Thursday, July 31, 1969

This afternoon another street meeting was held, the second in Rio de Janeiro. We met in the Largo do Machado and there held the meeting for over two hours. We followed the same format as on the first meet­ing June 26. I was able to give the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith stories in English, which was actually difficult and unrefined because it was translation from Portuguese.

Tonight we taught a really sharp young couple who have been married four months. José is the man's name. A second lesson is marked for next week.

Sunday past we taught Victor and his children the fifth lesson. Last night, when we showed up for the sixth, we retaught the fifth to his wife Helena because he had not yet returned from work. Maria Yolanda attended the lesson Sunday and remained after we left to bring them to sacrament meeting. None of them showed up. We stop­ped to talk with Maria Yolanda following the meeting. She had just returned home from Victor's, having spent a couple hours there talk­ing with them. It was probably just as good for them as the meetings may have been.

Elders Jerry Allen and Robert Cary returned to the States yester­day because of health: Elder Allen to Salt Lake for treatment and Elder Cary to the Florida Mission.

Tuesday, July 29, 1969

The Rio Zone met in conference today in the Jardim Botânico chapel, with President Johnson presiding and Elder Rulon Simmons, zone leader, conducting. The theme was "As Ye Sow So Shall Ye Reap." Elder Stewart gave a fine talk on the subject of challenging and testi­fying. He is certainly a great elder, and each day my appreciation grows for having him as a companion. Panels discussed proselyting techniques and lineage problems. President Val H. Carter, of the Jardim Botânico Branch, offered valuable guidelines on health pre­cautions.

"Seek the Spirit" was the theme of a brief talk I was assigned to give. I tried to follow such advice both in the preparation and delivery of the discourse. Briefly I touched on three divisions of the subject, as follows:

What is the Spirit? The Holy Ghost is a revelator by whose power men gain testimonies of the truth, His mission being to bear record of the Father and the Son and to sanctify and cleanse the souls of the righteous.

The light of Christ is (1) sent to strive with all men, giving guidance into all truth; (2) in accordance with ancient prophecy (Joel 2:28–29), is being poured out upon all flesh in the last days and not to be confused with the Holy Ghost, which the world never had (John 14:7); and (3) "the agency or power used by the Holy Ghost in admin­istering his affairs and in sending forth his gifts" (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 753).

Why seek the Spirit? The Lord has commanded us to do so (see D&C 50:13–24 and 42:14).

The Savior said, "My sheep know my voice" (John 10:2–5). Hence, it is the only way to know the things of God (Alma 5:45–46; Matthew 16:13–19; D&C 50:21–23).

Bishop Robert L. Simpson explains: "The great gift of personal revelation is unmis­takable; it is direct. It is a more sure com­mu­ni­cation than the audible spoken word; for that which we hear through mortal ears is some­times distorted, so often misunderstood. This pre­cious gift of spirit speaking to spirit is infallible and direct" (Im­prove­ment Era, Dec. 1965, 1136).

In sublime allegory in one of the most beautiful chapters of Holy Writ, the Savior declares, "I am the vine, ye are the branches. . . with­out me ye can do nothing" (John 15:5). The entire chapter con­tinues in this profound and instructive vein of thought.

How to seek the Spirit? Personal worthiness is a requisite: "Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord" (D&C 38:42). "My spirit shall not always strive with man" (D&C 1:33). "The Spirit of the Lord doth not dwell in unholy temples" (Helaman 4:24). "Cease to be unclean" (D&C 88:124).

All actions need to be from a pure heart; otherwise we are fooling ourselves. Purity of heart, not brilliance of action, is the key.

"It is not," says Hugh B. Brown, "merely a matter of conformity to rituals, climbing sacred stairs, bathing in sacred pools, or making pilgrimages to sacred shrines" (BYU speech, May 13, 1969).

Godliness is the only thing that will make one a God. As mis­sion­aries, these questions must be answered: (1) Are our thoughts clean? (2) Do we love the people? (3) Do we love our companion? (4) Do we follow direction and counsel of those above us? (5) Do we follow a well worked out daily schedule? (6) Do we live by every word pro­ceeding from the mouth of God, hungering and thirsting after right­eousness?

And finally, do we pray always? (see D&C 19:38–41 and 121:45–46). The promise follows that the Holy Ghost will be our constant com­panion, exactly that which we are seeking.

The afternoon session with testimonies and messages from the Presi­dent and Sister Johnson was outstanding. It was good to see all the elders and sisters in the zone. The Relief Society served a delicious noon meal. The President interviewed each missionary. A full and re­warding day!

Thursday, July 24, 1969

Today is Mormon Pioneer Day, marking the 122nd anniversary of entering the Great Salt Lake Valley by the advance party of the Saints. Associated with that date is Brigham Young's prophetic pronounce­ment, "This is the right place! Drive on."

Appropriately America's modern pioneers, the three astronauts, safely returned from their journey to the moon. Although they went into incubation confinement immediately after leaving the space cap­sule, President Richard M. Nixon was aboard the naval carrier that picked them up to give them an appropriate heroes welcome.

President Johnson celebrated his birthday today. His age was not open for discussion.

Yesterday 11 new elders arrived in the mission from the States. Because someone somewhere goofed up in the documentation pro­cess, they remained in Rio overnight and could not go out as initially planned. With all the transfers and changes, a new city (Anápolis) was opened and a new district (Santa Tereza) created in the Tijuca Zone. Elder Michael Knight, Jardim Botânico district leader, was transferred. He used to be Elder Stewart’s companion.

Monday, July 21, 1969

A letter to my family at home:

Saturday I received one of the best birthday presents any person could ever receive—we held a baptism service, and I baptized a lady and her eight-year-old son members of the Church. It was exactly three weeks ago yesterday that we first spoke with her about the Church, but she had been prepared and when the message of the Restoration came she gladly answered. You cannot imagine how fantastic she is.

Yesterday in the district quarterly conference (a district is like a stake, except still part of a mission) she was sustained as first coun­selor in the MIA presidency of both the district and mission. That is pretty good progression, considering she was only a member one day. Her name is Maria Yolanda de Souza and her son's name is Marcos, also a fantastic little kid. Someday he will be a bishop or stake president here in Rio de Janeiro. Therefore, as you can imagine the happiness that comes to a young man when he sees someone em­bracing the gospel, you can understand how thrilled I was to receive such an honor as a birthday gift.

As I mentioned, yesterday were the concluding sessions of the quarterly district conference of the Rio de Janeiro District. The Saints from the states of Guanabara, Rio de Janeiro, and Espírito Santo (study your maps) all gathered in the district center chapel. It is always a thrill to meet with the Saints assembled in conference. It is just as great to hear members of the Church stand and sing “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet” and “Come, Come, Ye Saints” in Portuguese as in English, or any other language, I suppose. The gos­pel is the same in any language and in any corner of the earth. Before and after conference I was able to see again many of the mem­bers from the Petrópolis Branch (where I first labored) and renew those friendships.

Yesterday, July 20, man first stepped onto the moon. A dream of centuries has been realized within 66 years after man’s first heavier-than-air flight at Kitty Hawk on that Dec­ember morning in 1903. In just a lifetime fantasy has become reality. What will that many more years bring? We are living in an exciting age, in adventurous times.

In two weeks, on August 2, is my companion’s 20th birth­day (his name is Monte Stewart). Like a good companion’s family should, you ought to send him a birthday card or short note saying Happy Birth­day. I would appreciate it. Thanks for everything. So long for now.

Sunday, July 20, 1969

The Rio de Janeiro District met in quarterly conference in the Tijuca chapel yesterday and today. This morning general priesthood session started at 8:30, the regular general session commencing at 10:00. I am always excited about meeting in conference with the Saints. I met again many of the dear members from the Petrópolis Branch. Among action passed upon in the conference was approving José Sauerbronn Toledo to be ordained an elder and sustaining Maria Yolanda as first counselor in the district and mission YWMIA presidency.

A dream of ages was fulfilled tonight as man stepped onto the moon. Ever since the project was given the final go-ahead a few days ago, I have prayed for the mission's success and for the safety of the astronauts. But the moon is no longer virgin soil. The two Americans stepped onto the moon just a few moments before midnight Brazilian time, about 40 minutes after we gave up the vigil and went to bed. Probably every television set in the world was tuned to the coverage of the moon shot. Part of the goal set back in 1961 by John F. Kennedy has been realized: having a man on the moon before 1970. The other part? To bring them safely back to earth.

Saturday, July 19, 1969

In the face of eternity, even in the chronology of man, 20 years is but a flash in the darkness. Today I am no longer a teenager. And as this is the oldest birthday I have reached, it has also been the best.

The Johnson family, particularly Sister Johnson, was all so nice, treating me as if I were the king of the day. Sister Johnson wrote a note to me, as she does to every missionary on his birthday, wishing me the best. She said, in part:

"May I tell you that it is a great pleasure for us to have you work­ing in the mission offices. We know that you would rather be out do­ing full-time missionary work—but you never complain. We appreci­ate your loyalty, dedication, your desire to fulfill your calling as a missionary."

We started our day by contacting in the feira down the hill from the mission office. There we ran into Sister Johnson, Dona Lourdes (the cook), and the other elders. Sister Johnson wished me happy birthday there.

At lunch there was a cake with candles. To begin the meal I had volunteered to offer the spiritual thought. Today is Joseph Fielding Smith's 93rd birthday, and I chose some thoughts from his October con­ference talk about the gospel and the destiny of the kingdom of God.

From home I received a card from Dale, a letter from Grandma, and a letter from Lyle and Barbara. My companion, Elder Stewart, gave me the book The Restored Church in Portuguese. It is the same colorful history of the Church used in the seminary program, author­ed by William E. Berrett.

But the best of gifts was being able to baptize as members of the Church Maria Yolanda de Souza and Marcos Balduino de Souza, her eight-year-old son. The Lord has been especially good to us and His blessings are upon His people and His directive influence is in this work. It was only two weeks and six days ago that we first spoke to Maria Yolanda, marking a lesson with her. Today she is a member of the Church.

Directly following the baptismal service, Elder Stewart confirmed Maria Yolanda a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and gave her the Holy Ghost. Elder Reed Nielson confirmed Marcos.

What neater birthday could I have asked for? For the record, I feel no older now that I am 20.

Monday, July 14, 1969

This afternoon I sent letters to six of my friends, using a carbon copy because of time limitations. Copies went to Bob Russell, in Provo working on his masters degree; Elder Jeff Boswell, in the Samoan Mis­sion; Elder Brian Rabe, in the Portuguese zone of the LTM; Elder Dave LeSueur, in the Franco-Belgian Mission; Elder Steve Hill, in the German South Mission; and Elder Evan A. Ballard, in the West Spanish American Mission.

Tonight an investigator fireside was held in the chapel. Following an introduction and opening hymn and prayer, we played an inter­view game to break the ice and let everyone become acquainted. Selected investigators were called upon to speak briefly on a specified subject. The filmstrip What Is a Mormon? was shown. We closed with a hymn, prayer, and refreshments.

We had three families in attendance: Maria Yolanda and Marcos, who will be baptized tomorrow; Fausto and his wife, who discon­tinued the lessons a few months earlier because of the Word of Wis­dom; and Francisco, a young man who has read half of the Book of Mormon and says he believes it to be true but will not accept Joseph Smith as a prophet.

Maria Yolanda received the fifth and sixth lessons this week. Tuesday we taught the fifth, and she was fantastically impressed with the plan of salvation. Thursday evening we taught the sixth lesson in William's home. Lillian attended both but will be out of town for the baptism. Elder Richins interviewed her this evening.

Saturday, July 12, 1969

This evening Elder Stewart and I had our first direct confrontation with a Catholic priest. We entered a building to ask the síndico for per­mission to speak with the residents of the building. After giving us permission, he agreed to respond to five questions, a pesquisa, that we generally use in a door approach.

Do you believe that God lives? Yes, he replied.

Do you believe that God spoke with prophets anciently? Another yes.

Do you feel that God has the power to speak with men today? I suppose so.

Do you feel a need for a prophet in these days? Yes, he said again.

At this point a Catholic priest who was a dinner guest in the home came to the door. We continued with our last question: If you knew that Jesus Christ had returned in these latter days and restored His Church, would you like to know more about it? The man squirm­ed, looking kind of silly at the priest, and ventured a timid yes.

"Oh, so you are the Mormons," broke in the priest. Since the man originally at the door indicated interest, Elder Stewart began bearing his testimony.

"Wait a minute," interrupted the priest, "you cannot go around telling people you know that this is true. You should say I have the im­pression that this may be true, but you cannot go around forcing your­self on people. This man has free agency. You may invite him out to a meeting if he wants to come, but you cannot stand here in his own doorway and force yourselves upon him by saying you know your message is true."

That was too much. I stuck my finger up in front of the priest's face to make him stop talking and replied: "We speak what we must. We know the message of the Restoration to be true and are therefore under responsibility to say that we know it is true."

The priest retorted: "You cannot know. That is subjective."

Elder Stewart indicated that we knew by the power of the Holy Ghost and then continued explaining briefly about the apostasy and Restoration. All the time the priest was bothering us, interrupting, spouting off childish and foolish little remarks.

"Are you afraid of our message?" asked Elder Stewart. He said no, but still would not let us continue.

He started ranting that Christ's church had been here 20 centu­ries. Why should we be going around saying it had just been restored a hundred years ago? As the Jews did to Christ, he was trying to pro­voke us to argue. We would not argue. The Spirit moved me to bear testimony. But the message fell on deafened ears. Seeing they do not see, hearing they do not hear.

"By what authority do you say these things?" he demanded, echo­ing the same interrogative thrown against the Savior by the Pharisees.

"We bear this testimony by the power of the priesthood of the Almighty God and in the name of Jesus Christ," explained my com­panion. Again the priest began his ranting and raving. At this point we once again invited the other man to accept of our message and thanked him for permission to tract the building. Then we left.

Naturally we discussed the incident the rest of the evening. The interview was what I had always pictured such an encounter might involve. I noted in his haughty manner, in his uncivil demeanor, in the very framing of his questions and taunts, how much it was like the opponents of Christ when He was here on the earth.

Friday, July 11, 1969

Today we had the recordings of the April 1968 general conference of the Church playing while we worked in the mission office. Such a fan­tastic spirit emanates from the conferences of the Latter-day Saints. The music and spoken words from the Saturday morning ses­sion of that conference brought back special remembrances and heart warmths. During those days I was visiting in Elgin, Illinois, in the Walter Rabe home, in the turbulent days following Martin Luther King’s death. This session, I remember so clearly, was released Sun­day morning throughout the middle and eastern United States. I sensed then, and felt again today, that the clear and sure call of heaven-inspired prophet leaders was sounding to a troubled nation, a fevered world.

My brother Ray celebrates his 24th birthday today. A great many months have passed since I last heard from him. I sent greetings last Monday.

President Johnson and his family, along with Elder Richins, drove to Nova Friburgo early today to make visits there.

Last night Elders Stewart and Nielson taught a fourth discussion to Marcos and Maria Yolanda. Lillian also attends each of the lessons.

Tuesday, July 8, 1969

"O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of them­selves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish" (2 Nephi 9:28).

It is a sad fact, learned by experience, affirmed by the inspired comment above, that the wisdom of man is useless until it humbly acknowledges the wisdom of God, the Father of lights. Last evening Elder Stewart and I saw a man, who though verbally acknowledging Joseph Smith to be a prophet and the Restoration a fact, preferred to wallow in the mire of man-made wisdom at the expense of happiness and eternal life. I make reference to Antonio Justa, the author, who received two lessons and affirmed that he knew our message was true but one that he did not care to follow.

Elder Richins and I worked together this evening to teach Maria Yolanda a third lesson. She had been living the Word of Wisdom in its entirety, including abstinence from coffee and tea, ever since Marcos was born. This is just too good to believe.

Elders Stewart and Nielson worked together in the area of the other elders.

Sunday, July 6, 1969

Fast Sunday is generally one of the best days during the month. The meetings today, particularly testimony meeting, were special spiritual feasts. Lillian's Sunday School investigator class, which we usually do not attend, was good.

A lady we taught the first two lessons to during the last week attended all the meetings. She was most impressed, as she was Friday evening after the investigator fireside. Her name is Maria Yolanda de Souza. Marcos is the name of her eight-year-old son. More and more I am impressed with her. People this sharp are not common.

She attended this evening a fireside for members, which we hold every fast Sunday evening, even though she is but an investigator. We showed films of the October 1968 semiannual general conference. Afterwards she was saying to me: “How marvelous! Such a fountain of wisdom! There is no doubt that these men are Apostles of the living God.”Later she was saying to one of the members, “I have learned and felt so much today.”

Friday, July 4, 1969

With the transfer Tuesday of Elder Henderson, the Headquarters District received a new district leader in the person of Elder Phillip N. Richins. The new member of the office staff is Elder Reed Nielson, transferred from Vitória.

Last evening was our monthly meal at President Val Carter's home, a good way to introduce Elder Nielson. The eight elders work­ing in the south zone of Rio are invited the first Thursday evening of each month for dinner. President Carter was telling of some of his missionary experiences from the olden days. At one time he was the entire mission office staff. We learned that Sister Carter was a mis­sion­ary here at the same time.

Today the United States of America celebrates her 193rd birthday. As missionaries we did not pause to give specific recognition, but the prayer was in my heart throughout the day that America might be true to her heaven-commissioned destiny. My prayers remember President Nixon and the grave responsibilities he carries.

An investigator fireside was held again this evening in the Jardim Botânico chapel, the film Man's Search for Happiness being passed, as the Brazilians would say. That is a fantastic film, artfully and effec­tively portraying the plan of life and a few basic teachings of the restored gospel.

Wednesday, July 2, 1969

One further word about the Maria we taught last night: Until she was 21 she did not realize there were other religions besides Catholicism. But she indicated that when she read the Joseph Smith tract it rang familiar. She is ready for the gospel.

Elder Richins, Elder Stewart, and I worked together today, the three of us spending the night at the apartment of Elder Richins. This evening we taught a first lesson to a man who is a poet and author, with something like nine works published. On first encounter he gave us one of his books, a romance called Lázaro, a story about the biblical Lazarus raised from the dead by Christ. This man, Antonio Justa, is intimately familiar with the Bible. He loves to talk and could have done exactly that all evening with little trouble at all, making it most difficult to get into the lesson. He did slow down though as we pre­sented our message to him. He accepted the lesson but does not seem to be the type that would go on to baptism. His only hope is the Book of Mormon and what it might do for him.

Tuesday, July 1, 1969

In recognition of America's best and closest neighbor in the sister­hood of nations, including recognition of the home she gave a great number of the Saints, I pause to note and remember today as Dominion Day in Canada.

Elder Dorrell Henderson, our district leader, was transferred out of the Headquarters District today. He had been serving as mission secretary. Of the four of us in the mission office, Elder Henderson had been around the longest, since just after last Thanksgiving. He left this evening for Vitória.

This evening Elder Stewart and I taught a first lesson to a lady named Maria and her eight-year-old son. She is separated from her husband. They are prepared for the gospel. We contacted her while tracting the building in which she lived. Because of her initial interest Elder Stewart left a tract with her. When we returned, as so often hap­pens, interest had waned. We did not push it upon learning of her marital situation. We left, inviting her out to the meetings. Sunday she came to Sunday School and was impressed with what she saw. Sunday evening we passed by and marked a visit. After the meeting she returned home and reread the pamphlet and was overwhelmed by how fantastic it was. She displayed a real hunger to learn of our message.