The month of May saw more baptisms in the mission, 61, than in any other single month since the mission was organized last July. President Johnson was happy of course, although it still falls short of the goal of 100 a month that he expects. There are 98 missionaries in the field right now, six of whom are sisters. Of the baptisms, 20 of the 61, or 30 percent of the new converts, resulted from member referrals. These are just a few interesting observations about the mission extracted from our monthly report to the First Presidency.
Another letter arrived yesterday from Lyle and Barbara and boys, dated Tuesday, May 34. Yesterday was Jerry's 31st birthday. Today is Karen's birthday.
Our activities this week have been mostly tracting and tracting and more tracting. Last night we planned to teach Victor another lesson, but he did not return from work.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Tuesday, June 10, 1969
Saturday President Johnson's daughter, Wendy, arrived from the States to spend three months here. The President and Sister Johnson were so happy to have her here. She seems to be a special light in their lives.
Yesterday started with football on the beach, although the two elders with the football did not show up until 7:45, a little later than our planned 6:30, which was when Elder Stewart and I had to leave to keep on our schedule. Therefore we missed the game. We had brief naps following breakfast, went shopping, and after haircuts ate at Bob's, headed to the mission office to write letters, study, and prepare an assigned talk for district meeting. The time just raced by too quickly.
To demonstrate how quickly a beach can change: When we showed up for football yesterday at least five or six feet of sand had been carried away by the waves since two weeks ago because several large boulders dotted the beach where we usually played. It ruined the beach for football. The waves must have been violent because a new wooden stairway, built up the mountain behind the little beach, leading to the highway above, had been chewed away about two-thirds of the way up, maybe 30 feet up.
Yesterday started with football on the beach, although the two elders with the football did not show up until 7:45, a little later than our planned 6:30, which was when Elder Stewart and I had to leave to keep on our schedule. Therefore we missed the game. We had brief naps following breakfast, went shopping, and after haircuts ate at Bob's, headed to the mission office to write letters, study, and prepare an assigned talk for district meeting. The time just raced by too quickly.
To demonstrate how quickly a beach can change: When we showed up for football yesterday at least five or six feet of sand had been carried away by the waves since two weeks ago because several large boulders dotted the beach where we usually played. It ruined the beach for football. The waves must have been violent because a new wooden stairway, built up the mountain behind the little beach, leading to the highway above, had been chewed away about two-thirds of the way up, maybe 30 feet up.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Friday, June 6, 1969
We seem to have reached a point in the missionary work where, although we are following the programs and things are not going really bad, nothing is happening. We are not finding the families ready to hear and accept the gospel. As Elder Stewart expressed it, "We seem to be about four days behind where we should be." For days I have been wondering where the problem lies. As I have been writing this, it came to me that I must approach the Lord and plead with integrity of heart and earnestness of soul for the people of this area ready to hear the Savior's voice. He knows His sheep and will call them, and ours is the charge to help if we will work as He directs.
Elder Richard Smoot, zone leader of the Rio Zone and Niterói district leader and great missionary, left for home today. I did not have a chance to say good-bye.
Tonight was another investigator fireside. We showed the film Man's Search for Happiness. Three investigators attended, none of which were ours.
Elder Richard Smoot, zone leader of the Rio Zone and Niterói district leader and great missionary, left for home today. I did not have a chance to say good-bye.
Tonight was another investigator fireside. We showed the film Man's Search for Happiness. Three investigators attended, none of which were ours.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Thursday, June 5, 1969
The Latter-day Saints, by the choice of Almighty God and not of themselves, are the guardians of light and truth, under solemn obligation to declare it to every nation and people. Of all the so-called Christian religions, Catholicism comes closest to any claim to authority, but she does not have it. The Protestant branches do not have it. The Lord authorizes and recognizes but one religion, His own, which the world has nicknamed Mormonism, and which is destined with the prophetic commitment to fill all the earth as a stone cut without hands from the mountain. Mormonism is a living, breathing religion. All other sects are dead because they deny the lifeblood of true religion, revelation.
Today is a holiday in Brazil, another Catholic–pagan feast called Corpus Cristo Day.
This evening we taught a second lesson to an old man named Antonio Morrelli and his wife. He is very hard of hearing (and perhaps of understanding). When teaching him the first lesson last week we really just taught his wife and her sister, Indians from Bahia, but he seemed to benefit more from this lesson. He promised to read the Book of Mormon, come to a fireside Friday evening, and to pray. His wife attended Sunday School last week and enjoyed it.
Today is a holiday in Brazil, another Catholic–pagan feast called Corpus Cristo Day.
This evening we taught a second lesson to an old man named Antonio Morrelli and his wife. He is very hard of hearing (and perhaps of understanding). When teaching him the first lesson last week we really just taught his wife and her sister, Indians from Bahia, but he seemed to benefit more from this lesson. He promised to read the Book of Mormon, come to a fireside Friday evening, and to pray. His wife attended Sunday School last week and enjoyed it.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Wednesday, June 4, 1969
A letter arrived yesterday from a good friend, Elder Dave LeSueur, serving in the Franco-Belgian Mission. In part he wrote:
"The Church, and Church members, are the same, the world over, and I'm sure our experiences are very similar in some cases. I have spent all of my mission so far in Belgium. The people are polite, and once you are friends, you are treated as a member of the family. Like much of the world, the people are tied down by traditions."
That last line is significant. Although the Brazilian people are warm and friendly and not really Catholics, they are still bound by traditions. Joseph Smith gives a stinging denunciation of traditions, speaking of persecutions "supported and urged on and upheld by the influence of that spirit which hath so strongly riveted the creeds of the fathers, who have inherited lies, upon the hearts of the children, and filled the whole world with confusion, and has been growing stronger and stronger, and is now the mainspring of all corruption, and the whole earth groans under the weight of its iniquity. It is an iron yoke, it is a strong band; they are the very handcuffs, and chains, and shackles, and fetters of hell" (D&C 123:7–8).
Letters arrived yesterday from Jerry, Dale, and Gail and Lynda.
"The Church, and Church members, are the same, the world over, and I'm sure our experiences are very similar in some cases. I have spent all of my mission so far in Belgium. The people are polite, and once you are friends, you are treated as a member of the family. Like much of the world, the people are tied down by traditions."
That last line is significant. Although the Brazilian people are warm and friendly and not really Catholics, they are still bound by traditions. Joseph Smith gives a stinging denunciation of traditions, speaking of persecutions "supported and urged on and upheld by the influence of that spirit which hath so strongly riveted the creeds of the fathers, who have inherited lies, upon the hearts of the children, and filled the whole world with confusion, and has been growing stronger and stronger, and is now the mainspring of all corruption, and the whole earth groans under the weight of its iniquity. It is an iron yoke, it is a strong band; they are the very handcuffs, and chains, and shackles, and fetters of hell" (D&C 123:7–8).
Letters arrived yesterday from Jerry, Dale, and Gail and Lynda.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Monday, June 2, 1969
Early today the districts of Jardim Botânico and Headquarters gathered their forces and traveled across the bay to Niterói, planning there to meet the Niterói and São Gonçalo districts in a big football game. Rain was falling as we crossed the bay by ferry but ceased soon after our arrival in Niterói. We were scheduled to meet at 8:00, but only half of them showed up, an elder pair from each district. Since they lost by forfeit, we chose up sides and played anyway.
During the afternoon Elder Stewart and I went to the show Around the World in 80 Days. Although I had seen it once before as a very young boy, I actually remembered little of it. It was a refreshing and wholesome movie.
For district meeting I had been assigned to speak concerning our right and responsibility to pray for spirituality and baptisms. I had been thinking about the topic during the week but was not fully prepared. When I told Elder Henderson I could give it mais ou menos this week or better prepared next week, he chose the latter.
President and Sister Johnson returned from their trip north. Elder Boyd Clements, Tijuca district and zone leader, left for home tonight. I was able to express my gratitude and bid him farewell.
During the afternoon Elder Stewart and I went to the show Around the World in 80 Days. Although I had seen it once before as a very young boy, I actually remembered little of it. It was a refreshing and wholesome movie.
For district meeting I had been assigned to speak concerning our right and responsibility to pray for spirituality and baptisms. I had been thinking about the topic during the week but was not fully prepared. When I told Elder Henderson I could give it mais ou menos this week or better prepared next week, he chose the latter.
President and Sister Johnson returned from their trip north. Elder Boyd Clements, Tijuca district and zone leader, left for home tonight. I was able to express my gratitude and bid him farewell.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Sunday, June 1, 1969
Tonight a special member fireside was held to excite and inspire the branch members to be more active as member missionaries. Last week we had made convites [invitations] to announce the fireside. They were made in the shape of light bulbs, using the scripture, "Let your light so shine before men . . ." They we effective and attendance was good.
Originally we had planned to show a Tabernacle Choir film, with my giving an introductory talk about the choir, but we were unable to borrow a projector in time from the American embassy. Therefore, we had a filmstrip, in Spanish, about the eternal family unit in the Church. Following this, Elder Richins and Elder Stewart acted out how the members could use the "Blue Books" to explain about the Church to friends and visitors coming into their homes. Elder Richins was in fine style, the members liked him, and that spurred him on to greater heights. If the members were but half as excited and animated as were the missionaries, the fireside was a smashing success. Refreshments, provided by the members, were served while the Blue Books were going like hotcakes.
Here it is June already, meaning another year is running old. The passage of time seems to gather momentum as days pile on days.
Originally we had planned to show a Tabernacle Choir film, with my giving an introductory talk about the choir, but we were unable to borrow a projector in time from the American embassy. Therefore, we had a filmstrip, in Spanish, about the eternal family unit in the Church. Following this, Elder Richins and Elder Stewart acted out how the members could use the "Blue Books" to explain about the Church to friends and visitors coming into their homes. Elder Richins was in fine style, the members liked him, and that spurred him on to greater heights. If the members were but half as excited and animated as were the missionaries, the fireside was a smashing success. Refreshments, provided by the members, were served while the Blue Books were going like hotcakes.
Here it is June already, meaning another year is running old. The passage of time seems to gather momentum as days pile on days.
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