- December 28, 1995 – Thursday – Quito Ecuador… “A lot of appointments dogged us today. Satan was trying to deanimarnos (discourage us). But he can’t. This morning we had Zone Study. Our Zone is sweet. We have a lot of fun together. Elder Herrera and I walked all over the place today. We had 3 charlas. Yesterday we had 6. Yesterday, during the Joseph Smith principle at the Bustamante’s house, the Spirit was so strong. It was in my whole body testifying that Joseph Smith is a true prophet. I have no doubt of that!!! We committed Marcelo Sifuentes and Mirian Zambrano to be baptized on the 7th of January. They’re neat people, and will be baptized. I love this work. At times I’m so tired, or want to give up, but no way. It’s like the 4th Quarter. Bear down and get ‘em. Before the mission I was worried because I had no excitement for the church. It was all Sports! I could get hyped up for Sports but not church. I prayed a lot during high school that the Lord would convert my excitement for Sports to excitement to Spread the Gospel. I tell you what, the Lord has answered my prayers. My adrenaline gets flowing to leave the house, hunt down the chosen, teach with the Spirit, and help people progress. I love it when the other team – Satan – tries to impede us or beat us. I get pumped to find out how to beat him.” – Clinton Brown Missionary Journal
- “After many generations had walked the earth so many of them in conflict, hatred, darkness, and evil there arrived the great, new day of the Restoration. This glorious gospel was ushered in with the appearance of the Father and the Son to the boy Joseph. How truly remarkable was that vision in the year 1820 when Joseph prayed in the woods and there appeared before him both the Father and the Son. One of these spoke to him, calling him by name and, pointing to the other, said, This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him! (Joseph Smith History 1:17). Nothing like it had ever happened before. One is led to wonder why it was so important that both the Father and the Son appear. I think it was because They were ushering in the dispensation of the fulness of times, the last and final dispensation of the gospel, when there would be gathered together in one the elements of all previous dispensations. This was to be the final chapter in the long chronicle of God’s dealing with men and women upon the earth.” Manual, Teachings of the President of the Church: Gordon B Hinckley, Chapter 1, The Restoration of the Gospel the Dawning of a Brighter Day