Hi all, We have been traveling a lot and I am just now getting to these beautiful and kind comments.Thank-you all so much. Some of you know this kind of story in your own personal ways. We connect in those emotionally tough places. Keep going. My father appeared to me in two dreams after he passed away. He had embraced the fullness of the gospel. He was happy, and I am so happy that I will see him again and we will have the glorious gospel to share. Family, even against tremendous odds, really can be forever:D
Ron ThueFebruary 25, 2018
Mary, Debbie pointed me to your article. It is a beautiful story and I am so happy for you!
Bonnie Hart MurrayFebruary 20, 2018
You have a beautiful writing talent, and this story was so powerful! I was interested to read how the Holy Ghost bore witness to you: "Something ran through me with a quick, powerful intensity that felt like painless electricity. For just a moment, it literally took my breath away, and I was left knowing something unequivocally, something I had not known before. I talked to Mormons and felt that same electricity run through me as they bore their testimonies." I have had this same experience many times in my life. It is one of the ways the Spirit bears witness to me. One does not hear about it often, but I was happy to read about it--confirmed by you as you wrote your story. Thank you!
Dana Rowe SwartzFebruary 19, 2018
My dear best friend Mary.... Even though I knew all of this, it was so touching to read it all again in your own beautiful, powerful writing. Tears were streaming down my face as I thought of the sacrifice you willingly made all those years ago, knowing what you were giving up. But when I look at your family today, with your stunning 8 children, all strong in the gospel, and your stalwart husband by your side, I know you made the right decision. I’ll love you forever!
Mary JFebruary 19, 2018
I was also raised Catholic. My parents didn't quite respond the way your dad did. I had been married for 5 years before we joined the church. I'm sure my dad blamed my husband, but we were never excluded from family events. Now both of my parents are on the other side. I know without a doubt that they are patiently waiting for the day they will be in the temple with me... The day we will be sealed together. I see my Dad's face often, smiling at me. I will be proxy for my mom and know that she will be there. The tears are there just thinking about putting my hand on "theirs" at the altar. If that doesn't happen for you, Mary, now, it will happen and it will be glorious.
Dana Rowe SwartzFebruary 18, 2018
My dearest best friend Mary... Even though I knew all of this, it was so touching to read it again in your beautiful, powerful writing. Tears were streaming down my face as I read, thinking of the sacrifice you made willingly, knowing what you were giving up all those years ago. But I also look at your amazing family of 8 stunning children, all strong in the gospel, with your stalwart husband by your side, and I know you made the right choice. I'll love you forever!
tom glassFebruary 17, 2018
My wife and i joined the LDS CHURCH in 1989.IT was the greatest day of our lives,we changed ourselves for the better.Then my family found out and all hell broke,it has been 23years since we talked,also all my relatives stopped communicating.Now we know a fraction what Jesus had to deal with.My wife and i are doing ok,we have good days and bad.I am grateful for Temples,I pray that my wife and i have family members on the other side that will understand!
Papa DonFebruary 16, 2018
I can relate. Jews hold an actual funeral for any Jew who converts to another religion. Many parents and siblings of converts have gone to their deaths without forgiving the convert, or even admitting that they still live. Jesus referred to that custom in the Parable of the Prodigal Son. But that father forgave his repentant son. Not all are so lucky.
JackFebruary 16, 2018
Your story was very touching. Thank-you for sharing. It is greatly appreciated and has strengthened my testimony of the gospel.
ConnieFebruary 16, 2018
As sad as it is to hear of families being heartless and unacceptable when people join the church, there is an even more tragic story. I hear about faithful members of the church doing the same thing to family members that decide to leave the church. Shouldn’t we be better than that?
BradFebruary 16, 2018
Made me grateful that I grew up in an LDS family. Thanks for sharing a beautiful story.
vickieFebruary 16, 2018
this is a wonderful story. I can relate to it somewhat. my parents were catholic and raised me to be catholic as well. I married a man who was a southern Baptist. it was very different from being catholic. I went to his church and discovered some things for myself because back in the olden days catholics didn't read the bible. they do now. I decided to read the bible and realized I needed to pray to find out what to do. years passed but I joined the church and the minute I did my family more or less disowned me. one of my sisters joined the church before I did but I was the oldest and it affected my parents. they loved us but didn't want us around that much and my husband took that to heart. so when my father passed away I was so sad by the fact that I hadn't seen him hardly at all before he died. well, my mother is alive still but has alzheimers and in a memory care facility. I'm managing her affairs and I still her say awful things about our church. she thinks its evil but at the same time my sister and I saw her doing things like we do in the lds church. food storage etc. I'm still a member and have been since 1977. I felt the same way this person did in the story.
Ed RehderFebruary 16, 2018
Thanks Mary, for sharing. Having known you for years this is good stuff to add to the list of good things the gospel has brought to both of us.
ChristineFebruary 16, 2018
Wow great story and great writing! Thanks for sharing. What a great example of showing unconditional love no matter what too.
Scott WadsworthFebruary 16, 2018
That this is beautifully written was nice but that it speaks out loud the feelings that have defined my relationships for the last forty years is staggering. Thank you so much... as I wake and clean and fix breakfast for my folks today I will be thinking of the words you and your Dad spoke and the walls of pride that I am working around here... today.
JayFebruary 16, 2018
What a beautiful and moving story. Thank you so much for sharing the fruits of the Gospel in your life and the gradual workings of the Spirit in your father's life. I'm sure he is a good man. May his heart continue to be softened.
Comments | Return to Story
Mary BellMarch 12, 2018
Hi all, We have been traveling a lot and I am just now getting to these beautiful and kind comments.Thank-you all so much. Some of you know this kind of story in your own personal ways. We connect in those emotionally tough places. Keep going. My father appeared to me in two dreams after he passed away. He had embraced the fullness of the gospel. He was happy, and I am so happy that I will see him again and we will have the glorious gospel to share. Family, even against tremendous odds, really can be forever:D
Ron ThueFebruary 25, 2018
Mary, Debbie pointed me to your article. It is a beautiful story and I am so happy for you!
Bonnie Hart MurrayFebruary 20, 2018
You have a beautiful writing talent, and this story was so powerful! I was interested to read how the Holy Ghost bore witness to you: "Something ran through me with a quick, powerful intensity that felt like painless electricity. For just a moment, it literally took my breath away, and I was left knowing something unequivocally, something I had not known before. I talked to Mormons and felt that same electricity run through me as they bore their testimonies." I have had this same experience many times in my life. It is one of the ways the Spirit bears witness to me. One does not hear about it often, but I was happy to read about it--confirmed by you as you wrote your story. Thank you!
Dana Rowe SwartzFebruary 19, 2018
My dear best friend Mary.... Even though I knew all of this, it was so touching to read it all again in your own beautiful, powerful writing. Tears were streaming down my face as I thought of the sacrifice you willingly made all those years ago, knowing what you were giving up. But when I look at your family today, with your stunning 8 children, all strong in the gospel, and your stalwart husband by your side, I know you made the right decision. I’ll love you forever!
Mary JFebruary 19, 2018
I was also raised Catholic. My parents didn't quite respond the way your dad did. I had been married for 5 years before we joined the church. I'm sure my dad blamed my husband, but we were never excluded from family events. Now both of my parents are on the other side. I know without a doubt that they are patiently waiting for the day they will be in the temple with me... The day we will be sealed together. I see my Dad's face often, smiling at me. I will be proxy for my mom and know that she will be there. The tears are there just thinking about putting my hand on "theirs" at the altar. If that doesn't happen for you, Mary, now, it will happen and it will be glorious.
Dana Rowe SwartzFebruary 18, 2018
My dearest best friend Mary... Even though I knew all of this, it was so touching to read it again in your beautiful, powerful writing. Tears were streaming down my face as I read, thinking of the sacrifice you made willingly, knowing what you were giving up all those years ago. But I also look at your amazing family of 8 stunning children, all strong in the gospel, with your stalwart husband by your side, and I know you made the right choice. I'll love you forever!
tom glassFebruary 17, 2018
My wife and i joined the LDS CHURCH in 1989.IT was the greatest day of our lives,we changed ourselves for the better.Then my family found out and all hell broke,it has been 23years since we talked,also all my relatives stopped communicating.Now we know a fraction what Jesus had to deal with.My wife and i are doing ok,we have good days and bad.I am grateful for Temples,I pray that my wife and i have family members on the other side that will understand!
Papa DonFebruary 16, 2018
I can relate. Jews hold an actual funeral for any Jew who converts to another religion. Many parents and siblings of converts have gone to their deaths without forgiving the convert, or even admitting that they still live. Jesus referred to that custom in the Parable of the Prodigal Son. But that father forgave his repentant son. Not all are so lucky.
JackFebruary 16, 2018
Your story was very touching. Thank-you for sharing. It is greatly appreciated and has strengthened my testimony of the gospel.
ConnieFebruary 16, 2018
As sad as it is to hear of families being heartless and unacceptable when people join the church, there is an even more tragic story. I hear about faithful members of the church doing the same thing to family members that decide to leave the church. Shouldn’t we be better than that?
BradFebruary 16, 2018
Made me grateful that I grew up in an LDS family. Thanks for sharing a beautiful story.
vickieFebruary 16, 2018
this is a wonderful story. I can relate to it somewhat. my parents were catholic and raised me to be catholic as well. I married a man who was a southern Baptist. it was very different from being catholic. I went to his church and discovered some things for myself because back in the olden days catholics didn't read the bible. they do now. I decided to read the bible and realized I needed to pray to find out what to do. years passed but I joined the church and the minute I did my family more or less disowned me. one of my sisters joined the church before I did but I was the oldest and it affected my parents. they loved us but didn't want us around that much and my husband took that to heart. so when my father passed away I was so sad by the fact that I hadn't seen him hardly at all before he died. well, my mother is alive still but has alzheimers and in a memory care facility. I'm managing her affairs and I still her say awful things about our church. she thinks its evil but at the same time my sister and I saw her doing things like we do in the lds church. food storage etc. I'm still a member and have been since 1977. I felt the same way this person did in the story.
Ed RehderFebruary 16, 2018
Thanks Mary, for sharing. Having known you for years this is good stuff to add to the list of good things the gospel has brought to both of us.
ChristineFebruary 16, 2018
Wow great story and great writing! Thanks for sharing. What a great example of showing unconditional love no matter what too.
Scott WadsworthFebruary 16, 2018
That this is beautifully written was nice but that it speaks out loud the feelings that have defined my relationships for the last forty years is staggering. Thank you so much... as I wake and clean and fix breakfast for my folks today I will be thinking of the words you and your Dad spoke and the walls of pride that I am working around here... today.
JayFebruary 16, 2018
What a beautiful and moving story. Thank you so much for sharing the fruits of the Gospel in your life and the gradual workings of the Spirit in your father's life. I'm sure he is a good man. May his heart continue to be softened.
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