On Sept. 14, members of the Heber 13th (Spanish) Branch, Heber City Utah Stake, raised their hands to sustain a new branch president.

Counted among members he will serve will likely be a family or two labeled "part-member families." This branch president will feel a kinship with such people. Just a few years ago he, too, was the head of such a family.

In fact, for almost three decades this branch president was the "non-member" half of a "part-member" couple. While a young man he had married his childhood sweetheart, a Church convert. They raised four children. As a young father he sat with the congregation as his children were blessed by a trusted relative. On later occasions, he watched as his two daughters and two sons were baptized. He quietly supported his wife as she prepared for and attended the temple.

Along the way, he came to know dozens of branch presidents, bishops, home teachers and elders quorum presidencies. Perhaps a few walked away from their frequent meetings feeling certain this future branch president would, instead, forever answer to the titles "eternal investigator" or "dry Mormon." But most simply recognized a good man. They cultivated and enjoyed his trust and friendship — no strings attached.

One wise bishop, for instance, never forgot to invite this man to his office whenever the two sons were set apart for various priesthood callings. Another priesthood leader who had sampled this man's celebrated barbecue invited him to man the grill at ward outings.

Meanwhile, the man's faithful wife cherished her husband. She never pushed in Church matters. Instead, for 27 years she lived the gospel and prayerfully looked to the day when her husband's heart would experience that "mighty change."

Then, just weeks before the couple's youngest son began his own mission to Argentina, the man told his wife he was ready to hear the missionary discussions. Days before leaving home for missionary labor, the white-clad son stepped down into the meetinghouse font and baptized his dad.

Church callings and temple preparedness classes soon followed. A year after his baptism, the man was sealed to his wife in the Salt Lake Temple. The colorful Las Familias Son Eternas sampler that had long hung above the couple's breakfast table assumed new meaning.

Now this man — this "eternal investigator" — is drawing upon his own experiences as he serves others with patience and love. It's unlikely he will ever give up on the one. This branch president will shepherd without deadlines.

Church leaders have long taught the value of patiently sharing the gospel "with real interest and love."

In the April 2003 general conference, Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve said members already have in their possession the very points of doctrine that will bring folks such as this newly called branch president to the Lord.

"The restored gospel of Jesus Christ has within it the power to bring deep and abiding happiness to the human soul — something that will be valued and cherished for the rest of time and for all eternity," Elder Ballard said. "We are not just trying to get people to join our Church; we are sharing with them the fulness of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

"But as powerful as our message is, it cannot be imposed or forced upon people. It can only be shared — heart to heart, soul to soul, spirit to spirit — by being good neighbors and by caring and showing love. We need to be watchful for one another and reach out to one another. And as we do so, we will radiate the gospel in our own lives, and it will radiate to the people the blessings the gospel has to offer."

In the October 1977 issue of the Ensign, Elder Franklin D. Richards of the Presidency of the Seventy offered timeless counsel to spouses of non-members:

"My advice to such persons is to show their husbands or wives by the way they live the wonderful influence of the gospel in their lives. They should be better parents and more thoughtful, considerate and happy companions. As much as possible, they should practice the teachings of the gospel in their homes and bring its influence into the lives of children."