Back in 2004

12 years ago, I was baptized
into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I think back on being 14 years old,
meeting with the missionaries
and I think, “What 14-year-old finds God?”
Well, I’m sure many do.
Some kids probably even find Him sooner.
I’m just special I guess.

I think about the lessons with the Missionaries
and when they told me certain stories,
like the story of a boy named Joseph Smith
who was 14 years old and saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  
They would pause to wait for me to question the events
and I would just sit and wait for them to tell me the rest of the story
because I already knew it was true.

I think back on my baptism day
when I was told it would be very cold
because the hot water wasn’t working
And when I stepped into the water, it was warm.
The Sisters in the ward had boiled dozens of pots of water
so I wouldn’t be cold.

I think back about certain trials and heartaches that happened after I was baptized.
I lost my best friend. I lost all my friends.
Specific members of my family criticized me for being a Mormon.
They were very mean about it and not shy about sharing their anger.
I felt like the other kids at church didn’t like me and I sat alone on Sundays.
I remember going to girls camp and feeling completely alone,
because I didn’t have any friends.
I didn’t have friends or parents to go with me, to help me adjust and feel okay.
It was just me.
It was just me and prayers.

Even though that time was difficult, I would never trade those trials away
because it brought me closer to the Savior.
I leaned on Him and drew near to Him
because I felt like there was no one else to help me.
I prayed often.
I had faith that He would help me feel better.
Maybe I wouldn’t have friends but I was satisfied with my choice
And I was sticking to it.

Those trials became easier to bear.
Yes, I lost my friends but I was patient and prayed for new ones.
Eventually, I made new friends that were supportive of me.
My family stopped being so mean about the church
and accepted that it was a part of my life.
The kids at church still didn’t like me.
Literally, they did not like me at all.
I was told later on, after we were friends,
that they thought I was some fake goody-too-shoes.
But I was just me. Once they learned that, they eventually accepted me.
And I didn’t have to sit alone anymore.
I remember going to girl’s camp and meeting one of the greatest friends of my life.
I still think fondly of her this day and try to stay in touch with her.
She’s a “reacher” or one who reaches out to touch and help others.
I want to be like her when I grow up.

Church would still feel lonely but I did make friends
who let me sit with them and their families.
When I went to college, I had roommates to go with
who became marvelous friends.
And then when I was married, I was so happy
because now I had a family to go with to church.
He had the same conviction and commitment to the Lord as I had.
I had someone who was happy to go,
Who felt grateful to have it in His life.
I needed someone motivated to do what he put his mind to.
Someone determined to do what was right.
I found that and so many more wonderful qualities in Caleb.

Now, we have three daughters and we go to church each Sunday.
In just over a year, my oldest will be baptized
and I feel so humbled that she can have this in her life
because it is the greatest gift I could possibly give to her and my children.
That gift is to be together forever as a family,
to learn about the Savior,
to do what is right.

Thank you friends who helped introduce me to the gospel.
Thank you Elders for teaching me the lessons.
Thank you parents for allowing me to be baptized.
Thank you mom for challenging me to read
The Book of Mormon before I was baptized.
It has become the pattern of my life to learn from it's teachings.
Thank you Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for preparing the way for me.
The way you've given me has been difficult and incredibly beautiful.