The California Mission

The California Mission By President Joseph W. McMurrin T^ I HE California mission comprises, not only the state from which it takes its name, but also the immediately adjoining states of Ari- zona and Nevada. It is rather singular that within this same territory there are also nine fully organized stakes of Zion, each, in its particular locality, exercising joint jurisdiction with the mission. In this regard the California mission is quite unique, as, doubtless, no similar situation exists elsewhere in the Church. But, notwithstanding this novel introduction in Church pro- cedure, it is both interesting and in- structive to observe the success with which it operates. Each of these ec- clesiastical units — mission and stake — performs its separate and particular work, one supplementing the other, with advantages accruing to both. In- deed, this direct contact between mis- sion and stake in rendering common service in the same field, each ever conscious and respectful of the authority and responsibilities of the other, furnishes a splendid example of cooperation in religious ac- tivities and conduces to good fellowship and spiritual development generally. Moreover, regardless of the fact that the stakes' combined area constitutes but a fractional part of the mission territory, and thai the great majority of missionaries are far removed from the nearest stake, this overlapping of stake and mission jurisdiction affords the nearby missionaries unusual opportunities to participate in auxiliary organizations and various meetings, including priesthood and sacra- mental, of both stake and mission. While, unquestionably, the work of the traveling elders and sisters is primarily to carry the gospel message to the stranger and non-member, this can and must be done as well within as beyond the boundaries of the organized stakes of

556 IMPROVEMENT ERA Zion. Accordingly, with the approval and by special invitation of the several stake presidencies, missionaries are laboring in seven of the nine stakes that lie within the California mission. Nor would it be surprising if the not-distant future witnesses a still further increase in the number of stakes within the present confines of the mission; for it is only very recent history that approximately twelve thousand Latter-day Saints, formerly enrolled on the records of the mission, were organized into three stakes of Zion within the state of California alone; namely, Los Angeles and Hollywood in the south, and San Francisco in the north. This ex- pansion of stake organizations into mission territory is without precedent and marks a new and important step in Church develop- ment. However, the work of the California mission advances apace; and, although this recent creation of three comparatively large stakes necessitated the transfer of considerable property and thousands of members from the records of the mission; yet, this loss is already part- ly offset, as there were organized within the mission during the calendar year just past more branches and auxiliaries than in any year preceding. The following named branches of the Church, numbering fourteen in all, were added to the California mission dur- ing the past year. Sutter, Homestead and Roseville, in the Sacra- mento district; San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Compton and Baldwin Park, in xhe Los Angeles district; Logan Heights, Lin- coln Acres and East San Diego, in the San Diego district; Taft and Merced, in the Fresno district; and Hay ward, in the San Francisco district. At present the mission has 54 branches, 71 Sunday Schools, 46 Relief Societies, 62 Mutual Improvement Associations, 40 Pri- maries, and an enrolled membership of approximately 9,000 souls. In the matter of chapels and other Church buildings, the Cali- fornia mission is both fortunate and progressive — fortunate in the ready cooperation and liberal financial assistance received by it from the First Presidency of the Church, and progressive in the universal desire of its people to be adequately housed and their substantial con- tributions toward the attainment of that desire. During the past year, the mission was authorized by the iFirst Presidency to develop and perfect the following extensive building program, which con- templates the expenditure of about $150,000.00; the erection of chapels at Elko, Winnemucca and Susanville, in the Nevada district; the erection of chapels at Prescott and Binghamton, and the enlarge- ment and remodeling of the present chapel at Ray, in the Arizona district; the erection of a chapel at Palo Alto, in the San Jose district; the erection of a chapel at Fresno and an amusement hall at Modesto, in the Fresno district; and the purchase of a chapel at East San Diego,

THE CALIFORNIA MISSION 557 in the San Diego district. During recent years, more than twenty modest, but comfortable, chapels have been erected or purchased in various parts of the mission; and this property of the Church, to- gether with the building projects now under way and to be completed during the current year, represents an aggregate value of about $450,000.00. Moreover, in other fields of activity, the record of the Cali- fornia mission is no less gratifying. In the number of baptisms and the general sale and distribution of literature, the year just ended was the most successful in the history of the mission. Special atten- tion was given to placing the Book of Mormon in the homes of friends, strangers and Church members alike, in reverent commemora- tion of the one hundredth anniversary of the angel, Moroni's, delivery, to Joseph Smith, of the golden plates from which this modern volume of scripture was translated. The following figures, compiled from mission records, disclose the mass of printed matter that was distributed by the missionaries during the year: 16,000 copies of the Book of Mormon, of which number 10,000 copies were sold, and 6,000 copies loaned and given away; 1287 other stand- ard works of the Church; 24,367 other books; 367,290 pamphlets; and 570,515 tracts. There were 597 persons baptized, of whom 331 were converts. The California mission, like all similar organizations of the Church, has constant need for more workers than are available. Latter-day Saint Chapel in Douglas, Arizona. California Mission

558 IMPROVEMENT ERA Everywhere opportunities are abundant for those willing to labor, as the plea for additional help is quite universal. Nor can any greater honor come to a home than a call to one or more of its members to represent the work of the Lord among the nations of the world as duly accredited preachers and teachers of this gospel. Prospective missionaries of the Church will insure the presence and aid of the Spirit of God and qualify themselves for their im- portant labors by faith in divine promises, prayerful study, sim- plicity of speech, earnestness of manner, humility of spirit, and love unfeigned for the human family. These characteristics, rather than the wisdom of man, are essential to the success of the traveling ministry. Faithful missionaries the world over learn by the com- panionship of the Holy Ghost that they minister, not in their own strength, but by the power of God; and, as this assurance increases in their souls, confidence conquers fear, testimonies grow in spirit- ual fervor, and men and women, perhaps at first timid and inexpe- rienced, ,witness in their own personal development the fulfilment of God's promise to magnify his servants before the world. Eligible members throughout the Church, who conscientiously prepare them- selves for the mission field, will, in due time, join with thousands of fellow-missionaries in the solemn declaration that in the service of the Master there is joy that passeth all understanding. Los Angeles, California Farewell (Tune: "Let The Lower Lights Be Burning.") From afar came voices calling, Pleading, send an elder here; So from out our midst was chosen One whom we all held most dear. Chorus Farewell! Elder, peace be with you, Far from us you're called to go, But we know our Gospel calls you, For the Lord has willed it so. Many humble hearts will welcome You into their dreary life; You will find staunch friends to help you, When you're met by toil and strife. When you raise the Gospel standard, They will join your glad refrain; And, then, when your work is finished, We will welcome you again. Panguitch. Utah ILETTA D. REID