Stories: at the feet of the prophet
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| In 1989, I was 17 years old, I met two handsome young missionarys from the church of JESUS CHRIST of latter day saints. Being young, of course i wanted to get to know them. They taught me about the gospel and the church. As i took the discussions i learned about a living prophet. His name at that time was EZRA TAFT BENSON. Not long after, I was baptized into the church. Ever since then a strong desire to see and hear the prophet speak in person has burned within me. In December one of my fellow return missionarys told me that many who serve with us, that now reside in the U.S were planning a reunion. One was even coming from as far as france. They were planning to hold the reunion at the time of the april general conference in salt lake city and most of us would attend general conference together that weekend. Over the years my desire to see the prophet has grown stronger. So when i heard about the reunion, I was overjoyed! Finally i might have the opportunity to fulfill my dream! However, even though I new my food and lodging would be provided once i got there. I didn't know how we could afford the cost of the flight to utah. Because of this I became convinced i would not be able to go. But my husband scott told me that this would be a once in-a-lifetime oppurtunity and that we would find a way. He was right. The lord provided and we found enought money in our budget for me to go. Several time thought things happened that almost caused me to cancel my plans. The last being sever illness we all endured the week before i was to go. I was especially worried about rachel. She ran a high fever for several days. I also didn't think i could stand being separated from scott for 5 days. But scott insisted every thing would be okey and that I WAS GOING! He even bought a non refundable ticket without telling me to keep me from changing my mind. I think he was trying to get rid of me. I flew out of Peoria March 29th and arrived safely in salt lake city that thursday evening. We held our reunion the following day. It was great to see so many of my friends and how they progressed. After the reunion another great blessing of my trip occured that i will share with you at the end. At first i thought i would only attend one session of conference, but one of my friends had some extra tickets and i was able to be there for the rededication of the tabernacle saturday afternoo. What a blessing this was, but still i had not yet seen the prophet in person. This only increased my desire to see him. Sunday afternoon we entered the conference center. I was in awe of the beauty of this amazing place. It left me speechless. All i could do was look around. It was marvelous to see how many people from every part of the world had come with the same desire as me. Immediately i felt the spirit come over me. After a little while we found our seat. I was so excited i could not sit down. All i could do is look around trying to take it all in. Soon general authorities filed in. Then the organ bagan to play as president Gordon b. Hickley was lead to his seat. Everyone stood up in respect. I was overwhelmed with emotion and began to weep. I wasn't able to stop until the first speaker began to speak. As he spoke a very peaceful warm feeling came over me that lasted throught the session. I felt all of the speakers spoke directly to my heart. I was especially touched by elder Eirings talk about how we tend to put things off till "SOMEDAY" and the dangers of procrastination. Finally president hickley came to the podium to speak. I was overjoyed! i could not believe that after all this time i was sitting here in the same room as prophet! After his talk, my testimony that Gordon b. Hickley is a prophet of God and that the church is divinely lead was reconfirned even stronger than before. Those who have lived in the United states they're entire lives may not appreciate this experience as i have. For me this was a realization of a dream. What a precious gift, I have visited the promised land and sat at the feet of a living prophet. The joy this has brough me i will carry with me forever. Now i would like to share with you another miracle that happened on my trip. In 1989 i was baptized in my hometown of Kitcharao by Elder COURTNEY LARSEN (one of those handsome young missionarys) not long after he returned home from his mission, he married a sister return missionary he serve with in Cagayan de oro mission. IT HAPPENS! After Elder Larsen left the mission feild i have always wondered what he was doing and where he was. I wised i could see him again and tell him what he has meant to me and how greatful i am that he introduced me the gospel. I went on to serve a mission from 1993-1995 in phils. tacloban mission. One of my fellow missionaries was Elder Dustin Christinsen. After his mission he eventually married a member from the area he served in tacloban. As it turns out, they marreid siters. Niether Christensin nor Larsen knew each other before that. And neither had any way of knowing the other knew me. After the night of our reunion we decided to go home the place were i stayed and have sing-along party without my knowing melina wife of elder Christensin invited her sister sally along with her husband, And they came and we let them in. I have feeling that i dont understand for somehow it seem i recognized him but i ignored that feeling. We decided to go the basement and start singing and while we are singing and eating one of the sister asked me which in mindanao i came from and told that i m from surigao! and her husband said i was in that area but i was assign in kitcharao! so i said what is your last name? and he said i was Elder Larsen I hug him and told him "you baptized me" everyone was shock they stop singing and some are start crying and so am i and Elder Larsen. He asked me so many Question about me and my family and the people he baptized. It was a miracle day for me not only i was able to attend general conference and saw the prophet in personal, i found the person baptized me 17 years ago. He even share his thoughts: As a missionary you never know what kind a effect you might have on the people you teach. Sometimes the mission becomes so redundent that you can loose site of the effect you can have. I have kept a piece of my heart in the philipphines and truely missed the members in kitcharao more than any others place i served. Kitcharao was a place that only had 30 or 35 members and as the brance president along with my missionary duties my time was full. I remember the experience as if they were yesterday. When i was reunited with Emilyn last friday on March 30th 2007 It was as if the lord stamped his approval. T learn of all the people that i touched without really knowing them was hard to accept my hand in thier conversion. I was reunited with not just emilyn but the memories that created 1989. As i look back in my journal and read about those that i touched i was blessed to be a part of the lives in Kitcarao that were changed because of thier choice to be baptized and accept the gospel of our savoir JESUS CHRIST. I only hope that i can live up to the expectation of my savoir and those who i touched. My joy is great of the knowleged and testimony of this gospel. (Elder courtney larsen) I know with all my heart that the church is true and that we have the gospel and a living prophet who will guide us to fulfill our mission here on earth and gain eternal life. I hope that by sharing this talk your testimony of the church become stronger and so am i. By Sister Veterbo Derais |
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