Shannon

  This is Shannon's conversion story according to her: When I was 17 I was dating a young man named Tom Smith. He was a member of the church and I was my father's daughter- very "free". We never talked about church, but one day Tom told me he had to stop dating me because he was going on a mission and his Bishop told him to. Well this made me mad so I called up this person and told him who I was (Bishop Sumners said I called him a priest) and asked would he like to go out for lunch. (that is what polite people do). He stammered and studderd on the phone and said No. (My thoughts were "what kind of idiot turns down a free lunch") Then he asked if I would like to meet with him at his church on a certain evening. I said OK. I rode my bike to the redlands church- about 15-20 miles.  I heard that you were supposed to dress up for these people, so I brought a change of clothes (a dress, of which I owned like 2). When I was walking around trying to find the Bishops office, saw a troop of actors from BYU (?) practicing for a play to be presented later that night. The play was "My Turn on Earth". I liked what I saw. I met with Bishop Sumners and told him what I thought about his ideas of not dating Tom. We talked a while and he gave me a Marvelous work and a Wonder and invited me to church. I was also told I could come see the play if I wanted to. I rode my bike home (which Bishop was impressed I did in the first place).   I called my Aunt Beth and asked if I could take her daughters to a play that evening. She said yes. So I went to "MY Turn on Earth". It made sense. I guess I was touched by the spirit. That next Sunday I started going to church. I was taught by the sister missionaries (no boy ones :( ) I loved the sisters. One young and one old (Sister Bird). I would take them places in dad's jeep. I loved that jeep. I had my lessons in a members house. I was adopted by the Huffakers, and generally loved by many. I often rode my bike to church. I was a golden contact.   I chose to be baptized on my 18th Birthday. My dad thought I was joining a cult and made me go see a psychologist and I was determined that I was not crazy and I made him go see the shrink. Grandpa tried to get me to not join. He asked me to wait 1 year and then do it (because it would pass by then), but I wouldn't. My life was not perfect. I still had challenges, but I vowed to myself that I would never not go to church on Sunday's, no matter how challenging my life was- or what problems I might have. This has served me well over the years. The Lord always sends us challenges and then helps us overcome them. I have always known that this church is true! I know this with all my heart. I love my children. I know that you (Savannah) are serving the Lord and he will bless you for this.

ps- Tom and I moved our separate ways. He couldn't keep his commitments to the Lord or me. I was lucky enough to meet Kevin at a tri stake Halloween dance. He was perfect. He loved me. I think we all know the rest of the story!