“Are you a Mormon?” came the question as I returned to my
seat on Delta flight 107 from Frankfurt to New York’s John F. Kennedy airport.
A humored, “Yes,” was my reply. Although I often wear a BYU jacket while
travelling to potentially spark this exact conversation, the man’s question
still caught me off guard. I laughed, “I
am a Mormon. How’d you know, did you see my jacket?”
“Your jacket? No, I didn’t see—oh, no I didn’t realize you
were wearing that jacket but that would make sense! I thought you were a Mormon
because when you put your bag in the overhead bin I saw your underwear and
thought they were Mormon underwear. Then I watched to see if you and your wife
drank wine when dinner came and thought, ‘They have to be Mormon.’ Will you
tell me about the Mormon Church? I know nothing about it.”
This man knew of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints—perhaps a little more than the average person—and when he saw a few
signs that I may be Mormon, he watched for others to confirm his theory.
Be Thou an Example of
the Believers
But what if his friend picked and chose which commandments
he wanted to live? Or what if our interaction had not been so positive because
my wife and I decided certain of the teachings of Jesus Christ were not so
important on our trip? This man had not seen my jacket but was familiar enough
with the Church that he knew my white undershirt or the band of my white
underwear were not just ordinary undergarments. What if Alyssa and I had
decided to “really enjoy” all of the free benefits of our first-class seats? What
if our choice of media entertainment for the flight had been less than
exemplary of a disciple of Jesus Christ? Normally no one would know or care
what movies we were watching. But this gentleman knew of the covenants we had
made and was watching our every action. What would have happened to his image
of the Church and of those who profess to love and follow Jesus Christ if we
had decided to take a day off from being disciples of Christ?
I am reminded of a quote from General Conference a few years
ago:
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The
Way of the Disciple,” Ensign, May
2009
Our actions when we think no one is watching or when we
think no one will know the difference truly show who we are and what we
believe. No amount of words or outward public showing justify or allow any less
than full-time devotion to what we have covenanted to live. If we act different
when surrounded by strangers, the things we profess to believe on Sunday have
not sunk deep into our hearts. However, if we are truly converted and truly
understand the importance of the lifestyle we have chosen, we act in accordance
with God’s will in all things and at all times because that is who we are.
“Be thou and example of the believers,” taught the apostle
Paul, “in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
My new friend and I enjoyed a wonderful conversation about
jump rope, various places he’s lived, and of the “Mormon” Church. During the
conversation he revealed that he was undergoing chemotherapy for a cancer that
he already beat once before. He talked about how awful and painful the treatment
is and divulged that he has thoughts of ending his life rather than continue to
endure the pain associated with cancer and chemo a second time. We talked long
and deeply of the purpose of life, of faith in God, and of the love God has for
each of His children, including him.
It was a unique experience and I am grateful for it. But it
never would have happened if the members of the Church in his life had not
lived their religion and if my wife and I had chosen to forget ours for a plane
ride. Although I do not know what has become of my new friend, I hope and pray
that our conversation had some sort of positive influence on him.
I leave you with the words of our current prophet, President
Thomas S. Monson:
“The Lord is in all of our lives. He loves us. He wants to
bless us. He wants us to seek His help. As He guides us and directs our
prayers, we will find the happiness here and now that He desires for us.”
May we all be examples of the believers that all may know of
His love for them.
Jeremy
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