the Community of Christ

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1 1 of 6 pp. / doc. no the Community of Christ title : RECORD OF THE (ID) GROUP - volume 1 source : various author : various editor : Gunter, Wayne L. date : to 196_- - file date : (revised) description of work: A record of the Orofino (ID) Group of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and its members, from 1957 until it disbanded in 196_ (Spokane District Telegram December 1957), IDAHO We offer our sincere thanks to the Sagle Branch for their gift to us of their old Saints Hymnals to be used in our group. For the past two years, we have been holding regular Saturday night class study, but we have now moved our class work to Sunday morning with 11 o clock preaching service following. We extend our invitation to anyone desiring to meet with us at these times. We welcome Sgt. Lee Elison, and family, to our group. Sgt. Elison is stationed at Orofino, in the Air Force national defense work, and he and his family have proved a great asset to our group. On July 27 we met at the home of Bro. and Sis. Propst for a hamburger Bar-b-Q on their patio. Elder Alton Gill of Spokane was our special guest and speaker for the evening, with a general discussion following. Our District President Paul Crinzi has visited our group, also. On Nov. 17, Bro. Jorgenson from Lewiston was our 11 o clock speaker. He was accompanied by Bros. Johnson and Beloit, also from Lewiston. Brother Alton Gill, and daughter Viola, were with us for the weekend of Nov. 24, at which time he gave us three visual aid lectures, on the ******* Restoration of the Church, as well as visiting in a number of homes. The Orofino group will meet in the homes of our members and is under the direction of Elder Lester Propst. (Spokane District Telegram April-May 1958) We are still holding our church school meetings in the various homes but are hopefully negotiating for a building that can be rented on Sundays. Then all we would need would be a piano, more books, more chairs, more advice and more members. We have been overwhelmed (happily overwhelmed) the last few months with speakers such as Elder Alton Gill, Elder Ernie Jorgenson, Elder Ted Johnson, and Elder Harold Height. Both their sermons and their helpful suggestions for our newly formed church school have been greatly appreciated. We enjoyed a message from Elder Frank Wilcox at an evening meeting on Marcy 12. Lenore Elaine Eliason, infant daughter of Master Sgt. And Mrs. Lee Eliason, was blessed by Elder Ernie Jorgenson and Elder Lester Propst on February 9. It was our fist service of this kind and we hope the forerunner of many more. Messages from our little angels: One of our five-

2 2 of 6 pp. / doc. no year-olds began her evening prayer, Please help me to take my nap in the afternoon... The mother smiled at the wholesome thought and then the child continued, so then I can stay up really late to watch television. There s a moral here somewhere: After a trying day for all concerned, the child s prayer began, Please help me to be a better little girl. The mother and father smiled at each other approvingly, and then And please help mama and daddy to be a better mama and daddy. On March 30, Brother and Sister Alton Gill, and family, visited with us. Florine Hiedy also accompanied them down. Bro. Gill preached for us at 11:00 a.m. and also at 2:00 p.m. Potluck dinner was served. We had a total attendance of 38 for the day. (Spokane District Telegram July-Aug 1958) A surprise farewell party given for the Lester Propsts turned into an unpleasant surprise for all of us when one of the guests of honor was suddenly taken ill. Brother Propst was taken to the hospital that night and a subsequent operation discovered a hemorrhaging ulcer. The Propsts were in the process of moving to Pullman, Washington, where they had planned to open a grocery store. Plans for the store have been set aside until Brother Propst recovers. Brother Propst remained on the critical list for some time, but at this writing, is greatly improved. Both his family and friends here are extremely grateful to the Troehs, from Grangeville, who were here to help them move when his illness occurred; Brother Jorgenson who sat with us during the operation; Brother Beloit, Brother and Sister Johnson, and Sister Grant who all came to help from Lewiston. Also Brother Wilcox, pastor of the Walla Walla Branch, for the many evenings he gave us; Brother Crinzi and Bishop Beck, the Wilsons from Pullman; the Lewiston Branch which held a prayer meeting for Brother Propst, and all those who have taken the time to visit Lester, and all the rest for their prayers. It was a busy month for all of us with another of our members also in the hospital. Sister Lena Musser was operated on at the Lewiston Hospital and is home now recovering nicely. Brother Eliason and family spent two weeks at their home in Deer Lodge, Montana. While there, Brother Eliason was ordained a priest with Elders Harvey Eliason and Jerome Wycoff officiating. Our first baptisms were performed July 27 during a joint meeting with the Lewiston Branch. Ronald, Sandra, and Donna Roy, and Diane Propst from our group were baptized by Elder Ernie Jorgenson. Following our morning services, the Lewiston group accompanied us back to Orofino Park where we all enjoyed a potluck dinner. Fellowship with the Lewiston group was a pleasure that we all hope we ll enjoy soon again. We also enjoyed the company of Brother and Sister Swenson, here from Spokane to visit her Aunt Cecil Propst. Visiting priesthood whose messages we enjoyed were Elder Ernie Jorgenson on June 8, Elder Frank Wilcox on June 15, and Priest Ted Johnson on July 13. Messages from our Little Angels: One of our younger ones was sitting in on a discussion of how he wouldn t eat. He was told, One of these days you ll get so thin, a big wind will blow you up on the top of that great big mountain and it would take you a year to walk home again. Without even a moment s thought he said, No, it wouldn t. My Daddy would just build a ladder and get me down. August 10: We were all pleased to have our Brother Lester Propst in charge of services for the first time in many weeks. Assisting him in a truly inspiring confirmation service of our four new members were Elders Alton Gill and Ernie Jorgenson. Following the confirmation service, communion service was held with prayer and testimony following. During this time, the Lord

3 3 of 6 pp. / doc. no spoke to the congregation through Brother Jorgenson, encouraging the Saints to continue to work here and that he is pleased with them thus far. Brother Gill spoke to us again that evening following a hamburger fry held at the Propsts. Also present from Spokane were Brother and Sister Swenson and Gladys and Eugene Gill. (Spokane District Telegram October 1958) We have secured a place to meet at last. The Banner Schoolhouse, which is located about one mile from Orofino up Orofino Creek, became available. By using the cloakrooms as classrooms it serves us quite well. We have not been able to find a piano that is cheap enough as yet. So in order to make a better effort on Sundays, we meet every other Wednesday for hymn singing. The Propst family has completed their move to Pullman and has opened their grocery store there. We do appreciate the ministry of our guest speakers very much. Realizing the distance that most of them have to travel, we want them to know that beds for Saturday night, and Sunday dinners, are always available. It would help if they would let us know beforehand just what their plans are as to when they will arrive, have to leave, and who they will bring with them. Messages from our Little Angels: All parents know that with the start of school, their intelligence rating with the children immediately goes down about ninety-nine percent. Even so, one of our new first grade mothers was still a bit taken aback when she was informed in a very shocked voice, Mother, you re going to have to take that typewriter some place and get it fixed, don t you know that it makes the little A wrong? Elder Ernie Jorgenson and Priest Harold McPhetridge have visited us, both giving us messages enlightening and enjoyable. (Spokane District Telegram January 1, 1959) PASTOR GETS AROUND Lee Eliason, the new pastor at Orofino, is an advisor to the Idaho National Guard serving with the rank of Master Sergeant. Lee is making the Army his career and if you want information about any place in the world, talk to Lee because he has probably been there while on business for Uncle Sam. Halloween was celebrated on Saturday night at the Eliason home. Two of our teenagers supervised the children s costume party downstairs while the adults played games upstairs. Don t know about the kids, but the adults had a wonderful time. November 6, we were privileged to have District President Paul Crinzi and Seventy Luther Troyer here for an evening meeting. Brother Troyer spoke on the Book of Mormon. Brother Lee Abramson brought us a thoughtinvoking message on repentance, November 9. Sunday November 30, we were pleased to have Brother Matt Crownover and his wife with us again. Brother Crownover spoke on teaching and later held a meeting with the Sunday School teachers, giving us many useful suggestions. The Lester Propst family was also with us. A potluck dinner was held following the service. We are delighted to report the baptism of Clement Reed who was baptized November 30 by Elder Lester Propst. Confirmation was held the same day with Elders Ernie Jorgenson and Lester Propst officiating. Messages from our Little Angels: One of our sixyear-olds, listening to the TV commercial The man who thinks for himself smokes Viceroy, remarked with a shrug, Seems to me that the man

4 4 of 6 pp. / doc. no who thinks for himself wouldn t smoke in the first place. Out of the mouths of babes (Spokane District Telegram March 1, 1959) Our Christmas party was held on December 21. The children entertained us with plays and poems under the direction of Mrs. Don Roy. Small gifts and candy were given to the children and much fun was had by all. Santa could not come but sent his three helpers Hardrock, Cocca, and Joe. The children became somewhat suspicious of one of the helpers when one of the four-year-olds in the audience jumped up and shouted, The one on the right is my Mommy. Visiting speakers have included Robert Wilkinson and Robert Bailey from Spokane, Jess Beloit from Lewiston, and Tom Wilson from Pullman. As always, all the speakers were very much appreciated and the fellowship with their families is always a pleasure. A business meeting was held on January 13. Slides on ancient America were shown following the meeting. A Women s Club has been organized and plans are being made to hold a sale in the near future. (Spokane District Telegram May 1, 1959) Easter morning the Junior Group gave a wonderful presentation of a program adapted from this month s Guidelines. In the afternoon there was an Easter egg hunt and picnic. Our appreciation is always to our visiting speakers who travel so far to be with us. (Spokane District Telegram July 1, 1959) Reported by Judy Reed We were very happy to have Brother Gill, and family, and Brother Lester Propst, and family, with us May 24. The Army has assigned Lee Eliason to a post in Germany, leaving us while serving as our pastor. We will miss Lee and his family as they have helped us so much the past two years. After meeting with District President Paul Crinzi, we decided to keep our present building and carry on with the help of visiting speakers who we always appreciate very much (Spokane District Telegram January 1, 1960) Reported by Marie E. Troeh On October 4 a sacrament service was held at the Orofino Mission. Priesthood members present were Alton Gill, Robert Crabb, Lester Propst, Lloyd Omans, and Roy Troeh. In all, there were fifteen members present for the service. The few saints there appreciate any and all visitors who can help increase their congregation. (Spokane District Telegram spring 1961) GAINS IN MEETING SITES EVIDENT Three of the district s congregations have recently arranged for greatly improved meeting places for Sunday study and worship. Orofino saints have been meeting recently in an improved location on the ground floor of the IOOF building in the downtown business district. The meeting room, a converted store building, is a few doors toward the river from the town s main business street in a building identified with a prominent Oddfellows sign. (Spokane District Telegram early 1961) DISTRICT RALLIES The pleasant and well-received program initiated last year of area rallies at which nearby groups, missions, and branches could gather for a day of worship and fellowship was carried out again this spring by unanimous request of the groups

5 5 of 6 pp. / doc. no involved. Pullman, Grangeville, Orofino, and Lewiston- Clarkston congregations met together on May 7 at the Oddfellows Hall in Lewiston. With the same theme as that featured at Coeur d Alene, the Lewiston rally also started with a prayer service conducted by Ernie Jorgenson, assisted by Wilbur Stokes and others. The district president again spoke at the 11:00 o clock hour following a showing of the new Auditorium slides accompanied by a magnetic tape narration. A potluck dinner was followed by forty-minute classes conducted by Richard Curtis, Donna Folden, Tom Sylvester, Myra Ames, and A.C Lawrence. The afternoon was concluded with the showing of a sound movie emphasizing the character-building value of attendance at church school of all members of the family, including parents. Children s activities were held at the Clarkston church under the direction of children s supervisor, Thelma Winters, for the 35 children in attendance. (Spokane District Telegram summer 1963) NEW AROUND THE DISTRICT services are being held again in Orofino under the leadership of Elder Nu Madden, formerly of Iowa. A search is underway for suitable meeting facilities. (Spokane District Telegram Sept. 1963) SOUTHERN LEAGUERS ASSEMBLE Under the leadership of District Youth Leader Richard Curtis, Sister Curtis, and Marion Renfro, Lewiston-Clarkston Youth Leader, a group of nearly 20 Zion s Leaguers from Orofino, Clarkston and Lewiston met on the Clearwater River, September 7, for fellowship, song and worship. (Spokane District Telegram Sept. 1964) PROGRESS REPORTED Frank Wilcox, non-resident saints pastor for the southern part of the district and pastor of the Orofino Group, reports remarkable progress in the group this year. Eleven have been baptized there this year including Don, Gail and Robert Roy, Caroline Erickson, Karen Germann, Danny, Lois and Linda Reed, Jane Banko, Jeff Carpenter, and Jerry Rouleau. Elder Lee Eliason of Fort Collins, Colorado, former pastor of the Orofino group, and Priest Carl Strand of Clarkston assisted Elder Wilcox at the baptismal and confirmation service when the first eight named joined the church. Brother Wilcox commented on the testimony of God s goodness in the fact that it rained continuously all morning, stopped as the congregation drove to the river for the service, and started again as they drove back to Orofino. It had rained for two days before and rained again all day the next day. Caroline Erickson and Carl Ronald Roy were married August 2 at Orofino. The Reed family of Orofino has moved to California, and Leona Carpenter and her children from Grangeville to Council Bluffs, Iowa. The Roy family has taken an option on land in Orofino where the group hopes to build a new church building if the district conference approves in October. (Spokane District Telegram early 1965) COMES IN FIRST AGAIN The little Orofino group, which excelled in 1964 for baptismal rate as a ratio of total membership, seems bound to break some records this year on financial law compliance. By January 17, Pastor Frank Wilcox reported the group was over its quota, based on last year s record, of tithing statement filers. By mid- February, he reported ten statements filed and five in the process of being filed. When they reach 16 they will have exceeded their previous number of filers by 300%.

6 6 of 6 pp. / doc. no (Spokane District Telegram Jan. 1966) NEW LOCATIONS FOR SEVERAL GROUPS NAMED We are happy to report the relocation of several of the congregations in the district to more comfortable and larger quarters. If you have retained the Directory of Churches included in the last Telegram, you may wish to correct it... Meanwhile, the Clearwater Valley Group started using new quarters on December 12. The Seventh-Day Adventist Church on Michigan Avenue in Orofino will be the meeting place, henceforth, for this group of members from Orofino, Kamiah, Pierce, Headquarters, Weippe and adjacent areas.