TO THE MONTANA ELDERS AND THE CHURCHES:
We, Eldon Tenniswood, Richard Middleton, Jack Price, Willis
Propp, and Paul Sharp, were
designated by the older brothers in the Pacific Coast States and
Western Canada to come to
Montana and meet with Charles Preston and Everett Swanson for the
purpose of helping to
search for some solution to the continued unrest and growing
division among the workers
and friends in the State. We did not come to hinder the efforts
to handle the doctrine problem.
We did not come to reconsider the Ronan issue. We do not wish to
weaken but rather commend the
standard Everett has upheld. We do not want in any way to
underestimate the good he has done for
Montana. Following our interviews with all the Montana workers
and a cross section of the friends,
we have considered all the solutions suggested. It is our
conclusion that the following changes would
be in the best interests of the Kingdom. We sincerely hope that
these will help to restore unity.
- We esteem Everett Swanson very highly for his willingness to
join the British Columbia Staff and
leave the way open for Jack Price to assume full responsibility
over Montana, with the cooperation
of Charles Preston.
- Dale Shultz will take the place of Jack Price in Saskatchewan.
- Jack Price will also assume responsibility over Wyoming,
combining the Montana and Wyoming
workers into one staff. The following exchanges are also planned,
some to materialize now, and
others (namely, for those who will be needed for preparations in
Montana) to take place after
conventions.
- Lowell Stidolph will exchange with Steve Watts from Oregon.
- Jeff Gillie will exchange with someone from California.
- Muriel Erickson will exchange with someone from Washington.
- Jane Buell will exchange with someone from Oregon.
- Doreen Dutton will go to a Wyoming field.
We do understand that it will be difficult for some of you to
accept some of these measures. We feel
for you, but we do hope that for the sake of harmony in the
Kingdom, you will accept them, and give
Jack and Charles the support they will need. We are sorry for
anything on our part that may have
unnecessarily added to the deep distress so many are feeling.
SIGNED THIS 26TH DAY OF APRIL, 1995, AT MANHATTAN, MONTANA
- Charles Preston
- Eldon Tenniswood
- Richard Middleton
- Jack Price
- Willis Propp
- Paul Sharp
- Everett Swanson
OTHER OUT-OF-STATE ELDER WORKERS PRESENT:
- Ernest Nelson
- Sydney Holt
- Harold Bennett
- Stan Sullivan
ELDER WORKERS ABSENT BUT CONSULTED AND IN HARMONY: