People are an interesting study. People watching, I think, has been a common pastime since Adam. And why not; we are all of various sizes, shapes, color and demeanor. We are as varied as our fingerprints and/or as snowflakes—no two exactly alike. Even though our mortal bodies were all created and patterned in Heavenly Father’s image, we are still individuals and vary physically, just as we did spiritually before our spirits were placed in these mortal tabernacles of clay. What is it that people watchers are looking for? The answer to that question could vary from people watcher to people watcher.
Some may look for interesting physical attributes, while others may be looking for different types of behavior.
Another question that one might ask is, are there groups of individuals that are identifiable by their appearance and/or behavior, just as individuals are? I have heard several times, from visitors to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint communities and/or functions, that the members of the church are people who generally appear to be exceptionally happy and cheerful. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are
people, individually and in groups, that can often be identified by their countenances.
As a twenty-year-old military person during the Korean conflict, I was unacquainted with “Mormons”, but I was impressed with one of our squad members who was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He never participated in any of the bad habits and behavior the majority of us were involved in. Yet, he always seemed happy, smiling and congenial. His countenance was different, and because of that I was impressed to ask him about his beliefs and what it was that caused him to be so different from the rest of us. As a result, he made me acquainted with the Book of Mormon and after reading it and being spiritually touched by it, I soon joined the Church.
Alma asked, (Alma 5:14) “And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received His image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?” My “Mormon” friend, I believe, had received the Lord’s image in his countenance, and it was plain for me to see.
Our countenances can show our spiritual demeanor as positive as well as negative, as Isaiah testified, “The shew of their countenance doth witness against them.” (Isaiah 3:9) Likewise, the show of their countenance can witness for them as well.
I pray that we may all reflect the light that we have been so generously given through the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. For we, as Peter declared,(1 Peter 2:9) are ‘a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light…’ As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we should be of a cheerful countenance, as a cheerful countenance is a great missionary tool. ‘People watchers’ will see the difference and may be impressed to want to know why we are different. I have a personal testimony of that.