Prema Kumari

Philippines Tacloban Mission

1990- 1992

My name is Prema Kumari and was born to devoted Seventh-Day Adventist parents, Bro and Sister Puttaraj. I am the fourth child, with one brother and three sisters. We lived in a place called Castle Green Compound, in K R Puram, Bangalore. My schooling was done in a Seventh-Day Adventist owned school called Lowry Memorial High School. We were diligent and strongly believed the doctrines and teachings of the church and never missed church and its activities. My parents were very well known by many across the Church for their faith, hospitality and service to God and man.

My conversion story into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is very interesting. I heard about the church from one of my friends named Poornima, who was also an Adventist. In due curiosity, she attended the Mormon Church and informed me that the Mormon Church believed that Jesus Christ was visiting the American continent and about Jesus appearing to Joseph Smith. I literally laughed at that and said it wasn’t true. I soon came to know that my other friends, Nixon, Vincent and Venkatesh were also attending and became members of that Church. Whenever I saw them, I used to tease them for their new way of dressing and English accent. The days went by and I completely ignored my new belief.

My brother Samson, who was away doing Engineering, came home one day and said he was going on a mission for the Mormon Church and will be devoting his time for two years in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was a shocking decision and made all of us unhappy. My parents were very disappointed, for he had not completed his education and was following a new faith. We felt he was bringing shame to our family by disowning the faith that we believed and disowning the church that supported and lifted us in times of troubles. In spite of our counsels, he went on a mission to Singapore Mission. With a heavy heart my parents accepted his choice. I was 15 yrs old and everything was confusing. I always had the question, why would my brother leave everything; his studies, sponsorship from the school, his family and his devoted Adventist faith for a new church we never have heard of. What is this church that can change my brother who was a strong Adventist?

Coming to me, one of my hobbies is reading books. I read all sorts of books and I soon came across a small Book of Mormon from my brother’s belongings. I never knew it was a scripture and read it as a story book. I soon began to have a different feeling, every time I read. It so happened one day my Brother visited home in his missionary attire, for he had come for a conference to Bangalore and got permission to visit us. I asked him then, “Is this the book you’re teaching to people? Why do I feel different when I read this?” He just said. “That’s how you feel” and never went to explain. However I continued to read this regularly and took it Adventist church too. Soon I was going to complete the reading and was in Mormon chapters…. I was at this time, visited by two missionaries, Elder Katuka and Elder Boopathi asking who the person that’s reading the Book of Mormon in this family is. I was told my brother had asked them to visit and find out. I soon started taking discussions and got answers as to why I was feeling so when I read the Book of Mormon and I was asked to pray about the feelings and get an answer for myself. I soon accepted the gospel and wanted to be baptized. With much arguments and struggles I got my parents approval to get baptized on March 08, 1987. Although my parents did not attend my baptismal service, they made my baptism dress which I feel was a blessing from them for my decision.

I soon began to actively take part in the church and devoted more time, talent and energy for learning and growing in the new faith. I could see the things I learnt in Adventist church made me more prepared and serve well in my new faith. I still have great love and devotion for the Adventist Church but strongly believe that it is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints that has the fullness of the gospel. I soon began to accept callings and serve in various capacities, as President and counsellors in Relief Society, Primary and Young Women. Also have been teachers in these quorums, seminary and institute classes.

As my faith and conviction increased, I decided that I would even serve a mission and served in the Philippines Tacloban Mission between 1990 and 1992. My testimony grew stronger while on mission and could witness the changes it was bringing in my life and other people’s lives. In 2000 I married my childhood friend Nixon Samuel and got sealed for time and eternities in a Hong Kong temple in 2003. I’m blessed with two boys and lead a happy life and serve the Lord in his church as Stake Relief Society President and also teach the temple preparation class for couples and families who are going to temple.