Missionary Work is Work

Elder Voorheis as a missionary

Today our sacrament theme was missionary work. Words are so inadequate to express the joy it brings to others in the lives of the missionaries who serve and have served. Those yet to serve have much to look forward to as well.

Several parents of missionaries in our ward shared their missionary sons' mission experiences. Time after time testimony was borne of the growth and refinement a missionary finds as he serves and loves the Lord, Jesus Christ.

I came away still hoping to find a companion and be able to go on a real mission some day. It will be in the Lord's time and way, is all I know.

I took a few notes, since I wanted to drink in the sweetness of the messages given. Each parent had unique yet similar stories to share. The missionaries were in Uraguay, Virginia, Germany, and Ohio.

It brought back fond memories of my own missionaries as they dedicated themselves to the work. It was such a blessing and great time in our lives as a family. That I do recall.


Later, in our last meeting the ward combined with the Priesthood, Relief Society and Young Men, Young Women. They had a special couple to speak to all of us. The couple, Orin and Chartina Voorheis, are from Pleasant Grove. The young husband had been injured while he served a mission in Buenos Aires Argentina in 1996. He was attacked and shot in the head while some men attempted to rob him and his companion. They did not find anything in their wallets. The one missionary, Elder Voorheis, went to get his back pack off his back the the gun held to his head, (he was 6"5") accidentally discharged in his skull. It did neurological damage. He cannot speak or walk.



He has been disabled every since; he has gained some use of his faculties since, but only minimal. He cannot speak like we do, but can sign a short version of ASL, besides he can be understood by his wife. Mentally he still has it, only cannot express it in words. He uses a computer too sometimes to "talk."

They appear to be a very loving couple, and the wife is very dedicated to him and his care. They do not have any children. They have been married for seven years. She works full time and he works part time at Deseret Industries. She is also working on a dissertation for a PH.D, in Education.


He hopes to be able eventually to walk and talk in the future. It was very humbling to me to watch this young man with his infirmities and be so positive and happy given his circumstances. I am very blessed and realized the great things I have been able to accomplish in my life so far.


Orin and Chartina Voorheis with artist teacher, Carol Harding

President Hinckley had visited with him before and spoke about Orin Voorheis in conference in 2000 she said. He does watercolor painting and had a painting he had done that was of the Savior. He has lessons to do his art. He is very gifted.