A mission call came to four faithful elders to go to the “Lamanites.” This term means Children of Lehi: his
posterity. Most native North, Central,
and South American people fit into this category if they have a portion of Lehi’s
blood. There are, undoubtedly, people
who are more directly related to Lehi than others. Nevertheless, at the time of Joseph Smith,
the call came from the Lord to go into Indian Country and preach the gospel of
Jesus Christ. My own mission call was to the “Lamanites” in Arizona and New
Mexico. I was invited to learn the
Navajo language, thus opening one of the most spectacularly poignant
experiences of my life! I lived and
preached among these choice people for two years. I loved the language and the people loved to
hear me try to speak it. It almost
always got a chuckle when I made my attempts, but the people were patient and
helpful. The children were especially
good at teaching me new words and phrases.
I dearly love the Navajo and hope someday to have another opportunity to
live among them.
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