--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Pratt, Rey L. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 15 number: 6 published: 1912-04 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Pratt, Rey L., "History of the Mexican Mission," *Improvement Era* 15, no. 6 (April 1912): 486–498.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1506unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera1506unse start_page: 486 end_page: 498 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1912-04) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1506unse publication_year: 1912 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1912, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # History of the Mexican Mission History of the Mexican Mission BY RET L. PRATT, PRESIDENT OF THK MISSION ( )n the 5 tli day of XovcmiIkt, iS,-«), Elder Moses Thatcher, of the quorum of Twelve Apostles, in company with Elders J. 7. Stewart and Milton G. Trejo, arrived in the City of Mexico, come for the purpose of establishing a Mission of havingthe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints, among the I.amanites of that land. Immediately they set to work, and their labors very soon bore fruit, for, on November 20, T879, Plotino C.Rodakanaty and Silviano Artcaga were baptized and confirmed members of the Church, by Elder Moses Thatcher. Other baptisms soon followed, there being six baptized by Elder Milton G. Trejo. on November 23. A meeting was held the same day. and those baptized were confirmed members of the Church, and the principles of the gospel were taught to those assembled. Four of the native brethren received the priesthood and were ordained elders. \ MOSES THATCHER branch of the Church was organized in Presided over the Mexi- Mexico City, over which Elder Plotican mission from November 5, 1879, till August 11, no C. Rodakanaty was called to preside. The action was unanimously sustained by the vote of those present, and he was set apart to that position by Elder Moses Thatcher. Arrangements were made at this meeting for holding regular meetings in the branch, three times a week. Thus the missionary work in Mexico was put on a working basis. The work of proselyting continued without interruption, and quite a number more were added to the fold, by Februrav 4. 1880. when Elder Thatcher, now having gotten the mission in good working order, left for Utah, leaving Elders Stewart and Trejo temporarily in charge. HISTORY OF THE MEXICAN MISSION 487 On May 17, 1880, Elder M. G. Trejo left Mexico City, in company with a native brother, for his home in Arizona. It wab necessary to make the trip overland by way of Chihuahua, as there were, at that time, no railroads running the full length of the Mexican Republic, and into the United States, as there are today. This left Elder Stewart as sole missionary from Zion in this far off mission ; but not for long, however, as on December 5 of the same year, Elder Thatcher again returned accompanied by Elder Feramorz L. Young. On April 4, 1881, Apostle Moses Thatcher, in company with Elders Feramorz L. Young, J. Z. Stewart, and brothers Silviano Arteaga, F. A. Lara, and Ventura Paez, left Mexico City to make the ascent of the great volcano of Popocatepetl, which lies about fifty miles southeast of the city, there to hold a conference on April 6. At Ozumba they were joined by brother Lino Zarate and two other native brethren. All day of the 5th was employed in making the ascent, and night found them still some distance from the summit; in fact, just a little below timber line. It was extremely cold, which made it necessary for them to keep great bonfires burning all night. This also served to keep away wild animals, panthers, etc., with which the woods were infested. Next morning they continued their ascent until they reached the "Pico del Eraile," at which point they celebrated their conference, being April 6, 1881, just fifty-one years after the Church it was organized. Fervent prayers were raised to God, imploring his blessings on this Mission, and the country was blessed and dedicated to the Lord for the preaching of the gospel. On May 1, 1881, one more was added to the small force laboring in the Mission, with the coming of August H. F. Wilcken. Elder Wilcken came overland by way of Chihuahua, and as he was already learned in the Spanish language, his presence was a great help to the cause. The first few weeks after his arrival were spent in translating a tract written by Elder Thatcher. He was then sent to Ozumba, and in company with a native elder, Fernando A. Lara, carried on the work of proselyting in that and surrounding towns. On June 1, 1881, Elder J. Z. Stewart was released, and left for his home in LJtah just a month later, going on horseback to Acapulco, and from there, by steamer to San Francisco, and thence home bv rail. Elder Stewart's translations have been of 488 IMPROVEMENT ERA great service to the missionary work, among the Spanish speaking people. He helped translate the Hook of Mormon, and the l'oicc of Warning, into tin- Spanish language. He labored in tin- Mission twenty-one months. IAugust i, 1881, Elder Moses )n I was released, and Elder hatchet August H. F. Wilcken was selected to preside over the Mission, being set apart to that office September II, 1881, by Elder Thatcher. On September 15, Elders Thatcher, Feramorz L. Young, and Ferando A. Lara left Mexico City, over the Mexican railroad, for Vera Cruz, to take passage on the Knickerbocker for New York, thence home to Utah by rail. The work had extended greatly AUGUST H. F. WILCKEN during Elder Thatcher's stay in the Presided over the Mexi- mission, considering the limited numcan mission from Septem- ber of elders laboring in the field. A ber 11, 1881, till April 15, 1883. total of sixty-one souls had been baptized up to the time that Elder Thatcher took his departure. On October 19, President Wilcken received a letter from Brother Thatcher, telling of the sad death of Elder Feramorz L. Young, of typhoid fever, on board the Knickerbocker, on September 17, 1881, while in passage across the Gulf of Mexico. There was not sufficient ice aboard to preserve the body till they could reach New York, which made it necesssary to bury the body in the gulf. This last sad rite took place September 29, 1 88 1, Elder Moses Thatcher officiating. Elder Wilcken carried on the missionary work manfully, alone, being now the only elder from Zion in the field. He was, however, greatly assisted in his labors by native elders. Under these circumstances, Anthony the arrival of Elders W. Tvins and Milson R. Pratt, May 21. was greatly ap1882, preciated by President Wilcken. Elder A. W. Ivins was one of the company of missionaries who, under Daniel W. Jones, passed the Mexican border. January 7, 1876, at El Paso, and came as far South as the City of Chihuahua, capital of the state of that name. The first Latter-Day-Saint meeting ever held in the in- HISTORY OF THE MEXICAN MISSION 489 terior of Mexico was held by this party in the City of Chihuahua, April 8, 1876: about five hundred people attended the meeting. Elders J. Z. Stewart and Helaman Pratt, both of whom took active part in missionary labors in and around Mexico City, were also members of this party. For nearly a year after his arrival in the Mission, Elder Ivins labored as traveling elder, but on the release of President Wilcken, was called to fill his place as president of the Mission, to which office he was set apart by Elder Wilcken, April 15, 1883. Elder Wilcken left for home, April 22, via Vera Cruz and New Orleans, having labored two years in the Mission, nineteen months as president. During the time he presided over the Mission, fifty-one. souls were added to the fold by baptism. ANTHONY W. IVINS For the work there was to do, the Presided over the Mexilaborers were indeed few, Elders Ivins can mission from April 15, 1883, till March 27, 1884. and Pratt constituting the whole force of elders from Zion laboring in the field. Quite a number of native elders were pressed into service, and the work of preaching the gospel and spreading the truth was vigorously pushed. On August 3, 1883, Elder Milson R. Pratt let his zeal get the better of his judgment, and he and a native elder, Lino Zarate. were arrested for preaching in the "Plaza" or open market place in Ozumba, knowing that all open air meetings in Mexico are prohibited by law. They were taken to Chalco, the county seat, and placed in jail. Word was taken to Elder Tvins, who was at that time in Mexico City, by Brother Julian Rojas, of what had happened, and on August 4, Elders Tvins and Candanosa went to Chalco to see what could be done. They went direct to the Jefatura, and after talking with the Jefe Politico, Senor Hipolito Reyes, Elder Pratt was released, after paying a cash fine of fifteen dollars. The native elder was not, at that time released. Elders Helaman Pratt and Franklin R. Snow arrived in Mexico City, November 10, 1883, having come via New Orleans and Vera Cruz. Thev were met at the Buena Vista station of the 49u 1MPROYKMKNT KRA and Mexican railway, by Elders A. W. tvins and Milson R. Pratt, taken to the elders' mom in 2a Cale de San Francisco, No. 7. Khler Helaman Pratt was called to succeed Elder Ivins as president of the .Mission, and was set apart, March 27, by A. W. Ivins. Elders 1884, lvins and Milson R. Pratt left next day, over the Mexican Central railway, being the first missionaries from this Mission to return by this route, and all the way by rail. They had labored in the Mission twenty-two months. Elder Ivins, as Mission president for eleven months. During his administration as president, thirtysix persons were admitted into the HELAMAN PRATT Presided over the Mexi- Church by baptism. can mission from March The work, by this time, had 27, 1884, till May 2, 1887. extended greatly, and branches had been established in Toluca, Ixtacalco, Tecaloe, and Chimal, in the State of Mexico ; Cuautla and San Andres de la Cal, in the State of Morelos, and Nopola, in the State of Hidalgo, so it can readily be seen that two elders, left in the field, had no time for anything but work, and we can greatly sympathize with them in their joy, when Elders Isaac J. Stewart and Alvin V. Robinson ?rrived in Mexico City, November 17, 1884, to labor with them in spreading the gospel and caring for the converted. However, Elder Robinson was not permitted to remain long, but on account of ill health was released and returned home April 22, 1885. On May 9, 1885, Elders Moses Thatcher and Brigham Young arrived in Mexico City as representatives of the Church, to treat with the Mexican Government for the purchase of lands and the granting of colonization concessions, with a view to establishing colonies of our people in the State of Chihuahua. On May 22, they were received by President Diaz, explained to him their mission, and opened negotiations with him for the above named purposes. They left for Salt Lake City the same night. On June 29, 1885, Elders Erastus Snow, Brigham Young, John W. Taylor, and also Victoria Pratt, wife of President Hela- HISTORY OF THE MEXICAN MISSION 491 man Pratt, and their little son, Carl L., arrived in Mexico City, the apostles having come to continue negotiations with the government for colonization concessions and lands on which to colonize. had come to assist in missionary labor, being Sister Pratt the first woman the Church in Mexico. missionary of The brethren were recived by President Diaz and other government officials, and on February 27, of the following year, twenty thousand hectaras of land were purchased by Elder Erastus Snow and r\. r. iuac Donald for colonization purposes. The contract entered into with the government specified that a certain per cent of the colonists should be native born Mexicans, and it was thought a good plan to gather the native Saints with those who were coming from Utah and other places to the Colonies. Hence, on December 1, 1886, President Helaman Pratt left Mexico City with a company of Saints for Colonia Juarez, for the purpose of establishing them there. All went well till they arrived there, but conditions there, climatic and every other way, were so different from what the native Mexican Saints had been used to, that the greater part of them became dissatisfied, and they started back home on foot. Many of them made the entire journey on foot, back to their native homes, the journey taking them three months. A few families remained in the Colonies for four or five years, but finally all but two or three persons found their way back to the "sunny South." It may appear to some that they were not very well converted to so soon turn their backs on Zion, and their faces homeward, but when acquainted with all the conditions, it does not seem so strange. They were people taken from a tropical clime, some of them, and others from the unequaled spring-like clime of the Valley of Mexico. In their native homes they were poor, true it is, but for a few cents they could buy in the market each day what they needed for that day. Then they had their homes in which to live, in some cases, it being only a — cane or cornstalk house with a grass roof, but it was the home in which they were born, and in which their fathers had lived before them, and they had no conception of how to start out to make another. Such a thing as laying up anything for the winter had never occurred to them. Just imagine such a people being planted down in such a place as Colonia Juarez was in an early — day — -and that in mid-winter, where there were no houses, no ditches, no fences, and above all, no "plaza," nor even a store at 492 IMPROVEMENT ERA which to buy, and sec if you canot imagine how they became discouraged. Elder Pratt returned from the Colonies to his missionary labors in Mexico, sometime before April, 1887, but only to labor for a short time in the Mission field, and he again returned to Colonia Juarez, May 2, 1887. He was not released from his missionary labors, but simply transferred from one field to another. He spent the remainder of his life in helping to build up and establish the Saints in the Colonies. When the Juarez stake was organized, December 9, 1889, with A. W. Ivins as president, he was chosen as counselor, in which capacity he acted till March, 1908, when the stake was reorganized. Tie died in Colonia DubIan, November, 26, 1909. During the time Elder Pratt presided over the Mission, eighty-four souls were added to the Church by baptism. He labored in the Mission for three years and six months three years and two ; months as president. Elder Horace H. Cummings was called to preside over the Mission on the departure of Elder Pratt, and continued in that capacity till October 6, 1887, when Henry Eyring was called, and sustained to preside over the Mission. Elder Eyring later became a counselor to President A. VV. HORACE H. CUMMINGS Ivins, when the Juarez stake was Presided over the Mexican mission from May 2, organized. 1887, till October 6, 1887. Elder Cummings was released and returned to his home in Utah, October 18, 1887, having labored in the mission for two years and four months. Missionary labors were continued under the direction of Elder Eyring till December 21, 1888, when he was released to return home. Two elders remained in the Mission for several months longer. They were Elders Selvestre D. Collett, who died in the Mission of typhoid fever, May 5, 1889, and Elder David J. Rodgers, who did work here in June, 1889. During Presidents Cummings' and Eyring's administrations, and up to the time all the elders were withdrawn, there were nine baptisms, making a total of two hundred forty-one baptised from the time the Mis- HISTORY OF THE MEXICAN MISSION 493 sion was opened,November 5, 1879, to June 3, 1889. The withdrawal of the missionaries left the native Saints to take care of themselves as best they could. With no one to teach them the gospel and Church discipline, they were, as it were, like as sheep without a shepherd, and soon drifted into error. Some of the branches became disorganized, and their members were scattered others formed themselves ; into what they termed, "Independent Religious Societies," and tried to live in HENRY EYRING conformity with the teachings of the Presided over the Bible, and were so found when the JJ e xi ° ai1 ?**??£, fr0 ™ October 6, 1887, till f mission was reopened, and most of December 21, 1888. the members were won back to their faith in and allegiance to the gospel, through the ardent labors of Elder Amnion M. Tenney, who was the first missionary in the field after the Mission was reopened. There was one branch which remained loyal to the Church, under the presidency of Francisco Barco, during the long absence of the elders from Zion, a period of thirteen years, and be it said, to the credit of all those who were left without a shepherd for so long a time, that very few went back to their old faiths, or lost entire faith in the gospel of truth. The Mission Reopened. On June 1, 1901, Elder John Henry Smith, Presidents A. W. Ivins and Henry of the Juarez stake, and Elder Amnion M. Tenney and Sister Josephine Smith, arrived in Mexico City, for the purpose of reopening the Mexican Mission in and around Mexico City. On the 8th, they went to Cuernavaca, the capital of the State of Morelos, where they were met by Elder H. L. Hall, who had, for several years, been engaged in the hotel business in that city and in the City of Mexico. Brother Hall had been doing some missionary labor with the native people in his employ, and through his labors some had accepted the gospel. The day was spent in visiting these Saints, and at night a meeting was held, in which Elder Amnion M. Tenney was set apart as president of the Mexican mission, by Elder John Henry Smith. After a short stay in Cuernavaca, the party returned to 494 IMPROVEMENT ERA Mexico City, and on Tuesday, June 17, an interview was had by the brethren, with President Porfirio Diaz. Elder Smith expressed his gratitude to President Diaz and his people for their kindness and consideration in receiving our people and explained to him into their land, what we expected to do by way of proselyting the country. President Diaz expressed great satisfaction, and wished the brethren every success. He sent, by the brethren, warm greetings to President Lorenzo Snow. The same evening, at 7 130 p. m., Elder John Henry Smith and Presidents A. W. Ivins and Henry Eyring, AMMON M TENNEY and Sister Josephine Smith, left Mexico City for their homes, leaving First president, after reopening of the mission on Elder Ammon M. Tenney alone to June 1, 1901. Presided pursue his missionary labors. Elder over the mission till February 8, 1903. Tenney immediately set about visiting the old branches that had been organized in the former mission : Iatacalco, Tecalco, Atlautla, Chimal, Cuautla, and San Andres de la Cal, and whatever members of whose whereabouts he could learn. Great success attended his labors, and many branches were won over, reorganized, and put in a flourishing condition. Church discipline was taught and maintained among the people, and many friends and converts were made, and many baptisms performed. In December, 1901, a place suitable for Mission headquarters in Mexico City was rented in Calle de Humbolt, No. 5. The work of spreading the gospel went rapidly on. Conferences were held, branches set in order, old members visited and reconverted, and many new converts were made. Elder Tenney pressed into service many of the native brethren, who rendered effectual and faithful assistance. On June 22, 1902, Elders Alonzo L. Taylor, James Jacobson, and Samuel G. Lake arrived in Mexico City, to labor as missionaries. This help was gratefully received by Elder Tenney, as for a little more than a year, he had been laboring alone so far as any elders from Zion were concerned, his only help being re- HISTORY OF THE MEXICAN MISSION 495 ceived from the native elders. However, he had had the company of his wife, Eliza, since March 6, 1902, and had been favored, most of the time, with the company of Elder H. S. Harris and family, who were living in Mexico City, Elder Harris, in obedience to a call for the purpose of studying Mexican law. The three new missionaries, although without missionary experience, and with very knowledge of the Spanish lanlittle guage, were assigned different fields of labor, and straightway set out to labor, as follows Elder Taylor, in Cuernavaca and : vicinity Elder Lake, Trigales and Elder Jacobson, Ozumba and ; ; surrounding towns. Success attended their efforts, and they were successful in making friends and making clear to them the gospel's truths, in the Spanish language. On August 10, 1902, Elder Tenney left Mexico City for the Colonies, on business, leaving Elder H. S. Harris in charge of the Mission during his absence. Up till this time, there had been one hundred seventy baptisms performed in the Mission, since the time of its reopening, a period of fourteen months. Elder Tenney returned to the Mission in October, 1902, and continued his faithful labors till February 8, 1903, when he was released to return home. H. S. HARRIS Elder H. S. Harris was set apart by El- Served two terms as president of the Mexider Tenney as president of the Mission. can mission: from FebElder Tenney spent some time visiting ruary 8, 1903. till May 14, 1904, and from Septhe Saints and turning over Mission af- tember 29, 1905, till fairs to President Harris, and left for September 29, 1907. his home in the Colonies, March 2. 1903. having labored in the Mission twenty-one months. The force of elders had now been increased to six, and three more were added before the end of the year. Elder Elmer Hooks, of Provo. who arrived in the Mission June 24, 1903, was taken sick with typhoid fever, and died at the American Hospital, in Mexico City, August 17, 1903- He was buried in the American cemetery. Elder Harris was released to return home, May 14, 1904, and Elder Talma E. Pomeroy was selected to take his place, 496 IMPROVEMENT ERA and was set apart by Elder A. Owen Woodruff, May 23, 1904. It now becomes our painful duty to narrate the saddest incident that has ever taken place in the Mexican mission. Elder A. O. Woodruff and wife, Helen Woodruff, in company with President A. W. Ivins of the Juarez stake, and some others, arrived in Mexico City, May 9, 1904, for the purpose of attending conference with - the elders and Saints of the Mission. An enjoyable conference was had in the Atlautla branch, but on May 24. after returning to Mexico City, Sister Woodruff was taken seriously ill with severe headache and fever, and on Monday, the 26th, her case was pronounced smallpox, by Dr. E. H. Norton. Elders Woodruff, T. E. Pomeroy, TALMA E. POMEROY Paul E. Pfenning, and Alonzo L. TayPresided over the Mexi- lor, remained in the Mission House to can mission from May 23, care for and nurse Sister Woodruff, 1904, till August 25, 1905. while the rest of the party took rooms in a hotel to escape contagion. Sister Woodruff's five month's old baby was taken in charge by Sister Kate Spillsbury, who was one of the visiting party. All that kind hands and loving hearts could do was done for Sister Woodruff, but she gradually grew worse, tillJune 7, when she passed peacefully away, surrounded by her husband and those who had attended her during her fatal illness. She was buried the same dav in the American cemeterv, of Mexico City. Owing to the fact that Elder Alonzo L. Taylor had been exposed to the smallpox, he was released to return home with Elder Woodruff, and they, in company with Sister Kate Spillsbury, and the infant baby of Sister Woodruff, left Mexico City for El Paso, June 8. Elder Woodruff took sick the day they left Mexico City, and on reaching Ciudad Juarez, was so sick he could hardly walk to the home of Brother Pierce, only a distance of about one hundred yards. Elder Taylor also took sick on reaching Ciudad Juarez, and through the kindness of the United States health officers of El Paso, he and Elder Woodruff were taken and placed in a hospital in El Paso, where they could receive proper nursing and treatment. Elder Woodruff had a sever case of smallpox, HISTORY OF THE MEXICAN MISSION 497 but it was not considered a fatal one, and great hopes were entertained for his recovery, but on June 20, he took suddenly worse and passed away at 5 -.26. He was buried next day. Elder Taylor's case was a light one, and he soon recovered and returned to his home in Colonia Juarez. These sad occurrences cast a deep gloom over the whole Mission, and many were led to ask, "why were two spirits, so young, so full of life and usefulness, called to leave this life?" And the only answer that came was, ''God knoweth best." Great progress was made in missionary work during President Pomeroy's administration. New fields were opened up and new branches were organized. He was released and returned home, August 25, 1905. Elder H. S. Harris was again called to preside over the Mission, and arrived in Mexico City, September 29, 1905. By this time the force of missionaries had been increased to eleven, and three more arrived before the end of the year. With this efficient corps of workers, the missionary work was carried on with great success. President Harris left Mexico City, August 23, and made an extended trip 1906, through South America, to look for a new country for colonization purposes. He returned to the Mission, December 14, and continued his labors until September 29, 1907, when he was released to return home, having presided over the Mission just twentyfour months, during which time, rey L. PRATT eighty-six souls were added to the The present president , ,. . . - ,. of Mexican mission, the Mission by baptism. was set apart September Elder Rey L. Pratt was called to 29, 1907. succeed President Harris, and was set apart as president of the mission, September 29, 1907, by Elder H. S. Harris. Elder Pratt had labored in the Mission as traveling elder, eleven months prior to his call to preside over the Mission. There were, at the time he took charge, ten elders laboring in the Mission, and the number has now been increased to a standing force of twenty efficient workers. Great progress had been and is being made. New conferences and branches have been organized, also more Sunday 498 IMPROVEMENT ERA schools and Relief societies. Up to date, since President Pratt took charge, there has been an increase, by baptisms, of three hundred thirty-eight souls, and many children have been blessed. Our statistical records now show a membership in the Mission of one thousand forty-five. Much prejudice in the country is being overcome, and many new towns and people are opening their doors to the elders,where only three or four years ago, it was impossible to get a hearing. ELDERS AND SISTERS IN THE MEXICAN MISSION Top row, left to right: Donald C. Black, Edmund C. Richardson, Arthur S. Haymore, Manuel C. Naegle, Parley Fenn, Broughton Lunt, James Whippel, Ira L. Hurst. Middle row: George A, Brown, William C. Smith, A. Lorenzo Anderson, Andres C. Gonzalez, Jesse Porter, Romulus De La Mare. Front row: Ernest W. Young, mission secretary; Miel C. Pierce, first counselor in mission presidency; Mrs. May Pratt Rey L. Pratt, mission president; Miss Gladys Pratt, Arnold C. Huber. second counselor in mission presidency, and Heber C. Rowley. The children are the children of President and Sister Pratt. All of the Elders in the Mission are in the best of health and spirits, and are full of zeal for the work of the Lord. Prospects were never brighter for the spread of the gospel in this land, and we look forward to a bright and prosperous future for the Mexican Mission. Mexico, D. F. Augcbt 22, 1911