--- 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: 7 published: 1929-05 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. 7 (May 1929): 592–598." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera3207unse 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: improvementera3207unse start_page: 592 end_page: 598 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1929-05) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera3207unse 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 A New District in the Far North District President Rodney B. Ashby sends us the following report f Prince Rupert, Alaska: rom Early in December, 1928, President Sloan, of the Northwestern States mission, organized a new district to be called the South Alaska. It em- braces the northern part of British Columbia and the southern part of Alaska. Four elders, Wallace K. Everton, of Logan, L. Del- bert Bodily, of Preston, Idaho, Paul E. Warnick of Provo, and I left Vancouver, B. C, December 10th for Prince Rupert, located 482 miles north, on the Kaien Is- land. It is a pleasant ride, as steamers follow an inland chan- nel well pro- tected from the ocean. We had the profitable expe- rience at Ocean Falls of visiting some of the larg- Indian Totem pole. est paper mills in the world, and were shown how logs are ground into pulp and then transformed into paper of various texture, heavy and coarse as well as the finest tissue. Prince Rupert has a population of about 6,000, composed mostly of English, Canadian and Scandinavian. There are also many Indian tribes in this section. The city is located on one of the best deep-water harbors on this coast. Fishing is one of the im- portant industies, and Prince Rupert boasts of having the largest cold storage plant, used exclusively for fish, in the world. It has a capacity of 14,- 000,000 lbs. Era readers will doubtless be surprised to learn that, although we are so far north, 54 degrees north latitude, the weather here has not been nearly so severe as that of Utah. Five degree above zero was our coldest weather We had 7.7 inches of rainfall in January. On the morn- ing of December 14, shortly after Prince Rupert. Alaska our arrival, we proceeded to a hill overlooking the city and surrounding country and there sang and prayed, after which we dedicated the city and the district for the preaching of the Gospel and in- voked divine blessings upon our humble efforts. All government, city and church officials have been visited. Calls have been made on every home 1 , : * ::'"*fl ■ •""■"I I l*BM wmiM* — . ■<«* , . ^m May. 1929 MESSAGES FROM THE MISSION 593 as well as on all professional, business and school people, and the treatment accorded us has been most courteous. The Indian totem pole by which I am standing in the picture is one of many hundreds found here among the Indians. It is supposed that these In- dians came from the Orient, and it is claimed by some students that they re- semble the Chinese and Japanese. The legend of the totem pole is that Chief Gum-la-Gidus of the Nesh- ga tribe lived with his people in Yukon, on the Naas river. They were driven by the lava from a nearby vol- cano into the hills, where each night they heard strange sounds. Overcome with fear, they fled to the headwaters of the Sken river and in the spring- time followed it down until they came to the Kheran, now called Kaien Is- land on which Prince Rupert is built. Here again they were disturbed by alarming sounds at night. Voices seemed to be calling Gum-la-Gidus, and he, unable longer to endure the torment, armed himself with a toma- hawk and sallied forth into the darkness. At last he came to a large white wolf which was in great pain from the bone of a deer which had lodged in his jaw and which he was unable to remove. The chief, after having secured a promise from the wolf not to injure him, removed the bone and they became great friends. Each year thereafter the wolf killed a deer and brought it to his benefactor. Later Gum-la-Gidus longed for the country where the white salmon spawn and went north again. He adopted the white wolf as the crest of his tribe's totem pole. This pole was discovered later in the Indian village and brought to Prince Rupert and preserved. Elders Wallace K. Everton. Paul E. warnick and l. delbert bodily at Prince Rupert, Alaska President Rodney B. Ashby and Totem Pole 594 IMPROVEMENT ERA May. 1929 Opening of New L. D. S. Chapel at Portland, Oregon Sister Marian Gardner sends us the following: The opening of the new Latter-day Saint chapel at Portland, Oregon, held February 15, 16, and 1 7, was an epoch in the forward movement of the Church in the North- western States mission. Much interest has been manifest in the creation of this building by members and friends throughout the entire mission, and on Friday night, February 15, and the days following, the building was thronged by delighted multitudes, who reverently but joyfully gathered to do homage in this new and beautiful building. Among those in attendance during the conference were President Anthony W. Ivins, and President Charles W. Nibley, of the First Presidency, who came from Salt Lake City to be pres- ent on this occasion, and Elder Rudger Clawson, President of the Quorum of the Twelve, who had been touring the Northwest with Mission President Wm. R. Sloan. The building was decorated for the opening with floral offerings from the women of the Portland Relief So- cieties, and friends of the Church. A spirit of gratitude and thanksgiving prevailed. The music, beautifully ren- dered by the choir, the ladies' chorus, the male chorus, and by some of the most talented musicians of the city, was an expression of the joy in the hearts of those assembled. The new pipe organ also added much to the charm of the occasion. Thirteen hundred and fifty peo- ple, including many friends and in- vestigators, were present at the first session, filling the entire length of the combined chapel and social hall, and almost an equal number were in at- tendance at the meetings held Sunday. Mr. Marshall N. Dana, associate editor of the Portland Journal, who was one of the speakers at the opening session, paid kind tribute to the Church and its people. His words have already appeared in the Era, but they are worth reprinting: "It is my thought that the spiritual materializes itself in this great House of God. This foundation is faith; these walls are prayer; this sheltering roof is hope, — protecting hope; its girders and cross beams are strength and unity; its floors are sacrifice and service. Its architectural beauty is love and joy of living." President Ivins, President Nibley, President Clawson, and President Sloan, and others from among the local leaders, spoke with force and inspiration, bearing earnest testimony to the divinity of the Church. The auxiliary organizations and the missionaries also contributed to the success of the three-day opening. The Sunday School conference, including the eight Portland Sunday Schools, Sunday morning; the Book of Mor- mon pageant presented by the mission- aries of Oregon district; the Primary program and social, in which 391 chil- dren from the Portland Primaries, played, danced and sang; the M. I. A. social, at which was featured the Gold and Green cotillion, were all events of interest. A missionary conference was also held the morning of the 16th, at which ninety-five missionaries, repre- senting the five districts closest to Port- land, were present. The Relief Society meeting, held Tuesday, the 19th, though not in- cluded in the formal opening of the chapel, was closely related to it, as it included the six Relief Society organ- izations in Portland, and was the first meeting held in the Relief Society rooms in the new building. Lovely in every detail, this new building stands as a monument to the Lord. It represents the toil and sacri- fice of many loyal hearts and is the embodiment of a dream to President Sloan and Church leaders in Portland. May. 1929 MESSAGES FROM THE MISSION 595 The Fishers and Hunters of Men Sister Hazel Nelson, of the Eastern States mission, sends the following: "And this Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." Matt. 24:14. "Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that it shall no more be said, The Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; but, The Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from work in and around Ketterman, West Virginia. When one enters the "smoke holes," one forgets for the time being such convenient means of trans- portation as automobiles and street cars, and soon becomes convinced that this is to be an endurance test in moun- tain climbing. Isolated indeed are the people living in these mountains. El- ders, strong physically, as well as spiritually, are needed for the work. One's nearest neighbor is generally two or three miles away, or, to use their language, "over the mountain KETTERMAN, WEST VIRGINIA, SUNDAY SCHOOL all the lands whither he hath driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers. Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the Lord, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks." Jeremiah 16:14-16. With heavy walking boots, hiking trousers made for rough mountain wear and durable cotton shirts the el- ders equip themselves for missionary and through the holler." One dear old lady, with whom I became very friendly, considers a ten-mile climb over hills barefoot, to hear the word of the Lord, a great privilege. Little children are glad to walk several hours just for the opportunity of coming to Sunday School. Neither adverse weath- er conditions nor distance interferes with the average person's attendance at meetings. The people there are eager to learn and, though backward and shy, are progressing in a very noticeable manner under the influence 596 IMPROVEMENT ERA May. I9Z9 of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Their lives are void of the interests that most people count as essentials. They are learned in the arts of weaving and spinning. A man's own farm very largely provides for all the needs of his family. They are a hard-working and kind group of people. They have not had the advantages of edu- cation but are recognizing in the Gos- pel brought to them by the servants of the Lord opportunities for de- velopment. Remarkable manifesta- tions of the power of God have fre- quently been given them and the Saints bear strong testimony to the truth of the latter-day work. Two Sunday Schools are held each Sabbath day. The first begins at 10:30 a. m. The average attendance is sixty-five. The next begins at 3:00 p. m. The time between 12:00 and 3:00 is spent by the elders in going from one meeting to the other, and they cannot loiter along the way if they would be prompt in starting the services. The average attendance at the second Sunday School is seventy- five. Twenty baptisms have recently been performed, with applications for many more. "Mormonism" is bringing joy into the lives of these people. It is creating a higher standard of living. It is furnishing ideals and goals to work towards. It is indeed fulfilling the words of the Prophet Isaiah, "The meek also shall increase their joy in the Lord, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel." (Isaiah 29:19.) Mountains and streams are proving difficulties but not insurmountable barriers to the ser- vants of the Lord. Glad tidings of great joy are now being published to all the world. It matters not that people are far removed from centers of populations, the Lord in his own time and manner will send forth the message to his people. Utah Scenes Shown in Germany It has been some time since an ar- ticle from far-off Koenigsberg, Ger- many, appeared in the Era. I there- fore submit a short account of the late conference held in this district, also a picture of the missionaries. The series of meetings proved to be very successful and inspirational. Pres- ident Hyrum W. Valentine and Sister Valentine were in attendance, also Superintendent Arthur Gaeth and President Elmer Poulton of the Stettin district, together with all the elders laboring in this vicinity. An illustrated lecture on the subject, "Utah, the Wonderland of America," was given by Brother Gaeth. A large hall had been procured for the lecture but proved inadequate for the large crowd of curious visitors. They packed in until all available standing room had been taken, and then many, un- fortunately, were turned away. There were between 950 and 1000 people in attendance. The lecture was a big success, as was manifested by the hearty applause given Brother Gaeth at the close of the evening. The fol- lowing day favorable reports appeared in the leading newspapers of the city, allaying to a great extent the existing prejudice against "Mormonism." The conference meetings were well attended, and most of the missionaries present were given the opportunity of bearing their testimonies to the truth of the Gospel message. President and Sister Valentine delivered inspiring words of instruction and comfort, and bore testimony of the restoration of the Gospel through the Prophet Joseph Smith. The total attendance at all conference meetings, including the lecture, was 2040. The Saints and missionaries were all elated over the interest shown. The missionaries wish to extend their thanks and express appreciation May, 1929 MESSAGES FROM THE MISSION 597 for the fine, instructive articles which are appearing in the Era. — Meluin B. Watkins, president of the Koenigsberg district. Missionaries of Koenigsberg District Back row, left to right: Rulon W. Rawson. Francis R. Gasser, Melvin O. Allen. Loraine Whiteley, John R. Worlton, Edwin A. Bailey, Ashael Fairchild, Lowell Y. Morris. Hein- rich Rubow. Middle row: Russel Brown, Elmer Poulton. president of the Stettin district; Arthur Gaeth, superintendent of the Sunday Schools and M. I. A. organizations of the mission; President Hyrum W. Valentine; Melvin B. Watkins, president of the Konigsberg district. Front: Sister Rose E. Valentine, Edgar S. Hill. Conference at Burnley, England The first picture of the recently ap- pointed president of the British mis- sion is sent us, together with the following information, by Elder Howard J. Williams, president of the Liverpool district: A conference was held at Burnley, Lancashire, which was attended by President John A. Widtsoe, of the European missions: Sister Leah D. Widtsoe, president of the European missions Relief Societies: and President A. William Lund, of the British mission, and other elders. Those present enjoyed a rich out- pouring of the spirit of the Lord. Testimonies were borne with such fervor, and accompanied by so con- vincing a spirit, that the gathering will not soon be forgotten. The Lord is warning the nations in lan- guage so plain that all should be able to understand it. But how many there are who, "having ears, hear not!" Fortunately there are some who have the spirit of discernment and who know the truth when it is pre- sented to them. 598 IMPROVEMENT ERA May. 1929 Missionaries of the Burnley District Front, left to right: Marlon S. Johnston. Teton City, Idaho; and Clarence V. Bigler, Collinston, Utah. Middle row: William J. Matheson. Chicago, Illinois: Joseph S. Savage, district president, St. George, Utah; A. William Lund, president of the British mission; John A. Widtsoe. president of the European missions; Leah D. Widtsoe, pres- ident of the European missions Relief Societies; Howard J. Williams, district clerk, Salt Lake City; Ernest A. Hall. Wellsville, Utah. Back row: Francis E. Stock, Waterflow, New Mexico; William O. Tolman, Oakley, Idaho; Lester H. Belliston. Nephi, Utah; Spencer; A. Harris, Layton, Utah; Edward E. Drury, Salt Lake City; John W. South- wick. (Manchester district). Lehi, Utah; Weston R. Clarke, president of the Newcastle district. Logan, Utah; and Samuel Barber, Salt Lake City. To Be A Scout To be a Scout — ah, that's the thrill! The age when boys cannot be still; The time of life when all is gay; When work is work and play is play. To be a Scout — oh, what an aim! To live a life; to play the game; To do each day that kindly deed; To help some worthy soul in need. To be a Scout and hike along The mountain path and lilt a song. To make a bed where winds have trod, Makes man and boy both think of God. Provo, Utah NORMAN GEERTSEN