“An Uncommon Route through Town,” Ensign, April 2019
Digital Only: Latter-day Saint Voices
An Uncommon Route through Town
Over the years, our family lived twice in Wisconsin, USA, and we loved it both times. In each instance, we lived in the same stake but in a different ward. Our first time in Wisconsin, I was assigned to home teach the Jones family (name has been changed). I grew to love that family.
After a few years, my employer moved us to Georgia; then Lima, Peru; followed by São Paulo, Brazil; then back to Wisconsin. Upon our return to Wisconsin, I was called to serve as stake president. Eventually, I found out that the Jones family had fallen into inactivity.
One evening as I drove to the stake center for interviews, I followed an uncommon route through town. As I approached the intersection, it was as if someone took the steering wheel and turned it to the right.
“This is interesting!” I thought. “There must be a reason for me to go here.”
I am certain it was no coincidence that the street I was on took me past the Joneses’ home. I felt prompted to visit them, even though it would make me late for my first interview. Regardless, I knew I needed to find their home.
It was dark outside and I didn’t know if I would recognize their house. I continued down the road a few blocks until I spotted a home that looked familiar. I stopped. When Brother and Sister Jones answered the door, we embraced, and we visited for about 30 minutes. I shared my love for them and the surprising events that had led to my visit that night. Before leaving, I invited them to come back into activity. They both had tears in their eyes when I left.
Unbeknownst to me, Brother and Sister Jones had been discussing over the past few days the possibility of returning to activity in the Church. The night I visited them, they were talking about it again.
The next Sunday, they attended sacrament meeting. They remained faithful, and their son has since served a mission. I know that there is a God who loves His children and who is involved in the details of our lives.