Mark Albright is the president of the Washington DC South mission and shares these missionary stories with Meridian Magazine. This letter comes from Marie Bokassa
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,
One cold winter afternoon last year two missionaries, Elder Metcalf and Elder Holmstead, knocked on my door in Manassas. One of them asked politely what I was doing to cope in these hard times. I responded without thinking that I prayed and hoped for the best. A small conversation ensued, at which point my curious 14-month-old son tried to greet the strangers. To prevent him from catching cold, I invited the young men inside to pursue our talk. I was left with pamphlets and asked to pray before reading to seek the truth.
A few similar visits followed during which I was introduced to the concept that there are actually living prophets, which baffled me, and that the Gospel was restored through Joseph Smith, which confused me even further.
One evening after an exhausting day and finally putting my children to bed, I sat down and thought that with my heavy schedule and the demands of motherhood, I should discontinue meeting with the missionaries. I felt it would be a waste of time for me as well as for them to continue our meetings. I decided that at our next meeting I would kindly inform that that I would not be able to meet with them any longer. However, instead of being relieved by that decision, I remember feeling extremely sad and disappointed in myself.
As a result I closed my eyes, and for the first time since I was asked to do so, sincerely prayed and asked God to guide me and help me to know whether what I was being taught was true. I opened my Book of Mormon and started reading my assigned chapter. In the midst of my reading, I realized that tear drops were covering the page I was reading from and my whole body was tingling with an intense warmth I had never felt before. For the first time ever, I was enveloped by a strong desire to be baptized. I could not wait until morning to call the missionaries to implore them to schedule by baptism as soon as possible. I now know what it means to “seek and ye shall find, Knock and it shall be opened unto you.” Great is the light that follows darkness! I am now teaching primary in the Manassas 1st ward.
Immense is my Joy,
Marie Bokassa
Centreville Virginia Stake