Blessing

It was one of the blessings in our mission to have so many leaders from the church visit Donetsk – Elder Eyring, Elder Oaks, Elder Holland, Sister Menlov, and Sister Smoot. We enjoyed meeting with all of them. The only thing I disliked about them coming to the mission was that all missionaries could not see them. I tried my hardest to make it happen but was finally asked to cease and desist with my wanting all missionaries to see the authorities. Elder Eyring came to our apartment and after lunch he asked me to find some one “who would be blessed by blessing an apostle”. He went on to tell us he was a little under the weather and had numerous things he had to do and he just felt he needed a blessing. I told him Elder Nelson, the mission doctor, would be happy to bless him. He replied that he wanted a Ukrainian member to perform the blessing. He went on to say to me - “just pray for inspiration and if you don’t get any it will be all right.” Talk about a little ecclesiastical pressure. It was hours before our meeting with the priesthood members but I started praying for the necessary guidance. We went to the concert hall in Donetsk for our meeting and as I sat on the stand I looked out into the audience and started going row by row looking at all the men I knew. I kept looking until I noticed the Branch President from Lygansk sitting in the congregation. President Letvidov was the man. I could feel it and taste it. The minute I saw him I knew he was the person to bless Elder Eyring. I turned to Elder Schutze and told him I knew the person who should bless Elder Eyring. I asked Elder Schutze if I could ask President Letvidov at the intermission. He said it would be OK. I took one of the assistants down into the audience to ask President Letvidov and he said he would be honored to bless Elder Eyring. After the meeting, we went to my office were an assistant and President Letvidov blessed Elder Eyring. President Letvidov thought this experience was so special and sacred that he never talked about it. I’m not sure he has even told his wife about it. He is such a good man. All of us who were involved with this incident were very blessed and had our testimonies strengthened.