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Show the earth." We can only share with those who are willing to listen, added Elder Tuttle. A lot of people say that everyliody believes in the same Cod. In looking at different religions and what they believe, nobody believes in the same Cod. We would just like to tell everyone what the LDS believe. Then we ask them to pray aliout it and make up their own minds. Were not trying to pash anyone into joining the church." By Margaret Van Noy Profile Writer Dave Lindsay is Twenty-year-ol- d from Grayling, Michigan. Ordinarily, a young man his age might he hack in working in Grayling studying the building trades or indulging in his hohhy of restoring late model Mustang automobiles. His leisure hours might lie skispent hackpacking or cross country pre-me- ing. Answers But Dave Lindsay is not an ordinary young man. Instead of building houses back in Michigan, he is in Tooele living in a small basement apartment. Instead of pouring over blueprints or a college test, he rises early each morning to study scriptures. Instead of attending classes, he spends his days and nights teaching Hder Lindsay added, We have the answers to the questions that most people have: Where did 1 come from? Why am I here? Where am I going after this bfe is over? Is there a prophet today? Is there continuing revelation? We would also like to clear up some have conmisconceptions think of lot A church. the people cerning "Bible is our Mormon of Book the and that we worship Joseph Smith, the founder of the church. This is not true. Joseph Smith was just the instrument through whom the Lord restored his church, and the Book of Mormon" is a history of Christs dealing with people on the American continent. Did you know Christ visited ancient America after his resurrection? they asked. It is discouraging," said Elder Martin, speaking aliout problems encountered in outlying areas of the county, when people tell us, We know all we want to know. " Our purpose is a good one, he share pointed out. We would like to with people how they can become better families and better people through Christs teachings. Our mission here on earth is one of being able to grow and become a family eternally. We have so programs that will help young people a they dont end up with their name on 16. at or blotter pregnant police Discouraging Its hard when you know youve got that lind nf mecuKTp. and all vou hear is others. He lives by strict rules which don't allow movies or dates or most of the activities that young men take as a matter of course. Dave is one of a 30,000 force ot missionaries for the Mormon Church. Elder Lindsay and his companion, Elder Joe Tuttle of Corpus Christi, Texas, serve in the Salt Lake City South Mission, a tuiique mission in that it is in the heart of LDS territory. They are joined in this district by Elders Alvin Martin and James Panes who live in Grantsville and cover all of the county except Tooele City - four lives young men who live very different from most of us. What makes a young man decide to give up two years of his life when that life seems to be just beginning? What influences move him to forsake worldly pleasures like sports, dating and studies, to leave family and friends - often a special girl - to risk discouragement, rejection and prejudice and do it all at his own expense? Own Story Although these four young men resemble each other with their clean-cu- t appearance, dark suits and modest haircuts, each has his own story and reasons for choosing the missionary life. Each has his unique personality and approach to missionary work. Dave Lindsay was a typical young man fresh out of high school with several years of experience and training in the building trades and an eye on a future in medical school, when that special girl began encouraging him to go on a mission. This, along with the guidance and help of his parents, decided him. "Primarily I am here to share the goswho have never pel with heard it, he said simply. Joe Tuttle was already in college, at Ricks Colstudying lege in Idaho when he decided it was time to fill a mission. "I came first because I knew the Lord wanted me to, and second because the Prophet, Spencer W. Kimball, president of the LDS church, said that every young man should go on a mission - not just the ones that want to go, but every young man in the church. rs don't want to listen, " added Elder Panes. They need to know that the tard has not forgotten them today." Most of the missionaries' referrals come from memliers. That is the way we like it," they said. They also do some trailing which is not quite as successful. The Elders make appointments to teach people with seven discussions aliout different areas of the goscl. They also use film striis, and tracts and question and answer periods in their teach-ing- . "we A sportsman whose background includes both outdoor activities such as horseback riding, back packing, canoeing and the indoor sport of basketball, the six feet, eight inches tall Elder Tuttle has been on his mission for 22 months and has only a few more days in Tooele. d At 24, Alvin Martin is older than most missionaries. He became active in stint in the the church during a five-yeMarines. It was during a talk by church leader Marvin J. Ashton at the BYU Campus in Hawaii, that he made his decision to fill a mission. A very young man, he set a date of August 1, 1980 to be out of the Marines and ready to go. This was December of 1979. On July 31, 1980 he reported for his mission. The youngest of the group is Elder James Panes from Toronto, Canada, a third generation LDS, who has been out only two months. His ancestors were among the first group to come to the Americas after the Mayflower, settling in what would later become Canada instead of the American colonies. His fathers parents were converts who first heard the gospel from some sister missionaries. The mission was closed before they could be baptized. Years later missionaries dialing for an appointment with someone else reached the wrong number - his grandparents. They were subsequently baptized. Despite this background, young Panes was inactive until two years ago when "Members cared enough about me to fellowship me and bring me out, he said. He added, If somebody had told me a year ago that today I would be serving a mission, I would have thought they were insane. He heard the homecoming report of a missionary who had just returned from Rome, Italy, and decided then and there that he wanted to go, and he wanted to go right away. It surprised a lot of people, including myself, he smiled. I guess it was a matter of the right inspiration at the right time. Elder Panes left for his mission in December 1980, a young man just out of high school who had been accepted at the college of his choice in the program he wanted. He chose a mission over school and left behind his studies, his family and his hobbies of cycling, skiing and track in which he excelled. The missionaries also spend a great deal of time talking at firesides, in meetings and teaching classes in the various church auxiliaries. With the exception of Elder Panes, the other missionaries have served in other areas. The average time spent in one district is usually three months. Then they will lie transferred and paired off with another companion. All four had praise for the Tooele area. The people here are friendly and open," they said, and more apt to lie interested in helping others than they are in larger and more built up cities." Weve really come to love them, they said of Tooele area residents, in- cluding both members and Speaking of prejudice that they have encountered in other areas. Elder Lindsay said he was egged once, and Elder Tuttle has been subjected to verbal abuse and oliscenities. One of the biggest problems is keeping themselves motivated they said. You could knock on a hundred doors and not find anyone who wants to listen. It gets discouraging, said Elder Martin. Elder Panes added that before he left Toronto, he traded for over eight hours and did not get in one door. But only one of the four, Elder Lindsay, has had a door slammed in his face. FBI some interesting exhad have They of our dark suits, Because periences. Elder IJndsay said, weve been mistaken for Jehovah's Witnesses and even the FBI." One of the most interesting built-i- n situations in which an Elder finds himself is lieing a companion to another misWe are together 24 hours a sionary. day, 365 days a year. Were never alone, said Elder Martin. Its not like lieing married. A spouse can go to work, take a walk, or go for a ride to get away from a mate occasionally." It's alMmt like lieing Siamese twins," said Elder Martin to whom living with others and making it work is nothing new. As a former Marine Sergeant, his for adyears of active duty prepared him famfrom a Also large coming justments. brothers and three gave ily of nine sisters him more experience at give and take than most missionaries. You just have to work out your differences, said Elder Panes.Its easier than living with a brother because your companion does his part in cleaning up the apartment." Let's put it this way, quipped and jam companionships and then there are peanut butter and mustard companions. Some work out and some don't. But you always learn even if it's only what you don't like aliout something. Or even if it's only to endure, added Elder Tuttle. In spite of the problems that beset a missionary, all four elders are happy that they accepted a mission call. Each said his testimony in the gospel of Jesus Christ has been strengthened. The difficult experiences have helped them to grow. A desire to serve others has become a way of life with them. All had dreams of college and were ambitious before they came out, but now their sights have been raised even higher. Each is glad to forego all that the world offers and give at least two years serving lioth his Lord and his fellowman. Some missionaries ride bikes, some drive cars, but all of them do a lot of be surwalking in trying to get their message to everyone who will listen. Dont Lake Vernon in Martin Point, Panes and Wendover, Elders see Ibapah, prised to - anyplace in the county. Missionary Challenges In addition to leaving behind whatever life he has known, a missionary finds himself facing a unique set ofchal-lengeIt takes a great deal of courage to face people who are often disinterested in his message and sometimes hostile to s. Mormons. The key to success or failure in the Salt Lake South Mission say the Tooele Elders often rests with local members of the church. Sometimes we knock on a door and someone will say, I know Joe so and so over there. Hes a member and I saw him do something. . . I dont want anything to do with your church. They dont understand that the gosbut people are not, said Elder Tuttle. The reverse is also true say the Eldwill welcome the ers. A friends who are exof because message amples of what the gospel teaches. Were here to teach people about the gospel and to share our testimonies, Elder Lindsay said. Our main message is that the gospel has been restored to pel is perfect, People in Tooele are really friendly and make the Elders job of ringing pleasant work say Elders Lindsay and Tuttle. 4 ' Eld- er Lindsay, There are peanut butter c n how Part of missionary work includes the possibility of dishpan hands as Elders James Panes and Alvin Martin learn the with cook house and scriptures. to keep learning along |