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Show Shoshone Convert Values Gospel and Tribal Tradition Oklahomans Meet LDS in Fair Display FORT HALL, IDAHO TULSA, OKLA. So many people have such strange notions about Mormonism out here. is new to them, said Joseph Harris, Tulsa Stake mission president. Thats one reason the Tulsa Stake provides an LDS display tent at the state fair here each year. Last year some persons took the tour through the tent, and about half of these stayed to see Mans Search for Happiness at the end of the tour. When we take them through the tent and show them Mans Search for Happiness, it seems to open their hearts, Elder Harris explained. He said 17 baptisms in the stake since last September have been directly attributable to the state fair display. There were 15 baptisms the year before as a result of the display. The state fair display is a stake project. It is set up in a by e tent, with missionaries, stake missionaries, seventies and volunteers from other quorums serving as guides. The tent is divided in half. One side contains exhibits using the Oklahoma Missions translite displays and other materials to tell about the history of the church, its organization and programs. The other half becomes a theater for showing the film. After visitors see the displays, they are invited to stay for Mans Search for Happiness. When the film is over, they exit past an arrangement of pamphlets and a guest register for referrals. Elder Harris notes that in addition to the yearly fair project, the stake mission promotes open houses twice a year in each ward and branch. Mor-monis- m 10,000-11,00- By BETTY HALE k 0 . 30-fo- full-tim- We feel that the open house program on a personal level is just fantastic," he enthused. Ten baptisms in the stake since September are directly attributable to this program. Members are used as hosts and hostesses at the open house. Stake or fulltime missionaries or members guide their contacts through the open house activities. As an example, Elder Harris recalled that a new member brought some nonmember friends to one recent open house. These nonmembers had previouse missionaries away ly turned the at their front door. But after seeing the open house program, they asked to learn more about the church, and the father, mother and three children in the family have now been baptized. Those ward and branch open houses also t the missions translites, which depict scenes in the history of Christs church and help explain some of its teachings. Films or slide shows may be used to give an introduction to the gospel. In addition, there arc displays on genealogy, prepared by priesthood quorums, as well as displays by the Relief Society. Primary and Aaronic Priesthood MIA. Elder Harris called attention to another of the stake missions programs that has been working well. Members are encouraged, when they give a Book of Mormon to a friend, to write their testimony inside and sign it. This has the effect of softening the person's heart and convincing the friend to consider seriously the members deep conviction of the truth. The white background of buckskin represents purity in the background of our lives, Mrs. Sophronia Marie Poog, a member of the Shoshone Bannock Indian tribe, said as she explained the symboland Indiism of figures in the bead-woran costumes she expertly fashions. The eagle feathers are symbols of courage and of the great spirit, or God. The eagle flies higher than any other bird, closer to God. The arrow and mountain was our protection; the valley shows k where we got our food. The diamond represents the watchful eye of the great spirit always on us. Bells sound the ring of life, and drums beat the beating of our hearts. These cymbols once held great significance for the Shoshone Bannock Indians living on the Fort Hall Reservation. Today, the beadwork is just the blending of colors for beauty. Mrs. Poog is an expert in the art of Indian beadwork. Her work, which includes medallions, rings, necklaces, and bolo ties, is bought by many for giftgiving, and is easily recognized as work of excellent and authentic quality. Mrs. Poog, who has been a member of the church since stake missionaries contacted her in 1951, said, Really living the gospel and trying to live up to my covenants is a great strength to me. It was natural for me to believe the gospel, she said. My father,' Ondah Shay, was a very spiritual man, although he had no schooling, and was never taught the Bible. Mrs. Poogs father died, never having the opportunity to join the church. She was married and bad three daughters when the missionaries came to her. Her husband, their daughters, and a sister and her family all joined the church. Mrs. Poog was born on the Fort Hall Reservation and has spent her life there. She attended grade school, and took an adult education course to get her high school diploma. She is employed as a nutritionist aid through the University of back-to-bac- Sophrina M. Poog patiently teaches - lf - f traditional Indian bead work to younschi,drer" Idaho extension service at Fort Hall. She works under the Home Extension agent, teaching nutrition, sewing and home management to the women on the reservation. She expresses pleasure in teaching the young women how to sew a dress for themselves, or bake a turkey for a holiday dinner. work Among her activities is among the youth. She has a group of 14 young people, and is currently teaching beadwork and other Indian crafts to them. The beading on our costumes, she points out, is often symbolic of our religion. Our people were always very reli4-- gious. Mrs. Poog was recently appointed head of the homemaking council on the reservation. In this work, she supervises the help of the needy. The homemaking council often serves dinners for various organizations. A typi cal event would include a fashion show modeling modern dresses and Indian cos tumes, a luncheon of beef stew, fry breai and huckleberry pudding. Mrs. Poog alsi serves roots, which she calls Indian car rots. She digs and stores them througt the winter. The big dinner of the year is in Au gust, when buffalo from the tribes hen is slaughtered and dinner is served t( guests at the annual celebration. This year, Mrs. Poog will supervise the serving of 1,500 people. With so much to do, I really have tc depend on my Heavenly Father to see me through the day. Things go so much better when I have my prayers. Mrs. Poogs husband died in 1966, and a daughter, Rosalinda Renee Hutchinson, died in 1967. Mrs. Poog lives with a anothdaughter, Aiceodine Pahvirse, and er daughter, Virgilena Mae Johnson, lives nearby. Pair Gets Social Services Posts full-tim- U'-- 14 - CHURCH WEEK ENDING Two LDS Social Services employes have been named agency directors for Utah and California. The two will also function as directors of the Intermountain and West Coast Divisions of Social Services. Richard E. Black, formerly director of LDS Social Services-Californiwill become Utah agency director, filling the post left vacant by the departure of present director Clarence Bishop, who has been called to be a mission president. Oliver L. McPherson, formerly director of the Four Comers Agency at Chinle, Ariz., on the Navajo Indian Reservation, will succeed Elder Black as director of LDS Social Services-CaliforniElder McPhersons post will be filled by Steven Bunnell, a former Southwest Indian missionary and resident of Monti-cellUtah. California and Nevada comprise the West Coast Division; Utah, Colorado and Wyoming are included in the Intermoun- a, . JUNE 16, 1973 Richard E. Black, left, Utah director; Oliver L. McPherson, California director. a. o, tain Division. Elder Black received his master of social work degree from the University of Utah. He has been a bishops counselor and high councilor. Elder McPherson also received his master of social work degree from the University of Utah. He has previously served as a ward executive secretary, high counqipr.qad district president, |