Missionary Journal July 9, 1970

 

July 9, 1970

It has been five long weeks since my last entry.  Many things have happened.  Around the end of May, Elder C. and began teaching R.A.’s  (G)girlfriend V. O. She certainly was a golden contact.  We taught her in Sister A.s home She accepted everything beautifully.  I was impressed with her meekness and spirituality.  Sister A. really grew as a result of seeing the discussions taught.  It was Sister A’s love and friendship that made G.’s baptism possible.

The evening of G.s baptism was a humbling experience for me.  Due to a series of errors she had not been interviewed by the District Leader. As a result, I’d never told her the hour of the baptism. Sister A. straightened that out.  I had arranged a last minute interview that afternoon.  My companion and I were rushed—we had a 3^rd to teach. We arrived at Sister A.’s at 6:00 to discover the interview had fallen through once again!  I was aghast..this threw my timing all off.  In the hour preceding the baptism I was frantic I felt the Lord had forsaken me for sure. I arrived at the Stake Center late.  Elder Barker who was there to confirm her, briefed me on what I had to do in baptizing her.  Brother L.S. gave a beautiful talk concerning baptism.  Sister A. bore her testimony.  She spoke about the Priesthood and all of the wonderful things it provided.  All were deeply touched as she stressed at he importance of the gospel and the authority to officiate in it.  Both G. and I were very nervous.  I even felt inadequate. It took 3 tries to baptize her…I nearly drowned her. I wanted to crawl into a crack in the floor or something.  Elder B. confirmed G.  Afterward we met at Sister A.s There was a beautiful spirit----- I felt calm and relaxed. ….Almost.

 In the middle of June we began teaching the B’s..H.., V., C., E., M., and J., and their friends, Brother L. and Sister M. and L.   My new companion, Elder D. set up the first discussion.  We did not know the 3 extras would be there. We have met with these people every day for almost four weeks now.  Much as happened.   During the first discussion the B.’s and Sister M. really seemed golden.  Brother L was skeptical,, but after the discussion, while we chatted, he read the Joseph Smith pamphlet.  His heart seemed to soften.  We got home late.  Sunday the B’s were out to church.  They have been fellowshipped for almost 2 years by Sister D. She is marvelous.  Sister B. was ready to be baptized when we first met her!  We met with them daily on the 2^nd discussion Brother L. turned to gold…Brother B. was a little skeptical.  He was not having family prayer.  Friday, one week after the 1^st we taught a 3^rd.  We left with their coffee and tobacco, but Brother B. was rebelling.  C. and E. were absent.  Sunday Sister M and Brother L came to church but the B’s stayed home. 

That evening G. and also Brother L. and Sister M. went to hear Richard L. Evans* speak…..at Seattle Stake Center. It was great to hear an apostle of the Lord speak.  His most impressive statement, “A man does not break the law, he breaks himself against the law.”  He also spoke of his acquaintances with many great and knowledgeable men, but said although all were experts, he’d never entrust his salvation to any of them  He mentioned the men who plotted our astronauts voyage to the mood were only an average of 23 years old.  Joseph Smith was that age when he (translated)  the Book of Mormon and restored the Church.  The youth of today’s church must also meet today’s challenges. 

Monday we journeyed to North Seattle to hear him again in Zone Conference.  Elder B. finally made sense of what spirituality for a missionary really is.  It is a true knowledge of our relationship to Heavenly Father.  It is manifested by many outward signs.  It is strengthened by prayer, study and true humility.  It requires co-operation with God.  Elder Evans spoke on determination---never get discouraged.  He also told of his experiences as a woolen wares salesman.  He never showed a sample and then said, “my product is not like this,” but said; “ this is my product, see its high quality!” As missionaries we must present the highest quality LDS sample we can and be positive, not apologetic at our doors.  President W. spoke on total dedication and asked us to sign a paper committing ourselves to live the rules and go one step further.  I have not signed that paper yet.  Many elders signed the paper on the spot. I haven’t considered it seriously yet.  There was a choice testimony meeting afterwards.  Sister S. bore a beautiful and enthusiastic testimony.  Elder N. dedicated himself for the rest of his life to the church.  There were many humble testimonies. 

Tuesday I showed Man’s Search for Happiness and played “Miracles”. 

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2016-10-0002-mans-search-for-happiness-1986?lang=eng

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2018-03-0050-the-miracle?lang=eng (not sure if this is the same one)

I’ve encountered many challenging contacts at doors.  I’m working with a JW now.  I explained to her that a true witness to God would want to have all of his word.  Now she’s reading the Book of Mormon.

C.B. is an agnostic stewardess.  I have talked to her about the existence of God and of faith.  She denies the importance of faith.  I explained without faith nothing existed.  One could not believe his five senses or the basic premises from which all arguments must be born.  She is not being taught further. 

Another fellow gave me the “I am saved” routine.  He was narrow minded and did not want to listen to the truth.  He claimed to believe all that was in the Bible, but confessed to not knowing what was in it.  Nonetheless refused to believe thigs which were read to him out of the Bible.  A lost cause…

We can only spend time with people who are sincerely interested.  We must screen carefully and humble ourselves so that we can use our powers of discernment.

George Hone has included his own little sermonettes in my monthly check lately.  He intimated that the “one soul converted” spoken of may well be ourselves.  I am coming to that realization more and more every day.   I must strengthen my testimony constantly.  To stagnate is to die in the plan of eternal progression.

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*Richard L. Evans, 1906-1971, Apostle, announcer for the weekly Mormon Tabernacle Choir radio broadcast, Music and the Spoken Word: every week, he wrote, produced, and announced the radio broadcasts, including a short inspirational message. His involvement in these weekly broadcasts spanned from its inception in 1929 until his death in 1971.

Also the narrator for the movie, "Man's Search for Happiness."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_L._Evans

1st baptism