THE SILENT TREATMENT

The following was told to me by a friend, which I will give in my own words:

While serving in a new area on my mission, my companion and I were instructed to open a new city for the spreading of the Gospel. We began by fasting and prayer. After knocking on several doors, we found one home where the woman of the house said she was interested in hearing our message. She was busy at the time and asked us to come back in a couple hours. We did so and we were instead met at the door by a man who began loudly cursing at us. We attempted to leave but he blocked our path and continued his cursing in the most profane manner.

I was suddenly prompted by the Spirit to rebuke the man by saying, “In the name of Jesus Christ, I command you to cease cursing this very instant.” The man continued to open and close his mouth, but no sound sprang forth and it became apparent that he was suddenly struck dumb. He became highly agitated as he tried to speak and yet was unable to do so. I do not know how long he was silent because he ran back into his house and we never saw him again.

Over the course of the next few days we baptized 25 individuals and started a branch of the Church in that city.