TheParableoftheGoodApostate byLukeMatthews Joshuaraisedhishand. Yes,BrotherFadersen? Idontknow...Iamabitambivalentabouttempleordinances,Joshsaid,glancingatTemple WorkandFamilyHistory,neatlyunderlinedonthechalkboard.Doesntitseemlikeweshould strivetosavepeoplehereonearth,beforeweworryabouttheirstatusinheaven? Perhapsthedeadcoulddoeachothersworkheaddedwithawrysmile. SisterParrishlookeduncomfortable.Whatdoyoumeanbysavepeoplehereonearth?Isnt receivingthetempleordinancesmoreimportantthananythingelse?Ihavebeensoinspiredby storiesoffamilieswhogiveupsomuchsotheycantakeouttheirendowmentsorbesealed. Letmeexplainbytellingastory.Bearwithme.Joshshiftedinhiscushionedseat. OneSundaymorningacarslammedintoanothercar,sendingithurtlingintothemedian.The hoodwascrumpled,thewindowbroken,theairbagengaged.Amongthemanycarsspeeding bywasadarkluxurysedan.Whatapity,onesuitedmansaidtotheother.

Ihopethatdriveris ok.HowclosearewetotheRegionalTrainingMeeting? Wewillbethereinafewminutes. Amomentlater,asmallcarstoppedatthescene.Atattooedmangotout,rushingtowardthe wreckage.Heopenedthedoorandliftedthebloody,unconsciousman.Hespedtowardthe closesthospital. Afterthedoctorstookawaythecrumpledformonthestretcher,themanhandedhisdebitcard tothenursebehindthewindow.Pleaseputallchargesonmycard,whateverthecostisuntil myfriendisrecovered. Thedarkhairedwomanlookedshocked.Thatis...highlyunusual.Notsurewecandothat.Let mecheck.ThatismightyChristianofyou,sir. Oh,Ihaventbeencalledthatinyears.TheChurchdoesntlikemykind,andIdontknowwhatI believeanymore.Butplease,dowhatyoucanforthatman. AlleyeswereonJoshuainhiswornpurpleshirt.Hisownbrowneyeswerepiercing, disconcerting.Itellyou,FatherandMotheraremorepleasedwiththattattooed,gayatheistthan

withtheApostleandGeneralAuthorityontheirwaytotheirurgentmeeting. SisterParrishwrungherhands.Um,thankyouforthat....storyBrotherFadersen.Cansomeone elseshareaboutatimewhentheyhavebeenblessedbyattendingthetemple?