The Convert Files: I Never Understood The Pioneers
August 16, 2021
I’ve always struggled with how much time we focus on our pioneer ancestors. I had no connection to them. But Nebraska changed everything.
Category: The Convert Files
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The Convert Files: The Change in Me
July 23, 2021
Before my baptism, my family was concerned that I would change after I joined the church. I told them I wouldn’t. But I did. For the better.
The Convert Files: The Language of Modern Christianity
January 30, 2021
Latter-day Saints don’t celebrate the liturgical calendar as other Christians do. Converts to the Church notice this. Should we change it?
The Convert Files: Latter-day Saint Myths, Busted
July 8, 2020
Myths, especially those surrounding our faith, are fairly common. And there is always someone who wants to tell you what you or your church believes.
The Convert Files: Are We Missing Great Praise Music?
January 29, 2020
No one told me to abandon the praise music of my teenage life, but I didn’t see anything comparable in our Latter-day Saint culture. So goodbye it went.
The Convert Files: Acronym Mania!
January 7, 2020
Acronyms are everywhere in Latter-day Saint culture. Let’s learn about them, or at least discuss whether we should have them in the first place.
The Convert Files: Do I Make A Difference In My Calling?
November 10, 2019
I remember being called as an Elders Quorum President. I was relatively young and inexperienced. I wondered, are you being serious?
The Convert Files: Driving in the Dark
September 20, 2019
How often do we drive along using borrowed light? Is it only when the darkness comes that we turn on our own lights?
The Convert Files: Speaking in Tongues
July 23, 2019
That’s not speaking in tongues, it just sounds like you are saying gibberish,” I thought as I listened to the pastor babble on the stage in front of me.
The Convert Files: Preparing for and Learning about the Temple
June 24, 2019
“You do know what they do in the temple, don’t you?” I can’t tell you how often I heard that after I joined the Church.
The Convert Files: Down with Stake Youth Dances!
June 15, 2019
Truly, what is the point of a stake youth dance? Does it have a worthy purpose, and if so, is it serving it?
The Convert Files: The Fire of Conversion
May 21, 2019
We often talk about converts having a “fire” in their testimony, so why not us? Let’s talk about a pyrotechnic flashover and how it relates to our faith.
The Convert Files: Meetinghouse Architecture
April 11, 2019
There are just some things you have to get used to when you are a convert, and they start the first time you step foot
The Convert Files: What 15 Apostles in Rome Meant to Me
March 15, 2019
As a convert, seeing all 15 prophets of the Church united in Rome resonated deeply with me because of my experience finding truth.
The Convert Files: New Garments For Men Are Available, Let Us Rejoice!
February 28, 2019
Long ignored in the discussion on new developments in temple garment materials, men are finally having their day!
The Convert Files: It’s a Kick! It’s a Punch! Nevermind, It’s Just Church Sports
February 4, 2019
When you come to the sad realization that even a kind bishop or elders quorum president can become an uncontrollable beast on the court.
The Convert Files: A Convert’s Survival Guide to Latter-day Saint Potlucks
January 23, 2019
If you are a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you know how much of a culture shock it can be to experience your first ward potluck.
The Convert Files: Asking Questions and Creating Safe Spaces in Our Learning
December 11, 2018
By creating safe spaces in our classes and worship, through active learning and engaged teachers, questions can help us grow and learn on the Gospel path.
The Convert Files: Sing It Like You Mean It!
November 30, 2018
As convert, I sometimes miss the more upbeat praise music, or revival style music that I grew up with.
The Convert Files: Ministering as a (Non-LDS) Minister
November 12, 2018
How opening my mouth at work led me to have one of the most interesting spiritual experiences I’ve ever had, and with a non-Latter-day Saint congregation.
The Convert Files: Do We Truly Preach of Christ? – Measuring References to the Savior in Sacrament Meeting
November 1, 2018
We say we preach of Christ, but some unofficial survey work done across a few wards suggests that we might not do it as much as we realize.
The Convert Files: Does a Mission Define You as a Latter-day Saint?
October 19, 2018
When full-time missionaries are placed on a podium and admired as heroes, we can unwittingly hurt those that opted not to serve.