Ed's baptism was the amazing results of the efforts of so many different parties. It was amazing to see someone so converted to the gospel, so sure of its surety, so changed both in word, thought, and deed that I almost couldn't believe that such a process had taken place. From the beginning of our meetings, I had no idea where things would go with Ed, we barely got one word in that evening back in June. And yet line upon line, precept upon precept, the doctrines of the gospel distilled upon his soul as the dews from heaven, ringing the truthfulness of what he had already knew way back in pre-mortal eras and just forgotten for a time. He's become more humble, more respectful, more forgiving, more kind, more focused, and it has all come because of small steps of faith.
It was a smaller service than I had expected, considering we were inviting everyone both member and nonmember, but Ed said that he was glad it was more of a private occasion because the people who mattered were there. He asked me to give the talk on baptism and I spoke of 3 baptisms: the baptism of Alma and his people in Mosiah 18, the baptism of Christ himself (Matthew 3), and the baptism of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery (Joseph Smith-History 1:68-74). It was significant that all these people chose not to wait to act on the witnesses that they received but they chose this day to enter into the waters of baptism (Alma 7:15). That was his day.
This week I also had a neat experience with another one of our investigators. John is a 32-year-old black guy who looks like he should be in his early 20's because of his physique. We came into contact with him without any effort on our part. He, like Ed, found the Bishop of the Erie 2nd Ward's number in the phone book and asked for missionaries to come by, expressing that he himself would like to be a missionary as well. The Bishop told him he should become a member first and didn't touch that matter any further.
After a couple weeks of lessons, he recently told us he'd be moving from Erie and he asked us to come by one last time. He finally asked us about the desire of his heart – to become a missionary like us. For some reason, I didn't want to dance around his concern anymore and felt like we should be honest with him, so we told him that the men's age restriction in our Church for serving a full-time mission was 26-years-old and that some retired folk go on missions when they're in their later years. John seemed very surprised and a little embarrassed that what he wanted so bad was unattainable. We talked a lot about being a member missionary which consoled him a little and just gave him more drive to be a senior missionary when he gets older. Although disappointed, he vowed that he would wait and learn and save all he could until that time when he could devote all his heart, might, mind, and strength to the work of the Lord. He kept saying, “it's worth the wait, it's worth the wait...” It made me realize how lucky I am to be called as one of the Lord's servants in His vineyard. How often am I reluctant to give my whole heart to this work? How often do I dane to get up with a bright hope in my labours? How often do I count time instead of making time count? John couldn't wait to put on the “armour” we wear (as he put it), saying that it would be “the greatest thing.” What should that say about the sacredness of my calling and the power I am entitled to receive?
I never cease to be amazed at how my mission has changed me and continues to change me. Although the worth of souls is great in the sight of God, truly it was me that I have been labouring all this time to bring unto Him. For I know, that this Church, this Work, this Gospel, is priceless and is ever worth striving for.
Elder Low
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