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.