Al,
I love your faith and attitude. Like you I'm a convert with a exciting sinful past. However, I'm a bit older now (67) and enjoy the peace of enduring over 46 yrs of church activities. Like you I have always tried to make my conversation about the love of the Savior & his eternal atonement. When I was 19 I went to Woodstock with my girlfriend. We partook of all the illegal things of the day. I was looking for love, happiness & freedom in all the wrong places. I took something that day that nearly killed me. In the middle of that concert among the masses of people I lost my mind & nearly died. However, the Lord had mercy upon me as I called out to Jesus to save me from the hell I was in. He delivered me and I was born-again. I promised that day to change my life and go where he wanted me to go. Long story short he led me to the LDS Church within 9 months. The rest is history. Do I have stories of how many members mistreated me during my 1st few years in the church and while I was on my mission. Like you I focused on my relationship with the Savior and his atonement as I prayed for those who were mean and misjudged me. I always turned it over to the Lord knowing he knew my heart & the truth. If you like I could share with you the in depth story of my conversation, my encounters with the Lord & the funny & hurtful things some members have said to me over the years. As with you some love my honesty & conversion while others wish me dead... lol. I'll post the link to my "I'm a Mormon" profile in a future email. Again that version is still only the tip of the iceberg of my conversation story. God Bless you for standing strong and happy in the Lord.
Yours truly, Charlie
https://www.mormon.org/me/2MVS/Charlie
Ed LewisSeptember 25, 2015
I was not aware of Al Fox Carraway until I read the story in Meridian. Brightened up my whole day. I joined at 20 years old and 4 times that now. I still remember a number of kind outgoing people who made me feel welcome. I also remember feeling isolated and unsure in a number of wards where I was not made as welcome. I have only one small tattoo, inked in before I joined the church, my name, on my arm. Got it at the urging of my best friend, an inactive Mormon as he got one. I wish I had it written upside down so I could lift my shirt sleeve, as my memory fails, and read who I am. I admire the young lady and her family. I am not interested in a future kingdom that would not receive her and her family.
Janet G.September 23, 2015
Al, I am so glad that you have developed the attitude you have, and have learned to be happy within yourself. I struggled with being 'different' for a long time, and finally found out that it was as simple a thing as having a vitamin B deficiency as well as a yeast overgrowth in my body. But while these were happening, I too spent many hours in prayer pleading for help and guidance to know what I needed to do to be "normal". Along the way, in response to my prayers I had some very special experiences that taught me what our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ thought of me, and who I was in their sight - a dearly loved, highly intelligent and respected daughter of God. I was taught who I really was in the pre-existence, and who I can become, with their and the Holy Ghost's help, and, like you , because of that, It does not affect me at all any more what other people think of me. I learned that when someone does something "to" me or another person, they are affecting that person only if that person allows it. Who they really affect is their own relationship with the Lord, .by disobeying His teachings, and having to stand before Him and account to Him for it.
What others do has no effect on me at all, because I know who I really am to my Father, the Savior, and the Holy Ghost. They never have and never will turn their backs on me. It is wonderful and freeing to know that you are great in
their eyes, which you have learned for yourself. Congratulations for being who you are - a great example to the church with your testimony!
CharlotteSeptember 23, 2015
Al, I a so proud of you! You are an inspiration and example to me and I appreciate it so much! It is sad the we don't always live what we teach, and that makes us human, but I am thankful for people like you who live by example. I try to do the same and hope that I may some day have someone say I was charitable and kind and a great representative of Christ as you are! THANK YOU!!
Cory AtkinSeptember 23, 2015
Any group of people who adopt a belief system that requires as high a level of moral conduct as does the gospel of Christ will constantly have to struggle to not allow their pursuit of righteousness to turn into self-righteousness. It goes with the territory.
This is why the Savior, the guy who gave the strict law, and the only one in history to have the self-discipline to actually live it fully, spent so much of his time on earth teaching us how to not judge un-righteously and how to not take offense un-righteously. Only true charity can smooth the perfectly square corners of obedience into the smooth circles of brotherly love.
Al’s response to the member in line who momentarily slipped into self-righteous mode was a perfect Christ-like way to take offense. She absorbed the blow and reacted back with love and kindness. Well done young grasshopper
Roger QuentinSeptember 22, 2015
Judge not that ye be not judged - There is room for everyone in the inn. We are all children of a loving God. Each of us are different I would rather sit amongst those with a genuine intent on loving their Saviour than I would sit amongst Sunday Mormons with judgemental eyes
David HobsonSeptember 22, 2015
Sadly, I think that the LDS culture sometimes tends to judge others based on their adherence to our particular cultural norms. My alma mater, BYU tends to be very big on conformity - and has many attendees and staff who tend to ostracize anyone who doesn't cooperate. There are a lot of wonderful people who may look and think differently than we do. But are we not all children of the same loving God who loves us without condition? I don't personally have any tattoos, and can't understand why anyone would want to wear them. Nor would I encourage anyone to get one. But neither do I have any right to condemn them for thinking differently than I do. Christ was regularly condemned for mingling with those who didn't necessarily conform to the cultural standards of his day. Are we somehow more elite when we turn up our collective noses at those who differ from us?!
CollinSeptember 21, 2015
Al, we need you. Our culture needs youn Thanks for your good attitude and patience.
Ginger ReeseSeptember 21, 2015
True beauty come from within. I was blessed with NF that cause bumps to grow all over my body. When I saw Al all I thought of what a beautiful woman. She was not raised a Mormon so she didn't have our standards to teach her that our body is a temple. Thank you for sharing her wonderful story.
Roxanne ShullSeptember 21, 2015
Each of us in or own way are tattooed or marked by the choices we make each day of our lives. Some marks are visible, others are not. Our Father knows them all. My point is we all need to have such faith we can share everything with our Father and look upon others with no judgement because of how they might be "different" than us.
Thelma HerreraSeptember 21, 2015
Al, I want to thank you for your approach to judge mental people, I needed some advice on it, and will emulate what I learn from you, I will not critizice people in Utha because not every one is like that.
There are more good people in this worl than bad, and most of all we need to remember that we are not prefect, that is the reason we are here.
Reilly4everSeptember 21, 2015
@Nelson: I have to disagree with you. She got her tattoos before her baptism and she was washed clean. I've heard tattoos are only a sin after baptism, so all is well. Others do have to repent of this grievous sin. #striplingwarriors
Beautiful Story. Sometimes we are too quick to judge by appearances.
Pattie SkousenSeptember 21, 2015
Your candor and wiling to step forward and be recognized for your faith and love of God is to be commended. It helps us ALL to see how important it is to look upon the person; not their outside. Being judgmental is a fault in all of us; and it about how we handle that judgmental part of our very being; to replace it with love and understanding. How refreshing it is to read a story where God helps you to be a winner. Thank you for being who you are.
LindaSeptember 21, 2015
I read about Al a few years ago and was very touched by her conversion. I think she has a true testimony.
JoAnneSeptember 21, 2015
Thanks for sharing Al's story on Meridian! I'd heard about the "Tattooed Mormon" but didn't know anything about her. I love her attitude and her desire to be close to our Father in Heaven. Her testimony shows in her countenance. She glows!
shellySeptember 21, 2015
Great for al ,but it just proves that Mormons are the most judge mental people,I am so happy for AL she shared a great story. I belong to a ward that have to many judge mental even the Bishop.So it was mine time to leave that ward.Just remember All. you are going to church for yourself.. You story made me think a lot, so I thank you.
.
Renaissance NerdSeptember 21, 2015
You do have to be careful in Utah, there are a lot of 'Cultural Mormons' who are overly quick to judge because it's the culture that's important to them, not the Gospel. I heard about the early part of this story some time ago and Al took just the right tack. There's no point in condemning those who haven't really become converted, because what should an actual convert want other than for them to finally reach that goal? The hard part is to avoid hurt feelings and react with compassion instead, because those eager to condemn others who don't fit the 'correct' cultural model are just as much lost sheep as those who've never even heard of Christ.
Michael D FryeSeptember 21, 2015
While reading this article, I was reminded of the story of "The Black Dot." A teacher gave each of his students a piece of blank white paper with a single black dot in the middle. He then asked them to write a description of what they saw. Afterward, the teacher collected the papers and read them aloud in front of all the students. Not surprisingly, all the students wrote about the dot -- its size, position on the paper, color, and any other thing they saw in the dot. No one wrote about the white part of the paper; they were focused on the black dot.
The same thing happens in our lives. We tend to focus on the negative while ignoring the beauty of everything else Heavenly Father has blessed us with. Al is a beautiful woman with a beautiful story which we should celebrate.
NelsonSeptember 21, 2015
This story makes me so happy. I'm so glad that Al was able to repent of her tattoos. I know the Lord forgives her for tattooing herself, just like he will anyone who comes unto him. What an inspirational story!
Karen HendersonSeptember 21, 2015
Al, you mentioned that sometimes you have felt that you do not "fit in?
My granddaughter was feeling the same way and I told her, "Don't worry about fitting in when you were born to stand out". I think you are wonderful for enduring the taunts by others and stayed faithful to your beliefs. Life is not always easy as you know even for those of us who have been members all of our lives. Thank you for sharing your life with others.
DavidSeptember 21, 2015
Then I remember hearing one of our Area Authority saying shortly after the Ogden Temple was opened that we should celebrate the day when the rooms of the Temple are filled with tattooed people.
LaReta BrinkerhoffSeptember 21, 2015
Al has been on her mission since her baptism. She use to come to many of the baptisms that were happening in our mission. She was an inspiration then and now. I am sure that she has influenced more people through her blog and youtube videos than she could ever have done on a regular mission. She is loved by many, I being one of them.
Christy WilsonSeptember 21, 2015
Our son is serving a mission in Houston, Texas right now. While he was deciding whether or not to serve, he went to a fireside where Al Fox Carraway spoke. She motivated him to serve and reminded him that he could keep his individuality and be a faithful LDS person at the same time. I will forever appreciate Al's influence for good in his life and her unique perspective on how to be Christ-like. May we all be as accepting, loving and free from judgment as Al is as we help each other along the pathway home!
Harold RustSeptember 21, 2015
I think that deep down most of us would like to believe we are that kind of person who would immediately recognize the tremendous potential of someone like Al---a tattooed New-Yorker who looked very liberal and unreligious--and act in ways that would bring out the best in both of us. However, I realize I am challenged daily by discerning between people I can trust and should trust versus those who would pull me away from living close to the Lord. Thus, following her advice requires constant effort to really do what we know deep down we should do while avoiding the negative.
Beverly FisherSeptember 21, 2015
I LOVE this story. One more time, I learn NOT to judge others - I don't know where they have walked.
Comments | Return to Story
Charlie LuerssenFebruary 3, 2017
Al, I love your faith and attitude. Like you I'm a convert with a exciting sinful past. However, I'm a bit older now (67) and enjoy the peace of enduring over 46 yrs of church activities. Like you I have always tried to make my conversation about the love of the Savior & his eternal atonement. When I was 19 I went to Woodstock with my girlfriend. We partook of all the illegal things of the day. I was looking for love, happiness & freedom in all the wrong places. I took something that day that nearly killed me. In the middle of that concert among the masses of people I lost my mind & nearly died. However, the Lord had mercy upon me as I called out to Jesus to save me from the hell I was in. He delivered me and I was born-again. I promised that day to change my life and go where he wanted me to go. Long story short he led me to the LDS Church within 9 months. The rest is history. Do I have stories of how many members mistreated me during my 1st few years in the church and while I was on my mission. Like you I focused on my relationship with the Savior and his atonement as I prayed for those who were mean and misjudged me. I always turned it over to the Lord knowing he knew my heart & the truth. If you like I could share with you the in depth story of my conversation, my encounters with the Lord & the funny & hurtful things some members have said to me over the years. As with you some love my honesty & conversion while others wish me dead... lol. I'll post the link to my "I'm a Mormon" profile in a future email. Again that version is still only the tip of the iceberg of my conversation story. God Bless you for standing strong and happy in the Lord. Yours truly, Charlie https://www.mormon.org/me/2MVS/Charlie
Ed LewisSeptember 25, 2015
I was not aware of Al Fox Carraway until I read the story in Meridian. Brightened up my whole day. I joined at 20 years old and 4 times that now. I still remember a number of kind outgoing people who made me feel welcome. I also remember feeling isolated and unsure in a number of wards where I was not made as welcome. I have only one small tattoo, inked in before I joined the church, my name, on my arm. Got it at the urging of my best friend, an inactive Mormon as he got one. I wish I had it written upside down so I could lift my shirt sleeve, as my memory fails, and read who I am. I admire the young lady and her family. I am not interested in a future kingdom that would not receive her and her family.
Janet G.September 23, 2015
Al, I am so glad that you have developed the attitude you have, and have learned to be happy within yourself. I struggled with being 'different' for a long time, and finally found out that it was as simple a thing as having a vitamin B deficiency as well as a yeast overgrowth in my body. But while these were happening, I too spent many hours in prayer pleading for help and guidance to know what I needed to do to be "normal". Along the way, in response to my prayers I had some very special experiences that taught me what our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ thought of me, and who I was in their sight - a dearly loved, highly intelligent and respected daughter of God. I was taught who I really was in the pre-existence, and who I can become, with their and the Holy Ghost's help, and, like you , because of that, It does not affect me at all any more what other people think of me. I learned that when someone does something "to" me or another person, they are affecting that person only if that person allows it. Who they really affect is their own relationship with the Lord, .by disobeying His teachings, and having to stand before Him and account to Him for it. What others do has no effect on me at all, because I know who I really am to my Father, the Savior, and the Holy Ghost. They never have and never will turn their backs on me. It is wonderful and freeing to know that you are great in their eyes, which you have learned for yourself. Congratulations for being who you are - a great example to the church with your testimony!
CharlotteSeptember 23, 2015
Al, I a so proud of you! You are an inspiration and example to me and I appreciate it so much! It is sad the we don't always live what we teach, and that makes us human, but I am thankful for people like you who live by example. I try to do the same and hope that I may some day have someone say I was charitable and kind and a great representative of Christ as you are! THANK YOU!!
Cory AtkinSeptember 23, 2015
Any group of people who adopt a belief system that requires as high a level of moral conduct as does the gospel of Christ will constantly have to struggle to not allow their pursuit of righteousness to turn into self-righteousness. It goes with the territory. This is why the Savior, the guy who gave the strict law, and the only one in history to have the self-discipline to actually live it fully, spent so much of his time on earth teaching us how to not judge un-righteously and how to not take offense un-righteously. Only true charity can smooth the perfectly square corners of obedience into the smooth circles of brotherly love. Al’s response to the member in line who momentarily slipped into self-righteous mode was a perfect Christ-like way to take offense. She absorbed the blow and reacted back with love and kindness. Well done young grasshopper
Roger QuentinSeptember 22, 2015
Judge not that ye be not judged - There is room for everyone in the inn. We are all children of a loving God. Each of us are different I would rather sit amongst those with a genuine intent on loving their Saviour than I would sit amongst Sunday Mormons with judgemental eyes
David HobsonSeptember 22, 2015
Sadly, I think that the LDS culture sometimes tends to judge others based on their adherence to our particular cultural norms. My alma mater, BYU tends to be very big on conformity - and has many attendees and staff who tend to ostracize anyone who doesn't cooperate. There are a lot of wonderful people who may look and think differently than we do. But are we not all children of the same loving God who loves us without condition? I don't personally have any tattoos, and can't understand why anyone would want to wear them. Nor would I encourage anyone to get one. But neither do I have any right to condemn them for thinking differently than I do. Christ was regularly condemned for mingling with those who didn't necessarily conform to the cultural standards of his day. Are we somehow more elite when we turn up our collective noses at those who differ from us?!
CollinSeptember 21, 2015
Al, we need you. Our culture needs youn Thanks for your good attitude and patience.
Ginger ReeseSeptember 21, 2015
True beauty come from within. I was blessed with NF that cause bumps to grow all over my body. When I saw Al all I thought of what a beautiful woman. She was not raised a Mormon so she didn't have our standards to teach her that our body is a temple. Thank you for sharing her wonderful story.
Roxanne ShullSeptember 21, 2015
Each of us in or own way are tattooed or marked by the choices we make each day of our lives. Some marks are visible, others are not. Our Father knows them all. My point is we all need to have such faith we can share everything with our Father and look upon others with no judgement because of how they might be "different" than us.
Thelma HerreraSeptember 21, 2015
Al, I want to thank you for your approach to judge mental people, I needed some advice on it, and will emulate what I learn from you, I will not critizice people in Utha because not every one is like that. There are more good people in this worl than bad, and most of all we need to remember that we are not prefect, that is the reason we are here.
Reilly4everSeptember 21, 2015
@Nelson: I have to disagree with you. She got her tattoos before her baptism and she was washed clean. I've heard tattoos are only a sin after baptism, so all is well. Others do have to repent of this grievous sin. #striplingwarriors
Howard [email protected]September 21, 2015
Beautiful Story. Sometimes we are too quick to judge by appearances.
Pattie SkousenSeptember 21, 2015
Your candor and wiling to step forward and be recognized for your faith and love of God is to be commended. It helps us ALL to see how important it is to look upon the person; not their outside. Being judgmental is a fault in all of us; and it about how we handle that judgmental part of our very being; to replace it with love and understanding. How refreshing it is to read a story where God helps you to be a winner. Thank you for being who you are.
LindaSeptember 21, 2015
I read about Al a few years ago and was very touched by her conversion. I think she has a true testimony.
JoAnneSeptember 21, 2015
Thanks for sharing Al's story on Meridian! I'd heard about the "Tattooed Mormon" but didn't know anything about her. I love her attitude and her desire to be close to our Father in Heaven. Her testimony shows in her countenance. She glows!
shellySeptember 21, 2015
Great for al ,but it just proves that Mormons are the most judge mental people,I am so happy for AL she shared a great story. I belong to a ward that have to many judge mental even the Bishop.So it was mine time to leave that ward.Just remember All. you are going to church for yourself.. You story made me think a lot, so I thank you. .
Renaissance NerdSeptember 21, 2015
You do have to be careful in Utah, there are a lot of 'Cultural Mormons' who are overly quick to judge because it's the culture that's important to them, not the Gospel. I heard about the early part of this story some time ago and Al took just the right tack. There's no point in condemning those who haven't really become converted, because what should an actual convert want other than for them to finally reach that goal? The hard part is to avoid hurt feelings and react with compassion instead, because those eager to condemn others who don't fit the 'correct' cultural model are just as much lost sheep as those who've never even heard of Christ.
Michael D FryeSeptember 21, 2015
While reading this article, I was reminded of the story of "The Black Dot." A teacher gave each of his students a piece of blank white paper with a single black dot in the middle. He then asked them to write a description of what they saw. Afterward, the teacher collected the papers and read them aloud in front of all the students. Not surprisingly, all the students wrote about the dot -- its size, position on the paper, color, and any other thing they saw in the dot. No one wrote about the white part of the paper; they were focused on the black dot. The same thing happens in our lives. We tend to focus on the negative while ignoring the beauty of everything else Heavenly Father has blessed us with. Al is a beautiful woman with a beautiful story which we should celebrate.
NelsonSeptember 21, 2015
This story makes me so happy. I'm so glad that Al was able to repent of her tattoos. I know the Lord forgives her for tattooing herself, just like he will anyone who comes unto him. What an inspirational story!
Karen HendersonSeptember 21, 2015
Al, you mentioned that sometimes you have felt that you do not "fit in? My granddaughter was feeling the same way and I told her, "Don't worry about fitting in when you were born to stand out". I think you are wonderful for enduring the taunts by others and stayed faithful to your beliefs. Life is not always easy as you know even for those of us who have been members all of our lives. Thank you for sharing your life with others.
DavidSeptember 21, 2015
Then I remember hearing one of our Area Authority saying shortly after the Ogden Temple was opened that we should celebrate the day when the rooms of the Temple are filled with tattooed people.
LaReta BrinkerhoffSeptember 21, 2015
Al has been on her mission since her baptism. She use to come to many of the baptisms that were happening in our mission. She was an inspiration then and now. I am sure that she has influenced more people through her blog and youtube videos than she could ever have done on a regular mission. She is loved by many, I being one of them.
Christy WilsonSeptember 21, 2015
Our son is serving a mission in Houston, Texas right now. While he was deciding whether or not to serve, he went to a fireside where Al Fox Carraway spoke. She motivated him to serve and reminded him that he could keep his individuality and be a faithful LDS person at the same time. I will forever appreciate Al's influence for good in his life and her unique perspective on how to be Christ-like. May we all be as accepting, loving and free from judgment as Al is as we help each other along the pathway home!
Harold RustSeptember 21, 2015
I think that deep down most of us would like to believe we are that kind of person who would immediately recognize the tremendous potential of someone like Al---a tattooed New-Yorker who looked very liberal and unreligious--and act in ways that would bring out the best in both of us. However, I realize I am challenged daily by discerning between people I can trust and should trust versus those who would pull me away from living close to the Lord. Thus, following her advice requires constant effort to really do what we know deep down we should do while avoiding the negative.
Beverly FisherSeptember 21, 2015
I LOVE this story. One more time, I learn NOT to judge others - I don't know where they have walked.
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