Messages from the Missions

Messages from the Missions Three Local Brethren Ordained to the Priesthood "The missionaries in the New Bedford's branch of the Massachusetts conference, feel that the work of the Lord is making good progress in these parts. Three of our local brethren have been recently ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood. With the help of the Saints our meetings are pleasingly successful. Many friends and investigators are regular attendants. As a result of trading, much literature and many Books of Mormon have been placed in the hands of the people, thus making friends and breaking prejudice. The valuable and inspiring information in the Era is a source of help to us in our work. The elders and lady missionaries working here are: Erastus L. Farmer, Preston, Idaho; F. Wallace Walton, Centerville; Viva Taylor, Lehi; Gladys Nielsen, Hyrum, Utah. The latter has been released after a very successful mission." Melvin Lay ton, Moroni. Utah.

Thousands Speak Well of the Bureau of Information Elder James Cunn McKay, president of the London conference, writes under date of July 10: "We believe that the N. E. A. convention is a good means for our people to make friends. No doubt every opportunity will be used to show the visitors the great worth of our cause and people. No one knows more than the missionaries, what a great work is being done in Salt Lake City. Strangers never forget the kind reception on the temple block and the interest which our brethren take in strangers looking over the city. Thousands upon, thousands of friends are thus sent out into the world to speak well of us and to allay a great deal of prejudice. We are now in the midst of our branch and district conferences, having held several already, all of which keeps us busy and being busy always helps to keep us good."

Los Angeles Conference "The largest body of Latter-day Saints that ever met in the capacity of worship in the California Mission, gathered together at the 1920 April semi-annual conference of the Los Angeles Conference of the California Mission; as great a number as 650 persons having attended one single session. President Joseph W. McMurrin of the California Mission, presided at the meetings, with President James H. Steele, of the Los Angeles Conference, conducting the exrcises. The Saints were also favored at the Sunday services with the presence of Presiding Bishop of the Church. Charles W. Nibley. Friday the 23rd a special Priesthood meeting was held which was attended by the 44 assembled missionaries of the conference, and the local priesthood. The first Relief Society conference ever held in the Los Angeles Conference, was held Friday and Saturday evenings, with Louisa B. Jones, President of the Relief Societies of the California Mission, presiding. The missionaries related miraculous incidents of how the Spirit of the Lord attended the ministration of men holding the Holy Priesthood. President McMurrin stirred the hearts of all present by powerful discourses on the gospel, and man's individual responsibility to God. — Bishop Nibley spoke words of similar import." Report by Van H. Grant.

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Front row, left to right: Geo. Fuellenback, Eureka, Utah; Sarah S. Quayle, Montpelier, Idaho; Mina Webster, Kaysville; Mrs. Arline B. Lemon, Marion, Utah; L. Blanche Kunz, Bern, Idaho; Alice M. Hoare, Salt Lake City, Utah Luella Hoopes, Thatcher, Arizona ; Arthur S. Woods, Salt Lake ;

City, Utah. Second row, left to right: Warren D. Campbell, Mrs. Warren D. Campbell, Eden, Utah; Hazel Brockbank, Spanish Fork, Utah; Mrs. Frederick H. Critchfield, Oakley, Idaho; Delilah Moss, Bountiful, Utah; Mrs. Anna B. Quist, (Mission Matron), Los Angeles, California; Mildred Harvey, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada; Lulu Roskelly, Ogden; Henrietta Facer, Brigham City; Mrs. Lafayette J. Orme, Mr. Lafayette Orme, Tooele, Utah. Third row, left to right: Quincy D. Maxfield, Lyman; George R. Schmidt, Sandy; William Hoare, Claude C. Cornwal, Superintendent of the Sunday schools and Mutuals, Salt Lake City, Utah; James H. Steele, Conference President, Rigby, Idaho; Joseph W. McMurrin, Mission President; Elias A. Lemon, Mission Secretary, Marion, Utah; Joseph Broadbent, Provo, Utah; Alma W. Timpson, Rexburg, Idaho; Henry Luthi, Freedom, Idaho. Fourth row, left to right: E. Odell Peterson, Ephraim, Utah; Kemuel Blacker, Afton, Wyoming; Melvin Freebairn, Van H. Grant, Salt Lake City; Frank C. Peterson, Preston, Idaho; John Virgil Lowe, Franklin, Idaho; Ray Jorgenson, Hyrum, Utah; Clarence K. Ross, Sevier, Utah; Elmer Larson, Mink Creek, Idaho. Fifth row, left to right: Victor J. Mortenson, Cleveland, Utah; Joseph H. Laker, St. Charles, Idaho; Paul M. Adams. Parowan; Irving Ray Stringham, Vernal; Thomas E. Sessions, Bountiful; Amasa J. Redd, Blanding, Utah; Thomas R. Watkins, Mesa, Arizona; Thomas G. Woodland, Willard, Utah.

Japan Church Membership Doubled in Five Months

The first L. D. S. missionaries to Japan arrived Aug. 12, 1901. Since then many conferences have been held. It is doubtful, however, if ever enthusiasm and hope surged more powerfully in the hearts of the mis- — sionaries than at the last conference held June 9-17, 1920. The two elders from each of the three conferences came into headquarters where they were welcomed by President and Sister Stimpson and three elders fresh — from Zion the latter three being the first missionaries to come to Japan in two and one-half years. Thus there was a total of eleven missionaries present at all sessions. The subject emphasised and discoursed upon in both the English and in the Japanese meeting was the "Book of Mormon." Accumulations of evidence, external and internal, proving the divinity of the book were brought forth, and the best methods of getting the sacred volume more generally among the people was discussed. The value of this Nephite scripture as an instrument in effective missionary work is recognized by all the missionaries and Saints. Their burning desire is that the sound philosophy therein revealed may soon supplant the native religious philosophies. That the missionaries have the true spirit of their missions was evident from the first. The rare enthusiasm in the work and the hope and belief in unparalleled success in the future marked the tone of the individual reports. The interest in the work in Japan and the love of the ministry was manifested beyond the power of words to describe, in the touching testimony meeting a day or so before the elders left for their respective fields again. Everyone was thankful for the privilege of representing ths Church in Japan, and made mention of the health and joy with which they have been abundantly blessed. In commenting upon the general conditions of the mission, President Stimpson said in effect: There are now 127 Saints enrolled in Japan, an

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increase of 16 over last year at this time. During the. past five months the Church membership here has doubled. We are gaining momentum. In five years we have obtained as many converts as in the preceding fourteen years. With eight baptisms already this year, as compared with the two to four baptisms of the first six months of past years; prospects are indeed bright for a large harvest during the alv T ays more fruitful second half year. Figures were quoted showing decided increases in the number of books sold and the receipts for them, in the amount of tithing received, etc. Street meetings are proving to be a most efficient method of arousing interest and spreading the gospel. The accompanying group picture was taken during conference. The missionaries from left to right are: Upper row: Bryan L. Wright, Ogden; Irwin T. Hicken, Heber; Howard Jensen, Corinne; Myrl L. Bodily, Fairview, Ida.; Louring A. Whittaker, Circleville. Front row: Deloss W. Holley, Slaterville; Jos. S. Pyne, Provo; Owen McGary, Shelly, Ida.; A. Ray Olpin, Pleasant Grove. Center front: President Joseph H. Stimpson and family, Riverdale, Utah. A. Ray Olpin, Conference Secretary.

The Newcastle Conference It gives us much pleasure in reading about the conferences and mis-

sions in the Improvement Era which we welcome so heartily to this part of the vineyard. I have only one other missionary with me and we have lo look after the whole conference. He is a native elder from Bradford, England, Elder Leonard A. Higgins, and has just received his release to return home, after fourteen months in the mission field. Although we arc

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few elders in number at the present time much work is being accomplished, and the people in England can still see that the Church is growing. During the war some of the meetinghouses fell in rather a bad condition and we have therefore had to repair them, being assisted by the local brethren. In West-Hartelpool branch we have our own hall, and it has lately had a new floor put down at a cost of £80 for material, the work being done by Elder Herbert Burrel and myself. The Sunderland branch hall has been newly decorated and a baptismal font, built under the stand. The people in this district would not allow us to have the baths to baptize in, and now we are nicely fixed up. On April 2, 1920, Good Friday, a baptismal service was held when 7 souls were baptized into the fold, after which a most beautiful confirmation and sacrament meeting was held. We have just lately held our semi-annual conference in Sunderland, it being well attended; we were privileged to have with us Elder Junius F. Wells from Liverpool and Doctor George H. Higgins from Bradford.—David E. Randall, President of Conference.

Miniature Gull Monument

Commemorative of early pioneer

life there is standing in the Temple Block at Salt Lake City a monument erected to the sea gulls, celebrating

a pioneer incident that will live forever. A miniature sea gull monument, six feet high, was reproduced in plaster of paris by Elder Edward Burley, of San Francisco, (formerly from the Nineteenth Ward, Salt Lake City) which is herewith printed. At a recent celebration held in San Francisco, in honor of Pioneer day, the reproduction was seen, as well as a painting of the pioneers entering Salt Lake Valley. Both of these did

much to direct thoughts to early pioneer life and hold in reverence the

life and character of these pioneers. President J. Golden Kimball, paint-

ing a picture in words, spoke of the history of pioneer life in Utah, to-

gether with the leadership of Brigham Young. In addition a fitting program was rendered. May the memory forever live of those who did so much to make the desert blossom as the

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The Book of Mormon Stirs the Hearts of Its Readers Kldi-r N. Il)rimi Hunsen, of the Mississippi conference, writing from Chattanooga, Tenn., expresses his delight at being called to labor in the mission field where he had labored for about nine months. As a missionary he has discovered that there is no book which can be read that will stir the hearts of the people as much as the Book of Mormon. He has found it full of the lives of great men and brimming with their great deeds. He states further that while residing at his home in Idaho, as a young man he could not fully realize what it meant to be a member of the Church. This awakening has also come to him, and he feels that he has a word of counsel for his youthful companions whom he encourages to learn for themselves, and prepare to give a reason for the hope that is within them, and for their faith. He advises the young people to attend to their meetings and to make the Book of Mormon a book for constant home reading. He says further that he has learned the value of the Improvement Era since he went into the mission field, and asks that the young people make the M. I. A. work in this year, 1920, a great success, for he realizes that the work of the organization is a splendid preparation for life, and valuable in gathering earnest workers to the cause of and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He enjoins them to fear the Lord and as far as they can, to avoid the vanities of the earth, and prepare, not only for the serious labors of this life, but for things of the eternities to come.

Returned from New Zealand Elder James N. Lambert, former president of the New Zealand mission, returned July 3, 1920, after nearly 51 months of missionary work in that far-off land. While there he published in the Maori language, the sec ond edition of the Book of Mormon, 3,000 copies. The first edition was published some thirty years ago by Win. Paxman. Brother Lambert also published the first editions of the Pearl of Great Price and the Doctrine and Covenants in that foreign language, besides 25,000 gospel tracts of five different kinds. The Church population in that mission is about 6,000. It is the only foreign mission in which the elders preach the gospel to both the white race and the natives, the labors of the elders in the other island missions being devoted principally to preaching the gospel among the natives. The headquarters are at Auckland, near Hastings, where the Latter-day Saints have a high school with some 75 attendants. Mrs. Lambert did a good work in aiding her husband, paying particular attention to the relief society work as directed by the general board, and also doing excellent work with the young ladies' association and in the primary association. Elder Lambert's son and daughter did missionary work, and altogether the family of four, spent, during their absence in that land, some 20 years of missionary work. The elders are having good success and the work is progressing nicely. Elder Lambert is glad to return to his home again in the valleys of the mountains with full zeal, and satisfaction with the labors which he has been able to accomplish in New Zealand.

Word from Washington "The elders in the S. E. Washington conference are meeting with success in their missionary labors. They have obtained many friends and investigators and but few enemies. "The semi-annual conference was held May 22 and 23, President Heber C. Iverson and wife who were in attendance, gave many valuable instructions.

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On Sunday three meetings were held; in Sunnyside, Toppenish, and, in the evening, Yakima, President Iverson was the principal speaker at each session, and the attentive audience showed how much they aprpeciated the masterly effort of the speaker. During the week ending June 1, Elder Cook reported four baptisms, Elder Facer officiating. In the conference there are a number of others who are now ready to be baptized. The most important cause a man can engage in, I feel, is preaching the gospel. To me the greatest wonder of the age is the young 'Mormon' taken from the cattle ranch, the farm, the work shop, the high school, sent out in the mission field, to watch them grow, develop, and unfold, then to continue life's journey and through obedience to the gospel teachings assist in shaping the destinies of humanity, the children of our Heavenly Father." — James O. Smith, President of Conference.

Back row: E. 0. Maxfiend, L. W. Peterson, G. L. Erickson, 0. L. Gale, E. H. Perry, E. A. Leishman. Middle: D. J. Sparks, J. A. Hamblin, M. Bezzant, W. C. Murdock, A. Porter: Front W. R. Cook, G. D. Facer. :

President J. O. Smith. Box 295 Yakima, Washington.

Leeds Conference; England The branches here are firmly established with few elders from America, but with good local brethren holding the priesthood. Each branch is presided over by a presidency, some of whom are shown in the photo. Left to right, top row: Whittaker Metcalfe, Harry Greenall, Ernest Sheppard, Samuel Mitchell, Edgar Balme, and Nicholson Elliott. Bottom row: Simeon Stead, John W. Turner, Elder Wilfrid H. Wheatley, Dr. Geo. H. Higgins, President Leonard H. Whipple and Walter Walker. The presidency of the branches are: Dr. Geo. H. Higgins, Jesse Knight, John W. Turner, Bradford; Walter Walker, Frank Holroyd, John Moore, Batley; Wilford Craven, Edgar Balme, Gerald Craven, Clayton; Arthur Priestley, Halifax; Harry Greenall, Samuel Mitchell, Ernest Sheppard, Leeds; Nicholson Elliott, Simeon Stead, Whittaker Metcalfe, Pudsey.

1106 IMPROVEMENT ERA The relief societies are all fully organized anil in a flourishing condition also the mutuals. The lady missionaries are doing a very lively work. They li;m; helped very materially in spreading the gospel, since few elders have heen here, and they have been ahle to see good results from their work in friends and converts. President Leonard H. Whipple and Elder Wilfrid H. Wheatley, the only traveling elders in the Leeds conference, have had every success in their tracting. The last quarter they have distributed 8,960 tracts, sold 1,056 pamphlets, and given away and loaned 622.

This last week there have been six successful meetings held. At some, duets were sung by President Whipple and Harry Greenall, solos by Elizabeth Clapham, lady missionary. Hundreds of tracts were eagerly accepted by the splendid attentive audience. Elder Wheatley, R. H. Sanders, E. Balme also took leading parts in these meetings. At one meeting a man who had been drinking a little kept calling out that Joseph Smith was not a prophet. President Whipple paid no attention to him, but continued his remarks. A few minutes later President Whipple offered some pamphlets for sale, looking for those who were with the disturber, but they were in the crowd talking, so this very man who kept calling out, came forward and received the books and was the means of selling one Book of Mormon and 20 pamphlets, which amused and pleased the crowd. We feel well in the work of the Lord, and are hopefully looking for more elders, feeling that the harvest is ripe but the laborers are few. Leonard H. Whipple.

The Work in Vermont Elder T. W. Tanner, writes from Burlington, Vermont, June 10: "Elders Lloyd Soelberg, Frank Hoff, Romania Hunsaker, and Nora Mortensen, have just arrived in the Vermont conference. We have a dozen elders and two lady missionaries in the field; hence feel strengthened in the work. We held conference May 16. It was a success in many ways. Prest. Geo. W. McCune and Prest. Heber C. Smith from the Massachusetts

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conference and Elder Stringham of the Maryland conference gave us many instructions. While the work is advancing, we are still having some opposition. The police prevented us from holding a street meeting some time ago, stating that we had been informed that such meetings must not be held, which was not true, because we had received no such notice. The excitement did more good than our meeting could have done, because crowds of people gathered to hear us speak to the officers, and many were in our favor. Many friends were made who never could have been reached without this little excitement. Elders and lady missionaries: Standing

left to right: J. A. Donaldson, Salt Lake City, Utah; B. R. Godfrey, Magrath, Canada; Henry W. Story, local member, Hyde Park; Leonard Peterson, Ogden, Utah; Loyd Soelberg, Idaho Falls, Idaho. Second row: Rulon C. Pearce, Montpelier, Idaho; J. W. Marriott, Ogden; E. S. Meseny, Provo, Utah; Orval P. Mortensen, Rexburg; Frank E. Hoff, Montpelier, Idaho; Wm. F. Weiler, Salt Lake City, Utah. Front row: Chas. L. Jensen, Redmond; Nora Mortensen, Huntsville, Utah; T. W. Tanner, Conference Pres., Snowflake, Arizona; Romania Hunsaker, Ogden; Ashley Stringham, Woodscross, Utah, of the Maine conference."

Opposition Creates Efficiency

Elder Fredrick P. Hawkes of the Central States Mission, Independence conference, writes from Springfield, Missouri: "The missionaries and doctrine of the Latter-day Saints are beginning to be known and recognized in Springfield, Missouri. The Sunday school is gradually increasing in membership and much interest is being shown. Our work has caused enough interest to create opposition which only gives a working basis and brings about more efficiency in the work. Elders laboring here are: Oro H. Moore, Payson, Utah; Geo. B. Lyon, Metropolis, Nevada; Fredrick P. Hawkes, Preston, Idaho; sisters: Bessie Eggbert, Ashton, Idaho, and Ingeborg Petersen, Salt Lake City, Utah."