--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Anderson, Nephi collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 16 number: 9 published: 1913-07 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Anderson, Nephi, "Educational Value of the Missionary System of the Latter-day Saints," *Improvement Era* 16, no. 9 (July 1913): 943–950.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1609unse 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: improvementera1609unse start_page: 943 end_page: 950 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1913-07) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1609unse publication_year: 1913 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 1913, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Educational Value of the Missionary System of the Latter-day Saints Educational Value of the Missionary System of the Latter-day Saints BY NEPHI ANDERSON, ASSOCIATE EDITOR UTAH GENEALOGICAL AND HISTORICAL MAGAZINE," AND AUTHOR OF "ADDED UPON," ETC. The missionary system of the Church is unique in this, that all who receive the "glad tidings" contained in the gospel of Jesus Christ are unselfishly expected to pass the good news along; for "it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor;" and in this fact lies the great educational value of the system. This gospel-preaching, however, is done in an orderly way, for no man takes to himself the prerogative of the Priesthood, but he who is "called of God, as was Aaron" — that is, by divinely appointed authority. Facts and figures are usually accounted dry and uninspiring, but as bearing on the missionary system of the Latter-day Saints, they tell a wonderfully interesting story. Here are some statistics, taken from a compilation made at the close of the year 1912: For missionary purposes, the United States is divided into seven districts, called missions. In these missions, during the year named, there were the following number of missionaries : Eastern AN L. D. S. CHOIR IN ROTTERDAM, HOLLAND "This is a picture of the Rotterdam Choir — the 'Hope of Israel' — which is one of the largest choirs in the Church outside of Zion. It is a great factor in bringing many to a knowledge of the truth. Where preachers in 'broken' Dutch fail to make an impression, the songs of Zion so ably sung never fail. Our choir is one great missionary of seventy-five voices and one purpose. There are in this group ten members who have just recently been baptized and three others whom we expect to join the Church shortly. In the center are Elders Royal K. Jensen and Elder Watkins, leader and organist respectively."- — Royal K. Jensen. VALUE OF MISSIONARY SYSTEM 945 States, 137; Southern States, 200; Northern States, 166; Central States, 156; Western States, 70; North Western States, 75; California, 35. There were in the British mission, 250 ; Australian, 44 ; New Zealand, 41 ; Netherlands, 58 ; Swiss and German, 168 ; Scandinavian (Norway and Denmark), 94; Swedish, 49; French, 28; South African, 15; Tahitian, 11; Samoan, 37; Hawaiian, 35; Japanese, 17; Mexican, 14. These figures make a total of 1,700, of whom 94 are lady missionaries, which number is somewhat below the average. ELDERS OF CHRISTIANIA CONFERENCE Back row, left to right: Hans Wamsal, Draper; Daniel L. Jensen, Spring City; Erastus H. Peterson, Manti; Lawrence C. Monsen, Salt Lake City, Utah. Second row: standing: Carl J. Olansen, Menan, Idaho; Norman H. Salvesen, Hyrum; C. F. Pedersen, Preston, Idaho; Ole A. Wold, Salt Lake City; J. Verne Nielsen, Hyrum; Conference Secretary Alfred C. Larsen, Provo; O. Wilford Pedersen, Logan. Sitting: Marie Gartman, president Christiania Relief Society; Christina Christopherson, _ Salt Lake; President Scandinavian Mission, Martin Christopherson, Salt Lake; President Christians Conference, C. M. Nielsen, Salt Lake City; Mrs. C. M. Nielsen, Salt Lake City; A. Amundsen, Salt Lake City. Front row: Clarence Nielsen, Salt Lake City; George D. Pedersen, Salem, Idaho; P. H. Johnson, Spanish Fork, and Knute Nielsen, Salt Lake City. For administrative purposes, the missions are divided into conferences, and the conferences into branches. An Elder presides over the activities of each of these divisions. There are at present 150 conferences and 617 branches, which call for executive management. The work done by the missionaries during the year 1912 is reported as follows : Families visited in tracting, 2,462,093; gospel conversations held, 1,752,068; tracts distributed, 10,205,826; books sold, 572,000; open-air meetings held, 9,788; priesthood meetings held, 4,671 ; persons baptized, 4,146. The population of the "Mormon" Church is about half a mil- ELDERS OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN CONFERENCE Elders, from left to right, back row: Earl TSoelberg, Idaho Falls, Idaho; June B. Sharp, C. Clyde Coult, Clifford Hodgson, Salt Lake City; Joseph F. Hintze, Holliday; Enoch Larsen, Richfield; W. E. Spafford, Provo: S. R. Boswell, Neohi, Utah; D. Vernon Shurtliff, Baker City, Ore. Center row: Tames H. Ockey, Nephi, Utah; Conference President Gottlieb Blatter, Idaho Falls, Idaho; Mission President F. J. Hewlett, Mrs. F. J. Hewlett, Fait Lake City; Conference Presdient John E. Hunter, Holden; Alfred J. Gowers, Jr., Nephi, Utah. Front row: Walter H. Matthews, Marion, Idaho; Leland S. Tate, Tooele; William Barker, Brigham City; Milton P. Fletcher, Provo, Utah. lion. Out from this number about one thousand men go each year into the missionary field, and a like number return. Their average time of absence is about two and one-half years. Most of these missionaries are young men of an impressionable age, many of them being under twenty-five. They are taken from every vocation and from every part of the country. Fifty per cent of them come from farming communities. All of them have had the advantages of a common school education, many are high school and college graduates (for "Mormon" communities stand high in educational facilities) ; but they have not been specially trained in homiletics, other than that which the Church gives to every member who will take part in its activities. The gospel message which they carry is so simple that a man of common intelligence, if he is pure of heart and mind, can deliver it. A profound knowledge of historic Christianity, of the dead languages, of Christology, or of Eschatology, though not to be depreciated, is, however, not essential to the telling of God's goodness, love, and redeeming power. The gospel which the "Mormon" missionary preaches is that which can be understood and is gladly received by the common people. His work consists ELDERS OF THE VIRGINIA CONFERENCE, SOUTHERN STATES MISSION Back row, left to right: Frederick A. Welch, Cowley, Wyo.; Elmer Stoddard, Richmond, Utah; Jos. C. Norton, Fairview, Ariz.; C. A. Savage, Henrieville, Utah; Roy Wood, .bates, Idaho; Marion R. Cobbley, Blackfoot, Idaho; Alonzo E. Dutson, Leamington, Utah. Seated, middle row: A. D. Holyoak, Moab; Bernard A. Montague, Salem, Utah; George S. WeeKes, Archer, Idaho; Chas. W. Crosby, conference president, Eagar, Ariz.; Wm. T. Owens, Paragoonah, Nathan D. Hiatt, Payson, Utah. Front row: Elmer Heninger, Logan; Oscar Whiting, Mapleton, Utah; Marion Whittle, Marysville, Idaho; John L. Ferris, Junction, Utah; David R. King, Moore, Idaho. in arousing faith in God, in calling sinners to repentance, in explaining and administering baptism in water for the remission of sins, in announcing the restoration of the gospel of Christ in ELDERS IN THE NEW YORK CONFERENCE, EASTERN STATES MISSION Left to right, back row: H. S. Coleman, Midway, Utah; A. M. Emney, Idaho Falls, Idaho; Wm. E. Bushnell, Meadow, Utah; I. Parnell Hinckley, Salt Lake City; J. W. James, Rexburg, Idaho; A. E. Bingham, Riverdale, Utah. Sitting: A. L. Buchanan, Venice; Martin Mortensen, conference president, Thatcher, Ariz.; W. S. Langton, mission secretary, Logan; A. A. Bybee, Lyman, Idaho; C. M. Beckstead, Sandy, Utah. 948 IMPROVEMENT ERA purity and power, and in encouraging all to live a godly life. Two years of such work is bound to have its effect on those who are engaged in it. The "Mormon" missionary receives no salary. His time and talents are given, as he feels, to the service of the Lord. He is simply warning his neighbors as he himself has been warned. His labor is one of love and sacrifice. He leaves his business, his shop, his farm to get along the best they can. He leaves home, parents, wife, children. If he has not the means to carry him through his mission, those at home must send it to him. He goes into a strange world ; he must adjust himself to new environments ; often he must learn a new language. The timid boy from the farm, as well as the business man and the schoolmaster, go out to teach the world. They meet the learned, the worldly wise, the ignorant, and gain valuable lessons from them all. In fear and «* ■* A i i T - S; *: W '#' ~M ^54 *V "''uTlF'' ^■*i^H " Hk 2 JKL IP W' '*<■'■ $W<. v " J^W OREGON CONFERENCE, MARCH 10, 1913 Back row: R. A. Bitter, Beaver Dam; H. L. Jeppersen, Bear River City; Wm. L. Madsen, Mt. Pleasant; Wm. P. Dopp, Cornish, Utah; Joseph C. Hogan, Hatch, Idaho; Joseph C. Harker, Cardston, Canada; Alma Yeates, Millville, Utah. Ladies: May Carlisle, Salt Lake City; Zella Smart, Logan; Elsie Brown, Salt Lake City. Third row; N. A. Wheeler, Fielding, Ltah», E. J. Solomon, conference president, Salt Lake City; M. J. Ballard, mission president; H. A. Benson, mission secretary, Blackfoot, Idaho; Henry Penman, West Weber, Utah. Front row: A. W. Edwards, Charleston; Wm. S. Winn, Nephi; Frank Morgan, Layton, Utah. trembling the missionary passes his tracts from door to door, engages people in conversation, and takes his place with his companions on the street corner in open-air meetings. He must deliver his message, cost what it may. Passers-by taunt him, yet he must not reply ; the pious as well as the rabble insult him, yet he must hold his temper and his tongue ; he must return good for evil. VALUE OF MISSIONARY SYSTEM 949 In his new field of labor, the weight of his calling presses upon the "Mormon" missionary. He realizes what a weak instrument he is, and how much depends on the grace of God to be with him. He studies, he prays. If he formerly had doubts, these vanish ; for he who does shall know, is his Master's promise. Out from the stress of conflict the missionary arises, his faith firmly planted on the rock, and he grows into a strong, resourceful, fearless man. The "weak things of the world" become "a polished shaft," — and then he returns home to his native village. The missionary may have been to the land of the Midnight Sun; he may have jostled in the crowds of London; he may have sailed on the scenic Rhine, or climbed the mountains of Switzerland. In his visits to the olden lands, he muses in ruined castles by historic walls and waters ; he listens to the music of the masters in their native haunts ; he lingers in the art galleries where the world's best in painting and sculpture is seen. If his mission takes him to South Africa, to the South Sea Islands, to Australia, or to Japan, he gathers a fund of interesting facts and experiences, all of which he brings home with him, and he frequently travels around the world to land there. j J ^gg r ft* u»3 %L$ ,,. j ! A 1 'i ' at S ■" # ■ i p IT ' , ij M S %^ rf% ' 1 , ^ ; ' lie t ■. ■gj .j - ■ - --. ELDERS OF THE AUSTRALIAN MISSION Durine 1912 the elders spent 1,633 hours in tracting visited 18,088 families. Remier, Paris; Oscar B. Nielsen, Archer, Idaho. A GROUP OF ELDERS LABORING IN BERLIN, GERMANY Back row, left to right: Orson Johnson, Salt Lake City; John Stosich, Idaho Falls; T. A. Browning, Idaho. Sitting, left to right: William Kessler, editor Der Ster, Salt Lake City; Charles I. Stoddard, president Berlin conference, Richmond, Utah; James C. Oram, Idaho Falls; Otto Burgi, Sugar City, Idaho. ELDERS OF THE SHEFFIELD CONFERENCE, ENGLAND Top row, left to right: Lorenzo P. Burt, Brigham; Orion B. Thurgood, Bountiful; Milton Jacob, Provo; James D. Todd, Salt Lake City; Harry E. Page, Riverton; Joseph E. Wood, Holden; W. Chester Jefferies, Grantsville. Second row: George Hay, Menan, Idaho; Edwin Clawson, Hyrum; Roy H. Peck, Garland; Wiley S. Collett, Vernal; Wm. J. Francis, Brigham; Wollerton Brinton, Murray; Joseph S. Morgan. Third row: Byron R. Jordan, Mountain View, Alberta, Canada; Thomas Shepherd, Provo; A Laverne Riggs, conference president, Logan; Rudger Clawson, late president European mission; Isaac C. Wood, Woods Cross. Fourth row: Joseph A. Vanesse, Smithfield; John P. Leatham, Wellsville. VALUE OF MISSIONARY SYSTEM 951 What a lesson is taught in common brotherhood by the "Mormon" missionary's experience ! The banker missionary from the city arrives at his field of labor. He is assigned to a conference by the mission president. The conference president under whose direction he will labor may be at home the village blacksmith or carpenter, but no objections are raised to this arrangement, for these men understand that no man's honorable occupation either bars or qualifies for spiritual leadership. Together these men ELDERS AT COPENHAGEN, DENMARK The elders are all from Salt Lake City, and their fields of labor are, top row: Louis C. Jacobsen, Holbsek; Chris O. Jensen, Silkeborg; Robert H. Sorensen, mission secretary; J. H. Johnson, Sweden; Joseph N. Busath, Copenhagen; Alvin R. Christopherson, Aarhus; sitting: Peter W. Kjser, Copenhagen; August H. Knebelau, Holbrek; Martin Christopherson, mission president; John S. Hansen, associate editor of Skandinaviens Stjerne; Alfred E. Pederson, Bornholm. work for the salvation of souls, and then in due time, with their rich experiences, they come back to the body of the Church. This coming and going is continuous, until in every community of Latter-day Saints there is gathering a class of men who have been educated in the school of the world. Every other man one meets in a "Mormon" village has been on a mission, some of them on two missions, a number, on three. These men are well-balanced, broad-minded. They talk intelligently on the manners and customs of other lands, and can explain the teachings and practices of religions other than their own. They know the world, — its good and its bad, its beauty and its ugliness, its strength and its weakness — and this knowledge is a part of true wisdom. They impart this experience and this tvisdom to those 952 IMPROVEMENT ERA around them, and thus the whole community is benefited. The busy bees of "Deseret" constantly gather honey from every fragrant field and bring it into the hive. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints does not believe in educating one or two only, in each community, to be preachers of the word and active in the ministry, but its theory is that if there is any educational value in this calling, every Church member should have the advantage thereof. If there is virtue in the Priesthood, then every worthy member should receive of it, until there shall be "a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation ;" and in all this the missionary system of the Church plays an important part. Thomas L. Chipman, Tokyo, Japan, April 16: "We are all well and happy here in the far East. We send you a snapshot of our headquarters. It is difficult to get a plain view of the whole house as it sets among so many beautiful trees in our garden. Our headquarters are in the best part of the city of Tokyo, right in the midst of the very best schools in Japan, and some of them are ranking high among the universities of the world. Among these are the Waseda University and the Military Officers' Training School, the last named being very much like the West Point Military Academy. Many other high schools are in our neighborhood and from all of them a few students continually come to our meetings to investigate the principles of the gospel. We are very proud of the few good Saints that we have converted, and believe they compare favorably with Saints in any other part of the world. Today we led two souls into the waters of baptism for which we are indeed very happy. We work hard and know that with efforts such as are now extended the work will roll along very rapidly. We have many friends and are continually forming new ones. All of our meetings are well attended. We join in thanking all at home for the help rendered us in our work, for we know that it has been through the faith and prayers of our brothers and sisters at home that we have been able to meet with the good success that we have."