{"chapter_no":"12","chapter_title":"A Lovely Pink Dress","book_id":"2","book_name":"The Story of James","subchapter_no":"0","page_no":"251","page_number":"1","verses_count":0,"total_pages":4,"page_content":"

 <\/p>

Chapter 12<\/p>

A Lovely Pink Dress<\/h1><\/p>

 <\/p>

Cheri is comforted by Jessica and her classmates—<\/i>Jessica receives a special witness of the
Spirit<\/i>—She is brought to tears as she remembers her years of fighting against <\/i>the Church<\/i>—She is
converted and baptized along with her husband.<\/i><\/p>

 <\/p>

 <\/p>

 <\/p>

With all the action now concluded at the back of the room, the eyes in the classroom
turned once again to the front. The expectation among the students was that someone would be
in trouble for all of this, and that the teacher would quickly establish order. To their surprise,
they would witness something entirely different. <\/p>

 <\/p>

Mrs. Landrieu, their second period English teacher, stood before them in shock. She was
pale, her mouth was slightly open, and she appeared to be in a sort of a daze. She stared towards
the back of the room, not really looking at anything or anyone, and remained in this state for
several moments. Finally, she caught hold of herself, becoming aware once again of her
surroundings. But she was still in shock. Tilting her head down, she steadied herself on the desk
with her right hand. Supported by the desk, she glanced around the classroom. <\/p>

 <\/p>

Her instinct as a teacher was to talk, to begin right away with the class discussion, to do...
something. But she was unable to speak. Suddenly overcome with emotion, she turned away
from the class. She brought her hands up to her face and cried. Several seconds passed, perhaps
even a full half minute. The crying forced her to sit down, and once seated, to cover her face with
her hands. The students in the classroom watched her in astonishment, not understanding what
was going on. Even Cheri, filled with grief and tears of her own just moments before, watched
this curiosity with fascination along with everyone else.<\/p>

 <\/p>

What had happened? <\/p>

 <\/p>

Just as William had reached an important milestone in his life in the last few minutes, so
had Jessica. She had been overwhelmed by the same spirit, a testimony from God, a powerful
burning in her bosom. She had heard a still, small voice whispering to her, “Repent and be
baptized.” Though calm and gentle, the voice shook her insides, knocking her settled philosophy
of life off balance. <\/p>

 <\/p>

Oh, what I have done?<\/i><\/p>

She immediately recalled the editorial writings and newspaper columns she had written in
her younger years, those that had been highly critical of the Church. Watching William crumple
up the paper was almost like he had seized the vicious writings of hers and crumpled them up
instead. <\/span><\/p>

 <\/p>

How can what I did ever be undone? <\/i><\/span><\/p>

 <\/p>

Had there been a large stone nearby, like the one close to Jean Valjean on that winter
night when he realized there was no longer any hope to track down the young lad, Little Gervais,
to restore to him the forty-sou piece he had stolen, she might have doubled over and fell upon it
in anguish, her fists tightly clenching her hair, her eyes weeping burning tears, and her mouth
exclaiming, “I am a wretch!” <\/span><\/p>

 <\/p>

But the anguish for past deeds could be dealt with later. This was a moment for one to be
astonished! The voice had been beautiful! It was more delightful than anything she had ever
experienced in her life. The collection of books she had at home on the subjects of philosophy,
biology, and physics, and the assumptions within them which generally challenged the existence
of God, had just been wiped out by a few tears. The power of God was upon her. There was no
doubt now about the existence of God and the authenticity of the Church against which she had
fought for so long<\/span>. <\/p>

 <\/p>

The message itself, “to repent and be baptized,” was something that, absolutely, she
would follow after. Jessica was a person of action and faith, not one to sit on the sidelines of life.
She was not afraid of truth, and she was not afraid to act decisively. She had proven this in her
attacks on the Church in the first place, and she would prove it again in her efforts to try to undo
those attacks moving forward. At the end of class, she would immediately go to the principal's
office and ask to take the rest of the week off. The time had come for her to reevaluate her life
and to seek out a person or persons who could teach her the gospel. <\/p>

 <\/p>

Why join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and not another from among
the myriad of religions and faiths of the world? <\/p>

 <\/p>

That question had been answered to her by the Spirit in the same moment. She would not
need to look further for the truth in religion beyond that which was all around her in Utah. The
testimony and the feelings she had, of what to do and where to go, had been clear. There had
been inklings of this before––her conscience had already been pricked a few times. But now, the
time to act had come. A testimony of the Spirit was in place to propel her forward. <\/p>

 <\/p>

There was one important task to do immediately. She would buy space in the local Ogden
newspaper to publish a letter, a letter written to share her new testimony with the public. In prior
years, she had been like Saul, one gifted in the art of persecuting the Church of God. After today
she would be like Paul, a powerful force for good, joining herself to the work of God.<\/p>

 <\/p>

Uncovering her hands from her face, she gave her startled students a comforting smile.
She wiped the tears from her eyes and got to her feet. With an outpouring of love, something
displayed by the most righteous of women, she ignored everyone else in the room and walked <\/p>

directly over to Cheri. Kneeling down close to her desk, she gave her a tight hug and spoke to
her out loud for everyone to hear.<\/p>

 <\/p>

“That’s a very lovely pink dress you wore today! Where did you find it? I love it!” <\/p>

 <\/p>

Holding her in a slight embrace, she looked Cheri in the eye and then quietly whispered
to her.<\/p>

 <\/p>

“When I was your age, I was learning to write, reading books, and still trying to figure
out who I was. I was not ready to date boys much at all. Perhaps I was a late bloomer in life! In a
few years from now, I’m sure you will become even more beautiful than you are now and will
turn down dates from some of these very same boys who are here in class with you today!” <\/p>

 <\/p>

Looking at her closely, Jessica asked, “Do you believe me?” <\/p>

 <\/p>

Cheri smiled and hugged back strongly. <\/p>

 <\/p>

Standing up, Jessica requested that some of the other girls in class take Cheri down the
hall and help her touch up some of the mascara that had smeared from her crying. Instantly, two
girls along the front row jumped up to volunteer, and the three girls left the room together.<\/p>

 <\/p>

Moving towards the back of the room, Jessica passed first by William seated on the far
side. She smiled and patted him gently on the shoulder, proud of him like he was her own boy.
Reaching the back row, she crouched down to talk privately with the three boys there. <\/p>

 <\/p>

“Do I need to say anything else to you about this?” <\/p>

 <\/p>

The boys, caught off guard already by the strange flow of events, proved to be agreeable
to almost anything. She sensed their astonishment. Replying almost in unison, the word “No...”
came out of their stunned mouths. <\/p>

 <\/p>

“There is one thing you can do for me,” said Jessica. “This afternoon, there's a dance in
the gym. Is there someone you might apologize to after class and then invite to have the first
dance with you today?” <\/p>

 <\/p>

They understood. The three boys were, perhaps, better persons inside than what others at
school might have given them credit for. Today was perhaps an opportunity for them to change
their lives as well. The Spirit in the room had touched them, too, during the event, although
somewhat more modestly than either William and Jessica. Without hesitation (and with great
relief on their part), each of the boys responded in the affirmative. <\/p>

 <\/p>

“Good, then we’ll talk of this no more,” replied Jessica. <\/p>

 <\/p>

Later that afternoon, Kent escorted Cheri to the dance. She danced with each of the three
boys from class in turn, to the surprise of many. The unique experiences of the day were nothing
short of amazing, something Cheri would take lots of time to detail that night in her journal. She <\/p>

had passed through the twists and turns of a very emotional day, but she was strengthened now,
having learned a great lesson. She was more confident in herself, better prepared for life, and
ready, like William, to look beyond her own trials and help others in need.<\/p>

 <\/p>

Three weeks later, in the first inside page of the Sunday edition of the Ogden newspaper,
a large, half-page advertisement was purchased by a private citizen of the community. The
purpose? To print a personal letter to the public. The letter read as follows:<\/p>

 <\/p>

To all residents of the city of Ogden, past, present<\/i>,<\/i> and future:<\/i><\/p>

 <\/p>

Some years ago, as a columnist employed by this very newspaper, I regularly provided
my opinions and<\/i>,<\/i> indeed, wrote very negative articles about the <\/i>Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-
day Saints<\/i>, things which I am deeply sorry for today. I wrote with great passion at the time,
trying, with all<\/i> of<\/i> my powers of persuasion, to stir up passions against <\/i>the Church<\/i> within my
reader audience. I cannot apologize enough for the damage I have done. I will simply state that<\/i>,<\/i>
over the last few weeks<\/i>,<\/i> I have been receiving the <\/i>missionaries at<\/i> my home every day for gospel
lessons, and this coming Saturday, perhaps at the very moment in which <\/i>you read<\/i> this letter, I
will be baptized a member of <\/i>the Church<\/i>. I might add, also, that my dear husband Steve is
planning to be baptized <\/i>with me <\/i>this upcoming Saturday as well. <\/i><\/p>

 <\/p>

It is our hope that we live<\/i> true and<\/i> faithful to our new covenant of baptism. We now very
much consider ourselves <\/i>Latter-day Saints<\/i> as well! <\/i><\/p>

 <\/p>

Sincerely, <\/i><\/p>

Jessica Landrieu<\/i><\/p>

Resident of Ogden<\/i><\/p>"}