An experience Elder Larry Echo Hawk of the Seventy had as a
young man after enlisting in the United States Marine Corps.
“I met my drill instructor, a battle-hardened veteran, when
he kicked open the door to the barracks and entered while screaming words laced
with profanity.
“After this terrifying introduction, he started at one end
of the barracks and confronted each recruit with questions. Without exception,
the drill instructor methodically found something about each recruit to
ridicule with loud, vulgar language. Down the row he came, with each marine
shouting back his answer as commanded: ‘Yes’ or ‘No, Sergeant Instructor.’ …
When it was my turn, I could tell he grabbed my duffel bag and emptied the
contents onto my mattress behind me. He looked through my belongings, then
walked back to face me. I braced myself for his attack. In his hand was my Book
of Mormon”
“I expected that he would yell at me; instead, he moved
close to me and whispered, ‘Are you a Mormon?’
“As commanded, I yelled, ‘Yes, Sergeant Instructor.’
“Again I expected the worst. Instead, he paused and raised
his hand that held my Book of Mormon and in a very quiet voice said, ‘Do you
believe in this book?’
“Again I shouted, ‘Yes, Sergeant Instructor’” (“Come unto
Me, O Ye House of Israel,” 32).
