In 2015, YouTuber David Boice completed a unique challenge: visiting 52 churches in 52 weeks. Documenting his journey on his channel, he gained a profound respect for and understanding of various faiths outside his Protestant upbringing.
After wrapping up the project, a friend suggested that Boice visit a Mormon church service. Intrigued, he decided to attend a Latter-day Saint service, despite having very limited knowledge of the faith.
“When I first visited, my knowledge of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was minimal—Utah, BYU, and Mitt Romney,” Boice admitted. He was immediately struck by the warm welcome he received, with congregants inviting him to sit with them and answering his numerous questions after the service.
Boice shared his initial impressions on Instagram, noting how talkative and welcoming the members were. He continued creating interfaith content on YouTube, but his interest in the LDS Church persisted. In 2023, Boice drove from Wisconsin to attend the Bentonville Arkansas Temple open house, fulfilling a top request from his viewers.
The experience was transformative. “My first temple open house felt surreal, like stepping into The Twilight Zone,” he recalled. The large, smiling families left a lasting impression on him, sparking a desire to learn more. He attended several other temple open houses, including in Orem, St. George, and Manti, Utah.
Throughout his journey, Boice noticed a recurring sign: the appearance of red cardinal birds during significant spiritual moments. He first saw one after a sleepless night of prayer, another during his first LDS sacrament meeting, and yet another while reading the Book of Mormon. These sightings became deeply meaningful to him, symbolizing important spiritual milestones.
On the day of his baptism, Boice saw five cardinals, reinforcing his belief that these birds were divine signs. He shared his conversion story in a heartfelt YouTube video, which has garnered over 184,000 views. In the video, he described his journey from content Protestant to LDS convert, emphasizing the depth of conviction, example, and belief he found in the LDS Church.
Boice explained, “I wasn’t initially a fan of church membership, but the consistent follow-up and deep conviction of LDS members stood out. After much study, patience, and prayer, I received a witness of the Holy Ghost. Peace followed.”
Since his baptism, Boice has received overwhelming support and love from the LDS community. “The outpouring of support from Church members has been astonishing. I’ve gained an instant, global family,” he said.
Boice’s story is a testament to the power of faith, exploration, and the unique ways in which God can capture our attention.
