A Missionary Knocked on One Door… It Changed Generations
A young missionary in Chile felt prompted to knock on one door during a rainy night. That simple act of faith led to the conversion of an entire family—and decades later, the man he baptized would perform the temple sealing of his own family.
He thought he was changing one family's life. He had no idea they would someday change his. In 1976, a young missionary named Raul Vilugrron was serving in Chile when his mission president set him apart as a missionary. He gave him a simple charge. Find families and leaders who will strengthen the church in Chile. Soon Raul and his companion were sent to open missionary work in the city of Talagante just outside Santiago.
They were starting from scratch with no congregation and no members. One cold rainy evening after a long day with little success. They were walking home when they noticed a house with the light still on. They both felt the same quiet impression. Knock on that door. A large man named Jorge Aguilera answered. Instead of turning them away, he welcomed them inside. The missionary shared the restored gospel with the entire family.
Before leaving, everyone knelt together in prayer. As they prayed, the room was filled with a powerful feeling of peace and the spirit. Over the next several weeks, the entire Aguilera family embraced the gospel and was baptized. Then, Elder Viligrron finished his mission and returned home. Most missionaries never know what becomes of the people they teach. But 20 years later, something happened that he could never have imagined.
His own parents and siblings were preparing to be sealed together forever in the Santiago, Chile Temple. The man chosen to perform the sealing ordinance was none other than Jorge Aguilera, the same man whose door he had knocked on during that rainy night, the man he had taught and baptized. Years later, brother Aguilera also had the privilege of sealing Raul to his wife. In that moment, Raul realized his mission president's blessing had been fulfilled.
He had found a family, and he had found a leader who would help strengthen the church in Chile. Today, Chile is home to more than 624,000 Latter-day Saints with six temples that are operating, under construction, or announced. One missionary planted an acorn. One faithful family became part of the oak. And it all began because two missionaries followed a quiet prompting on a rainy night.
