Award Winning British LDS Photographer, Reg Wilkins: His Conversion Story

Award Winning British LDS Photographer, Reg Wilkins: His Conversion Story by Anne Bradshaw

Described as nothing short of miraculous, Reg Wilkins? conversion began with one ripple involving his brother - that ripple has never stopped touching the lives of others.

On a warm June day in 1967, Reg's younger brother, twenty-two year old Victor Wilkins, knowing nothing about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was taking photographs as he walked through London's famous Hyde Park.

Reg tells the story. ?As Victor gazed at the many great men of history carved in stone on the Park's magnificent Albert Memorial, people like Beethoven, Bach and so on, my brother describes how the internal spiritual awakenings which had been building in his life for a while, caused him for the first time, to offer a deeply sincere prayer, and he asked: ?Where does the great creative power such as these men had come from??

"At that moment, to his surprise, words came to him that were completely unfamiliar - words from a book that he had never read nor had any knowledge of - but later discovered were from the Book of Mormon: ?.....all things which are good cometh of God.? (Moroni 7:12).

"Moved by the experience, Victor felt impelled to ask the source of the answer: 'Well, as it was God, where is this God to be found?'

?At this point, Victor thought this might be the beginning of some global quest, and that he might have to search the world over, possibly ending up in the Himalayas or somewhere similar. But he was so sure of the spiritual direction he was receiving, that he would have been more than prepared to do whatever was required.

"Victor sat down on the memorial steps pondering his spiritual experience, and became conscious that he was now looking at the statue of Prince Albert, sitting regally on a throne (to his mind, like God), with angels above spiraling upwards to a cross at the top of the memorial. Everything seemed to be converging to symbolize what the Spirit was now in the process of revealing to him. The experiences left him feeling tired and he felt that he should cross the street and sit in the quiet of the Royal Albert Hall.

"Once inside and seated, Victor put his head back to rest and as he looked upward, he was impressed by the massive, domed ceiling that resembled the universe and he began thinking about all the great activities that had happened in the Albert Hall over time.

"By now, the feeling that something hugely important was about to enter his life had saturated his heart and mind, and he wondered whether he ought to be trying to search the Albert Hall basements for some book or other for the truth as to where God was. After contemplation, he felt that he should leave the building and continue to follow the spiritually-directed inclinations he was receiving.

"The idea came to him that perhaps 'the book' might be found in one of the well-known museums due south of him, at the bottom of Exhibition Road. He set off in that direction-having no idea that this is where one of our chapels is located.

"As Victor walked, and wondered, he had a mixed sense of excitement and reverence for his unknown guiding force since his original question was such an important one. In his determination to get to the museums, he once more failed to notice a building that he had passed many times - the Hyde Park Chapel.

"However, in my brother's words: ?As I was looking ahead toward the museum, it was as if heavenly hands gently turned my head to the left so that I was now looking at a burst of light coming from a notice board poster. At the same time, an internal voice was telling me: 'Concentrate on this as if your life depended on it, for it does'.?

"My brother said: ?I felt transfixed, as if laser beams connected my eyes to the picture, which, as I drew closer, revealed the figure of the Saviour with his arms outstretched toward me and the people of ancient America who were also shown in the poster. At that wonderful moment, I felt as if a volcano of light was surging up inside me. I had the overwhelming sensation that this message was crucial.?

Reg continues. "At this point, a young sister missionary emerged from the chapel and asked Victor if he would like to know the history of the scene depicted in the poster. She explained that he could read about it in a special book of scripture called the Book of Mormon. Of course, my brother could hardly believe his ears.

"He recalls that the minute the book was placed in his hands and he flipped through its pages, he knew this was it, the book by which he could find God. He was also presented with a second hardbound book called Meet the Mormons. This was a fairly comprehensive, illustrated book outlining what Latter-day Saints believe. As well as fundamental beliefs, the second book gave an overview of church history, where the Book of Mormon came from, details about priesthood, the restoration, revelation, church government and more. When my brother returned home, three miles away, it was around 5:00pm.

"He commenced reading and didn't stop until the following morning at 5:00am, having read Meet the Mormons in its entirety, and various parts of the Book of Mormon. "In Victor's words: ?I simply could not put the book down. I didn't want to eat, or drink. As I became sleepy, I prayed for strength for further concentration and enlightenment. I read, I pondered, I prayed, I was taught by the Spirit, I read some more - and repeated that cycle through the entire night. By five a.m., I felt as though I could sleep for a thousand years and nodded off. Yet despite that, by eight a.m., I awoke feeling fully refreshed and with a burning desire to be baptized.?

"Victor immediately dressed and went to the Hyde Park chapel but, in his enthusiasm, failed to realize that no one would normally be there at that time in the morning. However, the Lord, knowing my brother's faith and sincerity, provided missionary sisters who just 'happened' to go to the chapel at that unusual hour.

"As Victor related his experiences to the somewhat astounded missionaries - especially when he asked for immediate baptism - their response was understandably: ?But you can't be baptized yet, you don't know enough. There are a series of discussions that we need to share with you first.?

"To this, my brother's response was, ?Fine, but its not necessary, because I know the Church is true. I'm ready to be baptized.? One of the missionaries interjected, ?But we need to teach you about things like tithing. Do you realize that members give ten percent of their income to the Church??

"The missionaries were staggered when my brother replied, ?Ten percent! Is that all? I would gladly give all that I have to know God, here, take my camera!? He knew from their meeting the previous day that one of the missionaries admired his professional camera.

"The three, together with the mission president, later agreed that it would be wise to complete all the discussions, and soon after, Victor was baptized.

At this time, Reg and Victor worked together. They were employed by the internationally famous fashion photographer, David Montgomery (see previous article entitled New Exhibition For Award Winning English LDS Photographer), and were daily photographing the rich, royal, famous and fashionable all over the world.

Reg continues. "It was into this somewhat worldly studio environment that my brother came one morning to announce his newfound faith. I have to say, in all honesty, that I thought he was having some sort of nervous breakdown and becoming a religious fanatic. He was so excited about his discovery and scriptures were tumbling out of his vocabulary. It all seemed very new and strange to me.

"He tried patiently to share his faith and feelings with me. And because we daily created photographic prints in the darkroom together - such as seen in Vogue magazine and the like - he had me as a captive audience. Once the light was switched off in the darkroom there was no getting out until the print was completed!

Over the two years that followed, whenever the brothers were in the darkroom together, Victor made sure that Reg heard virtually every talk and music tape by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, General Authorities, and BYU professors' firesides, that he could find.

"I used to pretend I wasn't really listening," says Reg, "but much of what I did hear drew me. Because I had traveled extensively, I had encountered many beliefs and had a great deal of respect for them. Now, I began to feel the Spirit whisper that this one was special and my serious attention was required.

"I talked these feelings through with my wife, Wendy. We had two children at the time and we eventually agreed that we should have my brother arrange for the missionaries to formally teach us. In those days, it was usual to have the ward Seventy-who was normally the ward mission leader-involved in such discussions, and he and his wife, both of whom were artists, often attended. We immediately felt the Spirit of all these wonderful people which fused with the truths as they were unfolded in each discussion.

Reg relates that Victor has served faithfully in the Church in various callings for the past 35 years, most notably as a ward mission leader, high councilor and bishop. He is especially gifted in missionary work and has been instrumental in bringing hundreds of people into the Church.

He adds, "Over the years, Wendy and I have come to know, through the same channel of revelation and our own spiritual experiences, that life does not end at death, that our Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ, love us so much; that this church has been provided with a prophet at its head under Christ to assist us on our journey through life. It's so encouraging to know that the challenges that we continue to face daily play a vital role in our individual spiritual development. If we make the best possible use of our time here on earth, we will eventually enjoy a maximum capacity for happiness with loved ones and eternal salvation.

Reg and Wendy Wilkins are members of the Whitechapel Ward, Hyde Park Stake, in London, England, and have six children - four daughters and two sons - and sixteen grandchildren, with more on the way. After serving in numerous callings in the Church including High Councilor and Counselor in several bishoprics, Reg was ordained and set apart as the Bishop of the Wandsworth Ward in south London in 1977. Other callings have followed including Public Affairs Director for the Crawley Stake. He is currently serving as Sunday School President of the London?s Whitechapel Ward.

Reg concludes, "I sometimes shudder to think what might have happened to us all if my brother had not listened to that inner voice all those years ago as he walked in the park. Thinking about it reminds me, ?Salvation cannot come without revelation; it is vain for anyone to minister without it.?- Joseph Smith Teachings pp160. And from Doctrine & Covenants 76:10, ?For by my Spirit will I enlighten them, and by my power will I make known unto them the secrets of my will - yea even those things which eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor yet entered into the heart of man.?

I thought some of us could use a change of pace -- something uplifting. The source link also has a few pictures.

If anyone out there feels the need to make negative comments, please take it to the Mormons are Not Christians" thread. You'll be more comfortable there.

I had my revelation before I met the missionaies. I remember I read everything I could it was such a feast and for the first time in my life at 38 years old, the Bible made since to me for there was no longer a disparity. I knew in my mind, but it was not fully recorded in the scriptures.I can understand his feelings.

I think the most wonderful thing is you want to love the Lord and keep His Commandments out love, and not fell compelled or fear. People around you were not judging you, and each of us are at different levels in our walk with the Lord it is a beautiful jouney.

Hyde Park Chaple is really nice. Is it he only chaple with a visitor's center? It's the only one I've seen with one. I also heard that the reason that the cultural hall in each chaple is called that, is because zoning bylaws for the HP Chaple wouldn't allow it to be called a gym, can anyone confirm that?

My mom joined the church a couple of years after she and my dad got married. Dad wans't interested but he let her join, then got upset over how much time she was devoting to church. My mom got really sick and was about to die when my dad went and prayed for the first time in ages to ask God to help mom get better. The room began to fill with light and he saw a personage, but his reaction was to take God's name in vain, at which the whole event stoped.

Mom got better, he was much more supportive, and after many years he finaly developed a testemony strong enough to commit to living the WoW (he drank a gallon of coffee a day). He is now a giant of faith and humility, and I am but a pale shadow of him.

President Gordon B. Hinckley on The Second Coming

"Some years ago one of our brethren spoke of the payment of tithing as "fire insurance." That statement evoked laughter. Nonetheless, the word of the Lord is clear that those who do not keep the commandments and observe the laws of God shall be burned at the time of his coming. For that shall be a day of judgment and a day of sifting, a day of separating the good from the evil. I would venture a personal opinion that no event has occurred in all the history of the earth as dreadful as will be the day of the Second Coming--no event as fraught with the destructive forces of nature, as consequential for the nations of the earth, as terrible for the wicked, or as wonderful for the righteous.

"It will be a time of great and terrible fears, of cataclysmic upheavals of nature, of weeping and wailing, of repentance too late, and of crying out unto the Lord for mercy. But for those who in that judgment are found acceptable, it will be a day for thanksgiving, for the Lord shall come with his angels, and the apostles who were with him in life, and those who have been resurrected. Further, the graves of the righteous will be opened and they shall come forth. Then will begin the great Millennium, a period of a thousand years when Satan shall be bound and the Lord shall reign over his people. Can you imagine the wonder and the beauty of that era when the adversary shall not have influence? Think of his pull upon you now and reflect on the peace of that time when you will be free from such influence. There will be quiet and goodness where now there is contention and evil."

Thanks for posting this very uplifting article. It is just what I needed today to lift my spirits. My mom is a convert to the LDS church, she joined when she was 15 years old. Her parents weren't consistent church-goers when she was growing up, and she was always searching for the truth. After investigating and going to all the churches in her area, she went and talked to her mom, and her mom told her to pray, that God would help her out. And the next week, the Mormon missionaries knocked on my grandparents door, and taught my mom the gospel. She was baptized a month later, on that day my grandpa threw away his cigarettes, and never drank another drop of alcohol. Her two brothers were baptized a year later, and her parents were baptized two years after my mom joined the LDS church.

I will be eternally grateful that a young girl of 15, who had a good home and good parents, felt something lacking in her life spiritually, and kept on looking and praying until she found the gospel. It has make all the difference in my life, and the lives of my family.

... a period of a thousand years when Satan shall be bound...

Speculation time again!

My feeling is (after doing a GospeLink search of the scriptures for "Satan and bound") that Satan will be bound for those thousand years, not so much because of anything that God may explicitly do at that time, but because there will be a people who have been prepared to live the gospel who understand the principles and who live close enough to the Spirit that temptations just won't have any affect on them.

The scriptures always state that "Satan will be bound" but the only time that a "reason" or an explanation of how it occurs is stated in Revelation where it talks about an angel coming down from heaven and binding "the dragon, that old serpent" with a chain. However, this seems allegorical to me, and not literal.

What better way to bind Satan than by resurrecting a bunch of saints whose callings and elections have been made sure?

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