--- 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: 30 number: 12 published: 1927-10 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* 30, no. 12 (October 1927): 1123–1131." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera30012unse 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: improvementera30012unse start_page: 1123 end_page: 1131 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1927-10) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera30012unse publication_year: 1927 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 1927, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Messages from the Missions MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS The Gospel in Prussia A very successful conference was held in Konigsberg, Prussia, Germany, some time ago. The attendance Saturday night was 225 ; Sunday School, 336; afternoon session, 287; and in our Sunday night meeting, 407. The gospel message has reached many in the past months, and many have been baptized. We can truthfully quote the scriptural passage: "The field is white already to harvest, and to him that thrusteth in his sickle with all his might, the same layeth up in store that he perish not, but bringeth salvation to his soul." Success is partly due to the splendid support rendered by the Saints and missionaries. With the help of our heavenly Father, we will be able to do a great deal of good in the new year. We express our sincere appreciation for the Era; it is a great help to us in our work. — \V . E. Stasich, conference president. f r f t r f MP : "•* «ii§ ' « ELDERS OF KONIGSBERG CONFERENCE Front row, left to right: Eliot Heninger, Ogden; William Flamm, Rcxburg. Idaho: Sister Ella Valentine; Hyrum Valentine, mission president; W. E. Stasich, conference president, Idaho Falls, Idaho; Earl Jorgenson, Logan. Second row: Donald Jensen Richfield, Utah; Maurice Andersen, Springville; Orval Winkler, Ogden; Kenneth Rogerson, Salt Lake City; Percy Fetzer, Salt Lake City; Wesley Andersen, Brigham City; Kenneth Lindquist, Logan. Third row: Clair Mathis, Price: Morris Butter- field, Riverton; Frank Behring, Salt Lake City; Reeves Baker, Boulder; Alfred Folland, Provo; Edward Croft, Orderville; Morton Goodman. Mesa, Arizona. Baptisms in Oslo Borghild Nielsen, mission secretary, Oslo, Norway, writes: "We have in this mission twenty-two missionaries, of which four are local. Formerly about sixty missionaries were located here in this great field of 1124 IMPROVEMENT ERA labor. The missionaries are doing excellent work. We have baptized thirty-one this year and have good prospects for the future. Our meetings are well attended by strangers, who seem to be interested in the gospel message. The missionaries are very grateful to receive the Era every month." f Jfe. tM. | 1 m fc t j mmm 4 J i. - I r 1 "f . ' * . + n <«r\ j 1 1 ^ #► U*k & • . ""V • 1 1 J j MISSIONARIES OF OSLO DISTRICT. NORWEGIAN MISSION Back row, left to right: Hilmar P. Simonsen, Daniel Johnsen, Thomas O. Shortt. Howard J. Engh, Hyrum L. ;Jensen, Alonzo Andersen, John W. Olsen. Sitting: James Erickson, president Oslo branch; Borghild Nielsen, former mission secretary: Martin Christophersen. former mission president, recently deceased; George W Thulin, Marius A. J. Hall. Five Persons Apply for Baptism At the district conference of the North Carolina district, Southern States mission, held June 4 and 5, President Chas. A. Callis was the prin- cipal speaker. He gave some excellent discourses and all the elders of the district spoke exceptionally well on the principles of the gospel. Following the afternoon meeting on Sunday, there were five persons applied for baptism. A baptismal service was held within an hour. So far this year, our labors have been rewarded with forty-seven baptisms. The Improvement Era is a great help to us in our work. — Martell H. Fogg, president North Carolina district. Slanders Have Little Effect in Nottingham The ten traveling missionaries of the Nottingham district, British mission, report uninterrupted progress in their work, despite a recent news- paper attack on the Latter-day Saints at this place. On May 9, a Bee-hive organization was effected, the second of its kind in the district, the fifth in the mission. Though beginning with only eight charter members, this new "swarm" attracted the attention of newspapers throughout England, and many looked with suspicion on a "Mormon" association for young women. The attitude of the British press has so changed, however, in the past few years, that a slanderous assault makes little headway, only serving in the MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 1 125 end to incite discussions which throw light upon the truth concerning the Latter-day Saints. Parts of five counties come under the jurisdiction of the Nottingham district, which has a total Church membership exceeding five hundred. The district spring conference was held at Derby on May 8. The impressive and well attended meetings of that day indicated the progress we are making in Church activities in this section. — J. Wlliam Funk, district secretary. ? f » I It ss #* ^ % ELDERS OF THE NOTTINGHAM DISTRICT. ENGLAND Front row, left to right: V. L. Radmall, Pleasant Grove; J. William Funk, district secretary, Richmond; Marvin P. Thain, district president, Smithfield; James E. Talmage, mission president; May Booth Talmage, president European Relief Societies and Y. L. M- I. A. Associations; Waldo L. Osmond, associate editor Millennial Star, Provo; Fred R. Flinders, Ogden. Back row: Wallace D. Yardley. Beaver; Brandt D. Jorgensen, Salem; Dalton E. Spencer, Evanston, Wyoming; George S. Wright, Idaho Falls; Rulon W. Stevenson, Ogden; Lee W. Lund, Manti. The Work Steadily Growing in Bristol "Early in the year the slogan, "Bristol leads — Follow who can," was adopted by the missionaries of this district and in it we find an expression of the sincerity of purpose manifest by the brethren. At a late conference encouraging reports were given, showing that the work is steadily growing and that prejudice is gradually abating. The Improvement Era is a veritable source of truth and encouragement to the missionaries, and all express their deep appreciation of the same. — Cad E. Brown, president Bristol district, England. Many Baptisms in the Western States Mission Elder Stephen L. Richards of the Council of the Twelve and President John M. Knight have held several successful conferences throughout the West- ern States mission. Every district is progressing more rapidly than ever before. Already this year one hundred thirty-two baptisms have been performed, the majority being converts. Through the faithful efforts and sincerity of the 1126 IMPROVEMENT ERA missionaries, numerous friends and investigators have been found and many homes opened for cottage meetings. Recently street meetings have been a great factor in making new friends. — Everett Bennion, secretary Western States mission. This picture represents a worthy group of missionaries in the Denver and Pueblo Districts. They wish to send greetings to the world through the Improvement Era. Slesvig District of Danish Mission Reopened A cross-country trip of more than 200 kilometers (120 miles), from Southern Jydland to Aarhus, Denmark, was made on foot recently by Elders Hyrum Domgaard, Ashton C. Jensen, Richard T. Anderson and Soren W. Hansen, of the Danish mission. During the course of their journey, they traded, held street meetings, cottage meetings, etc., and report having had "the most wonderful experiences of their lives." The Slesvig district of that mission, which has been closed since 1864, was recently reopened. Thousands of people there had never seen a real "Mor- mon" from Utah before, and accepted the literature of the Church "with fear and trembling.'' In many places, however, the missionaries were re- ceived favorably, and two of them baptized three persons during the first six months of their labors in the new district. The Era is the most welcome visitor to the mission here. — Hyrum Domgaard. Nevada District Conference The missionaries laboring in the Nevada district gathered in Sparks foi their semi-annual conference on June 18 and 19. President Joseph W. McMurrin was in attendance and delivered some inspiring sermons, which helped to build up the faith of the Saints, who had come from near and far to attend the conference. Each of the elders reported his labors for the past six months. Nearly all the branch presidents in Nevada were present, and carried- the spirit of the meetings back to their branches. Strong testimonies were borne by the speakers in the various meetings. — Geo. F. Christensen, district president. MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 1127 Important Conference in West Virginia Elder Melvin J. Ballard, of the Council of the Twelve, and Pres- ident Henry H. Rolapp of the Eastern States mission, visited at the West Virginia Conference. The Saints are receptive to the spirit and influence which radiates from high officials of the Church. Huntington, West Virginia, is a natural center for the three large missions east of the Mississippi river. These three missions were represented by both Saints and missionaries. The congregation consisted of about three hundred souls. It was planned that on the 24th of July. President Henry H. Rolapp and Secretary Glen W. Watkins would officiate in the dedication of a new chapel recently completed at Verdunville. The chapel will greatly repay the extra work on the part of Saints and missionaries. During the last six months, there have been thirty baptisms in this district, which consists now of more than 1,300 Saints. We are very grateful for the assistance received through the Improvement Era. — D. V. Groberg. president West Virginia district. MISSIONARIES OF WEST VIRGINIA DISTRICT Front row, left to right: Arthur Palmer. Taylor, Arizona; Delbert V. Groberg. district president, Ogden. Utah; Melvin J. Ballard, of the Council of the Twelve; Henry H. Rolapp, president Eastern States mission; Clifford L. Madsen, mission field man. Charleston. Utah. Second row: R. E. Gardner, Afton, Wyoming; Bessie Smith. Logan, Utah; LaVon Amundsen. Salt Lake City, Utah; Ethel Lenzi. Park City. Utah; Mada Shelley. American Fork. Utah; Francis L. Shaffer, Preston, Idaho. Third row: H. O. Stiff, local branch president, Huntington, West Va. ; Adelbert E. Cluff. Huntington Park. California; Ernest A. Richards, Mesa. Arizona; Lawrence T. Dahl. West Jordan. Utah: R. H. Christiansen, Mayfield. Utah; O. N. Follett. Logan. Utah: Stanly W. Jones. Sanford. Colorado. 1128 1MPKOVLMEN 1 ERA Through Central Sweden on Bicycles Elder W. O. Peterson, president of the Norrkoping district, Swedish mission, with his companion, Elder Swenson, made a trip this summer through Central Sweden on bicycles. Farmers of this section refused to permit the elders to sleep either in their homes or barns, hence, the elders took to the woods, of which there are many, for their night camps. They slept during the sun's absence, which was for only a few hours each night. They had the opportunity of visiting many places of historic interest during the trip, and distributed much literature. They came in contact with many persons totally unacquainted with the Latter-day Saints or their history. "It proves," writes Elder Peterson, "that there is ample opportunity for workers in the cause of the Lord to meet thousands who have not yet heard of the restored gospel. We are grateful for the Era, and eagerly await its ever-welcome arrival." Missionary Service at the Manti Temple The somewhat recent addition of missionary service to the other ac- tivities of the temple located at Manti, Utah, is having the tendency of making it one of the outstanding temples of "Mormondom." It is the fifth temple erected by the Latter-day Saints, the third in the intermountain region. A GROUP OF MISSIONARY GUIDES AT THE MANTI TEMPLE On June 14, 1925, arrangements were made by the presidency of the South Sanpete stake whereby the gospel could be preached to the tourists visiting the Manti temple. Elder Osmond Olsen was appointed to oversee and direct this work; and the first meeting for this purpose was held on temple hill, June 21, 1925. More than twelve hundred tourists annually have since been registered MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 1129 at the temple, to whom more than five hundred books and pamphlets, ex- plaining the "Mormon" religious belief, have been given or sold. Many interesting incidents have occurred while going over the grounds with the visitors, and the elders there have had wonderful opportunities to preach the gospel to "the stranger within our gates." It is an inspiring sight to view the temple and its grounds' and to drive through the arch-way. All visitors are impressed with the building and surroundings, and many testify of the solemnity and beauty of the place. They are anxious to learn more of it all than is evident to the eye, and are, therefore, intensely interested in the information given them by the missionary guides, not only pertaining to the gospel, but as well to the history of the valley and of the people who built the temple. Twenty-Five Baptized Karl T. Duff in, president of the North Dakota district, Northcentral States mission, reports that an inspiring conference was recently held, at which more than a hundred people heard the splendid sermons delivered by Elder George F. Richards, of the Council of the Twelve, and President John G. Allred of the mission. Twenty-five persons were baptized during last year. We are soon to organize a Sunday school in Grand Forks. We have placed a subscription of the Era with the public library here. We find the magazine a valuable aid in carrying the gospel message to the people. In the Island Missions Sixteen Baptisms in Kauai. Elder Read S. Arnold, president of the Kauai district, Hawaiian mission, reports: "We have had sixteen baptisms and sixteen children blessed so far this year. We also have six others ready for baptism. One old gentleman over ninety years of age has expressed his desire for baptism, and we are waiting a fine day and opportunity to per- form the ordinance for him. The work of the Lord is progressing here, and we are enjoying his blessings. We expect to exceed last year's record." 1130 IMPROVEMENT ERA Good Work in Tasmania. The annual conference of the Island of Tasmania was held March 27. Australian Mission President Charles H. Hyde and wife were in attendance. Reports indicate that the work of the Lord is progressing in that district. An effort has been made during the past three months to bring the gospel to the rural districts and the way is opened for much good to be accomplished. Ninety-five country towns have been traded. These towns cover a distance of five hundred miles. More than 5000 pamphlets have been distributed and 173 Books of Mormon were sold. The elders depended largely upon the people for food and shelter and friends were raised up to minister to their wants. We enjoy the Era and its faith-promoting articles. We rejoice in the progress shown by the different mission reports. ■;- > - 1 a :.*i£JHBk % 'MMfc i ;^.. m a.« >--« . - '. i * vW .(■jiSji / "mi. V (*,> ^^ j* " tiL js. *•' ' 1" J # *, ■ ■# & TSBT' ■v*<-.-,. i Elders present at Hui Tau, New Zealand mission. Princess Te Puea Herangi is third from the left, front row. i New Zealand Hui Tau of 1927: Under the patronage of Princess Te Puea Herangi of Waikato, the elders and Saints of the New Zealand mission held their annual "Hui Tau" (conference), on Easter, April 15-17, 1927* at the Maori village opposite Ngaruawahia, on the Waikato river. This village, the home of the Princess, was built entirely by her and her people, and is a splendid example of! unity and cooperation. It is one of the most beautiful villages to be found in New Zealand. A house was provided to accommodate 300 guests; and the dining hall, in which 1600 people had dinner on Sunday, was large enough to seat 400 at a time. Meetings were held in a large tent, hired for the occasion and put on the lawn in front of the dining hall. Nine meetings of the general conference and thirty-one special meetings were held. The first day 700 were in attendance, and at the concluding meeting, Sunday evening, the number present reached nearly 1200. On Sunday afternoon a public reception was given to the Princess, and in an address she gave tribute to the Latter-day Saints, saying that she felt honored in their presence, as she had observed the order, harmony and love among them and felt they were God's people. During the conference there were many impressive discourses delivered and much good counsel and advice given. A concert on Monday evening concluded the conference activities. The Princess was presented with two beautiful quilts, one a gift from all the Saints, and the other a gift from the Hui Tau Committee and Relief Society Mission Board. The local arrangements were made by a special committee MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 1131 of the Saints of the Waikato district, with Elder Leslie D. Burbidge as chair- man. Seated, lefr to right: HUI TAU COMMITTEE Wiremu Duncan, chairman; J. Howard Jenkins, mission president. The Cumorah Monthly Bulletin, no. 3, volume I, August 15, 1927, contains messages of the South African mission and is full of interesting mission news showing real progress in the work in that mission. This num- ber contains an article entitled "My first Visit to Karibib, South-west Africa," by Mission President Samuel Martin. Karibib is a little mining town with a branch of the Church presided over by Brother Lawrence C. Ratcliff. The city or village promises to become a prominent commercial center. It is gen- erally alive with a number of representatives of financial houses, big game hunters, mining prospectors, etc. Seven Baptized Sterling. Colorado, reports that a Sunday School was organized in Alliance, Nebraska, in May, 1927. There is an interesting and enthusiastic branch of seventeen Latter-day Saints and twenty investigators in Alliance. Seven new converts were baptized there last Spring. — Thorton Peterson. New Superintendents, Y. M. M. I. A. Rulon Hicken was sustained as stake superintendent, Cardston, Alberta stake, September 7, 1927, vice S. H. Nelson, released. W. H. Stoddard, R. D. No. 1, Jerome, Idaho, has been sustained superintendent Y. M. M. I. A. of Blain stake in place of David K. Hendry, released. « James Jensen was sustained as stake superintendent of Box Elder stake, vice Wm. H. Stayner, released. E. Ray Guymon was sustained superintendent of Montpelier stake, Aug. 27, vice Arthur S. Richards, released.