Last night's district meeting turned out being the best one I have attended since being a missionary. The Lord's Spirit was poured out upon us, and His influence strongly felt. In the meeting Elder Clements demonstrated how poorly we were doing as a district. This brought forth discussions, instructions, and inspiration I badly needed, we all needed. Resolutions, vocal and silent, were made. A spirit of repentance must have been present because as we spoke of ways to improve the work the Lord's Spirit was poured out upon us. Our testimony meeting at the close of the meeting was particularly powerful. My heart was so full of thoughts that I did not know where to voice my thanksgivings. I poured out a simple testimony of these things I know to be true: God lives, Christ is our Savior and has an infinite love for each of us, this work of ours here in Brazil is the Lord's work, we have prophets in our time, life is beautiful.
President Johnson called me into the mission office this morning to tell me of new assignments and responsibilities. I am to replace Elder Steven McFarland as mission recorder–historian. The move begins Thursday.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Saturday, February 22, 1969
A few days ago a letter arrived from Elder Steve Hill, my friend serving in Germany. He wrote: "We've met some good people, but as a whole the race seems somehow awkward and disgustingly, though I suppose understandably, bound by tradition. I have, though it's been a fight, developed a much stronger testimony, one I can never deny. I've developed a tremendous appreciation for the Prophet Joseph Smith, and a greater understanding of the mission of the Savior, and therein gratitude and appreciation for the gospel of Jesus Christ." There was much more, but this most impressed me.
From Karen came a beautiful Valentine's greeting. The beauty was in the message, the thought, and the love. She still bubbles with a love of life, the gospel, the Savior, and people. When Karen walked into my life, I received one of my greatest blessings. How truly grateful I am for her.
Carnival ended Tuesday. The rains, which one of the sisters in the branch said always come on the final day, arrived a day late. Since Wednesday the weather in Rio has been nice as far as temperature goes.
Speaking of Carnival, I might make a few comments about that devil’s holiday. I can just see Satan rejoicing because of the foolishness of men. Carnival means the streets are filled with costumed and masked participants, all tuned to the beat (the devil's heartbeat) permeating the city. Immodesty and sexuality are increased at Carnival time: nine months from now will be the year's peak for illegitimate babies. Drinking and milling crowds and noise are all part of Carnival. What is so funny about it all is that the day following Carnival everybody rushes to the confession booth to make all well in Zion, or so they think, "and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell" (2 Nephi 28:21).
From Karen came a beautiful Valentine's greeting. The beauty was in the message, the thought, and the love. She still bubbles with a love of life, the gospel, the Savior, and people. When Karen walked into my life, I received one of my greatest blessings. How truly grateful I am for her.
Carnival ended Tuesday. The rains, which one of the sisters in the branch said always come on the final day, arrived a day late. Since Wednesday the weather in Rio has been nice as far as temperature goes.
Speaking of Carnival, I might make a few comments about that devil’s holiday. I can just see Satan rejoicing because of the foolishness of men. Carnival means the streets are filled with costumed and masked participants, all tuned to the beat (the devil's heartbeat) permeating the city. Immodesty and sexuality are increased at Carnival time: nine months from now will be the year's peak for illegitimate babies. Drinking and milling crowds and noise are all part of Carnival. What is so funny about it all is that the day following Carnival everybody rushes to the confession booth to make all well in Zion, or so they think, "and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell" (2 Nephi 28:21).
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Monday, February 17, 1969
The heat and Carnival continue. Traditionally it rains during the Carnival season, but there has been no rain yet this year. We spent the morning writing letters. In the afternoon we saw two air-conditioned shows in Saens Peña. District meeting at the chapel was in the early evening. The sisters had made a pie and brought for us to eat after the meeting. The new handbook, which I typed while staying in the mission office in December, is finally out. We went over it in district meeting.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Sunday, February 16, 1969
Heat and Carnival are the distinguishing characteristics of today that I choose to remember. The temperature, and I think the humidity, have been climbing up into pretty unbearable heights. The last letters from home spoke of cold and snow—stuff I can hardly remember. Even just sprawled across our beds would not stop the sweat today. Extend that then to riding crowded, stuffy busses and pounding sun-swept streets.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Saturday, February 15, 1969
"O Father, help these young men who are listening tonight, when they go home to get on their knees and commit themselves to thee; and then they may know, and I promise them that they may know, that with thy help they need not fear the future" (Improvement Era, Dec. 1967, 92).
These are the closing words of a prayer offered by Hugh B. Brown at the end of his talk in the priesthood session of the October 1967 general conference of the Church. That evening one of the important events in my life transpired. Returning to my room I knelt in grateful prayer and, then and there, committed my life, my time, my talents, my means, my energies to the Lord for the building of His kingdom. I placed my life on the altar, realizing that for the Savior it had to be my all or nothing.
Not always since then have I fully met the obligation I placed myself under, but I am trying. Tonight as I was reviewing this talk, the realization hit home that following every faithful effort to live that commitment I have been blessed with additional knowledge, revelation if you will, that removes all fears of the future.
At the time the Apostle spoke these words, my life was at a stage comparable to a richly fertile field. My environment was perfect for the full nourishment of the already planted seeds. And in the months immediately following my offering of whatever the Lord desired of me, I fell in love with the gospel and life and people. A whole garden of blessings blossomed in my life.
Tonight for the first time I realized how truly significant was that act that October evening. I understood a little better trends and sequences in my recent life. My love for President Brown, who truly is a great servant of the Lord, grew just a little greater. And the importance of such a covenant, later reinforced in the temple of the Lord, became a little clearer.
Oh, how great, how glorious, how good the name of our God. My use of words limits the overflowings of a grateful heart. To feel the impact of the Savior’s life, to know Jesus Christ as the Redeemer of the world, to share in His love—these are among life’s greatest joys.
These are the closing words of a prayer offered by Hugh B. Brown at the end of his talk in the priesthood session of the October 1967 general conference of the Church. That evening one of the important events in my life transpired. Returning to my room I knelt in grateful prayer and, then and there, committed my life, my time, my talents, my means, my energies to the Lord for the building of His kingdom. I placed my life on the altar, realizing that for the Savior it had to be my all or nothing.
Not always since then have I fully met the obligation I placed myself under, but I am trying. Tonight as I was reviewing this talk, the realization hit home that following every faithful effort to live that commitment I have been blessed with additional knowledge, revelation if you will, that removes all fears of the future.
At the time the Apostle spoke these words, my life was at a stage comparable to a richly fertile field. My environment was perfect for the full nourishment of the already planted seeds. And in the months immediately following my offering of whatever the Lord desired of me, I fell in love with the gospel and life and people. A whole garden of blessings blossomed in my life.
Tonight for the first time I realized how truly significant was that act that October evening. I understood a little better trends and sequences in my recent life. My love for President Brown, who truly is a great servant of the Lord, grew just a little greater. And the importance of such a covenant, later reinforced in the temple of the Lord, became a little clearer.
Oh, how great, how glorious, how good the name of our God. My use of words limits the overflowings of a grateful heart. To feel the impact of the Savior’s life, to know Jesus Christ as the Redeemer of the world, to share in His love—these are among life’s greatest joys.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Friday, February 14, 1969
We are spending these days now half living out of a suitcase, half stuffed into Elder Clements’s small apartment. Elder Sarager and I moved out of the pensão yesterday into this place. By next Tuesday we need to have found a permanent place of our own in our new area. Until then, which is when Elder Clements receives a new companion, we are working in threes.
This morning we went downtown to build up our contact number for the week. Somehow I do not yet find excitement in street contacting. Tracting, though slower, seems to work better for me.
Each day we are trying to cover two of the six lessons, read some from the Joseph Smith story, and still reserve individual study time. I am in the Book of Mormon again, enjoying every minute of the experience.
Today in the United States is Valentine’s Day. Here it is but the day before the beginning of Carnival.
Elder Sarager and I have moved again—back into the same pensão—because a temporary companion showed up for Elder Clements.
This morning we went downtown to build up our contact number for the week. Somehow I do not yet find excitement in street contacting. Tracting, though slower, seems to work better for me.
Each day we are trying to cover two of the six lessons, read some from the Joseph Smith story, and still reserve individual study time. I am in the Book of Mormon again, enjoying every minute of the experience.
Today in the United States is Valentine’s Day. Here it is but the day before the beginning of Carnival.
Elder Sarager and I have moved again—back into the same pensão—because a temporary companion showed up for Elder Clements.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Wednesday, February 12, 1969
Last Friday evening I had an experience that deepened my appreciation for the Savior’s atoning sacrifice and demonstrated the weaknesses of the flesh. I was changing the bandage on my toe for the first time since the operation and the pain, because of sticking to the raw skin where the toenail used to be, became so unbearable that I blacked out right there on the bed. It was only a few seconds but had Elder Sarager a bit worried. How weak we are! The Savior suffered such intense pain in Gethsemane, causing bleeding at the pores, that my experience is weak in comparison. His was for hours, mine only minutes. His was more than physical pain, mine only that. Yet Jesus Christ fainted not but perfected His Father’s plan. For this experience I am grateful and can appreciate and understand a little more clearly now.
Health is a beautiful and one of our most valuable gifts from our Father in Heaven. Like too many blessings we often do not appreciate it until it is taken from us or we forfeit the right to have it. If I have not yet learned another thing from my mission, I do know that health should be jealously guarded with good sense and the proper measure of faith. We must be clean that bear the vessels of the Lord.
Elder J. Martin Sarager, from Arizona, is my new companion. He has worked in Rio all his time here, which is one week longer in Brazil than I have. I knew him somewhat in the LTM. One interesting note I learned about his family already: like me, he comes from a family of nine children. These days I don’t run into that situation often.
During the last few days we have been tracting, checking out referrals, and generally getting the feel of our area (which includes all of downtown). Yesterday we learned that we were moving over into another area near the Tijuca chapel because two new elders from the States were joining the district today. We have to find a place to live, which could involve three more moves. For now we are to remain in the same pensão, but we spent this morning moving into another room.
Sunday were the meetings at the chapel. Although the facilities are nicer (the Tijuca chapel is a new, modern-designed building like any stake center found in the States) and the numbers larger than the ones I became used to in Petrópolis, still the singing is too slow, and meetings do not start on time.
Monday the district met together, took a cable car part way up towards Silvestre, and returned to the center of Rio to see a show about the Pope, In the Fisherman’s Sandals. I am glad I am not a Catholic. In the early evening was district meeting in the chapel.
Yesterday I worked during the day with Elder Clements, district and zone leader. He is a great man, and I relished every moment of the too short day. Before the recent transfers Elder Clements had Elder Sarager, my present companion, as his companion. Before Elder Sarager he had Elder Slade, my previous companion. Elder Clements was testing me out and giving me a check over. And, as I think about it, he had me doing most of the talking in our conversations all day.
Last night we saw a show, I am sorry to report, because we were not in a spirit to work and did not know what to do with an area no longer ours.
Carnival starts in Rio in a few days. How this devil’s holiday will affect the work is not readily evident, although our efforts will obviously be slowed down.
The district of Tijuca now consists of Sisters Evans and Jin, and Elders Clements (district leader), Sarager, Cleverly, Talbot, and Jones. Elder Clements will receive a new companion next week.
Health is a beautiful and one of our most valuable gifts from our Father in Heaven. Like too many blessings we often do not appreciate it until it is taken from us or we forfeit the right to have it. If I have not yet learned another thing from my mission, I do know that health should be jealously guarded with good sense and the proper measure of faith. We must be clean that bear the vessels of the Lord.
Elder J. Martin Sarager, from Arizona, is my new companion. He has worked in Rio all his time here, which is one week longer in Brazil than I have. I knew him somewhat in the LTM. One interesting note I learned about his family already: like me, he comes from a family of nine children. These days I don’t run into that situation often.
During the last few days we have been tracting, checking out referrals, and generally getting the feel of our area (which includes all of downtown). Yesterday we learned that we were moving over into another area near the Tijuca chapel because two new elders from the States were joining the district today. We have to find a place to live, which could involve three more moves. For now we are to remain in the same pensão, but we spent this morning moving into another room.
Sunday were the meetings at the chapel. Although the facilities are nicer (the Tijuca chapel is a new, modern-designed building like any stake center found in the States) and the numbers larger than the ones I became used to in Petrópolis, still the singing is too slow, and meetings do not start on time.
Monday the district met together, took a cable car part way up towards Silvestre, and returned to the center of Rio to see a show about the Pope, In the Fisherman’s Sandals. I am glad I am not a Catholic. In the early evening was district meeting in the chapel.
Yesterday I worked during the day with Elder Clements, district and zone leader. He is a great man, and I relished every moment of the too short day. Before the recent transfers Elder Clements had Elder Sarager, my present companion, as his companion. Before Elder Sarager he had Elder Slade, my previous companion. Elder Clements was testing me out and giving me a check over. And, as I think about it, he had me doing most of the talking in our conversations all day.
Last night we saw a show, I am sorry to report, because we were not in a spirit to work and did not know what to do with an area no longer ours.
Carnival starts in Rio in a few days. How this devil’s holiday will affect the work is not readily evident, although our efforts will obviously be slowed down.
The district of Tijuca now consists of Sisters Evans and Jin, and Elders Clements (district leader), Sarager, Cleverly, Talbot, and Jones. Elder Clements will receive a new companion next week.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Thursday, February 6, 1969
Let one day pass with a blink of the eyes and the whole world is a changed place. Consider this as an example. Yesterday morning I went to Rio with Elder Slade. He was leaving, after a few days in São Paulo, for home, and I was merely going to have my toe checked at the hospital, planning to return to Petrópolis that afternoon. My companion went with me to the hospital, where I came out shortly thereafter without a left big toenail. Reflecting upon it, I noted that the first day and the last day that Elder Slade was my companion he had been with me in the Hospital Silvestre watching me lose toenails. My farewell to Dean Slade was made from on my back on a bed in the mission home. Seeing him leave was sad because he had been a good companion, one I had relied on heavily for help with my lessons and the language. Next I learned that Friday I would be transferred to Rio to work in Tijuca with an Elder Sarager, who has been down one week longer than I have but who has troubles with language and lessons. President Johnson said there would be no senior/junior companion designations; we would work together as equals unless some problem developed requiring a designation.
This morning I returned to Petrópolis to make ready for tomorrow’s transfer. I was supposed to go with the other two elders to Teresópolis for the evening when they went over for the MIA there. They left me a note in the room informing me they had already gone. I spent the rest of the day, therefore, alone in the room being careful with my foot, packing, preparing instructions for those continuing in my stead, finishing my part of the district history (having been district historian), writing in this journal, catching up a bit of delinquent correspondence, and such.
Elder David Braithwaite will continue as branch president in Teresópolis, going there on Thursdays and Sundays. He will also be the new district leader. Elder Craig Hurst will take my place. Both will receive new companions.
My stay in Petrópolis was short, only six weeks. I like the city, the climate, the people. It is sad to leave. But like Elder Slade told one of the brothers here: He was glad he had been here only a short time because otherwise it would really be hard to leave. But my leaving will be different from Elder Slade’s: It is not Brazil I am leaving.
Saying good-bye yesterday to Elder Slade was sad, as I mentioned earlier, but not really difficult. Since I had first come to Petrópolis six weeks earlier, I was constantly being conditioned to the fact of his leaving because I had to prepare to take over, not knowing it would be in a different city though. Also, we did not really grow as close together as companions as we might have. There were no communication barriers, but we were both generally quiet (inherit nature, I guess). At times I did feel restricted in what I might share on a very deep spiritual level or very deep personal level. I must improve in this area.
After Elder Slade departed, having said some of the things he did in parting, I was overcome with thanksgiving for all that is mine. I poured out of my soul in prayers of gratitude and pleading, being directed by the Spirit. My eyes are wet. And my toe down there throbbing with pain at the end of my leg did not even matter at that moment.
This morning I returned to Petrópolis to make ready for tomorrow’s transfer. I was supposed to go with the other two elders to Teresópolis for the evening when they went over for the MIA there. They left me a note in the room informing me they had already gone. I spent the rest of the day, therefore, alone in the room being careful with my foot, packing, preparing instructions for those continuing in my stead, finishing my part of the district history (having been district historian), writing in this journal, catching up a bit of delinquent correspondence, and such.
Elder David Braithwaite will continue as branch president in Teresópolis, going there on Thursdays and Sundays. He will also be the new district leader. Elder Craig Hurst will take my place. Both will receive new companions.
My stay in Petrópolis was short, only six weeks. I like the city, the climate, the people. It is sad to leave. But like Elder Slade told one of the brothers here: He was glad he had been here only a short time because otherwise it would really be hard to leave. But my leaving will be different from Elder Slade’s: It is not Brazil I am leaving.
Saying good-bye yesterday to Elder Slade was sad, as I mentioned earlier, but not really difficult. Since I had first come to Petrópolis six weeks earlier, I was constantly being conditioned to the fact of his leaving because I had to prepare to take over, not knowing it would be in a different city though. Also, we did not really grow as close together as companions as we might have. There were no communication barriers, but we were both generally quiet (inherit nature, I guess). At times I did feel restricted in what I might share on a very deep spiritual level or very deep personal level. I must improve in this area.
After Elder Slade departed, having said some of the things he did in parting, I was overcome with thanksgiving for all that is mine. I poured out of my soul in prayers of gratitude and pleading, being directed by the Spirit. My eyes are wet. And my toe down there throbbing with pain at the end of my leg did not even matter at that moment.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Tuesday, February 4, 1969
Just for the record, here is a little chronology of the last few days: Saturday Elder Hurst and I taught a third lesson to Estrela’s parents and sister. That was difficult. The same evening at MIA the branch gathered in farewell to my companion, Elder Slade. The next day, fast Sunday, saw nothing special happening in the meetings. I played the organ for all three meetings. The singing was better this week. Attendance was up a little too (some 40 or so). The investigator family of the other two elders was out for the first time and seemed to enjoy the meetings. Elder Slade said it felt good not to be running the show. I think the branch will be in good hands under Sandri’s leadership, if the branch will help him. Sunday afternoon we went to Joaquim’s home to give a fourth lesson. We left without giving it because they had not digested all they had been presented. Elder Slade laid it on the line, challenging them to be in church next Sunday, quit drinking coffee, read at least 15 minutes daily from the Book of Mormon, and to pray.
Yesterday we spent the day in Rio, returning last evening for a special home evening honoring Elder Slade. We spoke with President Johnson and visited Corcovado. It was my first time up there, but it was cloudy.
Yesterday we spent the day in Rio, returning last evening for a special home evening honoring Elder Slade. We spoke with President Johnson and visited Corcovado. It was my first time up there, but it was cloudy.
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