Derick is 36 years old, and hails from Indiana. He joined LDS.net, a social networking site for friends of all faiths to learn about Mormons, on December 15, 2007. He visited the site because he was curious about Mormonism; he had a string of questions about our faith and lives. After a few days of having his questions answered by the members of the site, he asked which book he should start reading to learn more about our doctrines. He was encouraged by Mormon members of the site to read The Book of Mormon, and was led to the 800 number through which he could call and request a free copy, and, as well, to the online version.
Derick started reading The Book of Mormon online and to frequently ask questions in the LDS.net forums. He was a good way through this second witness of Jesus Christ, as well as through thee Gospel Principle Units before he actually called to request his own copy on January 9, 2008. While anxiously waiting for his copy to arrive, he called the local missionaries on January 22nd, and he was then baptized on March 8th. He received the Aaronic Priesthood on March 16th. Derick has been contacted by The Ensign and his story is to be published in the near future.
Derick’s comments on his own online experience follow:
Out of all the billion web sites on the net, I was led to LDS.net to discover the wonderful truth about the Church [of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints] and the amazing power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.” I did discover the truth about the Church and I’m still discovering more and more about the church using LDS.net along with actually going to services.
“If it was not for LDS.net I would not have called the church, missionaries, and been baptized.” To be honest, I sure needed the support from LDS..net to build up my courage to visit the missionaries and go to services the first time. I was nervous and had not done anything like that since I was a kid.”
