“Inconveniently True”

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LATTER-DAY SAINT VOICES “Inconveniently True” he New York Pennsylvania Historic log home where Joseph Smith and his They told us that things had been TSites Mission offers unique oppor- family lived in the spring of 1820, my good for them before they heard the tunities to share the gospel of Jesus companion and I recounted the impor- gospel, and the idea of changing their Christ. We proselyte, teach, and baptize tant events in Joseph’s childhood that comfortable lifestyle seemed like an as other missionaries do, but we also led him to enter a grove of trees to pray inconvenience to them. But when they have the wonderful assignment to teach to know which church he should join. received a spiritual witness that it was about the sacred events that happened We shared with them Joseph’s experi- true, they knew they had to make a in these places. ence when Heavenly Father and Jesus lifestyle change. We serve at the Smith family farm, Christ appeared to him and answered Their interesting and sincere testimony the Book of Mormon publication site, his prayer. We then asked them how impressed us. Because they really had the Hill Cumorah Visitors’ Center, and they had felt when they first learned of a testimony of Joseph Smith and the the Peter and Mary Whitmer farm. We Joseph Smith and his First Vision. restored gospel of Jesus Christ, they were take guests around these sacred sites I expected them to express the same willing to make inconvenient changes and help them become more familiar feelings most people share—that they in their lives and join the Church. They with the history and events surrounding felt a burning in their heart or that did so because they knew those changes the Restoration. they knew that it must be true because would be the best thing for their family! One day my companion and I gave the Spirit they felt was just so power- I absolutely loved my mission. I have a tour of the Smith family farm to a ful. Instead, they said they felt it was no doubt that the sites I served in are young family from Ireland. They were “inconveniently true.” That made us all sacred. Everything we say happened recent converts of only two years. pause for a minute. We asked them to here really did happen. It is a miracle. ◼ As we stood in the reconstructed explain what they had meant. Taylor Crofts, Wyoming, USA CHERYL CHALMERS BY ILLUSTRATION hey felt the First Vision was T“inconveniently true.” We asked them to explain what they had meant. 30 Liahona.

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