This story inspired me to join the church. For those of you who have never heard it, or might need a refresher, the story goes as follows (as related by an eyewitness to the events):

"It happened in 1981, while Elder Monson and Elder Packer were making a tour of the missions of the United States. After a day of inspiring conference meetings in New Orleans, a night trip to Bourbon Street was secretly arranged for the visiting brethren and some of the missionaries. About nine o'clock that evening, two carloads, about ten of us, took off for the then very active strip clubs.

"We stood on the edge of that fiery stage watching Cajun Bertha in her satanic antics on the pole, our drinks chilled by the cold ice that watered down the whiskey, and our faces almost blistered by the heat of that hot mama twirling on the pole. After drinking way too much, one of the elders discovered a set of steps leading to the stage where observers could watch the display up close and personal. It seemed perfectly sound, and the massive 300 pound bouncer was looking the other way, making it an excellent place to view the spectacular display.

"After first tossing down the final swallow of whiskey, Brother Monson and three of the elders climbed the stairs up to the stage. As they stood there drunk and comfortable, they teased the stripper and the rest of us more timid ones who had hesitated to take advantage of the steps they had found. For quite some time we all watched as Elder Monson and the missionaries danced along with Bertha and grabbed at her with lustful glee.

"After being up there for some time, the bouncer saw them and charged the stage yelling profanities at us all. Suddenly Brother Monson said to those with him, 'Brethren, I feel impressed that we should get out of here.'"

"With that he assisted the elders off the stage, and then they in turn helped him as Bertha wrapped her thong around his neck in an attempt to choke him. It seems incredible, but almost immediately the whole group was tossed out into the street by Bertha and the one 300 pound bouncer.

"It is easy to visualize the feelings of those who witnessed this terrifying experience. Not a word was said . . . the whole thing was too awful and we were too drunk to speak. The only sound was the hiss and roar of Bertha, the Cajun stripper, screaming her disappointment that our group didn't put a single dollar in her g-string.

"None of us, who were witnesses to this experience could ever doubt the reality of 'revelation in our day!' Some might say it was merely inspiration and the terror of being chased by a mad cajun stripper and a 300 pound bouncer, but to us, it was a direct revelation given to a worthy man."

[As related by Sister Virginia "Billy" Budd in "Cherished Experiences from the Secret Writings of Elder Thomas S. Monson, Revised and Enlarged,"Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1986), pp. 52-53.]