Missionaries wash feet

* This legend comes to us courtesy of Lorena Rodgers. Thanks Lorena!

The story goes...

A couple of missionaries serving in a small area were in a laundromat on p-day taking care of their laundry. They left briefly while their clothes were in the dryer. When they returned, a pair of  their garments were hanging in the store window with the markings circled. They talked to the laundromat owner and tried to
retrieve their garments, but were roughly dismissed. They contacted their Mission President to ask what they should do, and were told to leave the city
and shake the dust from their shoes. This they did. When someone later checked back on the area, they found the laundromat had burned down.
As I recall, the story always stated this was an area far from the mission home and there were no active members around, and the church left the area
completely.

I have heard this legend many times during my life and in many different variations. The amusing part is that the teller usually says that it happened in HIS or HER mission! Now it's one thing to say this happened, it's another to say that it happened the same way in almost every mission in the world! Now I am willing to grant that the incident may have indeed happened. However, there are several reasons that I doubt the authenticity of the story.

1- There are no names, dates, places or any other verifiable information

2- Washing ones feet against another person is a very serious thing. Even Apostles do not take this lightly. I have a very difficult time believing that a mission president would take it upon himself to instruct a missionary to do this. Typically, only the Prophet or the Apostles have the right to perform this function. They may direct someone to do it, but I doubt it happens much.

3- An anti-mormon ridiculing the temple garment does not, in my opinion, warrant this kind of response. There are hundreds of anti-mormon groups. These groups have demonstrations that occur quite regularly where the entire temple clothing is worn in broad daylight by an anti-mormon for all to see. I have yet to hear of anyone washing his feet against them. The church has a long standing policy of letting the Lord deal with these kinds of things.

As always, if anybody has any detailed information that would help validate this legend, please let me know.

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