Sharing our Links to the Past
by Wally and Frances Gray

Family Portraits

Stephen Wallace Gray

Stephen is the fourth son of Lawrence Firman Gray and Marie Bingham. He was born on August 13, 1980, at Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota. (His paternal grandparents are Wallace F. Gray and Frances M. McNabb Gray, and his maternal grandmother is Irma Bingham.)

Elder Stephen Gray

Biography

Education includes Brimhall Elementary School in Roseville, Minnesota; Ithaca Elementary School in Ithaca, New York; Eldorado Elementary School in Santa Fe, New Mexico; Roseville Middle School; Roseville High School and Brigham Young University (freshman year 1998-99.) He graduated from Roseville High School in the top one percent of his class. Activities at high school included  Nordic skiing, concert choir, junior varsity and varsity tennis.

His hobbies include graphic design, hiking, camping, reading, dating (in civilian life), golf, tennis, and correspondence. Occupations have been working for Chi-Chi's restaurant, Ciatti's Restaurant and, in the summer of 1999, the Everest Group Ltd., a property management firm.

Music besides choral work has included violin for seven years.

His Church assignments have included stake youth council president, deacons and teachers president, assistant in priests quorum, home teacher, captain of volleyball and basketball team, stake missionary, and ward prayer coordinator (at BYU.)

He was called to be a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the summer of 1999 and entered the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, on September 1, 1999. He was assigned to the Bolivia Cochabamba Mission. He follows his three brothers, all of whom have served  missions in South America. (David, Uruguay Montevideo; Matthew, Argentina Mendoza; and Michael, Chile Santiago West .) After a brief stay at the Missionary Training Center in Lima, Peru, he entered his mission field in Bolivia.

We will be following his experiences on his mission.

September 1-October 5, 1999. (Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah). Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was one of their speakers. "He spoke in parables which is just a testament of principle 3 of discussion 1 (God Has a Pattern for Revealing Truth.) He talked, as probably many do when talking to missionaries, about changing our focus from 'my mission' to 'His mission.'" Stephen loves the work and is grateful for his constant companion, the Holy Spirit.

"The weeks are flying and I truly know what that means. The first week it goes kind of slow because there aren't a lot of things to keep track of. But as the days go on and we learn more of the rules, make more goals, discover more places for improvement, the time is non-existent. But I appreciate that because it not only makes me want to work harder, but more efficiently. And as I do that, I know the Lord will bless me; I can see the results already." (September 20, 1999.)

October 5, 1999-November 2, 1999. (Missionary Training Center in Lima, Peru.) Elder Gray describes the Center as "something just short of heaven."  This means marble countertops, personal shower stalls, flower courtyards, top-of-the-line Peruvian food (except the cow stomach), maids and native teachers who have served on South American missions.

Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was a recent speaker. He talked about maximizing personal study and internalizing scriptures. He spoke of the divine origin of the Book of Mormon. The some 60 Latin missionaries had never seen a high-ranking Church official before. "It was neat to see how their faces glowed for the days following."

Elder Gray also got to meet his mission president President Moreno because the mission presidents from three countries flew to the center to meet with Elder Perry.  Elder Gray's mission is focusing  attention on retention of converts.

"My testimony of this work is strengthened every day through sincere prayer and strict obedience to the rules and guidelines. I've been using the counsel of Mormon found in Moroni 7:26
[. . . Whatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is good, in faith believing that ye shall receive, behold, it shall be done unto you.] The [Spanish] language brings frustration at times but when I apply that scripture I seem to see great progress. I'm grateful for the prayers of so many loved ones and the ones offered in the sessions of the temple. I'm amazed and humbled at the great trust the Brethren of the Church have in us." (October 20, 1999.)

November 12, 1999

My First Area: Valle Hermoso
(Click on Image to see Larger View)

November 15, 1999 (Pagador)

Living in a house in Pagador, Bolivia. Members are getting ready for the dedication of the temple in April, 2000. Missionaries have started a program to teach genealogy in preparation for the temple. Elder Gray felt blessed with the excellent training he received in the Missionary Training Centers in Provo, Utah; and in Peru. His present companion (from Salt Lake City) speaks better Spanish than others in the mission, which helps.

He is dealing with all kinds of great spiritual experiences. He said. "Everyday here is a Refiners' Fire. If you constantly try to improve, you can go places fast, and gain a stronger, more unshakable testimony. I used to think that my brothers were crazy for writing about a bunch of spiritual stuff, but dealing with it all day every day kind of makes it hard not to talk about it."

December 13, 1999 (Pagador)

"One of the things I prayed for a lot before my mission and in the MTC was to be a person that could accept helpful criticism and direction from peer leaders (zone/district leaders.) I was always one to try everything by myself and quick to snap back at the criticism of others. I realized that this trait was probably not a good one to have in the mission field. The prayers have worked, even though I still have a long way to go. It has made me humble - trying to utilize the advice of senior companions, etc. I have become forever grateful for the power of prayer.

"Right now we are helping three families work out papers for marriage so they can be baptised. It has been a great joy to see their willingness and excitment as they make commitments with each other (spouse to spouse) and also commitments with the Lord. The temple here has helped in this regard. The reality of sealing themselves in the temple is something special. We are trying to utilize videos (Familes Forever, On Our Way Home) to encourage temple preparedness. Oh how joyous this work is.

"Any pictures I send you can be put on the website. I don't have enough to send my friends, so that would be a lot easier."

December 25, 1999

While we do not have full details yet, Elder Gray underwent an appendicitus operation on Christmas Day. He talked to his parents by phone the next day, and we will post more information when we receive it. [See below.]

January 10, 2000 (Cochabamba)

Elder Gray gives us this information: "On Christmas Eve my temperature went through the roof and shooting pain persisted in my side. After many tests and the President consulting with the doctors in Salt Lake, they decided to do the operation Christmas Day! For the better part of the next week I spent in the President's house recooperating. Last Tuesday I finally went back to work and feel the desire to serve more than ever. We had to move our house last week [change location] and were put into a three-some for two days so we didn't really start digging in until four days ago. We are blessed to have some great baptisms coming up, so all is back to normal once again."

Elder Gray was allowed to call his parents two days after the operation when he felt better. During the phone conversation he talked to his brother Michael Gray who told him a parable he had learned from his mission president, Roland Walker. Elder Gray suggested we get the exact wording from Michael which we did, so here is the parable in Mike's words:

Parable of the Wheat and the Rocks

A master had two servants. He sent them out in the field to gather the wheat that was left over after the harvest. When they arrived at the field they realized that the wheat was strewn about and mixed with rocks.

The first servant, handful by handful slowly began to gather up the wheat, sorting it from the rocks as he went along and then putting it into his sack.

The second servant, trying to be more efficient began gathering up all the rocks.

Both servants continued to labor with their respective manners until the second had finally gathered up all the rocks. He fetched a rake and was just about to rake up all the wheat into his sack when the wind blew.

When the wind stopped, the servants discovered that once again the wheat was mixed in with the rocks. Both servants started again, in the same manner as they did before, the one slowly gathering the wheat and the other gathering the rocks.

Once again just before the second servant was ready to rake the wheat, the wind blew.

At the end of the day, they returned to their master to report their labors. The first servant proudly presented several sacks of wheat while the second servant only had a pocketful of rocks.

Moral: In the mission field you have two choices with your companion. You can take the good from him and leave the rocks, or you can try to "fix" all the bad things about him until they are just how you want them.

The problem is, when your companion is finally "fixed" the wind blows and you get a transfer. We shouldn't try to change our companions until we have really honestly learned all the good we possibly can from them. Then instead of returning home with a pocketful of rocks and negative experiences, we will return home having harvested much good.

Mike said this parable "changed my mission, and as a matter of fact my life."

January 10, 2000 (Cochabamba)

Elder Gray's trainer has been transferred and his new companion is Elder Parrish from American Fork, Utah. The companionship has found six new families and two have been committed to baptism. "I love this work," he says, "but it will be sad when I leave this area--leaving behind the converts and good, faithful, helping members.

He sent the following picture, labeling it "Bringing Souls unto Christ."

Picture taken in Cochabamba (On P-Day when
recuperating from surgery.)
(Click on Image to see Larger View)

March 5, 2000 (Bermejo)

Elder Gray writes: "I find myself in the middle of jungle-like terrain. Bermejo is the name of the city which shares part of the Boliva/Argentina border. In fact, part of our area--Elder Gomez and I--extends into Argentina. I arrived here Friday by bi-plane, landing in a farmer's field! The climate is very different from that of Cochabamba so it takes a little getting used to. Very humid and a lot of mosquitos, but I'm not complaining. because the work is awesome. The members here are the most loving people that I've ever met.

I miss my last area already, but I guess that's natural. When you try to help people realize the many ways in which Heavenly Father can help us, you're bound to end up missing them.

I have such a great love for this work. As challenges present themselves I try to utilize all of the resources that the Lord has given us to resolve them (i.e. the scriptures and prayer.)

I'm glad that people are checking the website. I don't have time to write everyone so I'm glad the word is out. People at my old job check it now.

Now that I'm two airplane flights from the temple in Cochabamba it looks like I won't be making it there for the dedication." (See letter of May 8, 2000. He was able to go to the dedication!)

Webmaster's Note: As of April 18, 2000, there have been 142 visitors to this site.

March 27, 2000 (Bermejo)

These last two weeks have been so spiritually exhausting. Last Saturday we baptised the Rofas family, and this week the Orko family along with a single mother--Paola Martinez. The reason I say spiritually exhausting is because as you full well know Satan tries everything in his power to stop people from eternally progressing. So many things came up at the last minute to try to prevent these families from entering into the Church. Everything from sickness to cold feet, worldly temptations, etc. A lot of times we forget just how much power Satan has.

Sitting here has given me time to finally relax and analyze how I'm doing instead of worrying about others. I can take a little time to think about what kind of missionary I am and who I want to become in these two years. I'm forever grateful for this time.

I'm loving life here in Bermejo. I've never met such an open, friendly, accepting people before in my life. It really feels like a completely different mission.

One comment about my operation: About every week I run into someone who's had a Bolivian appendix surgery. There hasn't been one person that has said the healing took less than a month; some have said up to six months. I mention this only because my operation I'm beginning to realize was a miracle. I had my operation the 25th of December and I was out prostelyting by the third of January. The power of prayer is the most wonderful gift we had. At one moment, during my week in the President's house, lying in my bed I all of a sudden had a "vision." I was conscious but I could actually imagine people in humble prayer, praying for me. And it wasn't just one or two people, but groups of people. I also saw many workers in the temples praying in the temple sessions for the missionaries like they always do. I felt as if they were praying for me. The images were so powerful that it made me cry. After that the pain seemed to noticeably decrease. I really felt the hand of the Lord through it all.

Anyway, thanks to Grandma Elsie for the letter. When my comp asked who I got letters from and I told him he said that how he wished he knew English so he could read the wisdom behind people that have experienced so much of life. I translated a few parts, but it's just not the same.

April 3, 2000 (Bermejo)

It sounds like the Church is becoming more "connected." President Hinckley has done a masterful job of getting the Church into the public's view in a good way. It seemed like before the Church would only appear in the news if something had happened, but now there's a lot more good said about our Church.

I won't be going to the temple dedication because as you know by now I'm in Bermejo--another country (Argentina.) I'm mostly in Bolivia though. (See May 8 letter.)

Elder Gray helping a local member make
"gringo" food. They are making pancakes.
(Taken in Bermejo)
(Click on Image to see Larger View)

May 8, 2000 (Cochabamba)

In this letter we learned that Elder Gray was able to go to the temple dedication. Here is what he said:

"All 206 missionaries in the mission (that would be including me), were brought in by plane and bus from our respective zones to participate in the Bolivia Cochabamba Temple Dedication presided over by our very own Prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley! Yep, that's right. I was able to go to the dedication. We had no idea until about 8 days before when our President announced it in Zone Conference.

"The temple experience was something incredible. As I was entering the session, right behind entered my first baptism as a missionary--Jelen Oporto. She told me that things were going great in my old area and that her mom was going to get baptised that next week. She went on to say that she had already read the Book of Mormon twice since her baptism. It made me so happy. There is no greater joy I can receive than to see one of God's children continue to progress after I introduced them to the gospel. I realize that I had a very little part to do with her conversion because the Lord is the key link, but it still makes me happy to think that I'm doing good in the lives of Bolivians. I love them.

"Anyway, in the temple session my eyes were filled with tears as Pres. Hinckley spoke with such emotion and love about the Bolivian people and the sacrifices they have made to have this temple built. He spoke of Lehi and Sariah as the forefathers of the South American people. He said that he could envision them crying as they watched the temple dedication proceedings take place. Thanks be to Heavenly Father for sending us the Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley.

"As the session came to a close I was filled so strong with the Spirit which so clearly testified to me that the Temple is the closest thing we have to the other side of the veil. The Temple is truly magnificent and glorious. I could picture Jesus Christ and His Father walking through the halls of that sacred house."

Elder Gray is training Elder McIntosh from Utah. He is a convert of one year. When Elder Gray received the phone call saying that he would be training he said he felt a little inadequate: "Here I am, six months into my mission, just recently learning the responsibilities as District Leader and the President wanted me to train? However, after prayerful meditation and taking into consideration the advice given by some of the older missionaries about training I felt up to the task. This will give me a great opportunity to grow once again. Missions are so cool like that."

[The Dedicatory Prayer can be found at the Temple Web Page given here and below. The Cochabamba Bolivia Temple Web Page.]

May 22, 2000 (Bermejo)

"As for things in the mission, I couldn't be happier. Training has become memorable. My comp continues to have the fire he had when he got here 22 days ago. Our area continues to be blessed by the Lord and the Branch members. One of the advantages of being in a small village is the exposure and establishment the Church already has. Missionaries have been here for 17 years so basically everyone has been contacted at least once by Elder/Sister missionaries. Our job is with the members, using them to help this area grow. The wonderful part about that is that the members never lose their enthusiam to help us out. They are always introducing us to new friends, creating programs to nourish our investigators, etc. I really feel like it is a balanced missionary effort.

"The Church is the second biggest religion here in Bermejo. As is no surprise to anyone, the Catholic Church is the biggest. This has actually helped us a lot because we can always begin teaching, using the common beliefs to help present our message about families, joy and eternal perspective.

"The Temple continues to bring results and blessings to Bolivia. I had a chance to talk to the President who sounds really pleased with the missionary effort in the city of Cochabamba."

Elder Gray's Bermejo District. (April 18, 2000)
(Click on Image to see Larger View)

July 17,  2000 (Bermejo)

(Elder Gray liked a story we sent him called The Refiner's Fire. You may link to it if you wish. He read it to his zone, sharing it individually with each of them.)

He says, "I'm still training Elder McIntosh and we're still rippin' it up here in Bermejo. We're finally resurrected the once non-existent home teaching program and everyone seems to be excited. Our branch went through the dark ages for the past month with low attendance, bad retention and no leadership. Elder McIntosh and I have really tried to take advantage of every SPARE minute in our schedule to excite the branch members. It seems to be showing some results, but only time will tell.

"We completed a once inactive family by baptising their daughter. The whole family got baptised 15 years ago and went inactive shortly after the elders who taught them left. While knocking doors about two months ago we came upon their door and very kindly they let us in. It was a very slow process, but through large Family Home Evening efforts and reading the Book of Mormon we restabilized their testimonies and began teaching the discussions again, based on their request. Now they are active and the daughter has already started on her Personal Progress project for Young Women.

"It was wonderful to watch the changes in their family throughout these past two months. What a great blessing!

"The climate in Bermejo has drastically changed. Freezing temperatures in a humid climate have forced me to pull out of its wrapping the classic missionary zip-out liner raincoat. I had a sister in the ward make a sweater really quick so I wouldn't get a cold. It's 'cool' because it's got kind of a built-in-scarf.

"This last Saturday we did an all-zone service project. The city of Bermejo is the biggest sugar cane producer in all of Bolivia. It is surrounded by sugar cane on three sides for a hundred miles. Anyway, we all went out to cultivate a small section that was given to the Church by a local farmer/member to grow food storage goods. We spent most of the time cutting down weeds but it was a peaceful experience. We became closer as a zone.

"My zone leader was sure right when he said, 'There is no better place in your life to grow closer to Jesus Christ than the mission field.' Through testifying of His divinity every day and studying carefully the scriptures, I really do feel closer to Him."

Webmaster's Note: As of August 5, 2000, there have been 193 visits to this site.

August 14, 2000 (Potosí)

Elder Gray has been called to be a zone leader and is in the town of Potosí. He says, "Our investigators are going good. we should have at least one or more baptisms each week of this month. On Saturday we baptized the daughter of a once inactive father. It now seems that he's starting to put his priorities straight again--God first.

"I recently got news that a family I baptized is preparing to get sealed in the temple in March of 2001. I'm excited. 'My joy is full, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God.' (Alma 26:11)

"I have so much to rejoice about as a missionary; a clearer understanding aof eternal life, the joy received as I watch the countenance change on the people's faces as I teach them by the Spirit, the greatest friendship I have with my Savior Jesus Christ, and--not to mention--the closeness I feel to my family and loved ones."

The field was white that night . . .
We baptized the parents three weeks earlier--
a complete family! (June 18, 2000)
(Click on Image to see Larger View)

August 28, 2000 (Potosí)

"Things are really going great. My ability to understand the deeper, more applicable meaning of the scriptures has enhanced greatly and I'm grateful for that. Your Sunday School lesson overviews [from Grandpa Wally Gray] are helping in that greatly as well. In fact I was asked yesterday at the last minute to give the Sunday School lesson on Alma 32-35 and feeling that morning that I was going to, I grabbed your lesson overview I received in the mail the week before and gave a killer lesson. (I also played the piano for sacrament meeting again.)

"Lately we have had a few families of Gold fall because of wordly temptations, but I know God is watchful and will help the work continue to progress here in Potosí in our area.

"Today I will be giving a zone class about prayer and how we can more readily recognize the Spirit in our own lives as members of the Church. As missionaries we talk so much about how we can help others recognize the Spirit in their lives that often we forget about doing it on our own. We'll see how it goes.

"Well, another P-day goes down in history. We played basketball in the Sports Coliseum today."

A "peace" of Potosí. August 8, 2000
(Click on Image to see Larger View)

Webmaster's Note: As of September 24, 2000, there have been 230 visits to this site. (421 "views")

September 25, 2000 (Potosí)

Elder Gray has a new companion, Elder Garcia from Peru.

"For me, finding people is the hardest part about the mission. Teaching I love. Doing baptizing, even better. Fellowshipping, hard at times, but easy. It's finding the people that is the hardest and most discouraging. I know a lot of it has to do with my attitude so I try to keep a positive attitude so the Lord can put people in my path, and He does!

"We found two huge Golden Families this week. We climbed this hill, not really knowing why, and outside was sitting the Ala family., The more we began talking to them, the more we realized the Lord put them in our path. At one point the mom said, 'We've heard so much about your church and we have three relatives that are members. We were wondering when you gentlemen were going to come by and teach us.' We'll see what happens!

"My last week with Elder Roche [previous companion] we took our branch to the temple in Cochabamba. I might have already told you, but each of the 24 people that went brought at least 5 names of their ancestors so that they could do the work. I ended up doing confirmations all day long, but on several occasions I felt the Spirit so strong. THE TEMPLE WORK WE DO IS PART OF GOD'S GREAT PLAN. It was also very special to have my first opportunity to be on the performing side of the ordinances as an endowed priesthood holder. After seeing so many of the branch members receive the ordinances for their grandparents and great grandparents it makes me want to do genealogy even more. I know that before the mission I really didn't try to take part in the 3rd mission of the Church: Redeem the Dead.

"One of the great things about being a leader in the mission is that we are obligated to go on one full-day split once a week. I'm constantly learning new techniques and how to deal with different kinds of missionaries.

This week we will baptize a truck driver that has really turned his life around, and a young mother whose husband likes to drink.

I love doing this work and I can 't believe my time is running out.

                1. Stayin' Alive, and lovin' it. (August 10, 2000)
2. On top of a water tower with Cerro Rico (Rich Hill) in the background. (August 19, 2000)
3. Our branch learning how to do their genealogy. (August 30, 2000)
(Click on Images to see Larger Views)
          

October 9, 2000 (Potosí)

"Wow! There have been a lot of things that have happened this week. Probably the most interesting and terrifying was the most recent national strike. The farmers of cocaine wanted a free-trade law between cities but the government refused which caused riots, etc. The farmers ripped up roads and tore down bridges. The [mission] president called for a 9:30 p.m. curfew (instead of ten) and sent more money for food because all prices went up.By Friday the shelves in the supermarket were cleared. Fortunately they came to a solution and everything is back to normal. Throughout it all I was calmed by the simple, yet sincere prayer of one of our investigator families. They are my favorite family I've taught so far in the mission. We found them knocking doors, and upon teaching the first principle about God, the man said, 'All my life I've worked in the Potosí mine. In the mine there's something called El Tio which is a stone god that we as miners offer sacrifices to monthly. I did it because we were told to, but upon seeing my baby born, I realized there must be a God more powerful than that thing of stone in the mine.' As we taught and finished the first charla [discussion] he cried. The Spirit was so strong. He accepted baptism and is loving the reading of the Book of Mormon. On one of our visits this last week we asked the wife to give the closing prayer which brings me back to my story about not feeling nervous about the national strike. She gave the most powerful and sincere prayer I've heard in my life. She said, 'I know that You have all the power in the world, so please, help the leaders of this country come to a resolution so that everyone will have food and propane gas for their stoves.' I started crying, and so did my comp. I actually felt that God was in that charla listening to her prayer.

"On Friday we went to this little pueblo of Huachacalla to help the members there when a man approached us and said, 'My family and I want to join your church.' We just happened to be carrying a TV and VCR so we asked if it would be all right to show a video in his house (sometimes families don't have enough electricity to use running a TV.) Anyway, he agreed and we went to the house. There his family was--all ten of them!

"The Lord has blessed us in some pretty miraculous ways this week. On Tuesday of last week we were walking early one morning and the impression came to me, 'Knock the next alley-way you see.' I at first thought it was just my thoughts because I always try to find out-of-the-way places where I think missionaries have never gone. However, the thought would not leave me. I finally realized it was the Spirit. So we found an alley and knocked the first door. An older lady opened up. Before I could even say a word, she invited us in. We thought she was maybe an inactive member or something. She pulled out the chairs and called all her 5 children down. She came out of the kitchen with two glasses of juice and then I asked, 'Do you know who we are?' She replied, 'No, where do you come from?' We explained ourselves, taught the first charla, a few days later the 2nd, and they are now preparing for baptism the 21st of Oct. The Llanos family. A true blessing and answer to my prayers.

"What, however, was not an answer to my prayers was my transfer! I've only been in Potosi 2 months and the Prez is sending me off to Cochabamba to a zone of 26 missionaries. I thought being in charge of 16 missionaries was a lot. The advantage is that my apartment will be 5 blocks from the temple. I can wake up every morning and see the Lord's house.

"In the most recent General Conference his [President Hinckley's] wish was that we all leave the conference a little more spiritual, a little more dedicated to doing what's right. This same attitude I try to take every morning as I leave the house.

"I love you all."

December 11, 2000 (Cochabamba)

My area, nicknamed Terreno del Templo (Temple Terraine) due to the temple which is situated right in the middle of our area, has been flourishing. We've had a baptismal service every week for the last four weeks. We are working extra hard to make this Christmas a very special one. According to a recent statistic that just came out, our ward has the highest new member retention over a year span than any other ward in Bolivia. In fact our bishop takes pride in getting the men the priesthood within the first week and a calling within the first month. And given that the temple is so close, he makes a special effort to get all new converts to the temple within the first month [to do baptisms for the dead.] [He tells of a new convert who within a few weeks after baptism has already done baptisms in the temple for her grandparents.]

Our zone continues to have success and everyone is in high spirits.

Last week we knocked doors more than I ever have in my whole mission. After about three hours we decided to knock one more. In fact, there wasn't even a door to knock. A crippled lady came out and with almost tears in her eyes invited us in. It was the golden "We-were-hoping-you-would-stop-by" response. Anyway, to make a long story short, the whole family came to Church and have their baptismal date for this Saturday. The mom gave the most beautiful prayer yesterday: "I feel so grateful that thou has finally softened my heart so we can hear this message. Thanks, Lord, for finding us." Then I was just reaffirmed that we don't find the people, the Lord does.

Elder Nelson and Elder Gray
in the mouth of a (Potosí) mine.
September 23, 2000
(Click on image to see large view.)

(We previously reported 230 visits to this site. Now the web site provider has started counting all sites, cancelling the previous counts. I believe the new counting started in July 2000. From that date on there have been 42 visits to this site. We will use that new number from now on.)

January 22, 2001 (Cochabamba)

I realize I have less and less time to write as the mission goes on. There are about 30 letters on my desk that I still haven't responded to. And also I try to write at least one letter to my converts to make sure they are staying active.

Last month our zone did fairly well with baptisms. As I'm sure I mentioned before the focus in the mission now is to baptize families. It has helped us a lot because it's taken the focus away from numbers and changed it to souls/eternal families. And the numbers are increasing too.

On the 31st of December my comp and I baptized a family of three we found knocking doors. It was interesting because for about two weeks we went back and forth with the mom and then, one day when we went over she simply said, "Hermanos Elders, I want to start the new year clean and free from sins. Can I get baptized on Saturday?" Neat, huh?

Thank you for the Christmas gift. With a part of that money I had framed 15 Proclamations to the World on the Family. We gave them to member families and asked them to give it to some family that aren't members of the Church yet. Once they prepare the family, we will start teaching the charlas. It's a neat little program that I hope it works and it gets the members involved.

[Elder Gray mentioned the Sunday School lessons we send him. It helps in his study and his scriptures are so much better marked.]

As my mom writes in every letter, "Be well, do good work, and stay in touch."

"Dreaming Golf)
(Looking out over Cochabamba)

(Click on image to see large view.)

March 5, 2001 (Cochabamba)

I'm having a wonderful time here in Cocabamba. Yesterday at church we brought 4 investigators, two of which, Miguel and Maria Luisa, are programmed for baptism this Friday at 8:00. We also got to see Olver, the 20 yr old we baptized on the 24th of February, get the Aaronic Priesthood. Strengthening Zion.

I don't know if I ever told you about a lady we helped get baptized last month. A missionary that was finishing the mission went to visit her and through the excitement she decided to get baptized there and then. Unfortunately after he left she didn't want anything to do with us and still is not confirmed. Yesterday we went to visit her and she said, "I made a promise with that elder, not with the Lord." I wanted to cry; that made me so sad to hear. It's probably better that she never got confirmed because she didn't get baptized for the right reasons anyway.

A few weeks ago we had a conference with a visiting general authority who said something that has helped me a lot these past few weeks. As you all know in the mission we go through a lot of suffering and trials. We at times even get frustrated because we don't understand why the Lord is putting us through all this spiritual and physical pain. This General Authority said, "If we feel [that] way, we should ask ourself one question, 'Is this pain and suffering a trial or a consequence?'" How true that is. Whenever I'm feeling down I stop and ask, is this a result of something I've done (or haven't done) or is the Lord testing me. More often that I thought, the answer coincides with the first. I now realize more than ever that I have to do my part. If I don't, the suffering will be all my fault.

Let me tell you a little about Miguel that's getting baptized this Saturday. At the beginning of February we found him knocking doors (he's 27 years old.) We gave him the first charla, brought him to Mutual for Single Adults, taught him the second and third charlas, brought him to church and that night to a fireside all within one week. We set his baptismal date and he disappeared. However we didn't give up. Almost everyday we left messages with the landlord and included him in almost every prayer. There was something special about him; he had the desire since the first charla. Anyway, we went to church and there he was, sitting in the first row to begin gospel principles class. He asked one simple question as I greeted him, "This is where I'm supposed to be, right?" It was then that I felt inclined to invite him to be baptized for Friday. He said, "Can we do it at 8:00 because I want to go sign up for some religion classes that I saw announced on the board." What a miracle, what an answer to so many prayers.

They changed bishops in our ward and it favors us because the new one is all about missionary work. Two weeks before being called we did a split with him and had plenty of success. He loves the mission. He just got back two years ago. He got married, finished his studies and now is head gardener at the Cochabamba Temple. He said, "I kind of feel small and skinny compared to the size of this ward." Average attendance, 230-250.

Well, my pants are almost done. I'll be seeing you later.

Love, Elder Gray.

P.S. Thank you so much for your faithfulness (in writing.) Thanks also for your first temple experiences. That meant a lot to me. When I read your first temple experience the scripture in Isaiah 55:8-9 came to my head, "My thoughts are not your thoughts and neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord." Hey, I didn't know that you both were temple workers. Maybe you can tell me a little about that in your next letters.

What powerful excepts about revelation. [Wally Gray's note: "Latter-day Prophets and Leaders Discuss Revelation" at http://geocities.datacellar.net/wallygray25/doctrinecov.htm] I especially enjoyed the first-hand accounts of those that were with Joseph Smith when he received revelation.

My web page will be such a great memory and document for years to come. It will help me keep the missionary spirit fresh for the rest of my life.

P.S. This photo has a very crazy story behind it. I'll tell it later.

Downtown during a strike.
(Click on image to see large view.)

March 28, 2001 (En route to Villazon)

I'm taking advantage of the time I have here on the train before arriving to my destination of Villazon (Argentine border, near Chile.) I will probably be down here until the end of my mission unless the Lord has something drastic in store for me. I have no idea what to exactly expect, but it's a small town with just two branches.

As the President described it, I will be going down to Villazon as a leadership coordinator. I will be training the branch presidencies and the Elder's Quorum Presidents. (Since these branches are part of a District, our mission president has control.)

The down side to all this of course is leaving my old area. There wasn't a single day during my six months that I felt like leaving. I loved the members especially. We had so much success, Elder Sanchez and I due to the helpfulness of the members. Almost all of our converts came from member-references. And besides, we had the spirit of the temple poured out abundently upon the people in our area. It was by far my favorite area thus far.

We were scheduled to have two baptisms this Saturday, but we moved one of them up so that I could be a part of it before I left. Her name was Mabel. We found her due to a member reference. Her husband, we come to find out, is a member since he was 12, but inactive. While we taught her the discussions she was 9 months pregnant. We waited until she had her baby in order to baptize her. It's amazing to see how grateful these people are for us helping them to have faith and be able to act upon that. She put my last name as the baby's middle name. His name is Edson Gray Garcia. (Now we have relatives in Bolivia!)

I'm now to the point where I would do anything for these Bolivian people. Serving with all my heart and energy has been the key to this. One night my comp and I both got home super tired, I mean super tired. We had an appointment every hour from 9:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. My comp, after lying lifeless in his bed a few seconds, said, "In that last discussion my body was asleep, but my spirit kept talking." I got a good kick out of that, but the more and more I look at it, the more and more I realize that it's true. If, as missionaries we put forth our all, God will sustain us spiritually. I think it was J. Reuben Clark who said, "The trials before us are always smaller than the Power we have behind us." (or something like that.) As missionaries, we have the priesthood and authority to do this kind of stuff (i.e.: teach 1000's of charlas, find thousands of people). What a great responsibility, but what a greater blessing.

Well, we are approaching my destination I will close this letter telling you that I love you all.

Love, Elder Gray

Puttin' in a day's work. (3/10/01)
(Click on image to see large view.)

April 23, 2001 (Villazon)

It's been about a month since I last wrote so I thought I would do some catching up.

As I mentioned in my last letter I got my transfer to Villazon, a town similar in size and industrial make-up to Bermejo, the town I served in one year ago. Both are kept alive due to the same border-merchandise exchange. The people are very friendly, and since the church has been here a long time and population is just a little over 30,000 people, everyone and anyone know who we are. It has been my experience that 30% of the doors we knock already have a Book of Mormon or the first charla. The climate is fairly weird because some days it is windy and cold, and others it is so hot it's practically unbearable. Since only a few streets in the whole city (less than 10) are paved, there is constant dust. In a sense of the word, it could be considered part of "rural" Bolivia.

There is one chapel that is shared by two branches, Branch Villazon and Branch Estación. My proselyting area is Estación, but I'm "coordinator" of all of District Tupiza. Since I've been here we've had quite a bit of success. I really strive and pray to help men join the gospel here because  we barely have 4 Melchizedek Priesthood holders. Last week we baptized and confirmed Oscar Jara, a 19 year old reference from a member. He's very excited about the gospel principles he learns. (His little brother got baptized the same day as well.) This Saturday we have plans on helping Reynaldo make the baptismal covenant with the Lord.

My responsibilities as "coordinator" are many. I sit in on all leadership training meetings. I've also been asked to travel periodically to Tupiza and visit with the District President to make sure he's following the rules. I've basically been given authority from my mission president to make any necessary changes in some procedures they might be doing incorrectly. This could be potentially dangerous if a missionary exercises unrighteously this "power." (See D&C 121: 39.) However I try to follow Nephi's attitude, which would do nothing contrary to the will of the Father even though he was given power to "move mountains." Nephi never exercised his power unrighteously.

During early morning study the General Handbook of Instructions has been my reading material. I'm learning so much. In just this short amount of time that I've been here I've learned the true value of being a leader with love. The leaders here know how to do things, they understand how the church is organized, however, something in which all of us could work on is "love." Love for the people we serve, love for the counsel we given, love even when trying to correct errors they make. Many people have gone inactive in the past here due to the lack of love on the part of the leaders.

I'm so grateful for this time to serve. Even though I'm feel physically exhausted after every day I thank my Father in Heaven for ". . . lending [me] breath, that I may live and move and do according to [His] will, and even supporting me from one moment to another.,"  (Mosiah 2:21.)

I'm excited for my parents to come in August. It should be an incredible experience.

May 23, 2001 (Villazon)

Well, Grandpa's mail keeps coming in regularly and last week I got a wonderful surprise from [Great] Grandma Elsie. I read it over several times and tears just came to my eyes. I truly can't believe how much support I have gotton in my mission up to now; support from both old and young alike.

I talked with my whole family last week for Mother's Day. What a great spirit felt talking to them. There was excitement in their voices for the events coming up: My parents' Bolivian trip, Mike's wedding, plans to get me out to BYU for the start of Fall semester, and much more. It appears that everything will be taken care of when I get home in August. That's a good thing because that means I can focus my whole attention on these next two great months of my mission. My testimony is stronger than ever, I wake up with a smile on my face every morning (even though I actually do notice a general physical exhaustion since I started), and I have confidence in the things I teach. I feel I have such a greater capacity to help these people. I just love 'em!

Grandpa, your letter to my "family and friends" was very special. I loved reading such a genuine testimony and expressions of gratitude. You have really made it possible for my dad's generation, my generation, and many generations to come to remain faithful due to your faithfulness, and the faithfulness of Lawrence Taylor.

Well, I guess it's time to get you up-to-date on mission life. Training local leadership continues. I've been working very closely with the first counselor in the District Presidency (the president lives in a city about 3 hours away.) I had several interviews/discussions showing how Christ did things when he was organizing His church. (I felt it was only fair to use the examples of Christ's methods because that's our goal, to be and do like Christ and I have never personally held any of these positions so I can't talk about what I had done, etc.) Anyway, the resounding theme was and is love, teaching and leading with love. Someone once said, "the best way to lead is by following." To that I would add, "following Christ's example."

And it's working. A lot more people are getting involved.

Aside from the training, my comp and I have had success with the branch.

We haven't baptized up a storm, but all of the people we have baptized except one have been men. On Saturday we baptized a 73-year-old man name Paulino.

I'm grateful for these people in Bolivia who have helped, and continue to help to shape who I am.

Keep in touch and I'll be praying for you like always.

Elder Gray and Elder Conforme lookin' for "the sheep."
May 4, 2001
(Click on image to see large view.)

28 de mayo, 2001 (Villazon)

Wow! It's incredible the frequent-ness of your letters. I consider each envelope a little package because every time Grandpa manages to fit so much stuff in it. For example this time I got a letter from Grandma and Grandpa, money :) from Grandparents Gray and Grandma Elsie, lessons 14-16 [Sunday School] and  very powerful, useful journal entries [from Keith Manning, a friend in Australia.] It was exactly what I needed. I don't know how Grandpa knew, but he did. Keith Manning hit some really good points:

(1) Reducing the number of meetings, and the time of each. When I had recently arrived to Villazon I asked one of the counselors in the District Presidency when the leadership meetings are. He said, "Well before church we have a president's counsel at 7:30. On Tuesday and Thursday I do interviews, Wednesday we have a District leadership meeting at 7:30 then a training meeting at 8:30; on Friday we do couple temple preparation class then on Saturday from 4-7 is dedicated to the home teaching visits." Since there are very few members we reduced the interviews to ask-basis. Weeks have gone by without any. We only do training once a month, one Wednesday all of the auxiliary organizations, another Wednesday of the month with the Branch Presidencies and Quorum Presidencies. Also, we keep the meetings under an hour. My first week we decided to prove a point. All the leaders showed up late, we taught for 15 minutes and our hour was up so we ended. The next week they were all on time.

(2) The second problem we had was with what was being taught. Keith Manning mentioned that the General Authority talked about not wasting the meeting if you decide to have one. They used this old training book that has basically a bunch of old procedures, so we decicded to start teaching strictly from the blue General Handbook of Instructions.

Grandpa, what the underdeveloped parts of the church need are people like Keith. Leaders who pray and fast for the people they are in charge of. Leaders who strive to understand their calling and then strive to magnify it.   There's a good quote: "A good leader is one that follows Christ." If we recognize that Jesus Christ is running the show through us, we will be more humble, look for the guide of the Spirit, and take more educated decisions. We will be less inclined to in justly and unrighteously act, walk around with pride.

This last week went fairly well with missionary work. We had the opportunity to baptize two really prepared future priesthood holders. The service was very simple, but well done. The lights in the city went out half-way through the service, but we went to a member's house and enjoyed the refreshments there. Carlos Mamani, a single guy 30 years old was one of the two who got baptized. In 1998 he received all the charlas but two, then moved to Argentina. A month and a half ago, he got back and it was a real struggle teaching him. His attitude had changed a lot, but slowly we saw progress. After attending district conference he felt inclined to get baptized. Leaving the baptismal waters he stood there as if he was trying to listen to something. (But later we found out that he was just trying to capture how he really felt.) After standing there a few seconds he put the biggest smile on his face. He truly had a conversion. Speaking of true conversion that Mormon discusses with his son Moroni in a letter: "And the first fruits of repentance is baptism; and baptism cometh by faith unto the fulfilling the commandments; and the fulfilling the commandments bringeth remission of sins; and the remission of sins bringeth meekness, and lowliness of heart; and because of meekness and lowliness of heart cometh the visitation of the Holy Ghost." Now here's the promise of a true conversion: "which comforter filleth with hope and perfect love, which love endureth by diligence unto prayer, until the end shall come, when all the saints shall dwell with God." (Moroni 8:25-26.)

Welcome to Bolivia (April 15, 2001)
(Click on image to see large view.)

9 July, 2001 (Villazon)

You all have deserved a letter from me for quite some time, so here it is, and I'll try to make it a good one. According to my record, the last time I wrote was in May. (Wow, the time flies when your havin' fun!) It's kind of ironic that I write everyone telling them to look at my webpage for an update on my mission life, but I don't even write frequent enough to give them an update.

Anyway, I continue in Villazon, even though I have traveled a lot lately. We've had training meetings all over the map, and this next weekend  I have the privilege of participating in a 2-district training meeting conducted by our Mission President. It will be an extra treat for me because the other distirct is the Bermejo District, the area I served in a little over a year ago. I will be able to see some of the leaders who I worked with there as well, including my landlord of the house I lived in, who's the first counselor in the District Presidency.

This whole weekend we've been involved in training the local leaders here in Villazon, and a reorganization on a District level. In order to make the meetings more manageable and meaningful we divided it in two parts:  the participants that  make up the Executive Committee meeting of the Branches, and second, the rest of the leaders that participate in the monthly branch council (all the auxiliary organizations.) For these meetings we wer lucky to get our hands on a video called "A Joint Effort." At the end of the meeting we set goals in three categories (1) Future missionaries, (2) Families sealed and (3) Families activitated. ("Future missionaries" is a goal to help strenghen the branches in the distant future; we won't see the true results of that until at least 1 and 1/2 years from now. However, we are positive that while these young men are on missions, their families will be blessed, and will stay active.) (We have three young men that already have turned 19.)

The goal of "more families sealed" is a constant battle here in Villalzon due to the lack of economic resources and the great distance to get to the CBBA temple. We know however, that if we get them sealed, it will be hard to see them go inactive. (All the sealed families here are great leaders.)

The third goal, "more families activated" is related with the second goal. For this trimester, we put specific goals with the branch presidencies, taking the name of one family per month. During the whole month, every presidency of every organization (Elder's Quorum, Young Women, etc.) will "invade" the family's house and physically help them become involved. Note: We analyzed the effectiveness of the Home Teaching and Visiting teaching with the District presidency and came to the conclusion that it just wasn't working. That's when we decided it would be better if they focused in on one family, and once these families get activated we can start effectively the home Teaching program.)

We hope and pray for results. It took a lot of planning and meditation to come up with new, yet effective ways to help with the growth of the branch. (As you will notice, the three categories are directly related with fast growth.)

We also are in a transition phase, with the District. After observing the structure and function of the District leaders I realized that all the "best" leaders were found in District callings, thus leaving weak the branches. We need a mix in both the District and the branches, well-trained leaders, and leaders-in-process in both. After all it isn't necessary that we have the "cream of the crop" in District positions because the way I see it, the Lord calls leaders for two reasons, (1) so that there's order in His church, and (2) so these people that He calls can develop certain talents that they otherwise wouldn't be able to. Based on these two reasons we see clearly that being "better" or the "best" has nothing to do with it.

Well, I hope you undcerstood my jibberish. Lately I've been studying in the morning about certain Christ-like attributes, and the best way to develop them. I found "humility" to be one of the more interesting attributes. I came to the conclusion that the best way to gain humility is by focusing in on other attributes related to humility, like faith and charity for example. Because as a Seventy said in the most recent General Conference, "If you think you have [humility], you don't" (Elder Jensen.) So instead of trying to measure our humility (Ensign, May 2001), we should focus in, and try and measure our pride, the opposite of humility. Another great tool in becoming humble is focusing our thoughts and actions towards the great act of humility of all time, the Atonement of Christ. Elder Jensen goes on to say, concerning Jesus Christ's sacrifice, "the greatest act of courage and love in the history of mankind--Christ's atoning sacrifice--was also the greatest act of humility and submissiveness."

Well, after studying about the humility, and several other Christ-like attributes I realized I have a long, long way to go!

Saturday we also had a wonderful baptismal service of Jose Luis Flores. He's a single 20 year old that for quite some time was looking for a change of perspective. He was looking for purpose, and finally found it. His testimony is very strong, and his prayer so sincere. He's already put the goal to go on a mission in a year and the temple at the end of this month. He came to church with a brand new suit to receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost. What a special occasion.

Everyone seems to try and remind me that my time is running out, which, as I mentioned before, makes me both sad and excited. Heavenly Father has blessed me with so many great experiences, and also opportunities to grow. I wake up happy every day upon realizing where I am and who I am. Samuel, the Lamanite speaks of these Bolivian people, "And this is according to prophesy, that they shall again be brought to the true knowledge of their great and true shepherd, and be numbered among his sheep. (Hel. 15:13.) I'm a part of bringing to pass this great promise! You all have been so wonderful in supporting me. I love you for that.

P.S. This might be the last letter you get from me before I get home.

The spot where Spencer W. Kimball dedicated Bolivia.
(Photo taken June 26, 2001)

End of letters from the mission field. Elder Gray has been honorably released.

Since the new counter went into effect, 92 visits were made to this site.
Including the old counter, 322 visits were made.
All this as of August 11, 2001.

As I said in the beginning, the work of saving souls is the greatest work we can do. I know that as a missionary I taught God’s plan to His children and know that He will give me many more opportunities to do the same. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen!

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©1998-2008 Wallace F. and Frances M. Gray. This web page may be freely linked. To contact us send to wallyandfrances346@gmail.com  Their home page is http://geocities.datacellar.net/wallygray25/index.html