunteering in the Snowflake Arizona temple office as well as visiting Branches and Wards across the country. I LOVE being a Mormon. I LOVE knowing, for the first time that I am a daughter of a Heavenly Father who loves me and I love Him.
I know this church is true. I have a strong testimony of the Restored Gospel and Jesus Christ. I couldn’t imagine living without the precious Gift of the Holy Spirit. I leave this Testimony with you in the name of my dear loving and patient Savior, Jesus Christ.
