Postcards from Preston

Elder Hlalaphi is from Cape Town South Africa, a city of about 2.5 million people. He joined the church as a young man -- the only member in his family. He was raised by a single mother and has 3 siblings.

He is the first missionary to come from his branch and they have nurtured him and helped him prepare for a mission.

When he left home, he told his mother that she needed to understand that he was going for 2 years and would not come home for anything.

A week after his arrival in the MTC, we received word that his sister had passed away. This sister had suffered with serious health problems most of her life, nevertheless her death was very unexpected.

President Walker had the very sad task of telling him of his sister's passing. He was broken hearted and his heaving sobs almost broke my heart. He asked if we would get his companion so that he could tell him. His companion lost his own mother 2 days before he submitted his mission papers so they sat and wept together. It was a beautiful spring evening and we walked with him and his companion around the temple grounds while he told us all about his sister. She was his greatest support -- she loved him and stood up for him when others turned their backs on him. His grief was almost dibilitating.

Later that evening he called his mother. He was stunned at her reaction. She reminded him that when he left he told her that no matter what, he would not come home and she did not want him to break that commitment.

This assurance from his mother brought such peace and that combined with a beautiful blessing President Walker gave him brought him understanding and almost within hours he was back to missionary work and moving forward.

He is a young man of great faith and an amazing amount of gospel knowledge. He fully recognizes that he is laying the groundwork for the gospel in his family and in his country.

He is one who has been singled out, chosen for a great work.

It is a privlege to know him.