The missionaries were out contacting and knocked on Patti’s door. She opened the door, they introduced themselves, and she invited them in. The first thing she said to them as they entered was, “You’re welcome to come in, but my mother was a member of your church and if she couldn’t convert me you can’t either.”
After Elder Hirsche found her, missionaries kept visiting Patti, but they didn’t start making an impact until Elder Greenhalgh and Elder Stanfield started coming over. Their consistency really helped Patti. She felt like she was able to get to know them a lot more than the previous missionaries.
Elder Putt was also a large part of her conversion. He would consistently pose her questions and as she would answer them, he would inform her that we believed that as well. A particular faith building experience for her was when she explained that she didn’t believe in hell, and Elder Putt responded, “That’s good. Neither do we.”
Eventually Patti was put on date for baptism when Elder Lewis and Elder Berg served in the area. Patti faced some opposition before her baptism, but understanding that the commandments are essential and unwavering helped her power through. Patti was baptized on February 17, 2024.
Members of the Kingsport ward played an important part in Patti’s conversion, including Joe and Claire Ewing and Treasure Phillips. She is very grateful for their love and support.
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