Stories: A Power to Behold
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| I always got a dose of butterflies when anyone asked me about detailed info on the church's priesthood organization. Which is why, even as an ordained, set apart missionary I shied away from the man standing in front of a statue of Joseph Smith receiving a blessing from two other figures At the time I didn't know who the figures represented either. Of course they were prophets but I couldn't quote the names. What could I say I was dumb when it came to priesthood understanding. So you can see, I certainly wasn't about to try and answer questions that this man squinting at the plaque might ask.. I remember this experience still like it was yesterday. I remember making up reasons, in my head, on why I wouldn't need to approach this person. He was clearly wanting a moment to himself, I shouldn't interrupt his reading on things I wouldn't be able to explain anyways. Besides only members read those statue plaques and he looked like a nice wholesome winter clad dad. Why, he probably had his large family skipping around other areas of the square. Yet as I tiptoed past him a strong impression or command came to me, They formed like words in my mind..."Talk to him about the statue". Great, I had not read the statue plaque yet either and I didn't think I could read it that fast behind him. Why hadn't I read that green crusted plaque earlier? I didn't want to jump into something I was afraid of and look like a completely misinformed person with a badge.
Yet being the weird brave soul I was I began talking to Him. Just as I had feared, He began asking me what the statue meant and why were the men bent forward with their hands on this centered mans' head.
I did everything I humanely could do, I changed the subject. Although changing the subject to the nature of my historical tour and other subjects, he followed me. I could tell he was restless with questions still. He told me he had just come back from a business conference in which they had a certain comedian there entertaining the business members. He said the jokes were callous, rude and raunchy and were in the poorest taste. That he finally had enough when they began attacking the family, in the courseness of so called humor. I began to get this elated feeling that this man was prepared to hear the gospel message , perhaps about families. Of course I was wrong and when we neared the conclusion of the tour involving the Book of Mormon, his desire was again strong in wanting to know the detailed means of why Joseph Smith was granted authority to compile such a book and what the statue meant by the word "priesthood."
I swallowed and gulped a big dose of humility and for a silent moment prayed in my heart as he asked me this question ;Who gave Him (Joseph) that authority? The answers that then preceded from my mouth, were of no other consequence than that of the enlightenment of the spirit of God. I know this, because as I shared facts I never knew I knew, I was touched by the truth-fullness of them even myself. I knew this knowledge did not come from my shabby understanding. I explained in detail with names the line of men who held the keys of the kingdom and that these keys were passed on through God and His prophets. I explained the specific need for this priesthood here on the earth and then went on with confidence to share with him, my testimony of the restored gospel granted to us in these latter days. He was entirely fascinated and involved but so was I.
Incredibly I then foretold that He himself would one day hold the priesthood and would bless the lives of His family. When I realized what I had said I was completely overcome and began to cry while I spoke. I then told him that if he did not accept the missionaries invitation from me today, that someday he would be visited in his home and brought a book of Mormon and then He and his family would be taught the complete plan that our Heavenly Father had prepared for him and he would come to know the priesthood power and pass it on to His son. I could tell he was touched and he seemed as humbled as I felt. The room was thick with urgency. It's true, I only ever full out cried in front of people in two of my tours the whole year that I was there at temple Square. This was one of those cries. I was feeling a bit sheepish for crying but I have no doubts to this day, that God used me as an instrument to declare the Good news to this child of His, that day. |
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