Berk S. Rogersen

[Larry Alex Taunton @LarryTaunton]

Driving home from Nashville a few days ago, the wife wanted to stop in Franklin to do a bit of Christmas shopping. Obedient to her wishes as I am, I make the detour and park. As we strolled along the square, I see an older man sitting alone on a bench. Being the sort who initiates conversation with strangers, I say jokingly:

“You look like a man who is waiting for his wife while she spends his money.”

He gives me a wan smile and replies: “I wish I was.” His voice cracks. “She passed away last November.”

We stop. I extend a sympathetic hand. He shakes it and rises to greet us. Lauri asks him about his wife, and he tells us what a wonderful woman she was and of their 50 years of marriage. His eyes welling with tears, he says he comes to the square and sits on that bench daily to reminisce about her because it was their spot for decades. He seems glad to have someone, even strangers, with whom he can talk.

We chat a bit longer, exchange numbers, and I ask him if we can pray for him. A believer, he readily accepts the offer. So, right there on the square in Franklin we pray for the Lord’s comforting presence and peace in his loss. We open our eyes and, at that very moment, a woman walks by hurriedly and reaches for the bench behind this fellow. Only I see it, and I think she might be stealing his phone which he had left on the bench when he rose to speak with us.

I walk to the bench to investigate and see that she’s left a card, a little plastic dove glued on it, proclaiming the hope of John 3:16. I look up to see her far down the sidewalk, her brisk pace undiminished, placing them everywhere in her own evangelistic endeavor. God bless her for it.

Lauri and I wished our new friend well and proceeded to shop. I bought a new vest at her encouragement — “It looks good on you” — and she bought some aromatic candles — “cinnamon vanilla.” But all the while we were thinking of this man and the seemingly coincidental nature of our meeting. The Lord had used us to visibly encourage him.

I cannot tell you the number of times I have had such encounters simply because I spoke to a stranger: a taxi driver who told me someone had murdered his daughter; a waitress who cried when I told her she was doing a good job; a contractor who, just last week, revealed to me how the Lord had delivered him from meth addiction when I was sharing the Gospel with him; and a young woman who looked unsettled and I simply asked her what troubled her so.

There are people all around you who carry secret burdens, and the Lord puts you in their path for a reason. Do you notice them? Or do you press on to “more important” things? Pray that the Lord gives you eyes to see them and the heart to minister to them. It will do you as much good as you do them.

[Berk S. Rogersen @sbrgtx]

@LoganARobison Ozark in Springdale? That’s where I go with my son when he’s in town. I agree we need more options in NWA.

[Berk S. Rogersen @sbrgtx]

@hankrsmith Now that’s funny right there.

[David A. Bednar @BednarDavidA]

In a world that increasingly may mock our beliefs, we will be known by our kindness, our service, our integrity.

What a remarkable time to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and to never be ashamed of His gospel.

[Berk S. Rogersen @sbrgtx]

@hankrsmith @HollandJeffreyR Right in the feels. It’s like how I felt after Elder Maxwell passed.

[Berk S. Rogersen @sbrgtx]

@JohnBoozman Why are you just reviewing? Why aren't you aggressively supporting? Inquiring constituents want to know.

[Berk S. Rogersen @sbrgtx]

@dan_lefev It was a great talk. But you have to listen to his dad’s talk right after to get the full impact.

[Berk S. Rogersen @sbrgtx]

@bradenpace It’s actually not organized or sponsored by the “LDS Church.” It’s individual members following the promptings of the Holy Ghost to act out of charity and compassion to unitedly minister to their fellowman. It’s what disciples of Jesus Christ do.

[Berk S. Rogersen @sbrgtx]

@ProdigalSonMatt The Bentonville Temple is very busy. Hard to get reservations for the baptistry especially. I have lived in the same home for 6 years. In that time I’ve been in 3 different wards and now 2 stakes.

[Berk S. Rogersen @sbrgtx]

@ProdigalSonMatt I live in NWA. Many Saints are gathering here, and not all are coming due to Walmart. Many are being drawn here for reasons they don’t fully understand. Church leadership is as strong here as anywhere I’ve lived before, including Utah, Texas, and Southern California.

[Berk S. Rogersen @sbrgtx]

@SaveAmericaNew “You’re halfway there. Keep it up.”

[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints @Ch_JesusChrist]

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints condemns horrific acts of violence worldwide, including the recent assassination in Utah. We affirm our repeated calls to seek peace and unity despite our differences. Jesus Christ teaches us to love one another, that hate is wrong and that human life is sacred. We urge all to reject violence and instead build understanding. Recognizing that we are all children of God, we must treat one another with more dignity, compassion and respect. As we mourn with those who have experienced loss and care for those living in fear or conflict, we call upon people everywhere to build communities of greater kindness and love." — The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

https://t.co/mvmI7NNN4L

[Berk S. Rogersen @sbrgtx]

@Maga_Trigger Such a pathetic question.

[Berk S. Rogersen @sbrgtx]

@SenDuckworth Blame Trump for this mess??? You are WAYYYY more complicit in this issue than he is. Your foolish attempt at deflection is unbecoming of the dignity of your position.

[S Woolley Kimball 🇵🇸🇮🇱🇨🇭 @NotYourBishop]

There is absolutely no reason, ever, under any circumstance, on any level, to take authoritative, doctrinal guidance from anyone, on any gospel subject, who doesn’t hold the title of Apostle.

I can’t make this more clear.

[Berk S. Rogersen @sbrgtx]

@LeadingReport No kidding, Sherlock

[Berk S. Rogersen @sbrgtx]

@Michell33650674 Dogs and cats, living together. Mass hysteria!

[Berk S. Rogersen @sbrgtx]

@OhRick4 Says the guy who uses profanity and vulgarity in his original post. What a class act.

[Berk S. Rogersen @sbrgtx]

@AlexPadilla4CA Drama king. Political theater. You’re a doofus

[Berk S. Rogersen @sbrgtx]

@GavinNewsom So glad I moved out of California 8 years ago. Your attitude and incompetence is insufferable.