[sixpacktr]

I was basically a life long member (my father joined when I was 7), and did all the things I was expected to do. My first experience, really, with the BoM was while working as a security guard at a pig iron foundry. I was just out of HS, 7 months from attending BYU (I graduated early, and worked to make the money needed), and worked 11 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.. Except for getting up and walking around for every 90 mins on my rounds, I had NOTHING to do. It was hard staying awake (obviously, sleeping was cause for immediate dismissal). So I took my BoM and read it. When I finished, I felt a warm spirit that it was true, but that isn't my real conversion story.

Fast forward thru my mission and marrying my wonderful wife. We are living in Japan, I am a father of 2 (or maybe 3, I don't remember exactly), and I am examining my life. I was active in church, did my callings, but felt I was not 'right' before the Lord. I spent some time in prayer on this, wondering what I needed to do. I was praying about my patriarchal blessing, as it promised me wisdom, and I will never forget this throughout the eternities: as I sat up, pondering how I could gain the wisdom raise my family and live on this earth, a voice as clear as I've ever heard said: 'Read the Book of Mormon'. Obviously, no one else was in the room (or else this wouldn't be much of a story!). So I did begin to really read, not skim, the BoM. It is my favorite book, bar none. Great lessons, great role models, testifies again and again of the mission and atonement of Jesus Christ.

That's my story...