Sunday, July 26, 1970

Another eventful day dawns upon us: the annual branch conference of the Maceió Branch. For the first time ever President and Sister Johnson are visiting our fair city on a Sunday. No priesthood meeting was held to allow time to rehearse the Primary children’s choir.

About 9:30 President and Sister Johnson arrived by car from Recife in company with Presidents Coleman and Soares from the district presidency. With a great deal of excitement in the air, the conference started promptly at 10:00. Some 41 members and visitors were present. Virginia had provided lovely prelude music.

Although President Johnson was presiding, I conducted the conference session. “Come, Come, Ye Saints” (“Vinde, ó santos”) was the opening hymn. Edmilson offered the invocation. President Soares presented for a sustaining vote the general, mission, district, and branch authorities of the Church. The children’s choir sang “There Is Beauty All Around” (“Tudo é belo em derredor”). I spoke concerning the growth of the Church, both worldwide and here in Maceió, and the difference between the Mormon Church, the organization, and the Church of Jesus Christ, the spiritual. Nádia spoke about personal testimony and Virginia concerning love in our daily lives. Brother Coleman spoke of worship of the living Christ. Singing next “I Am a Child of God” (“Sou um filho de Deus”), the children’s choir won its way into everybody’s hearts. President Soares, Sister Johnson, and President Johnson were the concluding speakers. I always love to hear Sister Johnson speak. The President talked about prayer and the necessity of more of it. We sang as closing hymn “The Spirit of God Like a Fire Is Burning.” And truly it was. Aldo offered the benediction.

Following the conference we presented to the President his birthday card, all two by three feet of it. He really enjoyed it. Everybody had a chance to sign it.

Among those at the conference were Apolinário and his wife Idelta. This is the first time since I’ve been here he has been out on a Sunday. Vera also attended. Even Adelia, Edmilson’s aunt, was out.

This afternoon Aldo took us out to eat at the Bar Ostra in Vergel. We ate shrimp, clams, and fish fried and baked. It was a pretty good feed.

Tonight the branch choir rehearsed and performed for the first time. Choir members are Suely, Inez, Nádia, Vitória, Edmilson, and Elders Blackham and Christensen. Elder Smith is director, and I am organist. Speakers tonight were Elder Smith and Simone.