The Convert Devotionals

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In this conversation, Clare and Chris Thomas share their unique journey of navigating faith and marriage. Chris recounts his upbringing in a Southern Baptist environment and his initial distance from the LDS faith.

Chris was raised by an anti LDS father and developed the same rhetoric in his adulthood. As their relationship developed, they faced challenges related to differing beliefs, especially after Clare returned to her faith following a personal tragedy.

Chris's eventual spiritual awakening and decision to join the church marked a significant turning point in their family life. They discuss the importance of community support, patience, and sacrifice in maintaining their marriage and raising their children in a loving environment despite their differing faith backgrounds.

Hi everyone, and welcome to the very first episode of The Convert Devotionals. I’m Clare Thomas, your host, and I’m so excited to share stories of faith, hope, and miracles through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I want to be real with you from the start — my journey hasn’t been easy. I grew up in the Church, loved seminary and Young Women’s, and had a strong testimony of the gospel. But after high school, I left the Church and became an ex-Mormon for six to seven years. During that time, I got caught up in drinking, partying, and trying to numb the panic attacks and anxiety that had completely taken over my life. These weren’t just “bad days” — these were full-blown attacks that made me feel like the world was ending, like my body and mind were betraying me. I lost my sense of reality, my personality, and my peace.

Even in that darkness, I never stopped searching. Slowly, I started coming back to the Church. I started praying, reading my scriptures, listening to conference talks, and leaning on my family, my bishop, and my husband, Chris — who at the time wasn’t a member. And little by little, I started seeing miracles. I’ll never forget one weekend right before Easter and General Conference — after months of panic attacks and sleepless nights — I prayed for hours and felt God whisper clearly in my mind: “I’ve got you. Everything is going to be okay.” In that moment, my anxiety lifted, my panic attacks eased, and I felt His love in a way I hadn’t in years.

Since then, I’ve been sober, my faith has grown stronger than ever, and I’ve experienced countless miracles in my life. And that’s why I started this podcast — to share my story, the stories of others, and to remind you that no matter how far you’ve wandered, no matter what you’re struggling with, God is real, He knows you personally, and He will answer your prayers.

In this first episode, I’ll take you through my journey — the struggles, the doubts, the panic attacks, and the miracles — all through my experience as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.