Library Rules

We must remember that those mortals we meet in parking lots, offices, elevators, and elsewhere are that portion of mankind God has given us to love and to serve.     ~President Spencer W. Kimball

The elders warned us that we are never allowed to proselyte to the library staff. Previous missionaries have been kicked out for such conduct. But still, we see them every P-day, and they're always so nice. What's a girl to do?

He started it. He introduced himself as Tom*, so we told him who we were. And he's a real chatty-kathy, so we just listened. Eventually he worked the conversation towards spirituality (it's not hard to do when we're wearing name tags that proclaim Jesus Christ), and it all went smoothly from there.

Would you believe it? The library security guard is Mormon! He was baptized on Temple Square over 20 years ago, and he says that he still believes it even though he's not active. Missionaries might have known it sooner, were it not for the library rules.

Something possessed me. I blame it on hunger. Sister Ellis says I had my sassy pants on. Whatever the case, I boldly invited Tom to church. That failed, so I asked when we could expect an invitation to dinner. BINGO! It is contrary to everything my mother ever taught me to invite myself to dinner, but it is a delightfully fruitful deviant behavior.

Tom and his dear wife Ann* hosted the three of us to a lovely Sunday dinner last night. The table was set with their Christmas dinnerware, and they encouraged us to eat first, second, and third helpings. We ate for an hour, and then they kept us for two hours more. We taught Ann the message of the Restoration, and then they drilled us with questions.

Polygamy, sacred garments, and temple worthiness have never been discussed in more genial tones! Characteristically abrasive questions were benign. Sister Ellis responded to a query about "holy underwear" by declaring, "Are you kidding me? These things are brand new! I don't have holes in my underwear!"

I love Tom and Ann. We have a return appointment for next Monday.

All because someone broke the library rules.


* Will the dear gentleman ever read this? Most likely not. But out of courtesy, I've given him a nice generic alias. And another for his lovely wife.