"As I sit here in the Salt Lake City airport, I’ve been pondering about the last couple days I was able to spend in Utah with all my family," Latter-day Saint Bryce Harper posted on Sunday, and for good reason.
Over the weekend, the Washington Nationals player and his wife, Kayla Harper, along with other members of his family met with President Russell M. Nelson and Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf.
But besides presenting President Nelson with a Nats jersey, Harper shared how the meeting strengthened his testimony that President Nelson was a prophet of God.
"President Nelson had me in shock," Bryce wrote on Instagram. "He had an overwhelming feeling around him of the Spirit. He walked into the room and I immediately teared up and began to think if it was even appropriate for me to be in the same room as this man because of how incredible he is. He came over and shook my hand, my wife’s hand, and family’s hands and we talked for a couple minutes. By the end I couldn’t help but think when this man talks it is the truth. It is the word of God & everything that I want to be part of."
But before Harper could fully process his incredible meeting with President Nelson, Harper ran into Elder Uchtdorf in the elevator, a man Harper said was one of his "biggest heroes and the biggest spiritual gangsters."
"The soft, quiet but powerful voice he spoke with was indescribable," Bryce wrote about the experience. "He talked about family, faith, being humble, & just the pure love of Christ in all that you do. As we were beginning to leave, he gave me a hug and I was just in awe in the pure love he showed my family and I. It was everything I could ever imagine and more."
The whole experience of meeting two men of God in one day inspired Harper, a professional baseball player, to share his testimony with thousands, saying that no award or accolade he has received compares to marrying in the temple and "giving my life to my Savior, Jesus Christ."
"I have a testimony of my Heavenly Father and I know that my Redeemer lives. I know that President Russell M. Nelson is a true disciple of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ," Bryce wrote. "I know that the Book of Mormon is the true word and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church. I believe in the Atonement & that Jesus died for me so that I can live on earth today. I believe in the Eternal families and the amazing blessings that I get from going to the temple as often as I can and I believe that anybody that is struggling or going through pain or any tough times that if you take two minutes to say a prayer, read a scripture verse (Luke 1:37), or just turn your life to the light of the Lord then he will lift you up and brighten your life in ways you could’ve never imagined. In my life, I’ve had many accolades and have won many awards which have been amazing, but nothing has gave me more happiness than marrying my wife in the temple and giving my life to my Savior, Jesus Christ. I hope you have an amazing Sunday. Love to all.🤟"
His wife, Kayla, also added her testimony on Instagram following the incredible meeting with President Nelson and Elder Uchtdorf.
"I have no words for how inspiring and special this weekend was. I’m grateful and honored to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints✨," she wrote.
What amazing experiences and ways to share the gospel with others.
Lead image from @kayy.harper Instagram