In today’s episode of Changing, Donald takes a look back to a fan-favorite episode from the Changing archives. He speaks to Stake President Andy Lustig about converting from Judaism to Christianity.
What is a stake president?
- The Stake President ministers to people, oversees the church bishops, and deals with the general dealings of the stake.
- President Lustig grew up in Jamaica, Queens, New York, and went to a Jewish school. He was raised in a conservative Jewish home and, like all Jewish men, was bar mitzvahed at age 13.
- At 17, President Lustig became disillusioned when his synagogue was sold to another synagogue. He saw the synagogue was focused more on business and earning money than it was about ministering to his people. After this, he and his mother stopped going to temple (but continued practicing Judaism traditions.)
Lustig converts to Christianity:
- After moving to Florida, he met his wife and married her in a synagogue. The couple would continue to go for three years but never really felt the spirit.
- They eventually left, and several years passed before they had a pivotal encounter. Then, one day, President Lustig was working as a piano technician when his client’s wife gave him a Book of Mormon.
- At the same time, President Lustig’s daughter was in a special program in Utah where everyone was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. While visiting, President Lustig gave their names when asked where missionaries could visit. And, two weeks later, they came.
- But just before they came, however, President Lustig’s daughter wanted to go to church, so he went with her so she wouldn’t be alone. And who greeted them at the door? His client whose wife gave them the Book of Mormon!
- President Lustig was inspired by The First 2000 Years by FBI Director of Salt Lake City Cleon Skousen.
Whether or not you believe in the Savior Christ, if the spirit touches you, you’ll get an answer.
- Since becoming a member of the church, he has witnessed thousands of miracles and heard countless testimony.
- The initial decision was hard, but he is still a member of the House of Israel and has not given up his heritage.
- Jesus was a Jewish boy who became a carpenter. When he read the New Testament, it was a revelation to him, and in response, he knelt in prayer to receive the truth.
- President Ludwig has gone from a person who was focused on himself and his career to someone concerned for others.
To get in touch with President Lustig, you can email andylustig@me.com.
MUSIC CREDIT: Audio Jungle
