Drug Dealer's Improbable Conversion to Mormonism

In July 2012, Jesus Tapia was on his knees in the rec yard at the local jail in Mesa, AZ, a week before his scheduled trial date, offering the most fervent and sincere prayer of his life. You see, Jesus was not just an ordinary criminal, he was a drug dealer...one of the largest serving Arizona State University and his local area...a sort of Kingpin in the region. Jesus says that drug dealing afforded him a great lifestyle: new cars, a motorcycle, and lots of fun toys, but now he was facing the heavy hand of consequence for the bad choices in his life.

Staring Down an 18-36 Year Prison Sentence

Jesus was staring down an 18-36 year prison sentence, sending his world crashing to a grinding halt...a 22-year-old with a lot of potential now faced the prospect of a life wasted, devoid of opportunity. Needless to say, Jesus' trial day was a BIG DAY. He had hired the best lawyer he could find and did the only other thing he knew how to do: pray.

A Miracle Sets Him Free

A week before trial, Jesus says that he fell to his knees and prayed. He said he made a promise to God that whatever happened, he would follow Him. If he was to serve 18 years in jail (or more), he said that he would serve God there. A week later, Jesus Tapia had the biggest miracle happen in his life. On his trial day, the Judge dismissed his case based on a technicality — the police raided his apartment 45 minutes before the search warrant was issued. Apparently, there was another paper that would have sufficed for approval instead of the actual warrant, but the police said they could not find it. The paper was lost...it disappeared. So at 2 pm in the afternoon on the same day as his trial date, Jesus walked out of jail a FREE MAN.

God Answers His Prayer by Sending the Missionaries

The day after his release from jail, missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came knocking at his door. They were actually looking for his brother, Miguel, who at age 14 began searching for a church and joined the Mormon Church. Miguel had become inactive, and the missionaries were trying to find him. Miguel had been a member for a year and a half.

The missionaries asked Jesus if they could talk with him and he said, "Yes, why not?" This was the start of a NEW DAY for Jesus Tapia...and he believes the missionaries were sent as a direct answer to the prayer that he gave while in jail. Jesus Tapia took the missionary lessons for 2 months and then was baptized in September 2012. Jesus said, "I came to a wall, and something said in my head that I couldn't go any further." He said that he knew he had to be baptized to progress in his life.

Baptism, and Finally...Peace, Happiness, and Joy

Jesus said that he knew the church was true the moment he got baptized. He said he believed it before, but at his baptism he knew it was true. Jesus Tapia declared to me: "I've never felt lighter in my life...pure, happy, and at peace. Then I thought, this feels a million times better than before, now I just need to keep doing this."

I asked Jesus Tapia, "What is different in your life now that you are a member?" He said: "Everything. I pay taxes, I work a job. I don't sell drugs. I make a decent living and I pay my bills and I worry about things now. I am an honest person. I had to leave behind friends...my best friend for 15-16 years. I left behind houses, cars, motorcycles, money...I left behind everything and I went to step one again."

Jesus Tapia said that he loves being a Mormon, and first noticed the unity, love, and kindness of the people. Jesus said: "Everybody works to help everyone else in the church...brothers and sisters...the peacefulness and the truth is in the church."

A Member on Fire to Spread the Good News

To say that Jesus Tapia is on fire sharing the gospel is a huge understatement. Jesus is pursuing his passion for the gospel with the same vigor and energy that he did as a drug dealer. Jesus is a ward missionary: his job is to spread the good news and help find people to teach that are not members.

Two Weeks Ago, Jesus Baptized his Mother

Beaming with energy he says, "My mom was a full blown Catholic and is 57 years old. In her first meeting with the missionaries she said that she never, ever, ever would be baptized a Mormon. She said that she would never leave the Virgin Mary." About a month-and-a-half later, she came home and said to her son, Jesus: "Hey, you're baptizing me." Jesus was overjoyed — her baptism was two weeks past, and you could see Jesus Tapia was still beaming with excitement.

I met Jesus a few days away from the 3-month anniversary of his baptism. He also told me some more good news: all of his nephews got enrolled into Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, and 3 nephews, ages 10, 11, and 12, are being baptized on January 15th.

A 14-Year-Old Boy Searches for a Church

Jesus' story is remarkable, no doubt, but it all started with his brother Miguel. Miguel started looking for a church — looking for a place to settle. Miguel states, "I started looking for a church to just chill and learn about Jesus because I really love him. I know He's there and I know that He does exist. There have been so many witnesses." Two years ago Miguel became a Mormon.

Miguel admitted that he also had fallen away from the church — he started drinking and doing some drugs. Miguel told me, "I knew it was wrong...I told my mom the things that I had done and she forgave me."

Brother Rescues Brother

The day that Jesus Tapia got out of jail, he knew what he needed to do: he went over to his dad's apartment and got Miguel out of the bad situation he was in and started to help him. Miguel was reactivated and Jesus was converted; now they are best friends. Miguel is 16 years old, and he admits that he is nervous because he was just called to be a Priest in the Aaronic priesthood: next Sunday he is supposed to bless the Sacrament for the first time.

Jesus and Miguel: Brothers in Christ

Both Miguel and Jesus plan on going on missions. Miguel said, "Even though I don't know every member of the church, I love them. I know the members are always here to help." Jesus gushed, "I decided to go on a mission. I'm going to submit my papers 3 months before my year mark so I can be in the field at or around my 1 year anniversary. I would honestly regret not going out and serving a mission because I would be able to reach out to so many more people who did not grow up in the church."

I've Never Had This Feeling Before

Jesus gave me the clearest view on how his life was different; Jesus said the biggest difference in his life is that he now knows the difference between BAD and GOOD. Jesus bore a strong testimony to me as we were ending his interview, when he declared: "I know that the Church of the Latter-day Saints of Jesus Christ is true. There is no doubt in my mind...I've never had this feeling before of such peace, happiness, and joy. I know that if I get up in the morning in a bad mood, I can just say a prayer and everything will be ok. I know that Joseph Smith restored the word. I know that President Monson is the true prophet of God."

My interview was over, and Mesa temple lights were blasting out cool and bright colors in the background, and I was left with the lingering thought...Miguel and Jesus are really good examples of what it means to be a strong member of this church. When I first saw these two young men taking a picture of the Mesa temple, they were so excited and in awe of the moment.... Now, I know why.