Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1915-03-12
A MORMON GIRL TALKS OF
HER WORK AS MISSIONARY
Miss Edna Crowther Gives Lady Reporter on
New York World an Insight Into the Doc
trineS of the Mormon Church.

At the request of friends of the
young ladies mentioned, we repro
duce the following interview, which
was written by lady reporter on
the New York World. Both of the
young missionaries are known in
Bear Lake county, Miss Phelps being
the daughter of Hyrum Phelps, a
pioneer of Bear Lake county, but
now living at Mesa City. Arizona,
while Miss Crowther was former
student at Fielding academy. The
interview is as follows:
All New York has been reading
and hearing Of the two young Nor
mon girls, Edna Crowther, aged
twenty-one, and Gertrude Phelps,
aged nineteen, who have been called
by the Mormon Church from their
respective homes in Mesa, Ariz., and
Salt Lake City, Utah to fulfil mis-
sion in Brooklyn.
Every day and all day long in
their efforts to make converts to the
Mormon Church they make house
to house canvass through the Ridge
wood section of Brooklyn. They
call one, two or three times upon
each woman. If not admitted they
do not attempt to go to that partic-
ular house again. But after, when
1t has been difficult to gain wom-
ans attention on the first VISIT, the
second time she becomes more at
tentive and the third time she be-
comes really interested.
wanted to hear what the mission
aries had TO say, but not having the
honor of being a resident of Ridge
wood, their visiting district. had to
go in quest of them.
So | journeyed to No. 1862 Jeffer-
son Avenue. Brooklyn, where found
Miss Edna Crowther, who kindly in
vited me to come up to her room.
She is a tall, striking, rosy-cheeked
girl, with pretty features, offset by
soft brown ringlets escaping from a
fetching boudoir cap when saw her.
A glance about the room showed
that ! was in the presence of a real,
live, human girl with all the interests
and vanities of any other damsel of
her age. There were pictures, books,
flowers, sewing machine and two
or three frocks on which she was
sewing.
This is the only day we have to
be at home, SO we make ourselves
comfortable" she said. But | shall
willingly forego my sewing to have a
chat with any one who is interested
in our work. will tell you what
can about our religion and then let
you form your own judgment, for
we never force our doctrines, nor dc
we ask the people to whom we talk
to join our church. We explain oul
beliefs and let people decide fol
themselver whether they wish to be
come members of the church."
Miss Crowther then talked to ms
for about an -fiuently anC
forcefully = explaining what th'
Book Of Mormon is; telling me abou
Joseph Smith, the founder of Nor
monism; about the system of tn,
Mormon Church; how their minister
receive no pay; how each man follow
his own work or profession, givini
what of his time ne can to churcI
duties; about their wonderful publ
schools; how ilIiteracy is almost un
known among the Mormons; thei
education and talent for music an
th4 arts; their prosperity, and tn
beEnty Of their cities and temples.
INTERRUPTED Miss Crowther b
saying that I thought all she told m
of Mormonism made me feel
brought peace and happiness to il
followers. and / asked: How woul
personally be happier If becam
converted to your church?"
II you can sincerely live the pr,
cepts Of Mormonism, y answered Mi
Crowther, you are bound to be hal
py, for to yon will come faith
God and q belief in yourself ar
your power to succeed in what "
undertake. | myself feel that
cannot but succeed in what attem
70 carry out.
"Rut ynus ideals and taashIngs