Missionary Journal

My purpose here is to preserve in digital, printable form a copy of the entries I wrote in my missionary journal. I was called to the Germany Hamburg Mission, entering the MTC (missionary training center in Provo, Utah) November 2, 1978.  I made my first entry on October 29th.

29 October, 1978
My first entry in this journal.  D&C 11:3
My farewell was a major hilight of this day, but not the only hilight.  Bill woke up very sick this morning (a combination of last night's party and some virus).  He just didn't feel he could make it down to Stillwater to my farewell.  After great and numerous attempts to persuade him to go, he still didn't feel he could make it.  For the first time since I can remember, we hugged each other, crying like two little babies, telling each other we loved the other.  Nothing I can remember touched me more dearly than those moments. On this occasion, parting truly was the sweetest sorrow I've known...I love my brothers and sisters more than any person I've known. I had prayed for Bill that somhow he would be touched by this occasion.  Never before have my prayers been answered so vividly. We hugged each other, crying like two babies and carrying on.  We told one another how much we loved each other.  Bill finally came down to my farewell...Dad sang "The Lord's Prayer" and "If My People Will Pray"; it was beautiful.  [At that time it was customary to allow a departing missionary to speak at and make requests for the Sacrament Meeting program the last Sunday before leaving.]  Dee and Gordon Reese, Collette Slattengren, and Grant Vest (branch president) spoke.  We took Suzanne Smith out to pizza with us.  I really love her (in a friendly way). She'll make a good missionary.

30 October 1978
Up at 2:30 am, I had everyone ready to kill me by 4:00.  We all went to Okla. City, arriving about 5:45. Teresa Fowler had finally pecked me, but this morning she really kissed me. I know Tim wouldn't like it, but he's safe.  Pres. Hutto set me apart.  It was a beautiful experience.  I felt the Lord's protection from the moment I went out of there.  When I (first) got to Salt Lake City I didn't see anyone there to meet me.  I was trying call Aunt Shirley and in walks (cousin) Steve Clark.  He looked fantastic!  I could see his mission had done wonders for him.  Aunt Emma and Uncle Warren were there with Grandma and Grandpa Frazier.  Aunt Shirley was there, too, and she looked wonderful.  I was so happy to be with them all.  We all went to Grandma's (Frazier) and Steve and I went shopping at Mr. Mac's.  I bought $500  worth of clothes for $270. It was wonderful.  We went by and saw Grandma and Grandpa Kto  (they looked so good) the went and saw Gaylene and Les. I felt so good all day long.  I started out meeting a prospective missionary at the Denver airport and ended seeing my cousin Gaylene I hadn't seen for years. What a day.

31 October 1978
Up at 4:30 am this morning to go to the Ogden Temple to receive my own Endowments.  What a beautiful day.  Grandma Frazier, Uncle Warren, Aunt Emma, and Cousin Steve came to go through with me.  I was washed and annointed and put on my garments and received my own Endowment.  It was a most humbling, spiritual experience.  Words cannot express warm feeling of love and warmth felt in the bosom during the ordinance.  We picked up Grandma Keddington and went to the Salt Lake Temple. It was the most beautiful and spiritual experience I've had yet.  Nothing has brought body and spirit to such heights.

02 November 1978
Wow! Up at 7:am (good night's sleep) and off to the MTC by 9:15 am.  First we met (I, alone, without family, that is) with President Pinegar the mission president.  After a rousing lecture to the parents we hurried through a hectic registration, were assigned temporary companions and moved into our rooms.  We bought our books (after I found my permanent companion) and ate lunch.  The food wasn't bad, and my companion is a really great dude.  He's from back east and I'm committed to learning to love him.  We had a series of meetings concerning our activities in the next several weeks and broke for dinner at 5:00pm.  At 6:30pm we met the rest of our district (class) and had our introductory lesson.  I'm really excited about this whole business.  It looks like hard work, but serving the Lord is well worth it.  The key to success is to keep the Lord's Spirit to be with me.  I know the Church is His Church, my testimony was strengthened today.  It will be hard but I know I will love it because I love our Lord.

03 November 1978
If it hadn't been for the Lord I wouldn't have made it through today.  11 hours in class, 1 hour gym, and 3 hours for meals; Es ist eine lange Tage [it's been a long day- the correct German expression would be 'es war ein langer Tag'] And I know the days will get longer.  I felt the Lord's spirit sometimes, and it was great. Some don't believe you can feel the Lord's spirit all the time...and I supposed it is true.  But I don't see anything wrong with trying.  I know it's the right thing to do.  I pray for forgiveness as it is so easy to judge others.  I hope I can get the mote out of my eye pretty quick.  I love my Vater im Himmel (Father in Heaven) more than ever today.  I know this is the work of the Lord and I pray I may be able to continue to love it.  I hope I can grow to really love  Bruder Meier, my companion.  He's a really good sort of guy and has many fine qualities.  I know we'll have little problems.  I just pray with all my heart we'll be able to iron them out.  Well I'm late (10 minutes) hitting the sack so I'll close this entry in the 'Namen Jesu Christi' amen.