Starting his day in prayer, Rick Thompkins, a Mormon missionary in Europe, pleads for his parents' troubled marriage to heal when his father Jack consults a lawyer about divorce. Back in Utah, the Thompkins' Home Teacher, Jim Slater, asks his Elders Quorum President, Fred Washburn, for release, feeling like he's failing the inactive families for whom he has responsibility. Fred says he will comply, but only if Jim tries one last time.