Indra's Coversion Story

In 2012 Lo Peng Sen and Lo Mei Shia moved their family from Jakarta to Magelang, Central Java.  Their son, Indra was old enough to start college and they wanted him to attend a good school.  They chose an international school in Yogyakarta, Atma Jaya.  Magelang is about an hour away from the school on a good traffic day, of which there is possibly one per month.  When they actually made the move though, they realized that a daily commute from Magelang to Yogya wasn't going to work, so Indra found an apartment near the school.  He stays in Jogja by himself but he goes home every weekend and holiday.

The Lo family are Buddhist by heritage and for them, family life is important, particularly respect for parents and older generations.  Unfortunately in order to support this move, Lo Peng Sen had to continue working in Jakarta and only makes it home to Magelang regularly once a month.  He does also come home for special occasions too.   Indra has flourished in the international school and plans are on the horizon for an advanced degree, preferably at an American school.

Although the family is Buddhist, from the start they enrolled Indra in a Christian school. That’s one of the reasons why even as a boy he knew Christianity better than Buddhism. At age 3, he began his education in Christianity with Jehovah’s Witnesses, as most of his kindergarten teachers were JW's.  A portrayal of Christ entered Indra’s life, but gradually the foundation lapsed as he was forced to move to a Buddhist Primary School. Within three years, he actually mastered the minimum requirements of Buddhism. It was surprising, even for his teachers at primary school. But economic problems forced Indra to move again this time to a Catholic school. 

Over the years in this Catholic school, Indra always questioned who God is. He asked the priests and hierophants there every time he got a chance. The answers did not satisfy him, so he decided to stop asking and wait.  He believed that there is an answer for each questions he had but he'd have to wait to find it.  

At some point in his youth, near age 10, Indra became interested in Christianity again. During his years in junior high, he began to observe and look for a religion he should follow.  He was  curious  about religious differences and denominations, especially within Christianity.  Although he was Buddhist at that time, he studied Christianity with people from the Pentecostal Church which sponsored school he attended.  At this young age, he tried to choose a religion, but when he told his parents of his interest and expressed a desire to be baptized a Christian, they first objected. Then they discontinued talking to him for a period of 3 months. Because of this, Indra’s perception about God was changed. A deep scar was carved in his heart. He felt like he was betrayed by God because he couldn't join the Pentecostal Church. He got the message, “they don't want me to get baptized a Christian and I am supposed to support my parents.” 

As time went by, Indra began to think that there is no God, and he viewed religions as nothing but strange communities. These days were probably the darkest years he faced. He began to look down on every religion, as he viewed them as nothing. He began studying metaphysics, mystic cults, and cosmologies. One question remained, "Does God really exist?" However, the curiosity and desire to join a Christian church stayed in the back of Indra's mind.

In 2014 when Indra was 18, a teacher in his university religion class assigned the class to do a major research project about a world religion then present their findings near the end of the year.  As the school follows Lutheranism, Calvinism and Wesleyan doctrines, the religion that Indra felt he should research must be Christian. Near the close of making the assignment, his teacher presented a short description of the Mormon Church.  One which mentioned the Book of Mormon, a false prophet, use of non-approved scriptures, and strange behaviors.  The negative portrayal intrigued Indra, so he decided to investigate the Mormon Church.

He started his research by looking up what the Book of Mormon is. He began asking people around him, but every time he asked, the answer was always the same. They told Indra not to follow any of the Mormon Church teachings and that he may be cursed if he did.  Since Indra didn’t really care about religion at that time, he just let it go.  He continued his personal searching. Indra found a website with information about this religion, lds.org.  He actually downloaded a portion of the scriptures and started reading from it every day just like reading novels.  He wasn't aware at the time that Magelang has a branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and he kept going on without caring or noticing.  In 2015, he had seen young men in white shirts riding around on bicycles and asked his friends if they knew them.  They said that those people are Mormons.  This intrigued him and he browse the web again and for curiosity, requested a copy for a Book of Mormon that brought him face to face with them.

The request was routed through the Mission headquarters in Jakarta where Elder Lieske saw it and forwarded the contact information first to Yogyakarta. then to Elder Lie serving in Magelang.  When he called, Indra the 18 year old investigator asked if they could meet at a neutral location as he truly didn't want his parents to know that he was looking into a Christian religion.  They arranged to meet at the storefront building where the Church branch holds it's meetings in Magelang.  Indra truly did want to talk to them as he insisted to know their teachings for  himself.  

As Elder Lie and Elder Gartz met with this young man they felt his desire to make changes in his life and set himself on a path towards righteousness.  Indra studied the Church, its teachings, and the Book of Mormon for just a month, during which time he attended the Church’s sacrament meeting regularly.  Many other spiritual lessons with the Elders confirmed to Indra his desire to be baptized. Indra faced much opposition during these moments and a few even made him question what was actually the right thing to be done. Through reading the Book of Mormon and feeling the Holy Ghost, Indra received a strong testimony of the Church.  Ultimately he decided he wanted and needed to be baptized, but he was afraid to discuss it with his parents.

On Sunday March 15, 2015, Indra Cipta Lokatama, was baptized at the Hotel Trio pool in Magelang Indonesia.  Despite the hubbub of the pool, the angels rejoiced at that time with the commitment of another of God's sons to a path of righteousness.  Those in attendance felt the witness of the Holy Ghost.

The next Wednesday the whole zone of missionaries was fasting for help with missionary work in Central Java.  Obviously for Elders Zollinger and Lie, Indra's predicament was on their minds and in their prayers.  As they neared the end of their fast they received a call from Indra.  He had decided to test the waters again with his mother regarding religion, so he'd mentioned that he'd been studying Mormonism.  He explained that he'd like to attend Brigham Young University.  She thought that's not a bad idea.  With that encouragement he pushed on and said that attendance there would be best if he was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Miraculously she didn't object to that or start any silent treatment.  So, Indra persevered and explained about missionary work, that mission service was a good prerequisite for BYU attendance.  He then asked his mother if the missionaries could visit Saturday night when Lo Peng Sen was home from Jakarta.  She agreed.

The Elders knew this was an answer to their prayers for Indra.  Recently a missionary couple, the Jefferys, had moved into the area.  That week at the missionary district meeting they'd volunteered to accompany missionaries to visit parents of investigators with questions.  President Donald of the Indonesian mission had patterned such a visit for them and they want to serve.  So they too were invited to attend the Saturday summit, but only on condition that they didn't tell the Lo's of Indra's baptism.

When 2 missionaries, the Jefferys, and their driver, coincidentally the branch president, Ariyanto arrived they were graciously greeted. As the Elders explained the Church to the Lo family things seemed to warm up well. Mr. Lo seemed to like what he was hearing. Indra eventually asked his father for permission to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. His father had no objections to the desire, but warned his son that he couldn't forget his family responsibilities as he became closer to this church. Elder Jeffery showed his “My Family” booklet which contained the 4 generations of his family history.  That confirmed for the Lo's that the Church reinforces loyalty to family.  

Indra felt comfortable with the discussion so he told his father that he'd already been baptized the prior Sunday.  Suddenly the room got chilly.  Mr. Lo stated that his disappointment bordered on rage as he struggled to control his emotions.  Although he liked what he'd heard about the Church, he was upset because hiding this big decision from his parents was disgraceful and offensive.  As others began to express their opinions the emotional tenor of the room calmed down.  

Everyone recognized that open communication would have been better.  A feeling of trust needs to be developed and this discussion was a step that way.  Elder Jeffery explained that he had many children who'd sometimes made life changing decisions without consulting him.  Although this was uncomfortable, often the children had made better decisions than Elder Jeffery would likely have counseled them to make.  Somehow this comment seemed to ring true to Lo Peng Shen.

President Ariyanto explained that baptism is the first of a two part process of ordinances for a person to enter the Church.  The second ordinance was to be performed the following day, confirmation as a church member.  He invited the Po family to attend the ordinance and asked for the father's permission for Indra to receive the ordinance of confirmation.  After some discussion Lo Peng Shen agreed that perhaps this was one of those situations where Indra had made the better decision.  He gave his permission.

The next day all four Lo family members attended sacrament meeting where Indra was confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Two weeks later Indra was ordained a Priest.  

Meanwhile Indra's research of his new religion has continued.  In early April 2015, when his time came to report to his college religion class of his research and views about his chosen religion he told of his personal religious experience.  This created a huge commotion in the class.  The teacher of the class was more than surprised by Indra, as he had changed from a bitter-logic minded person to a religious one.  The change so affected the teacher that he asked for a copy of the Book of Mormon, because Indra had said that reading the book had changed his life.  

Almost all of Indra's friends began to reject his friendship and keep him apart from campus’ life. A lot of challenges are still coming as Indra's friends are trying to make him leave his new faith by showing negative videos about Mormonism, some with ex-Mormon's testimonies, and accusing him of being fooled as they bring proof that Joseph Smith was a polygamist.  Indra endures the pain he faces with faith and as he does so he manages to change other’s perception about him.  Much to his surprise, two of his friends are interested in learning more about his new faith.  Because of this huge commotion, complaints, and uncertainty, the religion class’ lecturer asked Indra to give a followup presentation about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 4 weeks.  Indra sees this presentation as a great opportunity to tell the world that he is, in fact, a Mormon.  He continues his studies with the missionaries and plans to serve a mission in America. Recently, he hasn't been coming home to Magelang because of his school duties, so he attends church in Yogyakarta.  From the day he got baptized, he has not missed partaking of the sacrament each week.  

Two weeks after Indra's confirmation at a meal in her home, Sister Jeffery presented Lo Peng Shen with a framed artwork of “Keluarga Dapat Kekal Selamanya”, meaning “Families Can Be Together Forever.”  Hopefully, someday with this hanging in their home the Lo family – Peng Sen, Mei Shia, Indra, and Indra's younger sister, Anita- can be sealed together forever in a temple of God.