As Christians, we are always ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us. As "mini-missionaries" on tour, we are especially eager to share that message. Sometimes, sharing is as simple as a confident answer to a tourist who wants to know who we are: "We're the American Heritage Youth Chorus, we're Mormons, or members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and we're on tour sharing a message of faith and hope."
And sometimes, when He knows you are prepared, the Lord steers you into greater opportunities. Because James van der Beek came prepared, he was able to give a Book of Mormon to a resident of Washington, D.C. and help her feel the joy of the spirit.
The story, as he would tell us later during morning devotional, is that she was the usher at the theater in Newsies. Full of southern hospitality, she struck up a conversation during intermission, admiring his tie, guessing his age -- sixteen in two days! -- and learning that they share the same birthday. Asking where he was from, she wanted to know more about Utah, saying, "What are you all about there?"
"You mean Mormons?" James said.
"Yes," she said. "What are you Mormons all about?"
James, who attends the Preach My Gospel class in his home ward, was prepared with an answer. He told her that we believe in Christ, that we love Christ, and that we also believe in the Book of Mormon, which testifies powerfully of Christ.
"Do you know where I can get a Book of Mormon?" she asked.
Before he left home, James had accepted a Book of Mormon from his father, promising to give it away on tour. He kept the Book of Mormon in his backpack, and, as events happened, had decided on the walk to the theater to return to his room and pick up his backpack. Which meant he was now able to reach into his bag and present the usher with her very own copy.
Turning to Moroni 10:5, he felt the spirit engulf him as he shared the promise: "And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." He could tell she felt it too as it cocooned them in warmth.
By this time, Kaleb Hansen had joined them, and the two continued as though they were mission companions. They told the story of Joseph Smith's First Vision and offered a prayer, and that, James said, is when the spirit came on the strongest. "She was so ready," he said. "She truly believed in Jesus."
As the lights dimmed to bring up the curtain on Act II, they exchanged phone numbers, and James made a note to follow up two days hence -- on their birthdays.
A better present there never was.
