Comments on: Samoan Missionary Life, 1921

By: queuno

queuno — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 22:01:25 +0000

Except for the last 4 months of my mission (serving in an inland branch with campesinos), I was on the Pacific Ocean in each area.

I would have written of the view of the fishing boats, the wafting smoke from the wood-burning stoves, the smell of the sea in the fresh fish and mariscos and oysters at the market, the taste of the fresh fruit from the fields. I’d have written of manjar taken at “once”, with milk available at the better households, and freshly baked bread. I’d have written of the cazuela, with slices of beef and pumpkin (although not the noodles with marmalade), and the raspberry juice in cartons.

I’d have soberly reminded of the general hatred of America and the CIA in particular, although individual Americans were beloved.

Now I’m homesick.

By: BruceC

BruceC — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 16:33:49 +0000

I recall a sureal moment in an obscure village (Tiu Keng Ling) in Hong Kong, scheduled to be demolished. Accessible only by boat, we arrived at the ferry dock and wandered through town, winding our way up the side of the hill to the chapel. While in the town you can’t see past the buildings because the “street” are so narrow. But when we arrived at the chapel which sat on the highest point in the town, we could look back over our path. From every peak of every building flew a flag of the Republic of China (ROC). And this on the eve of the turn over to the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The defiance was striking, as if just flying the flags would keep the impending takeover, and the demolition, at bay.

Eventually the members moved out one by one until just the Branch President was left, and the branch closed down. Not long afterwards I was transferred, the last person was moved to public housing elsewhere in Hong Kong and the flags came down. Bulldozers erased the village and a high rise public housing project took its place. In 1997, the PRC took control of the former British colony.

By: Maurine

Maurine — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:27:02 +0000

John Q. [Quincy] Adams was born 19 May 1882 in Centerville, Utah. He married Thurza Tingey on 4 Jan 1912 in the Salt Lake Temple. He died at age 88 on 20 Mar 1971 in Bountiful, Utah.

He served three missions to Samoa, two as mission president, accompanied by his wife Thurza.