Three Nephite story

In my seminary class, we are studying 3 Nephi. We are at the end of the book and I remembered this great 3 Nephite story. I got it from a man named Mark Callister when he was bishop of the Macomb ward. It is such a great story and you will love it, I'm sure. So, enjoy the read.


"When I was a young man, having just moved to Utah with my family and not knowing anyone in our high school, feeling very uprooted and a bit irritated at my father for moving us during my junior year of high school, I met a young man in our high school named Richard Glazier. He was very kind and inclusive, inviting me to "hang out" with him and his friends. I came to really appreciate his goodness and his love of serving. My first impression upon meeting him, however, was that he was a "hick" and perhaps a bit on the social margins. I came to learn that yes he was a hick, but very much respected and popular in the school. I was rather stunned that a young man with old cowboy boots, big belt buckle, rosy cheeks and a baby face, with crocked bangs (there was some indication he cut his own hair), an old Willie's truck that was missing the floor boards, no athletic ability to speak of, could ever be so well connected and respected. I truly believe that the respect people had for him came from his desire to live close to the spirit. He was not without his faults, as all of us had our weaknesses, but he was someone with whom you just enjoyed his company, you felt safe and you felt strength from the standards he upheld. My mom would interrogate me on weekend nights as to where I was going, when I'd be home etc., but the minute she learned I was with Rich, all interrogations ended because of her trust in him. I was soon to learn that much of Richard's inner happiness and positive outlook came from his joy of serving.

"One day he approached me and asked if I wanted to be a part of a club. When I asked what this club was, he informed me that if I joined I could not tell anyone about it. Well, this got my attention, so I agreed to the terms. The club, he informed me, was called the "Three Nephites" and was made up of about 5 other young men. I pointed out the number discrepancy, and he responded that the number was irrelevant. The purpose of this little band was anonymous service. He explained that whenever there was a heavy snowfall he would contact me at night to inform me that he would come by at 5:00am the next morning. I was to bring a snow shovel and wear a ski mask that covered all of my face except for my eyes and mouth (so as to hide our identity). I gasped at the thought of waking up at 5:00am, but saw the fun and wholesomeness of the activity. "Count me in!" His father was the Stake President and knew of families in the Stake who had special needs, primarily widows--one was a woman with 4 small kids whose husband had drowned in Utah Lake just months before and she was expecting a 5th. The first time the two pick up trucks pulled up in front of my house at that early hour, I felt an element of joy--perhaps you'd call it Heavenly approval of what we were doing. I had asked my mom to purchase the requisite ski mask and, not knowing what it was for, she purchased a bright orange one that made it look like a giant pumpkin was mounted on my neck :) Off we went to shovel snow and what a memorable time it was--some of my fondest memories were climbing out of the trucks with these exceptional young men and shoveling drive ways. I remember that we always went by one home in particular--I believe it was a sister Pullman whose husband was confined to a bed. She must have wondered who was shoveling her driveway after every snowfall--because we heard her window open above us on the second floor. We all just froze, hoping she wouldn't detect us (as if she couldn't see Mr. Pumpkin head!). We weren't sure if we should run or just keep shoveling. She spoke: "Who are you?" Richard immediately responded, "The three Nephites ma'am." We all got a kick out of that when we drove off. There really is joy in service--and to be in service of your fellow man is truly to be in the service of the Lord. Those mornings make up some of the sweetest memories of my youth."