Marcelino Leonardo, LDS member and baseball player, remembers the first verse he memorized. And why would not he? As an 8-year-old boy, with few resources, on the sun-warmed streets of the Dominican Republic, he was the kind of boy who adored Primary almost as much as playing baseball.
It was during those first days in the church that he was introduced to 1 Nephi 3: 7.
"And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father, I will go and do that which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that he never commanded the children of men without preparing a way for them to do what he commanded them."
More than a decade later, that verse is still his favorite; but for the young Marcellin, who currently serves as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Baltimore Mission in Maryland, it is not just a verse that can be recited, it is a way of life and a heavenly promise that guides him day by day and from one decision to another.
Even those that are about money.
When he was a teenager in the Dominican Republic, the energetic Leonardo developed a passion and a rare gift for baseball. When his friends were going home after training due to the intense brightness of the sun or the beginning of the rain, Leonardo was still practicing.
As recognition grew around his formidable talents, Leonardo's vision of missionary work changed. Once he committed to serve a mission no matter what happened, the young athlete realized that he could be a missionary in any circumstance.
"I saw that you can be a missionary and that you do not need a plaque," said Leonardo during a recent interview. "In truth, what is a missionary? It is sharing what you know. It is sharing your testimony of the Restoration. It is sharing with everyone that Christ is your Savior. "
Leonardo added that, the moment we share our faith with a friend, relative or stranger, we immediately become missionaries. "No missionary plaque is needed because they are two different things. We can be missionaries and we can serve a mission. They are not the same. "
While doubting whether or not he should serve a full-time mission, he began to cultivate daily habits such as fervent prayer and diligent study of the Scriptures. He did not realize it at the time, but that decision had already been answered.
In July 2016, with the help of Brett Freeman of Utah, Leonardo moved to Provo. He brought with him the dream of playing for Brigham Young University, his feelings about missionary work and everything he possessed.
With a few pennies in his pocket, he enrolled in an English program to learn the language and, over time, pass the infamous Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). He would have to meet the university's requirements to enroll, get a scholarship and play baseball.
When I was not studying, I was training, making friends and stretching every dollar like chewing gum. He shared his faith and remained faithful to the Gospel.
One day, a dear friend and baseball guru in Salt Lake City, Ernso Pierre, asked Leonardo to get on a train and meet him at the center. Pierre knew a talent scout who wanted to meet the young star.
After a small talk, the headhunter slid a thick stack of papers on the table and offered him the opportunity to collect $ 700,000 as salary.
The easiest answer would have been: "Yes! Do you have a pen?"
Instead, another response flashed inside him. His decision did not come as a flash or specific spiritual moment, it arrived with time, line after line, precept after precept.
Moments later, Pierre turned to him and asked him the question that would change Leonardo's story forever. "Marcelino, do you want to play baseball or do you want to go on a mission?"
At an incredible speed, Leonardo gave the answer he had hoped to take: "First there is the mission, then the university, then baseball."
As quickly as he had responded, the headhunter took the contract back to his side of the table and with him, more money than Leonardo had imagined.
Neither the headhunter nor his friend were disappointed, both men expressed their support and praised their desire to serve the Lord and get an education. "I knew I had to go," said Leonardo. "The Lord keeps His promises when we put Him first. I knew he was calling me! I was wondering, how many of His children could be blessed if I went on a mission? Especially me."
Only a few months later, Leonardo received his call to serve in Baltimore.
"Like my favorite verse, knowing what I have to do there fills my heart with joy, energy and emotion." Expressed Marcelino Leonardo.
If a professional baseball career is not what the Lord has in mind upon his return, Leonardo will not regret it.
When our interview ended, his partner, Justin Barlow of San Jose, California, offered the following testimony: "Elder Leonardo is a fantastic missionary. He is exactly obedient and very charitable and loves the work more than anything. For him it is missionary work and baseball, always in that order. "
For anyone who chooses between being a missionary and serving a mission, Leonardo suggests reading and trusting in verse 1 Nephi 3: 7, that well-known verse continues to guide his life.
"The choice I made was right for me, but every story is different. It's not about money or baseball, it's about each of us serving the Lord. I could have remained a missionary and shared my faith without a plaque, but I knew what the Lord wanted for me and I knew God would make it possible. "
Going, doing and trusting the Lord to prepare your way to success.
It worked for Nefi.
It worked for Marcelino Leonardo.
Maybe it will also work for each of us.
This article was originally written by Jason F. Wright, and was published by ldsliving.com under the title: "Baseball Phenom from Dominican Republic Passes on $ 700K to Serve Mission"
No hay comentarios.:
Publicar un comentario