Conference tecrus::mormonism

"The World Beyond Salt Lake City"

-- U.S. News & World Report, May 2, 1988, p. 67, by James Fallows

The most forlorn-looking foreigners in Japan, which is saying something,
are the Mormon missionaries.  Apart from sumo wrestlers, they're the
easiest people in the country to pick out.  Short-haired and typically
blond young American men, dressed in dark pants and plain white shirts,
usually pushing a bicycle with one hand while holding religious books
in the other, can't exactly melt into the Asian mass.  In Hakodate, a
port city on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido, I left my children
playing in a park one afternoon and came back 10 minutes later to find
them in intense conversation with a crew-cut, well-muscled, 20-year-old
American man.  In New York, I might have worried, but here I instantly
understood.

At first I was inclined to view the Mormons the way the Japanese seem
to: As well-meaning young people whose perseverance was admirable, but
who should stop trying to convert the natives since the natives were
plainly uninterested.  I would still lay heavy odds against Mormonism's
ever becoming a force in Japan.  Foreign missionaries have been trying
to Christianize the Japanese for 500 years, and after all their efforts 
only about 1 million of the 122 mission people in Japan belong to any
Christian church.

But I've come to respect what the mission experience does for the young
Mormons themselves and to think that the rest of the country could
learn from their example.  Mormon boys grow up expecting what most 
American boys expected during the universal-draft era of the 1950s: That
when they near adulthood, they will have to serve.  Soon after their
19th birthday, most Mormon young men stop work or leave college to spend
two years as missionaries.  (Very few young women went on missions until
the 1970s; now, they make up about one eighth of the total.)  About two
thirds go to other countries, while the rest work in the United States.
Nearly all live on family savings--in addition to saving for college,
Mormon families put money away for their sons' mission years.

In a few countries, the missionaries have had a big spiritual impact.
Central America and the Philippines--impoverished, politically troubled,
traditionally Roman Catholic--have produced the most converts for the
church.  Where people are comfortable and society is stable, the
missionaries have run into more obstacles.  The church's biggest failures
have been in Western Europe and Japan.  In Japan, the missionaries labor
under a special burden: They are not supposed to smoke or to drink tea,
whiskey or sake, the very activities on which Japanese social contact
is built.

Learning the language.  Whether they succeed or fail at their primary
mission of conversion, the missionaries accomplish something else.  Many
are from small towns in the most land-locked, inward-looking parts of the
U.S.; they are plunked into the middle of a foreign society and, unlike
most American businessmen or soldiers, are expected to deal with
foreigners in the local language all day, every day.  For two years,
they walk in parks and through shopping centers, approaching strangers,
hoping to strike up conversations they can steer toward discussion of
the church.

Language skill is the most obvious result of their foreign exposure.  Not
all missionaries master a foreign language--in Japan, those with the
shakiest command of Japanese specialize in talking with school children,
the only people who won't speak over their heads.  But most missionaries
become somewhat to very accomplished in their host country's language.
Japanese TV features two young American 'tarento', or talents, Kent
Derricott and Kent Gilbertson, who have reached superstar magnitude and
become successful businessmen because of their command of Japanese.
The "two Kents" both started as Mormon missionaries.  Of the Americans
I've met in Asia who can operate deftly and successfully in the local
language, a disproportionate number have been Mormons.

At Brigham Young University, where 95 percent of the students are Mormon,
most of the upperclassmen are returned missionaries.  Of the 27,000
students, an astonishing 1,000 are to some extent fluent in Japanese.  An
additional 1,000 students can speak Chinese, Korean or some other Asian
language.  BYU teaches 46 languages.  The country's highest density of
foreign-language skills is not in Cambridge or Berkeley but in Provo, Utah,
on the BYU campus.  If the U.S. is worrying about how to cope with a
confusing, multilingual, Asian-ascendant world, the Mormons are well
equipped to help.

But the missionaries learn something more than language.  Like most Peace
Corps veterans, returned missionaries often seem to have changed when they
come home.  Mormonism is of course an evangelical faith, which produces
true believers rather than doubters.  But compared with members of other
true-believer religions, former Mormon missionaries are in my experience
more tolerant, less preachy, more willing to listen and gently persuade.
It would be hard to be preachy after living among Chinese or Indians who
have gotten along since thousands of years before Christ with their own
gods and see no reason to change now.  The former missionaries also seem
deepened simply because they've had to give two years of their lives to a
cause other than the advancement of their own careers.

America's best-known preachers like to holler at us over TV; even the
ones who aren't eventually disgraced as a result of "moral failings"
often seem suspiciously holier than thou.  The best of the Mormon
missionaries, by contrast, have a quiet, confident goodness that we like
to think of as typically American (a la Gary Cooper).  I've been converted
to think that their missions make America a wiser, more competitive
country and certain Americans stronger, better people.

The first place I looked for information was the scriptures. It seemed
that all this must be in the scriptures somewhere. Since missionary
work was such a big part of the Church's mission, surely the Lord
would describe how to be successful at it. I spent a lot of time with
D&C 4:

   4:5   And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to     
         the glory of God, qualify him for the work. 

It is interesting that verse 5 gives the 'qualifications' for doing
the work. Being 'qualified,' though, does not necessarily mean being
'successful.' 

   4:6   Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience,     
         brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence. 

Why hadn't I seen it before? Here are ten *specific* qualities listed
that the Lord says to 'Remember...' Why else would he point these
things out and want us to remember them except that they were
important? Important for success? In any event, it was interesting
that those things I saw in successful missionaries were on that list! 

What have those of you who served missions been taught about this 
verse? 

An entire book could be written on just D&C 4.


/kevin

    
    I spent two years in Taiwan as a missionary for the church between
    1979 and 1981.  While there I learned a lot about humility and
    patience, two of the qualities mentioned in D&C 4.
    
    Leaving your home, and going to a strange country to try and teach
    people in a strange language does a lot to make you humble.  Trying
    to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ to people who believe in every
    type of doctrine makes you patient.
    
    Some of the missionaries criticized things about Taiwan, and complained
    about how things were.  This did not help them to be very successful,
    and in fact unless you were humble the Chinese people would not
    let you speak to them.
    
    Now whenever I get feeling proud or thinking I am so smart, I think
    back on a rainy night in Gang Shan; teaching a humble man in a run-down
    shack the gospel of Jesus Christ, and bearing testimony to its truth-
    fulness.  It brings me back down to earth fast.
    
    Another great example of missionaries, and how we should act is
    in the book of Alma.  Starting with about chapter 13 (I don't remember
    exactly).  This talks about Ammon, Aaron and the other sons of Mosiah,
    who gave up the kingdom to preach the gospel to the Lamanites, and
    hard-hearted Nephites.
    
    They were afflicted and tormented more than most missionaries today,
    yet they also worked some great miracles.  This is an excellent
    section on what missionaries should be like.
    
    Sorry for rambling,
    
    Jim

  Here are some things that I feel a successful  missionary has to have
  (in addition to that already mentioned).

  * A vision.  We need to see what can be, to look past the obstacles.
    Pres. Kimball had and Pres. Benson has 'vision'.

  * A great spirituality in our everyday life (this comes from that which
    has already been discussed.)

  * We need to practice what we preach.

  * A positive attitude.


  Much of what I just said is the same as has already been mentioned but
  in 'plain' language, instead of what (unfortunately) often is said as
  a catchword -- Sunday School Teacher: "Jimmy, what must we do to be a good
  missionary?"   Jimmy: "We must be humble"    SSteacher: "Very good"
  Here Jimmy said the right answer without even skipping a breath, probably
  not even realizing what he said.  To me, the Gospel is our life, and every
  action we take should bbe made in reference to it.

  My thoughts here should not be taken as any criticism of any note, the
  language in that note, etc.  These are just my thoughts independent of 
  any notes here.

  CHad

  PS: As a parallel topic, what can the Church as a whole do to improve the
  course of the missionary work?

Having only joined the Church in the last two years, I obviously have 
never served a full-time mission. Although I spend a good deal of time 
with the full-time elders in our ward in my current calling, and have 
gathered some idea of what it is like, I am sure I don't *really* know 
what it is like.

So what is it like? What causes someone to embark on a full-time 
mission? What is it like in the MTC (or LTM)? Was it really the 'best
two years of your life?' Would you do it over again? 

/kevin

Well, for me the two months in the MTC were the longest two years of my
mission! ;-)

What made me go?  I felt I had a strong testimony of the Gospel (and all that
this implies) and had a testimony that I should prepare for a mission.  I set 
a goal to earn the amount of money necessary for the average mission at the 
time, worked full time until I had that much saved, and sent the missionary 
application papers in when I had that much in savings.  I had my 20th birthday 
in the MTC.  When I hit Denmark, I developed a true love for the people there 
and let that love for them and for the Gospel motivate my efforts.  Pretty 
boring, huh?  'Course it wasn't boring for me ...

What was it like?  A lot of it was downright painful.  Who wants to go knocking
on a door and have it slammed before being able to say hello?  Who wants to 
be ridiculed knowing that the reason for the ridicule often has roots in 
misunderstanding, ignorance or insecurity?  But, I also had opportunity to be 
involved with the Lord touching people's lives in a way that makes them 
stronger, happier and closer to the Lord - both members and non-members.  I 
got to share in the joy of the Spirit that is present in any of the Lord's 
work and which seems especially prominent in missionary work.

Would I go again?  Yup.  Only, this time I'd like to go with my wife!  She's
my best friend and I naturally want to share all my experiences with her.
P-days would be more fun, too!

But, my mission really had its beginning before I went and has continued
after I've come back.  A mission is just the opportunity to put everything
else on hold so you can focus on your responsibilities to love and help your 
neighbor learn about the Gospel full-time rather than part-time.

Steve

    I served a two year full-time mission to Finland from 1972-1974. It was
    the hardest thing I had done to that time, perhaps since, but one of
    the most rewarding. 
    
    I had been raised in the church, but found myself in my freshman year
    of college wondering if I should go on a mission, and was this church
    that I had belonged to all of my life really true? I decided that I
    needed to know for myself the truth of it, and so I began to study the
    scriptures and to pray. I was overwhelmed with a powerful answer from
    the Spirit, and I knew it was true! This conviction created an
    insatiable desire to go on a mission. I interrupted my education and
    was called to serve in Finland. Almost jokingly, I had put on the
    application that I wanted to go to Russia. Well, I got about as close
    as you can get to Russia, as a missionary. 
    
    One of the most memorable parts of my mission was the first week, which
    we spent in the old mission home in Salt Lake City. Each day we
    received instruction from living apostles, and other general
    authorities. We went to the Salt Lake temple, and in the Solemn
    Assembly room, we met with the prophet, then Harold B. Lee, who spoke
    to us and allowed us to ask him any questions we wanted. I still
    remember the electric feeling that swept over the crowd of several
    hundred missionaries when the prophet walked in the room. 
        
    I spent two months in the Language Training Mission at Ricks College.
    Boy was that an experience! Trying to learn one of the world's most
    difficult languages in two months time. We studied day and night, and
    had only begun to become familiar with the language, certainly not even
    close to fluent, in that time. That came later, as we met with the
    people and had to use the language for everything. I certainly felt
    that I got divine help in being able to learn and use the language. 
    
    Serving a full-time mission is great training for life, if you are
    ready to learn from it. You experience elation, depression, rejection,
    acceptance, weariness, exhilaration, and much more, often in a single
    day. You learn to rely on the Spirit for guidance, and to draw strength
    from prayer and the scriptures. 
    
    One of the most challenging things can be that you spend 24 hours per
    day with your assigned companion. If you get along well, it is a great
    joy. If you don't, it can be a great trial. I had some of both. Sure
    teaches you how to get along with people. 
    
    The Church members always treat you wonderfully, and you grow to love
    them. But you develop a special love for the non-members that you work
    with that accept the gospel. To see them grow and develop and change in
    ways that are good is the greatest reward you get. 

    Another memorable time for me was when my mission was finished. There
    was an Area Conference in Stockholm, and some of the returning
    missionaries were asked to serve as translators and helpers. To see the
    Saints gathered from Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Denmark was quite a
    thrill. Then one day, we happened to be walking toward the meeting
    hall, and there, walking toward us, was the prophet, Spencer W.
    Kimball! He stopped and shook our hands and briefly spoke with us. He
    was very warm, and it was exciting to meet him. 
        
    I'm glad I went. It probably was the greatest two years of my life, up
    to that point. I will probably go again, with my wife, after I retire. 
    
    One of the choicest experiences that I have had recently was a couple
    of months ago when I was in California. I was driving through the area
    where my mission president lives, whom I had not seen in 14 years since
    I was in Finland. It was so good to see him and his wife again. I had
    grown to love them so much and to appreciate their devotion to the Lord
    and their great attitude toward life and it's challenges, and it was
    good to feel that again. They had been called to serve in Finland for
    three years at a time when they had six children, the oldest being
    eight years old. Imagine taking your family several thousand miles away
    on an assignment like that! 
    
    Rich

    I read in the paper this morning about two missionaries who were gunned
    down and killed in La Paz, Bolivia.  It said that a group of some sort
    was taking credit for the killings.  Something to do with an invasion
    into there country.  I don't remember the names, but I do remember that
    one missionary was from Utah. It also said an official from the
    American Embassy is getting involved in settling this matter. 
    
    I remember on my own mission, there was an elder who was hit, while
    riding on his bike, and killed.  There was a reward put up for
    anyone turning in information which would lead to the apprehension
    of the people involved.  Nothing ever came of it.  I've had several
    friends who have been shot at while proselyting on their missions.  
    
    Missionaries have it tough.  We were accused of being insurance
    salemen, fbi agents, jehovah witnesses, etc.  When I find out about
    someone picking on missionaries and stuff, I get mad.  Of course,
    that doesn't do any good.  Once I calm down, I realize most people
    are uninformed and if they knew who and what missionaries did, it
    would cut down on alot of the persecution heaped upon them. 
    
    Of course, some people go where they are not welcome.  Where I served,
    you had to be careful if you were out in the country and went tromping
    thru the woods.  You don't want to stumble upon a still and have
    the people get mad at you thinking you are the fbi or from the Bureau
    of AT&F.
    
    Anyone else have any thoughts or ideas.  I hope I have the story
    straight about the missionaries being shot.
    
    scott
                                                                 
    
    
    

From:	DECWRL::"[email protected]"  "26-May-89 0836 PDT" 26-MAY-1989 11:44:21.07
To:	lds%[email protected]
CC:	
Subj:	Missionaries killed in Bolivia

I found the following article in todays Sacramento Union.
 
              2 Mormon missionaries killed by Bolivian leftists
 
LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) - Two Mormon missionaires from  Utah were gunned down and
killed in La Paz, and leftwing terrorists who claimed responsibility
threatened a "war to the death" against "Yankee invaders."
 
  Todd Ray Wilson of Wellington and Jeffrey Brent Ball from Wanship were
  returning to their home in a poor suburb laste Wednesday when unidentified
  men shot them with machine guns.  One of the victims died immediately, the
  other on the way to a hospital.  Both were 20 years old.
 
  The radical Zarate Willka Armed Liberation Front claimed responsibility
  shortly after the shootings.  It is the same group that last summer tried to
  kill former Secretary of State George Shultz when he was visiting La Paz.
 
  "The violation of our sovereignty cannot go unpunished," the revolutionaries
  said in a statement.  "The Yankee invaders who come to massacre our fellow
  farmers are warned.... We the poor have no other road than to rise up in
  arms.
 
  "Our hatred is implacable and our war is to death."
 
  The slain missionaries lived in a neighborhood around the corner from a
  church that was seriously damaged by a bomb explosion last year.
 

    I would like to suggest that we all keep them in our fast and prayer
    this weekend. I am sad that two men that gave up two years of there
    life to help the people of Bolivia, had to be murdered in a savage
    and cowardly way. Please join me in prayer for them.
    
    Peter

    I'm sure that those two missionaries were filled with love for
    those people, even for those who gunned them down.  I believe these 
    missionaries were as Alma and the sons of Mosiah.  '... preaching the 
    word of God in much tribulation, being greatly persecuted by those who 
    were unbelievers, being smitten ...' (Mosiah 27:32.)   'And how
    blessed are they!  For they did publish peace; they did publish
    good tidings of good; and they did declare unto the people that
    the Lord reigneth.'  (27:37.)  They preached 'that they might impart
    the word of God to their brethren ... that perhaps they might bring
    them to the knowledge of God, ... that perhaps they might cure them
    of their hatred ... that they might also be brought to rejoice in
    the Lord their God, that they might become friendly to one another,
    and that there should be no more contentions in all the land which
    the Lord their God had given them.' (28:1-2.)
    
    If I may add to what Peter has written, we might also pray for the
    people that these missionaries loved and desired to serve.
    
    Steve

...and let us pray for those who did the killing.  This is a time to have
love in our hearts not bitterness.

Allen

From:	DECWRL::"[email protected]"  "26-May-89 1129 PDT" 26-MAY-1989 14:57:16.87
To:	lds%[email protected]
CC:	
Subj:	Missionaries killed in Bolivia

 
 
After talking with my wife, who talked with someone in Salt Lake, here is
apparently what happened in Bolivia.  Granted, it's not much, but I think that
since it most likely came from the guy who died shortly after the incident, it
is more than we would most likely hear about:
 
Apparently, the missionaries were returning home (approx 10-10:30).  They
walked up to the door of their house, and someone off to the side started
making some kind of motioning signals (waving of hand, etc).  A car started
up, and came down the street, with occupants shooting from the car.
 
What I understand the church is doing now, is keeping missionaries inside for
a while, to let things cool down.  They realize that this is a political
issue, not a religious issue, and they're not going to be bringing
missionaries out of Bolivia. 
 
What made this attack possible, is that these two elders were white North
Americans.  Those of you who know foreign missionary policies know that
typical pairs involve one "native" elder and one North American elder.
Apparently this was one of the few exceptions of the 400 missionaries
currently serving in Bolivia.
 
I sure hope that the radical people down there don't take out their
aggressions on us, or anybody else anymore.  But alas, it is the last days and
there is much in the way of evil influence upon the earth.  I know that we
will ultimately prevail over evil.
 
 
   Hope this helps....Justin Masters
		      [email protected]
 

    I am totally shocked and stunned by the actions of the Bolivian
    terrorists.  How they ever suspected these two unarmed young men
    of doing anything against their country is beyond me.
    
    My heart goes out to the families of these missionaries who must bear
    this terrible loss.  My prayers are with them.  I am sure that there 
    is a very special place in heaven for these two young men.                  
                                      
    Unfortunately, I am also very angry.  I guess I am not a very good
    Christian because I have no forgiveness in my heart.  Maybe after
    I get over the senselessness of the entire thing.  True, they were
    slayed because they were white Americans.  It still doesn't make
    it any easier to swallow.  Because they were doing work for our
    Lord, it makes it even more difficult.
    
    May God have mercy on the Bolivians and on me for feeling such anger.
    
    Louise  

    I too was very surprised and saddened to read about this tradgedy.
    Something like this touches everybody's lives in ways that can only
    be imagined at this time.  My initial reaction was that of great
    anger.  I felt somewhat (I imagine) like Amulek when he witnessed
    the senseless destruction of the believers of Ammonihah.  Would that
    someone with greater faith than I could cause fire to come down the heavens
    and destroy those responsible... however I must repent of such thoughts
    when I realize that the condition of these two Elders is greater
    than I can imagine.  When you are in the service of the Lord, He
    will take care of you.  He often permits the wicked to commit their
    crimes so that His jugement may come upon them.
    
    There are several million members who will be thinking of these
    two Elders this weekend, and offering their prayers in behalf of
    their families and loved ones.  I too will be among them, and also
    praying that the Lord may fill my heart with a greater understanding
    of His purposes, or at least greater faith to be patient and trust
    in His judgement.

    
    Don

When I read of the death of the two Missionaries I was saddened as I'm sure 
many others where. I felt as if a member of my own family had been killed 
and this feeling hung over me throughout the day.  Being the mother of three 
sons ages 14, 13, & 2 1/2 years, who I hope will one day serve missions for the 
Lord, I felt deeply the loss a mother would have when her son was killed in 
the service of the Lord.  As I retired for bed that night the thought of 
"why, why?" continued to pray upon my mind.  I knelt and prayed "Heavenly 
Father please help me to understand why this had to happen to two young men 
in your service.  But if I cannot understand why help me just to except 
this thing."  I then began to flip through the D&C when I came across D&C 
88:63 "Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently 
and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be 
opened unto you."  Again I flipped a few more pages until I came to D&C 
122:7-9 This was given to Joseph Smith as he suffered in Liberty Jail and 
talks about though he (Joseph) might go through all sort of suffering at 
the hands of others that also the Son of Man to experienced all these 
things too.  But verse 9 is what struck me "Thy days are known, and thy 
years shall NOT be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for 
God shall be with you forever and ever."  I immediately felt those two 
Missionaries, being in the service of the Lord, days where known and years 
were not numbered less by any terrorists.  Instead these two young men had 
just recieved a transfer from the Lord and were now serving their mission 
in a far greater place, where many wait to learn of the Gospel of Jesus 
Christ.  These thoughts have helped me to deal with it in my own heart, so I 
share it in hopes that it might help others to feel comforted.    

                                 Diane Mueller
				 (Frank's wife)

    

From:	DECWRL::"[email protected]" "Gary Stringham  30-May-89 1136 MST" 30-MAY-1989 13:50:23.52
To:	decwrl::lds
CC:	
Subj:	Re: Missionaries killed in Bolivia

I started my mission in El Salvador in 1979 and in December of that
year, they pulled all of the American missionaries out and put them in
other three Central American missions.  (I went to the Guatemala City
Mission.)  There were no missionaries killed but there were some close
encounters with the guerillas.  The First Presidency had been watching
the situation all along so they were very aware of what was happening.
Then one day, President Kimball said to get them out.  It was not
because they decided, after looking at the facts, to pull them; he had
received divine instructions to pull them.
 
They left the Latin missionaries and the mission president, (who was
Mexican,) there.  After another month, they pulled them too, leaving the
members to do the work.  Baptisms still were strong, even without the
missionaries.
 
The Lord was prepared for that.  The other three missions in Central
America had about 20-30% fewer missionaries than what they had had
before.  Then all of a sudden, here comes a bunch of missionaries
needing a place to work.  The Honduras Mission was all ready to be
created.  They had a mission home, office, and vehicles all ready, but
the Missionary Committee rejected all twelve names submitted for the
mission president.  Then all of a sudden, here was a mission president
without a mission.  So he opened the Honduras mission.
 
I'm sure that the same would happen in the case of Bolivia; the First
Presidency is watching the situation very closely, the Lord would tell
President Benson to get them out if needed, and if so, there would be a
place prepared for them to go and continue the work.  I am a firm
believer that Missionary Work is the Lord's work.
 
Gary Stringham
 
 
========================================================================

I was down at the Washington DC Temple this past weekend, when we heard
the shocking news. We found out when, as we approached the Temple, we saw 
the flag at half mast. We rushed inside to ask what had happened, thinking 
mainly about President Benson. 

The Temple workers, despite dozens of others asking similar questions,
unwearily related the story of the two missionaries in La Paz. It was, if
anything, more of a shock than what had we had initially feared.

Once inside the Temple, I was relieved of my deep feelings of anger and 
depression; such feelings were washed away by the continued presence of the 
Holy Spirit. But during those periods outside of the Temple, I could not
help but to keep thinking about those two young men, their families, all of
the others serving in Bolivia, and their families too. 

I feel a great kinship with the missionaries. I would do anything for them; 
after all, look what they have done for me - they brought me the Gospel and 
changed my life. I share the pain of this loss as if it had happened to two 
missionaries in our own ward.

Whatever else this incident says about good, evil, or anything else, I hope
it also serves as a reminder that missionary work is not just an exercise
or duty that we all have to put up with; it is a matter of life and death
and eternal life for everyone involved. 

For those of us still on this earth, physical death remains an omnipresent 
fact that looms large for many of us who do not have a knowledge of the
gospel. But whether we have such knowledge or not, there will come a time
in our existance when we will look back on our earthly lives, and the way
in which we died will not matter one whit compared to the way in which we
lived. 

I am sure those two missionaries are continuing their work in the Spirit
World right now, as a companionship freed from earthly cares and
responsibilities, happily fulfilling their missions. 

I pray for their families, and for all those in the service of the Lord, 
that they may be comforted in their afflictions, and be given the strength 
and courage they need to carry on in their great work.

A brother in Christ,
/kevin

From:	DECWRL::"dleigh%[email protected]" "Darren Leigh  30-May-89 1530 PDT" 30-MAY-1989 18:27:52.34
To:	decwrl::lds
CC:	
Subj:	Re: Missionaries killed in Bolivia

 
Gordon E. Banks writes:
>I hope the church won't pull back missionaries because of this.
>Our missionaries have been killed before, but I suppose times have
>changed and parents will be screaming that they be withdrawn if they
>are in danger.
 
I hope the missionaries don't get pulled out either.  The Andean
region has been a dangerous place for a while.  I served my mission in
Peru during '84 and '85 and my brother in Bolivia during '85 and '86.
I would be greatly surprised if a missionary called to either of those
places returned home without hearing a bomb blast or automatic weapons
fire.  There are just too many terrorists running around and too much
poverty and unrest for our missionaries not to be exposed to it.  I've
been predicting that Peru will fall in '90 (elections will happen then
and the current centrist government is a mess).  Maybe "perestroika"
will cushion the blow.  I hope things don't get too bad.
 
Some of you out in mailing-list-land may have been surprised that the
terrorist group that took responsiblity for the murders claimed they
did it in retaliation for the murder of peasants.  "Why would they
kill our missionaries, who are on a mission of peace?", you might ask.
Well, it has long been asserted and rumored in latin america (and
other parts of the world) that mormon missionaries are CIA agents, and
the people tend to believe it from the way our missionaries dress.
Here are these gringo missionaries running around with expensive (for
the region) white shirts and ties and often sunglasses, knocking on
doors and asking people questions.
 
What are these third-world people supposed to believe?  The only
things they know about the U.S. and spies are what they've seen on TV.
I wonder if our missionaries would have fewer troubles if the church
allowed them to dress according to native styles.  We really are way
out of line: the only people who wear ties in Peru are mormon
missionaries and some businessmen in Lima.  It might be even better
if, instead of handing newly called missionaries a list of clothes to
take, the church told them to set aside a certain amount of money to
buy clothes when they get to the country.  It would be cheaper (at
least for the ones going to Latin America) and our missionaries
wouldn't look like so many foreign invaders.
 
P.S. Last call for publicity poll messages!  I've only had 46 replies
and I know there are over 70 of you out there.  Don't be shy.  Results
in a couple of days!
 

From:	DECWRL::"[email protected]"  "30-May-89 1655 PDT" 30-MAY-1989 22:40:02.28
To:	dleigh%hplabsz%[email protected]
CC:	
Subj:	Re: Missionaries killed in Bolivia

Cc: lds%[email protected]
 
+ Some of you out in mailing-list-land may have been surprised that the
+ terrorist group that took responsiblity for the murders claimed they
+ did it in retaliation for the murder of peasants.  "Why would they
+ kill our missionaries, who are on a mission of peace?", you might ask.
+ Well, it has long been asserted and rumored in latin america (and
+ other parts of the world) that mormon missionaries are CIA agents, and
+ the people tend to believe it from the way our missionaries dress.
+ Here are these gringo missionaries running around with expensive (for
+ the region) white shirts and ties and often sunglasses, knocking on
+ doors and asking people questions.
 
I think that the church wants to uphold a clean cut image, to those of other
nations.  You would probably reply, "A clean cut image is relative to the area
in which one is.", which is true, but internal dissent among missionaries in
other places where a shirt/tie are required would rise.  I know it's a petty
comment, but listen, there are people who personally feel cheated, if they're
not allowed the same breaks as others, and do what they can to help themselves
to the same "priveleges" without any thought to the reasons behind these
"priveleges" (in this instance, misinformed, armed terrorists).
  
What I don't understand, is why these misinformed terrorists don't
talk with people who are asked these questions, or plant themselves to be
asked these questions. They could see what they have to ask.  The only problem
that would occur is if CIA or others were posing as missionaries.  Then the
terrorists wouldn't know who was who, and would assume that killing all of
them would eliminate the problem.

From:	DECWRL::"b-davis%[email protected]" "Brad Davis  30-May-89 1852 MST" 31-MAY-1989 02:35:59.52
To:	decwrl::lds
CC:	
Subj:	Desert News summary on Bolivian murders...

Thursday, May 25:
 
	Jeffrey Brent Ball, 20, Coalville, Utah, son of Alfred Brent
Ball and Lois Joyce Bates Ball, and Todd Ray Wilson, 20, Wellington,
Utah, son of Arvil Gray Wilson and Elaine Bunderson Wilson were gunned
down by automatic weapons fire about 10:20 pm Bolivia time (8:20 MST).
One elder immediately, the other en route to a local hospital.  A
radical leftist terrorist group, the Armed Liberation Front of Zarate
Willka claimed responsibility.  They issued a statement that was
printed by El Matunino Ultima Hora de La Paz, a La Paz newspaper.  The
statement said: "The violation of our national sovereignty cannot go
unpunished.  The Yankee invaders who come to massacre our fellow
farmers are warned, as are their local slaves.  We, the poor, have no
other road than to rise up in arms.  Our Hatred is implacable, and our
war is to the death."  The police have no suspects.  The group has
claimed responsibility for the assassination attempt against George
Shultz last August and for a power outage in October.  They are
believed to be responsible for a bombing of an LDS chapel.  Elder Ball
was to "hump" June 1st, Elder Wilson in July.  Elder Ball has a sister
serving in Guatemala, Elder Wilson has a sister who has already
returned home and a brother who is preparing to leave.
 
First Presidency Statement:
 
	We are grieved to learn of the assassination of two of our
missionaries last evening in La Paz, Bolivia.  Information received
indicates that Elder Jeffrey Brent Ball of Coalville, Utah, and Elder
Todd Ray Wilson of Wellington, Utah, were gunned down in front of
their living quarters as they were about to enter the front door.
 
	We regret that anyone would think that these representatives
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who have been sent
to preach the gospel of peace would be characterized as enemies of any
group.
 
	They died as martyrs in the cause of the Lord.  Please extend
our love and sympathies to their families and pray they may be
comforted and sustained in this hour of tragedy.
 
 
Friday May 26:
 
	U.S. officials wonder whether the group is really leftist
terrorists or are a front for some other group, including drug lords.
No one knows anything about the group, except for the published
communiques.  Occupants of a small, yellow compact car drove by the
apartment complex where the missionaries lived and fired into a crowd
with 9mm weapons.  No one else was injured.  The group had also
claimed credit for a dynamite attack directed at the Bolivian
congress.  State Department and congressional sources told the Deseret
News that LDS missionaries are unpopular with both the right and the
left in Bolivian politics and someone from either side might have
committed the killings and pinned it on the Armed Liberation Front.
Don LeFevre, Church spokesman said that they were the first
politically motivated killings of Mormon missionaries in memory.
 
 
Saturday, May 27:
 
	Missionaries from both Bolivian missions remained indoors
Friday.  They were scheduled to work the daylight hours on Saturday.
Elder Wilson's father was laid off work some time back.  A memorial
fund has been set up in his name at the Zions First National Bank,
Price branch to help his younger brother on his mission.
 
Monday, May 29:
 
	The missionaries' bodies arrived in Utah Sunday afternoon.
Elder M. Russell Ballard, representing the Church and the First
Presidency, met the plane.  The funerals will be on Tuesday.  A
memorial service was held in La Paz.  All missionaries in Bolivia have
been confined to quarters (except for church meetings Sunday) until
further notice.
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My comments:
 
	Whomever did this, I think the State Department officials are
right when they said that LDS missionaries are hated by both left and
right, not just in Bolivia but in most of the world.  The missionaries
teach peace, free agency, and personal responsibility, all of which
directly attack totalitarians on all sides.  I am afraid (and hope
against) that these won't be the last killings, as the Armageddon may
be different than some have thought.  These deaths may become a reason
for many who are not committed to the gospel to leave the church.
 
	Watch and pray, for the coming of the Lord is nigh.
 
 
Brad

From:	DECWRL::"[email protected]" "Gordon E. Banks  31-May-89 0846 EDT" 31-MAY-1989 11:08:44.39
To:	dleigh%hplabsz%[email protected], [email protected]
CC:	
Subj:	Re: Missionaries killed in Bolivia

Cc: lds%[email protected]
 
Unfortunately the connection between our missionaries and the CIA is
a lot stronger than most people know.  Return missionaries are
often recruited (or volunteer) to become CIA agents later.  They
are perfect: conservative, patriotic, and with experience in the
culture.  My brother was a missionary in Peru and Bolivia, and later
returned to Equador in another capacity to find returned missionaries
that he had known working in Quito in various capacities for the
US government.  One of the more obnoxious members of the branch there
was (apparently) CIA and an RM.
 

    Moderators, please publish the address of Zion First National Bank,
    Price Branch.  If that's a Notes no-no, please send the address
    to me:  ANN QUAYLE @MKO or FEISTY::QUAYLE.
    
    Thank you, and regards,
    aq
    

Since Wellington (home of Elder Wilson) is in Carbon County, I assume the
"Price Branch" refers to a town in Utah called Price.  This address is given
for information purposes only with no real or implied request that anyone
contribute to the fund.

     Todd Ray Wilson Memorial Fund
     Zions First National Bank
     Price, Utah 84501

From:	DECWRL::"[email protected]" "Rich Wales  16-Jun-89 1203 PDT" 16-JUN-1989 15:05:07.50
To:	decwrl::lds
CC:	
Subj:	LDS missionaries expelled from Ghana

I read a short article in today's Los Angeles Times (front page section,
page 2), stating that the military ruler of Ghana has ordered all LDS
missionaries to leave Ghana within a week.
 
The claim was that foreign LDS missionaries were disturbing public order
and threatening Ghana's sovereignty.
 
Foreign representatives of Jehovah's Witnesses were similarly ordered to
leave the country.  Two small, domestic religious groups in Ghana were
also banned, according to the article.
 
Does anyone have additional information on this development?  Did some
missionary "slip up" and say/do something he should have said/done?
 
-- Rich Wales // UCLA Computer Science Department // +1 (213) 825-5683
   3531 Boelter Hall // Los Angeles, California 90024-1596 // USA
   [email protected]      ...!(uunet,ucbvax,rutgers)!cs.ucla.edu!wales

    
    
    This topic came up in our sunday school lesson a few weeks ago and this
    is what was discussed.
    
    All missionaries of all religions were expelled from Ghana for a reason
    that is was then not known and as far as I know, is still not fully
    known.
    
    A few weeks after the expulsion from Ghana, representatives from the
    church offices in Solihull, (The British Isles and Africa Area is
    administered from Solihull.) went to have talks with the authorities in
    Ghana and found that the Mormon missionaries were not causing any
    problems at all, but it was the Jehova's Witnesses that the authorities
    wanted to get rid of. So therefore they expelled all missionaries.
    
    This is all that I know and I am not sure that it is correct, but I
    have it on good authorities that it is.
    
    
    Jonathan 

    re .1 (JUMBLY::PERRY)
    
>    A few weeks after the expulsion from Ghana, representatives from the
>    church offices in Solihull, (The British Isles and Africa Area is
>    administered from Solihull.) went to have talks with the authorities in
>    Ghana and found that the Mormon missionaries were not causing any
>    problems at all, but it was the Jehova's Witnesses that the authorities
>    wanted to get rid of. So therefore they expelled all missionaries.
    
    Just for the record, missionaries sent by Jehovah's Witnesses usually
    aren't the "cause" of any trouble, either.  But, since Witnesses take a
    very strict stand on being neutral with respect to worldly politics --
    and thus, don't involve themselves in the political activities of any 
    government -- this neutrality is often misconstrued as anti-government
    sentiment, which sometimes motivates the authorities, like those in
    Ghana, to initiate clamp-downs and persecution.
    
    Heavy-handed, authoritarian governments often demand total political
    conformity, and persecute groups (religious and non-religious) which
    don't 'toe the mark', as it were.  Governments with this nature don't
    always discriminate very carefully when it comes to eliminating
    perceived threats to their authority.  Policy-wise, it's much easier to
    expell everyone, than appear to be picking on just one group in
    particular, so that that one group (in this case, Jehovah's Witnesses),
    doesn't attract any outside sympathy or support as a 'lone underdog'.
    
    Jehovah's Witnesses usually don't attract much outside attention since
    they are far less popular, and have far less political (and economic)
    clout, as a group than, say, the Mormon church.  Therefore, persecution 
    of Jehovah's Witness often goes unnoticed unless other, more high-profile
    groups, like Mormons, are effected as well.
    
    -mark.

    
    
    re .2 by ILLUSN::SORNSON
    
    I apologise if I caused any offence, but this is the way it was told to
    me, and I guess from a bias viewpoint.
    
    Jonathan 

    re .3 (JUMBLY::PERRY)
    
    No offense taken.  I gathered that it wasn't (necessarily) your opinion
    that Witnesses were 'causing trouble'; that's just what the officials
    in Ghana thought.
    
    								-mark.

    You know, it's quite possible that the JWs were given the same line as
    the Mormons.  Just an observation.
    
    Steve

	RE: <<< Note 51.171 by MUDIS3::WILLOUGHBY "FRANKly speaking " >>>

	You're welcome.
    

	RE: <<< Note 51.170 by MUDIS3::WILLOUGHBY "FRANKly speaking " >>>

>	I am not talented in teaching, nor am I an expert on the Scriptures 
>	or on archaeology.  Even if I were, I still wouldn't be of very much 
>	help because I haven't been set apart as a missionary.  I could teach 
>	words, and they would be (hopefully) absorbed by your brain.  But talk
>	to you - spirit to spirit.  And that sets them apart.  They are called
>	of God to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I am not.  They can, 
>	through the promptings of the Holy Ghost, directly address your 
>	personal spiritual needs.  I cannot.  I can bear my testimony here, 
>	but the words will be dependent on the spirituality of the reader and 
>	the atmosphere in which it is read.  When they bear their testimony 
>	to you, you can _feel_ the Spirit. You will _know_ that they are 
>	called of God.  And you will want to know more.

	A missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is
	called and set apart for a SPECIFIC mission.  That and nothing else.
	An Elder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has MANY
	responsibilities, none of which are any less than what the full time
	missionaries have.  Frank, don't confuse these concepts.  You are
	indeed called of God to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Just as
	Peter found out, the Lord will open your mind to what he wants said.
	Life after a mission is nothing more than an extension of that 
	mission.  Those who did not go on a mission have catching up to do, 
	but there is nothing but themselves to stop them.

	The promptings of the Holy Ghost and teaching spirit to spirit is 
	available (and required) by every priesthood holder.  When you bear
	your testimony the people to whom you address can _feel_ the Spirit.
	The only difference between you and full time missionaries is that
	their stewardship at the time is very focused, and yours is more
	general.  Besides, you wear your testimony on your sleeve, and what
	you do is of more value than what you say.  The missionaries have more
	success with people who are impressed by the Latter-Day Saint lifestyle
	than by any doctrine.  Besides, what good is a doctrine that can not
	be lived?

	Anyway, just some of my thoughts on your comments.

	Charles

>I wonder, though -
>aren't most Mormon young men (and many young women) trained as missionaries 
>and serve a two year mission? If that's so, then it would follow that
>most of the Moron participants in this conference were at one time
>missionaries, and with their subsequent years of maturity and growth in
>the LDS church, wouldn't they be an even better source of knowledge about
>the LDS church than 19 year old missionaries? If that's the case, I should 
>just stay here.


I would like to take a minute or two (page or two?) to address this.  I, for 
one, haven't served on a mission, but I have seen them at work as my wife was
receiving the discussions.  They left a permanent impression on my wife and
I.  They come from a variety of backgrounds - some rich, some poor, some very
well educated, some with less education.  But ALL of them have that same Spirit
and all of them are dedicated to the Lord and to share the Gospel of Jesus 
Christ.  If you are humble and spiritually prepared, it will be a wonderful 
experience for you.  


The missionaries from our Church differ from that of most Churches you may
have been exposed to.  A missionary does (like other churches) receive
religious instruction in a place called the MTC (Missionary Training Center).
They are taught about what some other churches believe - not to attack them,
but to understand your terminology and background so that you don't have to
define everything at the beginning.  (I believe that God is ... etc).  Unlike
some other churches, they don't participate in bible-bashing, or get into 
heated discussions.  They bring the Spirit with them.  Where there is a love
of the Gospel and of the fellow man, there is also toleration.  They are there
to teach and to explain.  If you decide that you are not ready to hear the 
word of God, let them know and they will leave.  They will return when you 
ask them to.  They will not pester you or harass you as I have seen elsewhere.
They will come to teach you ONLY when you so desire.  

What is the advantage of a missionary currently on his mission over someone
who has been on a mission and has studied a lot and is more mature and is 
participating in notes conferences, etc?  That advantage is that they are 
SET APART to do this work.  This means that they have received certain 
blessings which enable them to teach through the Spirit, be sensitive 
(through the Spirit) to your personal needs (intellectual and spiritual) 
and to directly address these needs, to know where you are spiritually, 
and to give you the proper guidance that you need so that one day you can 
return to your Heavenly Father.  They cannot convert anyone.  You have to 
do that on your own.  But I think that you have the desire to learn more 
about the Lord and His Plan of Salvation.  


The Holy Ghost will bear witness of the truthfulness of their message.  It is 
difficult to describe.  But when they are set apart for this wonderful work, 
they will receive what they need to accomplish the Lord's Work.  They will 
receive the knowledge, strength, promptings of the Holy Ghost, ability to 
teach by the Spirit, etc, which will enable them to do this work.  When they 
teach, they teach from the heart and by the Spirit.  Their words touch your 
very soul.  It is a wonderful experience.  It is also something which requires 
preparation from the recipient of their message.  An open heart and a sincere 
desire to know the Gospel and the Lord are necessary.


When their 2-year mission is finished, they are released from this calling,
and the special blessings which they received are no longer in effect.  
Those who are not currently on a mission, aren't set apart for this work,
and consequently, don't have these blessings that I mentioned above.  


The missionaries are servants of the Lord and their message is one of 
repentance and love.  Love for our Heavenly Father, His Son, Jesus Christ, 
and for mankind.  Their role is that of a holy instructor and they are there 
to provide you with the necessary instruction in the foundation of the Gospel 
of Jesus Christ.


They do this for several reasons.  They have a testimony and a love of the 
Gospel.  Because of this love for the Gospel and of their fellow man, they 
want to share this beautiful knowledge with as many as they can.  


They usually enter their mission when they are 19 years old.  They pay for 
the costs of their mission themselves.  The 2 years that they serve on a 
mission are hard.  Very hard.  They devote their lives to the Lord.  They 
are immersed in His Work and in His Words (the Scriptures) each day.  Think 
how you would feel if you could be completely immersed in the work of the 
Lord and were in tune with His Spirit - each and every day?  I for one would 
love to be on that level of daily spiritual contact, but I can't, because I 
have to go to work and concern myself with this and other temporal matters 
rather than spend the entire day doing the Lord's Work.  As they are more
in tune with the Lord than I am (or perhaps others in this conference are),
they know better (through the Spirit) what you want and what you need.


We had the missionaries over the other night.  I asked them about the Dead
Sea Scrolls.  I mentioned that I was under the impression that the Dead Sea
Scrolls contain information about our pre-existence, about temple ceremonies, 
etc and other doctrines which have been re-stored through Joseph Smith.  I, 
for one, was tickled pink when I heard what was in some of the scrolls.  One
elder mentioned that a person should gain their testimony through the Spirit,
and not on the knowledge of man.  I suddenly saw that he was right.  I was
getting ready to look up chapter and verse in the scrolls on the DSS, but
that is not what a testimony is about.  


Think about that for a second.  Do you want to base your testimony on the 
works of man (scientific/archaeological), or on the Holy Ghost?  Which will 
last longer?  The first will last only until somebody comes down the road 
with a better argument.  The other will last for an eternity.  Granted, the
DSS are interesting (even to someone like me who knows nothing about archaeo-
logy).  But you are talking about the Gospel of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
That can only be testified to by the Spirit.  Remember the story of Doubting
Thomas?  I think it could apply here.  A testimony based on the Holy Ghost
requires a leap of faith, but you will be building your (spiritual) house
on rock instead of sand.


(FWIW, the books should be on their way from Seattle to Munich).  When they
arrive, I will read them (time permitting), and I will post a note or two on 
what I have found). 


I think that if people wanted to learn about the LDS Church, they should talk
to our missionaries instead of to us as individual members.  I am not talented
in teaching, nor am I an expert on the Scriptures or on archaeology.  Even if I 
were, I still wouldn't be of very much help because I haven't been set apart
as a missionary.  I could teach words, and they would be (hopefully) absorbed
by your brain.  But talk to you - spirit to spirit.  And that sets them apart.
They are called of God to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I am not.  They
can, through the promptings of the Holy Ghost, directly address your personal
spiritual needs.  I cannot.  I can bear my testimony here, but the words will
be dependent on the spirituality of the reader and the atmosphere in which it
is read.  When they bear their testimony to you, you can _feel_ the Spirit.
You will _know_ that they are called of God.  And you will want to know more.


I want to help answer questions, and I have tried to explain things the best
that I can, but it is not enough to answer your questions.  I don't know how
else to explain the concepts that I would like to pass on to you that would
answer your questions.  I think this is what Charles alluded to in .169.  The
spirit fills in where words can't.  I have seen instances where a missionary
would be explaining a point of the Gospel to my wife. His german was pretty bad.
But he taught by the Spirit.  His words may have failed, but the concept came
across as if he had spoken german fluently.  The difference was the Spirit
and that the elder was set apart for this work.  I am not.  They can answer
the questions that your soul wishes to know and the Holy Ghost will bear the
truthfulness of their words to you.

Take care,

Frank

    
Charles, I agree with what you said in -.1.  

>	The only difference between you and full time missionaries is that
>	their stewardship at the time is very focused, and yours is more
>	general.  

True, but as they are more focused, they can be more effective in teaching
the Gospel than I can.  I don't have the background or the insight that they
have.  What I do have is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and a testimony of 
the truthfulness of the Church and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

You can cover as much ground in an hour or two with them than you can in a 
month or so in the Notes Conference.  They can directly address your personal 
and spiritual needs which I can't.  They can talk to you on a more or personal
level than I can.  They can help you understand principles of the Gospel better
than I can.  They will teach you the principles and ask you to try to live them.
They will begin and end their discussions with you with a word of prayer.  They
will ask you to read the Book of Mormon and to pray before and after reading it.
They will answer your (spoken & unspoken) questions.  You will understand more
about the Plan of Salvation, what the Atonement means to all of us.  You will 
be able to appreciate the logic and beauty of the Gospel and the peace and joy 
it brings to those who live it.  

Personally I feel that knowing the doctrine is one thing and that living it 
is another.  Living the Gospel of Jesus Christ requires a commitment.  For 
most of us, (including me) it means a change of lifestyle.  It means assessing 
yourself spiritually, finding out where you are and where you should be and
*changing* your lifestyle and attitudes so that you can live the Gospel of 
Jesus Christ the way that He intended.

With many churches, when a person is baptized, they have reached their goal.  
They are "saved".  There is nothing more.  In our Church, baptism marks the 
beginning.  It is one of many steps on the road back to our Heavenly Father.
I hope and pray that you will seek out the missionaries and invite them over
for a discussion of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  I know you will enjoy 
discussing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them.


Take care,

Frank

================================================================================
Note 51.166       Feelings vs Intellect: Are These Things True?       166 of 173
KAHALA::PRESTON "Hitler was a vegetarian"            89 lines  13-SEP-1990 14:41
                                     -<   >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[note: comments not pertaining to missionaries have been deleted from this
reply.  The full reply is still in note 51.  Moderator]

> If you (those who read this conference) are really sincere in your questions
> about the Church, please call the missionaries.  But only if you are sincere
> in your desire to know about our Church... If you really want to know
> more (ask anything you like), please call the missionaries. 

> I can answer some questions in this Notes Conference, but the people you
> really ought to talk to the missionaries.  They can explain things better
> than I can. 

Sounds like you're saying that the best source of information about the
LDS church is the missionaries, and that maybe I should quit all these
discussions (that you feel turn into "debates") and just invite some
missionaries over and let them answer my questions. I wonder, though -
aren't most Mormon young men (and many young women) trained as missionaries 
and serve a two year mission? If that's so, then it would follow that
most of the Moron participants in this conference were at one time
missionaries, and with their subsequent years of maturity and growth in
the LDS church, wouldn't they be an even better source of knowledge about
the LDS church than 19 year old missionaries? If that's the case, I should 
just stay here.

Ed

	Frank, I think we have been saying the same thing, but only in
	different ways.  I talked these missionary discussions over with
	my wife, and then I brought in the two full time missionaries 
	assigned to our ward and talked with them.  They agree with us both.

	I would like to extend my comments though.  As the ward Melchizedek
	Priesthood leader I am a little beyond the missionary lessons, but
	thanks for the offer anyway.  This does, however, bring up a point
	of exactly what the missionaries are to be doing--presenting the
	gospel.                                           ^^^^^^^^^^

	But what is the gospel?  I think we should start with the basics
	in the fourth Article of Faith:

		We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the
		Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second,
		Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission
		of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the
		Holy Ghost.

	This is what the missionaries have been set apart to do, present 
	the basics of the gospel and baptize.  There is a good article in 
	the January 1989 Ensign on page 69 by Elder Glen L. Rudd of the 
	First Quorum of the Seventy; "Keeping the Gospel Simple."  This 
	notes conference is way beyond keeping it simple.  If the 
	missionaries get into a discussion beyond simple, they stop and 
	disengage.  

	The main thing to remember about the missionaries is that they are 
	taught and instructed to do things that will make them *spiritual*.  
	This is THE key to their calling, because conversion is made ONLY 
	through the spirit.  There is no other way for true conversion to 
	take place.  This is how we got into this discussion in the first 
	place--"Feelings vs Intellect."  Only through the Spirit of God can 
	we know of the truthfulness of the Gospel.  The "good news."  But 
	of what?  Simply put, the plan of salvation, and the best total 
	discussion is in 2 Nephi 2.

	The atonement through Jesus Christ is the third and final phase of
	the plan of salvation.  After a person is converted by the Holy
	Ghost and baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
	Saints (which is what the missionaries are set apart to do), then
	that person continues in their progression through the remaining
	ordinances that lead to exaltation.  The missionaries only take 
	part in the beginning or first part.  

	Now, don't get me wrong.  "MY" missionaries have an extremely 
	special place in my heart.  They baptized my wife and I three weeks 
	after we started taking the discussions.  I don't mean to put down
	the work that the missionaries do, but I do want to put it into
	perspective.  The Elders (of the Melchizedek Priesthood) are the 
	ones who actually carry out the final phases of a converted and 
	baptized person.  This is where you come in Frank.  You actually
	take part in teaching the gospel.

	But you are right, Frank, when you suggest a person contact the
	missionaries and hear what they have to say, and feel the spirit
	they bring to your person and home.  It is the only way, and nothing
	in this notes file will ever really convince a person of the truthful-
	ness of the gospel over the Spirit of God.

	It must be my position as the ward Melchizedek Priesthood leader that
	rankles me when you say you can't teach the gospel.  So I have tried
	to put my comments into perspective and I hope you can see where I
	am coming from because I see where you are coming from, and I agree
	with you.

	Charles

My oldest son, Maxwell, received his mission call yesterday, to the Korea Seoul
Mission. He will be the first from our family to serve.

We live in North Carolina now but were former members in the Concord and Nashua
NH wards. You Saints in New England deserve a lot of credit for the missionary
spirit in my family. 

Max will be the first missionary in about 12 years to serve from our current
ward. Now, a lot of the youth are deciding to serve. I think that the greatest
single influence on these young men and women, after the family, has been the 
seminary program. 

    I spent my time in the Pusan Mission about 15 years ago.  The mission
    president at the time was Han In Sang, who is now the regional rep
    (anyway the last time I checked).  Your son will have a great
    experience.  The people are very warm to americans and the work has
    picked up greatly from when I was there.  
    
    When Maxwell meets President Han, have him pass on Tab Roper's regards
    
    Ahn Young He kay Ship Show
    
    Tab
    
    
    PS. I haven't found a korean alphabet keyboard yet.