Missionary Experiences: Elder Lawrence John Glavinic

  Date: 4-28-63 We had one contact come out to Church today. The contact knew one of the members at Church, so everything looks good. Maybe if things go well, we might get a baptism by Wednesday.  I have been riding the bike I brought around. I went down to Elder Cottrel’s on it this afternoon. While I was there, I picked up some books I had left. I put them on the tandem of my bike but somewhere on the way home, I lost them. I then retracted my journey from Elder Cottrel’s twice and didn’t find a thing. Well, the person that found them, I’m sure it will do some good. Tomorrow we will check with the lost and found. The Swiss people are notorious for their honesty. So, there is still hope I may find them. If I don’t, it will cost about 40 francs to replace them, which is a lot of money. My companion goes home in 4 days now. He is quite happy. Singing all the songs in English now is his spare time. Good old Elder Losser!!

  Date: 4-23-1963 Been with my companions 4 days now. I think he is back sliding. He has 6 days left on his mission. I have been going to German classes each morning now with my other three companions from the mission home. Then in the afternoon I am supposed to go out with my companion and do some tracting, however, we have only visited referrals and tried to follow up on old appointments. Yesterday, the whole town was out for a parade. Each year at this time, the people come together to celebrate the passing of winter and the coming of spring. They place a snow man on top of a huge wood pile. All the tradesmen in the town dress alike and parade with bands representing some of them; they finally end up parading in a circle around the pile of wood with the snowman. One of the groups in the parade represented the fisherman and occasionally they would throw a fish into the crowd and create a little havoc. Most of Zürich goes out to see the parade.

  Date: 4-17-1963 Went to bed yesterday at 3pm, then woke up to the light of dawn. Not having a watch of clock between my companion and I, I went down to the lobby and looked at the clock. It said 6, so I went back up and roused my companion out of bed. We got shaved and went down to breakfast (chocolate, bread, and jam) Then we went to the other two Elders’ room. They were also up. The mission wanted the Elders to be out of bed by 6, so everything seemed OK. Until these other Elders started saying it was still Tuesday, in fact, Tuesday evening. After some discussion and a look, out the windowsill, I feel foolish. But everyone got a big laugh out of it, including the mission President and my companion, Elder Tooke. Did some shopping today. I felt as though they understood anything of what I said, and I understood nothing of what they said. My companion was really bold, knowing no German, was asking all kinds of questions in English with surprising results. I followed some: they rea...

  Date: 4-16-1963 Left Salt Lake City at 8am on April 15th aboard a United Airlines plane. We changed planes in Chicago, then flew on to New York City. Having a little time, 5 of us Elders hired a cab and toured N.Y.C. The day was very clear, so the tour was very enjoyable. Elder Davis was quite impatient about the tour, wanting to get back to the airport and write some letters I believe.  The plane leaving from N.Y.C. for Frankfurt was an hour late; this caused us to miss the plane in Germany. So, we got into Zürich an hour later.  President Russon and two young boys, one his son, met us when we arrived. He was real nice- called us all by name then loaded us up and took us to the Mission Home where his wife had a good lunch prepared for us. Since we lost so much time in flying, changing time zones, we must have had 6 meals in 24 hours. When we met the Elders laboring in this mission, we were quite disappointed. They seemed to lack enthusiasm. Told us of nothing but disco...

  Date: 4-11-63 The mission home has literally provided the opportunity to receive education at the feet of the prophet. The mission home’s parents are President and Sister Brown. They have tremendous testimonies. I hope I can measure up to their expectations of us.  My companions in the home are Elder Tooke, Elder Marriot, and Elder Davis. The first two are from Utah, the last from Idaho (lives close to Dave Parkinson’s old home). The first week has been spent learning the 1st discussion. Wednesday I was set apart by Brother Christianson, an assistant to the quorum of the twelve apostles.  Had the privilege of becoming the Group Leader of our group of Elders here at the home!  Have run into three other Elders with degrees in the Physical Sciences, two in Engineering, and one in Mathematics.  Flew from Salt Lake City to New York to Switzerland Empire State Building in New York Mission Home in Salt Lake City, Utah

 

  Chronology of Significant Events Peter Dalebout (bishop) interviewed me on 12-10-62. President Durham (stake President) interviewed me on 3-10-63. I received my call to the Swiss Mission. I was in the Mission Home from April 8, 1963 to April 15, 1963.  I received my Endowment in the Los Angeles temple on April 3, 1963. I received my Patriarchal Blessing from C. Douglas Barnes (patriarch) on April 22, 1956. I was Set Apart for my mission by brother Christianson on April 10, 1963. I left Salt Lake City on the airplane on April 15, 1963. I arrived at mission headquarters, Zürich, Switzerland, on April 16, 1963. My mission President was President John Russon. I did my First Tracting in Zürich on April 19, 1963. My first baptism was in Basel, Switzerland on October 28, 1964.

 

 

  Physical Description When I left on my Mission, I weighed 180 pounds and was 6 feet and 1 inch tall.  Personal History Born: San Pedro, California on April 6, 1939.  Special Positions and Callings Stake Mission Santa Ana Larry pre-mission One of the last times surfing in MX before mission

  Thoughts When I Received My Missionary Call I feel the wait has been a worthy one. It is quite humbling to be with all the younger Elders, but they are real good men. I realize what a great responsibility that is before me. Sure, there are anxieties, but as before, time will be the thing that brings out one’s attributes. I know the language will be difficult, but I think I can master it. It is wonderful to have such good parents.