Messages from the Missions

MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS Visitors in Syria Elder Joseph W. Booth, B. P. 174, Aleppo, Syria, reports that Elder Victor R. Taylor of Provo, Utah, has filled a thirty-four months mission in Germany and is making a tour of the Holy Land. He crossed Asia Minor by train from Constantinople to Aleppo and was met at the Bagdad station by a crowd of happy Saints. "We enjoyed his company for ten days and listened eagerly to his recitals of the mission work in Germany and to his excellent advise to the Saints of this land. One may partially understand how we all appreciate the visit of one of our friends from Utah, when I say that in the more than four years we have met less than a dozen people from the land of Zion, and of that number, only one lady missionary and only three elders have remained with us more than two weeks. On the fifth of October, the opening session of M. I. A. was held and we are prepared for the New Year's work and study of the New Testament." — J. W. Booth. Tracting on Foot 200 Miles Elders Charley E. Petersen, left and J. Leland Anderson, boarded a steamer, August 6, 1925, from Trondhjem, and arrived in Namsos, a northern city, the following Saturday. In the afternoon of the same day, we began our long march previously planned. Each of us had a "ryg-sak" (knap-sack), containing a load of about sixty pounds or more. This burden being mostly made up of tracts and books. ' We walked all the way from Namsos back to Trondhjem, a distance of over two hundred miles, distributing tracts, and delivering our gospel message to all who would accept the glad tidings we had to impart. Weather conditions were not the best. It rained almost in- cessantly, but we did no complaining. We were fairly well equipped, and Kept plodding along, feeling that it was a great privilege to be able to

174 IMPROVEMENT ERA sacrifice, and be tried a little. Of course, we had to tolerate many dis- agreeable and unpleasant things, such as sleeping in barns, etc. We dis- tributed about eleven thousand tracts, sold about 225 pamphlets, and had many interesting conversations. It was a most delightful trip. With great interest we viewed the extraordinary scenery which is Norway's pride. Her fjords, landscapes, and rugged mountains are very uncommon and beautiful. One must take such a trip through "The land of the midnight sun" to really understand what enchantment it possesses. "Norge ec et vakkect land." We arrived back home Wednesday night, August 26, being on the road about three weeks. Our testimony to all readers of the Era is that the Lord lives and that he was constantly with us. He provided, protected, and blessed us almost beyond measure. Already we are seeing the "fruits of our labors." — Elder J. Leland Anderson. At Cornell University The Ithaca Branch of the Rochester conference has again resumed its Sunday meetings in Barnes' Hall after a two month's vacation. This branch is made up of families who are here for school at Cornell and most of the men are instructors in the University. During the summer, two of the members completed their work at the school and returned with their families to their homes in Utah — Brother Herbert Pack and Brother Walter ITHACA BRANCH. ROCHESTER CONFERENCE. N. Y. Our members include: President J. Alma Dye of Firth, Idaho; First Counselor, Dilworth Walker of Rexburg, Jdaho; Second Counselor, Thomas J. Parmley of Salt Lake City, with their wives and families; J. Orval Ellsworth and wife of Idaho Falls; Fayette E. Stephens and family of Heber, Utah; George Bateman and family of Paris, Idaho; R. F. Pennman and family of Salt Lake City; George H. Maughn ond family of Rexburg, Idaho; George Thomas and family of Ogden, Utah; Elsie Maughn of Logan; Edith Hayball of Ogden, and Allen Kellar of Logan. — Ada Walker, secretary. Welti. This fall added sixteen new members to the branch, making a total now of thirty-eight including the children. We are proud of our record of having more children in our branch than any other in the conference. Each

MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 175 month brings some of the elders to visit our branch, and their visits are greatly enjoyed as they keep us in closer touch with the Church as a whole, and the work of the conference. We are extremely fortunate in being situated so near the original home of our Church. Palmyra, New York. Each year the branch makes a pilgrimage en masse to visit the Joseph Smith Farm and the Cumorah Farm, and enjoy the inspiration .which only these sacred places afford. As the children reach the age of eight years, they are baptized in the font at the Joseph Smith Farm. This is a great privilege for the children and something they will always remember. Hundreds of Home People in Chicago Elder Stanley W. Johnson of Chicago, Illinois, reports that missionary work is progressing very nicely in that city. "It seems to be almost like the wards at home because of the large number of people from the West. The Church population from home numbers in the neighborhood of five hundred in this city. The names of the missionaries laboring here, are: Front row, Orin C. Fuller, mission secretary; Rachael G. Taylor, President Mission Relief Society; President John H. Taylor; Stanley W. Johnson, conference president; Robert C. Anderson, conference president, Wisconsin. Middle row: Minnie B. Kramer, Edith Booth, Fanny May Madson, (released) ; Floyd Spilsbury, Gertie Noorlander, Lena Youkstetter, mission stenographer. Back row: Charles L. Olsen, mission clerk; Mark Z. Fackrell. Earl G. Jacklin, and Clare M. Liddle. Nineteen Baptisms in Nebraska The missionaries of the West Nebraska conference express their thanks to the Era for its splendid missionary help. They look forward to each issue with eager anticipation, and when it is thoroughly read, they pass it on to others. The Lord's work is growing in Nebraska; nineteen baptisms were performed in this conference, from January 1 to November 1, of 1925. Four were recently performed nothwithstanding the temperature was below freezing point, in a lake fringed with ice. The new converts went gladly

176 IMPROVEMENT ERA to make their covenants with the Lord, and rejoiced, though knowing full well that persecution and ridicule might be their lot in the fu,ture. The elders spent the past summer at country work, afoot, and often without "purse or scrip." They were wonderfully blessed in every way while doing so. Two of them traveled more than *two thousand miles during the summer, paying but sixty cents each for railroad fare in thar. distance. Besides the other meetings, these two elders held an average of two street meetings each week. We find street meetings one of the most effective methods of preaching the gospel, and we hold them at every opportunity. — Thomas D. Washburn. Missionaries, top row: Arnold J. Pierce, Bingham City, (released); John W. Henderson, Provo; Arthur J. Hart, Preston, Idaho; Kenneth E. Peterson, Grace, Idaho, (released). Center: Melvin C. Gilbert, Preston, Idaho; Thomas D. Washburn, Provo, conference president. Botton row: Elmer F. Anderson, Smithfield; Grace Rigby, Aberdeen, Idaho; Thelma Huish, Provo, (released) ; William E. Lurrant, Franklin, Idaho. Fifteen Baptisms in Oklahoma Elder J. L. Haddock, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, reports that the missionaries of Oklahoma held their quarterly conference, May 3 1 , President Bennion meeting with the missionaries and Saints. Some of the Saints traveled over one hundred miles to attend. Three public sessions were held at which many interesting experiences were related of missionary work. Doctrinal discourses were given in the morning and afternoon sessions by the missionaries, by the local brethren and by President Bennion. Reports of

MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 177 the elders occupied the third session, which reports show a marked increase over last year. Seven elders have worked in Oklahoma during the past three months. They report the sale of 57 Books of Mormon, 870 small doctrinal books; 15 baptisms. Conditions are very promising. The world stands in need of their message, but the elders are few. The elders enjoy and appreciate the many good things they receive from reading the Era. Gratifying Results of a Fast Elders Delbert G. Ence and Milton F. Pepton, reporting the missionary news. Ballarat. Victoria, write that for two years previous to their coming there, in March. 1925. there had been no missionary work done in that city and only one member of the Church lived there. The efforts of Elder Harvey O. Cook resulted in two baptisms at the end of three months. Since then, we have been holding weekly cottage meetings with gratifying results. Th: first Sunday in August was set apart by President Hyde as a special fast for the entire nr.ssion, and as one result of i:, we have been able to distribute more tracts and iBooks of Mormon and having more gospel conversations by far. than before. Within a mon.h we had enough friends to justify holding hall meet- ings. Fourteen investi- gators attended our first meeting. We hold a street meeting each week; have had a number of invitations to the homes of friends, and have several pros- pects of baptism. However, we are meeting much opposition and ridicule from ministers and other disbelievers which only sharpens our determinations to proclaim the truth. Following an anti-"Mormon" address by one of the ministers, we called on him at his home. After reasoning with him for sometime, he bought a Book of Mormon and a Brief History of the Church. We also had the opportunity of explaining "Mormonism" to the Theo- sophical Society of the city. The Lord is blessing us, and we pray that all our co-workers are receiving similiar blessings. We greatly enjoy the Era. Elders, left: Delbert G. Ence, Central, Utah; Milton F. Pepton, Murray, Utah. and Before a Ministerial Association Elder William C. Tebbs, president of the Albany conference, reports that recently he met with a ministerial board meeting in Albany as the guest of the board. "Through prejudice and outside influence brought to bear on the mayor, our street meeting privileges have been revoked, mostly through the labors of a charity organization. We were having great success at these meetings and they were very orderly. At the ministerial meeting, the presi- dent introduced us and said that he thought we should be given a privilege of being heard. At this, one of the ministers became very violent, making a motion that the mayor be sustained in driving us from the streets of Albany.

178 IMPROVEMENT ERA He was very bitter in his denunciations of us and called attention to his former fight with the Latter-day Saints on street privileges in Massachusetts. He was in favor of having us hire a hall and preach behind closed doors so as not to give the casual passer-by a chance to hear. The president relin- quished the chair and defended us very ably, stating that he believed we were sincere, and he did not agree with the minister. Another minister arose and called attention to what happened a persecuted church about two thousand years ago, and asked that they do not make a mistake at this day. We feel that we were treated very courteously by our defenders. The meeting, however, ended without an agreement. We were given a place in one of the leading papers to present our views, for which we feel thankful. We sold one hundred and fifty Books of Mormon last month. We were recently honored with a visit from Elder David O. McKay, of the Council of Twelve, and President B. H. Roberts. Those who attended, highly commended the sermons which they delivered. We are adjusting ourselves from the summer work to the winter program, which we hope will be just as successful as the summer work." Local Elders Set Apart as Missionaries Elder Vance O. Lind, Gevle, Sweden, reports that they held their fall convention on the 12th to 14th of September, the meetings being well attended. The Saints who had hitherto been slack in their duties expressed a determination to become more diligent. Local elders were called and set apart as home missionaries. The elders laboring in the Gevle conference are, left to right, back row: Knut T. Borg, Sandy; M. Foss Smith, Snowflake, Arizona; Eric Holmgren, Logan; Oscar Soderquist, Ferron, Utah. Front row: Gustave Anderson, Central, Idaho; John H. Anderson, mission president; Vance O. Lind, Lynn: Utah, conference president. Three Choirs Sing in Breslau Milton Leishman, conference president at Breslau, Germany, states that in a conference held there August 15-18, approximately 1950 persons

MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 179 listened to President Talmage in the Sunday meetings, all of whom for the first time were privileged to hear and see one of the Twelve Apostles. Sister Talmage, being present, expressed her joy in seeing so much progress in the German mission, especially in the M. I. A. and Relief Society work. Music was furnished by the Breslau conference choir, composed of three choirs of the branches in the city of Breslau. At the missionary meeting held on Sunday, President Talmage and President Tadje gave valuable instructions for the aid of the missionaries in their work. The prospects for the future are even brighter than in the past, the only trouble being the lack of missionaries. Baptisms are held often, a proof that the work of the Lord is progressing in Selisia. The Era is read with great interest and gives us help in performing our duties as missionaries. Missionaries, left to right, back row: Royan Groneman; Perry McArther; Edward Kresser; Blaine Kartschner; Waldemar Stosich. Middle row Kenneth Lam- bourne; Vernon Rhodes, president of the Leipzig conference; Avon Frame; Marriner Merrill; Richard Behling; Ralph Ford; Harold Ross; John Talmage. Sitting: E. DeMar Anderson, president of the Chemnitz conference; Victor Taylor, retiring conference president; Fred Tadje, mission president; James E. Talmage, president of the European mission; May Booth, Talmage, president of the Relief Societies of the European mission; Jean Wunderlich, associate editor of Dec Stern; Milton Leishman, incoming conference president. Champions of the Word of Wisdom Christen Larsen of Salt Lake City, who recently returned from laboring in the Aalborg conference. Denmark, organized a little union of people which he called "Champions of the Word of Wisdom." It was organized with twenty-five members about ten months ago and then consisted mostly of children. At the present time there are over forty-two besides the mission- aries who belong to the organization. Only one member ha; withdrawn from the association during the time of its organization. These champions of the Word of Wisdom meet once a month. Only those who observe

180 IMPROVEMENT ERA this splendid health regulation are admitted to the organization. Each member is an observer of the law and does not use tea, coffee, tobacco or liquor. Their meeting lasts about an hour, and the members speak upon the subject and bear testimony concerning its value to them, after which games and sometimes a dance is indulged in. "The little union is like a leaven that works among all who come in contact with it. When the chil- dren say to father or mother that it is wrong to break the Word of Wisdom, and when the teachings concerning this revelation are given in public meet- ings, it has a wonderful influence upon many who learn of its value." Elder Christen Larsen and his Word of Wisdom champions, Aalborg, Denmark. Remarkable Results in San Jose Elder Kenneth Nielson, president of the San Jose conference, California, gives an account of the first semi-annual conference of this recently organized division at San Jose, May 8-10, in the new Latter-day Saint chapel. More than one thousand Saints and investigators attended the sessions. "We were unfortunate in not being able to have President Joseph W. McMurrin in atten- dance, but we feel that the principles of the gospel were treated very satis- factorily. There was a marked increase in missionary activities reported since the organization of the new conference. Greater results, more efficiency, and a noticeable stimulation of missionary work were reported. The new chapel, just completed, is a remarkable achievement, considering the diffi- culties under which this task was begun. There are only 250 Saints in this branch, and of this number, 47 are men and boys. All the labor was donated by the Saints, much of the work being done at night. A chapel here, however, has been one of our greatest needs and it will help greatly in fulfilling the work of the Lord in this section of California. The general authorities of the Church have been liberal in their assistance in helping us to build the chapel. The Thirteenth Article of Faith was unanimously accepted as the slogan for this conference."

MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 181 Zulu War Dance for the Prince of Wales The visit of the Prince of Wales to Natal, not only brought joy and happiness and enthusiasm to the white inhabitants of this vast dark terri- tory; but to the natives as well. At Eshowe, a beautiful little town one hundred miles up the east coast of Africa from Durban and headquarters of the Great Zulu Nation, there was gathered together forty thousand natives picked from all the Zulu tribes, to pay a tribute to their future king, in the form of a demonstration war dance. This was the greatest war dance ever staged within the borders of Africa and it was a great opportunity, if not privilege, for the elders laboring in Natal to witness this savage event. President Leon S. Saunders and Elder Kenneth C. Woodruff were fortunate in securing tickets on the special trains from Durban to Eshowe. These trains were equip- ped to provide accommodations for a limited number and we were among the lucky ones. At Eshowe we made our way to the scene of the War Dance, only to be amazed at the marvelous sight of multitudes of natives gathered together representing a huge horse shoe facing the canopy from which the Prince gave his commending speech to the Zulus. As the Prince came into view riding in his special motor car followed by his escort, the natives welcomed him with the impressive cry of "Bayette," meaning great king. The weird way in which they drawled the word out sounded as if the Prince of demons and all his force of imps had let out a cry of distress. After the king of the Zulus, "King Solomon," had given his welcoming speech on behalf of the Zulu Nation he presented the Prince with a pair of magnificent ele- phant tusks mounted on a hard-wood base with a gold shield with the inscription engraved upon it "To H. R. H. the Prince of Wales on behalf of the Zulu Nation." In return for this beautiful gift the Prince presented each tribal chief with a silver studded cane. At dinner time the different cliques gathered for their usual meal of Kaffer beer and meat, which was heartily partaken of in preparation for the big event to follow. . After dinner the war dance started, and it was surely a sight that shall never depart from our memories. There was about one thousand specially picked up to take leading parts in the dance. Each tribe had its representa- tive group form in long line and advance toward the Prince. The advance was slow and full of all kinds of maneuvers with an unceasing cry of weird shrieks and yells. At the rear of each group of warriors were the women and girls who spurred the men on to battle by singing and chanting to them. Occasionally a number would step out in front of the advancing line and go through all sorts of funny motions. So even and uniform was the stamp- ing of feet in the dance that it made the ground almost tremble. Near the finish of the advancing a sham charge was effected, with assagias raised and shields in front of them as if to slaughter the whole crowd. Although it was a sham, it gave some of the onlookers a fright that could not have been worse had the warriors carried out their threats. After the dance this vast horde dispersed to their several Kraals so that President Leon S. Saunders and Elder Kenneth C. Woodruff

182 IMPROVEMENT ERA ZULU WARRIORS HEADGEAR WORN BY INDUNAS OR SUB-CHIEFS within an hour scarcely a native could be seen. It was a wonder to all where they so quickly and suddenly disappeared to. The thing that was most noticeable to us was that out of that multitudi- nous gathering of Zulus we were unable to see one deformity, their bodies were perfect. — Elder Kenneth C. Woodruff, Conference Clerk, Box 2189 Durban Natal, South Africa. New Zealanders off for Hawaii Elder Hardy sends the Era the following information: On March 17, 1925, there sailed from Aukland, New Zealand, a third company of Saints to leave New Zealand for the same purpose; viz; the accomplishment of work in the temple at Hawaii for their dead ancestors The departure of this group of Maori Saints, one European brother, President of the Aukland branch of the Church in New Zealand, and two returning elders, certainly is a fulfilment of the words of Malachi: "Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in; behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts." "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord;" "And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, Test I come and smite the earth with a curse." With this company appeared Angus T. Wright, President of the New Zealand mission and his wife, who was president of the Relief Societies there. They were gathered at the mission home where they received their final instructions, before departure, from their beloved father and mother of that mission. Some of the most stalwart Saints in the mission are taking this journey, and among those of the younger ages are graduates of the Maori Agricultural Callege, owned and operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; probably farther south of the equator than any other similar institution in the world. Surely, in the latter days the Lord is per- forming a marvelous work and a wonder; preparing mankind for his second coming and fulfiling, at the same time, the prophecies of his holy servants of old and the traditions of this choice race of people, upon whose heads so many promising blessings have been pronounced. President Angus T. Wright was honorably released, and Bishop Howard

MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 183 Jenkins, of Ogden, sailed from Vancouver, July 29, with his wife and four children to succeed him as president. The names of these in the group are: (Sitting on ground, Elders returning home), Herman W. Walz, Franklin H. Harris; (Sitting on chairs all left to right), Wilson Paefai, Ratima Hakopa, Sister Hakopa, Charles Spencer, Henri Whautere, Sister Whautere; (Standing), Sister Wilson Paewai, Sister Paea, Sister Wright, President Wright, Sister Te Iti Kamau, Hamiora Kamau, Sister Apikara Paewai, Wiki Paewai. Explained the Gospel to Many Samuel L. Gellette of Tooele, and Grande Rasmussen of Vernal, Utah, have labored for some months in Little Rock, Arkansas. They write: "One of the most prominent men in Little Rock told us a few days ago that he would take his hat off to Joseph Smith as a very intelligent man for giving the Word of Wisdom to his followers, so long before it was known to the rest of the world. A retired doctor also told us that 'Mormonism' was the only religion in the world that could control its youth and did control them. "On the 24th of July we had people come from miles around to enjoy the spirit of the Pioneers in a celebration which we held. We were privileged to explain the gospel to many during the day and at the program. It was the first time that Pioneer day had been celebrated at Barney branch, which is about thirty miles from the railway." The Temple Block Mission a Great Aid Elder Sterling W. Sill of the Alabama conference, Southern States mis sion, reports that much prejudice is being removed in that district. The elders meet daily with people who have visited Utah and have become enthusiastic over the kindness with which they are received by the people there. They are especially impressed with the instructions received on the Temple block, which are a great aid to the missionaries in the field. The people of Alabama are readers and believers and lovers of the Bible, and when they hear the beauty of the restored gospel it becomes to them a Pearl of Great Price indeed, for which they are willing to sacrifice much. President C. A. Callis met the

184 IMPROVEMENT ERA elders on Friday, May 8, at a Priesthood meeting at Birmingham and gave them an inspirational talk. President Ralph A. Richards and Charles F. Church, faithful laborers here for twenty-five months, were released to come home. They have many friends in the south. We all join in wishing them a hearty Godspeed. Baptisms Photographed and Reproduced in Papers Elder Kenneth A. Brady, conference president of Hull, England, reports a district conference held at Grimsby on the 29th of March. President and Sister James E. Talmage of the European mission were present on the preced- ing Saturday and the following Monday. The meetings showed an increase in attendance. The Sunday School showed an increase of 38% over the corresponding session last fall. "We have lately been denied the public baths for our baptisms on the ground that the 'Mormon' Church is unpopular, but being denied the baths, we went to the sea; and on Sunday, March 29, a party of members and friends met the tide as it rolled in upon the sands of Clee- thorpes, and at 7 o'clock in the morning, four applicants were baptized in the waters of the North Sea. A representative of the Daily Mail, Hull, was present and photographed the scene, though this was not done at our instance, nor according to our wishes. The following day the pictures occupied promi- nent place in the paper with an unbiased comment of the photographer. Since that time photographs have appeared in two of the most widely circulated papers in England, the Sunday Illustrated Herald and the News of the World, both printed in London. Considerable comment, favorable and otherwise, has resulted, and this has given opportunity to explain baptism and other points of doctrine. Thirty copies of the Book of Mormon were sold in the Hull conference in April, twenty-one being sold by resident members and friends."

FLOATS AND PARADE IN PROVO, UTAH Scenes at the celebration of the semi-centennial of the founding of the Brigham Young University, October 15-17, 1925.