This statement from "The Stories That Bind Us" sums up the importance of knowing our background and better understanding who we are. I really enjoyed this article, because until now, I never really pondered the importance of knowing the joys and struggles my past ancestors went through to create such a wonderful life for me. My favorite stories such as how my parents were converted, then how they met have shaped who I am and my testimony in the gospel.
Being a sucker for a good romance story, I'm going to share the time my parents met. This story has been told so many times, and surprisingly, it is a story I don't and won't get sick of, even though I roll my eyes every time they share it.
My dad was a loud dropout from New York before the missionaries knocked on his door at the age of 26. He then turned his life around and was able to serve a mission in the Philippines at the age of 28!
My mom was a shy Filipina, who had just moved to America and was introduced to the gospel by her friend Mimi. My mom is the youngest out of nine children, and she had the courage to accept the gospel and be baptized, even when her family protested against it. When my dad came back from his mission, the missionaries decided to play matchmaker. They told him all about this gorgeous Filipina who just got baptized. My dad then got her number and called her up. My mom was obviously freaked out and didn't bother giving him the time of day, but my dad was very persistent and did not let this stop him. He then went to a party that he knew she would be at. My mom finally gave him a chance, and naturally my dad took her out for pizza as their first date.
They continued to go on a few more dates, and it started getting serious. My dad had my mom over for dinner and Beauty and the Beast, and this was when my mom left the letter. She told him to read it when she was gone, and he did. It was a "Dear John" let's just be friends. My dad was so heartbroken, he went to his bishop for a blessing, and that blessing revealed to him all he needed to win her over. In the blessing it said "grow closer through the gospel, use scripture study." My dad then asked my mom to meet at the library, and these two fairly new converts spent hours on end searching and pondering the scriptures. Their yearning to learn brought them closer, and the Spirit manifested unto them. My mom finally realized that my dad was who she wanted and needed to spend eternity with.
I love this story, because I can understand how the gospel changed both of their lives and prepared them to come together. My parents are huge examples to me. They are both the only members in their families, and if they had chose to listen to their families and ignore the spirit, I would not be here today. I'm forever grateful that they listened and were sensitive to the Holy Ghost. Seeing how the gospel brought them together has strengthened my testimony and helped me better appreciate the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
No comments:
Post a Comment