Messages from the Missions

[The Era solicits short, pertinent messages of important happen- ings^ and faith-promoting incidents in the experiences of the elders; portraits of persons and places connected with such experiences, and illustrating the text, will be acceptable, especially if the pictures are — out of the ordinary illustrations of action. Groups, with names alone, can be used only to a very limited extent. Editors.] Rendering Good Service From left to right, in the group, 1 the order named, are the pictures of Sisters Clara Peterson, of Wanship, Utah; Susie Pitcher, of Cardston, Canada, and May ^m * i"*fl Branch, of Coalville, fc#1 Utah. These lady mis- sionaries work at At- lanta, Ga. They are rendering excellent ser- itj vice in the branch or- ganizations, and among I wmi...!,-.- n m/ che non-members they ire diligent missiona- ries.

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Five Warriors

Elder Alvin D. White, Derby, England, May 24: "The elders labor- ing in this part will never forget some of the events now happening in the world. The accompanying photograph portrays vividly one of the fruits of this strife between national powers. Elder Stephen Pas- kett took this picture while we were out tracting in a rural district. It — represents five nationalities English, Irish, Scotch, Welch, and 'Mor- mon.' Strange fact, is it not, that while na- tions endeavor to destroy each other, there are the powers of peace working simultaneously. Hence, the pic- ture represents destructive and const ructive agencies. These soldiers had been wounded in the battle of Neuve Chap- elle. Happy and contented are the soldiers of the cross m the admonition ot Jesus, "Be not afraid of them that kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. Fear him which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell." So imbued with the spirit of war are most people !ieie that little thought is given to our message. Still occasionally the

elders are sucessful in switching from war to religion and must be ore- pared to talk on either."

Japan Conference

Amasa W Clark, Tokyo, Japan: "The April conference of the missionary Japanese mission met April 7. Twelve elders and one lady were present. The first session was devoted to testimony in which all

the elders expressed their thankfulness for the goodness of the Lord gospel and their to them, their testimonies of the truthfulness of the desire to live nearer to its principles that they might merit the Spirit of the Lord so as to make the Japanese mission one of the best in the for the benefit world. The elders who are able to read Japanese spoke of the younger elders, on the literature now being distributed so that tracts, pamphlets and books all might familiarize themselves with the to be distributed in the mission. Others of the elders spoke upon all questions were gospel topics. Special meeting was held in which There were other meetings in w lucl-.the discussed and answered. opportunities of expressing themselves upon the literature elders had suggestions in the mission, the needs of the mission, and to make any that would in their opinion help, to make. the work mor e success ful to the needs of the The elders were very free in their expressions as presiding elder, and mission Each conference was reported by the Missionaries that were affairs look prosperous for the coming vear. Utah; Harold Kingsford, pfesent a?e C Ralph Amott, Salt Lake City,

Franklin, Idaho; Arthur Cutler, Salt Lake City; Mission Secretary Amasa W. Clark, Rexburg, Idaho; Arthur F. Crowther, Provo; Ether Spackman, Lewiston; Lloyd O. Ivie, Salina, Utah; George A. Turner, Lago, Idaho; J. Vernon Adams, Logan; Mission President H. Grant Ivins, Salt Lake City; Mary E. Stimpson, Joseph H. Stimpson, River- dale; Edward J. Allen, Jr., Salt Lake City, Utah.

Reduced in Numbers

L. Albin Erickson, Malmo, Sweden, April 20: "Our corps of elders has been reduced to only three in the Skane conference, on ac- count of war conditions. As the nations have put on their armor of steel so have we clothed our- selves in the garment of truth and are seeking Tor the guidance of our Master in our battles to place the truth before our fellowmen, and in warning them of the judgments to come to those who do not re- pent and obey the com- mandments of God. We are bearing our load with joy, and are thank- fid unto our heavenly Father that he has per- mitted us to continue nere in his cause. Our iime is taken up in trav- eling among the Saints in five branches in this conference. In some of the branches local el- ders preside and are succeeding admirably in their meetings with the Saints. Since our fall conference, in No- vember, up to the April conference, we distributed 14 496 tracts, and sold 805 small books. Our meetings are well attended, and at con- ference our little hall was taxed to its capacity. A splendid spirit pre- vailed throughout, and the Spirit of the Lord indicated powerful tes- timonies from the elders to the revealed truths restored to the earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith. The names of the elders are: Standing, left to right, Walter Petterson, visiting; Clans Persson, local elder; L. Albin Erickson, conference secretary; sitting: conference president John A. Carlson, and mission president Theodore Tobiason."

Conditions in West Australia

Wilford Bailey writes from Subiaco, West Australia, April 25: "There are many unemployed people in western Australia, owing to the great drouth and the European war. The farmers are dis- couraged owing to the poor season last year, in which thev lost the

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greater portion of their crops. The government has assisted them in obtaining seed and hay for this year, and an unusual amount of rain has fallen, making the prospects for this sea- son's harvest very good. We held the annual con- ference of this branch March 7. President Don C. Rushton, of the Aus- tralian mission, was in attendance. This branch of the mission is grow- ing and gaining favor among the people. The elders' headquarters have been changed to 120 Rokeby Road, Su- biaco. West Australia. Elders: Lester Facer, Brio-ham City; Wilford Bailey, Nephi. who was sustained as confer- conference pres- ence president; front row: David P. Kimball, acting ident, Thatcher, Arizona; Don C. Rushton, mission president, bait Lake' City; Delbert Chipman, American Fork, Utah.

New Meeting Hcuse in the Western States Mission of the Western A part of the elders of the San Luis conference May 1915: Back, row. States Mission, taken at Alamosa, Colo., 9,

Uyrum VNelso, conference president; ^^J^lKSiS^SdtS^^ ^ftL Two of the missionary v!

Elders Alvin F. Bergeson and Ernest Keele, were in the extreme southern portion of New Mexico, and Elder Lewis Taylor was at Durango. About two years ago Alamosa and north and the territory east of the Rio Grande river was transferred from the San Luis stake to the Western States mission, and we now have a thriving little branch at Alamosa, of about one hundred twenty-five members. The people, being anxious for a place to meet in, purchased a piece of ground, and the Church appropriated sufficient funds for the erection of a building which will soon be erected. Alamosa is a division point of the D. & R. G. Railroad, and has quite extensive shops, a number of our members being employed therein. Brother J. W. Dyer, local comissary agent for the railroad company, is the presiding elder of the branch."

Centered on the War

Leland H. Holman, clerk of the Belfast conference, Ireland, re- ported that the elders are doing all they can to present the gospel to the people. "We have but little opposition of late, as the minds of the people are centered on the war, but we have a good attendance of in- vestigators at our meetings, which is indeed encouraging to the elders who labor here. Although we see but little results in immediate con-

verts to the Church, we know that the Lord will not let his servants labor in vain. Elders, back row: Leland L. Holman, Stirling, Canada; William G. Hoggan, Manti; Frank W. Munns, Garland; J. Leo Seeley. Mt. Pleasant; sitting: Harold J. Bishop, Kaysville; Conference Pres- ident Augustin L. Hanks, Clearfield; Hyrum M. Smith, president of the European Mission; J. M. Sjodahl, Salt Lake City, and P. Leroy Nelson, Spanish Fork, Utah."

Died in Australia

Elder Claire Lewis, a missionary in Sydney, Australia, died April 1915, according to a cable message sent by Don C. 22, Rushton,

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president ol the Australian mission, to the First Presidency. Death followed an operation for appendicitis. The body was sent home on the Sttan-.ship "Sonoma," May 8, and arrived in San Francisco on May 26. Elder Lewis is the son of Edward Lewis and was born in Logan, November 15, 1890. He was set apart for the Australian mis- sion, September 24, 1914.

Nothing But Praise for Utah

Elder Willard R. Jensen, of Conterfield, Utah, writes from Con- cord, New Hampshire: "Elder James Larson, Jr., of Thatcher, Ari- zona and myself are the only two elders laboring in this state. We meet many honest people who have invited us to their homes to explain the principles of the gospel. The prejudice which people have had towards the 'Mormons' is fast fading away, and they are more hospitable to the elders than ever before. We often meet people who have traveled throughout the west, and thy have nothing but praise for Utah and her people."

Native Saints aid in Gospel Work

Elder Walter B. Hanks, conference president, Grover, Utah; and Borgen A. Anderson, Hyrum, Utah, write from Groningen, Holland, gospel, but that they are meeting some opposition in preaching the that some of the people are seeking after the truth, being glad to meet the elders to hear the message of the restored gospel. The dif-

ferent branches in the Groningen conference are in fairly good condi- tion though there is considerable sickness. The members of the spread Church are endeavoring to do their duty and are aiding in the of the gospel.

Opposition Makes Active

Robert Schmid, Burlington, Vermont: "We have here Elder for our good. just enough opposition to make us active, and it results Matthias Hansen left us We have a lovely little branch. President March for his home and family in the west The^Sain s and in early Elders laboring here , are elders are well and rejoice in the gospel Albert Brandlev, Stirling: Silas H. Bigelow, Cardston Canada Con ference President, Robert Schmid, Georgetown; and David Ricks, Clawson, Idaho."

A Hall Rented in Cincinnati fine hall has been Tohn L Lloyd, Cincinnati. Ohio, March 16: "A the Ohio Conference, and rented in Cincinnati, the headquarters of East Kentucky.elders laboring he Cincinnati elder; assisted by the holding some profitable meetings. Elder Charles
in Newport are Cincinnati, has charge of the branch Anderson, now in business in greatly appreciated by all concerned. and his labors are