October 1970 Missionary Journal

 October 20, 1970

It seems that all of my entries are inspired by a change, and this one is no different.   I’m leaving Moscow to enter the Lamanite Program.

The past ten days have been busy ones.  Saturday, the 10th, M. received her final discussion.  She was eager to be baptized.  The date was set for Thursday, Oct. 15th.  M. had to overcome many problems but  her desire was deep and sincere.  On Monday we brought her some Postum.  No longer would coffee stand in her way.  M. came to us very lonely, and she found warmth and friendship amongst the LDS students.  Watching her grow was a choice experience.

M.C. was taught rapidly.  She would have been baptized six days after the first, on Oct. 10, but she insisted on letting Brother G. baptize her.  All along she knew the things we taught were true.  We taught her in three settings.

Thursday, October 15th, both M. and M. C. were baptized.  I baptized M. and Elder G. confirmed her.  After Brother G. baptized M. C. , she was confirmed by D. B.  The baptism was very special.  The students filled the chapel. Sister B. M. bore her testimony and Brother B. offered some remarks concerning Christ’s sacrifice.   Brother G. and his wife sang a beautiful song.

M. was quite scared.  I guess I was nervous too.  I know the fasting helped.  Many of us began a fast Wednesday evening.  The students certainly are a spiritual bunch.  M. entered the font in her typical style..bold and brash.  She’s certainly a strong character.  Her life also was changed greatly.  From a rowdy, chain smoking teenager, into a strong, dedicated latter-day saint.

R. M. attended the baptism with her friend, R. B.  He meet her a couple of years ago and had just returned from a tour of Vietnam with the Navy or Marines.  While in Nam he read parts of the Book of Mormon and sought out the gospel.  After the baptism he requested the discussions.

R. was well prepared.  Friday we taught him two discussions.  We knew he’d be ready my Monday.  That evening he left for Mivoden.  This strengthened him spiritually.  Sunday evening we taught him a 3rd and part of a 4th.  Bishop M. talked to him for a while also.  We arrived home at 10:00pm and began to arrange a baptism.  Monday was a full day.  It began with DR meeting.  And many other chores.  At noon we began to fill the font, and at 1:00 we began to teach R.  We taught him in the baptismal room while the water was running.  We had another discussion at 4:00 and dashed back from it to get to the chapel at 5:15.   We set up the room.  Brother B. agreed to talk, I arranged to show, “Man’s Search for Happiness” at the reception.  At 5:45 C., K. T. and I practiced a musical number and C. prepared The Book of Remembrance.  There was a great spirit there.  R. born her testimony. C. and I sang, “I Stand All Amazed.”   The Spirit was so strong it was hard to sing and repress the tears.  Brother G. spoke.  R. was baptized by Elder G.  While waiting for the confirmation, we held a testimony meeting.  I confirmed R.  Upon cleaning up the room, we went to the Institute where we saw “Man’s Search” and R. was give The Book of Remembrance.  Then we had dinner at the sorority.  It was a hectic but beautiful day. Tomorrow R. leaves for Norfolk, VA.

In the in between moments we’ve taught J. F.; found R.G. and taught him a first and a profile: taught the H’s 3 discussions.  The H.’s were referred to us by J. M.   Sister H. used to be Assembly of God.  She is eager to learn the truth.  Mr. H. is not interested.  We learned a great lesson from dealing with him.  Before we taught in his home, we got his permission and told him what we were doing.  We made it clear that he was the household head.  Today we discovered that this recognition of his position has won his heart and thus he’ll allow Sister H. to participate. They have five children. G. (12), B. (10), L.(6, D. (4), and S. (3). Sister H. has a severe Word of Wisdom problem.  She is estimated.  We hope she can gain the spiritual strength to overcome her habits. 

R. G. is a young man who is sincerely concerned and sincerely interested.  He needs to find an anchor for a basic faith in God.  Then he will be able to readily accept LDS Doctrine.

We taught B. again yesterday.   That poor fellow is certainly confused.  Like most college students his set of values is skeptical toward religious activity and belief in God.  He does not have faith in the norm of college belief. ….that carnal life seems wrong to him.  Yet he cannot bring himself to a consistent faith in God.  Yesterday was one of his “worldly” days....we couldn’t get through. 

Both R. and B. have felt a spiritual spirit in our LDS Institute. Good fellowship will ultimately lead to their conversion and spiritual foundation.

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"I Stand All Amazed" 
Lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTHtpjfe0QE

Lyrics

  1. 1. I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,

    Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me.

    I tremble to know that for me he was crucified,

    That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died.

  2. [Chorus]

    Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me

    Enough to die for me!

    Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!

  3. 2. I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine

    To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine,

    That he should extend his great love unto such as I,

    Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify.

  4. 3. I think of his hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt!

    Such mercy, such love and devotion can I forget?

    No, no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat,

    Until at the glorified throne I kneel at his feet.

Text and music: Charles H. Gabriel, 1856–1932

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           "Man's Search for Happiness" :

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




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Book of Remembrance:  




Comments

  1. Becca BelNovember 23, 2020 at 4:46 AM

    Dad was pretty busy on his mission. I can tell he worked hard and loved learning more about the gospel by reading this journal. He is such a fast learner and loves to share his knowledge. I am glad he was able to do that on his mission.

    ReplyDelete

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