A Beautiful Man

 

Well, it has been a lovely day!  I wonder if the young missionaries even have any idea about what a signal honor it was to sit with Reverend Teal and be taught from the Bible and the Book of Mormon and even the Doctrine and Covenants. We had the training in the Young Women's Room.  The elders had set up a horseshoe shape with three tables.  Elders Reynoldson and Bowen sat on either side of Reverend Teal.  Down the long side were Stan and me, Sisters Bloxham and Jones, and then Elders Merrill, Field, Gadd and Roney on the other side.

Elders Field and Merrill did the Gap and I was so proud of them, not only of them, but our Oxford elders who conducted the meeting so well. Comments from all of the missionaries were respectful, full of faith and well-thought out, reflecting a great deal of faith.

Elder Reynoldson turned the time over to Reverend Teal, who taught a masterful training.

He has such a humble way about him, so gentle, so soft-spoken.

During his training, he Referred us to Matthew 5:22, where Christ is teaching the Sermon on the Mount and says, "Whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause...." Reverend Teal said that just this morning he was studying that verse, and as he often does, went to a list of Bible Translations.  He showed us the short list that looked like it might have had a hundred on it. There is only one, and it is ancient, that deleted without a cause. He concluded that section by saying he was in awe that Joseph Smith (in the JST of the Bible and also in the Book of Mormon) deleted that phrase as well. He wondered how on earth Joseph Smith could have done that, restoring it to its original meaning without divine help.

He spoke for a few minutes about what this mission will mean to them after they get home. He said that it would be precious beyond words to them as they work on the mission of their lives. He said, "I am absolutely convinced that the Lord has many blessings for us, but that it will be an upward ascent to reach them." He loves the image of the Rod of Iron.

He spoke about "The Light of the World" by William Holman Hunt, which is here in Oxford.  When anyone comes to visit, we must go see it. I loved how he talked about it.  You can see what he wrote on his notes.  He pointed out that it is nearly dawn on the painting, that Jesus has labored through the night to get there. He told the young missionaries that when you knock on a door, you are ambassadors for the Lord, and you do so with a sense of urgency and patience.

He teaches so beautifully about acceptance - and about what a blessing it is for us to respond with love and respect to all of God's children.

His entire training was absolutely wonderful. When we were done, we all went into the back of the chapel where we sat around a huge square table made up of 4 smaller tables that the missionaries put together.

Our Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Salad turned out fine, and the Americans (everyone except Elder Reynoldson) seemed pleased with it. 

I am not sure if you gathered any eight young missionaries from the entire mission and sat them there in that room with Reverend Teal that you could get a more outstanding group.

It has been a busy week, and tomorrow will be more of the same.  We will be going to the Isle of Wight with the senior couples.  We decided that we have to take every such opportunity while we are here.  They are fun to be with, and they are serious about getting out every few weeks to see England.

We need to rest!  Hopefully after a good night's sleep we'll be ready to go.