Thursday, October 17, 1968

Today my brother Ray was married in the Logan Temple to Sheryl Crandall. I pray for their every happiness together. By coincidence I met a Pearl Smith, who was cashier in the breakfast line, who knows him quite well. I have heard Ray speak of her.

Since we have been eating in the Wilkinson Center it becomes difficult not to run into people I knew from school last year. This week I have chatted ever so briefly with Bob Elliott, Dwight Inoiye, Dave Hasse, Earl Cleverly, Dorothy Pack, Linda Kunz, Bob Jackson, Joanne Yalovich, and others whose names fail me. Wilma Atkins, who I ran into in the bookstore, is going to Nampa this weekend for Ray’s reception and asked for any message she could take home. At yesterday's leadership meeting I saw Elder Ballard and Elder LeSueur. Last Sunday evening at the eight-stake fireside I saw cousin Kent Palmer.

Today I gave my first prayer in Portuguese before the whole zone.

Wednesday, October 16, 1968

Stephen R. Covey, former president of the Irish Mission and now assistant to President Wilkinson at BYU, spoke this morning in leadership meeting. He spoke on human influence as related to preaching the gospel. He had us copy down the following chart:

Conditioning experiences > Point of view, attitude > Behavior

Negative
Criticism, judgment, rejection > Freezes point of view > Defensive, hostile

Positive
Light, understanding, acceptance > Open, teachable, unfreezes > Change, improve

We are expected to become a light, not a judge. We should not compare people but accept each individual as they are—meaning an unconditional love, or charity, the pure love of Christ. And in prayer we should not just talk but learn to listen. Effective prayer should be two-way communication.

Tonight in retention I played piano for the opening song. Elder Rencher conducted the music.

Tuesday, October 15, 1968

I realized today that I am not as close to the Lord as I should be. A high degree of spirituality is lacking, not only with myself but with the district generally. As a district we have decided this. This can lead to several immediate and specific disastrous results. Without the Lord's aid we cannot adequately acquire the language. Without the Lord’s Spirit I am not becoming more of a disciple of Christ. Without more of the Spirit it becomes difficult to influence others for good and to love others fully. The list could continue, but I feel it is obvious that continuing on this plane could only prove disastrous. My prayers are going to have to ascend more earnestly, from the depths of a grateful and humble heart. I will need to be more fully committed to my duties here. I will need to be more sharing in my love and service, especially towards my companion.

Letters today came from both Mom and Jerry. The one from Mom expressed a tremendous vote of confidence and love. She has recovered from her burns of a month ago and returned to work.

Monday, October 14, 1968

The beginning of the third week here in the Language Training Mission offered no particular problems. I think maybe the worst has passed. At least I do not expect any more discouragement to bother me in the near future. The district has a goal of speaking five from 6:00 A.M. today to 11:00 A.M. Saturday (gym hour excepted), with Tuesday for speaking six, or absolutely no English. Another challenge is spending a minimum of three hours a week with the scriptures.

During proselyting class this afternoon we moved into a fascinating discussion of perfection. It led me afterwards into the scriptures to do research on the subject. In a short while I found 11 passages in the Doctrine and Covenants talking about being able to see the Lord in this life. Some in the class were not aware that such a level of perfection was possible in this life. They could not conceive of a person remaining sinless. Last year I moved into a greatly enlarged understanding and appreciation of this and related principles. The Lord commanded us to become perfect, and He does not give commandments that He does not provide a way in which they can be accomplished.

Another letter came today from Karen. Her letters inspire me. I find no way in which the letters from her detract from my efforts here, as some elders seem to experience. My life would be very different without her.

Sunday, October 13, 1968

Yesterday during morning class Elder Burr, our afternoon professor, interviewed everybody in the district personally for a few moments. He wanted to know generally how we felt we were doing and how we were getting along. Elder Welch did the same last week.

Following class Elder Rencher and I walked downtown, where I bought a pair of shoes on sale at Penney's and also a pair of slacks. I saved four dollars on the shoes. We came back just in time to go up to the Wilkinson Center for lunch. Starting Saturday morning we began eating there rather than Amanda Knight Hall. The food is better, utensils clean, more food, the environment has more class. The only complaint is the walk, but the exercise will be good. Most of the afternoon we spent watching Wyoming beat BYU in football 20-17. BYU lead much of the game—it was sad.

Today was fast Sunday. In testimony meeting I played the piano. This evening we attended the BYU Eight-Stake Fireside in the Fieldhouse. President N. Eldon Tanner spoke. He mentioned the great value of a good and honorable name, the necessity of not selling honesty for a dime, the importance of personal responsibility. He spoke of his childhood home in Canada. He delivered a blessing and expression of love from the Prophet. He explained the necessity and value of real prayer. It was a great talk, one which moved me back into the spirit of missionary work, for earlier in the evening we were a little too light of spirit.

Friday, October 11, 1968

This evening we welcomed around 25 new elders into the Portuguese zone, giving them the same rousing welcome accorded us two weeks ago. Our district was assigned two of the novos specifically—an Elder Goddard and an Elder Gessel. The latter was the one we (my companion and I) took under wing. I introduced him in the zone meeting. He is from near Logan.

Groups of similar size will be arriving the next two Fridays. In about that much time we older missionaries will be moving out of Allen Hall into different hotels in town. Things are becoming crowded.

At the end of the second week in the language mission, things generally appear brighter. Portuguese does not seem such an impossible barrier and time seems to be going even faster. Yesterday I offered a short prayer in Portuguese at the beginning of class, the first to do so in the district. It was by assignment from Elder Welch, our morning professor. He said it would be a good example since I was "bishop" this week. The bishop is the one who assigns all prayers to be given in the district. In meetings I am beginning to pick up more.

Thursday, October 10, 1968

Truman G. Madsen, speaking this morning in leadership meeting, unfolded precious insights concerning the life and mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith. It was his earnest witness that Jesus Christ could be seen clearer in the person of Joseph Smith than in any other man who has lived on the earth. He told us about the Prophet’s weaknesses and sins, not wanting to make him inhuman and impossible to identify with, but told us how he grew into perfection before the Lord. Brother Madsen cast him in his role as a missionary—one we not usually think of him as playing—and indicated ways in which we could follow suit. As with Christ, Joseph never argued with an enemy. As with Christ, he had a great ability to love and was filled with compassion towards those who would not heed the gospel message.

Love for the Prophet surged through me as Brother Madsen bore his testimony that, except for Christ, Joseph was the greatest of all the prophets of all dispensations. I had heard this before (and Doctrine and Covenants 135:3 talks about it), but never before had I understood with either head or heart. Now I do a little better. Oh to be able someday in the eternities to be worthy to share in the greatness of his company and friendship. Sections 121 and 122 of the Doctrine and Covenants relate to Joseph and have long been favorite passages of mine. Reading them again this afternoon in more meaningful light was a special treat.

Classes are generally routine. Today I offered, by assignment, the first prayer in our district in Portuguese.

A short note came from Jerry saying he returned to Nampa safely.