
[Jan.] 28. Spent forenoon in Salovi in Sunday School. Soo was there intending to go to Apia so I came with him in a buggy. I left my grip in Fasitoatai and went to Pesega where I arrived just in time for dinner. After visiting a short time with elders. Bro Jensen Nellie and I went up and spent the evening with Johnie Ah Mu and family. We ate another supper with them.
[Jan.] 29 Went to town with Sister Nellie and we each had a tooth pulled in the afternoon I visited most all the saints.
[Jan.] 30 In the morning I washed clothes wrote a letter or two home and in the afternoon returned to Maloi I stayed with Afutu and had a very nice talk with them.
[Jan.] 31 I arose early and left Molie stoping at several houses along the way but I // was too early for their breakfasts so I went on for about 10 miles then stoped in where a man lived who was a member of the church. He was not there but there was a house ful of others and after preparing a very nice breakfast they all came in and we had a swell time. I preach[ed] Gospel for about three hours they asked many questions. They we[re] very pleased and asked me to stay all night but owing to previous arrangement I was unable to. I promised to return next week and visit them. I continued on to Fasiloatai where I met Tenei and Nele. I had been there only and short time when two Chinese came in and we had a nice time. We talked until about 10 P.M.
Feb 1,2,3 wrote Journal, fasted, slept and talked to who ever I got a chance at.
4 I studied, prepared for Sunday and visited in the famly of Aigaga.
[Feb.] 5 Sundayed in Fasitoalai. Got myself into some trouble by telling them // they were not as strong as they ought to be.
In the evening Pres. Christensen Jensen came from Fasitoati and we spent the evening together with the Saints we slept in the house of Panoa.
[Feb.] 6 We left Fasitoatai about 7 oclock and journeyed along up the coast stoping at Fasioaita where we had a nice visit and good breakfast We arrived in Pesega aobut noon and worked about the house until evening when Bro Osi Sister Nellie and I went to Kennisons for prayers returning home later in the evening we held a short singing practice among ourselves.
[Feb.] 7. We received a letter by Faaung tht the Gov. had written to Ilaua in Saleaula forbidding our people to hold church in that place. In the afternoon we went down to have an interview with His Excellency but owing to the death of Matoofa we decided to wait until tomorrow We did some shoping in Apia then went to Motautai where I remained. // and visited the little hindoo until late in the afternoon when I returned visiting different parties in Apia returning home in the evening I went to mutual.
[Feb.] 8 Wednesday Pres. Jensen and I [9] went gain to see the Gov. and we[re] told to come again Saturday. Wrote up main and in the evening visited Hagguemillers.
[Feb.] 10 Elder Peterson and I went to see the Governor but on arriving there we were asked to make a written statement of our desires and send him. So we returned and visited. We visited the family of Vagaie and ate dinner. Had a very nice time. Also visited in Moataa, Matofagetel and Motootua. I held prayers with Ima and Tufa.
[Feb.] 11 I spend Sunday in Pesega in the afternoon I visited church, spoke on the Apostacy and the Kingdom of God. In the evening we visited Charlie Wright and Grace Ah Mu. In the first house we had splendid music in the second a nice supper and good talk. //
[Feb.] 12 &13 I spent in Pesega visiting saints and studying. I read “The Power of Truth.” (( The Power of Truth is a book written by essayist and Saturday Evening Post editor, William George Jordan. The book was first published in 1902. Heber J. Grant encountered the book while serving as the president of the LDS Church’s European Mission from 1903 to 1906. He purchased and gifted over 4000 copies of the book. Eventually the book was reissued by the LDS publisher, Deseret Book. ))
[Feb.] 14 I prepared for a journey early in the morning and about 8 A.M. left for Sauniatu on horseback. I had a lovely ride and arrived in Sauniatu about 12 N. having stoped only a few minutes with Bro Bird. After dinner I visited Faauuiga, Jimmy, Joe and several others also attended a singing practice in the evening.
[Feb.] 15. Visited Siinei and released her from going to Fasitoatai also visited Sarali and others. We fasted unto noon for Api’s baby and after noon we left Sauviatu by boat for Pesega. The sea was not rough but some how I was out of kilter and for the first time I was seasick. We arrived in Apia about dark cold, wet and hungry, walked to Pesega ate supper and rolled in.
[Feb.] 16 I stayed in Pesega read books and slept. In the evening we // held a splendid Elders meeting at which I presided for the first time. Pres. Jensen was with us and much good instruction was given as well as good reports, words of cheer and comfort.
[Feb.] 17 We visited around Pesega. Had Willlie Lawrensen come over and talk and it was decided that he and Ellen both come to Pesega meet with some of the Elders and have a meeting where in both of those may properly confess and make amends for having fallen and that a note should be made on the books stating that as far as the church was concerned we recognized a divorce between Faaoo and Willie and the marriage cov. between Willie and Ellen. Bro Osi and Sister Neli went down with Willie so I remained in Pesega.
[Feb.] 18 Pres. Jensen, Elder Petersen and I were in Pesega. We had splendid turnouts to meeting and Sunday School and an enjoyable time. Pres. Jensen occupied the time in // the meeting talking on Gen. Exortation We visited Kennison in the evening and came home early and read Samoan Genealogy.
[Feb.] 19 Pres. Jensen and I went to Apia in the forenoon. Saw about the Salovi land and were promised a letter giving us the price etc. We also saw Mr Moons who promised us his gasoline launch for $500.00. We rec’d word from the shiping Co. that a boat would leave for Savaii in the evening so Pres. Jensen prepared for Savaii and I had Bro Petersen bring me part way on my journey to Saulii. We came together as far as Vaivasa when he returned and I came on to Saulii. I spent the evening with Bro Bird having a cool bath in the river during a heavy rain storm.
[Feb.] 20 Studied in the morning and after lunch Bro. Bird and I had a fine swim after which we went // [to] Sotuanuin and visited in two families. We had a good enjoyable visit and returned in the evening to Saulii. We visited three or four families of Saints and later in the evening Piti Lucy and Upulasi came. And visited until late at night.
[Feb.] 21 I spent the forenoon in reading studying and sleeping. After dinner or breakfast we went swimming then left Saulii visiting along up the coast. We visited several houses in Sautuamui and then traveled on to Solosolo. We were very well received in that village and spent the evening with Meatogo. We slept in his house
[Feb.] 22 Bro Bird arose very early in the morning and went to Saulii about 6 A.M. I left for Sauniatu. The rivers were all low and I crossed without much difficulty. The morning was beautiful and coll. I walked rapidly and soon came to Fusi then started over the muddy mountain trail. It was very muddy but I walked // and rested often I arrived in Sauniatu about 9 A.M. I found the missionaries there all well except Sister Wilcox who was suffering some with stomach complaint After a good bath in the river and a good dinner I spent the afternoon reading and visiting with the family. In the evening we had prayers with Matalina.
[Feb.] 23 I spent this forenoon reading and studying faaSamoa. In the afternoon I visited with the family and became better acquainted with missionaries in Sauniatu. Held prayers alone with Panapa and Salanta
[Feb.] 24 Took up a systemic study of the bible in the forenoon. Visited families and tofao in the afternoon. Found the new donkey. Went with Sisters and held prayers with Joe. Afterwards attended singing practice.
[Feb.] 25 Branch Conference in Sauniatu we held splendid meetings and perfected all of the organization of the Branch. We held four meetings at which all Branch questions were discussed and the branch leaders given a chance to speak. //
Met Jimmy Ray who returned in the evening before from Saleauta He reported well his journey and said that the case pending would come again for hearing before the Gov on Tues 27 and that I was asked by Pres. Jensen to hurry to Pesega.
[Feb.] 26 Had a lovely breakfast with Elder Hickman and the Wilcox family then after releasing Iasinga from the branch of Salesula released from missionary labors, and appt. Jimmy Ray, subject of course to the answer we received from the Governor. I rode Belle down, had a pleasant ride, stopped a few minutes with Bro. Bird I arrived in Pesega about 2 P.M. and found all well and happy there at mission house. In the evening Bro Petersen and I went to Johnie Ah Mus held prayer and administered to Pepe who had been in considerable pain for several days.
Having already had a previous appointment we returned home early and held a meeting between ourselves // and Ellen and Willie Lawrensen. I presided at the meeting after the customary singing and opening prayer I offered some opening remarks briefly stating the purpose of the meeting and that was that the above named gentlemen and lady might ask forgiveness and be received back into full fellowship. There were present Pres. C. Jensen, Elders WC Peterson, LJ Jensen & wife Willie Lawrensen and Ellen and myself. All the missionaries spoke and Willie and Ellen both asked forgiveness and were received back into full fellowship. A note was made in the record stating divorced from Fasoo and recognizing the marriage performed by Elders of Willie and Ellen.
[Feb.] 27 Pres. C. Jensen and I according to appointment called upon Dr. Schultz, (( Erich Schultz, was vice governor from 1910 until 1914, when New Zealand forces occupied Samoa. )) Vice Governor of German Samoa and considered the Soleaula question. The decision was that we hold no more meetings there for the present but wait until // until such time as the majority of the village are willing for us to establish.
He acused us of not being loyal to the Government in that we did not respect government officials. We did not pay our taxes to the appointed place and we did not perform the necessary and customary law of going under oath each week. He was not pleased toward us and did not mind telling so. He asked us to make a report of our village and what we are aiming at in our work.
[Feb.] 28 Aside from studying and visiting Pres. C. Jensen and I called at the US consulate and asked certain questions relative to our rights but we found our only protection was personal safety and that we must submit to German rule which he himself had to do.
[Feb.] 29 Wrote mail to folks home. Studied some and visited.
(To be continued)
This remains just as interesting as ever. Thanks, Laura and Ardis.
When did Burton Kent Farnsworth’s mission conclude? My grandmother,Anna Wilcox, was a missionary in Samoa from Oct 1912-April 1916. She was sixteen when she left Utah for her mission. I wonder if their missions overlapped.
Anna was a cousin to the Wilcox girls mentioned in the footnotes of Farnsworth’s journal. Anna arrived in Samoa approx. 17 months after her aunt and uncle (and three of their four daughters) had begun their mission in Samoa in June of 1911. After Myrtle was set apart as a missionary in 1914, there were three single women serving as missionaries in Samoa (Myrtle, LaVera-her older sister, and Anna-their cousin.) After the Wilcox family returned home in the summer of 1914, Anna continued to serve her mission until April 1916, I believe the only single sister missionary serving in Samoa for the next year-and-a-half.
Great job on transcribing and annotating the journal.
BKF was home by early May 1912, so unfortunately he didn’t overlap with your grandmother, Lori. (Did Anna Wilcox leave a mission diary, by any chance?)
We have only two more installments of Elder Farnsworth’s mission journal.
BKF’s Grandson spoke in conference today. Can anyone guess who from looking at this photo? (The photos of BKF at a later age show much more of a family resemblance.)
As per his grandson speaking in General Conference I am going to say Elder Kent F. Richards?
Want to make a wild guess what that F. stands for?
I don’t know of a mission diary from Anna (1896-1996), although she did write about her mission later in her life.I do have a collection of letters she wrote to her husband (they were married just over a month before he left), while he was on a three-year misison to Australia (1920-1023).I also have some interesting journals from Anna’s mother,Lucy Evaline Clark Wilcox (1871-1958),who was a school teacher (in Utah) and sold a dress-cutting machine (and gave classes on its use in Utah and other states with her mother) in the late 19th century, and was a postmistress later in Garland, Utah. Anna’s grandmother, Lucy Augusta Rice Clark (1850-1928), was very involved in church and political affairs in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They are three generations of strong, independent, hardworking, deeply religious, Utah women.
Those papers sound like treasures, Lori — as do your grandmothers.
You asked if Anna Wilcox had left any missionary journals. I had never seen any, but just last month I went through some old trunks with my aunt, unopened for over twenty years, and discovered some missionary journals and study workbooks (for the Samoan and German she needed while on her mission in Samoa) belonging to Anna Wilcox. It was an exciting find for me. I’d love to get in touch with Laura N to ask some questions about her sources for all the notes she included as she transcribed Burton Kent Farnsworth’s journal.
Lori, I sent a response to the email you left when you commented. How exciting that you’ve found these records!