Scriptures and Scrambled Eggs

As Christmas drew near, it was evident that unless my brother Jerry and I worked during the holiday vacation, we would not be able to continue college the following semester. So we both decided to work an extra week and go home toward the end of the vacation. I invited Jerry to share my apartment, since his dorm was closing and my roommates were going home. As we made our plans, I kept hoping an opportunity would arise to share the gospel with him.

A few weeks earlier, two days after my baptism into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I had seen Jerry near the campus. All of my family had had misgivings about my taking this step.

“Did you go through with it?” he asked.

“Yes,” I replied. “I feel good about what I have done.”

He looked into my eyes and surprised me with his next remark. “You’re my oldest brother. I know you wouldn’t have done it if you hadn’t thought it was right.”

A feeling of relief swept over me. He hasn’t cut me off, I thought. He still has respect for me.

During the months I investigated the gospel, I had wrestled with the question, “Which church is true?” And, as the oldest son in our close family, I was especially aware of the role I played in leading my younger brothers and sisters. I had to be sure, absolutely sure, that I was doing the right thing. The hours, the days, and the months of turmoil as I sought an answer are still vivid in my memory. Finally, the answer had come one winter morning in the sweet, peaceful manner in which the Lord gives it.

Now I wanted to tell Jerry all about the gospel. But my plans hit a snag. He would work a night shift and I would work a day shift! We would only be together during the breakfast and dinner hours.

How sacred those hours became! Each day we discussed a different question regarding our religious faiths, and after some hesitation—and to my delight—Jerry developed a hunger for the truth.

Christmas vacation turned out to be one of the most satisfying experiences of my life; it was a time of giving and sharing that I shall never forget. We spent almost every waking hour at the little kitchen table discussing the gospel. Our meals were almost incidental compared to our spiritual feasting.

Later, when we returned home to our family, I experienced a new appreciation for each member and sensed an acute awareness of my responsibility to share the gospel with them.

Jerry was baptized in March. What a glorious day! Now I had another member of the family who felt as I did about the gospel! We rejoiced together and discussed our hopes and concerns for our brothers and sisters. Our bond has grown stronger over the years, and we have since had the opportunity to widen the circle of family gospel involvement by baptizing our sister and her husband and by doing temple work for our kindred dead.

As I look back on that Christmas season of many years ago, I realize that sharing the gospel with others is the most priceless gift we can give.