This past week I have been out of the country touring areas of South America and the Caribbean. During this time I was privileged to meet a wonderful example of discipleship. He was named for a great Book of Mormon prophet, Helaman, and he works as a tour guide at the Mayan archeological site in Tulum, Mexico.
While taking my group to the site, he happily told us about himself and the path that the Lord had placed his family on that would lead him to work as a tour guide in Tulum. He, like his father had completely turned his life over to the gospel of Jesus Christ and went in faith to the place where he felt he could be of most service to his Heavenly Father. He truly left his nets behind and followed Christ and we were greatly blessed for his choices. While in his company, Helaman quietly shared the gospel with us as we walked and talked with him through the ruins. He pointed out symbols and beliefs, shared the common archeological theories concerning them, then pointed out their correlation to things we as members of The Church of Jesus Chris of Latter-day Saints know because of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives. He testified of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, the importance of temples, the plan of salvation, and most importantly of Jesus Christ. Though his words were enlightening, and provided a great amount of insight I never would have gained without his presence, what stayed with me the most was simply his spirit.
Helaman was a disciple of Christ in every best sense of the word. I can only hope that someday I can show the same amount of dedication to the gospel that he showed. I pray that one day my countenance will shine as brightly as his because I have followed his example of inviting the spirit into my life fully and completely.
He taught me much. I’ll share a little bit of it with you over the coming days, but the best thing he taught me is how to love the Lord with all my might, mind and strength and to not be ashamed of this love. That’s a wonderful gift.
