Sept 27 , 1999 Oct 5th 1999

9/27/99

Dear Family,

                Wow, thanks for the great fishing pictures!  Looks like some L.T.M. action Grandpa!  Huge, Huge, Gators.  They are too big to be fish!  I am glad that you don’t plan to tell too many people about your spot at Cree Lake.  When I saw Mike and T suddenly I remembered. . . FAMUNDA! 

                (Clint sent a good batch of pictures with commentary)

                This week we interviewed each missionary in the mission.  We followed up on past goals, helped them set new goals, and reminded them of our Zone Conference Lesson.  For our lesson Elder Folsom and I committed the mission to share at least one scripture from their morning reading each day with their companion and a member investigator.  To remind them and show the effectiveness of doing this.  We shared a different scripture with each missionary.  One of us would write down the goals and the other would try to think of a scripture that would be good for them. 

                One of my favorite was one Elder Folsom shared with an Elder who was struggling with wanting to do less-active work, 3 Nephi 18: 32

 32 Nevertheless, ye shall not cast him out of your synagogues, or your places of worship, for unto such shall ye continue to minister; for ye know not but what they will return and repent, and come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I shall heal them; and ye shall be the means of bringing salvation unto them.

                Each time we shared a scripture we did it with power and it increased all of our desire to be good and scriptural successful missionaries.

                We signed a contract this week on the TA Khman House.  Then after going over the information from SLC about incoming Elders I drew up a housing plan that will finish off housing needs until Feb 2000.  The result of my planning was that we need one more house and then we can coast until Feb.  We saw some today and hope to sign this week. 

                Elder Folsom and I have set some great goals for ourselves this month.  We have a big assistant goal of completing the instruction packets for leadership positions in the mission.  Everything has changed so much that they all need to be changed and updated.  We hope to meet with Mayor of TA Khman as a pre-proselyting good will visit before we come 4 Elders strong next month. 

                We are studying each night the lives of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 

                I have focused on two scriptures that I want to really work on spiritually to better.  John 17:3 and D & C 121: 45-46.

                John 17:3

 3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

                D&C 121:45

 45 Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.

D&C 121:46

 46 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever.

                I also have a goal to finish the Khmae Book of Mormon.  I am on 3 Nephi 17.

                I had my bike overhauled today, new tires, and a chain, preparing myself for the burst into the proselyting seen.  We do a half-day split with about 3 to 4 companionships each week.  We get to have good contact with Elders and proselyte but not like having an area. 

                I was told in my Patriarchal Blessing to study the lives of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and I found a great scripture that really summed it up.

                D&C 132:32

 32 Go ye, therefore, and do the works of Abraham; enter ye into my law and ye shall be saved.

                I love my Heavenly Father and his Son Jesus Christ.  I love the scriptures, and to quote from them.  I love my family.

                Love your Son, Brother and Missionary,

                Elder Rogers

               

Clint mission #38                                                                  10/5/98

Dear Family,

                Is it really October?

                Another Good week with Elder Brooking.  Also another busy P-day.  This letter may be somewhat short and a little sloppy as I am short on time.  It is hard to find time even for journal writing as I am either worried about the next days plan or taking care of house stuff like locking doors, talking to the guard, or stuff.  Today I tried hard to get all my house stuff and employees taken care of so that I don’t have to worry about anything Tues.- Sun.  I like talking with them and taking care of these things it is just time.

                Pres. called us in for a quick l hour meeting on Saturday.  We went over the document about “Converts at Friend, calling, Nourishment with the Word”, talked about the roles of us as Elders, the Branch Presidency, and District Missionaries.  We are trying to keep good retention of our converts.  Also talked about having us as Elders only meet once a week with new members, and have the District Missionaries visit 1 or 2 more times.  Saves us time and increased fellowship.

                Elder Brooking and I had a good time and good success showing the seminary video about the life of Christ called: “To this end was I born”.  It is the one we saw in San Diego as a family.  We invited active members to come to our house and watch the video with their non member friends.  It resulted in a younger brother of a member wanting to study about Jesus Christ, another non member agreed and came to church yesterday, and the Mom and Dad of an active member who were not members now know more about the church.  The video is in English.  There is more music and pictures than talk.  Also we use the Khmae Bible to help us translate what they say.  It is powerful!  I especially like it when Christ enters the spirit world and the scene ends with someone giving Christ a hug.  They learn about the life of Christ plus feel the Spirit.  I think I get just as much out of it as the investigator.  I especially like bearing testimony at the end, I especially help them try to remember the feelings they had as they see Christ enter the Spirit World with triumph after fulfilling his mission.  Can’t help but not be touched.  It strengthened my testimony.  I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior, and loves each of us.

                I want you all to know I love you.  Have a great week!

                Love your Son, Brother, Missionary ,

                Clint

Lisha and Bood- sorry I didn’t get you a return letter,  Thanks again for the goood letters!!!!! 

Sept 99 Journal Entries

Journal Entries:

                Today I attended a District Development meeting.  Elder Williams my MTC roommate was teaching the lesson.  The lesson was on enthusiasm.  As a missionary that is really important.  In his lesson he made a statement, Paraphrasing D&C 4, he said “ Can we serve with all our heart, might, mid, and strength if we do not have enthusiasm? 

                No! You can not.

                Sister White talked a little in Zone Conference about the word enthusiasm.  The meaning of the word in Greek mean “ God in you” A great definition!

                The past 2 days President White and Elder Folsom and I have been interviewing all missionaries.  The interview is broken up into two parts.  Performance and proselyting skills is talked about with the Assistants, personal and attributes are talked about with President White.  Each session is 15 minutes. And scheduling interviews 15 minutes apart we are able to do the whole mission in about a day and ¾.

                When we interview a missionary we first sing one verse of an enthusiastic Missionary Song.  Last month the song was “Called to Serve”, this month our song was “Go Forth with Faith”.  We then kneel in prayer and one of us Assistants says the prayer and makes a point to pray for that missionary.  We follow up first on past goals and they score themselves and then we help them set new goals for the coming month.  Goals include: Discussion, proselyting skills, language acquisition.  This past interview session we tried to ask every Elder two questions:

1)      What proselyting skill do you want to focus on this month as a result of zone conference?

2)      Do you make your bed each morning?

We found that  75% of the mission  did not make their bed.  Some missionaries need a little

 persuasion but most committed themselves to make their bed each morning on their own. 

               

                Two very historic events took place yesterday.  The first one was a special assignment from President White.  President White ask us to choose 6 or 7 members and have them come to the office.  We are in the final stages of buying land for a stake center.  However foreigners can not be the owners of Cambodian land.  A corporation must be formed of shareholders on paper the church will own 49% and 3 Khmae citizens of the church will be shareholders of 17%.  They volunteer to be shareholders so the church can build a stake center.  They don’t make or loose ant money only serve the church.  Those in attendance were: Chan, Soriya, Chany Hang Bo, Phanith, Pen Vibol, Peeh Sophouk, and Um Son.  I think that some were a little puzzled about it but they were all so excited to hear that we are working towards building a stake center. 

                The other major historical event was Elder Folsom  and I took the car down to Ta Khman to scout out possible proselyting Elders moving there in October. It was hard to see the layout of the city, just by car we needed a map, but they didn’t have one for us.  We went into a government building.  I think it was the bureau of Land Titles or something and we sat down and talked with two nice older men.  The one guy was all rushed and gave us some statistical information but we explained that we did not come for stats.  Elder Folsom led the way in a good conversation about why we were there and why we hopefully plan to be in Ta Khman.  Elder Folsom astounds people with how clear and well he speaks Khmae.  He sounds just like them and has an amazing  vocabulary.  I realize I need to work harder on my language. 

                We are not sure that we are ready to head off to Ta Khman with 4 Elders.  We felt just like we were in Phnom Penh while we were there, just father away and the attitude of the people is more relaxed.  We have to ponder and pray about weather or not it is time to go.  Before the trip yesterday in my mind I was saying yes go, but I didn’t feel strongly either way as we were down in the city yesterday. 

                We met with President White yesterday to discuss what to say at Zone Leaders Leadership training meeting.  He told us to be careful and avoid the shotgun effect.  The shotgun effect is hitting lots of little points but not developing any of them, the result is those in the meeting don’t benefit from what is said. 

Sept 13 and Sept 20 1999

9/13/99

Dear Family,

                Wow it was good to hear from you, sounds like you are all excited about the Dec15th and also the results of the Canada fishing trip. Dad and Jon, thanks for the good written report but now I want pictures. I didn’t hear anything about the food there, that is an important detail, how was it? I am assuming not as good as what’s her name in Alaska, because I haven’t heard anything at this point.

                Mom and Dad your travel plans sound great! Bring an “elephant pattern” street tie from Thailand for the 50 Elders who will be here for Christmas. Please tell President White of your travel plans. Please refrain from any time countdowns in letters. That’s all I have to say about that.

                I have enclosed what I call my masterpiece, my final Assistant’s message for this month’s Zone Conference. It is going to be held this week and will be my final Zone Conference today as an Assistant to President White. I talked with Elder Hoare today, he said it is great to just sit and listen in a Zone Conference. Just some background on the A.W.A.K.E. acronym. We were trying to think of an acronym which would capture some of the traditions and attitudes we wanted to have in the Mission. That was a month or so ago. The theme for this week’s conference is Alma 7:22-23.

Alma 7:22

 22 And now my beloved brethren, I have said these things unto you that I might awaken you to a sense of your duty to God, that ye may walk blameless before him, that ye may walk after the holy order of God, after which ye have been received.

Alma 7:23

 23 And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive.

At the end of a companionship planning session this past week as Elder Folsom and I kneeled in prayer.  I had this idea about AWAKE from verse 22. As soon as the prayer ended I jumped up, grabbed the marker and wrote on our tile wall. A. (AIR) W.(Work) A. (CRA) K. (Kindred Dead) E. (ESP).   I can’t force a Mission motto on anyone nor do I think that we necessarily need one but I sure liked my acronym for the message and as a way to put into words how I fell about this mission and the work here.

                Elder Folsom was busy most of the day with our other big project. We had the assignment to fix the translation of the document, The Family: A Proclamation to the World. Elder Folsom did most of it as he is the language champion. But I helped. An earlier translation had been done by someone in SLC but it was not quite good enough. Elder Folsom and I fixed it up because it is going to be presented to the King of Cambodia by President Creel L. Kofford and President White when they visit him this Saturday. President White secured the visit through one of his connections we have over here. President Kofford will be in Bangkok already so will swing over for a good will tour. President Kofford will be coming back to Cambodia Nov. 6-7 for District Conference. He is the only one of the Area Presidency we haven’t personally met yet.

I want to share a scripture with you to close. First the background info. We had a run-in with the land lord at one of the houses. It was the very first house I was ever involved in, and we chose to exercise after 6 months the termination option in the contract. Well after doing so to make a long story short they were not expecting it and were upset. I thought we had lost all hope of maintaining a good relationship and the good name of the Church with them after our first visit about the problem. Well I prayed about it for extra help before our next meeting. Alma 33:4

Alma 33:4

 4 For he said: Thou art merciful, O God, for thou hast heard my prayer, even when I was in the wilderness; yea, thou wast merciful when I prayed concerning those who were mine enemies, and thou didst turn them to me.

Turns out that we cut a deal with them by paying some money, and got things smoothed out. They were happy and so were we. ( Dr. Woolsy from Hong Kong had condemned the house due to bad living conditions, it was a little older but had a great location.) However better than that the landlord asked me where does your church get its money? Well I took this question and ran with it and Elder Seare, a senior missionary, helped me out. Before we knew it the Spirit was there and we were bearing testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon as a Second Witness. I guess I just lack faith as this was a different outcome than what I had expected. A great blessing came as an answer to prayer. We placed a Book of Mormon with them this week. I found Alma 33:4 after and thought it really applied. See also Alma 33:8

Alma 33:8

 8 Yea, thou art merciful unto thy children when they cry unto thee, to be heard of thee and not of men, and thou wilt hear them.

Thanks for all your prayers.   Love your Son, Brother Missionary

PS Dr. Woolsy is a former OB/Gyn Doctor from SLC.

Dear Family,                                                                         9/20/99

                I just got back from down the street.  Remember the little Mormon Community we set up on our street here?  Well Elder Sorber made a big pot of curry today and invited us down for a little sampling.  It was good and fun to have a little get together.  It reminded me of the Sunday curry we used to have back when we had maids.  Also he made a pot of a Cambodian banana dessert.  Good stuff! 

                Hello to all of you!  Sounds like everyone is good and busy with school.  Thanks Dad for the good report on the trip.  Maybe we could meet Dr. Woolely in Hong Kong.  I’m pretty sure his name is Woolely.  He has been here twice.  The first time he came and looked at Health Care facilities like the hospitals and drug stores.  He then gave his approval to Pres. White.  Recently he viewed all missionary housing and then went to Siam Reap to evaluate the medical stuff there.

                The Family Proclamation took us about 1 and ½ to 2 days.  We did not translate it cold.  We took the Salt Lake Translation and helped it then we had local members proofread it.  It was still quite a project and Elder Folsom is mainly responsible.  But it is a big event for us too.

                By the way the visit to the King was a success!  President Kofford flew in and he and President  and Sister White went to the Palace Sept 18^th.  They were meet graciously by his majesty and the Queen of Cambodia, Norodom Sihanouk. They were met by a big Royal group and the King and Queen rushed out to greet them.  And surprisingly enough, both King and Queen can hold there own quite well and need no English Translator.  They visited for almost an hour in a state room, and exchanged gifts,  President White and Sister White received a 3 piece silver vase dish thing in a Royal Blue Official Royal Seal box. 

The box is cooler than the vase . We gave the King the Family Proclamation, Bronze Wagon Sculpture, Book of Mormon and an inf. book on the church.

                The King reassured our representatives that the Church would always be welcome.  Sister White said that at first it was very formal and hard to know what to talk about, but she said later the Spirit came in and the tightness and uneasiness was gone.  They describe the King and Queen as very sweet. I watched President White study the Family Proclamation a little this week.  I’m sure he quoted a bit.  President Koffard talked with the King about his health and also explained about the Priesthood.  Then asked the King if he would like a Priesthood blessing.  The King replied, “I honor your God . . . .” but then declined.  President White and Sister White received pictures from the King’s photo people today they were fun to look at.  President Koffard, President White, and Sister White with the King and Queen.  President White is very curious and wants to know why we were not allowed to come and why were they so gracious?  Another interesting thing was the King and Queen were familiar with the history of the church.  Also the King didn’t read the Proclamation right then and there.

                Other news of the week was two great Zone Conferences.  Elder Folsom and I taught our lesson about personally preparing to accomplish our duty as per Alma 7: 22-23

Alma 7:22

 22 And now my beloved brethren, I have said these things unto you that I might awaken you to a sense of your duty to God, that ye may walk blameless before him, that ye may walk after the holy order of God, after which ye have been received.

Alma 7:23

 23 And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive.

                We talked about 3 area’s of Personal Preparation 1) Weekly District Meeting ( skill train)  2) Splits with Zone leaders 3) 30 minutes of Book of Mormon study each day.

                We are planning for October.  We are sending troops to  Ta Khmane today met with the Land Lord for the house of the Ta Khmae .  Today we met with the Land Lord for the house of the Ta Kamane 2 companionships.  That will go into effect come October as the new Elders get here.  Plans include a smaller proselyting area for the Assistants now that expansion is less hectic and splitting of two area that are big in size and investigators.  We passed a rule this week that no more English will be taught by Elders at the Church.  We are working on getting all survive out in the communicating focusing on family people not sponsoring youth club.  The calls are supervising daily seminary classes which help provide for the social and spiritual welfare of all our youth .

                The youth hear are a chosen generation and are the strongest part of the church here.  Reports are that seminary in Cambodia has the best results in the Asia Area.  When I say chosen generation I mean you can see how righteous they are, you can see the light in their eyes, and they will marry and have church families and will be the foundation upon which the Lord will build stakes and a temple here in Cambodia.

                I have been teaching and helping to train the teachers in both Primary and the Deacon’s Quorum.  I can’t wait until October when I will be out on the front lines again.  I have learned so much and put so much effort into this Assistant stuff.  I love it, but feel like all this physical stuff is not like teaching not bringing souls unto Christ and long to be out in the middle of  an area, any area will do.  Put me with someone who wants to work and lets go work.  I’m good at handling all these physical details and my memory is amazing sometimes, i.e. I can tell you all house numbers, companionships, area, phone numbers, etc.  BUT  I want to be more spiritual and want not to be so caught up in the physical.  Sometimes it is hard to slow down the mind to ponder and pray.  Yet I am happy and love to be surrounded and engulfed in Missionary Work.  Remember Mosiah 3:17.

Mosiah 3:17

 17 And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent.

                Love your Son, Brother, Missionary,

                Elder Rogers

Letter #36

Clint Mission 99 #36

Dear Lisha,

                 Word, thanks for the E-mail last week I received after preparation day so I was unable to answer back.

                It was really good to hear a first hand report.  Sounds like you are struggling a bit but it will be a good growing experience for you.  No pain, no gain right?  Elder Folsom my new companion is very great and very spiritual.  I excel at the physical details, his strength is spirituality.  Anyway we were talking one time and said it would be awkward to get married and never have been on a mission because we have learned from both good and bad times how to live with a companion.  ( Reason # 1097 for why to serve a mission) I have had to learn to be a better communicator.  I use to like to walk around the house and not say anything.  As an assistant we are always planning or teaching together as a team and it requires constant open communication. 

                Elder Hoare is training Elder Kieng in the middle of the city.  It is a tough area and Elder Kieng  is having a hard time adopting to missionary life for lots of reasons but Elder Hoare is just what he needs.

                I’ll share a secret with you. You asked about homesickness. After the first Mother’s day phone call, after I hung up the phone and let the tears flow a bit and in the MTC I was so worried about it I was righteous enough to be a missionary that I didn’t worry about home. I think it would be easier to go on  a mission then to leave for school. The spirit helps us so much when we lose ourselves in the work that I don’t think much about home.

                Also to answer your question I know Maron Christenson and remember her. I consider her a friend. We talked often back in the Middle School days.

                I include you in my fast Lisha, to help you settle in. have you received any special help? I love you and know your doing great. keep it up. Here are some scriptures for you. Doctrine and Covenants 122:7 and 123:17

                                Say hi to Melanie, Megan and Ashley for me!

                                                                                                                Love Clint.

Dear Family,

                Hello to my dear family! How are all of you? Bood-funk-a-rama congrats on the big royal promotion. I never did hear who your date was. I’m sure you’ll tell me in the letter your going to write soon. Dad and Jon, I want to hear all about it. Mom Thanks for the good education week notes and good E-mail earlier in the weekend you probably had a busy one. I will try to have my collage stuff sent next week. Thanks again for all the support from home! Sounds like the Habans are a neat family. Ang and Ani, Wow I got some 1^st day of school pictures. Nice new clothes, fashionable haircuts and works! 8^th Grade. I would like to hear about your teachers and classes and other events. Good luck.

                Well let me tell you a little about my week. As I think back there are the 2 major events. First it has been kind of a tradition that when a assistant leaves Pres. and Sister White take him out to dinner as a reward, appreciation, and Thank you. We went out this past week. Pres. and Sister White, Elder Hoare, Folsom and I. We had a great evening. Good company and good food. However the best part was at the end before we left the hotel  we went outside down on the lawn where Pres. Hinkley dedicated the land of Cambodia. We just stood there and quietly enjoyed the peace and calm of the night and the significance of the spot. Then Sister and Pres. White began to tell about some of the blessings they have seen come as a result of that prayer. 2 blessings were the stabilizing of the political situation and out growing missionary and member force.

                If I could, I would describe  a little of how Pres. and Sister White  are in a social situation. In the car or around the table Sister White is the person who creates conversation or leads out with a good question that gets a good conversation going. She is very good at it. Pres. stays quieter but he adds comments or answers questions. Sister White is an incredible hostess. She guides the conversation so that we learn more about the guest of honor and makes the guests feel good.

                The 2^nd event of the week was an opportunity to use the priesthood. I was on a split with Elder Hoare  for the afternoon. Elder Hoare was asked by a woman  in the 4^th Branch to come and give her niece a blessing. I was Elder Hoare’s companion and was able to go. we went to the hospital  that was built by the Russians. (Hospitals in Cambodia are a sad story and so many people are sick) we went right up to the 3^rd floor and into the Intensive Care Unit. There we found the sister of the 4^th Branch member who was standing at the bedside of her daughter who was in a coma. The daughter was a young 14-16 year old teen whose name is Meav Vichakar. To be honest, she looked scary she was so sick. I don’t think I ever seen someone in a coma. She was sick with a fever before, the tripped over or just collapsed  one day and was in a coma ever since. Well needless to say the mother was almost with out hope and she had faith in the Priesthood. We talked to the mother who is not a member or Christian but explained that the blessing was dependent  upon out faith in God. She desired the blessing and said she had faith. I had anointed the Elder Hoare scaled and confirmed the anointing and gave her a blessing. It was a special experience. Elder Hoare blessed her with a miracle and that she would be healed and she would have faith in God and always remember her miracle. Afterward we visited for a minute or 2 and gave the mother a Book Of Mormon and encouraged her to continue to talk to her daughter.

                I didn’t realize that we were in the intensive care unit until after we walked out and I looked on the wall. I was surprised with the ease with how we just walked right in and it hit home again the severity of her condition.  I included Meav Vichalkan in my prayers and also my fast after proselyting on a split Sunday I came home and got a call from Elder Hoare “Hey Elder Rogers she come out of the coma, she’s not all the way better but she came out of the coma” Wow what power there is in faith, prayers and the holy priesthood. The phone call made my whole day!
                Well that’s about it for me. We made the decision to go to Ta Kaman so this week Elder Folsom and I will head down to find a house for the 4 missionaries who will serve down there. (south of Phnom Penh)  Thanks again for the good letters and pictures. I got pictures of Home Sweet Home in Cedar City. It looks really nice! Have a good week and Much love from your son, brother and missionary,

                                                                                                                                                Clint

                Thanks for the good missionary stories last week dad!

                also mom, Elder Forsom and I really enjoyed the Tuna

                Pasta this past week, which I was saving for a day

                                 it didn’t rain. Thanks.