The final paragraphs of my missionary journal were from a letter I wrote in Nampa, Idaho, on Saturday, December 19, 1970, the day I arrived home, to my mission president and his wife, Hal and Virginia Johnson in Rio de Janeiro. I summarized the important things I had gained on my mission.
Dear President and Sister Johnson,
As I consider how a mission has helped me, many thoughts jump immediately into my mind, I would arrange into three areas the qualities I have developed during two years of service to God and man: (1) love and understanding, (2) discipline, and (3) faith.
The first quality, love, is by far the most important thing I have “learned” in Brazil. This gift of charity—or the pure love of Christ—has filled my heart in abundant measure. As I have felt the rich tenor of the Savior’s love manifest in my recent life, I have tasted true joy. In turn, I have tried to spill this touch of heaven into the lives of others. I have diligently sought this gift in prayer and strived daily to be worthy of it. Associated closely with love comes understanding, perhaps just a manifestation of charity, but certainly a necessary ingredient for charity to exist. This loving understanding starts with self and branches out to include beloved fellow workers, the Brazilian people, the gospel, the Lord, and even life itself.
Obedience has been called the first law of heaven. Although love is the fulfilling of the whole law, even love is but obedience to that great commandment given by the Savior that he called “a new commandment.” For this reason is discipline the next valuable lesson I have learned in the mission field. I think by nature I am somewhat lazy, but I have learned how to discipline myself to more effectively accomplish the necessary tasks at hand. Life is but a series of habits—good or bad—that discipline can positively control. Obedience to the gospel is habitual. An honest man finds it difficult to lie because his habit is otherwise. Obedience becomes the best habit to be gained. I have disciplined myself to be obedient. Other fruits of discipline are healthy study habits, developed talents, increased capacities to serve, a new language at ready command.
Finally follows faith. Certainly it is not divorced from the preceding two qualities. As I have expressed on various occasions, my whole life, particularly during the past two years, has been one big miracle. My faith has simplified and grown as the eyes of understanding have opened. Miracles to me are everyday occurrences, the greatest of them all being the change wrought in human lives by the gospel of Jesus Christ. Because of this my faith burns stronger. Interestingly, faith is humbling. I now appreciate how much there is yet to learn and to do and to be.
Well, a mission has ended. Many souls have been introduced to the kingdom. My joy will be great with some of these someday. Even now strong cords of love and friendship bind me to many who are beloved in distant Brazil. But this chapter of life is written and ends.
To close this chapter, I remember these words which I penned on a Sunday evening last spring in Ramos:
Break forth! And sing, with anthems raise,
To His great name in holy praise:
Zion’s banners again unfurled
Declare the message to the world—
To every corner, every land,
The gospel’s light shines forth again.
O’er every land shall legates roam;
The long-dispersed shall gather home;
And Israel’s promised rest shall be
When Christ returns in majesty.
To every corner, every land,
The gospel’s light shines forth again.
Have faith, repent, and be baptized,
To gain celestial glories prized.
The path is simple: Christ the guide
Shall lead us to the other side.
To every land, every land,
The gospel’s light shines forth again.
The harvest’s great with laborers few,
And thus the call extends to you
And all whom Zion wish to build:
Stand forth to reap the ready field.
To every corner, every land,
The gospel’s light shines forth again.
Break forth! And shout, all nations rise,
The glorious chant sound to the skies,
While Saints in holy temples sing
Eternal anthems to the King—
To every corner, every land,
The gospel’s light shines forth again.
Showing posts with label From Dean Cleverly. Show all posts
Showing posts with label From Dean Cleverly. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
45. To My Parents
A letter to my Dad and Mom in Nampa, Idaho, written on Monday, September 14, 1970, from Maceió.
Dear Dad and Mom,
If at any point my handwriting gets rough in this letter, don’t worry: I’m writing this letter lying on my back in a hammock. In some places here in northeastern Brazil (although not in Maceió) hammocks are every bit as common as beds. They certainly have a lot more class and are very practical during the sweltering months. Here in Maceió we are just entering into summer again. The winter which has just passed was roughly comparable to a southern Idaho summer, except that it was wetter here.
This morning we played volleyball for two hours and now are just lying around taking it kind of easy for a while. I thought today I would take time to write a nice long letter. If it appears disorganized, it is because I’ll just be rambling around for a while.
The past two weeks—and particularly the last one—have been the best of my mission. Words cannot express some of the feelings I’ve had and the experiences I’ve shared. Life is beautiful. Every new day is a miracle itself. My companion (Elder Dane Blackham of Seattle) and I have grown really close to each other, bound with a deep friendship, during the time we’ve been together, which has been about four months, but most particularly these past two weeks. I really appreciate his loyalty and support in the responsibilities I hold. I love him for his humility, his sense of humor, his ability to love others, his talents.
As I briefly mentioned last week, we spent Monday visiting the falls and power complex at Paulo Afonso. Leaving at 4:30 A.M., we rode with Irmão Aldo and his wife Virginia to their farm in the country (her parents’ farm really). From there we left at 6:00 for the four-and-a-half hour trip to Paulo Afonso, most of the way over dirt roads. Paulo Afonso is located on the São Francisco River, which is the border between Alagoas and Bahia. The city of Paulo Afonso itself is in Bahia. It is desert area and at a distance looks just like parts of southern Idaho, although at a close up the vegetation is dif¬ferent. We had a free guide during the entire afternoon for just the six of us (four elders, Aldo, and Virginia), and we visited all over the entire place. It was really quite amazing. I took a bunch of pictures. We were all pretty tired by evening before we started the long trip back. We were home by 11:00 P.M.
Tuesday dawned early with all of us done in but with much to do. We have an elderly couple here who have been waiting about fourteen months to be baptized because of a desquite problem. In Brazil there is no divorce, but a sort of legal separation called desquite. However, it prevents remarriage legally. Since by the law people who have desquite are living in adultery if they remarry, they cannot be baptized without express permission of the General Authorities. This couple was plagued by this problem even though they’ve lived together for seventeen years. We finally received by letter just last Sunday the OK for baptism. But there was still one problem. Because of stroke, heart, and kidney trouble, he has been off-and-on sick during the last year. Probably the only thing keeping him going was his determination to be baptized before he died. Here in Maceió we baptize in the ocean. That would never have worked for him. So on Tuesday morning we announced to him that he could be baptized finally and that we wanted him to go to Recife for the special district conference two days later and be baptized in the font there. He agreed.
Wednesday we had a special fast because one of the members of the branch (who has a VW bus that we needed to take everybody to the conference in Recife) could not go. At the end of the fast the member came to our house to give us the answer. He said that he could not go but that he had prayed about it and the Lord said he should go, so he decided to go. I was so happy. Obviously it was an immediate and direct answer to our fasting and prayers. Because of his decision we had a representation of nineteen members who could go to the conference.
Thursday was the big day of conference. We left early by bus to make the four-hour trip to Recife. At noon we held a missionary conference. I gave the opening address, speaking on “Priesthood Stewardships and the Blessing Powers of the Priesthood.” Sister Johnson and Sister Hinckley spoke next. President Johnson spoke after them. During his talk I had my interview with Brother Hinckley. Finally, we had a two-hour question-answer period with the visiting Apostle, after which he spoke for a while to us. That was truly a great experience. In the evening was held the district conference with a packed chapel. President and Sister Johnson and Brother and Sister Hinckley all spoke, the latter two using interpreters. Elder Hinckley’s talk was so inspired, at least the things the Maceió members needed to hear.
After a full day of all that, we still held a baptism service following the conference. My companion and I both baptized and confirmed.
The next morning, following a night spent beating off mosquitoes in our hotel room, we had the first of a series of six leadership training conferences. At noon we left by bus to return to Maceió, arriving back in time for Primary.
Well, you see that it was a full, inspiring, exciting week. Tiring too.
Recently I received an application for readmission to BYU. The spring semester begins February 4. That leaves about a month of free time before school starts. You might keep an eye out for any jobs that might be available during January. According to what Brother Hinckley told us about the draft, I should have no trouble. My number is 227.
São Paulo now has its third stake. Zion is growing down here in Brazil on every point. Brother Hinckley effected its organization just last Sunday. Prospects for Rio are looking better all the time.
Please express my regards to everybody in the ward, particularly to Brother and Sister Garner, Sister Hurren, and Sister Leavitt. I’ll have to be closing this letter or it will cost a fortune to mail it. May the Lord’s choice blessings be ever yours. Have a happy week. Write sometime.
P.S. I was going to mention how well we’ve been eating here in Maceió. We have a full-time maid (Dona Crueza) who shops and cooks for us. We have taught her how to fix all sorts of good stuff to eat. We are among the few elders in the mission who regularly eat apple pie, oatmeal cookies, pancakes, French toast, beef stew, baked potatoes (Brazilians eat potatoes, but not baked), plus tomatoes and cucumbers and carrots, etc.
Dear Dad and Mom,
If at any point my handwriting gets rough in this letter, don’t worry: I’m writing this letter lying on my back in a hammock. In some places here in northeastern Brazil (although not in Maceió) hammocks are every bit as common as beds. They certainly have a lot more class and are very practical during the sweltering months. Here in Maceió we are just entering into summer again. The winter which has just passed was roughly comparable to a southern Idaho summer, except that it was wetter here.
This morning we played volleyball for two hours and now are just lying around taking it kind of easy for a while. I thought today I would take time to write a nice long letter. If it appears disorganized, it is because I’ll just be rambling around for a while.
The past two weeks—and particularly the last one—have been the best of my mission. Words cannot express some of the feelings I’ve had and the experiences I’ve shared. Life is beautiful. Every new day is a miracle itself. My companion (Elder Dane Blackham of Seattle) and I have grown really close to each other, bound with a deep friendship, during the time we’ve been together, which has been about four months, but most particularly these past two weeks. I really appreciate his loyalty and support in the responsibilities I hold. I love him for his humility, his sense of humor, his ability to love others, his talents.
As I briefly mentioned last week, we spent Monday visiting the falls and power complex at Paulo Afonso. Leaving at 4:30 A.M., we rode with Irmão Aldo and his wife Virginia to their farm in the country (her parents’ farm really). From there we left at 6:00 for the four-and-a-half hour trip to Paulo Afonso, most of the way over dirt roads. Paulo Afonso is located on the São Francisco River, which is the border between Alagoas and Bahia. The city of Paulo Afonso itself is in Bahia. It is desert area and at a distance looks just like parts of southern Idaho, although at a close up the vegetation is dif¬ferent. We had a free guide during the entire afternoon for just the six of us (four elders, Aldo, and Virginia), and we visited all over the entire place. It was really quite amazing. I took a bunch of pictures. We were all pretty tired by evening before we started the long trip back. We were home by 11:00 P.M.
Tuesday dawned early with all of us done in but with much to do. We have an elderly couple here who have been waiting about fourteen months to be baptized because of a desquite problem. In Brazil there is no divorce, but a sort of legal separation called desquite. However, it prevents remarriage legally. Since by the law people who have desquite are living in adultery if they remarry, they cannot be baptized without express permission of the General Authorities. This couple was plagued by this problem even though they’ve lived together for seventeen years. We finally received by letter just last Sunday the OK for baptism. But there was still one problem. Because of stroke, heart, and kidney trouble, he has been off-and-on sick during the last year. Probably the only thing keeping him going was his determination to be baptized before he died. Here in Maceió we baptize in the ocean. That would never have worked for him. So on Tuesday morning we announced to him that he could be baptized finally and that we wanted him to go to Recife for the special district conference two days later and be baptized in the font there. He agreed.
Wednesday we had a special fast because one of the members of the branch (who has a VW bus that we needed to take everybody to the conference in Recife) could not go. At the end of the fast the member came to our house to give us the answer. He said that he could not go but that he had prayed about it and the Lord said he should go, so he decided to go. I was so happy. Obviously it was an immediate and direct answer to our fasting and prayers. Because of his decision we had a representation of nineteen members who could go to the conference.
Thursday was the big day of conference. We left early by bus to make the four-hour trip to Recife. At noon we held a missionary conference. I gave the opening address, speaking on “Priesthood Stewardships and the Blessing Powers of the Priesthood.” Sister Johnson and Sister Hinckley spoke next. President Johnson spoke after them. During his talk I had my interview with Brother Hinckley. Finally, we had a two-hour question-answer period with the visiting Apostle, after which he spoke for a while to us. That was truly a great experience. In the evening was held the district conference with a packed chapel. President and Sister Johnson and Brother and Sister Hinckley all spoke, the latter two using interpreters. Elder Hinckley’s talk was so inspired, at least the things the Maceió members needed to hear.
After a full day of all that, we still held a baptism service following the conference. My companion and I both baptized and confirmed.
The next morning, following a night spent beating off mosquitoes in our hotel room, we had the first of a series of six leadership training conferences. At noon we left by bus to return to Maceió, arriving back in time for Primary.
Well, you see that it was a full, inspiring, exciting week. Tiring too.
Recently I received an application for readmission to BYU. The spring semester begins February 4. That leaves about a month of free time before school starts. You might keep an eye out for any jobs that might be available during January. According to what Brother Hinckley told us about the draft, I should have no trouble. My number is 227.
São Paulo now has its third stake. Zion is growing down here in Brazil on every point. Brother Hinckley effected its organization just last Sunday. Prospects for Rio are looking better all the time.
Please express my regards to everybody in the ward, particularly to Brother and Sister Garner, Sister Hurren, and Sister Leavitt. I’ll have to be closing this letter or it will cost a fortune to mail it. May the Lord’s choice blessings be ever yours. Have a happy week. Write sometime.
P.S. I was going to mention how well we’ve been eating here in Maceió. We have a full-time maid (Dona Crueza) who shops and cooks for us. We have taught her how to fix all sorts of good stuff to eat. We are among the few elders in the mission who regularly eat apple pie, oatmeal cookies, pancakes, French toast, beef stew, baked potatoes (Brazilians eat potatoes, but not baked), plus tomatoes and cucumbers and carrots, etc.
43. To My Parents
A letter started to my Dad and Mom on Monday, August 17, and finished on Tuesday, August 18, 1970, in Maceió.
This week’s letter is going to be pretty short. Today we had visiting with us from Recife twelve more elders to meet in a zone conference. That took most of the day, and so there is no time left to write a letter.
[Next day] Here it is Tuesday already, meaning that it is illegal to write letters. I just wanted to mention briefly a special youth home evening we held Sunday. It is held weekly for twelve young people who are from part-member families where it is impossible to hold home evening in the home. Every person had to list five specific reasons why he liked another given person. You cannot imagine how positive and how love-filled such a session was, with the Spirit being poured out in rich profusion before we had completed. It was truly fantastic, something every family in the Church might profitably use. Tears filled many eyes: tears of gratitude, tears of pure love, tears of happiness.
Sunday evening our branch choir sang for the third consecutive sacrament meeting, a special arrangement of “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet.” I spoke on the life and teachings of Joseph Fielding Smith, including the visit Jerry and I had with him and Sister Smith four years ago in their Salt Lake apartment.
I subscribe my full love and gratitude. I pray this finds everybody healthy, happy, and smiling.
This week’s letter is going to be pretty short. Today we had visiting with us from Recife twelve more elders to meet in a zone conference. That took most of the day, and so there is no time left to write a letter.
[Next day] Here it is Tuesday already, meaning that it is illegal to write letters. I just wanted to mention briefly a special youth home evening we held Sunday. It is held weekly for twelve young people who are from part-member families where it is impossible to hold home evening in the home. Every person had to list five specific reasons why he liked another given person. You cannot imagine how positive and how love-filled such a session was, with the Spirit being poured out in rich profusion before we had completed. It was truly fantastic, something every family in the Church might profitably use. Tears filled many eyes: tears of gratitude, tears of pure love, tears of happiness.
Sunday evening our branch choir sang for the third consecutive sacrament meeting, a special arrangement of “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet.” I spoke on the life and teachings of Joseph Fielding Smith, including the visit Jerry and I had with him and Sister Smith four years ago in their Salt Lake apartment.
I subscribe my full love and gratitude. I pray this finds everybody healthy, happy, and smiling.
42. To My Family
A letter to my family in Idaho, written on Monday, August 10, 1970, from Maceió. Despite my repeated pleas in this and earlier letters, I never did receive the postcards I had requested.
Look on page 74 of the June issue of the Improvement Era. The picture in the ad looks just like Dale, or at least as I remember him looking. If Ricks starts school as early as it used to, he should be starting any day now. Que coisa já!
This morning I spent a couple hours reading from the June Era the addresses from the April general conference. Oh, what a special spiritual treat! Truly we can take comfort in the assurance that we are guided by prophets and apostles of the living God. A sad thought entered my mind as I realized that the next general conference talks I’ll be reading will be in the States. The opening remarks of Elder Alma Sonne (on page 86) are particularly poignant to a missionary who soon will be required to leave a people he has so grown to love.
The past week offered no major or critical events—just a lot of routine, hard, enjoyable missionary work. We did a great deal more tracting than we have in several months. And under the hot Maceió sun my nose tried to sunburn. The weekend and today has seen much rain, more than Idaho would ever see in a year.
One last chance. Our branch carnival has been postponed until August 29, which means—if you hurry—that you can still send postcards, if you have not yet done so.
Until another week, may the Lord’s kindest blessings be yours.
Look on page 74 of the June issue of the Improvement Era. The picture in the ad looks just like Dale, or at least as I remember him looking. If Ricks starts school as early as it used to, he should be starting any day now. Que coisa já!
This morning I spent a couple hours reading from the June Era the addresses from the April general conference. Oh, what a special spiritual treat! Truly we can take comfort in the assurance that we are guided by prophets and apostles of the living God. A sad thought entered my mind as I realized that the next general conference talks I’ll be reading will be in the States. The opening remarks of Elder Alma Sonne (on page 86) are particularly poignant to a missionary who soon will be required to leave a people he has so grown to love.
The past week offered no major or critical events—just a lot of routine, hard, enjoyable missionary work. We did a great deal more tracting than we have in several months. And under the hot Maceió sun my nose tried to sunburn. The weekend and today has seen much rain, more than Idaho would ever see in a year.
One last chance. Our branch carnival has been postponed until August 29, which means—if you hurry—that you can still send postcards, if you have not yet done so.
Until another week, may the Lord’s kindest blessings be yours.
41. To My Parents
A letter to my Dad and Mom, written on Monday, August 3, 1970, in Maceió.
Dear Dad and Mom,
Today is my birthday. Thirteen years ago today I was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. It is strange how memory works at times, because even now I can still remember with somewhat clarity that day in my life.
I hear by the grapevine that Lyle and Barbara had a baby girl [after seven boys]. I didn’t even know they were expecting, and I thought they specialized only in boys. They won’t know what to do with a girl.
What ever happened to Sister Yorgason? About seven or eight months ago you wrote saying she had cancer bad and would live only a few months longer.
Also I have never heard anything about what I need to do to vote by absentee ballot. It must be getting rather close to the necessary deadlines. It has been several months since I wrote asking about it.
Did anybody ever get my priesthood line of authority from President Hurren? It has been well over a year since I asked for that. Now that I am a branch president I need it badly. Please!
I do hope the postcards are on their way by now or they’ll never make it on time and that would wreck our carnival plans for the branch.
Everybody is wholly silent on what is wrong with Jerry. Is he better now? He never has mentioned a thing in his last two letters.
When does Dale go to school? It must be beginning soon.
May heaven bless. Smile.
Dear Dad and Mom,
Today is my birthday. Thirteen years ago today I was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ. It is strange how memory works at times, because even now I can still remember with somewhat clarity that day in my life.
I hear by the grapevine that Lyle and Barbara had a baby girl [after seven boys]. I didn’t even know they were expecting, and I thought they specialized only in boys. They won’t know what to do with a girl.
What ever happened to Sister Yorgason? About seven or eight months ago you wrote saying she had cancer bad and would live only a few months longer.
Also I have never heard anything about what I need to do to vote by absentee ballot. It must be getting rather close to the necessary deadlines. It has been several months since I wrote asking about it.
Did anybody ever get my priesthood line of authority from President Hurren? It has been well over a year since I asked for that. Now that I am a branch president I need it badly. Please!
I do hope the postcards are on their way by now or they’ll never make it on time and that would wreck our carnival plans for the branch.
Everybody is wholly silent on what is wrong with Jerry. Is he better now? He never has mentioned a thing in his last two letters.
When does Dale go to school? It must be beginning soon.
May heaven bless. Smile.
39. To My Parents
A letter to my Dad and Mom in Nampa, Idaho, written in Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil, on Monday, July 6. 1970.
Dear Dad and Mom,
How quickly time slips away. Here it is already past the Fourth of July once again. We passed the day in relative quiet. Brazil doesn’t go out much for July Fourth celebrations. MIA met that night. We showed once again the film The Three Witnesses, which has really been a marvelous testimony builder for our members. Last night, being that there was no evening meeting because of fast day, we showed the film a third time. One investigator girl, after the film, came to me and in eager excitement announced that she was going to be baptized.
Yesterday in testimony meeting we had more than fifty percent of the branch in attendance. It was a spiritual and love-filled meeting. At times I feel so very happy for the little flock here. One of our goals now is to let them feel the happiness and joy associated with membership in the Church. Being a Latter-day Saint is fun, and some of them don’t yet know that.
Our major lines of attack are (1) regular family and private prayers, (2) active participation in the auxiliary organizations, (3) every member of every family reading the Book of Mormon according to a daily schedule, (4) every family holding weekly home evenings, and (5) bimonthly (meaning every other week) member firesides. In just over two months since I’ve been in Maceió, the branch has a completely new spirit about it.
This morning early we saw a practice session of the current girls volleyball champions of all of South America, the team from the state of Alagoas. They are in preparation for the national tournament of Brazil, which begins here in three days.
Please note this: it is most important! I would like to ask the following favor. Could you please send as soon as possible about fifty to seventy-five picture postcards? They need to be of a wide variety, depictive of either the United States or Idaho, and of general interest to an average curious Brazilian. Send them together, airmail, with the greatest haste. In mid-August we are having a “county fair” type carnival to raise money to buy an organ for the branch. The postcards are to sell in the United States booth. You there can see the need to hurry. Chalk it up as a birthday gift if you want. Thanks!
As ever, time runs short. May heaven’s blessings be yours. I pray this letter finds everyone healthy and happy. Thank you for all you are and mean to me, especially for your loving support and faithful prayers and occasional letters.
Dear Dad and Mom,
How quickly time slips away. Here it is already past the Fourth of July once again. We passed the day in relative quiet. Brazil doesn’t go out much for July Fourth celebrations. MIA met that night. We showed once again the film The Three Witnesses, which has really been a marvelous testimony builder for our members. Last night, being that there was no evening meeting because of fast day, we showed the film a third time. One investigator girl, after the film, came to me and in eager excitement announced that she was going to be baptized.
Yesterday in testimony meeting we had more than fifty percent of the branch in attendance. It was a spiritual and love-filled meeting. At times I feel so very happy for the little flock here. One of our goals now is to let them feel the happiness and joy associated with membership in the Church. Being a Latter-day Saint is fun, and some of them don’t yet know that.
Our major lines of attack are (1) regular family and private prayers, (2) active participation in the auxiliary organizations, (3) every member of every family reading the Book of Mormon according to a daily schedule, (4) every family holding weekly home evenings, and (5) bimonthly (meaning every other week) member firesides. In just over two months since I’ve been in Maceió, the branch has a completely new spirit about it.
This morning early we saw a practice session of the current girls volleyball champions of all of South America, the team from the state of Alagoas. They are in preparation for the national tournament of Brazil, which begins here in three days.
Please note this: it is most important! I would like to ask the following favor. Could you please send as soon as possible about fifty to seventy-five picture postcards? They need to be of a wide variety, depictive of either the United States or Idaho, and of general interest to an average curious Brazilian. Send them together, airmail, with the greatest haste. In mid-August we are having a “county fair” type carnival to raise money to buy an organ for the branch. The postcards are to sell in the United States booth. You there can see the need to hurry. Chalk it up as a birthday gift if you want. Thanks!
As ever, time runs short. May heaven’s blessings be yours. I pray this letter finds everyone healthy and happy. Thank you for all you are and mean to me, especially for your loving support and faithful prayers and occasional letters.
38. To My Family
A letter to my family in Nampa, Idaho, written on Monday, June 29, 1970, from Maceió.
Dear family,
Yesterday I received a letter from Mom and was grateful to hear from her and to know that everybody was OK. I hope this letter finds everybody healthy and happy. The past week was rather exciting and full, to wit:
Monday. It was our regular preparation day and also a holiday because of Brazil’s victory over Italy in soccer the day before.
Tuesday. Another holiday, which prevented much work on our part. In the morning we taught a lesson. In the afternoon and evening we went to the farm of one of the member families (about 45 minutes out of town by car) to celebrate the eve of São João’s. We had a big bonfire (a standard São João ingredient) and lots of food and fireworks. It was certainly a wonderful opportunity to get closer to the two families participating.
Wednesday. Today was São João’s Day (John the Baptist’s birthday supposedly). In the evening we held a branch home evening. We had told everybody that a special family from out of town was coming to demonstrate how to hold home evening. In reality the four elders were the family and nobody ever expected what was happening. I was the mother in the family. Everybody enjoyed the evening so much. At the end, following a talent show, we sang a song about Brazil that is so beautiful. Then three of the elders continued singing softly while the remaining elder bore his testimony, expressed his love to the members, mentioned our gratitude and love for Brazil and her wonderful people. The emotion of the moment was electric.
Thursday. Today we helped an elderly couple move into a new house. We cleaned up for them, arranged their furniture like they wanted it, etc. They were grateful for the help.
Friday. In the branch we are starting a project to have everybody reading the Book of Mormon this year. For each family we are making a big colorful reading chart. Our objective is to have them read a little every day instead of a bunch once or twice a week. The reasoning is that daily contact with the scriptures makes it easier to be in touch with the Spirit, because as the promise we make each week at the sacrament table indicates, we are then remembering Christ always so that His Spirit might be with us.
Saturday. Another lesson taught this morning. Today two elders (one of them the zone leader) came from Recife to spend three days with us. Tonight at MIA we had a São João party, again with a campfire and all corn-made food (corn cake, cornbread, corn-on-the-cob, corn pudding, popcorn, etc.). It was fun and we had the biggest turnout since I’ve been here (34 people).
Sunday. Following sacrament meeting we showed a new film out about the Three Witnesses. Fifty-four people attended, the most I’ve seen crowded into our little chapel at once. A fantastic film.
Monday. This morning we played volleyball for a couple hours. About noon six more elders came from Recife, and we held later in the afternoon a zone meeting (with twelve elders present). It was an in¬structive and inspirational session.
Well, this is about an average week in the life of a missionary in Maceió. I really shouldn’t say average, because no week is really average. Each has a personality all its own. Many are the moments and experiences that a missionary would not trade for anything: a member with tears in his eyes thanking you for strengthening his family, a daily testimony meeting with your companion when your hearts and souls share love and testimony, kneeling in nightly prayer and pleading for the welfare of others. It is a marvelous work and a wonder, and I am grateful to be associated in it. I send my love and gratitude to all of you.
P.S. Have a happy Fourth of July. Speaking of holidays, pretty soon I will be 21. Please check soon to see what is necessary to participate in the November election by absentee ballot. Thanx!
Dear family,
Yesterday I received a letter from Mom and was grateful to hear from her and to know that everybody was OK. I hope this letter finds everybody healthy and happy. The past week was rather exciting and full, to wit:
Monday. It was our regular preparation day and also a holiday because of Brazil’s victory over Italy in soccer the day before.
Tuesday. Another holiday, which prevented much work on our part. In the morning we taught a lesson. In the afternoon and evening we went to the farm of one of the member families (about 45 minutes out of town by car) to celebrate the eve of São João’s. We had a big bonfire (a standard São João ingredient) and lots of food and fireworks. It was certainly a wonderful opportunity to get closer to the two families participating.
Wednesday. Today was São João’s Day (John the Baptist’s birthday supposedly). In the evening we held a branch home evening. We had told everybody that a special family from out of town was coming to demonstrate how to hold home evening. In reality the four elders were the family and nobody ever expected what was happening. I was the mother in the family. Everybody enjoyed the evening so much. At the end, following a talent show, we sang a song about Brazil that is so beautiful. Then three of the elders continued singing softly while the remaining elder bore his testimony, expressed his love to the members, mentioned our gratitude and love for Brazil and her wonderful people. The emotion of the moment was electric.
Thursday. Today we helped an elderly couple move into a new house. We cleaned up for them, arranged their furniture like they wanted it, etc. They were grateful for the help.
Friday. In the branch we are starting a project to have everybody reading the Book of Mormon this year. For each family we are making a big colorful reading chart. Our objective is to have them read a little every day instead of a bunch once or twice a week. The reasoning is that daily contact with the scriptures makes it easier to be in touch with the Spirit, because as the promise we make each week at the sacrament table indicates, we are then remembering Christ always so that His Spirit might be with us.
Saturday. Another lesson taught this morning. Today two elders (one of them the zone leader) came from Recife to spend three days with us. Tonight at MIA we had a São João party, again with a campfire and all corn-made food (corn cake, cornbread, corn-on-the-cob, corn pudding, popcorn, etc.). It was fun and we had the biggest turnout since I’ve been here (34 people).
Sunday. Following sacrament meeting we showed a new film out about the Three Witnesses. Fifty-four people attended, the most I’ve seen crowded into our little chapel at once. A fantastic film.
Monday. This morning we played volleyball for a couple hours. About noon six more elders came from Recife, and we held later in the afternoon a zone meeting (with twelve elders present). It was an in¬structive and inspirational session.
Well, this is about an average week in the life of a missionary in Maceió. I really shouldn’t say average, because no week is really average. Each has a personality all its own. Many are the moments and experiences that a missionary would not trade for anything: a member with tears in his eyes thanking you for strengthening his family, a daily testimony meeting with your companion when your hearts and souls share love and testimony, kneeling in nightly prayer and pleading for the welfare of others. It is a marvelous work and a wonder, and I am grateful to be associated in it. I send my love and gratitude to all of you.
P.S. Have a happy Fourth of July. Speaking of holidays, pretty soon I will be 21. Please check soon to see what is necessary to participate in the November election by absentee ballot. Thanx!
37. To My Family
A letter written from Recife to my family in Nampa, Idaho, dated Tuesday, June 9, 1970.
Dear family,
This is a howdy today from Recife. We left this morning at 6:00 from Maceió to make the four-hour trip to Recife for a zone meeting with the other elders there. And so this is being written from the capital of Brazil’s northeast. During the last week I spent three days in bed due to a bad cold. I was feeling kind of down and was cautioning against catching bronchitis again (like I had last fall). Even now I don’t feel any better but am working on it. There is no need to worry though.
Our little branch here has so many problems to overcome. We have had two MIAs now, both of them successful. It is about the only thing running right thus far. The daughter of the former branch president is the new president of the YWMIA, and she put everything she had into making the first one a success (and it surely was). Then Saturday evening on their way to MIA, her dad said it was the worst MIA he had ever attended. When she got to the church, she came to tell us (the elders) and broke down and bawled. Well, last night, being the evening of fast Sunday, we held a branch preparation meeting—which was the first ever. He (the ex-branch president, named Aldo) complained, feeling that too much responsibility was being put on his family. I explained to him that being the only active complete family in such a small branch they had to expect to be busy. Aldo is now Sunday School superintendent. His wife is branch organist, Primary president, and Relief Society president (by the way, she is the sharpest person in the branch). His daughter is YWMIA president, and a son secretary in the YMMIA. He said that having so much to do, he felt imprisoned by the Church and that he could never miss a Saturday or Sunday meeting.
Oh, such a lack of vision! If he could only catch the picture of what the Church and its programs were all about! For a good member of the Church, or for any member as far as that goes, there should never be a second thought about attending church. It is naturally expected. Membership in the Church of Jesus Christ has significance only for those who are expecting to enter the celestial kingdom. It that is not our goal, there is really no reason to be in the Church. At baptism we made some pretty serious covenants, including seeking first the kingdom of God and its righteousness. That means to me simply that the gospel comes first, before anything else, and that perfection needs to be our daily occupation. The Church is to perfect the Saints. We need every help we can get, every single day if necessary. Oh, if we can only enlarge the vision of the members as to the beauty and fulness of the gospel!
Pray hard for us so we can be true in our callings, faithfully fulfilling our stewardships, as guided by the Spirit. I pray for you. I am so humbly grateful for your love and support. May heaven bless you.
Dear family,
This is a howdy today from Recife. We left this morning at 6:00 from Maceió to make the four-hour trip to Recife for a zone meeting with the other elders there. And so this is being written from the capital of Brazil’s northeast. During the last week I spent three days in bed due to a bad cold. I was feeling kind of down and was cautioning against catching bronchitis again (like I had last fall). Even now I don’t feel any better but am working on it. There is no need to worry though.
Our little branch here has so many problems to overcome. We have had two MIAs now, both of them successful. It is about the only thing running right thus far. The daughter of the former branch president is the new president of the YWMIA, and she put everything she had into making the first one a success (and it surely was). Then Saturday evening on their way to MIA, her dad said it was the worst MIA he had ever attended. When she got to the church, she came to tell us (the elders) and broke down and bawled. Well, last night, being the evening of fast Sunday, we held a branch preparation meeting—which was the first ever. He (the ex-branch president, named Aldo) complained, feeling that too much responsibility was being put on his family. I explained to him that being the only active complete family in such a small branch they had to expect to be busy. Aldo is now Sunday School superintendent. His wife is branch organist, Primary president, and Relief Society president (by the way, she is the sharpest person in the branch). His daughter is YWMIA president, and a son secretary in the YMMIA. He said that having so much to do, he felt imprisoned by the Church and that he could never miss a Saturday or Sunday meeting.
Oh, such a lack of vision! If he could only catch the picture of what the Church and its programs were all about! For a good member of the Church, or for any member as far as that goes, there should never be a second thought about attending church. It is naturally expected. Membership in the Church of Jesus Christ has significance only for those who are expecting to enter the celestial kingdom. It that is not our goal, there is really no reason to be in the Church. At baptism we made some pretty serious covenants, including seeking first the kingdom of God and its righteousness. That means to me simply that the gospel comes first, before anything else, and that perfection needs to be our daily occupation. The Church is to perfect the Saints. We need every help we can get, every single day if necessary. Oh, if we can only enlarge the vision of the members as to the beauty and fulness of the gospel!
Pray hard for us so we can be true in our callings, faithfully fulfilling our stewardships, as guided by the Spirit. I pray for you. I am so humbly grateful for your love and support. May heaven bless you.
36. To Jerry
A letter to my brother Jerry, written in Maceió on Monday, June 1, 1970, just ten days before his birthday.
Dear Jerry,
Reflecting just now on the many blessings I enjoy, I was impressed that one of my choicest blessings is your friendship and brotherhood. I treasure the joyous—and even the more mundane—experiences we have shared together. I sense very fully that your life has been richly blessed since I have been a missionary. For that I am grateful.
One of the priority goals in my life is that of having my calling and election made sure, of receiving that more sure word of prophecy also known as the Second Comforter or the Holy Spirit of Promise. It involves an ever-upward process of purification by faithful and diligent obedience to the principles of the gospel. It necessitates sanctification by the Holy Ghost. And finally it means a readiness to bear the presence of God the Father and Jesus Christ, the mediator of the new covenant, and communion with the general assembly and church of the Firstborn.
Now I think you must know what this is all about. The scriptures, as given by the Spirit, outline somewhat clearly the details necessary for our preparation for this great blessing, a blessing so great and wonderful that the Doctrine and Covenants calls it the greatest gift God can give to man.
Please read my letter this week to the family if you care to know what is keeping me busy these days. May heaven’s blessings continue with you. Remember us in your prayers.
Dear Jerry,
Reflecting just now on the many blessings I enjoy, I was impressed that one of my choicest blessings is your friendship and brotherhood. I treasure the joyous—and even the more mundane—experiences we have shared together. I sense very fully that your life has been richly blessed since I have been a missionary. For that I am grateful.
One of the priority goals in my life is that of having my calling and election made sure, of receiving that more sure word of prophecy also known as the Second Comforter or the Holy Spirit of Promise. It involves an ever-upward process of purification by faithful and diligent obedience to the principles of the gospel. It necessitates sanctification by the Holy Ghost. And finally it means a readiness to bear the presence of God the Father and Jesus Christ, the mediator of the new covenant, and communion with the general assembly and church of the Firstborn.
Now I think you must know what this is all about. The scriptures, as given by the Spirit, outline somewhat clearly the details necessary for our preparation for this great blessing, a blessing so great and wonderful that the Doctrine and Covenants calls it the greatest gift God can give to man.
Please read my letter this week to the family if you care to know what is keeping me busy these days. May heaven’s blessings continue with you. Remember us in your prayers.
35. To Three Dear Friends
A letter written in Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil, on Monday, May 18, 1970, to three friends who were also serving as missionaries: Evan A. Ballard in the West Spanish American Mission, Jeff Boswell in the Samoan Mission, and Steve Hill in the Germany South Mission.
To my beloved friends and brothers,
“Ever and always startling is the swiftness with which time goes, the speed at which life passes. My departed hours—where are they? The poet asked in anguish. The weeks seem hours only.” As time slips ever away, this thought from Richard L. Evans seems appropriate. How starkly true the thought, the realization that weeks seem hours only. A missionary appreciates such a thought, wishing at moments that time were his control. It is with this thought in mind that I choose once again to resort to mass communication tactics.
The richness and goodness of life is at times nearly overwhelming. My life is busy and full, but even fuller is the gratitude of an overflowing heart for the blessings I enjoy. Life itself is a great privilege—it is a joy to live in this glorious dispensation of time. I count my family and friends and you, my associates in the work of the Lord, as among my greatest blessings. We are members of the Church of Jesus Christ, we hold the priesthood of God, we are elders in Israel, we have a knowledge of the truthfulness of this “marvelous work and a wonder.” The pure love of Christ, as scripturally termed, has swelled within my heart to expand into happiness and joy.
Since my last communication with most of you, we have lost a beloved leader and prophet, President David O. McKay. His kindly counsel, his loving wisdom, his grateful example are missed. There is no doubt of the glorious home¬coming he has had on the other side. And there is no doubt that President Joseph Fielding Smith is anointed of the Lord to preside among us now, standing as His prophet and mouthpiece. But I loved President McKay. Although never having met him personally (I have been in his presence), I feel the loss of a personal friend. In his life, more than in any other man of this generation, could I see in perfection a truly Christlike life. As Harold B. Lee explained at his funeral, “As a special witness of our Lord and Master, he lighted the lamps of faith of many by the intensity of the fire within his own soul.” I like that. He lighted the lamps of faith . . . by the intensity of the fire within his own soul!
On this day I stand particularly humbled, aware a bit more of my relationship with God and the trust that is mine. Yesterday I was appointed president of the branch of Maceió. Coupled with the responsibility of being a missionary and a district leader, I sense more than ever a necessity to rely on the Lord. Here I am presiding over the most important organization in the state of Alagoas, the Church of Jesus Christ. This is the Lord’s work. It cannot fail. To that degree that we allow ourselves to be instruments in His hands we shall be successful.
With all of you I share the solemn witness that is mine. God lives. Jesus Christ is the Son of God and our Savior. This Church was organized by Christ Himself through a prophet called Joseph Smith. The kingdom is rolling forth.
Upon my mind recently has been impressed the thoughts: He who would be a disciple of Jesus Christ must be the servant of all. Righteousness is power. Sacrifice brings forth heaven’s blessings. The gospel, when its ordinances and principles are faithfully obeyed, is the power of God unto salvation; it is real; here and now our lives can be changed, uplifted, sanctified.
May heaven’s blessings be more fully ours as we continue in the great trust committed to our care. I subscribe myself your friend and brother,
Elder Dean B. Cleverly
To my beloved friends and brothers,
“Ever and always startling is the swiftness with which time goes, the speed at which life passes. My departed hours—where are they? The poet asked in anguish. The weeks seem hours only.” As time slips ever away, this thought from Richard L. Evans seems appropriate. How starkly true the thought, the realization that weeks seem hours only. A missionary appreciates such a thought, wishing at moments that time were his control. It is with this thought in mind that I choose once again to resort to mass communication tactics.
The richness and goodness of life is at times nearly overwhelming. My life is busy and full, but even fuller is the gratitude of an overflowing heart for the blessings I enjoy. Life itself is a great privilege—it is a joy to live in this glorious dispensation of time. I count my family and friends and you, my associates in the work of the Lord, as among my greatest blessings. We are members of the Church of Jesus Christ, we hold the priesthood of God, we are elders in Israel, we have a knowledge of the truthfulness of this “marvelous work and a wonder.” The pure love of Christ, as scripturally termed, has swelled within my heart to expand into happiness and joy.
Since my last communication with most of you, we have lost a beloved leader and prophet, President David O. McKay. His kindly counsel, his loving wisdom, his grateful example are missed. There is no doubt of the glorious home¬coming he has had on the other side. And there is no doubt that President Joseph Fielding Smith is anointed of the Lord to preside among us now, standing as His prophet and mouthpiece. But I loved President McKay. Although never having met him personally (I have been in his presence), I feel the loss of a personal friend. In his life, more than in any other man of this generation, could I see in perfection a truly Christlike life. As Harold B. Lee explained at his funeral, “As a special witness of our Lord and Master, he lighted the lamps of faith of many by the intensity of the fire within his own soul.” I like that. He lighted the lamps of faith . . . by the intensity of the fire within his own soul!
On this day I stand particularly humbled, aware a bit more of my relationship with God and the trust that is mine. Yesterday I was appointed president of the branch of Maceió. Coupled with the responsibility of being a missionary and a district leader, I sense more than ever a necessity to rely on the Lord. Here I am presiding over the most important organization in the state of Alagoas, the Church of Jesus Christ. This is the Lord’s work. It cannot fail. To that degree that we allow ourselves to be instruments in His hands we shall be successful.
With all of you I share the solemn witness that is mine. God lives. Jesus Christ is the Son of God and our Savior. This Church was organized by Christ Himself through a prophet called Joseph Smith. The kingdom is rolling forth.
Upon my mind recently has been impressed the thoughts: He who would be a disciple of Jesus Christ must be the servant of all. Righteousness is power. Sacrifice brings forth heaven’s blessings. The gospel, when its ordinances and principles are faithfully obeyed, is the power of God unto salvation; it is real; here and now our lives can be changed, uplifted, sanctified.
May heaven’s blessings be more fully ours as we continue in the great trust committed to our care. I subscribe myself your friend and brother,
Elder Dean B. Cleverly
34. To Jerry
A letter to my brother Jerry in Boise, Idaho, written on Monday, May 4, 1970, from Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil.
Dear Jerry,
Yesterday and today I received your letters, forwarded from Rio, that you sent April 9 and April 14, including all the conference clippings. Thanks so muchly for all that—news is slow in reaching this corner of the world.
It sounds like the “golden age” of Mormonism, so called, is an era that is passing. Notice how closely timed was the passing of President McKay with the breaking of the first storms. Each president of the Church has played a particular role, was the best man to lead the development of the kingdom in his own time. President McKay made the Church worldwide and respected. President Smith is just the man to lead us through gathering storms. This is the Lord’s work. He is at the helm and the work cannot fail. And all of us with a burning testimony, given of God, of the divinity of this latter-day work will follow the counsel of heaven-inspired apostles and prophets and not the whims and sophistries and cunning devices of men.
It is my prayer that everything is going well on the home front. It sounds like life is a joy. May the Lord’s blessings ever be with you.
Dear Jerry,
Yesterday and today I received your letters, forwarded from Rio, that you sent April 9 and April 14, including all the conference clippings. Thanks so muchly for all that—news is slow in reaching this corner of the world.
It sounds like the “golden age” of Mormonism, so called, is an era that is passing. Notice how closely timed was the passing of President McKay with the breaking of the first storms. Each president of the Church has played a particular role, was the best man to lead the development of the kingdom in his own time. President McKay made the Church worldwide and respected. President Smith is just the man to lead us through gathering storms. This is the Lord’s work. He is at the helm and the work cannot fail. And all of us with a burning testimony, given of God, of the divinity of this latter-day work will follow the counsel of heaven-inspired apostles and prophets and not the whims and sophistries and cunning devices of men.
It is my prayer that everything is going well on the home front. It sounds like life is a joy. May the Lord’s blessings ever be with you.
32. To My Family
A letter to my family in Nampa, Idaho, written on a bus en route from Rio de Janeiro to Recife on Monday, April 13, 1970, as I was being transferred from Rio de Janeiro to Maceió, Alagoas, in northeastern Brazil.
Dear family,
Please excuse this letter if it starts looking a bit sloppy. I am writ¬ing it on a bus as we are heading out of Rio de Janeiro for parts un¬known. Get out a map and search around for northeastern Brazil (the part that sticks out towards Africa) for a city called Maceió in the state of Alagoas. That will be my new home for the next few months.
We just finished a lunch stop in a town called Muriaé in the state of Minas Gerais. We left Rio at 7:00 this morning and will reach Recife, Pernam¬buco, tomorrow night about 10:30—or, in other words, about a forty-hour trip by bus. This is a big country, and we aren’t even covering half of it. After arriving in Recife we will stay overnight with the elders there, and the next morning (Wednesday) I’ll take a four-hour bus trip to Maceió. My traveling companion is going on to João Pessoa, Paraiba.
There territory we are covering now is quite hilly grassland with occasional patches of farmland. The air smells so fresh and the sky appears so blue here in Minas Gerais. I guess spending an entire year and four months in Rio’s smog and congestion and traffic made me forget what clean air and sky were like. Earlier this morning we traveled through a most beautiful tropical forest while still in the state of Rio de Janeiro.
Brazil has twenty-two states. Until today I knew only two of them: Guanabara, where the city of Rio de Janeiro is, and the state of Rio de Janeiro. By the end of this trip I will have also been in the states of Minas Gerais, Bahia, Sergipe, Alagoas, and Pernambuco.
Last Saturday night I learned I was to be transferred but did not know where. Sunday afternoon I went to the mission home to pick up my tickets and to learn of my new assignment. Later Sunday afternoon, at sacrament meeting, I realized how attached I had become to the branch and its members in the seven months I labored there.
The Brazilians are a warm, emotional people, a people you grow to love very much, and you might imagine, therefore, what an experience it was to say good-bye to all of them. I had served as branch organist most of the seven months and so found myself to be more known than I had ever imagined. It was kind of like being hero of the night. Then after all that I had to pack, and here I am this morning, or rather afternoon now, traveling.
As I consider how quickly the last seven months passed, it causes some concern as to how rapidly the remaining eight months will slip by. How fruitful and productive those months will be is largely mine to determine. Success in missionary work, or probably in any work, is when preparation meets opportunity.
Yesterday my heart swelled with gratitude as I realized that both branches were individually stronger and larger than the single branch I came to seven months ago. To see in such a short time the building of the kingdom and the strengthening of Zion is most gratifying.
Next Sunday, which I will be missing, is another district quarterly conference, at which at attendance of 1,400 is expected. The goal in January was 1,000, and some 1,150 Saints attended. The Lord’s work is going forward! Learning of new stakes in Lima, Peru, and Tokyo, Japan, made me happy. An article in the last Liahona said that before the end of 1970 there could likely be nine or ten new stakes in Brazil, São Paulo’s two stakes becoming two or three more, with stakes also in seven other cities, one of which could be Rio. The Church is growing faster in Brazil than in any other nation of the world except the United States! Wow! It is exciting and humbling to be a partner with destiny.
Look on page 24 of the February 1970 Improvement Era. Have you ever seen a more beautiful picture of Sister McKay?
May the choicest blessings of heaven be yours. Smile and be happy. Until some other time, tchau.
Dear family,
Please excuse this letter if it starts looking a bit sloppy. I am writ¬ing it on a bus as we are heading out of Rio de Janeiro for parts un¬known. Get out a map and search around for northeastern Brazil (the part that sticks out towards Africa) for a city called Maceió in the state of Alagoas. That will be my new home for the next few months.
We just finished a lunch stop in a town called Muriaé in the state of Minas Gerais. We left Rio at 7:00 this morning and will reach Recife, Pernam¬buco, tomorrow night about 10:30—or, in other words, about a forty-hour trip by bus. This is a big country, and we aren’t even covering half of it. After arriving in Recife we will stay overnight with the elders there, and the next morning (Wednesday) I’ll take a four-hour bus trip to Maceió. My traveling companion is going on to João Pessoa, Paraiba.
There territory we are covering now is quite hilly grassland with occasional patches of farmland. The air smells so fresh and the sky appears so blue here in Minas Gerais. I guess spending an entire year and four months in Rio’s smog and congestion and traffic made me forget what clean air and sky were like. Earlier this morning we traveled through a most beautiful tropical forest while still in the state of Rio de Janeiro.
Brazil has twenty-two states. Until today I knew only two of them: Guanabara, where the city of Rio de Janeiro is, and the state of Rio de Janeiro. By the end of this trip I will have also been in the states of Minas Gerais, Bahia, Sergipe, Alagoas, and Pernambuco.
Last Saturday night I learned I was to be transferred but did not know where. Sunday afternoon I went to the mission home to pick up my tickets and to learn of my new assignment. Later Sunday afternoon, at sacrament meeting, I realized how attached I had become to the branch and its members in the seven months I labored there.
The Brazilians are a warm, emotional people, a people you grow to love very much, and you might imagine, therefore, what an experience it was to say good-bye to all of them. I had served as branch organist most of the seven months and so found myself to be more known than I had ever imagined. It was kind of like being hero of the night. Then after all that I had to pack, and here I am this morning, or rather afternoon now, traveling.
As I consider how quickly the last seven months passed, it causes some concern as to how rapidly the remaining eight months will slip by. How fruitful and productive those months will be is largely mine to determine. Success in missionary work, or probably in any work, is when preparation meets opportunity.
Yesterday my heart swelled with gratitude as I realized that both branches were individually stronger and larger than the single branch I came to seven months ago. To see in such a short time the building of the kingdom and the strengthening of Zion is most gratifying.
Next Sunday, which I will be missing, is another district quarterly conference, at which at attendance of 1,400 is expected. The goal in January was 1,000, and some 1,150 Saints attended. The Lord’s work is going forward! Learning of new stakes in Lima, Peru, and Tokyo, Japan, made me happy. An article in the last Liahona said that before the end of 1970 there could likely be nine or ten new stakes in Brazil, São Paulo’s two stakes becoming two or three more, with stakes also in seven other cities, one of which could be Rio. The Church is growing faster in Brazil than in any other nation of the world except the United States! Wow! It is exciting and humbling to be a partner with destiny.
Look on page 24 of the February 1970 Improvement Era. Have you ever seen a more beautiful picture of Sister McKay?
May the choicest blessings of heaven be yours. Smile and be happy. Until some other time, tchau.
31. To My Parents
A letter to my Dad and Mom in Nampa, Idaho, written in the Ramos area of Rio de Janeiro on Monday, April 6, 1970. The letter began with a birthday greeting to my father, who on April 7 turned fifty-five years old.
First I wish to send my wishes to Dad for a most happy birthday, number fifty-five this year, if I am counting correctly. I had planned to send a tape, as last year, but I have no access to a recorder. Therefore, my expression of gratitude and love come transmitted on the written page. Before another year can wear away I will personally deliver the message, accompanied by a big abraço, a Brazilian embrace.
Last evening we had the marvelous opportunity to receive via satellite a broadcast of the first session of general conference. It was translated into Portuguese. Thus we were able to hear President Smith’s first conference address as President of the Church. He sounded vigorous and healthy. The choir and organ sounded marvelous.
Friday we met again in zone conference. President Johnson’s counsel and talk were, as ever, inspiring and challenging. In the testimony session the Spirit was poured out upon us all in a remarkable manner. I think few moments in my life have I been so happy. In the opening session I had the chance to present a talk on the assigned subject “What Is an Effective Prayer?”
May this letter find everybody happy and healthy. God bless you one and all.
First I wish to send my wishes to Dad for a most happy birthday, number fifty-five this year, if I am counting correctly. I had planned to send a tape, as last year, but I have no access to a recorder. Therefore, my expression of gratitude and love come transmitted on the written page. Before another year can wear away I will personally deliver the message, accompanied by a big abraço, a Brazilian embrace.
Last evening we had the marvelous opportunity to receive via satellite a broadcast of the first session of general conference. It was translated into Portuguese. Thus we were able to hear President Smith’s first conference address as President of the Church. He sounded vigorous and healthy. The choir and organ sounded marvelous.
Friday we met again in zone conference. President Johnson’s counsel and talk were, as ever, inspiring and challenging. In the testimony session the Spirit was poured out upon us all in a remarkable manner. I think few moments in my life have I been so happy. In the opening session I had the chance to present a talk on the assigned subject “What Is an Effective Prayer?”
May this letter find everybody happy and healthy. God bless you one and all.
30. To My Parents
A letter to my Dad and Mom in Nampa, Idaho, written from the Ramos area of Rio de Janeiro on Monday, March 23, 1970.
Dear Mom and Dad,
Please excuse me for not writing last Monday, but there was absolutely no time available. I hope this letter finds everyone in health and happiness. Time is running away with itself; I think it must run faster here in Brazil than there in the States.
A week ago Sunday the branch we were in was divided and we are now in the new branch. A completely new branch presidency was called because the old presidency lives in the other branch. It is really great to see Zion growing here in Rio. Yesterday afternoon in our first sacrament meeting there was a larger attendance than the entire old branch was ever having when I was first transferred into it last September.
The branch president is a member of only a year and four months, a really sharp young man with a wonderful family supporting him. There are now three branches using the chapel where we meet. There are five branches now within the city of Rio itself and ten within the Rio District. Our big goal is still working toward a stake in October. When that happens there would be between five and seven wards and five branches in the new stake.
My companion and I are working with a wonderful family right now that plan to be baptized a week from Saturday. The children are: a boy aged fifteen, a girl thirteen, a boy nine, and a boy seven. They are fairly excited about it all. Saturday we took the younger kids with some of their cousins to Primary, which they completely and thoroughly enjoyed.
Last Monday I donated (for the first time in my life) a pint of blood in behalf of a member’s wife who is dying because she cannot get any blood to mix with hers. She even rejects blood of her own type. The doctors are trying all they can do, but only a miracle could save her.
Well, once again. May heaven ever bless you. I love you and pray for your welfare. Proverbs 25:25.
On the backside of the letter I hand printed this poem by Carol Lynn Pearson entitled “Point of View.”
Sun and mountain meet.
“Look,” I say.
“Sunset!”
But I forget
That far away
An islander
Wipes morning
From his eyes
And watches
The same sun
Rise.
What’s birth?
And death?
What’s near
Or far?
It all depends
On where you are.
Dear Mom and Dad,
Please excuse me for not writing last Monday, but there was absolutely no time available. I hope this letter finds everyone in health and happiness. Time is running away with itself; I think it must run faster here in Brazil than there in the States.
A week ago Sunday the branch we were in was divided and we are now in the new branch. A completely new branch presidency was called because the old presidency lives in the other branch. It is really great to see Zion growing here in Rio. Yesterday afternoon in our first sacrament meeting there was a larger attendance than the entire old branch was ever having when I was first transferred into it last September.
The branch president is a member of only a year and four months, a really sharp young man with a wonderful family supporting him. There are now three branches using the chapel where we meet. There are five branches now within the city of Rio itself and ten within the Rio District. Our big goal is still working toward a stake in October. When that happens there would be between five and seven wards and five branches in the new stake.
My companion and I are working with a wonderful family right now that plan to be baptized a week from Saturday. The children are: a boy aged fifteen, a girl thirteen, a boy nine, and a boy seven. They are fairly excited about it all. Saturday we took the younger kids with some of their cousins to Primary, which they completely and thoroughly enjoyed.
Last Monday I donated (for the first time in my life) a pint of blood in behalf of a member’s wife who is dying because she cannot get any blood to mix with hers. She even rejects blood of her own type. The doctors are trying all they can do, but only a miracle could save her.
Well, once again. May heaven ever bless you. I love you and pray for your welfare. Proverbs 25:25.
On the backside of the letter I hand printed this poem by Carol Lynn Pearson entitled “Point of View.”
Sun and mountain meet.
“Look,” I say.
“Sunset!”
But I forget
That far away
An islander
Wipes morning
From his eyes
And watches
The same sun
Rise.
What’s birth?
And death?
What’s near
Or far?
It all depends
On where you are.
29. To My Family
A letter to my family in Nampa, Idaho, written from the Ramos area of Rio de Janeiro in Monday, January 26, 1970.
Dear family,
Once again I have seen the miracle of happiness happen in the lives of those who accept and live the gospel. The family we baptized a week ago are now different people, now living a new life. They are so happy at the church that they would like to spend their whole time there. It is certainly humbling to realize how much they think of my companion and me. To them we are what perfection is. What a great responsibility is ours not to injure their new and growing faith! She asked me to express to you the next time I wrote home her love and gratitude, especially to you Mom. She thinks you must be the luckiest, happiest parents in the world.
Zion is growing here in Rio. The branch we are serving in is to be divided shortly. You can understand why considering that in January alone forty converts were baptized into that branch. At the district conference last week the official number in attendance was 1,100, one hundred more than the goal President Johnson set for us to start thinking about becoming a stake. The Meier Branch, in which we labor, had 340 members and seventy nonmember visitors in attendance. As soon as the branch is divided, one of the branches will begin building a new chapel.
The weather has been remarkably good for summer—so far. Today is trying to rain.
This Friday we will be holding again zone conference. That is always a special experience.
Thanks for all your love and support. I hope this letter finds you all in health and happiness.
P.S. Could you find and send pictures of the Salt Lake Temple? Post cards would be great. Thanx!
Dear family,
Once again I have seen the miracle of happiness happen in the lives of those who accept and live the gospel. The family we baptized a week ago are now different people, now living a new life. They are so happy at the church that they would like to spend their whole time there. It is certainly humbling to realize how much they think of my companion and me. To them we are what perfection is. What a great responsibility is ours not to injure their new and growing faith! She asked me to express to you the next time I wrote home her love and gratitude, especially to you Mom. She thinks you must be the luckiest, happiest parents in the world.
Zion is growing here in Rio. The branch we are serving in is to be divided shortly. You can understand why considering that in January alone forty converts were baptized into that branch. At the district conference last week the official number in attendance was 1,100, one hundred more than the goal President Johnson set for us to start thinking about becoming a stake. The Meier Branch, in which we labor, had 340 members and seventy nonmember visitors in attendance. As soon as the branch is divided, one of the branches will begin building a new chapel.
The weather has been remarkably good for summer—so far. Today is trying to rain.
This Friday we will be holding again zone conference. That is always a special experience.
Thanks for all your love and support. I hope this letter finds you all in health and happiness.
P.S. Could you find and send pictures of the Salt Lake Temple? Post cards would be great. Thanx!
27. To My Family
A short note to my family in Nampa, Idaho, written from the Ramos area in Rio de Janeiro on Monday, December 15, 1969.
Dear family,
Time is short. This is a quick note only. A Christmas greeting comes under separate cover. Saturday we baptized a man a member of the Church that we had taught during the past three weeks. His wife has not yet joined because she cannot read and because health has prevented her attendance at church. She does have somewhat of a testimony already though. They are such sweet wonderful people that love us to pieces.
Also Saturday a thief came into our room while we were sleeping and stole two pairs of pants and our two watches. I guess he thought the pants had money in the pockets. They didn’t. The only thing that makes me feel bad is that it was Dad’s watch.
In three more days I mark the year point of being in Brazil. You know what that means? I will be home soon. Time is running out. Have a merry holiday season and may God bless you ever more richly.
Dear family,
Time is short. This is a quick note only. A Christmas greeting comes under separate cover. Saturday we baptized a man a member of the Church that we had taught during the past three weeks. His wife has not yet joined because she cannot read and because health has prevented her attendance at church. She does have somewhat of a testimony already though. They are such sweet wonderful people that love us to pieces.
Also Saturday a thief came into our room while we were sleeping and stole two pairs of pants and our two watches. I guess he thought the pants had money in the pockets. They didn’t. The only thing that makes me feel bad is that it was Dad’s watch.
In three more days I mark the year point of being in Brazil. You know what that means? I will be home soon. Time is running out. Have a merry holiday season and may God bless you ever more richly.
26. To My Family
A letter to my family in Nampa, Idaho, written from the Ramos area of Rio de Janeiro on Monday, October 27, 1969.
Dear family,
Actually I should probably not tell you, because it will just make you worry, but I need to let you know how things are going. For the past two weeks I have had a rather heavy cold hanging on. Today the doctor diagnosed it as a bronchial infection, commonly called bronchitis. He prescribed all the necessary medicine, which should have me well within four or five days (by the time you receive this letter).
Also I had another toe operation this morning. The toenail that was removed last December started causing infection again and so the doctor thought it best to remove it again. The reason was not because it was ingrown, as everybody thought, but because of some sort of fungus in the toenail. For the next thirty to forty days I have a medicine to take that is supposed to eliminate that.
Other than all that, I am feeling great. It is great being a missionary. Saturday my companion and I had the opportunity to baptize and confirm a man we had taught during the preceding three weeks. His baptism was a wonderful occasion and topped off the marvelous experiences had working with him.
One special blessing from being district leader is the responsibility to interview every candidate for baptism within the district. Every time is a new and different experience.
On Wednesday or Thursday of this week I will receive a new companion fresh from the States. My present companion, Elder Edward Staker, from Mount Pleasant, Utah, leaves this evening for Vitória, a city eight or nine hours by bus from Rio. He has been my companion since mid-September, having arrived in Brazil two weeks before then. He will be a good missionary, I am confident, because he is a hard worker and dedicated.
Every month each district in the mission is rated in relationship to all the others according to a scale determined by number of baptisms, number of hours worked, number of people contacted, and number of lessons taught. The Ramos District was rated in September, after I had presided over it as district leader for two weeks, as thirteenth out of twenty-five. For October we lead the mission as number one on the list. Our baptismal goal was nine people for the month, and the district baptized fourteen. The big challenge now is to remain faithful, spiritual, hard working, and continue seeking for the Lord’s blessings for these good people.
Thanks for all you are and mean to me. Your support and love are very real forces. I want to express my gratitude and love to you, especially Dad and Mom, for the “good life” to which I was introduced. A lady we taught yesterday asked me to send her congratulations and an abraço to my mother for the fine job she did in raising such a good son. I don’t deserve it, but my mother does, so I promised that I would.
May heaven bless you richly.
Dear family,
Actually I should probably not tell you, because it will just make you worry, but I need to let you know how things are going. For the past two weeks I have had a rather heavy cold hanging on. Today the doctor diagnosed it as a bronchial infection, commonly called bronchitis. He prescribed all the necessary medicine, which should have me well within four or five days (by the time you receive this letter).
Also I had another toe operation this morning. The toenail that was removed last December started causing infection again and so the doctor thought it best to remove it again. The reason was not because it was ingrown, as everybody thought, but because of some sort of fungus in the toenail. For the next thirty to forty days I have a medicine to take that is supposed to eliminate that.
Other than all that, I am feeling great. It is great being a missionary. Saturday my companion and I had the opportunity to baptize and confirm a man we had taught during the preceding three weeks. His baptism was a wonderful occasion and topped off the marvelous experiences had working with him.
One special blessing from being district leader is the responsibility to interview every candidate for baptism within the district. Every time is a new and different experience.
On Wednesday or Thursday of this week I will receive a new companion fresh from the States. My present companion, Elder Edward Staker, from Mount Pleasant, Utah, leaves this evening for Vitória, a city eight or nine hours by bus from Rio. He has been my companion since mid-September, having arrived in Brazil two weeks before then. He will be a good missionary, I am confident, because he is a hard worker and dedicated.
Every month each district in the mission is rated in relationship to all the others according to a scale determined by number of baptisms, number of hours worked, number of people contacted, and number of lessons taught. The Ramos District was rated in September, after I had presided over it as district leader for two weeks, as thirteenth out of twenty-five. For October we lead the mission as number one on the list. Our baptismal goal was nine people for the month, and the district baptized fourteen. The big challenge now is to remain faithful, spiritual, hard working, and continue seeking for the Lord’s blessings for these good people.
Thanks for all you are and mean to me. Your support and love are very real forces. I want to express my gratitude and love to you, especially Dad and Mom, for the “good life” to which I was introduced. A lady we taught yesterday asked me to send her congratulations and an abraço to my mother for the fine job she did in raising such a good son. I don’t deserve it, but my mother does, so I promised that I would.
May heaven bless you richly.
25. To My Family
An excerpt from a letter to my family in Nampa, Idaho, written from the Ramos area of Rio de Janeiro on Monday, October 20, 1969. In my journal I prefaced the letter with this explanation, “I wrote a letter to my family today and pretty much reported on the quarterly district conference and the goals President Johnson outlined. I continued:”
At the conference I saw again many wonderful friends from other branches I have worked in. Especially good to see is that every family I have helped baptize is active and progressing in the Church. Following the conference I had the wonderful opportunity to baptize a lady and her daughter we taught while working in the mission office. The father and son of this family we baptized in August. It was simply thrilling to see this lady finally enter the waters of baptism. Next Saturday we will baptize one more man we have just finished teaching.
I do not like to be the ungrateful type, and I am the first to recognize that any and all success we are meeting here is due directly to the Lord and the workings of His Holy Spirit on the hearts of men. This is His work, not man’s. It is the Holy Ghost that converts, not us. We are such unworthy servants.
Thanks for your support, love, and prayers. I love to receive your letters. Don’t forget us in your prayers. May heaven’s blessings be with you.
At the conference I saw again many wonderful friends from other branches I have worked in. Especially good to see is that every family I have helped baptize is active and progressing in the Church. Following the conference I had the wonderful opportunity to baptize a lady and her daughter we taught while working in the mission office. The father and son of this family we baptized in August. It was simply thrilling to see this lady finally enter the waters of baptism. Next Saturday we will baptize one more man we have just finished teaching.
I do not like to be the ungrateful type, and I am the first to recognize that any and all success we are meeting here is due directly to the Lord and the workings of His Holy Spirit on the hearts of men. This is His work, not man’s. It is the Holy Ghost that converts, not us. We are such unworthy servants.
Thanks for your support, love, and prayers. I love to receive your letters. Don’t forget us in your prayers. May heaven’s blessings be with you.
23. To My Family
A letter to my family in Nampa, Idaho, written in the mission office in Rio de Janeiro on Monday, July 21, 1969, two days after my twentieth birthday and one day after man’s historic first step on the moon.
Saturday I received one of the best birthday presents any person could ever receive—we held a baptism service, and I baptized a lady and her eight-year-old son members of the Church. It was exactly three weeks ago yesterday that we first spoke with her about the Church, but she had been prepared and when the message of the Restoration came she gladly answered. You cannot imagine how fantastic she is.
Yesterday in the district quarterly conference (a district is like a stake, except still part of a mission) she was sustained as first counselor in the MIA presidency of both the district and mission. That is pretty good progression, considering she was only a member one day. Her name is Maria Yolanda de Souza and her son’s name is Marcos, also a fantastic little kid. Someday he will be a bishop or stake president here in Rio de Janeiro. Therefore, as you can imagine the happiness that comes to a young man when he sees someone embracing the gospel, you can understand how thrilled I was to receive such an honor as a birthday gift.
As I mentioned, yesterday were the concluding sessions of the quarterly district conference of the Rio de Janeiro District. The Saints from the states of Guanabara, Rio de Janeiro, and Espírito Santo (study your maps) all gathered in the district center chapel. It is always a thrill to meet with the Saints assembled in conference. It is just as great to hear members of the Church stand and sing “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet” and “Come, Come, Ye Saints” in Portuguese as in English, or any other language, I suppose. The gospel is the same in any language and in any corner of the earth. Before and after conference I was able to see again many of the members from the Petrópolis Branch (where I first labored) and renew those friendships.
Yesterday, July 20, man first stepped onto the moon. A dream of centuries has been realized within sixty-six years after man’s first heavier-than-air flight at Kitty Hawk on that December morning in 1903. In just a lifetime fantasy has become reality. What will that many more years bring? We are living in an exciting age, in adventurous times.
In two weeks, on August 2, is my companion’s twentieth birthday (his name is Monte Stewart). Like a good companion’s family should, you ought to send him a birthday card or short note saying Happy Birthday. I would appreciate it. Thanks for everything. So long for now.
Saturday I received one of the best birthday presents any person could ever receive—we held a baptism service, and I baptized a lady and her eight-year-old son members of the Church. It was exactly three weeks ago yesterday that we first spoke with her about the Church, but she had been prepared and when the message of the Restoration came she gladly answered. You cannot imagine how fantastic she is.
Yesterday in the district quarterly conference (a district is like a stake, except still part of a mission) she was sustained as first counselor in the MIA presidency of both the district and mission. That is pretty good progression, considering she was only a member one day. Her name is Maria Yolanda de Souza and her son’s name is Marcos, also a fantastic little kid. Someday he will be a bishop or stake president here in Rio de Janeiro. Therefore, as you can imagine the happiness that comes to a young man when he sees someone embracing the gospel, you can understand how thrilled I was to receive such an honor as a birthday gift.
As I mentioned, yesterday were the concluding sessions of the quarterly district conference of the Rio de Janeiro District. The Saints from the states of Guanabara, Rio de Janeiro, and Espírito Santo (study your maps) all gathered in the district center chapel. It is always a thrill to meet with the Saints assembled in conference. It is just as great to hear members of the Church stand and sing “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet” and “Come, Come, Ye Saints” in Portuguese as in English, or any other language, I suppose. The gospel is the same in any language and in any corner of the earth. Before and after conference I was able to see again many of the members from the Petrópolis Branch (where I first labored) and renew those friendships.
Yesterday, July 20, man first stepped onto the moon. A dream of centuries has been realized within sixty-six years after man’s first heavier-than-air flight at Kitty Hawk on that December morning in 1903. In just a lifetime fantasy has become reality. What will that many more years bring? We are living in an exciting age, in adventurous times.
In two weeks, on August 2, is my companion’s twentieth birthday (his name is Monte Stewart). Like a good companion’s family should, you ought to send him a birthday card or short note saying Happy Birthday. I would appreciate it. Thanks for everything. So long for now.
22. To Jerry
A letter to my brother Jerry in Boise, Idaho, written in the mission office in Rio de Janeiro on Monday, June 30, 1969.
Dear Jerry,
“What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. A sunset, a mountain bathed in moonlight, the ocean in calm and in storm—we see these, love their beauty, hold the vision in our hearts. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” Thanks for that beautiful message from Helen Keller, which you sent on the occasion of your birthday. I am most appreciative.
This week also brought a letter you sent over a month ago. It is the one in which you mentioned the flower you sent to Karen for me on May 19—having heard nothing from either of you I was beginning to wonder what had happened. You also made reference to a letter that would be in the mail in a few days explaining your newfound happiness—that has never arrived. But just from your letters I can tell you are happy and I am glad for it. One of the few things that would make me even happier would be to read that you would be getting married. Anyway, I am glad to know you are busy and truly happy and dreaming the dreams of the future.
History was made in Rio de Janeiro last Thursday afternoon when the gospel was preached for the first time openly in the streets of this city. In one of the praças (public squares) we held a street meeting. Eight elders participated. One elder would tell the Book of Mormon story and the history of the Restoration in English (to attract attention) while another elder would translate into Portuguese. The rest of us would mingle in the crowds answering questions, explaining more about the Church, and trying to sell the Book of Mormon. In just over an hour we sold eleven copies of the Book of Mormon. We also had some stands up with giant posters explaining the Restoration and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. These helped attract interest also. We were in a poor praça, but we felt it was a success. At the end we were rained out. This marks a beginning of a new era of preaching the gospel here in this nation.
Thanks for all your support and interests in every way. Know of my love and respect for you. May the blessings of heaven continue with you.
Dear Jerry,
“What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. A sunset, a mountain bathed in moonlight, the ocean in calm and in storm—we see these, love their beauty, hold the vision in our hearts. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” Thanks for that beautiful message from Helen Keller, which you sent on the occasion of your birthday. I am most appreciative.
This week also brought a letter you sent over a month ago. It is the one in which you mentioned the flower you sent to Karen for me on May 19—having heard nothing from either of you I was beginning to wonder what had happened. You also made reference to a letter that would be in the mail in a few days explaining your newfound happiness—that has never arrived. But just from your letters I can tell you are happy and I am glad for it. One of the few things that would make me even happier would be to read that you would be getting married. Anyway, I am glad to know you are busy and truly happy and dreaming the dreams of the future.
History was made in Rio de Janeiro last Thursday afternoon when the gospel was preached for the first time openly in the streets of this city. In one of the praças (public squares) we held a street meeting. Eight elders participated. One elder would tell the Book of Mormon story and the history of the Restoration in English (to attract attention) while another elder would translate into Portuguese. The rest of us would mingle in the crowds answering questions, explaining more about the Church, and trying to sell the Book of Mormon. In just over an hour we sold eleven copies of the Book of Mormon. We also had some stands up with giant posters explaining the Restoration and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. These helped attract interest also. We were in a poor praça, but we felt it was a success. At the end we were rained out. This marks a beginning of a new era of preaching the gospel here in this nation.
Thanks for all your support and interests in every way. Know of my love and respect for you. May the blessings of heaven continue with you.
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