On June 27th, the day before transfers, we were driving to go see people previously taught by missionaries. On our way there, we saw Luis walking on the sidewalk. We rolled down the window and asked if he had a church. He said he’s actually looking for one right now! We talked about the Sacrament and invited him to come to our church for a church tour. He said he was “going through a spiritual journey.”
We called him two days later and Luis talked about his journey and life changes he’s been making to come closer to God. He talked about his journey of exercising faith in Christ and repenting. We brought up baptism and explained how it was the next step. We taught him the promises made at baptism and the blessings of keeping our covenants. He wanted the peace and joy that comes through baptism, so we invited him to be baptized on July 27th.
He lives in our neighborhood, so we could easily have frequent lessons. The ward family helped out immensely. We truly saw the power and importance of having a member at every lesson. We coordinated for members to take him to church and join our lessons in person, via video call, phone call, voice messages, and video.
In that very first phone call, our member Brother Beeler, sent us his testimony of the Book of Mormon via voice message. Luis loved and appreciated Brother Beeler’s testimony and perspective as a convert himself. Little did any of us know that one month later, Brother Beeler would be standing in the circle to confirm Luis a member of Jesus Christ’s church.
Luis eagerly accepted the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He committed to living all the commandments, and had committed to most of them even before we met with him. He was so happy to be finding truth. Something cool we noticed was that in the beginning, he talked a lot during our lessons. He would tell stories of how he has seen God’s hand in his life. But over time, as the Spirit worked on him, he talked less and listened more. Each time we had a lesson, the Spirit was stronger.
When it came time to plan his baptism, Luis picked all the people to baptize him, give talks, etc. He knew so many members from them being part of his lessons and fellowshipping him at church. He was so excited to tell us who he wanted to participate in his baptism.
Luis is nothing short of a miracle. Throughout his life, he has been so prepared by our Heavenly Father to make covenants with Him. From the day we met him to the day he got baptized, it was exactly one month.
Luis is such a light to everyone around him. He shares his testimony in word and deed. He sees the change in himself through Jesus Christ and wants everyone to have the same blessings he has. It’s been amazing to see him develop his own personal testimony and begin studying the Book of Mormon on his own. He is so excited and grateful to be on the covenant path, and we are so grateful God led us to him.
Barlows in TKM 