Elbert R. Curtis
Born: 24 April 1901
Called as General Superintendent of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association: 1948
Released: 1958
Died: 20 May 1975
Called as General Superintendent of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association: 1948
Released: 1958
Died: 20 May 1975
Image source: Improvement Era, October 1948
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Image source: Church History Website, public domain
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Biographical Articles
Improvement Era, October 1948, Service to Youth through the Y.M.M.I.A. - The Newly Appointed Superintendency
Improvement Era, February 1958, The MIA in Europe
Improvement Era, February 1958, The MIA in Europe
Green, Doyle L. "Service to Youth through the Y.M.M.I.A. - The Newly Appointed Superintendency" Improvement Era. October 1948. pg. 622, 666, 668-670.
Service to Youth through the Y.M.M.I.A. The Newly Appointed Superintendency By Doyle L. Green Ass’t Managing Editor How the Lord prepares his servants for leadership in the Church through years of training is demonstrated in the life of Elbert R. Curtis, newly appointed superintendent of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association. Elder Curtis, who in his forty-eighth year becomes the eighth general superintendent of the Y.M.M.I.A., will carry the torch handed down by some of our great leaders. These include Junius F. Wells, 1876-1880, four Presidents of the Church, and two apostles: Wilford Woodruff, 1880-1898; Lorenzo Snow, 1898-1901; Joseph F. Smith, 1901-1918; Anthony W. Ivins, 1918-1921; George Albert Smith, 1921-1935; Albert E. Bowen, 1935-1937; and George Q. Morris, 1937-1948. In his new position Elder Curtis will supervise religious and recreational activities of about 67,000 members of the Y.M.M.I.A., and jointly with the president of the Y.W.M.I.A., will direct recreational activities of the entire membership of the Church. Some of his general duties include the supervision of the planning and building of manual and recreational programs, preparation of handbooks and manuals, conducting of conventions throughout all of the stakes of the Church, and managing the affairs of The Improvement Era. The great M Men program, and the program of the Boy Scouts of America in the Church come under his direction. Added to Superintendent Curtis' deep interest in and concern for youth is a rich background of service in numerous positions in the Church, all of which help prepare him for filling his new appointment. In addition, experiences which he has had in business further qualify him for his present responsibilities. Born in Salt Lake City on April 24, 1901, he is a great-great-grandson of President Brigham Young, and a son of Patriarch Alexander R. and Genevieve Raine Curtis. His formal education was obtained in the grade schools, the L.D.S. High School, L. D. S. Business College, and the University of Utah. He is a graduate of the Sales Analysis Institute of America at Chicago. EARLY positions held in the Church were secretary of a ward M.I.A. and superintendent of a ward Sunday School. At the age of twenty he was called on a mission to Great Britain, during which time he served for twenty-two months as mission secretary, working under President George Albert Smith, Orson F. Whitney, and President David O. McKay. In this position he also served as editor of the Millennial Star, mission publication. The training he received under these men proved invaluable in later stake and mission work. His first stake position was that of superintendent of Sunday Schools in Cottonwood stake. Later he became a member of the stake high council. For several years he served as clerk of the Granite Stake before being made a member of the Granite Stake presidency. In 1941, Elder Curtis was called to preside over the Western States Mission, and remained in that position until 1945. On returning home he served as secretary of the Melchizedek Priesthood committee of the Church. He later became a member of the presidency of the Sugarhouse Stake, and at the time of his new appointment is serving as president of that stake. Elder Curtis was married to Luceal R. Curtis in the Salt Lake Temple in June 1924. They have three children, Bruce R„ Kathryn, and Luceal Jean. Bruce is now serving in the mission field where his father first labored—Great Britain. Sister Curtis is the daughter of Samuel Rockwood and Esther Larson. Her grandfather, Albert Perry Rockwood, served as a member of the First Council of the Seventy of the Church, and was also the first warden of the Utah state prison. Sister Curtis attended the East High School and the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. She studied dramatic art and elocution under Maude May Babcock and has been prominent for many years as a dramatic arts performer. After finishing her training at the University of Utah, she taught school for two years and has also acted as a private instructor in elocution and dramatic arts. Sister Curtis has also been active in the Church from an early age, having served as a teacher in the Primary, Sunday School, and M. I. A., a counselor in a ward M.I.A., president of the Y.W.M.I.A. of Holladay Ward for four years, member of a stake Mutual board, and member of a stake Primary board. In the mission field she was president of the Relief Society organization, with some fifty-five organized groups under her direction. Along with May Green Hinckley and others she helped organize the Gleaner Girl program for the Church, having first helped to organize the first M. I. A. Gleaner group in the Church in the Sugarhouse Ward of the Granite Stake. Those who know Brother and Sister Curtis intimately say they have always worked together as a splendid team, and have turned down no opportunity to serve the Lord. They are both happy, yet very humble about this new appointment. Brother Curtis, who has been in business most of his life, is already making preparation to arrange his affairs so he can give what time is needed to his new responsibilities. Assistants to Elder Curtis A Walter Stevenson of Ogden and Ralph W. Hardy of Salt Lake City, assistants to Elbert R. Curtis in the general superintendency of the Y.M.M.I.A., come to their new positions from years of service to the Church. Both have filled numerous callings in the Church, including missions to Great Britain, both have outstanding records in community service, and both have succeeded eminently in their chosen fields. At the time of their appointment, Elder Stevenson is first counselor in the Mt. Ogden Stake presidency, Ogden, Utah, and Elder Hardy is bishop of the East Ensign Ward. Ensign Stake, Salt Lake City. Elder Stevenson, who will serve as first assistant in charge of activities, was born in Ogden, October 6, 1900, the son of Alfred and Merribel Bramwell Stevenson. He is a graduate of the Weber Junior College. Among the many positions he has held in the Church are: president of his ward deacons and teachers quorums; Sunday School teacher; missionary to Great Britain, 1921-1923; home missionary, 1923- 1924; member of two Sunday School superintendencies; member of a stake Sunday School board; first counselor (1934-1937) and bishop in the Ogden Twelfth Ward bishopric; second counselor to President William H. Reeder in the Mt. Ogden Stake presidency, 1939-41; first counselor to President Earl S. Paul, Mt. Ogden Stake, 1941 to the present. He is a former member of the Explorer advancement committee of the Ogden Gateway Council, Boy Scouts of America. He is a member and past president of the Rotary Club; member of the Chamber of Commerce; chairman of the local Red Cross; member and past president of the Executives Association in Ogden; a district governor of the Rocky Mountain region, National Stationers Association. Elder Stevenson was married to Effie Peck of Ogden in the Salt Lake Temple in 1925. They are the parents of four children: Mitzi, 22; Patricia, 19; Geraldine, 17; and Walter Peck, 9. Mitzi is a graduate of Brigham, Young University and is now working in her father's business. Patricia is a sophomore at the Utah State Agricultural College, Logan. Geraldine is a senior at the Ogden High School where she is president of the girls' association. Walter is attending grade school. Sister Stevenson is the daughter of Leo and Adeline Benson Peck and a cousin of Ezra Taft Benson of the Council of the Twelve. She has been active most of her life in the M.I.A., Primary, and Sunday School organizations. Her father was, for many years, a bishop at Holbrook, Idaho. Elder Ralph W. Hardy will serve as second assistant in charge of manual work. He was born on May 6, 1916, in Salt Lake City, the son of John Kay and Clare Williams Hardy. He is a great-grandson of President John R. Winder who served as a counselor in the First Presidency under President Joseph F. Smith. In 1939 he married Maren Eccles, the daughter of Royal and Cleone Rich Eccles of Ogden. Four children, one boy and three girls, have been born to bless this union. They are: Ralph, Jr., 7 ½; Claire, 5 ½; Alison, 3; and Maren 1. In his early youth Elder Hardy served as an officer of his Aaronic Priesthood quorums and was active in the Sunday School and M.I.A. organizations. He has been a Sunday School teacher for many years. He is a Life Scout, still passing merit badges, and hopes soon to fill his Eagle requirements. He is a Master M Man, having received this award in 1937. Elder Hardy spent the first two months of his mission to Great Britain, 1935-37, in the London district. He was then appointed to a special assignment and spent the remainder of his mission traveling to many parts of the British Isles giving lectures on the Book of Mormon. Upon returning home, Elder Hardy became a guide on Temple Square and has been serving the Church in this capacity ever since, directing on an average of three companies a week around Temple Square. When the Ensign Ward was divided on February 11, 1941, he was named second counselor in the bishopric of the East Ensign Ward, On December 1, 1942, he became bishop and was at the time of his appointment one of the youngest bishops in the Church. Elder Hardy was employed by radio station KSL soon after returning from his mission and is now executive assistant in charge of public affairs. He is also head of the Public Relations Division of the Salt Lake County Community Chest, vice president of the Utah Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, a member of the advisory council of the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Home Service Committee of the Salt Lake County Red Cross. In 1945 he was awarded the Junior Chamber of Commerce distinguished service award, having been selected the city's outstanding young man of the year. Sister Hardy is a descendant of two well-known Utah pioneers. She is a granddaughter of David Eccles and a great-granddaughter of Charles C. Rich. She has been an active Church goer all her life and has spent many years teaching in the Primary and Mutual Improvement Associations. |
ELBERT R. CURTIS
Newly Appointed Superintendent, Y.M.M.I.A. A. WALTER STEVENSON
First Assistant RALPH W. HARDY
Second Assistant A Message From Superintendent Curtis
"I have loved and admired Brothers George Q. Morris, John D. Giles, and Lorenzo H. Hatch through the many years. The Lord has blessed their administration and a great and noble work has been accomplished. "I feel extremely humble in undertaking this assignment from the First Presidency of the Church. I believe in the youth of Zion and have enjoyed my association and contacts with them. "It is at once a great challenge and a magnificent opportunity to labor for their growth and well-being. I shall devote myself to the work and with the help and inspiration of the Lord, feel confident that the work will continue to go forward." —Elbert R. Curtis |
Josephson, Marba C. "The MIA in Europe." Improvement Era. February 1958. pg. 92-93, 106, 108.
The MIA in Europe by Marba C. Josephson Associate Managing Editor The accompanying report and interview is a result of the trip made by General Superintendent Elbert R. Curtis to the International Scout Jubilee-Jamboree held at Sutton Park, Warwickshire, England, and his visit to the Boy Scouts' Headquarters of most of the European' Nations, which permitted him to introduce each of the ten European Mission presidents to the leading Scout officials of Europe. Superintendent Curtis, who holds the Boy Scout Silver Antelope Award, is prominent in the Boy Scout movement, his assignments including membership on the National Relationships Committee, the National Explorer Committee, the Executive Board of Region XII, and Chairmanship of Section 6. The International Scout Jamboree has nothing in the world with which it can be compared. Scouts from 83 nations were officially represented in the 1957 Jamboree, their colorful flags flying in the breeze and their dramatic gate decorations attracting the attention of visitors and delegates alike. The Jamboree was held in Sutton Park, England, once a royal hunting forest, which had been presented to the people of Sutton, Coldfield, by King Henry VIII in 1528. The park, preserved in its natural state, extends over 2400 acres of woods and moors, which with colorful heather, running streams, and attractive lakes, has become a sanctuary for wild life. Mormon Scouts from such diverse places as the United States, Uruguay, Germany, Canada, England, and the Scandinavian countries mingled joyfully and learned firsthand of the world-wide nature of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. From the United States, Scouts came from California in great numbers, and from Idaho, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah there were representative groups. Prior to the wonderful National Boy Scout Jamboree at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, Elder Harrald S. Alvord, member of the general board of the YMMIA and Deputy Regional Executive for Region XII, had a severe illness which precluded his going both to the Valley Forge event and the International Scout Jamboree in England, as chaplain general. Upon short notice General Superintendent Elbert R. Curtis responded to an invitation from the national Boy Scout authorities to assume the office in Brother Alvord's place and serve as Mormon chaplain general. He was assisted by Ivan Call of Ely, Nevada, stake patriarch of Nevada Stake. Superintendent Curtis with his wife, Luceal traveled by air from Salt Lake City to New York City; thence to Glasgow, Scotland. President Call traveled from Valley Forge to his embarkation point with the boys and accompanied them by boat to England. The ship sailed the northern route past icebergs through cold and stormy weather. After the scorching heat of the National Jamboree in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, this cold weather caused a number of the passengers to have influenza, but even this failed to cool their enthusiasm for this glorious experience. The ways of travel are often mysterious, and the trip of 1800 American boys to the Jamboree was no different. Their gear had been misplaced, but this gave a chance for the British Scouts to come to their assistance. They served the American boys refreshments, permitted them to use bedding and tents, and imparted thereby a greater understanding of the worth of this immense undertaking. In fact, this misfortune was a blessing in disguise since it served as an introduction to the genuine brotherhood that prevailed throughout the entire Jamboree. Superintendent Curtis speaks in glowing terms of the fine, devoted LDS men who are responsible for these upstanding Scouts of the Church. Included among the leaders were Ivan Call of Ely, Nevada; V. Melvin Brown of Idaho Falls, Idaho; Dr. Harry V. Brooks of LaCanada, California, a member of the Glendale Stake presidency; J. Les Thompson of Tempe, Arizona; Welburn J. Van Orman of Cardston, Alberta, Canada; Stuart G. Wilson of Montreal, Canada; William E. Stebbing of Baltimore, Maryland; and Sylvan D. Warner of South Bend, Indiana. During the time when some of the LDS Scouts were in the hospital with the flu, and during the heavy rainstorms that prevailed at times, these men rendered yeoman service in caring for our young Scouts. One section of the camp had six inches of water on the floors of the tents one night. Superintendent Curtis and Elder Call were two of the five chaplains stationed at the United States Headquarters at the Jamboree where, with the chaplains of other faiths, they lived with the US contingent leaders in huge tents provided by the United States Air Force. Among the many interesting events of the Jamboree was a reception given at United States Scout Headquarters, where the leaders of other national contingents had a special luncheon with the American Scouts making doughnuts and popping corn. It was the first time many of the visitors had seen or tasted these distinctively American treats. The many thousands of visitors autographed the canvas top on the covered wagon and the Indian tepees. On the day assigned to the American boys to present the show in the huge area, the 1800 boys, with their smart, bright red Philmont ranch-type jackets, marched onto the field, accompanied by their own band. A large group dressed and painted like western Indians with appropriate tom-toms and war whoops danced Indian dances, performed with cowboy lariats and blacksnake whips. They really put on a show that took the crowd by storm. The visit of Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip, was quite a high light to the boys as was the visit of the gracious Lady Baden-Powell, widow of the far-sighted man who founded scouting fifty years before. Her remarks and friendliness will long be remembered. It was quite an event for American boys to visit historic castles and cathedrals centuries old, to stand on Roman walls over a thousand years old, and to visit the Shakespeare country. "The whole Church could be proud of these boys," states Superintendent Curtis. "At the Sunday morning services the opening prayer was offered in Spanish by one of our outstanding boys from Uruguay; one of the boys who administered the Sacrament was from Germany. When volunteers were sought for two and a half minute talks, nearly every hand went up, and the talks were filled with scriptural quotations and offered sound gospel doctrine." The boys thoroughly enjoyed the presence of the missionaries from the Birmingham District. The elders not only bore testimonies but also told what their missions mean to them and further kindled the desire that is found in every Latter-day Saint boy to go on a mission. One evening a bus was chartered, and a group of our Latter-day Saint Scouts and their leaders went into the Birmingham Branch where the Saints and Scouts jointly entertained each other. The sisters of the branch served the ever-hungry boys with tasty refreshments. "Saints who have seen elders through the years enjoyed meeting the future missionaries of the Church, and boys whose grandparents came from Britain enjoyed meeting the Saints," said Brother Curtis. "All of us from the other side of the water now live in Zion because of the courage of our forebears in accepting the not-too-popular message of missionaries," said Brother Curtis. "These boys will now better appreciate their heritage and the rich blessings that are theirs." Superintendent Curtis, who with Sister Curtis presided over the Western States Mission 1941-45, filled his first mission in the British Isles, 1921-23, under President George Albert Smith, Orson F. Whitney, and President David O. McKay. Elder Curtis thrilled as he visited some of the spots so dear to his memory from that first mission. One of the first things that greeted his eyes in Liverpool, where he had labored for twenty months in the twenties, was two Mormon missionaries on a little pedestal holding a street meeting at the pierhead. Of great interest was his visit to Scotland from which his father emigrated nearly eighty years ago. The International Headquarters for Boy Scouts is in London, and Major-General Dan C. Spry, CBE, DSO, CD, the director, called a special meeting of his international staff, including leaders from as far away as the Near East, to hear Superintendent Curtis outline the LDS Church program, our problems, and to offer aid and support. General Spry sent letters of introduction to each of the European Boy Scout leaders, anticipating the visit of Superintendent and Sister Curtis to these countries. Brother Curtis reports that in each land, as he introduced the mission president to the national Scout leaders, warm and friendly receptions were accorded them, and expressions were made of willingness to co-operate. As Brother Curtis met other youth leaders, was interviewed by the press, and made other contacts, he was impressed by the friendly reception everywhere. "These Scout leaders are aware of the Mormon youth program, and the eyes of the world are upon us," he said. "While youth leaders know that although the United States has less than 6 percent of the total world population and that the United States has 65 percent of the world's Boy Scouts, they were not aware that in our Church we reach as high as 80 percent of our available boys in the Scout movement. "Most of these nations have economic problems that are reflected in difficulty in meeting the expenses of traveling across town in the middle of the week for Mutual and activities. The six-day work week and six-day school week in many of these places further increase the difficulty, but our mission presidents, their MIA boards, and wonderful district and branch officers are making a tremendous effort to give our young people the MIA program. "During the past few years LDS youth conferences have been held in many of these missions. These youth conferences mean much to our young people. They are permitting a girl who may be the only Latter-day Saint girl in her school, and a young man who may be the only Latter-day Saint boy in his town, to meet several hundred of their own kind, youth with the same ideals and standards, at beautiful testimony meetings, Gold and Green dances, picnics, and like affairs. This lets our young people realize that they belong to something of stature and strength, and they take pride in their membership in the Church." As one mission president expressed it, "Get this MIA athletic and Scout program going, so there will be boys for our girls, so that our young people can associate with our own! If we had just held our own young people, the children of our converts, for the past ten years, how strong we would be in these branches now!" These wonderful youth conferences in the European missions seem to be directing favorable attention to our people and opening doors for our missionaries. In one national Scout leader's office Brother Curtis found a Book of Mormon on the shelves, in the man's native language, also an outline of a study of the Book of Mormon that had been translated, and this national leader has had our missionaries in his home. Superintendent and Sister Curtis were privileged in attending an English session in the Swiss Temple with his brother, President Jesse R. Curtis, and his wife, who preside over the Swiss-Austrian Mission. They also visited the French Mission headquarters where his brother-in-law, President Milton L. Christensen, and wife, Alice Curtis Christensen, Superintendent Curtis' sister, preside over the French Mission. After the hustle and bustle of the very full seven weeks visiting the British Isles, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Germany (including the Eastern zone), Switzerland, France, and Holland, using twenty-one separate plane flights, with his feet back on United States soil, Superintendent Curtis said, "I cannot begin to be grateful enough for the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the privileges that are ours in this glorious, choice 'Land of the Free,' for the faith and courage of our forebears who listened to the message of the missionaries, who emigrated from their homelands, walked across plains, endured hardships, and handed down to us our great heritage. May we 'of the noble birthright' be blessed with similar courage, faith, and devotion to Carry On!" |
Major-General Dan C. Spry with General Superintendent Elbert R. Curtis standing before a display of LDS Scout insignia.
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