It was a cold afternoon in late February 1956 in Basel, Switzerland. Darkness was near, and a light rain was falling. At the last building on the street, we huddled under the small canopy over the entry door for protection from the rain. We started ringing doorbells to the apartments above. To our ring on the second floor, a window opened and a woman's voice called out in German, "Who is it? What do you want?"

Immediately, we moved out where she could see us and called back, "We are two missionaries from America with a message about Jesus Christ."

A few seconds later, the door's electric lock buzzed, and we climbed to the second-floor home. For the first meeting, we discussed the nature and attributes of our Father in Heaven and the Prophet Joseph's First Vision. The Spirit was strong, and she agreed to meet again. On our call-back for the fourth lesson, she informed us at the door that her husband disapproved of her meeting with us and that we could not meet again. We were crestfallen. We left a copy of the Book of Mormon and the address of the meetinghouse with the meeting times for the Basel Branch.

Through the ensuing days and weeks, we prayed and fasted that her husband's heart might be softened. Then, on Mother's Day, to our surprise and joy, Johanna Studer and her husband, Max, appeared in the foyer of the chapel for sacrament meeting.

We later learned that Brother Studer had asked his wife, "What would you like for Mother's Day?" She replied, "A special gift that will cost you no money."

To his question, "What?" she replied, "For Mother's Day, I would like for you to take me to the church of those two young American missionaries." True to his word, he agreed.

It was a special Mother's Day program. The meeting was filled with the spirit of love. Following sacrament meeting, he gave us permission to continue the visits to teach his wife and son, although he claimed to have no interest. Shortly after, in July 1956, Sister Studer and her son, Walter, were baptized. Through the diligence of later missionaries, Sister Studer's husband and daughter accepted the gospel, as did her brother and family.

The Lord is very involved in missionary work. When we, as missionaries, had done all we could do the Lord found a way that was not open to us except through our faith in Him and sincere prayer for His help.

— Vibert L. Kesler, Heughs Canyon Ward, Salt Lake Cottonwood Stake, currently serving with wife, Marilyn, in the Ohio Cleveland Mission.