Yosef from Jerusalem

We had a wonderful experience this week with Yosef from Jerusalem. Here is what happened last Wednesday night and Thursday: On September 21st 2011 after the site meeting at the Hill Cumorah Visitor’s Center Elder and Sister Servoss and Elder and Sister McVea walked to the top of the Hill pondering how it must have been like 184 years earlier when Joseph Smith, Jr. climbed that same hill to retrieve the golden plates. It was very dark, with no moonlight. Our flashlights aided us in making our way along the path. We made it to the Moroni monument about 10 pm. As we approached it we saw a man sitting on a bench at the side of the monument. He looked like he was in deep contemplation. We sat on the other side of the monument and chatted. We knew that there would be many more people coming to that site in a few minutes, so Elder Servoss decided to meet the man. He went to the man and introduced himself. The young man was very cordial and told him that his name was Yosef (Joseph). When asked where he was from, he stated that he was from Jerusalem. He was then asked if he was a latter-day saint. He replied that he was Jewish, and had grown up in America. Elder Servoss told him that he was a missionary from the church and that there was a group of others that would be arriving soon to celebrate the 184th anniversary of the Prophet Joseph’s experience on the hill. He said, “Yes, I know, that is why I am here.” He had read Joseph’s account of obtaining the plates on the 22nd of Sept. He told us that he was thinking of joining the church. He was excited that he could drive all day from Boston and be at the Hill on the evening of the 21st. We learned from him that this time of year is also the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur (or day of atonement).

He said that he had become interested in Christianity and had read the Bible and found out through the internet that there was another witness for Christ, called the Book of Mormon. That fact intrigued him so he began a search to try and find the book. He ended up reading it on-line about a year ago. For a Jew it is frowned upon if visits are made to the Christian holy sites in Jerusalem. He, however, did visit the sites, including Christ’s tomb. As he learned more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints he learned that the church also had very sacred historical sites in America. When he had an invitation to attend a wedding in Massachusetts, he determined that he wanted to visit the Mormon historical sites in New York on the same trip.

Yosef joined with us for the devotional during which Elders Gardner and Haacke shared stories from Joseph Smith, Heber C. Kimball, and Brigham Young about what happened to them on this same night back in 1827. Yosef video recorded most of the event. After the meeting he walked to the base of the hill with us. He told us that he had all of Thursday to tour the sites. He told us that the things he had learned seemed so familiar. Sister McVea boldly told him that we would love to stay in contact and would love to hear when he is baptized. He told us that he would call us back.

On Thursday he was given a tour of the homes by Sister Chatterton. Then he went off to spend time in the Sacred Grove to contemplate. Sister Chatterton called the office after the tour and reported back to us that she had very much enjoyed talking with him and that he was so receptive and ready. She learned that his parents went back to Israel in the 1970’s and that he had been raised there. They are US citizens and have also spent time in the States. He is a member of the military reserves in Israel. In the afternoon Yosef visited the Grandin building and was given a tour by Elder Nielsen. The next day Yosef sent an email to Elder Nielsen thanking him for the tour. He said that he was very impressed with all that he learned about many things having had to come together to allow the Book of Mormon to be published. He then said the following, “—And I realized that it wasn’t just luck that I was available to make this trip on Sept. 21-22 or that I am going to be returning to the US this summer. I prayed this morning and received my answer today. The path is clear. I want to return to Palmyra this summer and be baptized. If possible, I would love to spend the first weeks after my baptism as a member of the crew or cast of Pageant, sharing my testimony with others and also strengthening my own. I can think of no blessing greater than connecting with a community of Saints in this sacred work. It would also be [a] great way to celebrate my new start in the church! Elder Nielsen, thank you again for inspiring me and for being the angel that brought all of these pieces together. It would be an honor if you would baptize me this summer.” It was an amazing experience and we look forward to having more correspondence with Yosef before he returns next summer.