By Evelyn Jepkemei
Nairobi, Kenya.
10/2010
Early 2004 marked the beginning of a new life for me. In February, a family friend and colleague of my husband invited my family to celebrate her son’s birthday party. My kids and I attended the party and as usual in parties met many people and made friends but there was a gentleman who had just moved from the United States and was keen to know more about Kenya, its politics, culture and economics. I invited him for dinner several days later, and he came with his son. When we offered coffee after dinner, they declined citing religious reasons. I was curious but did not want to pry, but I knew about Adventists who did not take tea. I later learnt from his staff that my guest at dinner was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints otherwise known as Mormons. Up until then, all I knew about the Mormon church was too little and negative. I vaguely remembered a preacher who had talked negatively about Mormon and I had taken his statement as fact.
However I couldn’t reconcile how such a ‘smart’ lawyer could fall for a ‘false religion.’ Still, we continued to communicate with him regularly. I met members of his family when they visited Kenya and I found them completely devoted to the church and were very warm people. The conflict between my perception of the church and the character of these people caused me a lot of disquiet because I knew as a Christian that the Bible stated that we could ‘know them by their fruits.’ These people were warm and wonderful and had an inner glow that to me, could not be consistent with a false religion. My friend spoke to me about the principles of the gospel and I could see he lived it. Although some doctrines differed from mine, it didn’t sound outrageous as I had feared. In his work as a civic educator he held several anti corruption campaigns which I was privileged to attend whenever my schedule permitted and I noted that he quoted scriptures often in the course of his work, and that was amazing for me.
Having trained as an educator and curriculum specialist, my assignments include evaluation of curriculum materials for our national curriculum. I specialize in Religious Studies (in Kenya it is part of the national curriculum) and we had interesting discussions with my Mormon friend. Still I did not dare read the Book of Mormon because I feared it might contain controversies that would destroy our good friendship. Interestingly, I enjoyed listening to him teach from the Book of Mormon.
One Monday morning in July 2004, I had an assignment to evaluate a certain version of the Bible and recommend if it would be useful for schools. As I read commentaries on various verses I found some interpretations that I personally felt were off the intended meaning, and so I called up my Mormon friend just to share my thoughts about the commentary with him. After a lengthy discussion, I was prompted to ask him how his theology and mine agreed when I wasn’t Mormon like him. He told me ‘Evelyn you are a Mormon, because I know you seek after the truth …you just don’t realize it. Mormonism is about seeking truth’
As soon as he said that I felt a warmth in my chest, I could not breath and I did not understand what I was experiencing. He explained to me that it was the Holy Ghost bearing witness of the truth to me. It was the most wonderful feeling I did not want it to end. After that ‘incident’ I knew with absolute certainty that the Book of Mormon is true. I knew that Joseph Smith (whom my friend talked about frequently) is God's prophet and I know beyond doubt that the church is true. Weeks later the missionaries taught me and I went into waters of baptism on 4th September 2004.
I wanted to experience what my friend and his family had. As they lived the gospel, they had an inner glow that made anyone who knew them want to know what they had. They became a wonderful example to me and really without trying to convert me, led me to the true gospel. After baptism I had to relinquish positions in the church where I had served. I lost all my friends because of the negativity with which the church is viewed by many and that really hurt. My husband and my parents do not approve of the church.
My comfort however was that my children obtained a testimony and are active in church though they need their father’s consent to receive baptism according to Church Policy. The callings I received in the church helped me learn more about the church and even though I did not know much then, I learned a lot from sisters in Relief Society and the entire church program. The church has become a vital part of my life, has answered important questions regarding my life. It has healed scars that I had in my life before. I now know I why I’m here and that fuels my determination to do my best and live the gospel ‘Though the world may deride” (Hymn 77) My work means more to me now than just a means to earn a living I do it to please my Heavenly Father, the gospel has affected the way I relate to others for the better.
In 2008, I was able to visit the Temple at Mt. Timpanogos Utah, and received my endowments. Though I have had and still have persecution, I have joy that never leaves me and the love I receive from my stake and branch leaders is more than riches, for they have loved with the love of the Savior. My membership in the church means I am on my path to my eternal home and without it I’m nothing. It has blessed my family especially my children and for that I’m grateful. I try to be an example to others just like a friend from Utah was to me. I have served in several callings in the stake, and currently serve as the Young Women President in my branch, and serve as Media Specialist in the National Public Affairs council. I am grateful that my younger brother who had been wayward, came to know of the gospel and is now serving a mission in South Africa Johannesburg. My parents have since become friendly to the church and are supportive.
We all can shine the light of Christ by the way we live, even before we speak. By our fruits they will know we are followers of Jesus Christ.
