October 29, 1947 (Wednesday):
Marg feeling fine and the baby is in good shape. Mrs. Sorensen is sick to her stomach - too much worry and unrest.
Mom and Dad sent out a birth announcement as follows:
EXTRA!! Cannon EXTRA!!
Herald
Box 591 WAILUKU, MAUI Territory of Hawaii
NEW CANNON ARRIVES
[Picture of a stork flying, holding a cannon in a bundle. Underneath the picture it states: IT’S A BOY!] WAILUKU, MAUI, T.H., Oct. 28, 1947 – A 21 gun salute heralded the arrival this morning of the latest model Cannon. Its basic pattern is that of former Cannons of Pioneer days, with a slight Danish influence by the designer. It was built to the following ordnance specifications:
Caliber: Very high, of course
Weight: 8 lbs. 1 oz.
Sights: blue
Camouflage: red hair
The new model arrived in good condition and it is a source of great happiness for the proud producers.
Bill and Margery Cannon
November 1, 1947 (Saturday):
Took Marg and the baby home from the hospital today and the hospital bill was presented at $51.00 for the five day period. For the balance of the day I just enjoyed being with them.
November 2, 1947 (Sunday):
Attended church alone in Wailuku afterwards came back and took a nap in the afternoon to make up for the sleep that Mike caused us to lose last night. I hope that he improves and learns the difference between night and day.
November 5, 1947 (Wednesday):
Pres & Sis. Smith arrived back on Maui from Oahu bringing with them three new Elders and one sister. Karen Anderson was assigned to live with us and work in the office. Most of the week has been spent in getting end of month work out.
November 8, 1947 (Saturday):
Mrs. Sorensen and I drove to Haleakala with Bro. Enos and it was a beautiful day.
November 9, 1947 (Sunday):
Priesthood and Sunday School in Wailuku Branch - have been troubled with a cold for the past few days and in meeting it seemed to get worse. I coughed till I was blue in the face. During the afternoon I rested and then prepared a talk which I gave in Kahului during the evening.
November 11, 1947 (Tuesday):
Armistice day and what a holiday - all of the schools closed and most of the business establishments - some contrast to the way it is remembered at home. Mrs. Sorensen left for a couple of days in Hilo and a tour of the Island of Hawaii.
November 14, 1947 (Friday):
Mrs. Sorensen arrived back from Hilo, and apparently had a fine trip. During the evening, Mrs Dutro came and stayed with the baby and then we all went to a show Mrs. Sorensen, Sis Anderson, Elder Bennett Marg and myself. We thought we would go to the early show and when we found out what the late show was, and decided to stay to it. It was “Home Stretch” with Maureen O’Hara and Cornell Wilde and really good.
November 15, 1947 (Saturday):
A morning in the office, and then in the evening we attended Sis Afoons home warming luau. It was really quite an experience for all concerned.
November 16, 1947 (Sunday):
In the morning we arose early and left for Hana with Sis Ezell. The baby was in the back seat in his basket and Marg and I also. It was a beautiful trip - even more so than I expected. Mike made little more than a whimper on the way out, but at the end of the trip home, he got fussy and started to cry. At Hana we ate at the home of Sis. Pelekiro - chicken and duck was the bill of fare. When we returned we were greeted by a chicken dinner at the Alo’s.
November 17, 1947 (Monday):
In the evening the Moikeha Family brought a couple of cakes over and then visited. Mrs. Sorensen surely made an impression with them.
November 18, 1947 (Tuesday):
Again people came in the evening to bid Mrs. Sorensen goodbye - Sis Enos, Sis. Afoon, the Teshinas and others.
November 19, 1947 (Wednesday):
Mrs. Sorensen and Pres. Smith left by plane - they are going to leave for Kauai tomorrow and spend a couple of days there and then Marg’s mother will return to Honolulu and leave there for home on Monday.
November 21, 1947 (Friday):
Mrs. Dutro came in the evening to stay with the baby and we went to a play given by the Wailuku community theatre entitled “The night of Jan the 16th.” It was excellently done and had a surprise ending to it.
November 22, 1947 (Saturday):
I went over to the office and worked all morning and then I returned and mowed the lawn while Marg went over to Smiths to sew. I then went with the Elders to play basketball for a while. I felt unusually tired and worn out and my back ached right in the base of my spine.
A note to Mom and Dad, this date, written by Tutu on Royal Hawaiian Hotel stationary, reads:
I had a very nice trip over to Kau[a]i with Pres. Smith. He did everything possible to show me around. Elder Roper did the driving and the first day when we went around to the Valley his wife, child, and Elder Kenneth Harvey from Pleasant Grove went with.
I can’t remember the name of the famous valley but it is beautiful. However that day it was a little misty. Tell Sr. Ezell it was everything I expected and more.
President Smith stayed with Ropers and I had a bedroom in the very lovely home of Bro. & Sr. Sheldon. He is captain of the police and she is a darling. They have a very attractively furnished home and her plants are beautiful…Sunday morning….I had dinner with Myrtle and her husband at a Chinese place when I got here. Saturday all day I was on a tour of the island and met Bro & Sr. Papworth at Laia (?) from Star Valley in Wyoming. They met you last summer.
In our tour they took us to two very interesting places that Myrtle had never been to - the tombs of the Kamehamehas and the summer home of Queen Emma which is now a museum sponsored by the daughters of Hawaii. Be sure and see them when you are here…
I phoned Cannons but they were just going out and I talked with Mrs. Woolley. I will see her at Sunday School this morning…
Well my dears I certainly hated to leave you and little Mike, the darling. I would give anything to give him one more squeeze, but I couldn’t trust myself to go back to his basket in the car. It has been a wonderful visit and I am so thankful I could make it. I will phone you tomorrow and be on my way in the evening.
Loving you all. Mother
November 23, 1947 (Sunday):
I again took a Sunday School Class and enjoyed them much. They are about 12 years old and very attentive. The balance of the day was spent in study. Mike was upset and Marg felt as though she were coming down with flu and so I decided to stay home from meeting.
Another note to Mom and Dad, this date, written by Tutu on Royal Hawaiian Hotel stationary, reads:
Just thought I would write a note while waiting for Myrtle. I certainly hope you can stay at this hotel a couple of days some time. It is grand.
Their prices start at $12.00 a day which includes meals and if you eat them all here you can really get your money’s worth. Their dinners are priced at $4.00.
You can get a pineapple frapae if you don’t want other drinks on the menu. I had pineapple hot cakes this morning. For lunch I had creamed chicken in half a cocoanut with mashed potatoes swirled all over the top then browned in the oven, a fresh cocoanut sundae made with chocolate ice cream, and cake. I missed my first nights dinner and yesterday’s and tomorrow’s lunch so I am making up for it other times. I also had a chives omelette. I like to try these different things.
While I was on Kaui Pres. Smith was always urging the elders to learn Hawaiian so I wrote down some of the Hawaiian words he explained to us. For two days he tried to get elder Roper to remember that “mahina” meant “noon” and he just couldn’t remember. Well when we got to the airport and I was ready to leave I shook hands with him and said, “mahalo nui no, Pres. Smith, na mea maikai apau au i hana mai iau.” He was tickled to death and asked elder Roper if he could repeat it. He certainly is strong for Hawaiian and poi.
I am going to try and find a book “Kanuka on Kaui” which he wanted to get and inscribe the above sentence and mail to Pres. Smith. I met sister Apioalani (?) who was in Salt Lake last summer. She gave ma an artificial lie [leis]. I love to hear her laugh.
Sister Woolley brought me four large orchids and two sprays of Vanda’s to Sunday School. I am going to wear a couple to Myrtles luncheon tomorrow and then try and get them home.
Dad says some other boy asked Haddie to the school dance first and when Ann Worthen couldn’t go, Stan went to the ward show. It will seem good to be home again after being gone so long, but I certainly [miss] you and little Mike. Please send the pictures soon. I want to show them to everyone.
I also met Frank McGhie. He is so anxious to have you two over here. Spoke to Jos. F. Smith ad Jerry Jenkins parents, Dr. & Mrs. Gordon also in Sunday School.
Aloha nui no kakau,
xxxooo Tutu
November 27, 1947 (Thursday):
Thanksgiving day and the morning at the office. In the afternoon we took it easy and enjoyed the rest and then in the evening Sis Anderson went with us to the Wailuku Hotel for dinner and it was quite a feast. The past few days we have been quite down hearted because we have realized more fully the problems that we’ll come up against if we are to raise Michael in the Mission Field.
November 30, 1947 (Sunday):
Sunday School in Wailuku, and then in the afternoon we took Mike and visited the Alo’s and Margery Alo Morgan and her new baby. We then went down and talked to President and Sis. Smith about our situation and they seemed to be very sympathetic - especially Sis. Smith. He said that everything would work out and that very likely we would be able to take Bro. McGhies job over on this Religious Education. He also asked me to take over the job as Wailuku Sunday School Superintendent and I am tickled pink about that because it is a real challenge and I’ll be able to see the fruits of my labors. We went away feeling as though we had been relieved of a terrific load, and felt better than we have felt for weeks.
December 1, 1947 (Monday):
Today is Sister Pat’s birthday. Tonight I went up and met with Bro Enos about the organization of the Wailuku Sunday School.
December 2, 1947 (Tuesday):
Took Pres. Smith down to the Airport bound for Honolulu where he is to meet new missionaries and also Pres. Geo. F. Richards[42] of the Council of Twelve. In the evening I went to M.I.A.
December 3, 1947 (Wednesday):
Went to the airport and met group of new missionaries - Elders Bird, Crouch and Putnam and Sis. Hammond and Wintch - The Elders were dropped off at Kahului and the Sisters were assigned to live with us. I was especially impressed with Sis. Wintch - she is going to make an outstanding missionary.
December 4, 1947 (Monday):
Met Elder and Sis. Ellis at the Airport and they too are very fine. She is a talented person - very capable, and he is good natured, jolly and full of fun. She is to labor in Wailuku, and he is to go over to Molokai. My monthly report has been suffering as a result of all this chasing but I guess all will be well.
December 5, 1947 (Tuesday):
Today I took Sis Smith to the Airport and while there I picked up Elder Newman. Sis Smith went to Honolulu to be there for Conference. Late on in the afternoon I picked up Elder Brough - another busy day of chasing.
December 6, 1947 (Wednesday):
Spent the morning in the office and then in the afternoon I took Elders Laycock, Dickson and Crouch to the airport bound for Kona, and Elders Ellis and Newman for Molokai.
December 7, 1947 (Sunday):
The sixth anniversary of the Bombing of Pearl Harbor , and we have much to be grateful for. This morning I was installed as the Superintendent of the Wailuku Sunday School with Kamakau Alo as 1st Assistant and John Malu as 2nd Ass’t and Jubilee Moikeha as enlistment director. We brought the baby over to be blessed and it gave me much joy to bless my son. We both bore our testimonies and all in all it was a wonderful day. It rained quite heavily and was unusually chilly. We took Mike to church in the evening and he was good as gold. After church we had a snack and gathered around the kitchen table and had a fine discussion. These are certainly splendid Sisters that are here now.
December 8, 1947 (Monday):
A very full day - in the afternoon I drove to the airport and picked up Pres and Sis. Smith, Pres. Weenig and Pres and Sis. Geo. F. Richards. We then went to Afoons for dinner and an entertainment.
An article and picture from a Maui newspaper states:
ENTERTAINS L.D.S. PRESIDENT – Local members of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints entertained George F. Richards, President of the Council of Twelve of the L.D.S. last week. Pictured above is a group at the home of Mrs. Afoon Kamauoha’s home.
Standing, left to right, Ululani Kamauoha, Afoon Kamauoha, Stella Belknap, Helen Wintch, Margery Cannon, Wm. W. Cannon, Rose Kaaa, Karen Anderson, Beverly Hammond, Don E. Bennett, Legrande Brough.
Seated, left to right, Mrs. Richards, Pres. Geo. F. Richards, Mrs. Ivy Ellis, Pres. Melvyn Weering, Mrs. Smith, Pres. E. Wesley Smith.
December 9, 1947 (Tuesday):
In the morning we went in a party with Pres. and Sis Richards to Pulehu and then in the afternoon a missionary testimony meeting was held in which a fine spirit was manifest. After this affair the Relief Society spread a lunch for us. At 6:30 an evening meeting was held in which Pres. Richards presided and spoke. Marg and I sang in a quartet “Calvary” a spur of the moment affair.
An article, apparently in the Church News, states as follows:
Pres. George F. Richards Hawaiian Trip Reported
BY WILLIAM W. CANNON (Hawaiian Mission Secretary)
Upon completion of his duty as the presiding authority of the Oahu Stake Conference, on Sunday, December 7, President George F. Richards of the Council of the Twelve, visited the headquarters of the Hawaiian Mission in Wailuku on the Island of Maui. He was greeted with genuine Hawaiian hospitality and all of the Saints were thrilled and honored to have them as their guests.
Tuesday afternoon, December 9, a testimony meeting of the missionaries of both the Hawaiian and Central Pacific Missions was presided over by President Richards. Also in attendance were Mrs. Richards, President and Mrs. E. Wesley Smith of the Hawaiian and President Melvin A Weenig of the Central Pacific Missions.
Everyone in the meeting was privileged to stand and bear testimony of the validity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and out of it came many interesting faith promoting experiences.
A meeting for the Saints of both missions was held in the evening of the same day, and the Wailuku Chapel was packed to capacity with well over 350 people in attendance. The music was furnished by a Primary children’s choir, and the songs that they rendered were hymns sung in the Hawaiian tongue.
A special visit was made to Pulehu, on the slopes of the great inactive volcano Haleakala. Pulehu is the site where the first baptism was performed in the islands by George Q. Cannon and James Keeler, and subsequently the first branch was organized at that spot. A beautiful little chapel and monument stand on the grounds now, and seated near the monument, President Smith related to President and Mrs. Richards and the group assembled the story of the establishing of the Church in Hawaii. One could not help but marvel as the miraculous story was unfolded, and it left no doubt in the minds of those present that it was indeed sacred ground.
Wednesday the 10th, the party left for the largest island of the group, Hawaii, where a tour of the island, more missionary meetings and special conferences, and more Hawaiian hospitality were in order.
Elder Richards returned to Salt Lake during this Christmas week.
December 10, 1947 (Wednesday):
Pres Richards and party left for Hilo for a tour of the Big Island.
December 14, 1947 (Sunday):
We went to sacrament meeting in the evening and Mike was surely as good as gold - he didn’t make a whimper. After church we went to dinner at the Town and Country and took Elders Bennett, Garrett and Brough.
December 15, 1947 (Monday):
Met Pres and Sis Smith at the Airport and it happened to be their 37th wedding anniversary - they had just returned from Hilo and came bedecked with Orchids.
December 16, 1947 (Tuesday):
Took Pres. Smith to the airport - this time bound for Honolulu to meet the Matsonia and the new missionaries. Marg, Mike and I went to M.I.A. in the evening.
December 17, 1947 (Wednesday):
Tithing settlement preparation occupied the balance of our time today. From now on until the end of the year, it is really going to be tough, trying to complete all there is to do. We had a Sunday School Superintendency meeting and framed the Christmas party for this Sunday.
December 18, 1947 (Thursday):
Took Elders Bennett, Garrett and Brough to the Airport bound for Honolulu.
December 19, 1947 (Friday):
Beth Ann and Stanford arrived in the morning to spend the holiday with us. Seemed good to see them and have them with us.
A newspaper clipping from a Salt Lake paper states:
Sorensen Children Leave For Hawaii
Beth Ann Sorensen, 19, and her brother, Stanford, 13, will have an unusual Christmas gift this year from their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Horace A. Sorensen, 3000 Connor St. They left Salt Lake by plane Thursday night to the Pacific Coast where they boarded a Pan American Clipper for Honolulu. They arrive there Friday night, and then will fly via an Inter-Island plane to Wailuku, Maui, to celebrate the Christmas holidays with their sister, brother-in-law and new nephew, Mr. and Mrs. William M. Cannon, and son, Michael. Mr. and Mrs. Cannon are serving as L.D.S. missionaries at the mission headquarters in Wailuku. In appreciation for the hospitality extended by the Hawaiian people to Mrs. Sorensen on her recent visit to Wailuku, she and Mr. Sorensen will entertain a number of Hawaiian students from the Brigham Young University Sunday evening, Dec. 21.
December 20, 1947 (Saturday):
A morning in the office, and then we all went over to the Wailuku Chapel to fill bays full of candy for Christmas program tomorrow. In the evening we took Mike to stay with Jenneatte Barrows while we all went to a show.
December 21, 1947 (Sunday):
The Christmas Program in Sunday School and am I glad that it is all over. Everything went fine and a pleasing spirit prevailed. We visited the Smiths in the afternoon, and then in the evening we went to Baldwin High to the local Christmas program.
December 24, 1947 (Wednesday):
We went to the Christmas Eve program given by the Genealogy Ass’n of the Wailuku Branch. When we returned to the car we found a sack of presents from the Akiu’s, and the Moikehas brought a chicken over. Elder Ellis arrived in the afternoon to spend Christmas with his wife.
December 25, 1947 (Thursday):
All of the missionaries around the vicinity of Wailuku had dinner at Afoon’s house, given by the Relief Society. It was a wonderful day and enjoyed by all. We left Mike at the home of Mrs. Dutro in the evening and all went to a show. Pres and Sis Smith attended.
Mom and Dad sent out a Christmas card. It was a woodcut print in brown, with foliage and “GREETINGS… from the Islands.
Inside, on the left was written:
Aloha, Santa’s list had grown so,
He almost he’d quit.
To keep his spirits up some
We thought we’d help a bit.
We took our bundle early,
October twenty eight.
And when we saw our present
We were glad we didn’t wait.
Mele Kalikimaka,
Bill, Margery, and Michael
A photograph of Mike is on the right inside.
December 27, 1947 (Saturday):
In the afternoon, Pres. Smith, Julian and myself left on a trip to the Island of Hawaii where we had a full schedule planned. Stanford in the meantime had gone to Lahaina with the Teshimas. We arrived in Hilo and were met at the airport by Bro. Ching, and afterwards arrangements were made to go out to Murrays in Hakalau, just north of Hilo. I got a lot of pointers from Bro Murray and it was a profitable visit. Sis Murray served us a fine big chicken dinner and then invited us to stay the night with them.
December 28, 1947 (Sunday):
Enjoyed a wonderful nights sleep, and then a fine breakfast. We went into Hilo for Priesthood and Sunday School and I was asked to talk. Pres. Smith took us to dinner in the afternoon and then we drove down to Kalapana and into and around the Puna district. It was surely interesting country. Sacrament meeting in the Evening and all three of us spoke for a time at least. And a fine spirit was present.
December 29, 1947 (Monday):
We stayed all night in the Hilo Mission Home and then set out early in the morning for a trip around the Island. We ate breakfast in the volcanoe house, and then proceeded on to Kona passing through Kau and many little towns along the way. In the afternoon we ate a steak dinner at the Kona Tavern and it was really good. We arrived in Kailua in the late afternoon with just time enough to do some work on the Kona books. I managed to get everything all in order before the dinner hour. We were invited to stay over at the Coast Gerard Light house run by a very nice fellow from Michigan by the name of Jack McDonald and his wife a very blond girl from New Zealand. They have two very cute little girls and they served a wonderful dinner at night.
December 30, 1947 (Tuesday):
We spent the night in Navy bunks and rose to a good breakfast served by the McDonalds. Elder and Sis Cheney and Sis Beatty also stayed there overnight - they were on their way around the Island too. We left in the morning drove on to Kamuela, stopping at the Mission home there and also at the Lindseys, and then on to Kohala. Bro Ching decided that he had better go on back to Hilo and not go on the ditch trail with us, and so he left in the afternoon. I did the bulk of the work in setting up the books during the afternoon. Sis Sproat prepared a steak dinner fit for a king for us in the evening.
December 31, 1947 (Wednesday):
During the night we stayed in the Sproat’s home - we arose early to a breakfast of ham and eggs and then out to pick up the mule and go on the ditch trail. It was a cloudy morning and I was filled with no little apprehension about the trip. After we got onto the trail, it turned out to be a beautiful day, and we rode onto some of the most unusual and serenely beautiful country that I have ever seen. After about half day of it we got pretty tired and so we stopped at a camp for lunch and a rest. At lunch I ate one of the hottest peppers that I have ever tasted. We proceeded on, saw more interesting country and returned about darkness very very tired and worn - almost too much so to eat. We ate a big husky dinner and decided to spend our New Years Eve in bed.
January 1, 1948 (Thursday):
Had a glorious night’s sleep and again arose to a delicious breakfast of milk, ham and eggs. Julian and I walked down to the Pololu Valley to take some pictures of it, and then returned with Bill Sproat and Pres Smith to Nudu. We felt surprisingly good after our ride on the ditch trail - Of course I did have a few aches here and there but that is to be expected. We had originally planned to return to Maui on the 2nd but we decided we’d try and leave today if possible, and so luckily we secured reservations for this afternoon. Before leaving we had a big turkey and chicken dinner. The only thing wrong was that there was too little time to eat. The trip over was pretty rough - we arrived on Maui and much to our surprise Marg and Mike and Beth and Stan were at the airport. Luckily we made connections - Beth and Stan left on the same plane we came in on. Mike had gained noticeably over the week, and was cuter than ever.
January 2, 1948 (Friday):
During the evening all of the missionaries in the vicinity went to Belknaps to dinner and a good time was had by all. Jazz Belknap entered right in and was the life of the party. He also made comment of it on his radio program during the course of the evening.
January 4, 1948 (Sunday):
Meetings as usual with Fast Meeting. I bore my testimony in fast meeting. After, I had quite a talk with Danny Moikeha on the change that I had made in the Sunday School procedure and with out a doubt he is the most inflexible and bull headed person I have ever met. We took naps in the afternoon, and then Marg, Mike and I went to evening meeting.
January 5, 1948 (Monday):
During the evening we met with Kamakau. Alo and Kamalela Akiu and went visiting on Sunday School business.
January 7, 1948 (Wednesday):
We finally broke down and went to Genealogy and surprisingly [entry is not finished].
January 9, 1948 (Friday):
We took Mike over to the Moikehas and went to a show and saw the “Desperadoes.” It was so old that it seemed new even though I had seen it a long time ago.
January 11, 1948 (Sunday):
A day of meetings and in the afternoon we had a Union Meeting. Before Church we went to dinner over at Afoon’s. Sis Anderson was there and it was very apparent that Pres. Smith had spoken to her about her wrong doing. Last night while we were sitting reading, Sis Hammond came in and asked to talk to me. She told me that Sis Anderson had been going out with Rogers Akiu alone during the week and that she had been totally uncooperative. Sis Afoon had come over to tell Sis Hammond to do something about it. We then decided to phone Pres Smith, but it was too late. We then went over this morning and told him all about it.
January 12, 1948 (Monday):
Sis Anderson was sick all day supposedly and didn’t show up for the office all day. While we were sitting down and studying, Sis Hammond came running in out of breath and said that something had happened to Sis. Anderson - she had fainted on the floor. We all piled in the green thing and ran over there - the Sisters went in and I went to get Pres. Smith. Pres and Sis Smith came down and then I called the Dr. He took her to the Hospital, and said that there was nothing in the world wrong with her.
January 13, 1948 (Tuesday):
We went to see Sis. Anderson and she was a little better - the Sisters took turns sitting with her and she ate up the attention.
January 14, 1948 (Wednesday):
We woke up at 3:30 and I took Marg to the hospital to relieve Sis Ellis. She got a lot out of her and we became more convinced than ever that she was putting on.
January 17, 1948 (Saturday):
I worked all day in the office and most of the evening. Last night we went to a show “Desert Wanderers” and so this morning we slept in. Sis Anderson was scheduled to return from the Hospital and she managed to have a relapse so that she wouldn’t have to. It was decided that she would have to go to Afoon’s to live and then to Laie next week to rest.
January 18, 1948 (Sunday):
I took charge in Sunday School - we studied during the afternoon and then I went to church at Kahului and took the Sisters. Sis’s Wintch and Ellis spoke. I was asked to speak also and did so with surprise.
January 23, 1948 (Friday):
It started to rain in torrents in the morning and most of the flights were either delayed or cancelled. Pres Smith and Sis Anderson were due to leave for Honolulu in the afternoon and it appeared for a time at least that they wouldn’t be able to leave. We waited at the airport for a couple of hours until they were put on the plane and then we left. It is surely a relief to get her off the Island and into safe hands.
January 24, 1948 (Saturday):
I brought the Maui District work home to do and worked most of the day during the rain. In the evening we drove out to the airport to pick up a new Elder Jeppson that is to live with us for a time at least.
January 25, 1948 (Sunday):
It was raining in torrents again and it continued through the night and all day. We went to Sunday School and there was a poor attendance. Elder Jeppson was broken in with a speech in Sunday School. In the meantime I was asked to speak in church and so we returned home and I settled down to what I thought would be an afternoon of quiet study. Sis Wintch came over and announced that a Mr. Petty of Salt Lake had come to their home and wanted to be taken around the Island. Of course it meant my dropping of study and going. Marg stayed with the baby. We drove over to Lahaina and back in the midst of a torrential rain. Mr. Petty was quite free with the Sisters and succeeded in making quite a fool of himself. He insisted on taking us all to dinner and so I managed to squeeze in an hour of study and preparation before we went to dinner at the Town and Country. All including little Mike went. At church I spoke on the life of Paul [see below] and likened our living after the example he set. After meeting we went over to Afoon’s where she gave us all a bite.
In Dad’s papers, I found his notes for this talk on Paul, labeled “Saul of Tarsus” and marked “Wailuku Jan 25, 48”. His notes are as follows:
1. Christian hater, revolt leader, and watched the stoning of Stephen the martyr with approval.
2. On the way to Damascus: “And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined around about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art Thou Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he, trembling and astonished said, Lord what wilt Thou have me to do?” (Acts 9:3-6)
3. Paul a Jew, schooled by the Gentiles (Greeks) and a Roman citizen.
A. puny, homely, but with the heart of a lion - humble, courageous and proud.
Preparation for the ministry--
1. As a Roman citizen, he could demand the protection of the empire and justice before any official.
2. As a Jew, Paul knew the hearts of his people, could gain the entrance of the synagogues, and could speak the language of their hearts.
3. Reared and educated as a Greek, he knew the Gentiles, could speak and write their language and dwell on their philosophy.
4. As a man he was devoted to what he thought was right.
1. He persecuted the Christians because he was fighting to preserve the religion of his fathers. The Lord loved him for his honest and devoted life.
2. With his knowledge of the truth he would turn the weight of his dynamic soul to righteousness.
Post Conversion:
He was struck blind and he asked “Lord, what wilt thou have me do?” The Lord replied, “Arise and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.”
While being led into Damascus, another man had a vision. His name was Ananias, and he was told to go to Paul, restore his sight, baptize him, and give him the gift of the Holy Ghost. Ananias has heard of him and questioned it but the vision was reafirmed.
Paul’s predicament:
1. to the Loyal Jew he was looked upon as a traitor;
2. his fellow Christians eyed him with suspicion because of his past deeds.
Befriended by Barnabas, and they went on to do a marvelous work.
Wrote big part of New Testament
Quote passages to fit point
30 - crowning achievement II Tim 4:7
January 26, 1948 (Monday):
It continues to rain and it reached the flood stage causing considerable damage to certain sections. Never have I seen so much water in my life.
January 27, 1948 (Tuesday):
I received a phone call from Pres. Smith from Oahu telling me to get in touch with Elder Allen and to get him over there tomorrow. He is still uncertain about Sis Anderson and he’ll probably have to stay over there until she is settled and then meet us on Molokai. Elder Allen came in in the afternoon and ate with us and is going to stay with us tonight. Elders Jeppson and I were called down to administer to a sick man in the hospital who was dying - and so we dedicated him to the Lord.
January 28, 1948 (Wednesday):
I went to the airport to take Elder Allen who was on his way to Honolulu. In the evening we went to Genealogy.
January 29, 1948 (Thursday):
Pres. Smith returned from Honolulu as a surprise to everyone and I went over and had quite a talk with him - it was also the evening of Choir practice.
January 30, 1948 (Friday):
Another rainy day combined with sunshine it was very changeable. We went to a show in the evening.
January 31, 1948 (Saturday):
We arose early, shuffled around in a dither and tried to get all set to leave for Molokai. We took Mike down to Becky Kaopuiki’s where she would take care of him while we were gone. The plane left Maui at 9:25 and arrived on Molokai after a beautiful trip. Elder Halvorsen and the other missionaries met us at the airport and we proceeded on to Hoolehua. I then proceeded to set up the new bookkeeping system and by the time the afternoon had passed, we had finished or almost so the job. The Saints served both lunch and dinner to all the missionaries. Marg spent this time reading. At 7:00 pm the Priesthood session of the Conference was held, and I was called upon to speak., totally as a surprise during this meeting. After meeting the Saints served hot chocolate and sandwiches. We stayed the night at the home of Sis Emma Kalama, and what a wonderful family that is.
February 1, 1948 (Sunday):
We worked on the books for a little while, while the others were attending a Priesthood and Relief Society meeting. After, we went to Sunday School and Marg and Sis Ellis were asked to speak for a few minutes [see talk below]. Dinner was served by the Relief Society. A meeting for all missionaries for the purpose of Religious Education Instruction was on the schedule in the afternoon. After that we went for a ride and looked over the Pali to Kalaupapa, the Leper Settlement. The evening session of the Conference was for the benefit of Elder Newman who is to be released shortly.
The outline for Mom’s talk was found among her papers and is as follows:
The Outer Shell
Enjoyed meeting.
Glad we could come to Molokai but feel a little like the Elder that came off without his hat. Something’s missing.
Blessed with baby.
Tell story on Bill: Baby wakes with colic. “If he was sent from Heaven, all I can say is - it’s no wonder they put him out.”
Looking at these pineapple fields reminds me of a lesson I learned from pineapple: Went through cannery. Saw them canning a load of pineapple. Different labels on same pineapples. At home always picked certain brand. Discover I was judging the contents by the cover alone - by the picture on the outside - not by true value. Judging by outward signs only. I saw big conveyor belts carrying cans. Some were dented and were put in separate stacks. Told that people wouldn’t buy these. Afraid they were damaged or inferior. Contents the same quality. Covers only thing different.
February 2, 1948 (Monday):
We had breakfast at Kalamas, were driven to the airport by one of the boys, and returned to Maui. In the afternoon, we received word by mail that the folks were going to come down here in March.
February 4, 1948 (Wednesday):
Went to work a half day and then came home because I ached all over. Marg had also come down with a cold. We took Mike to Dr. to have a shot.
Marg feeling fine and the baby is in good shape. Mrs. Sorensen is sick to her stomach - too much worry and unrest.
Mom and Dad sent out a birth announcement as follows:
EXTRA!! Cannon EXTRA!!
Herald
Box 591 WAILUKU, MAUI Territory of Hawaii
NEW CANNON ARRIVES
[Picture of a stork flying, holding a cannon in a bundle. Underneath the picture it states: IT’S A BOY!] WAILUKU, MAUI, T.H., Oct. 28, 1947 – A 21 gun salute heralded the arrival this morning of the latest model Cannon. Its basic pattern is that of former Cannons of Pioneer days, with a slight Danish influence by the designer. It was built to the following ordnance specifications:
Caliber: Very high, of course
Weight: 8 lbs. 1 oz.
Sights: blue
Camouflage: red hair
The new model arrived in good condition and it is a source of great happiness for the proud producers.
Bill and Margery Cannon
November 1, 1947 (Saturday):
Took Marg and the baby home from the hospital today and the hospital bill was presented at $51.00 for the five day period. For the balance of the day I just enjoyed being with them.
November 2, 1947 (Sunday):
Attended church alone in Wailuku afterwards came back and took a nap in the afternoon to make up for the sleep that Mike caused us to lose last night. I hope that he improves and learns the difference between night and day.
November 5, 1947 (Wednesday):
Pres & Sis. Smith arrived back on Maui from Oahu bringing with them three new Elders and one sister. Karen Anderson was assigned to live with us and work in the office. Most of the week has been spent in getting end of month work out.
November 8, 1947 (Saturday):
Mrs. Sorensen and I drove to Haleakala with Bro. Enos and it was a beautiful day.
November 9, 1947 (Sunday):
Priesthood and Sunday School in Wailuku Branch - have been troubled with a cold for the past few days and in meeting it seemed to get worse. I coughed till I was blue in the face. During the afternoon I rested and then prepared a talk which I gave in Kahului during the evening.
November 11, 1947 (Tuesday):
Armistice day and what a holiday - all of the schools closed and most of the business establishments - some contrast to the way it is remembered at home. Mrs. Sorensen left for a couple of days in Hilo and a tour of the Island of Hawaii.
November 14, 1947 (Friday):
Mrs. Sorensen arrived back from Hilo, and apparently had a fine trip. During the evening, Mrs Dutro came and stayed with the baby and then we all went to a show Mrs. Sorensen, Sis Anderson, Elder Bennett Marg and myself. We thought we would go to the early show and when we found out what the late show was, and decided to stay to it. It was “Home Stretch” with Maureen O’Hara and Cornell Wilde and really good.
November 15, 1947 (Saturday):
A morning in the office, and then in the evening we attended Sis Afoons home warming luau. It was really quite an experience for all concerned.
November 16, 1947 (Sunday):
In the morning we arose early and left for Hana with Sis Ezell. The baby was in the back seat in his basket and Marg and I also. It was a beautiful trip - even more so than I expected. Mike made little more than a whimper on the way out, but at the end of the trip home, he got fussy and started to cry. At Hana we ate at the home of Sis. Pelekiro - chicken and duck was the bill of fare. When we returned we were greeted by a chicken dinner at the Alo’s.
November 17, 1947 (Monday):
In the evening the Moikeha Family brought a couple of cakes over and then visited. Mrs. Sorensen surely made an impression with them.
November 18, 1947 (Tuesday):
Again people came in the evening to bid Mrs. Sorensen goodbye - Sis Enos, Sis. Afoon, the Teshinas and others.
November 19, 1947 (Wednesday):
Mrs. Sorensen and Pres. Smith left by plane - they are going to leave for Kauai tomorrow and spend a couple of days there and then Marg’s mother will return to Honolulu and leave there for home on Monday.
November 21, 1947 (Friday):
Mrs. Dutro came in the evening to stay with the baby and we went to a play given by the Wailuku community theatre entitled “The night of Jan the 16th.” It was excellently done and had a surprise ending to it.
November 22, 1947 (Saturday):
I went over to the office and worked all morning and then I returned and mowed the lawn while Marg went over to Smiths to sew. I then went with the Elders to play basketball for a while. I felt unusually tired and worn out and my back ached right in the base of my spine.
A note to Mom and Dad, this date, written by Tutu on Royal Hawaiian Hotel stationary, reads:
I had a very nice trip over to Kau[a]i with Pres. Smith. He did everything possible to show me around. Elder Roper did the driving and the first day when we went around to the Valley his wife, child, and Elder Kenneth Harvey from Pleasant Grove went with.
I can’t remember the name of the famous valley but it is beautiful. However that day it was a little misty. Tell Sr. Ezell it was everything I expected and more.
President Smith stayed with Ropers and I had a bedroom in the very lovely home of Bro. & Sr. Sheldon. He is captain of the police and she is a darling. They have a very attractively furnished home and her plants are beautiful…Sunday morning….I had dinner with Myrtle and her husband at a Chinese place when I got here. Saturday all day I was on a tour of the island and met Bro & Sr. Papworth at Laia (?) from Star Valley in Wyoming. They met you last summer.
In our tour they took us to two very interesting places that Myrtle had never been to - the tombs of the Kamehamehas and the summer home of Queen Emma which is now a museum sponsored by the daughters of Hawaii. Be sure and see them when you are here…
I phoned Cannons but they were just going out and I talked with Mrs. Woolley. I will see her at Sunday School this morning…
Well my dears I certainly hated to leave you and little Mike, the darling. I would give anything to give him one more squeeze, but I couldn’t trust myself to go back to his basket in the car. It has been a wonderful visit and I am so thankful I could make it. I will phone you tomorrow and be on my way in the evening.
Loving you all. Mother
November 23, 1947 (Sunday):
I again took a Sunday School Class and enjoyed them much. They are about 12 years old and very attentive. The balance of the day was spent in study. Mike was upset and Marg felt as though she were coming down with flu and so I decided to stay home from meeting.
Another note to Mom and Dad, this date, written by Tutu on Royal Hawaiian Hotel stationary, reads:
Just thought I would write a note while waiting for Myrtle. I certainly hope you can stay at this hotel a couple of days some time. It is grand.
Their prices start at $12.00 a day which includes meals and if you eat them all here you can really get your money’s worth. Their dinners are priced at $4.00.
You can get a pineapple frapae if you don’t want other drinks on the menu. I had pineapple hot cakes this morning. For lunch I had creamed chicken in half a cocoanut with mashed potatoes swirled all over the top then browned in the oven, a fresh cocoanut sundae made with chocolate ice cream, and cake. I missed my first nights dinner and yesterday’s and tomorrow’s lunch so I am making up for it other times. I also had a chives omelette. I like to try these different things.
While I was on Kaui Pres. Smith was always urging the elders to learn Hawaiian so I wrote down some of the Hawaiian words he explained to us. For two days he tried to get elder Roper to remember that “mahina” meant “noon” and he just couldn’t remember. Well when we got to the airport and I was ready to leave I shook hands with him and said, “mahalo nui no, Pres. Smith, na mea maikai apau au i hana mai iau.” He was tickled to death and asked elder Roper if he could repeat it. He certainly is strong for Hawaiian and poi.
I am going to try and find a book “Kanuka on Kaui” which he wanted to get and inscribe the above sentence and mail to Pres. Smith. I met sister Apioalani (?) who was in Salt Lake last summer. She gave ma an artificial lie [leis]. I love to hear her laugh.
Sister Woolley brought me four large orchids and two sprays of Vanda’s to Sunday School. I am going to wear a couple to Myrtles luncheon tomorrow and then try and get them home.
Dad says some other boy asked Haddie to the school dance first and when Ann Worthen couldn’t go, Stan went to the ward show. It will seem good to be home again after being gone so long, but I certainly [miss] you and little Mike. Please send the pictures soon. I want to show them to everyone.
I also met Frank McGhie. He is so anxious to have you two over here. Spoke to Jos. F. Smith ad Jerry Jenkins parents, Dr. & Mrs. Gordon also in Sunday School.
Aloha nui no kakau,
xxxooo Tutu
November 27, 1947 (Thursday):
Thanksgiving day and the morning at the office. In the afternoon we took it easy and enjoyed the rest and then in the evening Sis Anderson went with us to the Wailuku Hotel for dinner and it was quite a feast. The past few days we have been quite down hearted because we have realized more fully the problems that we’ll come up against if we are to raise Michael in the Mission Field.
November 30, 1947 (Sunday):
Sunday School in Wailuku, and then in the afternoon we took Mike and visited the Alo’s and Margery Alo Morgan and her new baby. We then went down and talked to President and Sis. Smith about our situation and they seemed to be very sympathetic - especially Sis. Smith. He said that everything would work out and that very likely we would be able to take Bro. McGhies job over on this Religious Education. He also asked me to take over the job as Wailuku Sunday School Superintendent and I am tickled pink about that because it is a real challenge and I’ll be able to see the fruits of my labors. We went away feeling as though we had been relieved of a terrific load, and felt better than we have felt for weeks.
December 1, 1947 (Monday):
Today is Sister Pat’s birthday. Tonight I went up and met with Bro Enos about the organization of the Wailuku Sunday School.
December 2, 1947 (Tuesday):
Took Pres. Smith down to the Airport bound for Honolulu where he is to meet new missionaries and also Pres. Geo. F. Richards[42] of the Council of Twelve. In the evening I went to M.I.A.
December 3, 1947 (Wednesday):
Went to the airport and met group of new missionaries - Elders Bird, Crouch and Putnam and Sis. Hammond and Wintch - The Elders were dropped off at Kahului and the Sisters were assigned to live with us. I was especially impressed with Sis. Wintch - she is going to make an outstanding missionary.
December 4, 1947 (Monday):
Met Elder and Sis. Ellis at the Airport and they too are very fine. She is a talented person - very capable, and he is good natured, jolly and full of fun. She is to labor in Wailuku, and he is to go over to Molokai. My monthly report has been suffering as a result of all this chasing but I guess all will be well.
December 5, 1947 (Tuesday):
Today I took Sis Smith to the Airport and while there I picked up Elder Newman. Sis Smith went to Honolulu to be there for Conference. Late on in the afternoon I picked up Elder Brough - another busy day of chasing.
December 6, 1947 (Wednesday):
Spent the morning in the office and then in the afternoon I took Elders Laycock, Dickson and Crouch to the airport bound for Kona, and Elders Ellis and Newman for Molokai.
December 7, 1947 (Sunday):
The sixth anniversary of the Bombing of Pearl Harbor , and we have much to be grateful for. This morning I was installed as the Superintendent of the Wailuku Sunday School with Kamakau Alo as 1st Assistant and John Malu as 2nd Ass’t and Jubilee Moikeha as enlistment director. We brought the baby over to be blessed and it gave me much joy to bless my son. We both bore our testimonies and all in all it was a wonderful day. It rained quite heavily and was unusually chilly. We took Mike to church in the evening and he was good as gold. After church we had a snack and gathered around the kitchen table and had a fine discussion. These are certainly splendid Sisters that are here now.
December 8, 1947 (Monday):
A very full day - in the afternoon I drove to the airport and picked up Pres and Sis. Smith, Pres. Weenig and Pres and Sis. Geo. F. Richards. We then went to Afoons for dinner and an entertainment.
An article and picture from a Maui newspaper states:
ENTERTAINS L.D.S. PRESIDENT – Local members of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints entertained George F. Richards, President of the Council of Twelve of the L.D.S. last week. Pictured above is a group at the home of Mrs. Afoon Kamauoha’s home.
Standing, left to right, Ululani Kamauoha, Afoon Kamauoha, Stella Belknap, Helen Wintch, Margery Cannon, Wm. W. Cannon, Rose Kaaa, Karen Anderson, Beverly Hammond, Don E. Bennett, Legrande Brough.
Seated, left to right, Mrs. Richards, Pres. Geo. F. Richards, Mrs. Ivy Ellis, Pres. Melvyn Weering, Mrs. Smith, Pres. E. Wesley Smith.
December 9, 1947 (Tuesday):
In the morning we went in a party with Pres. and Sis Richards to Pulehu and then in the afternoon a missionary testimony meeting was held in which a fine spirit was manifest. After this affair the Relief Society spread a lunch for us. At 6:30 an evening meeting was held in which Pres. Richards presided and spoke. Marg and I sang in a quartet “Calvary” a spur of the moment affair.
An article, apparently in the Church News, states as follows:
Pres. George F. Richards Hawaiian Trip Reported
BY WILLIAM W. CANNON (Hawaiian Mission Secretary)
Upon completion of his duty as the presiding authority of the Oahu Stake Conference, on Sunday, December 7, President George F. Richards of the Council of the Twelve, visited the headquarters of the Hawaiian Mission in Wailuku on the Island of Maui. He was greeted with genuine Hawaiian hospitality and all of the Saints were thrilled and honored to have them as their guests.
Tuesday afternoon, December 9, a testimony meeting of the missionaries of both the Hawaiian and Central Pacific Missions was presided over by President Richards. Also in attendance were Mrs. Richards, President and Mrs. E. Wesley Smith of the Hawaiian and President Melvin A Weenig of the Central Pacific Missions.
Everyone in the meeting was privileged to stand and bear testimony of the validity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and out of it came many interesting faith promoting experiences.
A meeting for the Saints of both missions was held in the evening of the same day, and the Wailuku Chapel was packed to capacity with well over 350 people in attendance. The music was furnished by a Primary children’s choir, and the songs that they rendered were hymns sung in the Hawaiian tongue.
A special visit was made to Pulehu, on the slopes of the great inactive volcano Haleakala. Pulehu is the site where the first baptism was performed in the islands by George Q. Cannon and James Keeler, and subsequently the first branch was organized at that spot. A beautiful little chapel and monument stand on the grounds now, and seated near the monument, President Smith related to President and Mrs. Richards and the group assembled the story of the establishing of the Church in Hawaii. One could not help but marvel as the miraculous story was unfolded, and it left no doubt in the minds of those present that it was indeed sacred ground.
Wednesday the 10th, the party left for the largest island of the group, Hawaii, where a tour of the island, more missionary meetings and special conferences, and more Hawaiian hospitality were in order.
Elder Richards returned to Salt Lake during this Christmas week.
December 10, 1947 (Wednesday):
Pres Richards and party left for Hilo for a tour of the Big Island.
December 14, 1947 (Sunday):
We went to sacrament meeting in the evening and Mike was surely as good as gold - he didn’t make a whimper. After church we went to dinner at the Town and Country and took Elders Bennett, Garrett and Brough.
December 15, 1947 (Monday):
Met Pres and Sis Smith at the Airport and it happened to be their 37th wedding anniversary - they had just returned from Hilo and came bedecked with Orchids.
December 16, 1947 (Tuesday):
Took Pres. Smith to the airport - this time bound for Honolulu to meet the Matsonia and the new missionaries. Marg, Mike and I went to M.I.A. in the evening.
December 17, 1947 (Wednesday):
Tithing settlement preparation occupied the balance of our time today. From now on until the end of the year, it is really going to be tough, trying to complete all there is to do. We had a Sunday School Superintendency meeting and framed the Christmas party for this Sunday.
December 18, 1947 (Thursday):
Took Elders Bennett, Garrett and Brough to the Airport bound for Honolulu.
December 19, 1947 (Friday):
Beth Ann and Stanford arrived in the morning to spend the holiday with us. Seemed good to see them and have them with us.
A newspaper clipping from a Salt Lake paper states:
Sorensen Children Leave For Hawaii
Beth Ann Sorensen, 19, and her brother, Stanford, 13, will have an unusual Christmas gift this year from their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Horace A. Sorensen, 3000 Connor St. They left Salt Lake by plane Thursday night to the Pacific Coast where they boarded a Pan American Clipper for Honolulu. They arrive there Friday night, and then will fly via an Inter-Island plane to Wailuku, Maui, to celebrate the Christmas holidays with their sister, brother-in-law and new nephew, Mr. and Mrs. William M. Cannon, and son, Michael. Mr. and Mrs. Cannon are serving as L.D.S. missionaries at the mission headquarters in Wailuku. In appreciation for the hospitality extended by the Hawaiian people to Mrs. Sorensen on her recent visit to Wailuku, she and Mr. Sorensen will entertain a number of Hawaiian students from the Brigham Young University Sunday evening, Dec. 21.
December 20, 1947 (Saturday):
A morning in the office, and then we all went over to the Wailuku Chapel to fill bays full of candy for Christmas program tomorrow. In the evening we took Mike to stay with Jenneatte Barrows while we all went to a show.
December 21, 1947 (Sunday):
The Christmas Program in Sunday School and am I glad that it is all over. Everything went fine and a pleasing spirit prevailed. We visited the Smiths in the afternoon, and then in the evening we went to Baldwin High to the local Christmas program.
December 24, 1947 (Wednesday):
We went to the Christmas Eve program given by the Genealogy Ass’n of the Wailuku Branch. When we returned to the car we found a sack of presents from the Akiu’s, and the Moikehas brought a chicken over. Elder Ellis arrived in the afternoon to spend Christmas with his wife.
December 25, 1947 (Thursday):
All of the missionaries around the vicinity of Wailuku had dinner at Afoon’s house, given by the Relief Society. It was a wonderful day and enjoyed by all. We left Mike at the home of Mrs. Dutro in the evening and all went to a show. Pres and Sis Smith attended.
Mom and Dad sent out a Christmas card. It was a woodcut print in brown, with foliage and “GREETINGS… from the Islands.
Inside, on the left was written:
Aloha, Santa’s list had grown so,
He almost he’d quit.
To keep his spirits up some
We thought we’d help a bit.
We took our bundle early,
October twenty eight.
And when we saw our present
We were glad we didn’t wait.
Mele Kalikimaka,
Bill, Margery, and Michael
A photograph of Mike is on the right inside.
December 27, 1947 (Saturday):
In the afternoon, Pres. Smith, Julian and myself left on a trip to the Island of Hawaii where we had a full schedule planned. Stanford in the meantime had gone to Lahaina with the Teshimas. We arrived in Hilo and were met at the airport by Bro. Ching, and afterwards arrangements were made to go out to Murrays in Hakalau, just north of Hilo. I got a lot of pointers from Bro Murray and it was a profitable visit. Sis Murray served us a fine big chicken dinner and then invited us to stay the night with them.
December 28, 1947 (Sunday):
Enjoyed a wonderful nights sleep, and then a fine breakfast. We went into Hilo for Priesthood and Sunday School and I was asked to talk. Pres. Smith took us to dinner in the afternoon and then we drove down to Kalapana and into and around the Puna district. It was surely interesting country. Sacrament meeting in the Evening and all three of us spoke for a time at least. And a fine spirit was present.
December 29, 1947 (Monday):
We stayed all night in the Hilo Mission Home and then set out early in the morning for a trip around the Island. We ate breakfast in the volcanoe house, and then proceeded on to Kona passing through Kau and many little towns along the way. In the afternoon we ate a steak dinner at the Kona Tavern and it was really good. We arrived in Kailua in the late afternoon with just time enough to do some work on the Kona books. I managed to get everything all in order before the dinner hour. We were invited to stay over at the Coast Gerard Light house run by a very nice fellow from Michigan by the name of Jack McDonald and his wife a very blond girl from New Zealand. They have two very cute little girls and they served a wonderful dinner at night.
December 30, 1947 (Tuesday):
We spent the night in Navy bunks and rose to a good breakfast served by the McDonalds. Elder and Sis Cheney and Sis Beatty also stayed there overnight - they were on their way around the Island too. We left in the morning drove on to Kamuela, stopping at the Mission home there and also at the Lindseys, and then on to Kohala. Bro Ching decided that he had better go on back to Hilo and not go on the ditch trail with us, and so he left in the afternoon. I did the bulk of the work in setting up the books during the afternoon. Sis Sproat prepared a steak dinner fit for a king for us in the evening.
December 31, 1947 (Wednesday):
During the night we stayed in the Sproat’s home - we arose early to a breakfast of ham and eggs and then out to pick up the mule and go on the ditch trail. It was a cloudy morning and I was filled with no little apprehension about the trip. After we got onto the trail, it turned out to be a beautiful day, and we rode onto some of the most unusual and serenely beautiful country that I have ever seen. After about half day of it we got pretty tired and so we stopped at a camp for lunch and a rest. At lunch I ate one of the hottest peppers that I have ever tasted. We proceeded on, saw more interesting country and returned about darkness very very tired and worn - almost too much so to eat. We ate a big husky dinner and decided to spend our New Years Eve in bed.
January 1, 1948 (Thursday):
Had a glorious night’s sleep and again arose to a delicious breakfast of milk, ham and eggs. Julian and I walked down to the Pololu Valley to take some pictures of it, and then returned with Bill Sproat and Pres Smith to Nudu. We felt surprisingly good after our ride on the ditch trail - Of course I did have a few aches here and there but that is to be expected. We had originally planned to return to Maui on the 2nd but we decided we’d try and leave today if possible, and so luckily we secured reservations for this afternoon. Before leaving we had a big turkey and chicken dinner. The only thing wrong was that there was too little time to eat. The trip over was pretty rough - we arrived on Maui and much to our surprise Marg and Mike and Beth and Stan were at the airport. Luckily we made connections - Beth and Stan left on the same plane we came in on. Mike had gained noticeably over the week, and was cuter than ever.
January 2, 1948 (Friday):
During the evening all of the missionaries in the vicinity went to Belknaps to dinner and a good time was had by all. Jazz Belknap entered right in and was the life of the party. He also made comment of it on his radio program during the course of the evening.
January 4, 1948 (Sunday):
Meetings as usual with Fast Meeting. I bore my testimony in fast meeting. After, I had quite a talk with Danny Moikeha on the change that I had made in the Sunday School procedure and with out a doubt he is the most inflexible and bull headed person I have ever met. We took naps in the afternoon, and then Marg, Mike and I went to evening meeting.
January 5, 1948 (Monday):
During the evening we met with Kamakau. Alo and Kamalela Akiu and went visiting on Sunday School business.
January 7, 1948 (Wednesday):
We finally broke down and went to Genealogy and surprisingly [entry is not finished].
January 9, 1948 (Friday):
We took Mike over to the Moikehas and went to a show and saw the “Desperadoes.” It was so old that it seemed new even though I had seen it a long time ago.
January 11, 1948 (Sunday):
A day of meetings and in the afternoon we had a Union Meeting. Before Church we went to dinner over at Afoon’s. Sis Anderson was there and it was very apparent that Pres. Smith had spoken to her about her wrong doing. Last night while we were sitting reading, Sis Hammond came in and asked to talk to me. She told me that Sis Anderson had been going out with Rogers Akiu alone during the week and that she had been totally uncooperative. Sis Afoon had come over to tell Sis Hammond to do something about it. We then decided to phone Pres Smith, but it was too late. We then went over this morning and told him all about it.
January 12, 1948 (Monday):
Sis Anderson was sick all day supposedly and didn’t show up for the office all day. While we were sitting down and studying, Sis Hammond came running in out of breath and said that something had happened to Sis. Anderson - she had fainted on the floor. We all piled in the green thing and ran over there - the Sisters went in and I went to get Pres. Smith. Pres and Sis Smith came down and then I called the Dr. He took her to the Hospital, and said that there was nothing in the world wrong with her.
January 13, 1948 (Tuesday):
We went to see Sis. Anderson and she was a little better - the Sisters took turns sitting with her and she ate up the attention.
January 14, 1948 (Wednesday):
We woke up at 3:30 and I took Marg to the hospital to relieve Sis Ellis. She got a lot out of her and we became more convinced than ever that she was putting on.
January 17, 1948 (Saturday):
I worked all day in the office and most of the evening. Last night we went to a show “Desert Wanderers” and so this morning we slept in. Sis Anderson was scheduled to return from the Hospital and she managed to have a relapse so that she wouldn’t have to. It was decided that she would have to go to Afoon’s to live and then to Laie next week to rest.
January 18, 1948 (Sunday):
I took charge in Sunday School - we studied during the afternoon and then I went to church at Kahului and took the Sisters. Sis’s Wintch and Ellis spoke. I was asked to speak also and did so with surprise.
January 23, 1948 (Friday):
It started to rain in torrents in the morning and most of the flights were either delayed or cancelled. Pres Smith and Sis Anderson were due to leave for Honolulu in the afternoon and it appeared for a time at least that they wouldn’t be able to leave. We waited at the airport for a couple of hours until they were put on the plane and then we left. It is surely a relief to get her off the Island and into safe hands.
January 24, 1948 (Saturday):
I brought the Maui District work home to do and worked most of the day during the rain. In the evening we drove out to the airport to pick up a new Elder Jeppson that is to live with us for a time at least.
January 25, 1948 (Sunday):
It was raining in torrents again and it continued through the night and all day. We went to Sunday School and there was a poor attendance. Elder Jeppson was broken in with a speech in Sunday School. In the meantime I was asked to speak in church and so we returned home and I settled down to what I thought would be an afternoon of quiet study. Sis Wintch came over and announced that a Mr. Petty of Salt Lake had come to their home and wanted to be taken around the Island. Of course it meant my dropping of study and going. Marg stayed with the baby. We drove over to Lahaina and back in the midst of a torrential rain. Mr. Petty was quite free with the Sisters and succeeded in making quite a fool of himself. He insisted on taking us all to dinner and so I managed to squeeze in an hour of study and preparation before we went to dinner at the Town and Country. All including little Mike went. At church I spoke on the life of Paul [see below] and likened our living after the example he set. After meeting we went over to Afoon’s where she gave us all a bite.
In Dad’s papers, I found his notes for this talk on Paul, labeled “Saul of Tarsus” and marked “Wailuku Jan 25, 48”. His notes are as follows:
1. Christian hater, revolt leader, and watched the stoning of Stephen the martyr with approval.
2. On the way to Damascus: “And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined around about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art Thou Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he, trembling and astonished said, Lord what wilt Thou have me to do?” (Acts 9:3-6)
3. Paul a Jew, schooled by the Gentiles (Greeks) and a Roman citizen.
A. puny, homely, but with the heart of a lion - humble, courageous and proud.
Preparation for the ministry--
1. As a Roman citizen, he could demand the protection of the empire and justice before any official.
2. As a Jew, Paul knew the hearts of his people, could gain the entrance of the synagogues, and could speak the language of their hearts.
3. Reared and educated as a Greek, he knew the Gentiles, could speak and write their language and dwell on their philosophy.
4. As a man he was devoted to what he thought was right.
1. He persecuted the Christians because he was fighting to preserve the religion of his fathers. The Lord loved him for his honest and devoted life.
2. With his knowledge of the truth he would turn the weight of his dynamic soul to righteousness.
Post Conversion:
He was struck blind and he asked “Lord, what wilt thou have me do?” The Lord replied, “Arise and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.”
While being led into Damascus, another man had a vision. His name was Ananias, and he was told to go to Paul, restore his sight, baptize him, and give him the gift of the Holy Ghost. Ananias has heard of him and questioned it but the vision was reafirmed.
Paul’s predicament:
1. to the Loyal Jew he was looked upon as a traitor;
2. his fellow Christians eyed him with suspicion because of his past deeds.
Befriended by Barnabas, and they went on to do a marvelous work.
Wrote big part of New Testament
Quote passages to fit point
30 - crowning achievement II Tim 4:7
January 26, 1948 (Monday):
It continues to rain and it reached the flood stage causing considerable damage to certain sections. Never have I seen so much water in my life.
January 27, 1948 (Tuesday):
I received a phone call from Pres. Smith from Oahu telling me to get in touch with Elder Allen and to get him over there tomorrow. He is still uncertain about Sis Anderson and he’ll probably have to stay over there until she is settled and then meet us on Molokai. Elder Allen came in in the afternoon and ate with us and is going to stay with us tonight. Elders Jeppson and I were called down to administer to a sick man in the hospital who was dying - and so we dedicated him to the Lord.
January 28, 1948 (Wednesday):
I went to the airport to take Elder Allen who was on his way to Honolulu. In the evening we went to Genealogy.
January 29, 1948 (Thursday):
Pres. Smith returned from Honolulu as a surprise to everyone and I went over and had quite a talk with him - it was also the evening of Choir practice.
January 30, 1948 (Friday):
Another rainy day combined with sunshine it was very changeable. We went to a show in the evening.
January 31, 1948 (Saturday):
We arose early, shuffled around in a dither and tried to get all set to leave for Molokai. We took Mike down to Becky Kaopuiki’s where she would take care of him while we were gone. The plane left Maui at 9:25 and arrived on Molokai after a beautiful trip. Elder Halvorsen and the other missionaries met us at the airport and we proceeded on to Hoolehua. I then proceeded to set up the new bookkeeping system and by the time the afternoon had passed, we had finished or almost so the job. The Saints served both lunch and dinner to all the missionaries. Marg spent this time reading. At 7:00 pm the Priesthood session of the Conference was held, and I was called upon to speak., totally as a surprise during this meeting. After meeting the Saints served hot chocolate and sandwiches. We stayed the night at the home of Sis Emma Kalama, and what a wonderful family that is.
February 1, 1948 (Sunday):
We worked on the books for a little while, while the others were attending a Priesthood and Relief Society meeting. After, we went to Sunday School and Marg and Sis Ellis were asked to speak for a few minutes [see talk below]. Dinner was served by the Relief Society. A meeting for all missionaries for the purpose of Religious Education Instruction was on the schedule in the afternoon. After that we went for a ride and looked over the Pali to Kalaupapa, the Leper Settlement. The evening session of the Conference was for the benefit of Elder Newman who is to be released shortly.
The outline for Mom’s talk was found among her papers and is as follows:
The Outer Shell
Enjoyed meeting.
Glad we could come to Molokai but feel a little like the Elder that came off without his hat. Something’s missing.
Blessed with baby.
Tell story on Bill: Baby wakes with colic. “If he was sent from Heaven, all I can say is - it’s no wonder they put him out.”
Looking at these pineapple fields reminds me of a lesson I learned from pineapple: Went through cannery. Saw them canning a load of pineapple. Different labels on same pineapples. At home always picked certain brand. Discover I was judging the contents by the cover alone - by the picture on the outside - not by true value. Judging by outward signs only. I saw big conveyor belts carrying cans. Some were dented and were put in separate stacks. Told that people wouldn’t buy these. Afraid they were damaged or inferior. Contents the same quality. Covers only thing different.
February 2, 1948 (Monday):
We had breakfast at Kalamas, were driven to the airport by one of the boys, and returned to Maui. In the afternoon, we received word by mail that the folks were going to come down here in March.
February 4, 1948 (Wednesday):
Went to work a half day and then came home because I ached all over. Marg had also come down with a cold. We took Mike to Dr. to have a shot.
FOOTNOTES:
[42]
George F. Richards was President of the Council of the Twelve. George
Albert Smith was President of the Church and J. Reuben Clark and David O. McKay
were his two counselors. Other members of the Quorum of the Twelve at this time
were Joseph Fielding Smith, Stephen L. Richards, John A. Widtsoe, Joseph F.
Merrill, Albert E. Bowen, Harold B. Lee, Spencer W. Kimball, Ezra T. Benson,
Mark E. Peterson, Matthew Cowley and Henry D. Moyle.
[43] On October 31, 1975, Dad was to leave “on a MAC flight (Military Air Command) from Hickam Field in Honolulu” to visit the island of Kwajalein. “Though we had previously driven by the entrances to Hickam Air Base as well as the adjacent Pearl Harbor Navy Base many times, I had never been inside either of them. It was with exciting anticipation that I boarded this military passenger aircraft…We took off, and I viewed both Hickam Field and Pearl Harbor through different eyes. I had seen these bases from the air many times previously, but never from an air force craft on a flight originating from Hickam Field. I had been so moved by my recent visits to Guam and Saipan that I found myself much more sensitive to the significance of Hickam Field and Pearl Harbor and their relationship to World War II and the war in the Pacific. I remembered with considerable detail the announcement that came over the radio on Sunday morning, December 7, 1941. Japan had attacked Pearl Harbor without warning. I was a boy of sixteen, and this was the beginning of a war that would have a pronounced affect upon the world, the Pacific, and me personally. As I looked out of the portholes of this military aircraft, newsreel pictures from the past of the bombing and subsequent destruction of Pearl Harbor and Hickam Field came into my memory. Below was the serene Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor. Nearby, the father of my boyhood friend and neighbor, Captain Mervyn S. Bennion of the United States Navy had given his life in an attempt to save his crew and the battleship, West Virginia. For his efforts, Captain Bennion was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously. Pearl Harbor was the headquarters of the United States Pacific Fleet, and Hickam Field was the adjacent Army Air Corps base that supported it. The Japanese had sunk eighteen capital ships and destroyed many of the Hickam Field aircraft which, because of this surprise attack, were never able to get off the ground. Out of this action came the battle cry for the Pacific campaign of World War II, REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR.” Beachheads, p. 17.
Lots of gems. I didn't know Beth Ann and Stan visited for Christmas. I love the post-war insights--what it all meant in Hawaii. Dad's talk on Paul is really good. I want to save his notes. And finally, what a fun reference to the Kalama family.
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