Show I 1 steil FROM ELDER ER alit AlIL STROM m box gisborne hiie N X Z feb feba d 1929 lear dear editon ifor for alie pat past throe three ns ars n s the county news newa lias hag eai y a ray of alg t to a in 0 south seas t it t has carried news to me from the d town or towns that tha t those with I 1 om I 1 correspond neglect to tell me we ve therefore mig might 11 t pay that athas it has en in a mediator beaw between can me and the es is I 1 hold dear r greatly appreciate tho the fact that I 1 te re had the privilege ot of ra raiding tiding the ne me paper during ray my sojourn on the uth ith side ot of the equator it t helps to keep the american spirit aning within my soul to read ot of changes that have been made at aa e tor for the promoting of 0 civilize a and it also revives a vivid pico of homo home when I 1 learn oi of alie th e d do s 8 of my iny friends I 1 vo 0 find ourselves under many dif ent conditions on arriving in i a torn forn n country and especially copella lay so BO when docks at tile the port of one of the lids lads in ill the pacific hose were at least my sentiment benl enl en 1 I found myself on land at new land really did nat qt expect so great a go as I 1 found 1 and for or the first 7 it was rather hard bard to ke he myself realize tha th situation of place anvil where era I 1 was to spend the t three or tour four years of my life hanks to the great creator that aa 8 sent atre for the cause ot 0 truth ot because of a mere w alm to sty ty the desires of man pe le last stated condition placed in 1 I a position which soon put me ork getting acquainted with th thy 0 ye ve tongue and other little jobs I 1 d be trusted at as an apprentice rough ough the first G months I 1 eli dee as a child who Is lQ learning arnIng alk and ana having some good ex its 68 to follow I 1 soon becaro ac frigm I 1 clis customer cus tomed to the clime and partially kept roy my american born vigor which has helped me to enjoy my work and keep myself from dropping into the sleepy habits that are common in the south sea islands the native leopla of 0 nw new zealand are a very whole hearted lovable people when left alone to live their I 1 simple mode of life it asad la sad to state how however ever t th that it the white man inan who is or should be civilized I 1 has baa brought his liquor his tobacco and all other demoralizing habits that so endanger our present civilization thus lowering the standards stan d of a once high standing nation of native people with tho the latter condition raging among the people we as missionaries sometimes find it very difficult to impress upon the minds of the people the seriousness and the ahe value zif of the teachings involved in tho the gospel of our lord and redeemer e in the above paragraph I 1 would n not ot havo you think that wd WB are totally unsuccessful on our efforts the lord lora is preparing tho the way and we are continually increasing iu iino I 1 bers ceaselessly I 1 gathering those chosen bathe by the most high to depre represent sent him on earth I 1 we wa have been making wonderful progress considering tile tho conditions we are working under I 1 hav hayd been een in the mission acl jcl field eld ahr ce I 1 years and four months month s engaged in this work of tho the lord proclaiming to io the world voila the marvelous work and a wonder that I 1 has been established in this U dispensa tion I 1 can truly sa say that it la has brought into my life a areu breuer gr euer fer joy than any other experience wo we may buy pleasure we may at lain but roal real joy comes to I 1 tile the individual who gives long and unselfish service to his fel lowman I 1 have bava rejoiced in the opportunity afforded m me P to lift up my in of 0 the gospel and declare that jsu jesua Is the fhe christ and wat r joseph smith was and Is a prophet of the living bod god I 1 thank tho the lord la in my heart for the many evidences that he has been revealed to us through the instrumentality of joseph SM smith ith I 1 know koiv that this Is gods work I 1 know that joseph smith was a prophet ph J of GOT god and I 1 can prove it to my own entire satisfaction it does seem to mo me that wh what at Is I 1 satisfying to r ny my soul in the way ray of evidence should be satisfying to the souls of other me men it and womer women i who are honestly seeking for light a and nd truth I 1 am now laboring and preparing prepare ing tor for a conference to be held in my district february 16 and 17 following on march marc 11 29 30 and 31 will bo be our annual conference tor for the whole of the new zealand mission where I 1 expect to io receive my release to return home I 1 in all of nl my missionary expel I 1 havo have only one thing to regret and that to is that my time has expired I 1 pray the great creator and father of all to bless you and your assistants I 1 si in performing your duties at the press sincerely yours ELDER W V FLOYD AHLSTROM |