Missionary moments: A softened heart
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Last year, my father had a heart attack while vacationing in Oregon. I decided to take a bus there as I needed to drive him back to Utah in his car. After leaving Salt Lake City and arriving in Tremonton, we were told that the road ahead was closed due to bad weather and we would have to return to Salt Lake City and wait until 1 a.m. for the next bus. It was 2 p.m. As I sat in the Salt Lake City bus terminal, I started a conversation with a man my age who worked in the oil fields of Colorado. He was a Vietnam veteran, tattooed, shaven head, divorced and a downright decent guy. We had a friendly conversation that included the question of church affiliation. He said he was a Baptist but didn't go to church. I suggested we visit Temple Square. He was quick and adamant that he was not interested at all. After another hour of visiting I asked him to come with me, not to Temple Square, but somewhere else. He agreed.
We walked by Temple Square and entered the Joseph Smith Memorial Building and went to the family history center. I asked him what he knew about his grandfather. "Not much," he said. He lived in Oklahoma and his name was such and such.
"Well," I asked, "would you like to know more about him?"
"Yes!" he said. "How do we do that?"
Two hours later he turned to me filled with the accumulated excitement of discovery of his family and asked, "Why do you guys do this?"
After I reaffirmed that it was about our religion, he consented to my explanation. He was clearly moved. He said, "My daughter wrote me recently and asked about her ancestors. Now I can help her."
We quietly walked by Temple Square. He stopped. He asked me if I had time to go with him through Temple Square. One hour later he filled out the referral form, and he promised to read the Book of Mormon.
We had a wonderful visit about life's purpose as we waited for the bus. The Holy Ghost can soften the toughest hearts and testify of eternal truths. — Joseph Raynes, Cascade 2nd Ward, Orem Utah Cascade Stake
