66. From J. Marvin Lange to His Mother

A letter from Elder J. Marvin Lange, serving in the Western Canadian Mission, written on Sunday, July 25, 1948, to his mother in Salt Lake City, Utah. A copy of this letter was included in notes attached to a family group record in a large binder of genealogical records from Marvin's sister Helen [Helen Carrie Lange Amundsen] that we received on May 9, 2008, nearly fifty years after the letter was written. The letter thus appears out of its normal chronological order because of having just come to our attention.

Dearest Mother:

The day is slipping by and I should like to write you a worthwhile letter before the opportunity is gone altogether. I have spent one hour before I have to begin preparing for sacrament meeting. That should give me a start anyway, and maybe this evening will afford the necessary time for me to complete the letter.

In checking over some of your letters to me I see that you have asked me to retell the story of Yellowface that we heard from Pres. Card the night of conference at Cardston. My memory isn't very good, and I always have difficulty in repeating a story, but I took a few notes and perhaps from them you can reconstruct the salient points.

"YELLOWFACE"

The story is about a tribe of Cree Indians. Yellowface being their Chief. They were an independent tribe and had refused to take a reservation from the government (because they said you took the land from us, it is ours). There were perhaps less than 100 persons in the tribe, but they wandered through Saskatchewan not having any permanent home.

About 25 or 30 years ago a messenger came to Yellowface from the "unseen world" and told him to take the tribe and travel west until he came to a people who had a record of their forefathers. Yellowface was informed of five signs by which he could distinguish this people who were in possession of the book of his ancestors.

The messenger departed (can't recall if Pres. Card inferred that he might have been one of the Three Nephites or not), and Yellowface and his tribe set out west. Finally they landed on the Church ranch. Brother Caldwell was the foreman at the time, and he went down to greet them. Brother Caldwell said, "You are on our land, but you are welcome; stay as long as you want; fish in our streams; graze your cattle on our land; our cowboys will be passing through here often but in your camps they will act as gentlemen."

Pres. Card pointed out that to have 100 people suddenly park on your land would be very exasperating for most ranchers and the possibility is that others would have driven them off since such procedures would be most conducive to the rancher's economic welfare, or so they would suppose.

Well Yellowface was pleased at the reception given his tribe for more reasons than one. The signs that the messenger had given him were in the process of fulfillment, for these are the five ways he was to know the people who had the history of his forefathers: 1 = they will let you camp on their lands and they won't drive you off; 2 = their men will go through your camp and not molest your women; 3 = they will trade with you and not cheat you; 4 = they will invite you to their church; 5 = they will invite you into their homes and feed you.

It wasn't long until there was a ward reunion in Cardston. Bishop Parker went over to Yellowface and said, "We're having a banquet at the church and would like you to come over." Afterwards Yellowface was invited into their home and given food. The signs were complete. For once the Indians had been dealt with honestly, the Mormons had not sought advantage over the Redman, being honest and virtuous in all their relations together.

It wasn't long afterward that Yellowface invited Bishop Parker over to his lodge and asked him to talk. Yellowface listened to hear something of "his" book, for surely these were the people the messenger had told him to find, but Bishop Parker didn't mention the Book of Mormon at all. Sometime later Yellowface asked him back to talk some more. This time as Bishop Parker was leaving his home he picked up the Book of Mormon. He told Yellowface of the contents of the book, the thing which the Chief had been awaiting. He took the book from the bishop and put it inside his robe, saying "My book."

The Chief had some of the young braves read the Book of Mormon to him. (I don't know what affect the Book of Mormon had on the Chief, but he certainly had learned to respect the Mormon people.)

Some 20 to 25 years later Yellowface and his tribe were being put over on a little tract of land west of Calgary. The government officials gave them the right to choose their own school system, or in other other words, the church which they wanted to administer their secular affairs. The established churches, Roman Catholic and Anglican, were suggested but Yellowface would have none but the Mormons.

(The rest of the story is rather uncertain on my notes, but I think V. Wood, brother to Pres. Wood, was a member of parliament at the time, and he was put in charge of their schools.) Anyway, the news soon reached other members of the Church, and there were many volunteers to teach at the Indians' school. One who went was an Elder Kimball. It seems that Elder Kimball was the lad who had given a copy of the Book of Mormon to the Pope while in the service overseas. George Spencer of Leavitt also taught on this Indian reserve.

Well, Mother, that is about all that I can give you on "Yellowface." Perhaps you can fill in where the story isn't complete. It is now Monday morning and time for us to start tracting. Sorry that I didn't finish this yesterday when I could have written something other than the Indian story. I'll send this anyway hoping that even such as it is will be better than nothing.

The missionary work is coming along alright. We have another good contact, a lady who just seemed to be awaiting the message of the gospel. Perhaps I have mentioned her before. We received her name through the Eastern Canadian missionaries from one of their contacts. Her name is Mrs. Miles. We haven't spent many visits with her but last Wednesday when we called she practically bore her testimony to us. She wondered how it was that the other churches couldn't see that there was more to the Plan of Salvation than they were teaching. She is a lovely lady and has two of the nicest children I have seen anywhere; they are well-mannered, polite, and clean. Mrs. Miles is an avid reader and is hungry for a knowledge of the gospel. It is a pleasure to work with her.

I just received a letter from Joseph F. Smith, the former Patriarch. He is at Banff teaching for a few weeks this summer. He wrote to me from Hawaii before he left, thinking I was in Alberta and that we could probably arrange a meeting before he left the Province.

Well, I guess this will have to be 30 for now I have to get going. Thanks for all the encouragement. I don't know what I would have done without you and my sisters.

All my love and may the Lord bless you, always = Marvin

53. To President and Sister Johnson

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.

52. From Jeff Boswell

An excerpt from a letter from Jeff Boswell, written in late November 1970, and recorded in my missionary journal under date of December 2, 1970, with this comment: “He must have sensed from my last letter that leaving Brazil would be difficult for me.”

May your last few weeks be a great moment of spirituality for you and may you be blessed with the awareness of your worth and the fulfilling of your calling—May the Lord bless you with the testimony that you have done what you were sent to do and I have the conviction that you have done, and now you must leave and let others fulfill the purposes for which the Lord has called them and you must go on to other things.

51. From Elder Dana Blackham

An excerpt from a letter from Elder Dana Blackham, written in Petrópolis, Brazil, on Monday, November 23, 1970, and recorded in my missionary journal under date of Friday, November 27, just a few weeks before the end of my mission.

Well, comp, it looks like your time is drawing near. I still remember you in my prayers. Of course my memory is also full of you and Maceió. I think that without Maceió my mission would have been missing a heck of a lot. That is, it would have lacked its highlight. As you called it, a zenith of loving.

Yes, comp, Maceió was a beautiful experience for me. I rejoice in our relationship for I know that we surely are eternal friends. This is a link that few achieve because it is a very special type of relation. I think our friendship revolves around two things: testimony and the pure love of Christ. Thus being, it enabled us to strive for a higher spiritual plane. Through this striving we did truly elevate ourselves and we enjoyed the fruits of a higher sensitivity to the promptings of the Holy Ghost. I’m sure that our goal to remember the Savior was a prime factor in our success in achieving a greater companionship of the Holy Ghost.

50. From Elder Dana Blackham

Excerpts from a letter recorded in my missionary journal under date of Thursday, November 5, 1970, from my former companion, Dana Blackham, who had been transferred again from Rio de Janeiro to Petrópolis, the first city I labored in at the beginning of my mission.

Well (hole in the ground), I’ve been in Petrópolis a week tomorrow. I’m really beginning to like it. My companion is Elder Butler. He is a real fine man. I’m coming to love him already. I’m trying as hard as I can to make our relationship “vibrar.” As I told you once, the heights we reached as comps now remains with me as a goal to strive for with each companion I have.

You know, comp, I’ve still got great saudades of Maceió. I hope and pray for your success with the branch up there. . . . I miss you and your companionship. We surely enjoy a fine relationship as elders and brothers. My love for you has grown greatly since I’ve left Maceió. As you, I realize that my leaving was necessary for me to truly appreciate all of the blessings which I received while I was in Maceió. I loved my stay there and thank my Heavenly Father for having given me that privilege.

48. From President Hal R. Johnson

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.

46. From Elder Dana Blackham

Excerpts from a letter recorded in my missionary journal under date of Thursday, October 8, 1970, from my former companion, Dana Blackham, who had been transferred from Maceió down to Rio de Janeiro.

You know, comp, I sure got shook up when I got transferred. For a while I wondered if I would pull out of my slump. Two and one half days of bus riding thinking about Maceió and my beloved companion is enough to make anyone sad. I had the good luck to receive a fine comp like Elder Christiansen. He’s a good man. If I had received a mais ou menos comp I think I would have been even longer in my slump. But you know, comp, you were right we were up for a very long time and it sure was great.

I surely appreciate all the good times we had together. I thank you for sharing the work equally with me. That meant very much to me. I’ll always remember my work with you as a privilege. I guess I didn’t fully appreciate you until about a month previous to my transfer.

In thinking about the relationship we had as comps the following thought keeps coming to mind. Elder Cleverly prayed to be able to have the pure love of Christ as a gift from God. As I think of our friendship that is what comes back to me. I think that is probably why we had such a good relationship. I firmly affirm that you, comp, manifested or shared with me that type of love. The Pure Love of Christ. I know that grace by grace your love for other children of God will increase. I think of any person I’ve ever really known you come closer to radiating the pure love of the Savior than any other. For that reason I think we enjoyed our little bit of heaven as you called it. That is certainly a good description. I always admired your capacity to love others and to some extent I felt very successful in extending my love to others by following your example. I think we were especially successful with each other. I think I can really and truthfully say I love you. I know that comes from inside and it is a glorious feeling.

You know, comp, I don’t know what the President is going to do to replace you. I know there isn’t another elder like you. I just hope the branch can take the jolt. If you thought it was bad when I left, wait till you have to leave the old homestead away from home. You had better take buckets to church. That is going to be hard. Don’t worry about making yourself something you already are, indispensable!!

Well (hole in the ground), comp, you are going to receive one of the longest letters I’ve ever written in Brazil. Four pages.

I want to, as I terminate, express my love for you. I really do love you, Elder Cleverly. It is great to be able to say that and know that you know what I mean. I guess that is because you understand me. You understand me as a son of God as we are brothers in spirit. I said to you many times that one of the most marvelous principles of the gospel is that we as humans are capacitated to become like God if we make the effort. I pray for our success in returning to our Father’s presence. My prayers are with you there in Maceió. Keep up the good work.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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.

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.