Tonight for FHE we talked about Prophets. We told the kids we were going to watch and listen to them this weekend in General Conference. It was short and sweet. I love how excited the kids get about family night and prophets and Jesus. It refreshes my faith.
But a few weeks ago a sister shared an experience with her encounter with President Monson in a hospital elevator. Then my cousin blogged about her encounter President Monson outside of an elevator this weekend. It made me remember my experiences with the Leadership of my Church.
I've never shaken hands with the President of the Church, but I have been in their presence several times. In General Conference, the General Relief Society meeting and BYU devotionals. But there have been a few times that I was able to talk with or be really close to the apostles.
The first occured while I was living in London for a study abroad. We were fortunate enough to attend a Single Adult Fireside with Elder Eyring and his wife. He was sooooo personable and made jokes throughout his talk. That is when I really grew fond of him as an individual and a prophet.
The second time happened about a year later. I roomed with a girl named Alina who married a boy named Matt. He is the grandson of Elder Ballard. I was one of her bridesmaids and "got" to stand in her reception line. I shook hands with Elder Wirthlin, Ballard and Perry and perhaps one more. The one I remember most was Elder Perry. Our conversation went something like this:
Elder P: Your dresses look beautiful.
Me: Thank you.
EP: Are you going to school?
Me: Yes
EP: How are your grades?
Me: embarrassed Pretty good, I think. Mostly A's and B's.
And then he gave me this look, like, "keep it up" and said, "That's good!"
I felt so elated! Sort of mad at myself for not getting straight A's! But he had such a presence (not just becuase he is sooooo tall), they all did!
The last experience has to do with my then BYU President, Elder Bateman, of the Quorum of the 70, and now Provo Temple President. I was walking in the Wilk (Wilkenson Center) and he and his wife were holding hands and simply walking down the hall. He is a very tall man, and she petite. But without even seeing their faces, they had an aura around them. I'm not a person who "see's" people's aura's or anything. I could just see their purity or brightness. It was almost as if they glowed. It was really really neat to see.
So have you had any encounters with the apostles and prophets?
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In High School I had the opportunity to sing with my Madrigal group at the Church Administration Building. We sang in the lobby area, and saw Pres. Hinckley who came out of his office just to hear us sing. We also saw Pres. Monson and Elder Wirthlin, who came up in the elevator dancing to our music. There may have been a few others, but I don't remember who.
ReplyDeleteI loved my experiences on my mission. Of course the opportunities in the MTC. But more when we met with them as missionaries in Chile. That is when E Bednar and E Perry became my favorites.
ReplyDeleteIn 2003 I was at Sizzler in Orem and I saw President Monson there. I was with my boyfriend who was getting ready to leave on a mission. I walked up to his booth(I'm not sure who he was with) and started talking to him. I'm sure it was something stupid..but I got to shake his hand.
ReplyDeleteThe best part was that he was wearing tennis shoes with his suit. haha
When I was working for the Church I had the opportunity to be at the ground breaking for the Draper temple. I mis-stepped and nearly fell onto President Faust's lap, later a gust of wind blew my skirt up and I flashed Elder Nelson, and at the end of the event I mis-stepped again and was caught by Elder Bateman. Needless to say it was an exciting afternoon.
ReplyDeleteAt BYU a few years ago, my sister and I attended the devotional that Pres. Hinckley spoke at. We were sitting in the closest seat next to the aisle that they walk through at the end. of the devotional... He looked and waved at us. We were so excited!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was 6, my Grandpa was called to be Stake President and he was set apart by Elder Nelson. He shook my hand and said, "It's nice to meet you, Carolyne." I remember being so tickled.
Hannah, I found your blog as I was reading blogs that posted about Stephanie Nielson (Nie Nie)...I saw yours and I wanted to post in it. I hope that's ok. Recently, I found her blog, and I was searching for a way to donate, and I stumbled upon yours.
ReplyDeleteAbout a year ago I constantly was running into apostles at events. I saw Elder Nelson two times at the symphony and Elder Oaks once there. I got a drink from the drinking fountain right after him. Then we sat in the same section as President Monson at a Jazz game. Once I shook President Monson's hand in the tunnel under the Administration building during youth conference (that was amazing)! And President Monson and my mom have a mutual friend, so my mom has multiple letters from President Monson through the years. Cool blog, by the way. I've learned a lot about you...
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