"Elder Hinckley stepped onto the flagstone platform of Preston Station in the late afternoon of June 29 and spotted a young American waiting for him. Elder Kent S. Bramwell, a bright and enthusiastic district president from Ogden, Utah, vigorously shook his hand and then led the way to their 'digs' at 15 Wadham Road."
Kent Bramwell is my uncle, my father's brother.
"Elder Bramwell had no intention of breaking his new companion in gradually, and as they walked home he announced that they were set to hold a street meeting that night in the public square. The thought of preaching to uninterested passersby was daunting, and Elder Hinckley responded immediately. 'You've got the wrong man to go with you.' But Elder Bramwell was undeterred, and a few hours later the two missionaries walked to the market and began to sing. Gradually a crowd gathered, and both missionaries taught and bore testimony."
Elder Hinckley had a hard time at first. He wrote to his father to see if he could return home. His father and his companion had a part in his staying on his mission.
A number of years later President Hinckley went back to 15 Wadham Road. In his journal, he wrote:
"Marjorie and I went up into the bedroom where Brother Bramwell and I had lived and where I made an important decision in my life to think less of myself and work with greater devotion as a missionary.'
When called to be an Assistant to the Twelve, Gordon B. Hinckely began his first talk as a general authority: "I am reminded of a statement made by my first missionary companion when I received a letter of transfer to the European Mission Office. "Well, you must have helped an old lady across the street in the preexistence. This has not come because of anything you've done here."
Of course, Elder Hinckley grew up to be a prophet.
My uncle went on to become a successful business man, and held some important posts, including mayor of Ogden. But he didn't stay active in the church.
One of the guideposts of my life has been the saying,
Living the gospel is like shaving:
it doesn't matter how good a job you do one day, --
you have to do it again the next.
It isn't about what positions you have held--in or out of the church, or what good or nice things you've done in your life. There's no resting on your laurels.
It's about continuing to prove your faithfulness every day;
it's about staying on the right path;
it's about enduring to the end.
"Continue" is my friend Jill's favorite word in the scriptures.
It is a matter of life and death-- spiritually speaking.
So be not weary in well-doing.
"Continue in these things even unto the end,
and you shall have a crown of eternal life ."
4 comments:
What an interesting post. I didn't know that about your uncle. I particularly love the quote about shaving. What a perfect analogy! I'm glad you've posted again. I've missed your wonderful, thought provoking postings!
Welcome back Georgia, I feared you were ill or something. I hope you're well.
I love your thoughts today, and find that so interesting and sad about your uncle. It seems like that happens a lot with return missionaries, and it's scary that they can walk away from the gospel like that. The shaving analogy is so simple, but true if only we had some sort of spiritual electrolysis, ha.
I find it so interesting how many return missionaries leave the church. I haven't been on a mission, so if I had, maybe I would understand better. I don't see how you can have so many spiritual experiences and then leave it all behind. My husband's father served a mission, worked at temple square, was friends with some general authorities... then he walked away and never looked back.
Maybe it's just what you said -- we have to continue each day. If we're not moving forward, we're moving backward.
Hey Mommy! I missed you! I want to talk to you every day, but don't know if you are busy again and of course, I always seem to be!
I have heard the story about Uncle Kent many times but not the part where he left the church. So sad. And a good lessson, I love the idea of doing it again the next day!
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