From Book of Mormon Musical to Mormon Convert is an article at the Deseret News about a young woman who attended the Book of Mormon musical and — to her own surprise and the surprise of her family and friends — ended up joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

On her Mormon.org profile, Liza writes:

This Gospel has brought me more joy than anything I have ever experienced in my entire life. Although I am currently the only member in my family, I know in my heart that I made the right decision to be baptized. I know that God knows me and that is why he sent me to the musical in the first place. I can not express enough how much I love this church and all the blessings and happiness that come with being a member. Now that I have the church in my life, I couldn’t imagine my life with out it. That (amongst many reasons) is why I am a Mormon.

Liza lives in Boston and recently wrote on her blog about her thoughts and experiences with the recent Boston Marathon bombings. She writes:

People have been asking me, how can you be religious after all that has happened? What God would do this?

My response: How could I NOT be religious after all that has happened? It is through my faith I have been able to keep going. Nobody ever promised that this life would be easy, trials and tribulations fall upon all of us. However, if we keep the faith, one day our trials will cease and we will have peace. I know this is true. Heavenly Father loves me, and he loves you unconditionally. Never be afraid to talk with Him. He wants to hear from you, I know he does. We are Boston Strong.

In her post, Liza includes a powerful quote from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s recent general conference talk, one that she shared at a vigil she attended after the bombings.

“There may be some among you who feel darkness encroaching upon you. You may feel burdened by worry, fear, or doubt. To you and to all of us, I repeat a wonderful and certain truth: God’s light is real. It is available to all! It gives life to all things. It has the power to soften the sting of the deepest wound. It can be a healing balm for the loneliness and sickness of our souls. In the furrows of despair, it can plant the seeds of a brighter hope. It can enlighten the deepest valleys of sorrow. It can illuminate the path before us and lead us through the darkest night into the promise of a new dawn.”