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| Arvind singing with the India Bengaluru Stake Choir at special stake conference with Sister Davies & Bishop Davies, 1st counselor of Presiding Bishopric of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints |
Even the Blind See
Smiles
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| Piano Recital |
“I love how the
members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints smile so much. Other
churches I visited, mostly everyone was so serious”, said Arvind, who was born
blind.
Arvind Malik, a 26-year-old man born and raised in Chamba,
Himachal Pradesh, India. His accomplishments in life don’t reflect much on his
disability. He has a master’s degree in music and teaches vocal lessons.
From his childhood, Arvind attended many Christian churches,
always desiring to find the right church but never feeling quite right about
them.
In 2018, Arvind decided to visit Bengaluru to do some
service and take a course in meditation.
“Other than the small reason to take a study course, I
really don’t know why I went to Bengaluru except I had a prompting from the spirit
within. I felt pushed to go six months earlier than I originally planned”, he
said.
Even though he had a strong desire to follow Christ, Arvind was
usually one to avoid churches over the years. He detected less spirituality and
more politics among them. In August 2018 he met missionaries of the restored
Church of Jesus Christ in Bengaluru, India. During their first encounter, the
Elders sensed that Arvind was strong in his faith in Jesus Christ and invited
him to come with them to church the next week.
Elder Dalton Thomas, one of the full-time missionaries that
helped teach Arvind said, “I’ve never met anyone so prepared and with a more
sincere desire to follow Christ than Arvind.” He said, Arvind told him he loved
coming to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints’ meetings because of
the wonderful peaceful feeling he found there.
Arvind was initially very impressed with members of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints because of the happiness or smiles
he detected from those he met. “As people speak, I can tell if they are smiling
or not.” This inspired him to continue and soon he came to know the truth of
the church and restored gospel of Jesus Christ for himself and said to himself,
“This is the chance.”
Shortly after he was baptized, Arvind was given the
opportunity to speak to hundreds of members in Stake Conference. He expounded
briefly about Elder Jeffery R. Holland’s talk on Reconciliation. Arvind loves
to follow Jesus Christ and is excited to share what he has learned.
Arvind is mostly independent and arrives early to church
each Sunday after a 2 ½ hour bus/train ride, each way.  |
| Arvind talking with Bishop Davies after the conference |
He also joined ward and stake choirs. He memorizes the words
to the verses and then sings with the group. Arvind recently enjoyed performing
with the Bengaluru Stake Choir when Bishop Davies of the Presiding Bishopric
visited for a special conference.
Arvind often contributes profound comments to Sunday school
class discussion in his ward. He recently shared that he had prayed for further
insight into his “Come Follow Me” readings from the New Testament. While
reading in Matthew, chapter 14 about Jesus and then Peter walking on the water,
Arvind was inspired with a fresh perspective. He said, “The water is like the
world. Some never exercise faith or even try to get out of the boat. Others
have already drowned or overcome by the world.” He said, “I invite the spirit
and it teaches me.” During another discussion about repentance, Arvind added,
“Repentance is like re-painting. Daily repentance is like daily bathing.” The
Stake President sometimes quotes Arvind’s insights during meetings or
conferences.
Arvind felt inspired to return home and visit his family for
Christmas. While at home his father, a Christian minister, told Arvind that he presented
himself more like a priest, less moody and more mature than the last time they
were together.
He is slowly reading the Book of Mormon, Another
Testament of Jesus Christ, in braille. He said, “When I pray about the
truthfulness of the Book, I have only received the answer to continue reading
and wait.” The Book of Mormon in braille is very large; a box of large books about
the size of a washing machine. Elder Thomas remembered Arvind telling him that
one of his favorites was from Alma 37:6 “…but
behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great
things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the
wise”.
Arvind is eagerly looking forward to someday receiving his
patriarchal blessing and attending the temple as he progresses in the church.
Arvind remembers names of many of the church members he has
met. One day a member decided to test Arvind’s knowledge. He had several people
come up and shake Arvind’s hand. By only a handshake, he knew the names of most
of the people.
Elder Thomas remembered, “Whenever we went places together,
Arvind was always taking the lead and walking ahead of us with no fear, telling
us he was trusting in the Lord.” This trust is evident as Arvind’s course in
life changes, “I had decided that I would probably be single in life, but after
meeting new families and learning about the importance of families in this
church, I am reconsidering.”
The Bengaluru India Temple…
“You’re very close to where it will be”
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| Bishop Davies greeting people before the conference |
Bishop Dean M. Davies, First Counselor in the Presiding
Bishopric of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints attended and spoke
at a special Bengaluru Stake conference. It was held at the Whitefield Stake
Center, Bengaluru, India on May 19, 2019.
There were five speakers at the conference. The concluding speaker was Bishop Dean M. Davies. Bishop Davies greeted members by saying hello in two local languages, including “Namaste”. He then praised those in attendance, exclaiming that this was the most reverent stake conference he had ever attended. He praised the stake choir. He talked about how he loved music and read some words from songs that had been sung in the meeting so far. He said, “I love the hymns of Zion. I love the feelings the music brings.”
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| Bishop and Sister Davies singing "Love One Another" |
He then
invited Sister Davies to join him at the pulpit to sing a duet of the primary
song, “Love One Another.” Sister Davies sang a beautiful harmony to Bishop
Davies. After they finished they asked that the congregation join them and
repeat the song.
Arvind Malik, a man born blind who sang in the stake choir
said, “It’s bringing a tear to my eye”, following the Davies’ Love One Another
duet.
Bishop Davies spoke to the members briefly about the
Bengaluru Temple plans. He mentioned that just over a year ago, before it was
announced in conference, he was in a meeting with President Russell M. Nelson.
They were talking about the possibility of temples in other countries. The
Prophet then said that he wanted to announce a temple in India and that they
deserve and need a temple. He asked if he
should wait to announce it at his planned trip to India or do it at the
conference. He decided to do it in General Conference.
Bishop Davies continued saying the plans were being
developed, “I can’t yet tell you where it will be but I will tell you that you’re
very close to where it will be…I would hope that within a number of months before
the end of the year we will be able to share with you the temple design and the
location of the temple.”
Bishop Davies went on to say that the Temple is part of Heavenly
Father’s love for us and that is where we receive the exalting ordinances that
will allow us to be in His presence. He then challenged everyone to prepare
spiritually and collect names of family members, and then pray and fast that
the temple will come soon.
“With every Temple that is built, the power of God is
Amplified, and the power of the adversary is weakened. And so it will be a
great light to you to have a temple here in Bangalore,” Bishop Davies asserted.
He concluded by testifying of Jesus Christ and asked everyone to believe in Him
by keeping our covenants and pray every day and ask for guidance.
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| Sister Davies speaking to a capacity crowd at the conference |
Sister Davies spoke about how it was her first trip to
India. She said it was a beautiful site to see so many brothers and sisters of
strong faith gathered to hear the word of the Lord. Recently, there have been
major changes in the church. The changes we need to make are within ourselves.
She admonished everyone to study and pray for understanding.
President Sundaraj, the Bengaluru Stake President, was the
first speaker. He talked about Sabbath day worship and preparing our families
during the week with the "Come Follow Me" program. He emphasized that partaking
of the sacrament is of equal importance to the temple.
President Mortensen, President of the India Bengaluru
Mission, repeated President Nelson’s advice to repent. He also said that the war
in Heaven isn’t over, just the battlefield has changed. He concluded by
emphasizing what our Prophet, President Nelson has asked that we focus on
Ministering, Christ-centered learning in the home, and Sabbath day observance.
Area Seventy for India, Elder Robert K. Williams began by
saying that he was amazed and inspired how President Mortensen just gave most
of his talk. He continued to talk more about repentance and confessing if
needed. He also admonished the youth to perhaps reduce time spent playing video
games. He didn’t say to eliminate this entertainment but just find the balance.
He said this balance should include quality time with our family, friends and
with God learning from the scriptures.
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| Bishop and Sister Davies joining in a picture with the Stake Choir |
Audio clip of stake choir at the conference
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