From Deseret News archives:
Iranian shares story of LDS conversion
She faced political unrest, violence in native country
"Joining the church is a challenge," said Hogan, a Brigham Young University graduate who spoke to students on Wednesday. "(But) when it is really difficult, that is where there is room for miracles."
Some of those miracles include getting a visa and passport, which allowed Hogan to come to the United States. Another miracle was being able to work with the leadership of the LDS Church in creating a mission in Iran, which lasted only a little while until violence erupted. Another was seeing her mother and sister also join the LDS Church.
Hogan, who has worked as a language analyst for the U.S. Department of Justice for 10 years on Wednesday shared the story of her conversion, punctuated with details of the political unrest that gripped her country.
On the day she was supposed to be baptized, a student riot broke out at the university in Tehran where the 21-year-old was studying. Hogan described seeing the military move in and open fire on a group of students.
"Blood spattered on the heater (the wall)," she said. She ran to the women's bathroom and hid in a stall, hoping the soldiers wouldn't find her.
Finally a senior officer told them to let her leave.
Hogan was introduced to the LDS Church through working with Lloyd Miller, an American and Mormon who was studying jazz in Tehran, and the two ended up co-hosting a radio program. Accepting an invitation, Hogan attended an LDS meeting in Iran, made up mostly of international members, not native Iranians.
That led to more questions, months of studying and finally praying to a God she hadn't ever believed in. On Jan. 8, 1975, after breaking through 3-inch thick ice on a neighbor's swimming pool, Hogan was baptized.
That night Hogan told her parents about the months of study and her new religion. She feared they might throw her out of their home or even disown her. Her parents, whom she praised for their patience and support, told her that if she believed in this religion, they trusted her judgment.
Her brother wasn't so understanding and disowned her.
Recent comments
I would like to thank her for her efforts and I wonder, does anyone...
Anonymous | Oct. 8, 2007 at 2:03 p.m.
very interesting story,thank you very much.
i am also another LDS...
Amir | Sept. 8, 2007 at 9:19 p.m.
- Rabbis join NJ gay marriage debate 9:03 a.m.
- Afghan buildup on faster timetable 9:01 a.m.
- Salahi denies crashing W.H. party 8:58 a.m.
- Suspect in police slayings killed 8:55 a.m.
- Arrests made in Roy slayings 8:35 a.m.
- Bowden meeting with school officials 8:01 a.m.
- FIFA: Ireland won't be in WCup 8:00 a.m.
- Florida's Dunlap arrested, charged 8:00 a.m.
- Stocks climb early as dollar slides 7:59 a.m.
- China: Talk, not sanctions on Iran 7:49 a.m.
- Hall reprimanded by MWC
- Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
- Utes won't respond to Hall
- 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game
- Cougs begin bowl preparations
- Mitchell called intelligent, controlling
- Y. student vanished in China
- Max Hall issues apology
- Daughter: Mitchell fed me my pet
- BYU says Hall incident resolved
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
899 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
481 - Hall reprimanded by MWC
385 - Max Hall issues apology
382 - Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
317 - Utes won't respond to Hall
264 - BYU is champion of the state
140 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
123 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
120 - Religion in politics is tiresome
113
Live 'Twittologue' Dec. 2, 4:00 p.m. with Jason Chaffetz. Click for more.
I wanted to tell them not to go. I dropped subtle hints. "My money is on...
When I was a kid, I worshipped my grandpa. He was undoubtedly my hero....
Regarding whether it was really Max's statement, or one supplied for him: Of...
Raymond is not a Mormon High School. It is a public high school with some...
'Now, care to provide a SINGLE QUOTE in which Rush, Sean, or Glenn encouraged...
as a BYU fan be taking pictures of the Utah players? Shouldn't you be...
I was in the north end zone with most of the ute fans. I didn't see anything...
I feel there IS a difference between the tenor of the fans from Utah and...
Yeah good luck with that. Didn't you read the comments prior to yours from...
Great Family! Great Values! We need more parents who are willing to put their...
So what do you have to say to the BYU fan that hit Jamie Whittingham in the...
The cellphone/camera-hating guy sounds really unstable. Someone should taze...

