--- 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: 31 number: 9 published: 1928-07 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* 31, no. 9 (July 1928): 782–788." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera3109unse 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: improvementera3109unse start_page: 782 end_page: 788 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1928-07) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera3109unse publication_year: 1928 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 1928, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Messages from the Missions Messages from the Missions "Behold I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor." (Doc. and Cov. 88:81.) Good Prospects in Alabama President Charles I. Clousc of the Ala- bama district, of the Southern States mis- sion, reports they arc making rapid pro- gress in his field. During the first three months of this year they had twenty bap- tisms and still have many prospects. The elders of that district and of the entire mission, under the direction of President Charles A. Callis. are working energetic- ally. These missionaries know that they have found in the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ a priceless treasure, and are unselfishly trying to give to their fellow- men the same blessings which they have received. To them the joy which comes through declaring this message is a foretaste of heaven. Missionaries of the Alabama District Front row, left to right: Lynn W. Hansen; Warren J. Osborn, short-term (released); Leslie F. Shirley; Charles A. Callis, mission president; Charles I. Clouse, district president; Newel B. Cox, Levi J. Woods. Middle row: Joseph S. Biggs, short-term (released) ; Angus B. Bird. Stanley Peck (released) , O. Melvin Parker. Hilton P. Marx, Lewis H. Neeley, Charles R. Willden. Adolph M. Olsen. Back row: Edward Watkins, short-term (released) ; Lloyd N. Gleave, Eugene Lufkin. Earl F. Kleinman Edward Finlinson, Charles M. Fisher. MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 783 Marching on in Maryland President Clyde Barker of the Maryland district, with headquarters at Baltimore, sends' us the accompanying photograph, together with a report of a conference held in February. Well attended and interest- ing meetings convened in Washington, D. C, and in Baltimore. A special fea- ture of the occasion was the attendance of Dr. James E. Talmage, who was enroute home after presiding over the European mission, where he had served very suc- cessfully for somewhat more than three years. President Henry H. Rolapp of the Eastern States mission, Secretary Mark K. Allen and Sister Lola Bradford, mission president of Relief Societies, were also present and added words of instruction and encouragement. Missionaries Attending Maryland Conference Sitting, left to right: Winifred Cook, Virginia L. Driggs. Mark K. Allen, secretary of Eastern States mission; Henry H. Rolapp, president of Eastern States mission: Lola Bradford, president of mission Relief Societies; Elsie M. Jacobson; Winifred Cruikshank. Standing: Marion A. Snow, Louis Gates Knight. Wilson K. Young. Ferrin D. Hickman, Clyde Barker, president Maryland district; Howard W. Couch. Lorin Christensen. Government Officials Honor Missionaries An interesting missionary event oc- curred in Salem, Oregon, April 23. Elder Hyrum G. Smith, Presiding Patriarch of the Church, President William R. Sloan of the Northwestern States mission. Sister Pearl C. Sloan, president of the mission Relief Societies, and Sister Marion Gard- ner, president of the mission Y. L. M. I. A. and Primary Associations, were honored by government officials as they entered the city. President Joseph M. Flake of the South Oregon district reports that very 784 IMPROVEMENT ERA little missionary work has been done in that locality in past years. Now, however, sixteen missionaries are opening new fields with gratifying prospects. They are travel- ing without money, depending entirely on the hospitality of the people to whom they bring their message. They are finding many friends and not a little opposition. Missionaries of the South Oregon District First row, left to right: Phyllis Hoggan, Twin Falls, Idaho; Stella Bybee, Rexburg. Idaho; Marion Gardner, Afton, Wyoming, president of the mission Y. L. M. I. A. and Primaries; Hyrum G. Smith, Presiding Patriarch of the Church; President Wm. R. Sloan of the Northwestern States mission; Sister Sloan, president of the mission Relief Societies; Carol Woolley. Salt Lake City; Hazel Knight, Delta, Utah. Second row: Melvin J. Hoggan, Salt Lake City; Ethel Hunter, Ogden, Utah; E. Weston Jackson, Salt Lake City; Paul V. Hansen. Boulder, Utah; A. A. Perry, Vernal, Utah; Virgil B. Quinton. Glenwoodville, Alta, Canada; Edna Lindholm, Idaho Falls, Idaho. Third row: Joseph M. Flake. Snowflake, Arizona, district president; Clarence Mower, Roosevelt, Utah; Leslie Stone, Portland; Rulon G. Sterling, Providence, Utah; Wallace Everton. Logan. Utah; Dorrel Rogers, Lewiston, Utah. Progress in California The people of the Sacramento-Gridley district were particularly favored by a visit of Elder Joseph Fielding Smith, of the Council of the Twelve, together with Pres- ident Joseph W. McMurrin of the Cali- fornia mission. These brethren made a tour of the district and held three very successful meetings, in different localities, on February 10, 11 and 12. Much good counsel and sound advice were given by them to the large crowds which filled the chapels to their capicity. During the past year thirty-three converts were led into the waters of baptism, and three new branches of the Church in that district were organized. These are making rapid MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 785 progress and are increasing in membership. Many successful cottage meetings have been held in the homes of members and in- vestigators, and much good has been ac- complished. President Fon R. Brown of the Sacramento-Gridley district and Elder Kenneth Stephenson, who joined in mak- ing this report, state that they find much pleasure in reading the Improvement Era. Elder Glenn E. Nielson reports that Elder Joseph Fielding Smith and President Joseph W. McMurrin also visited the Fresno district, and their visit was given much favorable publicity in the two lead- ing local papers. Each paper sent a press photographer to all the meetings, and re- quested from Elder Nielson a full report of the services. The work is progressing in Fresno. A new branch was recently added to the district and a new Sunday School organized. Missionaries of the Fresno District Elder Joseph Fielding Smith, of the Council of the Twelve, and Mission President Joseph W. McMurrin are in the front row, at center. Making Headway in France The first branch conference ever held in the quaint old city of Besancon took place January 14 to 16, 1928. The city is scenic and picturesque, surrounded by ruins of mediaeval fortresses with the peaceful Doubs river winding through it like a huge serpent. Forty missionaries were gathered together, representing the Swiss, Lyons and Marseilles districts of the French mission. Besancon is famous because of being the birthplace of one of the greatest French authors. Victor Hugo. This was the largest gathering of "Mor mon" missionaries ever held in one French city. Among them were a number of elders so tall as to cause great surprise 786 IMPROVEMENT ERA among the French inhabitants. An excel lent program was given, one of the prin cipal features' being a Book of Mormon pageant, which aroused unusual interest and has already resulted in the sale of many copies1 of this book. President Ernest C. Rossiter and his wife were present and gave valuable instructions to the missionaries. It was a time of re- joicing.— Samuel H. Cortez, secretary Lyons-Marseilles districts. Missionaries of Lyons- Marseilles Districts First row, left to right: Arthur L. Newman; Ray C. Moody, mission secretary; S. Call Nelson, president Marseilles district: Venus R. Rossiter. president Relief Societies of French mission; Mission President Ernest C. Rossiter; Klenner F. Sharp, outgoing president of Swiss district; Leon L. Cowles, outgoing president of Lyons district; Stewart A. Wright, John S. Ness, Artell E. Johnson, LeGrand H. Lamb, Royal Ballif. Second row: Ethan O. Huffaker, George E. Brunt. Clarence H. Manning, Gordon N. Cope. Cleo V. Hickman. Peter R. Christensen. Benjamin M. Bingham. Samuel H. Cortez. John S. Griffin, A. F. Hampton. Parker P. Warner. Almon L. Brown, incoming president of Lyons district. Third row: George Y. Jarvis, Eugene W. Willey. H. Gibson Berrett. Cecil E. Hart, Wayne H. Knight. Joseph H. White. Carl J. Harris. Wm. R. Shaw. LeGrand M. Silver. Clarence P. Durrant. James R. Kennard. T. Donald Creer, Elliot D. Holt. Reed H. Jensen. Philadelphia to Have New Chapel A large three-story residence in Phila- delphia was recently purchased by Pres- ident H. H. Rolapp of the Eastern States mission, to be remodeled and renovated for a district chapel. The work will be done under the supervision of District President A. K. Romney. When com- pleted, the building will accommodate 1 75 persons, and provide class rooms for all auxiliary organizations. Six Primary as- sociations are now organized in the district, directed by the women missionaries, which are proving very effective. In many in- stances, non-"Mormon" parents have been induced to attend by the appeal made through their children. An excellent sum- mer program has been planned. Street meetings are held regularly in Philadelphia, MESSAGES FROM MISSIONS 787 R. F. Dickson, short-term mis- and the officials have given us concessions success. - for some of the best corners in the city. sionary. Our diligent trading is meeting with good Missionaries in Philadelphia District Sitting, left to right: Martha Elggren, Salt Lake City; A. K. Romney, district president. Rexburg, Idaho; Nellie Mathie, Huntington, Utah; Veloy Peterson, Brigham City, Utah; Grant Patterson, Clinton, Utah. Standing: Kenneth Sproul, Blackfoot, Idaho; Clyde Hallingshead, Minersville, Utah; R. F. Dickson, Layton, Utah; Eugene Millet, Mesa, Arizona; Joseph Lyon. Firth, Idaho; Wilwood Griffin, Byron, Wyoming. "It Works" Under this caption, District President Cecil B. Kenner sends the Era a report of an interesting event, held amid Easter sun- shine and enthusiastic crowds, at Sheffield, England, April 8 and 9. The report in- dicates, not only that "it works," but also that they work. A gratifying in- crease in tithes as well as in all phases of missionary activity was shown. Local pa- pers contributed their share to the success of the occasion by publishing satisfactory accounts of the conference. The Sunday School program emphasized the import- ance of a testimony of the divinity of Jesus Christ. President John A. Widtsoe of the European mission and other mis- sionaries gave valuable instruction at the various meetings. On Monday the M. I. A. spirit took possession of all. Contests were held in debating, singing, oratory, essays, etc. This important organiza- tion promises to become a mighty mission- ary factor. Already the fruits of this gathering are manifest in the various branches of the district. There has been a notable increase in membership, attend- ance and efficiency. "It works," always and everywhere, if you work it. 788 IMPROVEMENT ERA Elders Attending Sheffield Conference Front row: Weston W. Taylor and Richard L. Evans, of the Liverpool office; Cecil B. Kenner, president of the Sheffield district; Dr. John A. Widtsoe, president of the European mission, Leah D. Widtsoe, president of the Relief Societies of the European mission and Ralph V. Chisholm, of the Liverpool office. Center: Richard K. Knight, Heber J. Matkin. president of the Birmingham district, William F. McKelvey, Thomas E. Paskins, of the Birmingham district, Eudora Widtsoe, Justin B. Lillywhite, Joseph S. Savage and Merlin G. Wood. Back row: Arthur R. Livingston, Nephi Cutler, of the Leeds district. LeRoy S. Taylor. R. LeRoy Blamires, Ralph A. Garner and William F. Forsey, of the Liverpool district. The Book of Life As an assistance to a clear definition of right and wrong the Bible is indispensable. In it we have a growing moral order with an ever developing type of character that finds perfect fruition in Jesus of Nazareth, who in turn is interpreted in the apostolic life of the early church. Careful students of the Bible will marvel at the revelations to the conscience. They will find before every dangerous temptation a warning post. They will see across every chasm a well marked bridge. They will note for every sin a cleansing method. They will observe for every guilt a clean-cut redemption. The Bible offers for the confused wayfarer a standard by which to gauge his character. It gives light to the forward-marching soul. Without it we would sink into the byways of sin, but with it we are shown the pathway of righteousness. The Bible furnishes the goal for human life. A man must have a sense of destination if he is to travel joyfully and persistently. If it is to be worth while, life must have a goal — in fact, two goals, the one social and the other personal. Without the Bible there is no social goal. Nations and governments seem to have no real sense of destiny. Here we are as a nation of more than a hundred million people but whither are we bound? Is this nation to build merely another monument of national life in human history? What statesman of the world can offer a goal for his nation's life? Without God we are a race of men going on in confused ways into an indefinite future. — Selected.