Jesus Christ Church Ecuador, is a page dedicated to disseminating part of the diary of Elder Robison, one of four missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who arrived in Ecuador in October 1965
Sent by Lindon J. Robison
When I arrived at the mission home (October 1, 1965), Elder Chase congratulated me, and when I asked him why, he confided that I, along with three other elders, had been chosen to go to Quito, Ecuador, to open that country proselytizing, and that Elder Franklin D. Richards and Apostle Spencer W. Kimball would be joining us there to open a branch office.
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ecuador) That evening, Elder Gardner, the President’s assistant, officially informed me. I was then temporarily assigned to the office. Elder Craig Carpenter was elected district leader for the Quito District. His companion will be Elder Allen. They are to leave on Monday, October 4, 1965, to find an apartment in Quito.
Well, my time in the office flew by. On Saturday, October 2, 1965, I worked at the Callao chapel, and on Sunday morning, October 3, I escorted three new missionaries to church. In the afternoon, we had the privilege of listening to a session of General Conference. Later that afternoon, Elder Chase and I had a very enjoyable training session, and that evening my new companion, Elder Gold, arrived.
On Monday the 4th, Elder Gardner and I went to the airport to see Elders Carpenter and Allen depart for Quito.
THEY TRAVEL TO QUITO
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ecuador) Well, Thursday morning, October 7, finally arrived. We all gathered at the mission home and prayed before leaving. Elder Zimmerman offered a beautiful prayer. Then President and Sister Jesperson, Elder Gold, and I, along with Elder Hatch and Elder Gardner, got into the car and headed to the airport. President Jesperson was a little sick at times. We boarded a beautiful four-engine Avianca jet and took off. We had a great flight, a beautiful trip, passing snow-capped mountains and jungles, and in an hour and a half, we arrived at the Quito airport. I remember thinking that Quito was one of the most beautiful places I had ever seen; everything was green.
ELDERS CARPENTER AND ALLEN WELCOME THEM IN QUITO
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ecuador) Elders Carpenter and Allen met us at the airport and took us to our guesthouse. The weather was perfect, including a cool breeze. Elder Gold, Elder Allen, and I stopped at the guesthouse and unpacked while Elder Carpenter and President Jesperson went to the hotel. Later, we met at the hotel, and the three of us went and arranged for a post office box. It was around noon when we met again in the plaza, and at that time I was feeling quite ill, almost to the point of fainting. Then, President Jesperson and I went to the hotel, where we rested while the others went to eat. The President made me feel very comfortable, and we talked freely. I feel a closeness with President Jesperson that reminded me a lot of my relationship with my father.
ELDER SPENCER W. KIMBALL AND HIS ENTOURAGE ARRIVE
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Ecuador) – On Friday morning, October 8, we hired a taxi and arrived at the seniors’ apartment around 6:45. We had breakfast together at the guesthouse. Then we took a short taxi ride to the top of a nearby hill overlooking the city (which would later be used as a dedicatory site). Afterward, we went to the airport to meet Apostle Spencer W. Kimball and Elder Franklin D. Richards. We waited there for them, and as they went through immigration, I suddenly felt relieved of the terrible mental torture I had been enduring.
VISIT TO THE MAYOR OF QUITO
From the airport, we went to a pre-arranged appointment with the mayor of Quito, Luis Román Pérez. I took notes on the following conversation:
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ecuador) – The mayor received us very warmly. First, we presented him with a book about the Church, which President Jesperson explained to him. The mayor told us that the city would be very kind and welcoming to us. He also wished us the best of success in our efforts in the city. He asked us when we would begin working, and we told him next week.
Elder Kimball complimented him on the beauty of the city and asked if he had ever been to Salt Lake City. The mayor replied that he had only visited Miami and New York. Elder Kimball invited him to visit Salt Lake City and offered to show him around. The mayor said he would love to visit. Then, Elder Kimball explained a little more about Salt Lake City.
VISIT TO LATACUNGA
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, South Ecuador) In the afternoon, we hired two taxis and took a short trip to the town of Latacunga. We drove through the market square and then to the main plaza. It was a beautiful park. Elder Allen and I went to buy a movie and then met with Elder Carpenter and Elder Richards. Meanwhile, Elder Kimball, President Jesperson, and Elder Gold made several contacts, stopping people and explaining the gospel to them. They also met with the senior judge.
On the way back, I rode with President Jesperson. Elder Richards and Elder Kimball rode with the other elders and told them to tell the taxi driver about the gospel.
VISIT TO OTAVALO
On Saturday, October 9, 1965, we left early at 4:00 a.m. for Otavalo. I traveled with Elder Kimball and Presidents Richards and Jesperson. Elder Kimball explained to me about his ancestors, how Heber C. Kimball had two wives and how each of them had a son, but how when the Saints moved west, both wives did not come. He explained how he blessed his sons so that they would come west and serve as missionaries.
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ecuador) We finally arrived in Otavalo and spent the next while looking at the market and visiting some of the people in the park. Elder Kimball was especially drawn to the young children there.
PICTURES TAKEN AT THE EQUATOR
It was a long drive back, and we all slept a little. We stopped to take pictures at the Equator. We were fasting in preparation for the dedication, so when we returned we ate and took a short nap and then went back to the hotel for a missionary conference.
FIRST MISSIONARY CONFERENCE IN ECUADOR
Missionary Conference Quito, Ecuador October 9, 1965
OPENING PRAYER AND HYMN
It is a great privilege for me to be here with Elder Kimball, Elder Richards, and President Jesperson. We began by singing “We Thank Thee, O God, That I Am a Prophet,” and I offered the opening prayer.
ELDER SPENCER W. KIMBALL SPEAKS
Elder Kimball
Elder Kimball opened the meeting. He said that this takes us back to 1925, when the Apostle Ballard dedicated this land and made special mention of the Lamanites. He prophesied that the work would be slow at first and then move forward rapidly. Now there are 60,000 members in South America, and we are baptizing 10,000 a year.
The Lamanite world is our great hope; we are baptizing more than any other race.
(Church of Jesus Christ South Ecuador) – We asked President Jesperson to review all of his missionaries and select four from among them who had great ability, vision, and the ability to work together, to remain close to the Lord, and to find the way even when it was hidden. When we got off the plane, my heart leaped with joy because we felt that President Jesperson had not let us down. We felt that you could continue the work. If you cannot continue, I will be very surprised. This will be a new experience for you. You will have to be careful of your footprints in the sand because others will follow you. When we went to Latacunga, I thought I saw strong people who had gone through problems but had overcome them. We met a girl who told us that the Pope had given them freedom to choose their religion, so now is the time to embrace them. Last night I was impressed by the people. They were middle-class people with a lot of potential. Last Thursday morning I met with President McKay.
I told him I felt the time had come for the Lamanites, and he said he was sure it had. I said, “Don’t you think they’ve waited long enough?” and he said, “I’m sure they have.” Now, we can’t make them stake presidents and bishops just yet. It will be slow, but we must be immune to discouragement, and you men seem like the kind who can endure it. We put shoes on your feet and clothes on your backs and good homes. Slow down at first, and then quickly until you are a credit to the Church, your country, and yourselves. You are children of God, made in God’s image. I’m sure the Lord is not pleased when He sees you starving while we are feasting and wasting.
I believe you four men under your president can make history. You will have to forget yourself; all your thoughts and actions must be dedicated to the work. This will require a devotion you have never seen. It will be a matter of attitude.
It has to be something bigger than tools. It’s breaking up the soil; it’s new, it’s never been plowed or tilled; it’s been wasted, and noxious weeds have been sown, and it will be difficult to pull them out by the roots. But we’ll get the job done. I remember the general calling privately and giving me a very important message to take to the colonel. I saluted and said, ‘I’ll try.’ The general said, ‘I don’t want you to try, I want you to excel.’ The private saluted and said, ‘I’ll do my best.’ The general said, ‘We don’t want you to try, we want you to succeed.’ Frustrated, the private said, ‘I’ll do it or die.’ And once again, the general said, ‘We don’t want you to die, we want you to succeed.’
The Lord has said in Doctrine and Covenants 62:1–3: “I will forgive you your sins when you bear your testimony, for the testimony you bear is recorded or lifted up. Every thought, every movement is being recorded by the angels, and good things are credited to you. Bear your testimony without fear. Numerous converts have been recorded who attribute their conversion to the testimony of humble Elders, which is better than the arguments of 100 intellectuals. We trust it will come quickly. We want the truly converted. We will give preference to judges and bankers, but we must not forget the Lamanites.
Now, may the Lord bless you. We love you. I bear my testimony that the time of the Lamanites has come.”
Elder Richards
They Leave for El Panecillo (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, South Ecuador)
After the meeting ended, we left in taxis. It was raining when we left the hotel, but by the time we reached the top of the hill, the rain had stopped. We wanted to be alone, but there was a young family at the top of the hill. We talked with them and explained who we were. Later, the two taxi drivers joined us. Elder Kimball then explained the importance of the gospel and what it could do for them, and he explained why we were “you.” So, as we snuggled together in that beautiful, peaceful afternoon, Elder Kimball took off his coat and lovingly draped it around the lone taxi driver.
FIRST PRAYER AND DEDICATION
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, South Ecuador) First, we sang “We Thank Thee, O God, for Being a Prophet.” Then, President Jesperson offered the opening prayer, and Elder Richards gave a brief address. Next, Elder Kimball offered a beautiful dedicatory prayer, reminding the Lord that the time had come for this people to receive the gospel and also how the ancient prophets in the Book of Mormon had prayed for this people and described the promises that had been given to them.
Testimony Meeting (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, South Ecuador)
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, South Ecuador) After the service, we returned to the hotel for a testimony meeting. It was a very spiritual experience, and we received the Spirit of the Lord to bear our testimonies. After our testimony meeting, we ate together one last time. Elder Kimball really touched the waiter, and we will soon have him baptized. Each of us had a personal interview with either Elder Richards or Elder Kimball (Elder Richards interviewed me), followed by a closing prayer. Then we left for our guesthouse.
FIRST PRIESTHOOD MEETING
On Sunday morning, October 10, we held our first priesthood meeting in Ecuador. We sang “When You Are Overwhelmed by Sorrows and Pain,” and I offered the opening prayer. Elder Carpenter made branch assignments. I was assigned to MIA and Primary, along with my partner. We then shared spiritual thoughts and closed by singing “The Prophet’s Prayer,” and Elder Allen offered the closing prayer.
LEADERS RETURN TO LIMA
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Ecuador) Afterward, we went to the airport, so see Elder Kimball and company heading to Lima. President Jesperson had trouble getting a ticket, but he finally got a seat.
Then, with a slight feeling of emptiness, we returned to our apartment for Sunday School.
We began Sunday School by singing “Redeemer of Israel,” and Elder Allen offered the prayer. I blessed the sacrament, after which Elder Carpenter and Elder Allen gave two-and-a-half-minute talks. Then I led a class on the topic of the sacrament. We concluded by singing “What Is Truth,” and Elder Carpenter closed with a prayer.
INTRODUCING A MEMBER FROM UTHA: VAUGHG JOHNSTON
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Ecuador) On Sunday afternoon, we were sitting writing, studying, and walking around with a young American man. His name is Vaughn Johnston. He is from Utah and served a mission in Argentina. He is here with his family as part of the State Department. He coaches the Ecuadorian national gymnastics team. Elder Allen had taken him off one class at a time. We had a wonderful conversation with him. He told us about his Saturday in Otavalo and how this same group of Indians ran up to him and told him that an apostle had been there. We showed him the missionary cards we had left for them.
He told us that he had been so excited to see us that he left a day early. He first went to the Hotel Quito, and the taxi driver gave him our address. So he invited us to his house for dinner and sacrament meeting. Around 5:00 p.m., he picked us up in his jeep, and we left. He has three daughters, the oldest about seven years old, and a lovely wife. She was so happy to see us. We had a wonderful time. With the three girls there, it was like being at home.
SACRAMENT MEETING AT BROTHER VAUGHG JOHNSTON’S HOME
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ecuador) – To open sacrament meeting, we sang “I Know That My Redeemer Lives,” and I offered the opening prayer and blessed the sacrament. Brother Johnston then spoke. Elder Gold and Elder Allen gave beautiful and inspiring talks. However, the highlight was Sister Johnston’s talk. She has the most wonderful spirit and is certainly an excellent mother. They offered to do anything to help us. We closed by singing “Come, Come, Saints,” and with tears in his eyes, Brother Johnston closed with a prayer. He said afterward, “I’ll never be able to sing that song, but I’m choked up.”
I know the Lord is helping us and opening the way. He has brought this family here to help us get started. I know the gospel is true, that Joseph Smith is a true prophet of God, and that the only way to be happy is by keeping the commandments.
FIRST DAY OF PROSELYTIZING IN ECUADOR
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Ecuador) Well, today was our first day of proselytizing. We didn’t have anywhere to go or anyone to meet. First, we dropped off our photos and spent some time looking for a real estate agent. We saw two men on the third floor, and I spoke with one of them about the church.
THE FIRST LESSON IS GIVEN IN ECUADOR
We bought a newspaper and started looking for possible places to meet for church. We checked out a couple from Guayaquil and then went out to see a meeting place. It wasn’t what we wanted, but we talked with the women about the church and gave them a lesson from Joseph Smith. Then we met a man on the corner. I started a conversation with him, and now we have a meeting with him.
In the afternoon, we met again with the waiter Elder Kimball had referred, and it reinforced my belief that he would be the first person baptized here (it turns out he wasn’t). We also checked out some other possible meeting places for the branch and then verified a World’s Fair referral. Later that evening, we made calls and gave a Joseph Smith lesson to the shoeshine man we had met in the afternoon while it was raining. The highlight of the day was the lesson with Baquero, the taxi driver. He has a wonderful family, and they received the lesson very well. They have three wonderful children, Frederico, Gonzalo, and Amoz. We set his baptism date for October 24.
Well, it rained again today, and I feel like I have a cold. This morning, we had a meeting with the waiter. He received our message very well. He has a daughter who is paralyzed, but they are a wonderful family. We told them that Apostle Kimball was impressed with him and set his baptism date for the 24th.
They Want to Rent a House for Meetings
(The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ecuador) The real estate agent showed us a nice house but forgot to open it so we could see it. Tonight we met a wonderful family, one we met on the street, and we gave them a second lesson. They were very impressed. I am certainly enjoying my companion and the other elders. I am working harder than ever to dedicate myself to the work.
On Friday, our day of fun, we had a basketball game with Brother Johnston. He really is a great player, as is Elder Carpenter. Afterward, we went and watched “The Sound of Music” again. It certainly made me think about marriage and family.
FIRST PRIMARY MEETING
Today we also celebrated our first Primary. We had 13 children investigating. Not bad for a week’s work. I have never felt the need for divine guidance more than here. I know we are in a chosen land, and I pray that the Lord will help me meet the challenge. I have been reading a pamphlet left by Elder Kimball entitled “As a Man Thinketh,” and once again I am convinced that what a man thinks is him
INVESTIGATORS WITH THE LAST NAME BAQUERO ARE FOUND
Yesterday we had our first real Sunday of meetings. The Baquero children were at Sunday school, but their parents couldn’t attend.
I taught the Sunday school lesson, and then the Johnstons treated us to a large T-bone steak.
At sacrament meeting, my companion and I didn’t have any investigators, but we enjoyed meeting the investigators the other elders brought. Elder Carpenter and Brother Johnston gave talks.
(Church of Jesus Christ South Ecuador) – After church, I felt quite depressed, mainly because we didn’t have any investigators and perhaps partly because I had lost all my money. But anyway, we visited a family in Chicago named Schullo. They are Jehovah’s Witness missionaries. It was an interesting experience. He told us that only 144,000 people would be saved. He explained how they were cast out and how the laying on of hands and healings had ceased. I explained to him about Joseph Smith and the Restoration. We didn’t get into any arguments, so we made friends.