A
year ago I was in Moreno Valley in the Lasselle Ward, and Oscar had just gotten baptized. When I came into the ward, one of
the first people that Elder McConkie told me about was Oscar. He had
been struggling with Oscar. Oscar wanted to meet with us but all he
would do is Bash with us. I remembered Chapter 5 in Preach My Gospel
where it talks about how the only thing that any objector has to
overcome is whether or not the Book of Mormon is true. We determined
that with Oscar we would teach about the Book of Mormon, and focus only
on that and him getting the answer that it was true. We went over
everyday for a week straight and read from the Book of Mormon. Oscar was
still Monotone and Sarcastic as ever, but his heart was beginning to
soften. At the end of that week we shared with him Jeffrey R. Holland's
talk "Safety for the Soul" and at the end of it Oscar said that he felt
something. Then he realized that the something that he felt was the
Spirit, and he prayed and thanked God for the answer that he had
received. Then Oscar chose to act, he was baptized a week and a half
later. Monotone, Sarcastic, Basher Oscar was baptized. That was a year
ago. A couple weeks ago Elder McConkie and I both got calls from Oscar
saying that he was going through the temple and was going to be Married
in the Temple to his fiance. Elder McConkie and I were both ecstatic and
we received permission to attend the sealing. It was truly amazing to
sit in the sealing room with someone who has become one of my dearest
friends, and watch someone who we have both come to love very dearly be
sealed to his fiance for time and all eternity. Often times people say
that one convert can bring thousands more. As I pondered about what was
said about the mirrors, I realized that that was absolutely true, and it
was as if I heard a voice say "Behold, the fruit of thy Labors." That
day for me was one of the sweetest moments of not only my mission, but
of my life. Because we did not give up on Oscar, countless people will
be blessed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I can't help but feel like
Ammon, When he and his brothers were reflecting upon their mission to
the Lamanites. Do we not have great reason to rejoice?
I hope that everyone is doing well,
I Love all of you,
Elder Bangerter
PS- Here are pictures of Oscar a year ago and now
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