A Missionary's Memory

Recently, Sister Berrett (that is how we know her here in the mission) asked one of our returned missionaries for a recollection of his service. Here is his response, with only minor editing:

You asked for some memories of my time in India and I will endeavor to share with you my feelings of that wonderful place.

I remember getting to India expecting the worst, and I was so excited about it. I was expecting it to be sweltering hot, that we would be living in stick huts with dirt floors with no plumbing or electricity. I thought that I wouldn't understand a word anyone spoke. I had no idea of whether or not the people would accept the gospel there or not.

As I arrived and made it through the next few months my expectations were all blown out of the water. I was amazed by the people there and the love of the members.

One memory I feel like I should share with you is how I met one good friend named K___. When I was being transferred from Madinaguda to White Field Branch we had to take a bus from Madinaguda to [near the] Ganesh Temple then another bus to the Registration office where I would transfer my registration to Bangalore. The bus ride toward Ganesh Temple was an hour long ride in a bus that was very much crowded. After maybe 15 minutes I was fortunate enough to secure a seat next to a man who was very interested in what was outside his window. I felt prompted to speak to this man but wasn't sure how to go about it.

As I was pondering how to start a conversation, the man turned to me and asked me "Why are you here?"

I replied, "I'm a missionary here. I help families to be strong and learn about Jesus Christ."

This sparked our conversation and we spoke up to the last second that I was on the bus. I learned this man's name was K___, and he worked in medical coding. He said that he was Hindu but he had a strong belief in Jesus Christ. As it turns out he had not always been so keen on Christianity but he suffered a terrible motorcycle accident. As a result of the accident he was in a coma with multiple organ failure. The miracle, as brother K___ put it, was that his Christian friends reached out in their churches to pray and fast for him to recover. Brother K___ came out of his coma and soon made a complete recovery shocking all of doctors. After recovering and learning of what his friends had done for him, he started to attend meetings and read the Bible. He found a young woman that he married. As he and his wife tried to find the right church they were confused and ultimately decided they should not follow any church. They realized the differences in the doctrine and practices.

As Bro. K___ opened up to me and asked me questions, the principles contained in "The Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ" flowed naturally out of me as if they weren't even my words. I could see the understanding in the eyes of Bro. K___, I knew he was feeling the spirit, and wanted to know more.

In the last few minutes of the bus ride, I told Bro. K___ about Joseph Smith's first vision and the Book of Mormon. I promised him that the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ was once again on this earth. I promised him that if he would pray and ask Heavenly Father, he would know just as I know. I told him that when he knew that this was true, he would desire to follow it. I told him that the way to follow it would be by being baptized by someone holding proper priesthood authority. He accepted! The next minute I was on the sidewalk wondering how all that had happened. I asked my companion if he had overheard the conversation. He said "I think the whole bus heard the lesson."

I have never ever seen Brother K___ again but the rest of the story has been told to me by my companion. The next day, after my encounter with Bro. K___, I flew to Bangalore. After some difficulty with the phone number and appointments to meet Bro. K___, the elders in that area were able to meet him. The elders taught him and his wife the Restoration and at the end asked him if he would be baptized. Brother K___ replied that he would indeed be baptized because he had prayed about the Book of Mormon and knew it to be true. He asked the elders to help his wife to know about the Gospel.
Last time I heard, Bro. K___ had received the Aaronic Priesthood and was preparing for the Melchizedek Priesthood. He was a councilor in the Sunday School Presidency. His wife, who they thought could not bear children, was two months pregnant.

I feel my testimony strengthened for having been a small part of this man's path to Heavenly Father. I know that this is the fullness of the Gospel. I have many many memories like this. It was a privilege to serve in the Greatest Mission in the World. I can't wait to come back to visit the people there. 

 We are grateful to work with missionaries who are having experiences such as this. Heavenly Father's children in India are being gathered. We love it.

Wilpathu National Park - Sri Lanka

Recently we were in Sri Lanka for their District Conference. On the Friday before the conference, we joined the three senior couples who are serving in that wonderful country in making a visit to the Wilpathu National Park. This park is located north of Colombo. It took us about four hours to drive there. Because of our schedule, we were there during the middle of the day, which is not the best time for observing wildlife. Nonetheless, we were able to see a number of animals and birds. We hope you enjoy the pictures almost as much as we enjoyed seeing the creatures in real life:

Home along the road into the Park

The open air vehicles in which we spent about 3.5 hours in the Park

One of the shallow lakes

Water lilies

Can you see the wild deer in the shadows?

What about now?

Monkey enjoying the afternoon shade

Hawk

Wild buffalo

Peacock

Elephant eating lake grass

Wild elephant

Wild elephant

Hindu Wedding

Early (4:00 am) one morning last week, Sister Berrett and I departed from the mission home to travel to Patcher, a village in the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu. We were off to attend the wedding of the niece of our driver, Sampath. The bride was raised in the home of Sampath and his wife, even though her parents are living, so she is like their daughter. The wedding was to begin at 6:00 am. Most Hindu weddings occur early in the morning. In fact, we recently were told that the historical tradition was that weddings occurred at 1:00 or 2:00 in the morning. Only within the past 10 or 15 years has the custom shifted to 6:00 am.

When we arrived in Patcher at about 6:15 in the morning, the festivities already were underway. We were greeted by a large banner, identifying the bride and groom and welcoming us to the event.

Welcoming sign announcing the wedding

The wedding hall was filled with people. Later we were advised that almost all of the residents of the native village of the bride and groom were in attendance.

A portion of those attending the wedding

When we arrived, the groom was being "prepared" for the wedding. We did not understand all of the ritual, but noticed that shortly thereafter, the same rituals were repeated for the bride.

After the groom was prepared, he left the hall and the bride entered.

The bride entering the marriage hall

The bride sat on a small stool in the same place where the groom had been seated. Incense was burned. She was encircled in string, with four small water pots forming a square around her. Even though we did not understand what was happening, we sensed that the bride was very comfortable with her preparation and with the wedding.

Prepared to meet the groom

When the bride's preparations were completed, the groom was escorted by his family back to the marriage hall. The procession was accompanied by traditional Hindu music, played fairly loud.

The groom and his family return to greet the bride

Bride and groom then were seated on the dais or stage in front of the guests. Two Hindu priests or holy men officiated in the ceremonies. Words were spoken - which we could not hear and could not have understood even if we could have heard them. The ceremony included the groom placing a traditional marriage necklace on the bride.

Exchanging vows

After the exchange of vow, there is a ritual meal. Here the bride and groom share coconut milk.

"Blessing" of coconut milk

After the bride and groom's meal, the guests were invited to breakfast. Breakfast was "veg" as opposed to "non-veg". Meals were served on long, concrete tables. You can see below that instead of plates, food is served on a banana leaf. All food is consumed with the right hand. Breakfast was two kinds of sweets, a chapati (like a pancake), idly (a patty made from rice flour and other grains), sambar (a spicy lentil based stew served over the idly), one or two kinds of curry, some spicy rice, and a banana.

Some of the wedding guests enjoying breakfast

All of the guests at a table were served at the same time. The caterer crew unrolled the paper table cloth, then in rapid order laid down banana leaves, passed out water so each guest could splash a little water to clean the leaf, and distributed the food by scooping it from large pots onto each banana leaf. Every person at the table was served in about five minutes.

Interestingly, men and women do not sit together for meals. Please notice in the picture below the wonderful colors of the women's saris.

Women and children enjoying breakfast

At the wedding, we made some new friends. This young man shows typical large Indian eyes. We think the children are so beautiful.

Sister Berrett spent some time speaking with this couple, while I was off taking pictures.

We end with a picture of one of the friends or family of the bride. Notice the beautiful sari, and the gold ornaments in her hair. First, see the gold chain from her earrings to her hair, and then notice the gold pieces down her braided hair, ending in the gold ties at the end.

 

I think we were the only non-Indians in attendance. We were warmly welcomed and found the people very friendly. We enjoyed a most interesting morning.

"Save it be one Soul. . . ."

In Section 18 of the Doctrine and Covenants, we read:

"And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!" (D&C 18:15)

Almost 44 years ago, I began serving as a young missionary in the California Central Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While serving in Merced, California (my last area) , we were introduced to a young man named Kevin Hill, who wanted to learn more about our Church. As a first year student at a local college in Merced, Kevin made friends with a young woman who was a new Church member. My companion (Elder Kenneth Cogdell) and I were able to teach Kevin the Gospel. He was baptized, and almost immediately thereafter left California to attend the United States Air Force Academy. I saw Kevin at Thanksgiving of 1972, after I had returned home, and then lost contact for more than 35 years.

A couple of years ago through Kevin's efforts, we again made contact. Today, I received notice via Facebook of the following post by Kevin:

"42 years ago today I joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and it was one of the best decisions of my life. David Berrett was one of the Missionaries that baptized me. As I have continued to read the Bible, old and new testaments, the Book of Mormon and other books and scriptures it amazes me how all the parts fit together. I have loved serving in the Church in various callings and I have been so blessed in so many ways. I would not trade any of our 9 kids or 10 (1/2) Grandkids and the blessings that they give me. I have had more joy, happiness and hope than I ever had before. I am also thankful the young lady, Linda Thornhill, that introduced me to the Church and wish her well."

Now, "the rest of the story."

While it might be possible to consider Kevin "just one" person whom I had the privilege to teach and see baptized, this would be an error. About a year ago, I asked him about the consequences of his baptism. You can see from the quote above, he and his wife have 9 children and 10 (and counting) grandchildren. That makes 20 Church members from his baptism. (I am assuming that his wife already was a Church member, so we do not count her.) One son served a mission, working with at least 44 people who were baptized. Another son worked with more than 23 people who joined the Church. One of their daughters worked with 5 people who were baptized. And, at the time Kevin gave me these statistics, he and his wife still had two sons planning to serve missions. By Kevin's count, that is 92 people who are know to have come to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from "only one." Undoubtedly there are more, as Kevin served for a time as a ward mission leader and has done his best to be a member missionary.

Now, as I and my companion of 40 years serve another mission, we remind our missionaries of the consequences of each person who is baptized. One person who joins the Church is never just one. I think this is what "establishing the Church" looks like. I am grateful for Kevin and for his constant persistence in developing and maintaining his testimony. I am grateful for having been of some small benefit in helping start this wonderful miracle.

Working for Miracles

We have been inviting our missionaries to induce miracles by improving their obedience and being cleansed every whit from sin. Recently I received a letter from one of our obedient missionaries who shared a wonderful experience:

"We met one brother whose name is Srinivash by ITL ["Inviting to Learn"]. We did a follow up with him and fixed an appointment with him for last Sunday. We went and visited him. He told us that he is waiting for us from three days onward. He said 'I'm from Hindu background but I gave commitment to Jesus Christ that I will follow him. I waited for the right time from last year onward. I'm very happy to meet you." He said 'I'm ready for baptism because I believe Jesus Christ.' He told us and we went to his home. Not only he was there but his family - his mother and his brother and his sister in law. He is so good and he went to church before. They all are Hindu background but they believe Jesus Christ. We shared the message with them. They said they like this message. They feel so happy and thanked us for coming to their home. We like to visit again. Also we feel so happy because we met that time 4 investigators with their relative also . We never expected there will be four souls for us to meet. We are happy for this miracle which happened. We will follow up with them."

We are excited that we have the opportunity to help build faith in our missionaries and also to help establish the Lord's Church.

Dedicated Missionaries

Power cuts often occur in some cities in southern India, making evening activities difficult. However, dedicated missionaries find a way to accomplish all things, like their evening planning session so tomorrow can be productive.

Planning by candle light

Easter Testamony

This Easter season, we take the opportunity to affirm our personal testimonies of the reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We are grateful for the fact that our mission gives us the opportunity to join with all of our missionaries in declaring: “He lives.”

We know that the resurrection of Jesus was an essential part of His sacrifice and vicarious suffering on our behalf and on behalf of all of Heavenly Father’s children. We join with the poets in declaring;

I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me

Confused at the grace that so fully He proffers me.

I tremble to know that for me He was crucified,

That for me a sinner he suffered and bled and died.

I marvel that He would descend from his throne divine

To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine,

That He should extend his great love unto such as I,

Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify.

I think of His hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt!

Such mercy, such love and devotion can I forget?

No, no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat,

Until at the glorified throne I kneel at his feet.

Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me

Enough to die for me!

Oh, it is wonderful,

Wonderful to me.

(Hymns, #193)

He is risen! He is risen!

Tell it out with joyful voice.

He has burst his three days’ prison;

Let the whole wide earth rejoice.

Death is conquered; man is free

Christ has won the victory.

Come with high and holy hymning;

Chant our Lord’s triumphant lay.

Not one dark-some cloud is dimming

Yonder glorious morning ray,

Breaking o’er the purple east,

Symbol of our Easter feast.

He is risen! He is risen!

He hath opened heaven’s gate.

We are free from sin’s dark prison,

Risen to a holier state.

And a brighter Easter beam

On our longing eyes shall stream.

(Hymns, 199)

We love this season. We joyfully join with all Christendom in celebrating the hope which comes to all of us because of the atonement and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

We invite all persons to share in this hope and to receive His love and grace.

With love,

The Berretts