Converted
By Barbara Laduc McKay
I was not born a Mormon, Lord.
And that has bothered me.
You see, I’ve always felt that I
Could not belong to thee
As fully as thy chosen ones
Who’ve known thee since their birth
And kept the laws and gospel which
You sent to save the earth.
The way of life is new to me –
I have so much to learn
Of humbleness and truth before
To thee I must return.
I thought the years not long enough
For me to earn the right
To stand with those who’ve walked the ways
From darkness into light
And say that I am one of them
And know that I belong.
But now I know I, too, am blessed.
And in my heart’s a song.
Conversion is an honor, too!
At first I could not see,
But I can say with grateful heart
That I have chosen thee!
(1951)
And she married a McKay? No wonder she felt as if she didn’t quite fit in! 🙂
Turns out I guessed wrong. Her maiden name was Barbara Ladue McKay. Born in Pennsylvania in 1933, she was baptized in 1951, the same year that poem was published. When she was 18!
This echoes “This is My Country” in its alternate verses of “land of my birth” and “land of my choice.”
I would not have guessed it was written by one so young. Thanks for digging that out, Mark.
Remarkable insight for a 19 year old.
I have often wondered if many of us were born in the church precisely because we lacked the courage and strength to be converts to the church.