Conversion story written by Lilith

Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night and everything is dark? You wait for your eyes to adjust but the darkness is all encompassing. You’re blind as you try and navigate your way through the room you thought you knew well, but in the darkness you’re stumbling and tripping. This is how I felt for several years: stuck in a perpetual darkness, and even though I had an inkling about what lay ahead I still stumbled and fell. I had tried many churches before, mostly Protestant. Baptist, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, yet I was still in the blackness searching for that flicker in the dark. The darkness seemed to consume me after my second medical leave from work. For 22 weeks I stayed home and contemplated if there was hope for me. Eventually those 22 weeks turned to 23 weeks when I admitted myself to Erlanger Behavioral Health for 10 days.

Returning to work after that stay left me feeling unfulfilled. A great chasm had split open my chest that couldn’t be satiated by work anymore. The joy I had for my job leaked from me and my body felt too heavy, too exhausted, and I too ceased to be bright. I had become the darkness itself. I felt as though everything moved on without me, and it had because that’s how change works. It waits for no one. But the Heavenly Father had a plan for me, a plan I believed to be in motion since my first medical leave in 2023. I first heard of the missionaries being in our store through a complaint, though what I observed was two young men doing their studies and not bothering a single patron. I couldn’t understand how merely existing in our store could be a negative. And I know quite a bit about how people can resent you for merely existing.

Several days later they were still there, still studying, still completely devoted. I mentioned off handedly to someone about wanting to talk to them and my fellow coworkers warned me away. But, there in the darkness was a pinprick of light. So I followed after it. I approached the missionaries, the Elders, with nothing but genuine curiosity and a want to be filled up again, to be bright. They immediately accepted me and offered me a copy of the Book of Mormon at my request. That pinprick of light expanded as I carried around that little blue book. But Heavenly Father wasn’t done with me just yet. There would still be trials and tribulations that would test my growing faith which was as delicate as a freshly bloomed flower cradled in your palms.

I followed up with the Elders on the phone and that was where I met Sister Gubbay. I was in awe of her, a young woman who had grown up steadfast in her faith unlike me who turned my back on the Godhead and acted in ways I now regret. We planned to have dinner at her house and I prayed that afternoon for a sign that I was going down the right path. I hadn’t talked to the Heavenly Father in some years so I was wary and unconvinced he would respond. But I was blessed in my sleep with the peaceful visage of a young lamb nestled among clouds in a clear blue sky. I woke up resolute in my decision. When I told Sister and Brother Gubbay and the Elders about my dream they were stricken by the imagery which seemed to be taken from the Bible itself, from the Parable of the Lamb. For a wonderful moment I felt lightness in my heart as the darkness receded little by little.

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I confided in a few coworkers who were sincerely supportive of my decision to explore The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints unlike my family who was wary and disapproving. Despite that I attended my first service at our local ward. As I took my first Sacrament I felt light bloom all around me as the Holy Spirit touched my heart. I listened to the testimonies and was nearly brought to tears by the Brothers and Sisters speaking. Their testimonies were genuine and tenderhearted. I believe in that moment something changed fundamentally within me. I had been brought to a great precipice, not to blindly jump, but to watch the sky go aflame as the sun rose. The brightness was almost overwhelming after staggering around in the dark for so long.

That’s the thing about pain. Once it becomes all you know, it’s harder to heal because you fear falling all over again. At my first Relief Society meeting I was taught that when we stumble and fall we do not suffer alone, for Jesus Christ is with us through all things. That he’s merely refining us like silver, keeping a watchful eye over us and never leaving us to simply fend for ourselves. I met with the Elders to continue my lessons and each day as I learned more I felt my joy blossomed in the cavity in my chest and it slowly sealed itself shut. It’s a great blessing to me touched by the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

But the more I learned, the more I studied, the closer I came to my baptism the harder things became. I reminded myself daily that Jesus Chirst was with me even as I struggled to accept some of the teachings. The Law of Chastity being the main one. As someone who has been out as a lesbian for over a decade it was hard to embrace the idea of never dating again, of losing that type of companionship. But I forgot an important part of my religious journey: community. I wanted a village around me and I had found that in my Brothers and Sisters at church. Even more than that, I had the Heavenly Father, his son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

I accepted then that even if I couldn’t date I would have people surrounding me who loved and cared about me and embraced me as I was. That was the gift of being a child of the Heavenly Father. Through this covenant I have found peace and purpose. I desire to be a help to queer adults who may be interested or curious about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints the same way I was. I wanted to be there to, not persuade them, but to offer my Testimony as proof that there is more for us if you manage to make it over that hurdle. It’s a tall one but it can be done. And if they decide they cannot make it over the hurdle that’s okay, because they will always have a friend in the church and they will always be loved by me and the Heavenly Father.

After many lessons from my Elders educating me on the Covenants, the Law of Chastity, and the Words of Wisdom, I was deemed ready for my baptism and the date was set. My baptism was something I avoided steadfastly growing up, never feeling good enough or worthy enough. But as I stood in the empty font while the Elders explained the steps of a baptism, I felt the Holy Spirit all around and I knew I was ready to take that crucial next step. I even invited my father, who was adamantly against the choice I was making. He took it in stride though, which I was grateful for the day of my baptism. I was baptised and received my confirmation on Easter Sunday, a day I will never forget. I started my day watching the sun burn off the morning mist from a lookout spot on a nearby mountain. It was a wonderful representation of what I would be doing later that day: rising anew.

At my baptism, I could feel the light all around me and I’m certain my small audience felt it as well. It was a powerful moment, it’s when I really felt my connection to the Godhead strengthen. As I was submerged under the water I was washed clean, and as I surfaced again I was confirmed by the church and reborn as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a Mormon. This is my Testimony. I believe in the Restoration of the church through the work of the prophet Joseph Smith. I believe in the atonement of Jesus Christ who died for our sins. I believe in the Heavenly Father’s plan for us and that it is rooted in compassion and love. As I was baptized —and with the help of the scripture, the Elders, and church service— I was made bright again. This is the truth and I say this is the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Written by Lia

My conversion story is not the stereotypical conversion story most people probably think of. Missionaries did not come knock on my door some random day and ask to share a message or invite me to church. My interest in the church all started because of the reality TV show on Hulu The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives. I was obsessed with watching that show. What started as something that I watched unseriously, became something that avalanched into a very serious part of my life. 

I was watching it so much, that I started having nightmares that I would go to an LDS church and be judged. So I decided that I would visit an LDS church, so that maybe if I have a good experience there, I’d stop having the nightmares.

I didnt think anything of it. I thought I would just go to church, hopefully have a good experience, and never return again. I was raised in the Methodist church, and Christians who are not LDS often have a negative view toward The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. That included myself. I thought the LDS church were not actually Christians. I told myself there was no way I’d ever become a member. But I’d go just as a “side quest.” 

I Googled “Mormon churches near me” because at the time I didn’t know to call it LDS. I found the website and applied to talk to the missionaries. Soon after Sister Jonsson and Sister Fraser called me. I was so nervous, but I didn’t want to waste their time, so I told them I would text them a list of questions I had for them. 

They were some heavy hitter questions. I asked them about the church’s stance on gay marriage and LGBTQ people, how many people they think will go to heaven (I had that opinion mixed up with Jehovahs Witnesses), and more. 

They said that they’d like to answer those questions in person, and I agreed. We set up a date and time to meet. I remember meeting them and relaxing. We had things in common, they were the same age as me, and they didn’t look like people who would judge me. They were “just a girl, just like me.” 

We talked about my questions, my doubts. I told them about The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives and the video I’d been watching which explained some of the Church’s history and the Restoration, and how the person who made the video helped me to respect “Mormons” more. 

Even as they were meeting with me that first day, I still didn’t think I would become a member. I just wanted to visit the church for a day, and ask some missionaries some questions.  Because along with the fact I had a negative view of the LDS church at the time, I also had negative experiences with my church in the past, so I wasn’t currently a Christian. I didn’t go to church, but I did pray a lot and on occasion read my Bible. I had a complicated relationship with God. 

It all started when I was 13 and was sexually abused by my father. I became absolutely afraid of men. I couldn’t walk by a man or be near one without feeling intense anxiety and even flashbacks. I would constantly question why God would let this happen to me. I was mad at God. I was mad that I felt alone and abandoned. I stopped praying for years.

When I was 16, I tried going to a Presbyterian church, and for a few weeks, I even researched Judaism. I just wanted to feel at home in religion again. I wanted answers. I wanted to have a relationship with God again. I wanted to feel the safety and comfort I’d had leaning on him in my younger years. But nothing stuck. So I just prayed by myself, and read my Bible by myself, but it would constantly bring up feelings of being unsure whether or not God was really real. Whether i could really trust him. I was hurt and lost. 

So when I reached out to the missionaries, I thought it would feel the same way. I thought it would just be another church that wouldn’t make me feel at home. That wouldn’t feel true. But as I continued talking to them, getting rides with members of the Asheville Ward to sacrament meeting, and meeting the members of the ward that would later become mine, I realized that there was really something there for me. There was community, something I craved and did not have. There was kindness. There were imperfect people, not the stereotypical LDS members that are perfect and prim that I had heard about in the TV show. There were many people I admired and looked up to. And the more that I reflected on what I was being taught, and the more I read the Book of Mormon, the more I realized that it was true.

I’m not sure of a specific moment I realized it was true. I think I slowly started to piece everything together and to learn to trust it as time went on. I slowly started to realize that I would be okay if not drinking coffee and giving up other pleasures led to this beautiful life with these beautiful people, and all of the blessings it entailed. I was growing a closer relationship with God. Instead of saying “Dear God, please help me with *xyz*” and then immediately closing the prayer and going back to not believing, which is what I often did every night, I began to have long prayers, telling Him about my day, my doubts, my worries, even my successes. I would thank Him. I began to understand Him and in his role in my life. I began to heal from my abuse. I began to realize that I was comfortable with shaping a new life for myself, and that my old habits and identity weren’t me anymore. 

As the lessons with the sister missionaries continued, I finally wrote down a list of things I thought were required to do to be baptized into the church and become a member, and I sent it to the sister missionaries. Sensing the opportunity, they invited me to be baptized. I wasn’t sure at first, but after a few hours of thinking about it, I said yes. 

It’s been 4 months since I baptized. I was baptized January 23, 2026. Since then, my life has changed for the better. I have made so many new friends, who offer help when I need it. I often go to The Book Of Mormon, General Conference talks, the Sister Missionaries, or the Bible and Book of Mormon when things are worrying me or weighing me down, and I get answers every single time. 

I even have started forgiving my father, something i genuinely believed i would never do. 

People have said they can see a more confident, happy version of myself since I’ve joined the church. I am constantly sharing with my neighbors and trying to invite them to church. I even made an LDS Instagram account where I share my faith journey. Though I sometimes still struggle with craving old habits or identities, and i sometimes still have doubts, and it sometimes feels so hard to learn new things and adjust to a new faith and lifestyle, it has been the best thing for me. I know that the more that I trust God, pray, read my scriptures, and go to church things will get easier, and slowly, they do. I feel like i have a purpose now. 

Seven months ago, a psychiatrist asked me what I wanted to live for, and I said nothing, except for my baby cousin. Now I know that I have so much to live for, and that I am a worthy child of God who can do so many things. I now understand that Heavenly Father has a plan for me. I even have my patriarchal blessing to read when I feel discouraged. I wish that everyone could feel the joy and healing of joining this church. The church is undeniably true and I am so thankful for all the things that led me to it.

#TKMTenderMercies

The missionaries were at Food City inviting people to come to church. Noah came up to them and was curious about what they were doing and why they were inviting people to worship Jesus Christ with them at church.. He talked to the missionaries for a second, but they were holding up traffic so their conversation ended.

The elders then saw some kids playing football in the parking lot and decided to stop and join them. A couple minutes later, Noah walked up and also joined in! As they were talking more about what the missionaries do, a guy walked up and started antagonizing the missionaries and being rude to them. Noah defended the elders, told the man to leave the missionaries alone, and pointed out the good they are trying to do. After the man left, Noah expressed he was interested in their message and wanted to learn more.

Noah was very curious about our church, especially as he learned it wasn’t like others because it was the restored church of Jesus Christ. He shared he didn’t like the ways some other churches did things.

In one of these first lessons, the missionaries taught Noah the doctrine of baptism and confirmation and invited him to be baptized. Just after that lesson, his son Gabe joined and the missionaries invited him to be baptized too.

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Every time the missionaries went back to the Maturin home, they met more of Noah’s family. Their family consists of Noah, his wife Shannon, and their kids Isabelle, Isaiah, Gabe, Gabby and Elijah. The kids absolutely loved Wednesday night youth activities and getting to know more kids in the church. The family had a great experience the first time they attended sacrament meeting and felt welcomed in the Bristol Ward.

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Noah along with Elijah, Gabe, Gabby, and Isaiah were baptized into the Bristol Ward on December 7, 2025. A week later, Noah went to the temple with Gabe and Isaiah. His wife Shannon and daughter Isabelle followed soon after and were baptized by Noah on January 4, 2025.

#TKMTenderMercies

Rose was found through a couple who had gotten married and then baptized into the church. Throughout Rose’s conversion, she struggled meeting with the missionaries regularly. She would have times she frequently met with missionaries and then stop meeting when life got so busy.

Throughout her time meeting with the missionaries. Rose had been put on date for baptism four times but never made it to her baptism date.

One day, Sister ‘Iongi and Sister Hansen were reviewing friends who had been taught in the past and had the impression to call Rose. When they first met with her, Rose welcomed the missionaries into her home and they began to teach her again. Rose knew that the things she was taught was true and that it could change her life if she continued to be faithful in the gospel of Jesus Christ, so she set a date to be baptized.. She relied on the power of prayer to make it to her baptismal day.

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Rose was also trying to look for a job during the time she was meeting with the missionaries. When she interviewed for jobs, she often had a hard time organizing her thoughts to give good answers to the interview questions. Rose turned to God by asking for help through prayer. She was kept her commitments by reading the scriptures and coming to church. Heavenly Father answered her prayers and blessed her with the ability to give good answers in her job interview.

Rose also wanted her sons to come to church and know that they need God in their life. Her greatest desire is that her boys will join her and Rose is committed to be an example to her family. Rose has a big heart and is full of charity. When members would come to join the lessons with the missionaries, Rose would give them a Pohnpeian skirt or a lei to show gratitude for coming and helping her with her spiritual journey.

Rose was baptized on May 8, 2026 and became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Bearden Ward. When Rose was baptized she was ready to jump right in and wanted a calling in the church!

#TKMTenderMercies

The missionaries who taught Rose: Elder Kaumavae, Elder Greenhalgh, Elder Porter, Sister Rabinovitch, Sister Harris, Sister Lund, Sister Fisher,  Sister Fee, Sister Fear, Sister Dever, Sister Brown, Sister Avei, Sister Bundy, Sister Ericksen, Sister Hansen, and Sister ‘Iongi. 

Every six weeks, we gather the mission into three separate groups for zone conference. This is an important time to strengthen the missionaries, celebrate our success, and build skills to continue to help more people come unto Christ.

In the past, while the missionaries are in zone conference, our senior missionaries conduct car inspections to keep the cars safe and clean. Sister Barlow felt we should change our process to help the missionaries be more accountable for their vehicles. They arrived 30 minutes early and helped inspect their own car and ensure fluid levels were all topped off. This worked so much better and lighted the load for our senior missionaries.

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We began zone conference with Sister Barlow teaching us about the Doctrine of Christ, and how to use the Doctrine of Christ to get the Savior’s help in our life. She began by sharing her all-time favorite video, “Because of Him”. She taught us how pondering each step of the Doctrine of Christ can help us next steps we can take with a challenge we want to overcome or a goal to achieve. She then shared examples of how she has done this in her own life.

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President Barlow the talked about the doctrine of the sacrament and steps we can take to help more of our friends come and worship Jesus Christ and feel His spirit each Sunday.

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The Assistants and Zone Leadership Teams then ran three workshops:

1. Creating powerful invitations through promised blessings.
2. Uniting with members and using the Member Checklist.
3. Creating written sacrament plans for friends.

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In addition to the workshops, during last transfer our missionaries memorized The Living Christ, so our SMS team helped us film a new Living Christ Video that we will look forward to sharing with everyone at Easter.

The Tennessee Knoxville Mission is being blessed in remarkable ways. These missionaries have been working incredibly hard and the benefits of their efforts are seen and felt!

Asheville – Kingsport – Johnson City Zones

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Knoxville – Cookeville – Cumberland – Rocky Top Zones

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Chattanooga – Cleveland – Dalton Zones

#WhatsUpInTKM

On July 29, 2025, Russ was in Walmart shopping for his favorite cheese when two missionaries commented on his cross necklace and invited him to church! He was interested in learning more about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Russ was raised around members of the church but never fully knew what they believed.

The next day the sister missionaries were planning on showing him around the church building. He had a busy day at work and called and canceled. But then he saw a rainbow and felt that was a sign that he needed to meet with the missionaries.

Russ met with the missionaries for three months and was growing his faith in Christ more every day. He became great friends with one of the members of the congregation, Ted Simmons. Russ loved reading the Book of Mormon and the Bible and seeing how they complemented each other.

On October 26, 2025, Russ was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He shared his testimony about the difference between believing and knowing, and said He knows this is where he belongs. He knows that Joseph Smith was a prophet. He knows that this is Christ’s church. He knows these things because he reads, ponders and prays, having faith that God will direct him as he continues those things.

On November 2, 2025, Russ was able to receive the Aaronic Priesthood, God’s power and authority to act in His name. He is also sharing the joy that he has felt from the gospel by inviting his friends and co-workers to come to church with him. Russ is a great disciple of Christ! 

Soon, he will be going to the Atlanta, Georgia temple with the Simmons family to do proxy baptisms for his deceased ancestors.

Here is a short message from Russ:

Hello, my name is Russ Kline and here is my brief testimony,

I was walking in a local Walmart looking for one of my favorite cheeses and these two angels came walking around a corner holding vibrant smiles and they said to me – “we really like your necklace.” I replied – “I really like my necklace too”. In the hopes of being terse, we had a short conversation, I was invited to church in Loudon, to which I accepted.

I learned of Joseph Smith, the plates, Nephi, Moroni, the Tree, the Path, the Iron Rod, the Fruit, the Great and Spacious Building, etc…. after much trepidation (long story), this isn’t what cemented my conversion. 

God is subtle so we must carefully listen. There were signs, right in the spot where I was supposed to be. Two in particular. One with Sister Thatcher and the second, with Brother Ted Simmons.

The one with Sister Thatcher was one where I had been thinking about Revelation 3:20 during one of our meetings:

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hears my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” 

…and then she brings up Jesus knocking at a door with no knob. Way too fortuitous to be a coincidence.

The second one was, again, at one of our meetings and brother Ted Simmons was there. He had mentioned his belief in Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon and the Church being true and this is where it got interesting. I mentioned that I don’t like the word “belief” as it casts doubt to the validity. To “know,” is much more concrete, stronger. Ex: Jesus Christ – “Believing vs Knowing” he died and rose from the dead for us. Which plants the seed? Believing he died for us? Or knowing he died for us? I KNOW he did!

Later, I learned Alma agreed (or I agreed with Alma, nevertheless) … I found it in Alma 32:17-18.

“17 Yea, there are many who do say: If thou wilt show unto us a sign from heaven, then we shall know of a surety; then we shall believe.

18 Now I ask, is this faith? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for if a man knoweth a thing he hath no cause to believe, for he knoweth it.”

God is subtle, we must listen. After God subtly speaking to me, I know that I am exactly where I am supposed to be. I know the Church is true.

I made my choice. 

Much love, Russ 

#TKMTenderMercies

Izzy and Kevin were at Walmart when they met Sister Baldwin. Sister Baldwin was at Walmart picking up some “get well supplies” for another member of the Harlan group who was sick. She ran into Kevin and Izzy and their three boys and they became instant friends. Sister Baldwin invited them to come worship with us at sacrament meeting and also to have the missionaries to stop by their house for a lesson. When Sister Baldwin called the missionaries, she kept saying that Kevin and Izzy were filled with light. 

The Baldwins became very good friends with Kevin and Izzy’s family, to the point that their son, Opie began to call them grandma and grandpa. They spent a lot of time with the Baldwins, learning about the gospel, the Book of Mormon, and the church. As the missionaries taught the discussions, they readily accepted the invitation to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. Because of their desire, Kevin and Izzy progressed very quickly.

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Izzy later said that Kevin’s heart was softened as he read the Book of Mormon with a sincere heart. She could see him changing. The missionaries began to notice their little family gaining more and more light as they began coming to church and began expressing further desire to learn more.

Although somewhat resistant at first, Kevin had become fully invested into studying the Book of Mormon, and this was apparent by the many, many pages of notes that he had taken as he studied. Elder Croney said that he’s never seen someone’s heart change so much in such a short amount of time, and such a willingness to learn. It wasn’t long before they accepted the invitation to be baptized. 

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Kevin and Izzy were baptized on October 12, 2025 in the Harlan Group as members of the Powell Valley Ward. Kevin was baptized by Elder Croney. After his baptism, he came out of the font, and sat on a chair next to the font where he was confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. Immediately after that, he was given the Aaronic priesthood and ordained and elder. He then took Izzy into the water and baptized his wife. It was an incredible experience!

The Sunday after Kevin and Izzy were baptized, Kevin shared this talk in sacrament meeting about what led him to be baptized.

“As some of you know, over a year ago I was in a car wreck that shattered my leg and ankle. I went through several surgeries, a lot of pain and a  long recovery. I’ll be honest — I was mad at God. I blamed Him for what happened. I didn’t understand why it had to happen to me, but I had turned away from him for a time. I was raised in church so I’ve always believed in our Savior, but at that time I felt angry and lost. 

After a year of many struggles, physical therapy, and still feeling lost, God sent my family Sister Baldwin who sent Elder Croney and Elder Helm to our door. They didn’t judge us or push me into anything. They listened, shared scriptures, invited us to pray, and uplifted us with their words. 

I started reading the Book of Mormon and felt something shift in my heart. That hardness toward Him began to melt. I could feel His Spirit again, guiding me and helping me see that He had never left me – He was just waiting for me to reach out.

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Last week, right after I was baptized, I was ordained to the Aaronic priesthood and had the amazing blessing of baptizing my wife. That moment was unforgettable. Despite the freezing water, I felt Heavenly Father’s love so strongly that He didn’t have to warm me up but He did pour the Holy Spirit over me. It reminded me that baptism is about healing, and new beginnings.

I know that God lives and that He loves us, even when we’re angry or struggling. I know Jesus Christ is my Savior and that He delivers us when we rely on Him.”

Since Izzy and Kevin were baptized, they have been hard at work, sharing their experiences with others being taught by the missionaries, and serving faithfully in every way they can. Their story has blessed the lives of so many and they have become a great strength to the Harlan group as well as the Powell Valley Ward!

#TKMTenderMercies