I first met Stephen Rasmussen in church. When I started Brigham Young University in the fall of 1968, I stayed the week before classes with my brother, Tom, and his wife, Judy, who had suggested that I meet and “take out’ one of her friends. On my first Sunday there, I walked to Sunday school in the church building across the street, while Tom took Judy to the hospital. At the conclusion of opening exercises, I noticed a group of young women walking up the aisle. One in particular caught my eye, a pretty brunette who was engaged in conversation with her companions.
I found my way to the room where I was to attend class – not a classroom, but the kitchen. I took my seat and tried to blend into the background. At the front of the group sitting on a counter was a striking young man who was the class instructor. Although he was not much older than the students he was teaching, he exuded a sense of leadership and belonging. He was in control of the room. He requested that I introduce myself, which I did. It was then that my life would change forever. Commenting on the fact that I was a returned missionary, he requested that I teach the class that morning.
I always had a lesson of sorts prepared, so I got up and proceeded to “teach”. The young woman, whom I had noticed, was in the front row. At times I found that I was talking directly to her as eye contact seemed to provide some connection.
The class ended and the young man, Stephen Rasmussen, thanked me for the lesson. I found that he was a returned missionary, who served his mission in Chile, while I was in Southern California. The young woman sitting in the front row was his sister Linda, my sister in law's friend. Little did I realize at that time how important Stephen's family would become in my life, and how significant that small incident would become. Stephen opened for me a window of endless possibilities.
Bard Smith