How I Became a Baha’i – Napolun Birdsong
Napolun Birdsong and “The Spirit of Truth” by Diane Findlay
I interviewed Napolun Birdsong in the Des Moines home he shares with his wife, Pam Birdsong, and Pam’s mother, Sonna Geiken on September 23, 2022. Here’s Napolun’s remarkable “How I Became a Baha’i” story, based on that interview:
Napolun was born in 1940 in Jericho, Arkansas and grew up in a family with fourteen siblings in Indiana. The family was active in a sacramental church. Napolun started the interview by stating that, as a young man, he had “fallen” and found himself in front of a judge being sentenced to life in prison, the only one of his large family to “come to such a pass.” He was sent to a state prison in Michigan, where he was pronounced “incorrigible” and placed in a group of “incorrigibles.” Napolun immediately began to assess his life and actions. He was down and chastened but believed there was still a way–that God would help him find a way–to rehabilitate himself and become a “decent human being.” He was first assigned to be a laborer in a shoe factory but appealed to be reassigned. He didn’t think he could find his way as a laborer. But he had a good academic record and impressed the staff as being sincere so was reassigned to a group of “New Leafers,” essentially tutors, in a program to help fellow inmates change attitudes and be rehabilitated.
The group met to study and discuss and sometimes had speakers or helpers from “the free world” come to help with the program. One man named Toby Peterson, a former Methodist minister, came to a meeting and said he admired what the program was trying to do and was part of a group that wanted to support it. He had materials that would be useful. He said he was a Baha’i. But in order to bring in the materials, the inmates had to request them, specifically. Napolun started a petition to request the materials and it was granted. Through further meetings and reading the literature brought by Toby, Napolun came to believe that Baha’u’llah was indeed, the Spirit of Truth, come to tell us what we were not ready to hear at the time of Christ. He sought permission to apply to enroll as a Baha’i; the warden said he couldn’t do so as long as he was incarcerated. But through his newfound faith, Napolun grew spiritually and was able to transform his character.
After thirteen years as a prisoner, due to exemplary behavior, Napolun became eligible for parole. His mother, one of his sisters, and the Toby Peterson spoke on his behalf at the parole hearing; no one spoke against him. He waited three months to hear the decision, but when the news came it was good! He was released from prison.
As a prisoner, Napolun had become pen pals with a woman named Shirley whom he married while an inmate. He was released to her home in Lansing, Michigan, where he was warmly and joyfully welcomed by the Lansing Baha’i community, who nurtured him.
Napolun & Shirley moved to Napolun’s home state of Indiana to be with family and then decided they would relocate to the West Coast. But after one night on the road, which they spent in Des Moines, they simply decided to stay! Napolun could only explain that “The Creator had a grand plan.” They were again warmly welcomed by the Baha’i community and settled in to build new lives and serve the Faith. This was about 1982. Napolun went to work building his business, Economy Hauling and Environmental Services, which he maintained until he had to retire for health reasons in 2015. Through his business, Napolun was able to employ people who were down on their luck and needed a hand. He was also able to teach the Faith, telling many people about the “Spirit of Truth.” As a man who knows his Bible, he was able to effectively address the knowledge and experience of many Christians in his teaching efforts. Napolun also served on the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Des Moines for many years.
Napolun & Shirley’s marriage ended in divorce. In 2002, Napolun married Pam (then) Stober. The wedding was joyful and overflowing with goodwill and good wishes. Napolun struggles with a variety of health concerns, but continues to inspire those around him with his cheerful spirit and deep dedication to Baha’u’llah, “The Spirit of Truth.”