This is Odessa Tolman Clawson, fourth daughter of Judson Adonirum Tolman Jr. and Jennie Call Tolman, born in Preston Idaho March 26, 1912. My husband, Orin Clawson, the third son of Joseph Inkley Clawson and Celestia Durfee Clawson, born in Colonia Dublan, Mexico the 6th of May, 1905, and I recently returned from a Mission in South Australia. WM. O Tolman has asked us to write a report of this choice experience for publication in our next family magazine.
Although our call to serve for eighteen months came from President Joseph Fielding Smith, by the time we went into the Mission Home on the 12th of August 1972 he had been called home, and it was President Harold B. Lee who spoke so movingly to us in the Temple Solemn Assembly.
One Elder asked him if he had ever seen the Savior. After a slight pause, this was the answer, "Elder, you have asked a question that even we, the General Authorities, never ask one another. It is something to precious and sacred, but this I will say, I have seen and I have heard."
Our ninth and youngest child, David LeRoy Clawson, was in the Mission Home the same time as we. He being called to serve in the West German Mission, will return to Salt Lake on the 5th of August. Pres. Whitesides said it was the first time a missionary and his parents had been in the Mission Home together during his term of office.
On the day we boarded the plane for Australia, David took the bus to the Provo Language Training Mission.
Our plane left Los Angeles at 9:30 P.M., went to Honolulu and on to Sydney, Australia before we saw the sun again (18 hours of darkness). We landed in Melbourne, our Mission Headquarters, at 10:30 A.M. and were met by our Mission President, George Z Aposhian Jr. (a most energetic, devoted, talented and spiritual leader).
Our first assignment was in the Bendigo area, strengthening the members and working especially with inactive and part member families. Bendigo Branch covered an area about 150 miles North and South and 50 miles East and West.
The District Leader and his companion shared the same house with us. All expenses we split four ways, and we took turns cooking. One day we would cook and the Elders would wash dishes. The next day they would cook and we would wash dishes. Monday was our "P" day (preparation day). This was the day for shopping, cleaning, washing, writing letters, and fun activities, plus District Study Meeting was to be held in the evening.
Because of left hand drive and insurance policies, we were not permitted to drive the first three months, so almost everywhere we went the Elders were with us.
Every morning before leaving the flat we had a study period, testimony meeting and prayer. This was always a choice spiritual occasion.
Because of this close family situation our Elders became very dear to us. They were just like our own boys. In fact, they frequently called us Mom and Dad.
So you will understand a little more what our work consisted of at this time, I'd like to share one or two experiences.
The Branch President went over the records and told us a little about each family, and those we should not visit. One lady he didn't know. We finally traced her down and she was in a Hospital. After giving her a blessing, we made an appointment to go teach her and her family the discussions.
She kept house for a non-member farmer about sixty miles from Bendigo. She had two adopted daughters and one adopted son living with her. We gave them a discussion each week and held Sacrament Meeting every other week. Almost every meeting she would have some of her non-member friends in attendance. She WAS VERY enthusiastic. Finally her son was rebaptized (his records could not be found), and they started coming into Bendigo for Church.
Then I noticed something was troubling (..an elder..) He promised us before leaving that he would remain active and come back into the church as soon as possible. The last we heard, he was keeping his promise.
As a word of caution to any member of our family who may be going on a mission. This wouldn't have happened if the Elder had followed the rules of the Mission. Satan works overtime on missionaries. If you follow the rules and do what you should, he, Satan, can have no power over you.
The Sunday School Superintendent was a School teacher from the United States who lived one hundred miles from Bendigo. He and his family [faith]fully traveled the two hundred miles every Sunday to attend Church. That's dedication.
About a week after we arrived in Bendigo, the Elders baptized a sweet young lady who was studying to become a nurse. Orin gave a talk on the importance of baptism and I bore my testimony.
Although there were only about thirty-five active members, this Branch had the blessing of a beautiful modern Chapel. The President is a tremendous spirit leader.
When we arrived, there were only two young people attending MIA, so we talked with the Elders, the Branch President and MIA President about a program to get the young people involved. I'm happy to say we [were] able to boost attendance to nine or ten. Our Halloween party and other activities were a real success.
At Christmas time missionary work was almost at a standstill. Everyone was too busy shopping, visiting and participating in sports, to be bothered, so we decided to have a special Christmas program at out flat. Our Elders built a small manger with pine sticks and made a scene on the mantle with shepherds, Joseph, Mary, Baby Jesus, animals, star of Bethlehem, etc. We played a tape telling the time of the birth of the Savior on the American continent as well as at Jerusalem. When the tape came to the part where the shepherds went to the manger, we put a spotlight on the star and manger scene. Almost every night for a week and a half we had a different group there for our presentation and light refreshments.
