Things Were Different Then

Having found that I was in possession of my father's missionary journal, I started reading it. They certainly used to do things differently. It is too long to quote, but let me summarize a few entries from the beginning.

Fri. Sept.10, 1948
This was the day they had his farewell "down at the ward", I assume the old Oakley meeting house. Two brothers in the ward spoke of their missionary experiences, "Uncle John" (McAllister?) sang, and some local girls tap-danced. "Grandpa" (hmmm, I think his grandfather Alfred Lorenzo Hall was still alive at this time) and "Pres. Richards" (he's not yet his father-in-law, so let's keep it formal) said the prayers. They collected $150.00 toward his missionary labors.

Sat. Sept. 11, 1948
He put a second coat of paint on the DeSoto that he'd applied the first coat to the day before. He and Raona "hiked to the top of Pinyon Canyon, then down Swift's canyon", locating a spring "worthy of supporting range cattle."

Sun. Sept. 12, 1948
The rest of the family went to a Mutual Conference in Park City. He stayed home and went to Sunday School, took a nap, took some pictures of the Richards family, and he and Raona went to Kamas, twice, once in the "Kiazer" and once in the DeSoto. The evening was spent at a fireside.

Mon. Sept. 13, 1948
Eleanor took Howard and Raona to Salt Lake City, where she started working in the "Bishop Office Building" and he registered at the mission home. He was assigned to room 316 in the Carleton Hotel and attended missionary classes all day. In the evening he visited Raona, who was staying at her Aunt Nell's, and then went back to the hotel to memorize the books of the Old Testament.

Tuesday through Saturday he spent a couple days mostly in the temple and attended various missionary classes which seem not to have occupied a great deal of time. He had lunch with Raona a couple of days and rode home with her on the bus when she got off work on some other days. He had dinner at a variety of relative's homes. He also registered with the Selective Service. He and Raona went to a show Saturday evening before returning to Oakley on the bus together, having dinner at the Richards' and then going to a dance in the evening in Heber. He notes that the dance hall had a "spring floor" and the Russell Buys orchestra provided the music.

Sun. Sept. 19, 1948
He spent the day attending meetings, eating at the Richards', and packing.

Mon. Sept. 20, 1948
Raona, Reva, Utahna, Nina, and Howard rode the bus back into SLC. He bought his rail tickets and attended classes. Lunch with Raona. Charles stayed at the hotel with him overnight (Charles was likely in town because he was exhibiting a ram and some other things at the State Fair and needed a place to stay).

Tues. Sept. 21, 1948
Today he went to the church office building and was set apart (see, you thought all this time he was maybe stretching the rules...) by Henry D. Moyle. He was impressed with the blessing he was given. He, Raona, Charlie and Reva went to see the show "Luxury Liner" (OK, maybe now he's stretching the rules) and Charles stayed over at the hotel again.

Wed.Sept.22, 1948
"Today was my last day in Salt Lake so Raona arranged to get the day off to spend part of it with me." They had a testimony meeting in the morning. Vern and Eleanor came down to see him off, but had to leave again before the train departed to get back and milk. Charlie and Raona saw him off at 5:20 PM and by nightfall he was passing through Evanston. He would arrive in Roanoke, Virginia three days later on the evening of September 25th.

Just to be consistent: Andrew Hall > Michael Hall > Howard Hall (and Raona)