Here is an e-mail received from my Prison companion (that sounds interesting doesn't it?) outlining a wonderful experience we had yesterday at our South Yard Meeting. The gentleman mentioned is not a member (yet), and his initial contact occurred before my time. I echo the sentiments forwarded by Art. Certainly, the Spirit has moved John in a positive way. He actually bore testimony of his experience!!! The e-mail was actually sent to Brother Ron Vitzian, a wonderful Brother living in the Greenfield Ward. Brother Ron suffered a stroke many years ago and has been unable to work. He took it upon himself to write to every known LDS inmate and has done so on a regular basis for some time. The prison environs are within the Greenfield Ward boundaries. We will no doubt retell this conversion story to all of the inmates at the various yards where we meet, and I am sure that the stories title will be 'The Oatmeal Testimony'.

John Bankston (big black guy) shared the best story with us this afternoon at South. He’s been attending for a few years (he just wandered in while we were showing Conference once) and always has had a cheery disposition and a very “I’m cool” attitude about things. His only problem has been his proclivity for sporting activities during church time.

John works in the kitchen early in the morning. He started his report by quoting Moroni 10:4, then told us that last Thursday morning he was reading the Book of Mormon and eating his oatmeal … “just eating my oatmeal,” and wondering/praying to know if the church path he was on was the right one. He kept pleading with the Lord to show him a sign, anything, so he would know if he was doing the right thing.

That very afternoon, he received your mail with Elder Christofferson’s April General Conference address. When John read the very first line, ”The Scriptures are a blessing from the Lord, showing forth His power to save and exalt His children,” he said, “BAM, that was it!” I knew right then that this was the sign I was looking for, right there in black and white, and in writing!”

For the first time, thing’s with John went beyond cool and he starting talking about being baptized when he gets off parole (2014) and how grateful he was to his Heavenly Father for answering his prayer and putting him on the path he now knows is correct.

Just thought you ought to know,

Art Romero