Pioneers in Every Land

Harriet Meets the Missionaries

By Haley Yancey

(Based on a true story)

Could she be with Papa again?

Harriet stared at the picture of Papa on the wall. It had been eight months since he died. She wondered if she would ever see him again. She missed him so much.

Knock, knock, knock.

Harriet opened the door of their little apartment. Two young men stood outside.

“Guten Tag! Hello! We’re missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We’d love to talk to your family about Jesus Christ.”

Harriet smiled. Something about what they said made her feel good inside. “I’ll ask Mutti (Mom).”

Harriet found Mutti. “Missionaries are at the door,” she said. “They want to talk to us about Jesus.”

Mutti frowned. “Tell them we don’t have time.”

“But they seem so nice,” Harriet said. “It won’t take long.”

Mutti glanced at the clock. “All right. For a few minutes.”

The missionaries came in and talked to Mutti, Harriet, and Harriet‘s sister, Carmen. They told them about Jesus and a book called das Buch Mormon, the Book of Mormon. Then they gave Harriet’s family a copy to read.

“I guess we can read a few pages,” Mutti said, opening the book. Over the next few days, Mutti kept reading and reading. She read parts out loud to Harriet and Carmen.

I wish Papa could read this. He would love it, Harriet thought.

When the missionaries came back, they taught about God’s plan. “We lived with God before we were born. We came to earth to learn and become like Him. When we die, we can be with Him again.”

What about Papa? Harriet wondered.

The missionary looked at Harriet. “Because Jesus died and lived again, we can be with our families forever. Even with loved ones who have died.”

Harriet felt a rush of hope. She could be with Papa again! Mutti had a big smile too—the first in a long time.

Harriet, Mutti, and Carmen kept learning from the missionaries. They went to church. Harriet became friends with a nice boy named Dieter.

Now Harriet’s apartment felt like there was sunshine in every room. Soon Harriet and her family decided to be baptized.

The night before their baptism, Harriet knelt with Mutti and Carmen to pray. “Heavenly Father,” Harriet said, “we are so grateful for the missionaries, the gospel, and our family. We can’t wait to be baptized.”

When Harriet opened her eyes, she looked at the picture of Papa and smiled. She couldn’t wait to see him again someday.

There are two temples in Germany.

One-third of Germany is covered with forests.

Germany shares a border with nine countries.

When Harriet grew up, she married the nice boy named Dieter.

Dieter is now one of the Apostles—Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf!

Elder Uchtdorf says Harriet is “the sunshine of [his] life.”

Illustrations by Giovanni Abeille