Fishing With a Prophet of God

This is an experience I had once with the Prophet of God fishing on the Provo River. It was a great blessing and true learning experience for me and one I'll never forget.

Many Blessings, Gargantuan "Charity is accepting someone's differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn't handle something the way we might have hoped." Marvin J Ashton

 

A few years ago I was fishing on the River by a favorite bridge. I liked the spot for fishing because the downward trail sloped right to the river's edge and wasn't too difficult to walk. I found a good spot almost near the bridge and since I was wearing my hip boots I could wade into the river current. It was a nice sunny day and the current wasn't too fast by the bridge. I felt confident I'd catch a fish soon.

Suddenly, I heard what sounded like a "Clomp, Clomp, Splush" right behind me. I turned around to see what the noise was all about and I looked right into the bright smiling face of President Thomas S Monson. He wasn't the Prophet then but was a member of the First Presidency. When he saw me, he quickly said with a typical great big President Monson smile, "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't see you."

I was glad I recognized who he was before I reacted with "You’re in my spot" or "I was here first" kind of rude remark. Heaven was watching over me and I calmly said with a smile, "That’s okay, I was just leaving."

I reeled my line in and walked up the riverbank to leave to fish in another area. I don't know what it was that kept me from leaving the area, but I didn't. Instead, I put my fishing gear away and walked over to the other side of the riverbank and watched a great man of God enjoy the peaceful art of fishing. He was a good fisherman. I'm sure he caught at least one nice trout. Since he is such a kindhearted man, he released the fish back into the river.

I stood watching him fish for some time and learned a few new things about fishing. I thought if I could watch him long enough perhaps I'd learn to be a better fisherman. It was almost Noon and I saw his dear wife bring him some lunch to eat. She was watching out for him and making sure he had the strength for his sport.

I continued to watch and learn from him. I marveled as I watched that a man who loves fishing also loves fishing for the souls of men and teaching them. I felt blessed to have rubbed shoulders with one of God’s true fisherman as we both enjoyed the sport of fishing.

Tags: Missionary Fellowshipping Prophet Gratitude

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