During the Gospel
Principles lesson last Sunday, I shared this story of a Catholic priest who
joined the Church. Because so many in this area teach that we are not
Christian, I had read about his master’s thesis.
The
conversion of Jordan Vajda, a fine young man who had been a Catholic priest, is
instructive. When he was in grade school, he had Latter-day Saint friends in
his class who shared with him their love of the gospel. At age 13 he found an
offer from the Church for a free Book of Mormon. He sent for it, and two sister
missionaries responded. They were surprised that he was only 13 and had
requested the Book of Mormon. He was impressed with what they taught and what
he felt, but after discussions with his family, he decided to become a priest
in the Catholic Church. As he prepared to be a priest, he remained interested
in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.He studied at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. He became acquainted with many who take the position we are not Christians, but he also associated with the students at the Latter-day Saint Institute of Religion at Berkeley. He decided to write a master’s thesis on why some people maintain that we are not Christians. This was primarily an academic pursuit. He became a priest in the Dominican Order and had assignments in Arizona and then at the University of Washington. There he came in contact with our missionaries.
After being taught by them and praying sincerely, he received inspiration that he should resign as a Catholic priest and be baptized and confirmed into the Church of Jesus Christ. His letter of resignation expressed his love and appreciation for the Catholic Church and then stated:
“Why am I doing what I am doing? To put it most simply: I have found a fuller truth and goodness and beauty in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After years of study and reflection, I have come to believe that the LDS Church is the only true and living Church of Jesus Christ, guided and led by living apostles and prophets.
“I believe that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God, called and ordained for this, the dispensation of the fullness of times. I love the Book of Mormon; I believe it to be the word of God for us in these latter days.
“I can no longer deny my feelings, my heart, my conscience. I cannot deny the confirming witness of the Holy Ghost, which has come after much prayer and soul-searching. At this point in my life, at this moment, as I look forward to and prepare for my convert baptism, I have found a happiness greater than I ever imagined possible.”2
This good man is active in the Church, has been to the temple, teaches the Gospel Doctrine class in his ward, and has a management position in a hospital in Seattle.
