HAMPTON, Va. — For many years Martha Callis Johnson toiled to find her forefathers and kept family records. In discouragement and wondering why she even continued the effort, she learned about the Church and its doctrine that families are eternal, and of its promises that families will continue to enjoy association after death.

Martha Johnson

"I feel that!" was her instant response. "I feel the presence of my ancestors as I search, and that is why I have not given up."

She decided to hear missionary lessons and to study the Book of Mormon, delighted at learning about temple ordinances and "sealings" of each family by name.

Her Callis family, as well as lifelong associates in a Protestant church, were not pleased with Martha's interest in the doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"My studies and desire to learn more was a difficult time for all of us," said Sister Johnson, "I wished so deeply not to hurt their feelings." In her anxiety, changes were not made in a hurry. She attended services of both for a year and was baptized May 13, 1987.

She was the only member of her large family who had joined the Church when she was called to become a senior missionary in April of 1994, to the Washington Tacoma Mission.

The family's disappointment and pain was again set aside with peaceful resignation and love for their mother. About 44 of the immediate and extended Callis families in Hampton and Newport News went to the chapel on Todds Lane and attended the sacrament meeting at which she spoke prior to leaving for her mission.

About to start her full-time labor, Sister Johnson's first missionary endeavor began with presenting a signed Book of Mormon to each family member. About 30 books were given to them.

Her missionary journal is a window into her subsequent experience:

10 May: Well, my first day tracting went dull. A man answered the door and let a fierce barking dog come at us. He yelled, 'That no soliciting sign on the door means just what it says!' I will have to spend more time on my knees praying about tracting. I don't like tracting.... Help me Lord, Amen."

Her fears of tracting increased with so many unfriendly responses. The big change came one day in Olympia. Senior missionaries went "on splits" with young sister missionaries whose enthusiasm bolstered everyone. Sister Johnson went tracting again. This time they met a man who said he was expecting them. He was grateful for their several visits and was soon baptized.

Upon her release from her mission, she met with the stake president and "spoke about many things I had experienced and I especially remembered Fred Sanford's baptism. I saw tender feelings on the faces of my family. I quietly and sadly removed my missionary name tag as the Spirit of the Lord whispered peace to me."

Sister Johnson resumed activities in the Todds Lane Ward. She served as a gospel doctrine teacher, Relief Society president and teacher of temple preparedness classes. She now teaches Relief Society classes and is an ordinance worker in Washington D.C. Temple.