Now
in my 60’s, I joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at
16. It has been said that there are two elements to complete conversion: 1) a spiritual conversion and 2) a social
transition. For me, the social transition
came first.
While
sitting in my high school biology class in the fall of my junior year, a young
man would drastically change the course of my life with a simple question:
“Would you like to play basketball with our church team?”
Well,
I loved basketball and I had seen what kind of a person this young man and his
friends were. I was attracted to
them. They seemed happy, comfortable in
their own skin. His offer was accepted,
and the following Saturday night I drove to North Hollywood High School, where
the church basketball games were played.
I
have to admit that I was nervous. Would
I be accepted? Rejection is no fun at
any age, particularly as a teen. Upon
entering the gymnasium they were already warming up. They stopped, greeted me enthusiastically,
and made me feel very, very welcome.
At
that time a player who was not a member of our Church could play on the team as
long as he attended two Sunday services and two mid-week youth activities a
month. And so I started attending, still
enjoying my association with these young men.
After several weeks of this, the same person
who invited me to play with them asked if I would be interested in listening to
the missionary lessons, which I was happy to do. He would come over with them to my house every
week. After they left the home I always
felt such a warm feeling, although I didn’t understand the source. They taught me the gospel of Jesus Christ and
invited me to be baptized. I knew it was
right for me. It was exactly what I
needed, and I sensed that this was right in the eyes of my Heavenly Father.
My
baptismal service was so beautiful.
Again, I felt that warm feeling, that loving feeling which I now
understand was the Holy Ghost, testifying to me that this was right.
My
social transition was in place, and my spiritual conversion was well on its
way. I needed to know if The Book of
Mormon was the word of God, however. I
read it my first year as a member, but without the deep desire that was
necessary.
Two years later I found myself reading the book again, this time with a real thirst
to know if it was of God. I read,
studied, pondered and prayed, and received a powerful conviction I will never
deny. This Spirit filled me with such intensity
that I knew it was true.
Since
that day so many blessings have come into my life. My conviction that God is real, that Jesus
Christ is my savior, and that this Church and its doctrines are true has grown
a thousand-fold, and continues to grow.
I was allowed to serve a two-year mission to Mexico, married a wonderful
young woman who has made me a better man, been blessed with three faithful sons,
and am now enjoying my time as a grandfather.
Raising
our sons in this church has made an enormous difference. We have tried to follow the counsel of our
leaders, and our boys have blossomed with gospel teachings from us as well as
their youth leaders and many wholesome activities. They are now raising their families in light
and truth, and this beautiful cycle continues on.
I
am so grateful.
Craig Dixon
Otay Lakes Ward