The Making of the Ultimate Anti-Mormon Influencer

This Mormon prophet's own son tried to destroy the church. There was a kid who grew up in a devout Christian family. In fact, his dad was the president of the church, and his son rejected it all. He didn't just stop believing all at once. But over time, between doctrine, strict rules, and ridiculous prophecies, he couldn't keep silent any longer. He felt the church was brainwashing gullible church members and stopping them from living free and authentic lives.

So he went on the offensive. He publicly mocked what he had been taught. He used his influence as the prophet's son. He actively tried to dismantle the faith community his father had spent his life building. And he was good at it. The ultimate influencer. He was smart, charismatic, persuasive. He could outdeate anyone. He knew all the ins and outs of the church, the culture, the language.

His mom and dad were heartbroken, not just for their weward son, but for all the members he was leading away from the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ. What could they do? They couldn't fight him. They couldn't stop him. And so they prayed fervently without ceasing. They asked other church members to pray for their son, too. Then one day, those prayers were answered in the most shocking and unexpected way.

The prodigal son was confronted in a way he couldn't ignore. And suddenly the confident and cocky voice went silent. For 3 days he lay unconscious, surrounded by thick darkness, an internal hell. The memory of all his sins tormented him, not just for what he had done, but for the multitudes of people he had influenced. He wished he could cease to exist. In that darkest moment, he remembered the words his father had taught him as a child.

He remembered hearing about a Jesus, about a savior who would come take upon himself the sins of the world. Those teachings he had once mocked came flooding back. And in desperation, he cried out, "Oh Jesus, have mercy on me." And the pains of hell stopped. The despair was replaced with joy. Light filled the dark place he was tormented in. Just seconds before he woke up. The same young man who once tried to destroy the church spent the rest of his life defending it.

He became the most powerful and effective missionary. Why the mighty change of heart? Because he had received mercy he didn't deserve. The grace extended by Jesus who took the punishment for his sins. His name was Elma, the son of Elma. His story is told in the Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ. Never doubt the power and mercy of Christ who can find us in the most darkest of places.