My guest writer is Valerie Fulmer who is writing the book “Convert Journeys of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” If you are a convert, eighteen or over, and want to have your story considered for inclusion, contact me using the email in the footer.

Convert Journeys

I am still working on gathering convert stories for my book that will likely be entitled “Convert Journeys of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” This book will give you an opportunity to bear your testimony to many, and to help lifelong members of the church better understand what it is like to be a convert.

I am a lifelong member of the Church. In December 2006 I met a family who took the discussions from the missionaries and who were eventually baptized. To see their journey first hand and up close has been a learning experience for me. I was raised in the Church and it was interesting to see what this amazing family learned and the experiences they went through as converts. This experience has inspired me to compile a book of converts’ stories from members of the Church. A few of the goals of this book are to:

• Share the gospel of Jesus Christ to those non-members who are willing to read the book.
• Give converts an opportunity to share their story and their testimony of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
• Help lifelong members of the Church (myself included) better understand what it is like to be a convert.

Elder David J. Barnett has said:

I know that as we do missionary work in whatever capacity we can, we obey the vital commandment to “love one another.” (David J. Barnett, “Messages from the Doctrine and Covenants: A Testimony of Missionary Work,” Ensign, Mar 2005, 22–23)

Understanding Converts

It is my hope that by reading this book, lifelong members can better understand converts, and thereby have more understanding and a better capacity to reach out to those precious souls that have come into the Fold of Christ.

I bear solemn testimony that I believe this is the Lord’s church on earth. Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. Because of Him, we are all blessed beyond our comprehension. There is nothing I can say or do that will ever show how much gratitude I have for all He has done, does and will do for each and every one of us.

I do believe there are good and sincere people of many different faiths, and even those who do not have a belief in a Higher Power. Each person is a son or daughter of God. We can learn something from everyone we meet. We believe people should be allowed to believe (or not believe) according to the dictates of their own hearts. This book will be about individuals whose minds and hearts led them to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Although I do not think anyone would knowingly make up stories or stretch the truth, the validity of this book rests upon complete honesty with the information you do provide. And with the information you choose to disclose, I encourage you to do so with humility and prayer. Thank you for considering sharing YOUR story. It is my hope that your stories will inspire, educate and encourage people from around the world.