Riverton, Perth, W.A., Australia
Monday, 13 November 1989:
Well, it’s been a good day.
This day was pretty much a pack-the-bags day.
Now I’m in Bunbury and I am so tired, and tomorrow I have to drive to Perth and get my new area.
I guess it’s good to move to a new area.
I’ll probably be on a bike, so we’ll see tomorrow.
Tuesday, 14 November, 1989:
Well, today I’m moved on to, I guess what you would call, bigger and better heights.
I’m now up in the city.
I’m a district leader here in Riverton.
My head is in a spin right now and I have no idea really what’s going on.
I’m sure as soon as I really get the hang of things, I’ll start to understand.
I guess I’m not too worried.
The Lord seems to think that I can do it, so, well, I guess, if he has confidence in me, I don’t see why I shouldn’nt.
I really did love Bridgetown and everything down there.
I’m really looking forward to being a district leader here in Riverton; it will be good.
Wednesday, 15 November 1989:
Today was my first day in my new area as district leader.
It’s pretty good.
We get four more elders tomorrow and I get to get them organized and everything.
There is absolutely no tracting area around here.
I can’t believe it.
We will really need to find some more effective ways.
I don’t know how much I will be able to do.
Some of the other areas, such as schools and sports and things like that; we’ll have to try.
Anyway, more moving around than I’ve ever had and I really need to lengthen my stride.
Thursday, 16 November 1989:
Well, my second day.
Today we had two new missionaries come in: one from Utah and the other from Sydney.
Really good guys.
Life of a district leader is very hectic.
But I quite enjoy it; so far it’s good.
I guess thought right now I’ll be needing help from Heavenly Father more than ever.
Saturday, 18 November 1989:
It’s dark; I’m going to sleep.
Sunday, 19 November 1989:
Well, DANG! it looks like I missed a day.
I really got beat and I can’t really keep going.
Sometimes I know I have to, so I do.
Today was our first day in Canning Ward.
We had an investigator coming, but she didn’t.
I don’t know, but I haven’t had someone come to church that I’ve invited for ages.
In fact, I can’t think of the last time.
Good thing that doesn’t matter, and we have heaps of good prospects.
I quite enjoy being here.
I’ve got a pretty good district; all American, but one.
Monday, 20 November 1989:
P-day was good.
I got a record of eleven letters today (three in one envelope and eight in another).
My first correlation with my district and also the zone leaders was today.
Everything went just fine.
Well, today we played some basketball in a gym.
It must have been 40° C. in there.
I could hardly stand it; anyway life’s good.
Wednesday, 22 November 1989:
I’ve got to do better at this journal-keeping.
Yesterday we went to the Canning Vale Prison.
It was pretty wierd.
After a while we finally got to go inside and noticed an interesting thing, that is, that the Holy Spirit just doesn’t dwell there.
A lot of difference between there and even here at our flat.
Today we tracted all day.
It was pretty good.
I seem to notice that when it starts to get late at night, about six to seven o’clock, I start to get lot of energy and wake up.
I need to start trying to be that enthused all the time.
I wonder how.
(The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.)
Today there were these kids playing with these squirt bottles, squirting water around.
So we went over and played with them a bit.
Then I played a trick on one of them and he got all wet (just his face).
Then their mom came out after we left and started yelling at them and made them all come away from where they were and go inside.
It made be laugh, but also I was sad because i think maybe we helped cause the problem.
Being a district leader really takes time away from what you can do for yourself.
I guess that’s good, in the sense that you’re helping others.
We met this Jehovah’s Witness tonight.
I really can’t understand how they can believe the things they believe.
It’s kind of funny.
They throw things at you and, well, I don’t know, and what do you say?
So anyway, he was a nerd and I just bore testimony and he could’t say a thing.
I said that “God told me it was true, not my own understanding and knowledge, therefore I know it’s God’s truth, not Man’s.”
And there you go.
Thursday, 23 November 1989:
HAPPY THANKSGIVING.
This week has been pretty good so far.
Today was another day of tracting and things like that.
We’ve been getting lots of people to call back on, but we haven’t been teaching.
This area is really full of Born-agains and Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Today we met someone who must have been some kind of minister.
He had some false ideas about us and we tried to clear things up, but, of course, to no avail.
It was interesting and I guess I learned a few things: 1) Never loose your cool; 2) don’t bash, unless you feel it will accomplish something (for instance, if the person is humble and willing to accept.)
But, anyway, I had a good day.
Today I think I must have been the most tired I’ve ever been yet.
My feet have been so tired and my whole body really.
It’s incredible.
Tonight for Thanksgiving we went to have a feed at Subway.
It was pretty good.
All the district was there.
Good to get together with the district to be able to get the Spirit back.
We just got the Conference Ensign.
Man, I love it.
It’s incredible how when I read it I have the most wonderful Spirit come over me.
I love it.
I really feel great when I hear or read something that is true.
Friday, 24 November 1989:
Today was kind of special.
I noticed that (this morning) my toenail came off for no special reason.
Another LONG day of tracting.
We met a lot of people today.
You know I really like being a district leader.
Saturday, 25 November 1989:
Today was pretty interesting: lots more tracting.
Today we met a JW and he invited us in and gave us a drink and everything.
It was good we didn’t even talk religion.
Except I found out why everyone hates the Jehovah’s Witnesses.
That is, those guys go to their areas and hit each house every two weeks.
I couldn’t believe it, every house!
That’s not even cool.
I was amazed.
I’m really glad that we give them at least five or six months.
Anyway, today I found out what the prophet (Ezra Taft Benson) said to the Australian Stake Presidents over in Sydney last week.
“The Second Coming is soon” and so we know it’s not far off.
There really needs to be an urgency about the work.
I really need to work harder, but in this heat I get wasted.
Anyway I love the gospel.
Also I found some killer scriptures on priesthood in the Book of Mormon.
I guess I also need to find some good ones in the Bible.
But I suppose I’ll need to look first.
Sunday, 26 November 1989:
I had an extra good day today.
Being Sunday, of course, we went to church and, well, at church it was Ward Conference, so we had some pretty good speakers.
One of them was President Meredith, you know, I really admire President Meredith.
I don’t really know why, but ever since I saw him and talked with him, I knew he was a man committed to God.
Today in his talk he said a few things.
He talked about East Germany and the Wall and how over there they don’t get any other literature from the Church.
All they have is the scriptures and their activity rate is 76% and over here where we get all, that it’s 36%.
So there just might be some correlation.
He also compared faith to the little drops of water in caves which form huge stalagtites and stalagmites,
and how the minerals in the water are compared to the little bits of faith.
And he gave us seven keys to building faith:
| 1. Faith in First Vision | |
| 2. Faith in Return of Christ (all the keys are here; anytime) | |
| 3. Faith in Authority and Power of Priesthood | |
| 4. Faith in Reality of Priesthood | |
| 5. Faith in Divinity of Book of Mormon | |
| 6. Power and Reality of the Ordinances of the Church | |
| 7. Build a conviction in hearts that we are part of Eternity now | |
Good stuff.
I can’t wait to learn more.
Remember, very soon.
Monday, 27 November 1989:
Another exciting P-day.
Tuesday, 28 November 1989:
Today has been another very exciting, very hectic day.
To start things off I had a very long talk with a three-month old Born-again who had run in to some anti-Mormon stuff
(books, etc. he studied because he prayed to know if he needed to know more).
Well, we managed to get through that and interest him in some more.
As well, then we went and talked about an island called something over by Africa, which sounded great.
I’d love to go there.
Then did some run-around and finally tracted.
Played som cricket with some kids and met a cricket player from the W.A. squad.
Correlation was wierd.
I didn’t get a lot of things I asked for and on around.
I have to present a new program for this month tomorrow, so that will be different.
I think I will do some splits with the guys tomorrow.
I really need to wake up on time tomorrow for I have heaps of things to do.
Last night started a special day at 7:00 p.m.
I challenged my district to try out a twenty-four Golden hours where you pretend like Christ is right there next to you all the time.
I really hope that it helped.
For me I learned a bet of patience and forebearance, when someone does something that’s stupid, rather than cutting him either don’t say anything or better yet, help him to improve a lot more.
Otherwise I also learned a little more of some Christlike communications and what they should be.
Wednesday, 29 November 1989:
Today was pretty good.
The first time I’ve split off for a while.
Today I took Elder Parry and tried to help him out, though it was quite hard.
He’s from a small town in central Utah and is having a hard time adjusting to mission life.
So I hope I helped him a bit.
I gave Elder Jones some advice and help for him, so hopefully, it will help.
We taught two First Discussions.
It was really good.
It’s funny, but I seem, when I’m with splits, to be able to teach more people.
I don’t know why.
Anyway today was quite good.
I think that as a district leader I have a lot of things I need to work on, and some things might be: get more organized; maybe I need a Franklin (no, just kidding).
I really need some divine help to be able to serve these guys here.
Also, I suppose I really need to love the people more, rather than want the baptism for my own self-gratification, and really ask the Lord to just use me as an instrument and do the work.
Thursday, 30 November 1989:
Well, another month has gone by; tomorrow is December and Christmas not far after.
Today was pretty good.
We have a lot to work on.
We really do especially getting out on time.
Tomorrow will be a special fast day for the whole district.
Then we’ll have a big feed.
Today I talked to Sister Gray (a member back in Bussendean), who said that Elder Niania is thinking about getting married to a sister out here.
She didn’t tell me, I just guessed, so I wonder how that will eventuate.
Life is short.
I’ve only got eleven months left.
This last month has been, I’d say, the fastest one yet.
Saturday, 2 December 1989:
Well, November is long gone.
I really don’t know where it went.
Today was pretty good.
This morning we had a district development mtg.
It was quite good, although through some miscommunication the zone leaders didn’t make it until 8:30, a half hour late.
But anyway, after that we went tracting.
I went bush again.
It was really good though we didn’t do much as far as call-backs.
Me and Elder Elkin met today.
It was quite good getting to know him.
I’m having a bit of a struggle getting to know what I am responsible for as a district leader.
Sometimes I wonder if I can be the kind of leader people want as their leader.
I think back to my old leaders and the things they taught me.
I really love some of those guys, I’d say, especially Elder Fluckinger.
He’s probably been the one who has helped me more than most others.
I’m really looking forward to the rest of my mission (11 months), and I suppose those trials are there for my good.
And well, you learn from your mistakes too.
Anyhow, life is hard, but good.
Sunday, 3 December 1989:
This morning we went out tracting and had no success.
Then we went to church and I didn’t even fall asleep.
So it was really good, that.
Then this afternoon we did some call-backs and some more tracting.
It went all right.
We talked to Frank, who was into the mind and how it controls everything about us — some pretty good theories.
But he said he loves to read and so he took a book.
We found this inactive lady with a husband who is a non-member, about two weeks ago.
We saw them tonight (Tony, Reg).
They’ve been all over, mostly to Africa.
They are pretty cool.
Reg is great.
He’d make a great member.
We will really be praying for help in getting gospel conversations going with him.
Monday, 4 December 1989:
We met these people trailing through Australia from Denmark.
Really nice; gave them a book.
They really wanted to see it and read it.
I’m so unorganized, but I still managed to write 40 Christmas cards today; what a feat!
I’m still not done.
Life is good — and hectic.
Tuesday, 5 December 1989:
Life of a district leader is crazy, but still it’s really good.
I’m really enjoying it, especially being able to help out with the other companionships.
It’s pretty fun.
Today was probably one of our best ever days.
This morning we taught two discussions and one of those was rather good, if she will put the effort into it.
The other, her dad wouldn’t even let her talk with boys, let alone talk with us.
This afternoon we met this Born-again family.
It was wierd.
There were five of them.
They were pretty stupid and the son was an idiot, but I love them just the same.
I basically used the lines of Alma — “Do you believe in the Bible?”
“Yes, most certainly.”
“Well, you don’t understand it.”
They were stunned; couldn’t say a thing, so I then proceeded to bluff my way a little more.
Then said, “Do you believe in God?”
“Yes, of course.”
“That He can only tell the truth?”
“Yes, most definitely.”
“Well, do you believe He answers sincere prayers?”
“Definitely.”
“Well, so you would believe the things God says?”
“Yes.”
“Well, God told me the Book of Mormon was true, also Joseph Smith a prophet, and the Church is true.”
“Well, it must have been the Devil.”
“So, the devil is more powerful than God is what you’re saying?”
Then I proceeded to tell them God is more powerful than anything else.
Therefore, when He says something, I follow (or at least try to).
I guess the whole thing boils down to “you can’t prove true principles false — using false principles to prove that true principle wrong.”
Anyway my testimony strengthened heaps today.
Whatever happened to faith, repentance, baptism, Holy Ghost, endure to the end?
That’s what the world needs.
Friday, 8 December 1989:
Well, it’s been a hectic week.
We only taught one more discussion, but he negged us yesterday.
Today we spent a lot of time doing call-backs on the Together Forever video on TV.
It got cancelled, so we’ve been telling people about that.
I’m starting to have these pains in my back again.
I used to have them before, but they went away and now they’re back.
I think I’ll have to get rid of them.
Saturday, 9 December 1989:
Today was pretty good.
The highlight of the day was definitely the ward Christmas Party.
We put together a skit for everyone.
We had some midgets and I was the body of Molly Mormon and my companion Molly’s head and feet.
Elder Shumway and Humphries were head and feet and arms respectively.
It was great.
The crowd said that they never laughed so much in their lives — apparently it was very funny.
I had a ball doing it and we made a mess.
Poor Elder Vernieuw, he had make-up and spaghetti all over his face.
He even got some spaghetti in his hair.
In fact five minutes ago he pulled some out.
Now that’s gross.
Anyway, it was lots of fun.
Tuesday, 12 December 1989:
Well, it’s been a hectic few days to say the least.
Today was pretty bad.
Got up and had to travel 25 minutes to the zone leaders’ flat, then back again;
30 minutes for a tape recorder that one of my missionaries needed, then rush to an appointment.
And she wasn’t home, so we tracted a while with a few appointments in between.
At about 4:30 p.m. we went over to a call-back named KateAnn and her guardian (man) Rosey.
She was very hostile and I wasn’t able to talk to her very well.
What happened was: last week we went around to try and see her.
She wasn’t home, so we thought, “Well, let’s go get a soda and a candy bar.”
So we went down to the shop and she happened to be there.
We saw her heading back home, so we gave her 15 minutes, and then went around again.
Tanni (her little sister) said that she was sick, then she said she wasn’t there, and different things like that.
So I thought that KateAnn was in the back telling her to say that she wasn’t home.
So, anyway, I then said, “Go get her” about three too many times and from what they said today made her cry.
Well, today we went by and they wouldn’t even let us in.
That trust that had been built had been destroyed.
(But first, the other day Elders Ferguson and Elkin went to a place and some guy was yelling at them and saying that they called some little girl a liar and then he told me about it.)
So today I went after to expressly ask them to forgive me for doing wrong and they came back with, “Doesn’t your church teach that you shouldn’t call people liars?”
So I said, “Just because I did something wrong doesn’t make the Church untrue” so they should blame me, not the Church.
And so I said I’m sorry to Tanni again.
So I knelt down (on the porch) and said, “Tanni, come here” so I could say “I’m sorry” again.
But before anything KateAnn slammed the door.
So that was that and I left feeling distressed.
We went and parked at a shady spot and thought about a few things and, well, I don’t know.
They were very unforgiving and very hard-hearted and, well, I’ll just leave the judging to the Just Judge, even Jesus Christ.
So, for now, I wash my hands of it all and just plead for forgiveness from Heavenly Father and hope that I’ve done everything in my power (and I feel as though I have) to be forgiven of the incident and can only hope that God will bless that family and area.
I don’t know really what to do.
So, anyway, this day has really been full of rejection and disappointment.
No one is listening to this message and I don’t know what I can do to help these people hear it.
Although I do know that Heavenly Father is all-powerful and can do anything that he wants, I know He lives and will triumph over all —
all Evil in the world will soon cease.
But know this, it will get worse before it gets better.
I guess really I just want Heavenly Father to know that I’m trying my hardest and I know at times I’m pretty slack and my body gets really tired and I just want to go to sleep.
My Patriarchal Blessing says I will reap a mighty hearvest on my mission and I don’t know really what that means.
“Mighty” really has a few different meanings that I’ve been able to find: 1) very strong, 2) lots.
So, it’s either (as far as I can see) I will baptize lots of people or a few very strong people.
I don’t know which, or even if that would be the correct interpretation.
All I really know is, “I’m on a mission; I’m a personal representative of the Lord, Jesus Christ; I have been called by a living prophet and been given the special missionary keys needed, by the laying on of hands;
I am a son of God; I have the potential (doesn’t mean I have to, but I have the potential) to know as God knows and be as God is.
My potential is great even though I lack certain abilities and sometimes in my life my potential is to be a God, I know with everything I know that the Church is true and no one will take that away.
It doesn’t matter what others do.
Here on my mission I’ve noticed that the main number one reason why anyone is inactive is because someone crossed paths with them, someone offended someone else.
So if we stay close to the Church and active in it, I know God will bless each one that does that.
I guess the thing that I worry about the most would have to be that now there will be some nasty rumors going around about me and worst of all, people will believe them and the Church will get hurt by it.
I know God loves me.
Sometimes I wonder why, but I know he does.
I just hope he’ll help me now.
Friday, 15 December 1989:
Well, it’s been a pretty hectic week.
I’m starting to have a hard time being able to wake up in the mornings.
All we have been doing is tracting the last few days.
Today we met a few really nice people, taught one girl (age 17), and it looks real good for her;
also helped out a girl (same age) to understand a few things like, why there’s disasters and things like that.
Actually Elder Vernieuw taught me a good lesson.
I’ve had that question myself and I really didn’t know how to explain it to people, but he took right over and really taught Kate well.
It’s hard being a district leader and remembering everything that’s going on in the district, and trying not to be just a big stat mongrel, and really worry about people.
It’s hard: I guess I’ll need to work on my memory.
Anyway, the last few days we’ve been finding more people; now we really need to follow up on them better.
It’s something, because most people just say, “Is there a number where I can reach you?”
And so you leave.
What can you say? “No.”
Anyway, tomorrow will be another day of tracting.
Tracting is something else.
It’s hard but rewarding.
Tuesday, 19 December 1989:
Boy, it gets busy around here.
I suppose I need to get more organized.
Well, yesterday was the Christmas Party.
It was really good.
I didn’t get anything — no presents from people at home.
I did get a stocking from President — also the Shephards (our neighbors).
Otherwise, nothing.
I hope I at least get a letter; who knows?
Anyway, we also yesterday found out transfers, and yes, that’s right, I’m getting ousted.
Transferred once again: the ping-pong of the mission is on the move.
Where to, I do not know.
I was thinking I might go north; who knows?
Otherwise I have no idea.
Yesterday they called 69 people to get transfers.
That’s more than half the mission.
So now I’m pretty much packed and ready to go.
We just need to do laundry and we’ll be done.
