Nissanka From Sri Lanka
I never used to believe that I could change my life, but it has happened.

I came to Armenia from Sri Lanka to continue my degree. One day I saw a magazine with a beautiful front page on my friend’s writing table. I picked it up and read a few pages. Its name was Ensign. When my friend saw me reading he told me that he got the magazine from a missionary for the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I found an address and a phone number for the Church.

I was new to Armenia and didn’t know the roads, so we walked for two hours in the hot sun looking for the church building. My friend finally said that we should turn back. But my heart began to burn, and I felt that we were close to the church and someone could help us find it. There was one man standing at a bus stop. We asked him for directions and he knew the building and helped us find it.

It was a wonderful day: the day I found the Church. I believe I got the answer from the Holy Ghost and God needed to send me to Church. The next day the elder gave me The Book of Mormon. But I was Buddhist, so accepting this new religion was difficult for me. I put the book into my cupboard and didn’t go to church for three months.

In December, the elders invited me to the church Christmas party. I brought my Book of Mormon with me. After the party I needed to speak with the elders. I hadn’t yet read any of the Book of Mormon, but I felt I needed to ask them, “Can you tell me what is the most interesting chapter?” A sister missionary who had been sitting close by said, “Read Alma 7.”

I began reading the Book of Mormon on December 26th. It was a remarkable day in my life. I turned to Alma 7 and began to read. For the first time in my life I prayed to God and my heart burned within me. I knew that was the answer from the Holy Ghost. I knew God needed me, and that
He had a plan for my life. And I knew He needed me to become a great Mormon. I was baptized three months later. I am so grateful to the sister missionary who came into my life as an angel to help convert me to the gospel.

I believe that part of my mission in life will be to make Mormon generations in Sri Lanka. I have a great work to do, and I will serve a mission in my small country. Because of the government, LDS missionaries are not allowed in Sri Lanka right now. It is a strict Buddhist country, so there is a long way to go. But I believe that one day Sri Lanka will have many members and many churches. This is my aim and my goal in life. God will help me in my desire to stand for truth and righteousness.

I testify that this is true. I have seen many miracles and wonderful works of the Lord. I believe in my Savior Jesus Christ. He is always with us.