Wednesday, September 2, 1970

Yesterday afternoon, as we were finishing study class, Elder Smith broke down and poured his heart out to me. “Elder Cleverly, why am I so hard to get along with?” was the opening question, which lead into more than an hour of pretty serious discussion. We talked about his troubles in getting along with Elder Christensen first. Sometimes Elder Smith even feels all three of us gang up on him. He talked of uncertainties, weak testimony, lack of desire to do the work, disanimation. He feels, based on information given him by Elder Christensen, that Elder Blackham thinks that Elder Smith dislikes Elder Blackham. Part of this last problem is Sônia/Simone related, which leads into Elder Smith’s most pressing and dangerous problem: He thinks he might like Sônia. We talked at length. I agreed to fast with him for some answers before doing anything drastic, like reporting anything to President Johnson, which would mean immediate transfer for Elder Smith.

This morning I took the liberty of speaking with Elder Blackham about what Elder Smith thought concerning him. He was hurt a little because he really likes Elder Smith, as Elder Smith does Elder Blackham. We straightened it out though. We also discussed Elder Smith’s and Elder Christensen’s relationship as companions, since Elder Blackham has known Elder Christensen from childhood. That was instructive. Our morning-long conversation was in such a vein and of such a spirit as to be constructive and uplifting, even uniting Elder Blackham and me in a closer bond of brotherhood. I am so very humbly grateful for Elder Blackham and his friendship. We bask together in the light of each other’s love. And I am thankful for our mutual ability to share the thoughts and aspirations of our hearts one with another.

The Lord has been good to me once again, as always He is, to let Elder Blackham and I share together these wonderful months of service in this special branch in this special city. I count my friends as among the greatest blessings heaven has graciously bestowed, and of my true friends I already count Dane Blackham as one of the greatest.

I am reminded of a passage from the Old Testament: “And it came to pass . . . that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. . . Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul” (1 Samuel 18:1, 3). Well might our two names be substituted for those of David and Jonathan!

Consider how well this applies: “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend” (Proverbs 27:17). I can testify of that. I am a better man for having known and loved Elder Blackham.

Captain George again became the subject of conversation. Today Elders Smith and Christensen ran into Humberto Soares, director of the Centro Cultural Brasil—Estados Unidos. He asked the elders about Aldo, saying he had been told Aldo was a “boozer,” had many women, and had embezzled Cr$3.000 from the Church. They soon learned that our friend, the Captain, was behind such malicious rumors. He had been with Humberto, telling stories about Aldo and Milton Soares of Recife.

The elders went with Humberto to Aldo’s, and Aldo related his story. A few years ago Aldo chased Captain George out of his shop with a gun and called the police. Captain George was already suspected for smuggling, sabotage, or even spying. The authorities have not yet been able to put a finger on him legally. A special investigator from the army is on the case.

A further note of interest, Captain George told Humberto that he neither believed in Joseph Smith nor the Book of Mormon. While with Humberto, he guzzled down half a bottle of conhaque. He says he likes the missionaries because they are just innocent kids that don’t know what’s going on. If he only knew!

Elder Smith and I ended our fast this afternoon. I had no opportunity to talk with him in private, but he says his major problem is resolved.