As December approached, however, it looked like the third goal would not be achieved, although the young men had done their part. They had worked diligently on their Duty to God, attended the temple, and strengthened their quorum unity. They had also taken part in many different missionary challenges, like going out with the missionaries, inviting friends to youth activities and church, and placing copies of the Book of Mormon.
Little did they know that the Lord had been preparing people's hearts to hear the gospel.
In November the Young Men president introduced the missionaries to his neighbours, Portuguese women whom he had spoken with about the Church as they had been introduced to it previously in Portugal. These women quickly saw what good the gospel could do for their sons, Patrick Pereira and Miguel Lima, and asked the missionaries to teach them.
Patrick and Miguel progressed very quickly and loved coming out to the youth activities as they felt great excitement and friendship whilst they were there. "It was quite exciting," Miguel remembers. "I got to meet new people and find good friends."
A baptism date of December 19 was set by the missionaries, who were not conscious of the young men's goals. But the Lord was, and this was recognised by all the young men.
The Lord had been preparing the hearts of Patrick and Miguel, who were of deacon and teacher age, respectively. Together with Craig, their baptisms meant that each quorum had increased by one, which exactly matched the goal the quorums had prayerfully set. On their baptismal day, most of the ward members were there to see these two young men make a sacred covenant with their Heavenly Father.
"It felt right," Patrick remembers. After being baptised, he says that he felt "like a blank slate, a new beginning."
Matt Stobbs says, "It was amazing when I found out they were to both be baptised just before the end of the year. It made me feel that Heavenly Father really knows us and is watching over His children individually and is aware of our struggles and our goals."
Paul Stobbs, bishop of the ward, says, "I can only describe the events that led to the young men's goals being met as miraculous. I know that Heavenly Father recognised their faith and dedication to the gospel and subsequently blessed their efforts. Being witnesses to these events has inspired all members of the ward to show more faith."
These young men really caught the vision of Alma and his missionary spirit. Patrick and Miguel are now attending early-morning seminary and are thankful for what has been added to their lives.
"My life will never be the same," Miguel says. "I am really glad that we were taught by the missionaries."
"Me too," adds Patrick. "It is really good to have good friends who encourage me to do good things. And we have a lot of fun too."
Editor's note: British spellings have been preserved.
Young men in Worcestershire, England, found joy as they worked on their goals for their Aaronic Priesthood quorums, including attending the temple, working on Duty to God, and increasing quorum membership.
As the end of the year drew closer—as well as the deadline for the quorum goals—two new young men joined the Aaronic Priesthood quorums after being baptised.
Photographs courtesy of Martin Reid
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