Tuesday, December 17, 1968

The Language Training Mission steps into the background now—the stage is set, the audience in their places, as eight young elders walk onto the stage of activity. Yesterday was Provo, tomorrow Brazil. And what of today? Farewells (a two years' supply) and traveling.

First, let me record a few facts upon which to reconstruct later necessary memories of this day. Traveling to the Brazilian North Mission with me are Elder David Perry of Boise (my assigned traveling companion); Elder David Babbel of Arlington, Virginia; Elder Kent Gale of Salt Lake City and everywhere; Elder Stephen Riedlinger; Elder Mike Morrell of Ogden; Elder Turner of Moses Lake, Washington; and Elder Charles Van Wagoner of Heber City, Utah. I happen to be the group leader.

Our United Airlines flight left Salt Lake City at 10:50 (40 minutes behind schedule). In Denver, where Elder Perry visited with his girl, we changed flights. We left just after 1:00 (an hour behind schedule). New York's Kennedy International was out next stop. We landed at 6:50 p.m. Since we were behind schedule and our next flight was to leave at 7:30 and we did not even know where VARIG Airlines was located and had no passports, we were somewhat worried. But Elder Babbel's father, who was there with his family, had everything under control for us and had ordered a limousine to whisk us over to the international terminal where VARIG was located. We had held in a flight pattern over New York for some 40 minutes, having a fantastic view of the lights of the city. We headed for Brazil on a crowded VARIG flight.

Saying good-be is always difficult for me, but today was easier than real good-byes before. I am not sure why—perhaps anticipation crowded out sadness, perhaps so many people (about 25) there to say good-bye softened the hurts of leaving, perhaps repeated good-byes remove some of the sting, perhaps the realization of how quickly two years will slip by helps. But by any standard, it was great to spend three hours in the airport with Karen and my family, but it was likewise good to be off.

Evaluating the Language Training Mission, having limited space and little time, is difficult. But simply I would say: it was 11 weeks of continual growth, but which could have seen more growth. Marília did not become a great district, although it could have, but it was not a bad one. We were initially told that the LTM would bring out a person's worst and best qualities. I think that is valid. The LTM is an excellent place to learn to become meek, submissive, humble, and obedient—or an excellent place to learn to kick against the pricks. I saw both happen in varying degrees. Of the three objectives of the LTM (learn the mission language, learn the six discussions, and become a disciple of Christ), the ability to be a disciple of Christ in truth and in deed is obviously most important.