Dear Elder Andersen,
I am writing to thank you for your visit to our Blanding, UT
Stake a few weeks ago. It was wonderful
to hear your testimony and share in the spirit that you brought with you. I wanted to share a story with you that
involves my 5 year old son.
Before your visit we had discussed with a few of our younger
boys (we have five sons, no daughters) about your visit and how we hoped they
would listen and enjoy the message you brought.
We explained to them that you were an apostle of Jesus Christ and this
was a pretty special visit for our area.
We explained to them that when Christ was on the earth he had called 12
apostles to help him teach and administer to the people at that time. Since the restoration of the church there have
been 12 apostles also called to serve with the prophet and as witnesses of
Jesus Christ.
Our five year old, Branten, was a bit curious and eager to
see this “special person”.
When the congregation stood as you entered the chapel
Branten could not see over the people around him and when we again took our
seats he leaned over and stated that he didn’t get to see you. My husband lifted him to see over the heads
of the families seated in front of us.
He was beyond thrilled that you waved to him personally. As you went around the chapel shaking members
hands, he was watching and again received a wave from you as we were in the
center of the bench. Well, I suppose he
then thought that you were fast friends as I discovered the following
week.
The following Sunday as we were getting ready for church
Branten came into me and asked, “When is Jesus’ shepherd going to come?” I asked him what he meant, as the Christmas
season is here and we have also been discussing the birth of Christ. He again asked, “When is Jesus’ shepherd
going to be coming? You know the one
that he called.” I was a little confused
and Branten tried again to explain what he meant. “Mom, you know when Jesus was here and he
called his shepherds.” After I thought
about what he was saying for a minute it dawned on me that he was referring to
you. I asked if he meant an apostle. He answered yes. I reminded him that you had come the previous
week to speak to us in Stake Conference and asked if he remembered you waving
to him. He answered, “Yes, I remember
that but when is he coming to OUR house?”
I suppose that our prepping and your waves indicated a
kinship that he thought would conclude in a personal visit. J
I just wanted to thank you for being a “shepherd” and special witness of our
Savior Jesus Christ and the impression you left with all of my boys (my oldest
also got to meet with you in the mission prep class following stake
conference). Again, I enjoyed your
testimony and hope that my five boys can also become “shepherds” throughout
their lives as they follow the example of their father, grandfathers, apostles,
and the first Presidency.
Sister JoAnna Bethea
