A new elder added to our district caused a change of companions and room assignments. Elder Dickson moved into our room to make it crowded with four instead of three. He is assigned to Elder Kletting as a companion. That means only Elder Rencher and I are companions now. That makes life easier. A lot of bending is required when three companions must stick together.
Starting yesterday we are required to pay five cents every time we speak in English in class (unless express permission is granted). Thus far I have not had to pay. The collected money will eventually go toward a pizza for the district. We are also requested to speak as much Portuguese as we know (speak five) from 6:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M., with the exception of the gym hour. To speak five, or fale cinco, is a program requiring use of all the vocabulary we have acquired. Tomorrow our district is going to try to speak six, meaning absolutely no English.
A letter came from Jerry today. He spent the past weekend in Salt Lake City attending conference.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Monday, October 6, 2008
Sunday, October 6, 1968
The final sessions of the 138th semi-annual general conference of the Church are now only history. The messages and inspiration today were equally as moving and impressive as those yesterday. President McKay attended the morning session, but upon the advice of physicians he watched the afternoon session from his apartment. His son delivered his closing address. To be remembered is the blessing he pronounced on the membership of the Church.
Among the themes emphasized during the conference was one of a more temporal nature—opposition to liquor-by-the-drink, which will be decided at the polls in Utah next month. Many of the Brethren mentioned it, and President McKay reemphasized his statement in opposition of last May.
I found time during the day to study the second and third discussions for proselyting class, write a brief letter to Bob Russell, read Matthew, and such as this. I studied no Portuguese. Tomorrow that begins again.
From Joseph Smith this treasure: "All I can offer the world is a good heart and a good hand" (Teachings, 313).
In sacrament meeting it is surprising how much I am beginning to pick up.
Among the themes emphasized during the conference was one of a more temporal nature—opposition to liquor-by-the-drink, which will be decided at the polls in Utah next month. Many of the Brethren mentioned it, and President McKay reemphasized his statement in opposition of last May.
I found time during the day to study the second and third discussions for proselyting class, write a brief letter to Bob Russell, read Matthew, and such as this. I studied no Portuguese. Tomorrow that begins again.
From Joseph Smith this treasure: "All I can offer the world is a good heart and a good hand" (Teachings, 313).
In sacrament meeting it is surprising how much I am beginning to pick up.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Saturday, October 5, 1968
In preparation for general conference, our district elected to fast two meals today—breakfast and lunch—to put us on a spiritual plane more receptive to the messages, instructions, and themes of the conference. This will be our last conference for two years. We met together last night to dedicate our fast to these purposes.
The three session of conference we participated in today were exceedingly worth every effort involved. The Spirit was present in such abundance that the messages were received in the heart. My soul was filled, my heart overflowing with gratitude, my mind and body subdued, and my whole being in tune with God. Anyone with any degree of spiritual awareness or sensitivity could not honestly resist the testimonies offered. Both words and song added to the spiritual feast.
We watched both general sessions here in the chapel of Allen Hall. For the priesthood session this evening we went to the Fieldhouse, where the meeting was relayed by closed-circuit television. During the late afternoon Elder Rencher, Elder Kletting, and I went to the BYU Bookstore. During the day I also laundered, wrote Karen, and wrote home. A letter came from Karen.
The three session of conference we participated in today were exceedingly worth every effort involved. The Spirit was present in such abundance that the messages were received in the heart. My soul was filled, my heart overflowing with gratitude, my mind and body subdued, and my whole being in tune with God. Anyone with any degree of spiritual awareness or sensitivity could not honestly resist the testimonies offered. Both words and song added to the spiritual feast.
We watched both general sessions here in the chapel of Allen Hall. For the priesthood session this evening we went to the Fieldhouse, where the meeting was relayed by closed-circuit television. During the late afternoon Elder Rencher, Elder Kletting, and I went to the BYU Bookstore. During the day I also laundered, wrote Karen, and wrote home. A letter came from Karen.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Friday, October 4, 1968
Yesterday we missed considerable amounts of time in the classroom. Leadership meeting cut short retention by 20 minutes and eliminated an hour of class. Because it ran late, we lost another half hour of class in the afternoon. Elder Ostergar met with us in the afternoon to assign new districts and again during retention for 45 minutes to further instruct the new missionaries. Moving into new quarters was limited to the sports hour just before dinner, preventing any physical activity there.
A letter came yesterday from Jerry. All seems to be well on the home front. Cheryl is back from Germany already, although he said nothing about Kimberley.
The daily schedule begins at 6:00 A.M. sharp. Zone meeting at 6:40 prefaces breakfast. Classroom work begins at 8:00 and continues until 10:00. Retention in the chapel takes an hour at 10:00, followed by another hour in class. At 1:00 P.M. class resumes, ending at 3:50, fol-lowed by proselyting class for an hour. Gym takes from 5:00 to 6:00. Retention begins again at 7:00 and ends at 10:00. Lights are out at 10:30. That is the skeleton around which the day is built.
Tonight during retention, while we were in conversation with a native Brazilian, some visitors dropped into our room for a few moments. We later found out they were stake and ward leaders from the São Paulo Stake up for general conference. This is Brazil’s only organized stake.
A letter came yesterday from Jerry. All seems to be well on the home front. Cheryl is back from Germany already, although he said nothing about Kimberley.
The daily schedule begins at 6:00 A.M. sharp. Zone meeting at 6:40 prefaces breakfast. Classroom work begins at 8:00 and continues until 10:00. Retention in the chapel takes an hour at 10:00, followed by another hour in class. At 1:00 P.M. class resumes, ending at 3:50, fol-lowed by proselyting class for an hour. Gym takes from 5:00 to 6:00. Retention begins again at 7:00 and ends at 10:00. Lights are out at 10:30. That is the skeleton around which the day is built.
Tonight during retention, while we were in conversation with a native Brazilian, some visitors dropped into our room for a few moments. We later found out they were stake and ward leaders from the São Paulo Stake up for general conference. This is Brazil’s only organized stake.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Thursday, October 3, 1968
Every Friday we are required to submit a weekly progress report, indicating the amount of individual study time beyond classroom work in both the scriptures and with the language. Also the amount or rate of our progress. One a 1-to-5 scale we indicate our effort in speaking the language during the week and what we intend to speak during the next week. To "speak five" is to make every effort to use all the vocabulary that we have learned. On the back of this report is a letter to President Wilkins2 about whatever we desire, including likes and dislikes, suggestions and comments.
The general conference of the Church convened this morning in Salt Lake City with President David O. McKay presiding and attending the morning session. Classes prevented our participation.
Tonight in retention we were shown two films, one narrated in English about Rio de Janeiro and a second in Portuguese about Uruguay. Before and between the films we heard various types of music associated with Brazil. This brief diversion was a welcome respite from studying. Since there is no proselyting class on Friday, Elder Rencher and I went to the bookstore, and I showed him around the campus somewhat. He attended Ricks College last year.
We learned a testimony about Joseph Smith today.
The general conference of the Church convened this morning in Salt Lake City with President David O. McKay presiding and attending the morning session. Classes prevented our participation.
Tonight in retention we were shown two films, one narrated in English about Rio de Janeiro and a second in Portuguese about Uruguay. Before and between the films we heard various types of music associated with Brazil. This brief diversion was a welcome respite from studying. Since there is no proselyting class on Friday, Elder Rencher and I went to the bookstore, and I showed him around the campus somewhat. He attended Ricks College last year.
We learned a testimony about Joseph Smith today.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Wednesday, October 2, 1968
Today was an interesting day. We attended our first leadership meeting, were assigned to our permanent districts, and gained new companions.
Leadership meeting is held every Wednesday at 11:00 A.M. in Knight Mangum Hall with some speaker before the combined zones of the mission. The scheduled speaker did not show up, so missionaries who were recent converts were called up to speak. After a few of these, the speaker did arrive (she had been lost on campus and could not find Knight Mangum Hall) and presented her interesting story. Sister Davies had been a nun in the Catholic Church for 33 years, which included several years working directly with the Pope. In 1967 she was introduced to and embraced Mormonism. Her testimony and the story of her conversion were most inspiring. Since she was late, everything, including lunch and classes, were behind about half an hour.
This afternoon all the new missionaries in the zone were called out of classes into a meeting with Elder Allen Ostergar, the zone counselor. Permanent districts were assigned. I am now in the Marília District with an Elder Nelson as district leader. My new companions are Elder Craig Rencher and Elder Richard Kletting. Still a threesome because of an odd number of elders. How lucky can I be? At least I did not have to move out of room 34. Elders Babbel and Gale are still in the same district with me.
Leadership meeting is held every Wednesday at 11:00 A.M. in Knight Mangum Hall with some speaker before the combined zones of the mission. The scheduled speaker did not show up, so missionaries who were recent converts were called up to speak. After a few of these, the speaker did arrive (she had been lost on campus and could not find Knight Mangum Hall) and presented her interesting story. Sister Davies had been a nun in the Catholic Church for 33 years, which included several years working directly with the Pope. In 1967 she was introduced to and embraced Mormonism. Her testimony and the story of her conversion were most inspiring. Since she was late, everything, including lunch and classes, were behind about half an hour.
This afternoon all the new missionaries in the zone were called out of classes into a meeting with Elder Allen Ostergar, the zone counselor. Permanent districts were assigned. I am now in the Marília District with an Elder Nelson as district leader. My new companions are Elder Craig Rencher and Elder Richard Kletting. Still a threesome because of an odd number of elders. How lucky can I be? At least I did not have to move out of room 34. Elders Babbel and Gale are still in the same district with me.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Tuesday, October 1, 1968
I did not realize until this evening that it was already October. I cannot believe how quickly time slips away. In what will seem a flash the next 27 months will race by, bringing both joy and sadness. The joy in being reunited with loved ones, the sadness in leaving a life completely dedicated to love and service and growth.
This afternoon during the free hour, while my companions played football, I read The Book of Mormon: Key to Conversion by Glenn L. Pearson. It was just a small book. The thesis was that everything we declare to the world and all arguments against the Church depend on whether the Book of Mormon is true or not. If it is, then Joseph Smith is a prophet, the Church is led by revelation today, and all that we claim falls into line. The gospel cannot be "proven." Knowledge concerning spiritual things can come only from God. And that is why we are not going out to prove by the sophistries of men but to declare by the power of the Spirit.
By now I feel somewhat better about my meager gains in understanding Portuguese. I realize though that we have not even really scratched the surface. It will be interesting.
This afternoon during the free hour, while my companions played football, I read The Book of Mormon: Key to Conversion by Glenn L. Pearson. It was just a small book. The thesis was that everything we declare to the world and all arguments against the Church depend on whether the Book of Mormon is true or not. If it is, then Joseph Smith is a prophet, the Church is led by revelation today, and all that we claim falls into line. The gospel cannot be "proven." Knowledge concerning spiritual things can come only from God. And that is why we are not going out to prove by the sophistries of men but to declare by the power of the Spirit.
By now I feel somewhat better about my meager gains in understanding Portuguese. I realize though that we have not even really scratched the surface. It will be interesting.
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