A Good Sunday Read..

This article was published by the Church News. My Grandfather is Gary Jenkins. I'm so proud to be his granddaughter.

An eternal gift

A knock on the door by two missionaries forever changed Sister Harriet Uchtdorf

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October 18, 2008

By Jason Swensen
Church News staff writer

The remarkable story of Sister Harriet Uchtdorf's introduction and conversion to the Church includes a friendly prologue.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf and Sister Harriet Uchtdorf, at right, have maintained contact with Gary and MaryAnn Jenkins, at left, for over a half-century. Brother Jenkins and his missionary companion, Richard Kowallis, taught Sister Uchtdorf the gospel. Photo by Tom Smart/Deseret News

Several years before two American missionaries unexpectedly knocked on her family's apartment door in 1954, young Harriet experienced a seemingly trivial encounter with another young stranger that would have lasting significance.
Germany, at the time, was taking its first steps of recovery following the devastation of World War II. West Germany was under occupation by the U.S. military. Life was hard and lean. Harriet Reich was still young enough then to sit atop a small handcart that her mother, Carmen Reich, would push through the streets of Frankfurt as she went about her daily business of caring for her small family.
On one occasion, the mother and daughter passed a young U.S. solider. The American G.I. smiled at the little girl, tossed her a foil-wrapped stick of chewing gum and continued on his way.
"I had never seen chewing gum, I didn't know what it was," said Sister Uchtdorf, wife of President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency.
After receiving permission from her mother, little Harriet unwrapped the gum, placed it in her mouth and began to chew. She was amazed to find she could chew, chew and chew — but the small, flavorful gift would not dissolve and disappear!
"I had this precious thing now," said Sister Uchtdorf, relishing the memory. "So I took it from my mouth and put it back in this beautiful silver paper, wrapped it up and kept it. Each and every day I chewed it a little bit until there was nothing left. This was so special to me at the time."
Years passed and times remained tough. Harriet's father, Iwan Victor Reich, passed away, adding to the challenges of Sister Reich and her two daughters, Harriet and Carmen. In the fall of 1954, the family was living in a top-floor apartment in Frankfurt when a knock was heard at their door. Harriet, then 12, answered and saw two young American men dressed in coats and ties. They asked in accent-tinged German if they could come in and share their special message. Immediately, Harriet's mind conjured the memory of the friendly American soldier and his special gift.
Mrs. Reich was hesitant to invite the missionaries inside — but her daughter proved persuasive.
"I said to my mother, 'Let them come in and let's listen for awhile,'" Sister Uchtdorf said. The missionaries introduced themselves as Elder Gary Jenkins of Pendleton, Ore., and Elder Richard Kowallis of Logan, Utah.
Recalling that moment, Brother Jenkins said he knew instantly that the humble family was ready to be taught the gospel.
"They were a golden family from the word 'Go'," he said. "They were interested in the message we had and they wanted us back soon. We were eager to do that."
The elders shared the Book of Mormon with the Reichs and taught them comforting lessons about eternal families and the plan of salvation. They introduced them to the friendly members of the Frankfurt Branch. Four weeks after answering that unexpected knock, Harriet and her family were baptized.
President Uchtdorf said that smiling American soldier gave little Harriet a kind gift that lasted a long time. "But (the missionaries) brought something she will have for eternity."
Recently, the Uchtdorfs spent a warm autumn afternoon with Gary Jenkins and his wife, MaryAnn. The Uchtdorfs and the Jenkins have remained in touch over the years, exchanging Christmas cards and updates on their respective families. More than a half-century has passed since Elder Jenkins and his companion, Elder Kowallis, knocked on the Reichs' door. But the gratitude and love the Uchtdorfs feel for those missionaries remain strong.
President Uchtdorf said his life has been forever blessed because two diligent missionaries taught the gospel to his future wife. He cannot imagine being without Sister Uchtdorf, serving in the Church together. Missionary work impacted their lives, and the lives of their children and grandchildren who have grown up faithful in the Church.
"And it's all because the missionaries were guided by the Spirit and did what they needed to do," President Uchtdorf said. "They were at the right place at the right time and said the right things."
Brother Jenkins recognizes that much in his own life would be different if he had not accepted his mission call to Germany. Whenever he sees a photo of the Uchtdorfs performing their worldwide Church service, or listens to President Uchtdorf deliver a conference address, his mind returns to that top floor apartment door in Frankfurt, Germany, 54 years ago.
"You just never know what the next door will bring. Who will be there. Or what they will become."
The enthusiasm the Uchtdorfs feel for missionaries has never waned. Recently, Sister Uchtdorf spoke to a group of full-time missionaries in Panama. She counseled them to keep in contact with one another and the people they come to love. Find joy, she said, in preserving precious memories.
On President Uchtdorf's office desk is a small bronze statue of two young missionaries atop their bicycles. The sculpture reminds the Church leader of his own two grandsons who are serving missions — and the missionaries who found, taught and baptized his loved ones.
The two figures don't pedal leisurely. They stand up off their seats, anxious to reach their destination.