Excerpts from an account I wrote of a talk given by fifteen-year-old Michael on Sunday, September 11, 1988, in the sacrament meeting of the Bountiful Twentieth Ward, Bountiful Utah South Stake. This account is taken from the October 1988 issue of the Family Journal. Michael at the time was a sophomore at Bountiful High School.
“There are at least three elements to a testimony,” explained newly turned 15 Michael as he spoke in sacrament meeting on September 11. “First, that God lives and Jesus Christ is His Son. Second, that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and restored the Church. And third, that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church on the earth.”
Michael defined testimony as a revealed knowledge from God that something is true. It comes in response to prayer. He quoted from the Book of Mormon:
“And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
“And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things” (Moroni 10:4–5).
He concluded his talk by sharing a story of a missionary in Germany in 1928:
“As I spoke with a woman at the doorway to a nearby apartment, I heard someone coming up behind me. I turned and saw a policeman in uniform. I continued to talk, believing he had business with someone upstairs.
“To my astonishment, he dropped a heavy hand on my shoulder and turned me around to face him.
“‘You will have to come with me,’ he said quietly. ‘You’re under arrest.’
“ . . . ‘Why am I being arrested?’ I asked the policeman. He told me that I was accused of burglarizing an apartment and carrying off a valuable heirloom watch.
“The officer explained that my accuser had found the watch missing the morning before. He contended that I had been the only person other than himself and his family to enter the building.
“ . . . At the police station, I was ushered into the chief’s office. A police court, consisting of several plainclothes and uniformed policemen, was waiting for me. In the corner sat seven people who said they had witnessed my entering the building.
“During the hour-long interrogation, I answered every question honestly and directly, with a prayer in my heart that the Lord would help me.
“Then the seven witnesses testified against me. All stated that, except for family, I had been the only person to go to the third-floor apartment the day before. It began to look as though I might spend several years in a German prison.
“The police chief asked me if I had anything to say in my defense. I prayed fervently for assistance, then began speaking, hesitantly at first, in my broken German. I told those in the room why I was in Germany and explained my mission. Suddenly I began to preach the gospel. A strange feeling came over me. I gradually lost control of my tongue, my arms, and my facial muscles.
“The Holy Spirit had come to my rescue. I began to speak the language fluently, with confidence and power. When I concluded my testimony forty-five minutes later, I nearly slumped to the floor in exhaustion. There was complete silence in the room for at least a full minute.
“Then the police chief said simply, ‘This man didn’t take the watch.’
“He asked me many questions about myself and the Church. The hostility in the room had vanished. Then he turned to a detective and said, ‘Go with this young man to his room and search his belongings. If you don’t find the watch—and I’m sure you won’t—let him go. End this foolishness’” (Walter M. Horne, “You’re Under Arrest!” in Ensign, Aug. 1988, 67–68).
Showing posts with label An account of a talk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label An account of a talk. Show all posts
Saturday, August 23, 2008
60. The Influence of the Book of Mormon
A report published in the October 1988 issue of the Family Journal on nine-year-old Anna’s participation in the Primary sacrament meeting program in the Bountiful Twentieth Ward, Bountiful Utah South Stake, on Sunday, August 21, 1988. Anna at the time was just about to begin her fourth-grade year at Bountiful Elementary.
In the Primary children’s sacrament meeting program on Sunday, August 21, Anna was assigned to talk about how the Book of Mormon has influenced her life. Despite a lot of suggestions and coaching during the week or two before the program, no one knew what she was going to say. No hints. No rehearsing. Nothing.
As she stood at the pulpit, looking out over the vast congregation, Anna simply said: “If it wasn’t for the Book of Mormon I wouldn’t be here because my mom and dad wouldn’t have gone to Brigham Young University and they wouldn’t have met and got married.”
That was all. Short and sweet. And the congregation loved it.
In the Primary children’s sacrament meeting program on Sunday, August 21, Anna was assigned to talk about how the Book of Mormon has influenced her life. Despite a lot of suggestions and coaching during the week or two before the program, no one knew what she was going to say. No hints. No rehearsing. Nothing.
As she stood at the pulpit, looking out over the vast congregation, Anna simply said: “If it wasn’t for the Book of Mormon I wouldn’t be here because my mom and dad wouldn’t have gone to Brigham Young University and they wouldn’t have met and got married.”
That was all. Short and sweet. And the congregation loved it.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
52. Tithing
A talk given by eight-year-old Michael Cleverly on Sunday, January 17, 1982, in the Primary of the Bountiful Twentieth Ward, Bountiful Utah South Stake. On Tuesday, January 26, he wrote the following account of the talk in his journal. The original spelling and punctuation have been retained. It was also published in the February 1982 issue of the Family Journal. At this time Michael was a third grader at Bountiful Elementary. He had been baptized four months earlier on Saturday, September 5, 1981. He was confirmed a member of the Church the following day.
On January 17, 1982, Sunday, I gave a talk in Primary. This how it went.
Lernzo Snow was the 5th preisdnt of the Church. When Lernzo Snow was presidnt of the Church, the Church had 2 problems. 1st the Church was in det. 2nd ther was a floud [drought] in Saint George. Lernzo Snow had been praying about both of theyes problems.
One day Hevanly Father told Lernzo Snow to go to Saint George. He did not know why he was going to Saint George. But he went Sain George. And when he got there they had a specil confnce. And Lernzo Snow got up and said, "I don't know why I came here." In his talk he read from the bible Malachi chapter 3, verses 8, 9, and 10.
(Note I am to tired to finsh my talk is continued next time.) That's all for today.
On Saturday, 6 February, Michael concluded his account of his talk:
(Finishing part of talk.) Then he stoped. Then he said “Know I know why I came here. It's to tell you two pay your tithing. If you will pay your tithing hevanly Father will open the windoes of hevan and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
So the people started to pay there tithing and hevanly Father opened the windows of heaven and it started to rain. This solved both problems there was no longer a drout and the Church was out of deat. I know these things are true in the name of Jesus Christ amen.
On January 17, 1982, Sunday, I gave a talk in Primary. This how it went.
Lernzo Snow was the 5th preisdnt of the Church. When Lernzo Snow was presidnt of the Church, the Church had 2 problems. 1st the Church was in det. 2nd ther was a floud [drought] in Saint George. Lernzo Snow had been praying about both of theyes problems.
One day Hevanly Father told Lernzo Snow to go to Saint George. He did not know why he was going to Saint George. But he went Sain George. And when he got there they had a specil confnce. And Lernzo Snow got up and said, "I don't know why I came here." In his talk he read from the bible Malachi chapter 3, verses 8, 9, and 10.
(Note I am to tired to finsh my talk is continued next time.) That's all for today.
On Saturday, 6 February, Michael concluded his account of his talk:
(Finishing part of talk.) Then he stoped. Then he said “Know I know why I came here. It's to tell you two pay your tithing. If you will pay your tithing hevanly Father will open the windoes of hevan and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
So the people started to pay there tithing and hevanly Father opened the windows of heaven and it started to rain. This solved both problems there was no longer a drout and the Church was out of deat. I know these things are true in the name of Jesus Christ amen.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
38. Miracles
An account of my missionary homecoming report in the Nampa Fifth Ward, Nampa Idaho Stake, on Sunday afternoon, January 10, 1971. I had returned from Brazil three weeks earlier—on Saturday, December 19, 1970. This account was adapted from an entry in the journal I started after my mission. In my original journal I only recorded an outline of what I talked about; the portions that appear here in brackets were added as notes when I was preparing my missionary journal for publication.
During sacrament meeting this afternoon I was the featured speaker as I gave a report of my mission. Rather than just talking about my mission per se, I spoke of faith and developed the theme “Miracles” and used incidents from my past two years to illustrate that theme.
The Spirit was present as I shared faith-promoting experiences and bore testimony, and animated by that Spirit I was able to speak with an unusual degree of fluency. After 45 minutes I was just getting started but had to stop to let the other ward in. Throughout the day I had prayed diligently that the Spirit might attend. I think it did.
Bishop Jensen informed me after the meeting that it had been the quietest meeting in a long while. I responded, “I probably put everybody to sleep.” He assured me that it was quite the contrary. Several other people remarked about how reverent it had been for a change.
Just before I stood to speak, “He That Hath Clean Hands” was sung as a special musical number. Coincidentally, that same number was sung right before I spoke 28 months earlier as I was preparing to begin my mission.
The song, often sung by Sister Jessie Evans Smith, the wife of our Prophet, President Joseph Fielding Smith, in her distinctive contralto voice, is based on a poetic Old Testament passage:
The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof;
The world and they that dwell therein.
For he hath founded it upon the seas,
And established it upon the floods.
Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord?
Or who shall stand in his holy place?
He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart;
Who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity,
Nor sworn deceitfully.
He shall receive the blessing from the Lord,
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
Lift up your head, O ye gates;
And be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors;
And the King of glory shall come in.
Who is the King of glory?
The Lord strong and mighty,
The Lord mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O ye gates;
Even lift them up, ye everlasting doors;
And the King of glory shall come in.
Who is the King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
He is the King of glory.
— Psalms 24:1–5, 7–10
The mention in this psalm of ascending into the hill of the Lord and standing in his holy place is clearly a reference to the temple, the House of the Lord, “the mountain of the Lord’s house” (Isaiah 2:2; 2 Nephi 12:2), a place of holiness and peace and beauty, a place of covenant and learning.
And the answer to those questions—who shall ascend? and who shall stand?—is likewise clear: he that hath clean hands and a pure heart, one who is worthy, one who has been cleansed by the atoning blood of the Savior, the King of glory.
And that leads us to miracles, the subject of my talk. The Book of Mormon gives us an insight into the relationship between being clean and working miracles: “And we know our record to be true, for behold, it was a just man who did keep the record—for he truly did many miracles in the name of Jesus; and there was not any man who could do a miracle in the name of Jesus save he were cleansed every whit from his iniquity” (3 Nephi 8:1).
I began my talk quoting Moroni, who wrote, “And again I speak unto you who deny the revelations of God, and say that they are done away, that there are no revelations, nor prophecies, nor gifts, nor healing, nor speaking with tongues, and the interpretation of tongues;
“Behold I say unto you, he that denieth these things knoweth not the gospel of Christ; yea, he has not read the scriptures; if so, he does not understand them.
“For do we not read that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing?
“And now, if ye have imagined up unto yourselves a god who doth vary, and in whom there is shadow of changing, then have ye imagined up unto yourselves a god who is not a God of miracles.
“But behold, I will show unto you a God of miracles, even the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and it is that same God who created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are” (Mormon 9:7–11).
I continued, using this much of my simple outline:
Sister Hinckley’s comments on miracles [Sister Marjorie P. Hinckley, when she was with us in Rio de Janeiro in September 1969, spoke of the miracle of the missionary system. She said she never worried about her sons while they were serving missions, just when they returned home did she begin to worry again (see journal entry for Sept. 8, 1969).
A year later, when she was with us in Recife, she spoke of the modern-day miracles she had been seeing, including the growth of the Church and its members. Just the previous Sunday, she related, she had seen the third stake in São Paulo organized. South America holds a special spot in her heart. She compared the work here to the construction of a great building. Sometimes an elder may feel he has done nothing on his mission, but hundreds before have felt the same. In reality, they have all placed their bricks into the edifice, and the kingdom grows (see journal entry for Sept. 10, 1970).]
My learning Portuguese, my first day alone with another junior missionary, my becoming a senior companion [In connection with this point, I quoted what the Lord said to Moroni: “My grace is sufficient for the meek, that they shall take no advantage of your weakness;
“And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.
“Behold, I will show unto the Gentiles their weakness, and I will show unto them that faith, hope and charity bringeth unto me—the fountain of all righteousness” (Ether 12:26–28).]
Growth of the Church in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro [Less than five years earlier the first stake was organized in São Paulo, the first in all of South America. Now there were three stakes. And Rio was moving toward having a stake.]
Yolanda’s conversion [Maria Yolanda de Souza and her eight-year-old son Marcos joined the Church in less than three weeks from the time we first knocked on her door. I had the privilege of baptizing her on my 20th birthday (see various journal entries from July 1969). At some point after she started receiving the missionary lessons, she related to my companion and me that she had seen the two of us in a dream before we first came to her door.]
Antonio’s conversion [I do not now recall what I may have said about Antonio’s conversion. In fact, we baptized and confirmed two Antonios within a single month: 40-year-old Antonio José Pimental on October 5, 1969, and 59-year-old Antonio Fernandes Costa on October 25, 1969. I am not certain which one I was even referring to, although probably the latter. He progressed in his investigation quite quickly. On the day of his baptism and confirmation, I wrote, “His testimony has grown much, and his faith is waxing strong” (see journal entry for October 25, 1969).]
My serving as mission historian: baptism in Vitória, general conference [I do not remember what I said about serving as recorder-historian, nor the baptism in Vitória, nor general conference.]
Blessing of Richard (not psychological) [This undoubtedly refers to Richard Tenório, who was born with glaucoma and had to have his eyes operated on. He was Sônia and Simone’s baby brother. Aldo Tenório and I gave him a priesthood blessing on June 21, 1970, before his family took him to Belo Horizonte for an eye operation. On July 18, the day they left for Belo, we had a special fast for the little guy. On July 28 I recorded in my journal, “Good news arrived today. We saw Sônia, who was bubbling with joy and happier than ever. She received word from Belo Horizonte that Richard had been operated on with everything going well. Our prayers have been answered.”]
Drunk piano salesman [On Wednesday, October 22, 1969, my companion and I had the following experience, which I recorded in my journal on October 25: “Late Wednesday afternoon as Elder Staker and I were tracting, we encountered a drunken piano salesman who thought we were Baptist ministers. He dragged us into his home, or little shop, and had me play one of the pianos there. All I could play without music was ‘We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet,’ and so I did exactly that. As we were trying to leave, in came a very dark Negro who was Baptist, in every sense the epitome of a crente. We finally made the point that we were Mormons, to which the Baptist replied, ‘That’s alright. As long as you profess Jesus, you’re saved.’ That sort of philosophy irks me, and we graciously made every effort to excuse ourselves and be on our way, which we were allowed to do after I had played the same hymn once again.” I am not sure what point this experience contributed to the talk I was giving on miracles.]
Miracle of change: Gilberto and what he was 10 years earlier [Gilberto da Silva was baptized and confirmed on December 13, 1969, when he was 53 years old. On New Year’s Eve I recorded in my journal, “This evening we visited in the home of Gilberto da Silva, the irmão we baptized a few weeks ago. I am gladdened to see his progress. He is a simple uninstructed man but warm in friendship and love. He reads the Book of Mormon slowly but understands and enjoys it. It is difficult to tear him away from the chapel after meetings (as if we cared to) because he loves to meet with everybody present. His lovely wife, Laura, has not yet been able to attend church and therefore has not yet been prepared for baptism. She cannot read but seems to understand well what we have explained to her.”
On January 15, 1970, I recorded, “In our visit with Irmão Gilberto da Silva we spoke of baptism and some of the beautiful concepts, promises, and blessings associated therewith. He has now been a member one month and spoke of the joy and peace and happiness that already have come to him. His face fairly beams with happiness. His eyes sparkle with joy. His sweet wife, not yet a member, said she has seen the change in him since his baptism. I have noted it also, as I have seen in so many cases already: The gospel works miracles in the lives of those who accept it, for the gospel comes in power and not just in word. The Spirit’s influence is felt and its gifts and blessings are spread abroad in the lives of the faithful.”
Gilberto was among a handful of members who came to the Galeão International Airport in Rio on December 16, 1970, to see me off as I was leaving Brazil.]
Family home evening [I do not remember what I said on this occasion regarding family home evening. I had ample evidence from my mission, particularly during the time I served in Maceió, that home evening could be a great blessing to a family.]
Answered prayer: Elder Brockbank’s eight-step Book of Mormon program [In a zone conference on November 20, 1969, Elder Bernard P. Brockbank, as Assistant to the Twelve, presented a Book of Mormon missionary approach. I wrote in my journal on November 21: “Brother Brockbank’s talk was an answer to much pondering and many prayers on my part: How can we effectively use the members? How can we put the Book of Mormon to better use to make it the great converting tool it was meant to be?
He outlined a program that he worked out by inspiration, emphasizing the eight steps suggested by Moroni’s promise in Moroni 10:4–5. These are (1) read the Book of Mormon, (2) meditate in your heart the things read, (3) ask God the Eternal Father, (4) in the name of Jesus Christ, (5) ask if the Book of Mormon is true, (6) ask with a sincere heart, (7) and with real intent, and (8) having faith in Jesus Christ. We are asked to push the program further, enlisting member help, to give the Book of Mormon its chance to be a witness to all nations.”]
Greatest miracle of all time: the Savior’s atonement, death, and resurrection
Greatest miracle in our day: Joseph Smith’s first vision
My testimony (in English and Portuguese)
I had invited a number of friends, both member and nonmember, to come here the report of my mission. None of them showed up. My brother Jerry, who was very sick, came over from Boise to hear my talk.
During sacrament meeting this afternoon I was the featured speaker as I gave a report of my mission. Rather than just talking about my mission per se, I spoke of faith and developed the theme “Miracles” and used incidents from my past two years to illustrate that theme.
The Spirit was present as I shared faith-promoting experiences and bore testimony, and animated by that Spirit I was able to speak with an unusual degree of fluency. After 45 minutes I was just getting started but had to stop to let the other ward in. Throughout the day I had prayed diligently that the Spirit might attend. I think it did.
Bishop Jensen informed me after the meeting that it had been the quietest meeting in a long while. I responded, “I probably put everybody to sleep.” He assured me that it was quite the contrary. Several other people remarked about how reverent it had been for a change.
Just before I stood to speak, “He That Hath Clean Hands” was sung as a special musical number. Coincidentally, that same number was sung right before I spoke 28 months earlier as I was preparing to begin my mission.
The song, often sung by Sister Jessie Evans Smith, the wife of our Prophet, President Joseph Fielding Smith, in her distinctive contralto voice, is based on a poetic Old Testament passage:
The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof;
The world and they that dwell therein.
For he hath founded it upon the seas,
And established it upon the floods.
Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord?
Or who shall stand in his holy place?
He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart;
Who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity,
Nor sworn deceitfully.
He shall receive the blessing from the Lord,
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
Lift up your head, O ye gates;
And be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors;
And the King of glory shall come in.
Who is the King of glory?
The Lord strong and mighty,
The Lord mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O ye gates;
Even lift them up, ye everlasting doors;
And the King of glory shall come in.
Who is the King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
He is the King of glory.
— Psalms 24:1–5, 7–10
The mention in this psalm of ascending into the hill of the Lord and standing in his holy place is clearly a reference to the temple, the House of the Lord, “the mountain of the Lord’s house” (Isaiah 2:2; 2 Nephi 12:2), a place of holiness and peace and beauty, a place of covenant and learning.
And the answer to those questions—who shall ascend? and who shall stand?—is likewise clear: he that hath clean hands and a pure heart, one who is worthy, one who has been cleansed by the atoning blood of the Savior, the King of glory.
And that leads us to miracles, the subject of my talk. The Book of Mormon gives us an insight into the relationship between being clean and working miracles: “And we know our record to be true, for behold, it was a just man who did keep the record—for he truly did many miracles in the name of Jesus; and there was not any man who could do a miracle in the name of Jesus save he were cleansed every whit from his iniquity” (3 Nephi 8:1).
I began my talk quoting Moroni, who wrote, “And again I speak unto you who deny the revelations of God, and say that they are done away, that there are no revelations, nor prophecies, nor gifts, nor healing, nor speaking with tongues, and the interpretation of tongues;
“Behold I say unto you, he that denieth these things knoweth not the gospel of Christ; yea, he has not read the scriptures; if so, he does not understand them.
“For do we not read that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing?
“And now, if ye have imagined up unto yourselves a god who doth vary, and in whom there is shadow of changing, then have ye imagined up unto yourselves a god who is not a God of miracles.
“But behold, I will show unto you a God of miracles, even the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and it is that same God who created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are” (Mormon 9:7–11).
I continued, using this much of my simple outline:
Sister Hinckley’s comments on miracles [Sister Marjorie P. Hinckley, when she was with us in Rio de Janeiro in September 1969, spoke of the miracle of the missionary system. She said she never worried about her sons while they were serving missions, just when they returned home did she begin to worry again (see journal entry for Sept. 8, 1969).
A year later, when she was with us in Recife, she spoke of the modern-day miracles she had been seeing, including the growth of the Church and its members. Just the previous Sunday, she related, she had seen the third stake in São Paulo organized. South America holds a special spot in her heart. She compared the work here to the construction of a great building. Sometimes an elder may feel he has done nothing on his mission, but hundreds before have felt the same. In reality, they have all placed their bricks into the edifice, and the kingdom grows (see journal entry for Sept. 10, 1970).]
My learning Portuguese, my first day alone with another junior missionary, my becoming a senior companion [In connection with this point, I quoted what the Lord said to Moroni: “My grace is sufficient for the meek, that they shall take no advantage of your weakness;
“And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.
“Behold, I will show unto the Gentiles their weakness, and I will show unto them that faith, hope and charity bringeth unto me—the fountain of all righteousness” (Ether 12:26–28).]
Growth of the Church in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro [Less than five years earlier the first stake was organized in São Paulo, the first in all of South America. Now there were three stakes. And Rio was moving toward having a stake.]
Yolanda’s conversion [Maria Yolanda de Souza and her eight-year-old son Marcos joined the Church in less than three weeks from the time we first knocked on her door. I had the privilege of baptizing her on my 20th birthday (see various journal entries from July 1969). At some point after she started receiving the missionary lessons, she related to my companion and me that she had seen the two of us in a dream before we first came to her door.]
Antonio’s conversion [I do not now recall what I may have said about Antonio’s conversion. In fact, we baptized and confirmed two Antonios within a single month: 40-year-old Antonio José Pimental on October 5, 1969, and 59-year-old Antonio Fernandes Costa on October 25, 1969. I am not certain which one I was even referring to, although probably the latter. He progressed in his investigation quite quickly. On the day of his baptism and confirmation, I wrote, “His testimony has grown much, and his faith is waxing strong” (see journal entry for October 25, 1969).]
My serving as mission historian: baptism in Vitória, general conference [I do not remember what I said about serving as recorder-historian, nor the baptism in Vitória, nor general conference.]
Blessing of Richard (not psychological) [This undoubtedly refers to Richard Tenório, who was born with glaucoma and had to have his eyes operated on. He was Sônia and Simone’s baby brother. Aldo Tenório and I gave him a priesthood blessing on June 21, 1970, before his family took him to Belo Horizonte for an eye operation. On July 18, the day they left for Belo, we had a special fast for the little guy. On July 28 I recorded in my journal, “Good news arrived today. We saw Sônia, who was bubbling with joy and happier than ever. She received word from Belo Horizonte that Richard had been operated on with everything going well. Our prayers have been answered.”]
Drunk piano salesman [On Wednesday, October 22, 1969, my companion and I had the following experience, which I recorded in my journal on October 25: “Late Wednesday afternoon as Elder Staker and I were tracting, we encountered a drunken piano salesman who thought we were Baptist ministers. He dragged us into his home, or little shop, and had me play one of the pianos there. All I could play without music was ‘We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet,’ and so I did exactly that. As we were trying to leave, in came a very dark Negro who was Baptist, in every sense the epitome of a crente. We finally made the point that we were Mormons, to which the Baptist replied, ‘That’s alright. As long as you profess Jesus, you’re saved.’ That sort of philosophy irks me, and we graciously made every effort to excuse ourselves and be on our way, which we were allowed to do after I had played the same hymn once again.” I am not sure what point this experience contributed to the talk I was giving on miracles.]
Miracle of change: Gilberto and what he was 10 years earlier [Gilberto da Silva was baptized and confirmed on December 13, 1969, when he was 53 years old. On New Year’s Eve I recorded in my journal, “This evening we visited in the home of Gilberto da Silva, the irmão we baptized a few weeks ago. I am gladdened to see his progress. He is a simple uninstructed man but warm in friendship and love. He reads the Book of Mormon slowly but understands and enjoys it. It is difficult to tear him away from the chapel after meetings (as if we cared to) because he loves to meet with everybody present. His lovely wife, Laura, has not yet been able to attend church and therefore has not yet been prepared for baptism. She cannot read but seems to understand well what we have explained to her.”
On January 15, 1970, I recorded, “In our visit with Irmão Gilberto da Silva we spoke of baptism and some of the beautiful concepts, promises, and blessings associated therewith. He has now been a member one month and spoke of the joy and peace and happiness that already have come to him. His face fairly beams with happiness. His eyes sparkle with joy. His sweet wife, not yet a member, said she has seen the change in him since his baptism. I have noted it also, as I have seen in so many cases already: The gospel works miracles in the lives of those who accept it, for the gospel comes in power and not just in word. The Spirit’s influence is felt and its gifts and blessings are spread abroad in the lives of the faithful.”
Gilberto was among a handful of members who came to the Galeão International Airport in Rio on December 16, 1970, to see me off as I was leaving Brazil.]
Family home evening [I do not remember what I said on this occasion regarding family home evening. I had ample evidence from my mission, particularly during the time I served in Maceió, that home evening could be a great blessing to a family.]
Answered prayer: Elder Brockbank’s eight-step Book of Mormon program [In a zone conference on November 20, 1969, Elder Bernard P. Brockbank, as Assistant to the Twelve, presented a Book of Mormon missionary approach. I wrote in my journal on November 21: “Brother Brockbank’s talk was an answer to much pondering and many prayers on my part: How can we effectively use the members? How can we put the Book of Mormon to better use to make it the great converting tool it was meant to be?
He outlined a program that he worked out by inspiration, emphasizing the eight steps suggested by Moroni’s promise in Moroni 10:4–5. These are (1) read the Book of Mormon, (2) meditate in your heart the things read, (3) ask God the Eternal Father, (4) in the name of Jesus Christ, (5) ask if the Book of Mormon is true, (6) ask with a sincere heart, (7) and with real intent, and (8) having faith in Jesus Christ. We are asked to push the program further, enlisting member help, to give the Book of Mormon its chance to be a witness to all nations.”]
Greatest miracle of all time: the Savior’s atonement, death, and resurrection
Greatest miracle in our day: Joseph Smith’s first vision
My testimony (in English and Portuguese)
I had invited a number of friends, both member and nonmember, to come here the report of my mission. None of them showed up. My brother Jerry, who was very sick, came over from Boise to hear my talk.
37. With the Hinckleys in Recife
An account from my missionary journal of a missionary zone conference and a member district conference in Recife, Brazil, with Elder and Sister Gordon B. Hinckley and President and Sister Hal R. Johnson on Thursday, September 10, 1970. I was serving at the time as branch president and district leader in Maceió, a city about four to four and a half hours south of Recife.
Elder Gordon B. Hinckley of the Council of the Twelve met with us all afternoon in a regional [multi-zone] missionary conference and this evening with the members in a special district conference. Sister Hinckley and President and Sister Johnson also participated.
In the regional conference, by some twist of fate, probably President Johnson’s twisting, I was the only missionary participant, sharing the program with Sisters Hinckley and Johnson and President Johnson and Brother Hinckley, who spoke in that order. I was first on the program, discussing for a few moments priesthood stewardships and the blessing powers of the priesthood. Our conference started somewhat after 12:00.
Sister Hinckley’s talk really impressed me. She spoke of the modern-day miracles she has been seeing, including the growth of the Church and the members thereof. Last Sunday, she related, she saw the third stake in São Paulo being organized. South America holds a special spot in her heart. She compared the work here to the construction of a great building. Sometimes an elder may feel he has done nothing on his mission, but hundreds before have felt the same. In reality, they have all placed their bricks into the edifice, and the kingdom grows.
During President Johnson’s talk I had a brief but wonderful interview with Brother Hinckley. Knowing I was branch president, he asked me a little about Maceió, both the city and the branch. We talked about Elder Dana Blackham briefly. He asked me what I most admired in him. I had to think on that one, not that I could not think of anything, but that I had to choose one trait of many that I admire. I answered, “His ability to love others.”
Brother Hinckley asked, “Don’t you love people?”
I responded, “I certainly try.”
He rejoined, “But your companion does a better job?”
He told me he had recently been to stake conference in Nampa. When I asked how they were doing, he replied, “They miss you, Elder.”
We also spoke of my schooling plans, and I learned that Brother Hinckley once had been an English major also.
Elder Blackham was interviewed right after me. He was asked about his companion too. This evening Elder Blackham shared with me what he said to the Apostle: “I love him for his ability to stay close to the Lord.”
The highlight of the afternoon was when Brother Hinckley held a question–answer session and spoke to us. That was a marvelous experience. Once again the Spirit bore witness that here was an Apostle of the Almighty God. I was so impressed by so many things he said that I cannot even write them all here.
He taught us that there was no shame in saying, “I don’t know,” if we did not know something. He said that to him the gospel is becoming simpler and more beautiful and his faith likewise simpler. To me that was profound. He told us to stick to the scriptures and not worry too much about reading everything else that comes off the presses.
Someone asked him about the Second Comforter. His response was that we have our hands full trying to keep the constant companionship of the First Comforter. Worry about that first.
His comments on the draft situation make me look pretty good as far as being able to finish my education without interruption. He spoke also about adultery and fornication by way of inspired warning. He said he did not always speak of that subject, as if inspired to do so on this occasion. And then he bore his apostolic witness to the divine mission of the Savior and the truthfulness of the restoration of the gospel.
This evening’s district conference was an added spiritual feast. We had Maceió all sitting together on the front three rows.
As great as were the talks of President and Sister Johnson and Sister Hinckley, and all of them were, the highlight once again was Brother Hinckley’s remarks. The beauty of his lessons came from their simplicity.
He took a flower from a bouquet on a nearby table and compared it to a member of the Church, beautiful today but tomorrow dry and withered because it had been cut from its stem. Inactivity because of misunderstanding, harsh words, personal weakness leaves us cut off from the Church, and we die spiritually.
He spoke about the word recife, which means reef, since he was in Recife, comparing it to the Church as it protects our lives and gives them peace and calm.
Brother Hinckley has a fantastic sense of humor. Elder Coleman of the district presidency did a super job of translating for him.
Elder Gordon B. Hinckley of the Council of the Twelve met with us all afternoon in a regional [multi-zone] missionary conference and this evening with the members in a special district conference. Sister Hinckley and President and Sister Johnson also participated.
In the regional conference, by some twist of fate, probably President Johnson’s twisting, I was the only missionary participant, sharing the program with Sisters Hinckley and Johnson and President Johnson and Brother Hinckley, who spoke in that order. I was first on the program, discussing for a few moments priesthood stewardships and the blessing powers of the priesthood. Our conference started somewhat after 12:00.
Sister Hinckley’s talk really impressed me. She spoke of the modern-day miracles she has been seeing, including the growth of the Church and the members thereof. Last Sunday, she related, she saw the third stake in São Paulo being organized. South America holds a special spot in her heart. She compared the work here to the construction of a great building. Sometimes an elder may feel he has done nothing on his mission, but hundreds before have felt the same. In reality, they have all placed their bricks into the edifice, and the kingdom grows.
During President Johnson’s talk I had a brief but wonderful interview with Brother Hinckley. Knowing I was branch president, he asked me a little about Maceió, both the city and the branch. We talked about Elder Dana Blackham briefly. He asked me what I most admired in him. I had to think on that one, not that I could not think of anything, but that I had to choose one trait of many that I admire. I answered, “His ability to love others.”
Brother Hinckley asked, “Don’t you love people?”
I responded, “I certainly try.”
He rejoined, “But your companion does a better job?”
He told me he had recently been to stake conference in Nampa. When I asked how they were doing, he replied, “They miss you, Elder.”
We also spoke of my schooling plans, and I learned that Brother Hinckley once had been an English major also.
Elder Blackham was interviewed right after me. He was asked about his companion too. This evening Elder Blackham shared with me what he said to the Apostle: “I love him for his ability to stay close to the Lord.”
The highlight of the afternoon was when Brother Hinckley held a question–answer session and spoke to us. That was a marvelous experience. Once again the Spirit bore witness that here was an Apostle of the Almighty God. I was so impressed by so many things he said that I cannot even write them all here.
He taught us that there was no shame in saying, “I don’t know,” if we did not know something. He said that to him the gospel is becoming simpler and more beautiful and his faith likewise simpler. To me that was profound. He told us to stick to the scriptures and not worry too much about reading everything else that comes off the presses.
Someone asked him about the Second Comforter. His response was that we have our hands full trying to keep the constant companionship of the First Comforter. Worry about that first.
His comments on the draft situation make me look pretty good as far as being able to finish my education without interruption. He spoke also about adultery and fornication by way of inspired warning. He said he did not always speak of that subject, as if inspired to do so on this occasion. And then he bore his apostolic witness to the divine mission of the Savior and the truthfulness of the restoration of the gospel.
This evening’s district conference was an added spiritual feast. We had Maceió all sitting together on the front three rows.
As great as were the talks of President and Sister Johnson and Sister Hinckley, and all of them were, the highlight once again was Brother Hinckley’s remarks. The beauty of his lessons came from their simplicity.
He took a flower from a bouquet on a nearby table and compared it to a member of the Church, beautiful today but tomorrow dry and withered because it had been cut from its stem. Inactivity because of misunderstanding, harsh words, personal weakness leaves us cut off from the Church, and we die spiritually.
He spoke about the word recife, which means reef, since he was in Recife, comparing it to the Church as it protects our lives and gives them peace and calm.
Brother Hinckley has a fantastic sense of humor. Elder Coleman of the district presidency did a super job of translating for him.
36. With the Hinckleys in Rio de Janeiro
An account from my missionary journal of a meeting held on Monday afternoon, September 8, 1969, in the Brazilian North Mission home in Rio de Janeiro. Elder and Sister Gordon B. Hinckley, President and Sister Hal R. Johnson, and eight missionaries (Elders Monte Stewart, Fenton Broadhead, Dean Cleverly, Robert Bailey, Elder Merchant, Reed Nielsen, Michael Morrell, and Kent Gale) were present. The meeting was planned for all the missionaries in Rio, but none could be contacted by telephone since it was preparation day. It was a rainy day and cold. The Hinckleys had arrived from São Paulo Sunday evening at 11:00. He had presided over two stake conferences there during the day. This evening they left for Lima. It was President David O. McKay’s 96th birthday, and in the morning Elder Hinckley had sent a telegram to President McKay with birthday greetings from the 60,000 members in South America and the missionaries of the ten South American missions.
This afternoon I participated in one of the most uplifting spiritual experiences of my life. Twelve of us were sitting in a casual circle in the living room of the mission home, receiving precious insights and sharing testimonies of a special and holy nature. Among our number was an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, Elder Gordon B. Hinckley.
President Johnson was running the show because, as Brother Hinckley had earlier pointed out while we circled the dinner table, he believed in being obedient to the mission president. However, as soon as the President had called us together and had called upon his assistant, Elder Bob Bailey, to offer the opening prayer, the time was offered to Brother Hinckley.
He remained sitting in the easy chair he was in and suggested that each of the eight young elders present take about three minutes each to express a few thoughts. Some very touching testimonies were borne during those few minutes. It is a rare privilege and opportunity to bear testimony to an Apostle.
Next Sister Johnson was called upon to speak. She brought tears to my eyes as she told of how her parents had finally caught the vision of the gospel just before they, the Johnsons, were called to Brazil and had turned from inactivity to go to the House of the Lord.
Sister Hinckley shared with us a few thoughts next. She is an able and gracious companion to her husband. She spoke of her joy in being with us and of the miracle of the great missionary system. She never worried about her sons while they were serving missions, just when they returned home did she begin to worry again.
Finally President Johnson bore his strong witness to us that he knew that this was the work and kingdom of God, expressing his overflowing gratitude and love for all those associated with him in this grand work.
Then all eyes turned to Brother Hinckley. Now it was his turn. He asked if he might remain seated because he wanted to talk casually and intimately with us, not wishing to preach. I saw true manhood and great humility as he sat there before us saying that he felt unworthy of the office of the apostleship. As he meets with missionaries across the width and breadth of the earth, he feels unworthy of the office. As he received such a warm welcome at the airport at 11:00 the evening before, he felt unworthy of the office. As he meetings in meetings of counsel with the other Brethren in the Salt Lake Temple, he feels unworthy of the office.
He shared with us a few touching and close associations he has had with our beloved prophet and leader, President David O. McKay. Just last year the Brethren of the Twelve and First Presidency met in President McKay’s apartment a few days before Christmas. As they each bore their testimonies, they expressed their love for President McKay. Tears came to his eyes and he said, “I am not worthy of your love and trust.” Now that was the Prophet speaking! There is no doubt that he is a prophet, Brother Hinckley said. It was appropriate for him to speak of the Prophet—today is President McKay’s 96th birthday.
Often we sing, “We thank Thee, O God, for a prophet to guide us in these latter days.” But if we would really follow the Prophet, the Church would be twice as strong as it is, and we would be twice as blessed as a people. Brother Hinckley assured us that the Lord was preparing a successor to President McKay—a man who would have wide and deep experience, years of long service, of capable judgment, of character molded by life and tempered by the Holy Spirit of God. He felt the Lord was taking His time in preparing such a replacement. President McKay’s body is old and worn and weak, but his mind and spirit are firm and clear. When he passes away, there will be no politicking, no power plays—the Lord’s choice will be evident.
Brother Hinckley spoke of missionary work and the great miracle it is. He told us of how the Church is growing in the Far East, his responsibility for eight years, of how it is surging forward in California. He said he felt a special spirit about Brazil. Years of slow and long preparation will be giving way to a time of rich and fuller harvest. At times he feels concerned about São Paulo baptizing too fast. Twelve years ago (when President Hibbard, now president of the Brazilian Mission, was working there), São Paulo had one branch of 80 members, seven of which were active. This year over 2,000 converts will swell the wards of the two stakes there now. It is difficult to integrate so many new members.
He moved into other areas to share other missionary experiences with us, an area he has directly worked with since 1933. He mentioned a letter from their son, who was called from the North Argentine Mission to open up the missionary work in Spain. One thing that impressed me from this letter was that he mentioned their most effective missionary tools were fasting and prayer.
He closed his brief remarks—he was not really delivering a talk but just chatting—with an admonition to remain virtuous and faithful. He bore his witness, as a living Apostle, that God lives and that Jesus is the Christ and that this is indeed His Church here upon the earth today.
Brother Hinckley is a great man. He carries with him the Spirit of the Lord. He is intense in his untiring and devoted service. The Spirit bore witness to every soul that here was indeed a servant of the Lord.
Our meeting closed with a brief word of prayer given by our district leader, Elder Michael Morrell.
Brother Hinckley walked around the circle, shaking every hand, piercing into every soul, offering his best wishes. Tight schedules and other business beckoned, but our hour and a half with this great man is an experience long to be cherished.
This afternoon I participated in one of the most uplifting spiritual experiences of my life. Twelve of us were sitting in a casual circle in the living room of the mission home, receiving precious insights and sharing testimonies of a special and holy nature. Among our number was an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, Elder Gordon B. Hinckley.
President Johnson was running the show because, as Brother Hinckley had earlier pointed out while we circled the dinner table, he believed in being obedient to the mission president. However, as soon as the President had called us together and had called upon his assistant, Elder Bob Bailey, to offer the opening prayer, the time was offered to Brother Hinckley.
He remained sitting in the easy chair he was in and suggested that each of the eight young elders present take about three minutes each to express a few thoughts. Some very touching testimonies were borne during those few minutes. It is a rare privilege and opportunity to bear testimony to an Apostle.
Next Sister Johnson was called upon to speak. She brought tears to my eyes as she told of how her parents had finally caught the vision of the gospel just before they, the Johnsons, were called to Brazil and had turned from inactivity to go to the House of the Lord.
Sister Hinckley shared with us a few thoughts next. She is an able and gracious companion to her husband. She spoke of her joy in being with us and of the miracle of the great missionary system. She never worried about her sons while they were serving missions, just when they returned home did she begin to worry again.
Finally President Johnson bore his strong witness to us that he knew that this was the work and kingdom of God, expressing his overflowing gratitude and love for all those associated with him in this grand work.
Then all eyes turned to Brother Hinckley. Now it was his turn. He asked if he might remain seated because he wanted to talk casually and intimately with us, not wishing to preach. I saw true manhood and great humility as he sat there before us saying that he felt unworthy of the office of the apostleship. As he meets with missionaries across the width and breadth of the earth, he feels unworthy of the office. As he received such a warm welcome at the airport at 11:00 the evening before, he felt unworthy of the office. As he meetings in meetings of counsel with the other Brethren in the Salt Lake Temple, he feels unworthy of the office.
He shared with us a few touching and close associations he has had with our beloved prophet and leader, President David O. McKay. Just last year the Brethren of the Twelve and First Presidency met in President McKay’s apartment a few days before Christmas. As they each bore their testimonies, they expressed their love for President McKay. Tears came to his eyes and he said, “I am not worthy of your love and trust.” Now that was the Prophet speaking! There is no doubt that he is a prophet, Brother Hinckley said. It was appropriate for him to speak of the Prophet—today is President McKay’s 96th birthday.
Often we sing, “We thank Thee, O God, for a prophet to guide us in these latter days.” But if we would really follow the Prophet, the Church would be twice as strong as it is, and we would be twice as blessed as a people. Brother Hinckley assured us that the Lord was preparing a successor to President McKay—a man who would have wide and deep experience, years of long service, of capable judgment, of character molded by life and tempered by the Holy Spirit of God. He felt the Lord was taking His time in preparing such a replacement. President McKay’s body is old and worn and weak, but his mind and spirit are firm and clear. When he passes away, there will be no politicking, no power plays—the Lord’s choice will be evident.
Brother Hinckley spoke of missionary work and the great miracle it is. He told us of how the Church is growing in the Far East, his responsibility for eight years, of how it is surging forward in California. He said he felt a special spirit about Brazil. Years of slow and long preparation will be giving way to a time of rich and fuller harvest. At times he feels concerned about São Paulo baptizing too fast. Twelve years ago (when President Hibbard, now president of the Brazilian Mission, was working there), São Paulo had one branch of 80 members, seven of which were active. This year over 2,000 converts will swell the wards of the two stakes there now. It is difficult to integrate so many new members.
He moved into other areas to share other missionary experiences with us, an area he has directly worked with since 1933. He mentioned a letter from their son, who was called from the North Argentine Mission to open up the missionary work in Spain. One thing that impressed me from this letter was that he mentioned their most effective missionary tools were fasting and prayer.
He closed his brief remarks—he was not really delivering a talk but just chatting—with an admonition to remain virtuous and faithful. He bore his witness, as a living Apostle, that God lives and that Jesus is the Christ and that this is indeed His Church here upon the earth today.
Brother Hinckley is a great man. He carries with him the Spirit of the Lord. He is intense in his untiring and devoted service. The Spirit bore witness to every soul that here was indeed a servant of the Lord.
Our meeting closed with a brief word of prayer given by our district leader, Elder Michael Morrell.
Brother Hinckley walked around the circle, shaking every hand, piercing into every soul, offering his best wishes. Tight schedules and other business beckoned, but our hour and a half with this great man is an experience long to be cherished.
35. Seek the Spirit
An account from my missionary journal of a talk I gave in a zone conference in the Jardim Botânico chapel in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Tuesday, July 29, 1969, while I was serving in the mission office as mission historian–recorder. Elder Monte Stewart, my companion, also spoke. I wrote in my journal, “Elder Stewart gave a fine talk on the subject of challenging and testifying. He is certainly a great elder, and each day my appreciation grows for having him as a companion.”
“Seek the Spirit” was the theme of a brief talk I was assigned to give. I tried to follow such advice both in the preparation and delivery of the discourse. Briefly I touched on three divisions of the subject, as follows:
What is the Spirit? The Holy Ghost is a revelator by whose power men gain testimonies of the truth, His mission being to bear record of the Father and the Son and to sanctify and cleanse the souls of the righteous.
The light of Christ is (1) sent to strive with all men, giving guidance into all truth; (2) in accordance with ancient prophecy (Joel 2:28–29), is being poured out upon all flesh in the last days and not to be confused with the Holy Ghost, which the world never had (John 14:7); and (3) “the agency or power used by the Holy Ghost in administering his affairs and in sending forth his gifts” (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 753).
Why seek the Spirit? The Lord has commanded us to do so (see D&C 50:13–24 and 42:14).
The Savior said, “My sheep know my voice” (John 10:2–5). Hence, it is the only way to know the things of God (Alma 5:45–46; Matthew 16:13–19; D&C 50:21–23).
Bishop Robert L. Simpson explains: “The great gift of personal revelation is unmistakable; it is direct. It is a more sure communication than the audible spoken word; for that which we hear through mortal ears is sometimes distorted, so often misunderstood. This precious gift of spirit speaking to spirit is infallible and direct” (Improvement Era, Dec. 1965, 1136).
In sublime allegory in one of the most beautiful chapters of Holy Writ, the Savior declares, “I am the vine, ye are the branches . . . without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). The entire chapter continues in this profound and instructive vein of thought.
How to seek the Spirit? Personal worthiness is a requisite: “Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord” (D&C 38:42). “My spirit shall not always strive with man” (D&C 1:33). “The Spirit of the Lord doth not dwell in unholy temples” (Helaman 4:24). “Cease to be unclean” (D&C 88:124).
All actions need to be from a pure heart; otherwise we are fooling ourselves. Purity of heart, not brilliance of action, is the key.
“It is not,” says Hugh B. Brown, “merely a matter of conformity to rituals, climbing sacred stairs, bathing in sacred pools, or making pilgrimages to sacred shrines” (BYU speech, May 13, 1969).
Godliness is the only thing that will make one a God. As missionaries, these questions must be answered: (1) Are our thoughts clean? (2) Do we love the people? (3) Do we love our companion? (4) Do we follow direction and counsel of those above us? (5) Do we follow a well worked out daily schedule? (6) Do we live by every word proceeding from the mouth of God, hungering and thirsting after righteousness?
And finally, do we pray always? (see D&C 19:38–41 and 121:45–46). The promise follows that the Holy Ghost will be our constant companion, exactly that which we are seeking.
“Seek the Spirit” was the theme of a brief talk I was assigned to give. I tried to follow such advice both in the preparation and delivery of the discourse. Briefly I touched on three divisions of the subject, as follows:
What is the Spirit? The Holy Ghost is a revelator by whose power men gain testimonies of the truth, His mission being to bear record of the Father and the Son and to sanctify and cleanse the souls of the righteous.
The light of Christ is (1) sent to strive with all men, giving guidance into all truth; (2) in accordance with ancient prophecy (Joel 2:28–29), is being poured out upon all flesh in the last days and not to be confused with the Holy Ghost, which the world never had (John 14:7); and (3) “the agency or power used by the Holy Ghost in administering his affairs and in sending forth his gifts” (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 753).
Why seek the Spirit? The Lord has commanded us to do so (see D&C 50:13–24 and 42:14).
The Savior said, “My sheep know my voice” (John 10:2–5). Hence, it is the only way to know the things of God (Alma 5:45–46; Matthew 16:13–19; D&C 50:21–23).
Bishop Robert L. Simpson explains: “The great gift of personal revelation is unmistakable; it is direct. It is a more sure communication than the audible spoken word; for that which we hear through mortal ears is sometimes distorted, so often misunderstood. This precious gift of spirit speaking to spirit is infallible and direct” (Improvement Era, Dec. 1965, 1136).
In sublime allegory in one of the most beautiful chapters of Holy Writ, the Savior declares, “I am the vine, ye are the branches . . . without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). The entire chapter continues in this profound and instructive vein of thought.
How to seek the Spirit? Personal worthiness is a requisite: “Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord” (D&C 38:42). “My spirit shall not always strive with man” (D&C 1:33). “The Spirit of the Lord doth not dwell in unholy temples” (Helaman 4:24). “Cease to be unclean” (D&C 88:124).
All actions need to be from a pure heart; otherwise we are fooling ourselves. Purity of heart, not brilliance of action, is the key.
“It is not,” says Hugh B. Brown, “merely a matter of conformity to rituals, climbing sacred stairs, bathing in sacred pools, or making pilgrimages to sacred shrines” (BYU speech, May 13, 1969).
Godliness is the only thing that will make one a God. As missionaries, these questions must be answered: (1) Are our thoughts clean? (2) Do we love the people? (3) Do we love our companion? (4) Do we follow direction and counsel of those above us? (5) Do we follow a well worked out daily schedule? (6) Do we live by every word proceeding from the mouth of God, hungering and thirsting after righteousness?
And finally, do we pray always? (see D&C 19:38–41 and 121:45–46). The promise follows that the Holy Ghost will be our constant companion, exactly that which we are seeking.
34. Trust in the Lord
I received my call to the Brazilian North Mission on Saturday, August 24, 1968. Scheduling problems required my talk in sacrament meeting to be the day after my call came and nearly a month before I was leaving home. I spoke in the sacrament meeting of the Nampa Fifth Ward, Nampa Idaho Stake, on Sunday, August 25, 1968. The following account of that meeting is taken from the introduction to my missionary journal.
Scheduling problems with meetings and such related complications required my talk in sacrament meeting to be the day after my call came and nearly a month before I was leaving home. This prevented our contacting many friends and relatives who might otherwise have been able to be there. Only the family living right at home was able to attend.
The bishop had asked me to select a speaker. I immediately considered Sister Ruby Hurren, a beloved friend, teacher, and neighbor. But she was ill at the time. I thought next of another favorite teacher and friend, Sister Myrtle Leavitt. She was happy to participate with me, even on the short notice. In the meeting she delivered an outstanding sermon, using some of my favorite Book of Mormon passages and characters as illustrations of certain points.
“He That Hath Clean Hands and a Pure Heart” was sung as a special musical number after Sister Leavitt’s talk. That too was a favorite. As I started to talk next, I quoted the scripture (Psalm 24) upon which the song was based and thanked them for singing it. The same number had also been sung at my last brother’s farewell.
After those comments I then offered my humble thoughts from brief notes as the Spirit directed. First I quoted the following passage:
“When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
“And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
“He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
“And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
“And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
“And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:13–19).
I then developed the theme that testimony comes only from the Spirit. I emphasized the importance of living by the Spirit, using this passage:
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
“Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil” (Proverbs 3:5–7).
How? By preparation, by study, by prayer. I used statements by Presidents David O. McKay and Hugh B. Brown about preparation.
President Brown said, “The war which began in heaven and has been going on ever since—a war in which the immortal souls of the children of men are at stake—is about to reach a climatic point. This appeal, therefore, is in a very real sense a call to arms.
“The call to be prepared is sent to each one of you by and from the President of the Church, the Prophet of God. It is of vital and of paramount importance. The preparation must begin at the center of your hearts and extend to the end of your fingers and toes. Each one of you may become the master of his fate, the captain of his soul. . . .
“We need stout hearts to meet the future, a future pregnant with unborn events and big with possibilities. We need faith to try, hope to inspire, and courage to endure” (Conference Report, Apr. 1968, 106).
“Begin today to be the person you want to be; . . . immortalize today and all the tomorrows that lie ahead in order that your life may have eternal significance” (Conference Report, Apr. 1968, 100).
And President McKay said, “With all my soul, I plead with members of the Church, and with people everywhere, to think more about the gospel; more about developing of the spirit within; to devote more time to the real things in life, and less time to those things which will perish” (Conference Report, Apr. 1968, 144).
I mentioned this teaching from the Doctrine and Covenants:
“Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distill upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.
“The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever” (D&C 121:45–36).
When we pray we need a child’s faith. I quoted the song “I Am a Child of God.”
And the motivation for it all? Charity.
“But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure” (Moroni 7:47–48).
I closed by telling of my call to Brazil, where they speak Portuguese and not Spanish, and with my testimony that these things were true and I knew them to be true, for which knowledge I was grateful.
Bishop Eldon J. Yorgason stood next and started reading a letter from a young man in Seattle, Washington. I soon realized it was from Bob Russell, a special friend I had known from my previous year at BYU. He had written to the bishop about me. The closing lines that the bishop read were something like this: “I never knew Matthew Cowley, who was supposed to be a great man of faith. But I have known Dean Cleverly, and he has been a man of faith in my life.”
How humbled can a 19-year-old boy be after realizing the influence he wields in others' lives? I assure you he is very humbled. And very grateful. The nice things said after that, as the bishop finished and after the meeting, in all their sincerity, remained anticlimactic to those few moments earlier in the bishop’s remarks. Oh, what a challenge and a responsibility that meeting made me realize were to be mine! If met fully they were responsibilities to be shouldered only by a man, not a boy, and that a man of God.
My father and my brother Jerry offered the opening and closing prayers for the meeting.
Scheduling problems with meetings and such related complications required my talk in sacrament meeting to be the day after my call came and nearly a month before I was leaving home. This prevented our contacting many friends and relatives who might otherwise have been able to be there. Only the family living right at home was able to attend.
The bishop had asked me to select a speaker. I immediately considered Sister Ruby Hurren, a beloved friend, teacher, and neighbor. But she was ill at the time. I thought next of another favorite teacher and friend, Sister Myrtle Leavitt. She was happy to participate with me, even on the short notice. In the meeting she delivered an outstanding sermon, using some of my favorite Book of Mormon passages and characters as illustrations of certain points.
“He That Hath Clean Hands and a Pure Heart” was sung as a special musical number after Sister Leavitt’s talk. That too was a favorite. As I started to talk next, I quoted the scripture (Psalm 24) upon which the song was based and thanked them for singing it. The same number had also been sung at my last brother’s farewell.
After those comments I then offered my humble thoughts from brief notes as the Spirit directed. First I quoted the following passage:
“When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
“And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
“He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
“And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
“And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
“And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:13–19).
I then developed the theme that testimony comes only from the Spirit. I emphasized the importance of living by the Spirit, using this passage:
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
“Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil” (Proverbs 3:5–7).
How? By preparation, by study, by prayer. I used statements by Presidents David O. McKay and Hugh B. Brown about preparation.
President Brown said, “The war which began in heaven and has been going on ever since—a war in which the immortal souls of the children of men are at stake—is about to reach a climatic point. This appeal, therefore, is in a very real sense a call to arms.
“The call to be prepared is sent to each one of you by and from the President of the Church, the Prophet of God. It is of vital and of paramount importance. The preparation must begin at the center of your hearts and extend to the end of your fingers and toes. Each one of you may become the master of his fate, the captain of his soul. . . .
“We need stout hearts to meet the future, a future pregnant with unborn events and big with possibilities. We need faith to try, hope to inspire, and courage to endure” (Conference Report, Apr. 1968, 106).
“Begin today to be the person you want to be; . . . immortalize today and all the tomorrows that lie ahead in order that your life may have eternal significance” (Conference Report, Apr. 1968, 100).
And President McKay said, “With all my soul, I plead with members of the Church, and with people everywhere, to think more about the gospel; more about developing of the spirit within; to devote more time to the real things in life, and less time to those things which will perish” (Conference Report, Apr. 1968, 144).
I mentioned this teaching from the Doctrine and Covenants:
“Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distill upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.
“The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever” (D&C 121:45–36).
When we pray we need a child’s faith. I quoted the song “I Am a Child of God.”
And the motivation for it all? Charity.
“But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure” (Moroni 7:47–48).
I closed by telling of my call to Brazil, where they speak Portuguese and not Spanish, and with my testimony that these things were true and I knew them to be true, for which knowledge I was grateful.
Bishop Eldon J. Yorgason stood next and started reading a letter from a young man in Seattle, Washington. I soon realized it was from Bob Russell, a special friend I had known from my previous year at BYU. He had written to the bishop about me. The closing lines that the bishop read were something like this: “I never knew Matthew Cowley, who was supposed to be a great man of faith. But I have known Dean Cleverly, and he has been a man of faith in my life.”
How humbled can a 19-year-old boy be after realizing the influence he wields in others' lives? I assure you he is very humbled. And very grateful. The nice things said after that, as the bishop finished and after the meeting, in all their sincerity, remained anticlimactic to those few moments earlier in the bishop’s remarks. Oh, what a challenge and a responsibility that meeting made me realize were to be mine! If met fully they were responsibilities to be shouldered only by a man, not a boy, and that a man of God.
My father and my brother Jerry offered the opening and closing prayers for the meeting.
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