Deseret News | A widow's mite: Christmas gifts turn selfishness into gratitude

Reader comments
Christmas I remember best: A widow's mite: Christmas gifts turn selfishness into gratitude

Canada | 1:41 a.m. Dec. 24, 2008

Thank you for sharing this heart warming story.
It truly made my day a whole lot more meaningful.

MattC | 6:41 a.m. Dec. 24, 2008

Hi Mark,

I would like to believe that she indeed, is aware of what you feel in your heart, towards her and what you learned that night.

An editor | 7:39 a.m. Dec. 24, 2008

Mark, Mark, Mark...nice story but isn't anyone editing the headlines? I'm sure you meant "Might" because "Mite" is a bug. This paper desperately needs a copy editor...

Comments continue below

Thanks | 7:43 a.m. Dec. 24, 2008

What a wonderful story! Thank you! I am adding that to some of my favorite missionary Christmas stories.

And HELP to all who may read this--I once heard another one (before I was smart enough to write it or where it came from down) about some elders in a VERY poor possibly South or Central American home and "the box of Jell-O". If you know of this story, would you comment and leave a reference? Today's story of the widow's might and that one gave me the same feeling--the true spirit of Christ. Thanks

bilbo | 8:37 a.m. Dec. 24, 2008

An editor | 7:39 a.m said: "you meant "Might" because "Mite" is a bug".
In the interest of Christmas, my only reply to YOU re the poke you made in bad spirit and judgement is:
Widow's Mite is in reference to the small amt the widow (referenced in scripture) gave that was, indeed, great in comparison to what many people with greater financial resources give in the same situation. The giving of her dime can financially inconvenience her more than other's 100 dollar bill will impact THEM. .
MITE means vert small amount.
There was NO misspelling on Mark's part.

Mark: I thank you for your remarks. I thank you for your missionary service. I thank you for your testimonmy.
I wish you a very Happy Christmas and a Merry New Year.

Rander | 8:49 a.m. Dec. 24, 2008

Great story! And as for what the guy said about editing it. I didn't even care about that. It was such a great story that I didn't even notice that. That guy must just be a ba-humbug!

Duh | 9:02 a.m. Dec. 24, 2008

Mite is the correct spelling:
mite ï¿½noun
1. a contribution that is small but is all that a person can afford.
2. a very small sum of money.
3. a coin of very small value.
4. a very small object.
5. a very small creature.

Rander | 9:03 a.m. Dec. 24, 2008

Further checking on the "might" or "mite" the guy that thinks he is an editor is WRONG! Mite would be the correct wording in this situation. Nice try though buddy

Thank you | 9:15 a.m. Dec. 24, 2008

Thank you for reminding me that even though I live meager circumstances, I can still serve others. What a truly great woman she was. Thank you.

AMC | 9:20 a.m. Dec. 24, 2008

Give the guy a break. Maybe he was trying to make a subtle joke and was referring to the unexpected "might" the missionary found in the widow. Great story.

Anonymous | 11:07 a.m. Dec. 24, 2008

I look forward to these stories every year. I'm sure many missionaries can relate to the sacrifices others make for them; it's wonderful to see you still remember and share this one. Merry Christmas.

CiCi | 1:14 p.m. Dec. 24, 2008

Great story. I so enjoyed it. What a beautiful gift you have given indeed!

AB | 2:31 p.m. Dec. 24, 2008

With all the madness going on at my house trying to get ready for christmas tomorrow, it was so nice to be able to sit and read such an uplifting story. Thanks for the gift!

Luce | 8:19 p.m. Dec. 24, 2008

Thanks:7:43am- The story of the box of Jello is one of my favorites and took place in Laredo, Texas. It won the WOMAN'S DAY "Greatest Gift" contest and was published in the WOMAN'S DAY December 18, 1979 edition. I still read it as part of my Christmas stories every year.

I appreciate Mark's story and will keep it in my file.

Anonymous | 8:38 p.m. Dec. 24, 2008

This story brought tears...I loved the jello story too and I cried after reading that one too. Thanks.

Laurie | 9:25 p.m. Dec. 24, 2008

What a beautiful Christmas story Mark. As tears are flowing down my cheeks, I am reminded of what Christmas truly means. Bless the heart of the widow's mite and her service to two exceptional missionaries. It's amazing that it wasn't until years later that you realized what blessings Heavenly Father had in store for you. May God grant you and your family with all you may stand in need of during this holiday season. I pray that you have a blessed 2009. Love and best wishes from a truly blessed sister in Alaska.

Rhonda | 9:52 a.m. Nov. 20, 2009

I just found this article again. I wanted it for my files. What a beautiful story. I'm so glad you never went to the wealthier member's home. Thank you for sharing. I love these stories. There's another one I am looking for of a grandson running to his grandparents house and they didn't even know of him.

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.