I was asked to speak on Dallin H. Oaks' conference talk "Followers of Christ." He talks about the specific footsteps we need to follow in order to be like Christ. I'll share a couple stories I talked about.
One of the footsteps that I focused a lot on was the commandment to love one another. Ever heard of the tattooed mormon? Or Al Fox? Well, if you haven't, I highly suggest it. She has the most amazing story! Go to this link. Right NOW.
http://alfoxshead.blogspot.com/2013/04/tattooed-mormon.html She is seriously an amazing example of a true follower of Christ. I shared her story in my talk, and was surprised at how many people hadn't heard her story. It's a must read. Like, really. Read it. Now.
Another story I shared is one of my all time favorites. If you don't cry, there's something wrong with you. Just kidding.. But I bawl every time. "The following event took place in a Salt Lake City ward in 1974. It occurred during sacrament meeting, and was told by a Regional Representative of the Twelve, who was in the meeting. A young man, just before leaving on his mission stood in sacrament meeting and bore the following testimony: Brothers and sisters, as you know during the past few weeks I have been awaiting my mission call. During the time I was waiting, I had a dream. I knew it was not an ordinary dream. I dreamed I was in the pre-existence and was waiting my call to come to Earth. I was filled with the same excitement and anticipation that I had before I received my mission call. In my dream, I was talking to a friend. He was a dear friend, and I felt a special closeness to him, even though I had never met him in this life. As we talked, a messenger came and gave me a letter. I knew it was my call to Earth. In great excitement my friend and I asked him to read aloud. The letter said: 'You have been called to Earth in a special time and a special land. You will be born into the true church and you will have the priesthood of God in your home. You will be raised with many advantages and many blessings. You will be born in a land of plenty, a land of freedom. You will go to Earth in the United States of America.' My friend and I rejoiced as we read my call and while we rejoiced the messenger returned. This time he had a letter for my friend. We knew it was his call to Earth. My friend gave me the letter to read aloud. His letter said, 'You have been called to Earth in circumstances of poverty and strife. You will not be raised in the true church. Many hardships will attend your life. Your land will be filled with political and social difficulties which will hinder the work of the Lord. You will be born in Cosa Rica.' We wept, my friend and I, as we read his call, and my friend looked at me with tears in his eyes and said, 'When we are down on Earth, you in your choice land and me in Costa Rica, my friend, please come and find me.' Then this young missionary with tears in his own eyes said, 'Brothers and sisters, I have received my mission call. I am going to Costa Rica.' There is a sequel to this story. About a year after the sacrament meeting, the bishop of this ward received a letter from the missionary in Costa Rica. The letter had one sheet of paper in it, and on that sheet, written in inch-high letters were four words. . . 'I found my friend.'"
How stinking awesome is that?! I KNOW without a doubt there are people in Peru waiting specifically for ME. I can't believe my farewell is over and there's only 9 more days until I start this crazy journey. Here we go!
