This past Saturday began a new chapter of this spiritual journey. I was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints.

Conversion was NOT something that was on my Bingo card when I started the second round of 52in52 two years ago. I was content as a Protestant. That's what I knew, that's what I was familiar with.

Still, I wasn't a fan of ANY form of church membership. Been there before. No thanks.

The LDS Church presented something deeper in conviction, example, and belief. What was this? And it was the same way with other Restoration churches who subscribed to the Book of Mormon.

What was going on?

I've been so used to seeing HAMMERS and NAILS. Pharisees would hammer Jesus with questions. The authority hammered Jesus to the cross. And to this day, there's too many Christians who use the Bible to hammer their neighbor.

Why was that different within Restoration churches?

Over the last two years, I've had 11 different LDS missionaries participate in a lesson, along with talking with various members, hundreds of messages, thousands of comments. Whereas most churches are stretched thin and rely on emails, LDS consistent followup was key. After a lot of time, a lot of patience, and a lot of study, I got my answer in a prayer. A witness of the Holy Ghost type of moment. Peace was something that I would find.

But there was still something holding me back that was hard to admit.

Fear.

I was baptized in my childhood church when I was 21 days old. I figured I was good, though knowing it wasn't my own decision. I had to take a leap of faith. Sink or swim... or better yet... walk. That's the beauty of Peter walking on the water. He had the faith to follow Jesus's words to do it, then needed Jesus's arm to pull him up.

I made the decision, but still had some fear that morning. Somehow, the spirit responded yet again.

Cardinals have appeared at such strange times throughout this journey most recently the cardinal in a mural inside the Manti Utah Temple. Saturday morning, while taking a walk to get out the jitters, not one, not two, but FIVE cardinals appeared.

Sometimes, God likes to get creative to catch our attention.





⛪ 52 Churches in 52 Weeks is a weekly spiritual series that worships at different churches throughout the United States. The project aims to exemplify love, understanding, and bridge the gap between different Christfocused religious affiliations. If you'd like to see what happens next, LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and hit NOTIFICATIONS.





▶ Timestamps:
0:00 Prayer Walk
0:38 Thoughts Before Baptism
5:26 Five Cardinals
8:33 Sights Inside
9:25 PostBaptism Thoughts
17:45 Baptism Experience
22:52 Highs and Lows
25:23 What's the Cost?
27:47 Lost in Sensationalized Evangelical World
36:25 Tree Symbolism
40:15 "Coincidence is a Small Miracle"





Music:
Gabriel Lewis Morning Rains
   • Morning Rains  

Arlene Buffington The Sea So Great, My Boat So Small (Songs of Zion)
Played by Kathleen Jenkins





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