When I was in high school my older brother married a Christian Scientist. At the time, that didn't mean anything to me. Some eight years later, however, after I had finished high school, a brief stint in the United States Navy, and college, and had begun my professional career, my family went through a period of great tragedy. An older sister had a mental breakdown, and my dad committed suicide.
A conversation with my brother after my dad's funeral stands out as a critical turning point for me. I had said something to the effect that it was "God's will." I will never forget how quickly and firmly my brother said, "No, it was not God's will."
Later, the older sister also died. Not long after this, I had my first copy of Science and Health and began attending a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, where I lived. I stopped smoking and social drinking almost immediately without any particular work or effort. Two years later I joined that branch church.
