Messages from the Missions

Messages from the Missions "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached for then shall the end come." (Matthew 24:14.) itness unto all nations; and Progress in Long Beach District The missionary conference of the Long Beach district, held December 17 and 18, at Santa Ana, was evidence of the satis- factory progress made in this district dur- ing the last year. The members of the Church in the various branches are co- operating with the missionaries in spread- ing the gospel, and their efforts have been accompanied by divine blessings. All the missionary of the district and some of the visitors had the privilege, in at least one of the general meetings, to bear their testi- mony. President Joseph W. McMurrin gave profitable instructions to both mis- sionaries and Saints. — O. Robert Mc- Kintey, district president. Missionaries of the Long Beach District Top row, left to right: DeLeal Yergensen, Monroe, Utah: Jean Fossum, Baker. Oregon; O. Robert McKinley, district president, Newdale, Idaho; Helen Forsha, St. George, Utah; Kenneth Summers, Paradise, Utah. Second row: Rulon J. Weston, Laketown, Utah; Edith M. Lind, Lynn, Utah; Joseph W. McMurrin, president California mission; Marion E. Taylor, Ogden, Utah; Lorin M. Noble. Smithfield, Utah. Third row: Emery Gurney. McGrath, Canada; Vaughan H. Taylor, Salt Lake City; Ethel Chadwick, Liberty. Utah, (transferred to San Bernardino district); Earcel Ostler, Salt Lake City; Lester Watson, Blackfoot, Idaho. Bottom row: W. E. Cranney, Logan, Utah; James J. Willard, Salt Lake City; Ruben Dotson, Minersville, Utah.

MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 415 Banner Year for the Western States The missionaries of the Western States mission rejoice and are encouraged over the wonderful progress made in the year 1927. They have stimulated in the hearts of many people a desire earnestly to investigate the gospel. Frequently new homes were opened for cottage meetings. The efforts of the elders and lady mis- sionaries, the past year, brought a banner record for the mission. Four hundred sixty-one were baptized into the Church The following picture represents a group ol missionaries assembled at the Denver dis- trict semi-annual conference and who con tributed greatly in making the past year a wonderful success. The elders express their gratitude for the Improvement Era and send greetings to all. «■»■ T» % Western States Missionaries First row, left to right: T. Wendell Bayles. Clayron M. Coalwell. Beth Kenney. Lillian Mellor. Josephine Thomas. Harry J. Davies. Dale S. Gibb. Arthur L. Taylor. Second row: Richard K. Knight. Edward H. Mortensen. Willi.im Blackburn. Jos. L. Taylor, Florence Knight. Relief Society president: John M. Knight, mission president: Everett Bennion mission secretary: Chas. Reed Seymour, district president: Warwick C. Lamoreaux. supci- intendent of Sunday schools: Ferrin A. Hale. Third row: Fern Kirkham. mission steno- grapher; Grace Howell, Chloe S. Garn, Mary L. Barson. Harriet L. Bills, mission bookkeeper; Margaret Russell. Clara Young. Ruby Hanson, mission recorder; Marvin C. Meyers. Lambert Michie. Ross Grover, LeMoyne L. Hatch. Kenneth Orr. Fourth row: E. Ray Morris. Geo. F. Egley, Frank P. Peterson. Hoitt Moss. Reuben R. Moss. Richard R. Rust. Glenn W. Todd. J. Elmer Anderson. Ralph Knight, Floy F. Bybee, Elmer Price. John F Kendrick. Orson F. Whitney Visits North Carolina "Our late conference was held at Dur- ham, North Carolina district. December 4, 1927. Although stormy weather pre- vailed, the conference was well attended and all enjoyed a spiritual feast from the inspiring sermons delivered by Elder Orson F. Whitney, of the Council of the Twelve. It was indeed a pleasure to have a choice servant of the Lord at our con- ference. The elders in this district are

416 IMPROVEMENT ERA working with great enthusiasm. We prize highly the valuable information received through the Improvement Era." — E. Hamilton, district president. Missionaries in North Carolina Left to right, front row: A. D. Eaton, J. Leavitt, J. A. Berrett, E. R. Hamilton, incoming district president; Charles A. Callis, mission president; Orson F. Whitney, of the Council of the Twelve; M. H. Fogg, district president, released; J. G. Hepworth, J. F. Sheffield. Second row: C. Wheat, D. C. Hartley, A. W. Stephenson, R. S. Whiting, R. E. Mills. L. Briggs, released; W. A. Stauffer, F. R. Baxter. Back row: H. H. Sorenson, A. R. Grissom. W. S. Christensen. released; T. Y. Gwilliam, C. F. Parker, C. U. Farnsworth, C. I. Alldridge, B. W. Shurtz, released. A Missionary Friend Leland Christensen and F. M. Fuller of write: "In missionary work we find the the Nova Scotia district, Canadian mission, Improvvement Era a strength that can be 1 r ** ***m ^P ~ rt^B Ik J ^r^j HP. ■■ i ■■ y'l Front row, left to right: Leland O. Christensen, Rexburg; James G. Vaughan, former district president, Malad City. Idaho; President Charles H. Hart of the Canadian mission; Wayne Wilson, district president. La Verkin. Utah. Back row: Frank R. Folsom, Hill Spring, Alberta, Canada; Francis M. Fuller, Kanab, Utah; Sylvan W. Marler, Lewiston, Utah.

MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 417 depended upon. It offers many suggestions beneficial to the missionaries, and we dis- tribute them among the investigators as a means of preaching the gospel to them. Many of our friends who have read the Era say that no other magazine can be found published by a Christian denomination. charity auxiliaries, or popular magazine societies that contain better gems of thought. These elders were laboring in the Nova Scotia district. Canada, at the time the quarterly conference was held at Windsor, N. S., December 1,1927. Teaching the Gospel by Pageant The latest district conference of the German-Austrian Amission during the pres- ent year was held at Plauen, of the Zwickau district, November 26 and 27, with Mission President Hyrum \V. Valen- tine in attendance. The general theme of the conference was the Restoration of the Gospel, and was explained in a most won- derful and inspiring manner by a pageant of Nebuchadnezzar's dream, given by the Sunday school and followed by discourses by President Valentine and the traveling elders. Twelve hundred people attended the different sessions, and they were mostly friends, hearing the gospel for the first time, and in a way which is sure to bear fruit. The elders of this district appre- ciate reading the Era, and especially the enlarged and improved issues. Every mis- sionary is a booster for it. — Chas. J. Taylor, district president. Elders of the Zwickau District. Germany Front row, left to right: Cbas. J. Taylor, district president. Ogden. Utah; Wallace B. Scholes. Logan: Sister Ella Valentine, president of mission Relief Societies; Hyrum Valen- tine, mission president: Basel Valentine; M. Elmer Christensen, superintendent mission Mutuals. Salt Lake City; Wesley Anderson, Brigham City. Back row: Reed Nutull. Provo: Ezra Tobler. St. George: Gilbert Gerrard. Salt Lake City: Dean Hillam. Brigham City; Carl Green, Ogden; Sheldon Christensen. Salt Lake City; Wm. Erickson, Murray: Heinz Puschel. Dresden, Germany: Mathias Richards. Brigham City: Otto Beck. Lorenzo. Idaho: J. Alden Bowers. Salt Lake City.

418 IMPROVEMENT ERA Nearly Fifteen Hundred Books of Mormon Sold The semi-annual conference of the Los Angeles district was held on January 6, 7 and 8 in the Home Gardens ward chapel, this privilege being extended by Bishop Samuel B. Dye of that ward. The con- ference began with a six-hour priesthood meeting on Friday, with a 10-minute intermission during which time a picture was taken of all the missionaries present. Following the priesthood meeting, a de- licious banquet was served by the Home Gardens Relief Society in a way which only a Relief Society understands. Our deepest appreciation is extended to them for their efforts. The first general meeting of the conference convened at 2 p. m., Saturday, followed by one at 7 p. m. Three meetings were held on Sunday, the chapel being filled to capacity at each meeting. Spirited gospel discourses were delivered by each missionary in a manner and style which showed the result of earn- est effort. President McMurrin was pres- ent at all meetings and his> ringing testi- mony to the truth of this great latter-day work will long be remembered by those present. Statistics read at the conference indicate that during the past year there have been 1459 Books of Mormon sold and 5 76 books loaned. There were distri- buted 5,811 other books and 503 stand- ard works. Sixty converts and 33 chil- dren were baptized and placed on the mission records and 38 converts and 120 children were baptized and entered on the records of the Hollywood and Los Angeles stakes. These statistics show a marked increase in all lines of work over previous years. — Mission Secretary. Missionaries of Los Angeles District Front row, left to right: Cley H. Rallison. Vernon L. Schofield, Ezra M. Hawkes, Trulon O. Eyre. Second row: Nola Ure, Leah Hacking, Marvel Atwood, George H. Marchant. superintendent mission Sunday schools and president Y. M. M. I. A.; Arlene Ashcroft, president mission Primaries and Y. L. M. I. A.: Jacob O. Gardner, president Los Angeles district: Jos. W. McMurrin. president California mission: Leo H. Nielson, mission secre- tary: N. Grace Holman, corresponding secretary; Daniel H. Johnson. Calamis editor and book commissarian; Maurine Gammett, Nina Halliday. Afton Whitney. Third row: Edna Halls. Ova A. Johnson, Franklin Wyatt, Archibald Cluff. Arthur E. Condie, Thomas E. Terry. Leonard A. Taggarr. Orrin W. Myler, Eva Gunther, Thelma Hill. Back row: Richard T. Swallow. San Diego district: Lorin Noble, Long Beach district; Frank M. Wall: James A. Cullimore, president San Diego district: Morris E. Phelps, Ellen Hill, LaPreal Aagard, Fresno district; Maurine Storey, Fresno district; Chester B. Flint; Glen E. Nielson, president Fresno district; Rulon J. Weston, Long Beach district.

MESSAGES FROM THF. MISSIONS 419 Baptisms Number 32 in San Diego November 5 and 6 the semi-annual con- ference of the San Diego district was held in the ward chapel. Saturday we partici- pated in a most interesting and instructive priesthood meeting. After the meeting the Relief Society of Lincoln Acres served us at a delicious banquet. All three of the ses- sions of our conference were well attended, the house was filled to its capacity with Saints and friends. The conference was unexcelled in all respects. We report suc- cess in this district and an increasing in terest in the work here. Some 32 baptisms have been performed this year so far, and a number more have applied for the ordin ance. — James A. Cullimorc, district pros ident. L.D.S.StJfilAL HALL. 1927. Left to right, front row: George H.' Marchant, superintendent of Sunday schools and Mutuals of mission; Maurine Gamett, Los Angeles district; James A. Cullimore. district president: Jos. W. McMurrin. mission president; Arlene Ashcroft, president Primary and Y. L. M. I. A. of mission; Cleone Atwood. Second row: Richard T. Swallow; Mary Hansen, Fresno district; Ernest O. Biggs; Hazel Day: Thomas W. Duke. Third row: Osmond Williams, secretary Mexican mission; Leonard Taggart: Carroll C. Stay. Ancient Mounds Visited The South Ohio district annual re- Ancient. Ohio. This is an old fortifica- union was held on Pioneer day at Fort fjpn built on the huge, flat top of a steep

420 IMPROVEMENT ERA hill. A very fitting schedule of events Ancient. The elders present are shown occupied the day of our festival at Fort in the following picture. iffe :«' ft f * W9 *** .A • 'A I : 1 1 # ,1 Back row, left to right: W. E. Roberts, Antimony, Utah; R. J. Blanchard, Logan, Utah; H. G. Ellsworth, Safford, Arizona: S. L. Smith, Holbrook, Idaho; Que C. Swensen, St. Anthony, Idaho. Front row: R. C. Booth. Montpelier, Idaho; Leo F. Freeman, district president, Snowflake. Arizona: Chas. J. Morris, Los Angeles, California; A. R. Walker. Oakley. Utah. Sold 342 Books of MokMON At the conference of the Oklahoma dis- missionaries, members, and friends were trict, held in Tulsa, November 23, the favored with the visit and instructions Elders, left to right, front row: Thomas Riggs, St. David. Arizona; Golden D. Stewart. Meadow, Utah; David O. McKay, of the Council of the Twelve; Samuel O. Bennion, pres. ident of the Central States mission; Vernon F. Gibbs, district president (released), Ogden. Back row: Evan C. Shaw. Ogden; Byron O. Gleason, Berkeley, California: Blaine W. Johnson, Pleasant Grove; P. Nelsen Hansen; Hillsprings, Alberta. Canada; Francis M. Zimmerman, Roosevelt; Casper W. Merrill, district president, Richmond; Alonzo F. Hopkin, Croydon, Utah.

MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 421 from Elder David O McKay as well as from President S. O. Bennion. Since last conference, four months ago, the ten elders of this conference have sold three hun- dred and forty-two Books of Mormon and loaned seventy-eight. They sold fourteen hundred and seven gospel commentaries, held five hundred and three meetings, blessed eleven children, and baptized six- teen. We rejoice in the work of the Lord in Oklahoma. We take this opportunity to express our appreciation for the Im- provement Era. We feel indebted to it for many beautiful thoughts which arc valuable in our work. — Casper \V. Merrill, district president. Conference in Louisville Louisville is the largest city in the state of Kentucky, and is the headquarters of the Kentucky district of the Southern States mission. In November the Kentucky and the East Kentucky districts held a conference there, at which Elder Orson F. Whitney, of the Council of the Twelve. was present, also President Chas. A. Callis. These were the principal speakers at each of the meetings. Saints were present from all parts of the state, and many investi- gators and friends. The year just passed has been very prosperous for the mission- aries of this district. Missionaries in Kentucky District Bottom row. left to right: Perry P. Wakefield. Aaron W. Lundbcig; district president. Dale D. Webb; Voyl E. Sorenson. Wilford H. Weber. Back row: Dwain M. Tate. Bruce H. Lyman. Earl E. Nielsen. Fay Hunt. Arnold G. Adamson. W. Glen Rawlinson. J. Merlin Bunker. Joseph H. Swasey, Philip A. Spencer. A Supplication Lord, help me ever onward. Lend me thine ear and aid, Then I shall not retrograde. But with Thy grace succeed. To Thy statutes paying heed. Sandy, R. D. No. 4. David Archibald