Week 63 – Plato’s Story

Nate’s current mission president, president of the Bulgaria/Greece Mission, is President David Nelson

Hello President Nelson! 

At your request, here is Plato’s story written out. He is one of the greatest things that has ever happened to me on my mission. It’s a long story, and you’re super busy I’m sure, but there is so much to tell. I hope you enjoy reading. You may share this in whatever way you wish. 

At the beginning of the transfer, my companions and I were assigned to an area with multiple cities, each with a branch. We decided from the start that we were going to visit these other branches at least once to check in on members and friends, teach lessons, and attend sacrament meetings with the saints. The second week in, we felt we should go to Burgas, one of the cities.

So we packed our bags, hopped on the train and left. Overall, we had an amazing visit. It was so great to visit with the members and teach a lesson or two. Sunday came and we walked into the church building, and sitting there in front of the chapel was a young man we didn’t recognize.

Meet Plato, a Russian speaking 18 year old, in search of religion. We got to know him a little right then and there, and introduced him to all the members. After sacrament we learned more about his story. He wasn’t originally a religious person, but recently attended a number of different churches. His search for truth eventually led him to learn about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, but the church in Moscow had been closed for quite some time. After fleeing Russia, he found himself here in Bulgaria and again found the church. The first miracle was that he sought out the church on his own. Second, he came to church the same day that we happened to be in that city. Third, he was ready for a baptismal date. After the sacrament meeting, he asked me, “How do I join your church?” With a huge shocked smile on my face and a stutter of my tongue, I was barely able to hold back my excitement and astonishment as I told him about baptism. 

I knew we had to get him a copy of the Book of Mormon. Quickly glancing around told me we didn’t have a Russian copy, and I doubted there was one in the building. In that same moment a friend of mine whom I had previously taught in this city came up to me and handed me his copy of the Book of Mormon, in Russian. He didn’t want it anymore (sad, but we really needed it). So seconds before I needed it, the copy was literally placed into my hands. I gave it to Plato, who gratefully accepted it. We asked him to read the introduction and Moroni 10, and challenged him to prepare for baptism. He accepted. 

The miracle didn’t end there either. Sadly, we knew we had to return to Varna soon, so we made plans to return in two weeks. I felt it was very important to be able to teach him in-person to prepare for his baptism. In the meantime we would teach him online. About a week in, he told us he’d been accepted to univeristy in the capital, Sofia. Wonderful news for him, but we were sad we wouldn’t be teaching him anymore, and he would be leaving before we went back to Burgas. However, the Lord had other plans and due to some mix up in his school papers his travel was delayed. We ended up having a couple in person lessons, and attended church with him. 

Plato was progressing wonderfully. Every day I texted him and he was always excited to share what he had learned from the Book of Mormon that day. He read First Nephi in almost no time, and has memorized the Introduction. Once, we asked him if he knew who Joseph Smith was; he proceeded to teach us the Restoration. I asked him what prophets were to him; He said “Oh! I just read Mosiah today, Abinadi is a great example of a prophet.” We asked what he thought about church on Sunday and he said, “This church has the authority of God. I can feel its power.” I told him he was progressing wonderfully towards baptism. He said “I think so too.”

Plato joined us in Sofia for General Conference, quickly making friendships with the members, missionaries, and the mission President!

In order to have the most people join us for the baptismal service that week, we moved the date to Wednesday. All the missionaries were able to attend, along with most of the branch. We invited a ton of friends, and there at the baptism we put another one on date! It was awesome. Plato was nervous, but he was confident and excited. The service went off without any problems, the font was warm and full, the baptismal suit fit him perfectly, and I learned the baptismal prayer in Russian so that he could hear in his own language.

Afterwards, we spoke, he said he felt amazing. He received the gift of the Holy Ghost later that week on Sunday, also in Russian, which was a miracle. And just this week he will receive the Priesthood!  

He has already given us a couple referrals, helped us teach a lesson to a friend, and now is using the Book of Mormon to write an essay for school! He shows up early to help set up church, and often comes by just to sit in the church and read the Book of Mormon. I’m so excited for him.  

To sum it up: the Lord prepared Plato, an 18 year old boy in Russia, who wasn’t really allowed to search for nor practice religion, and sent him to Bulgaria where he could. The Lord sent us to meet him at the very time he would come to church. The Lord placed a Book of Mormon in Plato’s mother tongue in my hands at the precise moment needed. The Lord allowed for us to teach and support him in person and online, despite living so far away. The Lord provided a way for us to see his journey all the way through. Both to give him support and to teach me a lesson, I’m sure.

Our God IS a God of miracles.

I hope this brings a smile to you today.

With Love, 

Elder Thornton