We Invited The Clubhouse Security Person And His Wife To See “A New Day for the Book of Mormon”

One of the individuals we have gotten to know out here is the person who works as the Clubhouse Security Officer. The previous Elders had tracted him out last winter and we met with him and the Elders several times last winter. Then we went through a period when we were not able to contact him. We had found several of his golf balls on the golf course, we know because they have his initials on them. We told him that we would give him back his golf balls if he came over and watched a video on the Book of Mormon. He agreed to that and so last Sunday he and his wife came over and we showed them a “New Day for the Book of Mormon”. I think they were impressed with the video. Everyone we have shown this video to seems to really like it. He asked where we got the video and I told him that I recorded it from the BYU channel. I also told him that he could find it online. He is a member of the Community of Christ Church and so he should already believes in the Book of Mormon. However, from what I am learning about that church, they are leaning away from it. They no longer give much emphasis to the Book of Mormon. In fact with all their changes you would think they would all just come and join our Church but life is never that easy.

Meeting with the Security Person for the Lake Community

When we first arrived here in Mound City we started our early morning walks around the golf course. I remember going into the clubhouse and introducing ourselves. That’s where people congregate in the mornings for coffee, breakfast and or just to visit. One of the very first people we met was the Security person for the golf course and lake community. We found him to be very personable and friendly. He is also involved in the monthly social activities they hold at the clubhouse. We had never really talked to him about the church other that saying we wanted to offer to help anyone interested with their family history. I believe I mentioned in a previous post, that about a month ago the young missionaries who serve in the neighboring town where he lives tracted him out. He told them that he knew us and that he belonged to the Community of Christ Church ( formerly Reorganized Church). The elders arraigned for him to meet with us on two different occasions, however each time he had conflicts come up and was not able to make it. We visited with him at the New Years Eve Karaoke social and as we were about to leave, I mentioned to him that we still would like to meet with him. He indicated that he would be willing to do that. So last week I called him up and invited him to come by the house to meet with us and the young elders. He agreed, and was able to make it to the appointment this time.

We had a good visit, he shared a little about his youth. He grew up in a very rough part of Kansas City. He said that in his high school which included a large minority population if you had a pair of tennis shoes or shirt or coat that someone else liked, you had better be able to stand up for yourself  and defend yourself or someone would take it from you. As a youth he took up boxing and was a golden glove boxer, which apparently came in handy because he got in a number of fights and scuffles. During his senior year of high school he got into trouble and was kicked out of school. When he went before the judge he was told that he could either be incarcerated or enlist in the military. He chose to join the marines. I believe he completed his military service. He shared with us a little about meeting his wife and how her parents didn’t think their daughter should be dating him. He was working at the time collecting gambling debts for the Italians. The parents of his wife to be were members of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He eventually married his wife over the objection of her parents. It sounds like it took a year or so before his wife’s parents came around to thinking he might be alright. Even though he grew up Baptist, he ended up attending the Reorganized Church with his wife and eventually joined that church. He was later called to be in their priesthood, he said he didn’t think anyone would vote for him when his name was presented. I assume they do something similar to what we do when we sustain someone with a new calling. I may have misunderstood but it almost sounded like if you didn’t get the votes you didn’t get in. I believe he said that everyone voted in favor of him. He said he has taught the youth and had responsibility for the choir in their church. I could see why they would put him in the Choir since he has a very good singing voice. He said that when he joined the reorganized church he was impressed with what was taught because they professed to be the one true church. (I thought if he joined our church that part wouldn’t change) They have made many doctrinal and other changes in recent years, which has caused some members to question those decisions. This has created splinter groups and some of their ministers have chosen not to go along with the decisions of the main body.

We had a good visit with him and he has agreed to meet with us and allow us to share our beliefs. Sister Anderson had given him a “He is the Gift” card and he said he watched the video. He mentioned that he had done some searching on the web to get some information on us. We found him to be an interesting person to talk to, he seems to have overcame the challenges and obstacles that typically present themselves when growing up in very rough neighborhoods. My impression is that he is a good and caring husband and father. His children are raised and his wife is currently experiencing some significant health issues. I believe the restored gospel would be a blessing to him and his family as it is to all of those who make a decision to follow the doctrine of Christ.