Afflictions in Walmart

Hello!

Sometimes the hardest experiences happen in the unlikeliest of places! For me, one of the hardest days of my life happened as a new missionary in a Walmart checkout aisle:

Afflictions in Walmart

I was a brand new missionary, serving in the city of Faribault, Minnesota. My companion was an experienced missionary, a true country boy, who carried one pocket knife in his right pocket and another that slid into his left sock! 

Faribault is beautiful!!

It was Monday, our preparation day (meaning when we get our laundry and shopping done), and we were waiting in line in the checkout aisle of Walmart. As we were waiting, a gentleman walked up and introduced himself. He was an older gentleman, wore a cap that said 'Vietnam Veteran' on it, and he seemed nice. He started chatting us up about our groceries and stuff. "Wow" I thought to myself, "What a cool guy, maybe he would be interested in our message!!". So I pointed to my name tag and told him something to the effect of "My friend and I are actually missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, have you ever heard of that church?"

Something changed. His eyes got a crazy look to them, his posture intensified, and his charismatic demeanor was replaced with something intimidating and argumentative. I was a little taken back by the transformation. This man did not have much love for LDS missionaries or for our message, and proceeded to explain (in great detail and at length) why I was damned, lost, and destined for hell as we sat in the Walmart checkout aisle. 

With other customers in front of us, and this man behind us, I was trapped! For the next 10 minutes this man ripped me apart. I kept waiting for my companion to jump in and help me, but he remained quiet and just kept on inching the cart forward. I had no idea what to do! When we finally made it to the register, I was so scared and frightened that my hand was shaking as I swiped my debit card and I could barely get the machine to read it. 

I practically ran out of that Walmart to our car, and when we made it back to our apartment I collapsed on the couch with tears in my eyes and a question in my heart: "How can I do this? This is so beyond me, I will never be able to stand up to people like that, why is this so hard?" I had so many doubts and insecurities go through my mind laying down on that couch. But the Lord put a thought into my mind, and it was "Do you know if the Book of Mormon is true?"

My depression was replaced with drive, and I began to read the Book of Mormon as much as I could. Every chance a I got, I read the Book of Mormon, pouring over its pages. I fasted and prayed. I knew that my question was sincere, and I was with 'real intent'. This continued for a couple days. Later that week I was sitting on that same couch thinking, when a scripture came with great force into my mind:

6 And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.

Ether Chapter 12, Verse 6 (emphasis added)

My soul was filled with.... this feeling. A feeling of intense peace and clarity. I can't explain it in words, but I know and recognize it as the Spirit of God. The Lord tried my faith, He nurtured a questioning soul, and when I was humble and sincere, He gave me a witness of truth. That man in Walmart was the trial of my faith! I know that the Book of Mormon is true. It testifies of Christ. I am grateful for that day I stood in the Walmart checkout aisle, because it led me to that great truth!

I can't say that I always have the best attitude when things are hard. In fact, I can get really frustrated sometimes. What I learned from my experience was that God really does care, he really does answer prayers, and he allows us to have the experiences and trials and afflictions we have to fortify us. To purify us. To refine us into the men and women that we can be. When things are hard, it is because God is leading us to greater things.

When a door gets slammed in your face, when you feel like nothing is going right, and when you are filled with doubt and fear, I hope that we can hold on to what we do know. I know that God loves us! And that is something worth holding on to.

May God Bless you!!

-Elder Riley Aaron Gabrielson