P is for Purple Shirts

The following is taken from an email I received from one of my former seminary students who recently returned from her mission to Canada. It is not only an example of how God hears and answers our prayers, but that he also has a great sense of humor!

“Some of the missionaries in our District were discouraged at not finding anyone to teach, and in their companion study and prayer, resolved to ask for help and guidance. One of the elders prayed, “Help us to place a Book of Mormon today, and…just so we can recognize that person who is prepared to receive the gospel, please have him wear a purple shirt!”

They then went out tracting, and the first person to answer the door was in a purple shirt! But…he was not interested. They continued knocking on doors down the street and every single person was in a purple shirt. After about eight unfruitful houses they knocked on a door and the purple shirt-clad person invited them in and listened to their message.  Heavenly Father must have a really good sense of humor, but a more important lesson is that He will always answer our prayers for help in sharing His gospel message. The question is, do we have the faith to keep seeking for our prepared “purple shirt” when our first attempts disappoint?

In the Doctrine and Covenants 84:88 we read of the Lord’s promise to those who serve Him:

For I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.

I have felt His Spirit in my heart, and I know His angels are round about me, bearing me up and helping me to accomplish His purposes.”