During the years that
George C. Naegle presided in the LDS Swiss and German Mission, he published
numerous articles and reports in the Church’s long-lived (1869-2000) German
journal Der Stern, starting with his “introduction” (issue of May 1, 1894) and ending with his farewell
(issue of January 1, 1897). The farewell
letter was translated in 2013 by Kenneth Kronenberg, independent translator,
Cambridge, Massachusetts.
President George C Naegle standing behind his wife Sabra while serving in the LDS Swiss German Mission. |
This farewell letter
reflects George’s practice of marking a special day or time with verse – the
four lines at the end clearly rhyme in the original German. This letter’s point of view is different from
that of the “introduction” letter, with somewhat more expression of “we” and the
added signature of Sabra Naegle.
(Der Stern has been
digitized and can be accessed – in German -- on line.)
Dear
missionaries, brothers and sisters, and friends of the Swiss and German
mission:
As we have been called back to Zion,
and having received our honorable release from President Wells in Liverpool, it
is with joy that I take up the pen to dedicate a few words upon our departure
and bid a heartfelt farewell.
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George C and Sabra Naegle |
In this sad position, I received a
telegram from President Woodruff on January 4, 1894 containing the surprising
news that I was to take up a mission in Germany. This truly tested us because
we were far from our homeland, and I was to leave my wife in a weakened state
of health in her disconsolate condition. But then I said, it is a call from
God's prophet, and I will go. We immediately traveled to Salt Lake City, where
the first presidency of the church decided that I was to assume the presidency
of this mission, and that my wife was to accompany me. Three days later, on
January 24, 1894, we departed . . . and reached Bern on February 16. I began my
work . . . and the presidency of the mission was transferred to me 3 months
later.
The success of our work is recorded
in heaven and well-known among our brothers and sisters in this mission. If we
achieved something to promote the work of God in these countries, we feel the
need to honor God for it and thank him from the bottom of our hearts for the
fatherly blessings and support from him that we have enjoyed.
[Here George
expresses specific thanks to a listing of mission staff, missionaries and
members, European Mission officers and staff, and others named, then continues
with comments to missionaries, Church members, and others interested in the
Church.]
Dear missionaries! You have done a
noble work; continue to carry your divine message to the people. This time is
the Lord's time; do not misuse it. Gather your courage and pray for strength
from above to fulfill your blessed missions, and when you do and persevere
steadfastly to the end, you will be counted among the 144,000 who will one day
stand as redeemers upon the mountain of Zion.
Dear brothers and sisters! Be joyous
and trust that your cause is righteous. Remain pure and unsullied by the sins
of the world. Be honest, steadfast, and faithful; pay your tithes, pay your
debts, and be blessed. Fulfill your duties completely and wholly so that you
may enjoy the blessings of God completely and wholly. Support the elders;
listen to their suggestions because they are servants of God and care about
your welfare and salvation.
Dear friends! I urge you to examine
our message thoroughly because I bear witness in the name of Jesus Christ that
God has again spoken from heaven, and as surely as Christ is his son and the
Redeemer of the world, so truly is Joseph Smith his prophet, and this, the
Church of Latter Day Saints, is the church of the Lamb of God and the only one
on earth with apostles, prophets, etc., and the perfect organization as it
existed in the original church, and we invite you to become members of same and
citizens of the Kingdom of God.
Now at the conclusion of our
mission, we for the third time experienced a wonderful conference at Christmas
in Winterthur. "All good things come in three." Perhaps I will take
up a mission for the third time. Gladly, if God calls me again and I can say
that I would not rather be anywhere else but on a mission to Switzerland and
Germany.
Now
the time and hour have come for us to return to America.
Joyously,
we leave the federal city of Bern,
And
return to Zion in the name of the Lord,
I
bid you a fond farewell and hope to see you again
If
not on earth then surely in heaven.
Your
departing brother and sister
Geo.
C and Sabra Naegle
Bern,
Archivstrasse 20, January 1, 1897
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