They Taught Not With Polish

By Michaelbrent Collings

There once was a man who had prayed for the truth.

He’d prayed and he’d prayed since the time of his youth,

But no answer had come; no man had come forth

To tell of the Lord and his mission on Earth.

But then came a day, and a knock on the door

That changed that man’s life to its innermost core.

Two men stood before him, each dressed just the same,

And one said, "Hello! Elder Browning’s my name!

And here’s my companion – his name’s Elder Dray –

And we have a message to give you today!

A message of peace, of truth, and of love,

About Jesus Christ, and our Father above."

In came the Elders, and they taught that man

Of water, and fire, and the Lord God’s great Plan.

Those Elders were proud; they showed off their knowledge,

And gave the discussions with flair and with polish.

But when they were done, the man shook his head

And though he did thank them for what they had said,

He showed them right out, just as quick as you please,

And then got back down on his withered old knees.

A couple weeks later, another knock came,

And lo! and behold! two men dressed the sam.

One of them stepped right up and thrust out his hand.

"My name’s Elder Thomas and here’s Elder Sand.

We have here a book that we’d like you to see,

And we’ll prove by the Bible it’s as true as can be!"

Those Elders came in, and they quoted The Book!

From cover to cover, not a verse was forsook!

And when it was over, and when it was done…

They got shown right out, just the same as group one.

Yes, the man showed them out just as quick as you please,

And then got back down on his tired old knees.

A couple months later a final knock came,

And the man opened up to two men dressed the same.

And behind them another, not dressed in a suit,

No, he was dressed oddly, and quiet to boot.

One of the men in the suits stepped up slowly,

His attitude meek and his countenance lowly.

"Uh… hello," said he (and he stuttered a bit),

"I’m Elder McRaney, He’s Elder DeWitt."

Now, he didn’t mention the other man’s name.

But when the Elders went in, that man did the same.

Well, the Elders went in and they started their speech

But oh, it was awful! Those boys couldn’t preach.

They didn’t have pride and they didn’t have knowledge,

They couldn’t show off all their practice and polish.

But still they did try, just as hard as they could,

With a prayer in their hearts, just the way that one should.

And after the Elders had spoken awhile

The old man leaned back and he started to smile.

And then, quick before the two Elders could leave,

He said, "Please baptize me – I’m ready, you see."

Well the Elders stopped talking (and staggered a bit).

"We heard you were tough," said Elder DeWitt.

"But if you do want it, and if you are sure…

We’ll baptize you Sunday, and make your soul pure."

"But wait," said McRaney, and then he went on,

"Why is it now that it’s our side you’re on?

We don’t got no flair, or no poise, or no polish,

And even less do we got any kind of real knowledge."

"I know," said the man, "but it’s plain here to see,

You’ve brought something much more important to me."

And then he walked over, and on knee and hand,

He knelt down and worshiped the strange-dressed third man.

And the Elders blinked once and then saw who was near,

As the Savior at last to their sight did appear.

And He said to them as they fell to their knees:

"My sons… in your teachings, I am well pleased.

You taught not with knowledge, or polish, or pride.

But when the door opened, you led Me inside."

August 19, 1993.

Written in preparation of a mission

Served for the Church of Jesus Christ

Of Latter-Day Saints

In Asuncion, Paraguay,

From November 1993, to November 1995