The Worth of a Soul

Last night my husband and I went to my dad's house for boxing day. My grandfather and two of his three siblings were there including most of their children. There were a lot of people I had never met before (or at least don't remember meeting) and it was fun getting to learn something new about all of these distant-ish relatives. One in particular really touched me. My dad's cousin Phillip was there with his new wife. He kinda stood out because he had long hair and a scruffy beard which is unusual for this family of mostly bald men with no facial hair. When it was his turn to introduce himself and give an update he said something to the effect of: he was living a new life, with a new wife and found peace in an old religion. He looked very happy and we were ready to move on to the next person. My grandfather interrupted and asked if he would share a little more about what had happened to him these past few years. What a beautiful story! Basically he was approached by one of Liz Lemon Swindle's associates to possibly be a new model for the Savior for her. He agreed and this eventually led to him taking a trip out to Africa to do some work.

From a Website featuring the art piece above: When Mothers Without Borders approached me about going to Africa, I told them I was not interested. For me Africa was a world away, “and besides,” I thought, “I am too busy.” Imagine my surprise when I found myself on a plane to Zambia in June 2007.
One of the first children I met was Kennedy, the little boy you see in the painting. At three years old he has lost both of his parents to AIDS and was found living alone with his six year old brother and ten year old sister. When I thought of those three children struggling to survive and the millions of others across Africa in similar circumstances, I felt an overwhelming hopelessness and said to myself, “No amount of money can fix this.”
Later that day while we were filming, Kennedy jumped into the arms of the man portraying the Savior. As I stood watching them, Kennedy turned towards me and our eyes met. At that moment I knew it wasn’t hopeless. I realized that the Savior can fix not only the problems of Africa, but of the whole world…and we can be His hands to do it.
Looking back I realize that my reasons for not wanting to go to Africa are likely the same as yours. We are busy and feel like we cannot make a difference, but I know now that neither is true. We are never too busy to lift another and every good work is known to Him who said, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of…these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” - Liz Lemon Swindle

Tears came to my eyes as I looked at this man who had portrayed the Savior. He shared how being in Africa dressed in these robes had changed his life. Many people there recognized him as the Savior and some actually thought he was Jesus Christ. He said he found new strength in his faith as so many looked into his eyes or sought to touch him in sincere faith that he could make them whole. He said he realized then that Christ does make us whole and decided to return to the faith that gave him that knowledge.

How grateful I am for my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ! I believe Christ. I believe in the Atonement. I enjoy partaking of the sacrament to renew my baptismal covenants with the Lord. This has been a wonderful Christmas for our family. We have been blessed in so many ways and look forward to the coming year. We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our two little children and also hope to be sealed together as a family in early 2009.