A Sacred Experience with a Prophet of God

A Sacred Experience with a Prophet of God

Merlin Frei – September, 28, 2022

I share this experience with the hope that it may expand your vision and understanding into the lives of humble servants of God, who are called to testify of the majesty and divinity of our Savior Jesus Christ.  Sometimes we are privileged to be in their company in a personal way.

Such was the case while my wife and I were at Summer School at BYU-Provo many years ago.

Therel, my wife, had been very ill and was not able to be with me at Provo during the Summer we met with President Spencer W. Kimball, President of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles.  For some reason, we thought a blessing from one of these great men would be of tremendous value in her recovery.

We contacted the Church Office in Salt Lake City, Utah and asked if it were possible for us to receive a Priesthood Blessing at the hands of one of these brethren.  We were granted the rare opportunity to receive an interview with President Kimball.

When the day of our appointment came, I traveled from Provo and my wife came with her parents from Idaho Falls.  Therel and I were privileged to see President Kimball and seek a blessing from him.

President Kimball had experienced much illness in his own life and had a perfect understanding of our feelings.  He treated us very kindly and assured us that the Lord loved us and would grant that blessing, but that it might also take some time for its fulfillment.

Our visit took nearly an hour of his precious time, but there was never even the slightest indication from him that he had anything better to do than to visit with us.  He pronounced a blessing of healing upon my wife and as we left his office, it was as though we were floating on air as we went down the stairs, where we met Therel’s parents.

We were walking from the Church Office Building toward Temple Square when we heard President Kimball’s voice from behind us.  Catching up to us, he said, “I forgot to get your address, I would like to send you the book of my grandfather, Heber C. Kimball.”

I marveled that President Kimball would leave his office, come down the stairs of the Church Office Building and catch up with us so he could send us this book about his grandfather.  My thought was: “If President Kimball would do this for us, he would also do it for others, including you.”  These leaders dedicate their entire lives in the service of Jesus Christ, and in so doing become like him.  They speak the words Jesus would do and they serve like Jesus would do.

I have also learned that these leaders are busy in their labors and even though they would like to do more ministering on a personal basis, they are physically unable to do so.  In fact, the Church has become so large that ministering to others is given to each of us to bless the lives of those who need that caring.

President Kimball did send the book of his grandfather:  The Life of Heber C. Kimball and signed his name to it.  Every time I see that book, I am reminded again of the kindness of President Spencer W. Kimball, who wore his life out in the service of God.

May we follow the examples of our leaders who give their lives in service to the Savior and assist in the great work of the “Gathering of Israel,” as we have been invited to do by our present Prophet and leader, President Russell M. Nelson.