1932-1935: Clarence's Mission Journal Introduction

I (Clarence) spent just short of three years in the Mission Field in Germany (Swiss-German Mission) from June 1932 to May 1935.  This entailed learning the German language by experience as well as from a text book in Germany.  There was no language school in place for missionaries at Provo at that time.  However, two weeks of orientation in the gospel and in mission rules were afforded myself and the new missionaries at the mission home in Salt Lake City, prior to leaving.  All travel was by train and steamship.  Ten days had elapsed from the time of leaving SLC until I arrived at my destination. 

Upon my arrival at Bremen, the group entering the Swiss-German Mission was dispatched to Cologne (Koln), Germany.  Here our group spent 10 days in language training and further orientation.  From Cologne, I was dispatched to Elmshorn, Germany in the area of Hamburg.  In Elmshorn, I began my active work as a missionary under the tutelage of a senior companion.  I remained here six months and was then sent to Flensburg on the Danish border.  This was the Kiel District.  After six months of experience in Flensburg, I was transferred to the Minden-Lubbecke area, the "bread basket" district of Germany.  I eventually became District President here, but not for long.  I was soon sent to the Ruhr District (industrial Germany) where I was assigned as District President to supervise ten branches of the church.  This was a huge assignment.  Home-going missionaries were not being replaced.  This was brought about by the precarious political situation in Germany that developed under the machinations of Adolph Hitler.  His government made proselyting a difficult matter for all churches.  Conscription made inroads upon membership of the church and made it difficult to keep the branches of the church organized. 

The following correspondence will offer some detail relative to my mission experience.

Sunday
October 22, 1933

I arose this morning at five o'clock and with the Lubbecke friends took the six o'clock train to Minden.  Upon arriving, we met Sister [Rahlmas?] at the Bakuhof who led us immediately to the "Badaustallt" where we held a large baptism.  Many friends were present as Brother Schneider and I baptized twelve people.  After the baptism, we went right to the Lokal where we held  special meeting, confirming those baptized.  Bro. Boht helped us officiate..  The day was very impressive in that our firends from Lubbecke remained until the evening meeting after which I took them to their train.

Friday
November 24, 1933

Brother Schneider and I along with Brothers Schmitte and Grallert, arose early this morning in Minden and rode to Ventura on our bicycles where we attended a missionary meeting at the home of Wilh. Bohte.  The meeting lasted from 9 o'clock A.M. until 6 o'clock P.M.  We remained overnight there and the following morning we rode to Krainhagen where we attended and performed a wedding ceremony.  During the course of the days celebration, we ate no less than seven times.  It was bitter cold today and Brother Schneider and I rode bicycles that evening 25 miles to Minden while it was snowing.

Sunday
April 29, 1934

I arose early this A.M. and caught a train to Stadthagen where I visited a couple of meetings and preached to them.  In the evening, Brother Botke Sr. and I rode bicycles to Munchehagen where I held a special meeting and set in a new Branch President.  After the preaching meeting, I rode to Wendhohl with Bro. Botke where I remained all night.

Thursday
May 24, 1934

This morning, I received the fatal letter which I have been expecting for sometime.  Pres. Salzner wrote me and told me that I was to make myself ready to take over the Ruhn District by the 5th of next month.  I had even dreamed of having to have to take over that district which is so famous for its smoke.

Monday
June 4, 1934

After having said farewell to my Branches during the course of the last two weeks, today finds me on my way to Bielefeld.  This evening I had to preside over a court over one of the brethren of the Bielefeld Branch.

Tuesday
June 5, 1934

Upon leaving Bielefeld this A.M. I arrived in Dortmund to take over my new district this P.M.  There I met Brothers Fletcher and Gibson who are my room and missionary companions  I spoke in the meeting this evening.

Saturday
June 9, 1934

Today found me on my way from Dortmund to Essen where I attended a missionary meeting with Pres. Salzwer and Apostle Merrill and wife.  After the meeting, we all went to Essen-West where a special meeting was held to hear Apostle Merrill.  After this meeting, I and Brother Hollingshaus ate supper with Pres. Salzner, Apostle Merrill and his wife so that I might talk over some problems of my Distrikt with Pres. Salzner 

Brother Hollingshaus and I slept in the Handleskof Hotel this evening.

(Introduction and journal selections by Clarence Crandall found in the front of his Swiss-German Mission Letter Journal;  3rd person narrative converted to 1st person to better show that it WAS written by Clarence Crandall.)