The Boy in the Grease Pit

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Thomas S. Monson was called to be the bishop of the Sixth-Seventh ward when he was only 22 years old, he was young and ready to do all the Lord was asking him to do. He worked to know the people in his ward, and care for them as the "Father of the Ward".

There was a young man in the Sixth-Seventh ward named Richard Casto, who repeatedly missed quorum meetings. One Sunday, Bishop Monson went to look for Richard, during priesthood meeting. Bishop Monson started by going to Richards home, and Richards mother and step father said Richard was at work at the West Temple Garage. Bishop Monson went down to the West Temple Garage to look for Richard but was not able to find the boy. Finally, Bishop Monson was inspired to check the grease pit at the side of the station. He said two "beady eyes" stared up at him. "You found me, Bishop, I'll come up" said Richard. The two talked and Bishop Monson left with Richards commitment to attend priesthood meeting the next week.

Richard was true to his word.

Richard became an active member of his ward, and even when his family moved from the area he arranged to have Bishop Monson speak at his missionary farewell. Richard related that the turning point in his determination to fill a mission came one Sunday morning-not in the chapel, but as he gazed up from the depth of a dark grease pit and found his quorum president's outreached hand.

Fourty years later, Richard sent a letter to "his bishop". He said, "The boy from the grease pit is fine and still true to the faith. I would probably never have gone on a mission or met my wife or had the family I have today if you hadn't taken the time to come over and get me back on the straight and narrow. . . As I ponder the events in my life. I am so grateful for a bishop who looked, found and showed a great interest in one who was lost. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you did and have done for me personally. I love you."

He signed the letter "the boy from the grease pit."

President Monson taught us through example that it is truly "by small and simple things are great things brought to pass;"(Alma 37:6)

Elder Rasband spoke

“And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth” (3 Ne. 11:15; emphasis added).

To further illustrate the “one by one” nature of our Savior’s ministry, we read in 3 Nephi, chapter 17, verse 9:

“And it came to pass that when he had thus spoken, all the multitude, with one accord, did go forth with their sick and their afflicted, and their lame, and with their blind, and with their dumb, and with all them that were afflicted in any manner; and he did heal them every one as they were brought forth unto him” (3 Ne. 17:9; emphasis added).

We then read of the special blessing given to the precious children in verse 21: “And when he had said these words, he wept, and the multitude bare record of it, and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them” (3 Ne. 17:21; emphasis added).

This was not a small gathering. In verse 25 we read: “And they were in number about two thousand and five hundred souls; and they did consist of men, women, and children.”

Certainly, there is a very profound and tender personal message here. Jesus Christ ministers to, and loves us all, one by one."

The Savior teaches us the importance of ministering to "the one", that we will all be able to return again into Gods presence. He knows us individually and ministers to each of us, and we can go on and do the same, ministering to "the one" it is a beautiful plan.

References:

Biography of Thomas S. Monson by Heidi S. Swinton p 158-159

"One by One" November 2000 by Ronald Rasband