Saturday, October 31, 1970

A statement made by James E. Talmage in the October 1915 general conference, following his participation in the Congress of Religious Philosophies at the Panama–Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco in July 1915, applies perfectly to our experience of the last two evenings:

“I speak advisedly and after mature consideration when I say that the Mormon Church was the only Christian organization there present that had a definite, distinct, and unqualified philosophical basis to proclaim.”

We questioned the director why we were asked to appear twice. His reply: “We know what the Catholics and the Protestants will say; we are eager to hear what the Mormons have to say.” Certainly they all received their money’s worth. From the comments I gathered, we “won” both nights.

Tonight in MIA we showed several films from U.S.I.S. in Recife. One of them was the 1968 basketball championship between the Boston Celtics and the Cincinnati Royals, with Boston winning. That was exciting. Another film, entitled 5:02, was interesting. In 20 one-minute segments it showed what was normally happening all over the world at the same moment. A third film showed the inauguration ceremonies of the late President John F. Kennedy. Brazilians dig on anything Kennedy.

Today is my sister Jackie’s 14th birthday.

Friday, October 30, 1970

This evening and last night we had an excellent opportunity opened up for us. By invitation we were asked to participate two different nights in a special conference on the origin of man. We were the only religious group to take part twice, sharing the first night with a Baptist minister and the second with a Brazilian Catholic padre. The third night, tomorrow, has a spiritualist scheduled.

Three questions were posed: What is the origin of man? Was Christ a product of evolution? Why are there so many different churches if there is only one God? We could not have thought up better questions ourselves.

Elder Knecht answered the first and second questions last night. To help answer we showed Man’s Search for Happiness. Then Elder Hendrickson answered the third. We were not allowed our full 50 minutes because of starting late. With today spent in revisions and making two posters, we were even better prepared tonight. I took the first two questions, Elder Smith the third. We showed the film again.
Aldo and Virginia attended both nights. Tonight Edmilson, Sônia, Simone, and Paulo also were there. About 300 to 350 people filled the auditorium each night. We met in the Colégio Estadual de Alagoas, near the Praça Deodouro.

Wednesday, October 28, 1970

Yesterday Elder Smith and I worked together. We wrote some newspaper articles about the films we’re going to show Saturday in MIA. We also typed onto stencil the tracting letters and finished putting together the member packets. In the afternoon we attended Relief Society. A trip out to Gruta to see Apolinário filled up the evening. Among other things, the other elders visited a few of the members who wanted to go to tonight’s game with us. At night they had play practice at the church.

Tonight I saw my first real live soccer game here in Brazil. Besides us elders went Edmilson, Inez, Alexandre, Sônia, Simone, Nádia, and Ezdras. Agamemnon and David came out with us but entered the general admission where they had to stand up. We were pretty crowded, even with a place to sit. The crowds were pretty thick. The first game, between two Alagoas teams, was rather boring and had everybody fatigued by the time the Flamengo‒Cruzeiro game started at 9:45. Only one goal was scored during the entire game. The most exciting part was seeming some of the stars of the Seleção Brasileira that played in the World Cup: Tostão, Jair, Zagalo (the coach and a native of Alagoas).

Monday, October 26, 1970

Today was one of the sharpest, most enjoyable, and relaxing preparation days I’ve passed in a long while. I was up early writing let-ters. Elders Ferrin and Morrell had spent the night with us so that Elder Ferrin could teach us the last leadership training class this morning. We took care of that just after breakfast and just before the rest of the zone showed up from Recife. This has been a truly inspiring and uplifting course, and Elder Ferrin has done an excellent job in presenting it to us. I really love and respect him.

As soon as the Recife elders showed up, only four more of them because four in the zone are now on their way to Rio, and Elder Sarager and his companion missed the bus, a few of us went for haircuts. I cut mine really short. I had a nice chat with the barber, who is an Assembly of God, about religion. He was a very nice fellow.

We bopped back home, switched into some gym trunks, and headed to the beach for a soccer game there. I went out of my mind. Never have I enjoyed a futebol game as much as I did today. We came back home and kicked around for a while. Dona Creuza had made us chocolate chip cookies to munch on. Elder Ferrin and I decided to go back to the beach for the afternoon. He taught me how to throw a football, which I had never been shown in all my life until now, and we tossed it back and forth for a while. We watched some fishermen drag in a net and sort out their catch. We lay on the warm sand, with only our shorts on, soaking in the tropical sun as we pursued a lengthy and fruitful discussion. Finally the hour grew late, and we came home to a refreshing cold shower.

In the late afternoon we all gathered at the chapel for a zone conference, which again was an inspirational meeting. I certainly appreciate Elder Brinton as zone leader for his leadership and support. In my testimony as the conference was ending I expressed the thought that I have really grown to love and respect him.

At 6:00 the elders headed back to Recife, and we came home to eat.

We discussed with Elder Brinton the feasibility of attending a futebol game Wednesday night when Botafogo from Rio meets Cruzeiro from Belo. We will probably go. Yesterday Santos beat an Alagoas all-star team 5 to 0. Everybody went wild when they saw Pelé, the national hero. The Trapichão has been officially called Estádio Rei Pelé. It is the fifth largest stadium in Brazil, holding some 108,000 people.

Sunday, October 25, 1970

A beautiful day today. This afternoon for the youth fireside we held a special activity. We met at Aldo’s place and together went out to visit Apolinário and Idelta. She was not home, but he was very touched by our visit. After visiting for some time, we held a brief testimony meeting. That was so sharp. The Spirit burned within us. As the twilight gathered, a lovely sunset brightened the quiet Sabbath walk back to the bus, a fitting and proper ending to our excursion.

In sacrament meeting I recognized Edmilson for his loyal service and faithfulness to the Church on occasion of today being his first anniversary as a member. He bore his testimony. Zezira spoke next on the blessings of the priesthood in her home, followed by Nádia talking about faith. Nádia’s talk was the best I’ve ever heard from her. It was really touching. About half way through Nádia’s talk Elders Ferrin and Morrell pulled in. We had been expecting them, but it sure scared some of the members. They thought it was transfer time. Elder Ferrin spoke, following by Elder Morrell bearing his testimony. The choir sounded good for a change as it sang “Now the Day Is Over” (“Vai fugindo o dia”) as the closing hymn.

Saturday, October 24, 1970

Yesterday we worked on member packets and typed the letters that we will be using in our new tracting approach. Elder Hendrickson went through the phone directory, in the street lists, marking down all the people who have phones on a certain few streets in Farol. We have over a hundred names with which to start.

Following Primary last night Elder Smith and I worked together. Elders Hendrickson and Knecht were involved in play practice. The MIA is planning a play for the end of November. We took Sônia’s brothers home and had a short visit with her. Then we went to see Hévia. I asked her if she would talk in Sunday School. She was tickled at the idea.

This morning Elder Hendrickson and I had the chance to do a little tracting. That was fun for a change. We finished up the far end of Trapiche. Activity is growing out there in preparation for tomorrow’s opening game in the Trapichão.

This afternoon and evening were involved in MIA plans, activities, and meetings. We played volleyball. Ping-pong is a very popular sport.

Thursday, October 22, 1970

In a two-hour interview with Virginia this morning I heard her side of the story. Aldo and Virginia had a fight Saturday, and she has not spoken to him since. Their main problem seems to be lack of communication, blowing every little storm that comes along into a great tempest. It is not a new problem but has been going on for a couple years. Virginia explained that lack of common courtesies has killed any friendship between her and Aldo. She does not put the blame on Aldo entirely but accepts some of it herself. Were it not for the kids, she has considered throwing in the towel and calling it quits.

This afternoon we held a home evening together with Edmilson and Ivone, his sister. She gave the lesson. Adélia had to leave and could not attend.

The Aaronic Priesthood met at our place this evening for a poster party. We decided there was a need for reverence reminders in the chapel. Since some of the boys are the main problem, we thought it appropriate to have them help in the project.