Another story at the front of the MTC journal

On December 23rd, a bishop stood and related the following story:

I used to be in a Nazi concentration camp. On December 23rd, the Nazi soldiers lined us all up and counted out every fifth person. They announced that because rations were scarce, they were going to shoot every fifth person on the morrow. I was a "fifth person."

That night a fellow prisoner came up to me and asked if I had ever heard of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I replied that I had not. He said, "If you ever get out of this place, will you look it up?"

I answered matter-of-factly that I was not going to ever get out, as I was to be shot the following day. He explained that he is a member of the Church and therefore more prepared to be killed and that he would take my place if I would promise to look up the Church should I ever get out alive.

I said, "You don't have to do that."

He said, "No, I don't, but I am going to and all I ask is that you look up the Church."

The next morning, I woke up thinking it had been a dream. But as the Nazi soldiers counted out every fifth person and go to me, this man stepped in and said he was going for me. They didn't ask any questions, just grabbed him and continued down the line.

Three and a half months later, I was released and just a few months after that, I found the gospel and was then better able to understand how this man could make such a sacrifice.

But he died quickly, a shot in the head.

I don't mean to belittle what he did for me, because it means more than you could know. However, when compared to the suffering of the Savior, well, it doesn't even compare.

When I was endowed, I saw this man in the temple, and have seen him only one other time -- when I was sealed to my wife. I don't even know his name. He saved my physical life, but he also introduced me to one who saves my spirit, even Jesus Christ, my redeemer.

Over these holidays, may we come to recognize and better understand the ultimate sacrifice, the atonement, and be willing to incorporate it into our lives, even to the point that my unnamed friend did.

(I don't know where I heard this story or if it can be corroborated. If it is just a parable, it's beautiful -- and if it's fully true, WOW!)

The Holy Grail

PREFACE: The journal that I used in the Missionary Training Center was actually written in previously -- only a few pages at the beginning. I suppose I just didn't want to waste it, though I'm not sure why I felt I needed a different journal for the MTC than the rest of my mission. It all made sense at the time, which is why I did it.

So, the first two entries here are from December of 1996, about six months before I entered the MTC, and a couple of months before I even received the personal revelation that a full-time mission was, indeed, in my future. I include them here (one at a time, so the next will be another post).

The Holy Grail -- as told by Hartman Rector, Jr. at the Provo Temple Christmas Dinner, December 2, 1996

A young man in the middle ages was knighted and he set out on a journey to find the Holy Grail. He was handsome and strong and armored and ready to accomplish his goal.

As he left the city, mounted upon a mighty steed, he came across a beggar in the outskirts of town, who was afflicted with leprosy. He flipped a gold coin to the beggar and went on his way.

The coin was of no value to the leper, for no one would touch an infected item, not even a gold coin.

The knight journeyed long and far and met with many trials. He continued on his search, through many years of a variety of experiences. Finally he decided to return home, not fulfilling his goal but too tired and worn to go on. His frail body, in rags, his horse long ago lost or stolen, his mind exhausted, he walked back to his city and found that same beggar in the outskirts.

This time, he did not have a gold coin to send his way, but merely a few last crusts of bread and a bowl that he dipped in the nearby stream, filled with water, and offered to the beggar. The leper accepted and as he drank, the cup transformed into the Holy Grail, and the beggar changed into the Savior, Jesus Christ.

10 gifts every missionary should take home

President Hinckley's list of 10 gifts every Missionary should take home (taped to the inside of my MTC journal)
 
1 - Knowledge of God and Jesus Christ
2 - Knowledge and love of the scriptures
3 - Increased love for parents
4 - Love for people
5 - Appreciation for hard work
6 - Availability of Inspiration in one's life (see John 14:20)
7 - Importance of Team work
8 - Beauty and value of personal virtues
9 - The Faith to Act
10 - The Humility to Pray