The Great Lakes Mission

Journal Entry

I was very glad to receive my mission call. I had several letters that day but flipped through to find my mission call. I was very excited as I fumbled through my instructions and seen where I was going. At first I thought of where the Great Lakes was and thought of cold but I said to myself that is where the Lord wants me and it’s just where I’ll go. I was surprised to see that my mission call was actually and genuinely signed by the Prophet of God. I shall treasure it as long as I live as sure as I will treasure my experience of my mission.

Acceptance Letter

I acknowledge and accept the honor and privilege of serving God in this facet of a missionary call to the Great Lakes Mission. I am very grateful that this great opportunity has come to me.

In accepting my call I understand completely my obligations to my church and to my priesthood. I will honor and sustain my priesthood to the best of my ability in all of the callings that I might receive, both while I am on my mission, and after my mission is completed. I know that this is truly the work of the Lord, and the only true church upon the earth today.

I thank all of the people who have helped me in preparing for my mission, especially my parents, the presiding officers whom have recommended me and the officers of the missionary committee and the First Presidency of the church.

Very Sincerely, Delmar W Johnson

Mission Journal from the Mission Home

My first week in the mission home was a grand experience. I arrived at the mission home about 2:45pm on Monday November 15, 1965. I was met at the door by two other missionaries and given a room number 314. After taking my bags up to my room, I then went to the desk and registered. After registering, I was able to leave and spend some time with my family until 5:00pm. We shopped around for just about an hour and then I went to Hotel Utah with my companions and ate dinner. My companions were Elder Keller and Elder Frame. Elder Keller is from Mink Creek, Idaho. Elder Frame from Norwalk, California. Both are going to the Great Lakes Mission with me.

There were 298 missionaries in the mission home. 24 are going to the Great Lakes Mission, the largest group going to any one mission. There was one sister from New Zealand, one from Switzerland, an Elder from Mexico, 3 Elders from Canada, the most countries represented in the mission home at one time.

We ate breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Hotel Utah. Breakfast at 6:30, Lunch at 11:30 and dinner at 5:00. The meals were well balanced and at times even tasted good.

The Monday we entered the mission home, President Richards introduced a few of the Rules and then President and Sister Brown gave us a few thoughts and bore their testimony. Then Sister Richards gave a talk. The four of these people we found are very wonderful people and some of God’s chosen people. They are very inspirational and kind. This lasted about 2 1/2 hours and then we went back to our rooms, got better acquainted and studied. We retired about 10:30pm but talked till about 12 midnight, then finally went to sleep.

I had a very restless night waking up several times. About 6:10am Tuesday morning, I got up and threw up. I had caught the common flu that was going around. I didn’t go eat breakfast but tried to study a little. Feeling better, I went to class at 7:30 only to have to leave 2 hours later to throw up some more. I reported to the secretary and she gave me some medicine, pepto bismol and perigoric. It helped to settle my stomach after going to my room. I laid down and then Sister Richards come up to see me. She told me to go to bed for a couple hours and sleep. I woke up about 11:30 and got up and dressed but didn’t go to lunch. I stayed there and studied till class began at 1:00 and then went to class. The rest of the day was lectures with a break for dinner and more lectures till 9:30 and by then everyone was tired but we studied a little before going to bed.

Wednesday the morning was filled with lectures. The afternoon was set aside for taking pictures, buying garments and getting set apart. I was to be set apart at 3:30. After the opening song they announced I was to go with President Alvin R. Dyer, an assistant to the Twelve. He set 5 others and I apart and gave us all very good blessings. My mother, brothers Brent and Kent, and Yula and Val with Kevin were able to attend. My father was unable to attend because of work. After spending a little time with my family, I went back to eat but got there too late. After dinner, we had more lectures and some instruction on the number 1 discussion. After studying a little, we retired about 11:00.

Thursday was just a day of breakfast, lectures, lunch, lectures, dinner, lectures, study and bed.

Friday was temple day and we were up at 4:00 and at the temple at 5:00. After obtaining our proper clothes, we then went through the beautiful Salt Lake Temple. It was truly a privilege. After the first session, we had a question and answer period in the Temple after which we again had the privilege of going through the Temple and getting out about 1:30. After lunch, there were more lectures and instruction on the first discussion.

Saturday was another day of instruction and lectures with time to do a little shopping and odds and ends.

Sunday we remade our beds, had breakfast and at 7:30 we had a sacrament meeting which was really inspirational. At 9:30 we went to the tabernacle to hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir with their lovely music. Then from 10 to 2:00 we had more instruction on the first discussion by Elder Broadbent. After was an open period to share with your family. That evening the missionary farewell testimonial was held between 5:00 and 8:00 and all 298 of us got the privilege to speak. This meeting was the very best meeting that I had attended. My family and my friends Russ and Meridee, Bill and Chris came to wish and bid farewell which I was very happy about. Sunday night we spent at LeRoy and Wenches.

Mission Journal traveling to the Great Lakes Mission

Monday morning I got on the train at 7:30 after saying goodbye to my family. The two cars was full of missionaries going to the Great Lakes and the Northwestern States and the Southern States and Florida. The train trip lasted till 7:30 Tuesday night with a 3 hour delay in Chicago. The train trip was very boring at times but we met a man of the pentecostal faith and had a very good discussion with him. In Chicago, six of us got together, ate and visited some of the skyscrapers, one an apartment building that we called the pancake apartments.

President and Sister Berg met us at the train station in Fort Wayne, Indiana and with the help of a few Elders transported us to the mission home where a nice turkey dinner was waiting for us. After dinner, we assembled int he living room and had a very wonderful testimonial meeting. After which we were given the missionary pins to wear on our missions as long as we kept the rules. Then we retired to bed very exhausted.

Wednesday morning we got up 20 minutes late so six of us lost our pins for 20 days. We will get our pins back after we live by the rules for 20 days. My 20 days will be up on December 12, 1965. Wednesday we had breakfast at 6:30 and then had more instructions from President and Sister Berg and also from some of their assistants at the mission home. Then we were given time to study just before dinner. After a fine dinner we again assembled for more instruction with the assistants - Elder Sorensen, Elder Kilipak and Elder Rainere. All on our door approaches, the flip charts and the first discussion. Throughout Wednesday afternoon, President Berg met with each one of the Green Elders separately for an interview and also to help him decide where each Elder was to go. There were 17 of 24 Elders sent out into the mission field while 7 was kept back in Fort Wayne to go thru the training program. Wednesday night we received our instructions to where we were to go and the time which we were to leave. After which we went to bed.

Thursday after getting up on time and having a good breakfast we were free to pack, study and get ready for our departure. After breakfast, I offered to do the dishes and it wasn’t much fun for there were about 40 people’s dirty dishes. After doing dishes, I packed and got ready to leave for Lansing Michigan at 12:45pm. I arrived at the bus station at 12:40 and with so little time to get my ticket and the bus driver in a hurry my bags were put on without being checked and the bus driver said we’d get the ticket at Battle Creek, Michigan. I found out at Battle Creek I was supposed to trade buses but didn’t find out in time so I had about a 1 1/2 hour wait for the next bus. So I waited around the bus station and read a few short articles on religion that were in the bus station. At the bus station, I discovered I had left my briefcase on the bus so I had to call the next station and make arrangements to have my brief case meet me at Lansing, which it did. I also left a case of Book of Mormons on the bus but no identification was on them so they had to be tracked down. I also discovered my Grey suit had been left at Fort Wayne so I called Elder Smith and had him locate it for me.

I boarded the bus for Lansing at about 6:20 and arrived there about 7:40 and nobody there to greet me. I locked up my bags and tried calling my Companion Elder Walkingshaw. He wasn’t home so I called Bishop Pearson and he referred me to Mrs. James, a family from Utah that the missionaries visited quite often. She came and picked me up and took me down to her place and I got to know her and her family. She gave my mother her first permanent I found out later. I finally got hold of Elder Walkingshaw about 10:35 and he came down and got me and took me to a small apartment where we talked and retired. My first impression I thought was good of Elder Walkingshaw.

Mission Journal

December 25, 1965

My first Christmas away from home and it was very enjoyable. We worked on the B of B from about 9 to 1 and found out we needed a new clutch plate so the B of B isn’t running yet. Brother Brown has helped operate on the B of B and after he took us out to the dinner appointment. All four elders in the district ate at the Pearson’s, a very fine family. After eating there we had a dinner appointment with the Whipple family. Both meals were very good to the taste and also to the belly.

After dinner, we went with Sue and visited with her and cracked a few funnies. Christmas night we awaited calls from our families. I talked to my folks about 1 by our time and 11 by their time. I was happy to talk to them and it made the day complete. They liked the picture I sent to them and so it made me happy. Christmas was white as the snow fell to pile up to 7 inches and a beautiful sight. Christmas afforded me with a bathrobe, slippers, shirt (3), cologne, after shave, socks, tie, tie clasp and goodies.

December 26, 1965

Sunday morning a very beautiful day and appropriate right after Christmas. Sunday morning we attended church with the Browns. At church I got ribbed for being a greenie and realized a few problems more fully. After church we went to the Browns and visited with them. After we went to Sue’s and visited with her and went to sacrament service with her. After the farewell for Barry Hancock I talked to Elder Hartly about the problems of the district. We went back to Sue’s and she fed us turkey sandwiches, dressing, cranberry salad and ice cream (very good). Went back down to Browns, talked and went home.

December 27, 1965

Monday turned out to be a fair day. We got the B of B fixed and it runs as smoothly as you could expect a rambler to. We finished the car about 2:30 and by the time we got cleaned up and ready to go it was four oclock. We started taking care of our physical needs and got everything done except our clothes. We went over to Sue’s and she did our sheets so we would have something to sleep in. Thus ended Monday.

December 28, 1965

Tuesday started out badly and my companion wanted to look for a sunlamp and a new suit. He found both after looking all day. No missionary work was accomplished. Went over to Sue’s to get companions suit pants. Another day shot down the tubes.

December 29, 1965

Another day that started out bad, and my companion in one of his usual lazy moods. But by persistence, we went out tracting and had very good reception. We found a few good families and some might be able to accept the gospel. That evening we visited the Pickins family whose married daughter is already a Mormon. A very wonderful family and with the help of the Lord we’ll be able to bring these fine people into the waters of baptism.

December 30, 1965

Thursday again started out bad as my companion, Elder Walkingshaw, complained of not feeling well, but we went tracting during the afternoon and found one future prospect with the Lord’s work and help. Companion complaining more and says he does not feel like going out to work that evening. Companion acting normal but complaining of head cold.

December 31, 1965

New Years Eve, happy new year. My companion is not feeling so well. He is quite homesick and down in the dumps. we visited the Browns and Sue and watched the bowl games as LSU topped Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl 14-7. Mrs. Brown fell on the porch and was rushed to the hospital. My companion and I were over to Sue’s when we found out and we went to the hospital and Mrs. Brown was okay. They took her home and she went right to sleep. We administered to her and went back over to Sue’s to watch the Rose Bowl as UCLA upset MSU 14-12. Sue treated us to some ice cream and then we went home.

January 1, 1966

The start of a new year and full of trials and tribulations as the year starts. New resolutions, new promises, new ideas, new people, new methods, new baptisms.

January 2, 1966

Sunday, fast and testimony meeting was real spiritual as the fine people of the ward bore their testimonies. Elder Hartly bore his testimony for the last time in a ward meeting in the mission field. He is scheduled to go home on the 28th of January. A real fine Elder and District Leader, one to respect and appreciate and love. Spent most of the afternoon over to Brown’s for dinner and visiting.

The Elders from Grand Rapids District came down for the night to go to Detroit for Dual Zone Conference Monday. Eight elders came down, four staying in our apartment and four in Elder Hartly’s apartment. The fruit cake did go down and the apartment was filled.

January 3, 1966

Dual Zone Conference in Detroit. Up at 4:30, out by 5:30, on way to Detroit at 6:00. Eighty miles to Detroit where there were about 80 Elders along with President and Sister Berg and Elders Brockbank, one of the assistants to the Twelve.

January 4, 1966

My companion is sick with the croup. We are not able to get much missionary work done. Mostly the day consisted of resting up trying to get better. January 5 was also much of the same.

January 6, 1966

My companion is still sick so Elder Hartley came over and I worked with him in his area. I really enjoy working with Elder Hartley. He is a real sharp Elder.

January 7, 1966

The travelers had arrived Thursday night and I worked with Elder Peterson. Friday morning Elder Walkingshaw is still sick. We stayed in until after supper time then we visited Sue and was fed pizza and ice cream. I’m full.

January 8, 1966

Saturday, all the Elders together in our area. I worked with Elder Gudmundson, our traveling Zone Leader. We are quite successful and I enjoyed working with him. For lunch, tacos, the mouth did burn.

January 9, 1966

Sunday, most of our time was spent at Ward meetings and waiting for meetings with President Berg and the Zone Leaders. It was a very fruitful day in as much as we were able to partake of the spirit President Berg carries with him. He renewed our ideas and enthusiasm and I hope I can carry it forth throughout my mission. The Pickins went to church with us.

January 10, 1966

Monday, rededication day, a day of womens work but something at times is not too bad to do. I should have written more letters but maybe I’ll catch up.

January 12, 1966

Wednesday, with the hood drying into the establishment of an all green car, the brethren came over and worked with us in this area. We had a very fine and filling lunch at Sue’s. Sue is one of the finest people I know and also one of the best cooks. Elder Williams and I working together and were quite successful in finding a golden family, the Dunckles. There is a great possibility of bringing these fine people into the church.

January 13, 1966

Thursday, not completely fruitful nor unsuccessful but one of the days that things could have been better but we did meet a couple of fine families.

January 14, 1966

Friday, an average day, with it’s average highs and lows with average success and average failures. more than likely more to our lack of proper attitude.

January 15, 1966

Saturday, one of the slower days, errands and personal wants taken care of before the Lords work. This I hope to be reversed and more dedication to be forwarded.

January 16, 1966

Sunday, again the Pickens attended church and showed great desire to learn more. They will probably be baptized within days, Jerry and Tricia. Both want to join and are only waiting for the knowledge of the gospel. The Lord has prepared these fine young people. Their parents show much interest in learning of the church and it will be through the examples and changes the gospel gives their children that they might enter into the church.

January 17, 1966

Monday, after taking care of our physical needs, we wrote letters to our family and friends. Tonight we gave a discussion to the Dunckle family, a really golden family and one of the most wonderful families I have met while first contacting. We adminstered to Barbara Brown ad Ingam Hospital.

January 18, 1966

Today we started off with the B of B giving us some trouble, first we ran out of gas and next we had a run down battery and third the hood would not shut. Elder Hartley and Elder Williams came over to help us and then we went over to their area to work. I worked with Elder Williams the rest of the day. We first contacted adn called back in some of the people he met prior. We had a fairly successful day. That evening Elder Walkingshaw and I went over to the Pickens and gave them the fourth discussion. They want to be baptized so we filled out their recommends for Sunday January 23.

January 19, 1966

Wednesday a usual day of work. The Lord surely helps us each day throughout our lives.

January 20 - 23, 1966

These days passed and nothing unusual happened but I have been fairly happy and at times fairly successful. Elder Hartley heads for home, to get married and settle down at the right time.

January 24, 1966

Monday, a busy day both in getting our physical needs taken care of as well as giving a few discussions. We played basketball with Elder Smith, Elder Williams and Elder Walkingshaw, Brother Kurl and his son Mark. It wore us out but was very good exercise and made us realize how far out of shape we are. Elder Smith as the new District Leader is a great Elder, it will be hard to find anyone better.

January 25 - 29, 2966

The week has been quite hectic and very trying in ways. The devil is working hard so I must work harder to accomplish that which I was sent here for. This week we met a fine family, one child and a cat. Both are cute and mischievousness but the baby is the cutest I’ve seen. The Pain family are quite golden and possibly a future member of the church.

January 30, 1966

My birthday, I am now twenty years old, as my companion said I am no longer a filthy teenager but a dirty old man. I did have a happy and successful birthday. We baptized the Koutz’s, Jerry and Patricia and I did the honors of dunking them and I could not have had such a nicer gift. After the baptismal service, we went over to Sue’s house for a bite to eat. Soup and sandwiches which were very good. She gave me a purple tie as a joke because I had threatened to buy one for my blue suit. She baked me a cake of cherry flavor (yum yum) and set twenty candles upon it which I blew out with one try and only once. She gave me a set of cuff links and tie tack which I actually picked out because she was with me when I was looking at them in Knapps. I had a most wonderful and happy birthday in which I know my folks thoughts and prayers were with me. God truly blessed me with much this day.

January 31, 1966

Rededication day, a day full of work to prepare for the next week. We were quite successful in the evening in doing the Lord’s work.

February 1 - 5, 1966

The rest of the week was spent in proselyting and teaching. I worked with Elder Smith Thursday, Friday and Saturday. He is really a good Elder and District Leader. I will learn much from him if I follow his counsel and guidance.

February 6, 1966

We went first contacting because we did not have any investigators at church. We didn’t meet anyone real golden but perhaps we planted the seed for someone else to harvest. We visited Sue and Browns and had full stomachs for the rest of the night.

February 7, 1966

Monday, a day of many things to do with not much time to do it. We payed basketball with Elder Smith and Williams and Gudmendson and Hendrickson. Very good exercise and very tiring. We received a letter of transfer, taking Elder Walkingshaw to South Bend, Indiana and bringing Elder Reed Peterson to Lansing from Warren Ohio.

February 9, 1966

A day spent catching odds and ends for the transfer. Visiting the Browns and Sue. Sister Mead and family were up to say goodbye to Elder Walkingshaw. Sue’s was the last place to visit, she sobbed but never wet the hanky.

February 10, 1966

Transfer day, Elder Walkingshaw left at 7:00am. Sue was there to see him off, tears flowed for a couple of minutes. The rest of the day spent cleaning apartment and studying until 4:00pm when I picked up Elder Peterson. A good Elder and we will have much success together. The night spent making acquaintances.

February 11, 1966

First day of good work for long time, Elder Peterson and I will get along great. We found a few good people. The Lord sure blessed us today. Elder Peterson is a brother to Karl Peterson, a teacher of seminary at NC and Skyview. Success is predicted.

February 12, 1966

Second day of good work. Elder Peterson is tremendous. We found some good humble people. Gave discussions 3 and 4 to Connie Brinson and discussion 3 to the Pains. All should be baptized this month. Good day, we retain the trophy for the next week.

February 13 - 19, 1966

The week of good missionary work and pretty good success. Up on time every morning and study class every day, quite a change but surely a good one. 4th discussion to Pains.

February 20 - 26, 1966

Another week of good work and success. Elder Peterson and I like to work together and have a good time doing so. This week a chicken dinner on total points. We gave fifteen FCs and ten B of M to win. Good food.

February 27 - March 5, 1966

Good week, good people, good success, good companion.

March 6 - 12, 1966

Trade off in district, Elder Williams came to work with me. Good man, lots of good points and can learn lots from him.

March 13 - 19, 1966

Terrific week, met many golden people. Will probably teach and baptize some of them. Learning lots from Elder Peterson. Met the Mayes, golden, waiting for husband. Took care of Pains cat, dizzy cat.

March 20 - 26, 1966

Another great week. Met the Burts, family of six, will teach and if it be the Lord’s will, baptize. Also the Reebs, humorous family have had six discussions from Elders a year ago. Good possibilities of baptizing.

March 27 - April 2, 1966

Fabulous week. Most of time spent preparing for film “Man’s Search for Happiness” on March 30th. Film was fair success. 2/3 non members and 1/3 members. An excellent film. The Reebs, Mayes, Lietskye and Griffiths attended and were very impressed - baptize. Trade, Elder Smith - tremendous Elder. Sunday the 27th worked with Kurth twing, Max and Mark. Had a ball and will do again. Met Mrs. Miller and taught the 1st and 2nd discussion, golden, will baptize.

April 3 - 9, 1966

Sunday, Reeb’s attended church and were impressed, should baptize. Mrs. Miller, golden, 2nd and 3rd discussions on Wednesday, will be baptized. Gave first to Griffiths, golden, should meet date on 24th, very receptive. Thursday talked to Reebs, she wants in, waiting for him. Bart is great, invited friends to MIA with him and they all want to go again.

October 23 - 29, 1966

A most wonderful week. Sunday we attended church and the Bischoffs and Wicks were there. Brother Dayton gave a wonderful lesson on Elias. We had dinner with the Johnstons, roast beef, potatoes, beans, gravy and a few other good things - delicious. Gave Brother Glen Maha (Lamanite) the first discussion, his wife is a member but is in Arizona. He is very sincere but will have to prove himself because of his alcohol problem.

Monday we got together as a district for a football game, the senior against the juniors. Robinson, Veatch and I beat Taylor, Coltrane and Murdock by about 34 to 18. I racked myself up pretty fair by running into a park bench - ouch. I survived but will be stiff. It was good for exercises but showed how out of shape I am.

Tuesday we did a lot of tracting and found fair success. Tuesday night we went to the MIA hay ride and took Bob Bischoff with us - crowded so we went to have some fun. Wet toilet paper - run through cow pastures - over fences - walk about 3 miles to Acadia farms - hot chocolate - home.

Wednesday, we did about the regular things, tracted about four hours and did a few call backs that evening. We dropped in on the Smiths and Dodrills to see how they were getting along. Not to much exciting happened.

Thursday, we contacted in the morning then Elder Veatch and Butler came up for lunch. Elder Veatch and I picked us some baptismal clothes and contacted a few referrals. Then stopped in on the Hayes and they invited us to eat out with them - much obliged - good food. Elder Veatch and I went up to Bischoffs and he interviewed them for baptism. They are ready and will be baptized. Left Bischoff’s at 11:00, pretty good in consideration of usual

Friday, pretty good day, gave Brother Rees the 3rd discussion. He took pretty good, will live Word of Wisdom when gains testimony of gospel. He is a real good man. Ward supper.

Saturday - hectic day - anti mormon literature is doubting Sister Bischoff - one from phone - will pray - fasting - 6:00 will be baptized. Baptism at 8:00 - started 9:00 but was a great success - the Lord’s spirit was there. Shumways - talk, sing - 4 Bischoffs - 4 Gilliams - numbers is fun - happiness - returned home at 12:00 - well worth loss of sleep.

June 16, 1967 - Letter from Carol Bischoff, a member he baptized in October 1966.

Dear Elder Johnson,

This is just a little thank you for all the help you gave to my family and myself. I was going to write a little something in the letter my mother wrote to you, but she mailed it before I got the chance.

I want to tell you that our family has never been closer before, and the Church has improved each and every one of us for the better. I know that this is the true church, and I wish my friends and other people could see this. A few of them don’t really care which church is true and say “as long as they believe in God it doesn’t matter” while others are too busy trying to prove it wrong.

A man I work with was very interested in the church, so I spent most of the days teaching him instead of working. He and his wife were baptized by Elder Murdock and Elder Rich. My mother probably told you that Mrs. Lauria, our neighbor, was baptized and that her husband and daughter will probably come into the church very soon.

My mother’s sister has taken the lessons from the Elders, but she is also coached on the subject by her Baptist minister. You know how the Baptists are.

I want to thank you again for teaching me all about this church because it has really changed my life and my whole way of thinking. It was and is something I’ve always needed and especially when I was first learning about the church.

I hope that the people that you are teaching now will be able to see the truth as I did.

Sincerely, Carol Bischoff