Actual Mission Stories: Waiting for My Elders

Waiting for My Elders

Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand

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Date: May 1971 (Story by Duane R. Hurst, © October 1973)

[NOTE: This story is based on actual events, but I changed the names of other people involved.]

      Brother Sat of Chiang Mai. It’s been years since I thought of him. He was one of the few “golden contacts” we found on a hot day of tracting.

      Brother Sat was old even then—-65 always seemed old to the missionaries, even to us “old heads.” He had retired on a meager pension and stayed at home with his family. They lovingly cared for him in typical Thai fashion. Yet, he felt a strange yearning that neither family nor Buddhism could assuage.

      When two young Elders happened upon him at the height of a blistering hot season, Brother Sat invited them into his home. He felt sorry for them and gave them cold drinks. They repaid him with a strange story that warmed his heart and whispered peace to his mind. He had learned a little about Jesus but knew nothing about Joseph Smith. The Elders were pleased to receive a callback to teach him the discussions.

      During the next several weeks, Brother Sat welcomed both the Elders and their teachings into his home. He struggled to understand a different type of prayer, the need for church meetings, and why God created man. He tried to see the truth in Alma’s admonition to Shiblon about this being a probationary life. The concept differed much from his previous belief in reincarnation. However, Alma’s thoughts “felt right”. Brother Sat asked to read teachings from the Book of Mormon. Unfortunately for him and the Thai people at that time, the only material that had been translated was the Joseph Smith testimony. Brother Sat smiled away his disappointment with a “Mai pen rai” (It doesn’t matter) and read the New Testament, which the Elders could give him in Thai.

      Each Sunday he attended all of the church services. He enjoyed the fellowship, even though nearly all of the members were teenagers or people in their late twenties. He participated in classroom discussions. He welcomed other investigators to church. He even attended youth activities, “So I can give them proper direction”. He completed the six missionary discussions and committed to the baptismal challenge.

      On several of the discussions I was able to help teach Brother Sat. He offered simple, sincere prayers. Each time he thanked Heavenly Father for showing the Elders to his door. He gave up daily tea.

      About a month after Brother Sat began studying, we received word about a general conference to be held in Bangkok. It gave us a chance to meet fellow missionaries and members from other districts; we also had time for personal talks with President Smith. Conference was a welcome time to share experiences and get a spiritual recharge.

      Only a few days before we were to leave, Brother Sat’s family called us. He was ill and in the hospital. They asked us to visit him, which we promptly did.

      I remember the last talk that we had at his bedside prior to leaving for the train station. He looked pale and weak. We tried to cheer him and the family members who were present. They left us alone with him for a few minutes and we shared a prayer. He said, “Elders, I thank my Heavenly Father for your coming to my home and teaching me. I want to be baptized when you come back from the conference.”

      “Will you come and see me as soon as you come back?” he asked with tears in his eyes. We said yes, answering with the naiveté of youth. But a sadness was in the room with us; it followed me to the station. I thought that we should have given Brother Sat a blessing. I had mentioned the feeling to my companion, the District Leader, and he agreed that it might have been better, but he believed that it could wait until we returned from Bangkok.

      The conference was great! Fine speakers, a close spirit of fellowship, time to gab with other Elders I hadn’t seen since going to the north, and we had a full Saturday devoted solely for Elders and the Smiths to play sports and share testimonies. We returned to Chiang Mai with a keen desire to teach more effectively.

      The next morning we went to see Brother Sat, but learned with infinite regret that he had died while we were in Bangkok. His sister shared Brother Sat’s final words with us. He had held her hand in reassurance and smiled peacefully. “Tomorrow my Elders will return. I’ve been waiting for them. I know what they teach me is true and want to be baptized.”

      Years have passed and I sometimes wonder how far Brother Sat has progressed in his search for truth. His death also taught me to listen more carefully to the Spirit when quiet promptings come. Perhaps our youthful exuberance for life dimmed our minds to a brother’s imminent final step in mortality. Yet, I am grateful to know that he was in the true path.