Influence of the Deceased

“The night the [Missionaries] left a Book of Mormon with me, I was thrilled... I stayed up reading until I came to Mosiah 18, where Alma invites the people to be baptized: ‘Behold, here are the waters of Mormon … and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, … what have you against being baptized?’” (Mosiah 18:8, 10).” 

“I fell asleep reading those words, and I had a dream. I was standing near a beautiful body of water like the Waters of Mormon. On the other side of the water stood people dressed in white—my family! My husband, who had been killed in the war, was smiling and beckoning me to be baptized.” 

Wouldn't it be awesome if everyone that met missionaries could have a similar experience? 

Well this week we almost had that experience. As I have been serving in the same area that my Grandmother (whom I have never met in this life) lived and first was introduced to the church, I have been more attentive to moments she could be present. 

The town where my grandmother was born

In the small community that she grew up in, we met a lady that we told we were sharing a message on eternal families. She said we could come back Wednesday. On the return visit we taught her about the Plan of Salvation. She told us that it brought so much comfort and joy, especially as she had recently lost a son. She told us that our meeting was timely, and got emotional. We all three felt the Holy Ghost very strongly. I testified to her that we not only were feeling God's love, but we were also feeling the love and joy of her deceased loved ones. She might not have recognized it, but I know that they were present in that brief moment. 

We met some Catholic Sisters 

I know that angels walk beside us, and that those that can't yet can still influence us and their loved ones in this glorious path back to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, that we might dwell with them and our families in the Celestial Kingdom. As Elder Cook has said: "Don’t underestimate the influence of the deceased in assisting your efforts and the joy of ultimately meeting those you serve".

Lot of love!
Sister Tatjana Zumbach