For two decades, Fred Mendez dutifully practiced another religion. The church he belonged to taught that God's prophets belonged only to history. That belief never quite sat right with Fred. Why, he sometimes wondered, would the Lord seal the heavens in a time when revelation was needed more than ever before.

Fred moved to Utah a few months ago to take a job with an interstate trucking company. He had known many personal trials and was looking for a fresh start. He befriended a fellow truck driver who belonged to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On their long, cross-country hauls together they talked about religion, the Book of Mormon and modern-day prophets. A prayerful man, Fred accepted his friend's challenge to read the Book of Mormon and pray about its truthfulness. The missionaries were soon enlisted and Fred accepted their invitation to join the Church. Fred's trucker friend performed the baptism.

One of the central reasons why Fred believes he was led to the gospel was the Church's fundamental belief in modern-day prophets. He knew the Lord loved him enough that He would provide a prophet to help him navigate through life's rough water. Immediately after his baptism last month, Fred decided he would attend the 2011 annual general conference and listen for the first time to a prophet's voice in person.

One small problem: Fred did not have a ticket to general conference. Undeterred, he hustled a ride to downtown Salt Lake City on Saturday morning and managed to attend the opening session of conference.

Fred walked alone inside the Conference Center and found himself surrounded by more than 20,000 fellow members and friends. He took a seat and struck up a conversation with a bishop from South Salt Lake. Soon he was sharing his conversion story with others around him. He was touched by the welcoming spirit of his fellow saints. His eyes focused on President Thomas S. Monson when he arrived with the other Brethren at the front of the Conference Center.

"I had always wanted to see a prophet," he said. "I was here and I was humbled. ... I tried to hold back the tears. My experience at general conference was overwhelming."

Later that evening he attended the priesthood session with his truck driver friend. Again, Fred paid extra close attention to President Monson. The recent convert had read the Book of Mormon prior to his baptism. But President Monson's counsel to continually study its sacred pages inspired Fred to begin reading again. "I knew I was listening to the prophet of God." — Jason Swensen