Official Mission Documents

There is a distinct gravity to a document from this era, often characterized by the strike of a heavy typewriter key and the tactile indentation it leaves behind. These papers were created in an age before "undo" buttons, meaning every word on a mission call or travel itinerary was typed with a permanent, deliberate intent. When you see one, you aren’t just looking at data; you’re viewing the physical effort of a clerk who lived through the start of the decade’s economic collapse, capturing a moment in time that survived while the world around it changed.

Evan's Mission Call (a.k.a. "Evan Call's Mission Call")

The mission call letter of the era was hand typed, and the signature was usually the prophet himself.

Heber J. Grant served as the seventh president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1918 to 1945, a tenure marked by his incredible resilience and business acumen. Often remembered as a "man of persistence," he famously overcame personal struggles with penmanship and public speaking through sheer determination. His presidency was defined by guiding the Church through the immense challenges of this era, the Great Depression, as well as World War II, during which he spearheaded the creation of the Church Welfare Plan to help members become self-reliant.

That may be the most elegant signature ever put to paper.

Acknowledgement of Evan's Accepting the Call

Short letter acknowledging Evan's acceptance. Interesting that the letterhead differs substantially from the mission call letter above.

Interesting minutia: as you review these documents, note the variances from "Latter Day" to "Latter-Day" and even today's standard: "Latter-day."

Minister's Certificate

This certificate, issued by the First Presidency, authorized Evan to act as an official representative of the church.

It is signed by all three members of the First Presidency:

Heber J. Grant
Anthony W. Ivins
Charles W. Nibley

Leaving the West

This letter, signed by Transportation Agent Harold G. Reynolds, outlines Evan's multi-day journey from Salt Lake City to Brooklyn, New York.

The Route

The journey required four different railroad companies to complete the trek across the United States:

Union Pacific RR: Salt Lake City to Omaha.
Chicago Northwestern RR: Omaha to Chicago.
Nickel Plate Road: Chicago to Buffalo.
Delaware Lackawanna & Western RR: Buffalo to New York City.

Key Instructions

Logistics: A railway representative would meet the missionaries in Chicago to assist with transfers.
Lodging: Suggested stays included the Hotel Majestic or the New Bismarck Hotel in Chicago, noting that "special rates" were available for missionaries.
Sightseeing: The itinerary explicitly mentions a side trip to Niagara Falls during a layover in Buffalo.
The Final Destination: Missionaries were directed to take the Brooklyn subway (suggesting they "have a policeman direct you") to reach the mission headquarters at 273 Gates Avenue, Brooklyn.

Transfer Notice

Evan was moved from Massachusetts to the Blue Ridge District in Altoona, Pennsylvania, in early June 1932.

The mention of "Tracting Books" refers to the meticulously kept handwritten logs where missionaries recorded every house they visited, the literature they left behind, and the names of investigators. Before the digital age, these physical books were the only way the mission president could track the progress and productivity of his "field of labor."

From Elder to President

In this era, what we call a district today was called a conference.

Letter of Appointment

Eastern States Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Elder Evan Call

BELOVED BROTHER:

This is to Certify, That you have been appointed to preside over the Blue Ridge Conference in the Eastern States Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and as the President of this Conference it will be your duty to direct the labors of the Elders associated with you. You should keep in close touch with your co-laborers at all times, visiting them often and writing to them at least once a week, giving such counsel and advice as will be pleasing to our Father in Heaven and for the furtherance of the spread of Truth in this part of the Lord's vineyard.

Inasmuch as you are now called to a position where you will preside over your brethren, I desire to especially counsel you to carefully read and re-read section 121 in the Doctrine and Covenants, and let verses 37 and 39 be indelibly impressed upon your heart. Remember you cannot exercise unjust control, dominion, or compulsion in any degree of unrighteousness without grieving the Spirit of the Lord, and if it be withdrawn, it means amen to your priesthood. Verse 39 reads as follows: "We have learned, by sad experience, that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion." I would urge you to lead your brethren by the love of God, and to avoid everything antagonistic to that spirit.

You should study the life of Jesus, and realize that God is love, and in order for you to be a leader, beloved of the Lord, you must always lead your brethren with love, meting out to them that mercy and charity which will win their affection and confidence. Avoid everything akin to tyranny, and always remember that the Elders laboring under your direction have made the same sacrifice that you yourself have made, and that they are endowed with the same Priesthood and Authority as has been bestowed upon you. Keep in close touch with the Mission office, and seek counsel from the headquarters of the Mission at all times. It is your duty to report to the Mission office once each week and have the elders report to you the same.

You will be the custodian of the Conference records, which are a part of the records of the Church, therefore you must see that they are properly kept and carefully guarded, for you will now be held absolutely responsible for their correctness, neatness and security, until you are released from the position to which you are herein called.

May God bless you with the spirit and power of your office and calling, and may you win the love of your fellow servants and also that of the Saints, and the honest in heart who may be led to investigate the principles of eternal life through your efforts.

Your Brother,
(Signed) James H. Moyle
President of the Eastern States Mission.

New York City, N. Y. July 16, 1932

Sustaining Our Leaders

The "sustaining list" shown below was prepared for the Blue Ridge District Conference and is undated--but the date can be narrowed to a date after April 6, 1933, when J. Reuben Clark was sustained as Second Counselor in the First Presidency at the April General Conference.

The handwritten notes at the top are a reference to a term coined by the Prophet Joseph Smith: Theodemocracy. It describes a system where God provides the leadership (Theocracy) but the people must voluntarily accept or "sustain" that leadership via "Common Consent" (Democracy). It is contrasting this "Kingdom of Heaven" model against worldly autocracies and pure democracies.

That is likely Evan's handwriting. Wouldn't it be interesting to hear a 22-year-old Evan conduct this business from the pulpit?

[Handwritten Header]

The Kingdom of God rests upon the Law of "Common Consent." It is our privilege to signify our willingness to accept the divine appointment of our leaders. They are selected by him whose right it is to rule; Jesus Christ.

Human Governments { Autocracy / Democracy } | Government of the Kingdom of Heaven "Theo-democracy" / by "Common Consent"

FORM FOR THE PRESENTATION OF THE AUTHORITIES AND OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH

It is proposed that we sustain HEBER J. GRANT as Prophet, Seer and Revelator and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

(Those in favor manifest it by raising the right hand—Those opposed.)

That we sustain ANTHONY W. IVINS as the First Counselor and J. REUBEN CLARK JR. as the Second Counselor in the First Presidency.