From his book ‘Consider the Blessings’, Thomas S. Monson shared:
MANY YEARS AGO, I boarded a plane in San Francisco en route to Los Angeles. As I sat down the seat next to me was empty. Soon, however, there occupied that seat a most lovely lady. As the plane became airborne, I noticed that she was reading a book. As one is wont to do, I glanced at the title: A Marvelous Work and a Wonder. I mustered my courage and said to her, “You must be a Mormon.”
She replied, “Oh no. Why would you ask?” I said, “Well, you’re reading a book written by Le Grand Richards, a very prominent member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”
She responded, “Is that right? A friend gave this to me, but I don’t know much about it. However, it has aroused my curiosity.”
I wondered silently, Should I be forward and say more about the Church? The words of the Apostle Peter crossed my mind: “Be ready always to give an answer to every [one] that asketh you a reason of he hope that is in you (1 Peter 3:15). I decided that now was the time for me to share my testimony with her. I told her that it had been my privilege years before to assist Elder Richards in printing A Marvelous Work and a Wonder. I told her of the great missionary spirit of this man. I also told her of the many thousands of people who had embraced the truth after reading that which he had prepared. Then it was my privilege, all the way to Los Angeles, to answer her questions relative to the Church—intelligent questions that came from her heart, which I perceived was seeking the truth. I asked if I might have the opportunity to have the missionaries call upon her. I asked if she would like to attend one of the wards in San Francisco. Her answers were affirmative. She gave me her name and indicated that she was a flight attendant on her way to an assignment.
Upon returning home, I wrote to the mission president and the stake president advising them of my conversation and that I had written to her and sent along some suggested reading. Incidentally, I suggested that rather than two Elders to the pretty off-duty flight attendant, and her flight attendant roommate, two sister missionaries be assigned to call.
Several months passed by. Then I received a phone call from the stake president, who asked, “Brother Monson, do you remember sitting next to a flight attendant on a trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles early this fall?” I answered affirmatively. He continued, I thought you would like to know that she has just become the most recently baptized and confirmed member of the Church. She would like to speak with you.”
A sweet voice came on the line: “Brother Monson, thank you for sharing with me your testimony. I am the happiest member of the Church in all the world.”
As tears filled my eyes and gratitude to God enlarged my soul, I thanked her and commended her on her search for truth and, having found it, her decision to enter those waters which cleanse and purify and provide entrance to eternal life.
I sat silently for a few minutes after replacing the phone receiver. The words of our Savior crossed through my mind: “And whoso receiveth you, there will I be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on you right and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up” (Doctrine and Covenants 84:88) Such is the promise to all of us when we follow the counsel and obey the commandments or Jesus of Nazareth, our Savior and our King. ~Thomas S. Monson, Consider the Blessings, (Deseret Book, Salt Lake City 2013) 41-43
