The Southern States Mission

The Southern States Mission By President Charles A. Callis THE Southern States mission is one of the oldest, if not the old- est, mission in the United States. Many of the pioneer missionaries have gone to their eternal rest; but the beauty and greatness of their mission- ary spirit is still felt in that fruitful part of the Lord's vineyard. Their achievements find continued expression in the increase God is giving the labors of his servants, who plant, as Paul planted, and who water, as ApoUos watered, the precious gospel seed in the hearts of their fellow- men. "And I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, "Saying with a loud voice. Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come." (Rev. 14:6, 7.) Every spiritual activity supple- ments the loud voice that the Apostle John heard. During the year 1927 in the Southern States mission, 963 persons covenanted with the Lord, through baptism, to serve him and keep his command- ments; 8,516 copies of the sacred Nephite record were placed in homes; and 1,432,369 tracts were distributed. The missionaries represented the Church in the holding of 23,419 meetings, 3,637 of which were street meetings, and in participation in 571,032 gospel conversations. These are some of the chief spiritual activities which go to make up a righteous, free-will offering of labor unto the Lord. These servants of Christ, in labors abundant, are ever ready to execute the Master's will. They work as if their honor and salvation depended upon it. Their service is voluntary and rich in blessings; they find joy in sacrifice and self-denial, and even in per- secution. They are "called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying

THE SOUTHERN STATES MISSION 575 on of hands by those who are in authority to preach the gospel and administer the ordinances thereof." With this assurance, con- fidence and knowledge, they resolutely face the world as David faced Goliath, in the fear and strength of the God of Israel. "Fear not, I am with thee, Oh, be not dismayed. For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid. I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand." As the missionaries deliver the message of glad tidings, they receive the testimony that they are pleasing God, and that the sacrifice they and their honored parents are making is sacred in the sight of the Father. His nearness to them is comforting; his recog- nition of the authority they bear and their relationship to him is soul-sustaining, for "he is not ashamed to call them brethren." (Heb. 2:11.) Read his words: "And the voice of warning shall be unto all people, by the mouths of my disciples, whom I have chosen in these last days." (Doc. and Gov., 1:4.) "What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same." (Doc. and Gov., 1:38.) "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return to me Latter-day Saint Chapel in Atlanta, Georgia, Southern States Mission Dedicated by Elder George F. Richards, of the Council of the Twelve, November 29, 1925.

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THE SOUTHERN STATES MISSION 577 void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I send it." (Isa. 55:11.) The desire to be a missionary is inborn in the hearts of the youth of Israel. Every faithful father and mother in the Church have a fond and anxious desire that their sons and daughters shall be called to preach the gospel, as a witness and a warning to the in- habitants of the earth, to prepare them for the great day of the Lord. It is a great honor and a privilege to fill the hearts of the people with the knowledge of the Lord and to bring souls unto him. But there must be true servants of God behind sermons. They must, in order to reach the hearts of the people, speak in the power and demonstration of the Spirit. 'Tor when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men." (2 Nephi 33: 1.) And what of the future? It promises many additions to the fold of Christ. Fields that a few years ago appeared to be barren are now yielding a bounteous harvest. The souls of men, precious in the sight of God, constitute fertile ground in which to sow the seeds of faith. They are now longing for the truths taught by the Prophet Joseph Smith. Day after day brings forth evidence that he was a teacher and a prophet sent of God. Witness many of our fellow-men, non-members of the Church, adopting some of the truths of the gospel. Surely "a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump." "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few: Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest." Every mission president is continually asking the First Presidency to send reinforcements. The missionaries who join iheir brethren already in the field go to the "firing line" well forti- fied. "The power is in them," said the Lord, and in his service that power is developed. The Latter-day Saints are a great people because they are en- gaged in a great work. The Church is the mother of men. The mission of the Church is clearly and forcefully stated by the First Presidency in the following words: *'The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is brought forth and established by the power of God and dedicated to the mission of preparing the way for the glorious coming of the Son of God to reign in the earth in truth and righteousness and peace." Atlanta, Georgia.