4/1/1984 - 4/7/1984
Dear President,
This week was a "sick" week. I got sick the Sunday you were here (4/1). I guess nature played a practical joke on me, but it wasn't too funny, because I still feel the effects of it. On that Tuesday (4/3), my companion went with Elder Bennett's companion and worked, and I stayed home and had a good talk with Elder Bennett. We started planning our weeks out more and implementing the yellow planner, and we're going to inform all the other Elders to use it because it does help! For me my mission has been a great big "school" because I learn many lessons. For instance, lately I've seen a lot of comparing together of a lot of the Elders. And comparing ourselves to someone else doesn't help us at all. Then I picked up the January 1984 Ensign and read an article about our comparative thinking. All I need to do is just measure myself against myself and not against another person. Because if I worry about catching up to others it really just gets me frustrated and I give up. That's how it hurts us. The article says we always look at ourselves as the worst, and that is true for me. I figure myself as the worst missionary and it hasn't helped me too much to think that way. So I'm going to try to change that attitude.Thanks for the days you spent with us here. I sure love you. Don't do anything Spencer W. Kimball wouldn't do! Love, Elder Monson
P.S.: Sorry all the reports are late!
4/8/1984 - 4/14/1984
Dear President,
This past week was kind of bad, but not really. We lost quite a bit of time in our area but really helped out Uman. We had kind of a rushed zone conference Monday (the 9th) so we could make the Uman yama (boat) in time. But we were late and didn't make it. So we went the next day Tuesday. After meeting with them for several hours that night, I decided to leave Wednesday morning. But we missed the Wednesday morning boat so we stayed and split with the Elders there Wednesday, and had an excellent day with them. The first half of the day I went with Puleiku, the second half, Christensen. I sure do love them. They are doing real good. They're happy about the work, but Christensen is nervous about teaching them. For me, teaching is easy; its contacting and getting appointments I'm not so good on, while Christensen is really good at it. I guess that's why they put us in pairs, right? We didn't teach as many as we wanted that week (in Sapuk), but we did make a couple of new contacts.We also helped Sister Carlson with a primary party all day Saturday. It was sure a riot. My companion's back has been hurting lately and we went to the hospital and he got x-rayed. The results: he has a bad back, but there's nothing they can do about it, and its just a condition he'll have to live with. I don't know why, but I slightly still have the cold I had when you were here. It's taking its time going away. Take care and "stay in":! (In tune, in time, and in spirit!)
Love, Elder Monson
4/15/1984 - 4/21/1984
Dear President Keeler,
Well, we have a scheduled baptism, but having a hard time to get her to come out to church. Her mother on Uman, Elder Christensen and Elder Puleiku will bring in and they can be baptized together. Her husband even has the priesthood so we'll have him baptize her. She at least seems happy about that.
This past week went well, especially the visit to Dublon. We only stayed one night and a meeting about the yellow planners and planning and goals, and also a meeting on the gospel subject "Faith". Faith is interesting. Its a key, but also power, and its something you can grow and cultivate.
I'm really loving the job of visiting all the Elders and it helps me understand their situations a lot when I get to work with them. Thanks for the opportunity.
I would also like to thank you for 2 other things. The organ was a big surprise to me, and to the members on Sunday. I'm the only one this side of the island who knows how to play it. I practiced for Sunday and it went well. Only thing is that it could be a little louder, but that's okay. We've been waiting a long time for it and we sure love it. I'm going to start giving lessons right away. Thanks also for the Japanese pamphlets. There is a half-Trukese here (an older man) that has been schooled in Japan, and can read Japanese a lot better than Trukese, and he sure loves the material.
They probably already know, but could you tell the office staff thanks, and then also ask them can they get a Book of Mormon in Japanese. Also, I requested quite a few mantles for the Coleman lanterns and they need them badly. If what they have breaks, they can't buy any more now because there's a shortage. Thanks, and I sure love you. Elder Monson
4/22/1984 - 4/28/1984
Dear President,
This last week I'm writing for, was interesting. I got to visit Elder Mote's island, Romanum. The people there were really friendly, and the work I did with Tauki Uvea was really excellent. That island is probably the most beautiful I've ever seen. They are handling things very well despite their circumstances. You know; slow water supply, no privacy, and other things.
Their island is sure small, and it took about a half day for both pairs of us to circle it and talk to everyone on the way. I also helped Elder Carlson haul some materials for a water tank. It will be very beneficial for them. One of the members told me "Now, you see how bad it is, so go back and tell them how bad it is". Its kind of bad. Its getting kind of dry right now and so their little trickle of water is going slow. But Elder Carlson is getting things going. Right now, for a lot of my investigators, I'm doing fellowshipping work. That's been one of my challenges, so I'm trying to correct it. That's kind of a dumb problem, isn't it? I should be doing that automatically.
I'm still having those "fun days", where one day I understand everything said, and the next [day] its like I don't even know the language. Blea.
One thing I'm really learning to conquer is the journal. It sits there, seemingly laughing at me for not writing in it all that I should. You know how it is. You get behind and you just say to yourself, "tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow", and it never gets done. I bet your journal doesn't laugh at you!
Love, Elder Monson
P.S. Please tell the office to hurry on the things I've ordered. Especially the mantles for the lanterns. Mote got his that he requested, but I haven't received the ones I requested.
Sunday, March 3, 2019
Micronesia/Guam - Reports to the Mission President March 1984
3/4/1984 - 3/20/1984
Dear President,
We had a very good zone conference this past week, everyone bearing strong testimonies. I love this district. I sure learn much every week. This past week, I learned how important my journal is, just from the fact a read exactly what I did last year on Guam. I try to write as much as I can daily. That way I get the thoughts of the day, instead of just weekly events. Its interesting. We're getting another investigator coming out to church, and he's so neat. We gave him the baptismal challenge, and we talked a while about his wife. His wife is a very strong Protestant and he doesn't know if she'll allow his baptism. She avoids us when we come over, but we've got to work out the problem somehow this week. I'm a bit worried at times about for our seminary teacher. I help her to prepare the lessons because she doesn't have any English speaking students, so we have to work with it and translate needed things, etc. She does a great job though. Hey! I've almost got the "getting up at 5am" problem solved. It's becoming more and more regular and I'm happy about it. It really gets us going, especially of our companion study. Also I hear tell that President McBride will be going through soon and I will ask him this question. One of the families in Sapuk has been building a completely separate room, and I believe they will also build some facilities for showering and a bathroom and a place for stove. My question is, could we move in? It will be in the same house and in an area where there are members and non-members, but the room will have its own door, and windows. Any advice? I'll try to confirm the details this week. Love, Steve
3/11/1984 - 3/17/1984
Dear President,
Aside from keeping me companion awake while I teach the discussions in Trukese, I'm doing okay. We're expecting to have Thomas baptized the 7th of April if his wife will allow it. Thanks a million for putting Elder Baird as my companion. He's learning the language well and he has certainly got me going. I've also received a ton of help from the other Elders. My attitude for myself is changing for the better. I've been berating myself my whole mission and refusing to see the good I've done, therefore discouraging myself from doing more. I think my attitude and my priorities could still use a lot of changing, but it's going in the right direction. My dad has quit writing me often. I try to write him every two weeks, but maybe that's not enough. Sure would be nice if you could come for a visit again. Love always, Elder Steve
3/18/1984 - 3/24/1984
Dear President,
I want to thank you a lot for sending Pres. McBride out to help us out and meeting with us. He probably told you that he changed our zone meeting schedule to every 3 weeks, instead of every 2 weeks. That's okay. It was brought up, then changed. There was a small concern from other Elders to change it back, so I don't know. Last week wasn't so fruitful, because a lot of our appointments fell through. We're going to get some this week. (Get more.) My dad has quit writing and I'm a little concerned about it. Maybe its because I don't send regular letters like I should. I'm sure not having any money problems thanks to my dad. Pres. McBride made me D.L. I've been doing the reports for it all along anyway. Thanks for everything! Love, Steve
3/25/1984 - 3/31/1984
Dear President,
Things are going a bit slower than I'd like. I think I better refine some of my techniques (teaching and conversation). I've been spending a bit too much on only language, and my scripture memorization and scriptural content memory is going down. Can you believe, the other day this guy told us that there was no sin, and I forgot about the scripture in 1 John 1:8! I was beside myself! I don't believe I forgot such a dumb thing. Since you've been here, I've come to know my responsibilities more and to go about fulfilling them better. Well, concerning the week before, Elders Christensen and Puleiku came in because Elder Puleiku's back was hurting him, and he wanted to see a doctor. So, last Wednesday we split up and hit Sapuk with the 4 of us and tracted. That evening Elder Puleiku got to see a doctor. We got quite a few return appointments from that and we're following up this week. Thanks! Love, Elder Monson
Dear President,
We had a very good zone conference this past week, everyone bearing strong testimonies. I love this district. I sure learn much every week. This past week, I learned how important my journal is, just from the fact a read exactly what I did last year on Guam. I try to write as much as I can daily. That way I get the thoughts of the day, instead of just weekly events. Its interesting. We're getting another investigator coming out to church, and he's so neat. We gave him the baptismal challenge, and we talked a while about his wife. His wife is a very strong Protestant and he doesn't know if she'll allow his baptism. She avoids us when we come over, but we've got to work out the problem somehow this week. I'm a bit worried at times about for our seminary teacher. I help her to prepare the lessons because she doesn't have any English speaking students, so we have to work with it and translate needed things, etc. She does a great job though. Hey! I've almost got the "getting up at 5am" problem solved. It's becoming more and more regular and I'm happy about it. It really gets us going, especially of our companion study. Also I hear tell that President McBride will be going through soon and I will ask him this question. One of the families in Sapuk has been building a completely separate room, and I believe they will also build some facilities for showering and a bathroom and a place for stove. My question is, could we move in? It will be in the same house and in an area where there are members and non-members, but the room will have its own door, and windows. Any advice? I'll try to confirm the details this week. Love, Steve
3/11/1984 - 3/17/1984
Dear President,
Aside from keeping me companion awake while I teach the discussions in Trukese, I'm doing okay. We're expecting to have Thomas baptized the 7th of April if his wife will allow it. Thanks a million for putting Elder Baird as my companion. He's learning the language well and he has certainly got me going. I've also received a ton of help from the other Elders. My attitude for myself is changing for the better. I've been berating myself my whole mission and refusing to see the good I've done, therefore discouraging myself from doing more. I think my attitude and my priorities could still use a lot of changing, but it's going in the right direction. My dad has quit writing me often. I try to write him every two weeks, but maybe that's not enough. Sure would be nice if you could come for a visit again. Love always, Elder Steve
3/18/1984 - 3/24/1984
Dear President,
I want to thank you a lot for sending Pres. McBride out to help us out and meeting with us. He probably told you that he changed our zone meeting schedule to every 3 weeks, instead of every 2 weeks. That's okay. It was brought up, then changed. There was a small concern from other Elders to change it back, so I don't know. Last week wasn't so fruitful, because a lot of our appointments fell through. We're going to get some this week. (Get more.) My dad has quit writing and I'm a little concerned about it. Maybe its because I don't send regular letters like I should. I'm sure not having any money problems thanks to my dad. Pres. McBride made me D.L. I've been doing the reports for it all along anyway. Thanks for everything! Love, Steve
3/25/1984 - 3/31/1984
Dear President,
Things are going a bit slower than I'd like. I think I better refine some of my techniques (teaching and conversation). I've been spending a bit too much on only language, and my scripture memorization and scriptural content memory is going down. Can you believe, the other day this guy told us that there was no sin, and I forgot about the scripture in 1 John 1:8! I was beside myself! I don't believe I forgot such a dumb thing. Since you've been here, I've come to know my responsibilities more and to go about fulfilling them better. Well, concerning the week before, Elders Christensen and Puleiku came in because Elder Puleiku's back was hurting him, and he wanted to see a doctor. So, last Wednesday we split up and hit Sapuk with the 4 of us and tracted. That evening Elder Puleiku got to see a doctor. We got quite a few return appointments from that and we're following up this week. Thanks! Love, Elder Monson
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