Can You Stand It?

February 9, 2016

Dear Family,

Can you stand one MORE email so soon.      I am bursting inside and want to share a wonderful experience.   This happened Saturday and I had already written my last email, so I decided NOT to write to you again.   But I really want to share. 

Saturday morning while Larry did more training (he is still trying to help a branch president issue a "calling" or make a visits to a less active members),   I decided to help the Primary President prepare her lesson (so far she has not given an actual lesson.)   I also had a chance to visit 2 less active women.    In the past Larry and I have gone together while he trained the Branch Presidents.   However, we feel overwhelmed with the branch members who need help, so we decided to split up.  It worked so well.   We drove away at 12:30, we felt like it had been such a productive and rewarding morning.   

On the way home from Enselini, we stopped to see Freddy in Brachenham.  We had a message prepared for him (he was less active but is now active), but when we arrived, we saw a car in front of his house.    When we went inside, we recognized Frances--a man who is a regular visitor at Freddy's.    He has always been polite, but not friendly with regards to any talk about religion.  So we were a little disappointed to see him.  However, as we sat down, Frances asked Larry a question about marriage vows in an LDS wedding.  Next he said he was wondering about where we came from before this earth. He actually quoted the scripture from Jeremiah 1:5 (before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee.......)   He asked if all of us were with Jeremiah or if the scripture just pertained to Jeremiah.     Larry and I looked at each other and almost jumped up and hugged Frances. The question was so inspired!  This was the first of many inspired questions he asked us.  

The most amazing thing was, I had prepared a flannel board (but no flannel or board---just cut out stick figures to lay on the floor) lesson on the Plan of Salvation!    I pulled it out and looked at Larry.   He nodded.   I began telling the story of the Plan of Salvation with my visual aids.   Just as I would finish the pre-existence, he would ask a question about our earth life.  Next he asked about where we go after we die, which was answered by the next visual aid.   He asked about judgement and life after death.    I was able to give the entire presentation.   He asked the questions:   and they were answered by the Plan of Salvation.  

I felt as though Heavenly Father had prepared us SPECIFICALLY for this visit OR he prepared Frances for our visit.   I simply do not know how to convey how that made us feel!  I have never carried "The Plan of Salvation" in my purse. Frances never has been interested in the gospel or our view on religion.   Frances accepted everything we taught.   He knew from memory, the scripture about "in my house there are many mansions...."   In fact, most of the scriptures we used from the Bible, he had memorized.  

When I finished, Larry carried on.    He taught the apostasy and the restoration!!!!   As you can guess, this was NOT a short discussion.   But he was very attentive and responsive.   After Larry finished, Frances did not disagree with anything that had been presented. He announced, "Now I understand the scriptures." We kept waiting for the other shoe to drop.  But he seemed in full agreement.    However, he shocked/disappointed us when he commented casually,   " I will share this with my pastor and my friends."    He continued by saying that he knew what we taught was true, but he could remain in his church and still believe this doctrine.    Larry had very clearly taught about the proper authority and the restoration of the priesthood, but he pushed this aside.

Even though he was excited to tell HIS church (instead of joining OUR church), it did not dampen our spirits.   We felt the love of Heavenly Father for us as he prepared us for this meeting, and His love for Frances.  As we drove to our next home, we did not speak.   We were both reflecting on the amazing experience we had enjoyed. 

I just re-read what a wrote and it does not seem to carry much power.  But we are so humbled to be able to participate in experiences like this.   We were instruments to share this great message and we were filled with joy.

Love,

Larry and Sandy

Mom and Dad