MORMON “INVASION.”

Dunstan Times, Issue 3383, 18 July 1927, Page 8

MORMON “INVASION.”

ATTACK ON EUROPE

“We shall win the world for Mormopism, but Britain will be the objective of our first attack.” With this sentence as its watchword, the greatest missionary campaign ever launched by the Mormon church was begun, British girls are being subjected to an intensive campaign by the vast organisations of the Latter Day Saints, which has the avowed object of bringing them to the faith of Utah.

The first steamer-load of an army of 10,000 Mormon missionaries will land in England in July, but the work of preparation among girls of 14 began a few weeks ago. Headed by a grey-haired, spectacled woman, Sister May Talmadge, wife of Dr James Talmadge, one of the “Twelve Apostles” of the Mormon church, a new movement known as “The Beehive Girl” has been formed, says a London paper. Branches, or “swarms” as they arc calldVl in the strange vocabulary of Utah, have been formed at Bradford, Sheffield, Hull and Nottingham, and another is to be opened in London shortly. The command-er-in-chief of the mass attack will be Terahan Moss, a man of patriarchal appearance, with a family of 29 and a salary greater than that of the Archbishop of Canterbury. He will travel to England like an Oriental potentate with a retinue of 63 servants.

When approached for information about the campaign, Sister Talmadge was frankness itself. “We ask for the fullest inquiry,” she said. “We know there is still a belief that we are out to encourage 'British girls to go as converts to Utah with some ulterior motive, but that I can deny emphatically, and we are prepared for the strictest investigation.

“There has been no polygamy in Utah since 1890, and very few female converts are now going from this country to Salt Lake City. The Beehive Girls is a sort of Girl Guide association, but the tests, or “Gathering of Honey,” as it is termed, arc Spartan and severe in the extreme.”

“The Call of Womanhood,” is the greet watchword of the Beehive Giris, and a universal signal which is chanted across country as the ‘‘ Call ’’ is made up of a play on the word “Womanhood,’.’ which, to secure a ringing and echoing signal, is cut down to “Womanho.” This call runs: “Womanho for work; Womanho for home; Womanho for service to all mankind. Womanho!”

The girls arc taught that to be an ideal woman and mother should be the greatest object of their lives, and to tit them for the part they have to undergo Spartan tests such as few even of our modern sports girls would relish unless imbued with a tremendous enthusiasm. “Gatherers of Honey” have to till “cells” to'earn awards and advancement. and the tests are divided into four sections—practical, educational, religious and social. Each girl, for instance, must take half an hour’s strenuous physical exercise every day, and must prove that, she has either slept out-of-doors for two months during her probation period or slept with all her bedroom windows open, and promise to do 'so each year she is a member. She must also mend her own stockings and clothes, and bring them forward for inspection and earn by her own efforts all her subscriptions to the “Swann. ’ ’

Other tests include the minding and caring for babies even to the extent of bathing and dressing and making clothes for them, first aid work, all kinds of cookery and food preserving, sick nursing and swimming. Finally, as she progresses each girl must take severe examinations in sexual hygiene and knowledge. Not only are these tcsls to be held regularly, but the Beehive Girl must continuously perform the various duties and furnish proof of having done so. Another section of course, deals with the training of the girl in the beliefs of the Mormon Church.

Sister Talmadge emphasised that the greatest importance is attached to virtue and bodily health, one of the Mormon beliefs being that as the body is when buried so it will be in the life to come.

A despatch from Utah early in May stated that preparations were being completed in Salt Lake City for this Mormon missionary invasion of Europe. Within the next few months 10,000 chosen Mormons will take train and Atlantic liner, and will sweep Britain and Europe. No fewer than. 3000 of them will make for London. One thousand Mormons will invade Paris, and 0000 missionaries will spread themselves over Italy, Spain, Germany, and the Middle European States, of whom 2000 are proceeding to Moscow at the direct invitation of the Soviet Government, who are not averse to Mormonism among the Bolsheviki. The missionaries arc taking over to Europe 11 tons of literature, and among their number are 300 trained preachers who have been studying European languages for three years in the Utah University to enable them to preach in foreign countries, A plan to found 130 Mormon churches in England is but one of many objects cherished by the Latter Day Saints, and 30 churches will be built in London, with others in Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and other big centres. These will be established inside five years following the invasion say the Mormon heads. It is stated that the first liner load of Mormons will dock at Cherbourg and Southampton some time in July, and that they will not return to Utah until they have more or less accomplished (heir purpose.