Stories: One Cold Winter Evening
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| (I began my mission in the Summer, in the tropical city of Tainan. I arrived on Taiwan with a summer-weight suit, no overcoat, and eight long-sleeved white shirts. Within a month, each of my shirts had become short-sleeved. As Fall deepened, I was transferred to the cool mountain town of Nantou.)
Monday, 24 November 1975 (Nantou, Taiwan) --Yesterday, the Branch President came out to Sacrament meeting for the first time in two months. He came because we asked him. He stood behind the lectern and gave a talk to the five members and we two missionaries that was filled with the Spirit. I knew he had come home; God has indeed called him to lead this Branch. If we can overcome the apathy and excuses of the members, the Lord’s work will blossom in Nantou.
Right as we were getting ready to serve supper, Chen Mama and Sister Shr came to visit. Sister Chen had seen me shivering in the cold at Sacrament last night, and had come to offer to make me a sweater if I would buy the yarn. I of course consented, a little embarrassed, and we went to buy the yarn. I picked out a hunk of Navy blue as she haggled in Taiwanese with the clerk. She got his price down to NT$20. I’m going to have my sweater tomorrow. (I found out much later that Sister Chen was a home-based knitting machine operator, and had given up her day’s wages to make me that sweater.)
We went to see Brother Tien tonight. I really like him. He’s honest and he doesn’t beat around the bush. When we asked him what he thought of the Joseph Smith story, he said he thought it was "weird." I like that; it shows he’s been listening and thinking. IS it usual for God or angels to come and talk with humans? When was the last time the local Protestant minister talked face-to-face with God? It’s an experience beyond the comprehension of most people. The response of most people to Joseph Smith’s story is, “It didn’t really happen. I don’t believe it.” But it IS true, no matter how many people say otherwise.
Brother Tien gave the closing prayer.
We went to talk with Brother Liao at the Ta Tung store where he is the manager.
Between people coming in with time payments and others shopping for a TV set, we talked with him about Joseph Smith. In the three days since we last met, he had read the entire Joseph Smith pamphlet -- and had some good questions as well. He and Elder Harvey Clark got in a big discussion about “Do you believe it or do you know it?” Elder Clark bore his testimony; I bore my testimony, and that seemed to satisfy Brother Liao. |
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