Like many fans, I first learned of the LDS church when I was younger from the Osmonds. Wanting to know about them meant learning about their faith. I remember listening to a radio show when they introduced "The Plan" and finding it all so interesting. I loved their emphasis on family and clean living. What a wonderful example I have always found them to be.
I, however, was being raised in the Catholic faith and accepted that what I was being taught was truth. I was content in my faith. Besides, there were no LDS churches near where I lived. It was not until later in life, after marrying and trying to raise my own 2 children in the Catholic faith that I began to have serious doubts.
That brings me to December 2010 when I went to see Donny and Marie on Broadway just before Christmas. I hadn't been to an Osmond concert since I was a teenager but just felt the need to attend a performance to show my support for Marie who was going through her first Christmas without her beloved son Michael. I was amazed and inspired by Marie's strength with all she was going through. And I knew where it came from.....her "faith".
When I got home from New York, I found myself reflecting alot on "faith". Where I stood with my own. How strong was my faith. Could it get me through amazingly difficult times? The answer was ....probably not.
I began to think about the LDS church and out of curiosity if there was one anywhere near my home. So I went on the internet and typed in "Mormon Church". I first saw an article "The Mormon Church is Building a Temple in Philadelphia". I knew Temples were a big deal and that the Osmonds were all married in them. I guessed the church must have really grown in the area if they were building a Temple.
I began to read the article and found that the Temple was being built across the street from the Catholic Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. Cathedrals are a big deal to Catholics. When I read this, for some reason I became very emotional and couldn't understand why. Until I pictured in my mind standing on the street between the cathedral and a Temple and had an undeniable feeling that I was being shown.....this is where you've been and here is where I want you to go.....your past faith and this new one can coexist just as the Cathedral and Temple will. I know now it was the Spirit prompting me to look at the church. This wasn't about it being the Osmonds Church anymore. It was about being the Church for me.
So, I spent the next week or so on the church websites. I didn't know anyone from the LDS church. I read articles, watched videos, read testimonials. I had received a Nook for Christmas and the first book I downloaded was the "Book of Mormon". As I read it, I could feel its truth. I knew what I needed to do.
I talked to my husband and told him I wanted to attend an LDS service. I am blessed that he was supportive. I looked up the nearest Ward to my home, got dressed one Sunday and showed up at church for my first Sacrament meeting. I was introduced there to the missionaries who met with me for the next several weeks. And two months after seeing Donny and Marie on Broadway I was baptized!
This February 20th, 2012 I will be a member one year. It has been the best year of my life. Never before have I felt such a personal relationship with Heavenly Father. Never before have I been so sure of his love for me. I look forward to going to the Temple in the near future for my endowment.
I would like to thank all the Osmonds for sharing their faith with their fans, for being such wonderful examples for me, and especially Marie for being such an inspiration and example of faith and strength.
May God bless You All.............Kim Webster
