Messages from the Missions

Messages from the Missions "It is the man who is the missionary, it is not his words, message."- — Dcummond. His character is his Conference in a Historic Hawaiian Village More than three-quarters of a century ago, George Q. Cannon did considerable missionary work in Lahaina, on the island of Maui, Hawaii. This was one of the first places in which the restored Gospel was preached, and the early-day elders had experiences greatly resembling those had by the sons of Mosiah. of whom we can read in the Book of Mormon. During all his subsequent life, President Cannon spoke very feelingly of the experiences which had come to him as a young man laboring in that vicinity. On the occasion of the visit of Elder Andrew Jenson, assistant Church historian, a number of meetings were held in this village. Herewith is a picture of the elders who were present. Missionary Group at Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii Back row, left to right: A. B. Bonham, Clinton, Utah; Wm. Davis, Salt Lake City; Vasco Laub. president Molonai district, Ogden, Utah; Andrew Jenson, assistant Church historian; Stanley A. Matson, president West Maui district, Salt Lake City; Wm. M. Waddoups, pres- ident Hawaiian mission; John Johnson, Mesa, Arizona; Rollow Kimball, president East Maui district. Salt Lake City; Almon Bate, Brigham City, Utah; John Farra. local. Front row: Leo R. Jenson, South African mission (released), Salt Lake City; Eva J. Olson and Sister Andrew Jenson (visitors) ; Olivia Waddoups, president mission Relief Societies; Howard Allred, Salt Lake City. Work Progressing in the South Seas Elder Alfred Dewey, secretary of the Samoan mission, writes, under date of June 5, 1928, as follows: "Some of our Church members who have traveled exten-

878 IMPROVEMENT ERA sively pronounce the plantation at Saunia- tu, on the island of Upolu, Samoa, one of the most beautiful and interesting spots on the globe. It is about twenty miles from Apia, and people from all over the island walked hither over muddy and rough roads to be in attendance at the semi-annual conference. The spirit of the Lord was made manifest at all the meet- ings and those who attended felt well re- paid for their efforts. Recently there has been considerable conflict between the natives and the government; and, while this has been unpleasant, it has enabled us to present our message to all the chiefs of this island. We are very hopeful that the increased activities will continue to bring new converts to the Church as they are doing at the present time." Elders of the Samoan Mission Bottom row, left to right: H. B. Stone. Aberdeen, Idaho; D. N. Oldroyd, Glenwood, Utah; A. Dewey, mission secretary, Sandy, Utah. Middle row: L. H. McCullough, president Upolu district, Delta, Utah; W. L. Smith, mission president, Leavitt, Alberta, Canada; Sister W. L. Smith, president mission Relief Societies; W. M. Russon, Lehi, Utah. Top row: D. H. Allred, Cardston, Alberta, Canada; Sister L. D. Cahoon, president Tutuila district Relief Society; L. D. Cahoon, president Tutuila district, Cardston, Alberta, Canada. Work Progressing in Ohio At the conjoint conference of the North and South Ohio districts, held at Columbus on April 28, more than one hundred Saints and investigators were in attendance. President and Sister John H. Taylor, re- cently released, and President Noah H. Pond were the principal speakers. The work of the Lord is progressing in this part of his vineyard. In the month of April we baptized three, and many more will be ready for baptism in the near fu- ture. We have been successful in making

MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 879 new friends, and many new homes have been opened for our cottage meetings, en- abling us to convey the Gospel message to hundreds of persons whom we could not reach in any other way. — W. E. Hunt. president North Ohio district. Elders of the North Ohio District Sitting, left to right: Harry Russell, president Columbus branch: Noah H. Pond, president Northern States mission; John H. Taylor, former mission president; Sister Taylor, George O. Manwaring, Wilford E. Hunt, president North Ohio district. Standing: Raymond Saunders. Eugene C. Weber. Karl D. Zaugg, Elmer H. Penman, Carl T. Cox, W. LaVarre Butterworth. Robert W. McMackin. Wm. B. Butler, Alvin F. Bullock. Missionary Work in the Robin Hood City John P. Hopkinson, clerk of the Not- tingham district, writes, under date of May 25, 1928: "The missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are still holding aloft the standard of truth in the city of Nottingham, where, nearly three hundred years ago, Charles I raised his standard at the commencement of the Parliamentary war. This city, with more than a quarter of a million inhabi- tants, is accepting the opportunity to hear our message. Not only are the mission- aries from Zion spreading the Gospel, but worthy local members as well are doing all in their power to warn their fellow- men. During the past six months, more than fifteen thousand hours of work have been done in proclaiming the message of salvation; thirty-six thousand tracts have been distributed, and sixty-two copies of the Book of Mormon have been put in circulation. Under date of May 21, 1928, the Nottingham Evening News gave a very favorable account of the work which has been done by the missionaries of this Church. They explain that a decided change of sentiment is apparent on the part of the British people towards the

880 IMPROVEMENT ERA missionaries. We were favored with a struction and visit from President and Sister Widtsoe, membered." which was greatly appreciated. Their in- counsel will long be re- MlSSIONARIES OF NOTTINGHAM DISTRICT Front row, left to right: Dalton E. Spencer, Evanston, Wyoming; John P. Hopkinson, district secretary, Sunnyside. Utah. Second row: Weston W. Taylor, assistant secretary European missions, Salt Lake City; Waldo L. Osmond, district president, Provo, Utah: Dr. John A. Widtsoe, mission president; Leah D. Widtsoe, president of European missions Relief Societies; Richard L. Evans, associate editor Millennial Star, Salt Lake City. Third row: Joseph E. Whitehead, Provo; Vilace L. Radmall, Pleasant Grove; Fred H. Cox, Pocatello; Harold K. Richmond, Salt Lake City; E. Anthony Clayson, Spanish Fork; Brandt D. Jorgensen, Salem; Rulon W. Stevenson, Ogden. Pass "Era" on to Your Friends Lack of space has prevented an earlier appearance of a report of a conference held in Auckland, New Zealand, sent us by Elder Halvor T. Johnson, under date of February 27. He says: "Four meetings were held, beginning at nine a. m. and closing at nine p. m., with but short in- tervals between them. It was a day of spiritual feasting for all who attended. Visiting elders from surrounding districts contributed to the success of our confer- ence. All had the privilege of speaking and bearing testimony of the goodness of the Lord to them in their labors. We have a talented branch in Auckland; so, naturally, we have a lively Mutual or- ganization. A concert was given, follow- ing the conference, for the purpose of rais- ing funds for the renovation of our chapel. The house was packed with Saints and in- terested investigators. In a recent letter from a Mr. Hugh Goldsbury, to whom we post the Era, he wrote thanking us for sending it, and had this to say, 'It gets better and better all the time, and not only do my wife and I find it most inter- esting, but those to whom I post it on think it a fine magazine. The stories and articles are so wholesome that the magazine must do a great good and win admiration for your Church wherever it is read.' "

MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 881 Work Progressing in the Aarhus District The Aarhus district, or conference as it was formerly called, was organized in 185 7. Since that time a very large num- ber of prominent men have come into the Church from that locality. It was not far from here that President Anthon H. Lund first heard and accepted the prin- ciples of salvation. Recently a notable conference was held in this district. Twen- ty-five missionaries from Zion were pres- ent, among them being President Joseph L. Peterson of the Danish mission, and his wife, Ida A. Peterson. The meetings Were all very well attended and excellent instruction was given. The report showed that the Danish mission has had forty- seven baptisms since the first of the year, and good prospects are reported from the various districts. Elder Clarence B. Jacobs reports that the elders are all working in- dustriously and with faith. According to this report, the Era is read with great interest by all. First row, left to right: Minnie Anderson; Olc Anderson, district president; Ida A. Peterson, president mission Relief Societies; Joseph L. Peterson, mission president; N. P. Rasmussen, president Aalborg district; G. Philip Jensen, president Copenhagen district. Second row: Douglas Thomsen, Max R. Christensen, Gunnar M. Nielsen. Clarence B. Jacobs, Robert L. Erickson, Aage L. Kjolby, Sylvester W. Muir. Third row: George H. Carlsen, Seth J. Larsen. Anders Andersen, Alfred L. Sorensen, Albert M. Olsen, Orval D. Benson. Fourth row: Richard T. Anderson, Karl M. J. Thomsen, Achton C. Jensen, Holger P. Petersen. Clifton E. Henrichsen, Peter M. Andersen. Baptisms Performed in Canada President Charles H. Hart of the Can- adian mission reports very encouraging progress in the Hamilton district of that mission. During the year 1927 twenty- six souls were brought into the Church by baptism. During the present year there have been twelve baptisms, and the pros- pects for future growth are excellent. All elders of the mission are laboring zealous- ly and with an abiding faith in the work they represent to bring the message of sal- vation to the people of that locality.

882 IMPROVEMENT ERA Hamilton District Missionaries Front row, left to right: Noble G. Papworth, Permelia Tippctts, Stella E. Stewart. Loraine Alston. District President. Francis H. Jex; Mission President Charles H. Hart; Alice Merrill. Cervera Sowards, Henry S. Cook. Second row: Hayward Baker, Joseph B. Cottrell, Ernest Soelberg, Rulon Henningen, Raymond G. Jacobson, Nathan B. Hales. John N. Jackson, Halo M. Hart. Third row: John W. Nelson, Floyd L. Losee, Wells Brover. Jr. Fishers of Men The mission field offers many remark- able evidences that "God moves in a mysterious way." Several months ago El- der D. Herschel Loosli delivered a tract at a door in Pforzheim, in southern Ger- many. The lady manifested an unfriend- ly spirit but was finally prevailed upon to accept the paper. However, she had no desire to read the message so unwillingly accepted and threw it aside as soon as the missionary was gone. This lady had an acquaintance living in an adjacent street, who discovered one evening after the stores were closed that she needed yarn in order to do some necessary darning. She sent her little girl to this friend's to borrow the desired material. The messenger re- turned in due time with the yarn wrapp:d in the tract which had been cast aside. It was carefully read by the lady into whose hands it had fallen. So impressed was she that she prayed about the matter and sub- sequently persuaded her husband and fam- ily to read it. They did so and were likev/ise impressed, so much so that they visited the meetings, became acquainted with the missionaries, and through study and prayer were soon converted. The result of this one tract, therefore, de- livered at an unfriendly door, was that an entire family was baptized. Surely Paul may plant, Appollos may water, but unless God gives the increase there can be none.

MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS Progress Experienced in North Texas 883 "The work of the Lord is progressing rapidly here in the North Texas dis- trict of the Central States mission, and we feel that we have been wonderfully blessed during the last year. The Era is greatly appreciated by us. It is a marvelous mis- sionary, and we always look forward to the receipt of each succeeding number." — O. F. Jeffery, district president (released). Missionaries of North Texas District Front row, left to right: O. F. Jeffery, district president (released) ; Margaret Quinn. Independence, Mo.; Josie J. AUred; Mrs. A. K. Kuttler, local; Kenneth Kuttler, Jr., local: Louise Sboell; Donetta Bennion, Independence; Charlotte Bennion. president mission Relief Societies; S. O. Bennion, mission president. Back row: Elmer Wright, president Independence district; Mauritz Marlowe; A. S. Youd ; A. C. Dye; C. S. Nielson; K. G. Woolley, president North Texas district; J. M. Judy, F. H. Winward. Dying Words of Confirmed Infidels "Hold on!" was the exhortation given a dying infidel by his associates. "Will you tell me what to hold on to?" he asked in reply. Cromwell: (The English General) "The devil is ready to seduce us, and I have been seduced." Gibbon: (The Historian) "All is now lost, finally, irrevocably lost, all is dark and doubtful." Churchill: "What a fool I have been!" Gambetta: "I am lost, and there is no use to deny it."