The legend was that Laestadius was in a state of burdened conscience, that he couldn't believe that he was truly a child of God, although he was a pastor in the Swedish Lutheran Church. When he met with Lap Mary she testified his sins forgiven and he became a living (true) Christian. Some say that an earthquake occurred at this exact time--and that it corresponded with the opening of the seventh seal in the Book of Revelation.
When I researched this, I found that "Lap Mary" was not named Mary at all but Milla Clemetsdotter. She was a lap girl who belonged to a readers group
(Believers who read the bible) and she apparently told Laestadius that he had to believe as a sinner--he could not hope to improve himself and then receive God's grace.
The custom of asking for and testifying sins forgiven occurred later, originating with Johnai Raatama after Laestadius' death.
I found this info at:
www.apostolic-lutheran.org/history/introduction.html
and at:
http://users.erols.com/ewheaton/laest1.htm
These are both sites I found in 2003. There is newer one that covers the history of the Laestadian movement very well and can be found at:
http://northwestanglican.blogspot.com/2007/07/apostolic-lutheranism-from-death-of.html
Happy Reading!
