Dale Murphy, a retired Major League Baseball star and now a bishop in Utah, provided a way for missionaries in Virginia to fulfill a request by Virginia Richmond Mission Pres. Dennis R. Webb to "find ways to reach non-members on a larger scale."
With the help of local members, missionaries serving in the Charlottesville 1st and 2nd wards of the Waynesboro Virginia Stake, came up with the idea of inviting Bishop Murphy to be the speaker at a missionary fireside. They never imagined how close he was to the hearts of the non-LDS community in Virginia.Although a native of Portland, Ore., and only a temporary resident in Richmond, Va., while playing for the Triple-A Richmond Braves, Dale Murphy had been adopted by many Virginians as "their own." He played in Richmond during part of the 1976 season and all of the 1977 season before moving on to sports stardom with the Atlanta Braves.
Many Virginians were well-versed in his glowing baseball career that included back-to-back National League Most Valuable Player awards in 1982 and 1983, seven All-Star game appearances and 398 career home runs. They were also well-versed about Dale Murphy "the nice guy," the guy who gives so much to others. His hours spent assisting organizations such as the Children's Miracle Network and Special Olympics had deeply impressed many Virginians.
As the Charlottesville meetinghouse filled to overflowing for the Sept. 27 fireside, the organizers of the event knew that they had indeed tuned in to a way to "reach non-members on a larger scale."
Bishop Murphy, who retired from baseball in 1993 and now serves as bishop of the Alpine 2nd Ward in the Alpine Utah Stake, spoke to the attentive audience on the value and power of the family. The father of seven sons and one daughter shared his testimony of the importance of the family and of the gospel of Jesus Christ, mixed with his baseball stories.
As a part of the family-focused fireside and open house, Mayor David J. Toscano of Charlottesville was presented a volume of family history covering his Italian heritage from 1776 to 1976. Overwhelmed by the gift, Mayor Toscano responded: "I must say, I've been on the city council in the city of Charlottesville for the last five and one-half years, and I have been mayor for the last year and a half, and I can tell you, I have never, never been accorded such an honor as you have given to me tonight. Thank you very much for this honor. I will never forget it."
The open house and fireside, followed by two hours of shaking hands and signing autographs, turned out to be just the beginning of Bishop Murphy's "call to serve" in Virginia.
He filled his limited hours the next day in community service under the guidance of Pres. Glade M. Knight of the Richmond Virginia Chesterfield Stake before flying home.
Sabrina Peebles, public affairs director in the Richmond Virginia Chesterfield Stake commented: "With the great focus that the Richmond area stakes have been putting into community involvement, having Dale Murphy with us served to further share the commitment that members of the Church feel toward the community. Bishop Murphy's visit also further encouraged us, as members, to stay on the pathway of service."
The day in Richmond began with an early morning continental breakfast attended by community leaders and Church members. The breakfast closed with remarks by Bishop Murphy on the rewards that community involvement bring to the community, the family and the individual.
Bishop Murphy was then off to speak to juniors and seniors at Midlothian High School. He encouraged the youth to be observant and appreciative of their talents and skills, and then to work on developing them. He went on to encourage the youth to share their time and talents in service. He challenged them to "lead this community in service. Serve in a way you never have before. Giving service is what life's all about." Relating to the confused messages and challenges the youth face in society today, he said: "Giving service is a great way to learn who you really are. I promise if you will serve others, your own life will fall into perspective."
Bishop Murphy was next escorted to McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center, a veterans hospital where Church members and missionaries in the area offer frequent service. Autographed Polaroid photographs, signed baseball cards, handshakes and encouragement were left behind with patients and staff by the popular visitor.
Upon Bishop Murphy's arrival at his next stop, the Children's Hospital, sister missionaries who spend time serving there were waiting with "Dale Murphy" T-shirts that they and Church members had had prepared for each child.
Stephanie Swaim, public relations director for Children's Hospital, said: "Mr. Murphy's visit was as exciting for the parents as it was for the kids. Sometimes the children's illnesses are as hard on the families as they are on the children. It was wonderful to be able to not only have a special visitor for the kids, but to also have a special visitor for the parents, and make their day a little brighter as well."
The Murphy entourage next pulled up to a Habitat for Humanity home building site where missionaries and members working on the project that day scurried down from the scaffolding to greet the awaited visitor. Elder Chad J. Winger of Orem, Utah, had previously remarked: "Having the opportunity to get out and serve people on my mission is the best thing I've ever done in my life. Dale Murphy is my hero! Having him come and speak to us about what really matters in life, then getting out and doing it with us is awesome!"
The final stop for the day was the place where it all began in Virginia for Dale Murphy. Although the old Parker Field, where he played baseball, had been bulldozed and rebuilt, then renamed "The Diamond," it was still a trip back to his baseball roots. After strolling through the Richmond Braves' office and looking at a file of old Dale Murphy photographs from his days as a Richmond Brave, Bishop Murphy was escorted out onto the baseball field.
Bruce Baldwin, manager of the Richmond Braves, presented a gift in behalf of the Church - five season passes to 1996 Richmond Braves games - to Children's Hospital to assist in its program of reintroducing young patients to outside activity and mobilization. Bishop Murphy then spoke to missionaries gathered in the stadium about their great call to not only teach the gospel of Jesus Christ, but also to serve unconditionally as the Savior had done while on his earthly mission.
After he was presented with a ceramic lighthouse, representing the light that he has been to the world, Bishop Murphy gave a stirring benediction. Then the baseball great hit a few balls, signed some autographs, shook some more hands, and was finally whisked off to the nearby airport.
Following the events, Pres. Webb reflected: "This has been a marvelous experience. I am convinced that as members and missionaries serve their fellowman as Christ taught, we will be lights unto the world, and many who are now in darkness will see the light, and come unto it."
