Last evening following sacrament meeting the film Portrait of a Prophet was shown. It is the story of the life of David O. McKay, produced on his 95th birthday. The film was great and reinforced my convictions that President McKay is a giant among men and in every sense a prophet of the living God. Tears came to my eyes as I heard again the prophet's voice bearing testimony that Jesus Christ lives and stands as the head of the Church. Seeing the story of his life unfolded helped me to know and to appreciate him just a little more.
Saturday evening Elder Stewart and I had a special experience together. We just started speaking of many things—generally of a spiritual nature–and moved into a communion on a deep personal level. He is a great person, and I am grateful for the opportunity of working with him now.
Today we were going to visit Pão de Açucar [Sugar Loaf], but rainy weather altered those plans. We went shopping downtown, visited H. Sterns, ate lunch at a Chinese restaurant, got wet, and such things during the morning with Elders Henderson and Richins. The afternoon we spent in the mission office typing letters home and little chores like that.
A few days ago I received a letter from my friend Mark Smith. I was joyed to read of his recent progress. He has been accepted into the Honors Program at BYU, has decided to go on a mission and is eagerly awaiting a call after this semester, and has started studying the scriptures with a specific schedule. Such things and more thrilled me as I eagerly read his letter.
During the past week we have been dedicating our proselyting hours to finding a sharp family. At this point we have three that look good, one of which received a first lesson yesterday afternoon. Unless the man values his own opinions too much, he will otherwise probably accept baptism. There is a necessity upon us not only to teach him and to testify to him but also to love him into the Church.
This classic statement comes from Time magazine: "Brazil is ostensibly a Catholic nation, but not really Catholic." A person has to live here among the people to be able to appreciate that one.
Elder Stewart suggested an interesting idea one day last week: Since the restoration of the gospel there has not really been any Christian nations, except the United States and any nation which to any degree has accepted the gospel. Europe has no Christian nations really. England, now in her post-empire senility and decadency, is no longer a Christian nation. More and more a division is being made between the forces lining up behind Satan and those on the Lord's side. The western world at large is losing its knowledge of the divinity of Christ. Why? Because, as explains the Book of Mormon, those rejecting new truths will lose that which they had, those accepting gain. Well, the world has largely rejected the new witness of Christ, the Book of Mormon, and since the time of its first publication has been losing its testimony of the living God. The process will undoubtedly continue.
A week ago Sunday Elder Stewart and I were out pounding the streets in an area near a Catholic church. The building was filled with people attending a mass. We stepped into the rear of the huge building to watch for several moments. That was my first real experience with a mass (I have seen certain ones on television at other times). I am just glad I am not a Catholic.
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