George Hale’s Missionary Letter To His Son, Steve
By: David S. Hale, son of Steve
George Hale had 5 sons. The only one that served a LDS Church mission as a young man
was his son, Steve. Steve was called to the Spanish American mission at the normal missionary
age of 21 (at the time). We are quoting from a letter sent to Steve from his father, George at the
end of May, 1944. Steve was released in the mission field - which was the custom at the time
(July, 1944) by the same apostle that had issued his mission call in Afton, Wyoming (30 month
mission), ordained him an Elder and set him apart as a missionary, Elder Joseph Merrill. (Elder
Merrill later ordained Steve a High Priest in January, 1952)
This is one of the only missionary letters we have from Steve’s dad George Hale. George
gives his son, Steve advice what to include in his homecoming talk when he returns home from
his mission to the Spanish American Mission. This letter was written in his own handwriting.
Read George Hale’s advice for a missionary homecoming talk and visualize Elder Hale
missionary experiences with the attached mission pictures.
Afton Wyoming. May 24, 1944
Dear Steve,
We held our quarterly conference last Sunday. Elder Spencer Kimball of the council of
the apostles was our visitor. The following Elder reported their missions. Max Robinson, Willie
Robinson, Paul Cagner, Wayne Walton, Donald Olsen, and A Porter Clark.
Star Valley has but four missionaries out now. Dean Moser, Ed Wilkes, Frank Call and
yourself. I notice some of the missionaries say but little about their mission but try to preach a
sermon that is a little disappointing. The people at home will like to hear something about the
kind of people you have labored with, who are Spanish Americans?
What do they eat, what they
wear? What is their principal
religion? How do they react to
the gospel message? Do they turn
out to be good LDS when
converted?
You could spend part of
the time talking Spanish. What
states and parts of states are
included in that mission and why
does it include parts of other
missions?
All missionaries express
appreciation for their mission - a
good statement to make is the one
you made on the phonograph
record. “If Joseph Smith hadn’t
Elder Stephen Hale with members on his mission
done anything else but establish
the missionary system he would
have done a great work”. Here’s another. “The privilege of filling a mission is the greatest
blessing that has come into my life. It is the greatest blessing that could possibly come to any
man or youth in Israel.
Grandpa Hale’s letter goes on to
give his missionary son a story that
he could use in his homecoming
talk.
Remember that Grandpa Hale
taught the young people of his
ward how to give 2-1/2 minute
talks for many years as a ward
Sunday School Superintendent.
It was also Grandpa Hale that
tutored his son, Steve in giving a
talk that won him a 4-H
scholarship while in high school.
Elder Hale with usual mission transportation in his mission
Here’s a little story for an eye opener for
one of your home coming speeches.
A certain boy got tired of his home and
decided to leave. His parent talked it out and
gave their consent for Johnie to go. So early the
next morning the mother tied his clothes into a
bundle and Johnie tied the bundle to the end of a
stick, put the stick over his shoulder and started
down the road. He walked all day under a hot
summer sun. That night the only shelter he found
was an old barn by the side of the road. The next
morning at day break he reconsidered the
proposition and decided to go back. It took all
day that next day to get back home. It was late at
night when he knocked on the door. The parents
were in bed but they realized who was there and
the father called, “come in, Johnie, your bed’s
already for you. Johnie went in and up stairs to
bed.
The next morning he was awakened by the
voice of his mother calling, “breakfast ‘s ready,
Elder Steve Hale, missionary for the Church
Johnie”. Johnie got up and as he entered the
of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
dining room where his parents sat eating
breakfast, stretched himself and said, “ My but it
does seem good to see you after being away such a long time.”
And now the statement that ties your mission to the story.
“It seems to me that I’ve also been away a long time and like little Johnie, it is also
good to see you again”
May 27, 1944
(This is the second page of the letter.)
How could you ever about the stealing of
creamery funds? But it wasn’t a girl. Ivan Gardner
was secretary of the creamery operation. He used
considerable creamery funds to feather his own nest
and being also the Stake Clerk transferred Stake
funds to the creamery so the creamery auditor
would not catch him. Thus the Stake was left
holding the sack and not the creamery.
“Deliver me from temptation”. (Italics and bolding
added)
You spoke of different thing that could be
bought in Mexico that you thought we might be
interested in. We are not so much concerned about
Mexican goods but you have reason to be (interested
in) and we are willing to send the money for you to
Elder Hale baptizing a young convert
gather things you would like have. You spoke of
leather goods. I wonder if you could get a couple of
right good harness bridles and George G would like to have a riding bridle. If you can get such
as that, let me know.
It seems to me you may need a new suit before coming home also we are having cold
backward (late) Spring. I was riding the plow a few days ago with mitts, heavy coat on and had
to come in the house at different times to get warm. It makes me wonder what you have done to
be sent to such a hot place.
Ellen and babies have been visiting here for two weeks. We are enjoying their visit. Will
take them back to Jackson next week. Susan is a darling; bright red hair and blue eyes.
Four fresh cows lately. We are now milking 16. Wyoma and Geo G do very well.
Must close. We are going to plant garden today.
Much Love,
Dad
It is so interesting to listen in to Grandpa Hale’s wisdom with respect to practicality
(“bridles vs. belts/wallets?). He also was giving us some insight into the weather in Star Valley
(late May and needing mitts, heavy coat to plow the field). With such a short growing season, if
you didn’t start preparing the ground and getting the seed planted, you may not have the needed
crops for the next year. DSH