Ganel-Lyn Condie - The Decision that Changed My Life: Inspiring True Stories from Latter-day Saints

By Ganel-Lyn Condie

Choosing the right when we have a choice placed before us is sometimes easier sung than done.

The first story I share is that of Janice Kapp Perry. She writes in personal detail of the accident that led to a calling from her bishop... to write the ward roadshow. She protested a bit because of self-doubt, but thankfully, Janice eventually agreed. She not only wrote and produced an amazing show, but the decision she made to say yes to that Church assignment awakened a musical sleeping giant within her, and the inspiring musical career of Janice was born.

Her story was the genesis of this Decision book concept. After hearing about her choice to say yes when everything inside her was saying I cant, I too was given an assignment from a bishop, mine to lead the music in Primary. I really havent had any musical training, except for a few years of childhood piano lessons. Everything inside me screamed, No, I cant. I dont know how to lead music, let alone teach it to the beautiful children in Primary. I was already deeply involved in the writing and compiling of this book and anticipating final work beginning on I Can Forgive with God . And with a son to help finish high school and get out on a mission and a daughter entering the wonderful world of the Young Women program, I felt stretched beyond my own capacity and barely able to give the minimum to the people who mattered most.

Janices story was already in my heart and was one of the reasons I mustered some good old pioneer courage to accept the calling. I knew how that one decision Janice made had changed her life and the lives of millions. There was no fantasy that my leading the music in Primary would someday change the world or inspire the testimonies of countless children. I just wanted to make a difference, in a small way, and serve the Lord. But I was scared.

Feara close cousin to courage and decision-making.

Making decisions is the essence of the gospel. The whole great plan of happiness started with a choice. Our Heavenly Father knew that exercising our agency meant sometimes having post-workout pains. We consider, pray, ponder, and act on the information and impressions we have at the time. In reality, life seems to be about doing the best we can to do the best we can.

While interviewing the contributors, then writing and editing these decision stories, I have learned again and again that the Spirit may nudge and prompt, but He rarely reveals all the details on the front end. He seems to witness to me... after the factafter I decide and then act on that decision, I receive a confirmation that I am going in the right direction.

Saying yes to the calling was the easiest of the hard part. The hours and weeks I spent preparing and learning my new responsibility were fraught with anxiety and tension. But over time, things didnt feel so new and the barriers seemed to tumble away from my mind. I could see small changes happening inside of me. Im not sure what the Primary children gained or if they gained anything during my months of leading, but I know I learned to relax more while also trying to meet professional deadlines and how to sing and feel the gospel, not just study it. God seems to give His children ample opportunities to choose outside their comfort zones, as Whitney Wilcox Laycock beautifully writes about in her story of moving to Chile with her newly called mission president father, Brad Wilcox. It was in the stepping out and stretching in my Primary calling that God was able to teach me; I could not rely on what I already knew because I didnt know how other than with Him.

Some of the stories in this book are complex and personal. I searched for a wide range of experiences and perspectives. I was inspired by experiences of faith, missionary service, same-sex attraction, adoption, and a variety of careers. My hope is that readers will be strengthened by the accounts of well-known LDS filmmakers, a blogger, a vocalist, Church leaders, survivors, and a historian. The cherished experiences these magnificent people share have changed my life.

These written narratives remind us of the importance and impact of making one decision , because it really can change a life.