In October 2022 general conference, Church President Russell M. Nelson made a promise to faithful Latter-day Saints: “In coming days, we will see the greatest manifestations of the Savior’s power that the world has ever seen. Between now and the time He returns with power and great glory, He will bestow countless privileges, blessings, and miracles upon the faithful.”
For a family in Mesa, Arizona, President Nelson’s promise was fulfilled, and a miracle occurred — in just the last few months.
And that miracle began long before President Nelson made his promise at the pulpit.
In a small town in Ethiopia in April 2004, a struggling mother gave birth to twin boys from an unexpected pregnancy. She became sick and was unable to provide for the newborn twins, along with the 2- and 4-year-old children she was already taking care of.
In an ultimate act of love, the mother placed the newborn twins for adoption. After the event, she prayed for a week, without eating or drinking, earnestly praying that her sons would find their way to a home that would raise them in love and would help them come to know God.
A year earlier, while reading in the June 2003 Ensign (now the Liahona) about humanitarian services in Ethiopia, Jamie Williams of Mesa, had an overwhelming impression that there was special work for her to do. Jamie and her husband, Tarik Williams, both felt inspired to adopt a child, even though they had their young hands full with two young daughters.
The process to qualify for an adoption and then be approved was lengthy, taking a total of 18 months from start to adopting the twins, named Jesse and Josh Williams. When the adoption process started, the boys had not even been born yet.
In November 2004, Tarik and Jamie finally received the email they had been waiting for: Confirmation that there were two young boys in Ethiopia waiting to be adopted. Two weeks later, the young couple flew to Ethiopia to pick up the twins, eight months after their birth.
A year after the twins had been brought to the United States, the adoption was finalized, and the family was sealed together for time and all eternity in the Mesa Arizona Temple.
Read the rest of this story at Church News.
For more inspiring content, check out the articles below:
▶ ‘It was exhilarating’: YouTuber’s emotional reaction to Tabernacle Choir goes viral
▶ ‘We had to know more’: Family from Florida joins the Church after meeting members while camping in Utah
▶ What Pres. Oaks said to his daughter that shaped her faith and life decisions
▶ Watch: Adorable 11-year-old plays the organ for his ward