--- 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: 29 number: 10 published: 1926-08 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* 29, no. 10 (August 1926): 972–977." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera29010unse 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: improvementera29010unse start_page: 972 end_page: 977 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1926-08) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera29010unse publication_year: 1926 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 1926, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Messages from the Missions MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS Indifference and Prejudice Breaking W. Raymond Nielsen, president of the Queensland conference, Bris- bane, Australia, reports a yearly conference held at Brisbane. Mission President and Sister Charles H. Hyde were present. Three sessions were held, in which interesting and faith-promoting speeches were given by President and Sister Hyde and the elders of the Queensland conference. President Hyde emphasized the. value and necessity of faith in the Bible during this age of skepticism and doubt. "The missionaries here are doing their best to preach the gospel, but their work is bearing very little fruit, owing to the prejudice and indifference of the people. Nothwith- standing, prejudice is being broken down and new friends are found every month, some of them being men of education and prominence. We receive much benefit and enjoyment from the Improvement Era, and send greetings to its readers in Zion and in the various missions." The missionaries of Queensland conference, Australia, are: W. Raymond Nielsen, conference president, Idaho Falls, Idaho; Wendell L. Cottrell, Salt Lake City: Lester L. Young, Ogden, Utah; Alvin C. Pace, Hoytsville, Utah; Russell A. Christensen, Driggs, Idaho. — W. Raymond Nielsen, president. Modern Means of Preaching The Gospel The elders of the San Luis conference, of Western States mission, send greetings to the Era and our co-laborers in Zion. We look forward each month to receiving the Ere. for it is a great help and inspiration to us in spreading the gospel. Wq are happy to report the success attend- ing our labors in the rural districts ol :he San Luis Valley, since our assign- [~ ^ 4 V' j §9 . ' '"JJ"-""BI UHU & " ^£"JI K m Elders left to right: Ellis Shaffer, E. Clyde Sabin, R. Elgin Gardner, Donald M. Peck. (Car owner.) ments at conference in April. Because of the extensive territory and the extremely scattered population of our conference, the authorities have sanc- tioned the purchase of an automobile which has greatly increased the efficiency of the efforts put forth by the missionaries. While traveling the distance of 1,000 miles, tracting the cattle ranches in the north eastern MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 973 part of the valley we were surprised to find that many people had never been visited by a "Mormon" missionary before, and many of them were interested in our message. We were fortunate in placing in the homes, after interesting conversations, fifteen Books of Mormon, a number of small books, and numerous tracts and pamphlets. We hope the seeds sown will take root in fertile soil. — R. Elgin Gardner. A Fast to Dispel Darkness From Adelaide, South Australia, we learn that a conference was held April 10, 1926. "A special fast was held to dispel the dark cloud of indolence hovering over this part of God's vineyard. We are happy to report that the cold indifference of the people is somewhat changed as a result, and the elders are being received with kindness; more literature is being distributed, more Books of Mormon sold during the past two months than during the previous year. Three baptisms will take place June 5 ; three young men will be ordained to the Priesthood. The elders are energetic and working diligently to prune the vines in their care." — Richard R. Francis, conference president. MISSIONARIES IN ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA Back row, left to right: Calvin R. Woolley, Centerville; Sherman P. By bee, Roy; Zelph Y. Erekson, Murray, Utah; Edwin E. James, Rock Springs, Wyoming. Sitting: Richard R. Francis, Morgan, Utah, conference president; Caroline S. Hyde, president mission Relief Societies; Charles H. Hyde, mission president, Salt Lake City; Doris Woodford, visiting sister from Sydney, Australia. Five Baptized In Bakersfield, California, through the united effort of the missionaries and Saints and the help of the Lord, a good work is being accomplished. Five people were admitted to the fold of Christ March 28 through baptism. Impressive baptismal services were held at the home of President John Bunting, Bakersfield, after which the baptisms were perfomed in the canal by Elder George S. Bunker of Vineyard, Utah — Zina E. Clayson. Twelve Baptized in April and May The Connecticut conference of the Eastern States mission held their semi-annual conference at Hartford, Connecticut, on Saturday and Sunday, May 15 and 16, with good attendance throughout. President B. H. Roberts 974 IMPROVEMENT ERA gave timely admonition and instruction at the various sessions. A report of the work during the previous six months showed a great increase over the same period last year, the distribution of literature being three times as great. More Books of Mormon were sold during the month of April than in any other previous month since October, 1917. Twelve baptisms were performed in April and May, and several other applications were re- ceived. We surely enjoy the Era; it has proved itself to be an asset in spreading the gospel message. The Saints and missionaries look forward with great anticipation to receiving it each month — Henry D. Taylor, president. MISSIONARIES OF CONNECTICUT CONFERENCE Front row, left to right: Ethel Lenzi, La Vera Christensen, Tremonton, Utah. Middle row: Earl M. Phillips, Oakland, California; Henry D. Taylor, conference president, Provo Utah; B. H. Roberts, mission president; Glen W. Watkins, Salt Lake City; Perry B. Fuller, Silver City. Back row: Quayle Dixon, Payson, Utah; Edward E. Green, Clyde W. Jackson, Ogden, Utah; Harold W. Glade, Mink Creek, Idaho; Richard G. Welch, Ocean Park, California. A Spiritual Feast in East Prussia Elder Joseph F. Cowley, conference president of Konigsberg, Prussia, reports: "The Spring conference was held April 24-26. President Fred Tadje and the elders were present. An average of five hundred members and friends filled the auditorium of the Hindenburg Real School at each session. A greater spiritual feast had not been held in East Prussia for years. Sixteen elders who are laboring in the eight branches of this conference were successful in distributing thirty-three Books of Mormon during the month of April. Forty-four cottage meetings were held, and] 7,777 tracts were distributed during the same month. Nineteen baptisms have been per- formed since the 1st of January. 'Work, hard study continuously, and prayer without ceasing,' is the motto which the elders of the German- Austrian MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 975 mission are trying to practice. We are thankful for the privilege of preaching the gospel among such a wonderful people as these Germans are. They are very hospitable and kind-hearted, and we love to work with them." Elders laboring in Konigsberg conference, German- Austrian mission are: Eliot Heninger, Ogden; Joseph F. Cowley, conference president, Logan; Herman Babbel, Salt Lake City; Morris Butterfield, Salt Lake City; Wesley Andersen, Brigham; Leland Rowsell, Murray; Earl Jorgensen, Logan; Wayne P. Smith, Lehi, Utah; Frank Miskin, Idaho Falls, Idaho; Wilmer Porter, Worland, Wyoming; James Quayle, Logan. Darrell Crockett, conference secretary, Logan; Edward Croft, Southern Utah; Frank Behring, Salt Lake City; Reeves Baker, Boulder; Clarence Kirkham, Provo; Maurice Hart, Ogden. Eight Baptized in Birmingham Milton England, retiring conference president of the Birmingham conference, British mission, reports a conference held May 1 6 in the Hands- worth, Birmingham, chapel, one of the three beautiful chapels owned by the Church in that conference. The Sunday school session treated the M. I. A. slogan for 1926: "We stand for an individual testimony of the divinity of Jesus Christ." The treatment by the members of the Sunday school brought forth many favorable comments. The afternoon and evening sessions were occupied by forceful discourses by the traveling elders and mission authorities. President James E. Talmage, of the European mission, spoke MISSIONARIES BIRMINGHAM CONFERENCE Front row, left to right: Cleston H. Rigby, conference clerk, Fairview; Peter J. Clark, former president of the Welsh conference, American Fork; Seth W. Pixton, mission secretary-treasurer; James E. Talmage, president of the European mission; May Booth Talmage, president of the European missions Relief Societies, Salt Lake City, Utah; Milton England, retiring conference president, Logan, Utah; J. Forest Wood, succeeding conference president, Cardston, Alberta, Canada.. Back row: Owen J. Carlisle, Salt Lake City; Rulon F. Thompson, Richmond; Robert M. Adams, Cedar City; Melvin W. Grant, American Fork; Boyd W. Madsen. Mt. Pleasant; Gordon Burt Affleck, Salt Lake City; Fred R. Flinders, Ogden; Lawrence Peterson, Provo, Utah; John H. Parker, Lanark. Idaho. 976 IMPROVEMENT ERA on the timeliness in which great men are brought forth by the Lord to control the* current conditions; also on the changing and sustaining of Church officers; further on the affirmation of Peter: "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God," and how this knowledge was revealed, namely, by our Father in heaven and that every person who receives such a testi- mony receives it from our Father in heaven. President Talmage declared he knows Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, as well as Peter knew. In a missionary meeting it was clearly indicated that the elders are leaving the "beaten paths," and as a result are having greater success in preaching the gospel. Eight candidates were baptized in March and confirmed members of the Church; and in fulfilment of the Lord's promise, the servants of the Lord have been voluntarily given food and money to help them in their efforts. "We enjoy reading the interesting and helpful contents of the Improvement Era." — Milton England, retiring conference president. Five Baptized in Belgium At a recent general conference held in Liege, Belgium, Mission President Ernest C. Rossiter and Sister Venus R. Rossiter were in attendance. Three hundred people were present at the evening session, many of whom were friends who had come for the first time. A baptismal service was held by the famous Meuse river, in which we initiated five candidates into the Sr -u r ""a \ - ELDERS OF BELGIAN CONFERENCE, FRENCH MISSION Front row, left to right: L. Grant Lof green, Ogden; Benjamin M. Bingham, Ogden; Leon L. Cowles, Salt Lake City; Sister Venus R. Rossiter, mission Relief Society president; Mission President Ernest C. Rossiter, Salt Lake City; C. Vernon Coggle, conference secretary. Salt Lake City. Second row: Thomas B. Cardon, Logan; S. Smith Stevens, Salt Lake City; S. Orson Rollins, Alberta, Canada; Verl E. Roberts, Rupert, Idaho: S. Call Nelson, Provo; Arthur L. Newman, Salt Lake City; Alon Fife, Logan; Alton Wangsgaard, Ogden. Third row: Albert E. Skidmore, Delta, Utah; Virgil E. Peterson, Huntsville, Utah; Alonzo P. Kesler, conference clerk. Salt Lake City; Joel H. Bowen Salt Lake City; Max L. Graham, Salt Lake City; Isadore Shoore, visiting friend from Salt Lake City. MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 977 Church. After the conference, the Seraing and Liege branches staged two one-act plays and held a large festival, entirely under the direction of local talent. The elders of the Belgian conference thank the Lord for the progress that is being made in presenting the gospel to this people and for the encouraging success attained. We enjoy the faith-promoting articles and news contained in the Era, and rejoice in the reports that are made by the various missions. We pray that the Lord will bless and prosper the efforts of his servants throughout the world. — C. Vernon Coggle, con- ference secretary, Belgian conference. Marked Success With the Book of Mormon The Nevada missionaries, laboring in Sparks, Nevada, held their semi-annual conference on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, May 28-30. An opening social was held in honor of the missionaries on Friday night, at which everybody had a good time. The general meetings were presided over by President Joseph W. McMurrin. The missionaries' experience during the previous six months, testimonies, excellent discourses on the prin- ciples of the gospel, characterized the proceedings. Five sessions were held. ELDERS OF THE NEVADA CONFERENCE Front row, left to right: Lewis H. Baker, Ocean Park, California; Joseph W. McMurrin, mission president; David H. Toyn, Grove Creek, Utah. Back row: Birch F. Bennion, Mt. Emmons, Utah; Tillman W. Turley, Woodruff, Arizona, incoming conference president; John H. Christensen, Monticello, Utah; George F. Christensen, Richfield, Utah; Earl Crowther, Prove Utah, outgoing conference president. Elder Baker has had marked success in Elko in the distribution of the Book of Mormon, and presented a plan whereby the Elders may win the efficiency pennant of the mission. The elders and missionaries were permitted to remain and work in Sparks and Reno until after the visit of President Lewis E. Rowe of the mission Sunday schools and Y. M. M. I. A. — Birch F. Bennion.