Keith Miller

Many years ago as a young Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I was tasked with a special assignment. A local man had lost his battle with Cancer. He had lots of family in the area. Some of his family was of my faith and some where Lutherans. I was tasked with comforting the family, and dedicating the grave, as is our custom. The Lutheran Minister was conducting the funeral. My missionary companion and I stood quietly in the back of the chapel. It was hot and humid, as only the Lake Murray area of South Carolina can get. They had a guest speaker, a radio evangelist out of Charleston. He was there at the request of one of the family members. He preached Fire and Brimstone like I had never heard before. Then the local Lutheran pastor spoke not of Fire and Brimstone; but of God's love for his children. When the sermonizing was over we laid the man to rest in the Church yard cemetery. While I was dedicating the grave the radio preacher sped off in a stretch Limo, he didn't even wait for me say “Amen". Then the humble Lutheran Minister picked up a shovel and began to fill in the grave. My missionary companion and I removed our suit coats, rolled up our sleeves and took up a shovel ourselves. Two things happened that day. First we gained the friendship of a country Lutheran Minister; but most importantly we learned that a true man of God serves his flock. He doesn't need fancy cars or expensive clothing. He just needs faith in Christ...and maybe a pair of work gloves. (The picture above is of the actual church.)