[Teachldsseminary] looking for a story

[Kent Bowden]

Let me give you a story of a woman in São Paulo, Brazil. She worked while
going to school to provide for her family. I use her own words in telling
this story. She says:

"The university in which I studied had a regulation that prohibited the
students that were in debt from taking tests. For this reason, when I
received my salary I would first separate the money for tithing and
offerings, and the remainder was allotted for the payment of the school and
other expenses.

"I remember a time when I … faced serious financial difficulties. It was a
Thursday when I received my salary. When I figured the monthly budget, I
noticed that there wouldn't be enough to pay [both] my tithing and my
university. I would have to choose between them. The bimonthly tests would
start the following week, and if I didn't take them I could lose the school
year. I felt great agony. … My heart ached. I had a painful decision before
me, and I didn't know what to decide. I pondered between the two choices: to
pay tithing or to risk the possibility of not obtaining the necessary
credits to be approved in school.

"This feeling consumed my soul and remained with me up to Saturday. It was
then that I remembered that when I was baptized I had agreed to live the law
of tithing. I had taken upon myself an obligation, not with the
missionaries, but with my Heavenly Father. At that moment, the anguish
started to disappear, giving place to a pleasant sensation of tranquility
and determination. …

"That night when I prayed, I asked the Lord to forgive me for my indecision.
On Sunday, before the beginning of sacrament meeting, I contacted the
bishop, and with great pleasure I paid my tithing and offerings. That was a
special day. I felt happy and peaceful within myself and with Heavenly
Father.

"The next day I was in my office; I tried to find a way to be able to take
the tests that would begin on Wednesday. The more I thought, the further I
felt from a solution. At that time I worked in an attorney's office, and my
employer was the most strict and austere person I had ever met.

"The working period was ending when my employer approached and gave the last
orders of the day. When he had done so, with his briefcase in his hand he
bid farewell. … Suddenly, he halted, and looking at me he asked, 'How is
your college?' I was surprised, and I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
The only thing I could answer with a trembling voice was, 'Everything is all
right!' He looked thoughtfully at me and bid farewell again. …

"Suddenly the secretary entered the room, saying that I was a very fortunate
person! When I asked her why, she simply answered: 'The employer has just
said that from today on the company is going to pay fully for your college
and your books. Before you leave, stop at my desk and inform me of the costs
so that tomorrow I can give you the check.'

Ia this the story you wanted?

Gordon B. Hinckley, "We Walk by Faith," *Ensign,* May 2002, 72

"After she left, crying and feeling very humble, I knelt exactly where I was
and thanked the Lord for His generosity. I … said to Heavenly Father that He
didn't have to bless me so much. I only needed the cost of one month's
installment, and the tithing I had paid on Sunday was very small compared to
the amount I was receiving! During that prayer the words recorded in Malachi
came to my mind: 'Prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will
not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there
shall not be room enough to receive it' (Mal.
3:10<http://scriptures.lds.org/mal/3/10#10>).
Up to that moment I had never felt the magnitude of the promise contained in
that scripture and that this commandment was truly a witness of the love
that God, our Heavenly Father, gives to His children here on earth."

Faith is the very fiber that gives strength to this work. Wherever this
Church is established across this broad world, it is evident. It is not
limited to one country or one nation or one language or one people. It is
found everywhere. We are a people of faith. We walk by faith. We move
forward on our eternal journey, one step at a time.


On 11/15/06, LDMcEwen at aol.com <LDMcEwen at aol.com> wrote:
>
> I am looking for a story about tithing. I believe it was Pres  Hinkley in
> conference where he told about a YW who had a rather mean boss
> and  because she
> paid her tithing-the boss offered to pay her tuition and books. Does  this
> ring
> a bell with anyone?
> Thanks!
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-- 
Kent, Chris and the rest of the Bowden Family
BowdenFamily at gmail.com