In light of Presidents Hinckleys theme on loving the new converts, I feel to share my experience as a convert into this wonderful kingdom.As an investigator in the church my greatest concern was the members and finding acceptance and love. I was rejected by society as a hippie and yet found to get accetptance and love among that wayward generation. However, as I began to share my Woodstock experience even my old friends seemed to reject me.God had opened the windows of Heaven to me and shared his love with me in a very personal and intimate way. Yet I was left to live again upon this earth with men. Who would accept me and who could I help and share my visions of heaven with?God then led me to the Mormons and all of their doctrines rang true to the very things the Lord had personally taught me and the scriptures I had read. The nagging questions then were "what of the Mormons", will they accept me and believe me?My life had been such a strange experience in such a short time. These [people (Mormons) were so stable with a rich history of simple faith and hard work. God had raised me up outside the church in such an unusual way that I am an offense to all. Who will believe my report? Has not God called me and sent me forth? Am I like Ether with great and marvelous treasures yet esteemed as nothing by my fellow man? Oh , the weight of my knowledge and witness leaves me flat. Do I fear man to speak the truth as God has given?? No, I fear for my fellow man that they might reject my testimony because of my weaknesses and bring upon themselveds an even greater curse. I have been slow to write andreveal myself testing the water (saints) along the way. Are they ready for one such as I who has seen the Almighty with my spiritual eyes? The glory and honor of men Saints by my way for I've been to the mountain of the Great Elohim. Now as a mortal I live among men awaiting the day of Zion again.Both Saint and sinner look at me with a questioning eye? Yet, I speak the truth when it comes to my testimony of God, Christ and the Kingdom of God. However, my personal life is like a wind blown sail. The scares of my many sins are there for all to see. I boast not in my waywardness or sinful life, but glory in the atonement of my Lord Jesus Christ. I bear witness that Christ has the power and authority to heal, forgive, and redeem those he may choose. Yes, many are called but few are chosen. Why are they not chosen? Because their hearts are set upon the vain things of this world. They hide their sins and put on a pretense of perfection. They become like the great whitten sepalchars which Christ compared to the Pharisees. Perfect on the outside, but full of dead mens bones inside. Wolves in sheeps clothing seeking an innocent prey. Oh ye pillars of false light, how ye grind upon the poor and take advantage of the weak. Know ye not that God knows the thoughts of your minds and the wvil in your hearts. You may dress and act the part of an apostle but God will reveal your works and what is in your heart. You may be as brilliant as Satan was in the pre-mortal life but brillance without com0passion, understanding and love is vain. Your pride and false worship will bring you to the same place as your brother Cain. I write this with no one person in mind, but as a general statement which the Lord has inspired me to write. I feel it is a warning to all self-righteous priesthood holders who think that they can hide their secret works in the dark. God knows all the hearts of conspiring aspiring men who think that by their connection among various leaders they will be given power and authority to rule over their fellow men. Their plans will be exposed and their hopes dashed if they don't repent and continue in this path. Repent my fellow servants and confess the errors of your ways so others may not be deceived and fall into that awful pit. Like Zorum of old, you are stung that I know our thoughts and now realize that I am a man of God who speaks the truth for how else would I know your mind. Like Zoram, you too can yet repent before it is everlastingly too late. Come away from Babylon and your secret combinations. Christ awaits for you to repent and come unto him; who has open arms for all those who will repent and call upon his name for mercy and sin no more. Turn away from the devil and all the gold he has promised you. God has richer treasures for all those who will confess and stand with his Son at his right hand. This world is just a moment, while eternity is forever. Think, be wise and choose the treasures that will last beyond the moments of this life. You must choose and pay the price for the convictions of your heart.My story is just one of millions who have come out of this world and joined the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. After repenting of my differences with Bobby W. and expressing my desire to join the church, Bobby informed me of how I would have to take six discussions and attend church before Icould be baptized.My first discussion was at Jim's house as I've already written and my first appearance at church was in Plainview for a stake Conference but he couldn't take me as he didn't have enough room in his car. So I agreed to follow him if he would meet Robin and I at the Mill Pond. Patiently Robin and I arrived at 8:30 am and waited for Brother Bobby. They told us church started at 10am and would take about an hour to get there early to getfront row seats. They finally arrived around 10 am not hinking they were late. Later, they realized there electricity had gone off in teh middle of the night and their clocks were an hour off. This waiting was another trial of our faith for we almost gave up and left. It seemed the devil was fighting us all the way. Then on the way there my ford falcon got a flat and Bobby had us pile into the back of his car. We got to Plainview around 11am and entered the Stake Center through the Northeast corner. I recall a few speakers and a General Authority spoke. His words touched my heart as he spoke of faith and knowing the truth. The people seemed ordinary and yet I still felt alone with the many secrets the Lord had shared with me. Will these people ever accept me and listen to the message God has shared with me. Bobby introduced me to many people but only one stood out. An old man who shook my hand warmly and firmly as he said God Bless you. I believe this man was Hudson Nixs.I finished up the lessons with the Elders at the Brother Bobbys home during the next few weeks. I first asked Bobby if I could get baptized up at white lake where Woodstock happened. He told me it was possible but not practical and suggested Smith point on June 27. I thought about it and agreed.As you know from reading my work I'm very much into signs and symbols. I originally felt because of my near death experience at Woodstock, it would be very symbolic if I had my sins washed away in White Lake. However today, I see much symbolism in having been baptized at Smith Point on June 27, 1970 in the Atlantic Ocean.After my baptism, I attended Terryville Ward for the first time. They met in an Odd Fellows Hall in Port Jefferson Station. The name of the place seemed to be very symbolic of me. I came in my old hippie attire to see if it was clothes tthat made the man. I was greeted with a warm welcome in spite of my attire. I'm sure many were shocked and some offended but they kept it to themselves. I guess my first impression on some had a negative effect which would take many years and maybe a lifetime to erase.The Bishopric took me into their hearts and homes making me feel loved and accepted. I was called and ordained to the office of Deacon in the Aaronic Priesthood within the first 3 weeks after my baptism. The doctrines and teachings I loved and could understand with the background the Lord had given me, but the people and culture was another thing.I heard years later from Bro.Bobby that he took a lot of heat from some of the members about baptizing one such as me and bringing me into their church. I was blind and naive and enjoyed a few months honeymoon before I ever noticed that some members didn't care for me. It was then that I realized all saints son'tact like saints all the time. It was okay because God gave me the gift of love and I loved them all inspite of their ill feelings towards me.I tried to share my experiences with them thinking these people would understand and rejoice in my encounters with God. They look at me with eyes of Skeptism and doubt. I soon realized to keep my sacred experiences to myself. This left me very lonely and still wondering why God would speak so openly with me. I had hoped the saints would have had similar experiences and be able to tell me what God would have me do. I'm sure they thought me the odd fellow. It mattered not. i knew the church was true and all the scriptures spoke of people like myself which gave me great hope and comfort.The church became my home and refuge during a very trying time in my life. My friends had backed away from me as I became more religious and gave up the vices many of them still used. Robin's mother Hope had sent Robin away to live with her aunt in Maryland. The saints were all I had now and I lived to be accepted and to become more like them. I accepted their differences and with a humble heart, I slowly conformed my outward appeareance into that of a modern day Mormon.During that time i lived home with my parents who were indifferent to my new life style. I had put them through hell in my earlier days and now they thought me a religious fanatic. They gave me good physical support but they never did fufill my spiritual and emotional needs. They like some mebers of the church thought this was just a phase which I would quickly past out of my life. They doubted my sincerety and character to endure this committment to the end. I pray to prove them all wrong and endure to the end in faith in Christ. I'm forever grateful for my onorable parents who raised me to do good among men, even though they lacked a valient testimony of Christ.