bcspace wrote:One of my sisters, at around 18-19 years old and at the time I was on my mission, had a non member boyfriend. He had the discussions in our house and the missionaries put all kinds of pressure on him in addition to the knowledge that my sister wasn't going to marry a nonmember. He was baptized but was never active and so of course my sister didn't marry him. I'm very sure my sister emphasized that he should not join simply because of her but also because he truly believed. I'm also sure the missionaries did not emphasize this because my sister and parents reported all the happenings and sales tactics being applied. And no, my sister did not go out with him simply to get a convert. He pursued her.
About half of my baptisms were of this type of scenario, a non member boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse. However, we strongly emphasized that they should NOT JOIN unless they TRULY BELIEVED and we would NOT BAPTIZE them until they witnessed unto us by attending Church consistently week after week, living the word of wisdom, law of chastity, and paying their tithing. I ruffled many feathers on this in the Church and my mission president as well, but ultimately, in my last year, my companionships were always among the top baptizing and I can still account more than 20 years later for all but one of my baptisms for current activity in the Church.
I can remember teaching one of the vice presidents of Herbalife. He had an LDS girlfriend. Very nice people. But I had a bad feeling about it and I did not see fruits meet for repentance. He did not come to Church consistently, he still essentially lived with his girlfriend even though he moved out. I knew he still drank alcohol from time to time and thought it not to be a violation of the WoW. I'm fairly certain he never paid his tithing but I can't prove it. He listened politely to the discussions but always changed the subject as soon as possible. My comp wanted to baptize him badly. I said no. However, I wasn't DL or ZL at the time and so, despite my strong objections to them and to the MP, he was baptized. He was immediately inactive and I knew this because I stayed in the area for several months after. Who knows but what he became active and believing at some time in the future or will but I think it unlikely. My comp saw the light and apologized to me. This was early in my mission when I became adamant about real belief and activity BEFORE baptism. I remain so to this day and still ruffle feathers about it.
I have stories with better endings. Samoan son of a Methodist minister. Married a Mormon girl. Took the discussions. He loved chess. We would go to play chess and have a discussion. He proved his belief with activity and obedience. Was baptized. Later moved to Hawaii and become a Stake president.
Young Jehovah's witness. Separated by distance from his BYU girlfriend. We taught him. We expounded the scriptures. I can credit Jesus The Christ by Talmadge for helping us with answers to his questions including one (about the resurrection) that proved to him we were the real deal. He came to Church every Sunday. Was baptised. Wanted to be a Seventy (when they still had Seventy's in the wards) so he could do what JW's do only LDS style. Became a Seventy and a WML. Girlfriend came back from BYU. They married in the temple. Still married to this day. 4 kids.
Young man about 22. Excommunicated for chastity. Had BYU girlfriend. Was the son of the missionaries who served in Kenya and who baptized there my current companion and his family. Taught him. He repented and became obedient and active. Baptized. Married the BYU girl in the temple. 6 kids and a grandfather already.
Young man. Croatian-Jew (less than 500 live there today). Time of trouble in the Balkan states but not yet open warfare. No Mormon girlfriend but a close LDS friend who was preparing for a mission. Took the discussions, went to Church consistently and committed to live the good life. Friend called on mission. Baptized. Married an Italian Mormon and still active today, one child. Gave his mother the Croatian language Book of Mormon (just excerpts at the time). She cherishes it but I don't think she has joined.
Single woman, mid twenties. Teacher. Actually fell in love with a missionary from a previous companionship. That companionship was transferred and we came in. Tough to teach her because all she could do was pine for that missionary she loved (and who very appropriately did not return her romantic love). It took several months but she finally came around. Church attendance consistently etc. etc. Baptized. The aforementioned elder attended her baptism and baptized her, but he had a girlfriend waiting at home. But by that time I think she grew up and realized what the Church is for and why we were there. Asked to be called on a mission. Was called to South Korea. Served honorably. Came home. Married in the temple. Two kids last I heard.
Two former homosexuals wanting to return to membership at the same time. Well, I can be reasonably sure one was former....Both have AIDS. Both very sick. The one was constantly depressed and thought God had punished him to the point of no hope. We tried our best with the love and forgiveness of Christ, but he died suddenly about 10 weeks after we starting teaching him. At no time did he bring forth fruits meet for repentance. He always said he would come to Church but never did despite our best efforts of offering rides and a we had some members lined up to befriend him but he rejected them. The other was always happy and upbeat despite the regular visits the hospital. He recognized and took advantage of the Atonement. He came to Church even when physically unable to do it himself with the member's help. While we were there, there was a mishap at the hospital with the X-ray source and a nurse rushed in to protect him as patient and handled the source. She later died of radiation poisoning. He survived (led vest helped I suppose). Was re-baptized. Lived until the early 2000's and finally passed away, still active and believing.
Many other experiences in the homosexual community as my companionship was specifically tasked to teach those wanting to come back. Many other great missionary experiences overall.
What a beautiful account of missionary work, BC! Thanks for sharing.