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!