Missionary Journal Jan 13, 1970 William A. Rankin, Jr.

                                             


January 11, 1970

I’ve been in the mission home a little over a day now.  It is an exciting and choice experience.  ..My roommates were Elders J.S., (L.A.) R.W. (Rome, GA) E.S. (L.Vegas.). We were all headed for the Pacific NW.

Meals are served in the Missionary Room of the Hotel Utah.        

                                                           Hotel Utah

We file in and take our drinks and hot plates.  Then we crowd in at long tables.  The food is okay and the companionship is choice. 

Sunday began early. Room 310. Arose at 5:30 and by 5:45 we were studying.  Sacrament Meeting was held in the Temple Annex Chapel.  The senior missionary couples bore their testimonies.  The spirit was strong as these elder folks committed themselves with beautiful faith and youthful energy. 

                                                  Temple Annex Chapel


Afterwards we sat in on the 2108th broadcast of The Spoken Word.

Tabernacle on Temple Square

At 10:00 we began serious work on the discussions.   Since I knew the 1st discussion,  I joined Elder F. (a Norwegian RM) in a special class.  We used the      “key word” memorization approach.

January 13, 1970

After lunch we worked until 3:00 on discussion #1. I was assigned Elder E. Z. for special tutoring.  At 3:99 we met in the Temple Annex where Elder Richard L. Evans addressed us. 

                                      

interior of Temple Annex

The paintings in the Annex Chapel are beautiful. When Sister B. spoke to us she told the story of President B. in Germany.

Sunday evening, I worked with Elder Z.  He is related to R. Z. who took me to the Salt Lake Temple. 

Monday was devoted primarily to the Temple.  We went through an early session.  At 11:00 we went to the assembly room of the temple.  It is a very sacred place.

Salt Lake Temple

                                                     

  There for one hour we quizzed Harold B. Lee about the Temple Endowment.  His remarks were enlightening. He explained things thoroughly, but simply, and he used scriptures extensively.  The second endowment session was more meaningful to all.

                   

                                              Harold B. Lee

Bishop Vandenberg lectured on the tithes and fast offerings.   His story of the Dutch milkman was an excellent portrayal of faith and of repentance.  Briefly, this fellow heard the missionaries and believed the truths he heard. He waited a long time for baptism.  Apparently, he was giving up coffee, etc.  Also, previously he had shortchanged his patrons on milk. He gave them surplus until he felt he’d repaid them.  Furthermore, he had been keeping 10% of the income and presented this before he was baptized.  I think this is a fine story.

 Bishop Vandenberg

In the evening Brother Dr.  Thomas J. Parmley spoke to us.  He bore his testimony on the power of the Priesthood and Blessings for the ill.  As a scientist he learned to love and believe the gospel uniquely.  He cited scriptures which showed “scientific prophecy.”

 


January 14, 1970

 

Today was a full day.  N.E. Tanner bore his beautiful testimony as he brought tidings from the Prophet.He told the Joseph Smith story as beautifully as I have ever heard it.  I know that all of my converts will have to believe in the vision of Joseph.  It certainly is the key to all things in the restoration.  All hinges on whether Joseph was or was not a prophet. 

                                                  

N.Eldon Tanner

                                                                      

President B. spoke on the value of the scriptures and then on our duty to be a presentable messenger.

Loren C. Dunn drove home the point of purity for a missionary.  I was deeply touched by the strength of the testimony of this great man.  He pulled no punches. 

                                                             

Loren C. Dunn

Elder Harold Brown, head of stake missions, told of the method of missionary work.  We must seek out investigators, baptize them, study the scriptures, fellowship, memorize the lesson, (he has a strong testimony of the current plan); and again purity was stressed.

I am becoming more and more impressed with my calling as a missionary.  President B.’s faith in me has given me renewed strength.  I’ll try harder than ever to resist temptation and channel my life spiritually.  My testimony is being reinforced with the testimony of the apostles.  I hope my studies will be effective.

Richard L. Evans:  “The past is to learn from  not to live in.”

Sister Broadbent:  “A mission is like being born again…It’s another chance..a clean

slate.”












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