Conversion Is Done through God

My name is Niampi Yobo Sévérin, a married member of the Church and father of four children.

For many years, my addiction to alcohol had a negative impact on my family life and prevented me from attending school as I would have liked.

Today, I realize that my conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the best thing that has happened to me in my life, but the circumstances of my conversion seemed unexpected to me.

I was born to Catholic parents who instilled in me the principles of that congregation and I am naturally a man who loves reading.

In my search for the truth at a young age I had converted to the Jehovah religion where I gained a better understanding of the scriptures, especially the Bible. But it still wasn’t enough for me because I was carrying a heavy burden.

Indeed, my life changed because of an addiction to alcohol and tobacco that had a profound impact on my professional, and especially on my family, life. I felt powerless, I could see my family go to waste, especially the education of my children. This was a great concern for me. This situation worried me deeply and I did not know how to get rid of it. Prayers and tears were put to work without result.

I was looking for a solution to my problem when, in 1998, my youngest daughter met with missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who came to teach her at our home. She later accepted the gospel and was baptized. I attended her baptism at her invitation. Later, my eldest daughter joined the Church and she decided to serve a full-time mission.

I was not in favor of this idea but had to comply with it because I did not want to put myself in spiritual conflict with God.

Seeing the positive impact of the Church on the lives of my daughters, I urged my two other children and my wife to leave their congregation and be baptized in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

As for me, I began to take missionary lessons and to attend church intermittently because my addictions to alcohol and tobacco were a heavy burden.

I was not ready for baptism and asked for God’s help by seeking through the scriptures to find a way to put an end to this addiction.

This is how I read Doctrine and Covenants 89:18–21, “And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones.

“And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;

“And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.

“And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen”.

Miraculously, I stopped drinking alcohol and then stopped smoking. I was baptized a member of the Church in May 2002.

My life from that moment on changed radically to the astonishment of those around me. It was a true resurrection, a glimmer of hope for me and my family, so that my mother, who thought I was lost forever having seen me again, exclaimed with tears of joy in her eyes: “Truly your God whom you pray to now is strong.”

Obviously, God remains the same. Very quickly I began to study the Book of Mormon and especially the Guide to the Scriptures. The history of Ezra has helped me to increase my witness of the Church.

But then I had to face another test: the reluctance of my eldest son to join the restored Church so that the circle would be complete.

I resolved once again to resort to prayer and patience for a few years before my son finally agreed to join our congregation.

After my baptism, I served in many callings. I am currently serving as the stake president. Two of my grandchildren have just served a full-time mission.

I reflect on my life. When we want a real change of heart, it happens according to the commandments of and obedience to the Lord.