SANDY — The Rev. Al Sharpton will be the topic Monday evening when the Becerra family gathers to write in their journals.
The Rev. Sharpton joined the Becerras this past Monday during his visit to Salt Lake City, which followed comments the Pentecostal minister made on his nationally syndicated radio show about U. S. presidential candidate Mitt Romney and Mormons.
Jorge and Debbie Becerra, parents of five, likely will write in their journals that Rev. Sharpton seemed nice and was quiet, in contrast to his reputation. They may also touch on the family home evening lesson Debbie Becerra taught about the Biblical parable of the prodigal son, and the discussion with Rev. Sharpton that followed.
The children likely will choose another topic — Rev. Sharpton's reading from the Bible. It was a "jazzy blues kind of voice," said 18-year-old Natalia Becerra. She didn't laugh aloud when he took his turn reading, but she and her siblings snickered to themselves, she said.
After the minister and his entourage left, the siblings joked about his hoarse voice. But overall, they, like their parents, thought Rev. Sharpton was very kind and seemed genuinely interested in Mormons, 12-year-old Ruth Becerra said.
The meeting started with Ruth singing a hymn popular among members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints: "I Know That My Redeemer Lives." The child, who has been taking singing lessons, was accompanied on a baby grand piano by a neighbor enlisted for the occasion.
One of the men who accompanied the reverend closed his eyes and rocked to the music, showing his Pentecostal roots, Debbie Becerra said.
Debbie Becerra then launched into the short lesson. Her husband, four Becerra children, Elder Robert C. Oaks of the LDS Quorum of the Seventy, Rev. Sharpton, and two of Sharpton's advisers were packed into a small room near the home's entrance.
Jorge Becerra said he thought his family was chosen for Rev. Sharpton's visit because he had done some public relations work for the church in the past and because he is stake president of the Draper Utah Eastridge Stake.
"They figured we probably wouldn't mess it up too much," Debbie Becerra said, laughing.
The family believed having Rev. Sharpton visit was a good way for him to learn about the church. He was able to see the importance of families and observe how LDS faithful incorporate Christianity into their lives.
"I think he has a new light on the LDS religion," Natalia said. "Hopefully, a good one."
As Rev. Sharpton and his group departed, the family sang another popular LDS favorite: "God Be With You Till We Meet Again."
E-mail: rpalmer@desnews.com