An Instrument in His Hands

Part 1 Chapter 23

Part 1

Chapter 23

Was Muloki following me?

I continued my hunched over walk past the row of shops and down the road towards the south entrance of the city of Zarahemla. At the wall that surrounded King Benjamin’s farm, I paused and turned to look back at Muloki.

If he was there, he was hidden well.

I walked up to the wall and leaned my head against it’s stones. Right behind that very wall was the little copse of trees where Aaron had kissed me and asked me to be his queen. He loved and adored me. Could I leave all that? Could I walk away from him? Could I obey the Lord to that degree? Could I sacrifice that much?

I picked up a leaf that had fallen from one of the trees that overhung the log and pressed it to my lips. ‘I love him too,’ I admitted out loud. ‘I love him so very much,’ I whispered.

I might never be kissed again. I might never be loved that way again. I might never bear children.

I let a tear or two drop onto the leaf. How thankful I was for the few golden memories that Aaron had given me. I would carry them in my heart wherever I went. Perhaps, just perhaps, we would meet again after the Lord was done with him.

‘Yes!’ the spirit confirmed to my heart. ‘You will!’

I would have to be content with that hope.

Later that day I caught a glimpse of Muloki following me. Darling, loyal Muloki! I let him follow until the second night when I stopped to rest at the hostelry on the main road south to Manti. In the middle of the night, the spirit bade me arise to begin my days journey.

I found Muloki sleeping hunched up along the outer wall, hidden behind the pack animals where he could watch the entrance. He was sleeping soundly.

‘Now!’ whispered the spirit.

I took a long lock of my hair from my pack and curled it into a tight circle. Then I crept up to Muloki and gently laid it in the palm of his hand.

Quickly, I scampered away into the moonlight, first walking south. Then, when the road was solid rock for a stretch, I was told to halt. I did.

‘Change your shoes and double back,’ I was instructed by the spirit, like Nephi seeking the Brass Plates. ‘Hide your footsteps.’ And later, ‘Take this fork in the road.’

‘Where are we going?’ I asked.

‘You will dwell in the land of Antionum.’

‘Aren’t there non-Christian dissenters in Antionum?’

‘You will be a missionary.’

A missionary? Like Muloki and Aaron? I smiled. If I could not marry Aaron, at least I could further his work. I would give it my best – for his sake, and for the Lord’s.

My step quickened. A missionary! And I smiled.

Little did I know how long my mission would be.