(Previous entry)

[Aug.] 9 We returned to Pago Mapusaga I journied in the boat and they other Brs Shepherd and Adams by land I reached Mapusaga about 20 minutes before they did and when they came in they were very tired and warm.

[Aug.] 10 Teaching school and helping around in the Mapusaga Branch . . . . . .

[Aug.] 30 Elder Lisonbee and I left for a short proselyting trip to Nuuli and adjoining villages but things are not as we expected to find them.

[Aug.] 31 We returned today to Mapusaga and althou we had a nice trip the people with few exceptions were not pleased with our visit.

[Sept.] 2 All the elders having gathered we held an excellent priesthood A letter was read calling Bro Rigby (( Wm Edward Rigby, born 1888, from Lewiston, ID, served May 8, 1909—Jun 29, 1912. )) to Upolu and Lisonbee was given his place at Pago // at the village priesthood meeting Pili and I were appointed to go to Aloso for the coming Sunday and hold meeting. Pili could not talk any English so I thot it would be a swell experience.

[Sept.] 3 About 2 P.M. we left Mapusaga and started up the mountain toward Aloso shortly after we started it began to rain. It was a long old rough mountainous trail up hill for about 7 miles then about one mile straight down to the coast. It rained in torrents on us until we reached the top of the hill then we slid most of the way down the other side.

[Sept.] 4 Sunday we stayed with an old Tulafala and held fast services with him also administered unto him. We held 2 meetings one of which was a sacramental meeting. I spoke at both meetings once on the sacrament and then on the first Principles of the Gospel. I also led in the family prayer and dismissed meeting faasamoa. I returned Monday [5] having lost about 5 lbs in weight on the trip.

Taught school during the week and studied some faasamoa.

[Sept.] 9 Bro Shepherd and I went down to // Tafuni, a village in the coast 2 miles from Mapusaga, to proselyte. There were no Saints in the village and as this was about the first outing where we had to lean more upon ourselves, we were very humble. Before going into the village we knelt down in the Bush and prayed that the Lord would direct us to where we might do some good and also for inspiration as to our actions and talk.

On entering the village we went directly to the largest house in the village. Here we found that we had met with the “pule Nigi” or chief magistrate. He was respectful but very cold. We tried to carry on a conversation that we might get better acquainted and after a short conversation he began to warm up. We had only been there a short time when a big Samoan came in and they had us going some. We thot he was a teacher and my heart was in my throt half the time. Soon however we found out that he was Native Gov. over the West End of Tutuila and had just called in on a journey to Pago.

At first he was very overbearing and // treated us as if we were 2 kids, which was good in that it made us more humble.

After talking awhile I told him I was teaching school in Mapusaga and he asked if any of my boys could talk English if so to call him in as my boys were down on the coast. I sent up and had Kupa come down and from 7 until about 11 oclock we had a lovely time. We talked school, Gospel, politics and education. He asked many questions about U.S.A. and we tried to answer them all. Then to end up we gave him several hard digs about the way they interfered with our work and the evil effect it had upon the people. That night we had a splendid bed in the house and much respect was shown us.

We ended our visit with about an hours Gospel conversation with the Pule Nuu. He said we were right and were welcome to come anytime. That he enjoyed our visit. We returned feeling quite elated.

[Sept.] 20 Time is still on the fleeting wing of eternity and althou we are always busy we don’t // accomplish near what we would like to. School is progressing well under the adverse conditions with which we contend daily. We have our conference program well under way and hope to make it a success.

[Sept.] 25 Today is Sunday and one I think I shall not forget. At priesthood meeting [22] I was appointed to take Fusu and spend Sunday in Nevuli so with him and another boy we left Mapusaga shortly after six in the morning and were there to hold meeting at 8. The man in whose house we stoped was the only member of the church in the village and when we came he made all manner of excuses, telling us we had better go back to Mapusaga but I told him that I had been sent as a servant from the Lord and that I could not go back without doing my duty. We held our church and three men and some women came to which we proclaimed the principles of Life and Salvation until we ran out of words then we closed. The custom is that after church we eat and they just gave us some breadfruit which I refused to eat. His wife made the remark that I did not know how to eat their food // but I told her that if she would respect me with something fit to eat I would eat o.k. they felt quite ashamed and soon brought in some nice fish which I did justice to. We then returned to Mapusaga.

[Sept.] 26 Today a big wedding took place in Mapusaga. Saii and Gusai were married by Bro. Adams. It was a small affair. People from all over the island were present the Bridal party marched and danced all over creation.

We all met in the meeting house and enjoyed the wedding feast and at night had a great program in the Penina house.
We are preparing our Conference program and working hard in school,

[Oct.] 7 Today our ball team which is the whole village went to Malailoa to play them a game of ball. They played two innings of 35 men each and our men were winners right from the start. The talleys were as follows. 671 runs for our side and 415 for them. Our men returned feeling that they were it but gave us most of the credit saying that it was due to our encouragement and interest in their behalf. //

Oct 9 Today is Sunday and I stayed in Mapusaga and attended to the meeting Bro Shep. presided in the sacramental meeting. After meeting we went for a short walk down the gov road that has been put thru our village. We returned home early enough that Elder Adams spanked one of my large school girls for breaking one of the village rules.

[Oct.] 11 This afternoon I was sent down on the work with about 15 women to boss. They go to school in the forenoon and cut bush in the afternoon getting from getting from 10 c and 25 c per day.

[Oct.] 12 Another day in the field with the bush cutters. Today we worked about 6 hrs. My hands are all in blishters but one must either work or be eaten by mosquitoes.

[Oct.] 14 Con. Pres. Adams left on a proselyting trip with Elder Stephens Petersen (( Wilford Christian Petersen, born 1889, from Terrace, UT (now a ghost town) served from July 4,1909—Apr 6, 1911. There is a partly legible note that he had “H???? trouble.” )) leaving me in charge of the place. Shep and Kupa went to Aloao to hold church. But expected back on Monday.

[Oct.] 15 Owing to some of the people feeling discouraged and unsatisfied I have asked several to join with me in a fast. //

[Oct.] 16 Everything went off smoothly in the village today 7 of us fasted and after meeting we gathered in our house and held a prayer meeting at which a very good meeting feeling existed.

[Oct.] 17 Brs Adams and Peterson returned from their proselyting and brought a splendid report of their work. I also reported what we had done in the mean time and suggested that now the matter was at a head we should settle it once and forever.

[Oct.] 18 We all fasted and had a day of reconciliation. We all decided to spend more of our time in the service of the Lord and quit finding fault.

[Oct.] 19 All seems to be harmony and good will in our village and prospects are much better.

Brs. Shepherd and Peterson left for the east end intending to proselyte until Conference. Bro Adams left for Pago to be gone until next Monday so that I am left alone again in the branch for nearly another week.

Mail left for U.S. last night and another mail from U.S. is expected now. //

Oct 24 Mission Pres. McBride ((Don Carlos McBride, 1871–1932 , from Pima, AZ, served two missions to Samoa, leaving behind his wife and children each time. The first was June 29, 1898—Mar 21, 1902. The second was , July 31, 1909–Jan 12, 1911. His journal from his second mission (which mentions Elder Farnsworth only once) is available on his page on FamilySearch.org. )) and Upolu Conf. Pres. Tangreen arrived here tonight to spend Conf. with us. We were very pleased to meet with them I especially having been so well acquainted with them on Upolu. Tonight Pres. McBride and I went out together to hold prayers with Pali after which we went for a walk and visited also the meeting house where I had those who had parts for Conference practice them up. After the practice we had a long talk together and I felt quite impressed that I was going back to Pesega, which I told to Bro. Shepherd. At Conference, sure enough I was reappointed Mission Sect and was to return to Upolu with the company when Conf. was finished.

We had a very nice Conference and a great many strangers in attendance who all seemed very pleased.

Saturday our school gave the program, and all pronounced it a genuine success. It went off like a charm. Pres. McBride gave me some flattering compliments on our work in school and said I had done excellently well. //

Nov. 1 Bro Tangreen, who indeed seems like a Brother, and I went to Pago intending to catch a boat and come to Upolu but the chances are few for the coming week.

Nov. 8 We have spent the past week in Pago and near by towns visiting branches Saints and trying to help Bro Allred in the Pago Branch. On Sunday last I conducted on meeting and Pago Pago, and spoke in another.

Monday we hurried off and in the rush I left part of my clothes in Pago. Our trip over was delightful. The boat was clean, the sea calm and smooth, the nigh cool and light. Everything tended to make it enjoyable but still, both Bro. McBride and Tangreen were sick.

[Nov.] 8 We arrived in Apia this morning and Elder Tangreen went immediately to Sauniatu. But Bro McBride and I went to Pesega and visited 5 or 6 families of Saints. It was like returning to dear old home to come back to Pesega. I made one resolution. “That with the help of the Lord I would succeed” and started out with that xxxxxxxx in my mind.

In looking over the books I found // that they had not been copied up since I left and that the copying of the cash acct were very much behind. It lacked nearly a thousand mark of balancing. I started in on the Cash accts and Bro Hogan started with Mission records etc. I brought the books nearly to a balance. Then had to force a balc to continue.

[Nov.] 12 Pres. McBride and I left Pesega to spend Sunday in Fasitoatai. We hired Ah Mus cart and took Belle. We left here about 8 A.M. and arrived there at about 6 P.M. and enjoyed a pleasant ride along the sea shore thru coconut plantations and Samoan villages. That night we stayed with a family of Saints who treated us very kindly. They made us a very nice bed and a good taimanu and then scented our bed up with flowers etc until we looked more like a grove on decoration day then a bed of Mormon elders.

[Nov.] 13 Today we held service with them and I tried preaching to them faasomoa. After meeting we had prayer dinner and then we left them for Pesega. We returned traveling by moonlight and it was most // beautiful, far beyond description.

[Nov.] 14 Cash acct books are all balanced and ready to be turned over.

(To be continued)