Loading ...Mormon convert, 104, spreads Latter-day message
flockwoodDorothy Wagner has been baptized twice in her life: The first time by sprinkling in a Presbyterian Church, the second time by immersion in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints.
The first ritual took place before women’s suffrage. The second — more than a century later — occurred in the Internet age.
Of the 279, 218 Mormon converts in 2007, Wagner was the oldest in Arkansas — perhaps the oldest anywhere, church officials say.
“It’s the fastest growing church in the world. Did you know that ?” Wagner said. “Must be doing something right.”
The Horseshoe Bend woman was nearly 103 when she received “baptism for the remission of sins” and reached what the church has called the “gateway to the celestial kingdom.” On Saturday afternoon, Wagner shared her testimony with about 100 fellow Latter-day Saints who had gathered for a church relief society meeting in North Little Rock.
The day’s theme: “A New You.” “I’m still a youngster in the church. I can’t wait to tell you my secrets,” Wagner told the crowd, smiling as she said it.
Someone asked Wagner what she’d want to tell the world about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“I’d say ‘ Join it. Join me, ’” Wagner said. “All these lovely people: I can’t praise them enough.” For most of Wagner’s life, the Mormon church had been a distant entity — a tabernacle choir, a Temple Square, a place of worship in a distant city.
But about five years ago, Mormons built a house of worship in Ash Flat, about 15 miles from Wagner’s home.
One Sunday, dissatisfied with her church, Wagner drove to the Mormon church instead and walked through the doors.
“They’d never seen me before, and I’d never seen them,” she said in an interview. The people inside were “all smiles and wondering what on earth I was doing there.” Soon, the widow found herself surrounded by new friends, people who don’t smoke or drink alcohol or coffee, people who typically put on their Sunday finest when they go to worship God.
“They always dress and look so fresh and nice,” she said. “The men are cordial. They always come up and shake hands with me.” Church members offered to bring Wagner to church, but she declined their invitation, preferring to drive her 20-year-old white Cadillac to services.
During the week, Wagner studied Mormon teachings and watched BYU Television, a cable and satellite station affiliated with the church’s flagship university.
Church members embraced “Sister Wagner,” taking her food and visiting her home several times a week.
Eventually, Wagner decided to become a Latter-day Saint herself.
“They act like they like me,” Wagner said.
“More than like. We love you,” interjected Teresa Bailey, a Visiting Teacher who checks on Wagner.
When she visits, Bailey offers companionship more than doctrine.
“I have a good listening ear. That’s what she wants. That’s what she needs,” Bailey said. “She’s just a delightful person, and I learn from her.” In 1904, the year of Wagner’s birth, there were only 324, 289 Mormons on the seven continents of the world. Today, there are 13. 2 million.
“It’s the fastest growing church in the world. Did you know that ?” Wagner said. “Must be doing something right.”
October 10th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
What a good story.
October 11th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Thank you very much, Frank, for writing this article.
October 13th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
What have we learned from this? Mormons dress nice. They are friendly. At least to 104 year old ladies, they don’t talk much about their doctrine, which is probably a good thing; I expect that if she understood it, she wouldn’t be as impressed with it as she is with them.
This goes to what I’ve always said about the Mormons: Despite expounding a doctrine that reads like a few excerpts from a bad science fiction novel, they are conquering the world. Why is that? I suspect it’s because they really are friendly and outgoing (not to mention well dressed, though they’re generally not as natty as the Nation of Islam), and take their doctrines as much in stride as Baptists or Episcopalians do. Despite having beliefs that do not correspond with those of any other known branch of Christianity, they made the desert bloom in Utah, and have obviously expanded far beyond their desert roots. Though I don’t agree with any single point of their theological doctrines, I like them anyway.
October 13th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
There is something appealing about a centenarian who cares so much about the future instead of dwelling on the past!
The part that bugs me is Wagner’s observation:
“It’s the fastest growing church in the world. Must be doing something right.”
No one should ever confuse popularity with doctrinal correctness. If membership growth is what maters then perhaps Sister Wagner should convert to Islam.
October 13th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
My take on the story was no matter how old you are, you still want and need people to love you.
October 13th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Actually, I’m not even sure if the LDS church is the fastest growing anymore, although it was at one time. I agree that wouldn’t be a reason to join a church and I’m sure that wasn’t the only reason she joined. I’m not sure her observation has anything to do with doctrinal correctness, or if she thinks that. Perhaps she is just making an observation about the effectiveness of our missionary efforts? I don’t know.
And come one Caleb, you don’t agree with “any single point” of our doctrine. How about that Jesus Christ is the our Savior? You agree with that don’t you?
Thanks for the nice comment, though. I’m OK with being “liked.”
Maybe both you and Jose together come to a great conclusion: Neither the size of a church, nor it’s familiarity with “traditional” Christianity, make it correct…
October 14th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
David, I’m told that the LDS Church is fine with fried chicken, too, which might be a second doctrine I’d approve. I agree with you that this lady is not necessarily talking about any doctrinal matters, but like most people, likes to be made to feel welcome by church people. And that’s what I’m really saying about the Mormons: They do a good job at what they do, that is, community building, whether I agree with what they preach or not. But I do still like them.
October 14th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
We also seem to always have a concoction at parties and get-togethers made of shredded potatoes, cream of chicken soup, sour cream and cheddar cheese that is baked like a casserole. It’s normally called “funeral potatoes” because they always seem to show up when the sisters in the ward gather to make a meal for a grieving family. Sort of a morbid name, huh? And yes, we do like fried chicken, at least I do, but not sure it falls in the “doctrine” category!
October 15th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
While I’ve never been near enough to death to get funeral potatoes, they sound good. Where I grew up, they just eat more fried chicken when people die.
October 15th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
and hot peach cobbler with ice-cream on top
October 16th, 2008 at 5:03 am
Country ham and biscuits.
October 16th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
I’ll have seconds on the country ham and biscuits, followed by seconds on the hot peach cobbler with the ice cream . . . Sounds like somebody’s been to a funeral in the country . . .
October 16th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Anagram:
LATTER DAY SAINTS = TINY TATERS SALAD
October 16th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
That is too funny, Jose! You’ve got way too much time on your hands, my friend, but it was worth it. It brought a big smile to my face. A Serious LOL!
Load me up with the ham and biscuits, peach cobbler, and I promise not to bring any green Jell-0 with shredded carrots! Yeah, that is another famous Mormon dish. I’ve never liked it myself. Love Jell-O, but put some pineapple in it, for heaven’s sake, not carrots!
October 17th, 2008 at 6:29 am
Gee Jose what can you make out of Nazarene?
October 17th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
I actually tried Nazarene and didn’t come up with anything good. Will keep trying.
The champion denomination is:
PRESBYTERIAN = BEST IN PRAYER
As for me:
METHODIST = MOD THEIST, THE MOST ID
For Caleb:
EPISCOPALIAN = I IS PAPAL ONCE, I CAN AIL POPES
October 17th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
“When she visits, Bailey offers companionship more than doctrine.”
I thought I’d comment on this, not that I want to get into a doctrinal discussion. We all know they go nowhere. I can defend any you wish to question, but that doesn’t mean we’d come to an understanding. However, just to clear things up, the role of a “visiting teacher” in our church, not withstanding the name,is not to teach doctrine, but to visit and take care of their assigned members; checking on their health and the health of the family members. They are normally given assignments to visit other “sisters” in their local ward (parish) and go as companions.
Sister Wagner will get plenty of doctrine in specific classes we have every Sunday. We have a “gospel principles” class, as well as a “gospel doctrine” class that are taught every Sunday in most, if not all wards.
I’ve spent 8 years total as a gospel doctrine teacher in various wards I’ve attended. It’s one of my favorite callings in the church.
October 17th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
David,
I was actually thinking of a quote from St. Francis of Assisi as I wrote the “When she visits…” sentence. It says:
“Preach the gospel at all times — If necessary, use words.”
Doctrine can always be debated, but it’s harder to dispute compassion.
October 18th, 2008 at 4:53 am
I think all doctrines everywhere should be revised. I can disprove many of them.
I really like the quote. Most people tend to see a person’s actions first rather than hear preaching anyways. My mom used to tell her girls “pretty is, as pretty does.”
October 18th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
You are correct or course, Frank. The greatest doctrines of the gospel of Jesus Christ we will ever teach are our actions towards our fellow men. “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”