On my last night in Utah, I was asked to pick one word to describe how God had worked during my time there. The word that immediately came to mind was “Provider.” Not only had God provided for all of my social and material needs while I was in Utah, He gave me a heart for the LDS people, as well as an opportunity to learn about their culture and beliefs. There was no time during my work with Utah Partnerships for Christ when I doubted that God was at work in Utah; He confirmed for me that He has not forgotten His people and that He is quietly at work in the region.
When someone walks into my dorm room at Wellesley College, they inevitably comment on the books on my shelf. I have a sizable collection of Christian literature, but there are also several books on Mormon theology. I usually explain my interest in LDS theology by noting that I spent a semester at Wellesley conducting independent research on the co-evolution of early LDS theology and temple architecture in one of my art history classes (I’m a double major in Art History and Psychology). The truth goes much deeper than that: I have always known family and friends involved in the LDS Church, but when I got a chance to study LDS theology in depth for a school project, I was greatly troubled by the overt contradictions and unorthodox teachings I discovered. As I prepare to graduate from college, I have thought a great deal about how I can intentionally walk through doors God has prepared for me in terms of service to the church and those outside it. With all of these things in mind, I began looking for a short-term ministry that would allow me to supplement my book knowledge of Mormonism with practical service and interactions with the LDS community.
I have to admit I was nervous about stepping into a ministry situation in a place I had never been and alongside people I had never met, but my time in Utah was full and fruitful: I had time to study and explore independently, but also kept a busy schedule with a team of college students from Morningstar Christian Chapel in Whittier, California. Together, we explored Salt Lake City’s Temple Square, took classes at the local Institute of Religion, attending a local Stake meeting, met with leading apologists Sandra Tanner and Doris Hansen, and had active LDS members over to the “Blue House” for dinner and discussion. One of the unique highlights of our trip was our trip to the Draper Temple – given my interest in temple architecture, this was an especially fortuitous opportunity for me to see the inside of an LDS temple.
God’s provision was especially evident in how we were able to meet and talk with local Mormons at various stages of life. One night, as Nathan Muldoon (a wonderful intern with UPFC, who spent the entire month of January doing outreach!) and I went to Weber State in order to join a small Bible study, we asked directions from a student, who eventually offered us a ride. It turned out that this young lady was an active LDS member who was also in my Institute-affiliated Book of Mormon class, and she and I developed a respectful friendship during my time in Utah. One night, she and a girlfriend, a recently returned missionary, came over for dinner, and we discussed their faith and texts. While there was no earth-shattering revelations that night, the next day my friend came to me with more thoughts from our conversation. As she and I sat and discussed the archeology of the Book of Mormon, she suddenly stopped, looked me in the eye, and said, “There’s nothing in the world that will confirm the truth of my testimony. And I have to fight for it everyday.” In that moment, I was suddenly aware of her incredible sincerity and her struggles with the Church, and I felt an incredible sadness as I quietly noted that God’s truth is eternal and will stand up to any test.
Additionally, God sent our team little reminders that it is He alone who prepares hearts to receive the simple truths of the gospel. One of the most encouraging experiences our team had came on the last day of our trip. We had organized a screening of the film The Bible vs. The Book of Mormon, and as we were setting up, a Weber State student stopped and asked what we were doing. One of the members of our team, Natalie began to talk with him, and when she explained that we can be in the presence of God simply by accepting the finished work of Christ on the cross, he was stunned. Growing up in and around the LDS Church, he had never heard the gospel presented in this fashion. As they talked for the next few minutes, he just kept returning to that central truth in awe. Later, a friend saw him crying in the Student Center as he read his Bible, and Natalie was able to talk further with him and exchange contact information. The most incredible thing about this encounter was that Natalie was one of the youngest Christians on our team, and was praying that the young man wouldn’t ask her for specific theological information. It was an incredibly humbling reminder for our team that while our preparation and knowledge is important, all of our preparation pales in comparison to the importance of communicating the gospel clearly and simply, and trusting God to do the rest.
I’m incredibly grateful that I had a chance to see how God is preparing hearts to receive Him in Utah, and excited to continue to invest in friendships and ministry opportunities with members of the LDS community.
Keena B.
