Messages from the Missions

MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS It has been ordered by the First Presidency that divisions of missions heretofore called conferences, shall hereafter be known as districts; and that the word conference shall apply to the general meetings or gatherings of the people in the districts or missions. — Editors. "Behold, I send you out to prove the world, and the laborer is worthy of his hire. And any man that shall go and preach this gospel of the Kingdom, and fail not to continue faithful in all things, shall not be weary in mind, neither darkened, neither in body, limb, nor joint; and a hair of his head shall not fall to the ground unnoticed. And they shall not go hungry, neither athirst." — D. and C. 84:79, 80. Progress in the United States People Active in East Texas: Missionaries are accomplishing much in East Texas. We have three Mutual Improvement Associations, and the young people are responding more and more to proper teaching and are taking active part in educational and recreational programs. Missionaries find prejudice disappearing in sections, and public places, such as Y. M. C. A. buildings, are opened to them that they may deliver the message of the restored gospel. — Elder Caspec W. Merrill. r^ ,* w* ir t ^ i w %* a .. i" i \ T 6 ? ▼ \ * ► gt %$ % • MISSIONARIES LABORING IN EAST TEXAS DISTRICT Front row, left to right: B. W. Cardon, Sister Charlotte T. Bennion, president mission Relief Societies; Samuel O. Bennion, mission president: Casper W. Merrill district president; L. J. Moosman. Standing: Eliza Stark, Wilford Wrigley R. H. Moon, A. C. Vail, T. E. Wilcock, J. H. Heaton, Ethel Smith. East Texas missionaries teaching school in Kelsey and Enoch, are: Carrie Toland, Emma Noble, Anna Boss, Louise Shoell, Nell Huff.

726 IMPROVEMENT ERA Manitoba Missionaries Making Friends: According to President John G. Allred of the Northcentral States mission, the missionaries of the Manitoba district are enjoying unprecedented success in their labors. In the course of their work__new friends are found daily, and it is their hope and expectation that the near future, through the medium of street meetings, will see a great many more raised up with whom they might labor in the great gospel cause. MISSIONARIES OF THE MANITOBA DISTRICT Top row, left to right: Boyd Squires, G. Gordon Whyte (visitor from Regina, Sask.), Samuel J. Walburger, Ira LeRoy Jackson. Middle row: June Davis, Wilma Ricks, Hannah Whiting. Front row: E. Albert Rosenvall, Manitoba district president; George F. Richards, of the Council of the Twelve; John G. Allred, president of the Northcentral States mission; Harold O. Merkley, outgoing district president. Chapel Dedicated in Bakecsfield: The Latter-day Saint chapel in Bakersfield, California, which was recently purchased and remodeled, was dedicated on March 6, 1927, to the delight and satisfaction of all the members in that district. In the opinion of Branch President John S. Benting, the secret of their success is unity, cooperation, everyone doing his best. Besides the chapel, the Saints there have also built a modern bungalow as a home for their missionaries. In the erection of this house, which has an estimate value of $2,500, only $7.50 was paid out for labor. — Elder V. Linfotd.

MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 727 BAKERSFIELD WARD CHAPEL. CALIFORNIA MISSION Left from Mission President Joseph W. McMurrin is John S. Benting. president of the Bakersfield branch; J. E. Smith, first counselor; Norville Slaughter, second counselor. Work Progressing in Western Pennsylvania: The West Pensylvania district of the Eastern States mission held an inspiring conference in the city of Pittsburg on March 27, 1927. About four hundred Saints and in- vestigators were in attendance. , Mission President B. H. Roberts, with a few of the missionaries, delivered some encouraging and inspirational sermons. In the afternoon an impressive baptismal service was held. After conference the missionaries were assigned to their various fields of labor. The mis- sionaries in this district find comfort and encouragement in every number of the Improvement Era. — Elias A. Dawson, president of the West Pensylvania district. Maryland Conference: The semi-annual conference of the Maryland dis- trict, including the states of Deleware and Maryland and two counties in Southern Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia, held February 26-27, in Baltimore and in Washington, D. C. President B. H. Roberts of the Eastern States mission attended and gave judicious instructions to the missionaries at a Priesthood meeting in Baltimore. President Roberts and President Golden K. Driggs, of the Maryland district, went to Washington in the evening, where a unique Priesthood meeting wa§ J^eld. There are about three hundred members of the Church, and forty responded to the hurry-up call for a special Priest- hood meeting. , Every person who attended held the Melchizedck Priesthood. President Roberts asked the members assembled to remember what it is to be a servant of God. One purpose of the meeting was to choose a branch president to succeed Brother L. E. McArthur, who was recently released. Elder Hugh W. Colton was chosen president of the branch. Two excellent meetings were held in Washington on Sunday. On Sunday evening the con- ference was concluded with a large meeting in the Baltimore chapel, at which

728 IMPROVEMENT ERA service President Roberts spoke on Book of Mormon prophecy and 'its ful- filment.— Golden K. Driggs, president Maryland district. MISSIONARIES OF MARYLAND DISTRICT Front row, left to right: Mamie E. Morgan, local; Golden K. Driggs, president Maryland district; B. H. Roberts, mission president; Phyllis Palmer; Hazel Nelson. Second row: Clarence J. Stoker, Anthony J. D. Schetselaar, Wells G. Monk, Stanley R. Gunn, Clyde Barker. Third row: Franklyn R. Law, Thomas C. Hunt, J. Alex Bevan (short-term, released), William T. Shaw (released). Annual Conference Held at Honolulu The Annual .conference of the Hawaiian mission was held April 8-10, in the Kalihi chapel, at Honolulu, and proved to be one of the most success- ful ever conducted at the Pacific Crossroads. More than two thousand Saints from all parts of the Islands were in, attendance. During the three days, the following meetings were held: General services, General Priesthood convention, Relief Society convention, Auxiliary Officers and Teachers convention, Sunday School convention, Primary pageant, and the Annual M. I. A. Island contest. Just prior to the conference, the missionaries laboring in this land journeyed to Laie for a three-days' visit, at which time a temple session, missionary testimonial meetings, and business meetings were held, and releases and appointments- made. — W. M. Waddoups, President. A beautiful photograph in group containing 76 missionaries of the Hawaiian mission accompanied this information. Thanks. Many Nations Hear the Gospel : The West Maui district has had a very successful year in missionary work. The conference was divided the forepart of the year 1926, but, notwithstanding, there was no decrease in baptisms and other lines of missionary endeavor over the year previous. We have a new chapel erected in Wailuku, the largest town on this island. Many investigators come regularly to the meetings. The chapel is most beautiful in design and built somewhat like the Hawaiian temple. It has a large seating capacity and

MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 729 the acoustic qualities are very good. Several hundred people were present at the dedication. Two choirs, one from Honolulu and one from Molokai, furnished special music, and the dedicatory prayer was offered by Prest. Wm. M. Wad- doups. All of our meetings are attended by people of widely varied races and nations, and as many as twelve different nations have been represented. In some instances they all hear the gospel expounded in their native tongue. At one meeting last year there were four different languages presented from the pulpit; namely, Hawaiian, Samoan, Japanese and English. — R. F. Taylor, district president. MISSIONARIES WEST MAUI DISTRICT Top row, left to right: R. F. Taylor, district president. Salt Lake City; Harold Allred, former district president, now transferred to Honolulu district Gannett, Idaho; W. E. Gronlund, Salt Lake City; Mary E. Rhees. president mission Primaries, North Ogden; Mission President Wm. M. Waddoups; Mrs. Wm. M. Waddoups. president mission Relief Societies; Ina E. Fechser, Moroni. Utah; George R. Hammond, president East Maui district, Mancos. Colorado; L. W. Goates, Lehi, Utah; George K. Moa. local missionary; LaVon M. Priest, president Molokai district, Brigham City; Reed G. Duke, Salt Lake City.

730 IMPROVEMENT ERA Conferences in England The Birmingham district held its spring conference in the Handsworth chapel, Birmingham, England, on April 3, 1927. ."Salvation for the Dead" was the topic for the_conference, which was ably rendered by the Sunday school members, in song, prose and poetry. President James E. Talmage and Sister May Booth Talmage were visitors. In this district we find the spirit of progress, harmony and cooperation present. The slogan, "Better the Best," serves as a stimulus for greater activity. We have had an increase of 36.6% in the payment of tithes, and 12.25% in that of fast offerings. . During the past six months, the traveling missionaries have distributed 48,55 7 tracts, 3,75 9 pamphlets, 87 copies of the Book of Mormon, and 129 other books, and have spent 3,178 hours tracting, and we have baptized eighteen candidates. No small factor in the progression which has been made in this district has been the aid and assistance received by each elder and local member from the Improvement Era. , It is indeed an organ of assistance to each person who has the opportunity of reading it. We take great pleasure in expressing our appreciation for it. — J. Forest Wood, district president. ELDERS OF BIRMINGHAM DISTRICT, ENGLAND Standing, left to right: Harry I. Willmore, Logan, Utah; William G. Bennett, Cardston, Alberta Canada (visiting) ; John H. Parker, Lanark, Idaho; James B. Collyer, Salt Lake City; Alva L. Ritchie, Ogden, Utah; Merrill Landberg, St. George, Utah; Bulon F. Thompson, Richmond, Utah; Owen J. Carlisle, Salt Lak* City; Harold E. Brown, Rigby, Idaho. Sitting: May Booth Talmage, president of mission Relief Societies and M. I. A. organizations; J. Forest Wood, Cardston, Alberta, Canada, outgoing district president; President James E. Talmage of the European missions; Heber J. Matkin, Cardston, Alberta, Canada, incoming district president; Lawrence Peterson, Provo, Utah, district clerk. David M. Kennedy, president of the Blackburn district, reports the spring conference held in Blackburn, Lancashire, England, on the 27th of February, attended by a large number of investigators and friends. The district president's report showed that practically every phase of the Church

MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 731 work was carried on in the eight branches with great interest. Cottage meetings have been held in various parts and have proved to be very successful, homes being opened for these meetings, in which much good has been ac- complished. Country tracting is to be resumed shortly, and also street meet- ings. There is a bright outlook for a banner year. Eight persons were baptized since January I. The Relief Society and Mutual Improvement meet- ings were held between conference meetings. "Efficient Service — Liverpool" was selected and adopted as a 1927 slogan for the district. A favorable account of the conference meetings appeared in the Northern Daily Telegraph and the Blackburn Times. President and Sister Talmage gave splendid in- structions in all the organization meetings, as well as in the regular meetings of the conference. The semi-annual conference of the Norwich district, of the British mission, held on March 27, 1927, with President and Sister James E. Talmage of the European mission in attendance. Three meetings during the day were held for general invitation to the public, and many strangers were present. The theme of the morning meeting was the establishing and functioning of the auxiliary organizations in which members of the Church take active Ipart. "Religion Must Count," brought out in the discourse of President James E. Talmage, was the theme throughout the day. Strong testi- monies were borne by the elders of the conference. Many investigators were present and were favorably impressed with the message. Four baptisms have been performed already this year, as compared with nine for the year 1926. Many other activities of the Church have increased during the past three months. The newspapers have almost abstained from publishing irritable falsehoods about the "Mormons." This comes about through the excellent supervision of President James E. Talmage. We are gaining much headway in the British Isles. — Clemuel J. Neville, president Norwich district. Australian Mission Begins its Conferences President Chas. H. Hyde held the first conference on Sunday, January 30, in Enmorc, New South Wales. Our prayers were answered in regard to the attendance. We had the largest attendance we have ever had, there being a total of 335 people present. President Hyde admonished the people to greater diligence and bore a strong testimony to the divinity of the Latter-day Work. A genuine spiritual feast was enjoyed throughout the day. The Australian mission slogan is, "One thousand Book of Mormon sales for 1927," which is nearly double the sales of last year, our banner year. With the help of our heavenly Father, we will attain the goal. The Improvement Era is the means of much missionary work in the homes where our tracts are not at first wanted. It comes to us as a great letter from our firesides, we being so far from the headquarters of the Church. — Wendell L. Cottrell, mission secretary. The elders of Adelaide were recently privileged to make a motor trip of one hundred twenty-two miles to deliver tracts in some of the country districts. We desire to thank Brother Ernest F. Slade, and do thank him, for furnishing the means of transportation and acting as chauffeur. Brother Slade. Elders Calvin R. Woolley and Heber Ross Garner, are now making another trip of five hundred miles, in order that the people of Port Augusta may have the opportunity of hearing the gospel message that we have to bear. We find the Era a wonderful publication for accomplish- ing successful missionary work. — J. Roscoe Creer. district president. Adelaide, South Australia. The Queensland district of the Australian mission held their annual

732 IMPROVEMENT ERA conference meetings at Brisbane, on March 13, at which many Saints and friends were in attendance. Mission President and Sister Charles H. Hyde gave valuable instructions to both elders and Saints. A majority of the Saints who have emigrated from Australia to Zion in the years 'past have gone from the- Queensland district, and we feel sure they will be pleased to know the work is progressing here. We appreciate the value of the Improvement Era, and we are now conducting a campaign in an endeavor to get it into the homes of all the Saints. — Lewis D. Robbins, president Queensland district, Australian mission. ELDERS OF THE QUEENSLAND DISTRICT, AUSTRALIA Sitting, left to right: Edward T. Hall, Salt Lake City; Chas. H. Hyde, Salt Lake City, president Australian mission; Caroline S. Hyde, president mission Relief Societies; Lewis D. Robbins, 'Moreland, Idaho, president Queensland district. Standing: Clarence L. Palmer, West Jordan, Utah; Leo A. Searle, American Fork, Utah; Earl Schwendiman, Newdale, Idaho. New Cities in Swiss-German Mission Hear Gospel During the last year in the Munich district of the Swiss-German mission, the gospel has been preached in three new cities, Augsburg, Regensburg and Bayreuth. The opposition encountered at first has gradually given away to interest, and the work in now advancing steadily. A special meeting was held in Augsburg, on March 10, at which President Hugh J. Cannon was the principal speaker; and on March 11, a baptismal service was held in

MESSAGES FROM THE, MISSIONS 733 that city. A very inspiring conference was held in Munich on March 13, which was well attended by both members and friends. — M. E. Anderson, president Munich district. ELDERS OF MUNICH DISTRICT Front row, left to right: Roland G. Warr, Salt Lake City: Hamlet C. Pulley, Logan, president Hamburg district: Melvin E. Anderson, Logan, president Munich district; Hugh J. Cannon, mission president; George H. Mortimer. Prove president Stuttgart district; Hyrum Reichmann, Salt Lake City; Stuart A. Gallacher. Salt Lake City. Second row: Leo. D. Bills. Riverton, Utah; Horst Scharffs, Altona. Germany; Reed G. Probst. Midway; LcRoy Nichols, Mesa. Arizona; Clarence A. Gowefs, Nephi; Win. James Jordan, San Francisco. Third row: Walter Wiers- bolowsky, Hannover, Germany; Ervine F. Smith, Pleasant Grove; Leonard Chatwin. Santaquin; David C. Spencer, Salt Lake City; Joseph B. Binggelf. Weston, Idaho. In the German-Austrian Mission New District in Saxony — Zwickau: As a result of the rapid growth of ;the Church in Saxony, and particularly in the Chemnitz district, a new district was established in the German-Austrian mission at the beginning of this year. This comprises four branches. Zwickau. Plauen, Werdau and Planitz, taken from the Chemnitz district, and will be known as the Zwickau district. Aside from the organized branches, missionaries were stationed in Rcichenbach in Vogtland, and in Gniz in Vogtland, to open new fields and start new branches. In both of these town our meetings are attended by forty to fifty friends. The first general conference of the new district was held on March 1 ^ and 20. The principal meeting was held in Swans Castle, with an attendance of 450 Saints and friends. President

734 IMPROVEMENT ERA Valentine and the missionaries delivered forceful discourses. The united choirs of Plauen and Zwickau furnished the singing, besides which several special musical number were rendered — solos, trios, violin, cello and piano. The conference was enjoyed by 1,464 visiting Saints and friends. We take pleasure in using the Eja, as an organ of the Church, to convey information, encouragement and joy to all who are interested in this work; and we experience great satisfaction in reading the reports from other missions. — Rud. F. Etickson, president Zwickau district, German-Austrian mission. Leipzig district: A very successful conference was held by the German- Austrian mission, under the supervision of President Hyrum W. Valentine,' in Leipzig, Saxony, on February 26 and 27. Inspiring testimonies of the missionaries, and two pageants, "The Four Books" and "The Power of Prayer," presented by the Leipzig branch choir, were features of the con- ference. The total attendance at the three meetings was 13 23. A missionary meeting was held Monday morning, in which President Valentine gave valuable instructions. President Valentine and company then held a series of evening meetings throughout the district, as follows: Gera Reuss, Mon- day, membership 102, attendance 160; Weimer, Tuesday, membership 26, attendance 83; Erfurt, Wednesday; Dessau in Anhalt, Thursday, member- ship 15, attendance 48. Friday they met Sister Valentine in Magdeburg, where four missionaries are meeting with remarkable success in opening a new branch. In this branch of only five members, they have a regular attendance of from 130 to 160. At the meeting that evening, at which President and Sister Valentine delivered impressive discourses, 166 were present. It was a satisfactory close to a wonderful week. The missionaries of the Leipzig district are happy to be regular recipients of the Improvement Era, a Church publication which really stands for and helps in the improve- ment of mankind. — Boyd S. Parrish. president Leipzig district. Bceslau District Forging Ahead : A very successful conference was held in the Breslau district, German-Austrian mission, on March 12 and 13, 1927, which was attended by President and Sister Hyrum W. Valentine, and Elder Elmer Christensen, superintendent of mission Mutuals and Sunday schools. The meetings were held in the Breslauer Concert House. The program consisted of a four-act play, "The Word of Wisdom," selections by a professional orchestra, violin selections by Frau Matska Schroter, and the spirited singing of the Breslauer choir, of eighty-five voices. At least five hundred investigators were present at the meetings, the total attendance reaching 2,400. A feature of the conference was the introduction of the first Bee-Hive Girls in Europe to have completed the requirements of Bee- Hive work. A group of twenty were presented with pins by President and Sister Valentine. We also have an enrollment of 395 Mutual members in this district, with all the regular departments of work represented in our associations. A few months ago, our Recreation Committees presented the play, "Der Glocken Guss zu Breslau," which was attended by more than 750 persons, and which received favorable comment in the local press. A great change has taken place in the attitude of the people toward us in the last few years; we find many friends who are hungry for the truth, and who are ready to support and help us in our efforts. Some of our cottage meetings are attended by as many as seventy persons. We enjoy and appreciate the Improvement Era, and wish to congratulate the editors upon this splendid publication.- — W. B. Christensen, district president. Spring conference was held in Dresden, Germany, headquarters of the German- Austrian mission, on Sunday, February 13, with an attendance of more than 1.200. An interesting pageant, entitled "The Temple of Love," was presented in the Sunday school meeting. Many friends and investigators were present at the afternoon and evening meetings. President Valentine gave an effective discourse on faith and bore a convincing testimony

MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 735 of the divinity of Jesus Christ. The Dresden district is one of the most fruitful fields in the mission at the present time. During the year 1926, the elders performed 114 baptisms, making an average of eight per man; and forty of the converts were found while trading. Almost every elder working in this conference had the privilege either of baptizing someone to whom he brought the first news of the gospel, or of seeing that person baptized. The suggestions of President Talmage have been carried out; country work is one of the features here. There are six organized branches in the conference, and we plan to open up ten more this Summer; regular meetings are now held in nineteen cities and towns each week. Many of our friends and some of our members belong to the "Royal" class. President Talmage has predicted that 1927 will be one on the most fruitful years of the mission. — S. C. Campbell, president Dresden district, German-Austrian mission. MISSIONARIES OF THE DRESDEN DISTRICT, GERMANY Bottom row, left to right: Boyd S. Parrish, president Leipzig district; Basil Valentine, D. J. Valentine, daughter and son of President and Sister Valentine; Wilmer C. Porter, (president Stettin district; Edw. W. Jenkins, president Berlin district. Sitting: W. E. Stosich, released president Konigsberg district; M. Elmer Christenson, general superintendent mission Mutuals and Sunday Schools; Rose E. B. Valentine, president mission Relief Societies; Hyrum W. Valentine, president German- Austrian mission; M. Douglas Wood, secretary German- Austrian mission; M. E. Radichel, mission treasurer and bookkeeper; Stewart C. Campbell, president Dresden district; Clyde Bramwell, president Chemnitz district. Third row: Leslie H. Ludwig. Cottbus; Wm. Erekson. Gorlitz; Phillip Tadje, Berlin district; M. Blaine Peterson, Freiberg; Julian Cannon, presiden Freiberg branch; Reed Galli, Dresden; Smith Pon, Meissen; Kurt Stoll, Bautzen; Ralph Engel, Dresden: Stanley Irvine, Stettin district. Last row: Louis M. Ballard president Cottbus branch; Russell Cranney, president Meissen branch; D. Wm. Cook, president Bautzen branch; John F. Whitemore. Dresden: Maurice Nuttall, Zwickau district; Wm. Koller, president Gorlitz branch; Dean B. Hillam. Dresden; Merlin G. Watts. Dresden: Milton Walker, president Dresden branch; Glen I. Crandall, district secretary.