Before he left us, pro-life pioneer Dr. Don Smith had a deep burden to share his testimony with evangelist Franklin Graham. Here is what Dr. Don wanted to share, as dictated to his assistant:

In honor of your father, I want to share with you my changed life. I was born and raised in Chicago in a more-or-less Christian environment. In 1942 I enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, but completely stopped going to church. After being discharged, I matriculated at the University of Chicago, and earned degrees in philosophy and in the physical sciences. I thought about God now and then, but did not feel that Christianity was relevant. While I didn’t break any written laws, I pursued personal pleasures with no feeling of guilt.

After graduating from the university, I moved to California to accept the position of research engineer with an important technical firm. I made good money, but the job was a dead end. Accordingly, I resigned, and joined a small, exclusive research organization. Regrettably, this company lost its financial backing. So with a pregnant wife and four young children, I faced a very uncertain future. In desperation I hung out my shingle as a high-tech marketing firm. I was working from my home and I was the only employee. Period. I made numerous phone calls and sent out dozens of letters, but the result was zero.

As I sat at my desk alone, God came to my mind. Then I got down on my knees and called out, “God, if you are really there, as I was told as a boy, I need you now. Please help me.” There was no immediate response, but within the next few weeks several contacts became my clients. I was still not really a Christian, but God had shown his mercy and love, and had answered my prayer. It was truly a miracle, and much more was going to happen.

Then my fifth child was born, and my mother came from Chicago to help my wife for a few weeks. Mother was now a committed Christian, and understood how God had entered our lives. It was September 1963, and she was aware that Billy Graham was holding a crusade at the Los Angeles Coliseum. In a nice way she asked me if I would take her to a crusade meeting. I wasn’t anxious to go, but how can you say “no” to your mother? So we went to the meeting.

There were thousands of people at the meeting, and we had to sit high up in the bleachers. At the outset a large choir sang Christian hymns. Then Billy Graham came to the podium. His opening remarks were casual, but one could sense a deeper intent. Billy spoke about sin and repentance, and attaining eternal life through the price Jesus paid on the cross. I could feel the deep impact of his message, but I stubbornly resisted the Spirit of God. However, the next night my wife and I were back, and our three oldest children were with us. That night as Billy spoke he said, “I have the feeling that someone here desperately needs Jesus Christ.” In my heart I felt,”It’s me.” When the challenge was given, all five of us received Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

After being saved, I got involved in personal evangelism. For 35 years I was a member of Christian Business Mens Committee, and led many men to Christ. I also became active in the pro-life movement, saving unborn babies from abortion. I founded Crusade for Life in 1970, and in 1984 produced “The Silent Scream” film, which has become the most viewed pro-life information in the world. My pro-life activities have included sidewalk counseling at a major abortion clinic, giving me the opportunity to minister to thousands of pregnant women. As a result of my pro-life accomplishments, in 1999 Biola University awarded me an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.

Currently Crusade for Life is working on a Constitutional Life Amendment that will end abortion in America forever. The importance of this cannot be overestimated, because in the past 45 years abortion has taken over 60 million innocent unborn human lives. Pro-life activities have saved some babies’ lives, but most have been lost. The U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v.Wade decision has kept abortion legal, but a Constitutional amendment will override the Court permanently. This is explained in detail in three booklets (available at LifeAmendment.org): Ending Abortion In America, How The Life Amendment Benefits America, and Achieving The Constitutional Life Amendment. The Lord is behind this work, and will greatly bless America if we achieve it.

The plan for the Constitutional Life Amendment is very straightforward, and is covered in the booklets. What is now needed is a Christian leader who has very high integrity, drive, and vision for the future of America. We feel, Mr. Graham, that you are just such a leader, and that the Life Amendment fits right with the ministry you are now conducting. We urge you to contact us, and discuss the Constitutional Life Amendment program.

For the future of God in America,

Donald S. Smith, LL.D.

Read more about what God accomplished through Dr. Don Smith…