Preaching the Gospel through the Radio

PREACHING THE GOSPEL THROUGH THE RADIO By Earl J. Glade, Business Manager, Station K F P T, Salt Lake City, Utah Possibly the most convincing demonstration of the power of radio to convey the gospel message was made at the late semi-annual conference of the Church. With the permission of the First Presi- radiocasting studio of station k f p t. This room is resonance-proof. It is heavily padded on all exposed surfaces and draped in rich, rose-colored velvet. Radio experts report that its fine accoustic properties are in a large part responsible for the remarkable clarity for which K F P T is widely known. The station is the property of the Radio Service Corporation of Utah, John N. Cope, president; Earl J. Glade, business manager; Charles H. Hayes, announcer. Other members of the corporation are Sidney Mulcock, Francis W. Cope and Heber C. Johnson. dency, arrangements were effected to radiocast the entire proceedings. This was done over radio station K F P T through direct wire to the main pulpit of the Tabernacle. It is no exaggeration to report that the result was very reassuring. Letters and cards, as well as telegrams, received from various points in western America and Can- ada, were convincing evidence of how much this service was appre- ciated. Even in Salt Lake and Ogden there were many who reported

PREACHING THE GOSPEL THROUGH RADIO 243 having heard the conference proceedings, some for the first time in years, illness having prevented their attendance in numerous instances mentioned. One of the most notable incidents was the case of President Pen- rose, who was ill and unable to be at the conference. After a re- ceiving instrument had been placed in the Penrose home, it was soon evident that the stricken man was in touch with the proceedings of the conference. As President Grant made the opening announcement, President Penrose said, "It is the President's voice!" Later on when the male chorus sang, "School thy feelings, O my brother," and the melodious strains came right into the sick room with a clarity and This transmitter, which is of 500 watts capacity, was constructed by John N. Cope, radio, technician in charge of Station K F P T. The instrument embodies a number of elements invented by Mr. Cope himself which are winning for him atten- tion in the field of radio. Arrangements are underway to raise the power of this station to 1,000 watts. power that would have characterized the singing, had the artists been in the bedroom in person, tears were seen to run down the cheeks of the venerable Churchman as he said, "That is wonderful." President Penrose commented on the power of radio to do for thousands of others — some ill, possibly, and unable to attend service in person; some remotely situated from Salt Lake — what it had done for him. As Station KFPT's representative left the Penrose home that evening, the great man said, "I certainly thank you; it has been one of the most thrilling experiences of my life." There were no fewer than a dozen business houses in Salt Lake

244 IMPROVEMENT ERA and Ogden where the services were being received over the radio and eagerly listened to by hundreds of people, many of whom had never heard such a service before. Many interesting episodes occurred in connection with the radio- casting. During an afternoon service, Bishop Isaac P. Thunnel, of the Wasatch ward, had to leave the tabernacle for an appointment at his place of business, on Main street. While there, over the radio, he heard President Grant call him to the stand, unaware, of course, that the bishop, at that moment was not in the tabernacle. In a few moments, the latter was able to report at the pulpit. Arrangements have now been completed for the radiocasting of a regular Sunday evening service each Sunday, at 9 o'clock, mountain time. The program consists of a twenty-five minute sermon and sacred music, consuming altogether about one hour. It is radiocast from the studio, at Station K F P T, an attractive, non-resonant chamber which is in large part responsible for the wondrous clarity with which these services are received. The services are in charge of Presiding Bishop Charles W. Nibley and his counselors. President Grant inaugurated the services and has spoken a number of times. His voice carries with remarkable clearness and power. Other speakers at this writing have been President Nephi L. Morris, who delivered an eloquent discourse entitled, "This is the Place," and Nephi Jensen, former president of the Canadian mission, who pre- sented an eloquent tribute to the Prophet Joseph. Another view of the studio, showing the microphone, t strument which picks up the message or music to be radiocast. e super-sensitive in-

PREACHING THE GOSPEL THROUGH RADIO 245 Hundreds of telegraphic, telephonic and written statements of appreciation have been received at the station and by the Presidency. An idea of the extent of the area covered by this service is con- veyed in the distance from which clear reception is reported. During the week of this writing, letters have been received from Englewood, New Jersey: the Hawaiian Islands; Baltimore, Maryland; British Columbia; Sitka, Alaska; Denver, Iowa, and hundreds of other in- termediate points in which reception is reported and appreciation ex- pressed. Nearly every city in California has sent acknowledgment. The Northwest has also been especially responsive. The power of such a means of intelligence-transmission is evident when one considers that of the many who listened only the smallest fraction send acknowledgment of reception. To state that station K F P T has an audience of over a million, according to radio experts, is no exaggeration. Since the beginning of the services, the power of the station has been increased, and, in the very near future, it will be again augmented, so as to be comparable with the most powerful stations in America. It already is rated among the fifty finest stations in the United States, of which there are upwards of five hundred. As a means of preaching the gospel, the potentiality of radio is just coming to be understood. These programs of discourse and sacred music are brought to the very fire-sides of thousands of people who otherwise would be very difficult to reach. In the privacy of their own homes they are often willing, if not eager, to listen to the gospel message. Many an indifferent person has openly admitted that radio has done more to convince him of the immortality of things and of the existence of Diety than any other intermediary. Who can presage what the developments of the morrow will bring with this wondrous instrumentality that our Father in heaven, through his providence, has placed in our hands, reaching out as it does, to the ends of the earth? We Trust in Thee Sons of God, we come to earth Striving on toward the light, Eternal glory to be won. We fall and rise and fall again; Past that's hidden at our birth Lord, we trust thee in thy might Will be revealed when earth is done. To lift us up, to free from sin. Darkness here our path does hide, Weak, we follow paths unknown, And yet 'tis broken by a light. Our spirits ever rise to thee. Law of God we will abide, Guide us on, we are thy own; Thy presence drives away the night. In thee we trust; we cannot see. Thatcher, Arizona. J- OSCAR ANDERSON.