Mark Albright is the president of the Washington DC South mission and shares these missionary stories with Meridian Magazine. This letter comes from Bishop David L. Stone.
If you want to share a missionary story, send it to President Albright by clicking on the “email author button” by the title of the article. Please note the names of new converts and investigators may be changed to maintain privacy.
Dear President Albright,
I travel a lot for my work, and while it is hard to be away at times, it is also a great opportunity to share the gospel. At the start of each trip, I pray and ask the Lord to bless me that I might be an instrument in His hands to share the gospel with others. Then I prepare by taking a stack of different pass-along cards in my briefcase and pockets.
On a trip to New York in early 2009, I met a taxi driver named Henry. We chatted a little and then I asked if I could share a card from my church with him. He said OK and I gave him a card. I told him I was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and asked if he had ever heard of the church. He said yes. He said he knew of them from his home in Haiti. I felt a warm spirit present and asked if he had ever met with the missionaries. He said no, and I asked if he would like to. He said he didn’t have the time. I asked if he could find just 15 minutes to meet with them. This time he said OK! He gave me his name, address, and phone number and we said good-bye.
Later, I called the missionaries in his area and gave them Henry’s contact information. A few weeks later I received a call from the sister missionaries letting me know they were teaching Henry and all was going well. Henry and I stayed in touch every few weeks via phone during that time. Later that spring, he told me the good news! He wanted to be baptized and had set the date of June 21st. He also asked if I would be willing to travel from Virginia up to his ward and baptize him. June 21st was Father’s Day, and my family and I drove up to New Jersey to join Henry at his baptism. It was very special to be there with Henry and to meet his wife and children. A year and a half later, Henry is active in the church and is preparing to go to the temple.
I know that if we ask the Lord, He will use us to touch the lives of those around us. I also know that if we ask and take simple steps we can make a difference. I love this Church and the joy it brings now and forever.
In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Sincerely,
David L. Stone
Bishop, Mclean 2nd Ward
