Tuesday morning the sister missionaries attended a Zone Conference and so Donna and I and one other senior couple manned the Visitors' Center. We hosted an interesting gamit of guests:
A couple from Czechoslovakia. They seemed very interested in everything, including modern propets, the purpose of life, temples, etc. When I asked if they believed that Jesus is the Christ they were reluctant to say yes. I thought they would agree to have missionaries, but no luck.
A Catholic couple from Minnesota. I was in the "prophet's corner" with two young LDS men and we were listening to the testimony of President Uchtdorf. The Catholic husband slipped in a sat down and listened. Afterwards he asked "Who is that man?" This led to a discussion of prophets in our day who receive inspiration and direction from God. He asked "Is the Prophet still living?" We talked about all kinds of good stuff, the Book of Mormon, Temples, etc. Then he and his wife listened to "God's Plan for Families." Once again they were close to saying yes to learning more, but not close enough.
There were the two young LDS guys. One attending BYUH and his friend from California who had spent the past month surfing. They were fun to be with and I felt the VC was a positive influence for both of them.
My last group was four senior adults touring the Island. They were not members but wonderful folks who appreciated our message and the good the church does around the world. I shared with them our experience a couple of years ago meeting a girl from Mongolia who was attending BYUH after joining the church in Mongolia as a result of being taught English by the missionaries. She later accepted a mission call and served in SLC on Temple Square. She was about to graduate with a degree in accounting and would be returning to Mongolia to build up and strengthen her Country and the Church.
An LDS couple from Australia walked in and enjoyed every minute in the VC. They seemed to soak it up and I felt they left with reinforced testimonies and an increased appreciation for the Church. We were also surprised by a visit from Louie and Johanna Wolfgramm, good friends from Kona Hawaii. Louie had just been released as a bishop on Kaui and they were on their way moving to Pleasant Grove, Utah to help a son raise a couple of grandchildren.
The Visitors' Center is an incredible teaching tool and all who come with open hearts and minds can leave strengthened by the experience with resolves to do better and be better.
During the evening we served at the PCC. I was helping at the Aloha Luau when a group of five LDS FM guys arrived. One said to me, "Were you the stake president of the Escondido Stake?" I answered affirmatively and asked who he was. He said he was the son of Dan Clark who had served twice as a bishop in Poway. In the early 70's Dan's son must have been a young teen ager. Pretty good memory.
All in all, a mighty fine day, spiced with calls from Linda, Jennifer and Dave.