One night while scanning Facebook, I happened to notice one of my friends posted a picture of a first edition Book of Mormon. Of course it peaked my interest on where he got his hands on this rare item. He explained to me that they have a family friend that owned a book store and now collects rare items. I thought that was pretty cool! He told me that the friend comes by every now and again. The next time he was in town my friend would let me know so I can see some of the cool items in his collection.
Within a couple of months I was notified he would be in town, so I headed over to his house with excitement to see what rare things I would see. I was not let down one bit.
He had some really interesting things. Here is a picture of some of the items:
It was all very cool stuff! The item that stood out to me most was a letter penned by Mother Teresa herself. I’ll type it out so you it will be easier for you to read. In this simple short letter, I got a sense of what she was all about. The letter also served as a great reminder to myself of how I can do better to lift up others.
Dated: 21/12/75
Dear Mr. GG Wagner,
Many thanks for your kind letter of 11/11/75. I am glad you were happy that all went well at the UN. (United Nations) I must tell you, I felt like fish out of water in that crowd of businessmen and leaders. I never feel like that with crowds much greater – but closer of our kind – the lepers, the dying, the unwanted, the helpless, the unloved, the lonely.
Thank you for inviting me – for I have a better understanding of the rich – Who day after day have to accept the roll of entertaining and being entertained – There gatherings need the presence of Jesus – very much.
Happy & Holy Christmas and God’s blessing in 1976. Pray for me – as I do for you.
God bless you
After I read this letter I asked myself how comfortable I would be amongst the lepers, the dying, the unwanted, the helpless, the unloved and the lonely. How comfortable are we with our gay brothers and sisters sitting with us as we worship? I hope we can make room for everyone to worship with us if they so choose to do so. I hope we can make it a safer place, a place of love. I believe we are good people, but I know we have a lot of work to do. I believe Mother Teresa held up that light of Christ. “Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up…And ye see that I have commanded that none of you should go away…” (3 Nephi 18:24,25)
Here is the original letter:
I want to be Mother Teresa when I grow up. Is that possible?
I want to be someone that the outcasts know they can sit with.
I met a young woman about to take orders in the Sisters of Charity (Mother Teresa’s order). It’s quite a sacrifice to dedicate your life to the poorest of the poor. It’s hard to do while having a family or another job, or both. I do want to be more like the Sisters of Charity in my willingness to uplift people who will never really be able to take care of themselves. I also want to work with those who might be able to lift themselves with just a little added boost. That’s not to disparage your desire, Leah, but to point out how much I gained in admiration for Mother Teresa when I realized that most of the people she helped will never get out of their awful situations in their lifetimes.
3rd Nephi 18 is my favorite Book of Mormon chapter, and I sit, biting my tongue when we troop out the line that “A man will get closer to God by following it’s precepts than any other book.” Great line, great idea – Let’s do it. Our meetings should be more inclusive, our lives should be more generous, and we should apply 3rd Nephi 18.
Yes – Mother Teresa was remarkable. The letter was beautiful.
Great post, Paul. Great insight and inspiration.
The letter may be owned by Glen Beck now. I believe he read it during a resent radio broadcast.