Joseph L. Laflin's Personal Testimony
Joseph L. Laflin
09/17/1999
Ward/Branch: Bradenton First Ward
Stake/Mission: Brandon Stake
State/Country: Florida, USA
About five years ago, many local members of the Church had the opportunity to volunteer our time to assist with the opening of the Orlando Florida Temple. It was a great experience for all who took part in this.
On the second or third day of 'open house,' when the members and non members were given the opportunity to tour the Temple, I was assigned as a relief security person. It was my duty to relieve the various posts so that each security member could get a break from time to time.
There was a security post at the main entrance to the temple grounds. An awning tent had been set up, in case of rain.
Several brothers were standing near the tent area as I approached. I relieved one of them and took over duties.
Within a few minutes, a car stopped in front of the main gate and an elderly man got out. The car immediately left. The man began passing out anti-Mormon literature to people in vehicles going and coming from the Temple entrance.
We had been instructed to take no action in this regard, as long as it was done off the property, and so we just watched intently.
This went on for several minutes and then a torrential rain began to come down. We remained fairly dry under the awning, but the man passing out literature had nowhere to go. He was getting drenched, the vehicle he arrived in had long left the entrance. He seemed miserable and distraught.
Several minutes passed and one of the Brothers under the awning shouted to the old man.
"You sir! You are welcome to come under our awning if you like, but you will have to leave your literature on the curb."
The old man seemed to want to accept the offer and started to walk toward us. For some reason, however, he changed his mind and said. "That's ok, I will be alright."
It was obvious to us that he was not going to be alright. It was raining as hard as I have ever seen rain fall and the man did not give the appearance of a healthy person, even before the rain. One of the brothers made a decision, a Christ-like decision, which I have thought about many time since. He took a large umbrella and walked out onto the street where the man was, and handed it to him. The old man accepted it without any exchange of words, but as I continued to watch him, I could see gratitude and confusion in his eyes.
Several minutes later the vehicle that dropped him off returned for him and he set the umbrella down near the entrance. He then looked at us, again saying nothing, but implying thanks by his expression.
The thought came to me at that time that when the millennium is upon the earth, and the great work of the millennium will be Temple work, all who remain in the physical existence will know without a doubt that this Church is the true Church of Jesus Christ and they will know that the Temples are the house of the Lord upon the earth.
And, even then will many refuse to accept the truth and just as the old man and his anti-Mormon literature, they will continue to fight against the way of the Lord.
The lies of Satan and the pride of men are powerful adversaries to truth....