--- 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: 32 number: 3 published: 1929-01 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* 32, no. 3 (January 1929): 236–243." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera3203unse 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: improvementera3203unse start_page: 236 end_page: 243 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1929-01) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera3203unse publication_year: 1929 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 1929, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Messages from the Missions Messages from the Missions The German-Austrian Mission By President Hyrum W. Valentine "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature." This we interpret as the injunction to every elder who accepts a call to engage in missionary work, and with all our might we are anxious that this shall be done in our field. Another in- junction is, "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, de- ceiving your own selves." This is the word of the Master to all who have accepted him, and is especially applicable to the membership of the mission. We thus feel that we have a two-fold activity to direct, that of the missionaries and that of the membership. Sunday, August 2 3, 19 2 5, at Chemnitz, Ger- many, an opera- tion was perform- ed upon the Swiss- German mission, under the direction of President James E. Talmage of the European mission, which resulted in the creation of the German-Austrian mission, with headquarters at Koen- igsbrueckerstrasse 62, Dresden. Others present were Sister Talmage, Pres- idents Hugh J. Cannon of the Swiss-German mission, Fred Tadje of the new German-Austrian mission, President Hyrum W. Valentine and Charles H. Hyde of the Nether- lands mission, together with their wives, about one hundred elders, and more than one thousand friends and members. Each of the two German missions had eight districts and ap- proximately one hundred elders, with a member- ship of 5,305 for the Swiss-German field and 6,125 for the German-Aus- trian mission. Although this was the birthday of the new mis- sion, it was not the beginning of the work in this field. The first baptism performed in the territory now comprising the German-Aus- trian mission was performed by Eld- er Franklin D. Richards, one of the Twelve Apos- tles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the person baptized was none other than our own beloved Dr. Karl Godfried Maeser. This initial act was performed in the Elbe River at Dresden, about a mile below the Augustus bridge, on the night of Oc- tober 14, 1855. A marvelous mani- festation of the gift of tongues was enjoyed by President Richards and Brother Maeser on that night as they MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 237 walked and conversed upon the prin- ciples of the Gospel while returning to the city from that remarkable bap- tism. With such a beginning it is in- deed difficult to estimate what the des- tiny of the German-Austrian mission shall be. In honor of this great man, a suit- able memorial tablet is inscribed and placed in the front wall of that humble house, Zachailaerstrasse 10, Meissen, where he first beheld the light of day. Under the direction of Dr. James E. Talmage, president of the European mission, and in the presence of a great throng that had assembled to do honor to their townsman, and view with curiosity a rather unique service, it was unveiled on November 19, 1926. On January 1. 1927, the first num- ber of Dec Wegioeiser. a joint pub- lication of the two German missions, appeared as a successor to Unsere Sonn- tagsschule, which had been appear- ing quarterly for some time before as the organ of the Sunday Schools. The Wegioeiser carries, in a most excellent manner, material and suggestions for all organizations of the German-speak- ing missions, and is a marked step for- ward in establishing standards of effi- ciency, and bringing about unity of action. The natural outgrowth of this movement was the appointment of a general superintendent of the auxiliary organizations, with assisting commit- tees, for the supervision of this work and the preparation of outlines. This honor fell upon Martin Elmer Chris- tensen, who was made the first general superintendent of Sunday Schools and Mutuals in the mission, on February 15. Although at the time he was ill and his body racked with rheu- matic pain, he immediately received the inspiration of the Lord in connection with this calling, and entered upon the work as though he were in the best of health. It was not long until he was actually in that physical con- dition of health, and was filled with spiritual enthusiasm. The task of modernizing the or- ganizations went rapidly forward and soon we had Bee-Hive Girls, Boy Scouts, and M Men in all our Mutuals, and activity provided for all, which resulted in enthusiasm on every side. Not alone the Mutuals, but every or- ganization which was in the mission or that should be within the mission was stimulated, until our workers be- came bees and our organizations ver- itable bee hives. This work was carried over into our districts, so that the conferences were transformed into district conference- conventions, with departments for all organizations, and as far as possible, a sub-section for the various classes. During 1927, there were twenty-eight such conference-conventions held, and the workers were clamoring for others. During the early part of 1927 the spirit of the Lord whispered: "Two elders shall labor together, no more, no less. Where the work has grown beyond the capacity of two men the remedy is to divide the work rather than increase the number of elders." One elder alone is lonely, and more than two as companions is wasteful of energy. Another whispering came, "Local people for branch work and the missionaries for preaching the Gospel to those who have not heard it or have failed to heed it." The basis of missionary work is tracting, and the panacea for the ills of the missionary is more tracting. All district presidents reach out for the man who leads in tracting, even though they themselves may not be able to do much. The Lord is the most just of all paymasters and the only unre- stricted activity which we have is tract- ing. To increase our pay we need but to speed up the work, and the un- limited field is tracting. All other ac- tivities must be arranged for, but in this field we are free to go and continue at our pleasure. During the month of August, 1927, all elders were en- gaged in country work, tracting and 238 IMPROVEMENT ERA visiting and traveling from door to door and from village to village, as was the practice in the days of the Master himself, and in the early rise of the present latter-day work. They depend upon the Lord and his chil- dren for refreshment and entertain- ment. Although many of them were penniless, they nevertheless testify that they "felt like a million dollars," which is far better than actually to possess a million dollars. The average increased expenditure, for there are many who expend less. In honor of the 100th anniversary of the delivery of the plates by the Angel Moroni to the Prophet Joseph Smith, a Book of Mormon campaign was launched for the month of Sep- tember. More Books of Mormon were sold during this month than in the whole of the rest of the year. Elder Arthur Gaeth went through the mis- sion with a lantern-slide lecture on the The Interior of the Mission Chapel at Dresden, Germany tracting per man for the month of August was 126 hours. The "bell weather" tracter for the mission for the year 1927 was Ezra Tobler of St. George, with a total of 1,1 14.5 hours for the year, or an aver- age of 92.8 hours per month through- out the year. The mission average for the year was 56.6 hours per man, and the average cost per missionary was $30.26 per month. If your son is spending more than this amount you may well investigate the cause for such antiquities of America, and was able to hold 38 such lectures at which there were 8,884 persons present. Parker Thomas, of Lowell, Wyoming, led the missionaries in the sale of Books of Mormon for the month with 93. Fritz Lehnig excelled all members in the disposal of said books for the same period with 37, and Sister Ellen B. Valentine sold exactly 22 on the 22nd of September, in a single day's ac- tivity, and says that she was not turned down in a single instance. At any MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 239 rate, she did not accept "turn downs." The Maeser 100th anniversary and the general missionary conference-con- vention held at Dresden-Meissen, Jan- uary 14-20, 1928, was the most con- suming spiritual outpouring that we have ever experienced either at home or abroad. At the Maeser services in Meissen a throng of people was in at- tendance and the rapt attention of all was simply marvelous. United States Consul-General, A. T. Haeberle, Dres- den, delivered an eloquent address, in which he paid glowing tribute to Dr. Karl G. Maeser and his associates. The street in which the exercises were held was closed to traffic during the time of the exercises. In the evening, in one of the most attractive halls of the city, a public meeting was held at which 410 people were present and were furnished a Pentecostal feast. As a direct result of this, favorable write- ups appeared in the important daily papers of both Dresden and Meissen, and the Associated Press heralded the event around the world. Today we are holding our meetings in the "Little Red School" in which Brother Maeser was a teacher 75 years ago, and just recently we organized a Sunday School there. The last day of this never-to-be- forgotten occasion was a fast and testi- mony meeting, beginning at 9:00 a. m. and continuing, with two inter- missions of 10 minutes each, until 6:30 p. m., during which time testi- monies were given by 1 32 missionaries. At various times during the day tears bedimmed the eyes of strong men and devoted women, while others arose in groups for fear of losing the oppor- tunity to testify of the joy of their souls and the goodness of God. On February 20, 1928, the 11th district of the mission was organized in Upper Silesia, where, so far as is known, there were absolutely no friends or members of the Church in the entire district. It was named the Hindenburg district, after one of the major cities located there, and Elder Louis M. Ballard was appointed the first district president. April 20, 1928, the German-Aus- trian mission became a recognized en- tity in the German Republic, being registered as a "Verein" with all rights and privileges of existence, and trans- acting business in its own name as a judicial personality. This is perhaps the most direct official recognition which the Church has thus far received in this land. It is, however, of more than passing importance to recall that through the energetic action of United States Consul-General A. T. Haeberle, Dresden, the foreign office of Saxony first and later the German National Foreign Office took action favorable to the "Mormon" missionaries, with respect to restrictions placed on their passports by the German Consul-Gen- eral at Montreal, Canada. The Green Gold Freud-Echo (echo of joy) was the crowning event of our organization work. A combined attendance of 4000 participated in the functions held in Berlin, May 26, 27 and 28, which consisted of contests, tryouts, socials, banquets, presenta- tions, religious services, dramatics and field sports. A special feature of this celebration was the presentation of the flag of the German Republic to each of our 29 troops of L. D. S. Boy Scouts, by the mission president. Two of the big daily newspapers of Berlin gave us most favorable write-ups of the ac- tivities. Computing the space given us in the reading columns at the adver- tising rate, the space was worth 898 marks, or a little more than $200. Better than all this, however, is the fact that hundreds of thousands of Berlin's numerous population of four millions were made acquainted with our message through their own medi- ums. Just today an important press article was asked for from Budapest. The press seems anxious to print favor- able matter for us. The present status of the German- Austrian Mission is: 240 IMPROVEMENT ERA Elders from Zion 121 Full-time local Elders _- _ 13 Total membership of the mission 7,214 Places in which we are at work- 107 Sunday Schools 61 Enrollment . 4,8 6 3 Average Attendance 4,052 Total officers 796 Mutuals in the Mission 42 Enrollment 2,466 Average Attendance 2,123 Officers and Teachers 496 Bee-Hive Swarms 58 Enrolled girls 446 L. D. S. Boy Scouts 248 Troops 29 M Men About 40 Relief Societies 49 Membership 1,682 The combined strength of Priest- hood is 829 We have two immediate and press- ing needs — more missionaries to push the work along, and the use of the German school buildings for our meet- ings, classes and organization func- tions. The Tongan Mission By President J. A. Cahoon Tonga! Won- derland! Won- derland from many different points of view. It is beautiful to behold, having one of the most charming harbors in all the world. Of all South Sea island climates Tonga's ranks first. One is ever loath to leave after once becom- ing acquainted with the place and learning to love the natives. There are three main groups, or divisions, in the Tongan or Friendly islands, i. e., Tongatabu, Haapai, and Va- vau. Each of these groups is made up of hun- dreds of small islands. which is the seat of the Tongan Government, and also mission headquarters, is situated on the south, with Haa- pai 114 miles and Vavau 171 miles to the north. Samoa is 506 miles north and east, and Fiji is 420 miles northwest. and New Zealand is 1,100 miles south and west of Tongatabu. The Tongan Islands were first opened for mis- sionary work of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the year 1893. It was then just the Tongan dis- president J. a. cahoon frfo of the Sa- Tongatabu, moan mission. The work continued MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 241 for a few years and then was aban- doned until 1907. From that time until the present the work has con- tinued steadily onward. On April 3, 1916, the Tongan was separated from the Samoan mission and became what is now known as the Tongan mission. The history of the work in this field makes a beautiful drama, so it seems, which has been enacted through very trying circumstances, and which has only been able to attain its present level by the help of Almighty God. As in other missions, so in this one, the pioneers of the work showed that same spirit which our grandfathers and grandmothers showed in crossing the plains years ago. But now conditions are much improved and with fewer hardships than in previous years. The natives are no longer barbarians but are advancing as civilization advances. Time and space will not permit an explanation of the many incidents in the Tongan mission's history which are of importance, i. e., the prophecy of President Willard L. Smith of his preaching the Gospel in the king's palace at the king's request, and its ful- fillment, or of the persecution and an- tagonism shown by the government officials toward the elders. During the visit of Elder David O. McKay, of the Council of the Twelve, in 1921, he spoke concerning the an- tagonism of the government, "No gov- ernment and no man can raise a hand against the Church of Christ without bringing punishment upon itself. And I say this in the authority of my apos- tleship." This has surely come true in Tonga's case, for the persecution and antagonism continued until, in 1922, a law was passed prohibiting the entrance into Tonga of all "Mor- mons." This served to unite the native Saints and the elders from Zion under the leadership of President M. Vernon Coombs as no other thing could. After two years of strenuous and unceasing efforts, with much fasting and prayer, the public mind was so impressed that, in the latter part of 1924, the law was repealed. Friends and investigators were made of the Europeans residing here, as well as many of the natives, some of them of noble blood. Internal troubles have arisen in the government as well as between the different denominations. Even the queen changed churches and tried to force the natives to follow her. To this day the troubles and diffi- culties have not been settled and will not be until the leaders have fully re- pented of their actions against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, although there has been a com- plete change of feeling toward the Church since 1922. Because of all these troubles the natives have an increased desire for something real and tangible in a re- ligious way and are more willing to listen to the Gospel message than ever before. The time is ripe for the sow- ing of the seeds of truth throughout Tonga. The year 1927 was a very success- ful one for the Tongan mission in many respects. Our faithful and ener- getic little group or family of mission- aries, united with the native Saints, have done much to proclaim the Gos- pel by precept as well as by example. Although statistics show only thir- teen converts baptized and eight chil- dren of members baptized, twenty- eight children blessed and recorded in the Church books, etc., there were many people who heard the Gospel message and many investigators were found throughout all the islands. There were 1,113 members on record at the beginning of the present year, 95 of whom hold the Priesthood. Through the kindness of the First Presidency, we have been able to re- model, clean and renovate completely the mission home, build a new dwell- ing house on the mission's 75-acre plantation at Makeke, where our mis- 242 IMPROVEMENT ERA sion school is located, and to build an elders' home in the Haapai district at Bagai, Lifuka. Thus much of the time of our elders has been taken up in man- ual labor as well as in teaching school and preaching the Gospel. Tracting and proselyting and hold- ing meetings among the natives is very interesting work and is much enjoyed by all the missionaries. It enables the elders to be with them and learn their native habits and customs, and teach not even allowed to enter their homes again after having been baptized into the Church. They are called on to endure many hardships and persecu- tions for the Gospel's sake, even as Christ said, "And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved." Matt. 10:22. But great is, and greater shall be their reward in heaven if they stand firm and true to the end. Mission Home and Chapel, Nukualofa. Tonga them the simple truths of the Gospel step by step. There is nothing which the natives like better, or which makes the elders learn to love them more than to associate with them in preaching the Gospel. It is a testimony to the missionaries to see the wonderful faith which many of our Saints have in the power of the holy Priesthood in the healing of the sick. Seldom does a person join the Church without becoming an outcast from his family. In fact, many are During a recent conference the writer was called to administer to an old lady, a non- member, who was sick with influenza. Before doing so I ques- tioned her concerning her faith in the power of the Priesthood to heal her sickness. She answered: "My hus- band is dead, and all my children have joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For years I have tried to convince my children of their mistake and would not permit them to speak to me concerning their religion. MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS 243 But in listening to the sermons of your missionaries and reading and studying your tracts and literature and by fast- ing and prayer, I have gained a testi- mony concerning the truth of the Gospel. I have implicit faith in your teachings and in the power of the Priesthood in healing the sick. Please administer to me so that I will be well and able to attend the baptismal serv- ices tomorrow, for I wish to be bap- tized." And she was in perfect health the following day and was baptized. "Behold, the field is white already to harvest; therefore, whoso desireth to reap let him thrust in his sickle with his might, and reap while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation in the king- dom of God." Doc. and Cov., Sec. 11:3. Especially is the field white already to harvest in the Tongan mis- sion, and we need more missionaries to harvest this corner of the vineyard. To all young men and women of the Church, I wish to say that it matters not to which mission you are called to labor, whether North Amer- ican, European, or Island mission, there is no one on earth who knows better to which field of labor you are best suited than our beloved leader, President Heber J. Grant. It should never be a question of how much the missionary is going to gain from his experience; but, rather, how much is he able to do for the mission — how best can he serve the interests of God and humanity. Upon each and every member of the Church of Christ rests the responsi- bility of preaching the Gospel to "every nation, kindred, tongue and people." There are a chosen few who are endowed with the power and au- thority from on high to travel and preach the Gospel throughout the length and breadth of the world. They should prepare themselves by an in- tensive study of the Gospel principles. With this store of knowledge, the true and humble servant will, by the power of the Holy Ghost, instill in the hearts of his listeners the message of Christ and him crucified. The Tongan mission is proud of the fruits of the labors of the faithful sons of Zion, and will ever welcome more of them to this field of labor. The prospects are bright and we look for even greater success in the future. The One Two thousand years ago there was One here on this earth who lived the grandest life that ever has been lived yet, — a life that every thinking man, with deeper or shallower meaning, has agreed to call divine. I read little respecting his rights or his claims of rights, but I have read a great deal respecting his duties. Every act he did he called a duty. I read very little in that life respecting his rights, but I hear a vast deal respecting his wrongs, — wrongs infinite, wrongs borne with majestic, God-like silence. His reward? His reward was the reward that God gives to all his true and noble ones, — to be cast out in his day and generation, and a life-conferring death at last. These were his rights. — Fredrick W. Robertson: Lecture to Working Men.