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Surprise Missionary Moment
By Rebecca | July 31, 2008
I had just wrapped two wedding gifts. I sat staring at the the package, contemplating the pressing question of whether a silver bow really looked good on a silver package, when my door bell rang. I tried a green, metallic bow next to the silver one and then went to answer the door.
Standing at my door was a nervous college student. He introduced himself and explained that he was a missionary student trying to put himself through school. He gave me his sales pitch for several religious books and study guides. He asked if I studied the Bible and explained the benefits of each book in helping me to understand and profit from the words of this Holy Book.
At the close of his presentation, I politely declined any of the books. Then he wanted to know if he could leave me with a prayer. He asked my name and if there was any special need or blessing that I would like him to mention in the prayer. I told him I was grateful for my family.
There on my doorstep we folded our arms and bowed our heads in prayer. This young man prayed for me and for my family. Even though he was nervous, his prayer was intense and sincere. While he had talked I had wondered if there was something I could share with him. As he prayed, I remembered a spare issue of the Ensign I had sitting on my shelf. It was the special edition on Jesus Christ put out earlier this year.
When the prayer was finished. I asked him to wait while I got something for him. I snatched the magazine off the shelf and took it to the door. I showed it to the young man, explaining that I was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, otherwise known as Mormons. I told him the issue was about Jesus Christ and that all the articles were about our belief in Christ. I showed him the artwork. I pointed out those articles that answer questions about Mormons and try to explain those of other faiths. I told him that I did not have money to help him in school but that I wanted to share the magazine with him.
He seemed genuinely touched and excited. He told me that he wasn’t really in it for the money, that he wanted to help people. He then offered to leave a Bible study guide with me, free of charge, if I thought that I would read it. I turned the book over in my hands and looked at some of the pages. He told me that it was a non-denominational guide.
After some thought, I returned the book to him. No doubt it was a well meant and insightful publication. But I knew I would never pick it up instead of the Book of Mormon, or other inspired works and manuals that clarify the Bible doctrine. I told him that I already had several study guides and that I would probably use the book little.
He thanked me and promised that he would read the magazine I had given him. He wished me a good day and went on down the road.
I went back to my package. Suddenly the dilemma of the silver bow seemed trivial. I stuck the bows on the gift and thought of the marvelous gift of the true and living gospel of Jesus Christ. And I was grateful for the missionary at my door who, by letting me share that gift with him, had reminded me of how precious it was to me and my family.
Topics: Blessings, Book of Mormon, Christ, Family, Inspirational, Missionary Work, Relief Society, Testimony, Young Women |
