--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 18 number: 10 published: 1915-08 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations, "Messages from the Missions," *Improvement Era* 18, no. 10 (August 1915): 927–934.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera18010unse 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: improvementera18010unse start_page: 927 end_page: 934 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1915-08) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera18010unse publication_year: 1915 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 1915, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Messages from the Missions Messages from the Missions CONDITIONS IN HOLLAND Elder Walter B. Hanks, Leeuwarden, Holland: "On the 9th of May we held a conference here and were blessed greatly with the Spirit of the Lord. Every speaker was led by the Spirit and spoke with power. The attendance, owing to conditions, was not as large as it might have been. There is much prejudice, and we cannot get the people out to hear us so that this prejudice may be broken. The conditions here, owing to the European war, are something awful. In a great many places the food supply is short, the spring is very backward, and many are dying from the want of food and clothing and protection from the weather, as it is very cold at this time of the year. There seems to be no letting up in the shedding of blood; men seem to be wild as it were and wish to destroy all mankind. O, if the people would only listen to our message of peace and accept the same we might all live in peace, for the gospel means peace. May God soften the hearts of the nations, that they may cease from their wick- edness and accept the gospel of Christ. I wish that every person in the world could hear my testimony. It has become so strong that I feel that I could give my life for its establishment." SALE FOR THE NEEDY POOR R. H. Toolson and R. B. Dunford of the Rochdale branch of the Manchester conference call attention to a sale of work recently held for the purpose of gathering into the storehouse means to assist the needy poor. "To President E. P. Dalton and her corps of faithful and energetic workers is due the unique success of the endeavor. The sale continued for three days— 18th, 19th and 20th of March and was opened by Sister Ida B. Smith who is the president of the Relief Societies of the European mission. During the three days' sale a large variety of articles were disposed of which brought in a good sum. The purpose of the Relief Society was explained. A lunch room was also provided where delicacies were served and a concert room where entertainment was provided. President White of the Manchester conference and Elders Samuel Nichols and Oscar J. Bennion acted as chairmen. The people are: Standing, R. H. Toolson, Alice Marcroft, Thomas Pullen, Annie Dalton, Lillie Jones, R. B. Dunford, Chrissie Barnes, Jennie Hotte; seated: C. A. White, Nellie Pannall, E. P. Dalton, Ida B. Smith, James Davis, Doris Marcroft." THE CITY IN DARKNESS Elder Clarence E. Bramwell, Gateshead, England, June 8: "Our efforts to further the cause of truth are quite successful here, though the war conditions are rather serious. We are allaying prejudice and EDITORS' TABLE 929 adding many valuable friends, who treat us royally. Some converts are made. We often bring on pleasant conversations through con- sideration of present conditions. The 'Mormon' missionaries who last tried to set forth the gospel in Newcastle were mobbed and ill-treated, and some told us that if we attempted to hold meetings here we also would receive bad treatment. We held a very successful meeting, how- ever, on April 25, in the Big Market, in the central part of town.A large crowd gathered and listened attentively. Several men came up at the close of the meeting who desired to hear us explain our doctrine further. Wetalked with them until about eleven o'clock, and then gave them our address and asked them to call on us. Since that time we have held several open air meetings, at the same place, with good success. Owing to the fact that the great Ellswick, Armstrong & Whitworth works, where battleships, firearms, and ammunition are manufactured, are located here, we are in darkness. The windows of the dwelling houses even have to be dark. This is done for fear of German air raids. In consequence of the air raid on April 21, thou- sands of men in the above mentioned works stood for four house in darkness, as it was believed that the enemy's aircraft was headed for these works, but the pilot lost his way, owing to the city being in complete darkness. We are handicapped on account of the shortage of missionaries, but considering our numbers we have favorable re- sults. Elders laboring here are: John M. Rothlisberger, Eagar, Ariz.; Willis Thomas, Blackfoot, Idaho; Clarence E. Bramwell, Ogden, J. Utah." CONDITIONS IN ENGLAND as many of the readers of the Era are relatives and "Inasmuch in this conference, I thought this would be of friend? of the elders interest for a small space in your magazine. The elders from left to ELDERS LABORING IN THE LONDON CONFERENCE S. Campbell, M. W. Hendricks, H. S. Pyne, riffht back row are: g I. Lyman, R. V. Barnes, P. Egan, L. Eagar, Jr , L. B ? Merrill! F. S. J. — L. L. Jackson Middle row, C. F. Powell, L. A. Southwick, J. A. Maynes, conference president; Selina J. Maynes, E. M. Greenwood, R. H. Jones. Bottom row, J. V. Olsen, C. D. Hemsley, Dorothy Maynes, R. P. Stratford and H. J. Layton. "Allow me, as a representative of this conference, to congratulate the staff upon the splendid May number of the Era. It gets better each time, and as one of the brethren expressed it, 'It always fills the One article of special note, is that of 'Successful Presiding' bill.' and has done an untold amount of good among the Saints. Three special cases that I know of individuals giving up tea drinking because of that wonderful illustration and lesson found in same. It did for some of them what our sermons have failed to do for months and years. We as elders are proud to circulate this publication among the people. Our work goes on nicely, with but few hitches on ac- count of the war. England has declined in many ways since the out- break of war, yet there are many golden opportunities for the willing servant of God to establish truth in the hearts of the humble in spirit. One only need reflect a moment to call to mind many proph- ecies that were uttered hundreds of years ago, and open his eyes to find them being fulfilled on all sides. We, therefore, realize to a certain extent the importance of our mission and the need of striving daily to bear testimony unto all whom we come in contact, pleading earnestly and manfully to establish in their hearts that which we are so proud of, 'Mormonism.' May the Lord bless you and your co-workers in your untiring efforts of righteousness." Laurence A. Southwick. new faculty home Walter T. Patrick, L. D. S. Maori Agricultural College, Hastings, New Zealand, writes that during the past summer Elders Hintze, Smith, Fairbourne, Wilkinson and Patrick were engaged with a num- ber of other elders in building a new faculty home at the L. D. S. Maori Agricultural College. The group shows the largest number of elders from Salt Lake City that have ever assembled in the New EDITORS' TABLE 931 Zealand mission at one time. These elders are doing splendid work and their faithful labors are doing much to build up this mission. Top row, left to right: Walter T. Patrick, George Ford Fairbourne, C. Tregeagle, C. A. Hancock; second row: Walter Smith, Sister and A. R. W. Hintze and daughter, Douglas Romney; front row: Arthur Wilkinson, Mathew Cowley. ELDERS OF THE MICHIGAN CONFERENCE Back row, left to right: D. M. Marble, Deweyville, Utah; C. A. Jensen, Cardston, Canada; Forris A. Weeks, Vernal, Utah; Archie Q. Hale, Oakley, Idaho; Erwin D. Bailey, Salt Lake City; W. G. McMul- lin, Leeds; Wayne M. Atwood, Salt Lake City, Utah; middle row: Sister Alice J. Laws, Tremonton; Evan L. Aiken, Spring City, Utah; Edward Brown, Globe, Arizona; Sister Ellsworth, President German E. Ellsworth; Guy B. Rose, conference -resident, Logan, Utah; Sister Elizabeth Berg, Davenport, Iowa; front row: F. G. Slough, Vernal; P. L. Cloward, Salem, Utah; George W. Hox, Chicago, 111.; J. Leonard Love and George L. Woodbury, Salt Lake City, Utah. RAIN, WIND AND EARTHQUAKE Elder John A. Nelson, Jr., president of the Samoan mission, writes under date of May 6: "The prospects were never more bright mission. Although for the growth of the Lord's work in the Samoan rain, wind and earthquake have caused the lose of life and much property during the last few months, we must acknowledge the hand of the Lord in it all. The island of Manu'a was entirely laid desolate gover- during the first part of January. The enclosed letter from the be remembered nor of American Samoa refers to this calamity. It will very much adverse to the teach- that the people of Manu'a have been ings of the Latter-day Saint missionaries having driven them from the island time and time again. They made a covenant with their dying king, many years ago, that no more than one church would ever be 'permitted on the island. A few honest souls, however, have desired to join the true Church of Christ but have refrained because of this oath. It is suggested now that most of the people come to this island, Tutuila, to avoid starvation. If such be the case the oath undoubtedly will be broken and the people will be free to choose aright." The governor's letter follows: "Office of the Governor, American Samoa, "Pago Pago, May 10th, 1915. — "My Dear Mr. Titzenor The Princeton returned from Manu'a : Friday night with the report that conditions in Manu'a are very dis- couraging. Worms have completely destroyed the new taro planted on which we counted to restore the people of Manu'a to a self-sup- porting basis. As over one-third of the money that the government Elders left to right: John A. Nelson, President of the Samoan Mission, Cardston, Canada; Joseph V. Nelson, Conference clerk, Salt Lake City, Utah; Clarence J. Sharp, Preston, Idaho; Joseph A. Ran- som, Cleveland, Idaho; Clyde M. Ferrin, Salt Lake City, Utah; Tan- ner L. Brown, Cardston, Canada; and J. Garfield Bastow, President of the Savaii Conference, Logan, Utah. gave me for the relief of the people of Manu'a has been expended during the four months we have been feeding them, I am confronted with a serious problem. "Even if the new taro crop, which is being planted, should mature without further trouble with the worms, I will not be able to care for EDITORS' TABLE 933 them during the time necessary for the maturity of this crop. It has been suggested to me that a large portion of the people of Manu'a be brought to this island, and leave in Manu'a only enough people to clear the grounds, plant and take care of the new taro crop. "If this plan is adopted, I will be glad to have your co-operation and assistance in taking care of the people of Manu'a whom it may be necessary to bring here. "Very sincerely yours, "J. M. POYER, "Governor. "Elder-in-Charge, L. D. S. Mission, Pago Pago." ELDERS OF THE TUTUILA CONFERENCE Right to left, standing: Mission President J. A. Nelson; Warren L. Smith, Canada; Grover Peterson, Lyman, Idaho; Conference Pres- ident, F. E. Titensor, Cove; Horace B. Brown, Ogden, Utah; A. L. Archibald, Canada; sitting, Cinda Smedley, C. W. Smedley, Syracuse, Canada; in front„ H Utah; Willard L. Smith, Sister Jennie L. Smith, O. Anderson, Koosharem and Joseph A. Ransom, Cleveland, Idaho, baby of Brother and Sister Smith. "utah's best advertisement" The picture represents Lawrence Sloan, son of Thomas W.Sloan son of Bishop Tingey of the of Salt Lake City, and Allen S. Tmgey, It was Elder Seventeenth Ward, who are laboring in New York ; some weeks ago, with another companion Elder Parkin Sloan, who, see Dr. David B Anderson. son, called at the Mt. Sinai Hospital, to as follows, under date of April tt. The latter wrote of the call "I told you, I believe, that I had received some pamphlets from the Bureau of Information about Utah and the 'Mormons,' in response to a written request, for the benefit of a Dr. Bruckheimer, who has become interested in the West. I got the pamph- lets about a week ago. Day before yesterday two young fellows came to the hospital here and in- quired for me. I went down and they gave me their cards. They were a Mr. Sloan from Salt Lake City, and a Mr. Parkinson from Frank- lin, Idaho,— 'Mormon' missionaries. They said that my name had been sent to them by the Bureau of Information as an inquirer about Utah, and that they would gladly tell me anything they could about Utah and its people. I told them, yes, I was very much interested in Utah and its people, but I didn't think there was anything they could tell me either about the place or the people; because, besides hav- ing read much upon the subject, I had been born and reared in Utah! You should have seen their looks of surprise when I told them! They were good looking chaps, very well dressed, with an address that bespoke honesty and fearlessness. Elder Sloan left me a photo album of views in and about Salt Lake, the equal of which I have never be- fore seen. I have been showing it to everybody in the hospital. I invited the boys to come back to talk with me again at their leisure. Such chaps as they are the best advertisements Utah can have. As Elbert Hubbard says, in a news clipping I am enclosing, 'By their fruits ye shall know them."