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Show Mormon Trails Foundation Is Organized "Mormon Pioneer Trail Foundation, a new oragnization to research, develop and p eserve Mormon trails, has been incorpo- rated under tlie Iowa laws. Officers of the nonprofit foundation include C. Booth Wallentine, p r e s Des Moines, Iowa; R. Don Oscar-sovice president, St. Louis, Mo.; Dr. John T. Bernhard, secretary, Macomb, 111. ; and Dr. Stanley Mr. Wailentine B. Kimball, historian, St. Louis, Mo. All officers of the foundation are active members of the Church. Mr. Wallentine is broadcast editorial director for the Iowa Farm Bureau. Mr. Oscarson is a merchandiser for a large retail store chain and Is a noted Church author. Dr. Bernhard, formerly chairman of the Brigham Young University political science department, is president of Western Illinois University. Dr. Kimball, also a prominent writer, is a professor of history at Southern Illinois University. The group will cooperate with local tourism councils, governmental agencies, chambers of commerce and other organizations who share an interest in the Mormon Pioneer Trail. Interest in the trail has been growing rapidly among these groups, particularly in the states of Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska, according to Mr. Wallentine. Public interest in the trail has been sharpened by work now under way to restore the city of Nauvoo. That work, which is confined to the city built by the Prophet Joseph Smith, is sponsored by Nauvoo Restoration, Inc. n, Stake missionaries Mr. and Mrs. Morris F. Jones, Davis Stake, invite campers Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Riday and family, Oakdale, N.Y., to d Cfiurch-sponsore- movies. Tourist Campers Treated To Picture Story Of The Church KAYSVILLE, UTAH Tourists choose to park their campers and trailers under the cooling trees of the Crossroads Campground here get an unexpected treat nightly. During the tourist season members of who the 70th Quorum of Seventy present two stirring films about the Church and a brief discussion on its teachings to the campers. On a recent night nearly 100 people, gathered on the green slopes of the camp- - once-beautif- ground to watch Mans Search for Happiness, and Morning Breaks. It was marvelous and very interesting, said Mrs. E. D. Heppert Jr., from Kingsport, Tenn. Mr. Wallentine noted that the U.S. Congress now has a proposal before it to include the Mormon Pioneer Trail in the National Trails System. In effect, this would designate the trail as a national monument. We believe there is an immediate need for a private effort to coordinate this interest in the traiL Under the direction of Dr. Ilmball, research is now unde- - way to mere accurately define the 'rail- routes and to identify significant history associated with the trails, Mr. Wallentine said. The Heppert family of six stopped in Farmington on their way back to Tennessee after several weeks of traveling. They, like many other families, stopped 'o discuss Church teachings with one of ll'.e stake missionaries after the movie. Blair N. Barton, first counselor in Davis Stake Mission presidency explained the "irpose of the missionary effort. We dont want the visitors to our area to leave without stopping at Temple Square and the Visitors Center so we tiy and whet their spiritual appetites here," he said. Tourist campers enjoy missionary movie during their campground in Davis County. stop at Crossroads - We intend to make this research available and to actively encourage local action to identify and preserve items of historical value, he added. In the broadest sense, the Mormon Pioneer Trail is a great missionary tool for the Church. But for those whose interest is in great events in American history, this exodus to the West ranks among the most important, he said. Mr. Wallentine noted that 'the movement of more than 8G.000 Mormon pioneers across the plains before the continental railroad was completed has .been idesctibnd as the greatest exodus of .a .people in modern history. Historians raid; the nioxemait with the Biblical exodus of Israel out ol c. p ivlty i l Egypt which was led by Moses, he said. Persons whose family records contain first-hanaccounts of significant events and items of human interest pe taming to the Mormon Pioneer Trail, M union Handcart Trail, Mormon Battalion Trail or any others are invited to share the information with the foundation during the initial research phase. Correspondence may be directed to C. Booth Wallentine at Street, West Des Moines, Iowa 502Po. Grant L. Lloyd, owner of the camp and a seventy, said he is all for the proselyting effort. I used to spend hours answering questions from guests in our campgrounds. With six to 10 seventies here every evening to show the movies, everyone gets a chance to ask questions and sign referral cards, Mr. Lloyd said. The missionaries include six couples called on summer missions especially for the campsite effort at proselyting. Weve had visitors to our movie and d!scussion from as far away as China. India. Formosa, France, Germany and Denmark, said C. R. Sorenson, a stake missionary, who with his wife Jenn'e. corresponds with many of the tourists they have met at the campground chats. Although the missionaries dont claim any converts from the work they are doing in Farmington, they fed they are panting the seed of conversions through the movd ies, questions and answers and brochures which they distribute. d -- Church-produce- WEEK .i 521-31- ENDING AUGUST 16, 1969 d. i ; i ; ", t , . d CHURCH-- 15 r ; r . |