Below you will find diary entries on the topic of “War.” You can view other subjects here.
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Tues., 20 Sep., 1938:
“After luncheon talked over long distance to Alfred C. Rees in Copenhagen. President Rees called to advise the brethren that the danger of war was over and that he was taking the missionaries back into Germany.”
Fri., 16 Jan., 1942:
” 10:30 a.m.– Met with the General Superintendency of the Sunday School. Superintendent Pyper, Superintendent George R. Hill, and A. Hamer Reiser, General Secretary were present. I presented to them the suggestions of the Presidency and the Council of the Twelve that following next Sunday, all group conventions and Stake Union meetings be suspended owing to the restrictions on rubber, and possibly, later, gasoline, and wear and tear on automobiles. The Superintendency unamimously acquiesced, and will freely cooperate with the First Presidency in curtailing unnecessary expenditures of time and means.”
Wed., 18 Mar., 1942:
“Instructions have been given all Mission Presidents to release missionaries upon the completion of their regular terms. to grant the request of parents to keep their sons in the Mission Field indefinitely, particularly during the duration of the War would be discriminatory, inconsistent, and not in keeping with the tacit understanding we have with our Government.”
Sat., 4 Apr., 1942:
” First day of April Conference–No general sessions will be held in the Tabernacle, because of the exigency of the times. The session this morning will be held in the upper room of the Temple. All general authorities and Stake Presidencies of the Church are the only ones to be in attendance.
Sat., 25 Apr., 1942:
“This morning called President Paul R. Wynn of the Oneida Stake relative to the question of holding sacrament meetings immediately following Sunday Schools in all the Wards of the Oneida Stake (this matter having been brought to President McKay’s attention by President Wynn in a personal consulation in this office, April 15.) Informed President Wynn that it was the decision of the Council (in meeting of April 16, 1942) that we should discourage the holding of sacrament meetings immediately following Sunday School, and do all we can to get the Bishops to provide religious services for our young people on Sunday Afternoon as well as Sunday evening.”
Fri., 8 Jan., 1943:
“9:45–Colonel Z. L. Church of Fort Douglas, Utah, regarding ‘The American Intelligence Command desires that President David O. McKay of the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints be advised that President Barker of the Argentina Mission is sending Robert McKay and James L. Barker, Jr. to do missionary work in Uruguay. This branch of work is for the purpose of doing missionary work for the Church as well as to observe conditions for the American Intelligence Command.’ I instructed Colonel Church that our answer to the above is: ‘The American Intelligence Commande will be advised by letter this date that the First Presidency considers this appointment premature, and desires more information from President Barker before approving of his sending these young men to Uruguay.'”
Wed., 5 Jul., 1950:
“Came to the office at 7:30 this morning and was busy with office affairs until 9 a.m., at which time Brother Murdock of the Missionary Department came in. We discussed for a short time matters pertaining to the removal of our missionaries from Europe should war develop, and also the advisability of sending missionaries already assigned to the European Missions. I shall consult with President George Albert Smith regarding these matters as soon as he arrives at the office this morning.”
Mon., 10 Jul., 1950:
“Came to the office this morning at the usual hour–7 a.m.–and was busy with office matters until 11:50 a.m.–From 9 a.m. to 11:50 I dictated letter to Clare. Also called Brother Murdock of the Missionary Department in and instructed him to give me a list of the names of all missionaries now laboring in the East German and the West German Missions. I told him that we must be prepared to evacuate those missionaries at the first suspicion of war in that area, and that the Mission Presidents must be furnished with enough funds to take care of an immediate evacuation should such step be necessary.”
Mon., 10 Jul., 1950:
“Mrs. Klineman telephoned. She asked for advice as to whether or not her husband should again accept a job with the Arabian government. She has a son–Charles–who will be 19 years of age next September, and I think Mrs. Klineman would like him to go on a mission. I explained to her the present policy with respect to the age for young men to go into the mission field, and said that we had just turned down a young man in Arizona who is just the same age as her son and that we had advised him to continue his college work; that if we make one exception, then in fairness we have to make other exceptions for these young men to go into the mission field. I then told her that my advice would be that Mr. Klineman accept his job with the Arabian government and that Mrs. Klineman stay home with her son until he has completed his college; that she should not leave him alone. She then mentioned that he might be drafted, and I said that I thought he would not be drafted at the present time, that the government will accept volunteers first, and that her son will have a chance for another year of college before he is drafted. I also explained that we have an understanding with the government that Elders who have entered the missionary home, and then receive notice of induction, the draft is not effective. So if her son completes another year of college and enters the mission home, the draft will not be effective for him, even though he be eliglible for the draft.”
Wed., 19 Jul., 1950:
“After Brother Bowman and Brother Anderson were excused, the First Presidency took up other matters, among which was the advisability of sending one of the General Authorities over to consult the Presidents of the West German, the East German, and the Finnish Missions with a view of laying plans to protect missionaries in case of sudden eventualities that might result from the present international crisis. Our meeting lasted until 7:30 p.m.”
Tues., 25 Jul., 1950:
“President [George Albert] Smith telephoned and said that he would like to have a meeting with President Clark and me at 3:15 p.m. I answered that I should appreciate holding an earlier meeting with President Smith at 2:15, and would like to bring Dr. John A. Widtsoe with me to talk over the European situation–Dr. Widtsoe having just returned from Europe might be able to give us some information concerning conditions there. Pres. Smith said that he would be pleased to have us come to his home as he was feeling a little tired and would not come to the office.
At 2 p.m. I called for Dr. Widtsoe at his home and we went to Pres. Smith’s, where we held a discussion regarding conditions in Europe as they will affect our missionaries. Dr. Widtsoe could not give us much information concerning the political situation in Europe.”
Wed., 26 Jul., 1950:
“10 a.m. President Smith, Pres. Clark and I met to discuss missionary problems–especially the problem of being prepared to safely evacuate our missionaries in Europe should the necessity arise.”
Fri., 11 Aug., 1950:
“[Telephone call] President Ray E. Dillman–Western States Mission–telephoned and reported that Elder Elwood Bowler of Fallon, Nevada, had received a call from his Reserve Corp to report on August 18. Elder Bowler has less than a month to go to finish his Mission. I asked President Dillman why Brother Bowler could not get permission to finish his mission from the commanding officer. Pres. Dillman said that Brother Bowler had requested that he be allowed to finish his mission, and the commanding officer sent a telegram of refusal. I said that in that case until we get the policy here on Reserves, that we had better adhere to the calls that come, but that Pres. Dillman should do all he can to hold them in the field, and that in the meantime we shall do all we can on this end to get a ruling on our missionaries belonging to the Reserves.”
Wed., 30 Aug., 1950:
“President McKay called President Edmunds of the Chicago Stake about President Edmunds letter of August 3 relative to two missionary cases.
First, a couple had been recommended for a mission. President McKay said they could be used unless they were practising birth control. Pres. Edmunds said he thought they were. Pres. McKay explained that the Church could not be a party to this, and suggested that they stay home and build up a family. In answer to President Edmunds’ question as to whether the couple could be sent to different missions, President McKay said he did not think this should be done. Pres. Edmunds then asked, since the husband is very desirous of having a mission, if he could be called. Pres. McKay said this might be done, and suggested that Pres. Edmunds send in the papers when his case would be given consideration.
Second, they discussed the case of an elder in the Eastern States. Pres. Morris had suggested that he stay an extra six months, but before that extra period, he should return and marry his fiancee and return to the mission field with her. Pres. McKay said this could not be done since it would be breaking our promise to the draft board that these missionaries would be held for 2 years only. It was agreed that Pres. Edmunds should write to President MOrris and give him this information.”
Mon., 11 Sep., 1950:
“President Lorin F. Jones of the Spanish American Mission called by telephone and said that one of his missionaries is a member of the Reserves and has received a summons. He has received no compensation from the government. Pres. Jones asked what he should do in this matter. I told him to have the Elder answer his summons, and tell them that he [is] in the mission field, and that the matter of Reserves who are in the mission field being exempt is now under consideration at Washington, D.C. All others are in 4-D until after they have finished their missions. Pres. Jones then asked if he should write, as Mission President, to the draft board, certifying that this elder is an ordained minister. I said I thought that would be a good thing, and for him to send it at once.”
Wed., 20 Sep., 1950:
“7 a.m.–at the office–First Presidency’s duties until 8:15, at which time I met Colonel Oscar W. Gray, Director of Selective Service in this area. Brother Franklin J. Murdock of the Missionary Department was present. I had a very profitable consultation with Colonel Gray, and we concluded to carry on the same plan in calling missionaries and releasing them as was adopted during the latest war.
Colonel Gray was very cooperative and the Conference resulted in much good.”
Wed., 20 Sep., 1950:
“President Albert Choules of the Southern States Mission asked if he should send the Elders directly home at the completion of their missions; that some of them are asking to stay a little longer. I told him that only this morning I had had a conference with military officers here and we have an understanding with the government that we shall release our Elders at the end of their regularly allotted time, and that a missionary should report to his draft boar within 5 days after his return home. Told him that a case came up yesterday where an Elder had neglected to get in touch with his draft board upon his return, and now he has to go directly into the army without even an examination.”
Thur., 21 Sep., 1950:
“At 8 a.m. Colonel Robert I. Osborne, accompanied by Mr. Gordon V. Nelson, who acted as his orderly or secretary, called at the office. President Franklin J. Murdock, and at the end of the consultation, President George Albert Smith, met in the office of the First Presidency during the consultation with Colonel Osborne.
We considered the status of active and inactive Reserves in regard to their being deferred from military duty to perform missions.
Conclusions:
Active Reserves are already in the Army, and have been receiving compensation for months, and some of them for years. They, therefore, cannot be classified as ministers of the gospel, and cannot be released on the grounds of ordained ministers.
We concluded that each case will be considered on its merits, and we will find out about how many of our boys are affected and report to Colonel Osborne.
Inactive Reserves will receive the same consideration as young men in the selective draft. Young men who are members of the enlisted Reserves should first discuss with their commanding officers the possibility of their being released, and secure permission to be released before they are recommended for missionary service.
The following paragraphs are taken from a letter to be sent to all of our Stake Presidents pertaining to this matter:
Selective Service: If young men of draft age have received their certificate of acceptability they should not be recommended for missionary service. We have a working arrangement with the Selective Service that if a young man has received his call to a mission and enters the Mission Home before the Certificate of Acceptability is received he will be deferred from military service for the duration of his mission. If a young man who has his Certificate of Acceptability is not inducted within a period of five months then he may be recommended for ministerial service. inasmuch as young men called for the ministerial service must make extensive preparations such as securing permission to enter countries, obtaining passports and visas, notifying employers, arranging farewell testimonials, securing space on steamships, and planning well in advance their educational programs, it is advisable in order to avoid any borderline cases that the Certificate of Acceptability should be received a minimum of ten days before the missionary is to enter the Mission Home. We urge Bishops to cooperate in every way with the members of the Selective Service who in turn will cooperate with the Bishops, that the needs and the well being of all concerned will be best served. At the conclusion of a missionary’s mission he will be expected to report to his draft board within five days after he returns home.
Military Reserves: Young men holding commissions in any of the military reserves should not be recommended for missionary service. Young men who are members of the enlisted reserves should first discuss with their commanding officers the possibility of their being released and secure permission to be released before they are recommended for missionary service. Young men now serving as ministers for the Church already in the mission field have been deferred from military service for the duration of their mission terms and will be expected to report to their reserve units within five days after their return home.
National Guards: Young men holding commissions in the National Guard and belonging to units that have been activated should not be recommended for missionary service. Young men who are members of the National Guard, but on the inactive listing, should first discuss with their commanding officers the possibility of their being discharged and permission assured before they are recommended for ministerial service.”
Mon., 2 Oct., 1950:
“Mr. A. C. Deck, Managing Editor of the Tribune-Telegram called by telephone. He said that about a week ago news reporters Clarence Williams, and Jack Reed, relayed the request that missionary farewells be not advertized in the daily press. Said that he had refrained from calling during Conference because he realized how busy I would be. I told Mr. Deck that I had received word that he would cooperate, and that the reason for our asking this cooperation is that after consultation with military authorities–Colonel West and Colonel Osborne–we have come to the conclusion that it would contribute to the lessening of the difficulties which they ahd we have experienced from people who really do not understand the relationship we have with our missionaries–the government appreciates that we are sending a lot of missionaries out, but they are also coming back, and they report within five days to their different draft boards–but the people do not understand and when they see the number of farewells that are being held, they imagine that some of the boys are going into the mission field to escape the draft, and it causes unrest.
Mr. Deck said that they get numerous requests from members of the L.D.S. Church to print their farewells, and they do not like to refuse to print them unless they understand why they are refusing to run them in their papers. He therefore wondered if it would not be well to notify all the Bishops and Stake Presidents that it is the Church who is requesting that these farewells be not publicized. I explained to Mr. Deck that we intended to do just that, and word will be sent out immediately to the Stake Presidents and Bishops.
Mr. Deck assured me of the Telegram and Tribune’s full cooperation in this respect. He then said that he would like to offer his congratulations upon the excellent Conference, and also upon the sustaining of myself as President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He asked if this announcement of a President and an Acting President is a little unusual. I told him that there was one other case, and that was when President Anthon H. Lund was in the Presidency, he also became Senior member of the Council. He retained his position as counselor to President Grant, and was sustained, also, as President of the Council of the Twelve, and Rudger Clawson as Acting President. I further said that upon the dissolution of the Quorum of the First Presidency by the passing of the President of the Church, the presiding authority of the Church is the Council of the Twelve Apostles, and the President of that Council by virtue of his position presides over the Council, and the body of the Church. Then that body chooses the President of the Church, who through the years has always been the President of the Council of the Twleve Apostles.
Mr. Deck said he appreciated my giving him this information as the question arises very often.
I told Mr. Deck that we are very pleased to cooperate in any way possible, because they have been most considerate in their reporting the meetings of the Conference and also in other church matters.”
Wed., 11 Oct., 1950:
Pres. Parley A. Arave of Blackfoot Stake called long distance to say that General Walsh is coming to the office to confer on Selective Service matters, and he thought Pres. McKay would be interested in some figures. In Bingham County, where some difficulty has arisen on this matter, they have 117 eligible for military service, that is all churches together. Out of that number 15 have been inducted. In the Blackfoot Stake there are 59 who are L.D.S., in the Shelly Stake (in Bingham County), 35 L.D.S., and there is also a part of the American Falls Stake and one ward of the Pocatello Stake in Bingham County. Out of the total eligibles, 90% are L.D.S. They have objected vigorously about our having too many missionaries.
President McKay pointed out that many missionaries would be returning, and will report 5 days after they return, in fact just as many boys are coming back as we are sending out. We have an understanding here with Colonel Osborne and Colonel Gray on this matter, and also a letter from Washington that gives authorization for our missionaries to go out. If betwen the time of their physical examination and their call to the service they enter the Mission Home, then they are reclassified as 4D, and the government accepts that as a legitimate assignment to clerical duties.
President Arave explained that the reason he called is that seemingly the military officials in Idaho have missed that part of it. They have one missionary in the mission home who is leaving for the Southwest Indian Mission, and the draft officials have listed him as one who has broken the faith. Pres. Arave told the missionary that unless he had received his draft notice before he entered the home, it was all right for him to go into the mission field. Pres. McKay said that was right, that he would be glad to see General Walsh about the matter and refer him to the instructions that have been received. The missionary is leaving tonight and Pres. McKay said to let him go ahead. (The missionary’s name is Gary Anson Higginson.)”
Fri., 20 Oct., 1950: [1st Presidency Circular Letter]
“October 20, 1950
TO STAKE AND MISSION PRESIDENTS AND WARD BISHOPS:
Dear Brethren,
This letter supersedes a letter dated September 27, 1950 concerning the calling of missionaries (Please note that the minimum age for young men has been changed from twenty to nineteen years.):
AGE: Young men should be nineteen years of age before they depart for their missions unless they have had two years of college or militaryi service, in which event the age requirement is waived. Young women should be twenty-three before they are recommended for missionary service. However, because of special requests from mission presidents for more experienced help, the age limit has temporarily been lowered to twenty-one.
SELECTIVE SERVICE: After further consideration with officials of the Selective Service it is deemed advisable to make the following changes:
1st: That young men of draft age who have received their NOTICE OF PRE-INDUCTION PHYSICAL EXAMINATION should not be recommended for missionary service. If young men who have been called by the Church to serve as missionaries receive their NOTICE OF PRE-INDUCTION PHYSICAL EXAMINATION before they enter the Mission Home, the Church will excuse these young men from ministerial service, but if they enter the Mission Home before the above notice is received they will be deferred from military service for the duration of their mission terms.
2nd: That young men who have reached their twenty-first birthday and are desirous of being recommended for missionary service should first discuss the matter of their being called for military service with their Selective Service Draft Boards and secure assurance in writing that they will not be called for military service before they are recommended for missionary service.
3rd: If a young man who has received his NOTICE OF PRE-INDUCTION PHYSICAL EXAMINATION be not inducted within a period of five months, he may be recommended for missionary service. At the conclusion of a missionary’s mission he will be expected to report to his Selective Service Draft Board within five days after he returns home, and failure to do this makes him delinquent and subject to immediate induction.
4th: These changes become effective November 1, 1950.
MILITARY RESERVES: Young men holding commissions in any of the military reserves should not be recommended for missionary service. Young men who are members of the enlisted reserves should first discuss with their commanding officers the possibility of their being released and secure permission to be released before they are recommended for missionary service. Such young men now serving as ministers for the Church already in the mission field have been deferred from military service for the duration of their mission terms and will be expected to report to their reserve units within five days after their return home.
NATIONAL GUARDS: Young men holding commissions in the National Guard and belonging to units that have been activated should not be recommended for missionary service. Young men who are members of the National Guard, but on the inactive listing should first discuss with their commanding officers the possibility of their being discharged and permission assured before they are recommended for ministerial service.
We believe the foregoing will be helpful to you in the selection of young men and women to assist in carrying forward the program of the Church.
With best wishes, we are
Sincerely your brethren,
George Albert Smith
J. Reuben Clark, Jr.
David O. McKay”
Tues., 24 Oct., 1950:
“3:30 p.m.–Called Ernest Wilkinson at his Washington, D.C. office, he having called President Clark earlier regarding selective service matters, and Pres. Clark referred Pres. Wilkinson to me.
Pres. Wilkinson said that the national selective service headquarters got in touch with him at his office yesterday (they thinking he was the one to contact because of the part he played several years ago in working out an agreement with respect to our missionaries), and informed him that the Idaho State Director of Selective Service was in town and is registering a complaint that the Church has not kept its agreement with respect to the calling of missionaries. Pres. Wilkinson said that when he ‘pinned’ the director down, there are only three cases of which they are complaining. Said in these three cases the men were ordered to report for duty, and instead of reporting, a letter was sent by Franklin Murdock, Missionary Secretary for the Church, stating that these men had been called to go on missions for the church. The director said that this is a clear violation of the civil service act. The national headquarters asked that Pres. Wilkinson meet with the Idaho Director and see if the matter could be straightened out.
I told Pres. Wilkinson that if he would send us the names of these three men that I was sure that in no instance would we find a violation of the rules. Pres. Wilkinson said he thought these three cases happened before our letter of September 27 to stakes and wards and missions had been received, the contents of which if followed would not offend the service in any way.
I told Pres. Wilkinson that that letter was drawn up after a conference with Colonel Gray of the Utah State Selective Service and Colonel Osborne of the Reservists.
Pres. Wilkinson said his purpose in calling me is to receive authority to handle the matter from that end. I told him to go ahead, and said further that since the letter of Sept. 27 had been sent out, I had had another conference with Col. Gray and Col. Osborne, who had met with the General from San Francisco (couldn’t give him the name off-hand), and as a result of that conference changes were made and a letter dated October 20, 1950, superseding that of Sept. 27, has been sent out. I then dictated to Pres. Wilkinson’s secretary the following paragraphs from that letter:
Selective Service: After further consideration with officials of the Selective Service, it is deemed advisable to make the following changes: (See attached)
I then told Pres. Wilkinson that the age for missionaries has now been lowered to 19 years of age, which will enagle them to get back by the age of 21 years and render military service.
A Mr. Barker in Pres. Wilkinson’s office then came to the telephone. He said that he had taken this Idaho matter up and found that the 1948 agreement had been followed. Said he had narrowed it down to 3 cases, and said that he was sure that after our letters of Sept. 27 and Oct. 20 were shown them they will be completely satisfied. I told him that I would send the Oct. 20 letter to him.” [The complete text of the 20 Oct. letter is included in an entry above, dated 20 Oct., 1950.]
Fri., 8 Dec., 1950:
“1 p.m. President William H. Bennett of the St. George Stake, and Rulon A. Snow, 1st counselor, came in and brought with them four 19-year-old boys to be interviewed for missions. I advised them to take them back and let them be interviewed at the regular conference to be held in St. George early in January. If they do not do this, it will give Mr. Cox, Chairman of the Draft Board in St. George, a reason for thinking they are trying to evade the draft by not following the regular procedure of calling missionaries, whereas if they are interviewed at Conference, it is right in line with the regular practice.
They presented a clipping from a local paper accusing them of not complying with the understanding we have with the government. The word ‘shenanigan’ [sentence ends here]
I explained to them that the reason more missionaries have been called recently than have regularly been called during the previous 12 months is because the age for calling missionaries was lowered from 20 to 19, and naturally there would be a reserve of these 19-year-olds who otherwise would come in order, have come in all at once. Further, that the lowering of the age to 19 years was with the approval of General J. Wallace West, director of Selective Service for the State of Utah, and Col. Oscar W. Gray of the Selective Service of Utah.”
Fri., 8 Dec., 1950:
“[Telephone call] President Ernest Wilkinson. Re: complaint of Chairman Mr. Cox of the Draft Board at St. George to the National Selective Headquarters in Washington, D.C. (see letter attached which gives substance of conversation) Told Pres. Wilkinson that there is nothing unusual about this St. George case–that it is entirely due to the lowered missionary age, which was done with the approval of General J. Wallace West, Director of Selective Service for the State of Utah, and Col. Oscar W. Gray of the Selective Service for the State of Utah. This man down in St. George–Mr. Leroy H. Cox, Chairman of Draft Board #36, contacted the National Selective Service Headquarters in Washington, D.C. accusing the Mormons of draft evasion. He was entirely out of line, and is certainly prejudiced.
December 11, 1950
Elder Ernest L. Wilkinson
744 Jackson Place
Washington, D.C.
Dear Brother:
Your air mail, special delivery letter of December 6, 1950, was received this morning. We thank you for sending it, and wish especially to express appreciation of the consideration shown by the National Selective Service Headquarters in informing you and Brother Barker of the accusations made by one Leroy H. Cox, Chairman of Draft Board #36, Washington County, Utah, that there has been undue activity on the part of Stake and Ward authorities in the St. George District in calling 19 and 20 year old young men to serve as missionaries for the Church, the implication being that the Church is not acting in accordance with the mutual understanding between it and state and national selective service officials.
As stated to you over the telephone this morning, there has been no deviation on the part of the Church from the understanding between the General Authorities of the Church and the Selective Service officials, which, in substance, is as follows:
(1) That young men 19 years of age may be considered eligible for recommendation for missions. Heretofore the age limit has been twenty years.
(2) That young men of draft age who have received their Notice of Pre-Induction Physical Examination should not be recommended for missionary service. If young men who have been called by the Church to serve as missionaries receive their notice of Pre-Induction Physical Examination before they enter the Mission Home, the Church will excuse these young men from ministerial service, but if they enter the Mission Home before the above notice is received they will be deferred from military service for the duration of their mission terms.
(3) That young men who have reached their twenty-first birthday and are desirous of being recommended for missionary service should first discuss the matter of their being called for military service with their Selective Service Draft Boards and secure assurance in writing that they will not be called for military service before they are recommended for missionary service.
(4) If a young man who has received his Notice of Pre-Induction Physical Examination be not inducted within a period of five months, he may be recommended for missionary service. At the conclusion of a missionary’s mission he will be expected to report to his Selective Service Draft Board within five days after he returns home, and failure to do this makes him delinquent and subject to immediate induction.
(5) These changes become effective November 1, 1950.
Further, as stated to you over the telephone, instructions have been given to Mission Presidents that no extension of time shall be given to any missionary, which means two years in English-speaking Missions, and two and a half years in foreign-speaking Missions, and that when a missionary is released, he should report to his Draft Board within five days after his arrival home. In this resepct, it should be noted that 1300 missionaries have returned to their homes within the last three months, and, so far as we know, have reported to their Draft Board for examination for military duty.
As an illustration of the compliance of the General Authorities with the understanding of the Selective Service as set forth in paragraph 3 mentioned above, last Tuesday morning when the First Presidency made its assignment of missionaries for this week, 60 young men were referred to their draft boards to obtain releases for missionary labor.
One reason why there have been more young men called in some areas during the last few months than were called regularly in a corresponding period is because of the recent announcement to Bishops of Wards that the missionary age has been lowered from 20 to 19 years of age.
Sincerely yours,
George Albert Smith
J. Reuben Clark, Jr.
David O. McKay
The First Presidency”
Thur., 11 Jan., 1951:
“3:30 p.m.–Meeting with military officials regarding missionaries and the draft–see notes attached.
. . . .
[Handwritten on top of page: “Rough Draft–written by Franklin Murdock”]
Thursday, January 11th, 1951, General J. Wallace West, Colonel Oscar W. Gray and Captain Ray of the Selective Service met with President David O. McKay, of the First Presidency, and Franklin J. Murdock, mission secretary, at the church office building to discuss the problems pertaining to the calling of young men for missionary service as it effects the Selective Service.
Brother Murdock suggested that the purpose of the meeting was to extend cooperation and to further acquaint each one with the problems involved with the young men being called at this time for missionary service. Brother Murdock explained that in many instances in the various cities of the state it had been called to his attention where the fullest cooperation between the bishops, stake authorities and the Selective Service Boards is not in existence. The stake presidents, bishops and parents of the boys felt that the members of the Selective Service Draft Boards were prejudiced towards the Church and were not giving them fair consideration. Brother Murdock further suggested that if a member of the stake presidency in each stake and county could be made a part of each board that they would understand the problems of the Church and would get the cooperation of the bishops and parents much better than those who were antagonistic and prejudiced towards the program of the Church.
Colonel Gray pointed out that he felt the real point that was causing so much trouble was the fact that the number of missionaries going into the field had increased so greatly in the last several months as compared to the condition just before the Korean war. He was unable to satisfy the boards that there were as many missionaries returning from the fields as were going out. He pointed out that his figures showed 22% of the young men called [by the Draft Boards] were being used by the Church for missionary work in August of 1950. In December of 1950 this figure had climbed to 36% or an increase of 14%. Colonel Gray also pointed out that in 1940 when the Church had ceased calling missionaries the national average at that time was 2.5. He pointed out that now this average has climbed to 4.1 and that the Selective Service Boards throughout the state of Utah and particularly in Salt Lake County were refusing to re-classify the young men who had been called for missionary service from I-A to IV-D.
General West joined in this suggestin that if some solution could be worked out it would relieve the tremendous feeling and tension which was growing hourly. General West pointed out that as far as the Selective Service is concerned they could only suggest to the boards to re-classify and grant deferrments, but the boards themselves had the inherent power to refuse to classify. They were somewhat of a law unto themselves.
The question of the St. George Selective Service Board was then called to our attention that Mr. Cox, who is the chairman, had refused to grant deferrments to any missionaries who were being called at this time. He was also sending notices of induction to missionaries who had been in the field from three to six months trying to force them to report for induction. This, of course, as General West pointed out was a violation of our agreement and Mr. Cox would be overrulled on this matter, and that all missionaries now in the field would be allowed to remain and fulfill their missions in accordance with the agreement.
Colonel Gray pointed out that he felt the solution would be for the Church to cease calling young men who were classified I-A, but call young men who had been classified IV-F, which means physically impaired, IV-A, veterans, and V-A, men older than 25 years of age, since there was a pool of approximately 26,000 men in the state which missionaries could be drawn from.
After careful consideration President McKay said that he would take up the matter with the First Presidency. He felt that the possible solution to the problem would be that the Church would ask each young man to contact his Selective Service Draft Board before he was recommended for missionary service. This woud simplify the matter and allow the Selective Service to decide if a young man could be cleared for missionary service.
The question of some 400 missionaries in the home was presented pointing out that many of the missionaries now in the home were being sent notices of I-A classification by Selective Service Boards here in Salt Lake County–Boards 24, 21 and 18. General West pointed out that the members of these boards were very hostile and were very upset over the practice of the Church calling missionaries at this time. But if the Church would not call young men with I-A classifications in the future and if it was stopped at this time, he felt that he could go to the three draft boards in Salt Lake City and other boards in the state which might be objecting to the missionary system and prevail on them to allow the missionaries now in the home to go on their missions in the regular way, but that no more missionaries of I-A status would be called in to the home. President McKay said that he would take this matter up with President Clark and President Smith, and if the Church stopped calling young men with I-A classifications now that the Church would expect the draft boards to grant those missionaries now in the home and others already called the freedom to go and fulfill their missions. He further emphasized that the missionaries now in the field, with particular reference to the St. George Board, would continue on and fulfill their missions without being molested by these draft board members.
President McKay also pointed out that clerks of draft boards had no right to assume jurisdiction in connection with the work of the board. They were merely secretaries of the board and it was not right for them to usurp authority. General West and Colonel Gray assured President McKay that they would look into the matter and correct any false impressions which the secretaries might have had of their respective duties.
General West and Colonel Gray said that they would consult immediately three boards in Salt Lake County–24, 21 and 18–and see if they were agreeable to the proposition of allowing the missionaries now in the home and others already called to go on their missions with the assurance that no more I-A’s will be called by the Church without first having secured clearance with their draft boards. This seemed to be agreeable to all concerned, and the meeting was adjourned.”
I then called attention to the fact that on November 22, 1921, Elder Hugh J. Cannon and I stood in the city of Serusalem, and witnessed the fulfillment of that prophecy, as on that day General Allenby’s proclamation that Jerusalem was to become a state for the return of the Jews under the protection of the British government, was issued, and the Arabs were protesting the proclamation and there was fighting in the streets.
The meeting concluded at 2:30 p.m., and all who attended were of the opinion that it had been a very inspirational meeting.”
Sat., 13 Jan., 1951:
“9:30 a.m.–President Elmer A. Graff of the Zion Park Stake came in to complain of the bitter attitude of Mr. Cox, Chairman of the Selective Service Board of Washington County, and wanted to know what his attitude should be.
I explained to Pres. Graff our latest understanding with the military officials, and assured him that his boys who are now in the mission field would not be brought home for military service until after their missions are completed.
Spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon in conference with Franklin Murdock of the missionary department, and in dictation to Clare.
. . . .
As a result of a meeting held Jan. 11 and subsequent telephone conversations with General J. Wallace West, Colonel Oscar W. Gray, and Captain Pay (see notes) the following telegram was sent this day to Stake Presidents within this area:
Due to National Emergency and a recent understanding between state directors of selective service will you please instruct Bishops not to recommend young men for ministerial service who have not first secured clearance in writing from local draft boards. This applies also to missionaries called but not in missionary home. (Signed First Presidency)
And the following letter to be sent to missionaries who have already received their call:
Due to the national emergency, and the latest understanding between State Directors of Selective Service and the Church, it will be necessary for you, before entering the missionary home to get clearance in writing from your Draft Board. Sincerely yours, (signed First Presidency).
Attached is clipping from the Deseret News of Tuesday, Jan. 16, 1951 regarding this matter:
CALLS TO MISSION MUST BE CLEARED BY DRAFT BOARDS
Clearance from draft boards must be obtained before the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will issue any calls to men between the ages of 19 to 25 to fill missions.
This explanation was given by the First Presidency Tuesday because of misunderstanding of instructions sent by telegrams to stake presidents last Saturday.
Young men of draft age who have received calls to fill missions but who have not reported to the missionary home now must obtain clearance from draft boards, President McKay explained.
Clarifying the situation further, Pres. David O. McKay, second counselor in the First Presidency, explained that before any call to fill a mission is issued to a man between 19 and 25, that young man must obtain from his selective service board a statement that the board has no objection to the young man accepting such a call.
He said this means that the Church will limit its calls for missionary work to young men cleared by their draft boards for various reasons, older men, women, persons married before July 1, 1950, and veterans.
Persons now in the mission field or in the missionary home are accepted by draft boards as ordained ministers and are not affected by the change and are not subject to military service, he said.
[remaining 3 paragraphs illegible]
. . . .
[The following notes, prepared by Franklin Murdock, were labeled “Rough Draft”]
Saturday, January 13th, Brother Murdock called General West and inquired as to what the result of the meeting with the draft boards had been. General West said that he had had some success, but that he was still having trouble with Board 24. Two of the members, Mr. Baegley and Mr. Hansen were sure that they could not change their previous opinions that these young men should be classified I-A. Mr. Wright and Mr. Hamilton were inclined to go along with the program that General West had outlined. Mr. Critchlow and Mr. Irvine of Board 18 stated that they would let the matter stand as it had been decided that these young men should be I-A. Brother Murdock said that he would present these facts to President McKay of the outcome of the meeting with General West and the draft boards and let him know what the position of the Church was.
Brother Murdock then had a talk with President McKay giving him the facts that Boards 24 and 18 would not go along with the program as outlined by General West. President McKay had discussed the matter with President Clark and President Smith and they had agreed that the best thing to do was for the missionaries in the home now, in accordance with the agreement with General West, to have the privilege of going on their missions. Telegrams would be sent to each stake president in Utah advising them not to recommend young men for missionary service until the young men had first secured clearance in writing from their draft boards.
Also it was decided by the First Presidency to send a letter to each missionary called but who had not reported to the mission home and ask them to please get in touch with their local selective service draft boards and secure clearance in writing before they reported to the missionary home on January 22, 1951.
Telegrams were sent out to each stake president in the state of Utah advising them of the decision of the first presidency as above outlined, and letters were prepared to send each missionary following the above suggestions.
It was decided to take up the matter separately with the state of Idaho at a later time. Correspondence could be made with General Walsch who had been very helpful and ask if there were some phases of the program there that could be altered so that the tension could be relieved. Also, Elder Delbert L. Stapley of the Council of Twelve, was going to look into the matter in Arizona when he returned home to see if some other modification was needed there. The question of California would be decided on each individual case. This seems to be a fine solution to the entire problem.”
Tues., 16 Jan., 1951:
“At 4 o’clock held a meeting with General J. Wallace West, State Director of Selective Service, and Colonel Oscar W. Gray. Franklin J. Murdock also attended this meeting and took minutes, which are attached hereto. The meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
[Murdock’s minutes:] A meeting of President David O. McKay, of the First Presidency, General West and Colonel Gray of the Selective Service and Brother Murdock, mission secretary, was held Tuesday, January 16th, at 4:00 p.m. at the church office building.
President McKay pointed out that all stake presidents had been notified of the agreement reached at a previous meeting. All young men must first secure clearance in writing from their local draft boards before they enter the mission home. He stated that he had received a telephone call from one of the stake presidents in Sanpete County to the effect that several of the missionaries that had been called had gone to their draft boards and had received information to the effect that no more calls were being issued. He felt that this was not in accordance with the agreement reached at a previous meeting.
Colonel Gray stated that he understood from the previous meeting that the Church would only call IV-F, IV-A and V-A’s. President McKay pointed out that there was no intention of completely stopping and damning [sic] off calling of missionaries 19 and 20 years of age.
Brother Murdock pointed out that General West and Colonel Gray had stated that the Selective Service Draft Boards were all powerful in their own right and that they were given the authority to make decisions concerning young men of each of their boards. The telegram had gone out with the understanding that all young men should first clear with their Selective Service Darft Boards and that the real decision would be left up to the local draft board.
Now in accordance with the directive #2-51 (attached) which Colonel Gray had sent to the draft boards limiting the calling of missionaries to only IV-F, IV-A and V-A’s that it did not leave the draft board the right to decide whether a young man should be re-classified or deferred. Colonel Gray presented the directive which he had sent out Monday night. In reading over the directive Brother Murdock pointed out that the word ‘only’ was very restrictive and the Church had always been able to call IV-F, IV-A and V-A’s because they were free from military service. Brother Murdock also pointed out that the Church has always called IV-F, IV-A and V-A’s, and this directive was limiting the Selective Service Boards to only these categories from which missionaries might be considered.
He also pointed out that President McKay had made a statement to the Tribune which was very inclusive, complete and accurate. A copy of this article was secured and read to Colonel Gray and General West. President McKay made the suggestion that if a fourth category could be included in the instructions to Selective Service Boards as follows:
The Salt Lake Tribune, Tuesday, January 16, 1951.
Get Clearance
RULE CLARIFIED ON DRAFT, MISSION CALLS
Draft-age young men of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints will have to obtain written clearance from their local draft boards before they may accept a call to serve on a mission, according to an explanation Monday by the church first presidency.
The explanation was given as a result of misinterpretations of a letter sent last week to stake presidents by church authorities. Many persons got the erroneous idea that the church no longer would call young men 19 and 20 years of age to missionary work, when contents of the letter were announced in some ward meetings Sunday night.
Called Off Farewells
As a result, several missionary farewells scheduled for Sunday evening were postponed or cancelled. Resehcduling of those farewells will depend upon written clearance from selective service boards concerned, according to David O. McKay, second counselor in the LDS first presidency.
‘The church assures full cooperation with military officials,’ Mr. McKay said Monday, ‘and suggests that every young man check with his local board before entering the mission home to get written clearance.’
To Limit Calls
This will mean the church will limit its call for missionary work to young women, persons married before July 1, 1950, veterans, young men ineligible for the draft for physical reasons and others cleared by their draft boards for various reasons.
The requirement of written clearance from selective service boards takes effect immediately, Mr. McKay said, but persons now in training in the LDS mission home are accepted by draft officials as in the ‘minister’ category and not affected.
‘There is a clear understanding between state selective service officials and the church in regard to calling young men who are eligible for the draft to missions,’ Mr. McKay said.
Best of Feelings
There has been the best of feelings between the church and selective service officials, he added, and the church clarified its position regarding young men to contribute to that cooperative spirit.
Mr. McKay took the occasion to refute a report that LDS missionaries have moved from border locations in Germany.
‘The elders have been withdrawn from the near east–Lebanon, Syria and Israel–due entirely to local conditions,’ the church official explained. ‘There has been no change in the European mission fields.’
Some discussion was had by Colonel Gray concerning the necessity of putting all the selective service boards on a uniform basis.
During the discussion it was brought out that the lowering of the age by the Church to 10 years had caused the flood of young men to be considered for missionary work. President McKay stated that it was the understanding that the military authorities were in favor of the lowering of the age. He now realized that it had brought a flood of young men in to the missionary work, and with it had brought some problems where young men were immature and not ready for missionary service.
President McKay turned to Colonel Gray and he said, ‘Colonel Gray, I understand that you recommended the age be lowered.’ Colonel Gray answered that he did not recommend it. President McKay turned to Brother Murdock and seemed surprised at this statement. Brother Murdock made this statement, Colonel Gray, you will recall that in October, after one of your trips through the state of Utah visiting your draft boards, you came back with a long list of problems which were plaguing the draft boards because of the fact that the church was calling the 24, 23, 22 and 21 year old men. In many cases these young men had had military service and now because of the Korean situation were being recommended for missionary service. After some discussion you felt that a solution could be found whereby the church would not call these experienced men (24, 23, 22 and 21 year olds) since they were the men well qualified by reason of age and experience to go into the service. This problem was what was causing so much feeling in the small communities out in the state of Utah. Brother Murdock, after thinking about this problem, stated to Colonel Gray that if the church would call young men 19 and send them on missions so that they could be back by the time they were 21, and that the church would refrain from calling young men between 21 and 25, that this would solve the problem. Colonel Gray said that this would be a great help to him and would relieve the pressure which was being brought on him by the Selective Service boards out in the smaller communities. He said that is the most important problem we have at the time is to be able to secure these young men 21 thru 25 to meet the draft quotas.
Brother Murdock pointed out that it was here that his understanding that Colonel Gray was in favor of this lowering of the age because of the reasons stated above and that it would help solve the problem here in the state of Utah–that is the church would use the young men from 19 to 21. They would have a chance to have their missions and then be back in time to go into the military service. A letter was drafted to bishops and stake presidents and a copy of this letter was handed to Colonel Gray. He read it over carefully and said, ‘Yes, I feel that we can go along with you on that basis.’
In this same connection, that is the lowering of the age from 20 to 19, the same expressions were received from Colonel Osborn who some weeks before had discussed the military problem in two meetings–first in the missionary department and secondly with President McKay. Colonel Osborn could see the advisability of the church training and what it would mean to the young men to have this training before they went into military service. He commended the church for the splendid young men who were in the reserves and those with whom he had come in contact. Colonel Osborn is not a member of the church but a man from the East, and a very fine friend and a great admirer of the church.
General Welsch, the state director of Idaho, had also commended the church for their splendid program and saw no reason why the lower age of 19 would work any hardship on the military authorities.
Brother Murdock in making a telephone conversation with Colonel Leec, state director of California, also raised the question with him. He stated that he did not see how the church could make an ordained minister in ten days training in the home, but he was not criticizing that program. He said taht he was just unable to see how ordained ministers could be made so quickly. He said that such training as the Mormon church does give their young men when they go into the mission field makes them finer citizens and he thought was worthy of consideration by all who might be interested. He thought the age was 18.
In another telephone conversation with the state director of Minnesota, who is also very friendly to the church program, he indicated the splendid job that the church is doing in training young men for good citizens. He wondered why we didn’t take the boys younger.
I have added the additional comments as a background to the thinking which we had in October before the sudden turn of events in the Korean war which made the increase of the draft quota double and triple in some months.
It was finally agreed that Colonel Gray would restate his directive (#3-51 attached) to his selective service boards and that before he sent it out he would let the church see a copy of his instructions. Brother Murdock pointed out that even the non-members of the church who are on some of the boards in Salt Lake had expressed a willingness to sit down and work out a plan by which the church could get the missionaries they needed and the draft could secure the young men they needed as well as industry and other phases of activity which require young men physically fit to carry on their work.
The question was brought up of young men in reserve units and also members of the national guards who had received permission to go into the mission field. Should these young men still clear with their selective service draft boards? General West and Colonel Gray both stated that it would be better to have every young man secure clearance in writing from their selective service draft boards, because even though they are members of reserves and have not been called for active duty now and are in an inactive status, as soon as they are placed on an inactive status they are under the jurisdiction of the selective service board in which they are registered.
. . . .
UTAH STATE HEADQUARTERS
SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM
BUILDING NO. 97
FORT DOUGLAS, UTAH
January 15, 1951
BULLETIN No. 2-51
SUBJECT: DEFERMENT OF MISSIONARIES OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS
TO: LOCAL BOARD MEMBERS AND LOCAL BOARD CLERKS
This bulletin rescinds and supersedes this Headquarters Bulletin No. 9-50, dated October 16, 1950.
Due to the National Emergency the authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints have modified the missionary policy concerning men who have been recommended to fulfill a missionary call, but were not in the missionary home on January 8, 1951.
Before any registrant is recommended to the Church Presidency to fulfill a mission call, he must first obtain a release in writing from his local Selective Service Board.
Local Boards are hereby authorized to only [this word was crossed out by hand] consider registrants to fulfill missions in the following categories:
Class IV-A – registrants who qualify as veterans under the Selective Service Act.
Class IV-F – registrants who are disqualified for service in the Armed Forces.
Class V-A – registrants who are over the age of 25 years.
[handwritten: “and others who will be cleared for their”]
Registrants who return from missions should report their return to their local boards within five days after their arrival home, otherwise, they are subject to classification as delinquents under the provisions of the Selective Service Act. If a registrant is classified as a delinquent, he loses all the benefits provided by the regulations and is subject to immediate induction by his local board of jurisdiction.
For the State Director,
OSCAR W. GRAY
Lt. Col., CE
Assistant State Director”
Tues., 16 Jan., 1951:
“5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Dictation to Clare and signing of correspondence. While I was attending to these matters, Mr. W. L. Rollins of Draft board #21 Uintah County, Wyoming, called at the office. Said in view of telegram that has been sent out that boys will have to get clearance from their draft boards before entering the missionary home, and inasmuch as he is a member of the church and there are several boys from his ward, some of whom are his relatives, he feels that he will be criticized if he gives letters of clearance. I told him that he could do one of two things–either clear the boys to go on their mission (which according to Mr. Rollins would stir up a ‘hornet’s nest’), or have these boys return to their school and finish the school year at which time the draft board could use their judgment in giving them clearance.”
Wed., 17 Jan., 1951:
“Bp. Donald M. Field, Lyman Ward, Lyman Stake called and referred to Mr. W. L. Rollins’ visit to my office last evening with respect to Mr. Rollins’ position as chairman of the Draft Board up there, and the latest ruling of the government that boys between the ages of 19-25 inclusive should get clearance from their local draft boards before going on missions. I stated that Mr. Rollins reported to me that he (Bishop Field) has called six young men, and that it is his responsibility to decide whether they should go or whethery they should remain at home and await their induction notice. I also said that I had told Mr. Rollins there are two things to be done: First, clear these boys for the missionary call, which, according to Mr. Rollins will make others feel they are discriminated against, and will probably stir up a ‘hornet’s nest,’ or, Second, have the boys finish their school year, at the end of which there will probably be no trouble with regard to their getting clearance.
I stated that the calling of six missionaries at once, and taking them out of school to go on missions, certainly looks as though they are avoiding the draft; that it would be better for them to finish their school year. Bishop Field said these six boys were called from his ward because they were 19 years of age, and they quit their schools so they could accept the call. I said I understand that the lowering of the missionary age from 20 to 19 opened up a whole reserve of 19-year-olds to go on missions. But, these boys must appear before their draft boards to get written clearance before they can go on missions.
I said further that Bishop Fields should have an understanding with the draft board that these boys will finish their school year; that we shall be glad to postpone their missionary calls until then, at which time the Draft Board can approve them for missions. I said that just yesterday we sent back 60 boys to their draft boards for clearance.”
Wed., 17 Jan., 1951:
“Pres. Delbert Stapley called from Arizona–said he had had a visit with the State Selective service there, and they feel they have not had anything by way of instructions concerning our recent agreement with military officials; however, they are willing to go along as they have done the past several months. I instructed Pres. Stapley to tell the State Selective members that we have decided to make the new ruling general; namely that all boys between the ages 19 to 25 inclusive must clear with their draft boards before going on missions. Pres. Stapley said taht so far as the draft boards in Arizona are concerned that is not necessary, but I answered that we have decided to make it uniform, and all Stake Presidents will receive instructions concerning it.
Pres. Stapley said that he would tell the Arizona Selective Service Director what the new plan is, although he felt that when the boards got the word they would be inclined to discourage the missionaries from going. I said that it is up to them. I also said that if he would tell the Boards that they may be guided by the former ruling and give clearance to young men who are not yet inducted before they get into the home, we will exercise the right to call the usual number.”
Wed., 17 Jan., 1951:
“6:30 p.m.–left for home feeling somewhat wearied with the numerous telephone calls and office visitors regarding boys who have been called on missions and are trying to get clearance from their respective draft boards in adherance to the new ruling that has gone out that all missionaries will have to get written clearance before entering the missionary home.”
Thur., 18 Jan., 1951:
“Returned to the office at 2 p.m. where I met Mr. Koldewine, Bishop Dell Stringham, and Bishop Garff regarding young men in Ogden who have received calls to go on missions, have received assignments to their fields of labor, have spent money in preparation for their missions, and who have been refused clearance by the local draft board in Ogden. These young men have been assigned to come into the missionary home January 22.
According to instructions given by the First Presidency they should first have written clearance from the Board before they are called on missions. Inasmuch as a directive has been sent out which is not in keeping with the conclusions arrived at jointly at the meeting of the Church officials and the State Selective Service Director, I told these brethren that they could tell these young men to come down, to report at the missionary home January 22 without the written permission from the local Board, that matters will be straightened out later with General West and Colonel Gray.”
Thur., 18 Jan., 1951:
[Telephone calls]:
“2. While I was at home talked to President Parley A. Arave of Blackfoot Idaho. I called him regarding the case of an Elder laboring in the Western Canadian Mission whom the Draft Board is demanding be returned to report for military duty. The appeal was going to Washington, but Pres. Arave assured me that he did not think it was necessary to go to Washington. I called particularly because it was reported that I had advised him to make the appeal, but Brother Arave had not given me the facts in the case, which are that this young man was a reserve and therefore should not have been called on a mission without the consent of draft officials. (Brother Henry D. Moyle has also been investigating this case.)
3. President Thomas O. Smith of the North Weber Stake telephoned. Said they have three boys who have received their call to come into the home next Monday, but their draft boards will not give them clearance; in fact, they will not even talk to them because of a directive that has been received from State headquarters.
I said that that directive should not have been sent because it was not in accordance with our understanding in a meeting the night before, and that as soon as we heard of it at a meeting with General West and Colonel Gray, and as soon as colonel Gray showed it to me, I said ‘That makes it impossible for any young men between the ages of 19 to 25 inclusive to be considered by your local boards; you have excluded every boy; no board will give clearance, and it was not intended that way.’ I understand that these military men have now modified this directive, but it has not been sent out as yet, so all we can do is to let those boys come down and say nothing about it. I said further that under the directive, the boards have no right to give permission, and asside from the directive, they have no legal right.
It was decided that if the boys in question had not yet received their induction notice, they could come to the mission home at the appointed time.
Pres. Smith then spoke of one boy who is in the naval reserve who has his clearance from the San Francisco Naval Reserve Office to go on a mission to the British Isles; has his passport, but the draft board here will not recognize the clearance. Technically, he is not under them, and has his written clearance from the Navy to come.
4. Colonel Oscar W. Gray of Fort Douglas–Telephoned me from the house, at 3:45 p.m., saying that he had just come to town, and Brother Murdock had asked him to call me up. Said he had been entertaining some General who was visiting here. He first mentioned the case of Joseph Knowlton, saying, ‘You have given me a very knotty problem in that case.’ Said the records disclose the fact that he (Bro. Knowlton) has had three deferments–one for school, one for ROTC (which extends his time at the end of the school), and one by his own request to take examination for the air corps.
I said, ‘I am informed that he knew nothing about the deferments and entered the missionary home in good faith, and on the second day that he was in the home, he was told that he could not continue his school at the home.’
I further said that I would consult Joseph Knowlton on the matter and get his side and talk to him again about it.
I then said: ‘There is another matter: Inasmuch as you have sent a directive to these local Boards instructing them NOT to give clearance to any young men between the ages of 19 to 25 inclusive, that makes it impossible and unjust to those who have been called on missions, assigned to their fields of labor, who have gone to the expense of securing passports, clothing, etc. etc., to hold them to the instructions that they will not be called until they have first been CLEARED by their local Boards. Since, too, that some of these local boards have refused to give such clearance, there is nothing else for us to do in justice to these young men who have been so called but to let them come into the Home January 22 without these written clearance papers,’ and, I added, ‘as a matter of fact these local Boards haven’t the LEGAL right to give them such a written clearance.’
Colonel Gray said, ‘Well I will have to see General West before we can change our understanding of the last meeting.'”
Thur., 18 Jan., 1951:
“Council Meeting
January 18, 1951
There was called to the attention of the Council a suggestion by Elder Henry D. Moyle that we set apart our missionaries as soon as they enter the Mission Home rather than when they are ready to leave, that by so doing we would be complying with the law and the draft board would have no jurisdiction over them thereafter, inasmuch as the Selective Service Act specifically defers ministers of the gospel.
On motion of Elder Joseph Fielding Smith, duly seconded, this matter was referred to the Missionary Committee and Brother Moyle, they to come back with their recommendation.”
[At the bottom of the page, in McKay’s handwriting: “Considered by Missionary Com. Jan. 23, 1951, and decided to continue present policy of setting apart missionaries–viz. having an understanding with the gov. that a missionary’s draft status changes to IV-D as soon as he is registered in the Home, even though he may not be set apart for his assigned field of labor until he has practically completed the course in the Home.”]
Fri., 19 Jan., 1951:
“UTAH STATE HEADQUARTERS
SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM
BUILDING NO. 97
FORT DOUGLAS, UTAH
January 19, 1951
BULLETIN NO. 3-51
SUBJECT: DEFERMENT OF MISSIONARIES OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS
TO: LOCAL BOARD MEMBERS AND LOCAL BOARD CLERKS
This bulletin rescinds and supersedes this Headquarters Bulletin No. 2-51, dated January 15, 1951.
Due to the National Emergency the authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints have modified the missionary policy concerning men who have been recommended to fulfill a missionary call, but were not in the missionary home on January 8, 1951.
Before any registrant is recommended to the Church President to fulfill a mission call, he must first obtain a release in writing from his local Selective Service Board.
Local Boards are hereby authorized to consider registrants to fulfill missions in the following categories:
1. Class IV-A – registrants who qualify as veterans under the Selective Service Act.
2. Class IV-F – registrants who are disqualified for service in the Armed Forces.
3. Class V-A – registrants who are over the age of 25 years.
4. Other registrants cleared by their local boards for various reasons.
Bulletin No. 2-51, this Headquarters, is modified so as not to arbitrarily preclude from consideration by local boards cases of individual registrants whom they might desire to give further consideration.
Registrants who return from missions should report their return to their local boards within five days after their arrival home, otherwise, they are subject to classification as delinquents under the provisions of the Selective Service Act. If a registrant is classified as a delinquent, he loses all the benefits provided by the regulations and is subject to immediate induction by his local board of jurisdiction.
J. WALLACE WEST
Brig. Gen., UNG
State Director
BY: OSCAR W. GRAY
Lt. Col., CE
Assistant State Director”
Fri., 19 Jan., 1951:
“Telephone Calls:
1. President Orval P. Mortensen of the North Rexburg State called at 8 a.m. at home stating that the local draft board had expressed willingness to clear three boys, I-As, and one GI, all four of whom are to enter the home next Monday morning, but the members of the draft board would like to have some confirmation from the First Presidency that such deferment would be approved by the First Presidency. Pres. Mortensen suggested that sometime during the day he would have the Chairman or one other member of the Board call this office by telephone. The assurance was given that the action taken was approved, that we should be glad to assign the boys on their missions, and as soon as they enter the home have their status changed from I-A to IV-D for two or two and one half years.
2. President John F. Baker called from Whittier, California (East Los Angeles Stake). Said the Draft Boards down there want a letter from the First Presidency stating that the boys who come to them have been called on Missions. Pres. McKay instructed his secretary to tell Pres. Baker to send in the usual missionary recommendations and when they are received, a letter will be sent to each missionary, which he can present to the draft board verifying his call on a mission. Said the same instructions had been sent to the So. Los Angeles Stake.”
Mon., 22 Jan., 1951:
“Called Colonel Oscar W. Gray at Fort Douglas, Utah, concerning the case of Joseph Smith Knowlton. Presented to him the facts concerning the steps taken by him regarding the Air Corps, ROTC, and his entering the mission home. (see notes attached):
November 21: A.C. Qualifying Exam. Passed.
November 22: Physical Exam. Disqualified.
November 26: Interviewed by Bishop.
Two days later interviewed by stake president. Interviewed by Pres. Milton R. Hunter.
December 6: Called back by Air Corps for recheck of eyes. Accepted.
December 11: Received formal call. Turned twenty years old January 6.
January 8: Entered the missionary home.
January 12: Received ‘memo’ for Mrs. Stanley.
On Dec. 6 Mr. Knowlton was called back by the Air Corps for a re-check of his eyes and he was accepted. Knowing nothing about their acceptance he accepted and received a call to go into the Mission Field on December 11. He was not quite 20 years of age at this time, so on January 8 he entered the Mission Home.
Col. Gray said that he has Form #44 covering Mr. Knowlton, which shows he received deferment on Jan. 12 so that he might be with the air corps, otherwise he would have been called for his physical examination on Dec. 13.
I explained to Col. Gray that Brother Knowlton accepted his mission call in good faith, has his passport, and everything in readiness to go on his mission to Argentina.
Col. Gray asked for a copy of the chronological data that we have and said he would have the case considered at the next board meeting. Said this is a tough case, and is doubtful that anything can be done; that Mr. Knowlton was actually accepted by the Air Corps Dec. 6, although Form #44 was not received until Dec. 13. Said that so far as he knows his deferment in the Air Corps will be for only four months, which is a trial period, and at the end of that time he may be ‘washed up’ so far as the Air Corps is concerned. Said because of this deferment, younger men had been called up for examination.
Col. Gray then said that a number of Bishops have called him, stating that there are a number of boys in the Mission Home who have not been cleared by their boards. I answered that only those who have received their missionary calls and have made preparations for leaving. I said the telegram we sent out stating that no more boys would be called on missions without first clearing with their draft boards was not intended to cover boys who have already been called and assigned to their missions, and the directive sent out by the State Selective Headquarters to their different draft boards stating that no more missionaries were to be cleared, stopped the whole thing. Col. Gray said the new directive had been sent out, but they were delayed in sending it.
Col. Gray then said that General West has returned and thought they should have a conference, because he is receiving a lot of pressure from the boards. I said that so far as we are concerned here I have cleared this whole matter with the Presidency and with some lawyers too, who say the draft boards haven’t any right to give any clearance anyway. Asked if I had talked to Bro. Moyle who is well informed on the subject, and I answered that I had. Col. Gray said there is nothing involved except an administrative matter and that there is no legal problem involved.
I said that the telegram that we sent to the Stake Presidents still stands; that there will be no I-As called between 19 and 25 years of age without their clearance with the boards, but those who have been called should be considered, which does not bring in a very large number. Col. Gray said that they countermanded the first bulletin in accordance with what we had discussed. I said that we are standing on that and thought it would work out all right. Col. Gray said he hoped so that it is really ‘tough’ up there. I said that it was a mistake that we had lowered the age, but that he knew the story of that; that he (Col. Gray) was as surprised as I was. I said also that we have stopped the Bishops from hurrying the 19-year-olds out. Col. Gray said that a lot of boys 18 years of age who will be 19 in a very few months had been called. I answered ‘Oh, no, they haven’t; they have not been called. If you know of any, please give me their names, and I will investigate the matter.'”
Wed., 24 Jan., 1951:
“Telephone Calls:
1. Pres. George Christensen (Nebo Stake) called from Payson. Said there are six young men from their Stake called to go on missions to come into the home Monday morning. However, after receiving our telegram, they sent the boys to their draft board who would not clear them, so the boys are still at home. Now, Pres. Christensen has heard rumors while visiting in richfield that boys from Sevier and South Sevier Stakes have come into the home without their written clearances from the boards. I said ‘Pres. Christensen, I will state briefly to you the facts in this matter: You received the instructions from the First Presidency that no missionaries would be called without first receiving clearance from the Draft Board. Those instructions went out on January 13, and was understood by the Selective Service that the instructions covered boys who had already been called. On January 16 we learned that Colonel Gray was sending out a directive. I inquired as to the substance of the directive, and when Colonel Gray gave us that information, I said: ‘That will prohibit any local board from approving any of the men who have already been called on missions. Please tell Colonel Gray not to send that out.’ Tghat afternoon we had a meeting with General West and Colonel Gray and Captain Pay, and when they presented that directive to me I said again, ‘That directive precludes any local board from giving approval to any missionary who has received his legitimate call; that our agreement with them was that each missionary was to be considered by the board and given permission to enter unless they were in the reserves, a member of the national guard.’ They then agreed to send out a new directive, but that was not sent out in time for these young men who had been called to receive consideration by their draft boards as they had the directive telling them not to consider any missionary. So, knowing that a new directive would be received by the Boards, which would give them permission to approve these boys who had already been called and assigned to the mission home, we told these missionaries to come into the home without their clearance papers.
Pres. Christensen then asked if he should let the six young men in question come into the home. I said that it is a little late to do that now; that they had better wait until February; that in the meantime the draft board will have received the new directive and will probably give them clearance. Pres. Christensen said that some of them have tried to enlist.
2. President Rulon Petersen of the Lakeview Stake called. Said he had three young men who have been recommended for missions (recommended before the recent word regarding the clearance from draft boards was received) who are not yet 19 years of age–but will be that age within the next 30 to 60 days. They have contacted their draft board and they are told they have no jurisdiction over young men of their age; that if the church wants to send them it is up to them.
I told Pres. Petersen to recommend no young man who is not 19 years of age, and make sure he receives his clearance from the Draft Board. If they are 19 years of age, receive their clearance from the draft board, and are in the home before receiving induction notice, then they are free to go on their missions.
. . . .
4. Telephoned to Colonel Oscar W. Gray (4:50 p.m.) State Selective Service Headquarters, Ft. Douglas, Utah. I told him that I had had conferences with a number of the members of their draft boards which have resulted in some good, that they are willing to cooperate and abide by the new corrected directive.
I then said that for our own clarification among the General Authorities, we should like to have every member of the General Authorities understand the relationship between the State Draft Board and the Church, and that Stephen L. Richards of the Council of the Twelve (who is also on the Appointment Committee for missionaries) has very graciously summarized our letters from September 27, 1950 sent from the First Presidency to Stake and Mission Presidents and Bishops of Wards and the subsequent letter of October 20, 1950, and the telegram to Stake Presidents dated January 13 due to the national emergency. I then read to Colonel Gray extracts of the memorandum prepared by Stephen L. Richards. (Copy of what I read to him attached hereto.)
Colonel Gray said the ‘bone of contention’ right now is the fact that there are missionaries in the home who have not received their clearance from their Draft Boards.
I stated that I should be willing to meet any draft board on this question; that the telegram we sent out Jan. 13 was made inoperative by the directive sent out by Colonel Gray’s office which said in effect–‘you cannot recommend anybody.’ I said further–now you have sent out a corrected directive, which has not yet reached some of your draft boards and so far as considering the missionaries already recommended, called, and assigned to the missionary home, their hands were tied by your directive. Consequently, it was necessary for us to let these missionaries come into the home without the letter of permission from their draft boards. However, after these have been cleared (which is only just and fair since they have gone to the expense of obtaining passports, clothes, have held farewells in many cases) there will be no more trouble.
Col. Gray then said that General West has been called to the Governor’s office for a meeting; that he did not know what his reaction would be but that he will present the matter to him and will let us know what the decision is.
Col. Gray asked that we send him a copy of the memorandum prepared by Stephen L. Richards. This I attended to immediately after the conversation.
MEMORANDUM OF ITEMS AFFECTING PROCEDURE IN CALLING MISSIONARIES
1. Outline of Instructions Following Understandings with Selective Service:
On September 27, 1950, a letter was sent from the First Presidency to Stake and Mission Presidents and Ward Bishops, providing:
That if young men of draft age receive their Notice of Acceptability before they enter the Mission Home they are to be excused from their missions. If they enter the Mission Home before their Notice of Acceptability reaches them, they will be deferred from military service for the duration of their missions.
On October 20, 1950, a letter was sent superseding the above letter which provided:
1. That young men should be nineteen years of age instead of twenty before they depart for their missions.
2. That young men who have received their Notice of Pre-Induction Physical Examination before they enter the Mission Home will be excused from their mission calls. If they enter the Mission Home before they receive their notice, they will be deferred from military service for the duration of their missions. (Note that Notice of Acceptability has been superseded by Notice of Pre-Induction Physical Examination.) This was done at the request of Selective Service to make the policy uniform for all services drawing on their manpower pool. The above plan was approved by Selective Service Director of the State of Utah and he forwarded a copy to National Headquarters and inference is that it is acceptable to them.
2. Telegram to Stake Presidents:
On January 13, 1951 the following telegram was sent to all Stake Presidents in the State of Utah and on Tuesday, January 16, 1951, to all other Stake Presidents in the Church:
DUE TO NATIONAL EMERGENCY AND A RECENT UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN STATE DIRECTORS OF SELECTIVE SERVICE WILL YOU PLEASE INSTRUCT BISHOPS NOT TO RECOMMEND YOUNG MEN FOR MINISTERIAL SERVICE WHO HAVE NOT FIRST SECURED CLEARANCE IN WRITING FROM LOCAL DRAFT BOARDS. THIS APPLIES ALSO TO MISSIONARIES CALLED BUT NOT IN MISSIONARY HOME.
FIRST PRESIDENCY
‘Clearance in writing from Local Draft Board’ has been interpreted to mean that the Bishop or Stake President should notify the local draft board of intention to recommend man for mission, and solicit from the draft board a statement as to the present status of the individual and any observations which the board may have to make on the calling of the proposed missionary.
‘Missionaries called but not in home.’ It was discovered subsequent to the sending of the telegram that there were so many cases where, by reason of insufficient notice, those called to enter the Mission Home in the January 22 group would suffer undue hardship, that it was decided to permit that group to enter without compliance with the telegram. The telegram, however, will have application to all companies entering the home at dates later than January 22, 1951.
3. Selective Service Directive No. 3-51–January 19, 1951.
‘. . . . Due to National Emergency the authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints have modified the missionary policy concerning men who have been recommended to fulfill a missionary call, but were not in the missionary home on January 8, 1951.
Before any registrant is recommended to the Church Presidency to fulfill a mission call, he must first obtain a release in writing from his local Selective Service Board.
Local Boards are hereby authorized to consider registrants to fulfill mission in the following categories:
1. Class IV-A — registrants who qualify as veterans under the Selective Service Act.
2. Class IV-F — registrants who are disqualified for service in the Armed Forces.
3. Class V-A — registrants who are over the age of 25 years.
4. Other registrants cleared by their local boards for various reasons.
. . . .’
4. Deferments:
All young men of draft age (18-25) already deferred for such purposes as school, agriculture, reserve units, national guard and other purposes should not be recommended until assurance is given in writing by the proper officials that the deferment is waived for the purpose and duration of a mission.
5. Sisters:
The General Authorities should caution Stake Presidents and Bishops to observe carefully the regulations already issued in the recommending of sisters for missionary work. Age twenty-three is still considered the desirable minimum age for sisters recommended. Those over twenty-one who have special qualifications for stenographic and office work, or supervision of auxiliary work are at present acceptable. Special attention should be given to the marital prospects of the sister, to her health, and the desires of herself and her parents for missionary service. In no case should the filling of ward or stake ‘quotas’ for missionaries influence the call of sisters.
6. Size of Groups in the Mission Home:
So many problems have arisen at the Mission Home with the abnormally large companies, who have overcrowded all facilities that it is deemed advisable to limit the companies hereafter to the number who can be adequately accommodated and supervised, about 125.”
Wed., 24 Jan., 1951:
“UTAH STATE HEADQUARTERS
SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM
BUILDING NO. 97
FORT DOUGLAS, UTAH
January 24, 1951
BULLETIN NO. 5-51
SUBJECT: STATE HEADQUARTERS’ RECOMMENDED POLICY PERTAINING TO CLASSIFICATION
TO: LOCAL BOARD MEMBERS AND CLERKS
For the benefit of local board members and clerks, this Headquarters desires to clarify its position in relation to the apparent differences of interpretation between statements made by the authorities of the L.D.S. Church in the daily papers and letters to the Stake Presidents of the Church and Bulletins Nos. 2-51 and 3-51 published by this Headquarters.
On January 11, 1951, representatives of this Headquarters met with certain L.D.S. Church authorities, at which time it was agreed by all concerned that in view of the fact that after January 8, 1951, no registrants would be admitted to the mission home unless they had a release in writing from their local board. On the strength of this commitment this Headquarters advised te Church authorities, that while local boards were the only ones empowered to classify registrants (subject to an appeal if properly taken by either the individual registrant or this Headquarters) we would endeavor to secure from local boards the release of those registrants who were properly called into the missionary home on the 8th of January, 1951.
Our effort was successful in most cases and releases were obtained from the majority of the local boards on the basis that all future registrants placed in the mission home would be the categories set out in Bulletin No. 2-51.
We are informed that a number of registrants are now in the missionary home who have not secured releases from their local boards and some questions have arisen in the minds of local board members and clerks whether or not some other agreement has been made between the Church and this Headquarters which has not been publicized or covered by a bulletin from this Headquarters.
For your information and advice, this Headquarters has not made any further or different agreement than was set out in Bulletin No. 3-51 of this Headquarters, nor has this Headquarters concurred in any actions of the Latter Day Saints Church in admitting registrants into the mission home without first obtaining a written release from their local boards, as provided for in the letters and telegrams to Stake Presidents and the public statements made by authorities of the Church and in Bulletin No. 3-51 of this Headquarters.
It is further recommended to local boards that in all cases where registrants are in the mission home or mission field in violation of the agreement between the Church and this Headquarters, that they be processed in the same manner as all other registrants and if they fail to comply with the requirements of the Selective Service Act, that they be classified as delinquents and dealt with accordingly.
Under the present circumstances it is recommended that no registrants in classifications subject to induction under the Selective Service Regulations be given the classification of IV-D except in individual cases and under unusual circumstances.
J. WALLACE WEST
Brig. Gen., UNG
State Director”
Thur., 25 Jan., 1951:
“8:30 a.m.–Dictation to Clare. I had no sooner started to dictate than President Clark came in stating that Ralph Hardy of Washington, D.C. was on his line and asked me to come in to his office to talk to him.
Brother Hardy brought up the case of Bishop C. W. Nelson who is an active military reserve officer who now makes a plea for release, because of his position as Bishop. The case has gone to Admiral Salisbury who understands our position and is willing to release him if we approve; however, if we release one who is an active reserve, we will have to release all in the same position, and we are inclined to think that we had better hold to the rule that those who join the Reserves, who take an oath to serve their country in case of emergency, should not be released because of ministerial duties.
NOTE: In the future we should inquire before making a man a Bishop or Stake President whether he is in the military Reserves. President Clark, to whom Ralph Hardy had telephoned, approved of this decision.
. . . .
I then resumed dictating to Clare. One of the first letters I opened was from Joseph L. Petersen of Ogden who reported that he had had a conference with Oscar W. Gray who seemed a ‘little peeved over the turn of events, especially about the group of missionaries that entered the Mission Home last Monday. He claimed the church had not lived up to the agreement previously made.’
I immediately picked up the telephone and called Colonel Gray at Fort Douglas and told him that I had heard that he had made the statement that all the boys who are now in the home without a written clearance from their draft boards would be counted as delinquents. Col. Gray answered ‘If they won’t release them.’
I said, ‘How could they release them when you told them in that directive not to release anybody? These boys were called legitimately, some to come to the Home on Jan. 22, some on Feb. 1, some of whom are going to Great Britain, the Netherlands, to Argentina, and who have already gone to great expense in preparation to their leaving, and are the ones who should have been considered by your draft boards if you had not sent out that directive telling them not to consider anyone. Because of this injustice to the boys, we had to let them come in to the Home, and we will stand on that and take it right back to Washington if necessary.’
Said he had asked Brother Murdock to come up this morning; that this is one of the problems they are developing. I said Brother Murdock had told me that you asked him to come and he is now on his way there.
I said further that I have been in touch with the members of the different draft boards, and the new directive makes matters all right. Colonel Gray said that that would not apply to the boys now in the home, and I answered again, ‘But the draft Boards had not received the new directive, and could not give clearance; however, now that they have received the new directive they will have time to give clearance for the Feb. 19 group, but for these boys who are now in the home, the draft boards could not give clearance.’ Colonel Gray said ‘That was the basis of our memorandum that went out to the Boards.’ I answered, ‘But you have corrected that, and now I believe the picture will unfold and will adjust itself.’ I said further, ‘Now we are calling none, and we all understand the situation, but these boys who are now in the home–it is like daming off a stream; there is a little water left to run down the stream.’ Col. Gray said the trouble they are running into is that the men were allowed to come into the home on the 8th with the understanding to the boards that all others would be cleared including those who were called.’ And I answered again, ‘Then you sent your first directive, and they could not clear them. There was no other agreement. Now this man reports to me you have stated that the church is not keeping faith, and the Church has kept faith absolutely.’ Colonel Gray said: ‘I do not know who you are talking about, excepting that we have had trouble with one of the boards.’ I said, ‘I am willing to go personally to these boards; I have spoken to the members of five local boards, and they are willing to cooperate; there should be no trouble as they are having all the 19 and 20 year olds from now on.
I further stated that these young men are not draft evaders; that they are in the home in good faith, and they are entitled to go on their missions. Col. Gray said that he imagined it would ‘all be thrashed out; that whatever the General does, I shall be bound by that.’ I answered: ‘My point is that it is not fair to say that we have not kept faith because we have.’ He replied, ‘So many of the boards have called about the missionaries going into the home without their clearance, and they feel that we have been a party to it.’ I said, ‘You can tell them exactly what the facts are, and it will be all right.’
Colonel Gray then said ‘It will be a matter of discussion, and Brother Murdock will let you know when he returns.’
10 a.m. I then left for the Council meeting in the Salt Lake Temple. When I returned to the office at 3 p.m. Brother Franklin J. Murdock came in to report his conference with General West and Colonel Gray at Ft. Douglas. Said that upon his arrival at their office he could see that General West was perplexed and uneasy. He then said to Brother Murdock: ‘Well I have done my best; I have had to send out a directive to the draft boards.’ Brother Murdock answered: ‘Have you sent it yet?’ He answered, ‘It went last night.’ Brother Murdock asked him why he did not contact President McKay; that he knew the brethren would be glad to consult with him any time. General West then emphasized the seriousness of the directive, and said that hehad to send this directive out. Copies of the directive (No. 5-51) were handed to Brother Murdock to read and to present to President McKay. Brother Murdock handed one to President McKay who immediately read it, and exclained after reading it through, ‘They’ll have to change that; they are not being fair with the church–they are not admitting that they made an error in sending out that first directive which prohibited the draft boards from clearing any of our boys!’ Pres. McKay then instructed Brother Murdock to call General West and make an appointment for a meeting in my office either tonight or early in the morning. (Copy of Directive 5-51 attached to January 26)
Brother Stephen L. Richards and Brother Henry D. Moyle were called in to read the directive and were in agreement with President McKay that the directive was not fair to the church.”
Thur., 25 Jan., 1951:
“President Cornelius Zappey called regarding a Dutch family here in the city who came from Holland a year ago. They have 2 sons–one was in the Netherlands Army and fought in India, and since comeing here has been in the Army. The other boy is now in the mission home. Just before he left for the Mission Home Monday morning, he received a notice to report for his pre-induction physical Feb. 5, and he wants to know if anything can be done in his case. The parents have borrowed money to buy his clothes and take care of other preparations for his mission.
I told Pres. Zappey to see the members of his draft board (#18) and present the case to them; it will have to be up to them. Pres. Zappey said he had been to see Colonel Gray at the Fort and he referred him back to the board.”
Fri., 26 Jan., 1951:
“From 8 to 9:45 a.m. this morning was in conference with General West and Colonel Oscar W. Gray of the State Selective Service, and Franklin J. Murdock of the Missionary Department. There were present General J. Wallace West and Colonel Oscar W. Gray of the State Selective Service, and President David O. McKay and Elder Stephen L. Richards, representing the Missionary Appointment Committee, and Elder J. Franklin Murdock, Mission Secretary, in which exception was taken to Bulletin No. 5-51 sent out by the State Selective Service inasmuch as it cases aspersion upon the integrity of Church officials in having admitted registrants to the Missionary Home for the January 22, 1951 group.
As soon as I expressed resentment of the implication made by them, General West protested that there was no intention of casting any aspersion upon the integrity of the church officials, and it was agreed that a letter would be sent from the office of the Selective Service clearing the Church of any such implication.
It was then decided that all missionaries who are in the home should receive clearance from their respective draft boards before departing on their missions.
9:45 to 10:15–special meeting of General Authorities who were present in the building this morning on the missionary and draft question. Instructed members of the Twelve to set apart no missionaries this morning who had not received clearance from his draft board. It was decided that the setting apart of missionaries, therefore, would be postponed from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and that Elder Stephen L. Richards and Franklin J. Murdock be appointed as a committee to interview each missionary prior to his being set apart.
. . . .
1 p.m.–Went home for lunch. While at home received a call from Brother Stephen L. Richards (see notes).
Returned to the office at 2:30 p.m. and called President Marden Pearson of Richfield. Referred him to his letter of January 24, 1951, and stated that I had previously told him that the young man in question could hold his farewell Sunday, but that now in conference with military officials this morning, we find that any young man who has had a deferment for the ROTC, (which this young man has had) for which reason his draft number has been postponed, cannot go on his mission unless his local draft board gives him written clearance. I then said that unless this boy gets his written clearance from the draft board, his farewell should not be held. Pres. Pearson said he thought the board would not give him clearance. I then said if the board is not granting the clearance because of the directive (#2-51) from headquarters, they should be informed that directive #3-51 (which has been sent out correctinb #2-51) will give the board the right to give a written clearance if they so desire. I said if his number has come up in the meantime they will probably not excuse him. Pres. Pearson said his number had not come up. I told him to go to the board and inquire about the case, and he replied that he disliked to because the boy is his nephew. I suggested that his parents go with him, and Pres. Pearson said the parents had taken him out of school. I answered that all this should be taken into consideration by the draft board, and that they have the power to say whether or not he ahould be deferred to go on his mission. And further stated that he would definitely have to be cleared with them; that that is our understanding now with the military officials. I stated also that Pres. Pearson should go to them; that it should not make any difference about the boy being his nephew. Pres. Pearson said the commanding ROTC officer is very willing to have the boy go on his mission, and I answered that the final decision is that they would have to get the approval of the draft board down there.
. . . .
Telephone Calls
1. Mr. Dan Morrison of the Associated Press called me at 11:40 a.m. and said he wanted to check with me on a released he had that states that there is a conflict with local draft boards in connection with missionaries; that missionaries are being drafted, and there is a possibility that they will be sent into the field without the consent of local draft Boards. I answered: ‘There is no conflict whatever; just a little misunderstanding, but all that has been ironed out, and we are in perfect accord with the State Selective Service regarding the matter.’ Mr. Morrison then said that this information he has states that a number of the missionaries are in the home without the proper release of the draft boards. I answered: ‘That depends upon the interpretation of that release, and you may state that no missionaries will be sent out in the field without the approval of their local draft board, and I would not mention that there is any disagreement whatever between the two.’ I further said, ‘If there is any little misunderstanding it is regarding missionaries who entered the home January 22, but I can say definitely that none will be sent into the mission field without the consent of their draft boards, and furthermore that missionaries in class IA are not being called without first getting their clearance from local draft boards.
2. Mr. Mel Wright of Draft Board #24–referred to Brother Stephen L. Richards.
. . . .
6. Brother Stephen L. Richards (who as a member of the missionary committee was appointed to interview missionaries now in the home with respect to their military status) called me at home and reported that they were proceeding along the lines suggested: viz., that he and Brother Murdock and others of the general authorities interview personally every boy now in the home to find out exactly what his military status is–whether he has been to his draft board for clearance and denied a written clearance–this because of the board’s not having received the corrected directive from State headquarters (#3-51)–whether he has signed up with the R.O.T.C. or any other branch of the military service, etc. That so far it was impossible to find out from the boys whether their boards had the corrected directive or not. Said that he felt that even though we might make the point regarding the variance between directives #2-51 and #3-51, it is inadvisable for us to go to the boards and stand on that ground alone. Said he had asked Brother Moyle in the meeting if he would see Colonel Gray and learn a little more definitely as to what our grounds for appeal would be, but he was reluctant to do this. Said he had also spoken to President Clark about it and he felt we would not get anywhere.
Pres. McKay then stated that he had learned that the Associated Press got a story from somewhere that there is a disagreement between the church and the State Selective Service, and that he had reported that there was no such disagreement, and had told the Associated Press reporter to state that no missionary will be sent out who does not have the approval of his local board. Pres. McKay said that this makes it imperative that we have a clarification of the matter this afternoon, and personal interviews of the missionaries should proceed at once. Pres. McKay further said the responsibility should be thrown upon the draft boards as to whether clearance is to be given, and the parents of these missionaries should realize that it is the draft board’s responsibility to give this clearance; that if General West follows through on the telephone calls to the heads of the draft boards, and calls their attention to Directive #3-51 the boards will cooperate. However, we must hold to the statement that young men classified as I-A, even though they are in the home now, must get clearance from their draft boards.
Brother Richards stated that he thought we should ask Colonel Gray to be frank enough to tell the draft boards the reason we let so many boys come into the home without their clearance–the directive #2-51 which the State Selective Headquarters sent out prohibited their clearance, and the corrected bulletin #3-51 did not reach the boards in time to give the boys clearance; that the boys entitled to go on their missions, having no other deferment, will be sent back to their draft boards for clearance, and that the directive #3-51 will give authority so to clear them. Also tell him that as he claims he went to ‘bat’ for us on the January 8 group of missinoaries, we make another appeal for him to help us now, especially since they made an error in sending out directive #2-51.
I told Brother Richards that I thought he should see General West and Colonel Gray this afternoon.
Brother Richards then said that he has an appointment to attend the funeral of Judge Budge in Logan tomorrow, but he thinks this matter is of such importance he should remain at home to attend to it. Pres. McKay stated that the missionaries should be interviewed this afternoon and tomorrow morning, and that Brother Richards should go immediately up to the Fort to attend to this matter; that someone else can take his place in Logan.
7. Stephen L. Richards–telephoned him at his home and told him that it occurs to me that Colonel Gray will delay sending the directive spoken about at this morning’s meeting, and that if he does it will only aggravate conditions. The statement that the church had not violated its agreement will help the case of these young people.
Brother Richards said he had just had the opportunity of explaining the matter to Mr. Mel Wright, Pres. of Board #24. He was very favorable and grateful for the explanation, and has called a meeting for 5:30 tonight and has asked Col. Gray and Gen. West to be present.
Brother Richards said that he had not been able to get in touch with either Colonel Gray or General West so far, but that he is waiting by the telephone from a call from them, but upon second thought he thought he should get in his car and drive up there and be right there when they come in. I answered that this must be done by them right away, and that it must be in writing. Bro. Richards said they had promised to telephone the boards, so that as we send the young men back to them for clearance these boards will be fully apprised of the condition. I answered ‘Don’t let them delay it, because these boards who are antagonistic will be aggravated by this latest decision; they put off sending the other directive out a whole week.’ Bro. Richards answered that Brother Wright called his attention to another directive to which iour notice has not been called.”
Sat., 27 Jan., 1951:
“Received a telephone message from Bishop Goates stating that one of the missionaries in his Ward though set apart as a missionary had been refused clearance by the Draft board by a vote of 2 to 1.
Pres. Christensen of Palmyra Stake–boy going to Hawaii–draft board will not give clearance–said telephone message should have been received from State headquarters–new directive etc.”
Sat., 27 Jan., 1951:
“MEMORANDUM Jan. 27 [Clare]
Pres. Madsen of the A.C. called and dictated this letter to me over the telephone:
President L. L. Madsen
Utah State Agricultural College
Logan, Utah
Dear President Madsen:
The Clerk of Draft Board #3, Logan, Utah, called on the telephone a few minutes ago and informed me that Church officials and the Selective Service officials in Salt Lake City had entered into an agreement whereby the L.D.S. Church would not admit any person to the L.D.S. Mission Home unless that person had first received clearance from the Local Draft Board and unless that person had been duly called on or before January 8, 1951.
I was further informed by the Clerk of our Local Draft Board that the Church had failed to live up to their agreement and had admitted some 400 missionaries to the Mission Home without said approval of the Local Boards. She stated that missionaries accepted under these conditions would be processed and ordered into federal service without regarding their missionary status. She stated that the five students listed below probably came within this category and requested that they be denied admission at this institution, should they attempt to resume their college studies:
Richard K. Schwartz
Richard Lynn Yeates
John Harold Allen
Robert Dean Skidmore
Ray William Carlson
If possible I should like clarification on the Church’s attitude inasmuch as I do not believe that our Church has failed to maintain their agreements. I would appreciate any information you could obtain on this subject, as we are asked many questions concerning this every day.
Sincerely yours,
Glenn Blazer
Coordinator of Veterans Affairs
Utah State Agricultural College
He is over at the Hotel Utah attending a Board meeting and expects to call later for word or advice concerning this matter. He thinks the matter is very serious since the Draft Board says if these boys are allowed to go on missions, they will be declared draft dodgers and will send the FBI to arrest them and put them in military service.
Pres. Madsen said that if he is unable to call back, he would appreciate it if we would call Bishop Isaacson on the telephone at the Hotel Utah, Room C-39, and give the information to Bishop Isaacson.
10:45–President McKay called Bishop Isaacson to inform him of the situation. He said the facts are these: Bulletin 5-51 dated January 24, 1951, was sent to local boards and clerks. When we were informed of this bulletin, we immediately called for a conference with General West and Colonel Gray. This conference was held yesterday morning at 8 a.m. The result of that meeting was that Colonel Gray would contact by telephone this morning the local boards, who had been informed not to grant clearance to the missionaries who were in the home without that clearance. Furthermore that next Monday morning the State Selective Service Board, General West and Colonel Gray, would send out a directive explaining that the Church has kept faith and that the local boards should consider favorably those who have entered the home, having previously received calls.
Bishop Isaacson said he hoped that went out, that the directive sent out gives the impression that the Church has not lived up to its agreement, and that a number of registrants are now in the mission home who have not secured releases from their local draft boards.
President McKay said a meeting was held with the State Draft officials between Bulletins 2-51 and 3-51, and that is where the mistake was made. Said the Draft officials have promised to correct it by telephone today and by directive next Monday morning.
Pres. McKay explained that all these missionaries have been interviewed and told to return to their draft boards for their clearance, not to the clerks, but to the chairman of the Board, to whom this telephone communication will be sent, and to whom the bulletin next Monday will be mailed.
Bishop Isaacson said he would give this information to Pres. Madsen.”
Sun., 28 Jan., 1951:
“Was in the office most of the day keeping my hand on the missionary and draft situation. It was 7 or 7:30 p.m. before I left for home.
At 8 a.m. I received a long distance call from President Choules of the Southern states Mission that an Elder in Alabama had admitted having been unchaste with an investigator, and President Choules asked what to do.
I told Pres. Choules to excommunicate the Elder and send him home; that there is nothing else we can do in a case of this kind.
Later, I received a telephone message from a Draft Board member, which indicated that the telephone message sent yesterday from the State Selective Service did not carry the message promised by Colonel Gray.”
Mon., 29 Jan., 1951:
“10:45–Elder Stephen L. Richards came in to report further regarding the draft and missionary situation.
1:20 p.m.–Went home for lunch.
3:30 p.m.–Office duties and consultations until 4:30 p.m. at which time Brother Stephen L. Richards came in again to discuss the missionary and draft matter, and at 5 o’clock accompanied Brother Richards up to General West and Colonel Gray’s office at Fort Douglas.
From 5:30 to 7:15 p.m. we met in the office of Colonel Oscar W. Gray of the State Selective Service, Ft. Douglas, Utah. General West and Captain Pay were also present. Pres. McKay, Elder Stephen L. Richards, represented the General Authorities, Brother Murdock was also in attendance. The result of this meeting was the issuing from State Selective Service Headquarters of a memorandum dated Jan. 30, 1951, and the presentation also of a letter to all Stake Presidents by the First Presidency. (copies attached to January 30, 1951.)”
Tues., 30 Jan., 1951:
“At 9:30 a.m.–Met with the members of the Twelve in the General Board Room–minutes of that meeting attached hereto. (Missionary and Draft question)
. . . .
3:15 p.m.–Brother Stephen L. Richards came in and presented Bulletin prepared by the Selective Service Headquarters, and asked for my approval. After reading it, I gave my approval and Brother Richards immediately called Colonel Gray to go ahead with it, and also said that the letter from the First Presidency was in process of preparation and that 200 copies would be sent to him as soon as they were off the press so that a copy could be attached to the memorandum being sent out by the Headquarters to all Draft Board Directors in the State.
Telephone Calls
1. President Earl S. Paul of the Mt. Ogden Stake. Said the draft boards up in Odgen have stated they will release all missionaries now in the home if there will be no missionaries of the ages 19 to 25 inclusive recommended for missions. I told Pres. Paul that the proposition was just being presented to the Twelve that no more registrants in I-A will be called, and that those who are called who have not been cleared will have their calls rescinded.
2. Colonel Gray telephoned and asked if I had had a chance to look over the bulletin their office has prepared to be sent out to draft boards which corrects impressions which may have arisen in the minds of draft personnel from previous directives. Told him that Brother Stephen L. Richards was just walking into the room with the directive, that I would read it, and would telephone to his office and let them know whether or not it is approved. I then told Colonel Gray that the proposed letter to Stake Presidents has been approved and that 200 copies would be in his office by 4 p.m. today.
3. President Delbert L. Stapley called from Arizona inquiring regarding the status of the draft situation. Said that the Arizona Boards are satisfied with the old arrangement–that of having the boys recommended in the regular way by the Bishops, and if they are in the Mission Home before they received their pre-induction physical, it will be all right with the draft boards for them to go on their missions.
I told Pres. Stapley that he will receive a letter tomorow which will explain the new arrangement which the brethren feel, in view of the adverse sentiment that has arisen because of the on-rush of 19-year-olds, will be the course to follow from now on. The recommendation contained in that letter is that we shall call no more young men of draft age, unless he comes under certain classifications specified in the letter referred to above. I stated that boys who have received their calls and have filed in the office their clearance paper from their draft board prior to January 31, may go on their missions. Pres. Stapley said he thought they would be able to send a few–a very few missionaries under these circumstances.”
Tues., 30 Jan., 1951:
“Special meeting of the Council of the Twelve held in the Board Room of the Church Offices Tuesday, January 30, 1951 at 9:30 a.m.
There were present Presidents J. Reuben Clark, Jr., and David O. McKay of the First Presidency, Acting President of the Twelve Joseph Fielding Smith, and the following members of the Council: Stephen L. Richards, Joseph F. Merrill, Harold B. Lee, Spencer Kimball, Ezra T. Benson, Mark E. Petersen, Matthew Cowley.
President McKay said that he would make a few preliminary remarks by way of review before Elder Stephen L. Richards presented the special business for which this meeting was called. President McKay then called attention to the following meetings held between the State Selective Service and representatives of the Church.
(1) Meeting held January 11, 1951, 3:30 p.m. Those in attendance–General J. Wallace West, Colonel Oscar W. Gray, Captain Pay of the State Selective Service, President David O. McKay of the First Presidency, and Elder Franklin J. Murdock, Mission Secretary.
At this meeting Colonel Gray stated that there had been such a large number of young men nineteen years old recommended for missionary service that Selective Service Boards throughout the State of Utah, and particularly in the Salt Lake County, were rebelling against reclassifying these young men from I-A to IV-D.
The result of this meeting was the sending of a telegram on January 13, 1951 to all Stake Presidents in Utah advising them to instruct Bishops not to recommend young men for ministerial service who have not first secured clearance in writing from local Draft Boards.
(2) Meeting held January 16, 1951 of the same personnel in which it was decided to make a correction of Directive No. 2-51 sent by the State Selective Service January 15, 1951. It was agreed to send this Directive at once. This corrective bulletin bore the designation No. 3-51, and was dated January 19, 1951, only three days before missionaries were to enter the Missionary Home, January 22, 1951.
President McKay called attention to the fact that as Directive No. 2-51 advised Local Boards NOT to give clearance to any registrants classified as I-A, there was only one recourse left for registrants rightly called, and that was to give them permission to enter the missionary home January 22, 1951 without clearance from their respective local boards.
January 26, 1951, 8 a.m. Another meeting was held with General West and Colonel Gray representing the State Selective Service, President McKay and Elder Stephen L. Richards, representing the Missionary Appointment Committee, and Elder Franklin J. Murdock, Secretary, in which exception was taken to Bulletin No. 5-51 sent out by the State Selective Service inasmuch as it casts aspersion upon the integrity of church officials in having admitted registrants to the Missionary Home for the January 22, 1951 group. General West promptly replied that there was no such intention upon the part of the State Selective Service, and suggested that a letter would be sent to local draft boards clarifying any such implication.
After this brief preview, prefacing the presentation of the special business, Elder Richard commented as follows:
At a meeting held in President McKay’s office with General West and Colonel Gray, Friday morning at 8 o’clock, two decisions were reached. First, that the Selective Service officials would send out a bulletin correcting any erroneous impressions that may have gone out which might cast aspersions on the integrity of the Church in keeping all agreements it had made and calling special attention to the position of the Church with reference to allowing missionaries to enter the home on January 22 without draft clearance on the ground that the bulletin which had been issued by Selective Service officials had not adequately called attention to reasons which draft boards might consider in granting clearances and that the information sent to the draft boards was received by them at too late a date to be considered by draft boards in passing upon clearances. And second, that before any missionaries of the January 22 company were set apart, investigation should be made to discover whether or not any of the young men of draft age were in other deferred classifications.
Brother Richards then reported that interviews had been held on the subject of other deferrments and that on Friday morning he had met with all of the missionaries and with the approval of Presidents McKay and Clark had told them that the Church felt obligated, in spite of some misunderstandings which had arisen and hardships which had been incurred, to insist upon compliance with his telegram to presidents of stakes that no missionaries would be set apart and sent on their missions who had not draft clearances; that he had advised those in the home who did not have such clearances that time would be accordingly delayed.
With the instruction and liberty given the brethren in the home to make further effort to secure clearances, he reported that the Selective Service officials had advised him on Saturday that many draft boards had reported to them that they were so besieged with requests for clearances that they despaired of being able to adequately adjust the matter, and some had threatened resignation. Continued reports of difficulties with draft boards came in, and on Monday evening at the offices of Colonel Gray at Fort Douglas a meeting was held with General West, Colonel Gray, Captain Pay, President McKay, Brother Murdock, and himself at this meeting. The Selective Service officials were advised that the Church had concluded to send presidents of stakes and bishops of wards a letter asking that no more recommendations for missions be made for young men subject to the draft who were not in such deferred classifications as to make them eligible for call, and that such policy would be operative as of January 31, 1951.
The Selective Service officials also read a directive which they proposed to send correcting impressions which may have arisen in the minds of draft personnel from previous directives.
Brother Richards reported that the Selective Service have said that the sending out of the proposed letter by the Church in their judgment would serve to compose the present situation better than anything else.
After further discussion, a motion prevailed to approve the sending of the letter which had been drafted to presidents of stakes and bishops of wards within the State of Utah. It was reported by Brother Richards that the Selective Service officials proposed to enclose a copy of this letter in the directive they were sending to the draft boards.
After further discussion, a motion prevailed that the letter be sent to the presidents of stakes and bishops of wards throughout the church.”
“UTAH STATE HEADQUARTERS
SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM
BUILDING NO. 97
FORT DOUGLAS, UTAH
January 30, 1951
MEMORANDUM: TO ALL LOCAL BOARDS
Until Bulletin No. 5-51, dated January 24, 1951, was released by this Headquarters, the last one published, or publicized, was Bulletin No. 3-51, dated January 19, 1951.
Bulletin No. 3-51 did not indicate that a further conference with Church authorities was held prior to the issuance of Bulletin No. 3-51 or that the Bulletin was released as a result of such a conference.
Church authorities state that they permitted registrants to enter the Missionary Home on January 22 because they felt that local boards had not had sufficient time prior to January 22 to consider the changes contained in Paragraph 4 of that Bulletin, or to consider whether or not the addition of Paragraph 4 of said Bulletin would have affected the classification of registrants who were called into the Home after January 8, 1951.
If the lack of this above information in our Bulletin No. 5-51, or the absence of any explanation from the Church of their action was construed by any local board personnel to cast any reflection upon the integrity of the Church or its authorities, we desire to correct that impression.
Enclosed herewith is a letter from the Church setting out their future missionary policy.
J. WALLACE WEST
Brig. Gen. UNG
State Director”
“CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
OFFICE OF THE FIRST PRESIDENCY
SALT LAKE CITY 1, UTAH
January 30, 1951
To: Presidents of Stakes and Bishops of Wards
Dear brethren:
We recently sent to Stake Presidents a telegram reading as follows:
Due to National Emergency and a recent understanding between State Directors of Selective Service will you please instruct Bishops not to recommend young men for ministerial service who have not first secured clearance in writing from local draft boards. This applies also to missionaries called but not in the Missionary Home.
We now ask you not to make recommendations for the calling of young men for missions who are classified as I-A–physically fit, I-D–military student, I-A-P–college student deferred until June 1951, II-A–civilian deferrment, II-C–agricultural deferrment, III-A–dependents, or who have not received notice of classification and who are not otherwise expressly exempt from call under the draft. This instruction to be operative as of January 31, 1951. In all instances where exemptions are claimed, the young man recommended must produce for the inspection of the member of the General Authorities conducting the interview a classification card showing his status under the Selective Service.
You are also requested to inform young men within the above mentioned designations who have heretofore received calls for missions to enter the missionary home subsequent to January 22, 1951, that the calls so issued to them are withdrawn and that they will not be expected to come to the missionary home with any companies called for a time later than January 22, above mentioned. This however shall not apply to those registrants who have received missionary calls and have filed with the mission secretary written clearance from their draft boards prior to January 31.
You will observe that under these instructions young men within the designations mentioned will not solicit clearance from their draft boards as mentioned in our previous telegram since no further missionary calls will be issued to them during the period for which these instructions shall be operative.
With respect to the young men subject to the draft who are in the missionary home with the company entered January 22, 1951, you are advised that the instructions in the telegram above quoted will be applicable and that they will be permitted to leave for their missions only upon clearance from their draft boards. Some modifications of the usual procedure in the missionary home have been made to permit those who have not been cleared to make further effort to obtain clearances from their boards.
These instructions will govern for the present and until further notice from us.
Sincerely your brethren,
Geo. Albert Smith
J. Reuben Clark, Jr.
David O. McKay
The First Presidency
P.S. The assignment of missionaries eligible under the foregoing instructions to enter the missionary home February 5 has been postponed until February 19, 1951.”
Wed., 31 Jan., 1951:
10:40–Clifton Treglown, missionary assigned to the Samoan Mission from the Kenwood Ward, East Millcreek Stake, came in to say that although he has been through the Mission Home with the January 8 group and has been set apart as a missionary his Draft Board will not give him clearance. He was signed up with the Naval Reserve who gave him a release. (Pres. McKay went over to Brother Murdock with this case.)”
Wed., 31 Jan., 1951:
“[From the Deseret News]
NEW POLICY RESTRICTS MISSIONARIES
Effective at once, only young men exempt from military service, will be eligible for calls to missionary service for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the First Presidency announced Wednesday.
This policy, for the present will restrict missionary calls to young men who are veterans of World War II, those classified as 4-F, disqualified for service in the armed forces, and those over the age of 25.
Letters have been sent by the First Presidency to all bishops and stake presidents giving instructions relative to calling of new missionaries. These instructions, it was announced ‘will govern for the present, until further word from the First Presidency.’
On Jan. 13 the First Presidency sent telegrams to stake presidents explaining that due to the present emergency no calls for missionary service would be issued to young men who had not obtained clearance in writing from local draft boards.
Under the new instructions, young men will not seek written clearance from draft boards and only those not subject to call to military service under the present emergency will be eligible for calls to missionary service.
Women 23 years of age or over still are eligible for calls to missionary service.”
Thur., 1 Feb., 1951:
“4:10 p.m.–Bishop Price of Nibley Park Ward came in regarding two of his missionaries who went through the Missionary Home January 8 and left for their missions on the 17th. Now Draft Board #24, this city, has called the parents and stated these boys are to be inducted on Feb. 6, and unless they come home the matter will be turned over to the District Attorney.
I told Bishop Price to get in writing the alleged release of these boys from R.O.T.C. and bring it in to the office.
. . . .
Telephone Calls
1. Bishop Swensen of Logan called (18th Ward Logan)–said he had a group of boys who have been recommended for missions. One boy especially–Dow Woodward–has gone to a lot of expense to get ready for his mission to Argentina and now has lost his chance to get back into school. Bishop Swensen said he thinks it unfair that the Draft Board will not give him a statement so that he can leave for his mission.
I asked Bishop Swensen if he knew whether or not Colonel Gray had been up there and he stated that Col. Gray was to the draft board meeting last evening. I told the Bishop to have the young man wait awhile and see what Colonel Gray reports to me about the draft board meeting held last evening. Bishop Swensen said there is another young man in the same condition–has been ordained a minister of religion and all ready to go, yet all of the boys have been turned down.
. . . .
3. Called Colonel Gray–secretary reported that he is enroute home from Logan.
5 p.m. A. Hamer Reiser came in regarding his son who has been in the January 22 group–Draft Board #21 has refused to let him go on his mission. Brother Reiser, who is a lawyer, says they have no legal right to refuse to give the boy a statement that he has not received his induction notice.
As Pres. McKay was at home, Brother Reiser called him and explained the situation to him. Pres. McKay said that he would call Colonel Gray tomorrow morning and see what can be done about it.”
Sat., 3 Feb., 1951:
“Spent the morning hours at the office. Prepared a letter to boys who have been called on missions but have not been able to get clearance from their draft boards to go, and also to all others who have received calls to come into the Missionary [Home] at a speciried time.”
Mon., 5 Feb., 1951:
“10:35 a.m.–Showed President Clark draft of proposed letter to missionaries who have been called on missions but whose draft boards have refused to give them a statement regarding their status. After reading it and make[ing] one or two minor suggestions, President Clark gave his approval of the letter.
. . . .
Telephone Calls
1. Leo F. Johnson of Logan called regarding his son Boyd Evans Johnson. Reported that the draft board in Logan has finally and definitely refused to give the statement necessary for him to leave for his mission. I told Brother Johnson that the matter is now out of our hands and that we will send a letter honorably releasing his son from the call that he has received. Brothr Johnson said the same is true of Wallace Tolman, and I said that a letter will also be sent to him.
2. Bishop Barnett of Murray called regarding Stanley Smith, one of his missionaries to whom the draft board (Bd 24) will not give clearance.
3. Brother Murdock–said that Brother Putnam called at the office and is desirous of taking his son to the draft board where Brother Critchlow, with whom he is well acquainted, will recognize the minister’s certificate. I said that it will be all right for Brother Putnam to do this; that it is only right that the Board should recognize the minister’s certificate and then classify the boy as 4-D so that he can go on his mission.
. . . .
7. A. Hamer Reiser called about his son Dick, whose draft board refuses to give him a statement. Bro. Reiser expressed himself as feeling that they are entirely out of order in not giving this statement.”
Tues., 6 Feb., 1951:
“THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
OFFICE OF THE FIRST PRESIDENCY
SALT LAKE CITY 1, UTAH
February 6, 1951
[To be sent to prospective missionaries.]
Emergency conditions that have directly affected young men eligible for draft into military service have made it necessary and advisable to postpone and, in some cases, to rescind calls recently sent to prospective missionaries. To specify in this letter what these conditions are is unnecessary.
One result of negotiations between the Church and the Utah Selective Service is the cancellation of your preparation for a mission and of your subsequent departure for your assigned field of labor. This means that instead of your going into the mission field before you enlist in military service, that you will first hold yourself responsive to the call of your country, with the hope of serving your Church later as a missionary.
We share your disappointment in this change in your plans and in the postponement of the realization of your desires to represent the Church in the immediate future as a missionary. You may be assured, however, that the Lord, who knows the real intent of every heart, will accept your desires to serve Him, and bless you accordingly. He has stated definitely that when He gives a commandment to any of his children to perform a specific work in His name, and those who are thus called accept that work and then are prevented by untoward influences to complete their assignment, the Lord will ‘require that work no more at the hands of those sons of men, and will accept of their offerings.’
We admonish you as one already considered worthy to presch the Gospel, that if and when you enter into the military service of our country you ever keep in mind the fact that yours is the responsibility to maintain your high integrity by strict compliance with the standards of the Church. Thus will your daily life be a practical sermon to your comrades, and your conduct, worthy of emulation. Who knows but this change from the mission to military or other duty may prove to be the means of bringing some honest person to a knowledge of the Truth! This has been the experience of servicemen in the past.
‘And if it so be that you should . . . bring save it be one soul unto me,’ says the Saviour, ‘how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father.’
With this honorable release from your recent call to a mission, we send you our blessings and prayerful wishes that you may ever have strength and firmness enough to keep yourself ‘unspotted from the sins of the world,’ to be true to your parents, loyal to duty, and ever faithful to our Father in heaven.
God bless you!
Sincerely,
Geo. Albert Smith
J. Reuben Clark, Jr.
David O. McKay
The First Presidency”
Tues., 6 Feb., 1951:
“Telephone Calls
1. Henry D. Moyle–called him and discussed the matter of missionaries now in the home–137 of whom the draft boards have refused to clear. Among these are 13 who have been set apart, and stated that it is my opinion they are in a different status than the others who have not been set apart–they now have the authority of the priesthood. Said it was understood by us that the draft board would consider these boys in the home but they have not been considered. I then said to Bro. Moyle ‘What do you think of sending these 13 boys on missions and then notifying their draft boards that they are 4-D?’
Brother Moyle answered that he thought that would be a little drastic–that it was one thing to submit to them first, and another thing to go without first advising them of your procedure; that so long as we have taken the policy we have, he would personally hate to see any appeal cases, and would certainly hate to see them sent out of the United States; that some domestic missions would not be so bad. I answered that we have advised all, excepting these 13 cases now being considered, not to make appeals but to accept the decision of the draft boards.
Brother Moyle then said he thinks if these 13 boys should take their minister’s certificates to their local board, showing the date they were set apart, and they personally request a 4-D classification, so far as he reads the law, they are entitled to this classification, and if then it were seen fit for them to appeal to the State Board, and if the State Board upholds the local draft boards by a unanimous decision, then it could be taken to Washington. Said 13 is quite a number of cases.
He then said that he had had calls from lawyers and some people who have wanted to know what the church’s attitude is regarding an appeal, and that he has encouraged them not to do it. Said he had come to the conclusion that if we should like these 13 cases would lay the foundation for an appeal.
Bro. Moyle then said, ‘What do you think about this–get a report on each case and have somebody go to each draft board in this valley and ask them for a rehearing for these particular men?’ Said he thought that would be the right procedure rather than send them out without going first to the draft boards.
I then said that probably in ordxer to lay the proper foundation for an appeal we should let the 13 boys get their own attorneys and ask them to accompany them to their draft boards, and present their minister’s certificate and ask to be classified in 4-D in order that they might fulfill their missions. Bro. Moyle said he thought there would be no harm in that; that it would be better to have 13 lawyers than for the church to select a counsel to represent them. Stated he thought the church should not be known in it; that it would be better to come through the individuals and their own attorneys. Said if the missionaries do not have attorneys that he could probably suggest some to them.”
Wed., 7 Feb., 1951:
“9 a.m.–Bro. Murdock called with regard to the boys who have not yet been cleared to go on their missions. I told him that I should like him to get in touch with each of the 13 boys who have been set apart, and have them engage an attorney who should accompany them to their respective draft boards and present their minister’s certificate which entitles them to be classified as 4-D. If they refuse to thus classify them, then they may make an appeal.”
Thur., 8 Feb., 1951:
“At 7:45 this morning, met by appointment Henry D. Moyle and Franklin J. Murdock regarding the 13 Elders who have not been cleared by their draft boards and who hold their minister’s certificate. It was decided that Brother Murdock should contact each Elder by telephone and tell him to come to a meeting at a specified time and the problems associated with their going into the mission field would be discussed. As these boys are ordained ministers of the Church they have every right to enter the mission field as planned.”
Fri., 9 Feb., 1951:
“At 10:30 called on General J. Wallace West at his office at Fort Douglas. I explained to him all the difficulties we have had recently regarding the calling of 19-year-olds for missions are now settled, excepting only thirteen who have already been set apart, and who were in the January 22nd group at the Mission Home. These thirteen were set apart on the morning of January 26, 1951, prior to our final meeting with General West, Colonel Gray, Captain Pay, Stephen L. Richards, Franklin J. Murdock, and David O. McKay at Ft. Douglas.
I stated that since these men have been set apart, have gone to the expense of obtaining passports, clothing, etc., they should be reclassified as 4-D, but some of the Boards have refused so to classify them.
General West agreed that they should be reclassified and the he would be willing to call the Chairman of each Board affected and recommend that they so classify them. I promised to have a list in his hands before noon, so that he could call the Boards as promised. This list was furnished at 11:45 a.m. that same day by Brother Murdock.
. . . .
Telephone Calls
1. President Arave of Blackfoot–called–said they are at the crossroads in Blackfoot regarding their fight against the Draft Board. Said John A. Carver, the U.S. attorney, has talked to only the woman of the board in question, and naturally has not given us the support we wanted. Pres. Arave then said he would like an appointment to come to the office and talk it over. I told him to come Monday although the office is to be closed because of Lincoln’s Birthday and I had planned on not being here. We agreed that 9 o’clock a.m. would be satisfactory.”
Sat., 10 Feb., 1951:
“According to appointment made over the telephone, I met President Parley A. Arave of the Blackfoot Stake.
He wanted to know whether they should continue their efforts to have the clerk of the Draft Board up there dismissed.
The United States Attorney (John Carver) had come down from Boise to investigate the affair, but he had heard only her side, and had returned to Boise reporting that she is free from blame.
I suggested that they get their side of the story before the authorities, and after having done so, to take such steps as they feel necessary either to settle the affair or appeal the case to the Governor.”
Tues., 13 Feb., 1951:
“Met with the Missionary Appointment Committee at 7:30 this morning. 5 Elders and 6 lady missionaries were assigned to the missions at this meeting–a decided decrease in the number of missionaries being sent out due to the national emergency, and the drafting of all boys from 19 to 25 inclusive.
. . . .
4:30 p.m.–Brother Stephen L. Richards and Elder Franklin Murdock came in to the office to discuss further the missions of the 13 Elders who have been ordained as ministers and yet have been refused clearance by their draft boards. I stated that we would let these missionaries go to the missions to which they were originally assigned, and would not be transferred to any other mission. Brother Richards had previously suggested that perhaps the Elders who were assigned to South America could be transferred to a mission in the United States.”
Mon., 19 Feb., 1951:
“9 a.m.–President Clark came in to the office–discussed with him, among other things, the matter of establishing headquarters for the Chinese Mission. President Hilton A. Robertson has officially reported by letter the closing of the mission in China and is now enroute for Hawaii where he will await further instruction from us.”
Fri., 23 Feb., 1951:
“At 8 a.m. met by appointment James L. Barker, former President of the French Mission. We discussed the best means of opening up a Mission in Italy. Pres. Barker thought it would be well to have Elder Cummings who has been in Italy and who is now in Spain return to Italy and work from that end, but that idea did not appeal to me very much. I do not know Brother Cummings, and we should be taking a long shot to have him deal with officials over there, so I advised that we work first with our senators in Washington, and through them get in touch with the Italian Embassy.”
Sat., 24 Feb., 1951:
“[Clare note] Bishop Earl J. Glade called from Boise, Idaho. Said he was calling in behalf of Governor JOrdan of the State of Idaho.
Milton Horsley, Chairman of the Republican State Committee in Idaho, and representing Governor Jordan in the case in question, will be in Salt Lake City this coming week, and the Governor is anxious that a meeting be held in order to find a solution to the Blackfoot, Bingham County, Selective Service problem as it relates to the Church.
Commander Willoch, Acting Director of the State Selective Service, will make a special trip by air to Salt Lake City Wednesday at 3:30 or 4 p.m. He will have with him all the matter, and would like to have a conference at this time.
Bishop Glade said it is the suggestion of Commander Willoch that President Arave of the Blackfoot Stake be invited to attend this conference.
Bishop Glade then said that you had referred him to Brother Moyle when he was down here a short time ago, and I asked him if he could have this meeting with Brother Moyle, and he answered: ‘No, because Brother Moyle says he has no authority to act.’ And then said: ‘President McKay has been informed of the facts in the case.’
Bishop Glade also said that President Clark is well acquainted with Mr. Horsley.
We are to let Bishop Glade know by telephone Monday whether or not this appointment can be arranged for Wednesday.”
Mon., 26 Feb., 1951:
“12:30–President Cornelius Zappey and Brother Bruin called at the office. Brother Bruin’s son was in the missionary home with the January 22 group and is one of the boys who could not get clearance from his draft board. I told Brother Bruin that there are 15 or 20 of the Elders in the same position, and I di dnot see how they can get permission to go; however, if he wishes to appeal to the draft board, that is his right and privilege.
. . . .
Telephone Calls
1. Bishop Glade of Boise, Idaho–President McKay in meeting when he called. (see notes attached to Feb. 24, 1951)
At 10:40 a.m. President Parley A. Arave of the Blackfoot Stake called at the office. We presented to him the telephone message from Bishop Earl Glade of Boise as given to Miss Middlemiss on Saturday, February 24, and also read a copy of a letter which Bishop Glade had sent to Brother Henry D. Moyle.
President Clark sat in and we listened to President Arave’s report on the visit of the Church committee to the State Selective Board of Idaho, and the Governor regarding the controversy over the elimination of the Secretary from Local Board #9 (?) or Bingham County, Idaho Draft Board.
President Clark and I were unanimous in the opinion that this matter should be confined to the Bingham County officials with such consultations with the State Selective Board as might be deemed necessary.
Accordingly, instructed Miss Middlemiss to telephone to Bishop Glade, instructing him to get in touch with President Arave. (See notes attached of telephone conversation with Bishop Glade.)
2. 11:10 a.m.–Secretary’s call to Bishop Earl Glade–see notes attached.
Upon receipt of telephone message from Bishop Earl Glade at Boise, Idaho, President McKay instructed his secretary to convey by telephone the following to Bishop Glade:
Upon President McKay’s return to the office this morning, I reported to him your telephone message of Saturday, February 24, in reply to which he instructed me to suggest to you that you get in touch with President Arave of the Blackfoot Stake and through him arrange to hold that suggested meeting with Mr. Milton Horsley, Chairman of the Republican State Committee in Idaho, and hold that meeting in Idaho instead of coming here to Salt Lake City; that the controversy is one that should be localized in Idaho and settled among the officials of the Church and Selective Service and others interested, and not bring it to Salt Lake City.
I am instructed, also, to tell you (Bishop Glade) to get in communication at once with President Arave in whose hands the matter rests.
Bishop Glade, in answer to the above message, said: President Arave is undoubtedly working on instructions from President McKay. I answered that I did not know as to that. Bishop Glade then said that Mr. Horsley does not feel that a quiet, friendly settlement could properly be taken care of without direction from Salt Lake City; that there is a possibility that this situation is going to get into an opening hearing and that counter suits will be instigated, and that is the reason these men in Boise are trying to avoid it. They would rather settle the whole thing. Said further, ‘President Arave has not been very cooperative. It will be regrettable if this gets out to the public, and the way President Arave is acting, it will have to come out. These men here are very friendly to the Church, but President Arave has been very determined, and I am afraid unless he retreats, the whole thing will come out into the open, but possibly he (Pres. Arave) has instructions from President McKay. I repeated that I did not know about that.
Bishop Glade then said that he would do as President McKay suggests and get in touch with President Arave.
3. Henry D. Moyle–Told him that I had instructed President Arave when he came down here recently to go to Boise and present his side of the question to the Selective Service officials. That Pres. Arave said that when that attorney general visited Blackfoot he heard only the secretary’s side of the question and returned to Boise, saying that there was no cause for action. I then told Pres. Arave that it is his right to go to Boise and present your side of the question to the officials, and let them decide. Brother Moyle then reported that he doubted that Pres. Arave had presented his side to them; that in the meantime the two generals in charge of the Selective Service went to Blackfoot and met with the Board, and suggested to the secretary that the only way out would be for her to resign, and she advised them she might have considered that except for the publicity that the matter had received; that she was sick and tired of the condition. An auditor was engaged to examine all the records and proceedings of the Board, and Bro. Moyle said he understands that Brother Glade said the auditors reported there was no evidence of the slightet irregularity on the secretary’s part. The secretary says that she has retained legal counsel and has decided that she will not resign under fire, and that she is going to sue the church for defamation of character. The two generals that were there tried to get some attorney that was representing the church–one that had been designated by Pres. Arave, and he (the attorney) advised at that time that he was busy in Idaho Falls and could not come.
Brother Moyle then said that he is still of the opinion that Pres. Arave should take his attorney to go to Boise and present his case to the leading officials, and abide by their decisions; that he thinks it is unwise for the authorities here to get into the fight; that it had better be hushed up. Said that Pres. Arave had not given him any definite proof of irregularities, and I answered ‘Other than that she signed her name as a member of the Board when she had not right.'”
Thur., 1 Mar., 1951:
“Stephen L. Richards–Called to report his visit with Mr. Horsley of Idaho relative to the Selective Service controversy–Said he thought the whole thing is really a Republican issue, also that he had advised Mr. Horsley, who is a representative of the Governor, that the whole matter should be settled up there, that the brethren here would give no direction to the solution of their problems. Brother Richards suggested to Brother Horsley that probably they could get the secretary up there to resign; if not, they may be able to get her to make a retraction of some of the statements she has made. Mr. Horsley said that so far as actual removal of the secretary from her position is concerned, he has investigated and received legal opinion from every source, and finds that this cannot be done. He further said that there is a division of opinion among our people up there, and that a great many who have signed a petition to have this secretary removed from office, have asked to have their names stricken from the petition. I said that Pres. Arave had reported to me that he could get 1500 more to sign if need be; that he is very sure of his position in the matter. Bro. Richards said that Mr. Horsley expressed appreciation for the opportunity to talk to him about the matter. Bro. Richards said he thinks the conference did some good.
Brother Richards then referred to a letter from General Walsh, head of the Selective Service in Idaho, stating that at present General Walsh is in Washington to see General Hershey, National head of the Selective Service, and that he (Bro. Richards) thought it would be well to wait for his return before answering the letter.”
Thur., 8 Mar., 1951:
“Senator Arthur V. Watkins called from Washington, D.C. about the military manpower bill now before the Senate. Said a number of years ago when the bill for universal military training was being considered, he received a letter from the First Presidency opposing universal military training, and was desirous of knowing if the Presidency were of the same opinion regarding this matter as they were when they wrote that letter. I stated that we are still of the same opinion, and are not in favor of universal military training.
Senator Watkins said their opponents are proposing an amendment to this universal military training to commit the country to universal training and leave it to the President to go ahead and invoke the military on his own terms. Said further–‘It is the same deal only in a much worse form–the President is going to make all the rules.’ The draft law, he said, expires in July, and they have got to get an extension to it, that they will make an effort to get ahead of it, but they do not have the votes. At any rate, they will go on record as feeling that the entire congress should approve troop assignments overseas.
I told Senator Watkins that I thought the brethren–meaning Arthur Watkins and Harold Bennett–are on the right tract, and said: ‘Don’t let the power leave the congress and pass into the hands of a man who may be wholly incompetent to deal with it; we must not undermine our liberties.’ Senator Watkins answered: ‘You do not realize the extent of the incompetency.’
He then said that they may not be able to get it our of the bill; that we cannot leave the country without a draft bill, but that they are hoping in the ’52 election to change things. Said that Senator Wallace Bennett will go along with him.
The following is a clipping from the Deseret News, Sat. March 10:
SOLON RELUCTANT IN DRAFT OKEH
Washington–Senator Watkins told the Senate Friday he voted for the draft law with great reservations.
He declared:
I am voting for this bill in the hope that at some time in the future we may get another look at the military manpower situation and may be able to write the provisions of a military training bill which will fit the defense needs of the country and at the same time preserve the liberties of the people.
The Utahn made it clear he approved the measure only because his choice was to ‘take this bill or nothing.’ He said he favored ‘a draft act of some kind’ and that ‘this will be the only opportunity of getting a selective service law extension which is a must in view of our present dangerous international situation.’
He added:
I do not like the 18-year-old provision. I think it is a bad thing to draft the 18-year-olds of this country under the conditions in which they will likely be surrounded in training camps.”
Wed., 28 Mar., 1951:
“Before returning home this evening, I met at the office Senator Wallace Bennett, and we considered the missionary difficulties as they relate to the Selective Service.
Brother Bennett reported that there is really a misunderstanding back in Washington, created principally by Colonel Oscar W. Gray of the Utah State Selective Service, and through statistics that have been sent back there which have given National Headquarters the wrong impression. It looks as though we are trying to evade the draft. Brother Bennett left some reports with me which I shall study and see what can be done to clarify the impression that has been given.
Senator Bennett commended (first) the work that has been done by Robert W. Barker who has really carried on the work that we have assigned to Ernest Wilkinson with regard to the Selective Service.
(Second) Senator Bennett said that he would be very glad to do anything he can to set matters right and to give the correct impression to Nat’l. Dir., General Hershey, and if we will send our communications to him, or any request, that he and Robert W. Barker will do anything they can to bring about a correct understanding.
(Third) Brother Bennett said that he had spoken to Brother Murdock about the futility of appealing to Washington regarding any German problem, or any problem that relates to the West German missionaries. He stated that they now have a German Consul in New York, and our problems should go to New York, possibly through President Morris, rather than to send them to Washington, because Washington officials have to confer with those in New York. Bro. Bennett said that he had spoken to Brother Murdock, but he does not pay any attention to it.
I promised to give Bro. Bennett a complete report of our relationship with the Selective Service in regard to the recent controversy and misunderstanding that arose over the Jan. 22nd group.”
Fri., 30 Mar., 1951:
“I then spent the next hour and a half going over the entire Selective Service situation with Brother Stephen L. Richards. Concluded that we would wait for a report of the District Attorney’s interview with the State Selective Service.
Secondly, that we would prepare a brief, though comprehensive statement, of conferences held between church officials and the State Selective Service since December, 1950 up to the present time.”
Sat., 31 Mar., 1951:
“At 8 o’clock this morning I met a delegation of men from St. George–Brother Leo Snow of the St. George Draft Board, and Bro. Woodbury. They came in to have cleared up a misunderstanding that exists in St. George regarding the relationship between the Church and the State Selective Service in calling missionaries. The conversation disclosed the fact that they had not received Bulletin #3-51 from the State Selective Service; at any rate, Brother Snow, who is a member of the Draft Board, had not seen it.
There [sic] greatest difficulty resulted in the fact that the Draft Board refused to recognize the agreement that was in effect in December 1950; viz., that young men of draft age who have received their notice of pre-induction physical examination should not be recommended for missionary service. If young men who have been called by the Church to serve as missionaries receive their notice of pre-induction physical examination before they enter the Mission Home, the Church will excuse these young men from ministerial service, but if they enter the Mission Home before the above notice is received they will be deferred from military service for the duration of their mission terms.
Brother Stephen L. Richards who was present during the entire consultation, agreed to accompany the two brethren up to the State Selective Service and clarify the situation with Colonel Gray.”
Wed., 4 Apr., 1951:
“Returned to the office at 2:15 p.m., and at 2:30 p.m. went over to the Hotel Utah where I met by previous appointment members of Draft Board #21–Mr. Hampton, Attorney Irvine, and Mayor Glade are members of this Board.
I explained to these men the whole situation concerning the missionaries of the Church and the selective service. I discovered that the members of this board had not received the directive of the State Selective Service which corrected the misunderstandings of a previous bulletin, although it was supposed to be in their hands. I told the members that I was sorry to detain them, but they stated that they thanked me for explaining the matter to them. I made no recommendations to them, and to a man they assured me that they would not bring the missionaries in question home from their missions. I appreciated their spirit of cooperation.”
Fri., 20 Apr., 1951:
“Senator Wallace Bennett called from Washington–Extending congratulations, he said: ‘We are all very happy with your choice–I am sure you are going to have a wonderful experience, and the Church is going to grow under your presidency.’ Senator Bennett then said that he had received a wire from President Stephen L. Richards stating that he will be in Washington Sunday night and asking that he (Senator Bennett) arrange an appointment with General Hershey of the National Selective Headquarters. As General Hershey is out of town and is not expected to return until Wednesday, Senator Bennett wanted to know where he could reach Pres. Richards so that he could advise him of the fact. I promised Senator Bennett that I would secure President Richards address, communicate with him, and tell him to get in touch with Senator Bennett. Later, I learned that President Richards is calling his wife at 2 p.m. from Toledo, Ohio where he is visiting his daughter. Instructed Clare to get in touch with Sister Richards and convey the information to her so that she could tell President Richards to get into telephone communication with Senator Bennett.”
Wed., 25 Apr., 1951:
“Clarence Williams, reporter of the Telegram paper, came in to interview me with regard to the Church’s attitude on world conditions–communism, war, etc.”
Thur., 26 Apr., 1951:
“Pres. Arave [Blackfoot, Idaho] then referred to the Solemn Assembly held April 9, and said, ‘That was a divinely inspired meeting; we had confidence that the Lord is guiding His people. We were thrilled, and want you to know that we are behind you every inch.’ I answered that I was never so conscious of the fact that there is mighty strength in the support of the members of the Church.
Pres. Arave informed me that they now have a new clerk on the Draft Board up there; that they have won a real victory; and everything is moving along as they want it to.”
Tues., 16 Oct., 1951:
“At 5 p.m. Ralph W. Hardy, Director of Government Relations of the National Association of Broadcasters, Washington, D.C., formerly a member of the Young Men’s Superintendency, called at the office.
The purpose of his visit was to explain the reasons why he and Elder Alton B. Moody think it advisable for the Church to withdraw from membership on the General Commission on Chaplains. They had made that recommendation sometime before. Pres. Clark had advised that they consult the chief man of that organization and present the case to him.
Brother Hardy reported that in compliance with that advice they had had a meeting with Dr. Thomas Rymer, Director of the Commission on Monday, October 1. At this meeting they opened up the subject of possible withdrawal of the Church from the Commission. Mr. Rymer looked upon their plan favorably; he could see how the church’s plan was really not fostered much by the recommendations and publications of the Protestant group. Mr. Rymer asked, however, if Brother Hardy and Elder Moody had thought about how the Mormon Chaplains would give instructions regarding their administering final rites to Protestant soldiers who were wounded or dying.
I remarked: ‘Well Mormon Chaplains would get it just as the Catholics or Jews get it.’ Brother Hardy answered, ‘Yes, that is what they thought.’
I suggested that they go ahead and make plans for the separation.”
Mon., 17 Dec., 1951:
“First Presidency’s meeting 9 a.m.
President McKay reported that Senator Watkins would like to meet the First Presidency and get their views on the matter of the appointment of a representative of the U.S. to the Vatican in Rome. The brethren felt that President McKay might properly tell the Senator we are not going to criticize him for opposing such an appointment.
It was decided not to approach Governor at this time regarding changing Selective Service officials. If possible ascertain what the Governor’s attitude is. President Richards to meet the Draft Officials in response to their request for an interview.”
Mon., 27 July, 1953:
“Note: The following news was cause for rejoicing today: The Korea Armistice was signed today–firing ceased at dawn, bringing to an abrupt halt 37 months of death and destruction.
‘Panmunjom, July 27–U.N. command and Communist senior truce delegates signed the long-awaited Korean armistice in a crisp 10-minute ceremony Monday, halting three years and one month of undeclared was. Scheduled for 10 a.m. (6 p.m. Sunday MST), the signing began at 10:01 a.m. and was over at 10:11 a.m. Eighteen copies of the historic document were signed. General Mark Clark, U.N. supreme commander, and the Chinese and North Korean commanders are to sign at their headquarters, Lt. Gen. William K. Harrison, Jr. signed for the North Koreans and Chinese communists. The signing went like clock-work, in contrast with more that two years of bitter debate that led up to it. Minutes after the historic document was signed and blotted, and authoritative source announced that the Communists had promised to return 3,500 American prisoners of War in a POW exchange to begin in a week or less.’
This police war which started June 25, 1950, has cost more than 136,000 American casualties!
The communists efforts to seize all Korea by force have thus far failed.”
Fri., 11 June, 1954:
“First Presidency’s meeting
Critical War Situation
President Clark mentioned the critical situation so far as the possibility of war is concerned. Thought we should have this in mind. He raised the question as to what would be done in protecting our mission presidents and missionaries. I said that so far as the Temples in Europe are concerned the work there would be suspended in case of war and we should have to evacuate the missionaries. It was mentioned that we could have instructions given as to what should be done in case of an emergency, but they felt that if we just hinted that we were concerned it would go through the Church like a prairie fire.
Tues., 21 Sept., 1954:
“3. Elder Hugh B. Brown called stating that he had received a telephone call from the State Capitol. Officials at the Capitol desire to know whether or not the L.D.S. Church will be doing anything officially tomorrow in connection with the day of prayer set aside by President Eisenhower for the benefit of peace in the world.
President McKay instructed Clare to tell Brother Brown that our Bishops are instructed to pray for peace at every official meeting, including tomorrow, but no special meetings have been called. Later, President McKay had her call Dr. O. Preston Robinson, General Manager of the News, to make sure that the paper will carry something on President Eisenhower’s plan for a national day of prayer for peace. He advised us that the Deseret News is carrying an editorial on this day of prayer.”
17 Sept., 1955:
September 17, 1955
Church may Now Send out More Missionaries
Selection Service Action
LIMITS REMOVED ON MISSIONARY CALLS
Effective immediately, bishops of wards are authorized to recommend for missions, without limitations as to numbers, young men of 20 years and over whom they consider worthy to represent the Church as missionaries.
This is the substance of a letter sent last week to presidents of stakes and bishops of wards over the signatures of the First Presidency of the Church.
The letter is printed in full herewith:
TO PRESIDENTS OF STAKES AND BISHOPS OF WARDS
Dear Brethren:
With appreciation for the difficult problems with which Selective Service officials must deal, we have endeavored to work co-operatively with them on matters affecting our missionary program. In this spirit we refrained from issuing missionary calls to any of our draft-liable young men during the period from February, 1951, until July, 1953, when draft boards were required to supply large numbers of men incident to the Korean conflict. In July, 1953, we established a self-imposed quota system for the sending of missionaries which was designed to implement our seriously depleted missionary forces without cutting heavily into the draft pool of any particular board.
More recently the military services have reduced their draft requirements to a point where we have felt the calling of missionaries might be liberalized. We have consulted with various national and state Selective Service officials who have expressed appreciation for our past co-operation and who have indicated a willingness to coperate in a liberalization of the program. We have assured them that in the event an emergency situation should arise reversing the present trend, then we shall give consideration to the matter of returning to a quota system.
Effective immediately, bishops of wards and presidents of stakes are authorized to recommend for missions, without limitation as to numbers, such young men 20 years of age and over as they consider to be worthy to represent the Church as missionaries. In making such recommendations it will not be necessary that the bishop or his representative get in touch with the local draft board to determine the status of the young man. However, each young man recommended for a mission should be prepared to give to the interviewing General Authority his Selective Service number, his present draft classification, and the number and address of his local draft board. In the event he shall have received notice of induction, he will be advised by the interviewing General authority that he is not eligible for a mission at the time.
When and if the young man is issued a call to a mission this office will advise the draft board that the young man has been called, and in a subsequent letter we shall advise the board of the date on which he was set apart for his mission and ordained a minister of religion, at which time we shall request for him and on his behalf a IV-D classification.
We hope that this program will afford some of our young men, who might otherwise have been denied, the opportunity of serving as missionaries before they undertake their military service.
DAVID O. MCKAY
STEPHEN L. RICHARDS
J. REUBEN CLARK JR.
THE FIRST PRESIDENCY
Clarification of the legal draft status of missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints came early this month in an official directive from Major General Lewis B. Hershey, National Director of the Selective Service System.
Senator Wallace F. Bennett (R-Utah), who paved the way for the decision, said it meant that LDS missionaries during their terms of service would be considered ministers and would be entitled to IV-D classification. In the past, it has often been necessary for some missionaries in the field to appeal to presidential boards in order to delay their induction until completion of their missions.
General Hershey’s instructions were contained in his official newsletter to state directors based upon the legislative record of the Houses of Congress. The part affecting LDS missionaries reads:
‘In addition to these amendments, the act clarified certain other matters in committee reports and in debate on the floor of both the House and Senate.
‘One such matter was the status of ordained ministers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon), who are assigned to serve in missions of the Church.
‘Senator Bennett of Utah appeared before the Senate Armed Services Committee and proposed an amendment to the Selective Service extension act to dispel any question as to ministers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon), while assigned to serve in missions of the Church.
‘The director of Selective Service advised the committee that the Selective Service System had always considered that such persons, while so assigned, came within the definition of the provisions of the Universal Military Training and Service Act defining ministers of religion.
‘After giving the matter full consideration, the Senate committee, in its report on the extension of the Selective Service Act, Report No. 549, page 12, stated that under existing law ordained ministers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon), and assigned to serve in the missions of the church, fall within the definition of ministers of religion, and that the amendment proposed by Senator Bennett was therefore not considered necessary. The matter was pursued further on the floor of both the Senate and the House during debate on the bill, and in both cases the managers of the bill on the floor of the respective houses took a position with respect to these persons identical to that taken by the Senate Armed Services Committee.’
Deseret News – Church Section, Saturday, September 17, 1955
Tues., 3 July, 1956:
4:30 p.m. Elder Harold B. Lee came in to report that the Utah State National Guard has given instructions that all companies train on Sundays for the next ten or twelve weeks. As we wish to enter a protest against our boys having to train on Sundays, Elder Lee furnished me with the facts in the case. This will be attended to at the next meeting of the First Presidency.”
Tues., 5 Aug., 1958:
2:30 p.m. Returned to the office at which time I received a courtesy call from General Lewis B. Hershey, Washington, D.C. – National Director of the Selective Service System. He was accompanied by the following: Colonel Barber – San Francisco, California – Regional Director, Western States, Alaska, Hawaii and Guam; Colonel Evan P. Clay – Utah State Selective Service Dir.; Major Richard V. Peay – Utah State Selective Service Deputy Dir.
I expressed appreciation to General Hershey for the excellent cooperation he and his office have given the Church when we have had problems affecting our mission program.
General Hershey has been very helpful – in 1955, when the present selective service law was under consideration, General Hershey testified before the Senate and House Armed Services Committee to the effect that our missionaries are eligible for ministerial classification under the law. This testimony has helped us immeasurably with draft boards in areas where our missionary program is not understood. Colonel Barber has also been helpful, as have the Utah Director and Deputy Director.”
Mon., 9 Mar., 1959:
“Telephone Calls:
1. Bishop Joseph L. Wirthlin — Called to inquire concerning the procedure to be followed in regard to the baptizing and ordaining of servicemen by other service men when there are no wards close by to which they are affiliated. He specifically mentioned the case of a serviceman who had been asked to be ordained by another serviceman in his company to the office of Deacon.
President McKay told Bishop Wirthlin that he should send the matter to the First Presidency and they would establish a certain rule which could be followed in all similar cases. He mentioned that it would probably have to be carried out thorugh the Servicemen’s Committee.”
Wed., 30 Aug. 1961:
“12:20 p.m.
President Henry D. Moyle and Brother Gordon Hinckley came in for consultation regarding our missionaries and their military status. It was decided to hold a meeting with Major General Maxwell E. Rich tomorrow morning.”
Thurs., 31 Aug. 1961:
“8:30 a.m.
Major General Maxwell E. Rich and Colonel Higham of the Utah National Guard, together with Brother Gordon Hinckley met with the First Presidency and discussed the situation that had developed by reason of the recent alert of the National Guard. General Rich stated that there are about 1200 men in the units that have been alerted and he did not know of course what the future might be. He said that their idea as far as the missionaries are concerned on these alerted units is that if they had their call prior to the alert they should go on their mission and there would be no question about it. This means those who have received their formal call from the President of the Church prior to the alert, which was last Friday. He explained that they knew nothing about the alert until last Friday and he felt that they should cooperate with the young man if he had received his call; that, however, if he receives his call after the alert this consideration cannot be extended. I expressed the feeling that this was very fair. He said that we have two or three missionaries in the home who were set apart yesterday but they were asked to remain until after this conference before they go. It would therefore seem that it would be all right to set them apart and let them go.
General Rich stated that they have an opening for a chaplain and wondered if there were LDS chaplains who might be used. We explained that the Church Servicemen’s Committee has a list of applications and that perhaps a review could be made of that list and a recommendation made as to some one for this position. (see First Presidency’s Minutes of the day for futher details.)”
Wed., 22 Sept. 1965:
“9:00 a.m.
Board of Education – Cameron Report on Education
Elders Harold B. Lee, Gordon B. Hinckley, and Elliott Cameron, Dean of Students at the Brigham Young University, and Lawrence McKay came in.
Missionary Program and the Draft
Elder Gordon B. Hinckley then referred to the discussion in the Council Meeting last Thursday regarding the restrictions that have been imposed upon the missionary program by the draft. He stated that in order to implement the decisions made that he had prepared a letter to be sent to Presidents of Stakes, Bishops of Wards, Mission and Branch Presidents in the United States over the signatures of the First Presidency, which letter Elder Hinckley read, and was approved by us. (See copy of letter and newspaper clippings following regarding restriction on number of missionaries to be sent out by the Church.)
Wednesday, September 22, 1965
September 22, 1965
TO: PRESIDENTS OF STAKES AND BISHOPS OF WARDS, AND MISSION AND BRANCH PRESIDENTS IN THE UNITED STATES
Dear Brethren:
As you have been advised by press reports, draft quotas given Selective Service Boards have been substantially increased during the past few months.
While Selective Service officials recognize the right of the Church to call, ordain, and send out missionaries, and the eligibility of these missionaries for IV-D (ministerial) classifications, they have requested the Church to place restrictions on the number sent.
In harmony with this request, and realizing that this may mean in some instances the denial of an opportunity for missionary service at this time, we are making the following program operative immediately and until further advised, it being understood that when Selective Service requirements ease, the quota for missionary will be lifted.
1. Effective as of October 1, 1965, each ward and independent branch will be permitted to send one missionary each six months, except for men with certain classifications as noted below.
2. Ward and branch quotas will be transferrable within the area of the stake. That is, if a ward or branch does not have a missionary to send within a six months period, it may give its quota, under direction of the stake president, to another ward or branch in the same stake.
3. No young man who has actually received notice of induction should be recommended for missionary service.
4. Men with the following classifications, who are worthy and qualified, may be sent without restriction as to numbers and will not be counted against the quotas: I-D and I-Y (until further advised), IV-A, IV-F, and V-A.
5. Young men sent from student wards will be counted against the quotas of their home wards. In each such case the student ward bishop must first determine from the young man’s home ward bishop the availability of a quota before recommending a young man for a mission.
6. No young man should be recommended for a mission more than 30 days in advance of his 19th birthday.
7. In those stakes where there may be an unusually large number of young men who normally would be given the opportunity of a mission, but who may be denied under the above program, the matter should be brought to the attention of the Missionary Executive Committee.
8. In recommending young men, bishops will please furnish all Selective Service data requested on the missionary recommendation form and will also indicate the ward or branch under whose quota the missionary is being sent.
We ask that bishops immediately advise young men of this restricted program so that any who normally would be attending school if unable to go on missions may feel free to register for school.
Sincerely yours brethren,
David O. McKay
Hugh B. Brown
N. Eldon Tanner
The First Presidency”
Tues., 2 Nov. 1965:
“Viet Nam – Visit of Marion D. Hanks to Servicemen
Elder Gordon B. Hinckley recommends that Elder Marion D. Hanks visit Viet Nam at Christmas time and attend a conference of two-thousand of our servicemen in that country.
I approved of Brother Hanks’ going, and Brother Hanks will be notified to make the necessary arrangements through the military authorities.
Tues., 9 Nov. 1965:
“8:30 a.m.
First Presidency Meeting with all Four Counselors Present for the First Time
Held a meeting of the First Presidency, at which meeting all four Counselors were present for the first time since Presidents Smith and Isaacson were set apart as Counselors.
Servicemen’s Conference at Berchtesgaden, Germany
I then asked President Isaacson to give us a report on the Servicemen’s Conference. He stated that he had arrived in Frankfurt, Germany early last Sunday morning and on Monday drove with President Cecil Broadbent and his wife from Frankfurt to Munich and from there to Berchtesgaden. He said he was astounded because Servicemen were there from all over Europe; that there were six general sessions — one at 10:00 a.m., two in the afternoon, Priesthood Meeting at 8:00 a.m., and auxiliary meetings at 4:00 p.m. President Isaacson said he had never felt a richer outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord than at those sessions. He said that most of the Mission Presidents in Europe and their wives were present at the Conference, in all fifteen Mission Presidents and their wives. He stated that some of the meetings were turned into testimony bearing, and that the Church never had a stronger group of Mission Presidents than we now have in Europe. Everyone of them, and their wives, seem to be outstanding, full of spirit, and intersted in their missionaries.
President Isaacson said this was the thirteenth annual LDS Servicemen’s Conference, and that these Servicemen come together entirely for a spiritual conference; not in the interest of recreation or entertainment. He mentioned that they have many branches in the Servicemen’s districts; that Colonel Haines, who is in charge, is a very high class, highly educated man. He also said that the manager of the Hotel where the servicemen stayed had told him that generally speaking they like to avoid housing servicemen in the Hotel because of the rowdiness and behavior of these men. Some of them carouse, break furniture, windows, etc.; that, however, so far as these servicemen are concerned, they have never had a plate nor a window broken, nor anything to complain about in the matter of late hours or anything that was improper.
President Isaacson said that at the close of each meeting, they engaged in testimony bearing and they could not get up fast enough.
He explained that this Conference is held under the auspices of the Church and the coordinators are all Church men and our Chaplains were there also. In the past they have always had one or more of the General Authorities attending these Conferences. Brother Isaacson recommended that we continue to hold these Conferences, that the Servicemen are hungry for the Gospel and spiritual meetings. Some of the Servicement made the statement that they did not pay enough attention to the Church at home, but that they have been interested in the Gospel since they went into the Service. President Isaacson said that the Servicemen’s Committee has general supervision over all the Servicemen’s activities and send to the different groups from time to time Church materials. He said that there were cases where the district presidency was made up of servicemen, very high grade men, and in answer to the question as to how many had attended missions, he found that a large number of them had served missions, also that the majority of them are married men and have their wives with them, that the single men are in the minority.
In answer to my inquiry regarding the holding of these conferences, President Isaacson explained that our coordinators and chaplains call them together and the government grants the servicemen a week’s absence in order that they may attend the Conference. He said that the thought was expressed that they could get 2,000 more to attend if we had a place to accommodate them. He mentioned that there is a considerable number of servicemen located in some of the missions and that the mission presidents look after the servicemen who are in their particular areas.
President Isaacson strongly recommended that we continue these servicemen’s conferences.
President Isaacson stated that two or three of the coordinators and Colonel Haines had made the suggestion, which he thought had merit, that all LDS Servicemen before they leave home attend one or two days of seminar where they could get some training in missionary work and have the brethren of the General Authorities and Servicemen’s Committee speak to them. Many of the boys who now go into the service are not interviewed by their Bishops, they are gone before the Bishop knows about it sometimes. He said that most of these boys are trying to do missionary work and they would like better instructions before they go into the service.
President Isaacson stated that missionaries were not invited to nor did they attend this Servicemen’s Conference, that, however, he did not think he had ever attended a Stake Conference where ‘so many wanted to extend their love to President McKay’ as was the case with these Servicemen.
President Isaacson said that these young men are as devoted to the President and the Church as are most missionaries, that as a matter of fact if one had not known it was a servicemen’s conference, he would have thought it was a missionary conference.
Thurs., 20 Jan. 1966:
Viet Nam – Visit to by Elders Gordon B. Hinckley and Marion D. Hanks
After listening to Elder Hinckley’s report of their plans to visit our soldiers in Viet Nam, which would necessitate their visiting the men in small groups because of the restrictions there and traveling from place to place by plane, I suggested to Brother Hinckley that it would be advisable to postpone the entire trip for a month or two and watch war developments there.
Tues., 1 Feb. 1966:
“8:00 a.m. to 9:50 a.m.
Held a meeting of the First Presidency. Presidents Hugh B. Brown and Thorpe B. Isaacson still confined to the hospital. Presidents Tanner and Smith were present at the meeting.
Brother Tanner reported an improvement in the physical condition of Presidents Brown and Isaacson; also, that Franklin D. Richards of the Assistants to the Twelve, who is confined to the hospital, is improving.
We discussed a number of general items, some of which were:
Viet Nam Soldier – Death of Stake President’s Son
President Tanner reported that word had been received yesterday from President Leo Reeve of the Zion Park Stake that his son had been killed in Viet Nam. The family had notified Bishop Simpson. Inasmuch as the father is a Stake President, we decided to send a wire to him as follows: ‘We received word today of the death of your son, and express our sincere sympathy.’
Tues., 5 July 1966:
Army War College – Visit of Elder Marion D. Hanks to Seminar
A letter was read from Marion D. Hanks reporting his attendance at a National Strategic Seminar by the Army War College. He explains that the Army War College has a yearly class of command level officers consisting of about two-hundred officers who spend a school year of about nine months in an extremely concentrated learning experience, that at the end of the school term these officers spend a month preparing a national strategy for the next fifteen years for the government, and as a culmination of this process each year a few civilians are invited from various elements of American life to sit with committees of these officers to discuss the plans they have made.
Elder Hanks attended this seminar this year and reports having had a remarkable experience, that the top level commanders of the various armed forces were in attendance. He states that he was sobered and startled by the threats that are made to us in the major world sectors, but tremendously assured of our capacity to meet the demands made upon us. Especially was he pleased with the caliber of men he met. Elder Hanks states that he was assured at the end of the conference that those in charge would be pleased to extend further invitations to representatives of the Church, and he strongly urges that we accept any such invitations. We think if possible Elder Hanks further states that the air force colonel who was assigned as his military aide while there will, with his family, in all likelihood join the Church. It was decided to thank Elder Hanks for his letter and express appreciation for the information furnished.
Fri., 2 Sept. 1966:
“Missionary Farewells, Discontinuance of
President Tanner reported that at the meeting of the Council of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve yesterday in the Temple at which meeting both President Brown and I were absent, the Missionary Executive Committee presented a proposal that we discontinue the holding of missionary farewells and the publicizing of missionary testimonials and appointments, especially for the period of the Vietnam War. In presenting this matter attention was called to the fact that it is offensive to parents of sons who are going into the military service to read these announcements about missionaries going into the mission field when their sons are going into the war. It was felt that instead of having missionary farewells the young missionary might speak in one of the Sacrament Meetings and that similar opportunity could be given to young men going into the military service. This would also mean that there would be no collections of missionary funds at the door, although the Bishop would encourage the people to contribute to the Ward Missionary Fund to help pay the transportation of outgoing missionaries. It was thought that when boys going into the military participate in our Sacrament meetings the bishop might mention that fact that these young men have a good opportunity while in the service to do missionary work among their associates. President Tanner said that Elder Hinckley is preparing a letter on this subject for the First Presidency to sign. (See following copy of letter sent to Stake Presidents, Bishops, etc.)
September 23, 1966
To: Presidents of Stakes
Bishops of Wards
Presidents of Missions
Re: Discontinuance of Missionary Farewells
Dear Brethren:
Effective immediately we ask that you discontinue any further scheduling of missionary farewells. Those farewells which already have been scheduled and for which programs have been arranged may be held, but any further scheduling of farewells should be avoided.
We also ask that you discontinue the printing and distribution of programs dealing with missionary departures together with newspaper notices of departing missionaries.
We request that you counsel families against holding receptions for departing missionaries.
The bishop or branch president should invite the departing missionary to speak in one of the sacrament meetings, not as part of a farewell program, but as a sacrament meeting speaker concerning whom no special notice or publicity is given.
The bishop or branch president should accord the same privilege of speaking in sacrament meeting to young men who are going into military service, at which time the bishop or branch president might appropriately call the attention of the departing servicemen and those attending the sacrament meeting to opportunities to teach the gospel by example and precept while in the service.
We recognize that this policy will result in discontinuance of the practice of taking up collections at the door for departing missionaries. In place of this we encourage the bishop or branch president to urge members to contribute to the ward or branch missionary fund from which missionaries may be assisted with travel and other expenses. Of course, individuals should be left free to make personal contributions directly to departing missionaries.
It will be appreciated if mission presidents will convey the information concerning this change in procedure to the presidents of branches in their missions.
Sincerely yours,
The First Presidency
David O. McKay
Hugh B. Brown
N. Eldon Tanner
Joseph Fielding Smith”
Wed., 7 Dec. 1966:
“Pearl Harbor Day
As I looked out of the apartment window, I saw the United States Flag flying from the Church Administration Building, from other buildings, and from flag poles on the streets.
It was twenty-five years ago today that the Japanese made a sneak attack on Pearl Harbor right at the very moment their ambassadors were in Washington talking peace and friendship to our government officials. Two thousand four hundred and three men were killed; one thousand one hundred and seventy-eight wounded; eighteen ships were sunk or badly damaged; one hundred eighty-eight airplanes were destroyed, and one hundred fifty airplanes damaged.
I shall never forget the shock we all felt on that Sunday morning when the news was first flashed across the nation.
10:00 – 11:00
Recording of a Christmas Message to our Boys in the Service in Vietnam
In accordance with previous arrangements, met Elder Gordon B. Hinckley of the Council of the Twelve, with representatives from the Deseret News and KSL, and my secretary, Clare Middlemiss, and filmed a Christmas message for our boys who are serving their country in the Vietnam war.
Elder Hinckley informed me that this message is on a special film and will be duplicated and sent to about fifteen different locations.
They are to be flown to areas on the war front in Vietnam, and in other Asian countries including Thailand, Korea, and the Philippines. The Utah Air National Guard, on one of their regularly scheduled flights, will deliver the films to Major Allen C. Rozza, President of the Vietnam Zone of the Church in Saigon; to President Spencer J. Palmer of the Korean Mission; and to Lt. Com. Earl Johnson, President of the Thailand District of the Southern Far East Mission in Bangkok.
Later, Elder Marion D. Hanks, who is assistant mission supervisor in the Far East, came to the office and read to me a letter which he had received from Robert J. Lewis, one of our men in Vietnam, telling about the meeting when the film was shown. (See copy of letter following, also see newspaper clipping and copy of message by President McKay.)”
Wed., 14 Dec. 1966:
10:00 a.m.
Vietnam – Possible Trip to by Elder Marion D. Hanks
Elder Marion D. Hanks of the First Council of the Seventy came in regarding visiting Vietnam to hold meetings with our servicemen who are fighting in that area. He seemed very serious about the matter and is willing to be away from his family during the Christmas Season in order to be with our boys. I told him to find out whether or not he could get reservations at this late date.
Later, Elder Hanks reported that it is impossible for him to get transportation to Vietnam as the planes going there are all tied up with entertainers and others the government is sending over there during the Holidays.”
Thurs., 5 Jan. 1967:
“10:15 a.m.
Letter Regarding Message to Servicemen in Vietnam
Elder Marion D. Hanks of the First Council of Seventy called on me at the apartment and reported that the film and recording I had made for the servicemen in Vietnam had been received in good time for Christmas. He read to me a letter he had received from Robert J. Lewis, an engineer, who is in Vietnam, and one of the district leaders for our boys.
Brother Lewis told about their arrival at the airport early Christmas morning where a non-member co-pilot got volunteer co-pilots to take him and the President of the Branch, Major Al Rozsa, to the Central District Conference at Pleiku, where they held a leadership meeting, after which they showed the film of my message to the servicemen. Seventy-five men were present. The film was also shown in other places in Vietnam that day, and was shown on other days besides Christmas. He said, ‘We love the Prophet!’ (See copy of letter following; also see December 7, 1966, for message President McKay sent.)
As Brother Hanks told me more about our servicemen, of their faithfulness, and of his love for them, I could not keep the tears back.
Brother Hanks said that we have wonderful members of the Church in Korea, all of whom are well educated, high class, and faithful in every respect. He said, ‘Asia is a great field for the Gospel.’
Brother Hanks said that it is still his desire to visit our servicemen in Vietnam, and I told him to make preparations to visit them sometime next month.
Wed., 21 June 1967:
11:15 a.m.
Report on Servicemen by Elder Marion D. Hanks
Elder Marion D. Hanks gave a report of his visit to Thailand to attend district conferences, and also brought me the ‘deep love and affection’ of the young men who are serving their country in Northern Thailand and South Vietnam.
Brother Hanks said that the young men who fly the helicopters literally ‘go into the teeth of death to rescue downed pilots’ who have bombed areas in Vietnam; that their ‘testimonies given there are sobering and sorrowing and so very sweet.’ He said that they are strong, and straight, and very humble, and are the kind of Latter-day Saints who make your heart proud and your eyes damp. (See following copy of letter from Elder Hanks.)
Brother Hanks also read to me a letter from John M. Davis, who is serving in Pleiku, Vietnam. I was choked up with tears and emotion when Brother Hanks read the following paragraph to me:
‘At the present time I feel the largest portion of our membership is found with the line units, and on many occasions find that there are only two or three of them to meet together. The important thing though is the fact that most of these people find the time to meet together and partake of the Sacrament even it if is in the middle of a rice paddy. The strength of the brethren here is something to behold.’ (See following letter from John Davis.)
I told Brother Hanks that I appreciate what he is doing for the boys, the blessings and encouragement he brings to them. I told him of my constant prayers for these boys, and that I feel the strength of their love and prayers in my behalf.
Brother Hanks then left.
Wednesday, June 21, 1967
May 31, 1967
Miss Clare Middlemiss
Building
Dear Clare:
I have greatly enjoyed being in Thailand at district conferences here, and especially traveling into the areas of Northern Thailand to visit men at their scattered military bases there.
It has been a tremendously sobering experience to meet our young men who are helping to fight the war in Vietnam from their bases here. They are facing death daily and are magnificent in their courage and contribution.
This note comes because I thought President McKay should hear of the deep love and affection of these young men. It has been a sweet experience for me to hear them again and again ask that I convey to him their love and faith and prayers for his welfare. This has happened in every meeting we have held so far, and this is more than ritual over here, believe me; they really mean it.
Yesterday I sat with young men who fly the helicopters into the teeth of death to rescue downed pilots who have bombed areas in Vietnam. Their testimonies were sobering and sorrowing and so very sweet. They are strong and straight and very humble, and they are the kind of Latter-day Saints who make your heart proud and your eyes damp. One by one they bore testimony of love for wives and children and for the Lord, and then they asked that I personally convey to President McKay their deep love and affection and their prayers for his happiness and welfare.
I somehow feel it a sacred trust to carry out that wish and since I am leaving for Vietnam in a few minutes want to dictate this note which I ask you to pass on in some way to President McKay.
The work of these young men is difficult and their circumstances very trying. To visit them at their bases has been a most sobering experience. We flew by small single engine airplane with President Keith Garner of the Southern Far East Mission into a half dozen or more places in the last two days and were truly thrilled with the effort our boys are making to stay together and to live the gospel and to represent their country and the Lord with honor.
Give the President our personal love and affection. President Garner is doing excellent work and making a contribution of great importance in this very vital area of the world.
The Lord bless you personally.
Very sincerely,
Marion D. Hanks
P.S.
Since the above was dictated we have traveled into every sector of Vietnam to be with our boys. I will never forget the experience.
This is a vicious and costly war. One of our men is a mortician here. He told me that they have averaged 75 men per day through the mortuary, but last weekend when fighting intensified they had 400 bodies of our young men in three days. Some of these are, of course, L.D.S. boys.
I was permitted to visit our men everywhere and received wonderful cooperation from chaplains and commanding officers. In one field hospital near Da Nang, in the north, there were four of our boys recovering from wounds. One Hawaiian boy had lost his eyes.
The faith and devotion of many of our men is marvelous. We are losing many others to sin and corruption. They all need our faith and prayers and constant concern. A visit from the leaders of the Church lifts them greatly, and I hope that I or someone else can come here at least every four months or so while this war continues.
Tell the President that these great young men love and are praying for him.”
Fri., 29 Dec., 1967:
“Did not hold any meetings of the First Presidency nor with my secretary this morning.
11:30 a.m.
Report on Servicemen in Vietnam and Missionaries in Far East
By appointment met with Elder Marion D. Hanks of the First Council of Seventy, who called to report at my request his visit to our servicemen in Vietnam and also our missionaries in the Far East Missions.
Brother Hanks said that he had personally delivered to all of the missionaries in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, and Korea, and to the servicemen’s groups in Vietnam, Okinawa, Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong my greetings and the message I had asked him to deliver to them. I have received so many letters from our servicemen telling me of their love and respect that I asked Brother Hanks to tell them of my exchange of love with them.
I was greatly moved by Brother Hanks’ very favorable report of our young men both in the mission field and in the service of the country. Their faith and loyalty fills my soul with love and appreciation for them!
Brother Hanks then presented in behalf of the servicemen in Vietnam and of President Keith Garner of the Southern Far East Mission a bronze vase, made from a 105 millimeter shell casing, which shell casing is a part of the debris of war. From this casing, the Vietnamese natives have turned it into a thing of beauty. (See January, 1968, when Paul Mooney, wounded serviceman from Vietnam, called on President McKay and made a formal presentation of this vase.)
Brother Hanks reported that he had never met better men than he met on his trip. He met servicemen in Vietnam, Japan, Okinawa, Taiwan, Korea, and Hong Kong, and missionaries in the Northern Far East, Southern Far East, and Korean Missions. He said our missionaries are well and happy and doing excellent work; that they have tremendous responsibilities and very great challenges, but they are doing well.
He praised the courage, faith, and loyalty of our servicemen in Vietnam and other places he had visited. He reported: “Everywhere our men were highly spoken of by those in command. Everyone of the generals to whom I talked went out of his way to commend the Mormon servicemen with whom he had trooped. They were most affirmative and strong in their endorsements.”
Then Brother Hanks added: “One swells with pride at the experience of meeting so many true and faithful Latter-day Saints — many of them in the land on a volunteer basis — who are contributing so meaningfully to their country and to the work of the Lord.” (See following Church Section containing a report by Brother Hanks and a letter from Brother Hanks.)”
Tues., 30 Jan., 1968:
“11:00 a.m.
Held a meeting with Presidents Brown and Smith and Elder Alvin R. Dyer. President Tanner is enroute to New Zealand, and President Isaacson is absent on account of illness. Some of the matters we discussed were:
Vietnam – Visits to by General Authorities Once a Year
Attention was called to a letter from Chaplain Kersley, who is stationed in Vietnam, referring to the recent visit of Elder Marion D. Hanks to that area and reporting the good that was accomplished by him. Chaplain Kersley suggests that a General Authority visit Vietnam at least once a year. He suggests it would be a great help to the men in the service . We approved this suggestion.
“8:30 a.m.
Held a meeting with Presidents Brown, Tanner, Smith, and Elder Alvin R. Dyer.
Many matters were discussed; among them were:
Meeting with Servicemen’s Committee – Regional Seminars for LDS Servicemen
Elders Harold B. Lee, Mark E. Petersen, and Gordon B. Hinckley met with the First Presidency and discussed with us matters pertaining to our service men.
Elder Lee said that for the past year, with the possibility that thousands of our boys may have to go into military service and thus will be unable to fill regular missions, the Committee on Servicemen had been considering the idea of holding a two or three day Seminar on a Regional basis. It would be the intention to call the boys into this Seminar who will be going into the service within the following 30 days. He said that most of them know about 60 days in advance when they are to be called up for induction — at least 30 days. It is the Committee’s feeling that in areas where young men are going into the service within a period of 30 days, they would be called to a central point and given a Church oriented instruction preparing them for what they will see and fortifying them in things that they do not know about and probably gearing them to do a missionary job while in the service; letting them know that there is missionary work ahead of them.
These Seminars would be held in such areas as Salt Lake City, somewhere in California, the Northwest and other places. He said that in order to follow out the program it would be necessary to have someone working with the Committee who understands the military and the problems involved. He said that they had in mind military officers who are nearing retirement, perhaps with the rank of colonel or lieutenant colonel. Elder Lee said that the Committee felt that they could find some military man who is retiring who would assist us for whatever period we wanted, and not be taken away from his retirement income.
He said the Committee would like the First Presidency to tell them whether or not they should go forward with this plan. Elder Hinckley said that we have about 2800 of our young men on record in Vietnam, and that we have reason to believe that about 1% of the military men there are Latter-day Saints, so that we would probably have 5,250 Latter-day Saints there. Elder Lee said that they have a number of men in mind whom thy are exploring who might be considered to take charge of this program.
Elder Petersen reported that instruction had been given our Bishops to interview the boys who are inducted into the service, but that we do not get the number of interviews that we ought to have; that the Bishops seem to be quite neglectful in this regard and that such a Seminar would take up the slack where the Bishops fail to do their job.
Elder Hinckley said that last Fall while he was in the Far East, meeting with servicemen there and in other places, he took an oral survey which indicated that only 18% of the men in the service had been interviewed by their Bishops prior to their leaving for their field of duty. He said that the servicemen have many problems and they worry about their rights and privileges as members of the Church, and he thought a three-day Seminar would help them tremendously.
Missionary Service by Servicemen
Elder Lee said that as they projected this matter, they thought of the possibility of reorganizing the boys who go into military service as missionaries with some kind of statement signed by the First Presidency, the same as is given to those who do missionary work; that if the serviceman does give missionary service as a member of the Church, he could be given special recognition. He thought that this would give them an uplift and make them more responsive to discipline when they are in military service.
I gave my complete approval to the proposed project, asking each how he felt about it.
Elder Dyer comments that he felt we should make this project two-pronged; first, to labor with our Bishops concerning their duties of interviewing and closeness with the Aaronic Priesthood, and that this proposed project should in no way interfere with that. Brother Lee said he thought this activity would make the Bishops more conscious of their obligations with the Aaronic Priesthood, and should not take this prerogative from the Bishop.
It was the unanimous decision of the First Presidency that the Servicemen’s Committee be authorized to go forward with their study of the situation and bring back detailed recommendations as to how to proceed.
The Servicemen’s Cornmittee then were excused from the meeting at 9:30 a.m.
“JOURNAL RECORD ALVIN R. DYER
WEDNESDAY, March 27, 1968
(Meeting of The First Presidency)
A meeting of the First Presidency was held with President McKay. I attended. All were present.
(L. D. S. Servicemen’s Committee Meet with The First Presidency)
Elder Harold B. Lee, as Chairman, was spokesman for the Committee. Elders Mark E. Petersen and Gordon B. Hinckley were present.
They requested permission to proceed with the formation of a plan to hold area, or regional, seminars for L. D. S. inductees into the Armed Forecs, hoping to accomplish:
A. Greater missionary activity;
B. As a safeguard to moral laxity;
C. To insure greater participation in the L. D. S. Servicemen’s Program.
The Seminar to last three days, to be repeated in various areas as needed.
lt was reported by Gordon Hinckley that only about one-half of the servicemen in duty associated with our L. D. S. military groups, and that only about 18 out of 100 were ever interviewed by their Bishops before going into the service.
President McKay gave his complete approval to the proposed project, asking how we each felt.
My comment concerned the making of the project two-pronged, first to labor with our Bishops concerning their duties of interview and closeness with the Aaronic Priesthood, and that this proposed project should in no way interfere with that. Brother Lee said he thought that this activity would make the Bishops more conscious of their obligations with the Aaronic Priesthood, and should not take this prerogative from the Bishop, which he agreed should not be done.
Tues., 20 Aug., 1968:
“9:00 a.m.
Held a First Presidency’s meeting with Presidents Brown, Tanner, Smith and Dyer.
Missionaries – Litigation Regarding Draft Status
It was reported that the parents of a young man who was called into the service by the draft had taken the matter to the courts claiming that there was discrimination because some of our boys get out of the draft by being called as missionaries while others cannot be exempt from the draft. The case is to be tried before Judge Ritter who is antagonistic to the Church. President Tanner said the boy is now classified as IV-D, as he understood it, so that he doesn’t have to go, but that Judge Ritter is determined to act on the case. Certain of the General Authorities will be subpoenaed, one of whom is President Tanner; another is Thomas S. Monson, and there will be others perhaps Gordon B. Hinckley or Spencer W. Kimball. It seems that the Judge wants to embarrass the Church if he can and is basing his action on the ground that there is an agreement between the Selective Service Board and the Church. President Tanner reported this for my information.
Tues., 24 Dec., 1968:
“There was no meeting of the First Presidency today.
At 9:30 a. m. to 10:30 a. m.
Elder Marion D. Hanks, Assistant to the Twelve, called at the office and discussed the following matters with me:
Silver Wings Presented From Servicemen in Vietnam
He presented to me a set of pilot’s silver wings, fashioned as a tie pin, which had been given to me by Major Tim Bowring. Elder Hanks said that Brother Bowring is a helicopter pilot who flew him from base to base in Vietnam during several of his visits to that country to meet with our servicemen.
Elder Hanks said: “These silver wings were presented to me in behalf of scores of our servicemen who have asked me to thank the President of the Church for his interest in them, and for sending Elder Hanks as his representative to their fighting areas to meet with them.”
This emotionally moved me, and I said, “You tell them when you see them again how much I appreciate this token of their esteem and love!”
2. Discussed his work in “Youth fitness work. ” Elder Hanks is not to accept appointments from government or elsewhere which would require him to move his residence from Salt Lake City, but he should accept any invitation which would in any way be of influence in behalf of youth; that he must do this “for the sake of the youth and for the sake of the Church.”
3. Elder Hanks asked about whether or not his wife should accompany him on these assignments, and I replied that I felt it would give a proper example for the Youth and their leaders if he had his wife with him on these trips.
4. Without discussing details with me, Elder Hanks asked about his accepting a business relationship, “since his appointment as an Assistant to the Twelve would seem to justify this on the basis of precedent, and since his personal situation would benefit by it.” Not knowing too much about the “business relationship” he had in mind, I didn’t say too much, but did not tell him not to do it.
Following the discussion of the above matters, I asked Brother Hanks about Vietnam and our people there, and also about young people in general. I also asked him about the students I have visited in his tours throughout areas served by the Student Association, and I was pleased to learn of his high regard for them. He said that “These young students constantly express their love for you; they pray for you, and frequently they have specifically pleaded with me to convey their deep affection and devotion to the President of the Church.”
As I thought of these young people, of their faith and loyal support, the tears rolled down my cheeks. How I appreciate and love these young people!
Elder Hanks then rose to go, and I invited him to return soon and to frequently report to me about these matters.
Note by CM:
Elder Hanks reporter to the secretary following the meeting with President McKay, “Clare, it was a sweet experience, as always, and I will never forget the blessing of it. It was a sweet and gracious experience.” At my request, he wrote minutes of the above mentioned meeting.
(See minutes following.)”
“Minutes of meeting with President McKay by Elder Marion D. Hanks
26 December 1968
Dear Clare:
On Tuesday, 24 December 1968, I had a pleasant 30-minute interview with President David O. McKay in his apartment office at the Hotel Utah. It was a sweet and gracious experience. Several matters were discussed of which record should be made, as you suggested.
1. I presented to Pres. McKay a small set of pilot’s silver wings, fashioned as a tie pin, which had been given to me by Major Tim Bowring. Bro. Bowring is the helicopter pilot who flew me from base to base in Viet Nam during several of my visits there, including the one a year ago through the holiday season. With Major Bowring’s permission, I gave the silver wings to the President in the name of scores of our servicemen who have asked me to thank the President of the Church for his interest in them, and for sending me as his representative to their fighting areas to meet with them. Pres. McKay was much touched and very gracious in his expressions of appreciation.
2. I discussed with the President several approaches which have been made to me in connection with possible future involvement in youth fitness work. Soon after the Kennedy administration assumed office I was asked to accept the top position in youth leadership in the nation, but since this would have entailed much time in Washington, and possibly living there, Pres. McKay said I should not accept it. I reminded him of this, and he reaffirmed his feeling that I should not accept appointments which would require removal of residence, but he instructed me strongly to accept any invitation which would allow effective influence in behalf of youth. He said I must do this “for the sake of the youth and for the sake of the Church.”
I asked Pres. McKay if this instruction should apply to my appointments and opportunities on local, regional, and national levels and he emphatically said yes.
3. In connection with the above matters and with my assignment as leader of the Latter-day Saints student Association, I asked President McKay how he felt about my wife accompanying me as her circumstances permit. He had previously authorized me to take Sister Hanks in connection with Boy Scout assignments. He replied that he not only authorized but “invited and directed” me to have her with me whenever possible. He said he felt that this was the proper example to place before the youth and their leaders.
4. I discussed briefly with President McKay the matter of my accepting a business relationship, since my appointment as an Assistant to the Twelve would seem to justify this on the basis of precedent, and since my personal situation would benefit through it. He indicated that this would be all right, though no details were discussed.
5. President McKay wanted to discuss Viet Nam and our people there, and asked several questions about them and our youth in general. He asked me about the feelings of the students I have visited in my recent tour throughout areas served by the Student Association, and it was a joy to be able to tell him of the constantly expressed love and prayers by the students for him. Frequently they have specifically pleaded with me to convey their deep affection and devotion to the President, and I was pleased to tell him this as we talked. He shed tears.
President McKay repeatedly asked that I return soon and frequently to talk with him. He was responsive and gracious in his encouragement. He seemed genuinely anxious to be more in touch with us and our areas of assignment.
It was a sweet experience, as always, Clare, and I will never forget the blessing of it.
Sincerely,
Marion D. Hanks”
Thur., Oct. 2, 1969:
“Meeting of the First Presidency
The President was interested in reading the following items from the minutes of the First Presidency, which meeting was held by his counselors and which he did not attend:
. . . .
Prayer Day for Prisoners of War
Louise M. Mulligan of the National League of Families of American Prisoners in Southeast Asia, had written a circular letter suggesting that the Church declare Sunday, November 19, as a day of prayer. It was decided to answer this woman that the Church does not swet apart special prayer days but engages in prayers for all mankind at all times, especially those who are in distress.”