Dan: Welcome to God’s Guiding Light, Lori! It’s great to have you here. Let’s start by learning a little about you. Can you tell us who you are and give us a snapshot of your life?

Lori: Sure! I’m a mother of six, and I grew up in Denver, Colorado. I raised my family in Salt Lake City, and my fourth child is getting married in a couple of weeks in Mesa, Arizona. I also have six grandkids now. I work in HR and am divorced.

Dan: You weren’t always a member of the church, though, right? You’re a convert. Can you share what your life was like before you found the gospel?

Lori: Yes, I grew up without much religion. We had a Bible in the house, but it was just there, collecting dust. We didn’t really practice. My grandmother took us to her church a couple of times, but I found it loud and overwhelming as a child. Sundays were strict; there was no fun allowed. I didn’t think religion was something I’d be interested in.

I went to college at Colorado State University, and there, I had a roommate who was Christian. She and her sister were very faithful, and they would invite me to church. I started attending with them, and while I didn’t find the perfect fit, I appreciated the kindness and joy they brought to the dorm. They were still searching for a congregation they felt comfortable with, and I just kept going with them.

Dan: So this was before you found the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Lori: Yes, exactly. It was just a journey of being open to learning about God. I was also attending church with some other friends in the dorm, so I explored different denominations. By the end of my freshman year, I still hadn’t found a place where I felt I could truly commit, but I had learned a lot and experienced kindness and community.

I was also struggling with depression and identity issues at the time. I didn’t know what I was doing with my life or what direction I should take. The basic questions—who am I, where do I come from, and where am I going—were things I didn’t have answers to.

Dan: It sounds like you were really searching for something. How did the gospel finally come into your life?

Lori: After freshman year, I worked a summer job and was involved with a workgroup where one of the members was LDS. He wasn’t active, but he had a picture of Christ in his bedroom, which struck me as unusual. He invited me to learn more about his faith, and I started attending church with him. I loved what I was learning about the focus on family, the importance of the temple, and the sense of peace I felt.

Dan: Was this your introduction to the gospel?

Lori: Yes, it was. I was balancing 18 credits and a part-time job, so it was a busy time. But before the semester ended, I stopped by the Institute Building to ask for some books to read over the break. The director knew I wasn’t LDS, but he gave me The Book of Mormon, Truth Restored, and a few other books. I spent the month of break reading and studying. It was a lot of reading, but it was a beautiful time of learning and reflecting.

When I came back, I decided I wanted to join the church. I was a little surprised by how basic the missionary discussions were, but I loved the content, and I knew this was the truth.

Dan: Did your roommates, the ones you went to church with, ever find the gospel?

Lori: I’m not sure. After that year, we all got shuffled into different dorms, so I lost touch with them. But I hope they did.

Dan: How has life been since you joined the church?

Lori: Before my baptism, I had these incredible dreams where I felt the presence of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I felt their joy and light radiating from behind the clouds, even though I couldn’t see their faces. It was a beautiful feeling of peace.

After I joined the church, I decided to transfer to BYU. I wanted to dive deeper into the gospel, to learn and grow. I took religion classes, and at one point, I enrolled in a class called Sharing the Gospel. I had no idea it was a missionary prep class, but it inspired me to serve a mission. I joined the church in January 1987 and reported to the MTC in May of the same year. I ended up serving in the Philippines.

Dan: Wow, that’s amazing! What a transition—from someone exploring religion to becoming a missionary.

Lori: It was a big step, but I felt like I was supposed to go. Serving in the Philippines was incredible. I loved the people, their kindness, and their openness to the gospel. It was one of the best experiences of my life.

Dan: That’s such a beautiful journey. Thank you for sharing that. Do you feel like there’s anything else you want to share?

Lori: Life after finding the gospel isn’t always easy. There are many challenges, and things don’t always go as we expect. But the Lord helps us through it. I love the peace and joy the gospel brings, and especially the inspiration I feel when I go to the temple. That’s where I truly feel His love and peace.

Dan: Lori, thank you so much for sharing your story. It’s been wonderful to hear about your journey.

Lori: Thank you! It’s been great to be here and share with you.

Dan: I’ll pass your contact info along to my sister, who has a podcast called Sharing the Light of Christ, where she interviews missionaries. Would you be willing to talk to her?

Lori: I’d love to! Thanks for connecting us.

Dan: You’re very welcome. It’s been a pleasure. Thank you again for being here!

Lori: Of course, thank you for having me!