Leaving Past Faith Traditions: How Do We Shed Old Assumptions and Embrace Biblical Truth?

[Hazelelponi]

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Greetings to all of you.

As believers in Jesus, we hold fast to the truth that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, as revealed by Scripture (Ephesians 2:8–9; Romans 10:17). Many of us come to this truth from diverse backgrounds—some from other Christian traditions, others from entirely different faiths. These past traditions often shape our assumptions, and letting go of them can be a challenging but vital part of growing in biblical faith.

It seems so long ago sometimes, but only fifteen years ago I was still wearing hijab and adhering to Islamic practices. By God’s sovereign grace, I was saved by faith in Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. My own journey sometimes reminds of the Apostle Paul, once a zealous Pharisee who persecuted the church, yet was transformed by God’s call (Acts 9:1–6), or the Samaritan woman at the well, who left her old ways to proclaim Christ (John 4:28–29).

Shedding the assumptions of my former faith—such as a works-based view of salvation—was not easy, but the Holy Spirit, through Scripture, renewed my mind (Romans 12:2), and is still an ongoing progress. When I was first saved, I found myself clinging to Scripture for encouragement, writing Bible verses on sticky notes and pasting them everywhere—on my mirror, around my home—to remind myself of God’s promises and strength. One verse that anchored me was John 8:36, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Another was Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” These words helped me shed fear of my past and embrace the freedom and strength found in Christ and His salvation.

This raises a question for us all: How do we, as believers, fully leave behind the assumptions and traditions of our past—whether from other religions, cultural practices, or distorted Christian teachings—and align our minds with the truth of God’s Word? What challenges have you faced in shedding old thought patterns, and how has Scripture guided you to embrace Christ’s truth? For those who came from non-Christian faiths, like I did, how did God’s grace help you overcome barriers to faith?

For example, some may struggle with legalistic tendencies, trusting in works rather than grace (Galatians 3:3), or carry forward cultural practices that conflict with biblical teaching. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 declares, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” How do we live out this new identity, ensuring we don’t cling to old assumptions that hinder our walk with Christ?

I’d love to hear your stories and insights. How has God worked in your life to renew your mind? For those from other faiths or traditions, what was your journey like, and how did you navigate leaving behind deeply ingrained beliefs?

Let’s encourage one another to rest in the sufficiency of Scripture and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

In Christ,
Hazelelponi

Thought that perhaps @Arial @Rescued One @ReverendRV @Eleanor and others might have some excellent insights here.

 

[ReverendRV]

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Greetings to all of you.

As believers in Jesus, we hold fast to the truth that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, as revealed by Scripture (Ephesians 2:8–9; Romans 10:17). Many of us come to this truth from diverse backgrounds—some from other Christian traditions, others from entirely different faiths. These past traditions often shape our assumptions, and letting go of them can be a challenging but vital part of growing in biblical faith.

It seems so long ago sometimes, but only fifteen years ago I was still wearing hijab and adhering to Islamic practices. By God’s sovereign grace, I was saved by faith in Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. My own journey sometimes reminds of the Apostle Paul, once a zealous Pharisee who persecuted the church, yet was transformed by God’s call (Acts 9:1–6), or the Samaritan woman at the well, who left her old ways to proclaim Christ (John 4:28–29).

Shedding the assumptions of my former faith—such as a works-based view of salvation—was not easy, but the Holy Spirit, through Scripture, renewed my mind (Romans 12:2), and is still an ongoing progress. When I was first saved, I found myself clinging to Scripture for encouragement, writing Bible verses on sticky notes and pasting them everywhere—on my mirror, around my home—to remind myself of God’s promises and strength. One verse that anchored me was John 8:36, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Another was Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” These words helped me shed fear of my past and embrace the freedom and strength found in Christ and His salvation.

This raises a question for us all: How do we, as believers, fully leave behind the assumptions and traditions of our past—whether from other religions, cultural practices, or distorted Christian teachings—and align our minds with the truth of God’s Word? What challenges have you faced in shedding old thought patterns, and how has Scripture guided you to embrace Christ’s truth? For those who came from non-Christian faiths, like I did, how did God’s grace help you overcome barriers to faith?

For example, some may struggle with legalistic tendencies, trusting in works rather than grace (Galatians 3:3), or carry forward cultural practices that conflict with biblical teaching. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 declares, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” How do we live out this new identity, ensuring we don’t cling to old assumptions that hinder our walk with Christ?

I’d love to hear your stories and insights. How has God worked in your life to renew your mind? For those from other faiths or traditions, what was your journey like, and how did you navigate leaving behind deeply ingrained beliefs?

Let’s encourage one another to rest in the sufficiency of Scripture and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

In Christ,
Hazelelponi

Thought that perhaps @Arial @Rescued One @ReverendRV @Eleanor and others might have some excellent insights here.

Raise a Child [of God] in the way he should go, and he shall not depart from it...

I was Saved in an ARBCA Denomination Church. I moved on to an Independent Fundamental Baptist Church. These were my formative years...

So I think I'm a Mutt...

The biggest belief that changed for me, was a belief that babies died and went to Hell. I was watching Back to the Bible, and Woodrow Kroll said he had the Verse which said Babies don't go to Hell. I said to myself, "Self, there is no such Verse!". I got my Bible, and was ready. Kroll opened his Bible, fished around and said he can't find it; admitting there is no such Verse. He said he thought he could make a Case for it though. - this disarmed me...

Before that moment, I always said we only need to have a half a Verse to believe in a Good thing. The Bible says, "A thing is established by two or three Witnesses [Verses]". The WCF says Elect Infants dying in Infancy are Saved. Kroll pointed out that King David's son died on day 7 before he could receive the Sign of Circumcision on the 8th day. King David knew he would see his son in Heaven; IE Unconditional Election...

This was all I needed. Was it a half a Verse which taught a Good thing? The WCF claims Elect Infants go to Heaven; so it was no 'great leap' for me to start believing All babies aer Unconditionally Elect, and go to Heaven. Why not? It may explain how Tongues from All Nations will be in Heaven. There was no Gospel of Christ for the Azteecs; but the Nation will be represented...

 

[ReverendRV]

Raise a Child [of God] in the way he should go, and he shall not depart from it...

I was Saved in an ARBCA Denomination Church. I moved on to an Independent Fundamental Baptist Church. These were my formative years...

So I think I'm a Mutt...

The biggest belief that changed for me, was a belief that babies died and went to Hell. I was watching Back to the Bible, and Woodrow Kroll said he had the Verse which said Babies don't go to Hell. I said to myself, "Self, there is no such Verse!". I got my Bible, and was ready. Kroll opened his Bible, fished around and said he can't find it; admitting there is no such Verse. He said he thought he could make a Case for it though. - this disarmed me...

Before that moment, I always said we only need to have a half a Verse to believe in a Good thing. The Bible says, "A thing is established by two or three Witnesses [Verses]". The WCF says Elect Infants dying in Infancy are Saved. Kroll pointed out that King David's son died on day 7 before he could receive the Sign of Circumcision on the 8th day. King David knew he would see his son in Heaven; IE Unconditional Election...

This was all I needed. Was it a half a Verse which taught a Good thing? The WCF claims Elect Infants go to Heaven; so it was no 'great leap' for me to start believing All babies aer Unconditionally Elect, and go to Heaven. Why not? It may explain how Tongues from All Nations will be in Heaven. There was no Gospel of Christ for the Azteecs; but the Nation will be represented...

Sanctity of Life ~ by ReverendRV * September 11

Jeremiah 1:5 NASB; "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations."

In 1973 the Supreme Court effectively legalized Abortion through their ruling in the Roe versus Wade case. In 1984 President Reagan declared the Sunday closest to the anniversary of Roe v Wade to be an observance of the Sanctity of Life. Abortion is an American Holocaust in many ways; Politically we’ve lost fifty+ million tax payers, Socially we’ve lost mostly Minorities, and spiritually every one that was lost is a Christian. ~ “How can you know that?!” The Church teaches that all who die in Infancy go to Heaven. “So shouldn’t we abort more babies to ensure they will go to Heaven?” No, they would have gone to Heaven if they’d lived because Christ will lose no one; this means they would have of their own free Will chosen to become a Christian. ~ Imagine America consisting of 50 million more Tax paying, Christian minorities…

When you’ve lived long enough, you will have to give an account for your life on the day you meet God. ~ Have you ever told a Lie? A baby hasn’t had enough time to tell a Lie; but you have. What do you call people that Lie to you? Have you ever Stolen something? You’ve lived long enough to have Stolen a lot; what would you call someone that Stole from you? Have you ever had a god other than the God of the Bible? Jesus said babies Believe in him, no wonder they go to Heaven if they die in their Infancy. ~ These were just three of the Ten Commandments, if God judged you by his standard would you be innocent or guilty? You object, “I’d be innocent as a baby!” Because of the Original Sin of Adam, a baby needs to be Saved too; how good is God that he Saves them? ~ God sends unsaved Sinners to Hell for all eternity…

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes on him shall not perish but have everlasting life. He lived a Sinless life and was good enough to go to Heaven, and good enough to be the sacrifice for Sin. Jesus shed his blood on the Cross to pay for Sin, died and was buried; but rose from the dead as the Author of Life! We’re Saved by the Grace of God through Faith in the risen Savior Jesus Christ, without Working to earn our Consecration. Repent of your Sin, Confess Jesus Christ as your Lord God, and join a Church that loves to reach the Lost. ~ The devil may not be able to decrease Heaven’s numbers through Abortion, but he can weaken the Church. Where is our generation’s ‘Great Awakening’; could it be in a Medical Waste can at the Abortion Clinic? Was our generation’s Billy Sunday aborted back in 1973? Perhaps our William Carrey has had his Mind relieved of him through Partial Birth Abortion. Maybe the next Generations John MacArthur will be someone’s “Plan B” next week. ~ Adolph Hitler got away with mass Murder by declaring that Jews are subhuman; killing millions of God’s people. Aborted babies are God’s people too, our brothers and sisters; let’s Unite and lovingly work for change…

1st John 4:21 NASB; And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.

 

[Eleanor]

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Greetings to all of you.

As believers in Jesus, we hold fast to the truth that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, as revealed by Scripture (Ephesians 2:8–9; Romans 10:17). Many of us come to this truth from diverse backgrounds—some from other Christian traditions, others from entirely different faiths. These past traditions often shape our assumptions, and letting go of them can be a challenging but vital part of growing in biblical faith.
It seems so long ago sometimes, but only fifteen years ago I was still wearing hijab and adhering to Islamic practices. By God’s sovereign grace, I was saved by faith in Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. My own journey sometimes reminds of the Apostle Paul, once a zealous Pharisee who persecuted the church, yet was transformed by God’s call (Acts 9:1–6), or the Samaritan woman at the well, who left her old ways to proclaim Christ (John 4:28–29).
Shedding the assumptions of my former faith—such as a works-based view of salvation—was not easy, but the Holy Spirit, through Scripture, renewed my mind (Romans 12:2), and is still an ongoing progress. When I was first saved, I found myself clinging to Scripture for encouragement, writing Bible verses on sticky notes and pasting them everywhere—on my mirror, around my home—to remind myself of God’s promises and strength. One verse that anchored me was John 8:36, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Another was Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” These words helped me shed fear of my past and embrace the freedom and strength found in Christ and His salvation.

This raises a question for us all: How do we, as believers, fully leave behind the assumptions and traditions of our past—whether from other religions, cultural practices, or distorted Christian teachings—and align our minds with the truth of God’s Word? What challenges have you faced in shedding old thought patterns, and how has Scripture guided you to embrace Christ’s truth? For those who came from non-Christian faiths, like I did, how did God’s grace help you overcome barriers to faith?

For example, some may struggle with legalistic tendencies, trusting in works rather than grace (Galatians 3:3), or carry forward cultural practices that conflict with biblical teaching. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 declares, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” How do we live out this new identity, ensuring we don’t cling to old assumptions that hinder our walk with Christ?

I’d love to hear your stories and insights. How has God worked in your life to renew your mind? For those from other faiths or traditions, what was your journey like, and how did you navigate leaving behind deeply ingrained beliefs?

Let’s encourage one another to rest in the sufficiency of Scripture and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

In Christ,
Hazelelponi

Thought that perhaps @Arial @Rescued One @ReverendRV @Eleanor and others might have some excellent insights here.

Only the Holy Spirit can do that.

 

[Hazelelponi]

Only the Holy Spirit can do that.

Your words, “Only the Holy Spirit can do that” ring true and point us to the heart of our transformation (Romans 12:2). Thank you for reminding us that shedding old assumptions and embracing biblical truth is God’s work through His Spirit.

As I reflect on my journey to faith in Jesus, I’m humbled by how He welcomed me into His family, and I’d love to share how prayer has deepened my trust in His grace, hoping to encourage others as you’ve encouraged me.

Scripture teaches that through faith in Christ, we’re adopted as God’s children. Galatians 4:6 says, “God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’” This adoption is making me into a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Yet, old thought patterns sometimes linger. In those moments, I turned to prayer, asking for faith to trust Christ’s finished work (John 19:30) and ever more strength to walk in His in some small way and the wisdom to understand and discern His Will.

Matthew 7:7 assures us, “Ask, and it will be given to you… For everyone who asks receives.” Through prayer, the Spirit grows my faith, and this an amazing gift from God (Ephesians 2:8), and Who strengthens me to “put off the old self” (Ephesians 4:22).

Eleanor, you’re so right that only the Spirit transforms us. My prayers and efforts don’t earn change but invite His work, like a child asking her Father for help. As God’s children, we’re called to pursue His ways, yet it’s His Spirit who renews our minds (Philippians 2:13). I’ve found comfort in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me,” especially when old fears resurface. Writing such verses around my home reminds me I’m His daughter, not bound by my past.

How has knowing you’re God’s child helped you lean on the Spirit to shed old ways? Have prayers for faith or strength anchored you, as they have me? As Hebrews 10:24 urges, let’s “stir up one another to love and good works.” Your wisdom, Eleanor, and others’ stories, guide us to rest in God’s grace and grow in Christ’s truth.

 

[Hazelelponi]

Raise a Child [of God] in the way he should go, and he shall not depart from it...

I was Saved in an ARBCA Denomination Church. I moved on to an Independent Fundamental Baptist Church. These were my formative years...

So I think I'm a Mutt...

Your story is a blessing to me and Christians everywhere. The truth of Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it,” shines through your journey, showing the gift of a Christian upbringing.

As a pro-life advocate, your reflection on the sanctity of life deeply touched my heart, reminding us every soul is precious to Christ (Jeremiah 1:5). Thank you for your precious thoughts.

 

[fastfredy0]

I’d love to hear your stories and insights.

Wow! Amazing turn around you had and definitely not the norm. I assume your friends and relatives are Islamist which would make a conversion less likely if one looks at the stats.

Of course, reformed people believe it is the Spirit that brings people to Christ. Empirical statistics show that the likelihood of the Spirit doing so to some who is not surrounded by people of the Christian faith is much less likely. (You can google it)


My question to myself that seems relevant to you situation is:
Why shouldn't I, as you have, explore the beliefs of other faiths to ensure my beliefs are correct?

My answer to my question is:
I have faith and faith requires something to be believed (facts). It seems to me that searching into other beliefs is contrary to a faith that I am relying upon for salvation and so I don't inquire. Caveat: This is not to say I don't inquire into details of my Christian theology, but to say I would not study the theology of another religion as that seems contrary to saving faith unless you were doing it for your curiosity ... but why study something that one believes is a fantasy like Buddhism.

.... my thoughts ... I'm joyful that the Lord saved you

 

[Arial]

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Greetings to all of you.

As believers in Jesus, we hold fast to the truth that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, as revealed by Scripture (Ephesians 2:8–9; Romans 10:17). Many of us come to this truth from diverse backgrounds—some from other Christian traditions, others from entirely different faiths. These past traditions often shape our assumptions, and letting go of them can be a challenging but vital part of growing in biblical faith.

It seems so long ago sometimes, but only fifteen years ago I was still wearing hijab and adhering to Islamic practices. By God’s sovereign grace, I was saved by faith in Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. My own journey sometimes reminds of the Apostle Paul, once a zealous Pharisee who persecuted the church, yet was transformed by God’s call (Acts 9:1–6), or the Samaritan woman at the well, who left her old ways to proclaim Christ (John 4:28–29).

Shedding the assumptions of my former faith—such as a works-based view of salvation—was not easy, but the Holy Spirit, through Scripture, renewed my mind (Romans 12:2), and is still an ongoing progress. When I was first saved, I found myself clinging to Scripture for encouragement, writing Bible verses on sticky notes and pasting them everywhere—on my mirror, around my home—to remind myself of God’s promises and strength. One verse that anchored me was John 8:36, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Another was Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” These words helped me shed fear of my past and embrace the freedom and strength found in Christ and His salvation.

This raises a question for us all: How do we, as believers, fully leave behind the assumptions and traditions of our past—whether from other religions, cultural practices, or distorted Christian teachings—and align our minds with the truth of God’s Word? What challenges have you faced in shedding old thought patterns, and how has Scripture guided you to embrace Christ’s truth? For those who came from non-Christian faiths, like I did, how did God’s grace help you overcome barriers to faith?

For example, some may struggle with legalistic tendencies, trusting in works rather than grace (Galatians 3:3), or carry forward cultural practices that conflict with biblical teaching. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 declares, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” How do we live out this new identity, ensuring we don’t cling to old assumptions that hinder our walk with Christ?

I’d love to hear your stories and insights. How has God worked in your life to renew your mind? For those from other faiths or traditions, what was your journey like, and how did you navigate leaving behind deeply ingrained beliefs?

Let’s encourage one another to rest in the sufficiency of Scripture and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.

In Christ,
Hazelelponi

Thought that perhaps @Arial @Rescued One @ReverendRV @Eleanor and others might have some excellent insights here.

I was raised in Christian Science. The thing about that religion is it redefines biblical words but uses the same words. In her supplement to the Bible, a book titled Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy (CS founder) gives all the rewritten definitions. There are 114 terms and names that are given so I will just post the link for anyone who is curious.
christianscience.com/the-christian-science-pastor/science-and-health/chapter-xvii-glossary?citation=SH%20584:17-584:25

It is a monstrous, blasphemous religion.

After my father died when I was twenty, I did not follow CS anymore, but a way of thinking was established---not all bad, but certainly not all good and potentially, very bad. I did not think CS was the truth, or Christianity, or any religion. But I felt there had to be an absolute truth and was looking for it. I looked in the things of the occult. New Age, Eastern Mysticism. I examined reincarnation and looked into the places ones mind goes on drugs. Fortunately I didn't explore Satanism but that was only because I did not think he was real. I examined various mind control theories and sought out psychics. In time, I kind of quit looking because the only thing that I had found to be absolute truth was that even if I found it, I would not know that was it for sure.

My conversion at age 35, was not in a vacuum, but stated briefly, was waking up one morning knowing----not deciding to know or believe---but knowing that every word in the Bible was the truth. And knowing too, for certain, no shadow of doubt and never any shadow of turning, that I had found the absolute truth. It was in that book.

So here is where my experience as it relates to the OP title comes in. It is very difficult to read things that have been redefined, in any other way than through the definition you have always held. I had to learn the correct definitions, and stop hearing the wrong definition in my head every time I read it. I had to learn that when I read the account of creation and the fall that God is not an impersonal Divine Mind. The fall, was not an illusion, the serpent was the devil and he too is real and not just bad thoughts. I had to learn there really is a heaven and there really is a hell. I had to learn that sin is really sin and that God is Holy.

In the Bible I began to see God in much the same way as Israel did when they were brought out of a 400 year sojourn in a land of impersonal God's who could do nothing. They witnessed it. It was recorded. I read it. This one true and living God who enters into history, and acts and controls everything that is. The God who created all that is, and governs it, and commands it and it obeys. Seas divide, and rivers stand on end, and water comes forth from a rock, food falls from heaven. The God who provides, and guides, and protects. The God who becomes a man, is born of a woman, the Son of God, who does for me what I cannot do. Who fulfills all righteousness and then opens himself on the cross to bear my sins and my sinfulness, the wrath of God that I deserve. (Something else I had to learn. That I deserve the wrath of God.) The Son of Man, who rises from the grave, conquering the power of sin and death over me, that I might live in his kingdom.

 

[Hazelelponi]

I will reconsider wording this post so I deleted content.. It's late and I'm getting tired... I'll look again tomorrow.

 

[fastfredy0]

the only thing that I had found to be absolute truth was that even if I found it, I would not know that was it for sure.

Big agreement on that.

 

[Rescued One]

I learned to pray at a pre-school age. I received a Bible at age nine. Thankfully it had color illustrations because I loved art and recognized I had some talent in that area at age seven. My stepfather told me that the Bible was the word of God. I believed him then and ever after. Neither of my biological parents was a Christian and I prayed in secret. I bought Little Golden prayer books at the dime store. In high school I saw West Side Story at the theater. I decided to become a Catholic. That didn't last long. The chaplain's assistant got fresh with me and I refused to go back. I wanted to attend church, but no one would take me. I wrote to a friend and asked her why she became a Mormon. She sent a 30-page letter. There weren't any books about Mormonism at the library so I wrote to Salt Lake City. They sent me a book and two missionaries. Two weeks later I was a baptized Mormon. One year later I learned that Mormons were supposed to earn godhood. I didn't believe Mormonism after that! But I was told that you have to obey the laws and ordinances of Mormonism if you want a testimony, I gave it 11 more years! Then God opened my eyes! I left. So did my husband. We found a small church that was on the decline. My husband liked it because it reminded him of the tiny United Church of Christ in which he grew up. A few months later the church folded. So we tried several other churches that didn't teach us any doctrine. My husband didn't care but I did. It eventually turned out thst he liked the Wesleyan Church but I didn't and he didn't like my interest in Calvinism. When he passed away I had no transportation. I skipped a few details but here's where I am today.

 

[Rescued One]

Wow! Amazing turn around you had and definitely not the norm. I assume your friends and relatives are Islamist which would make a conversion less likely if one looks at the stats.

Of course, reformed people believe it is the Spirit that brings people to Christ. Empirical statistics show that the likelihood of the Spirit doing so to some who is not surrounded by people of the Christian faith is much less likely. (You can google it)


My question to myself that seems relevant to you situation is:
Why shouldn't I, as you have, explore the beliefs of other faiths to ensure my beliefs are correct?

My answer to my question is:
I have faith and faith requires something to be believed (facts). It seems to me that searching into other beliefs is contrary to a faith that I am relying upon for salvation and so I don't inquire. Caveat: This is not to say I don't inquire into details of my Christian theology, but to say I would not study the theology of another religion as that seems contrary to saving faith unless you were doing it for your curiosity ... but why study something that one believes is a fantasy like Buddhism.

.... my thoughts ... I'm joyful that the Lord saved you

Knowing a little about Mormonism helps us avoid lies, and what to say to them. I lived in a neighborhood for years before any of the non-Mormons would speak to me. My Presbyterian neighbor finally did. She said she was getting baptized in a Southern Baptist church, but her husband wouldn't attend. My husband was in the hospital, so I told her I would go with her. It was an amazing experience!
She and her husband later moved back to their southern Virginia home and she became a deaconess in her Presbyterian church. Converts to Mormonism sometimes leave. It's harder for lifetime Mormons.