An intimate gathering comprised the audience for Melissa Engle's violin recital Nov. 16. The performance venue was out of the ordinary.

With about 25 people in the audience - including President Thomas S. Monson and his wife, Frances - the musician performed in the west board room of the Church Administration Building. The recital was an expression of "thank you" and "farewell" the violinist extended to President Monson and his office staff before entering the Missionary Training Center. Called to the Croatia Zagreb Mission, she is scheduled to enter the Missionary Training Center Nov. 29.President Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency, has been a constant source of inspiration in her life, and he finds in her an example of determination that he has cited in at least one general conference address and in several other settings.

In the October 1992 general conference, President Monson referred to Melissa's story, which was published in the New Era in August of that year. He quoted part of her story: " `When I was born I had only a thumb on my right hand because the umbilical cord got wrapped around my fingers and severed them. My dad wanted to find something I could do to strengthen my hand and make it useful. Playing the violin seemed like a natural because I wouldn't have to finger with both hands, like you would with a flute. . . .

"I've been playing for about eight years now. I take private lessons, and I have to work at things like a paper route to help pay for them. I get to my lessons by riding a bus across town.

"A highlight of my life was Interlochen, located on a lake in Michigan, one of the best music camps in the world for youth. I sent in my application for the eight weeks of intensive music training and couldn't believe I was accepted.

"The only problem was money. It costs thousands of dollars, and there was no way I could . . . make that much before the deadline. So I prayed and prayed, and about a week before I had to send in the money, I was called into the office of a man who had a grant for someone with a handicap who was pursuing the arts. That, to me, was a miracle. . . . I'm really grateful for it.' "

When President Monson heard about Melissa he wanted to meet her. She and her mother, Lynette, were invited several years ago to his office. He has kept track of her and her accomplishments through the years.

Melissa, 21, is a member of the Taylorsville Gardens 1st Ward, Taylorsville Utah Central Stake. A graduate of Taylorsville High School in 1992, she has been attending BYU, where she just completed her junior year. She hopes to work in physical therapy, concentrating on helping people in the arts who have disabilities or injuries to achieve their dreams.

"President Monson inspired me to want to be the best that I could be, to not give up, to just have faith," Melissa said after her recital in the board room. "In some of his conference addresses he has talked about discouragement and that it's easy to get depressed. He has inspired me to keep trying despite any obstacles.

"He's a kind man who has a lot of Christ-like attributes. Some people might feel intimidated to meet somebody like that with a high calling, but when I'm around him I don't feel intimidated at all. It's like I'm talking to a friend."

Melissa said the encouragement President Monson has given her personally has helped her put in perspective what many would consider a physical handicap. "Playing the violin has certainly been a challenge," she said. "People normally use their fingers as part of their technique in drawing the bow. Since I don't have fingers on my right hand I've had to adapt.

"But I think having to adapt to the way my hand is has made me a determined person. When challenges seem overwhelming, I don't let myself give up. I see things through to the end, even if it seems so impossible. I'm definitely not a quitter."

Melissa said she has wanted to go on a mission since she was about 12. "I had an aunt who went on a mission, and I thought that was a really good goal to work toward. I always try to do what Heavenly Father wants. I thought if I were working toward that goal I would stay on the right path that I wanted to be on. I like to have goals to work toward. Just having the goal to go on a mission motivated me to go to seminary."

As President Monson and Melissa visited after the recital, he expressed delight upon learning she was going to serve in the Croatia Zagreb Mission. "I was in Zabreb and dedicated that land for the preaching of the gospel," he said. "You're going to the Balkans, a part of the world known for its challenges and music. I'm certain you'll find your niche there and will be very successful."

Among those attending Melissa's special recital were her mother, Lynette Engle; her father and step-mother, Eldean Roy and Ellen Engle; other family members and friends. Her music teacher, Judy Rich, played a duet with her. Janelle Rich Hale accompanied on the piano.