Will they let me in?

I got a call to pick up a couple in the area right in front of the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon. They were from Florida and they’d been drinking a bit. This is why most people ride with us, they know they’re going to be drinking and don’t want to get a DUI. These guys have lived out here for a while and really enjoyed it. They wanted to talk about how happy people seemed to be.

They asked me what I did for a living besides drive. Many drivers do it as a side hustle. I told them that I was doing it full-time for right now because the corporate travel industry had been decimated and I hadn’t had a paycheck from my real job in over a year. They were touched and blown away. They couldn’t see how someone could be so happy in such a desperate situation. They were really happy that they could work from home and that their jobs have continued but they were visibly concerned about my situation. They just couldn’t understand how someone could be happy in such tribulation.

They wanted to know what my secret was to happiness and they said they felt like I was a solid dude and that something told them it was safe to ask me these questions. My immediate answer to the question was that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints. I told them that I believe that God has a plan and that I am part of it not outside of it. I told them that I feel the spirit and his hand on my life and that I know he will lift me and that gave me joy. It made me happy.

They thought that was really cool! They had a million questions about the church. They said they had one of our churches right next to their apartment. Then they asked if they would be allowed to attend church as visitors. They were concerned because they were not married and they were living together in sin. I told them that they would be welcomed with open arms and in all likelihood received beyond their expectations.

They said, it’s Saturday night and we usually drink on Friday and Saturday nights, if we went over to church tomorrow would they let us attend knowing that we had been drinking the night before? I told them that they’re exactly the people who should be attending church and learning about God‘s laws and God‘s will. I told them that if they would look to God he would put such happiness in their lives that they would never regret any changes necessary to obtain that peace and joy.

I told them that God loves everyone, he is a father and the doctrine of the church is the map we have to get home to him and be in his presence and this makes us happy.

We were nearing their destination downtown. The spirit impressed upon me that I had left some things undone and unsaid. It occurred to me that while we discussed the church and I had talked about the church and it’s benefits in my life as well as the blessing it is to all who visit and attend; I had not testified. I had discussed doctrine without bearing my testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel.

I felt the impression to bear my testimony with power and let the spirit confirm to their souls the truthfulness of the words I spoke. So I did!

I told them that our church was restored by a young man who was 14 years old and he wanted to know the truth. I told them that he went to the forest knelt, prayed and God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him. They called him to be the prophet to restore the church of Jesus Christ on the earth.  I told them that I know that this is true because I prayed and God revealed the truth of it to me.

I asked them is they had heard of the Book of Mormon, they said yes! I told them that the book was an ancient scripture written by the prophets who lived in America 2000 years ago. This book contains the visit of Jesus Christ to America. It proves God loves everyone not just the people in Jerusalem. I told them that he spoke of them in the Bible when he said other sheep I have which are not of this fold. I told them I know that book is true! I told them I know because I read it and prayed and God confirmed the truthfulness of it to me in a revelation to my heart.

I told them that we have a prophet today and I know he speaks with God for us. I told them I know this because I prayed and God revealed to my heart that this is true.

While I bore my testimony I felt the spirit come rolling in the car. It was silent for about 2 minutes then the man who had been sitting there with his head down listening to me, lifted his head and said WOW. I don’t know if I’ve ever heard more powerful words. I told them that they were the words of God revealed to my heart. I told them that God sends his spirit to testify truth and that’s what they were feeling.

The guy said, that does it! We met you today, you’re so happy, you answer our questions and then speak with such power! “This stuff is true!” he said. “We’re going to church tomorrow in the Mormon church right across the road!” Then he asked me, do we need to give them your name? I laughed and said that wouldn’t be necessary. I told them they could just walk right on in.

Even though they had enjoyed a couple drinks, I know they were touched by the spirit. I believe that when they said they were going to go to church, especially now that they knew they would be allowed in church even though they sin, that they would follow through. I told them that everyone I know who goes to church is a sinner as well. It was important to them to go and try to be better. Let’s all go and try to be better.