If any of ye lack wisdom, let him ask of God (James 1:5)

Recently my mom found the missionaries that taught and baptized her. She wrote to them and heard back from both of them. Today one of them even sent a picture they had of her going to church with her parents (who were not baptized) the Sunday following her baptism.

Alex thought this picture was of my baby sister, Kristen

One of the missionaries was from western New York, where he joined the church at 17, and where I eventually served my mission.

As I look at this picture it makes my heart so happy because my mom inquired to know the truth.

Since I served my mission in Joseph Smith's backyard, literally, I was able to focus A LOT on the importance of Joseph Smith's prayer. I fell in love with the song In Quiet Grove while I was there. I had someone sing it at my homecoming. I can listen to it 15 times in a row (ask my kids) and still cry every single time. I can't find it on playlist, but you can check it out here.

I am always so moved by that last line..."because a boy inquired of God, in quiet grove".

Because of a prayer, one question asked and answered, my whole life is forever changed. I love to talk about the first vision and the restoration. I played this song in Primary a few weeks ago with my Joseph Smith sharing time and cried like a baby. I wonder if the kids take bets on whether or not Sister Johnson will cry in sharing time. Probably. I just don't think Mormons always remember what a BIG DEAL the Joseph Smith story is. We hear it over and over and it all seems second nature by now. I used to have guests at the historical sites on my mission tell me they didn't care to hear the first vision because they already knew it. All they cared about was the historical aspects of the sites, like nails and butter churns. Have I ranted about this before? Maybe, but it just gets to me. What happened there is so sacred and so major and we just take it for granted.

Every time I hear that song I am reminded that EVERYTHING we are blessed with as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is because a boy inquired of God.

One time on my mission me and my companions (there were three of us because we were in a singles ward and had to be in threes) sat in the Sacred Grove with an investigator. Right there where Joseph saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. As our conversation progressed, I brought up that song. I said something about how blessed we were and how we wouldn't even be there sharing truth and feeling the Spirit together, save for that prayer uttered by a 14 year old boy.

The young man we were teaching said, "we are also here because a girl inquired of God", and pointed to me and my companions. That really hit me. It doesn't matter whether or not I have seen a vision. I have prayed and received a witness, just like Joseph Smith did. I shared this with my mom, and thanked her for inquiring of God as well. And now as I look at these young missionaries who taught my mom I want to thank them for inquiring of God.

I can't help but wonder if, at 19, they had any idea how far reaching their labors would be. Did they know they would change lives, for generations to come? My life, my kids lives? I wonder.

Because they asked, and shared, one 15 year old girl was baptized. And now her first grand daughter will be baptized, two months from today. My baby.

All over the world, Joseph's prayer has been uttered, and all over the world, answers have come.
And I am so grateful that people have continued to ASK, and to KNOW, and to SHARE.

Thanks Elders Frisby and Fagergren!