Monday, November 5, 2018

Part 4 (1931-1940)



References & Accompanying Content for 1931

1931-1:  April 1931 [General] Conference Report, [Elder] Rey L. Pratt

I am happy in my ministry. I shall be delighted to continue as long as the Lord
sees fit to use me as an instrument in the spread of the Gospel among the
nations of the earth, and I am particularly happy to be laboring among the
Lamanite people. I rejoice to bring to you greetings from them, particularly
from our people in the far-off land of Mexico, where for nearly six years now
they have not been permitted to have the association and the ministrations of
the Elders from Zion.   p. 91 my emphasis

1931-2:  “Are We Of Israel?” by Elder George George Reynolds, Fifth Edition,
Press of Zion’s Printing and Publishing Co...August 1931, Copyright by Joseph
F. Smith for the Deseret Sunday School Union

Chapter I.

...the believer in the Book of Mormon will point to its record and declare that
in the aborigines of North and South America, and of many of the Pacific
Isles, we find the seed of Joseph [father of Ephraim and Manasseh from the
Old Testament] grown into a multitude of tribes, peoples and nations.  We
thankfully admit this truth, we can not contradict it, did we wish to do so.  God
has so revealed it...   p. 9 my emphasis
1931-3: “The Lamanite in the Gospel Scheme,” by Rey L. Pratt, Feb. 1931
Relief Society Mag., Address delivered at the Relief Society Conf. Oct. 1, 1930

I call your attention to the fact that the Lamanites that dwell within the
confines of the United States are a very small part of the people of
Joseph, those descendants of Lehi through his sons Laman and
Lemuel, that are in existence.  There are a great many more of them in
the countries to the south of us:  Mexico is a Lamanitish country,
Central America is a Lamanitish country, the great majority of the
inhabitants of all of the South American Countries are Lamanitish
people.    p. 72  my emphasis

The curse placed upon them [the Lamanites] was a result of their rebellion
and the curse was manifest in a dark skin that came upon these
people.  p. 72  my emphasis

 1931-4:  "Response of the Lamanite Sisters,” Photograph, January 1931 Relief
Society Magazine, Organ of the Relief Society of the COJCOLDS

[A large horizontal photo at the top of p. 112, showing approximately 8 adults
and six children.  All but three adults are obviously dark skinned people, with
the following below it]:
“A GROUP OF LAMANITE SISTERS, LOS ANGELES BRANCH, MEXICAN
MISSION”

 1931-5:  "The Indian in the Public School,” by Marian Gardner Nielson,

    A new experiment in Indian education is being tried in Blanding, San
Juan County, Utah. Here, the government has established the first Indian
dormitory, where the Indians live away from home and attend the public
Schools.  p. 92 my emphasis
-----
  There are several projects being carried on for the benefit of these
Lamanite children.  Certain men go to the [Indian] dormitory in the evening
and tell stories of the Book of Mormon to the children...The Indians have
been invited to attend Primary and Sunday School and the older ones
attend Sacrament meetings.
-----
    It is easily seen that the hand of the Lord is in the affairs of the
Lamanites.  The national government has instituted proceedings to help
the Indian.    p. 93    my emphasis

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References & Accompanying Content for 1932

1932-1:  “Suggestions For Book of Mormon Lecture,” published by the Missions
of the COJCOLDS in America,” 4-32, Printed by Zion’s Printing and Publishing
Co., Independence, Missouri, U.S.A.  [Missionary Pamphlet]

The American Indian
The question of the origin of the American Indians is of great interest to the
Latter-day Saints for they hold that the Book of Mormon gives the solution to the
problem.  This book, written by divinely inspired prophets tells how the
forefathers of the Indians came from Jerusalem and crossed to America by
way of the Pacific Ocean under the direct purpose of God.  In time, these people
became divided into tribes,... pp. 29-30    my emphasis

1932-2:  “Greatness in Men--Melvin J. Ballard,” by Bryant S. Hinckley,
October 1932 Improvement Era

Two years ago, about this time, I had been on the Fort Peck Indian
Reservation, for several days, with the brethren, solving the problems
connected with our work among the Lamanites…  p. 714   my emphasis

They [Elders Ballard and Pratt] were permitted by the First presidency to return
through the Indian country of South America [during 1926].  Their journey led
them to the northern part of Argentina, where they saw hundreds of thousands
of native Indians....The Elders were not only interested in the natives who
belonged to the house of Israel, no doubt,...    p. 735     my emphasis

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References & Accompanying Content for 1933

1933-1:  “South American Missions--Mission Work in Brazil,” by Peter Loscher,
July 1933 Improvement Era

And we even hope to have time enough to warn the many Lamanites, that still
inhabit this land.
We hope that in the meantime the giant-baby, Brazil, has awakened from its
slumber, and that it will be a chosen and special blessed land, carrying many
of the blood of Israel.      p. 546 my emphasis

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References & Accompanying Content for 1934

1934-1:  “From Tepee To Tabernacle,” by Alvaretta S. Engar, July 1934 The
Relief Society Magazine

A very unusual assemblage of Lamanitish people, descendants of Father Lehi,
was brought together in the great Latter-day Saint Tabernacle by the Genealogical
Society of Utah, on the evening of Friday, April 7, 1933….  p. 423 my emphasis
---
The whole evening’s proceeding was a significant demonstration of the fact that
God is remembering his promises to these people that they should accept the
truths of the Gospel as contained in the Book of Mormon and receive it as a
divine record or history of their forefathers and finally become a white and
delightsome people.  p. 424 my emphasis

1934-2:  “Two Friends of the Lamanites,” by Ezra C. Robinson, July 1934 The
Relief Society Magazine

Jacob Hamblin

Jacob Hamblin, who was often referred to as the Apostle to the Lamanites, was
born in Salem,...Ohio, on the 6th day of April, 1819.  He,...,married an Indian
woman, who he loved devotedly.  At the Spring Conference of 1954 he was
called on an Indian Mission by President Brigham Young.  The greater part of
his life after this call was spent as a missionary among the Lamanites.  His
ministry was notable because of his intense love for this people whom he
regarded as indeed a remnant of the House of Israel.   p. 425   my emphasis

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References & Accompanying Content for 1935

1935-1:  October 1935 [General] Conference Report, President Heber J. Grant

 I [President Heber J. Grant] said:  “I will send you [an Asst. Mgr.
for the New York Life Insurance Co. in London] a copy of the Book
of Mormon, in which you will find that the forefathers of the
American Indians who came to this country before Columbus,
came from Jerusalem.”  p.6, 7

1935-2:  “The Heart of Mormonism,” by John Henry Evans, Third
Edition--Published for the Department of Education by the Deseret Book Co.
1935, Copyrighted in 1930 by Heber J’ Grant for the General Board of Education
of the COJCOLDS, Written for the Senior Seminaries of the COJCOLDS

Chapter 9--A NEW MESSAGE

These gold plates, the Angel told me, contain a history of his people [the American
Indians.]. And who do you suppose they are?  Why, the ancestors of the
American Indians, who came here in the first place from Jerusalem, in
Palestine. p. 43   my emphasis

Chapter 34--The Wilderness Among the Lamanites

We must return now to the five men who comprised the mission to the
Lamanite and who were hiking their way westward,...

Their instructions, it will be remembered, where to go to the western borders of
the state of Missouri, beyond which they would find the American Indians, or
Lamanites. At that time there was a treaty between the natives and the United
States Government that west of Missouri was to be Indian territory and that
white men would not be allowed to settle there or to disturb the rights of the
tribes.  This was one reason why the missionaries had to go so far inland to
fulfill their errand to the Lamanites on this occasion.  
---
At last they reached Independence, Missouri,...Here...Elders Cowdery and
Pratt, crossed the border line into Indian territory to talk with the natives.

The Delaware chief received the missionaries in a kindly spirit, and called a
council of his main warriors to hear the message of the strangers.  He [Oliver
Cowdery] related the story of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon and its
connection with the native races of America,...

And with that single speech of Cowdery’s the mission to the Lamanites [the
Delaware Indians] came to an end, as far as preaching to them was concerned….
---
Had, then, the mission to the Lamanites failed?
In one sense it had, but in another sense it had not.  If the missionaries and the
Saints at home had expected an influx of natives into the Church, then it had not
succeeded.  For no Indians had been converted… pp. 163-64 my emphasis

Chapter 89--A “MORMON” LEATHERSTOCKING

But, on the whole, Mormon leaders handled the natives [Indians] with more
justice and fair dealing than has been the custom in America.  And the finest
example of this square deal to the Lamanite [natives], is to be found in the
conduct towards them of Jacob Hamblin, who was often called when he was
alive “the ‘Mormon’ Leatherstocking.”   p. 448 my emphasis
---
Jacob Hamblin was the true “apostle to the Lamanites,” and had the same spirit
their ancient prophets had, with the same estimate of human values that they had.  
p. 453
Appendixes #1

A Package of Dates
1830--Missionaries sent to the Indians in Missouri.  p. 521   my emphasis
https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=wu.89067427526;view=1up;seq=537

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References & Accompanying Content for 1936

1936-1: October 1936 [General] Conference Report, Elder Orlando C. Williams
(President of the Spanish-American Mission)  

I want to say to you that when the Gospel has reached them [the Mexican
people] and touched their hearts there is not a more faithful people, a more
diligent and obedient people upon the face of the earth than are these Mexican
or Lamanite people...    p. 79   my emphasis

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References & Accompanying Content for 1937

1937-1:  “The Restored Church, A brief history of the Growth and Doctrines of the
COJCOLDS,” by William Edwin Berrett, Published by The Department of
Education of the COJCOLDS 1937, Copyrighted by Heber J. Grant for the
Department of Education of the COJCOLDS, (First Edition)
Acknowledgments: This textbook has been prepared at the request of Dr.
Franklin L. West, Church Commissioner of Education…
August, 1936   W.E. BERRETT
PREFACE:  William E. Berrett was requested by the Department of Education to
write this book, for use as a text in the senior seminaries of the L.D.S. Church…
-----
    Mr. Berrett’s knowledge of his subject, his understanding of the interests and
attitudes of youth, and his pleasing style, have made this book particularly
suitable for use with seminary students.  my emphasis    
FRANKLIN L. WEST, Church Commissioner of Education.

Chap. 6  A NEW BOOK CHALLENGES THE WORLD--THE BOOK OF MORMON

19. An Invitation to Read the Book of Mormon.
Thirdly, this volume [the Book of Mormon] is addressed especially to the
"remnant of the house of Israel," the Lamanites, and "also to Jew and Gentile."     
    This announcement is important in view of the fact that, aside from the Jews,
the remnant of the house of Israel is lost, as far as the world is concerned.  Who
are the Lamanites?  The answer can easily be found.  The book declares
this “remnant of Israel” to be “none other than the American Indian.”
pp. 58-60   my emphasis

    20. Early Views Concerning the Aborigines of America.
    If we read the contents of this unusual book [the Book of Mormon] we
find it to be a brief history of two peoples, the aborigines of America, who
came to this continent at widely separated periods, and whose descendants
are now known as the American Indians.  p. 60   my emphasis

    22. The Real message of the Book [of Mormon].
    Startling as are the claims of the Book of Mormon to the white Israelitish
origin of the American Indian,...   p. 65 my emphasis

Chapter 10  THE TRUTH SPREADS

    31. The Mission to the Western Border.
    The first extended mission and one which was destined to influence the
Church for many years, followed the conference of September 26, 1830.  At
this conference Oliver Cowdery and Peter Whitmer were called to go and
preach the good news to the Lamanites, or American Indians.
    In October Parley P. Pratt and Ziba Peterson were called to accompany
them...Visiting the Indian tribe of Catteraugus, near Buffalo, New York,
for a few days, with meager results they pushed on to Kirtland, Ohio.
-----
    Walking day after day westward the intrepid missionaries came to the
Wyandotte tribe of Indians near Sandusky, Ohio, where they spent
several days.  Parley P. Pratt writes:

    “We were well received, and had an opportunity of laying before them
the records [the Book of Mormon] of their forefathers, which we did.  They
rejoiced in the tidings, bid us Godspeed and desired us to write to them in
relation to our success among the tribes further west, who had already
moved to the Indian territory where these expected soon to go.”
-----
    In February they reached Independence [Missouri], 1500 miles from the
beginning of their mission,...three [of the missionaries] crossed over the frontier
into the Indian country.  They visited the powerful Shawnees, and then
crossed the Kansas River into the region of the Delawares.
    Chief Anderson...head of the ten nations of Delawares, granted them an
opportunity to speak to the united council of the ten nations. Forty chieftains
met in the council chamber of Chief Anderson...Then Oliver Cowdery, with a
Book of Mormon in this hand, addressed them through an interpreter:   
pp. 98-99   my emphasis
-----
    Oliver Cowdery then told them of the Book of Mormon and of their
ancestors who had written it, and how that Book had come again to the
knowledge of men…the venerable old Chief replied:
 
    “We feel truly thankful to our white friends who have come so far and been
at such pains to tell us good news, and especially this good news
concerning the book of our forefathers:  it makes us glad...we will build a
council house and meet together, and you shall read to us and teach us more
concerning the book of our fathers and the will of the Great Spirit.”  
p. 100    my emphasis

    Elder Parley P. Pratt in his report of the matter adds:
    “We continued for several days to instruct the old chief and many of his
tribe...We found several among them who could read, and to them we gave
copies of the Book [the Book of Mormon], explaining to them that it was
the book of their forefathers….”

    That work among the dark skinned Lamanites [it should be noted here,
that the Indians are referred to as Lamanites], so auspiciously begun, was
destined to wait many years for its accomplishment,....  p. 100 my emphasis

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References & Accompanying Content for 1938

1938-1: “A Short History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,”
Published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Copyright 1938
by Heber J. Grant for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Preface
    This short history is published to provide a brief narrative of the founding
and development of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
    The manuscript was prepared for the committee [Church...Mission
Literature Committee] chiefly by John Henry Evans to whom appreciation is
due.  Acknowledgement is also made to Gordon B. Hinckley for contributions
to and editing of the manuscript.  
    That this small volume may prove an interesting story as well as a
convenient reference work is the sincere desire of those responsible for it.
                                                        CHURCH RADIO, PUBLICITY AND

                                                             MISSION LITERATURE COMMITTEE

Chapter VI--THE CHURCH MOVES WESTWARD

As we have seen, one of the purposes in bringing forth the Book of Mormon
was to reveal to the American Indians the life and character and
teachings of their ancestors and to “bring them to Christ.”  No sooner,
therefore, had the book been published and the Church organized than leading
men in the Church began to think of the American Indians, of whose
ancestors the Nephite record speaks.  Had the time come, they asked, for
these benighted people to receive the gospel?

In answer to an inquiry by “several of the elders” as to the “remnants of the
House of Israel.” Joseph Smith received a revelation calling Parley P. Pratt and
Ziba Peterson on a mission “into the wilderness among the Lamanites.”  Oliver
Cowdery and Peter Whitmer, Jun., had already been called to the same mission.  
p. 36  my emphasis
-----
After organizing the converts in Kirtland (Ohio) in branches with presiding officers,
the missionaries to the American Indians proceeded on their way to the
“borders of the Lamanites.”  p. 37  my emphasis
-----
Arrived at Independence, Jackson county, Missouri, their long-sought-for
“borders by the Lamanites,” the missionaries laid their plans.  Two of their
number obtained employment in the village as tailors, while Elders Cowdery and
Pratt crossed the line in quest of the Delawares...After some hesitation he [the
chief of the Delaware Indians] he consented to call a council of his chief men,
that they might listen to what the white missionaries had to say.

Elder Cowdery...told the chiefs of the Book of Mormon and its relation to their
ancestors,...   p. 38 my emphasis
-----
As a mission to the American natives this expedition had apparently failed,
since there had been no conversions among them [the Indians or Lamanites]....
p. 39  my emphasis

Chapter XX--Another Period of Conflict

Indian difficulties were not so common among the Mormons as among other
Americans in the West.  This was due mainly to the beliefs of the Latter-day
Saints concerning the American Indians.  These Lamanites, as the
Mormons came to call them, were descendants of the peoples spoken of
in the Book of Mormon.   p. 157   my emphasis
1938-2: “Where Did the Red Man Come From?" by Celia A. Van Cott, January
1938 Relief Society Magazine, Organ of the Relief Society of the COJCOLDS

We, the people of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, believe the
Indians to be but a small fragment of a once powerful people that lived on the
American continent.  We believe they came from Jerusalem, under the
guidance and leadership of Lehi…

We believe the Indians to be a remnant of descendants of the sons of
Lehi--called Lamanites--whom the Lord cursed with a dark skin because of
their wickedness.
-----
The Book of Mormon has solved for us this much debated question, “Where
did the Indians come from?”            p. 437 my emphasis

 1938-3:  "Pioneer Influence of the Indians,” by Afton Bernice Pond,
July 1938 Relief Society Magazine

Thus it would seem that those who have in the Book of Mormon the key to the
origin and history of the American Indian, or Lamanite, who believe that they
were at one time and shall again be a “white and delightsome people” have
contributed toward their uplift, as well as toward improvement of relations
between Indians and whites generally.  p. 449 my emphasis
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References & Accompanying Content for 1940

1940-1:  “The Restored Church, A brief history of the Growth and Doctrines of the
COJCOLDS,” by William Edwin Berrett, Published by The Department of
Education of the COJCOLDS 1937, Copyrighted by Heber J. Grant for the
Department of Education of the COJCOLDS, (Second Edition 1940)

(See “1937-1:” for exact same content.)


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