Missionary moments: He was smiling
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As a student at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Ore., I never intended to join a church, and joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints certainly was not part of my plan. Upon arriving at college, I was involved in many activities, interesting classes and made new friends. I remember one Sunday morning sitting at my desk studying. I glanced out the window and saw a young man from my dormitory who was obviously returning from church services. He was dressed in a coat and tie and was carrying scriptures. What was most curious to me, however, was the fact he was smiling. I could not imagine someone who had been at church having any reason to smile.
During the next few weeks while eating in the cafeteria, I got to know the young man, Wayne Washer. I learned that he was a member of the Church. I also became acquainted with another member, Trev Harmon. To my amazement, he was also happy about attending Church.One evening, I was visiting Wayne in his dorm room and saw a magazine with a cover picture of Moroni burying the gold plates in the Hill Cumorah. I picked up the magazine and had the story explained to me about the Book of Mormon, the angel Moroni and Joseph Smith. I asked where the plates were today. I was told that an angel had taken the plates back. At that point, I thought, "Oh, you Mormons have an excuse for everything." Not wanting to offend, I quietly put the magazine down and left the dorm room. When I got into the hallway, I starting laughing that anyone would seriously believe such a story.
Several weeks went by, and Wayne and Trev gave me a copy of the Book of Mormon. One evening while I was alone, I finally picked up the book and started to read random passages and found marked scriptures, including Moro. 10:3-4. I carefully read them and for some reason decided to kneel down and pray about the book. I had never before in my life knelt down and prayed. I did ask if this book was true, and at that point I had a strong and undeniable testimony given to me that this book is the word of God.
I started the discussions and three weeks later was baptized. I have always thought of that dorm room as my own sacred grove.
