August 9 1999

8/9/99

Dear Family,

                Phew. . . . !  The move is over!  Today was one busy day!

                How are all of you?  Thanks for the letter everyone.  I really do appreciate all the letters, support, prayers and packages.  I appreciate all of your great strength and I don’t mean to neglect any of you with the post.  Thanks so much for all the packages! 

                Today I received Lake Powell Pictures and I’ve got to say Word - up to Powell 2000!

                I have a new companion, Elder Jacob D. Folsom.  He is from the Wasatch front, and he is

a language master 2000 and a spiritual giant.  He is 2 months ahead of me and just an outstanding

missionary.  Our focus is going to be on helping missionaries increase their skills and thus bring more

 souls unto Christ. We have some of our physical work out of the way after today.  I look forward to being

taught by Elder Folsom and learning from his example.  We have had a special experience together

already as he was fighting a cold a bit and also newly called as an assistant and asked me if I would give

him a blessing.  I was grateful for the opportunity and again it was special for us both.  And from that

point on we are off and running.  All of our work for the last little while came to the big dramatic finish

today as the mission move day took place.  We made a small switch on Aug 6 to get  Elder Brooking,

 Pruett, And Hoare in their new areas so that they could be ready to train new Elders from the MTC come

Aug 11^th.  So Elder Folsom and I started from the 6^th and Elder Hoare is a free Elder.

                We moved everyone else today and also moved into 4 new apartments ( small 4 man houses)

Elder Folsom and I were in the car from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. We only stopped for a quick lunch at the

 Dog Restaurant.  The rest of the time we were coordinating moves, using our van like a pick-up, and just

 solving little problems.  Things went very smooth overall.  I am enclosing the move logistics that Elder

Hoare and I put together. 

                In the move Elder Lowman had some personal belongings mis-placed and was really worried.

  We worried that they were going to be permanently mis-placed.  He first asked the middle of the day and

 we referred him to the home where the truck went before the stop at his house.  The next time that we

 saw him it was late almost time to go in 6:00 p.m.  He still did not have his things.  We got on the phone,

 made the special trip and got Bro. Sears, one of our missionary couples and a good friend, also Phnom

Penh District President, so we could go out after 6:00p.m. We found the bags and then took them back to

 Elder Lowman.  His look of relief made the day all worth it.  I love to help our missionaries!

Mosiah 2:17

 17 And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

I love you all!

Love your Son, Brother, and Missionary Elder J. Clinton Rogers  

August 2 1999

Clint mission 99 #30                                                                           8/2/99

Dear Family,

                Saturday, July 31^st there was a great big district Pioneer Day.  The young men and Young women have been practicing pioneer square dancing.  The Khmae Young Women performed a traditional Apsara Khmae culture dance, the Vietnamese performed a culture dance too.   The children had a little march and in English they sang “Pioneer Children Sang as they Walked and Walked.”  They sang only that one line over and over and over.  It was awesome.  One of the Branch Presidents, Nou Hoan, wrote a poem and shared it for the event.  There was a little narration performed that talked of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young and the Pioneers.  Elder and Sister Bryan Richards made a quick trip from Hong Kong to see the event.  It was great to see them again.  They were very excited and stressed that the 500 in attendance were modern day pioneers.  It was the first real big excitement I have seen in the leaders they did most of the preparations.  They united and worked together and put on a district activity that was very impressive. 

                Elder Hoare and I also had a 30 min. opportunity to sit down with Elder and Sister Richards and report about how much our mission has changed since the last time he was here and this has come about mainly by following ideas and counsel from them.  Elder and Sister Richards praised and encouraged us and as we left Elder Richards gave both Elder Hoare and I a big hug.  Like I said a month ago Elder H. Bryan Richards is my favorite General Authority.  I hope he speaks in Oct General Conference so you can meet him too! 

                In a small devotional after Pioneer Day, Elder and Sister Richards spoke to all missionaries.  The thing that stuck out to me was a question, “ Why do you choose to ride a bike, sweat, study, and be a missionary? Or to relate the message to all of my clear supporters reading this “ Why do you choose to serve in the church, pay tithing or live the gospel?  What is the reason behind our sacrifices?  Elder Richards then shared Helaman 5: 12

                Helaman 5:12

 12 And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

Christ is the one sure foundation upon which if we build we can not fall.  If this is our reason for living the gospel we will stay on course and be able to overcome all troubles, and weakness on our way back to him.  We can’t have any other motives or reasons we must be focused on Christ.  I have thought about this much since then.  I what this to be my reason for my mission and the rest of my life.  Our actions must be motivated by sincere faith in Christ.  Ether 12:4 comes to mind especially the line “ Always abounding in good works”, if our motives come from faith in Christ.

Ether 12:4

 4 Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God.

                A sad thing happened too.  Elder Michael Lonnie Bullard went home to Salt Lake City to be treated for kidney stones.  He passed 6 stones in the past 2 weeks.  Elder Hoare accompanied him to Thailand and saw him off, Elder Hoare was his companion over night.  I spent a day and ½ working with Elder Burnham who is Elder Bullards’s companion.  Pres. White cried with the loss of one of his Elder’s but news from SLC is good.  We hope that we can get him back here in our Viet zone. 

                Thanks again for all of your love an support.  I hope that you can all feel of my love for you

and also my love and testimony for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter

Day Saints!

Love your Son, Brother and Missionary—Elder Rogers

July 19 1999

Clint Mission 99 #29                                                                                           7/19/99

Dear Family,

                Tell Mitch I know about the slow mail.  I finally got a letter that had a picture of the new truck dated 4/1/99.  Sometimes for some reason the mail just has problems. 

                I don’t have much time. 

                We have been busy this week on housing and also the carrying out of Zone Conference.  This zone conference was the last one we will be able to have in the White House all together.  When the 8 new missionaries come in August we will be too big. 

                Elder Hoare and I talked about the importance of teaching by the spirit and committed the mission to remember to identify the spirit in teaching situations. 

                President White gave a great talk.  He took a 10 ft. ladder and pasted attributes and missionary skills to it.  At the very top was Godliness.   And the rest were spread out on the different steps.  He talked about personal preparation.  We all come to the mission or life on different steps or levels.  The most important and our goal should be to decrease the distance between the top and the step that we started on.  Remember the top is Godliness.  Alma 12:24.

               

Alma 12:24

 24 And we see that death comes upon mankind, yea, the death which has been spoken of by Amulek, which is the temporal death; nevertheless there was a space granted unto man in which he might repent; therefore this life became a probationary state; a time to prepare to meet God; a time to prepare for that endless state which has been spoken of by us, which is after the resurrection of the dead.

                Love you all --- got to go

                Love Your Son, Brother and Missionary,

                Elder Rogers

                Journal entries:

A whole week has gone by since I was able to write in my journal. 

                The housing project is taking all of my time.  This week we signed the contract on 2 more houses.  We now have 3 houses on road 410, the couples big house, our little apartment and now another apartment.  We have a little community going.  We saw the sign, but didn’t think that we needed another house in this area.  Then one day Elder Hoare said, “ We should look at that house”, and we both felt like it was right.  Our real estate agent tries to help us, but it is always the spirit that directs us to the houses. 

                We were really frustrated this week as the pink house by the bridge did not work out.  We worked on it along time, but the landlords were unwilling to make the changes that we needed.  Looking back, we never quite felt good about it. 

                When  I get back, I am not going to be a real estate agent!

                There is a real difficult situation happening in our mission today.

                Always before the Elders have been heavily involved in all aspects of the work here.  The District has been weak  and the branches depend too much on the Elders.  The Lord is preparing the way for the District and branch leadership to become less dependent on the Elders.  This is putting strain on things, or growing pains.  We now have excellent helping hands of 4 couples:

                Calls:  Church Education  Seminary and Institute

                Seares:   Mission Office

                Blodgetts and Ripplingers:  Resource Center   English and computer training

               

                And also our local leaders are getting better and better.  Yet they are not doing things like financial, membership, reports, etc.  They depend heavily on the Elders to do these things.  They do excellent in running a sacrament meeting but need much more training.

               

July 12 1999

7/12/99

Clint Mission 99 #28

Dear Family,

                Live from Phnom Penh Kampuchea it is time for the weekly report.  I’, glad that all of you tuned in. . . .  I can’t believe it is Monday again already.  Pres. and Sister White are gone to Laos so I have not seen your letters. 

                I am including my journal pages again.

                Elder Hoare and I are working on the 4 new apartments that we need by August.  We should hopefully sign the contract on 2 of them this week.  We saw another one that we liked today so maybe we can get that one signed too.  Playing real estate agent is not satisfying and enjoyable like teaching a family.  Yet we are trying to get set up so that the missionaries can move into a nice little house in or close to their area and not have to worry about housing but focus on the work.  By the time we get to August, with the downsizing from mansions to small housing ND AN INCREASE OF Elders, Elder Hoare and I will have been responsible for the locating, negotiating of 9 out of 10 missionary houses.  It has been a major project and a big responsibility for Elder Hoare and I.  It has fallen on us pretty much because the office couple and President are busy, and we know the language and the locations needed. 

                I don’t know if you caught it from my last letter but , we no longer have our own proselyting area.  In my journal entries I have given an account of where our time has been spent this past week.  The best part was going out with the Elders on splits.  We spent Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday  afternoons out on splits with the Elders.  We do it two ways. 

                AP is an observer/helper with both companions  or AP with split companionship

                This week was very educational as we got out and worked with the Elders and found out and saw lots of things.  We have great Elders and they work hard and yet we saw areas where we could improve. 

I also learned things from working with them.  Before all the time we worked as assistants  we never got out and worked one on one and one on two like this before, there is a real need for us to be doing this kind of thing more often to help our Elder’s improve their effectiveness in order to bring more souls unto Christ.  Especially now as our mission gets bigger.  As President White says we have to ”decentralize”.  He has really put his trust in Elder Hoare and I as we have made so many major changes to the mission and also given the role of assistant to President in the CPP Mission a whole new job description.  District and Zone leaders all have to step up and take more responsibility.  When Elders Hoare, Williams and I first came our addition made 20 Elders.  Right now we have 32 and many months from now we will have 52 missionaries here.  Our theme for Zone Conference on Friday is Jacob 5: 61-62 “ Prepare the way”

                Jacob 5:61

 61 Wherefore, go to, and call servants, that we may labor diligently with our might in the vineyard, that we may prepare the way, that I may bring forth again the natural fruit, which natural fruit is good and the most precious above all other fruit.

Jacob 5:62

 62 Wherefore, let us go to and labor with our might this last time, for behold the end draweth nigh, and this is for the last time that I shall prune my vineyard.

Love your Son , Brother and Missionary,

                Elder Rogers

Journal Entries: 

                After the Killing Fields, we went to the Royal Palace and Sam Saphorn was our tour guide.  Saphorn is a great member who serves as counselor in the District Presidency and also as a side note he was just recently married.  We toured the palace for an hour.  There are many nice buildings and lots of gardens.  It is very beautiful.  I have been before but last time I went to the Coronation  Hall it was closed. 

It is very interesting to see where they crown the Kings of Cambodia.

                Following the Royal Palace we went to the Hotel Sofitel Cambodiana and held a devotional out on the back lawn.  We stood in a circle around the spot where President and Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley stood on May 29, 1996 to give the dedicatory prayer for the missionary work to begin in the nation of Cambodia. 

                We sang “ We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet.” President White then talked about a few of the highlights in the dedicatory prayer.  Elder Folsom then gave a special prayer to help us all be more dedicated to the cause here in Cambodia.  To end the half-day excursion we went up to a room where we a light buffet was prepared for us.  It was a great activity.  I think my favorite part was Elder Badger’s performance of Alma. 

This week Elder Hoare and I have been doing only Assistant work.  We no longer have an area.

                Tuesday:  In the morning we had a Zone Leader Training meeting where we went with the Zone Leaders and President White.  We talked about building bridges to the future, some of our ideas about expansion.  We tried to expose the Zone leaders to a little of what is happening. 

                The rest of the morning we spent translating for Sopia and his Uncle from my old proselyting area in Stung Mean Chey, they had their moto stolen from 2^nd branch and had come to demand reimbursement from the church.  Obviously we can’t reimburse him, and the meeting lasted almost 2 hours as they tried to talk  President White into helping them.  Elder Hoare and I were taught a great lesson as President White patiently took time to listen to them. 

                That afternoon we went out with our real estate agent to look at some houses.  This is probably our hardest assignment right now, trying to replace one more big house that we are still using house # 19 and at least 2 new four man houses are needed for the new Elders coming in.  A total of 3 to 4 new houses that need to be rented by August.

                Wednesday morning we helped move Elders Sorber and Crookston and Elders Heng and Richardson into their new house #165p near the American Embassy.

                Afternoon was spent working in the office some and also going out to look at the houses that we had seen with Elder Seare, to have him judge whether or not it was appropriate housing. 

                Thursday morning we did some foot work by ourselves out looking for houses.  We were on our bikes going to a few houses which we remembered from our travels.  We talked to a few people who had no intention of renting their house minutes before, but then see the white guys come and get excited about an opportunity to get some money and say yes I’ll rent you my house how much will you give me for a month. 

                Later in the afternoon I worked with Phanith on our “small project”. He is the branch clerk and we have been helping him fulfill his calling by getting the membership records sorted out. 

                Friday today we went out with our agent, Bonna again.  We first went out and talked with the Land Lord of a 3 story pink house near the Chbar Ampov Bridge.  We want to rent the 3^rd story.  We talked about some of the changes that need to be made before we can talk about a contract.  We also went looking for a house in my old Kampuchea Krom Area.  

                In the afternoon we went for a split.  Elder Hoare went with Elders Miller and Hodson.  Elders Lowman and Sea were my companions.  This is one of our first splits as Assistants going out with the missionaries in their area.

                Elder Lowman’s planner said “finding with Elder Rogers 3:00- 6:00 p.m. They had no plans.  I ask them if I could show them some former investigators.  I had thought and prayer earlier about who we could go see. 

                I felt best about a man I met on his bike. He invited me to his house and we gave him a book of Mormon. We met him once or twice but he then got a job at a hotel. So that was my idea to go and see him again. We crossed the Chbar Ampov bridge. I noticed the water was high, the river was full. coming into Chbar  Ampov the road from the market to the wood factories were paved. I couldn’t believe it, that used to be the muddiest and worst road in Phnom Phen.

                We found the man who remembered at his house. They welcomed us with smiles and invited us to sit down. They looked at me and kept saying “he is the one, he is the one in the picture.” We talked to him, and his wife brought down his book of Mormon. His name was Phery. The wife started again to say something about a picture.  Phery opened up his book and in the front cover the was our family picture and a message from dad that the book of Mormon is true and to please read it. they remembered me as the one who gave them the book and remembered what I looked like from the picture At that point, he told us that he was no longer working at the hotel and that he had some free time. Elder Sea shared a verse with him from the Book Of Mormon and then Elder Lawman and Elder Sea worked together to schedule him for Sunday. I showed them a few more past investigators  and also were able to contact and schedule with a young father.

                The last intro. of the day, we talked to a man who was washing his moto, he stopped and invited us in but he was not interested. Elder Sea said to him 2 or 3 times on the way out, “I’m sorry to bother you; I’m sorry we took you away from washing you moto.” I didn’t correct him right at that moment, instead I gave Elder Lowman and Sea to study together  for the missionary guide the Present with Faith Chapter.

                There is no reason to be sorry about telling others about the message from the Savior  Jesus Christ.

                Yesterday we went out with Bonna our housing man, but didn’t see much.  We split in the afternoon and went into the South Lake Area with Elders Walker and Chhean.  I had the great privilege of going with Elder Chhean.  He is one of our National Elders.  He has such a likable personality and also a strong testimony of the gospel. 

                We, Elder Chhean and I met with an inactive lady that I met a year or so ago with Elder Harmon.  The sad part of the appointment is that she hasn’t changed in a year,  She is happy to read and talk with us but says she is unable to go to church because of her job.  While with Elder Chhean we also were accompanied by Sin Tong a District Missionary who interviewed for baptism a few months ago. He was our fellowshipper and helper.  As we pedaled along there I realized that there I was again like many times on my mission the only white guy, heading out with my companion who is one of my Cambodian brothers, and very comfortable.  Heading out to do the work! 

                                                                                                                               

               

                 

June 28 and July 5 1999

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 5^th 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 2^nd 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

June 21 1999

Clint Mission 99 # 25                                                                          6/21/99

Dear Family,

                Hello to all of you! Another Preparation Day. . . One week yet I feel that I have had a month’s worth of experiences.  ( I have got 40 min so no big intro just start writing)

                Monday morning we met with Elder Richard and Sister Richards.  We ( President White, Sister White, Elder Hoare and myself, and the 3 Zone leaders.  Each of us had to give a 7 minute presentation to answer the questions. )

1.       What is the character of the Cambodian Phnom Penh Mission?  Elder Hoare answered a bond of friendship amongst the missionaries and the members .  Intense work, conversion, retention, activation, training branch leadership, trust.  We can be trusted.

2.       What is CPPM known for?  Elder Rogers

                      Alma 28:13  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.

                        Bringing the glad tidings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ working together to accomplish a goal.  Exceed 1998 goal of 225.  Baptisms, finish with 257.  The District missionary program currently 40 people.

3.       History of Baptisms in the CPPM.  Elder McClain Viet Zone

        The first baptism was in 1994 this year it will exceed 1,000.

        Year to date 130.

4.       What are the challenges facing the CPPM?  Elder Folsom Zone 1

                     Khmae people have lack of example.  No traditions of righteousness, Lack of unity and love in the families and branches.

                        Training of our Priesthood leaders.

                What does the CPPM need right now?  Elder Sorber Zone 2

                        More translated material

                      More Training               

                         More families.            

                         Time for growth and maturity.

                               

After our presentations Elder Richards and his wife talked.  They were excellent.

                Sister Richards talked about pride from an article by President Ezra Taft Benson.  ( An area I could improve)

                Elder Richards drew this on the board:

_______________________________

Faith

Prayer

Obedience

hard work                                                    =  Focus =    Bring souls to Christ by baptism and                       

sanctification                                                                     confirmation

etc.

etc.

______________________________

His major message of his whole visit was don’t do anything that takes you from your focus.  He then talked about the atonement and the worth of souls to show the reasoning behind our purpose of missionary work.  We are a baptizing mission but we can’t be satisfied,  We have got to bring more souls to Christ.

                I can’t let anything get in the way of bringing souls unto Christ.  The Lord is speeding up the work here in Cambodia.

                Several times in the testimony of people speaking there was statements made which Elder Richards defined as statements made by the spirit of prophesy and revelation.  Here is three that I really liked.

                “ The fully translated Book of Mormon, when it is published is going to be to this people as was the plates coming out of the hill Cumorah by Joseph Smith to the rest of us. “  Elder H. Bryan Richards.

                “ There will soon be a temple here in Cambodia depending upon our preparation.”

                                                                                                     Nou Hoan 5^th Branch President

                                                                                                6/13/99 District Conference

                “ I am confident that some of you will return to Cambodia as mission presidents—Whether I’m here or on the other side I’ll help you and rejoice in the work that you do!!  I love you! I pray for you!”   

    President L. D. White speaking to the Missionaries of CPPM 6/15/99 Mission Conference.

                Elder H. Bryan Richards is my favorite General Authority.  He put his arm around me several times this week and filled me with desire to do better as a missionary and leader in the mission.  This work is fast and furious.  I love it.  Sophon and family were all confirmed and going strong. 

                Love your Son, Brother and Missionary

               Elder Rogers

June 14 1999

Clint Mission 99 #24

                                                                                                June 14, 1999

Dear Family,

                Word to all you sunburned “Lakers”! Sounds like you had a fun trip! Also seems like all of you miss me a bit more as you head out to the lake. Cause of all the fun we had before. Don’t worry Lucinda and I will be there in full form in 2000. Now back to the Spiritual stuff.

                The major news is that we had a successful baptismal service June 12^th. Twelve people were baptized, two families. Sam Sophon his wife and 5 children and Saom Soaphoun a single mother and her 4 children. It was a great service! We went to their house yesterday for a minute to schedule the new member discussions and they pretended they didn’t know us. The said, “ Since our baptisms yesterday we are all new people, and so have never met you.” Humor was an important part of building a relationship of trust with this family. I have such a love and vision for them as a family. I hope that they together can start a tradition of righteousness which can be passed on to friends , neighbors and posterity. Wow it was great to see them in white. Sophon went first followed by his wife and then from oldest to youngest. We tried to make their day special. The Spirit was so strong at the baptism. Elder H. Bryan Richards, of the Seventy and member of the Asia Area Presidency and his wife were there. It was really special. And I just can imagine how I’ll feel about it many years down the road when I look back on it, or in a few years when I see them go through the Temple built her in Phnom Penh. It is going to happen! The Lord loves these people and He pours his Spirit upon those who will read the Book of Mormon and have faith to live the commandments.

                The District Conference was a good success too. There were 654 people in attendance. The theme was Alma 5:33

                Alma 5:33

 33 Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith: Repent, and I will receive you.

 an invitation to Christ. Those who spoke did excellent, especially Elder Richards who spoke about what we could do specifically  to come to Christ.

                Daily Scripture Study

                Daily Personal Prayer

                Listen to the Prophet

                Prepare to go to the Temple.

               

                I sure felt the power and Spirit of the Conference and Elder Richards’ remarks.  I hope the members did too.  It is quite a production with 3 languages going at one time English, Khmane and Viet.  We have all been busy this week putting it together. 

                Well, I am about out of time.  I need to get caught up on my journal and get ready for tomorrow’s Zone Conference.  I will try to give you a better report next week. 

                I love you all!

                Love your Son, Brother, and Missionary! 

P.S. Elder Hoare and I purchased “Corn” flavored Ice Cream  I’ll let you know if it is good or not.  Doesn’t sound good, but had to try it.