Comments on: Learning from Enrique

By: Kaimi

Kaimi — Fri, 27 May 2005 02:53:39 +0000

Todd,

You know, a part of me agrees with you. But a part of me wonders if the perfect remedy for the “same old, same old” testimony meeting is a little more disrobing by testimony bearers. In fact, I think I’ll try it out this next fast Sunday and see how well it works.

Okay, maybe not.

By: annegb

annegb — Thu, 26 May 2005 15:39:00 +0000

Oh, I wish Enrique was in our ward.

Thank you.

By: Todd Lundell

Todd Lundell — Wed, 25 May 2005 22:13:00 +0000

I read the first few paragraphs of this post with the “we need a little more of that in our church anyway” attitude. Then the shirt came off. Wish I could have been there!

I still think we could use a few more “amens” in our church, but let’s keep the shirts on.

By: Peter

Peter — Wed, 25 May 2005 21:05:43 +0000

The first ward I attended on my mission had a ward mission leader who was formerly a Pentacostal minister. He had red hair and a red Abraham-Lincoln-style beard (or, I suppose, Brigham-Young-style, now that I think about it). His face was something akin to Lincoln — or maybe Lyle Lovett. He gave amazing testimonies in a thunderous voice coupled with a slightly-exotic Yorkshire accent (we were in the Midlands), that included phrases such as, “When I think of the restored gospel it makes me want to shout Hallelujah!” — and so he would. Thus began my introduction to one of the great parts of a mission — challenging one’s own assumptions about what aspects of the gospel are critical and which are cultural (and even if somewhat essential, how and how quickly should compliance be introduced and encouraged).

Unlike Kaime, my story has an unhappy, if culturally interesting, ending. By the time I left my mission the brother in question had left the church. It seems that after I left the area he had attempted a career as an Amway salesman and when local church members became offended at his high-zeal sales practices, he became counter-offended and left the church.

By: Steve L

Steve L — Wed, 25 May 2005 19:46:31 +0000

Thanks so much, Kaimi. I didn’t serve foreign, but in one of my city wards there was a homeless man who would attend intermittently. It was summer, so he would just show up in shorts and a t-shirt with only his free Book of Mormon in hand. One testimony meeting he stood up from his pew in the very back and walked towards the front as an elderly member was approaching the podium to give what I was sure was going to be a rambling and meaningless whatever. The homeless man didn’t go up the steps to the stand, but rather stepped directly in front of the podium and put his hand high in the air and loudly said, “Excuse me, everyone! May I have your attention? I have something to say!” as the terrified brother at the podium resumed his seat. The homeless man gave the best damn testimony of the whole meeting: no stories or off-the-wall doctrines, just his strong conviction of and commitment to the restoration. Of course the members were scandalized, but I was delighted. Better the Enriques of the world than the “smooth-faced hypocrites.”

By: Richard T

Richard T — Wed, 25 May 2005 17:37:32 +0000

Hallelujah!!! I’m standing, waving my hands!!!!

That was GREAT!! Thanks for that terrific story.

By: Jenn

Jenn — Wed, 25 May 2005 17:29:15 +0000

What a great post, Kaimi. Thanks! Makes me wish I’d served a mission, after all.

By: N Miller

N Miller — Wed, 25 May 2005 17:11:39 +0000

I have fond memories of working in a branch. I served in a Chinese branch in downtown Toronto for much of my mission. The RS President was one of the strongest members we had, but even that had its fun moments. During a fast and testimony meeting she got up (mind you we often had more investigators than members in the meeting) and started talking about a séance she was a part of. She went on for about five minutes about the workings of the meeting. My companion and I and the other missionaries were just rattled that she would get up and talk about this “spiritual meeting”. We each silently prayed that this might get over quickly whether by the branch president or by something/ somebody acting upon the situation. This “testimony” was not helping our investigators, let alone our fledgling branch. Then, all of a sudden, the RS president told the congregation that she got up during the séance, told them all they were working with powers that were not of God, and ran off. What we feared was a poor choice of testimony, turned to be a great uplifting story of how the spirit told her to get away. I don’t know why she had to go into so much detail, but it worked. She had everybody’s attention when she made her point and bore a sweet testimony. Small branches can be scary at times, but I have learned more in those settings than I often do in large wards with many wonderful and strong members.

(We had a crazy building with crazy church units congregating there. The building was an old used car sales office turned into a church. During a baptism being held in the RS room, we heard a guitar and drums playing. Come to find out, the other ward had invited a homeless band to play during their sacrament meeting complete with drums, guitars, keyboard, and a lead singer. I don’t remember if the songs were of a “spiritual” note, but it was hard to continue the baptism with it going on!)

By: danithew

danithew — Wed, 25 May 2005 16:43:52 +0000

Amen Kaimi. Thanks so much. This post sure brings back the sweet Guatemala mission memories.

By: Justin H

Justin H — Wed, 25 May 2005 16:36:56 +0000

Amen, Kaimi. Thanks.