Salt Leaven and Light

It was a normal question. What caught me off guard was her response.

“Any big plans this weekend?” The cashier asked me, as she scanned each item in my cart.

“Well,” I replied, after a few moments of thought, “I’ll be going to church on Sunday, and I always look forward to that.”

“Same here. Which church do you attend?” she asked.

“The Church of Jesus Christ. And you?” I asked, genuinely interested.

She smiled. “The same–The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

I returned her smile and told her this week was Ward Conference, which I was really looking forward to. She told me this week was their stake temple day, and that her husband suggested they go.

She continued, “My husband is a convert. He’s had to work really hard to learn how to have healthy relationships, as his mom only spoke to him in swear words. He did not know how to love, or be loved. He chose to learn. He used to get really frustrated with me, because that’s how he was raised, but it’s now been over a year since he said his last swear word. Soon after learning how to create healthy relationships, he expressed interest in learning about the church, and was later baptized. Soon after that, he said to me, ‘I want our family to be sealed in the temple,’ and he did the spiritual work necessary to make that happen.”

“It’s so nice when they take the initiative, right?” I said, her excitement rubbing off on me.

“Yes!” she replied with a smile. Turning sideways to show me her profile, she continued, “And now I’m pregnant with our first baby–a girl– and my husband is wondering what he can do to be the best dad ever.”

With my groceries now bagged and paid for, I wished her all the best, and walked towards my car, feeling grateful for the chance to hear such a wonderful success story.

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“Only you can change your life, no one else can do it for you.” Damien Thomas

“Each one of us has been given the power to change his or her life. As part of the Lord’s great plan of happiness, we have individual agency to make decisions. We can decide to do better and to be better.” James E. Faust

“I promise you, in the name of the Lord, that He will help you. He will be there in every time of need. He gave His life so that you can change your life. I promise you, that you’ll feel His love, strength, and support. Trust Him completely. He is not going to make any mistakes. He knows what He is doing. Please, decide now to change your life. Be obedient to His teachings, and He will bless you.” Elder Richard G. Scott