Donny Osmond

When I was 19 years old, my younger sister, 16 year old high school student, was researching the Mormon Church for a paper for school. Her reason for this choice - the Osmonds. Our bedrooms were covered form ceiling to floor with posters, and she owned every album they recorded - including "The Plan." She had contacted the Bishop from the Rantoul, IL Ward, who sent her information, and invited her to visit the Ward. She wanted to go, but didn't want to go alone. Whenever my two younger sisters wanted to do anything, I was always elected by my mother to go along. This time, I bauked. I was a member of the Mennonite Church; I had attended there since I was small child, and although I had begun to question some of the teachings there, I believed I would always attend that church. I had heard very little about the Mormon Church, but what I had heard wasn't always good. So when my mother said I should go with my sister, I said no. I had no desire to go there. But of course, I ended up going anyway.

When we walked into the Chapel on that Sunday morning, a wonderful Sister greeted us with a hug and welcomed us warmly. She took us around and introduced us to everyone, including Bishop Harmon, the person my sister had talked to, and the missionaries, who sat with us during Sacrament meeting, and answered our questions afterward. As soon as I walked into the building, I felt like I had come home, and everything I heard that day, and every meeting I've attended since then has convinced me that this was the truth I was looking for. I started taking the missionary lessons, and was baptised a few weeks later. That was more than 30 years ago, and I've never regretted it, even when my aunts, who had taken me to Church every Sunday since I was 3, sent anti-Mormon books and tapes for months afterward, and the pastor of the Church called and came to the house 20 times to "straighten me out."

Unfortunately, my sister stopped attending when the aunts and pastor started their campaign, and she hasn't come around yet. My mother asks lots of questions, but then changes her mind and says she doesn't want to know. But I keep trying. My father - he passed away 25 years ago. I know he has accepted the Gospel, and is waiting for my mother to join him so he can help her accept it, too.

I will forever be grateful to the Osmond family for their influence. If not for them, I may never have been introduced to the Church.