Snowy, cold but bright blue skies overhead, 27 international missionaries from Canada to Tonga to Russia plus Elder Cook and myself, boarded the van early last Friday morning, January 4, 2008, at the MTC. Our destination was Temple Square, Salt Lake City. Of note, one perk the international missionaries receive during their training at the MTC is to visit Temple Square for 4 hours approximately 2 weeks before they leave. Although visiting the sites is always hurried and abbreviated, each missionary stood in "awe" of viewing first-hand notable and sacred sites they had only previously viewed in the Liahona or in pictures. At times, they seemed appreciative and overwhelmed; I love standing back and observing their eyes and spirits. The prominent Joseph Smith Memorial Bldg., Temple Square, including the Conference Center, the Church Museum and lastly the Church Office Bldg. all provided opportunities for the missionaries to take photos as sweet reminders of their first and perhaps only opportunity to visit these sacred sites in their lifetime.

At times, I wonder if we are "doing enough" in this great work of the Lord. The opportunity to mingle with and serve these young, vibrant and often anxious missionaries always strengthens our resolve to continue in this work with all our might, mind and strength.

As we were traveling back to the MTC from SLC, across the aisle of the bus sat a very special Tongan missionary with whom I visited for the entire trip. His life has been replete with personal trials as he left Tonga at age 5 and was sent to Orange County, California, to live with his grandparents. Not a member of the Church, crime, drugs, gangs, jail and evil hovered over him "like a dark cloud" during those years until, at the age of 18, he returned to his family in Tonga. At this time, he said he was in the depths of despair and "knew not where to go," but subsequently, two Mormon missionaries knocked on his family's door. He and his parents all joined the church and his life was turned around. "Sober" for 4 years now, Elder R_____ cleaned up his life, repented, and applied to fulfill a full-time mission. Now, he is headed to a state-side mission, full of depth, gratitude, humility and focused desire to "bring souls to Christ" and to cry repentance to all whom he meets. Interestingly, when he returns, he desires to earn at least a Master's Degree in psychology and or social work and help troubled teenagers. As I talked heart-to-heart with him, I had the strongest impression that he would become a church leader one day. Perhaps, we shall meet again, one day. I hope so. How I was reminded of the power of Christ's atonement and how he wishes to bless all his children.

God bless you Elder R_____.