Nationals Game: Book of Mormon Blitz

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

 

The Washington DC South and DC North missionaries had the privilege of attending this year's Day to Serve Night at the Park. Our attendance last year gave us the opportunity to put our name badges out there and to talk to people about what we do, which is to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ and SERVE!

This year, our mission initiated a "Book of Mormon Blitz", where we each planned to hand out at least one Book of Mormon either on the way to the stadium or on the way home. Here are the experiences of some of our missionaries:


"When we got on the metro I looked around for an empty seat next to someone I could talk to. I saw this guy who had his hood on and was playing on his phone. I was nervous that he wouldn't talk to me because he looked so closed off. We started talking and told me a lot about himself. He almost died when he was little, he's Christian, wants to be a cop, and wasn't planning on getting on the Metro that night, but he did. I know it is because we were supposed to meet and I told him that. I gave him a Book of Mormon and told him a little about it. He was super excited to read it. I also had him add me as a friend on Facebook so I could answer any questions he had and help him find the missionaries in his area. This morning when I checked my Facebook he had posted that he has decided to become a Latter-day Saint! He is awesome." - Sister Jillynn Christensen

"It was incredible to see so many missionaries at the metro all geared up and ready to talk to the vast amounts of people headed to the game. Looking ahead I could see several missionaries distributing copies of the Book of Mormon, pass along cards, and pamphlets with the new friends they met. We arrived at the first metro stop and people quickly departed off the metro.  The metro cars where left fairly empty since most people were headed to the game but as it pulled away I saw something that left a picture in my mind that will last forever.  The metro was passing and through the window I glanced and saw a girl sitting by herself flipping through her newly given Book of Mormon.  In my mind time froze as I thought about the wonderful opportunity we have as missionaries to make a difference. I don't know what is in her future, neither does the missionary that gave her the book. The one who does know is God and the brief moment she spent with that missionary may have been the start of a new life for her, a happier life, a life with the fullness of gospel. It was incredible for me to step back and think about how the small and simple things make the biggest difference, and often times we will never truly know the impact we make as we fulfill our purpose as representatives of Jesus Christ." - Sister Courtney Lamborn

"So we were riding home and I really wanted to give out the Book of Mormon I had. A lady came on next to where I was standing. I kept thinking I should talk to her, but I didn't know how to start. So I just said, "That's a cool necklace," and BAM! I got to start talking with her. She is from Belgium and works in advertising, and wants to get into international business. I continued to talk with her and got to know her more. She started asking questions about all the missionaries she saw on the metro, so I explained what it is we do and what we taught. Later her friend, whom some other Sisters were talking to, came over and didn't acknowledge me much. But cool thing! She continued to keep me in the conversation! So we got to the last stop where we were all getting off and I asked her if I could give her something. I explained how the Book of Mormon has helped me and changed my life, and that I would love to give it to her. She said sure! Then my companion asked her friend if she wanted one, and she said yes! We were able to give away TWO Books of Mormon!!! It was an amazing experience to feel the spirit guide me as I got to know her." - Sister Cherise Wright

"My companion and I both gave out Books of Mormon on the metro! I was so worried that I wouldn't find anyone to accept my copy while we were riding on our short metro commute to the ball park. I prayed to find someone who I would recognize was prepared to receive the Book of Mormon. The metro was packed and so I was standing close to a girl with head phones in. I complimented her shirt (which was actually her work uniform so she just laughed at me) but we got to talking and she told me that she was going to college and had been living with  her boyfriend since February. We only had two stops but I told her I was in the same phase of life as her and wanted to give her something that had helped me make decisions and receive answers to questions I had. I gave her the Book of Mormon and we had to get off before the doors shut but she was so grateful and looked really touched! God will always provide a way if we show him we are willing to act upon his promptings!" - Sister Hayley Taylor

"Elder Brooksby and myself decided to park and walk around a little before we headed toward the game, so we said a prayer in the car before we got out and asked to be lead to those who our last two copies of the Book of Mormon were for. After our prayer we got out and started walking and not even 45 seconds from the time we left the car, this man pulled up to us and started talking to us about the Koran and how we needed to read it and how it would bless our lives. After he was done we started to talk to him about our beliefs and how we know that the Book of Mormon is scripture given to us to help come even closer to God than any other book on the earth, he said he would like one so we gave him one and invited him to read it :)" - Elder Andre Gleave
 
''On the way to the game I sat by this woman who was heading to Maryland to be with her boyfriend. We talked and talked about her life and from the conversation we had it was easily directed to the topic of faith. We talked a lot about having Faith in Jesus Christ and read a few verses in the Book of Mormon. She thankfully accepted. The next miracle was on the way home from the Metro. I ended up sitting by this man who loved to talk about religion. He told me that his dad converted to the LDS church a little over a year ago. He was discouraged because he told me that the missionaries were pressuring him to get baptized. We talked a lot about faith and baptism and now he will be more open to meeting with the missionaries. I have contact with both of them so you all will be updated with the miracles!'' - Sister Kelsey Smith
 
''On the way to the Metro, as we were leaving our car we opened the trunk and looked at the Books of Mormon available. My companion put two English copies in her bag, and I put in two as well, but then hesitated as I looked at the box that held the various copies. I pulled out a Simplified Chinese Book of Mormon. "Just in case," I said and placed it in my book bag. On our way home from the game, my companion saw an open seat on the metro next to someone and sat down. This time she was too tired to let fear or second thoughts hesitate her action. "Coming back from the game?" She asked. "No, just finishing up work." He responded. Conversation began and she learned that he was from China. With a small smile, she used what little Chinese she knew and asked him what his name was. He smiled approvingly and responded "Steven." For the next few minutes he taught her how to write a few characters in Chinese which she thoroughly appreciated. With only moments left, I asked if I could share the Book of Mormon with him and testified of how it had blessed my life. He accepted it gratefully and was lost in the crowd of departing people. Tired, we reoriented ourselves and started up an escalator to return home. But what to our surprise our saw Steven! He held the Book of Mormon and asked a question, "What makes this book different from the Bible?" With joy, we told him about it being a record of ancient America, bore our testimonies briefly, and gave him a mormon.org card with our number on it.'' - Sister Melissa Butts