The New Lethbridge Stake of Zion

1 . "^ ~ ^ 1 r i Hug/i S. Brown, George W . Green, Asel E. Palmer, President First Counselor Second Counselor The New Lethbridge Stake of Zion By Frank C. Steele Let us introduce to Israel the infant in the sisterhood of slakes- — the Lethbridge stake of Zion. To find this new stake of Zion on the map, you will need a map of the Dominion of Canada. Look just across the in- ternational boundary line in Southern Alberta, and there you will find a city, Lethbridge. This is the center of the new stake. The organization of this new stake in Canada is highly significant evidencing as it does the expansion of the Church in the land northward. Once the injunction to America's youth was to "Go West!" Today, it is "Go North!" North where the last great western empire, with its broad acres, mighty for- ests, deep rivers and rich forests, beckons the pioneer, the home- seeker, the conqueror. North where yet the world is new, and where, after years of combat against pitiless forces, the curtain is lifting on an era of development along social, industrial and spiritual lines, the like of which has not been surpassed in the annals of history. It was the new apostle, Elder John A. Widtsoe, who, im- mersed in the prophetic gift, declared at conference in one of the stakes of Zion in Canada, that the building of the house of the Lord, in Alberta, marked the opening up of a new epoch in the work of the Lord in this northern realm. "I do not know just what form this change will take, but its influence will be

298 IMPROVEMENT ERA ■ — felt from one end of Canada lo the other," he declared. That statement was made last summer. It began to find fulfilment the following November, when the new stake was organized, the third stake of Zion in the Dominion of Canada, the eighty- fourth in the world. Elder Rudger Clawson, of the Council of the Twelve, of- ficiated at the special conference called for Thursday, Novem- ber 9, for the purpose of effecting the organization. Two spirit- ed meetings were held, the Lethbridge ward chapel being filled to overflowing. Characterized by a rich outpouring of the spirit of God which testified to all present that the change was approved of the Lord, the services were an inspiring opening conference of the new stake. President Heber C. Iverson, of the Northwestern states mission was also present, his impressive and helpful sermons being a source of joy and stimulation to the Saints. The music was provided by the Lethbridge ward choir, under the direction of Elder Leo M. Coombs, stake musical director. The voting was unanimous. The presidency of the new stake, Elder Hugh B. Brown, George W. Green and Asel E. Palmer, all spoke briefly, exhibiting a spirit of willingness to serve that impressed all present. The auxiliary officers were also sustained, and, after the meeting, were set apart by Elder Clawson. And what of the new presidency? President Brown is a young man, only 38 years. of age. He was born in Salt Lake City of pioneer stock. He is an old-timer in Alberta, and is well-known in that province. He fulfilled a mission to Great Britain, served on the high council of the Alberta stake, and held many other offices in the priesthood. During the war he held the rank of major in the Canadian Expeditionary Forces, and did splendid service. He was edu- cated in the public and high schools of Utah, and in the Brigham Young University, Provo. President Brown is a man of extraordinary zeal, true to every trust, courageous, a gifted speaker, and a man of splendid executive ability. He is a law- yer by profession. George W. Green, first counselor, is an older man, 52 years of age. He was born in Enterprise, Morgan county, Utah, of pioneer stock, also. In 1902, he and his family moved from the sixteenth ward, Salt Lake City, to Raymond, Alberta, where Elder Green engaged in the milling business. Later the family moved to Lethbridge, Elder Green becoming the second bishop of the ward. He held that office with signal success for seven years, seeing the ward grow from a mere handful of people to a population now of over 550 souls. Elder Green is a keen business

THE NEW LETHBRIDGE STAKE OF ZION 299 man, a wise counselor, and an unflagging worker in the king- dom of God. He spent one year in the University of Utah. Elder Asel E. Palmer, second counselor, is a young man just out of his twenties. He is the son of William Palmer, famous in church history as a missionary and preacher and a man, who by the blessings of the Lord through the priesthood, was cured of blindness. Born in Utah, but reared in Canada, Elder Palmer has absorbed the spirit of the great northland. He is in a large measure a "native son." Ambitious in his chosen profession, agriculture, he succeeded in taking out his degree at the Utah Agricultural College, and since being graduated from that institution has been principal of the Knight Academy, Raymond, a member of the staff of the natural resources depart- ment of the Canadian Pacific railway, and is now assistant superintendent of the Dominion Experimental Farm at Leth- bridge. For several years he was stake superintendent of the Y. M. M. I. A. of the Taylor stake. He is a young man of many estimable qualities, not the least being his humility and faith. The new Lethbridge stake has a population of 2,534 souls. It is the largest stake in Canada. It embraces a very rich ter- ritory much of which comes under the gigantic reclamation schemes launched by the provincial and Dominion governments. There is a golden opportunity in this new stake for experienced irrigation farmers looking for homes in a country where land i? comparatively cheap. The Lethbridge stake of Zion is young, but it is full of promise. Lethbridge, Alta, Canada