--- 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: 24 number: 11 published: 1921-09 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* 24, no. 11 (September 1921): 1032–1040.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera24011unse 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: improvementera24011unse start_page: 1032 end_page: 1040 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1921-09) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera24011unse publication_year: 1921 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 1921, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Messages from the Missions 1032 IMPROVEMENT ERA Messages from the Missions People Indifferent to the Gospel Elder Austin N. Toleman, President of the South Australian confer- ence, writes under date of May 25 from Adelaide: "Elder Robert Bischoff has been succeeded by Elder Austin M. Tole- man as conference president, and takes the place of Elder Toleman as conference president of New South Wales. We have five elders here in South Australia, and are making a drive to reach as many of the coun- try people as possible. Elders Warner and Robertson have been sent into the rural districts, and the other three of us are laboring in Adelaide. The people of both the country and city districts are very indifferent to the gospel. Religion is distasteful to the people of this land, who have a spirit of relaxation upon them and are contented to live as they are. One cannot make them realize their religious duty, they caring little about their salvation and giving their lives over to pleasure seeking. Paul saw Aus- tralia when he said that in the last days people would be lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. The elders find that they have to keep them- selves humble before the Lord in order to safe-guard themselves against the contagion of indifference. We fast and pray for strength and per- severance to do our part in warning the people of their standing in the sight of their Maker. Where the people have been converted, they are very faithful, but in many instances, they have been baptized before they were converted, and so some of them drop out when the elder who bap- tized them leaves the mission field. Those who are active are true to the gospel, and there are many noble spirits among them." Elders left to right. William C. Warner and Austin M. Toleman, conference president. Top row: Clinton Beck Robertson, Earl R. Hansen and George A. Christensen. EDITORS' TABLE 1033 Tahitian Mission Our present force- is small but we are all interested in the great cause we are representing and are truly thankful for being called to labor among the descendants of that great prophet, Nephi. President Joseph F. Smith once said that if the people of Polynesia embraced the gospel and re- ceived a sure testimony of its divinity, they might sin, but they would never loose that testimony, but they are very likely to return and forsake their sins. It is a veritable truth that the island Saints are sincere and have an abiding faith in the gospel. They are not afraid nor ushamed to defend wjhat they know to be right against all opposition. One of the, elders of the Church, Vaio by name, is captain of a schooner, tho Hinano, that the French government has chartered to carry mail from Tahiti to some of the Tuamotus, and on to the Marquesas Islands. Recently the head gov- ernor of the Islands made a visit to the schooner, as she lay at anchor in the Papeete harbor. Wines, liquors and tobacco were among the articles provided for the entertainment of the governor and hit; party. Vaio was asked what he would furnish for the guests, whereupon, he went and bought lemonade. As captain of the ship, Vaio made a speech -of wel- come, upon the arrival of the visitors, and told them that they were wel- come to everything on board. He also explained that, being an elder in the "Mormon" Church and having done missionary work in the Church, and its teachings being against the use of liquors, tobacco, tea and coffee, he desired to be excused if he did not smoke, and drank only lemonade. He refused to fill and pass the glasses, saying that he could not preach against the use of such things in the house of worship and then offer these same things to people on board the schooner, with an invitation J.o partake. The governor questioned him, and he explained to those present the principles of the Word of Wisdom; whereupon, the governor com- plimented him, and also the owners of the schooner (Taviri Vavai Co.) for having a man who is always sober, to sail one of their vessels. There are a number of native elders in the mission as faithful and as trustworthy as Brother Vaio, and eleven of them are, at present, doing effective mission- ary work in the various islands. The people have much faith in administra- tions and some very pronounced cases of healing have been the result of administration, both by elders from Zion and by our native brethren. Elders who have labored here of late years will be glad to learn that recently the wives of Peni Perry, and Timi a Punau, have both been bap- tized and that both Peni and Timi have been received back into full fel- lowship, both having filled the requirements of the Church. The mail comes to Tahiti from the United States every month and those laboring here at headquarters know when to expect mail, while those laboring in the Tuamotus or in Tubuai often go from two to six months between mails. Elder David O. McKay and Hugh J. Cannon made a short visit here. We are thankful they called but are sorry they could not stay longer; yet, not- withstanding their short visit, we know that the mission will be benefited thereby. We are living in expectation of a longer visit in the future from some of the General Authorities. Elders George C. Billings and T. B. Burbide will leave for Hao, in the Tuamotus, in a few days. While our elders are traveling, they are at an expense of thirty francs per day ; the last two elders who left for the Tuamotus were thirty -four (34) days in getting to their desired destina- tion, Hikueru, at a cost of about eighty dollars ($80) American money; while the writer was twelve days coming from San Francisco to Tahiti, his ticket costing him sixty-eight dollars ($68). The Improvement Era is indeed a welcome visitor in this mission. — W . L. Martin. 1034 IMPROVEMENT ERA Elders laboring in the Tahitian mission at present are; L. H. Kennard, Riverside, Utah; W. M. Strong, Twin Falls, Idaho; K. R. Stevens, Ferron; G. C. Billings, Jensen; T. B. Burbidge, Salt Lake City; L. R. Mallory, Bed- ford, Wyo.; R. S. Merrill; G. C. Nelson, Safford, Arizona; Wi L. Martin, Murray; P. A. Streeper, Centerville, Utah; E. L. Hays, Grace, Idaho. Elders laboring at Papeete, Tahiti, at present, are: K. R. Stevens, Ferron; George Cecil Billings, Jensen; L. H. Kennard, Jr., Riverside, Utah; William M. Strong, Twin Falls, Idaho; T. R. Burbidge, Salt Lake City, Utah. Ordered off the Place When Tractin-r Elders H. L. Hawks and E. A. Frederickson, 740 King Street, Dunedin, New Zea- land, write under date of March 21: "This city has a population of about 73,000 people, most of whom are Scotch, and belong to the Presbyterian church. As a rule, they are not very favor- able to 'Mormonism,' and it is quite common for us to be ordered off the place when trading. We have no place to hold meetings, but the Lord has blessed us very much in our work. We look forward for our con- ference to be held on the north island, about eight hundred miles from this city. We anticipate obtaining a new determination to do better for the coming year; at the conference, we hope to meet old companions and many Saints. We enjoy the reading of the Era, which is the case also with our friends." EDITORS' TABLE 1035 Elders of the Newcastle Conference, England, left to right, back row: Osmond C. Crowther, Conference President, Provo, Utah; Robert E. Finck, Goshen, Utah; James G. Palmer, Conference Clerk, Morgan, Utah; Charles W. Speiceman, Logan, Utah; John Black, Montpelier, Idaho. Front row: Thomas M. Wheeler, Mission Secretary, Salt Lake City, Utah; Thomas Phillips, Springville Utah; Ralph S. Gray, Salt Lake City, Utah; Ernest H. Kearl, released President, Smithfield, Utah. The Netherlands-Belgium Mission Royden E. Weight of Rotterdam, Holland, writes under date of July 24, giving an account of the Netherlands-Belgium mission conference on July 15-17: A condensed statement follows: "Meetings were held especially for the Priesthood, for the missionaries, and also general conference ses- sions for the general public. President Abraham Dalebout presided at each meeting. Among the speakers on the first day were President John P. Lillywhite, Elders A. von Tussenbrock, Carl M. Richards, Samuel R. Carpenter, and Ate Westra, They spoke to an attentive audience of nearly four hundred people. General conference meetings were held on Sun- day morning, afternoon, and evening, at which other speakers presented, before attentive audiences numbering from five to seven hundred, many of the principles of the gospel. The spirit of the Lord was present at each meeting to such an extent that President Serge F. Ballif of the Swiss- German mission remarked that it was almost visible — a statement cor- roborated many times by both Saints and strangers. New investigators are seeking earnestly for the word of the Lord. The elders are work- ing hard, and the Lord is crowning their efforts with success to such an extent that they have more investigators than they can properly care for. Aside from trading, the elders spend nearly every evening with inquirers who seek more enlightenment as to God's dealings with his children. Of course, untrue things are being said by ministers and are being written in the papers about the Latter-day Saints, but we realize that such writings and sayings have no source except hatred, and so the truth is making headway with the fair-minded. One hundred forty-six people were baptized during the first six months of this year; 130,000 tracts, 16,000 pamphlets, and more than 900 books were put into the hands of the people of Holland 1036 IMPROVEMENT ERA and Belgium during the first half year; and nearly 4,000 conversations between the elders and those interested have been held this year, ranging in I time from fifteen minutes to one hour and one-half. Through the untiring efforts of the missionaries, hundreds of people in Holland and Belgium are coming in contact with the message of life and salvation, since the elders canvass from door to door delivering tracts and booklets, some- times free, and for others getting a few cents, much below the cost of print- ing. There is no molestation by the officers, and none could ask for more courteous treatment than is being given. While the living conditions in this country are not the best, they are better than in many other European nations. There is plenty in the land, but prices are so high that many of the poorer people suffer daily for the want of pioper food. In many in- stances business is not as swift as in the United States, but most every- one is busily engaged in some one of the many industries of the country. This is true of both the male and the female population, as in many inr stances the women work as hard as the men. However, the people bear their burdens patiently, and an observer would say that they are a con- tented people. The Dutch people are very industrious, and one needs but to i learn how they reclaimed their land to be convinced of the fact. Along with their industries, they are perhaps the most pleasant and courteous people in Europe today. Missionary work among such a people is both pleasant and profitable, and one is encouraged to put forth every effort to help to bring such a worthy folk into the light of the gospel." Front row: Alvin S. Nelson, Abraham Dalebout, President John P. Lillywhite, Master Joel Lillywhite, Sister Lillywhite, Master J. D. Lilly- white, President Serge F. Ballif of the German-Swiss Mission, Ate Westra. Second row: Sister 0. Brainich, Oswald Brainich, Hendrick Bell, Sister G. van der Waard, G. van der Waard, A. Barendregt, A. van Tussenbroek, Cornelius Wetter. Third row: Samuel R. Carpenter, Royden E. Weight, Heiko Boekweg, Cornelius Zappeij, Leendert van Beekum, Russel Monson, Fourth row; Ruben E. Cardwell, Jan Koning, Karl M. Richards, Hurum Dallinga, A. Sligting, John Vreeken, Arie Kruys, Joseph van Leeuwen and Wm. Levi Phillips. EDITORS' TABLE Many Homes Opened 1037 «?fr S ,ea,n Hal1' ^"^ from Auckland, New Zealand, June 13 says: Auckland has a population of 155,000, and notwithstanding the in' difference and prejudice of a large number of these people, we are finding a tew who are ready to receive the glad tidings and have had many homes opened to us lately m our trading. Our cottage and hall meetings are well attended. The visit of Elders David O. McKay and Hugh J. Cannon at our April Conference held at Huntly, New Zealand, encouraged the Saints with new strength and determination to live the gospel." Elders left to right: A. M. McFarlane, H. Dean Hall. Front, sitting: President Joseph Anderson. Former Headquarters Force, European Mission Writing from 295 Edge Lane, Liverpool, July 29, 1921, Elder Thomas M. Wheeler, secretary of the European mission, Liverpool, England says: "After directing the affairs of the European missiovi for the past two years, President George Albert Smith has relinquished the position to Elder Orson F. Whitney, who has been appointed to succeed him. Presi- dent Smith has done a great work in this land in many ways. Coming at a time when the missionary corps was at its lowest ebb, due to the refusal of the government to allow elders to land, he steadily worked on, broke down prejudices in official circles, so that now over one hundred elders 1038 IMPROVEMENT ERA are here doing their utmost to carry on the work. At the present time the mission is in very good condition and everything points to a wonder- ful work being done during the administration of President Whitney. We had a photo taken of the force at headquarters just prior to the departure of President Smith and family and Elder Wells for their homes in the West, a copy of which I enclose. Left to right: Junius F. Wells, formerly Associate Editor of the Millennial Star; President George Albert Smith, formerly president of the European mission; Thomas M. Wheeler, secre- tary of the European mission. Back row: J. Fred Pingvee and Elbert R. Curtis. Elders Wells and Wheeler were here the entire time, while Elders Pingree and Curtis came some six months ago." A Remarkable and Historical Picture and Visit "I am enclosing a very choice photograph for use in the Era, one of the big mementos of the recent trip here of Elders David O. McKay and President Hugh J. Cannon. They were with us a month in Samoa, and that they left a good spirit and made a good impression wherever they went, goes without saying. Their four weeks here were of hourly inspira- tion to Saints, elders, and strangers as well. In generations yet to come, there will be recounted the days when an apostle first s^t foot on Samoa's shores, and of the wonderful manner in which both he and his companion discoursed, like those of old, who 'Spake as they were moved upon by the Holy Spirit.' The meetings with officials, and especially with the high- est chiefs of the islands, were most impressive and memorable occasions, and the work will take on more prestige and influence among the Samoans from now oh, as the people have seen their greatest mea in friendly asso- ciation with a 'Mormon' apostle. In bygone years such a visit would have provoked but slight, passing interest, but it has now taken on the full im- portance of one of the events of the islands, and we believe sincerely that this mission will receive a great impetus that will carry it for years, through the grand influence these two men of God left, for they repeatedly left their blessings upon the people, and such things cannot and will not fall fruit- lessly to the ground unfulfilled. Samoa will soon see the dawn of a better day for the gospel. "Beginning at the left with the Samoan who stands to the front with his hands clasped, and wearing dark goggles, we have the ex-king, Malietoa, 1040 IMPROVEMENT ERA the last monarch to reign in Samoa before the islands were taken over by the great powers a score of years or more ago. He is a very dignified per- son and very friendly to us bere. Next to him is his queenly wife, Uluiva; and by her side, the lady with the necklace and fan, is Mrs. Nelson, wife of Mr. 0. F. Nelson, the leading merchant of the islands, who was in Salt Lake City a few months back, on a world tour, and was so well entertained by the returned elders from Polynesia, that he is a waim friend thereby. Then in order, in the line, come American Consul Roberts, his wife Mrs. Roberts; President Coombs, of the Tongan mission; Elder David O. McKay of the Council of Twelve Apostles; Sister Thurza Adams, wife of mission president, John Q. Adams, President Hugh J. Cannon and President John Q. Adams, of the Samoan mission. Conference Presidents Griffiths and Stott are off to the left, the British official court interpreter (a Samoan chief) is sitting to the right and a number of elders enroute to the Tongan mission are mixed with the elders of this mission. All together, it is a very remarkable and historical picture, as has been remarkable and his- orica! this visit of Elders McKay and Cannon to these far-off Pacific shores. — John Q. Adams, Mission President, Samoa, Apia, June 30, 1921. Work Accelerated by New Elders from Zion Elder William E. Coleman of the Queensland conference, Australia, reports that the work of the Lord in that district is steadily progressing, more particularly since the arrival of new elders from Zion. Elder Neils W. Oldroyd, President, reports the conference in good condition. He is assisted in the work by Elder William E. Coleman and Gerald O. Billings. Elder William L. Jones and James K. Harris are engaged in country work along the east coast, between Brisbane and Sydney. They report good conditions for work in that district, as the majority of the people are free from prejudice against the work of thfe ifcsitter-day Saints. Elders, left to right: standing, Gerald O. Billings, Jaiaes J£. Harris; sitting: William E. Coleman, Neils W. Oldroyd, Conference President; William L. Jones.