A note from my mission president, Hal R. Johnson, written in Rio de Janeiro on Monday, November 2, 1970, and recorded in my missionary journal on Thursday, November 5. The letter had arrived the day before. After quoting the letter in my journal, I made the following observation: “Sunday I plan to read President Johnson’s letter to the members to let them know just how things stand and to give them the opportunity to redeem themselves. The President’s comments were not surprising. I could feel it coming. When sent here seven months ago, he told me that he was most concerned about the branch. He gave us the OK to just work on the members as a big last chance, but I guess he has seen no fruits.”
Just between you and me, I’m not at all sure about the future of the Maceió Branch. For many years the branch has gone along at about the same level of activity. Your administration as branch president has seen more activity than at any other time I can remember. This is a tribute, of course, to your leadership, and may or may not be indicative of the future, but unless the branch members themselves indicate by their help in the missionary work their whole-hearted assumption of responsibilities and tolerance, love, and forgiveness of and for one another, I feel I will eventually close down that branch, particularly when the present contract expires. We cannot continue just maintaining; we must continue to grow, and there are too many places to put missionaries where the work could boom. I would appreciate your comments along these lines. Please bear in mind that our work is proselyting and that members are expected to be desirous of and capable of maintaining their own part of the kingdom of our Heavenly Father.
Showing posts with label From President Hal R. Johnson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label From President Hal R. Johnson. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
44. From President Hal R. Johnson
A brief note from my mission president, Hal R. Johnson, dated September 1, 1970, and recorded in my journal on Sunday, September 6, 1970.
I have just wanted for some time to write and express appreciation to you for your steadfast devotion to the work of the Lord. Your letters and reports are appreciated so much, not only for what is mentioned in them, but for the spirit so apparent as you write them. It is the same spirit with which you confront the many responsibilities and opportunities no matter where your assignment. I just wanted to say thank-you for all you have done, for all that you’re doing in Maceió—and the branch never looked better—and all that you will yet accomplish. It is a blessing to associate with you in this great work. May our Heavenly Father ever bless and be with you.
I have just wanted for some time to write and express appreciation to you for your steadfast devotion to the work of the Lord. Your letters and reports are appreciated so much, not only for what is mentioned in them, but for the spirit so apparent as you write them. It is the same spirit with which you confront the many responsibilities and opportunities no matter where your assignment. I just wanted to say thank-you for all you have done, for all that you’re doing in Maceió—and the branch never looked better—and all that you will yet accomplish. It is a blessing to associate with you in this great work. May our Heavenly Father ever bless and be with you.
40. From President Hal R. Johnson
A note from my mission president, Hal R. Johnson, written sometime during July 1970 in Rio de Janeiro. He was responding to my inquiry concerning a “Captain George” whom I had declined helping with Church funds. I recorded this letter in my missionary journal under date of Thursday, July 16, 1970.
Dear Elder Cleverly,
Not one centavo!!! No sirrreee bob, not a single centavo to Jorge Silav. This man has already put it to me twice, my being so soft¬hearted and all, but no more!!! I do not want him bothering the missionaries or stirring up trouble in the branch. Counsel the members there to ignore him and hope that he goes away, and tell the missionaries not to waste their time nor their money with or on him.
“If this sounds cruel, and un-Christianlike, he has brought it on. If I hear any more of his stirring up trouble in any branch, he will be tried for his membership!
“You were exactly right in denying any consideration to him. Do not assume any responsibility for him, his debts, etc. in any way, implied or accepted, and incidentally he always happens to be out of money, and any day now is going to receive a big settlement that is due him. He says. But no more. Thank-you for your caution and your wisdom in holding off.
Dear Elder Cleverly,
Not one centavo!!! No sirrreee bob, not a single centavo to Jorge Silav. This man has already put it to me twice, my being so soft¬hearted and all, but no more!!! I do not want him bothering the missionaries or stirring up trouble in the branch. Counsel the members there to ignore him and hope that he goes away, and tell the missionaries not to waste their time nor their money with or on him.
“If this sounds cruel, and un-Christianlike, he has brought it on. If I hear any more of his stirring up trouble in any branch, he will be tried for his membership!
“You were exactly right in denying any consideration to him. Do not assume any responsibility for him, his debts, etc. in any way, implied or accepted, and incidentally he always happens to be out of money, and any day now is going to receive a big settlement that is due him. He says. But no more. Thank-you for your caution and your wisdom in holding off.
33. From President Hal R. Johnson
A letter from my mission president, Hal R. Johnson, dated April 17, 1970.
Dear Elder Cleverly,
Sorry indeed that I was unable to be here to say good-bye as you left for the North Country. There are many things that I would like to have discussed with you, but time simply did not permit my doing so. Suffice it to say that your being sent to Maceió is an indication of the faith I have in you and in the city of Maceió. It is impossible for me to believe that there are not the elect of the Lord in Maceió who are waiting for the message of the restored gospel. I want Maceió to rise again!!!! And I am looking to you, Elder Cleverly, to accomplish that!!
There is also another reason why you are the one individual in this mission that I want in Maceió. You have by now observed the situation in the branch, that it has revolved around the branch president, Aldo Tenório, and as he has gone, so has gone the branch. President Tenório is a very fine man who has been so willing for so long. He lacks quite a bit in jeito with the members and has offended some, as he is quick to admit, but he has continued on in spite of all of this, doing the best that he could. But he is tired and needs to be released. And I am certain you are getting the picture now. I am this day corresponding with the district presidency in Recife, asking that they go to Maceió, that they release President Tenório, and that you be sustained as branch president in his place.
This may seem to be a step backwards, but really it is not. The branch is a good one, the members are fine people, and they are deserving of a change of leadership as with any branch or ward. It just so happens that there is no one else to put in in Aldo’s place. Yet. And that is the next part of your assignment in Maceió: to find a golden one who can be the branch president. Again, let me say that I look to you to accomplish this.
Elder Cleverly, Sister J and I are so appreciative to have you here in the mission with us. I am so grateful for all that you have done, for your sweet spirit, and for your desires for the work. Lead the missionaries in all righteous paths, showing by your works that that needs to be done to make Maceió rise again. Love the members, encourage them in their membership, see to it that they get opportunities for activity in the branch.
Please say nothing to no one until you are contacted by a member of the district presidency. I am hopeful that they will get there very soon to take care of this.
Elder Seal mentioned that all elders there were behind on their GG shots.2 Our schedule is still 500mg of GG every six months. It may be well to consider going into Recife to get this done. Make certain that it is done under sanitary conditions.
God bless you, Elder, and all the others there.
Dear Elder Cleverly,
Sorry indeed that I was unable to be here to say good-bye as you left for the North Country. There are many things that I would like to have discussed with you, but time simply did not permit my doing so. Suffice it to say that your being sent to Maceió is an indication of the faith I have in you and in the city of Maceió. It is impossible for me to believe that there are not the elect of the Lord in Maceió who are waiting for the message of the restored gospel. I want Maceió to rise again!!!! And I am looking to you, Elder Cleverly, to accomplish that!!
There is also another reason why you are the one individual in this mission that I want in Maceió. You have by now observed the situation in the branch, that it has revolved around the branch president, Aldo Tenório, and as he has gone, so has gone the branch. President Tenório is a very fine man who has been so willing for so long. He lacks quite a bit in jeito with the members and has offended some, as he is quick to admit, but he has continued on in spite of all of this, doing the best that he could. But he is tired and needs to be released. And I am certain you are getting the picture now. I am this day corresponding with the district presidency in Recife, asking that they go to Maceió, that they release President Tenório, and that you be sustained as branch president in his place.
This may seem to be a step backwards, but really it is not. The branch is a good one, the members are fine people, and they are deserving of a change of leadership as with any branch or ward. It just so happens that there is no one else to put in in Aldo’s place. Yet. And that is the next part of your assignment in Maceió: to find a golden one who can be the branch president. Again, let me say that I look to you to accomplish this.
Elder Cleverly, Sister J and I are so appreciative to have you here in the mission with us. I am so grateful for all that you have done, for your sweet spirit, and for your desires for the work. Lead the missionaries in all righteous paths, showing by your works that that needs to be done to make Maceió rise again. Love the members, encourage them in their membership, see to it that they get opportunities for activity in the branch.
Please say nothing to no one until you are contacted by a member of the district presidency. I am hopeful that they will get there very soon to take care of this.
Elder Seal mentioned that all elders there were behind on their GG shots.2 Our schedule is still 500mg of GG every six months. It may be well to consider going into Recife to get this done. Make certain that it is done under sanitary conditions.
God bless you, Elder, and all the others there.
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