Finding the Family Proclamation on the Passenger Seat by Angela Fallentine

"Several years ago as a single adult, I was living and working in Washington, D.C.  As is customary for all vehicles in that area, I needed to get my car inspected in order to pass the appropriate safety and emissions standards. 


I arrived at a garage one afternoon to find the lineup for inspections about 8 or 9 cars long. It was a beautiful spring day, so I rolled down the windows, turned off the car and pulled out a copy of The Family: A Proclamation to the World, which I kept in my car along with some other church material for times such as these. My stake president had recently counseled each member to commit it to memory, so I thought this free time allowed me the perfect opportunity to do so. 


Eventually, my turn came to get my car inspected. One of the men who did the inspections told me he'd drive my car into the garage and asked me to wait in the adjacent waiting room until it was completed. 


Time ticked on and as I watched other customers come in and out, my heart began to sink thinking that something must be very wrong with my car for it to be taking so long. I was working for a non-profit organization at the time and money was scarce. With each minute that passed, the heavier my heart became.

After what felt like a lifetime, the gentleman came into the waiting room from the garage with the receipt saying that I passed the inspection and to please pay for it at the cashier. 


What a relief! I walked out to where he had parked my car and found him waiting. His eyes were full of intensity when he asked, "Miss, miss, can I please talk to you for a minute?" I responded that it was fine, and then he proceeded to share some words which I will never forget. 


"I want to apologize for taking so long with your car inspection. You see, when I drove your car into the garage, I noticed a document on your passenger seat. I was drawn to it and instead of bringing your car back to you, I sat in your car in the garage reading it over and over again. What is this church? What is this document about the family? Can I have a copy?  It said that it was written by apostles.  Do you mean to tell me that there are apostles and prophets here on the earth, just like in Jesus' time?  Please, please, I need to know." 


I was almost speechless, but gathered my thoughts and began testifying to him that there are indeed prophets and apostles here on this earth, just as in the time of Jesus Christ.  I told him about the Prophet Joseph Smith and the restoration of the gospel, and part of that meant that we have a living prophet and apostles today.  I proceeded to give him everything I had in my car related to the Church, and the conversation ended with a sincere expression of gratitude from this kind and humble man.

As I drove away, tears filled my eyes as I realized that it was not by chance I left a copy of The Family: A Proclamation to the World on my seat that day. 


I have never forgotten that experience, nor the look of eagerness in that man's eyes when asking if there were apostles and prophets on earth today.  It was a powerful lesson on following promptings, sharing the gospel and the reality and power of modern revelation."

Angela Fallentine and her husband John met in DC, married in Bountiful, Utah, and now call New Zealand home.  Angela enjoys working from home with her husband, snorkeling and boogie boarding, classical music, foreign travel and cultures, and being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  

Now here is a tool to help YOU share what you know and love about Family: 

a "homemade" Family Proclamation Pass-along Card!  


  

A few days ago, I enlisted my good friend Allison Kimball of Simple Inspiration to help bring this whimsical, but practical version of a Family Proclamation Pass-along card to life.

You can download this card in a variety of sizes to print off for your personal use by clicking the words "Download Happy home" below:

Download Happy home

Thank you, Allison, for donating your time and talents to help make it easier for all of us to share what we believe about family!








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Enter right here, leave a comment on today's post, 
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Welcome to the Madness
The Red Headed Hostess

Chocolate on my Cranium

This beautiful 11x14 print from theprintboutique has the major points of The Family: A Proclamation to the World put in graphic form. The colors can be customized to fit your décor. All prints are printed on e-surface photographic quality paper with archival inks and a matte finish. The Print Boutique is offering all of you a 15% discount for the next two weeks! Just enter code 'celebratefamily' without the quote marks into the code box upon checkout.