4th Floor Last Door

Faith comes to the humble, the diligent, the enduring.

It comes to those who pay the price of faithfulness.

This truth is illustrated in the experience of two young missionaries serving in Europe, in an area where there were few convert baptisms. 
I suppose it would have been understandable for them to think that what they did wouldn't make much of a difference. 

But these two missionaries had faith, and they were committed. They had the attitude that if no one listened to their message, it would not be because they had not given their best effort. 

One day they had the feeling to approach the residents of a well-kept four-story apartment building. 
They started on the first floor and knocked on each door, presenting their saving message of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of His Church. 

No one on the first floor would listen to them.

How easy it would have been to say, "We tried. Let's stop right here. Let's go and try another building."

But these two missionaries had faith and they were willing to work, and so they knocked on every door on the second floor. 

Again, no one would listen. 

The third floor was the same.
And so was the fourth--that is, until they knocked on the last door of the fourth floor.

When that door opened, a young girl smiled at them and asked them to wait while she spoke with her mother. 

Her mother was only 36 years old, had recently lost her husband, and was in no mood to talk with Mormon missionaries. 
So she told her daughter to send them away.

But the daughter pleaded with her.
These young men were so nice, she said.
And it would take only a few minutes.

So, reluctantly, the mother agreed.
The missionaries delivered their message and handed a book to the mother to read--the Book of Mormon. 

After they left, the mother decided she would read at least a few pages.

She finished the entire book within a few days. 

Not long after, this wonderful single-parent family entered the waters of baptism. 

When the small family attended their local branch in Frankfurt, Germany, a young deacon noticed the beauty of one of the daughters and thought to himself, "These missionaries are doing a great job!"

That young deacon's name was Dieter Uchtdorf. 
And the charming young woman--the one who had pleaded with her mother to listen to the missionaries--has the beautiful name of Harriet.
She is loved by all who meet her as she accompanies me in my travels.
She has blessed the lives of many people through her love for the gospel and her sparkling personality.
She truly is the sunshine of my life. 

How often have I lifted my heart in gratitude for the two missionaries who did not stop at the first floor! How often my heart reaches out in appreciation for their faith and work. 
How often have I given thanks that they kept going--even to the fourth floor, last door. 

-Dieter F. Uchtdorf -Fourth Floor, Last Door -October 2016 General Conference

Until you next read these words;
I'll be watching the leaves.
Enjoy the day!

-Sarnic Dirchi