Missionary

• Highs and Lows Poem
• Alma 17: 1-18… The sons of Mosiah by chance met up on a roadway while on their “missions” and were overcome with joy.  To know the word of God, they searched the scriptures diligently and had waxed strong because of it.  By prayer and fasting they earned the spirit of prophecy, revelation and taught with the power and authority of God.  Over 14 years, they brought many people to repentance. They denied a role of leadership in their fathers kingdom to face a mission of serving Lamanites, who wanted to kill them, and began their journey with a blessing or “setting apart” done by Alma.
• “As President Gordon B. Hinckley once said in a Churchwide broadcast: “My heart reaches out to you missionaries. You simply cannot do it alone and do it well. You must have the help of others. That power to help lies within each of us. . . . “Now, my brethren and sisters, we can let the missionaries try to do it alone, or we can help them. If they do it alone, they will knock on doors day after day and the harvest will be meager. Or as members we can assist them in finding and teaching investigators. . . . “Brothers and sisters, all of you out in the wards and stakes and in the districts and branches, I invite you to become a vast army with enthusiasm for this work and a great overarching desire to assist the missionaries in the tremendous responsibility they have to carry the gospel to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.””  Broken Things to Mend(Jeffrey R. Holland) Kindle Loc. 678-84
• “During the time Elder Smith was in England, very few of the people there accepted the message of the restored gospel. In his two years of service, “he did not make one convert, did not have opportunity to perform one baptism, although he did confirm one convert.”  Unable to see many results of his labors, he found comfort in knowing that he was doing the Lord’s will and that he was helping prepare people who might receive the gospel later in their lives. For about two weeks of his mission, Elder Smith was confined in a hospital with four other missionaries. The five elders had been exposed to smallpox, so they were quarantined to prevent the illness from spreading. Although Elder Smith referred to their stay as an “imprisonment,” he and his companions made the best of it. They even shared the gospel with the hospital staff. At the end of the confinement, Elder Smith wrote the following report in his journal: “We have made friends with the nurses and others who visited us during our imprisonment. Many times we have had talks with them about the gospel; also left with them books to read. When we left the hospital we sang a hymn or two, which among other things impressed those who listened, for we left them with tears in their eyes. I think we have made an impression at the hospital for good, especially with the nurses, who confess that we are not the people they thought we were and [that] they will now defend us at all times.”  Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Fielding Smith, (2013), 262–72
• Jacob 5: 70 -72 …70  And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard sent his servant; and the servant went and did as the Lord had commanded him, and brought other servants; and they were few. 71  And the Lord of the vineyard said unto them: Go to, and labor in the vineyard, with your might. For behold, this is the last time that I shall nourish my vineyard; for the end is nigh at hand, and the season speedily cometh; and if ye labor with your might with me ye shall have joy in the fruit which I shall lay up unto myself against the time which will soon come. 72  And it came to pass that the servants did go and labor with their mights; and the Lord of the vineyard labored also with them; and they did obey the commandments of the Lord of the vineyard in all things.
• Jacob 6:2 -3…2  And the day that he shall set his hand again the second time to recover his people, is the day, yea, even the last time, that the servants of the Lord shall go forth in his power, to nourish and prune his vineyard; and after that the end soon cometh. 3  And how blessed are they who have labored diligently in his vineyard; and how cursed are they who shall be cast out into their own place! And the world shall be burned with fire.
•  “October 22nd, 1994 – Saturday…Today seemed good.  We painted a room in the house of Hermana Estella (Mamita).  If you ask me it looked bad. The paint was thin and the wall looked like it was waterpainted.” – Clinton Brown Missionary Journal
• January 14th, 1995 – Saturday.  Quito Ecuador – Jeffrey R. Holland Conference…”After, we all went to the chapel and we waited for Jeffrey R. Holland.  He came in and it was a great feeling to be in his presence.  During his talk his personality really showed.  He has a great sense of humor.  One time he went and kissed the translator on the cheek because he could not translate because the spirit was so strong.  I had the opportunity to shake his hand which I’ll never forget.  I also realized that the 12 Apostles love us.  Elder Holland called President Hunter to tell him what he was going to do here in Quito.  President Hunter told him to tell the missionaries that he loved them so much.   I realized how much love the Savior has for me.  I also realized that we have Angels all around us helping us and protecting us.  They might even be our deceased loved ones.” – Clinton Brown Missionary Journal
• January 27th to January 29th in Clinton Brown Mission Journal – Peru and Ecuador begin a war, causing the North Americans to be evacuated at 3am to Banos while the Latinos were to stay in their homes.  According to Ecuadorian law, any young man born between 1971 and 1975 could be grabbed off the street, head shaved, and sent to war.  The government asked all young men in this age group to report to go to war with Peru.  Elder De La Vera, who was with us in Banos, went to Ambato to report.  During Sacrament meeting that day, he came back with everything fine.  My companion, Elder Zambrano, went to report at the Military Base in Shell.  When he reported, he was speaking with Vega Valencia, who is a man we were teaching the discussions to.  Of course, Vega Valencia let Zambrano go back to the Mission and not have to go to war.
• April 28th, 1995 – Friday.  Quito, Ecuador… “Elder Hanks & I had a good study.  I kind of realized how special we really are.  If you think of all the people that chose to be on Christ’s side are now living in millions of different worlds.  The strongest spirits were sent here to this world because this is where they sacrificed Jesus Christ.  This was the only world wicked enough to do it.  On this world, in the Last Days, the valiant were sent here to be able to live in the most wicked time.  The next most valiant would be the church members.  Out of all of these valiant spirits only a few go on a mission.  They’re the chosen of the valiant.  If you could just imagine how special we actually are.  Then, on top of that, to be a leader among the chosen is something mind boggling.  I don’t know what I did in the pre-existence but the Lord has blessed me a ton.  He has helped me want to be the best I can.  I have this deep desire to be righteous.  I want to be like the Apostles, just because they’re so righteous and so smart & so spiritual & so right.  I’m realizing little by little my potential.  I’m very far from it but I’ll keep striving for it.  I’m so glad to be an Elder, and I feel very privileged to be a leader.  Man, I pray that the Lord guides my words, thoughts & action.  I want to help Him & His work so bad.  I pray I can.  I love this work.  I’m blessed all day & every day.  Even during the tests.”  – Clinton Brown Missionary Journal
• March 12th, 1995 – Sunday.  Quito, Ecuador …”I need to focus 100% on my mission on earth.  It’s so urgent.  I’ve had a few experiences that I now realize were Satan.  At Ricks College, more at the time when I had sent in my papers for the mission, I would take a lot of naps.  Baseball would tire me out.  During these naps I would have horrible dreams, with me fighting Satan (himself) in my dreams.  He was such an ugly figure and screamed and looked like a Beast. I would try to wake up from my sleep, but at times couldn’t.  I would be awake mentally, but I just couldn’t open my eyes or talk.  It was as if someone was holding my tongue.  I would try calling Leroy or Jeremy Bowman but I just couldn’t.  When I finally would wake up I would be so tired I would fall right back to sleep and repeat the whole pattern.  At the time I had these same “Evil” feelings around me but I ignored them.  Now I know that it was Satan.  He is for real, and didn’t want me on my mission.”  – Clinton Brown Missionary Journal
• “The influence of your personal testimony is far-reaching.”  (Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, May 1988, 43)
• Jacob 7: 8… But behold, the Lord God poured in his Spirit into my soul, insomuch that I did confound him in all his words.
• February 9, 1996 – Friday – Quito Ecuador… “Today Elder Herrera and I walked all over.  At times I wonder if we’re following the Spirit because we walk all over but nothing.  There is always a reason for everything.  We taught some good 1st Charlas, and we gave Pepe Salas the 2nd.  We have his date for the 18th.  We know that he’ll be ready.  We put Miguelon Pena for the 25th.  We didn’t make it to the cita with Angel Montero.  I felt really bad.  There was no way.  At these times I wonder if it was our fault for not following the Spirit or if the Lord wanted it this way.  I feel that this is the Lord’s work, and he impedes us at times to complete what we’ve planned.  I know that we sure aren’t going to impede or hinder the Lord’s work.  A worthy missionary never will. He’ll just be used when the Lord wants.  And when he wants, the missionary should have the Spirit strong enough to follow His promptings.  If not, the missionary won’t be an effective instrument.” – Clinton Brown Missionary Journal
• February 20, 1996 – Tuesday – Quito Ecuador… “Right now I’m a little shook up.  Emotionally wise.  Tonight we went to an FHE at the Melo’s house.  The Vallejos & Tipan families went with us.  The Spirit was so strong & great there.  We then arrived late to the Salas’ house.  I’m sure we’re testing their patience.  We started and Elder Ponciano started speaking on the importance of obeying parents, etc.  Lourdes then went off on Lorena, telling us how bad she was etc.  It was very uncomfortable.  No Spirit.  But the Spirit of contention.  We were there 1 ½ hours, and the two of them spoke.  Lorena finally spoke which is what she needed to do and Lourdes needed to do.  Elder Ponciano & I did our best, trying to help them openly talk and come to conclusions.  At the end, the Lord blessed us with such a strong spirit that it brought tears to our eyes.  We then left and as we were walking down the street a drunk came up to us, asking for $ for some beer.  Then an urgent feeling came over me saying to catch a Taxi & leave!!  About 3 or 4 Taxis came by.  The empty ones didn’t stop & I started getting scared.  The drunk was getting very upset because we didn’t cooperate.  We kept trying to walk and the drunk started to look around as if to see if there were people.  Well, I looked ahead and there was a Taxi backing up to us.  I was so happy because we were in a full on feeling of Satan.  We got in the Taxi (Ponciano got in back, entering from the other side) and the drunk wouldn’t allow us to shut the door.  I told the chofer to Go, so he did.  The Tax driver then told us that he saw us as he passed by.  He then went up the hill and came back down in front of us and then backed up.  He told us that the drunk was a robber, and that he had a knife on him.  We thanked the Taxi driver for stopping, paid him & left.  As I said, I’m shooken up.  1st of all because of what COULD’VE  happened if we didn’t have the Spirit with us, and to recognize the difference as the drunk came up.  2nd of all, Satan is trying so hard to kick us out of this sector.  He has done more things with us this past week that I see that he’s working intensely.  He has given us the creeps, etc, but he won’t send us out of here.  I know that we are here to kick him out of this sector and zone, and he’s fighting until the end.  Stan is testifying to me that Elder Ponciano is a valiant Spirit, that he’s going to be the one to finally overcome this sector.  That’s the goal.  Kick Satan out through hard work, obedience, studies, positive attitude, Love, Patience, diligence, and the Priesthood of God.  I love this work.” – Clinton Brown Missionary Journal
• March 25, 1996 – Tuesday – Quito Ecuador…“Elder Goettsche & I then left on a Split.  We went to Valle de los Chillos together.  Elder Batt was sick, so Elder Goettsche took over the lesson.  We then went back to la Tola and our citas dogged us.  We did a few important contacts, and we were very positive.  That’s the key.  Some missionaries get down when things don’t go their way.  All we have to remember is that this is the Lord’s work.  What He wants done will be done when He wants it done.  Patience & Hard Work.” – Clinton Brown Missionary Journal