Description

Barrelling Through The Front Door

Sandy was born in Fort Worth Texas in May of 1944, to goodly parents who took her to Church every Sunday. She grew up knowing that God was real but felt at the same time that something was missing in the Church of her youth.

She described this about getting older: “I was caught up in the world of Babylon, and was growing weary of the lifestyle. There were many times I would fall into bed at night and exclaim ‘O God, there has got to be something better than this.’” 

There was something better. Not long after she had just come home from work and her phone started ringing. It was 2:00 PM in November, 1964. On the other end of the line was a young man who introduced himself as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He asked her if she knew anything about the Church and she said no. He kept asking questions. Sandy said:

“As he talked, I was suddenly surrounded by this incredible warm light and heard myself answer all his questions. Much to my surprise, as well as his, it ended up with an appointment at 4:00 that same afternoon. I found out later, that his companion was ill with the flu, and Elder Stewart had just opened up the white pages of the phone book and was making use of his time while his companion was sleeping.”

Out of that random moment of inspiration, Sandy was baptized on January 30, 1965. Later that same year she moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, and took a job at the Church Office Building. She met many of the General Authorities of the time, including President David O. McKay. In fact, she was working there when President McKay passed away. Of President McKay, she said:

“Having looked into his eyes on several occasions, I had a firm testimony that he was a Prophet of God. For a few days after his passing, there was a hush that fell over the whole building, and it was a tender, quiet time there in the office building.”

Of course, everyone knew and understood that President Joseph Fielding Smith would soon be the next prophet. Sandy said of President Smith: “We had seen him often, shuffling through the building, obviously laden down with age and a weary body.”

And now the reason I tell you this unique story… 

Sandy said:

“The following Monday, after [President McKay’s] passing, many of us were waiting at the old elevator there in the hall when this man, this very old and slow-moving President Smith came barreling through the front door, eyes ablaze with purpose, and waited at the elevator with us, for just a couple of seconds, when he exclaimed ‘No, too slow, too slow’.  He then turned around and took off up the long staircase like he was a teenager. We had just witnessed the effects that the mantle of a prophet has on the rejuvenation of the body. Another miracle in my life that increased my faith in Heavenly Father’s great power and love.”

 Indeed, I too have witnessed the power of God unto the “renewing” of the body of the Lord’s anointed.

Source: Sandy Kelley Parten. Original story with the author.