One recent Sunday in Vladivostok, Russia, the focus in our English-speaking Sunday School class was service and sacrifice. When our teacher, Scott Shaw, asked for a volunteer to read some paragraphs from his great-grandfather John Abbott's journal of his mission to New Zealand, I eagerly raised my hand.
My grandfather was an early missionary in New Zealand, so I was exceptionally interested in this journal. After reading the indicated passages concerning a very spiritual experience, I glanced at the paragraph preceding what I had read aloud.Imagine my joy when, as tears filled my eyes, I read, "During the conference I was appointed to labor on the south island in company with Elder Joseph Price."
All members of the class enjoyed the thrill of my discovery, as I told them that Elder Abbot's companion was my own grandfather.