Reed's Mission - Ayuthaya

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=110 BGCOLOR="#336666" TEXT="#080000"> <div> Mission Experiences of Reed B. Haslam - Thailand Bangkok Mission          </div> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" >  </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>  </B></FONT><B> </B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >   </FONT><IMG SRC="04d44320.gif" border=0 width="68" height="50" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=190 BGCOLOR="#336666" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Reeds Mission Front Page"><U><B>Front Page</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="photo_album.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Reeds Mission Photo Album"><U><B>Photo Album</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="mission_companions.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Reeds Mission Companions"><U><B>Companions</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="mission_reunions.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Old Heads Mission Reunions"><U><B>Mission Reunions</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B>===============</B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.LDS-Thailand.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.LDS-Thailand.org"><U><B>LDS Church</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.LDS-Thailand.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.LDS-Thailand.org"><U><B> History in Thailand</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.translatingscripture.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.translatingscripture.com"><U><B>Reed's Book</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.theHaslams.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.theHaslams.com"><U><B>theHaslams.com</B></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=370 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Ayuthaya, Thailand</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Week #63 - August 18-24, 1974 - Thonburi and Ayuthaya, Thailand</B></div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="302" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 466 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="0a89ccc0.jpg" border=0 width="412" height="460" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 57 WIDTH="290"><div> Left to Right - Elders Jensen, Pace, Mani and Haslam at the front gate to the Elder's residence in Ayuthaya, Thailand</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> Sunday was central district conference. A joint English/Thai priesthood meeting was held. A new convert of 4 months spoke and did well. When he sat down by me he showed how nervous he was. During the general session I translated to Thai for the Thai brothers and sisters. I found it all flowed pretty well and that I was able to keep up with them. Monday, which was usually P-day, was central zone conference. Testimony meeting took 4 hours since the zone has grown so big. I wrote that this conference just did not seem special like the last one in May. It seemed like all the testimonies were the same. I did not take too kindly to the two missionaries who stood and did nothing more than talk about how great their companion was. One was returning home, the other was my companion in the MTC. They seemed all so trite</div> <bR> <div> On Tuesday Elder O'Brian left me to go out to Cambodia the next day and took Elder Graham back to Thonburi as his first junior companion. Elder Graham you'll remember was my first trainee in Chachoengsao. On Cambodia trip #5 we had a blowout. Elder Peckham controlled the van and we had to go to the nearest town and fix the spare because it was flat too. Other than that the trip to Cambodia was uneventful. Returning to Bangkok we took the train 50 miles north to Ayuthaya my new assignment. In Ayuthaya we shared a maid with our landlord who lived next door. This maid did not know how to fix anything American. At our first breakfast of rice "I almost died". Dinners were much better but I still remember that one morning coming to breakfast to see a fish (head still attached) sitting on the pile of white rice.  During the first few days I met several of the investigators (most were students at the local teacher's college), some of these seemed sincerely interested in the gospel.  Elder Mani told me we had lots of English to teach; but since these events made him bored I committed to myself to cut back on teaching English away from our home. The city had a nice park where we held frequent street meetings. Some of these were busy times others were dead times. We never could tell what to expect.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Week #64 - August 25-31, 1974 - Ayuthaya, Thailan</B><B>d</B></div> <div> We introduced a Japanese man who was a Christian missionary in Thailand to the gospel and gave him a copy of the Book of Mormon in Japanese. We talked to him in English. His name was Hosagawa. Elder Mani told me that his trainer Elder Heidbrink who had returned home did not teach him much. Mani also said that he found tracting really tough because like most Thai's he's quite shy. I felt like the best thing I could do to would be to help him become a productive missionary. I also knew that doing so would bring great blessings to him and the mission.  He asked me if other elders looked down on him because he was not paying the full cost of his mission. I told him that they shouldn't do that because as a native Thai he was so valuable to the work in Thailand. He said he felt Elder Sessions (a former companion of mine and one of the other Elders in the house) did not like him because of this issue.</div> <bR> <div> Mid week we took a bunch of investigators to Bangkok where David B. Haight an assistant to the 12 (at that time) had come to Thailand to dedicate the only chapel in the country at Asoke. The US members had just finished paying off the member's share. When our investigators saw the US men and women shaking hands they were culturally shocked. Elder Haight promised that Thailand would have other chapels and one day a temple. That was neat. </div> <bR> <div> He took time to speak to the Elders after the meeting and encouraged us to tract with faith that the Lord can make us tools in his hands. Some of the investigators we'd brought down waited for us. By that time it was too late to get back to Ayuthaya so we had to find a place for them to spend the night. Brother Kao in Thonburi accepted them into his home and we stayed at the Thonburi I home. I think it was good for them to spend time with Thai members of the Church; Elder Mani had the chance to talk with Brother Haight and his wife. Elder Mani told me that he wanted to share his happiness in the gospel with all the Thai people. We were both invigorated by the meeting with Elder Haight. </div> <div> <B> </B></div> <div> <B>Week #65 - September 1-6, 1974 - Ayuthaya, Thailand</B></div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="355" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 449 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="0b250bb0.jpg" border=0 width="336" height="443" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 76 WIDTH="343"><div> Ruins of the ancient Wat Sri Sanphet in Ayuthaya, Thailand. The modern Buddhist Temple Wat Chaimongkolbophit can be seen in the background.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> In Ayuthaya we had the good fortune of having many young adults attend our meetings.  Several were eventually baptized and today I'm sure most of them live elsewhere in Thailand. We had fast and testimony meeting and after the 4 Elders completed their testimonies I invited our investigators to stand and talk about how they felt about what they've learned about the gospel. Bunja (a young man about age 17 or 18) talked about how well he felt accepted in Bangkok when we attended the dedication of the chapel there. Sister Duangdaa (a young woman about 19) told us how she had studied with the Catholics and the Protestants but now felt that she had found God's true church. That made Sunday special. On P-day the sisters from Thonburi came and visited us. We all went to see the ruins of Ayuthaya (it was the capitol in the 1700's destroyed by the Burmese). The sisters said they were progressing toward baptism and that October 5th was still the date. Their testimonies have in fact begun to grow but I wrote in my journal that I was not sure how strong their testimonies would be come October 5th.</div> <bR> <div> Elder Mani and I went to put a tract rack at the local teacher's college. I asked him what we should put on the rack. He said as little as possible. The best thing would be just the name of the church in English; if we did it in Thai there'd be too much peer pressure that no one would take anything from it!  Elder Mani taught me much about what I had not understood about the culture.  Buddhism is the state religion for a reason - it is expected that the good Thai is a good Buddhist. Elder Mani was very nervous about going to the school and asking permission to put the tract rack in the library. He fears the ridicule of the Thai's against him as a Christian.</div> <bR> <div> President Morris came for a visit as we talked about how the translation of the Book of Mormon was proceeding. He said he thought that it would still be years before it was published. [It turned out it took 2 years]. </div> <bR> <div> The rainy season was very rainy at this year.  I remember just how bad the mud clogged our bicycle tires (between tires and rims). We often had to walk our bicycles out of areas with lots of mud. The mud was so bad on Saturday that we got stuck in the mud not once but twice.  In the end cleaning the bicycles back at home was the funest part.</div> <div> <B> </B></div> <div> <B>Week #66 - September 7-14, 1974 Ayuthaya, Thailand</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="263" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 331 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="0b4fb450.jpg" border=0 width="251" height="325" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 38 WIDTH="251"><div> Elder Mani with the monkeys. Picture is from Lopburi, Thailand</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> Sunday the 8th was a terrific day full of teaching opportunities. We had an adult male Chaalerm the retired lawyer come to church. Bunja the great 15-year-old boy who said he was committed to serve a mission and Duangdaa the gal at the teacher's college who would later become the first baptism in Ayuthaya joined him. We also had two great discussions with (1) Hasegawa the Japanese lawyer from Sendai who told us that nothing he'd read in our tracts conflicted with how he believed in Christ; but he also asked "isn't it good enough just to be a Christian?" We also had a discussion with songsii who said she had a testimony of Joseph Smith but the spirit did not confirm that to me.</div> <bR> <div> On Monday we traveled out in the country to teach English with some 7th graders who were anxious to learn. We taught the whole grade in an amphitheater outside. We continued on to visit the Elders in Lopburi (a new city) and found that their house was truly a mansion formerly used by U.S. Special Forces. On Tuesday we took our street meeting to the theatre that was showing Thailand's all time favorite movies, "The 10 Commandments". A few people stopped and talked to us. The next day we attended the movie ourselves... Elder Mani met a relative from his hometown in the south of Thailand. When they were speaking I could not figure out why I could not understand them until I remembered that in the south of Thailand many of the tones are reversed from how they used everywhere else.</div> <div> <B> </B></div> <div> <B>Week #67 - September 13-28, 1974 - Ayuthaya, Thailand</B></div> <bR> <div> Sunday September 15th was very disappointing as none of our investigators joined us for church. Our singing was also pitiful. Not a one of the four missionaries can carry a tune! </div> <bR> <div> At lunch I had the time to talk with Elder Mani about many things. I told him that after his mission he would have quite a few Thai Sisters to choose from. He told me that for his last date before becoming a missionary he took Sister Joy in Bangkok to see "The Sound of Music".</div> <bR> <div> Later in the day we met with our Japanese Christian investigator Hasegawaa. He told us that when he found the Bible and choose to believe in Christ he was not aware there were multiple Christian sects. He said, "Almost immediately I was hounded by Catholics and Protestants to join with them". He said he could not understand why one needed to be a member of any one church. He didn't like the contest among the churches so he decided it was good enough to just "believe in Christ". The only important thing is that you believe in Christ. He said, "There are so many who say they were called of God to do this or that". I asked him "How many ways are there to heaven?" He responded "One". I asked, "Is God a God of order?" He replied, "Yes". Then I asked, "Would God not provide but one church to help us down the path that returns to God?" I bore my testimony but for some reason he laughed at the end of it. </div> <bR> <div> We visited a family of a catholic man we had met and he was very drunk. He requested that we stay, but I knew it would be a waste of time.  I wanted to leave and was quite forceful about our need to go. The man insisted we stay which irritated me. Later back at the house we had a pretty heated argument. Elder Mani asked why I could not endure some pain in staying. He said we needed to endure everything. He asked, "Do you know what people call me as we ride our bicycles along?" "No" I said. He said, "They call me many bad things, but I must endure".  Yes, tonight I broke the Thai mold of never being angry in public.  I asked Mani, "What do you want me to do? Go home"? He said, "No you are a good teacher, with a lot of intelligence, but why can't you endure some pain? After all you just felt is was wasted time".</div> <bR> <div> The next day after a sleepless night in part due to torrential rain, I was physically sick with diarrhea and it was a blue P-day. Further at the post office we found that the post office requested us to remove our tract rack. It appears that while we had success getting it into the post office in Thonburi that act had prompted an official policy that reads that no religious organization can place material in a post office.  The Elder's from Nakorn Sawan confirmed this by saying that when they asked permission to put a tract rack in the post office up there that they were refused and shown a letter, which had my name on it!  Oh Great I thought my idea of distributing tracts at post offices has crashed and burned all over the country.</div> <bR> <div> Mid-week I went on splits with Elder Pace. During the day we met Phicheed. He seems to follow me all around Thailand.  He's a young adult who is less than 5 feet tall. He was once interviewed for baptism, but failed the interview. I asked him if he still wanted to be baptized and he said "yes". So we talked about things which he would need to do to prepare.</div> <bR> <div> At our companionship meeting Elder Mani told me he was disappointed in being a missionary. He said we're not committed enough to the work and that there are too many distractions. He was also discouraged about his personal progress in memorizing the discussions. He was also disappointed that in 9 months there were no members in Ayuthaya.</div> <bR> <div> The rainy season was just that very rainy. Every time we left the paved road to visit people our bicycles got clogged with mud (between the tires and the rim). After one visit, as we were cleaning the mud out of our bicycles, some kids came up and stared at us. I said, "Staring at foreigners costs 5 Baht per person". Mani asked, "Why do you want to make enemies of the children"? I asked, "What's wrong with that question"? He said, "It's not polite". </div> <bR> <div> On Friday as we were leaving home (10am), guess what?  There were the zone leaders standing outside our front gate. We had no idea they were coming. They said, "Didn't you get our telegram"? For the next 2 hours they proceeded to shoot the breeze with us on such important matters as, "Did you know Elder Hallows was engaged just 3 days after returning home"?  We did discuss what could be done at Mission Conference in October.</div> <bR> <div> At one home we visited Elder Mani was asked if he was just a missionary for money and still really a Buddhist. He explained that he had found the truth and left Buddhism behind. I never did fully understand the persecution that he suffered from his countrymen by being a missionary for a Christian church.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Week #68 - September 22-28, 1974 - Ayuthaya, Thailand</B></div> <bR> <div> Because of all the spicy Thai food my stomach was not doing well. On Sunday after breakfast it really acted up. I had to teach Priesthood and that was not easy. We had 2 young men come to Priesthood meeting Bunja, and Somphaan.</div> <bR> <div> Later we met with our Japanese contact Brother Hasagawa. The topic this week was the restoration of the Priesthood. He told us he felt like his was called to be a missionary through personal revelation. Before the day ended I went to see a doctor. He said I was suffering from acid stomach. He gave me some free medicine to help it out.</div> <bR> <div> On Thursday we visited a boy's dormitory and 20 young men listened to the file strips "Meet the Mormons" and "Christ in America". Some of the young men laughed during the presentation, but the worst thing is that during the presentation some one stole my Thai New Testament, a track rack with tracts, and a copy of the English Book of Mormon. I'll miss the New Testament and track racks, but the rest is easily replaceable.</div> <bR> <div> On Thursday we went to a school to see if we could help with English. I taught 2 different classes for a ½ hour each and invited them to come to our English class on Friday. So many did come Friday that we ran out of room to hold all those who came first for Bible study and then English class.</div> <bR> <div> We gave the baptismal challenge to a brother (Sangsri) we'd been teaching. He accepted. His daughters listened to our presentation and the reaction on their face when Dad indicated he'd join the church was one of shock and disbelief. On the way home Elder Mani explained that he did not think that Brother Sangsri really understood what it meant to be baptized, so said he we have a lot more work to do.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Week #69 - September 29 - October 5, 1974 - Ayuthaya Thailand </B></div> <bR> <div>  We had lots of teenagers at church on Sunday which I guess is better than no one at all! We taught 2 Protestants that day as well.  Neither seemed impressed with the need for a restoration or priesthood. We showed Hasegawa the film strip on Priesthood restoration but he did not seem impressed. He said "I have as much authority as anyone else I have accepted Christ". We also met with the Thai lawyer - Chalerm who listened but ended with "all religions teach man to be good". </div> <bR> <div> On P-day we visited some old relics around town like the King's Elephant coral from the 1700s. We also saw lots of rice fields.</div> <bR> <div> My stomach was still growling (too much spicy foods) this time the doctor gave me a shot for the problem and the shot worked - at least for a while. We had 56 people to Eikawa this week - too many for our home.</div> <bR> <div> We lived right beside the Chao Praya River and all of the recent rains had raised the level of the river to the point it was only 2 feet below the landlady's home and perhaps 3-4 feet below our home. Getting around was still difficult if we had to leave paved roads. We taught one man about the word of wisdom. He said, "I can't quit smoking or I'll get fat", and "I can't quit coffee or I can't study as much as I want to".  In the end he said he believed our message and would work out a plan to quit these things. A couple of days later he said, "the word of wisdom is a tough law not made for today's society". He really was fearful of what his friend's would think.</div> <bR> <div> I taught some English to 10th graders at a private school while Elder Mani shared the gospel with the administration. The kids were awful in English.  I'd seen 5th graders who were better. I was highly surprised and disappointed.</div> <bR> <div> We often had street meetings in the park where we'd meet people and talk to them. The park was a real nice setting, peaceful and cool with a nice little lake. Some days were busy other days were not so busy.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Week #70 - October 6-12, 1974 - Ayuthaya, Thailand</B></div> <bR> <div> On Sunday we had good attendance at church but it was mostly girls from the teacher's college. Afterwards I went with Elder Pace (Sr. of the other companionship) to do a little English teaching at a Buddhist temple. It was a program we were wrapping up. One of the monks asked me what the 10 commandments were and so I wrote them in Thai. He then asked why there is only one God. Buddhism allows us to worship many Gods he said. Elder Pace later explained that there is only one God and that is whom we worship.  We also taught Hasagawa the Japanese man. He told us he had read in Time magazine about the Washington D.C. temple and wanted to know why blacks could not attend it. It was a long and difficult discussion with him that day. I asked him to read the Ensign magazine about temples. He said he would.</div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="294" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 377 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="0e313730.jpg" border=0 width="275" height="371" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 155 WIDTH="282"><div> With Elder Koniuszy in the foregrond, the Elders and Sisters of the Thailand Bangkok Mission cross the flooded area between the beach and the main road.</div> <div> Anyone know anything about the snake? Was that missionary just carrying a stuffed snake and mongoose from a store?</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> Monday was the first day of MISSION conference - my 2nd and final conference. We rode the early train to Bangkok and then got some real American food at the U.S. Army headquarters - where I could get in with my dependant's card. The conference was to be held at a bunch of cabins on the beach of the Gulf of Thailand southeast of Bangkok. The cabins were owned by a protestant sect who offered to let us rent them. As luck would have it a tropical storm came up the gulf of Thailand to meet us. It rained like crazy! Elder Montgomery and I went for a soaking walk on the beach. We found a fisherman whose boat had run aground and he asked us to help him get it back out to sea; so we did and yea we got waist deep in the ocean. Monday night was the talent show and it was great. One Elder had written a song about the Thai's favorite saying, "All religions teach man to be good". We had training sessions Tuesday morning and testimony meeting on the beach Tuesday afternoon.  The mission now has 85 Elders and Sisters. Up from 51 when I arrived. My companion Elder Mani shared his testimony in English to the surprise of many. The rains started up again toward evening and it poured ALL NIGHT! On Wednesday as we went to leave we found that it was fully flooded between the beach and the main highway. We had to figure how to get out of this flooded area. We had to carry our luggage out from the cabins across a waist deep river of water to the highway. Even sister Morris had to wade through the mucky brown floodwaters. One of the APs drove the mission van and President Morris drove his car with Elders on both sides to be sure he stayed on the road. We had 200 feet of floodwaters to cross. It reminded me of the children of Israel crossing the Dead Sea - just not on dry ground nor as dramatic. When conference concluded I had 8 months left of my mission. </div> <bR> <div> Brother Songsri who accepted to be baptized had started to become non-committal - can't come to church its time I use to talk to friends!  The rains had raised the water level of the river to within 1 foot of our landlord's home and our foundation was just about 3 feet above river level.  This was the wettest period of my mission.  Soon all 4 Elder's got the pink eye infection from the awfully humid conditions.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Week #71 - October 13-19, 1974 - Ayuthaya, Thailand</B></div> <bR> <div> On Sunday we had some girls from the teacher's college show up for Priesthood meeting.  Elder Mani wanted us to send them away, but Elder Pace and I decided to let them stay in the back but explain they need not come until 10:30. Elder Mani was not pleased with that decision and it bothered him the whole day. </div> <bR> <div> We taught the Japanese protestant Hosegawa again who told us that he'd soon be leaving to work in Bangladesh.  He said he could not understand why blacks could not go to temple. He said he accepted most of what we shared with him and I felt the spirit when we taught him. I'm not sure if that was because we taught him in English and I'd had few experiences teaching the gospel in English. </div> <bR> <div> Our p-day on Monday was a national Holiday to commemorate the student revolution that happened one year ago. In Bangkok they had a special service to remember those who died a year ago. They had a big cremation ceremony (lots of fire) for all of them. I think they burned some of their bones (which were previously burned) and some personal belongings.</div> <bR> <div> Given the holiday lots of people were free and choose to come visit us at our home and they did all day long.  Mani has taken a bit of a liking to one of the girls from the Teacher's College Missisimbara who is from Indian descent. The next day schools were closed as well and so we went to find teachers at home and found a few that listened to our message and even invited us to come back. One teacher was however rather rude to us.</div> <bR> <div> We had 75 people to English and MIA - so many the house could barely hold them all. We started using the discussions to teach English, so that students would learn the gospel and English at the same time.  Seventy-five people are such an amazing number in attendance that we were most excited.</div> <bR> <div> On Saturday we returned to visit one of the teachers we'd met earlier in the week. He showed sincere interest, but as we left his wife said, "You know that my husband teaches Buddhism at the Teacher's College don't you"? Also on Saturday we had Bible study where we discussed the baptism of Jesus and the importance of baptism.</div> <bR> <div> The great river near our home the Chao Phraya was still near flood stage. We tried to find a referral on the river downstream, but we failed since we could not disembark at the correct location due to the high water.</div> <bR> <div> We visited the lawyer Chalerm, for the first time in a couple of weeks due to the flooding. This time he did not seem to be interested in our message. We also taught a 24-year old single sister who felt like she had found friends for the first time. Her name was Ratchaneewan.  Her family had started to persecute her for her association with Christians. He mother told her, "I'll still feed you, but you can get your clothes from somewhere else". Some time after I left Ayuthaya, she was baptized.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Week # 72 - October 20-26 1974 -  Ayuthaya, Thailand</B></div> <bR> <div> We had good attendance at Church even if most were from the high school and teacher's college. We also had Brother Bunja Sister Duangda and Sister Ratchaneewan.  In the afternoon we visited with our Japanese friend Hosegawa san. He told us he could not deny what we had taught about the plan of salvation but he could not accept it either since we cannot understand the mysteries of God. I told him that because of the restoration we can and do understand many of the mysteries of God. He told us when he first read the bible he felt it was different from every other book and was the word of God. I asked if he had read the Book of Mormon. He said no. I said you must read it. It will make you feel like the Bible did.</div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="408" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 282 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="0ae8a140.jpg" border=0 width="394" height="276" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 38 WIDTH="396"><div> Elder Mani on his bicycle in front of some of the ancient ruins of the former capitol city of Ayuthaya, Thailand</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> We spent part of our P-day teaching English at a school 35 km up the railroad tracks. The 7th-8th graders were very good to us. I wrote letters in the afternoon sitting on the boardwalk that goes out into the big river. I watched the boats travel up and down as I wrote.</div> <bR> <div> We visited the retired lawyer Chaleerm again out in the fields. He enjoys our visits but had no real energy to study the gospel. We finished the 2nd discussion with him. On Tuesday my companion Elder Mani came down with the pink eye infection and I knew it would now most likely travel through the whole house.</div> <bR> <div> On Wednesday we traveled to Bangkok to participate in the baptismal service for the Yoedmongkol sisters from Thonburi.  Elder Mani was not feeling well. His eyes were watering like Niagara Falls! The sisters looked great in their white dresses. I was first to baptize Sister Kritsanaa. The water was a bit dirty due to all the rains of recent weeks. The chapel at Asoke in Bangkok had a small baptismal font. Next Elder O'Brian baptized Oraphin and then Elder Gray (a distant cousin of mine) baptized Sister Jeerapaa. He also baptized Brother Tagsin a brother whom they taught from intro to baptism in 53 days - some kind of Thai record I think. He just ate the gospel up from the first minute that he heard the Elders at a street meeting at Sanam Luang two weeks after I left Thonburi. After the morning services we stopped at the Hospital to see if they could help Mani and his "red eye". </div> <bR> <div> Some people criticized me for leaving Ayuthaya to participate in the baptismal service - you should work here where you are assigned they said. At the time I didn't think that perhaps they were just jealous! President Morris had given me permission to travel to Bangkok for the baptism. I was nervous when I performed the baptism but it turned out OK.</div> <bR> <div> Returning home we had 50 to English class and 29 to MIA where we taught about the word of wisdom. Next Elder Pace came down with "red eye" and I took his companion "a green Elder Jensen" out to work with me leaving the two "red eye" victims home to get better. Elder Jensen was 6'5" and almost made the BYU basketball team.  On Saturday I could tell that I was fighting off "red eye". Saturday evening we taught a husband and wife together (en unusual experience) Brother Thongngern (Gold Money) and his wife both listened to the 1st discussion.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Week # 73 - October 27 - November 2, 1974 - Ayuthaya Thailand </B></div> <bR> <div> The time spent in Ayuthaya was without doubt the best proselyting time of my mission. We had numerous people coming to our home for English classes, Bible study class, and church on Sunday. I believe that at least 5 people from this period were eventually baptized, but only one Sister Duangtaa entered the waters of baptism prior to my departure from Ayuthaya. Sister Chodirot, Sister Missimbara, Sister Ratchaneewan and Brother Bunja were all eventually baptized.</div> <bR> <div> On Sunday I was still suffering from a mild case of pink eye, and a moderate case of acid stomach. We had 17 for church on Sunday including 8 boys.  Mani asked the girls from the teacher's college if their parents knew they were attending church - they told him no.  </div> <bR> <div> In the afternoon we met with our Japanese contact Hosegawa for the last time before he left for Bangladesh.  We also met with others of his Christian group and I feared a Bible bash might ensue, but it did not. I quoted them many scriptures and bore a strong testimony of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. I wrote "I don't think I've ever felt the spirit more than today". He then told us in an indirect way that the devil was behind the Book of Mormon. I asked why the devil would testify of Christ as the Book of Mormon does.  For this he had no answer. We taught a 1st discussion to a young man who was attending Thailand's top University (Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok). He was very interested and we covered the 1st and part of the second discussion. His name was Surachai. I thought perhaps this would be another contact like Tugsin in Thonburi - 1st meeting to baptism in 2 months. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="293" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 328 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="0ac15420.jpg" border=0 width="277" height="322" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 76 WIDTH="281"><div> Loy Gratong Winners - The four winners of our Loy Gratong contest. Sisters Missimbara, Ratchaneewan, Brothers Unknown and Bunja.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> Wednesday was the Thai/Buddhist holiday known as Loy Kratong. On this day everyone makes a boat with candles on it and floats it in a nearby river or lake. We held a contest for M.I.A. for the best such boat. We had a huge crowd (70) come for English and our Loy Kratong party for MIA. I gave a talk about being grateful for our blessings. Loy Kratong started out as a Buddhist event where you symbolically ask the water forgiveness for polluting it by floating your boat away (others said it was to ask for forgiveness from sin). Today as with our Christmas much of the religious meaning has been "washed away" (no pun intended). We awarded prizes for the best boats and then we went out to the dock on the river, lit the candles and floated the boats down the Chao Phraya River. Our landlord even helped us with refreshments for the party. We also visited the lake at the park to see 1000's of these boats launched on the water. This was a day that I won't soon forget.</div> <bR> <div> We had lots of contacts who were on the first couple of discussions, but no one near baptism. The other Elder's were getting close to the baptism of Duangdaa a girl from the teacher's college.</div> <bR> <div> On Thursday we taught a girl named Radiporn from the Commercial College. Strangely waiting to listen as well were Sister Chodirot and Missimbara who were in the same classes at the same school. They wanted to know if their classmate was actually listening to the discussions. Elder Mani had tired many times to get Missimbara to listen to the discussions. Strangely Sister Missimbara did not engage in the usual joking around that she was famous for.</div> <bR> <div> On Saturday we had Bible class where we discussed the parables of Christ and then English class with over 50 people in attendance.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Week # 74- Nov. 3-9, 1974 - Ayuthaya Thailand </B></div> <bR> <div> Sunday we had great attendance at church again. We had all the regulars AND some new young men of college age. For lunch I treated Mani to a fancy restaurant. It cost $ 3.75 for both of us!  In the evening we visited the lawyer Brother Chalerm. I asked him if he wanted to know the truth of our message. He thought about it and realized it meant "will you pray"? He said "I'll think about it". </div> <bR> <div> On Monday Elder Pace (the other Senior) and I had to go to Cambodia to renew our visas. We got up at 4am arrived in Bangkok at 6am and were at immigration at 8am.  We have van problems on the way out and did not arrive in Cambodia until 4pm. Upon arrival we found that our Cambodia visas had expired and we each had to pay $5 for new ones. One of my group teased me about soon becoming the new Visa secretary in the office.  I thought to myself  that does not seem like something I want to spend time doing. The Visa Secretary visits immigration everyday to renew Thai visas and then goes to the Cambodia consulate to get Cambodian visas. That's all he does 9-5. Back in Bangkok just as I was about to say prayer the current Elder working on Translation came and asked "Elder Haslam how would you like to be the visa secretary?" Now I'm thinking they must know something and I'm on my way to the office as visa secretary. The next day while Elder Pace went to Cambodia I spent some time in Bangkok and visited the doctor to see what he thought of my stomach problems. He concluded that I was fine and that the country doctor that said I had a strained stomach muscle was off his rocker. </div> <bR> <div> President Morris visited and commended us for the high number of proselyting hours we had each month. He urged us to spend more time in street meetings and tracting and somewhat less time in English classes. I felt good about my interview.  While the group was together he asked Elder Mani "how do you say revelation in Thai?" Mani picked up his necktie and said "revelation" (English).</div> <bR> <div> We made a final visit to Songsri who had listened to several discussions. He pretty much prohibited me from getting into a religious discussion. I asked would you like us to quit coming. He said "yes I am an old man and you need to spend time on younger people". I  asked "Do you understand that Christ is your savior?" He said "Yes". After we left we said a prayer together expressing our hope that perhaps Songsri could still accept the gospel but also expressing that we felt we had taught him all the fundamentals.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Week # 75 - November 10-16 23, 1974 - Ayuthaya Thailand</B></div> <bR> <div> On unday our attendance was still good, but I expect it to drop soon as testing begins. Even Phanom came to church today. I wrote, "I think he is the most golden contact that I've met". </div> <bR> <div> During Sunday School Elder Mani taught the lesson. He really attacked some of the teachings of Buddhism, and no one in the audience challenged him.</div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="381" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 271 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="0cc69090.jpg" border=0 width="361" height="265" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 96 WIDTH="369"><div> One day Elder Mani and I ran into this Canadian fellow, who had come to Thailand to be a Buddhist monk. So her I am with my Thai mission companion who had one been a monk and this white faced guy from Canada wearing the robes of a monk.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> We talked to a boy at the teacher's college who told us just how low the morals were. He said his roommates bring a girl home just about every night. So goes Thai morals, very high in public and very low in private.</div> <div> Elder Pace received a letter from Elder Palfreyman which said I was going to go and open the "south of Thailand". I didn't believe it and sent a telegram to Elder Palfreyman and asked him to zip the rumor mill.</div> <bR> <div> On Tuesday Elder Stratton and Elder Mongkol (Zone Leaders) visited us. [Mongkol would be my companion in March]. The trouble was Elder Stratton corroborated the rumor that I was headed to the south of Thailand to open that part of the country. Later that night he confessed that he was just kidding. So for 3 days I was had by this practical joke!</div> <bR> <div> At English on Wednesday we had "Speech Night". Phanom our golden contact said as part of his speech that everyone should study religion and English with us. Their message is really great. That made me feel great. We started teaching him the plan of salvation. It was great. I really felt the spirit. I wrote, "He could be baptized in 2-3 months".</div> <bR> <div> As district leader I met with Sister Duangtaa whom the other companionship were teaching. I told her about the interviews she'd have prior to baptism. Her plan was to be baptized on the King's Birthday December 5. </div> <bR> <div> Later we met a "flower child" [hippie]. She was handing out flyers for the "Children of God". I wrote, with so many different groups it is not surprising that the Thai's are all confused about religion.</div> <bR> <div> Tracting on Saturday was the usual stuff. You'd walk up to a home and say, "Is anyone home"? Then the answer would come back, "No, no one is home"! </div> <bR> <div> Another man said, "Man came from nature". Then I asked him about my watch. He responded, "The watch came from science".</div> <bR> <div> In our meeting with Professor Suraphon he told us, "I've never been happy". I told him that happiness was to be found in human relationships and that through the gospel of Jesus Christ human relationships could be eternal. At that point I felt that he felt the spirit.</div> <bR> <div> Physically for me this was a tough period.  I still had some stomach problems as well as what doctors said was a pulled muscle in my lower right side.  [After I was home some time this pain came back and my home doctor told me that males sometimes get these pains from having too much seamen inside!] </div> <bR> <div> In any case Elder Mani and I disagreed about who was sincerely interested in the gospel. I guess since he was a native I should have listened more to him. We were also teaching a doctor (who was helping with my medical needs). One night I asked his wife to listen to our message with him. She was a Seventh-day Adventist. She said "If he joins your church I will build you a chapel"! </div> <bR> <div> <B>Week # 76 - November 17-23, 1974 - Ayuthaya Thailand</B></div> <bR> <div> We had a fair turnout from the vocational school (their tests aren't for another week). Brother Surachai also came as did Duangtaa and Ratchaneewan.</div> <bR> <div> After lunch we went back to see professor Suraphon. We talked about how he would know the truth. He asked, "Why doesn't God just tell everyone the truth". That of course led to a discussion on faith. I explained that he could know the truth the same way Joseph Smith did. He asked, "Will God appear to me"? I then tried to explain the nature of the experience he would have. That was difficult, but I tried my best. Elder Mani then saved the day by explaining about prayer. He then understood that prayer was the key. I felt we'd made great progress with him.</div> <bR> <div> On Monday the others talked me into going to a movie, "Saga of Mister Charlie". The part about the minister helped me further understand why the Thais are confused about Christianity.</div> <bR> <div> On Tuesday we visited Chalerm. We do understand each other's feelings. He won't pray because he's afraid of what his wife and children will think. We asked permission to have a street meeting at the Commercial College. The director said, "No". I asked Mani on the way out why he did not tell the director that we had street meetings at the other colleges. Mani, responded, "Thai people do not look for arguments". We were not getting along too well at this point and the poor results from tracting showed it. We went to meet Thongngern. We were told he was not home. Elder Mani explained he's been home the last few times we've come to visit; he just doesn't want to see us. I made the suggestion we drop him. Mani said, "No we should go back when we know he is home". I was frustrated and confused by his seemingly opposing statements.</div> <bR> <div> One evening while we were waiting for an appointment to show up I asked Elder Mani what we could do to improve our relationship. He said, "No, I don't want to talk, I'll just endure until we are split up. You can call President Morris and tell him to send someone up in your place if you want". I asked if he wanted to try and improve things and make them good again and he said, "No". I explained that failure comes when you don't try.</div> <bR> <div> During this week's visit to Dr. Chairut I asked his wife to study with us. This time her response was, "I don't want to go to the same heaven as him"!</div> <bR> <div> On Saturday at the park for a street meeting, Mani for some reason would not talk to anyone. In the evening he provided the narration for the film strip as we had forgotten the tape recorder. Later he again agreed to study the Book of Mormon with me, so at least that was an improvement.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Week #77 - November 24 - 30, 1974 - Ayuthaya, Thailand </B></div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="408" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 261 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="0a289ff0.jpg" border=0 width="393" height="255" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 38 WIDTH="396"><div> Elders with investigators ready to depart for district conference in Bangkok in November 1974.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> Sunday the 24th was district conference in Bangkok and we took 9 investigators to Bangkok. A small truck with bench seats in the back had been arranged to take us down and back. The driver was a bit of a hippie freak, nevertheless we had nine investigators going to district conference. We felt that perhaps as many as 6 of these 9 would eventually be baptized. The funny thing was that two of the three that I did not think would join the church eventually did join the church. The investigators included:</div> <div> Brothers Banja, Sathid, Phanom and Chachawan. The Sisters included Duangtaa, Choodiirot, MIssimbara, and Ratchaneewan. </div> <bR> <div> Sister Duangtaa who was committed to baptism asked to see the baptismal font so I showed it to her. After asking several questions about the baptismal service she told me she was ready and wanted to be baptized soon. There were nearly 100 total investigators at the meeting. </div> <bR> <div> On the way home Brother Phanom told me he felt the feeling of brotherhood at the meeting. I wrote, "The Thailand Bangkok Mission seem to be getting hot now, I don't want to go home".</div> <bR> <div> On Monday Thailand's head monk came to Ayuthaya and all schools were closed so the kids could go see him. I expected him to be in a Mercedes or a Cadillac, but we missed him because he was in a small Datsun (Nissan). We went to see him as well. Later on this P-day many of our investigators came to see us since they had the day off. </div> <div> Sister Chodirot asked, "Can I get an answer through prayer". Elder Mani gave a quick answer and then went on to a different subject. She then followed up with, "Do you have to be a member of your church before you can get an answer to prayer"? Elder Mani again gave a quick answer and went on to another subject. Finally I brought the subject back to prayer. [Note: She married an American and is an active member today in Hawaii].</div> <bR> <div> On Thursday (Thanksgiving Day in America) we had a street meeting. I asked every adult that walked by if their family was important to them. Only one stopped to discuss the issue. </div> <bR> <div> On Friday there was a total eclipse of the moon. I was surprised to find that some Thai's were scared of such events. There was a lot of noise made during the eclipse mostly the beating of drums. It was fascinating.  </div> <bR> <div> At a street meeting on Saturday some monks actually came up and talked with us. The other Thai's were embarrassed that these monks were talking to Christian missionaries.</div> <bR> <div> All told it was such a positive week, Duangtaa was to be baptized soon, and we had lots of other investigators who were potential converts. This was truly the best teaching part of my mission.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Week #78 - December 1-6, 1974 - Ayuthaya, Thailand</B></div> <bR> <div>  On Sunday one of our 24 year old investigators Sister Ratchaneewan stood and shared a brief testimony - smiling brightly she said she believed this was the true Church of Jesus Christ because of the marvelous power she feels in it.  Sister Duangtaa who was to be baptized this week returned without her parent's signature on the permission form, but they gave verbal permission to the Elders that live in the town where her parents live. They said it would be a sin to sign the form. I asked Elder Mani if he could explain why it would be a sin to sign the form, but she said he did not understand what her parents were thinking.</div> <bR> <div> We met with Brother Surachai who lived near the telephone office where we tried to contact President Morris. He told us the some of the girls that attend two different vocational schools are quarreling over which group the Elders like best. We responded that if they were expecting to get anything but religion from us that they would be disappointed.</div> <bR> <div> Monday was very busy but the highlight of the day was my baptismal interview with Sister Duangtaa. I held the baptismal interview with her even though we were not yet sure President Morris would allow her to be baptized. The interview was a great experience for me She told me that she had in the past been hooked on drugs to reduce her weight. She'd not been able to shake these drugs when she first met the Elders. She prayed that God would help her overcome this problem and when he did she knew that he existed and loved her and she was prepared to follow him and join his church.  Later when we contacted President Morris and he told us we could go ahead with the baptism we rushed to tell her and she was so happy.  On Wednesday she was interviewed by the assistants to President Morris [Elders Christensen and Graves].</div> <bR> <div> On the King's Birthday December 5th we had the baptism in Bangkok with a couple of others from the Bangkok area. A few sisters came with us to Bangkok to attend the service including Sister Ratchaneewan, Sister Hunsaa, and Sister Ramperry. Duangtaa was the first member in Ayuthaya, a city where we've not always had a branch since my days as a missionary. Today the branch is Ayuthaya is back and I think it will be permanent now. It had been barely a year since missionaries first went to Ayuthaya.  Elder Pace performed the baptism and Elder Mani together with the 4 Elders in Ayuthaya was voice to the confirmation.</div> <bR> <div> As you can tell starting in October 1974 baptisms in the mission really picked up.  It has been just over 2 years since the bad publicity of the time when the Elders sat on old ruins of Buddha images.  Baptisms steadily built from October 1974 until I returned home in June of 1975.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Week # 79 - December 8-14, 1974 - Ayuthaya Thailand</B></div> <bR> <div> Sunday was called 5 cup Sunday. We needed 5 cups for the sacrament - 4 for the Elders and 1 for our 1st member sister Duangdaa.  She said she was so excited telling her parents about the baptism, but they were not interested.</div> <bR> <div> Sunday afternoon we taught the Japanese missionary Hosegawa who had returned from Bangladesh. He seemed unwilling to want to change. He could not accept our concepts of restored priesthood authority and living prophets. On Monday (P-day) we went to see a movie "Pretty boy Floyd" about the bank robber. I enjoyed listening to the Thai translation of the English. We continued to teach the elderly lawyer Chalerm but knew his family was not happy about our visits. On the other hand he'd become a good friend of ours.</div> <bR> <div> The other Elders began preparing sister Ratchaneewan for baptism. Elder Pace was teaching her how to lead music so she could fill that role when she was baptized. She was about to leave for 6 weeks to harvest rice with her family. We felt that would be a big test for her, but that she would survive it.</div> <bR> <div> We had 25 people at MIA where I taught the purpose of life.</div> <bR> <div> At one discussion after our lesson to what appeared to be an uninterested family, the old "beetle nut chewing" grandmother came out and said, "I want you to pray for me to win the lottery and if I do I will join your church."</div> <bR> <div> We started to focus on preparing for our big Christmas open house. We prepared displays and created new street meeting boards.  Elder Mani wouldn't help write the Thai on the displays I worked on but he did help the other Elders. He explained, "You write Thai very well, while they need help". I was pretty mad at that and kicked a slipper in his direction. I asked myself, "Why have I failed so much in companion relationships? Didn't President Richards bless me to make friends to last eternities"?  We'll that's how at felt at the time, but today Mani and I are good friends, friends to last for eternity.</div> <bR> <div> One contact brother Seangwian seemed concerned when we returned for a new visit. He had read the "Meet the Mormons" tract. It contains several of the commandments and it seemed he was worried we'd start asking him to live those right away. We replied that he should start living them when he believed that they were commandments from God. The week concluded with Bible Study and English classes. We had a great group of young people attending them.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Week # 80 - December 15-21, 1974 - Ayuthaya, Thailand</B></div> <bR> <div> On Sunday we met with Hasagawa, the Japanese missionary. We spoke of repentance, prayer, scriptures and baptism. He didn't understand why baptism had to be done by authority or that the Holy Ghost was received by the laying on of hands. During the twilight hours we passed out invitations to our Christ centered Christmas open house.</div> <bR> <div> P-day was consumed with open house preparations.  We worked all day (except for letter writing). We handed out invitations to the open house all evening. On the way home Elder Mani said we needed haircuts so we stopped and got them. </div> <bR> <div> December 17th was the first anniversary of missionary work in Ayuthaya and after 8000 proselyting hours we had one member! Our Landlady who lived next door made us a cake to celebrate the occasion; after all she had now had a nice year's worth of rental income! </div> <bR> <div> On Wednesday we held a street meeting at the Teacher's College. We had a letter from the academic vice-president who said it was OK. After Elder Mani and Elder Pace left to return home to work on the open house. A man invited me into his office. He asked, "Who gave you permission to proselyte here"? I answered, "The academic vice-president". He retorted, "Can you prove that"? I replied, "Yes, I have a letter at home". He then said, "He can't give you permission, only I as security vice-president can do that". They I boldly said, "Next time I get permission from the school president". He retorted, "He can't do that". I retorted, "He's not your boss"? He answered, "No".</div> <bR> <div> Later that night we spoke to a student leader. He said the real problem was that Elder Mani walked into this man's office and his secretary gave him the traditional Thai "Wai" greeting. Mani either didn't notice, or thought she had directed he attention to someone else. This upset the secretary who complained to her boss (the VP of security). As soon as Mani left to return home, the VP of security took it out on Elder Jensen and me.</div> <bR> <div> On Thursday at zone conference I learned that Mani was being transferred to Korat and that I was to get a new green missionary from the states Elder Brown. Elder Brown was 5'11" and handsome. As part of zone conference we all went out into different areas of Bangkok and passed out Christmas Cards with pictures of Christ on the front and a part of President Kimball's Christmas message on the inside.  I still remember that experience. It was a bit strange trying to talk to people about Christ, since many of them knew nothing more than Christ is the God of the Christians. The central zone was split in two, with Elder Welling of my group a new ZL in my new zone.</div> <bR> <div> Saturday the 21st was the first day of our open house. As part of the open house we passed out English class certificates and Bible study certificates to those who had attended for so many weeks. We gave out a few dozen certificates. In addition to those people we had received certificates about 50 attended the first night of the open house. </div> <bR> <div> We asked the local government if we could borrow some of the lights they had used on December 5th to celebrate the King's birthday. They agreed and we got a long strand of colored lights with very large bulbs and strung them from our home. These Christmas like lights really helped in attracting people's attention.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Week # 81 - December 22-28, 1974 - Ayuthaya, Thailand</B></div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="429" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 296 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="0c8b5210.jpg" border=0 width="181" height="289" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="0cadd220.jpg" border=0 width="221" height="290" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 96 WIDTH="183"><div> Christmas 1974 - What a fine Christmas Tree!</div> </tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="227"><div> A Thai Wedding. Our landlady pours water over the hands of the bride and groom. The Elders also participated in that part of the ceremony.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> Elder Mani was transferred on Monday and I picked up a new "bean" Elder Brown. Elder Mani and I were companions for nearly 4months. In that time I wrote an article about him that was used to attract more native missionaries worldwide.  I felt like Elder Mani and I had our struggles and that he really didn't like me. Since today we are good friends I feel that this conclusion is curious. I think I am as close to him as the missionaries that taught him the gospel a year or so earlier (ok probably not that close, but still good friends). I met up with Elder Brown in Bangkok and found that he was struggling with Thai food and that he came from a very wealthy family. He himself had made money buying old cars and fixing them up. Later we joined a group of Elders for a special tour of the Grand Palace - the former home of the King and Thailand's most sacred Buddhist temple. We saw places that most Thai's had never seen and they allowed us to take pictures inside the sacred temple a practice that is usually forbidden. I felt like we foreigners should not have received privileges greater than the Thai people themselves. One of the assistants has arranged for this special tour because he had taught English to one of the ladies on the committee that runs the Grand Palace.</div> <bR> <div> My companion was truly sick - culture shock and all. The day was the day before Christmas. We went to a private school to participate in a Christmas program. It was well done as we answered questions about Christmas both the religious and the traditions. They asked Elder Brown in Thai what his family did on Christmas morning; I was amazed he understood though he answered in English. We got Elder Brown to the doctors and then went home. On Sunday we had 50 to the open house and on Christmas Eve we had another 10 come and I talked to them while Elder Brown slept.</div> <bR> <div> We had a 1-foot Christmas tree and each opened a few presents. Many people came to visit us before school to see what our Christmas was like. Elder Jensen and I visited another school to talk about Christmas. Then we distributed some more Christmas card invitations to the open house. The afternoon and evening were special as we had 200 people attend the open house! Sister Duangdaa helped by taking people through the open house as did Bunja who was not even a member yet!</div> <bR> <div> Friday we attended the wedding of our Landlady's niece, which was a special cultural experience. I won't give you the details of this - it would take too long, but it was special. The Zone leaders visited Friday and Saturday. They also did not want to miss the wedding. I wrote in my journal I didn't like having zone leaders who were in my group or even the younger group. Here again the problem of "position" reared its ugly head and I handled it very poorly. I accepted Elder Mongkol as a zone leader because he was older in age and had taught me the Thai language in Hawaii before he became a missionary himself..</div> <bR> <div> <B>Week # 82 - December 29 - January 4, 1975 - Ayuthaya, Thailand</B></div> <bR> <div> Our meetings with the Japanese Christian missionary Hosegawa were stagnating. He held to the protestant view that all you need to do is to believe in Jesus Christ and the Bible is sufficient for man's needs. My new companion Elder Brown just about blew up in Hosegawa's face but he some how kept things in check. </div> <bR> <div> We also visited a gentleman who'd been making progress but his wife had no interest in our message and that was holding him back. On P-day I played basketball for the 1st time on my mission. I teamed with the 6'4" Elder Jensen but Elders Pace and Brown beat us anyway - yup that's how poor a player I am! </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="300" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 371 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="0a61a6d0.jpg" border=0 width="282" height="365" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 57 WIDTH="288"><div> Elder Haslam's 21st Birthday in the kitchen at the Elder's Residence in Ayuthaya, Thailand</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> P-day evening we were invited to a party at one of the schools where we'd taught English. Next thing you know they wanted us to dance and party along with everyone else. This was a problem as you might imagine. I decided not to dance but the others decided not to embarrass their assigned partners! So we debated who was right. Elder Brown also played his guitar. </div> <bR> <div> My first district report in months showed 1 baptism for December 1974. </div> <bR> <div> On New Year's Eve we set up street meeting boards at the entrance to the carnival. Thousand of people came but few stopped to talk with us. At 9:30 we went into the Carnival to have a look around. People were selling all kinds of things and there were plays going on. New Year's is a big day all over the planet. On New Year's day we tracted and found lots of people home and willing to talk. One family invited us to stay for dinner that was terrific (not to mention unusual)! </div> <bR> <bR> <div> On my birthday I read Mom's birthday letter and found it to be almost a duplicate of last year's. Now I know what events in my life my Mom remembers the most. Sister Duagdaa and Sister Hunsa gave me neckties for my birthday and the landlady made a special cake. </div> <bR> <div> We started our new semester of English with 45 students and even had 15 students to gospel study before English including 3 Muslim boys Abraham, Imran and Aphisit. It was a unique experience to met and teach a couple of discussions to these Muslim boys. Of course they found it difficult to accept Joseph Smith as a prophet since the Muslim belief is that Mohammed is the last prophet.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Week #83 - January 5-11, 1975 - Ayuthaya Thailand</B></div> <bR> <div> At our Sunday meetings Sister Duangtaa was so happy when she mentioned it was her one month anniversary as a member of the church.  Brother Bunja was excited that he might be able to attend the World Scout Jamboree in Norway in the summer to come. Our member and prospective members are really fine people.</div> <bR> <div> After church we met with Hasagawa again. It was clear his mind was closed as he refused to read the Book of Mormon.</div> <bR> <div> On P-day we had basketball practice (outdoors). We are getting ready to play the local "provincial team". The weather was cold, probably high 60s or low 70s with wind. After we got warmed up, it wasn't cold. </div> <bR> <div> We went out looking up referrals from our Christmas Open House. In looking for one boy we found his sister who had been to English class. She had framed the English class certificate we had given her.  The certificate in a frame made it look really important. We ended up sharing the Joseph Smith story with the entire family, Mom, Dad and all the kids. We had met the father a couple of weeks back at a street meeting.</div> <bR> <div> On Tuesday we visited Chalerm again and challenged him with tithing and the word of wisdom.  Tithing really shocked him, but alcohol and cigarettes were now problem. He did say he drank tea and coffee at breakfast. He invited us back on Saturday to show a film strip about the church to his family.</div> <bR> <div> We spoke to Thongchai also. He had read ½ of the Joseph Smith track so we talked about the Book of Mormon. I wish I had a copy in Thai to share with him. Later we met with Hunsaa another gal from a local college. She was eventually baptized. I started out by asking her if her parents knew she was studying religion. She said, "No they think I'm here studying English". She added, "Mom knows I dislike Buddhism and knows about the Christian books I have". She added that she had read the Joseph Smith tract 5 times. She also told us, "I have prayed, and I pray in private every night that I can become a member of this church".</div> <bR> <div> At one home, we spoke to the mother. She said to her children, "Hey, listen to these young men and get smart, they speak Thai, not too well, but they speak it. They can help you get smart". Then an older son said, "Oh, Mom, they speak Thai better than you do"!</div> <bR> <div> My greenie got some experience talking to some boys at a street meeting. It was said when they laughed at him and then walked away. He also got some experience conversing with a Buddhist monk.</div> <bR> <div> The Muslim boys we had met came back, but said they were busy with mid-terms and could not stay long.</div> <bR> <div> Thursday January 9th was the day I felt I had received my last assignment. I was to go to Chiang Mai in the beautiful north of Thailand and serve as zone leader there.  I was distraught that I was not called as an assistant. Members of my group Elders Castleton and Welling were called as the new assistants. I could understand the call for Elder Castleton, he had been an exemplary missionary, and he didn't even flaunt his family's wealth. Elder Welling on the other had was a bit of a surprise. On his last ZL visit he spent time here reading "Reader's Digest".  </div> <bR> <div> I got some more pills for my acidy stomach and told the doctor that I'd come back on later for a shot if the pills didn't help.</div> <bR> <div> President Morris visited late that day and announced the moves. President Morris told me in my interview that I'd learn the moves tomorrow when the mail arrived. Exiting the interview I found Elder Pace interrogating Sister Morris. It was at that point that we found out the worst news of all. Elder Sorenson of our group had been excommunicated and sent home.  Wow, that was so said it hit like a ton of bricks. Finally Sister Morris came through with the news, I was headed to Chiang Mai as Zone Leader and Elder Pace was headed to Thonburi as zone leader of the recently created Central West zone.</div> <bR> <div> Unfortunately when the day was over I left my emotions on my sleeve. Everyone knew I wasn't happy.</div> <bR> <div> What I had not appreciated was that I was going to the most beautiful part of the mission. Not everyone gets to spend some time in the north. Further as a zone leader I'd get to do some work in all of the cities in the north including Chiang Rai, Lumpang and Pittsanuloke.</div> <bR> <div> Thongchai thought the story of Peter James and John restoring priesthood authority was pretty neat.</div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="277" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 310 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="0b005300.jpg" border=0 width="261" height="304" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 38 WIDTH="265"><div> Elder Brown in front of the three pagodas of ancient Ayuthaya</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> When the mail arrived on Friday we found Elder Graham, my "greenie" was 13 months earlier was coming to Ayuthaya to be district leader and Elder Jensen's companion  Elder Wilden was coming to be Elder Brown's companion. He'd been in country just 4 months and was designated the group leader (of 1 member). My companions chided me pretty hard for my attitude. They explained it affected them as well.</div> <bR> <div> Later we taught the Muslims including Abraham and his friends. His religion taught that the moon was sacred and that man could not go there. He felt that man had gone to the moon and was therefore looking for something else.</div> <bR> <div> On Saturday was the big game. The American Elders assisted by brother Bunja played basketball against the best basketball players in the province of Ayuthaya. We had lots of friends turn out to cheer for us. We played under the lights.  We played full 20-minute halves, just like college ball in the U.S. This was the first time in my life that I had played a full game of basketball.</div> <bR> <div> We put a zone defense on the Thai's and they could not get to the basket. Elder Jensen was just amazing. He could muscle his way up and through anything. With offensive rebounds in our favor we led 28-22 at the half. I had 4 points off of offensive rebounds. Elder Pace said, "there came Elder Haslam out of nowhere leaping for rebounds, taking the ball down, doing a silly fake and putting it back up in the basket. The refereeing was very good and all participants played fair. They almost caught us in the 2nd half. The other 3 Elders came through for the victory, Jensen inside and Pace and Brown outside. The official final score was Elders 42 - Ayuthaya Provincial team 38.. Our "fans" helped keep our energy up throughout the whole contest. It was hard starting to say goodbye to some of these good people we had worked with in Bible Study and English for so many weeks.</div> <bR> <div> Arriving home the other Elders complained how dead tired they were and how their muscles ached. Me on the other hand, well I felt great!  I would guess that means I didn't work as hard.</div> <bR> <div> Out at Chalerm's home we showed "Meet the Mormons" to his family. His family asked a few questions and Chalerm himself answered them. He was an older gentleman that I'll never forget. He never did join the church, but he did receive a good understanding of it.</div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>