I saw myself in Mary Vick

The subsequent weeks passed  and before I knew it I was 3 weeks in. My relationships with the members and investigators alike had developed into a profound love. One in particular named Mary Vick Lateto who was the daughter of a humble rice farmer. She and her family lived out in an isolated rural area surrounded by rice fields. Her family had been members but had stopped attending church meetings. Mary Vick never had the opportunity to get baptized and had become very interested in learning more.

Elder Wilkes and I sat at our familiar spot upstairs planning our lesson for her. It being Wednesday the day of our weekly planning session. A day set aside to plan the week’s lessons and to discuss the needs of the people we were teaching.

“Okay, we’ll be teaching the Restoration to Mary Vick and her family on Saturday.”

“Sounds great,” I said nodding my head in a combination of approval and excitement.”

I was excited at the prospect of a new investigator and anxious to take part in teaching the restoration. We had primarily been teaching people who were already members and who just hadn’t been coming to church. I enjoyed that but nothing compared to the twinkle in the eye of someone who’s never before heard the foundational truths of the restoration.

“Alright,” Elder Wilkes began,”are you ready to lead this lessson on Saturday?”

During the past month my language skills had developed but I was still lacking the confidence I needed. Though, daunting I was ready to seize tbe challenge.

“I think I’m ready, I’ll just teach it with very basic words,” I replied.

This wasn’t all that bad since teaching simply was the goal anyway.

The next two days came and went. Saturday had arrived and our lesson with Mary Vick was in the afternoon. I sat at my desk at 9:00 AM studying the restoration in preparation for our lesson. The words seemed to have deeper meaning to me as I read on. These small black characters sunk into the depths of my feeling heart as I read the words of a young man named Joseph Smith.

“During this time of great excitement my mind was called up to serious reflection and great uneasiness; but though my feelings were deep and often poignant, still I kept myself aloof from all these parties, though I attended their several meetings as often as occasion would permit. In process of time my mind became somewhat partial to the Methodist sect, and I felt some desire to be united with them; but so great were the confusion and strife among the different denominations, that it was impossible for a person young as I was, and so unacquainted with men and things, to come to any certain conclusion who was right and who was wrong.”

My thoughts were lost into Joseph Smith’s experience at this time of this religious uprising.

I continued reading.

“While I was laboring under the extreme difficulties caused by the contests of these parties of religionists, I was one day reading the Epistle of James, first chapter and fifth verse, which reads: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

Joesph Smith saught the answer to  his confusion. His answer had been given him in that peaceful moment. The next day he ventured to a previously chosen spot in a forrested area by his home in Palymayra, New York. There, on that Spring morning he poured his heart out to our God above.

“When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!”

Our God and his son Jesus Christ had appeared to this young boy. Joseph had been chosen to be a tool in the Lord’s hands to restore the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the earth. Young Joseph’s life changed forever as did the course of mankind.  The blessings I had received from this gospel were reaffirmed to me in that moment of studying. This was why I was in the Philippines. These were the blessings I was called to share. Despite my limitations Mary Vick needed me to be the Lord’s messenger. In undaunting faith I was prepared to answer the call. My personal study soon came to a close and I packed my things up in my backpack.

Elder Wlikes and I caught a pedicab to the Barangay, or to the neighborhood Mary Vick lived in. Buildings quickly left our view and coconut trees cascaded with beautiful tropical mountains entered in sight. The natural smell of the trees and air consumed my senses as we rode on.

We then eventually arrived in what seemingly was the middle of the jungle. Elder Wlikes led the way having been there before. We walked through the mountainous terrain until we came up to a log crossing over a huge gap in tbe ground leading to her home on the other side. The drop below was about 30 feet.

“Are you serious?” I asked perplexed.

Elder Wilkes just laughed and quickly brisked over the 9 foot log crossing like it was nothing but a wooded bridge.

“Your turn!” He yelled out from the other side.

I slowly walked up to gauge the distance and height. I lifted one foot and placed it on the log. Slowly I lifted my other leg to place on the log. My legs started to shake and I was unable to place my full weight on the log.

“This isn’t happening,” I shouted out to Wilkes.

I could see Mary Vick pointing to the left.

“Pwede adto mo mag kadto!”

She was informing us of another way we could go. So Elder Wilkes crossed back over. Again, he did this very quickly which began to really frustrate me. Like, I get it you have exceptional balance.

We walked on a path around the logged crossing and I was happy to see flat ground. We came upon her home as well as all of her siblings running around outside. There sat a home made from nothing but bamboo showing the very best of Fiipino ingenuity. A short ladder led to the inside.

Her mother and father waved at us through an open window and came down to greet us. I could tell her father had been working hard in the rice fields. He was weaaring shorts, a tank-top, flip-flops, and a sun guarding hat.

“We’re here to teach Mary Vick, if that’s okay,” Elder Wlkes said.

Her father kind of sneered at the request but eventually gave his permission. We entered their home and all sat indian style on the bare bamboo floor. I was dissapointed to see her parents not join us. They waited outisde until we were finished. Still we were there for Mary Vick. Her siblings being there was also a huge plus so I was content.

I began the lesson in my best Waray-Waray.

“We all have a loving heavenly father and we’ve been put on this earth to learn and grow. He’s given us families to help lead us on our path.”

I once again immediately felt sad that her parents had decided to not join in to support her. There we were teaching about families and she didn’t have that support. Nonetheless, I continued on into the story of the Restoration.

Her eyes lit up as we discussed Joseph Smith. Mary Vick was a very shy girl and up to that point I hadn’t yet heard her voice. Despite her silence I could tell she was interested and curious to know more. Silence is nothing more than a barrier to the soul. The passage way seemed clear and truth had penetrated her inquisitive heart. We concluded by committing her to pray about what we taught.

As the weeks and lessons rolled on we began to see the gradual change that had taken place within her. The shy girl with long black hair we first met was now talking and smiling. Her questions grew as did her confidence in herself. Along with this surprising development her parents also eventually began to join our lessons. Mary Vick’s example were heard loud and clear as we each grew together in this journey.

Mary Vick, by the power of God, was baptized 2 weeks later. I had the amazing opportunity to perform her baptism in the Abuyog ocean. That very same spot I received my own change of heart 3 weeks prior. Back when I myself couldn’t speak and had questioned my own faith. It had all come full circle bringing me back there with Mary Vick.

A huge wave crashed on us after I immersed her into the water sending the members into a frenzy. An impromptu swim party erupted out of nowhere.

I couldn’t imagine having loved a place more than I did in that moment. I looked on as the members splashed around in the ocean. It was a surreal moment as I stood on the sand with my damp white clothes. This wasn’t a dream. It was all real. It was indeed true, it is more fun in the Philippines.