“How
grateful I am that I made the decision long ago to remain strong and
true, always prepared and ready to defend my religion, should the
need arise.
“Such an opportunity
came to me in 1957, when I worked in the publishing business and was
asked to go to Dallas, Texas, sometimes called 'the city of
churches,' to address a business convention. Following the conclusion
of the convention, I took a sightseeing bus ride through the city’s
suburbs. As we passed the various churches, our driver would comment,
'On the left you see the Methodist church' or 'There on the right is
the Catholic cathedral.'
“As we passed a
beautiful red brick building situated upon a hill, the driver
exclaimed, 'That building is where the
Mormons meet.' A lady in the rear of the bus called out, 'Driver,
can you tell us something more about the Mormons?'
“The driver pulled the
bus over to the side of the road, turned around in his seat, and
replied, 'Lady, all I know about the Mormons is that they meet in
that red brick building. Is there anyone on this bus who knows
anything more about the Mormons?'
“I waited for someone
to respond. I gazed at the expression on each person’s face for
some sign of recognition, some desire to comment. Nothing. I realized
it was up to me to do as the Apostle Peter suggested, to 'be ready
always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the
hope that is in you.' I also realized the truth of the adage 'When
the time for decision arrives, the time for preparation is past.'
“For the next 15 or so
minutes, I had the privilege of sharing with those on the bus my
testimony concerning the Church and our beliefs. I was grateful for
my testimony and grateful that I was prepared to share it.”
