The Spiritual Journey Behind Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites

In the world of Latter-day Saint literature, few names stand out quite like Chris Heimerdinger. As the author of the wildly popular "Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites" adventure series, Heimerdinger has sold millions of books that blend time travel, historical fiction, and scripture in ways that have captivated readers for decades. What many fans might not realize is the remarkable spiritual journey that led Heimerdinger to create these beloved stories. From exploring mysterious caves in Wyoming as a child to receiving divine inspiration on his mission, Heimerdinger's path shows how following spiritual promptings can lead to extraordinary outcomes that touch countless lives.

In a recent episode of the Why We Believe show with Nathan Gwilliam, Heimerdinger shared the personal experiences that shaped his faith and career. His story begins with childhood adventures in Cody, Wyoming, where he explored the legendary Frost Cave—a place with secret passages and rumors of a mythical "rainbow room" filled with fluorescent rocks. Those early explorations would later become the foundation for his bestselling book series. But the journey from cave explorer to bestselling author wasn't straightforward. It involved profound spiritual experiences, moments of divine guidance, and the courage to follow unexpected promptings that changed the trajectory of his life.

The Dream That Started It All

As a young missionary serving in Gainesville, Florida in 1983, Heimerdinger had a dream that would change his life. In this dream, he saw a story about children who enter a cave and find themselves transported back in time to encounter Book of Mormon figures. The concept merged his childhood experiences exploring Frost Cave with his newfound faith, creating a unique vehicle for bringing scripture to life in a way that would appeal to young readers.

What's fascinating about this inspiration is that Heimerdinger didn't immediately act on it. It wasn't until years later, as a newlywed trying to decide on a career path, that he sought divine guidance about whether to pursue this story idea. Kneeling in prayer, he received a clear answer: "Finish that book." This prompting came at a pivotal time, coinciding with President Ezra Taft Benson's call for creative works that would celebrate the Book of Mormon. Heimerdinger felt divinely commissioned to fulfill this prophetic vision through his writing.

The resulting book, "Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites" (originally titled "Garth and I Among the Nephites"), became the longest-running LDS fiction novel still in print. Looking back, Heimerdinger acknowledges that while he feels privileged to have been given this opportunity, he believes that if he hadn't followed the prompting, God would have simply found someone else to accomplish His purposes. This humble perspective showcases how Heimerdinger views his success—not as a testament to his own exceptional talent, but as the result of his willingness to be an instrument in God's hands.

A Conversion Story Rooted in Personal Experience

Heimerdinger's own conversion to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began when he was in high school. As a sophomore, he visited his best friend Eric Vesterby's family in Colorado after they had joined the Church. During this visit, he attended a youth conference where speaker Brent Yorgeson shared a story about young Joseph Smith's leg operation. During this presentation, Heimerdinger experienced what he describes as "a burning in the bosom"—an undeniable spiritual impression that Joseph Smith was important.

This experience sparked Heimerdinger's interest in the Church, though he didn't act on it immediately. Years later, when choosing a college, he was drawn to Brigham Young University after learning they had a film program (his original dream was to become the next Steven Spielberg). During his first semester at BYU, he read the Book of Mormon and decided to test Moroni's promise through fasting and prayer. After an unsuccessful attempt praying in a wooded area near campus, he later knelt alone in his dorm room where he received a powerful spiritual confirmation that the Book of Mormon was true.

Heimerdinger's conversion story demonstrates important principles about seeking spiritual truth:

●       Spiritual impressions often come in unexpected moments and settings

●       Personal revelation may not follow our expected timeline or format

●       Confirming experiences sometimes require persistence and multiple attempts

●       Once received, spiritual knowledge creates responsibility to act

This pattern of seeking, receiving, and acting on spiritual promptings became a defining characteristic of Heimerdinger's life and would continue to guide major decisions throughout his career.

The Impact of Storytelling

When discussing the "Tennis Shoes" series, Heimerdinger emphasizes that his books were always meant to serve as a bridge leading readers back to scripture. He's clear that if his novels don't accomplish this purpose—if they don't inspire readers to engage directly with the Book of Mormon—then he considers his work to have fallen short of its purpose. This perspective reveals how Heimerdinger views his writing as a form of ministry rather than merely entertainment.

One particularly moving example comes from Book Four in the series, "Feathered Serpent Part Two," which depicts Christ's appearance to the Nephites. Heimerdinger reveals that while writing these scenes, he found himself weeping throughout the process. Many readers have reported similar emotional reactions while reading these passages, feeling the Spirit strongly despite knowing they're engaging with fictional characters. Heimerdinger attributes this to something beyond his own creative abilities—a spiritual experience that was "dictated" to him in some way, though he's careful not to claim direct revelation.

This phenomenon illustrates the unique power of fiction to evoke spiritual responses. By creating relatable modern characters who witness sacred events alongside readers, Heimerdinger's work helps people visualize and emotionally connect with scripture in ways that might be challenging when reading ancient texts directly. His success demonstrates how creative approaches to sharing gospel messages can reach audiences who might otherwise struggle to engage with religious texts.

Navigating Trials and Maintaining Faith

Despite his success as an LDS author, Heimerdinger is refreshingly honest about facing his share of personal challenges. He mentions experiencing divorce and other difficult trials throughout his life, emphasizing that writing religious fiction doesn't exempt anyone from life's hardships. "Life isn't any easier for you just because you write LDS books," he notes, comparing his situation to seminary teachers who still face family challenges despite their spiritual work.

Heimerdinger's approach to these difficulties reveals much about his character and faith. Rather than viewing trials as punishments or signs of divine disfavor, he sees them as "opportunities to learn to become more like our Father in Heaven by experiencing tremendous pain, tremendous setbacks." This perspective aligns with the LDS understanding that mortal challenges are essential to spiritual growth and development.

Throughout his struggles, Heimerdinger's testimony has remained his anchor. When asked why he believes, his response is simple but profound: "Because there's no place else to go. This is it. I found it." This certainty comes not from intellectual arguments but from personal spiritual experiences that transcend rational debate. He acknowledges that he could recite all the common criticisms against the Church but notes that these arguments don't affect him because his faith is built on something beyond intellectual reasoning.

Answering Your Own "Why We Believe"

Chris Heimerdinger's journey from skeptical teenager to bestselling LDS author offers valuable insights for anyone navigating their own path of faith. His story reminds us that authentic spiritual experiences, when recognized and acted upon, can transform not only our own lives but the lives of countless others we may never meet. The millions of readers who have discovered or deepened their love for scripture through Heimerdinger's books are testament to what can happen when we follow divine promptings.

The question "Why do you believe?" is deeply personal, with answers as unique as our individual journeys. Heimerdinger's answer—rooted in undeniable spiritual experiences that created certainty—may not be everyone's path. What his story does illustrate, however, is the importance of being open to personal revelation, willing to act when it comes, and humble enough to recognize our role as instruments in a divine plan larger than ourselves.

Perhaps the most profound takeaway from Heimerdinger's experiences is that God can work through our natural talents and interests—whether they involve exploring caves, telling stories, or something entirely different—to accomplish His purposes. By following spiritual impressions, even when they lead in unexpected directions, we open ourselves to becoming part of something greater than we could accomplish on our own.

If you're seeking your own answer to "Why We Believe," consider Heimerdinger's advice: "Get on your knees yourself. And somehow put yourself in a frame of mind where you're willing to be responsible for the answer." True spiritual knowledge comes with accountability, but also with the peace of finding where you belong in God's plan. The journey may not be what you expect, but as Heimerdinger's life demonstrates, it might just lead to extraordinary places you never imagined possible.

Thank you for listening to this week’s episode of Why We Believe. If you are interested in more like this, you can check out our other blogs and episodes here.