I Want to Go Back

I Want to Go Back

by Joshua Chandler 

I want to go back

to the eleven year old Burmese interpreter, staining her memory that her parents might hear sacrament meeting in their own tongue.

Want to go back

to the overnight reactivated step-dad, swelling with pride for his son under a circle of priesthood hands. 

To the ward missionary who knows her purpose. 

“Gene! You’ve GOT to LISTEN to what these elders are TELLING YOU!”

To the recent convert, taking his “last” last shot of whiskey, “not like last time,” when he woke up in a park, wondering where he was, bottles all around on the cold. 

hard.

ground. 

Go back

to the Laotian ping-pong prince. “works hard job man.”

“tired.”

“drink beer today,” 

“can’t talk about the Bible.”

I want to go back

to the mother and daughter, kicked out of the homeless shelter for defending each other. Trying to make it, 

and trying to believe. 

To the trial of faith missionary, 

I’ve been there.

Wondering what on earth I could possibly accomplish here. 

To the Buddhist Burmese refugee, praying for the 1st time that they won’t check for his misplaced passport at the border of Thailand and freedom.

To the Young family, welcoming a Sister home and sending an Elder out almost simultaneously and doing all they can to reach their neighbors with the 

truth of their testimonies. 

I want to go back

to the valiant youth of McCook, The Hope of Israel.

Want to go back to Tum Soulin, doing her best to balance a demanding career, while saving every Southeast Asian soul she can open her 

tri-linguistic mouth 

to

The new family, two year old and one on the way, trying to finish school, lift their inner-city branch and avoid a bed bug infestation while feeding the elders tacos or pizza w/ ice cream

once weekly.

To the convert of the branch presidency. First time he met President Wilkinson, he thought the Elders bringing their dad was 

one step too far.

Now he’s the best father figure an Elder can ask for. 

To the new member, fighting for a job and her kids back with 

new found faith. 

I want to go back

to the Bishop and Branch Presidents’ Wives, whole heart in the work of salvation - 

first her family

then the world. 

To the Oakview Ward

Worlds Best Members. 

Now the best blessing to Elmwood and Rockbrook wards. 

To the little girl without a birthday, running to the border, 

watching over her shoulder

her grandma fallen on a pile of bodies, 

three years later being baptized by her formerly Buddhist father. 

And the reactivated life-long less-active, saved by the spirit of service. 

I want to go back 

to the senior couple, 

second marriage, 

first mission, 

loving in Conestoga. 

To Ramon Morales with his “not girlfriend” novia

who introduced him to the restored gospel of Christ Jesus.

And the Honduran immigrants who just want to know how to say 

“I know the Book of Mormon is true and that Joseph Smith is a

prophet of God.” 

in english. 

Want to go back

to the pioneer woman, dying with her face toward zion, 

and tell her she made it. 

To the hardest working warriors, 

the stalwart seminary students, 

trial-stricken investigators, 

“not todays” and “come back laters”

to street side miracles,

small town heroes, 

Bible toting thugs,

“don’t drink the water” jugs, 

13th times the charm formers, 

beggars on street corners

guys named “Cat Daddy” who GQ missionaries, 

converts who “feel different”

consecrated counsels, 

focus 15 families, 

100% baptism inviting home teachers

To the skeptics and converts

 and everyone in-between 

You'll never know how much you mean to me. 

thanks.