Sat 10/13/07 12:41 AM

Dear Family and Friends,
My son Mitch documented an experience that we had while he and his brothers Andy and Pat had when they attended priesthood meeting in Zagreb. I thought that I would share it with you. It is an example of the Lords hand in the work here. We see so much of his influence for good. It makes me know that there are many more people here that are ready to receive the gospel. I am sure the success will excelerate after we leave.
Love Dad (Doug)


Dad,

President Eyring's conference talk made me think to write down the miracle of the Zagreb chapel promise. I wrote it up so that you can enjoy it and so that I can pass it on to my kids.

Love,

Mitch


On the fifth of August, 2007 my siblings and I attended church in Zagreb, Croatia. It was a wonderful and unique experience. The members were so welcoming. Their faith could be seen in their faces and felt in their kind words. We met on the second floor of a beautiful old building apparently acquired by Kresimir Cosic.
After sacrament meeting, and Sunday school, we of course met for Priesthood and Relief Society. Me, my brother Andy and my brother Pat attended the combined Priesthood meeting. The Elder’s Quorum president started off the meeting with announcements and then turned the time over to dad, the Mission President, to teach.
One of the advantages to having dad teach was that we didn’t have to listen to an interpreter…we could listen to him directly. He gave a wonderful lesson on how we should be as a priesthood holder. He had us break into groups and share scriptures on what we could aspire to be like as priesthood holders. After a short while, each group shared the scripture they liked. I personally shared Alma 13:1-12. It was a great opportunity for each of us to think about how we would like to be, what we should aspire to and hopefully identify some ways to improve and get closer to that goal.
At the end of the lesson, President Weight talked to us about faith. Specifically telling us that if we increased our faith and focused on the end goal we would be able to accomplish it with the Lord’s help. Then I saw dad’s countenance change. His face took on a form of light and godliness (the only word I can think of to describe it…as though we were hearing directly from a holy man). He said, “I feel inspired to make you a promise.” And then he recounted the challenges the branch had faced in getting the construction on their new church building started. He said, “I promise you that if you focus your faith. If you pray every day with your families and on your own, both morning and evening, and if you fast, that within 45 days hearts will be softened and construction will be able to begin.”
Then, a very tall brother stood up and thanked President Weight and said in Croatian, “I want my son to be baptized in the new church.”
The spirit was present and I received personal confirmation that if we did what was asked, this wonderful little branch would indeed be blessed with the start of construction on their chapel. I applied my faith in their behalf and prayed morning and night for their challenges to be overcome as I’m sure many of the members and others in my family did.
On the 19th of September, 2007 the following email was forwarded from President Weight to me and others in my family.
“Dear President Weight,
since many months we were kept kind of hostage by persons and circumstances that either tried to prevent the construction of the church facility in Zagreb or tried to force us into agreements, which we felt were not acceptable for the Church. The behavior of some Keypersons involved was/is unjustifiably and highly dishonest.
I am very carefully to shout out an early "hurrah", but it seems to me that we have reached a point that our contractor will be able to take over the site by the end of next week and that the real work will start on October 1st. Brother Schina will keep you updated.
The whole PF-Department feels a deep obligation towards the faithful members and the good people in Croatia and we promise to deliver the best possible building for your use to help bring souls unto Christ. Not knowing what kind of obstacles still might accrue we will continue to watch each step very carefully and pay much more attention to this project than to any other.
With Brother Diego Schina we have a very competent and experienced Project Manager and I am personally very grateful to have him on our Team. With CGP we have chosen a contractor, who is already building a very similar chapel in Ljubljana. We consider this to be one of other advantages.
Together with Brother Schina I will visit the site on October the 8th challenging the companies involved to show some viewable progress to us. I will also go to Ljubljana afterwards. If there is anything I can do, or if you would like to meet, please let me know.
Thank you for your patience and prayers.
Sincerely
Bernd Kopischke
Area Project Manager
Kirche Jesu Christi HLT
Project Management
Porthstrasse 5-7
D 60435 Frankfurt am Main
fon +49-69-54802-359
fax +49-69-54802- 357
mobil +49-171-364 50 34
KopischkeBe@ldschurch.org”

If you’ll notice the dates, you’ll see that this email was received exactly 45 days from the time the promise was made to the priesthood brethren in the Zagreb branch. A complete fulfillment of the promise!
While this is a wonderful testimony that Heavenly Father continues to reveal truth to His children, I think it is, even more importantly, a reflection of the faith practiced by the members and missionaries in Zagreb. I’m grateful for the opportunity I had to witness this wonderful miracle. I pray for the members in Croatia, that their children will have the wonderful opportunity of being raised in the gospel.
-- Mitch Weight October 12, 2007