Monday, April 20, 1970

This morning we visited the beach to play with Elder Prisbrey’s Frisbee. The warm sand lay smooth against the continual waves of the tropical Atlantic. Bare feet on sand, sea and sky stretching into immensity, suggested the grandeur of Nature’s simplicity. While there we weathered 15 or 20 minutes of a cold and sudden downpour. We watched with curious interest the nearly naked natives coming onto the shore on their rafts and then pulling in almost dance-like rhythm their nets in from the sea. An excited crowd, mostly kids, formed as the flopping, desperate fish were dragged onto the sand.

A letter came today from President Johnson. It explains my new duties and responsibilities and offers a tremendous vote of confidence for which I am humbly grateful. The President gives me quite a reputation to live up to. Briefly, I am here for three specifically stated reasons: (1) to make the missionary work go again, (2) to serve as president of the branch, and (3) to find and baptize a new branch president.

President Johnson’s letter to me was dated April 17:

“Sorry indeed that I was unable to be here to say good-bye as you left for the North Country. There are many things that I would like to have discussed with you, but time simply did not permit my doing so. Suffice it to say that your being sent to Maceió is an indication of the faith I have in you and in the city of Maceió. It is impossible for me to believe that there are not the elect of the Lord in Maceió who are waiting for the message of the restored gospel. I want Maceió to rise again!!!!  And I am looking to you, Elder Cleverly, to accomplish that!!

“There is also another reason why you are the one individual in this mission that I want in Maceió. You have by now observed the situation in the branch, that it has revolved around the branch president, Aldo Tenório, and as he has gone, so has gone the branch. President Tenório is a very fine man who has been so willing for so long. He lacks quite a bit in jeito with the members and has offended some, as he is quick to admit, but he has continued on in spite of all of this, doing the best that he could. But he is tired and needs to be released. And I am certain you are getting the picture now. I am this day corresponding with the district presidency in Recife, asking that they go to Maceió, that they release President Tenório, and that you be sustained as branch president in his place.

“This may seem to be a step backwards, but really it is not. The branch is a good one, the members are fine people, and they are deserving of a change of leadership as with any branch or ward. It just so happens that there is no one else to put in in Aldo’s place. Yet. And that is the next part of your assignment in Maceió: to find a golden one who can be the branch president. Again, let me say that I look to you to accomplish this.

“Elder Cleverly, Sister J and I are so appreciative to have you here in the mission with us. I am so grateful for all that you have done, for your sweet spirit, and for your desires for the work. Lead the missionaries in all righteous paths, showing by your works that that needs to be done to make Maceió rise again. Love the members, encourage them in their membership, see to it that they get opportunities for activity in the branch.

“Please say nothing to no one until you are contacted by a member of the district presidency. I am hopeful that they will get there very soon to take care of this.

“Elder Seal mentioned that all elders there were behind on their GG shots. Our schedule is still 500mg of GG every six months. It may be well to consider going into Recife to get this done. Make certain that it is done under sanitary conditions.

“God bless you, Elder, and all the others there.”

Tonight in my first district meeting with the other elders we discussed the importance of goals and set district, companion, and individual goals.