- “Elder Jay E. Jensen of the Seventy described a time when he was serving as a mission president and found himself frustrated and discouraged at the end of a district conference by the many problems that confronted him. As he was traveling home, he was turning the pages of his scriptures, looking for comfort and direction, when he stopped at the third section of the Doctrine and Covenants. He said:“When I read a verse, I often insert my name in it. I did so with verse 5 and found the help I needed to remove my gloomy feelings: ‘Behold, you [Jay Jensen] have been entrusted with these things, but how strict were your commandments; and remember also the promises which were made to you [Jay Jensen]’ (D&C 3:5).“The words ‘remember also the promises’ struck me with unusual power. … During those four days I had focused on nothing but problems. I had not stopped to consider one single promise” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1992, 112; or Ensign, Nov. 1992, 80).Elder Jensen then reviewed in his mind the promises given to him in his patriarchal blessing, in the blessing when he was set apart as a mission president, and in the scriptures. By so doing, he was able to find the strength and comfort he needed.” Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual, Lesson 10: “This Is My Voice unto All”
- May 9, 1995 – Tuesday – Quito Ecuador… “Today was another spiritually uplifting day. We talked with President Farnsworth for about 4 hours! …..He also explained that the “Discussions are there to wake up what the investigators learned in the Pre-mortal life.” So the chosen are going to listen & remember only by the Spirit. The investigators that progress are chosen, those that don’t….we shouldn’t waste our time. He gave us a lot of advice & knowledge today…..I could see the importance of this missionary work. We need to find the chosen – and quick!!! I realize how important and urgent it is to inform the people. I also realized that the Lord was telling me to get prepared to not forget the changes I’d made here in the mission and to keep growing daily – spiritually. Man, I have a deep desire to learn more about the gospel and live it. Now I need to apply it. The desire doesn’t mean a thing if you don’t act on it. I pray I can live up to the calling I have now as a missionary and plus my calling I have in my life.” – Clinton Brown Missionary Journal
- December 19, 1995 – Tuesday – Quito Ecuador… “I then spoke with President Farnsworth about the situation that we have in Santa Ana, how much Satan is working, and how we aren’t sure who has the blame, if we’re doing something wrong, etc. President said a lot of nice things to me. He told me that there hasn’t been on Z.L. who has had success there because Satan works so hard and the members don’t support. He told me that this is why I was there, to beat Satan. He told me that Satan was going to work even harder, and that as we keep doing our part we’ll beat him. President always knows how to hype me up.” – Clinton Brown Missionary Journal