June 1, 1997, Sunday
Well, [my companion and I] had no success today, but [Elder] baptized. I interviewed a girl for [Elder] she’s going to get baptized on Wednesday. She’s a 6’ tall Dominican beauty queen. Other than that, the day sucked.
June 2, 1997, Monday
Well, we had a few appointments today, and for once things are turning around. We’re actually finding people who want to listen. I like that. Excited about the gators we have.
June 3, 1997, Tuesday
I got a letter from home. I was surprised to hear Mary had appeared to a lady on the knot of a tree. Wow, at least tomorrow is Pday.
“In 1997, residents of Salt Lake City rejoiced after what they say was the image of The Virgin Mary appeared in a tree knot at Taufer Park. People came from all over the state to pray and leave offerings. A set of stairs was even constructed to help park goers climb to the knot 9 feet above the ground. Sadly, in 2002, a vandal used a hammer and chisel to destroy Mary’s image. 7 years later, someone else lit the tree on fire 🔥 Despite the fact that the image has been destroyed and the Catholic Church refutes this “miracle,” believers still bring offerings to Mary to this day.“
June 4, 1997, Wednesday
We taught [… a] white Dominican investigator who is a devoted Catholic at least she understands what she needs to be baptized. Great. I hope all continues to go well with her. [Elder’s] 6’ [beauty queen] got baptized. ½ the branch was there. that was nice.
June 5, 1997 Thursday
June 5, 1997 Thursday
Today was chill. I can’t believe how led by the spirit we were. All the day everything hopped. It was nice. We’re teaching two clean families in the Cypress Hills projects. Wow, clean and prepared. In the projects… is that possible? Sure.
Our highlight today was when we went to Andy’s and I fearlessed a man in her building. He started talking in tongues to us. Like 10 times. I tried to get away 5 times and he wouldn’t let me. OK. So we listened this is what I got [out of the conversation]. He’s not religious or doesn’t go to church yet he prayed God would lead him today. “?” [He ran into the missionaries and that wasn’t an answer to prayer.] He’s nothing yet. Through a dream, I’ll interpret it to mean he should be a pastor or preacher he was saved 6 times [accepted Jesus]. Oh, he dreamed he saw a sword “glorious” falling from heaven. He was surrounded by many people (who were all on the 3rd floor of a college campus) he held out his hand and the sword “very big” fell into his hand and he turned and let it fall on a glass box and it split it like a laser (no jagged edges) OK, [He thought that meant he was ordained to preach the word of God.] The whole time [he was] speaking in tongues. For not a churchy man, he knew a lot about the mysteries of God. He defined to a T speaking in tongues even [explaining] that satan can do it. And how you can tell the difference. OK. […]
My companion [Elder] is really cool. I’ve truly enjoyed working with him. Yes, we have a lot of fun.
June 6, 1997, Friday
All we had was Zone Meeting
June 7, 1997, Saturday
What a good day. Most of our appointments held. And all our people are progressing. Nice. And everyone is really excited for Puerto Rico days tomorrow. [They] all go around honking their horns with flags all over their cars, houses, and streets.
A FEW FACTS
- Estimate 8.9% of NYC is Puerto Rican
- Puerto Ricans make up about 32% of NYC’s Hispanic population
- 2022 NYC Puerto Rican population 1,072,950 compared to 3,220,000 in Puerto Rico
- Some famous Puerto Ricans; Ricky Martin, Jennifer Lopez, Mark Anthony (One of JLo’s Ex’s), Lin-Manuel Miranda
