By Julia Leaman
leaman@newsroom.byu.edu
Sitting in the doctor's chair at the Cougar Dental Center Friday awaiting his wisdom teeth surgery, Mithin Jay Chintaram imagined the painful aftermath of getting his wisdom teeth extracted.
What he imagined reminded him of the uphill climb he has experienced since he converted from Hinduism to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints a year ago.
Some people get their wisdom teeth removed to avoid pain, but that was not the reason for Chintaram, 22, a senior from Mauritius, majoring in information systems management.
This one-year convert got his teeth removed because he is preparing to serve a mission for the LDS Church. The ice packs, gauze pads and swollen cheeks are taking him one step closer to a mission.
Chintaram's friend baptized him into the LDS Church on his birthday, Sept. 30, 1999.
His mother was fine with his decision to get baptized, but his desire to serve a mission was harder for her.
After taking some quality time to pray, Chintaram said he had a special experience.
'That experience was so powerful. From then on I couldn't doubt,' he said. 'Now I have a more complete knowledge of who I am and where I want to be.'
When he went home, his mother had received a confirmation as well.
'I'm really thankful to my mom because I know it's hard. But I know that she supports me,' Chintaram said.
He plans to submit his mission papers before Halloween and hopes to begin in December.
Right now, Chintaram is getting a missionary practice as the missionary committee chairman in the BYU 30th ward. As the ward mission leader, he focuses on serving non-members within the ward boundaries.
Chintaram's enthusiasm and faith reminds his friends of what Chintaram will soon be called to do.
Ben Hess, a junior from Orlando, Fla., majoring in media arts studies, who serves with Chintaram in the Residence Halls Association, said Chintaram gives him a sense of the big picture.
'He is focused on eternal goals as we are working in the here and now. We are going to miss him when he goes on his mission,' Hess said.
Richard Cornaby, 23, a senior from San Diego, Calif., majoring in computer engineering is a former roommate of Chintaram.
'He'll be a great missionary. He has so much energy and really makes people feel noticed,' Cornaby said.