Meridian Magazine : : Print

The Dream of the Open Door
By Brandon Boey

Editor’s Note: The following missionary story comes from Brent Wimber of Utah, who served his mission in Texas in the mid-1980s. If you have any missionary experiences you would like to share with Meridian readers, please send them to Brandon Boey at missionary@meridianmagazine.com.

We met Robert Smith while knocking on doors in a lower middle-class neighborhood in Midland, Texas (summer of 1985). My companion, Elder Kunz, and I introduced ourselves to Robert as representatives of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and told him we had a special message for him concerning families.

He responded saying that he and his family was Catholic and that he was not sure we could offer any new ideas concerning families. Nevertheless, we introduced the Book of Mormon to him and offered it as a gift from a member of our church. He was curious about the book as he had heard of it before.

We got to know Robert a little. He was African-American and a middle school teacher in Midland, Texas, and very well-educated. He also taught Tai Kwon Do out of his garage at his home to earn extra money. He was in his late 40's, married with one teenage daughter. We didn't meet his family on our first visit. In fact, I only met his wife once, and never saw his daughter. I was impressed with this man but was unsure that we should go back because he stated he already had his religion (which was something many people in the area would say to us).

We copied his address on a card to keep for our records. I thought I would never see that card or address again.

Days later, as we were in the same area knocking on doors, my companion felt compelled to go visit with Robert. We stopped by. To my surprise, he invited us in.

He began asking questions that were similar to others that didn't seem sincere. Why do you have extra-Biblical scriptures? Why did early Mormons practice polygamy? Why do you claim to be the only true church when Catholicism claims direct authority from the Lord?

We did our best to answer the questions. I simply thought it was going to be another waste of time.

We asked Robert if we could come back and talk more. Again, to my surprise, he said yes.

On our next visit, Robert's wife answered the door. She wouldn't let us come in. Robert came out through the garage and invited us in to the garage. He said that his wife wouldn't allow us to talk to him in the house. He apologized and said we could have our meetings in his garage, which really wasn't too bad as it had been set up to teach his Tai Kwon Do students. However, during my whole time in Midland, I never would meet the rest of his family as they did not want us around.

Robert had told us that he had been reading the Book of Mormon a little and was curious about it. We explained its ancient origins and how it was translated by the Prophet Joseph Smith. He was kind and listened intently to everything we had to say. I bore my testimony of its authenticity and reality of being God's dealings with ancient American people. He smiled and asked how I could know that, being so young. I told him that I had found out for myself through following Moroni's promise.

Over the next few weeks, we got a commitment from Robert to come to Church. He said he would come, and he did. That is what I liked about Robert. He was a man of his word.

He was the only African American attending church in this particular ward. I knew that this may be an issue with him. But Robert seemed not to let that bother him. He enjoyed church. He enjoyed the associations. Our ward mission leader took great care in introducing Robert to everyone in the ward and seemed genuinely interested in Robert's welfare.

After about six weeks of teaching Robert and inviting him to read the Book of Mormon, during one of our last visits, we simply told Robert that now was the time for him to decide if what we were telling him was true. We asked him to pray about the Book of Mormon and ask Heavenly Father if he should be baptized. He stated that his family came first and he didn't want to go against their wishes. However, he said he would pray. I knew that he would because he was a man of integrity.

The next day Robert called us! He actually called us at our apartment and told us to come visit him that night. He had something to tell us. We weren't sure what that meant. Was it time for him to tell us not to call or come over anymore? I was somewhat depressed because we weren't having much success in this town. There was a lot of rejection and I figured this was going to be more rejection.

That evening, after we had a heartfelt prayer in Robert's behalf, we hopped on our bikes and began heading for the outskirts of the town towards Robert's neighborhood. As we began our journey (about a 20-minute ride), we could see storm clouds rolling in. If you have ever been to west Texas, you will know that the dust storms are very rough. We kept riding. The storm kept coming closer. We stopped and looked at each other and decided we wouldn't make it to Robert’s house in time. We were about to be hit by the dust storm, and then the rain would follow.

As we looked at each other, something came between us and we stared at each other. The feeling of the Spirit was strong. We both new we had to continue to Robert's house. We both almost simultaneously said that we had to continue.

By the time we arrived at Robert’s house, we were drenched. The thunder and lightning were amazing. Robert was surprised to see us! More importantly, he was happy to see us.

We sat down in his garage with him. He was aglow with excitement! My whole bad attitude was changing due to Robert's demeanor and excitement.

He told us that after reading some of the Book of Mormon the previous night, he decided to pray. That same night, he had a dream. He said it was very vivid and real. He said that in his dream he was walking to our ward chapel building. When he arrived at the church, he went to open the door. Just before he opened the door, a woman of African-American descent opened it for him. The woman told him she was opening the door so that he could prepare the way for others to come in.

The hair on the back of my neck stood up. I was amazed! I had never heard of anything like this in my life. I thought things like this were urban legends of a sort. However, I knew what he was saying was correct, as the Spirit bore witness to me of the truthfulness of this wonderful experience.

Robert said he woke up immediately from the dream knowing what he had to do — be baptized, despite his wife's concern. He said he was so excited that he woke her up to tell her what happened. She was softened by his experience and granted him his wish to be baptized.

For the week before his baptism, we kept in contact with Robert daily, either via phone or in person. We didn't want any opposition coming in the way.

One week later Robert's baptism came. I was hoping his family would show up. They did not. However, seeing Robert dressed in white, smiling and genuinely happy, was enough. My companion baptized Robert that day. I confirmed him — my first time. During the confirmation I was impressed to say that he would prepare the way for others to join the Church. I hoped it would be true.

The ward members were great! They invited Robert in to the Ward with open arms. I knew that they would fellowship him well.

I left that area a few weeks later because of a transfer. I was being moved to Dallas to be a senior companion. I was sad as I wanted to be there to see Robert's growth in the gospel. We had our sad farewells and I moved on.

I didn't stay in touch with Robert through much of my mission. He had moved from Texas to Washington, D.C. for a job change. I did come to find out, though, that Robert had eventually received the priesthood, and subsequently baptized his once reluctant wife and daughter before the move. How happy I was! It made me truly realize that "...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).

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