I call you that, for so you are. We are all sons and daughters of the Most High God. We are all descended from the same Heavenly stock. So literally, you are my brothers and sisters. I know that he loves you and I. I know this because our Father in Heaven sent his only begotten son in the flesh to save me from the mistakes in my life. This was to help me be a better husband, father, and friend and someday to return to live with him. I am blessed by my associations. I am blessed because of the atonement of Jesus Christ. It has real application in my life. I find joy in the service I am able to give.
My conversion story is probably a lot like others out there. I was a teenager living in an interesting home where Christ wasn't usually talked about. I was a military brat (Air Force) and moved a couple of times before my dad retired and settled us in Sunset, Utah. My parents loved my brother and I, but at times seemed lost themselves. My parents were from the generation in which children are seen and not heard. We often heard "Go play!". I thought my life was normal until I became a teenager and was more widely exposed to the home lives of those around me. I learned that many of my friends parents played games with them, hung out with them, and even taught them from time to time. To say that this came as a revelation to me would be and understatement. One family in particular had a profound impact on my life and one person in particular. Jonathan Wendell Izatt and his family treated me like family and gave me a glimpse of what life was like inside a home much different from mine. Jon had a peace about him that was very appealing to me, as I seemed to find very little of it at the time. He knew who he was, where he was going, and what the purpose of life was. But most of all, Jon was just my friend. Eventually, he invited me to attend church with him in Clearfield. I was welcomed by that LDS (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) ward (local unit of the church) like a long lost son. I loved attending there. I learned about the Gospel of Jesus Christ from normal people who were doing the best they could in life. I learned about the Book of Mormon for what seemed like the first time. (It really wasn't but was certainly the first time it profoundly impacted my life.) I had long talks with my friend Jon as we played endless levels of some game I can hardly remember on his green screen computer. He shared with me his love of the scriptures, his love of the Lord Jesus Christ, and his desire to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Over the course of our two year friendship a desire grew within me to have that same sense of place, that same enduring peace through all the troubles of life, and to give my life a direction it was lacking. Slowly, through all our conversations, my own reading, and my prayers I came to know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was Christ's church restored in the Latter Days. I wanted to share that message with the world as a missionary. Can I tell you that this came as a severe shock to my parents? As Robert Frost so eloquently said, "Two roads diverged. . . " and at least for my life that truly has made all the difference. My friend introduced me to the Gospel. He helped me gain a desire to know for my self. He served his mission to Florida Tampa Mission, while I served in the Haiti Port-au-Prince mission. I will be forever thankful to my friend Jon for all that he did to me. I cannot wait to greet him in the life to come and give him the biggest hug of his life! I will forever remember Jon smiling. He was the most profoundly happy man I have ever met. In September 1st of 1990, Jon was called home to the other side to work there. I know that I will see him again. I know too that I will see Jesus face to face and I will hug him as well. May the Lord guide you to find out for yourself, as did I, that the Gospel is true. I am forever grateful for the blessings of the Lord.
