Momita Peg leg

The Lord manifests His miracles when you cast out all fear and work diligently with all your heart, might, mind and strength.

One of the most meaningful experiences of my mission occurred in November 1997, in the sector of La Legua in the zone of Republica. The majority of my two months in Republica was spent in La Legua, a ghetto of numerous people, daily crime and poverty.

Elder Joshua Bigelow and I had been working with a part-member family around this time that we adored. We were in the process of teaching the non-members while reactivating the members. We always looked forward to the visits and loved these good people. Success was taking place and the family was happy, but there was one person who kept stiff-arming us in every visit - the grandmother. Here was a sweet woman who loved her family and listened intently to our discussions, but for some stubborn reason, refused to commit to baptism.

Over a period of several weeks, we visited the family until we had baptized everyone but Momita, as we called her. Our frustration was mounting and it was almost time to move on. Elder Bigelow was especially vexed because he had never lost someone in the "gran lucha," a last resort effort to help the investigators realize they had felt the spirit and what it was telling them to do. Bigelow was a master of the lucha, except of course when it came to Momita.

Our sector was quite a distance from where we lived and as the hour grew late one night, we were tempted to go in early. We had worked a full day by many standards, our feet were sore and our clothes were smelly. We were justified in calling it a night, and that was my vote. But Elder Bigelow wasn't ready to turn in. He challenged my missionary manhood and said, "Let's go try one more time with Momita." I protested at first thinking of a comfortable bed, then relented, despite my aching size-13 feet.

It was almost midnight when we arrived and being early summer, everyone was still up and about. We visited and soon focused our attention on Momita. As he had before many times, Bigelow started down that familiar line of questioning, but we were getting no where fast. For the first time I really asked myself, "What is keeping this woman from getting baptized?" That's when the spirit taught me a lesson.

At that moment I saw something I had never noticed before. Momita only had one leg and got around with the help of a 2x4 stump piece of wood. Simultaneously in my mind and heart I felt the spirit whisper to me this was what was holding her back. And then a third confirmation came as I noticed Momita's daughter across the room was mouthing something to me and pointing at her foot.

Excitedly I interrupted Bigelow and asked Momita if the one thing holding her back was her prosthetic leg. She was absolutely shocked, but responded it was so. She could not fathom how it would be possible. Then she asked how I knew. As I testified that Heavenly Father loved her and wanted her to follow His example, the spirit filled the room. The invitation for baptism was extended, and finally, gratefully, accepted.

I was transferred in the days leading up to the baptism of Momita, but received permission to return, as Momita insisted she wouldn't get in the water unless I was there. On Nov. 23, 1997, Elder Bigelow and I helped her into the font. With us both supporting her in the warm water, the family shed tears as she was baptized.

I am grateful beyond all measure that we didn't go in early that night. I am grateful Bigelow challenged my missionary manhood, otherwise I would have missed out on one of the most marvelous experiences of my mission. Momita might not have been baptized, because later she told me I was the only one she would have let baptize her. This experience taught me that miracles happen, that the Lord's grace is sufficient for us after all that we can do. I also realized the Lord has prepared certain people out there just for us to connect with and help through the mists of darkness to the Iron Rod. If we are not living up to gospel standards, those opportunities will be missed and we will be held accountable for them later. May we always stand ready, despite the fatigue of life, and not miss those special experiences, is my testimony. Amen.

Ninja Turtles

The Ninja Turtle account, as I remember it, is as follows:

In the month of July 1997 the Republica Zone was starting to come into its own. The previous month Republica was the only zone where every companionship had ten baptisms and we wanted to make sure we did at least that every month. By the end of the last week of July Avenida Matta had 7, Parque O'Higgins 5, Republica 9, and Yarur 5. There were a total of fourteen baptisms needed for all of us to have ten each and we felt the Lord wanted us to work towards that goal.

Avenida Matta, Republica, and Yarur were able to secure their part by Sunday afternoon and there was only Parque O'Higgins left. Parque O'Higgins was three short. Hma. Suarez and Hma. Monzon were companions in this ward and were full of faith. I had served with Hma. Suarez in a previous zone and had always been impressed with her light and unwavering faith.

Close to sunset on Sunday the 30th, we gathered as a zone to discuss any potential baptisms there might be for Hma. Suarez. We soon realized that there were no immediate possibilities in Hma. Suarez's teaching pool. Hma. Suarez pulled me aside and told me that she felt it was very important that she continue looking for those the Lord had prepared for her as she felt impressed that they were waiting to be found. We knelt down as a zone and prayed that we might be guided by the Spirit to find those who had been prepared to enter in the waters of baptism.

We then quickly left to the streets walking together towards Av. Libertador Bernando O'Higgins. Once closer to more people walking in the streets, we broke up speaking to any one we felt like speaking to. I had a distinct feeling to start walking across the east bound side of the street to the large median. Once on the median, I began walking west bound for no more than twenty yards when I noticed a large metal door opening into the ground underneath the park that was the median of the Avenue. I thought I heard voices down in the hole and was very confused as to what was going on. I called down into the opening when three faces showed themselves and asked if there was any thing they could do. I told them that we had been looking for someone to teach to about Jesus and they immediately invited us to go down.

I recall there being a ladder that allowed us to lower ourselves into the opening and when we realized that it was not a large space, only three of us went down while the other five of the zone waited in the park. The three people lighted a lantern and we could see that they were living there. They told us that is was the storage for equipment to maintain the park. They had recently came from the south and had no where to live and had discovered the opening a few weeks before. We introduced ourselves and they immediately knew who we were. They said that they had met with and received discussions from missionaries where they were living in the south. We told them of the church that was nearby and told them that they were invited any time to come and see it. I asked if they felt like walking with us to the church so that we could show it to them and teach them in better light. They agreed and climbed out of the ground opening and proceeded to walk with us to the church.

On our way back I remember looking at Suarez as she just gave me that familiar smile of confidence that she was doing what she had been called to do. When we arrived at the church, we gave them a tour and saw that there were a number of meetings going on. We found a room that was not being used and continued on with our teaching. We soon realized that they were very familiar with The Book of Mormon, the story of Joseph Smith, and Word of Wisdom. They also told us that they had gone to church several times and probably would have joined if it wasn't for the difficult situation they were in.

While teaching, my bishop popped his head in the door and asked to speak to me. I went into the hallway as he asked me who these people were and where they were from. I quickly told him the story and he asked if he could speak to the head of the household by himself. The bishop pulled him in his office to introduce himself and wanted to talk to him about the importance of tithing. The bishop came out of his office and asked me if I thought it would be a good idea to baptize the family now. I of course was praying for that but wanted to let things happen as the Lord wanted. We spoke to the family and told them that since the bishop and various other church leaders were at the church, we could have a baptismal service for them right away.

They didn't hesitate for a second! We interviewed them and found them worthy to be baptized. They changed into white clothing we had at the church and had a beautiful service where almost every axillary attended the baptism! The service was beautiful and one of the most organized and spiritual meetings I had ever had on my mission.

After the baptism and receiving the Holy Ghost, our little family asked to pay their tithing before they left to their hole in the ground. I found them an envelope and slip and showed them how to fill it out. Our bishop thanked them for being so faithful and they continued to come to church every Sunday until they moved.

Hma. Suarez and the entire zone of Republica saw that the Lord does want his servants to accomplish what they commit to do. We learned that the Lord will provide a way to find what He has required if we are humble enough to listen to His guidance.

Every one got their ten that month but that wasn't the point....was it?