A One-Word Prayer
A few years ago, Brother Hugh Jones of the Llanelli
Ward in the Merthyr Tydfil Stake offered one of the shortest prayers ever: one word.
"It was Christmas Day, and I was travelling to
collect two missionaries from Carmarthen to spend the day with my family. I offered the
usual prayer for safe travelling before setting out. Halfway, I distinctly heard a voice
advising me - no, telling me - to tighten my seat belt. I was surprised and found me seat
belt was extremely loose, so I tightened it.
"Two seconds later a car emerged from a side
road, turned halfway across the road, and stopped. I called out 'Father' and took action
to aviod the crash, sliding first one way and then the other as I tried to get around the
vehicle. Just as I was lined up to shoot past, he moved forward and I clipped his front
wing. It was enough to send me into the crash barrier lining the road. I did a wheelie
along the top and crashed down the wrong side of the barrier at the top of an 80-foot
drop. The strip of level ground I was now on was narrowing, and I knew I would not stop
before the offside wheels dropped off the edge and my car rolled down to the bottom. I
decided to turn right and drive straight down the almost vertical drop and worry about
stopping at the bottom later, where ther was a mere 10-foot drop into a little river.
"Immediately, I spun the wheel to make the
turn and hit the only tree within 200 yards. The car came to an abrupt stop wrapped around
the tree and hanging over a space. I locked the doors on my side, collected vehicle
documents, and climbed up the seats to emerge from the passenger door. Then I climbed back
up to the road, reaching a nearby house, where I called to a friend to collect me. The
elders never did get their Christmas dinner."
Brother Jones has a firm testimony of the power of
prayer. As he says, "That one word, shouted to my Heavenly Father, was all that was
needed. He organised the rest!" - Hugh Jones, Llanelli Ward, Merthyr Tydfil
Stake
Member Dances and Sings at Age
76
"It must be something in the Welsh air which
inspires us to greater things," said Vera Taylor, of the Neath Branch, Merthyr Tydfil
Stake. Sister Taylor has been reaping rewards for both ballroom dancing and music since
1997, having gained a bronze medal for her dancing, as well as distinction grades in piano
and music theory.
As Vera is almost 76, this is quite an achievement.
Not content with all this activity, Vera is also busy doing missionary work. One friend
accepted the Lamb of God video and has agreed to take the discussions. Vera also
serves as homemaking counsellor in the Relief Society presidency and directs music when
needed. - Elena Neale, Swansea Ward, Merthyr Tydfil Stake
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