Bridgetown, W.A., Australia
(cont.)
Friday, 13 October 1989:
Well, part of writing in a journal is being able to write in it every day, really.
So, starting tonight the journal takes top priority.
I’m sure that I can do it with a bit of help from Him above.
It looks like it’s been another month.
I’ve gone through a few companions so far in my mission.
I’m now with a new one.
He has now been out about three weeks and while I’m training him, it’s a lot of fun.
Tonight was our first cottage mtg here in Bridgetown and it was really good.
We had three non-members there and the Spirit was quite strong.
I reallly enjoyed it because it was relaxed and easy to really feel the Spirit there.
I really think that the Lord is about ready to just pour out His Spirit on this area.
I’m just sure of it.
We’ve been working hard, though often, I feel, not hard enough.
I really think that it is about time to have a bunch of baptisms, because this branch is ready.
There is a few, hopefully, so I really look forward to serving here and having lots of success, which, of course, can be measured in many ways.
Saturday, 14 October, 1989:
Yea, two days in a row!
Today was a really good day, most of all.
The cottage mtg went so well last night.
And also down in Manjimup a young man named Alex committed himself to be baptized, so we’ll see him tomorrow and teach him a Second Discussion, hopefully …
wait, I think it will be [possible to] teach him on Wednesday, and he was coming to church this [Sunday,] tomorrow.
It’s funny, but when Elder Croucher came down from Bumbury the last few days, it really lifted up my spirits.
And they’ve been that way until maybe today.
But I know I’ve got plenty to be happy about, so I better get happy again.
Anyway, baptism is the only way into the Kingdom of God.
When you’re baptized, you come through the gate and onto the path that leads to Eternal Life.
If you are not baptized, you will be damned and you are on the road to eternal damnation.
This is a summary of a talk by Bruce R. McKonkie.
Man, he is incredible to listen to — a very powerful man.
The Church is so true.
Sunday, 15 October 1989:
Well, today was a really good day.
Church was really good.
I really felt the Spirit there.
Things are really looking up here in Bridgetown.
Today I really felt impressed that we had to go to BoyupBrook (30 km. away.) [north] and also to Manjimup (also 30 km. away [south] from Bridgetown).
So we had a prayer and we went on our way.
The only thing is that we only had about a quarter of a tank of petrol.
We made it to BoyupBrook OK. Then we left for Manjimup and got there on empty.
Then after that we saw Alex, who recommitted himself to get baptized.
The only problem would be he might be in Perth for an operation or his parents (Catholics) might object.
He’s a really good guy, Alex is.
Anyway, on our way back (now remember we were on empty) we had a prayer and made it about 5 km out of Bridgetown.
I tried to start it about four times — nothing.
So I got out and started getting my coat on — also some paper to write on it “Out of petrol.”
As I just got the paper out of my folder, Elder Albrechtsen reached over and started the car up with his key.
Then, wo!
Well, we started to drive and I don’t think it had ever run better.
We got into town and, of course, I didn’t have much faith to get all the way through the night, so I pulled over at the petrol station and got ten bucks worth.
Then we went about 50 other things up here.
It was really interesting.
I guess it must have been some kind of a test.
I wonder if I passed or maybe I was to help Elder Albrechtsen to learn all the more about how the Spirit communicates with us.
I guess that must have been it.
When we tried starting the car and it wouldn’t start, I thought, “Well, I guess we really don’t need to be anywhere tonight.”
But I guess it must have been more for the benefit of Elder Albrechtsen than myself.
Anyway, a great experience, I hope I explained it OK.
My mission is really going well.
The training experience isn’t quite as bad as I thought that it would be.
Actually I quite enjoy it.
I can really see James in my companion, I don’t know, just some of his mannerisms and what not.
Anyway, I love my mission, especially because transfers are in two days and I get to stay down here.
But all my real good friends are going home now.
Monday, 16 October 1989:
Well, another week has gone by and it looks like I was able to miss this transfer mtg.
Some of my best mates go home: Elder Flickinger, Elder Niania, Elder Pearce —
some of the guys who I’d say influenced me the very most here on the old mission.
I’ve really enjoyed being able to associate with them, and others.
I learn so much from the other missionaries.
I guess it’s also now my turn to start helping the other younger missionaries.
I guess it’s about time I started being in charge and being a man and really trying to help others.
But, you know, I really want to help the non-members to find the gate to exaltation.
You know, things are really starting to make a lot more sense to me now.
I guess I’m getting more mature and starting to just understand more.
Man, I’m so grateful for others and at this time!
(I just finished listening to a tape by Ludlow.)
I’m really thankful for the prophets of old (and modern) and for the scriptures to help me out, to answer all my questions,
though I know I’m very slack in showing my appreciation for the scriptures.
For if I was truly thankful for them, I would use them all the time and apply what they say.
“Be ye doers of the word and not hearers only” — James 1:22.
“…ye know these things, see that ye do them.” — Mosiah 3:–
I’ve really got to do better at keeping the commandments and stuff like that.
Tuesday, 17 October 1989:
Well, “another day, another blessing.”
— my late great companion’s (Elder Niania’s) favorite saying and oh, how true it is!
Today we were in the car for about all day; about 150 km or more.
Anyway, it was a lot.
Transfers were today and we’ve got some new companions all over and now 265 up in the city.
I’m so jealous of Elder Truman (indeed one of the best missionaries out here at this time).
He got to go down to Albany [on coast 260 km SE of Bridgetown].
I reckon that would be about the best place to go here in W.A., other than of course Bridgetown.
I think I need to get more dedicated and do more work for the Lord.
I just don’t know how to do it, though, I guess, Heavenly Father will need to show me how.
And, you know, the only way to get that is through prayer.
Elder Albrechtsen is really starting to open up.
Sometimes he’s a real nerd and he acts like one of those loud obnoxious Americans that all the Australians hate.
But I love him, in some ways.
I guess he reminds me of Elder Gillespie, whom I now love very much.
Great guy.
Life is good.
Wednesday, 18 October 1989:
Some of the roads over here have the asphalt in the middle and the dirt along the sides (in the off-roads).
Well, today we were on one of them and, well, I took a corner at about 110 km/hr and probably should have taken it at about 60.
And so, I and my companion almost died.
I guess I learned a lesson, “if you’re not familiar with the road, slow down!”
It rained like cats and dogs too.
Thursday, 19 October 1989:
Well, today wasn’t all that exciting.
We didn’t do all that much, a lot of tracting and stuff like that.
Friday, 20 October 1989:
Today was a bit more exciting than yesterday.
We went out tracting in the farms — travel for a while, then you see a farm house and so you go see if they’re interested.
Well, we saw this one house.
We went to it, but on our way there we followed the wrong path and we got really stuck in the mud.
I mean STUCK with all capital letters.
So we tried and tried and just couldn’t get out and we prayed and prayed.
The Lord answered our prayers and sent the owner of the home over and he gave us a pull with a rope.
But it didn’t work.
So he was going to go into Manjimup about 13 km away.
But another answer: his neighbor rang up on the phone and said he could use his tractor.
So he went over there and got it and pulled us right out.
And then we left and we went to the next house and met an ornery guy who just got back from work and tried to kick us out.
And so we asked him if we could get washed up and he really didn’t want to talk to us, so he didn’t.
And then we went back, had lunch.
First time in two months I’d had something besides peanut butter (we ran out).
We had cheese.
Anyway, tonight we had a cottage mtg with new investigators and showed “How Rare a Possession.”
It was really, really good.
Great members down here.
I love Bridgetown.
It’s a good place.
Saturday, 21 October 1989:
This whole week I really had no idea what we were going to do today.
And so through prayer me and Elder Albrechtsen decided to go to Augusta [on coast 100 km SW of Bridgetown].
Boy, that’s a really good place to live, though there are a lot of old retired people there.
Augusta is about two hours away, a good little drive, that’s for sure.
In the beginning of the day we met a lady and gave her a book and said we would come back.
Then nothing all day.
We had lunch on the beach, which was really good.
I quite enjoyed that and we found a bunch of shells and brought them home.
They were really good.
Then we tracted some more and, of course, the very last door on the street was a gentleman who really wanted some literature, but couldn’t talk right then.
So we gave him a book and the prophet Joseph Smith’s Testimony.
So, hopefully, he will read it and be converted.
Nice guy though.
Then on the way home we stopped and picked up this guy who was a scout leader in Busselton [75 km N of Augusta, 90 km WNW of Bridgeton].
He said he was checking out some stuff for the boys’ canoe trip and got stuck [road to Bridgetown is along the Blackwood River].
So we gave him a lift about 30 to 40 km and dropped him off at Nannup [40 km W of Bridgetown].
Really nice bloke who, it sounded like, really enjoyed scouting and camping and stuff.
Anyway, it was a really good day.
I had a great time down in Augusta.
My eyes are really starting to go red on me again and so I don’t think I’ll be wearing my contacts much more this year.
I remember last year I got it really bad.
Delicious spaghetti for tea.
Sunday, 22 October 1989:
Well, today I’m in Bunbury [100 km NW of Bridgetown], the largest city south of Perth.
We had to come down for church and so we’re staying a couple of nights here in Bunbury.
It’s a nice place, but I’d rather be in Bridgetown.
Today I meant to travel to church at about 7:00 a.m., then got here at 8:45.
Then after church we had a sandwich feed and then we went tracting till 6:30 p.m., came home and I got some study in.
I listened to a tape about Jesus Christ and I really learned a lot from it and a little about grace and works —
and how important the grace part of it is and we don’t work our way to Eternal Life, though you work as much as you can.
Then we inherit Eternal Life.
But anyway, I’m so grateful for the Lord Jesus Christ, and I guess I really wish I could just keep learning more about Him and one day know Him.
I really think that that’s a very worthy goal — to know God.
Let me tell you about Elder Williams.
I’d say that possibly he has to rank in the top most disgusting people that I’ve ever known.
Yuch!
He has the longest, loudest burps I’ve ever heard and he stinks too.
He eats like anything, he was 160 [lbs] when he came out 3 months ago.
Now he’s about 196 [lbs]; that’s a lot.
But he’s certainly a nice guy though.
Monday, 23 October 1989:
Busy day and it’s way too late now.
I’ll tell you about it tomorrow — actually this morning.
It’s 12:30 a.m. now Tuesday.
Tuesday, 24 October 1989:
Yesterday we were in Bunbury still and while there we did some good stuff.
One thing that we did was to play some ball and cricket and stuff like that.
It was really good.
After all that we went and had a barbie until about 6:00 p.m. and then went to the chapel and had a mtg.
That was really good.
It was just a follow-up on the mtg we had a few weeks ago.
Anyhow, I’ve got a lot of things to do.
I just really hope that I can stay down here for a lot longer to put to practice a lot of the things learned.
The rest of the day went well, but it’s too late — catch you in the morning.
Wednesday, 25 October 1989:
I finally feel like I’m really getting something accomplished.
We are scheduled to do some displays down here in Bridgetown and ready to do some more.
It should be really good.
I guess a little about the last few days: we traveled on Monday and got home at twelve;
then woke up at 7:00 a.m.; then yesterday worked on these displays and stuff;
and taught Rob Parry a Second Discussion and didn’t get home till 10:15 p.m.;
and didn’t wake up this morning till about 8:00; so it was quite interesting tonight, though I will get some sleep.
Thursday, 26 October 1989:
I just can’t seem to get to bed on time this week.
Anyway today was the Big Warren-Blackwood Times Newspaper interview.
And well, I’m afraid that I might have made a mistake of the century.
I told the reporter about authority and didn’t really explain it the right way.
And now I think about it, he thinks that we condemn everyone else for not having the authority, which we don’t.
Even though we are the only ones who have it, I think he might have taken it wrong.
Hopefully, Heavenly Father will help things out, so I won’t destroy the work in this area for the next ten years.
I guess we’ll really have to study up on authority, so we can show people that we do as well as tell them to pray about it.
We’ll see.
Friday, 27 October 1989:
Too late again; boy, this week, Eh?
Saturday, 28 October 1989:
Nothing too exciting happened yesterday.
We have certainly been doing a lot of traveling lately.
I really need to get organized more and start to do things more by the Spirit.
Today was pretty unorganized, but we got through it.
I guess I learned a very important lesson a while ago and that is that no matter what time goes by we just can’t stop it.
Anyhow, the Blackwood Marathon relay went today.
We saw heaps of people around this week and there’s been people apparently from all over W.A. that come down here to it.
Anyhow, tonight I had a very special experience.
We went over to the Shroeders and basically expecting the usual sit-around-and-talk kind of thing, but instead we were asked to assist Derry (the dad) in blessing his daughter and son.
Then they went to bed and we gave Carol (the mom) a blessing.
Then we thought, OK that’s it.
But then, all of a sudden Derry said, “Nope, I want a blessing.”
So me and Elder Albrechtsen gave him one — Elder Albrechtsen gave it.
Then for some reason I felt I needed one.
So I had Derry Schroeder give me one.
I haven’t had (not that I can remember) a blessing for a really long time and the first thing that Derry said was Heavenly Father has been waiting for me to ask someone for a blessing.
So that then made me really feel good.
It’s funny, but when I really feel good and feel the Spirit, I can’t help but really smile and everything like that.
Then Derry went on to say — not in this order — if I could see the angels round about us (me and Elder Albrechtsen), I would not fear anything on this earth;
and those same angels, I have been given the power to call on them for assistance;
also that I have power given me through the Priesthood to command all things in the name of Jesus Christ on earth through my faith;
Satan knows of the great things that are about to happen here in Bridgetown, so I must be on guard;
he blessed me with a good night’s sleep (which I can already feel it will be);
and that in my dreams I would find the answers to some problems I’ve been looking for
(I can’t wait to see what it is);
told me to be a light to the world, that through my example of living the gospel I would help others;
I would be given power to help Elder Albrechtsen to learn all he needs to learn and become a great missionary, help him through his trials and all;
and perhaps most important, he reiterated Pres. Kimball’s advice to “lengthen your stride.”
And the key to the Bridgetown District is to trust in the Lord and know that he is more powerful than anything else.
Sunday, 29 October 1989:
Today we had church at 2:30, so this morning we went up to BoyupBrook to try to find someone to come to church.
Then on the last street we went to, we found two people that wanted to have the discussion, so we are going back on Wednesday.
Church was really good and next week I’ll be giving the lesson.
In my dreams last night I really didn’t understand anything, so tonight I’ll be looking for divine instruction and hopefully He will give it.
Monday, 30 October 1989:
Today was P-Day and we really cleaned the flat up really well.
I’m so excited about having a clean flat.
Now I just hope we can keep it that way.
I’m now convinced that something is going to happen here in Bridgetown.
I don’t know what, but I know something big.
Anyway, just always remember, “Lengthen your stride.”
Tuesday, 31 October 1989:
Another good day.
I really need to write in here at a regular time.
Our zone leaders came down and are spending the night.
They brought with them a program to help us get charity for the people and it’s really good.
So hopefully I’ll be a new man in two weeks.
Wednesday, 1 November 1989:
You know, life is great!
I have really enjoyed the last few months of my life.
The last few days the zone leaders have been talking to us and helping us out; it’s been really good.
I really like elder Croucher and he really teaches me a lot of stuff, mostly right now.
There’s this program about having ccharity and love for all people, which is great, because it’s straight from Heavenly Father to them.
I really feel disorganized and I really need to get better at that.
We’ll be doing a street display tomorrow, which, hopefully, will go really well.
We are scheduled for these next few Saturdays in Manjinup at — I’d say — the best spot in the whole town.
So that should be real good.
I got a letter from Mom today, which is really nice.
I always enjoy getting letters from home.
Really, Mom is the only one who has really ever written me.
I love her heaps.
I think that hay fever season is starting and boy, it is starting!
I’ve really been sneezing.
It’s a joke and my nose is running all the time.
And last night I woke up and had to run get a handkie, because my nose was running so much.
My life’s great.
Thursday, 2 November 1989:
HUMP DAY TODAY.
It’s been one year today.
I guess really I haven’t even thought about it much.
Today was our first display.
We have heaps of posters and things to help people out.
We’re also giving them some pamphlets, which are quite good.
We met a lot of people today and really didn’t get any call-backs, except Elder Albrechtsen found a lady that might come back to church.
Otherwise it went rally well.
You know, some people go through an awful lot to worship God the way they see right.
For example, a girl named Tania lives south about 40 minutes.
She was taught a few years ago and wants to get baptized and hasn’t given up, but her mom won’t let her.
Now the people she lives with don’t like Mormons and won’t let us go around.
And then her mom said, “No more.”
And so she’s kind of stuck.
And she was ready to give it all in, but I convinced her to pray and she did.
And she told me she got an answer, which was great, so she’s sticking with it.
She is really going through a lot.
“Let the sin be upon the heads of the parents.”
Bridgetown is starting to look up.
I really know there’s more that we could do and I truly wish I knew what it was.
Remember, faith, hope and CHARITY.
Pray for charity with all the feeling of your heart.
Friday, 3 November 1989:
Well, today we went down to Pemberton [60 km. S].
While down there we played some football (American) with two member kids and a heap of other kids.
It was really great.
This one guy that we gave a book to said he had read half of it.
I further questioned him and, well, I really don’t know if he did or not, I can’t tell.
Later we went to the Blackwood River Park [in Bridgetown], where these people were supposed to have a barbie, but no one was there.
So, so much for that and we went home and had breakfast cereal and peanut butter sandwiches.
Then tonight we had our cottage mtg.
There weren’t any investigators there.
But Kelly, an inactive lady, came and hopefully it really helped her out.
It was really good, but we’ve got to get some investigators there.
This is really a good place, Bridgetown.
I really like it down here.
Saturday, 4 November 1989:
Still here in Bridgetown.
Today was really good.
This morning we did a street display and then we went and played some basketball with some of the neighborhood kids.
Then did call-backs, then went to BoyupBrook and did call-backs, then played some more ball with these two guys from Bunbury — one Canadian (chiropractor) and the other an Aussie.
It was really good, because we’ve got a huge relationship of trust and they invited us to come visit them for lunch next time we are in Bunbury, which will be on not this Monday but the 13th next Monday.
I really need to devote myself more to this program about love, I really do.
I’m really enjoying my mission so far.
It’s really good, though I really don’t want to leave Bridgetown, because I really know that something big is going to happen.
So I need to get into gear and lengthen my stride.
Sunday, 5 November 1989:
Today was an extra-special day.
It was the day that Gary decided that he really needed to know more about the gospel.
At Sacrament Mtg today the Spirit was really strong and Brother Ellifson gave a beautiful Spirit-directed testimony, right to Gary, telling him that he needed to stop procrastinating.
Then after Sacrament Mtg he went over to his place and he wasn’t there, then drove off and saw him and they stopped and talked for about an hour.
Then Gary decided to take the discussions.
So on Wednesday we will be teaching him the First Discussion.
I’m really going to pray for help for that special day.
Gary is a really great guy.
I really think (hope, know) he will accept the gospel and get baptized.
I love it; it’s great.
We’ll really have to work hard and really try to help him out.
With love all will go well.
Monday, 6 November 1989:
I had a really good P-day.
Worked this morning for a guy digging some postholes.
Then later went and played some basketball at the courts here in town.
It was really good, although I’m really beat.
Me and Elder Albrechtsen and Simon Hugh-deServele (member) played a bunch of kids, 3 on 4 (3 of us, 4 of them).
Then we killed them; wallopped all over them.
Of course, we had some big advantages: height, grew up with a ball in hand, etc.…
This was a fast week and we really didn’t get all that much done, but this week will be great.
Tuesday, 7 November 1989:
Another exciting day here on a mission!
Today we went to Manjimup and worked there.
I really need to get organized and do something with my life.
I’m really looking forward to teaching Gary.
Tania has been talking to Sister Shroder and she is just ecstatic.
I guess too at the same time I’m worried about failing and having things not work out.
I guess it just means that I just need to lengthen my stride and do better.
It’s hard, but I know I can do it.
Wednesday, 8 November 1989:
Today was a really good day.
We started it off by going down to Pemberton.
I forgot the bread, so we couldn’t have any peanut butter sandwiches all day!
Then we came up to Manjimup and we went and played a bit of softball with a lady’s team.
It was really good.
Then we went to Gary’s place to teach him a First Discussion.
Everything went really well.
I’m quite pleased that Heavenly Father really helped us through the discussion.
Everything went really well.
Brother Ellifson was there as a joint teacher.
We really showed love and understanding and really helped him resolve any concerns.
The great thing about it all is that he doesn’t know anything about anything really.
And we get to teach him about it all.
He really has an open heart.
Thursday, 9 November 1989:
Today we did a street display, but we didn’t really talk to that many people, so I don’t know.
I think that the one on Saturday might be a bit better.
Later this evening we played some basketball for about ten minutes and met the coach of the Southwest Slammers and even got a card from him.
He’s from Chicago — good bloke.
Also we then met and played some volleyball and again the team we were on slammed the others into the ground.
Actually, at the basketball me and Elder Albrechtsen kind of played by ourselves and he came up.
Apparently he was quite impressed by some of my three-pointers, which is something, because after we were talking to him, I don’t think I made one shot.
So I really don’t think it was me playing at the start.
Pretty good, eh?
Friday, 10 November 1989:
Today we saw Marty (the coach we met yesterday).
We told him we would be in Bunbury on Monday and he invited us around and even said, “Come stay the night, if we want.”
But I don’t think that’s legal for us to do, so I don’t think we will do it.
We played some ball at about 9:00 and then a bunch of kids came and started playing with us.
Then some more, you know, the hoodlums.
So we played with them for a little while.
But they turned on the lights, which I’m sure is illegal.
So I said, “Oh,” real loud so everyone could hear me, “what time is it?” “It’s 9:45.” “Ah, we’ve got to go.”
So, we left and I even left my basketball with them.
I hope they bring it back; unless the police confiscate it when (if) they catch them.
I wonder what will happen.
We had a cottage mtg tonight and I’m getting more and more convinced that the Lord just isn’t going to keep supporting us when we don’t even prepare for anything.
My disorganization really showed, and well, Ross Hugh-deServele (wife of the home it was in) even was mad and fusted at the way she was railroaded into having it at their house.
So we’ll need to really apologize and try to help them out.
Last night I had a very peculiar dream about a girl that was Elder Albrechtsen’s girlfriend and how she came over here to Australia and we showed her around a little bit, and some other stupid stuff.
I told him about my dream and he has a friend whom I described and said that it wasn’t beyond her to come over here for a visit, so I guess we’ll see.
Saturday, 11 November 1989:
Well, we’ve been doing a lot of productive contacting lately, mostly with basketball and stuff.
We now get to coach a softball team for some Manjimup girls.
That should be good.
Life is short.
We really must live every minute and not waste any.
Today we started what is called Thirty Golden Hours, which is living as if Christ was standing next to you for thirty hours, during everything.
I’ve learned a lot and I think I might do it some more and try to learn a little more from it.
Sunday, 12 November 1989:
Well, it’s very late now — about 12:45 a.m.
We just found out about 9:30 p.m. that I was getting transferred.
So, off to a new area.
I go.
We’ll start off tomorrow and spend a night in Bunbury, then travel to Perth on Tuesday (me and Elder Crocher ZL).
It should be good if I don’t fall asleep.
The last three months have been a real good three months down here in Bridgetown.
But I think the best times I’ve had yet have been here with Elder Albrechtsen.
I really do love this guy.
Sometimes he can really be a nerd, but I can really easily see past all that and just say to him (and mean it), “I love you.”
This was a pretty good week — we’ve done a lot of work all around.
We’re just starting to get a lot of things going like the sports and everything and now I’m getting transferred.
So I’ll need to start all over again.
I have absolutely no idea where I am going now.
I’m thinking up to Perth, but who knows?
Tomorrow I’ll spend all day going to different member’s places and packing up and everything.
I guess I’m excited to be going to a new place and meeting new people.
You know, I am so sure of the gospel.
I can really say, “I know” the gospel is true.
It is the Lord’s plan for our happiness.
I really know it’s true and the Lord wants us to be happy.
And that’s what I’m going to be.
Remember, “Live the gospel, lengthen your stride, humility, charity.”
Those great things will help me along the next few years, line upon line, precept upon precept.
I’m growing continually and I know I’ll keep learning and growing if I continue to do my part.
Read, study, ponder and pray about the scriptures, and apply what I learn.
