Wallace Toronto — Prophecy Fulfilled: Testifying to the Nation on Czechoslovakian Television (1965)

Years before, in a priesthood blessing, Wallace F. Toronto had been told that he would testify of the gospel to the nation of Czechoslovakia. In July 1965, during the Sokol Slet (renamed 'Spartakiad' by the Communists) — a massive athletic festival held in Prague with all nations invited — Wally obtained a visa to attend, intending to quietly visit government ministers about re-establishing the mission. As he sat among a crowd of 25,000 people, a cameraman spotted him as an American and asked him to stand in front of the camera and tell the nation his impressions of the festival. On national television, Wally nonchalantly spoke about his children and where he lived — and, in effect, bore testimony before the entire Czechoslovak nation, fulfilling the long-ago blessing. He had hoped to pass through the country without fanfare; instead, his televised appearance was seen by Church members across the country, including Gad Vojkůvka and his family.

Fuller account of this event (as retold in Mary Jane Woodger, 'Communism Espouses Religious Freedom!' in Mission President or Spy? The True Story of Wallace F. Toronto, the Czech Mission, and World War II (BYU RSC / Deseret Book, 2019), 210–211):

In July 1965, Wally and Martha traveled to Prague to attend the Spartakiada, a massive athletic festival held every five years. The Communists had renamed the Sokol Slet the Spartakiada. All nations were invited to participate. Wally obtained a visa to attend, intending to quietly visit government ministers about re-establishing the mission. As he was sitting there in a crowd of 25,000 people, a cameraman spotted him as an American and asked him to stand in front of the camera and tell the nation about his impressions of the 'Spartakiada.' Wally nonchalantly spoke about his children and where he lived. In effect, he bore testimony before the entire Czechoslovak nation. In a blessing he had received years before, he had been told that he would testify to the nation. At that moment on camera at the Sokol Slet, it seemed that the prophecy was beginning to be fulfilled. He had hoped to pass through the country without fanfare; instead, his televised appearance was seen by Church members across the country, including Gad Vojkůvka and his family.

Fuller account of this event (as retold in Mary Jane Woodger, 'Communism Espouses Religious Freedom!' in Mission President or Spy? The True Story of Wallace F. Toronto, the Czech Mission, and World War II (BYU RSC / Deseret Book, 2019), 210–211):

In July 1965, Wally and Martha traveled to Prague to attend the Spartakiada, a massive athletic festival held every five years. The Communists had renamed the Sokol Slet the Spartakiada. All nations were invited to participate. Wally obtained a visa to attend, intending to quietly visit government ministers about re-establishing the mission. As he was sitting there in a crowd of 25,000 people, a cameraman spotted him as an American and asked him to stand in front of the camera and tell the nation about his impressions of the 'Spartakiada.' Wally nonchalantly spoke about his children and where he lived. In effect, he bore testimony before the entire Czechoslovak nation. In a blessing he had received years before, he had been told that he would testify to the nation. At that moment on camera at the Sokol Slet, it seemed that the prophecy was beginning to be fulfilled. He had hoped to pass through the country without fanfare; instead, his televised appearance was seen by Church members across the country, including Gad Vojkůvka and his family.