Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
By Jim Greer
LW contributor
“For I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25).
Victor Robinson was 13 years old when he was remanded to a juvenile detention center. Victor felt responsible for providing for his brothers and sisters any way he could. “We didn’t have food,” Victor said. “My older brother and I would go steal at a grocery store, and we would get caught.”
At 18, he entered an adult prison, where his negativity only increased. After learning of his older brother’s murder, Victor was driven to more violence, further lowering his self-worth. Speaking of himself, he admitted, “There was nothing there—just an empty vessel full of hate.”
Finding the good still inside him, Victor assisted a collapsing female officer patrolling the prison. By doing so, fellow gang members ostracized him for breaking their code. But Victor was determined to turn his life around.
Victor was contacted by Ashley Park, a local Latter-day Saint who knew Danilo Caraan; Victor’s murdered older brother. Ashley’s letter was the first communication received since being incarcerated as a teen. “I couldn’t believe there was somebody who actually cared enough about me to see how I was doing,” Victor said.
Knowing the gospel would bless Victor, Ashley encouraged him to attend Sunday meetings at the prison’s LDS branch. “Once I had this enlightenment from the Lord, I began to see everything differently,” recalled Victor, “It’s changed me in a way that I could never go back to the person that I was.”
Victor absorbed the teachings, feeling a spiritual change while reading the Book of Mormon and teaching Sunday school lessons.
With a testimony of the Gospel’s truthfulness, he witnessed changes in himself that allowed him to imagine a better future. Those changes helped shorten his incarceration and led to his marriage to Ashley.
Victor will be baptized once parole expires. He’s anxious to make covenants with the Lord, then be baptized in the temple on behalf of his brother. “I continue to thank God for the second chance that I was given and for Ashley’s example to me,” Victor said.
Doug Humble, former president of the Soledad, California, Correctional Branch, has “witnessed mighty changes of heart as they start to understand that God loves them.” In branch meetings, “every single testimony is about the Atonement and Jesus Christ,” Humble said. The Savior and the Church’s connection gives greater light, life and hope for their future.
The Atonement applies to everyone, even adults in custody. When members like Ashley reach out and understand the worth of souls, it’s incredible to see them find hope, faith and repentance.
