DAY 157 --- Millions Waiting for the Truth, but Know Not Where to Find It

In days of yore, not your days of yore, but my days of yore, I remember about 42 years ago when I was rapidly approaching the final months of my mission, my mission president put me in the city of Martinez De La Torre.  There was an elder there who was a great missionary.  However, after he had  been the instrument in converting about 20 people, he did not know how to get them in the water.  He had agreed with them to let them wait as long as they wanted to, to be baptised. 

When I arrived and he left, I had this concept that we had to get them baptised while they were active, while they were excited about being baptised.  If we did not, then Satan would work with them and in all probability they would not be baptised.  So, we started working with them, baptised 18 of them within the next month.  The other two insisted on waiting until their birthday, about three months in the future.  They were never baptised.

It was very inspirational to me to know that Father does what needs to be done for the benefit of the Kingdom and the spiritual lives of His children.  I didn't know why I was going to Martinez, but went according to my Mission President's inspiration.  He probably doesn't even know to this day the reasons he sent me there.

There are millions of "future saints" out there waiting for the right elder, sister, or couple to convince them to seek the truth and be ready for the truth. Somewhere in Zimbabwe there may be a single person struggling with their concept of the Godhood.  There may be someone in Bangladesh waiting for Bonnie and her love of music to touch them and inspire them to get on their knees.  There may be someone in Shanghai waiting for us to touch their lives, needing someone older to tell them about the gospel.

I don't know about all that, but I do know that Father needs senior couples.  At times senior couples can do things that younger missionaries cannot.  At times younger missionaries plant the seed to be harvested by older missionaries.

I don't know much about that, but I do feel the call, the urge, the desire to give of my time with my sweet companion and be instruments somewhere in the world.  It matters not to us where.  We are just ready, anxious, and preparing to go and be those tools in Father's hands.  My parents served four missions and touched many lives, influenced many souls, and enjoyed four different parts of the world serving.  We shall see what becomes of this couple, Bill and Bonnie Partridge.