As a full-time missionary, I had my “wall of fame” above my missionary desk at each apartment I lived in. In my day as a missionary, every missionary had a small area above the desk with some personal effects on it or above it. For my wall, I had a picture of myself and 2 buddies, a few small motivational quotes on paper, a picture of Brooks Shields (given to me by a daughter of a lady we taught), and a picture of Christ. I may have had a few other things, but I can’t remember anymore. I probably didn’t need the picture of Brooks Shields (it was a very modest picture by the way), but it did serve as a daily reminder of a sweet family and a conversation piece. On the picture was signed in black marker the words Brooke Shields. It was from a Brooke Shields doll made in the 1980s. The picture was a little 5x7 poster that came with a doll.

On the poster I added, “To Jeff, With Love”. It then read and looked authentic, “To Jeff, With Love, Brooke Shields.” When visiting Elders would come into my apartment they would look at this wall and almost all of them would ask, “Do you know her”? I would occasionally have a little fun with their question and tell a little story about being friends and even dating her. In the end I would confess that none of my story was true and that I didn’t know her at all. I was just a fan of hers at the time, and the picture was given to me by a precious little girl and her mother whom I had taught.

Usually right next to the Brooks Shields picture was the picture of Christ. During my entire mission, I never had a missionary come in and ask, “Do you know Him”? I probably wouldn’t have asked either, but in thinking of the experience, I learned a very valuable lesson. If the question were asked, what would my answer be? I believe my answer would have been profound, powerful, Spirit-filled, deeply heartfelt, and true. I had come to know Christ as a friend, a light, and most importantly as my Savior, Shepherd, and Redeemer. I don’t know everything about Him; I am still learning and serving. I feel His presence in my life, He is close to my thoughts, and, hopefully, my actions are directed by His teachings and my faith in Him. I testify He is the Son of God and the light and the way. I know the Savior and I know He is merciful.