Clint mission 99 # 27 7/5/99
God bless America!!! Land that I love!! Hello from the soil of my second home where we send a big hello to America in honor of her birthday!!
I have enclosed some of my journal and that will be my letter.
I am reading the D&C and I really enjoy it because it is always Christ speaking directly and I can hear his voice .
D& C 18:34
4 These words are not of men nor of man, but of me; wherefore, you shall testify they are of me and not of man;
D&C 18:35
35 For it is my voice which speaketh them unto you; for they are given by my Spirit unto you, and by my power you can read them one to another; and save it were by my power you could not have them;
D&C 18:36
36 Wherefore, you can testify that you have heard my voice, and know my words.
Let me share with you probably my favorite scripture on the atonement: D & C 19: 15-19
D&C 19:15
15 Therefore I command you to repent--repent, lest I smite you by the rod of my mouth, and by my wrath, and by my anger, and your sufferings be sore--how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not.
D&C 19:16
16 For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;
D&C 19:17
17 But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;
D&C 19:18
18 Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit--and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink--
D&C 19:19
19 Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.
I love you all very much!
Love your Son, Brother, Missionary
Elder Rogers
My journal entries:
It was such a blessing to spend so much time with a General Authority. Tuesday after Zone Conference, Elder Richards and his wife invited us back to their hotel for dinner. It was President and Sister White and Elder Hoare and I. It was great! I hung on every word that Elder Richard’s said and it was fun to get to know him. I am so grateful for his kindness and love for me. I feel like I have a true friend Elder H. Bryan Richards.
On Wednesday the meeting was to talk one more time about the suggestions and observations of Elder Richards and his wife from their tour of the mission. Lots of ideas came from the meeting. At the end he gave Elder Hoare and I a Lecture on Faith book sign in the front with a message from him. The past week or so I have been feeding off of this visit. Wanting to do better, to be a better assistant and missionary because of the visit of Elder H. Bryan Richards and the spirit he brought with him to Cambodia.
The other day we were pulling out of the office in the car. Elder Seare was driving . Elder Hoare and I were in the back. As we pulled out a moto was coming down the street and we could tell Elder Seare couldn’t see it. Elder Hoare and I got a little worried and warned Elder Seare but he did not stop or see the moto. The moto came by so fast. However we did miss him barely. Then we realized that Elder Hoare and I had been saying the word for sop in Khmae. No wonder Elder Seare did not know what we were talking about.
Sophon made a good move the other day. He had 2 moto’s, but he exchanged one of the moto’s for 2 bikes so the can all get to church now.
Yesterday afternoon Elder Hoare and I taught and helped to translate for the last session of the mini-MTC held for the 2 new Elders Koim Tal and Sea Samnang. For the past 3 days at the Mission Home we have been taking turns and having missionaries come in and teach the two new Elders.
Sister White talked about making Christ our companion by picturing him with us. One way she does that is when you are talking to someone that maybe hard to talk to because they dislike you or your upset or something: picture Christ between you and that person so that you don’t say anything that would offend Christ.
Pres. White talked about the importance of a mission. President White likes to say: Unless you become a General Authority never in your lifetime will you have an opportunity like this to serve the Lord full time, 24 hours a day 7 days a week. President also said “The most important convert that can come as the result of your two year mission is you and your family”
In the Cambodia Phnom Penh mission we now have 6 Native Elders serving
Elder Khai started in Feb
Elder Sang
Elder Chhean started in April
Elder Nou
Elder Koim started June 23
Elder Sea
Currently serving outside the country:
Sister Theany Reath Sacramento California June 98
Elder Chae Kim Chay Sacramento California Dec 98
Elder Pan Bromoul Fresno Calif. June 99
Elder Touch Soaphorn ( Chan) Calif June 99
Sister Tu Anh Washington DC June 99
And locally we have over 40 district missionaries who each have a responsibility to serve for at least 10 hours each week. This is our Cambodian Missionary Force
On Sunday past, Elder Stewart and Elder George, from the top half of our recently split area, baptized Chay Hang Tho. We taught him in the beginning, Elder Hoare and I, but then because of the split Elders Stewart and George helped Tho the rest of the way. We finished the month with 42 baptisms as a mission. That is 3 short of the goal of 3 per companionship. The month before we baptized 46 people and we were rewarded with a mission breakfast.
Elder Hoare and I give a lot of our time to the housing project. We need to replace the big houses like #19 and 109 and also get ready for the new Elders. Yesterday we went and looked at a house next to the American Embassy. #165. It looked good, but the landlord had 4 teenage girls downstairs. We will have to make this a matter of prayer.
On the 5th of July, we are going to have a preparation day activity. We will take 2 buses and go to the killing fields, the Royal Palace, and then to the Cambodiana and have a devotional out on the lawn where President Hinkley dedicated the land of Cambodia for teaching the gospel. When we went with Bro and Sister White to arrange lunch they took us out on the lawn where Pres. Hinkley stood. I felt the spirit as we stood there. It is a sacred spot. President and Sister White said that they go there often, it gives then a lift.
Fast and testimony meeting yesterday was incredible! We talked to Sophols the 2nd counselor in the branch presidency before the meeting and just reminded him of the importance of the conducting leader to bear his testimony first and then invite the members to come up. Sophok did just that and bore a strong testimony that brought the spirit to the meeting. The spirit was strong and the people were hoping out of their seats. There was no travel logs or duds, just personal experiences and pure testimony.
Elder Hoare and I were really enjoying the meeting. We were cheering inside because of the faith and testimonies of the Cambodian Saints.
We were sitting on the same row as Saom Soaphoan. She is the single mother of 4 kids, newly baptized the same day as Sam Sophon and family and she is such a sweet spirit. During the testimonies she looked over at us with this surprised look upon her face, and she had her hand on her chest. “I think I am feeling the priesthood,” she said. Elder Hoare answered back, “what you are feeling is the Holy Ghost.” “Yea, I mean the Holy Ghost”, she agreed. It wasn’t just her the whole congregation was feeling it. Close to the end and almost out of time she jumped up and bore her testimony for the first time. She told about when her youngest son Makkara was sick the Elders gave him a priesthood blessing and he got better quick. She said it really strengthened her faith.
Today we went on a mission excursion to the “killing fields” Just like the name says it is a mass grave of many Cambodians who were marched out of the city and taken to this area to be killed. A mass genocide similar to the story of the Jews in Germany. It is a sad and tragic place.
This reminded me of Alma 28:13-14.
Alma 28:13
13 And thus we see how great the inequality of man is because of sin and transgression, and the power of the devil, which comes by the cunning plans which he hath devised to ensnare the hearts of men.
Alma 28:14
14 And thus we see the great call of diligence of men to labor in the vineyards of the Lord; and thus we see the great reason of sorrow, and also of rejoicing--sorrow because of death and destruction among men, and joy because of the light of Christ unto life.
Sister White liked this contrast and put together a play for the conference. Elder Badger acted as Alma and read Alma 28:11-14 and Alma 31:32-35 . He had a Khmae costume on and he told us the scriptures by heart and then grabbed the shoulders of the missionaries on his way out that we might have success.
11 And the bodies of many thousands are laid low in the earth, while the bodies of many thousands are moldering in heaps upon the face of the earth; yea, and many thousands are mourning for the loss of their kindred, because they have reason to fear, according to the promises of the Lord, that they are consigned to a state of endless wo.
Alma 28:12
12 While many thousands of others truly mourn for the loss of their kindred, yet they rejoice and exult in the hope, and even know, according to the promises of the Lord, that they are raised to dwell at the right hand of God, in a state of never-ending happiness.
13 And thus we see how great the inequality of man is because of sin and transgression, and the power of the devil, which comes by the cunning plans which he hath devised to ensnare the hearts of men.
Alma 28:14
14 And thus we see the great call of diligence of men to labor in the vineyards of the Lord; and thus we see the great reason of sorrow, and also of rejoicing--sorrow because of death and destruction among men, and joy because of the light of Christ unto life.
Alma 31:32
32 O Lord, wilt thou comfort my soul, and give unto me success, and also my fellow laborers who are with me--yea, Ammon, and Aaron, and Omner, and also Amulek and Zeezrom and also my two sons--yea, even all these wilt thou comfort, O Lord. Yea, wilt thou comfort their souls in Christ.
Alma 31:33
33 Wilt thou grant unto them that they may have strength, that they may bear their afflictions which shall come upon them because of the iniquities of this people.
Alma 31:34
34 O Lord, wilt thou grant unto us that we may have success in bringing them again unto thee in Christ.
Alma 31:35
35 Behold, O Lord, their souls are precious, and many of them are our brethren; therefore, give unto us, O Lord, power and wisdom that we may bring these, our brethren, again unto thee.
Then we sang hymn” Lord accept our true devotion”
We had some time to tour the “Killing fields”. I saw the mass graves and the tower of skulls. Our Cambodian Elders would not go and look at the graves. We had some quiet time to ponder also.
I have been in the Cambodian homes and I have talked with the family members that survived the work camps. It is hard for me to understand. I have seen the sadness, and pain in the eyes of those who remember and also seen the joy of the gospel in the eyes of those who rejoice in Clint mission 99 #26 6/28/99
Dear Family,
Ok, Ok, The hair cut. . . .Let me explain. There is a Vietnamese member who used to be a professional hairstylist. He cuts the hair of all the senior missionaries because he uses modern equipment and knows English. Normally we just go find some guy on the street and get it cut for 25 cents. However to save time and energy because this Viet member comes to your house. He ask me how I want my hair done and I just said shorter. He asks me if I want it cut like “Bateman”? I immediately thought of two black bat ears on my head. So I ask him what is the Bateman du? It is short and will look good on you. There was no mirror in our front entry and I was surprised just how short it was. The funny thing is that it took twice as much time and cost $5.00. I felt bad because of my shorter than standard cut for a missionary one week before a General Authority ARRIVED. I’M STILL RECOVERING.
Elder Hoare and I helped arrange to have Kim Arn baptize Sam Sopon and family. We have such a strong relationship with them we hoped to prepare them to be fellowshipped strongly in the branch too. And it is better to have members to do it. Here the Elders are too popular and we always have to encourage the members to depend on each other.
Dad in your missionary talks spark the couples. Expansion and District leadership here hinges on the willing hands of experienced couples.
(Alma 60:30
30 Behold, I wait for assistance from you; and, except ye do administer unto our relief, behold, I come unto you, even in the land of Zarahemla, and smite you with the sword, insomuch that ye can have no more power to impede the progress of this people in the cause of our freedom.
This scripture may be overbearing, but in the spirit of what you talked about as you watched the sunset in the Caribbean, we the blessed of the Lord, are needed both in Zarahemla= Utah or the established church and also the front lines. Whether it be couple missionaries, mission presidents, Temple, Genealogy etc. I love being on the front lines in the trenches of the Lord’s work here in Cambodia. We are pushing forward)
Being an assistant to the President, I am very busy. The corn ice cream was very corny! We gave it away to the next door neighbors. I received a great letter from Elder Scott this week, he is doing awesome!!
Speaking of the first branch, attendance is up and so is enthusiasm with the addition of 16 people baptized in June. This especially is a result of adding the 2 families. It is like throwing a big rock into a calm pond. With the blessing of added families is also some bad news our branch president quit. He has been there in his calling for a while and was kind of “coasting” Now he says he is busy at work. It is sad to see him go. Other leaders have tried to talk to him but he has made up his mind. He really knew the mechanics of his job he did awesome, but he is struggling for spiritual strength.
I had an experience about helping others this week which caused me to think. I think I learned a few things. We were hustling to an appointment when we came to the little bridge. We saw a man whose moto pulled trailer was hanging on the edge of the bridge. The bridge is only 3 feet high. The sewer water from the city runs down a little canal and empties out on to the flat lands. The bridge was over the sewer water. We stopped and asked if we could help. He was pulling a big trailer or wood and as the trailer jackknifed it pinned the moto flat. Elder Hoare and I wanted to lift the front end of the trailer and pull it straight, but the man said no if we pulled it, it would tip and fall off the bridge. We could not convince him otherwise and he began to watch as he took off the wood stick by stick. Right then I just wanted to go because I knew we didn’t have time to unload the whole thing. So as we were standing there people were going by us on their moto’s. All starring at the “Frenchies” and the endangered trailer of wood. One guy stops and ask if we were the ones who caused him to wreak. We said no, only wanted to help, and that we thought we could pull it. He then go upset and started muttering Khmae don’t help Khmae. Meaning the Cambodians don’t know how to help each other. Anyways. He starts yelling to the people watching and going by and we all grabbed the trailer and yanked it up and off the edge of the bridge. Then we all said a bunch of “thank-you’s” and “soksbays” and were on our way.
What did we learn? Nothing new really, but we stopped to help even when we were in a hurry and many hands make light work.
Elder Hoare and I now call that bridge “ Khmae help Khmae bridge”
Well, hope you all have a great week. A scripture which caught my eye this week -
A manual of faith of the prophets of the Book of Mormon.
D&C 10:46
46 And, behold, all the remainder of this work does contain all those parts of my gospel which my holy prophets, yea, and also my disciples, desired in their prayers should come forth unto this people.
47 And I said unto them, that it should be granted unto them according to their faith in their prayers;
D&C 10:48
48 Yea, and this was their faith--that my gospel, which I gave unto them that they might preach in their days, might come unto their brethren the Lamanites, and also all that had become Lamanites because of their dissensions.
D&C 10:49
49 Now, this is not all--their faith in their prayers was that this gospel should be made known also, if it were possible that other nations should possess this land;
D&C 10:50
50 And thus they did leave a blessing upon this land in their prayers, that whosoever should believe in this gospel in this land might have eternal life;
D&C 10:51
51 Yea, that it might be free unto all of whatsoever nation, kindred, tongue, or people they may be.
D&C 10:52
52 And now, behold, according to their faith in their prayers will I bring this part of my gospel to the knowledge of my people. Behold, I do not bring it to destroy that which they have received, but to build it up.
Love your Son, Brother, Missionary
Elder Rogers