My name is Tequitia and I have been a member of the Mormon church for 13 years. My husband introduced me to the church when he told me he wouldn’t marry someone unless she was a member of the Church. At the time we had been dating almost five years and I had no idea he was a member. I wanted to marry him, so I called up the missionaries to find out what this church was about. I had the first discussions and honestly, didn’t feel anything from it.
I didn’t continue with the discussions after that. However, I believe that that was the turning point for me in my life. I wasn’t a religious person. I believed in God and Jesus Christ, but I had no formal teachings about Them and my purpose in life.
A few months after meeting with the missionaries, I experienced many changes. I was having financial problems, family issues, employment issues, etc. I was experiencing adversity that eventually led me to discover my faith. I began to have a strong desire to learn about God and live the way he would have me live. I started going to the church of my youth. I started reading the Bible.
At the same time, my boyfriend (now husband) started going back to his ward [congregation]. One day he asked me to attend church with him. I didn’t think of it as him trying to convert me, but as me being supportive, so I went.
Soon I was coming to church with him every Sunday and afterwards having the discussions with the missionaries in a member’s home. One fast and testimony meeting, I felt the Spirit so strongly. I had been reading the Book of Mormon and praying about the church. That evening, the Spirit was so strong amongst us, I knew that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was where the Lord wanted me to be. I got baptized and hold strong to that testimony that the Lord blessed me to receive.
My husband and I were married in the Washington, D.C. Temple a year later. We have been blessed with four beautiful children. I have served in several wonderful callings over the years, but currently serve as the Enrichment Counselor in my ward Relief Society. Besides being a wife and mother, I write a bi-monthly column, East Meets West, for Mormon Times. I fancy myself as an mixed-media artist and enjoy singing, crocheting, sewing, and reading.
I always tell anyone interested in the church to read the Book of Mormon and pray about for themselves. If you ask the Lord earnestly, really having the desire to do what He wants you to do, He will answer.
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Tequitia, I thought your line about dating for 5 years and not even knowing he was a member was hilarious! My brother has been inactive for at least five years and has been dating the same girl for about 2 years during that time. Just knowing that my brother had some kind of religious background made his girlfriend interested in learning more. Last month, my brother’s girlfriend and her mother were baptized. My brother is taking baby steps into reactivity. What a blessing the Gospel and a girlfriend have been to my family.
I also appreciated your honesty about not feeling much the first time you heard the discussions. I hope others read that and think, “Hey, maybe I should give the missionaries another chance too.”
Thanks for writing this.
Tequitia, I loved this story! It reminds me that finding truth isn’t easy and doesn’t always come on the first try. Your family is adorable.
My husband and I often say that fast and testimony meetings are the best meetings! Every once in a while there is an odd comment but it is worth it to have the spiritual feast that takes place most of the time. What another wonderful blessing of the gospel.
Thank you for sharing that sometimes a testimony is gained bit by bit, not all at once.
I loved reading your story, Tequita. Thanks for sharing it.
Tequitia, thank you so much for sharing a bit of yourself here at Mormon Women. And thank you for your work at Mormon Times, too.