Frank J. Buchman

Cowboy • Horseman • Writer

From Death Row To Heaven Book Of Letters Reveals Murderer’s Salvation

“When everything has been bad with nothing else to lose Jesus Christ is the only answer to salvation.”

Certainly, eternal life forever is ample reward for a lifetime loser becoming a believer dedicated to saving others.

With a record of crime from early childhood, Roger Dale Smith was a murderer condemned to execution.

Reprieve from premature death came with government abolishment of the death sentence. Yet life imprisonment with other murderers including months in solitaire didn’t really seem any better, perhaps worse.

Then Roger Dale Smith, Tennessee native, was born again accepting Jesus Christ as his savior promising life everlasting.

Life on earth remained difficult with exception for Smith’s realization of God’s forgiving his sins. Smith was devoted entirely to saving souls of others.

Far from simple if not seemingly impossible endeavor especially with infamous world known convicted murderer Charles Manson as cellmate.

Most inspirational reading Smith’s unyielding beliefs and heartfelt efforts are revealed in “The Redemption Letters” book.

Not uncommon, Smith became acquainted with Tennessee teenager LeAnn Redding when she wrote to him in a California prison.

Her initial correspondence was to Manson after reading the 1974 book “Helter Skelter” concerning his murder conviction. Smith responded back to Redding for Manson who was unable to communicate, being insistent that Manson was innocent of murder.

Each with their unique yet vastly different problems but believers in Jesus Christ as savior, Redding and Smith started exchanging letters. They poured out their individual life’s turmoil with certain pacification through disclosing thoughts to an understanding other.

Charles Manson is with California prison cellmate Roger Dale Smith in this photograph included with Smith’s August 9, 1996, letter to LeAnn (Redding) Ploeger, author of “The Redemption Letters” book.

Smith identifies himself as Peckerwood: “contemptuous term for a rural white Southerner,” or “any white man in prison.” With complimentary affection, Smith refers to Redding as Featherwood: “friendly acquaintance of one in prison.”

Years later, LeAnn (Redding) Ploeger published Smith’s 22 handwritten letters to her with duplicated typed copy for reader ease.

“From Death Row To Heaven: An Account Of Salvation From The Darkest Of Places.”

Within an introduction and preface, Ploeger briefly reflects her side of the story, then summarizes “their history” in the book closure.

Letters identified by number in book chapters are separated with Bible verse support and evangelical interpretation.

“Repent and be baptized, every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit,” Acts 2:38.

“In God’s mercy and grace, He forgives us and still loves us despite ourselves,” Bible teacher Jeanette Duby.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness,” First John 1:9.

“God proved His love on the cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the World, ‘I love you,’” evangelist Billy Graham.

“Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life,” John 6:47.

“There are no sins unpardonable…there is no forgiveness of sin on the other side of this life,” evangelist Dr. Charles Stanley.

Get your copy of the book HERE.

Additional information about “The Redemption Letters,” purchasable on the internet, and is available from the promoter afletcher@lavidge.com.

Frank J. Buchman

Alta Vista, Kansas

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