March 30, 1998

Letters from Cambodia--- Elder J. Clinton Rogers #11                                                                                                               

3/30/98

Dear Family,

                A big hello from the land of the moped! Remember the picture in the one book about Cambodia with the pig strapped to the back of the moped.  Well I saw that yesterday as I was riding my bike.  It is amazing how many people, or boxes and baskets they stack on “Coach Smith” look a like mopeds! They even build trailers that they pull behind them. 

                Today is kind of like P-day but we can’t leave the house.  You probably know more about it than me ( all the political stuff). I don’t want you to worry, I’m safe and I’m a missionary.  If we need to go, I will call home.  We will be back out on the street tomorrow. I just want to let you know.  ( this is for Mom mainly.)  (This is the day that the Prince returned from exile. There were many demonstrations in the streets.)   Like we talked before I left, there are two lives here; the people who I work with daily and the upper class stuff I know nothing about. 

                So let me tell about my week.  Yesterday at church we had 3 of the inactives in the area come to the meeting.  It was so nice after all of  Elder Heywood and I’s pedaling and sweat to see these inactive members walk through the church door.  We have been trying to get these good people to church, and it was good to see them there. 

                Also we have two men who are scheduled to hear the 2^nd discussion this week, and another men who is close to the 2^nd.  I will tell you about our two favorites. 

                Bunridh ( Boon-rit) is a very smart guy who is home from work with a broken foot after a mo-ped accident.  He has studied lots of religions and has free time on his hands.  We dropped in on him and gave him a Book of Mormon.  2 days later we returned and he had read the whole book, but says it is a history and didn’t understand how it helped us know about Christ.  ( Good question huh?  He has really been full of questions and kept us on our toes.) We talked about Christ and his sacrifice  for us, asked him to read 3 Nephi 11. We  came back 2 days later, and he read the whole book again.  ( We are always encouraging and challenging inactives and members to read and Bunridh read it two times in four days. )  We reviewed Moroni 10:3-5 and taught him how to pray, and committed him to pray and ask to know if the

Book of Mormon is true and if Joseph Smith is a Prophet of God?   We meet again tomorrow, he would be a great member if he can gain a testimony enough to get past his concerns and current beliefs.

                Luu Thom, is older and has a wife in America who was baptized by missionaries in Philly.  She mailed him a picture of her with the missionaries and a copy of her baptismal certificate.  He recognized us as the same type of guys in ties.  We have started teaching him and he is at the same point as Bunridh ( between 1^st and 2^nd ) Elder Heywood kind of likes Bunridh the most and I like Luu Thom the most.( I like Bunridh too) Luu Thom is so humble and has the best smile ( ear to ear grin with big teeth) when he laughs or gets excited about something.  I hope and pray that he can gain a testimony and join the church on his own, not because his wife joined.

                The first three days of our English Class we didn’t have any students.  I was a little frustrated because we sat at the church talking to members or stuff, just wasting time.  But finally on Friday ( Class Tue. - Fri. 2:00- 3:00) we had 6 or 7 students, so this week should be good. Everyone over here wants to learn English.  The members here try to speak English to me, but I try to answer back in Khmae.  They want to learn English, and I want to learn Khmae.  In church, I help Phanith translate for the couples. We have a little microphone and headset to allow the couples to understand the talks.  Well Phanith is Khmae and knows a good amount of English, but my job is to sit by him and help him.  Which means I had to listen good enough to help him translate it into a good understandable form of broken English.  Well it kept me paying real good attention, and was good practice, but a few times the couples looked back to see what was going on when Phanith and I were both stumped. Sorry. I understand religious stuff pretty good but an 80% is lost when they talk about other subjects. 

                Elder Heywood and Elder Clayton went to play music for a Relief Society thing this week.  Elder Heywood plays violin and Elder Clayton wants to be a professional pianist--- incredibly good! 

                So Elder Harmon and I went on a split for the afternoon.  We went out to this area, that turns into a lake in the rainy season (  so I am told) All the houses are on stilts and it looks like tree houses in the jungle.  It was cool! At one house there was a monkey, a dog, 3 pigs, and chickens running around , and kind of that animal smell.  For some reason it reminded me of Wheeler Farm when I was little. 

                I carry in my pocket a picture of the family standing in the living room the day I left for the MTC.  It has been used many times in BRT.  The people usually ask or say these three things in this order:

1)      Mom and girls are very beautiful.

2)      Dad and I are exactly alike.

3)      Is that a fish?  ( The one on the wall) The fish is kind of hard to explain to them

We are very blessed.  The people have little and make it with hard work and using what the have like mo-peds.  Sometimes they talk about America where you do nothing and money is there.  It is not quite like that but what about paved roads, nice food, clean water-that won’t make you sick, nice clothes and homes.  We are extremely blessed!  I need to start taking some pictures.  I have just been kind of soaking it all in these first two weeks plus we are only supposed to take pictures on P-day.

I like rice and stir fry, and on Sunday we have curry, it is spicy and good.  Ask me how much I like rice everyday in a year or so.  I also like the fresh fruit and vegetables of Cambodia.  It is mango season!

I have been trying to get caught up on my letter writing and get my desk organized today.  I am about there. 

Thanks for everybody’s good mail.  I like all the motivational cards!  Thanks for all the pictures!

I had a great experience at the airport, thanks for the good send off and support.

                Bood I keep finding notes in my suitcase, they make me laugh—thanks!  Lisha,  how is the car situation working our for you these days?  Thanks for your card about success. 

                Thanks for the letters Dad and thanks for taking care of my two Auzie companions. They really appreciated it. 

                Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Hafen for coming up and thanks to Vern----Get ready buddy!

                Well, I’ve written all my letters, cleaned my room and desk, read 30 min in the Book of Mormon, and studied for 2 hours the language, now it is time to wrap this up and write in the journal.

                I love you all very much, and I’m glad that we can share this mission experience together.  Keep up the good work!  Thanks again for taking care of me.

                                                                                 Love Your Son, Brother, and Missionary,

                                                                                Elder J. Clinton Rogers

               

                           

March 23, 1998

3/23/98

Dear Family—

                A big hello from Cambodia! Well, I made it and I am pedaling around the dirt roads with my companion Elder Heywood spreading the gospel.

                The plane ride was cake, maybe it was because I had so much on my mind, or the good pack of letters, or because I was tired and slept a lot.  I don’t know but it went fast.  Everyone knew who we were, ( the plane people and stuff) I sat by a member on the way down to LA and from LA on the people were either Japanese or Thai and I couldn’t understand them.  We stopped in Osaka Japan and hung out in the airport from 2:45 a.m.-4:30 a.m. Then to Bangkok at 8:30 and flew to Phnom Penh at 11:something landed at about 12:15.  ( If you ever fly Asia way Thai airlines took good care of us)  I first noticed the mugginess in Bangkok.  It is kind of scary as we just find our way through the foreign airports, but we had no problems.

                When I flew into Phnom Penh I saw the Mekong ( looks like the Mississippi) and dirt roads from the plane window.  We landed and walked down stairs on to the concrete.  It was hot and a bit sweaty with my coat and long sleeves.  We were met by 2 Elders inside.  We purchased visas and got our luggage with no problems.  Outside we were met by our new companions and Pres. And Sister White.  The whole airport thing, the flight, and shaking President White’s hand, and looking at Phnom Penh is like a big dream to me.  Everything that I have thought about since Sept 18^th is now real ! The words Phnom Penh Cambodia Mission, speaking Cambodian is a reality.   I wish I had a pair of James Bond glasses that I could wear and you at home could see everything  that I have seen the last few days.  Let me try and share with you some of the major events and highlights.  Also let me say that it is Monday P-Day the 23^rd.  I promised to write ASAP the first pouch to leave since I have been here leaves tomorrow, Tues. the 24^th and goes out every Tues.  I had a nice pile of mail waiting for me and I read a good letter from someone each day.  Thanks for rallying the troops!!

                My companion is Elder Randon Haywood from Salt Lake City, Utah .  He has been out 10 months. ( 2 in MTC, 2 in Thailand because of the evacuation, 6 in Srok Khmae) He went to BYU for l year and loves music.  He plays the violin, he has completed Suskiki lessons, and is very good.  Today he practiced for 1 hour at the mission office on one of President’s violins while I studied. 

                We have the big challenge of opening an area in Phnom Penh.  The area is made out of two other areas and has been neglected so far.  It is big and has lots of people. So Elder Heywood and I are in charge of the South Central area, and are pretty much starting from scratch.

                After getting off the plane I shook a bunch of hands and then took my stuff to my home.  I live with Elder Harmon, Elder Clayton, Elder Heywood, all from Wastach front Utah. They are funny and good with the language .  Elder Hoare, Elder Williams and I are all in different houses, all different areas.

                The house is nice. We have running water( sort of—you can not drink it) The maid does the laundry and cooks French toast for breakfast and for dinner a stir-fry type environment.  It is good and there is plenty.  Lunch we provide and I bought peanut butter and jelly sandwich stuff. 

                The first night I ate dinner with President and Sister White after spending the day with my companion buying my bike and food for the week. We had a nice dinner.  (Elder Hoare, Elder Williams and me.  ) We talked about our families and stuff.  We have not talked about mission rules or had interviews yet.  I am slowly learning from my companion. 

                I have a bike and there are only a handful of paved roads in my area.  The rest of the time, Jon and I would have fun cruising through the dirt and bumps.  The traffic is crazy.  Mopeds, bikes, and dump trucks and delivery trucks, a few cars.  Have you ever seen a few cars.  Have you ever seen a family of four ride a moped, or a man pedaling a full living furniture set tied down to his 3 wheeled bike?  It’s pretty crazy, today on P-day about half the mission was at the “monkey boys” for bike repairs.  Like I said, the bike takes some abuse!

                The people are poor , but nobody I have seen is starving or look like Ethiopia -type environment. 

The houses are small and some of the kids run around naked or with no shoes.  The kids are the best, they say “Hello” in English and wave as you ride by.  Also when we stop to talk to somebody, they swarm around and want to know what these two American’s are doing.  The other day we were talking to this guy and honestly there was 25+ kids around the bench that we sat on as we talked.  Also there are these alleyways that we turn down and they are about a sidewalk wide with small shakes on both sides with families sleeping, watching TV, or doing other stuff. 

                There are lots of people, lots of these alleyways just in my area, and lots of work to be done in Phnom Penh.  It is overwhelming at times.  Each discussion takes a long time because they are so patient everyone will listen to as much as we want to tell them and then tell us one of these common answers. 1) all religion is good because it tells you to do good 2) you are rich, give me some money and I will believe. 3) I’m busy 4) Buddha 5) Please come back. 

                Saturday we tracked down our inactives in the area.  We found that some had moved.  We found 3 still here, and we got one to church. 

                Church was fun.  I did not understand a whole lot, but I was called on to bear my testimony. 

                It is exciting to be here.  My language is pretty good if we teach the first discussion, anything else and I am limited to a simple testimony.  I like to tell people, that I have studied Khmae for 2 months and know just a little, but that I know that message is true and can help them if they will let it.  My second day I had a neat experience.  We were talking to Chaay Son who drives truck and was on his lunch break.  We introduced him to the JSH story pamphlet.  I felt the spirit as we talked to him.  Afterwards Elder Haywood asked me if I felt anything while we were talking to him.  Yes. We taught him half of the first discussion  and then went back tonight to finish up but he ditched out on the appointment.

                The hardest thing so far is being patient and knowing where to start as we have the big challenge of this new area. 

                It is kind of hot and sweaty!-- Like Rogers Construction Days.

                Also I hit Lucky’s Burgers today for an ice cream.  It was good!! A few times already we have stopped for a fresh coconut.  They drill into it and give you a straw.  It costs 25 cents or 900 riel.  It is cool and wet, but it is going to take a while to get used to the taste. 

                All of the Elders here ( there are 22) are good and know how to work and speak Cambodian well and they know how to get around Phnom Penh.  It is difficult the roads all look the same.  I almost have the area mapped out in my head.  There are many parts and alleys that I have not seen yet. 

                There is lots to look at and new smells to smell.  There are lots of opportunities to speak and hear Khmae daily.  I have only wrecked on my bike once.  I fell on my back on the mount up--- I wasn’t hurt.  It was a very busy street and it felt like everyone was watching or at least it felt like it. 

                Well, I need to wrap this up.  Thanks for the good letters and the send off.  I really enjoy your letters.  Thanks Bood, Lisha, Ang, Annie, Word Jon, Hammers, North’s ( the cookies were great! ) Grandma and Grandpa Hafen, Grandma Talbot, for your letters and support!! 

                Be thankful , for your clean food, water and cars and nice clothes and homes!  Mangos and Pineapple are great over here---best I ever tasted!!  They are especially good after a hard day of proselyting .  

                I’m safe,  well, and settling in, and excited about the work here in Cambodia.  I think you would be good here Mitch!!  Why don’t you come over in a year?  

                NEWSFLASH – Elders are receiving packages through the normal mail system.

                My Cambodian Address

                Elder J. Clinton Rogers

                P.O Box 165

                Phnom Penh, Cambodia

                CTR and do good.  I love you all very much and grateful for the opportunity to serve and struggle in Cambodia.

                                Love Elder J. Clinton Rogers 

March 7th 1998

3/7/98

Dear Family,

                How is everybody?  I can’t wait to see you and give you a big hug!  I keep very busy but every now and then I wonder what life is like in St. George. 

                Let me tell you about my week.  Elder Hoare and I taught the lst discussion in Cambodian in the TRC this week.  In 40 min. We talked about the plan of Heavenly Father , Jesus Christ, and kind of combined Prophets and the B. of Mormon.  As the bell rang we were asking if they would or should I say “will you” read the Book of Mormon?  We only took our scriptures and English test discussions in with us.  We read the discussion from English ( more like remind ourselves of the ideas ) then translate as best we can to Khmae.  Next week we will do feedback, which means we just listen and won’t teach .  So I am done with TRC.  The TRC is great practice and helps me want to know the language better.  Also the TRC  helps  to make the discussions real. It also helps to practice answering questions from investigators, and the whole experience keeps me on my toes. 

                Tuesday night Elder Woodbury came around and offered Elder Hoare and I a back massage.  He wants to be a doctor and has taken a few physical therapy classes.  He says he has perfected the back message.  And so we took him up on it and it was great!!!

                We are always talking about our families and the gospel.  What life was like during pre-mission and how our families could do better.  Elder Reimschussel has two older sisters , who still life at home with their parents. ( Back ground inf. ) He told me earlier in the week that he wished his family would just have family prayer.  He prayed that they would have family prayer.  About 2 or 3 days latter he received a letter from the family and it was reported that they were having family prayer.  Elder Reimschussel was very happy.  I though it was a neat story and glad he shared it with me. 

                How are you doing with morning scripture study and family prayer?  I hope really good!  I know it is important and that we will be blessed for our effort to get up on time and meet together. 

                I also just read 1 Nephi 22:30

                “Wherefore, my brethern, I would that ye should consider that the things which have been written upon the plates of brass are true; and they testify that a man must be obedient to the commandments of God.”

                where Nephi testifies that the plates help you to be obedient.  I add my testimony to Nephi’s that if daily we read the Book of Mormon and think about the plan, we will be obedient. I think that this is the power that comes from the Book of Mormon.  I read it, I feel good and I want to do good.  Everyday before my mission since graduating from high school I have made an effort to read the scriptures.  I finished it here in the MTC and have started over.  I know that it is true, and I know this because the Book has encouraged me to do good and feel good when I read it.  I know that these good feelings comes from the Holy Ghost and from Heavenly Father, ( Moroni 7:12-13 )

                “vrs. 12 Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is the enemy unto God, and fighteth against him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually. 

                Vrs. 13 But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore everything which inviteth and enticeth to do good , and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God. 

               Try it you will like it!

                I promise that things will go better for you if you read from the Book of Mormon and try to do good like the people in the book.

                I really feel good about my experiences here at the MTC.  It has been great to work hard, struggle, learn Cambodian, strengthen my testimony, learn more about the gospel, meet new people and friends, ( I just met another bunch of Elders that I know from Boy’s State, I saw J.D. Carter this week, and I also saw some other St. George Elders and Sisters. ) and prepare to go to Cambodia.  My comfort zone was shattered coming here to the MTC, but now I have settled into the MTC life and enjoy it here.  It is time to shake things up a big again with a trip to the wilds of Cambodia.  I am scared and know that it is going to be tough but I am also excited and I can hear the streets of Phnom Penh calling to me. 

                 I think that I told you about the welfare meetings that we have been attending.  We concluded those this week with a video.  Always we talked about how the Savior is the best example of a missionary and taking care of others needs.  The video is the same that I saw twice in institute during pre-mission, we also saw a part of it at the San Diego visitors center , on the streets of old town.  It’s powerful!  Every time I see it reminds me of the great love Jesus Christ has for all of us.  Thursday night was a powerful night for me.  Just before we went to see the movie about Christ we were talking about examples of how important work is.  The examples set by parents and grandparents, who had taught us about hard work and then finishing what we have started.  Then talked about the example of Jesus Christ.  I instantly thought of a scripture that I had to share.  This happens a lot to me as all of a sudden I remember a scripture that goes perfectly with a situation.  D & C 19: 18 and 19

                “ 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----

                “ Nevertheless, glory be to the Father , and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.”

                I am thankful that Christ finished the toughest job there ever was.  He did it perfectly and out of love for us.  I was feeling good after sharing this and then went and watched the movie about Christ.  I am grateful for Jesus Christ, and I know that he lives and provided a way for us to repent and be like him. 

                I just played the piano in Priesthood. 

                I just came from a great gospel study meeting taught by President Pinegar.  Wow what a great talk.  He talked about the Fall and the Atonement. 

                “When you truly understand about the atonement your attitude and behavior will change”—President Pinegar.

                He also talked about choices, we can choose good and be happy or choose wrong and be miserable.  This is so true.

                Also today we met in the bathroom with hymn books and sang hymns.  It was great!  The sound echoes off the tile and we have some Elders good with choir that got us organized into parts.  The hymns are powerful, I got chills several times and all the Elders on the floor came and poked their heads into see the district 39 D men’s choir . 

                Thanks for all the letters and treats. 

                Be sure to tell the Wintch’s thanks for the letters and pictures. 

                Well I really must wrap this epistle up.  I want to do some more study today.  Grandma Hafen thanks very much for your pictures and the pictures to give away.  Also Grandma Talbot I enjoy hearing from you.  Thanks for all your efforts.  North and Hammer family thanks, keep up the good work! 

                Here are some things I have enjoyed this week:

                Last 4 verses of Hymn # 85

                1 Nephi 17:15

                1 Nephi 17:3

                1 Nephi 17:40 - He loveth those who will have him be their God.

                1 Nephi 17:21 - Many times we wish for other things instead of enjoying the now. 

                1 Nephi 8:12- I partook of the fruit then desired that my whole family could partake of the fruit. 

               

                Love Elder J. Clinton Rogers

               

                PS I read through this and my language skills are going not to good. Hopefully you can tell what I’m trying to say. 

              The foreign language stuff is making him though his adjectives around.  I tried to correct some.

Also :  Clint wants some stories of his family - pioneer and faith promoting of his ancestors.  I will send him some, but if you have a good one please send it along. 

PS-PS:  This is for the Snow bunch that this letter goes to.  I am wondering if we should establish a family mission fund.  There might be some upcoming missionaries that could use some help from the family.  The $375.00 a month could be a real burden for some families. What do you think?   

                   

February 28, 1998

2/28/98

Hello, How are all of you? Today is P-day again.

                I hope you have been studying up on your Cambodian. We have the required 5 endowment sessions and so this morning we did washings and anointings.  Next week we will do baptisms and then one more session the following week to send us on our way.  I can’t believe how fast things are going.  This week has just flown bye

                Tonight is the big event.  Culture night!  I’ll let you know how it goes tomorrow. 

                As today was P-day, we have really got some good projects done.  Temple from 6:30-8:00, Breakfast, Laundry, service, lunch, nap, trip to book store, basketball, ½ hour of B. of Mormon reading, ½ hour of gospel study, and now letter writing.  Culture night from 6:00-9:30p.m.

                At the bookstore, I had my discussions punched and bought binders to put them in.  Also bought pictures for the homemade flip chart.  Word is that the Khmae like pictures. I also cleaned up my room and tried to get some of my stuff better organized so it isn’t crazy trying to get out of here. 

                I made a list today, composed of both goals and things to accomplish before March 17^th , 4:00 p.m.  I got some good things done today. 

                If you could put the MTC to music, the music in the background has picked up the pace as the travel plans are received and your getting closer to leave.  There is so much to learn.  This week we have started welfare meetings.  These are talks that last about  1 ½  hours and teach us about how to help people become self-reliant, sanitary, a loving family, and how to help them keep things in order as best as possible so that they can learn about the gospel.  They are great meetings and the 3 of us going to Cambodia really pay attention.  One of the biggest things they stress is to do things that will help in the long term and not the short term. 

                “As people come to know who they really are, children of Heavenly Father, their lives begin to change”.  “Christ changes men, and changed men can change the world.”

                Also we talk about health problems and how to prepare hydrating solution in case of dehydration 3 or 4 more welfare classes this week. 

                Last Sunday a great lesson about charity.  It was really neat.  Charity is something that I thought I knew about and I realized I really didn’t have a clue.  The ‘BYU Education week teacher’ again gave a great lesson.  Probably the biggest thing I learned was this:  Many times we do things like, service to others, with the wrong motives.  I know I have done this a lot in my life, do good because somebody is watching or because one of my friends is doing it too.  When we do good we must do it because we want to and we love the person and hopefully nobody is watching us.  Let us not do things because we love men more than God.  It is pretty crazy to do things for the wrong reasons.  Take a mission for example.  I recognize that to truly serve a mission and truly serve Heavenly Father you must do it because you love the gospel, you love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, And you want to share with others.  I’m working on coming to this point. 

                Great talk from General Authority Lance B. Workman, Tuesday night.  He talked , Dad about something you and I talked about as we talked about missions.  The great Pres. Kimball talk about putting everything on the alter and giving your all to the Lord.  I’m working on it. 

               

                                                                                                                3/1/98

                Culture night was the best!  The food was great.  We first had soup.  The soup had tomatoes, mushrooms, and other things.  As meat it had shrimp and squid.  There were squid heads and then the body part of the squid was stuffed with clear rice and vegetables mixed.  It was great and I ate every bit.  Next was sticky rice with Ginger Chicken Stir Fry.  The Ginger was quite strong, I can’t describe it as spicy—more like a strong flavor.  I had two whole plates—I took care of it, and I ate with chopsticks for most of the time.  For dessert we had some Cambodian candy that was good.  It looked like a little lifesaver, but I’m not sure what flavor it was.  The teachers wore traditional dress and the room was decorated. 

                The best was the video, it dealt with the struggle of Cambodians preserving their culture after escaping to America.  I liked listening to the people on the video talk in Khmae.  The video was somewhat depressing as it talked about the Khmae people, their past struggles, and now trying to get to America.  The second video shown was made by the missionaries on the East Coast which showed the success and change brought to the Khmae as a result of the gospel.  One of these people shown on the video was our teacher Bro. Proeun.  He was converted to the church at 18 in Rhode Island. 

                The goal of Culture night is to help us as missionaries have a greater love for the people.  I love them already, I had tears in my eyes as we watched these two videos and then closed for the night singing “ As I Have Loved  You” .  I had the same feelings again, very strong, as I did when I received my call and the days following. I am needed in Cambodia!

                The MTC is awesome!  Yea the learning the language is important and helpful.  But more important the MTC has helped me to realize how much I have been blessed.  The greatest lesson I am learning here is how to be obedient and that if I am obedient the Lord blesses me and I come to know him better.  Already this experience of a mission has changed me forever.  It is one thing to know about the gospel.  The difference comes when you live ( completely, as best you can) the gospel. 

                This past week or so all of us in my district hit the wall.  We each had challenges.  Some were physically sick or just tired.  I was struggling with remembering times I had been dishonest or disobedient.  It was extremely tough.  I was just worried about all these things and had doubt about how could I do this and do that and then tell people how important it is to obey.  I had trouble concentrating on my studies.  I prayed hard and I went and talked with  President Jex. It was very similar to the feelings felt the night before I left Mom and Dad.  President Jex and I had a good talk on Sunday and Tuesday.  He gave me the same council as President Wilkinson.  Since Tuesday I have had a great week! The refiners fire has increased a few degrees in temperature with each passing week here at the MTC.  All of us had struggles this past week or so.  I say us because I have great friends up here my district is great!

                I hope you can see how important it is to be obedient.  Sooner or later all of us have to answer to ourselves and Heavenly Father what we have been doing with our time.  If your obedient you never have to worry about anything.  If not, you have to go through it and face the consequence. 

                 As I work hard and keep the mission rules here at the MTC, I am greatly blessed.  I’m happy, I accomplish tons in a day, I get a great nights sleep and get up at 5:45 a.m. with a smile to go again. 

                Just try it for a while.  Try to keep all the commandments, and to everything Mom or Dad or someone ask you to do, and then see how your day goes.  It doesn’t mean your day was easy but how do you feel.

                John 7:17:  Try it you’ll like it. 

                We had some great talks in Mission Conference this morning about obedience and other qualities that will help a missionary. 

                Thanks so much for the great letters, and packages this week.  It is such a good surprise to hear from all of you and receive cookies, etc.  Thanks

                Well I had better wrap it up.  Thanks again for all your great support.  I miss you all and when I here great quotes or messages about families I think about us.  Keep up the good work. 

Choose the way correct   --CTR

Love -Elder J. Clinton Rogers

PS :  Mom, I practice my piano every morning and will probably play for branch priesthood meeting on Mar. 8^th .        

Feb 21, 1998

Elder Jeffrey Clinton Rogers

MTC Mailbox #156

CAM-PPEN 0317

2005 North 900 East

Provo, Utah 84604-1793

Letter #7                                                                                            2/21/98

Dear Family,

                How are all of you?    Thanks so much for all your letters and support!

I really enjoyed the Mrs. Field’s cookies.  They were really good. 

                Another week has gone by! ?  It is crazy how fast the time goes flying by.  I guess it is because so much happens in just one day.  ( I probably say this in every letter but it is true)

                Elder Hoare ( said like whore) and I went to choir practice on Sunday and Tuesday and sang with the MTC choir in the Tuesday night devotional.  We sang in the tenor section and it was fun.  I’m not sure we will do it again though just because we love the free time on Sundays too much.  We just wanted to say that we did sing with the choir.  We sang “ Beautiful Savior” It starts slow and quiet and then ends with power, it was good.  Guess who the speaker was on Tuesday Night?  Elder John Carmack.  He talked about the Book  of Mormon, and about the History of the Book coming from Joseph to us.  He showed a copy of the Book from the original printing that is owned by the church.  I went up and talked with him afterwards.  I shook his hand and asked him if he remembered that I had talked to him on the phone.  ( this is cousin John Carmack)   He said yes and that I would love the people because they were humble and pure in heart. 

                This coming week is culture week.  Each day in each class the teachers are going to wear some traditional clothes, and then on Saturday the 28^th, we will have our culture night.

                We have also got a Cambodian rug, more like a big mat made of the beach stuff.  It is like the mats we take to the beach.  Except big patterns on it.  We take our shoes off and then have our gospel discussions and scripture reading at the beginning of class on the mat and practice sitting like the Khmae people would.  It is difficult for me, and the others as we are not used to sitting Indian style or completely on our knees.  Also it is bad to show the bottom of your feet.  I’ll try to get some good pictures at the culture night. 

                I had a good experience on last Sunday.  We went to our gospel study class after the Sunday Fireside, and listened to a good lesson from a “BYU Education Week” teacher. She taught about the 3 fold mission of the church and then at the end made a great promise.  She said that if we would wait for a few minutes after the prayer and just be quiet we would feel the spirit.  It just so happened that I had already been asked to give the prayer.  After I finished the prayer, I opened my eyes and stepped about 2 steps away from the pulpit.  There was about 40- 50 missionaries and they all just kept quiet with their heads down.  I just stopped it was really quiet and powerful.  Sister Murdoch then identified the spirit and gave testimony again.  It was really neat.  Talk about teaching with the spirit!!

                I learned a fun Cambodian kids song this week called “Sau Rii Kau Kaev”  Maybe I can teach it to you .  We had a lot of fun with it this week. 

                Thanks again for all the letters!!  I really look forward to the letter from the fam.

                I like to read the Book of Mormon.  I read it everyday from 7:30-8:00a.m.  The other morning I spent the whole ½ hour on Ether 12 .  What a great chapter!!  I was surprised.  It is like a Book of Mormon version of Hebrews 11.  I had never realized this before.  I am really trying hard to get ready spiritually and have a strong testimony to share with the menuh khmae (Cambodians) The “nearer clearer” doctrine is like the refiners fire.  The closer we try to become the clearer we see the plan, and the clearer we see into ourselves.  I’m beginning to realize how important obedience is and I have caught a glimpse of this work and plan that Heavenly Father is carrying out.  It is still hard to think about all of this and then remember the time I wasted and the dumb things I did in high school.  I never realized how important and great the gospel is.  I have been greatly blessed and taken the gospel for granted.  I also realize that once you’ve served your mission that nothing changes.  It is a lifetime of service and following the plan of our Heavenly Father.  2 Nephi 31:19-20 .

                The light times or maybe funny things happen during meals.  It is a break from class and food is eaten just because it is there.  Some Elders just go down on it, the full banquet style meal.  I get one full plate and then every now and then go after a dessert.  Sometimes on Sunday they have grasshopper pie.  For breakfast I either have French toast or Life cereal.  We have all kinds of candy.  I sure enjoy a good cookie though. 

                This week I also learned how to greet someone and ask the people if they would like  the missionaries.  I learned how to ask the question in Hmong, Laos, Vietnamese, and Thai.  Thai is very similar to Khmae.  This is so if I knock on the door and they don’t know Khmae, I can attempt to find out their language of choice.  Vietnamese is real hard.  I do not like the tones.  It is like singing. 

                Sunday--- Elder Hoare and I went for a walk with our umbrellas in the rain.  We went all the way up the  temple and back.  It was fun and good training for Cambodia.

                Thanks again for all your love and support!!  I also appreciate your prayers for me.  We as missionaries also pray for our families. 

  

Feb 14, 1998

2/14/98

Dear Family,

                How are things?

                We have had a science project in our room the past week or so.  A pint of Chocolate Milk and a pint of 2%.  After 6 or 7 days they both began to swell and separate.  The 2% leveled off a bit though and the chocolate kept swelling until last night when it started to leak.  We have proven that chocolate does rot faster than 2%.  It kind of stunk up the room so we bought an air freshener. 

                Thanks for the cookies for valentines, they were really good!

                Dad and Mom, I really appreciate your letters and care packages.  It really is a good boost and thanks. Thanks for being such great parents.  I love you both.  Good to hear from you Dad and that the stake mission is going good.  All of your letters have been good.  It is hard work and some days are better than others.  Sometimes I get a little down when I think about how much there is to do and learn.  Also there is much that I want to improve about myself.  However, I just keep smiling and keep working hard.  I try to do my best every day.  Elder Hoare and I have the same goals and desires and we keep an awesome schedule.  It starts at 5:40 and we are on our knees before 10:30p.m.

                Elder Hoare and I have also started a new thing this week.  Each day we memorize a scripture. 

                2/10/98-D&C 123:17 ,  2/11/98 --2 Nephi 25:26,  2/12/98—Alma 26:27,  2/13/98—D&C 4: All,

2/14/98—Alma 7:23. 

                This week we also started a new thing anytime that we have a bathroom break in class, we come back and do push ups.

                Each Sunday night we have a class from 8:00-9:30p.m. A great “Education Week Teacher” came this past Sunday and talked about pride.  Wow, I never realized what a big thing it was.  I have been really trying to eliminate it from my thoughts and actions this week. It is hard!  I learned that pride is the universal sin.  Satan fell because of pride.  Jesus Christ is the exact opposite of pride.  I heard this quote in the meeting it is now hanging on my desk.  “What you sincerely in your heart think of Christ will determine what you are, and will largely determine what your acts will be”  David O. McKay.

                Also a great talk Tuesday Night from Elder Yoshihiko Kikuchi.  He talked about his conversion story and more importantly about what it takes to be a good missionary.  He started with one joke and then delivered an hour long speech.  It was so good that I could barely take notes.  He talked about his conversion, prayer, and giving a tithing of 100% effort and obedience to Heavenly Father. 

                Wednesday Night Elder Hoare and I taught the 1^st and 2^nd principles of the lst discussion in Khmae to Brother Southerland.  He designs the lessons for our class and subs for a teacher every now and then.  He has been described as a Khmae person in an American body.  He worked us over pretty good but we also did good.  We committed him to come to church and to let us come back and finish the discussions. 

                Tuesday Elder Fairbanks was picked up by his parents and we haven’t received any news yet.  We talked to the Branch President about him, he said that if he was able to serve he may go right into the field. 

                I went into the travel office this week and asked when the next plane left for Cambodia.  We should get them probably sometime this coming week.  I’ll let you know as soon as possible. 

                You wanted to know my feelings as a missionary, so I enclosed a couple of copied journal pages, so you can read some of my feelings. 

                I am a little pressed for time today , I must teach the lesson in District Meeting tomorrow.  It is on the Book of Mormon.  Thanks a bunch.  The mail has been crazy up here this week!

                I love you all very much!

                Thanks for your love, letters, and prayers.  I pray for you to.

                                                                                Love your missionary, son, and brother,

                                                                                Elder J. Clinton Rogers

PS Thoughts about Srok Khmae ( Country of Cambodia)

      Kampuchea is what the Khmae named the country, and it has been changed to Cambodia so we could say it better I guess.  Kampuchea means:  land of overcoming suffering.  Most Khmae who have received a patriarchal blessing descend from the tribe of Dan. 

                The teacher Brother Southerland says that the Khmae most remind him of the American Indians.  They once ruled all of the Angkor Wat stuff and were very strong. They used to be a big strong fighters but because of hard times they have lost most of their height.  This is Brother Southerlands opinion, but I thought it was kind of interesting.  The Khmae probably came from Jerusalem –the tower of Babel in the old days. 

                On the 28^th, we are going to have a culture night.  Food, a culture video, Brother Proeun will bring in some things, and hopefully we will hear Brother Proeun’s story about living in a Thai refugee camp after escaping from Srok Khmae.  I can’t wait!!  They always try to keep us on task in class and won’t let us discuss about customs and culture.  We do discuss “anyways” sometimes but on culture night we have the whole evening to learn about costumes and culture.      

Feb 7 1998

We just received Clint’s letter today and we were excited!!  It is dated 2/7/98--- I do not know what happened.  The blank spaces contain Khmer.  I am going to have to see if I can find a Khmer script for my computer. 

                                                                                                                2/7/98

Dear Family,

                Word!  I speak from the MTC.  I am in the laundry room.

                This is by far the worst part of the week as I come down to the laundry room.  Doing laundry is easy, the hard part is finding or fighting for a machine to use.  I am done but Elder Hoare’s clothes have a few minutes. 

                Another good week at the MTC.  Today again is P-Day.  We went to the temple early this morning.  Then went to service, it was fun!  We took big hoses and sprayed down the bathrooms.  We took scrub brushes on a handle and followed the hoses.  It was like ice skating and we did 8 bathrooms in l hour.  We also sang hymns as we worked.  It is so nice not to be in class, that we look forward to service.  This probably sounds like what girls or sisters would do but we sang manly songs: “Ye Elders of Israel”, “As Zion’s Youth in Latter Days”, etc. 

                This week we went to a devotional on Tuesday night and listened to two great talks.  Elder Robert K. Dellenbach spoke about the Book of Mormon.  Joseph Smith translated the B. of Mormon in approx. 63 days and now days it takes 4-6 years to translate the Book into a new language.  Next was Elder Earl C. Tingey who talked about the acquisition that the LDS church was not a Christian Church.  It is a great talk especially if you were a missionary going to the Bible Belt.  Afterwards I shook Elder Tingey’s hand.  (for real this time).  It’s like General Conference here every Sunday and Tuesday night.  Elder Tingey said that he new who was coming on the 10^th and that we are in for a treat.  I would love to hear from a member of the 1^st Presidency of Jeffrey R. Holland, or Robert Hales.

                Also this week I watched a talk on video from Apostle Holland.  It was about covenants.  The best thing he said was this: “ If we lived each day by the way we felt in the morning ( some days are better than other) we would never make it to the celestial kingdom.  If we live each day according to the covenants that we have made, we will make it.”

                I know this is true for me.  Some days I have to really force myself to have a good attitude to stay awake in class.  To get through hard times.  I try to remember why it is I am learning the language, all the blessings I have, all of you supporting me, and my desire to be a good missionary.

                Wednesday night I went to the TRC again and this time met twice with a man who spoke Cambodian.  He was an RM from the Denver Colorado Mission attending BYU.  Elder Hoare and I went in and tried our Khmae skills. The first time we went in talked a little about who we were and where we were from and family etc.  Then we cut to the chase.  The situation was that he was a member and we needed to share a scripture, or short gospel topic, bear testimony, and help him feel the Spirit. 

                The first visit went well except we ran out of things to say and left before our 20 minutes were up.  We went in again and Elder Hoare and I decided that we wanted to practice with Khmae.  So we talked for awhile, asked if he was going to school, where he served, about his family, told him we were going to Cambodia, etc.  It was fun even though we couldn’t always tell what he was saying.  We usually caught enough to piece it together.  Then we talked about Joseph Smith and bore testimony.  We were felling pretty good and I wanted to accomplish our goal of identifying the Spirit.  After bearing testimony I asked how he felt about Joseph Smith.  He said good and that he knew he was a prophet.  Then the best I could in Khmae I tried to identify the Spirit by saying:

“Happy heart came from Holy Ghost”  .  I smiled, Elder Hoare smiled, our volunteer smiled.  We then asked if he would say the prayer.  He said, sure and showed us the goal that someday we hope to reach in our language ability. 

                I feel good about the language.  I know there is a long way to go and everything will be different in Srok Khmae but things are going well.  I’m slowly learning to read.  I  take sentences out of the Book of Mormon Reader and crack it like a safe in about 10 minutes.  If there is time after journal writing and teeth brushing (                                      ) I try to crack a short sentence. 

SAMPLE:

                I love the challenge of cracking these.  There is a middle step I did not show you though.  I translate the script into Romanized and then into English. 

                I hope everything is going good with the family.  Thanks for the full report Jon. 

                Thanks for the letters and the care packages.  Elder Fairbanks says his great uncle is Aavard Fairbanks.  That means that he and Uncle Justin Fairbanks would be cousins.  No more news on Elder Fairbanks condition, he leaves for tests on the 10^th. 

                It usually takes 2 days for letters to get to me.  I write on Sat or Sun.  and mail on Monday morning.  Sometimes I get some letters mailed out on Sat.  It is real nice to get mail and I appreciate everyone’s support.  I do not have time to write back to everyone though.  Thanks Mom for spreading the letter.  I especially enjoyed the family home evening packet---that was really great!!!

                Dad I look forward to your good letters and the special incites due to your experience as a language learning missionary.  I also enjoy trading scriptures with you.  We had a priesthood lesson on D&C 84, some cool promises for diligent missionaries.  Also count me in on Elk Meadows 2000 ski trip—It sounds good!

                A goal that Elder Hoare and I accomplished this week is we bare our testimonies in Khmae each day to an Elder or Sister, Teacher, or Temple worker ( Sat in the Temple) It was fun and a good way to practice.  One of us would interpret as the other “niyiuy” ( kind of  like snock auf duetch)

                My travel plans are still unsure.  Most Elders are flying on the original date and if there is a change it is because of visas.  I will let you know the official word ASAP.  The day draws closer to when I see what waits for me in Cambodia.  Every now and then the Auzie’s and I talk about what it will be like as a missionary in Cambodia. 

                Thanks again for your love and support.

                                                                                Love your Missionary, Son, Brother,

                                                                                Elder J. Clinton Rogers