Baptism and Bad Guys

It is hard to believe but we have had a Baptism. Damian our friend was Baptised a member of the Church last night the 23rd of August. Mom and I were there along with some of our Missionary friends, the Ownbys.

We met Damian while we were working at the Legacy Theater. We were visiting with the guests while we were waiting to start the movie. Damian told us that he had just arrived from Arizona, that he did now why he came to Utah. He said that he thought that he had come here for a special reason. He was looking for a place to stay and needed a job. I told him some about the Church and invited him to see the film "Joseph Smith Prophet of the Restoration". We met him at the exit of the movie to see what he thought of the film. He said that he felt like Joseph Smith in some ways. We gave him a "Book of Mormon" and the number for the Church employment office.

We thought that would be the end of the story as we were not able to get his phone number or place of residence. He had no phone and was looking for some where to stay. Several days passed and we were at the South Gate greeting guests, when who should walk by but Damian taking a short cut though the Square. We had a nice visit. He was still looking for a job but had found some where to stay for the short time. I told him to read 3rd Nephi 11 and Moroni in the Book of Mormon that we had given him. He still did not have a real address or phone number. More time passed when he appeared again as we were working at the Tabernacle. He said that he now had a Cell Phone and had had some part time jobs in construction and was living at a Hostel. I got his phone Number and and address and sent it to the Referral Center for the full time Missionaries to contact him. Several days later he came back looking for us. He said that he had some good interviews for a job with some call backs scheduled. I asked him if the Missionaries had been in touch with him. He said that he was disappointed because he had not yet heard from them. I took his Phone Number and Name to President Leech and asked him to contact the Mission Leaders in person. Damian Then came looking for us again with the news that he had a job and that he had the lessons and was committed to be baptised. Very few of the Missionaries on the Square get to see a Baptism because the referrals are sent to the full time missionaries in other missions or countries.

Mom was working at the at the East Desk of the South Visitors Center when a Man came in with no shoes on. He said that the Church was the cause of all his troubles that they had taken away his wife and kids. He then told Mom that if he did not get help that he would have to rob or kill someone. Mom then called security and he ran away. Security was able to catch him and escort him off the square. We found out that he then went to Welfare Square and made the same threats. He was then arrested and taken to Jail. Mom did such a job in being able to stay calm and call security. She was really upset after the event. The mission leaders said they did not remember anything that bad before.