Read or listen to Edmond Randrianarison’s full oral history. Original interview in Malagasy. An English translation is also available.
We were eleven children, and my older brothers and sisters had gotten married when they were adults. Because of my father’s bad behavior, my mother had to leave him. We lived alone since I was thirteen years old; our life was not stable and changed a lot. I became addicted to alcohol and some drugs….The relationship with my friends, indeed, my co-workers, drinkers with me, became unfriendly when they heard I converted. They even made fun of me. They thought I took the wrong way but I felt that I was right. About my family including my mother, they quickly noticed that I was different. She was very happy and said, ‘My son has changed.’
At that time, I helped my mother and she often sent me to buy coffee for her. When I became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I told her, “Mom! I can no longer buy you coffee because we are not allowed to drink it.” After that, she decided to not drink coffee anymore. I knew from the truth and priesthood I hold that my parents and my family were very pleased for my decision to become a member of this church. Things that they did not appreciate were my absence at a family party which was opposite of the teachings of my church. At that time, I had to be consistent because of the temptation which might happen if I attended the party with them. They thought I was no longer their friend. Right now, by evaluating my conversion, they wanted to follow my path but they hesitate.