Editor’s note:
As I wrote a recent post on what Mormons Believe, I was moved to tears to remember a post from our archives about one Mormon woman’s personal experience with the loving, ministering nature of the prophet and president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In our family, we also have such a story — of President Monson spending extra time in the hospital (in spite of his schedule-keeper trying to nudge him onward) with my husband’s dying grandfather. I know not every person will have this kinds of opportunities, but I think stories like this give us glimpses of the ministering love of the Savior, Jesus Christ. I’m reposting Becky’s experience below. ~Michelle
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Meeting the Prophet on the Road to Gila Valley
~by Becky
Seeing the prophet’s jet heading towards the Safford airport caused great excitement! It’s the little white line at the top of the mountain. We had made signs to welcome the prophet and got construction barricades for the signs to be put on. We heard the news that the prophet would be landing around 2:00 so we decided to wait at the end of my in-laws drive way so we could wave to him as he drove by. We had no idea that we were in for the treat of a lifetime!
Here comes his slew of cars….
The prophet instructed his driver to pull over. It almost caused the cars behind his to rear end each other.
You can imagine our AWE when the cars pulled over. I had been told to take lots of good pictures so I ran closer thinking they might get out and wave to us then get back in their cars.
Imagine my excitement seeing the prophet walking towards us. He was telling us to stay there and he would come to us, he didn’t want us in the road.
By great chance I happened to be the first person to greet President Monson. I shook his hand and gave him a gentle hug. I told him how happy we were to meet him. He said, “It’s good to be here and this looks like a good looking group!”
As he walked away from me towards the group of friends and family it was an amazing moment for me. I got the chills…the good kind, and I started to get emotional while trying to take in what was happening. I have always had a testimony that President Monson is a true prophet of God. But what a testimony building experience it was to have the Spirit testify to me while shaking the prophet’s hand that This Is The Lord’s Prophet On The Earth Today! I felt the Spirit so strong as I watched him walk towards the children and crowd. I am not normally a emotional person, but I got choked up and had tears of joy. I will forever be grateful for this experience.
The prophet took K’s hat and tried it on.
I have tried several times to help my kids understand what a rare and amazing opportunity they had to meet the prophet, Thomas S. Monson, and two apostles, President Henry B. Eyring [also currently a member of the First Presidency] and Elder Jeffery R. Holland. They also got to see a member of the Seventy, Elder William R. Walker. They not only had the chance to shake their hands they spoke like we were old friends. They asked the kids questions and listen to their responses.
In this picture the prophet took K by the face and told him and all the other kids right there to watch his ears. He proceeded to wiggle his ears! It was the cutest thing! The kids got quite a kick out of that. I was glad my children got to be right there to see that. It was amazing to personally witness his profound love for the children. The prophet and General Authorities were all so genuine and personable.
All the boys giving the prophet a hug.
This would be L hugging or better yet attached to the prophets leg. He told the prophet, “I Love You!” I was afraid L was going to knock the prophet over.
L, being four, was oh so confused about the prophet getting here. He asked, “Mom the prophet came here in a airplane right from heaven?” He then asked me, “Did he bring Jesus with him?”
The prophet shaking K’s hand. And yes that is L attached to the prophets leg.
All my kids individually had opportunities to hug, shake hands, smile, laugh and enjoy the presence of the prophet.
Here are the children talking to Elder Jeffery R. Holland.
I love L looking up to him. I have to say Elder Holland and Elder Eyring would be at the top of my most favored apostles, even before this experience I mean, and of course now after getting to meet them.
Henry B. Eyring is my absolute favorite church speaker. I have never heard a talk of his that didn’t touch me, regardless of the topic. He is so genuine and sincere.
What an experience to not just meet but actually visit with an apostle of Jesus Christ.
I just couldn’t take enough pictures to capture the intense feeling of joy, excitement and love that we felt.
The prophet laughing and sharing.
The prophet has a instantly great sense of humor. He is so quick witted!
I can’t fully express the experience to do it justice. To say it was a treat, a thrill, a treasure, exciting , amazing…would be a huge understatement.
As President Monson was leaving the crowd we sang, “We Thank Thee Oh God for a Prophet.” The prophet joined in with the singing. I got the chills again while our group, probably 40 people or so, were singing with the prophet.
We got to follow up this treasured experience by attending the GilaValley Temple Cultural Celebration.
A Day To Remember… Forever!
This is such a great story with awesome pictures. I once received a telephone call from President Hinckley about my daughter who was serving in Aruba. He just called to tell me she was happy and doing well. Often when he or his wife met with small groups of missionaries they would call the parents up and talk with them about their Missionaries.
I was on cloud nine that day and I felt so blessed. It made a great journal entry.
Blessings!