The Miraculous Making of Margaret McKercher's Conversion
How a Bottle of Pills Became a Baptismal Font
In early 1957, Naomi Randall was given the assignment to write a new song for a children's religious conference on the program's theme: "A Child's Plea." The event would be held in April the same year and take place at the Salt Lake Tabernacle. The night after the assignment was given, Naomi prayed aloud to know the right text for the song and then went to bed at her home in Ogden, Utah. Around 2:00 a.m. she suddenly awakened, and in the darkness and quietness, words began to form in her mind. She immediately got up and wrote as fast as she could. Three verses and a chorus were soon formed. Knowing where the words came from, Naomi kneeled in prayer again and thanked her Father in Heaven. The lyrics were mailed that week to Mildred Pettit of Pasadena, California, who would compose the music. The song would be called, "I am a Child of God."
The Best Christmas in Years
Fast forward to Christmas day 1978 in the surrounding areas of Denver, Colorado. A 67-year-old woman named Margaret McKercher just finished a Christmas dinner with friends, the Don and Linda Perry family, and would now have a family home evening. Senior-age sister missionaries, Norma Hartley and Afton Deaton from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ("Mormon"), were also invited and would give a spiritual message and provide activities.
A fire was lit in the fireplace and Christmas tree lights were turned on. Everyone there took turns reading passages from the Bible about the birth of Jesus Christ and participated in activities for children and adults. The room lights were then turned off, and just the fireplace and Christmas tree lights were on as they all sang Christmas carols. However, the last song, "I am a Child of God," was sung to Margaret, who presumably was unfamiliar with it. Tears rolled down her cheeks as they sang it to her. When Margaret was later taken home by the missionaries that night, she commented, "This is the best Christmas I have had in years."
A Life of Spiritual Searching
Margaret Bernice Seffens McKercher was born July 20, 1911, and raised in a Pentecostal home. Margaret learned from the Bible, and believed in God as her Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ the Son of God, and the Holy Spirit. She witnessed at a young age her mother being divinely healed of tuberculosis and personally experienced divine healings herself. By age 17, Margaret was asked to leave the Pentecostal church on account of being too "worldly" -- using perfume, silk stockings, jewelry, and more. But she did not lose her love for God and Jesus Christ, and lamented she did not always live a Christian life. She later married, but it ended in divorce after a number of years. She married a second time, but that also ended in divorce. After the two failed marriages, she took up activity in the Religious Science church.
The Pull of Family History
In 1965, Margaret developed an interest in genealogy, or family history. She wrote her older brother about the family background, and again some years later wrote her sister about the subject. Margaret also remembered some information given to her by her parents (who already passed away many years before), but even then, she felt she had no idea how to go about doing family history and what to do with the information she already had.
By 1971, Margaret starting having poignant and deep questions about life. As she recounted in a letter: "[…] I began to realize that I was getting all mixed up. Was it possible that Jesus Christ was just a good man that came to show us how to live and nothing else? Was mind really the answer? These things I found conflicted with my heart; so I quit Church and tried others -- but always it left me right back where I was -- unsatisfied and searching. So, in my heart I began praying that I would find the way, that something would come to me that I felt was real and alive." The desire to get her family history in order was greatly magnified around 1974 when her first great-grandchild was born and she looked at the baby for the first time. She knew she had to work on her family history, but in her own words, "[…] Still I floundered and procrastinated."
An Unexpected Visit
Around 1976, Margaret wrote to relatives in Texas about family history, and was referred to another cousin, Tom McKnight, who lived in Las Vegas, Nevada. He traced family back to the 1600s. Tom McKnight would respond to Margaret with a letter and filling out a "referral card," but instead of sending them back directly to her, they were sent to a local congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Denver, Colorado area (Applewood Ward, Lakewood/Wheatridge area), which would then be delivered to Margaret in person. Tom wrote on the referral card that accompanied the letter: "Margaret is interested in genealogy."
From Margaret's point of view, it took several months after writing Tom McKnight to finally get an answer. But the reply came in an unexpected fashion. Don Perry and another man, from that local congregation, got in touch and delivered the letter in person. Margaret later recounted:
"I could not understand why, but I asked [Don Perry] and Brother Price into my apartment and talked with them and told them that I was a member of the Religious Science Church, but I was interested in all religions and liked to read about them and asked for a Book of Mormon. I had been in Salt Lake City and in the Tabernacle 40 years ago and had picked up a book telling about Joseph Smith and the golden plates."
Not much more came after of that meeting. It was very hard to get in touch with Margaret and contact subsequently ceased with the local congregation. But a number of events, unseen to Margaret, were set in motion that would later drastically change her life.
A Widow's Call to Serve
In late 1976, a Charles Hartley of San Lorenzo, California passed away in his sleep from a heart attack. Norma Hartley, his wife, was devasted from the sudden loss and was now a widow at age 62. Norma moved to Provo, Utah following the death, and attended a congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The local church leader, Bishop Lossee, asked Norma if she would like to go on an 18-month voluntary proselyting mission, perhaps recognizing her circumstances as a widow and otherwise being capable and open to the opportunity. She thought he was joking since the congregation was to be split into two in the near future, and she would be going to the other congregation with a new bishop who did not know her. Regardless, Norma learned in a short while that Bishop Lossee spoke with the other leader of the new congregation, and that she would be going on a mission. And sure enough, it happened.
Norma ended up completing all the necessary paperwork, resolving health issues, doing required physical check-ups, and also taking care of other necessities, such as renting her Provo home while away. Norma was called as a full-time proselyting missionary on June 8, 1978 to the Colorado Denver Mission and would officially begin her service on August 12. After about a week of training in Salt Lake City, Norma drove her car to Littleton, Colorado to meet mission leaders, receive her first assigned missionary companion, and to start missionary work in the area.
A Sick Companion and Divine Timing
After serving for two months in Wheatridge and thereabouts, Norma's first companion was transferred by the mission leader to a different area. This was a surprise to both Norma and her companion, as they were expecting Norma to be transferred. Regardless, Norma would remain in place at Wheatridge and receive a new companion, Afton Deaton.
The day after Afton's arrival, Afton became quite ill and needed to remain at the missionary apartment to rest and recover. This was on October 18, a Wednesday. Norma was unable to find someone else to do missionary work, so she had to remain at home as well. While confined at home that Wednesday, Norma decided to work on missionary reports, do telephone tracting, and go through old referral cards. But none of this resulted in much. Feeling she had no luck, Norma decided to kneel and ask Heavenly Father in prayer to help her know what to do. After the prayer, she laid down on her bed and fell asleep. Upon awakening, a strong impression came to Norma to check one of the referral cards again, the one with Margaret McKercher's name. The card was two years old by now and was recently given to them by a Don Perry from the local church congregation.
Norma reviewed the card again and read that it was filled out by a cousin, Tom McKnight, and that he wrote "Margaret is interested in genealogy." When Norma saw that word, genealogy, a light came into her mind. No one had tried to reach Margaret through genealogy. This was Norma's specialty. Norma thought to herself, "This was my line. I just might be able to help her."
Norma dialed the telephone number on the card and found Margaret was home! Norma and her previous companion had tried so many times to reach Margaret and simply could not find her at home. Afton's illness interestingly created circumstances that normally would not have happened, and Norma's prayer, nap, and diligence to a spiritual prompting gave way to providential timing and opportunity.
"Not very good"
Margaret mentioned that Wednesdays were her day off in general, as she worked as a dental assistant during the week and then in the evenings she went to the gym for a workout. Norma then asked how she was doing with her genealogy. "Not very good," replied Margaret. Norma explained she had 14-years training at the Oakland, California Genealogical Library and said she could help if Margaret wanted. After some hesitation, Margaret accepted and asked for Norma to stop by at 7:30 that evening. Norma committed to the appointment and said she would be there.
Afton felt well enough to accompany Norma by evening time. They arrived at Margaret's home and found she had a lot of family history information but didn't know how to record it. Norma showed how to put it on a pedigree chart so names, dates, and places could be seen. Norma also told Margaret where to write to get more information, and to call her when the information came and she would come again on Margaret's day off to help her. Margaret was so pleased she set up another appointment anyway for the next Wednesday evening. Additional visits followed thereafter over the course of two months to help Margaret with her family history.
"Why haven't I been told this before?"
On December 6, 1978, Norma told her missionary companion before an appointment with Margaret that now is the time to explain why family history is so important. If Margaret accepted, this would entail a religious discussion involving Bible scriptures, life after death, baptism, temples, eternal families, and more.
That evening, Norma and Afton accompanied Margaret go to a store to purchase genealogy supplies and then went back to her home to fill out family group sheets. After completing the family group sheets, Norma turned to Margaret and asked, "Will you please let us tell you why this genealogy is so important?" Margaret replied, "Yes, please tell me."
Norma asked Margaret to bring her Bible so she could see the verses and scriptures were in her own King James Bible. Norma discussed the spirit world, or the place where spirits of deceased persons go after dying. Afton followed up by telling Margaret the purpose of being here on Earth, and why it is important to have a physical body. Norma continued about the resurrection and atonement of Jesus Christ, indicating our spirits and bodies will eventually reunite and be made perfect. Norma then asked her, "Do you know where Christ's spirit was during the three days His body lay in the tomb?" Margaret answered, "No."
Norma told her to take her Bible and turn to 1 Peter 3:18-20, relating to Jesus preaching to the spirits of those who were dead. Margaret was also directed to various other scriptures such as John 20:16-17, 1 Peter 4:6, John 3:5, 1 Corinthians 15:29, Hebrews 5:4-10, Mark 3:14, John 15:16, Matthew 16:19, Ephesians 4:11, and others. All these emphasized and connected the reality of the spirit world, life after death, the requirement of baptism to enter the kingdom of God, the need of proper authority in an organized church with leadership like apostles and prophets, and even that baptisms for the dead are available to those who died without it.
Norma concluded, "This was the way Christ organized His church. [There was] a falling away and prophecies of a restoration. Christ's church has been restored as it was anciently and we have a living prophet today to guide us. We have temples where through the priesthood authority families can be bound together for eternity. This is why we do genealogy."
Margaret began to cry. She said, "Why haven't I been told this before?" Norma answered, "You weren't ready for it. Now you are." Norma and Afton then showed Margaret the film, "Man's Search for Happiness." Margaret cried again and indicated, "Now I know why my dead husband has been in my dreams the last two nights."
January 12
After that evening, Margaret wanted to know all she could about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She requested to be taught twice a week and started to read the Book of Momon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. She committed to put to the test a promise in the book that by having real intent, and praying to know whether it is true or not, that the power of the Holy Ghost would help her know.
A few weeks passed by and then arrived Christmas day, December 25, 1978. That great and influential day when Margaret experienced the powerful home evening with the Perry family and the missionaries. After that Christmas day and home evening experience ending with the song, "I am a child of God," Margaret wanted the missionaries to come even more frequently to teach her -- Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
At the next Thursday lesson, December 28, the missionaries invited her to be baptized. Norma asked, "Margaret, do you believe what we have been teaching you is true?" She answered, "Yes, I have even asked my son and daughter what they would think if I joined the Mormon Church. They told me that if I felt that it was what I wanted then I should do it." Norma then followed, "How soon do you want to be baptized?" Margaret thought for a moment, then replied, "I think that January 12, [1979] would be a good time." The missionaries put it on the calendar to take place at that time in about two weeks' time.
A Midnight Impression
As the missionaries went back to their apartment that Thursday night, Norma had a thought that something may be amiss with the January 12 baptism date. Norma prayed that night and asked God to help her know if Margaret should wait until January 12 to be baptized. Norma went to bed and slept until around 2:00 a.m., when she was suddenly awakened. Something she heard with her mind and heart, "Margaret must not wait until January 12. She must be baptized as soon as possible."
At the next appointment Saturday night, December 30, the first thing Norma said to Margaret was, "You can't be baptized on January 12. You must be baptized as soon as you can." Norma related how she was awakened during the night and heard that thought. Margaret said, "My goodness am I going to die?" Norma answered, "Well, I hope not, but can you be baptized tomorrow night? It is New Year's Eve. It is Sunday, and we can get access to the baptism font." Margaret accepted the invitation to be baptized the next day, right before the new year.
The Baptism on New Year's Eve
You never saw two missionaries work faster than they did to get Margaret through a baptismal interview with a local church leader, clothes to be baptized in, and to reserve the baptismal font at a local church building. That Sunday, December 31, 1978, Margaret attended the congregation's Sunday school and main meeting, sacrament meeting. She talked to the congregation's bishop, and during the sacrament meeting he announced Margaret's baptism and asked church members to attend and welcome her.
The missionaries were worried about the experience Margaret may have. It was a very cold day that day, just three degrees above zero. And that it was New Year's Eve. But when it came time for the baptism, the missionaries were surprised to see so many attending to support Margaret. Don Perry of the congregation baptized Margaret and conferred upon her the gift of the Holy Ghost. Norma wrote in her journal that she never saw a more radiant person than Margaret. And the baptismal service concluded with the singing of the hymn, "I am a Child of God." Margaret radiated happiness through tears streaming down her face. After the baptismal service, the Perry family and Margaret came to the missionaries apartment for fruitcake, cookies, and hot chocolate. It was a great way to start a new year and a new life.
The Urgency Confirmed
When January 12, 1979 came around, Norma wrote the following detail in her journal: "On January 12, the date Margaret had [originally] picked for her baptism, we had one of the worst blizzards you ever saw. Margaret called me that day and told me that she had to stay home from work because she was so sick that she could hardly raise her head." Perhaps it was then when Norma realized why she felt spiritually impressed to baptize Margaret as soon as possible and not on January 12!
Real and Alive
On January 15, Margaret also wrote a letter to the mission leaders of the Colorado Denver mission regarding her conversion. She explained:
"Thank you so much for your recent letter welcoming me into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I cannot begin to tell you of the joy it has brought me. I think I shall never cease to marvel at the love you dear people radiate. At my baptism, I had never in my life felt so much love. The room was warm with it, even though it was 3 degrees outside. I wept with joy and humility and what made it more marvelous was that so many dear people would brave a cold New Year's Eve just for my baptism…
… [And] as I recall, the first night we worked on my genealogy getting it put together and giving me instructions and homework. They asked if they could come back the next week to continue work. It was three weeks before Sister Hartley asked me to let her tell me why genealogy was so important. Then pieces began to fit together such as my great interest in the early civilization on this hemisphere. I began taking the lessons and reading the Book of Mormon. I became very interested in the Church and as I learned more, I began to wonder if this was not the real truth that I had been seeking. Things began to add up for me and I asked many questions, and the answers always bore witness to the truth. My hunger increased as the lessons progressed. These two precious Sisters took such an interest in me and they radiated such warmth and love that I began to feel that I might be 'The One'. The Church is real and alive. I have found the peace I have been searching for. -- Margaret McKercher"
Bottle of Pills
Norma Hartley later went on to serve in other areas of the Colorado Denver mission, but she did not lose contact with Margaret. Norma was released from missionary service on February 20, 1980 and had returned to her home in Provo, Utah
In October 1980, Margaret travelled to Utah and spent two weeks with Norma. Margaret went to the temple in Provo seven times, and was sealed for all time and eternity to her father and mother, along with her three brothers. She also visited the genealogical or family history library in Salt Lake City, and another one in Provo.
And at the very end of her trip to Utah as Margaret was ready to board a plane to Colorado, she confided something profound and tender to Norma. Margaret said that the week Norma called on her, she had found life so hard and so unsatisfactory that she had planned to take her own life. She had purchased a bottle of sleeping pills and had a plastic bag to put over her head to end it all. But then Norma and her companion came and gave Margaret a whole new way of life.
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| Norma Hartley as a missionary Colorado, 1979 |
Sources:
History and Testimony of My Missionary Experiences - Norma Miner Hartley
Written by Thomas Hartley, grandson of Norma Miner Hartley (Haymond)
