The Thorny Path
Page 26
“Thank you for the update you sent on your genealogy. I’m glad the Rhys name turned out to be yours, and I hope you will have continued success in your search for your ancestors. Let me know if I can be of help in that endeavor.”
The bishop let his hand, still holding the letter, fall to the tabletop. Trish smiled at him mischievously.
“It isn’t always the people you think most likely who join the Church, is it?” she said softly. “Of the two, I’d have voted for May Hinton, any day. But isn’t that amazing?”
“More than amazing,” he agreed. “What a season of harvest we’re having! The elders called me today to say that they’re feeling really good about baptizing at least four of their contacts, soon—and that three new people phoned them this morning, asking to be taught. They all said they had been at the rally on Saturday night and had become disillusioned with their ministers’ support of the agitators. It just humbles me how the Lord can turn negatives into positives!”
“I know—and everyone at Relief Society yesterday was talking about how their testimonies had been strengthened by the fireside and by their preparation for it—the fasting and prayer and all. And that’s really good. But Jim, I was wondering. Things don’t always turn out so well, when the Saints are persecuted. Once in a while, chapels do get burned or vandalized, and people do get hurt, or even killed, for the gospel. And sometimes, members are weakened by the attacks of our enemies and defect to the other side. Why do you think we were so blessed?”
He pondered her question. “It must be a matter of faith being rewarded,” he said slowly. “I reckon only the Lord knows for sure. He’s the only one who can read all our hearts and gauge our faithfulness. I know a lot of prayers went up to Him, from all over the stake, and you know the scripture—‘the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.’ You take several hundred righteous men and women and children, all praying for a good cause, and I’m certain the Lord listens. For whatever reason, I’m mighty thankful he saw fit to help us.”
“Me, too—for your sake, as much as anybody’s. I know how concerned you’ve been.”
He smiled affectionately at her. “Well, think of it this way: you’re the mother of three-and-a-half children. But I have four hundred twenty-one and three-quarters children—of all ages—that I feel responsible for.”
“Wait a minute—three quarters! If I’m the half, who’s the other quarter? Who else is expecting?”
His smile deepened. “Surely somebody must be,” he teased.