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The Ottoman Empire experienced severe social and political turmoil in the early years of the twentieth century. There were waves of strikes, protests, and other upheavals associated with the Young Turk Revolution and the resulting reinstatement of the Ottoman Constitution in 1908, the countercoup of 1909, and the outbreak of inter-ethno-religious violence that culminated with the Adana Massacres, in which an estimated twenty to twenty-five thousand people died. In view of such instability, the Church in 1909 closed the Turkish Mission, withdrawing its missionaries from the region and leaving the Armenian members without direct Western leadership in Church affairs. From 1909 to 1921, the Armenian members suffered extreme deprivation, isolation, and genocide during what is arguably the darkest time in modern Middle East history. Roughly 50 percent of the Latter-day Saint Armenian community died as a result of fighting, starvation, disease, forced displacement, and genocide during World War I. Some were mobilized as part of the Ottoman military and labor battalions, others were death-marched to northern Syria or Iraq (Mesopotamia), some women were forced into marriages with Muslim men, and some men were murdered in mass firing squad massacres. Booth, Hintze, Apostles Anthon Lund and David O. McKay, and other Church leadership in Utah tried to assist the Armenian members from afar through immigration, resettlement, and failed attempts to establish an agricultural commune for them in the Great Basin.

The Church reopened its mission in the Middle East in 1921 under the direction of Apostle David O. McKay and renamed it the Armenian Mission. Booth was appointed mission president and was sent to gather the remnants of the Armenian members and reestablish the Church in the region. He returned there as an agent of Near East Relief, a humanitarian organization set up and authorized by the US Congress to assist the Christian populations devastated by the mass atrocities and genocides in the Middle East. Some NER agents were the same Western Protestant missionaries who years earlier had persecuted Booth, the other Latter-day Saint missionaries, and their Armenian converts. Booth’s appointment as an NER agent represented a distinct shift in Protestant attitudes toward the Church and its missionary efforts in the Middle East. Booth and the Church raised a substantial amount of assistance for the NER that included money, clothing, and other relief supplies. The NER set up a network of orphanages, refugee camps, hospitals, and workshops to help mostly Armenian survivors of genocide and forced displacement.

Upon his return to the Middle East in 1921, Booth found what was left of the Latter-day Saint Armenian community in Turkey concentrated in Aintab. With the signing of the Treaty of Sèvres (1920), the commencement of the Turkish War of Independence, and French withdrawal from Aintab, Booth decided to move his congregation from Aintab to French-controlled Aleppo in the Syrian Mandate. This rapid exodus came from fear that the Turkish forces would continue the wholesale destruction of Armenians within the fluid nature of the newly emerging Turkish Republic. This self-referenced exodus reflected the fears of a traumatized community, and to a degree it also mirrored the Judeo-Christian tradition of the Hebrew exodus from Egypt and the Latter-day Saint precedent that a community faced with overwhelming persecution should find shelter elsewhere, as the early Church members did by fleeing the United States to Mexican territory (Utah) in the 1840s.

What follows are excerpts from Booth’s journals that describe his return to the postwar Middle East, the members’ relocation to Aleppo, the atrocities wreaked upon the Armenian members during the Great War, life in the Khan Jebria commune in Aleppo, and Booth’s work with the NER to assist the recovery of the devastated Christian populations of the Middle East in the aftermath of the war and the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire.

November 3, 1921 (Thursday) [In transit to Palestine from Alexandria, Egypt]

Landed at Alexandria and with some rustling and expense I passed the Customs O.K. and after dinner took train for Kantara where I reached about 10 p.m. Met a very smart young Servian[1] with whom I talked and bore my testimony. I crosed the Suez Canal and secured food and a seat on the train for Palestine. Also met 2 Jews from Joppa.

November 4, 1921 (Friday) [In transit by train and car through Palestine to Beirut]

Soon after midnight I was gliding over the sands in quiet and peaceful sleep, along the way where “Joseph & Mary and the young child” went on their journey from Egypt into the “Land of Israel.” The night was a most beautiful one as I started, and again just before the dawn of day I looked out of the train window and the eastern sky was a scene of transcendant beauty. All the Planets except Uranus, were morning stars, Neptune <was> invisible, Mercury but a tiny twinkler, Saturn & Mars only ordinary objects among the thousand worlds of the universe but Jupiter and Venus were brilliant as diamonds on the blue robes of a royal bride. Sirus, Orion & the Pleiadeas were farther along in their western journey but did their best to embellish that scene of night as the entrancing picture arched over the stillness of the Holy Land where <only> 40 hours ago a scene of blood & riot occured in ignorant protest against the coming of the Jews—the Covenant race—to take possession of the land so long ago vouched safe to them by Him who made and owns the world.[2] See current History for acct of Nov 2 riot in Jerusalem.[3]

We passed thru Gaza early and then up thru the plains and fields of the old Philistines and by 9 a.m. we were in Ludd, the junction of the <Jaffa-> Jerusalem road. My tickett was direct for Haifa and as I was anxious to get on my way I had no special desire this time to go to the Holy City. The train waited for a half hour or so, during which time I looked for and longed to meet Apostle David O McKay & Bro Hugh J Cannon[4] who have been traveling around the world visiting the missions and schools of the L.D.S. Church. But I was disappointed in not meeting them there. On the train went & I still looked out of the window studying the land of Palestine & talking with a poor little <Jewess> girl who came and sat with me and told me a lot of her troubles. She was on her way to Haifa in search of work.

About 12.30 the train stopped at Haifa. I carried my satchels into the baggage room and left them a moment while I looked around to enquire if a ship were in the Harbor bound for Beyroute, <& lo!> turning about I was suddenly face to face with the men whom I have hoped and prayed and longed to meet—Bros McKay & Cannon— They came on the same train from Ludd, passed within a few feet of me there but we did not see each other. We were each just ready to leave for different hotels and 2 minutes time would likely have separated us altogether. We all thanked the Lord for the pleasant meeting.[5] After dinner at the Herzly Hotel I took Bro C. to visit the graves of Elders Haag & Clark at the Cemetary while Bro McKay went to secure an auto to take us to Beyrouth. The car we finally secured was an Am. Dodge and carried us safely along the shore (my heavy trunk & all) thru Ackra, Tyre & Sidon but we were in the dark most of the way & saw little of these wonderful old places. Arrived at 10.30 p.m.

November 5, 1921 (Saturday) [Beirut to Baalbak by car]

Hurridly again we visited the Am. Consulate & I called at the Relief Headquarters,[6] met Mr. Nicol[7] who had taken Mr Dodges[8] place. Other business finished we secured a Ford & by dark were over the Lebanon Mts. and in the Hotel at Baalbek. We have a few members of the Church in Beyrout but I did not get to see them on acct of time being limited. At the Hotel in Baalbek we met a lady who was in Salt Lake City in 1896, and she was exceedingly kind to us in recognition of the splendid treatment she received there. We also arranged to visit the ruins early next morning.

November 6, 1921 (Sunday) [Baalbak to Aleppo by train]

After an early daylight visit to the great ruins we took the train and were all day on the way to Aleppo. I read my article,—“A Look At The Holy Land” to the Brethren as a “Sunday School” lesson. Bro McKay also gave us some valuable bible hints and both of them read my Poem “David Ben Yeshah.” We stayed at the Hotel Baron[9] & I found a few of my old friends and sent word to some of the Saints to meet us next morning.

November 7, 1921 (Monday) [Aleppo]

Bro Hagop Bezjian was first at the Hotel to meet us. <Also Khoren Uzunian. With him I found and visited the home of others & arranged for a Supper with them <Wed. Evening.> In the after noon we were just ready to start for Aintab, after first calling on the Am Consul, Mr J. B. Jackson, but were disuaded and calld a meeting for this evening with the Saints and had the meal of Yoghrutly Küfta at the Home of Joseph Chakarian. The meeting was a very impressive on[e] as the saints had not had such a privelege for a long time, especially of meeting & seeing and hearing an Apostle of the Lord.

November 8, 1921 (Tuesday) [Aintab]

Went to Aintab <by auto> & met the saints there in the evening. Aintab, the beautiful City of so many years of my missionary experiences, is now in ruins and perhaps 2/3 of the Christian population and a big percent of the Moslems have been slain in the awful struggle of the passed few years. We listened to a string of heart rending tales incident to the great war & especially pertaining to the cruel deportation of the Armenians.[10] A new record of our members must be made as nearly every thing is lost which we left 12 years ago, and only about 35 souls of our members are there. We found about 18 who wish to be baptized. The day we arrived there the French Authorities posted notices of their withdrawal next Jan. 4.[11] Bro McKay offered a speciall strong prayer for the deliverance of the poor Christians.

November 9, 1921 (Wednesday) [Aintab to Aleppo by car]

Called on Dr Martin a few minutes & then autoed back to Aleppo to do what we could to get the saints out of Aintab.[12] Received mail among which was a notice of one Hundred Pounds sent from Liverpool.

November 10, 1921 (Thursday) [Aleppo]

I looked around for a suitable house and had Bro McKay & Cannon look at one also, but we did not decide on it fully. Cashed my order at the Bank, settled accounts with Bro McKay & in the evening listened to an Armenian woman tell her story of suffering and I translated it to Bro McKay. Here are some of the things she told us as she sat and weept as she recalled the horrid scenes to mind. [Rest of page left blank] Before leaving the brethren we kneeled in prayer and Bro McKay was mouth. I shall not soon forget the sacredness of that hour. It was with a sad heart that I bade good bye to those men of God, yet I rejoiced to know that while left alone I am in the Service of Him who has again spoken from the Heavens and sent his servants out into the world with the message of Life & Salvation.

November 11, 1921 (Friday) [Aleppo]

Armistice Day. Bro McKay & Cannon left early. There was a great parade of the French troops in the morning. Called Joseph Kulaksuzian to go to Aintab and arrange for the exportation of the saints & some of their friends. He started but had to return on account of a break down. Met <our friend> Angelic & her mother. Look for House all day. At night Mr Hanna Kuilopian called to see me and rendered acct of money sent to him by Hagop Orulluian for Sultan Bezjian to come to Am[erica].

November 12, 1921 (Saturday) [Aleppo]

Joseph Kulaksuzian went to Aintab. Still looked for house, but no decission.

November 13, 1921 (Sunday) [Aleppo]

Wrote letters to Pres. Whitney & to Reba. Called at Kuilopians home. Met his son Dr. Had supper at Bro Nazar Bezjians at the <Bagdad> Station[13] where he works and has a room.

November 15, 1921 (Tuesday) [Aleppo]

Received letter from Reba & Edna Hansen, confirming the news of the arrival of Rahil and her marriage with Bro Artine Vizerian. See Sep 19 & 21. Attended a wedding reception of Isiah Assian and Serpethee Bezjian—daughter of Nazar Bezjian The affair was a medley—nice & disgusting.

Joseph Kulaksuzian returned & reported that an order had been issued by the French, prohibiting the Armenians from leaving the City of Aintab.[14] It leaves the poor Christians there in a state of alarm as the Mohammedans are threatening them with severe revenge as soon as the French withdraw.

November 16, 1921 (Wednesday) [Aleppo]

Had a hair cut & shave at the barbers. Called on the Consul, on Der Harootoon, Head of the Armenian Church & Faud Bey Ef. to talk with them about this new order.[15] All seem to look at it from different points of view yet they seem <very much> concerned about it.

November 17, 1921 (Thursday) [Aleppo]

Studied & looked for a house. Had a letter sent to Aintab to the Saints advising patience, and sharing up food until we can repay them. Wrote a letter for Faud Bey Co. etc ordering 2 Pionas [pianos?] from Wing & Son N.Y. <See 26.> Supper of Küfta at Hov. Assians. Over ate.

November 19, 1921 (Saturday) [Aleppo]

Wrote to Pres. Whitney and described to him also the <local> conditions of the present time. At 1 I was an honored guest at the 50^th birthday of Mr J. B. Jackson, Am. Consul. Mr. Fisher an Am. representing the Standard Oil Company was the only other guest. I paid a debt of 4 turkish lira (gold) to a money changer who had cashed in mistake a duplicated check, in favor of Sultan (Lucy) Bezjian sent by Hagop Orulluian. Also received one Turkish gold Lira from Hanna Kuirlopian on Hagops acct.

November 20, 1921 (Sunday) [Aleppo]

As we have no suitable room in which to meet I attended Protestant church, to get acquainted more & to listen to some Turkish. Had supper with Khoran Uzoonian. Wrote a letter to Senator Smoot asking him to interceed in behalf of the Armenians.

November 21, 1921 (Monday) [Aleppo]

Received a letter from Pres Whitney of Nov 3. Read Turkish scripture, wrote several pages of this journal from notes, and looked still for a house. Rupen Uzunian came from Aintab.

November 22, 1921 (Tuesday) [Aleppo]

Read the Book of Jonah in Turkish. It rained a little. Spent several hours at the home of Khoren Uzunian, talking, studying & waiting to see Rupen late from Aintab, but he was out on business. Received a letter from Bro David O McKay who with Bro Cannon had reached Cairo, Egypt and were awaiting a ship for Naples. He sent me 360 piasters in Syrian paper on acct. having borrowed 3000 piasters from me when he left. Also received a Millennial Star containing News of the Late Conference. Bro McKay also stated that he was sending by Parcel Post a coat, vest, shirt & shoes to me for Bro. Hagop Bezjian.

November 23, 1921 (Wednesday) [Aleppo]

Looked at more houses for rent, met Bro Rupen Uzunian who recently came from Aintab but he had little news of the condition there as he left a week ago & has been held in Killis several days. All kind of roumors are afloat regarding the state of affairs in & around Aintab. Some say that arrangements are being made to grant freedom to move in and out etc. Studied turkish a while after noon from my grammar to learn Arabic characters.

November 24, 1921 (Thursday) [Aleppo]

Long before day break I was awake and called to mind that this is Thanksgiving Day. I join with my fellow countrymen in giving thanks and praise and Glory to the Giver of all the blessings we enjoy. Looked at 2 more houses for rent N.E. of town. Hagop Bezjian & I had supper of rich Yoghurtly Küfta at the home of his sisterinlaw Zaruhee, and her Bro Yakub. <Received a letter from Leon Negoghosian etal, Aintab. He said that 24 wished to come here & accept the gosple.>

November 25, 1921 (Friday) [Aleppo]

Received a “Star” of Nov. 10^th & a letter from Bro. Moses Hindoian, Aintab. Conditions are serious in that city. There was weeping among the saints here when I read the letter to some of them at night. I bot a copy of the London Times of Nov 11. Had several peices of broken teeth extracted by Dr. Alexander Shil Hagopian[16] who will make some new teeth for me. Answered Levons Letter.

November 26, 1921 (Saturday) [Aleppo]

Ordered a few copies of Kodak pictures, printed, which I have taken enroute from home. Wrote to Pres John Johnson of the High Priests Quorum of Utah Stake to which quorum I belong & am Councilor to Pres. Johnson. The letter I wrote on 17 inst for Faud Bey & Co has not been sent so they asked me to change the order & ask only for prices, which I did to day. Looked at more houses, and had an impress made for my lower teeth. Wrote to Reba & Artine Vizerian. Cashed a 50 Lira Note Syrian for 16 gold Lira, 4¾ mej. Hagop & I went to the bath & night I met several english speaking people.

November 27, 1921 (Sunday) [Aleppo]

Received a letter from Moses Hindoian, Aintab, pleading earnestly for us to rescue them from their frightful condition. He says they are fasting 8 days. Had Khoran Uzunian write a letter for me to them, exhibiting wisdom & patience till we can with the help of the Lord do something for their relief. They are not permitted to leave Aintab. Called on Dr. Eskander. In the afternoon I listened to a sermon in Turkish by an <Armenian> minister. He acknowledged a great apostacy and declared that new revelation was necessary. Ate supper with Joseph Chakarian & family.

November 28, 1921 (Monday) [Aleppo]

Looked at more houses for rent. Had an impression for my upper teeth made, had a long talk about Relief work with Dr. Eskander. Received a letter from Reba dated Oct 30 & a P.S. of 31^st . My letters from Liverpool & London & a card from Modan had reached her. Walked thru the big Bazars. Had a gosple conversation. Bot a pair of rubbers & some small pamphlets to learn Arabic & Armenian writing.

November 30, 1921 (Wednesday) [Aleppo]

Received 2 letters from Moses Hindoian and one from Levon Negoghosian, Aintab, all pleading for a release or permission to leave that threatened city. I am daily working on plans to secure passports for them but the task is a difficult one except the Lord helps me. Visited the Bagdad Station & met Bro Nazar Bezjian & family who work there. Received word at the Bank De Syria that 200 Pounds Sterling had been placed to my credit there from Liverpool Office. Met Sister Mariam Killislian & two children. She was baptized a short time before we left Aleppo for Utah in 1909.

This ends a very import[ant] month in the History of the Armenian Mission. The Saints in Aleppo are not suffering much either for food or clothing as work is generally pretty good & wages comparatively fare but prices high. In Aintab the Saints are fearful of their lives as threats are reported often of grave dangers of another massacre if the French withdraw and leave the 7000 or 8000 Armenians there in the hands of the Turks. We are constantly praying for the Lord to open the way for them to escape.

Exodus from Aintab to Aleppo: Escaping Ethnic Violence[17]

December 1, 1921 (Thursday) [Aleppo]

<Before arising> I felt impressed to secure a conference with the French General, De Lamathe,[18] Aleppo, & ask him to grant me permission to bring the members of our church with some of their immediate relatives & friends from Aintab to Aleppo. Aftr some study & breakfast in the big Bazar with Bro Joseph Kulaksuzian, I called at the Bank & then at the Am. Consulate where I received three letters from Moses Hindoian (delayed). Mr Jackson told me that letters were censored & I am wondering if mine have gone thru to Eng & Am. He also recommended that I try my plan of meeting with General De Lamathe whereupon I went to his headquarters to <have him> make a date. His aid said he would arrange same and send me word.

Wrote to Reba & sent her some Kodak pictures which I took along the way from Utah. Had the Consul post it for me. I then called again at General De Lamathes Headquarters and received a paper permitting me to call and have an interview with the General at 16.30 Oclock to day (4.30 this afternoon). Made preperations, and called at the appointed time.

The dragoman knew me from my former work in Turkey & he soon arranged with Captain Rosiar to conduct me into the Generals office. I was received with cordial greetings and presented my passport & missionary certificate as well as my appointment as Relief worker. Thru the Captain as interpreter to the French Officer I emphasized the fact that I was a representative of the Mormon Church who has so Liberally contributed to the fund of Relief for France & Belgium during the recent war, and I was delighted to learn that he had heard of it and also had heard of Gen R. W. Young[19] but expressed sorrow that he could not have met him. I then told him my mission and that we had about 50 members & relatives in Aintab who were poor and needed assistance, also some 25 <friends> who are anxious to receive permission to come to this place; and begged him to grant us permission to bring them all here.

He at first gave an unfavorable reply stating that it would not be a good precedent for him to set as it would likely stir up strife just at this particular time. I still urged that he allow us to bring the poor whom I could care for so much better here with the rest of our members in one group. I have prayed almost night & day for the Lord to open the way for us to rescue [the] saints, and they in Aintab have fasted for 8 days so they write, and I surely felt to thank God for his answer to my prayers when the Gen. at last said “We will grant you permission to bring the 50 and you may present the matter of the 25 to the Aintab authorities. If they see that your friends are in danger of their lives the passports will be given & they can be brought out. Further he said that if the Army had empty wagons etc coming back from Aintab they would bring the Mormons with them. He asked me to furnish a list of the 50 and advised me to go to Aintab to arrange for their transportation. The General expressed his thanks for the friendship of the Americans & when I told him that I had relatives who died on the great war account, he replied that our friendship was the closer knit by the sadness of those deaths. The Conference lasted about 30 minutes. I later prepared a list of all I could obtain of the saints & immediate relatives so as not to much exceed the 50.

December 2, 1921 [Friday] [Aleppo]

Some days ago I asked Faud Bey if he could make some intercession with the French officials to obtain passports for our people at Aintab, but to day I called at his office & cancled the request thru his agent. Called at the Consulate several times but no word came from the French General. Toward evening I went myself to see about the reply & also to give an estimate of the weight of baggage which the company of Saints would likely bring with them == 1500 Kilo. The dragomen was soon out again with the news that my case was being considered and word would be sent to me tomorrow.

I received a letter from Esther Pilavjian regarding the money & papers sent to bring Sultan Bezjian to Am. Met Dr. Shephard (Jr),[20] Benjamin Almajian arrived to night after 3 days of hard traveling early & late & alone to bring us word of the conditions in Aintab and to escape himself from the danger. He called at Bro Hagop Bezjians where I am still a guest and explained the terrible state of the Armenians in that city. Fear, anxiety threats, pleadings for passports, dread of a great calamity seem to hang over that city. I listned but kept my plans to myself.

December 3, 1921 (Saturday) [Aleppo]

Called at the Club room to read the news papers a while. Drew 54,800 piasters in Syrian Paper from the Bank. (See Nov 30.) Made enquiry about a house which the French have rented but is empty & being held for troops later.

About 11.30 a.m. I met Captain Rosiar who told me the request for our people had been grented and the offical word would be sent to the Consulate. He thought I would be advised to go tomorrow by train to Katma and from there I would be taken to Aintab by automobile. Called at Eng. Consulate. In the evening I met Mr Rust etal & while waiting at the Consulate I received word by letters from the General (De Lamath) & Capt. Rosiar telling me that provisions were being made for me to go to Aintab as above mentioned.

Sold 100 Syrian Lira for 34 gold Turkish lira. I have to night on hand 63 gold, 547 Syrian and a little small change. The Saints were much concerned about my going to Aintab by train to Katma & thence to Killis and on as I did not tell them of any arrangement or assistance offered by the French Army to secure passports etc.

December 4, 1921 (Sunday) [Aleppo to Killis by train and car]

I told the incidents of the last few day to none of the Saints except Nazar Bezjian, and they thought it unwise for me to make the trip but I assured them that all would come out well & I left by train about 8.30 a.m. Met Bro Setrak Der Garabedian & wife at Mouslimiie, and arrived at Katma at 10.30. Read Nehemiah as I sat in the sun among a host of soldiers & people on a spot where a few years ago there was only waste land. At 2.30 was taken to Killis by auto, and entertained with supper & bed that night by the French Army. Wine, cigaretts, coffee and Moral Coruption was evident yet the men with whom I associated treated me very kindly. I met Lieutenant A. P. Guitton who spoke English & told me I would travel with him tomorrow with the transport convoy.

December 5, 1921 (Monday) [Killis to Kazukli by French army convoy]

We were up & on the way by day break, about 240 vehicles with several hundred men—drivers, infantry & cavalry, made up the train. We traveled slowly, & I walked much of the way and talked with Lieut Guitton. Nooned near the village or Khan at Kazukli where I dined with the officers (chicken, sausage, bread, etc.). Camped at night at Ulumasar. Cold & damp. I slept (?) in wagon on hay with 2 light blankets & my overcoat. Supper with Artillary officers.

December 6, 1921 (Tuesday) [Kazukli to Aintab by French army convoy]

Walked most of the way to Aintab, 22 K.M. M. Guitton told me much of Army life.[21] I took Kodak pictures of the convoy & the Lieut on horse.[22] Arrived at Aintab about 11.30. The list of names, 53, which I had given the Gen. in Alleppo was here ahead of me & waiting at the passport office. I learned that children under 7 or 8 years needed no papers so I remodled the list & put some of the near relatives & friends of the saints in their place. All officers kind to me.

December 7, 1921 (Wednesday) [Aintab]

Prepared the new list and handed it in with 53 photographs, + 5 more names pinned on—children of Nersis Kozanian & 16 special names. There were many people now in this city who came pleading <with me> for assistance, but 22 years ago I was driven with Elder P. S. Maycock etal from the multitude by stones, etc. Met the colonal of the French Army at Aintab & other officials, who offered 2 carriages to convey our lugg[ag]e to Katma, but we could not get ready for the departure of the convoy tomorrow. Ate supper with Levon Negoghosian & his people, <some of> who<m> were once members of the church.

Photograph of French convoy to Aintab in December 1921. Courtesy of Church History Library.

Photograph of French lieutenant A. P. Guitton on horseback. Courtesy of Church History Library.

December 8, 1921 (Thursday) [Aintab]

Menush Uzunian & daughters Elisa, Armen and Lydia & son Pizant left Aintab by wagon as they had already received passports. I paid 6 T. gold Lira for their transportation. Bot fancy work from Guli Uzunian for 1 Lira to assist her in paying debts. Called on Nordik Varton our old Evsahiba. Learned that our passports had been sent to the Mutasarif for Vize.

In the late afternoon I called at the passport office. The whole court below was filled with hundreds of people anxiously waiting to hear their names read out from the upstair window. I sat and waited in an ajoining upper room and soon the window near me was opened. The roar and tumult of the crowd below was hushed at once on the harsh command of the man who appeared before the multitude to read the names. There was a thrill of joy for every one whose name was read out, but with it a corresponding sadness for all who were disappointed. About 150 names were read out in a clear ringing tone and then the words “Now come the Mormons” was followed by the reading of 51 names of my list—the remaining 7 were left for next list tomorrow—which ended the number of passports issued to day. Within a few minutes the 51 papers were in the hands of Bro Moses Hindoian who was with me to receive them. Though ours were the last to be read we were ussured into the room & received the first consideration. “Mormons” were famous to day in Aintab.

On our way home it rained and during the night the weather was unfavorable. Ate supper at Khachik Tashjians & daughter Gullu <Miram Ansurlian also present> sister & neice to Dudu Orullian in Utah. “Topal” Nazar a very intelligent shop keeper was there & spent the evening in conversation.

December 9, 1921 (Friday) [Aintab]

Made bargains for 9 wagons & teams to carry our people to Aleppo. The rate of each wagon was 6¼ lira, 56¼ for all. It was a terrible price but the urgent demand for transportation had made a excuse for the almost highway robbery. We also hired the nine wagons for our own exclusive use, so that the travelers might bring their goods and come with comparitive ease as the roads were extreemly muddy, & several little children in the company with women delicate in health.

Even after closing the deal for the wagons I felt doubtful about the wisdom of moving the saints from Aintab. I had already suggested the idea of remaining here for the winter as the Authorities of both the French and the Kemalists[23] governments have recently made pledges that no out breaks shall occur as has been witnessed heretofore, and I thought that if we could keep the saints here there would be a splendid field for missionary work in the near future. House rent was at a nominal rate—free in many instances—& food & fuel much lower than in Aleppo with the prospects for work appearantly good. But no persuasion could change the desire of the saints to get out of the country in which they had seen so much suffering and bloodshed.[24]

We walked on down thru the great markets of the Mohammedan quarters and there I was convinced that we ought to move out. The very spirit of danger seemed to be in the air. If the new government can controle the populace it may be well & safe but I felt that we must get out. We began to make preperations to leave next Monday. I engaged a ride by auto to leave tomorrow for Aleppo as we have no house room there yet.

Supper at Kevork Bezjians mother in law Pambookians. Left 50 gold lira & 50 Syrian Liras with Moses & Abraham Hindoian for transportation etc.[25]

December 10, 1921 (Saturday) [Aintab to Aleppo by car]

Prepared to leave. Yemima, wife of Emanual Tulunjian <(dead)> came & claimed membership but we have no records of her baptism. Levon Negoghosian called & had a lengthy talk. He desires to unite with the church again. I ordered Moses H. to pay 6 mejideas to assist his relative [blank] to get to Aleppo. She was once forced to become the wife of an islam.[26]

About 10 a.m. I left Aintab by Auto (Ford) in company with one Armenian & two Islams, merchants. The roads were so bad in places that we had to walk thru the mud. It rained & as we neared Aleppo at dark the auto driver ran off the road and we had to lift the front wheels out of the ditch. Sold 86 Syrian lira for 35¾ per hundred gold = 30¾ Lira. Called at Consul, received “Star” of Nov 17. Met Louise Bezjian who came from Aintab Mon 5 inst.

December 11, 1921 (Sunday) [Aleppo]

Read papers. Visited saints etc. Menush Uzunian & 4 children arrived from Aintab. No place for meeting so we held none to day.

December 12, 1921 (Monday) [Aleppo]

Rain & mud. I earnestly prayed that <a> way m[ay] be prepared for the poor saints in Aintab that they may not have to suffer unnecessarily. Hagop Bezjian & I went in search of a house. To our joy we found a place & rented 8 rooms, Kitchen etc in a south side quarter, at Khan Jebria for 60 Turkish lira for the remaindr of the Arabic year, about 8½ months, or till Sep 1922. Called to visit Marie Killislian. Had some of the first work done on my teeth by Dr. A. S. H.[27] Supper at Khoran & Menush Uzunians.

December 13, 1921 (Tuesday) [Aleppo]

Sold 100 Syrian Lira for 36 gold T. & another 100 S. L. for 36¾. T. gold, prices fluctuate. Found another place while on my way to move my trunk etc to the new Khan rooms. A man came up to me and asked if I was loking for a house. He took me to a big place in the Jewish quarters which is known as— [blank]. It contained a room suitable for church & 3 other rooms were also for rent, all up stairs. I felt depressed when I had engaged the rooms at the Khan Jebria, for the idea of having to meet in worship in a room in a Khan was not at all pleasing to me. Now I felt that if we could secure both places we would have rooms for all the saints & the meetings as well. I bargained for the place for 47 Turkish Lira till Muharem (Sep. 1922). Called at Satanik Buchakjian with her mother Menush and prayed for a child who had smallpox.

December 14, 1921 (Wednesday) [Aleppo]

Moved into Khan Jebria. Bot bedstead for 1 Lira T., lamp, glasses etc. for 3 mej. Opened my trunk which I packed in Provo Sep.6. Read “Times” & B. of M. at night.

December 15, 1921 (Thursday) [Aleppo]

Dudu & Ovsanna Bezjian cleaned room at both places. Sold another 100 Syr. Lira for 36¾ + gold. Learned that the Aintab Co left there Tues 13.

December 16, 1921 (Friday) [Aleppo]

Rained during the night. Abraham Hindoian, who arrived last evening late, came to my room & reported many troubles of the company whom he left last evening this side of Killis. He came in advance by auto to report. The Arabajas, wagon men, had been very mean, left several bundals & thrown out other articles on the way and had loaded several hundred lbs. of other goods and taken in other passangers—a violation of contract. I reported same to Am Consul who sent a dragoman with me to meet the Co. on ontrol. We had a row with the drivers but succeeded in getting our luggage into the new quarters. It cost 2 T Lira for porters. All was confusion in mud and rain, but we finally settled down for the night.

I am now thankful to the Lord for his mercy unto us. He has guided and ontrolled affairs for us in answer to our fastings and prayers in such a marvelous manner that <I> am truly anxious to manifest my gratitude and heartfelt thanks & praise unto Him who has led the little flock out <of> the danger of death and distruction which seems to be hanging over the city of once proud now almost ruined, Aintab.

The following Is a list of the names of our company who arrived to night

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

* = Not Babtized
0 = Children under 8.

Baptized 13
Non members 35
Children 9
Total 57

The last 8 names—The Kozanian family—came with our company but paid their own way and had their own hired wagon which made 10 wagons in all. Moses Bagdoian (brother to Sister Ovsanna Shil Hagopian who died Jan 23, 1909) was head of the wagon owners. He did some crooked work. Beside the above names the following have recently come from Aintab.

Sad Story of the Marash Members[28]

March 3, 1922 (Friday) [Aleppo]

Just as I was writing the words “and promised to come again” under date of 2nd inst (written this morning) the man Shukra Arabian and his son Khocher came and gave me an account of our people in Marash. They were nearly all his relatives. This is the story of their suffering and death.

When the mission was closed in 1909 there were in Marash a little branch of some 15 or 20 members including children. They were fairly prosperous with their weaving and their vineyards and spinning etc. Bro Artine Uzunian <of Aintab> and his son Khoran went to Marash in the year 1912 or thereabout and worked at the Rug manufacturing business for a year or so and later moved his family there from Aintab. They carried on the work of the branch, with meetings etc until near the time of the war in 1914, when the trouble began with our poor Saints and in fact with the Armenian nation. Luther Tehlekian, son of Sarkis Tehlekian, was drafted into the Turkish Army, went to Aintab and from there was released on furloe for a short period, returned to Aintab and was taken from there to Urfa, where it seems he was killed by the Turks themselves about 1916. His wife Zaruha and three children, Nuritza, Marie, and Morin (a boy) are still in Marash. Their oldest son Calvin died there about the year 1917. It seems that Luther and his family were not <baptized> members.

Garabed Tehlekian, another son of Sarkis, was deported with his wife, Yepros, and their three children Ferida, Dudu, & Joseph in 1915, to Mesopotamia[29] along with the thousands of the illfated Armenians. Garabed was taken and separated from his family near Deir-Zor[30] on the pretense that he was wanted elsewhere to do some work. He was then tied arm to arm to a company of men and <they were> stood up to be shot one after another. As the executionors fired at this <one> and that one in the rank, the two companion[s] next to him were shot and as they fell on either side he was also forced to fall with them being tied muscle to muscle. When all had fallen to the ground they were loosed from each other and robbed of their clothing. Garabed feigned dead and was stripped and draged some distance by the inhuman wretches in an efford to secure his heavy woolen socks. Of all the company (likely a few hundred) <(500 I learned later)> there <were> only eight escaped as he did, and they made their way by night to some Arab tents where they were given food and rest and work. In a few years he was back in Marash to tell this story of his suffering. His wife & children may still be alive in some unfortunate home but he never saw them again and we have no news of them. Garabed married again and was later killed with the unnumbered slain in Marash in the more recent massacre of <Jan. 27> 1920. His wife is still there alive.

Bro Sarkis Tehlekian died of poverty and sickness in the summer of 1917 at Marash, and his wife, Mirian died the following winter. Bro Hampartzum Partsighian, and wife Elmas, and one child, Dudu, were marched away in the awful deportation <to Mesopotamia> and have not been heard of since. Mary and Guluzar, his two older girls, both married and they were also deported in another company. Karakin the oldest son died abut 1912. Sunpot another bright & able boy <(son)> was drafted in the Turkish Army befor the war about 1912 and again in 1914. He went to Constantinople, Aleppo, Palestine, and in his wandering about he found his sister Mary and brought her back with him from Damascus to Marash, abut 1919. Mary was killed in the massacre of 1920. Sunpot married in Marash. He was wounded in the uprising of Jan. 1920 and while still lame made the attempt to escape with his wife, along with the fleeing multitude of Armenians in Feb. 1920, and they with hundreds of others perished from cold and exposure near the village of Zenguli. Poghus (Paul) Tehlekian went to the war and died in the Hospital at Damascus. <1915?> His wife Sema <& son Stephan,> & daughters Ferida, Osanna and Ushnufer <(Elisa)> are still in Marash.

Such is the sad story of these few members of the Church, who were so faithful and kind to the elders, and especially to me and my wife as we visited them in May 1905. May the Lord be merciful to those who are yet alive and seeking saf[e]ty.

Forced Exile of an Orphan-Widow[31]

Photograph of Yeranic Gedikian in Aleppo, Syria, ca. 1922. Courtesy of Church History Library.

Her name is Yeranic. Twenty years ago [1902] she was the little blackeyed, four-year-old pride of the Aintab branch. Like Esther of old, Yeranic grew up with strong faith in the power of God to save His people when they cry to him for help. While only a girl-bride of sixteen, Yeranic was taken with the poor unfortunate exiles, east to the great river Euphrates and with hundreds of others slowly rafted down the winding stream for days and weeks to the same old uninviting climes, where the Jews had passed their seven decades in bondage under the Babylonians. When the latter-day captives reached the famous town of Deir [El-Zor] near the junction of the Khabour and Euphrates, our little heroine was separated from her young husband who was taken with three hundred other Armenians, bound together, and forced to march over the hills out of sight of the multitude, and there they were all cruelly shot to death.

Yeranic was no longer a girl-bride, she was a little orphan-widow, and as she wept in her solitude, she was taken across to the banks of the Khabour right where the prophet Ezekiel had spent his days of sadness and there she, too, poured out a flood of tears and longed almost each day for death, so cruel were her masters in their brutal treatment. For three long years her life was one continuous course of suffering, as she toiled on.

At last, she saw an opening and made her escape. She fled in the early morning hours and was rescued by some friendly Turkish soldiers and finally landed back in Aintab, her native town, but there was not a near relative left in all the city. Now she has found one brother here and learned of two others still alive.

Life in the Khan Jebria Commune, Aleppo[32]

Many in the [Khan Jebria] group are wearing coats and suits sent to them by the good people of Provo, when the writer left there last September.[33] They wish me to thank them all for those valuable and timely articles; for the cold weather was here just as the clothing was handed to them. There are many suits yet on the way, but we expect them here soon. Wages are low. The girl Herepsima works at needle work for 10 cents per day. Good strong men at manual labor can earn only from 30 to 60 cents per day and food is almost as high as it is in America. Meat and potatoes are dearer here than there. Coal is $60 per ton and wood $30, for a small load; so poor people have little fire. Work is very scarce and there is much suffering among the poor. The Near East Relief workers are doing a great deal of good but they cannot reach all the needy among the starving millions of the world. Almost every day I share my meals with some poor, hungry souls. Our Saints are very grateful to the Americans for what they have done for them. And they are also thankful to the Lord for all His goodness to them in their distress.[34]

December 24, 1921 (Saturday) [Aleppo]

Went to the big turkish bath 2 blocks west of Khan Jebria. Read, posted accts, & listened to complaints against Gulu Uzunian. She seems to have been dishonest in her dealings according to reports. A poor beggar woman came to our door who has had her tongue cut out by the Turks as was explained to me, she could not talk, but showed me the root of her tongue.

January 5, 1922 (Thursday) [Aleppo]

In the evening meeting we had 82 present and <as> I had announced a contest in the composition of Hymns we had 20 read in the meeting, several sang theirs and in all it was a very enjoyable time. Nazar Berajiklian took first prize, 25 gr., Moses Hindoian second, 20 gr, & Apraham Hindoian third, 15 gr. I was so well pleased with the efforts of all that I gave 6 others 12½ gr each & the 11 remaining, 10 gr each, in all 255 gr.

January 6, 1922 (Friday) [Aleppo]

Had a little unpleasant experience with Nazar Berajiklian (non member) over his delay in meeting an appointment & also his smoking, losing a book (B of M) & finding it under suspicious circumstances, and also learning that our neighbors at the Khan are not bringing credit to the place, but are living a rather unchristian like life.

January 7, 1922 (Saturday) [Aleppo]

Took Sultan Bezjian to Mrs Norton who inspected her eyes and said the girl has still trachoma but advised her to come daily for treatment for a while. Had a rumpus with our neighbors about their bringing a bad name to the Khan.

April 14, 1925 (Tuesday) [Aleppo]

Made more calls, at Khan Akaba, on all the saints there who were home. In the evening I took a chill, slight, but went to bed. The young people presented a Drama, An Armenian family of the Deportation 1915—written and prepared by Garabed Junguzian & Kevork Nersisian etal. It was a very creditable play. An audience of nearly 300 crowded into the open air yard to witness the performance from an elevated platform or poarch. I lay in a room over looking the stage. It lasted with side acts etc 3 hours.

April 15, 1925 (Wednesday) [Aleppo]

Mail came, letters from Pres Talmage with check for £50, H. S. Alvord, Idaho Falls, Ida., Jennie Adams, & Harold Reynolds, Star & News. Called at the Consulate. Met Mr Witherspoon there. Also met Garabed Markarian at Kundakjians shop. He is from Sivas and knows some of my friends. Wrote a letter to Pres. Talmage, suggesting that he be here if possible by May 15. Also submitted Budget for the remaining part of 1925 for Poor, Rent, school, etc, £ 660.

April 16, 1925 (Thursday) [Aleppo]

Read papers, visited several places and offered the School officials the services of our Dramatic troop for an evening if they wished it for a school benefit entertainment. Testimony meeting at night. Bro Avedis Pilavjian spoke harshly against the Catholic form of worship and was afterward reminded to not medle with others but to heed our XI Article of Faith.[35]

April 18, 1925 (Saturday) [Aleppo]

Some trouble arose (or came to my notice) over a love making affair between Garabed Junguzian and Louise Bezjian, both in their teens, and the case went on for several months without either one telling their mothers about it. So when at last the mother of the young man found a note in his pocket the secret was out and the great Scandel (?) of innocent love making was on every gossipping tongue. Stern objections of one Mother broke up the conditional promise, and the two young ones severed their temporary friendship.

Letters from many sisters of the Provo 4 ward, all in one envelope came, expressing appreciation for the needle work sent to them Dec 20 last.

June 9, 1925 (Tuesday) [Aleppo]

I assisted in preperation for the Jubilee Program to night [to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the forming of the Mutual Improvement Association (MIA)], arranging seats, stage, et. According to a specially printed program for the occassion of the Celebration for to night & tomorrow night, we listened to the young people, officers, etal. of the Y.M. & Y.L. M.I.A. of the Aleppo Branch, in their respective parts on the program for June 9.

Program
Presiding officer - Abraham Hindoian

There were present about 40 or 50 visitors.

MIA Officers of Aleppo Branch, June 10, 1925. From top left to right: Sister Booth, President Booth, Moses Hindoian. From middle left to right: Abraham Hindoian, Garabed Junguzian, Joseph Bezjian, Hosep Ouzounian. From bottom left to right: Yeranik Gedikian, Khanum Palosojian, Eliza Ouzounian, Rebeka Hindoian, Nouritza Berberian. Courtesy of the Booth family.

June 10, 1925 (Wednesday) [Aleppo]

This is the 50^th Anniversary of the organization of M.I.A. and we join in celebrating the day though far from Zion. The Saints assembled after noon and we held a baptismal Service when I baptized 6 souls, viz. <1> Mary Kulaksuzian, <2> Mary Mardikian, <3> Sema Avokian (all married ladies), <4> Elisa Simonian (Girl), <5> Pedros Mamuelian, & <6> Garabed Topalian, <both> married. In the early evening all six were confirmed.

After a picnic of bread, chees, cucumbers & lemonade, we were almost over-run by a crowd eager to witness the Drama advertized for tonight (see Program). Uninvited guest[s] came in and some of our distinguished visitors were compelled to stand, much to our chagrin. There were present nearly 750 people in the place—the yard was the auditorium.

The Drama entitled Nephi was written by Garabed Junguzian a local Teacher 18 years old next Aug. and represented Lehi & his family Laban and the plates of Brass etc as recorded in the first 5 chapter of 1 Nephi. The costumes and make up in general were good and the play was interesting through[ou]t to most of the audience, but a few of the “baser sort” were more intent on disturbance.

During the change of scenery, a recitation, a song, and music were given. The players were all our own crowd. We had a photographer come & take a picture of the M.I.A. Officers conjointly with Reba & I in the rear center[36]; and then a picture of the Dramatic Group in full costume.[37] I announced that the Play would be reenacted tomorrow night.

Book of Mormon play, June 10, 1925. From top left to right: Joseph Bezjian, unknown, Hagop Asaian, Abraham Hindoian (Laban), Yacob Berberian, unknown. From bottom left to right: unknown, Garabed Junguzian, Khanlim Polisajian (Sarah), unknown (Lehi), Joseph Ouzounian (Nephi), unknown. Courtesy of Emrazian family.

June 11, 1925 (Thursday) [Aleppo]

Read news papers and talked with various ones about the proceedings last evening. We again arranged seats and early the crowd began to come. At 9 p.m. the play began again and we entertained about 450 people till nearly 11.30.

The players did better than last evening and the audience were much more orderly, nearly all being seated. At the close of the play Mr Garabed Kundakjian gave a nice talk on obedience and disciplin. And the affair closed with a comedy—three of them. We were all delighted with it.

June 12, 1925 (Friday) [Aleppo]

I paid Garabed Junguzian one pound gold as a prize for writing the Drama “Nephi” and gave the players (the leading 5) “Lehi”, “Sariah”, “Laman”, “Nephi”, and “Laban”, viz. Kevork Nersisian, Khanum Palosojian, Joseph Uzunian, Garbed Junguzian, and Abraham Hindoian the sum of Ten pounds gold to be distributed among them <all> after they themselves had assisted the poor for this week. It will leave about 5 pounds for the players, in all 12 or 13 of them. I want them to learn what it means to assist the poor, and also to test them in their ideas of awarding to themselves and others, ammounts placed in their care. Wrote an article to the Deseret News on the incidents of the past week. We repaired the fences around the flower beds & corn.

August 1, 1925 (Saturday) [Aleppo]

Attended the Drama at night in the big Oriental Theatre. We had about 400 present nearly half of which were complimentary including all the saints who wished to go. There was a disturbence more or less by the rowdy populace, but the young Amatures did splendid. The name of the Drama was changed from “Nephi” to one they thought would be more suitable for the public here and the handbills read “The Death of a Drunkard and 5 marriages in one night” and took up the events in the life of Lehi & Nephi to the joining of the family of the fleeing Prophet with that of Ishmael at the tents in the wilderness. It was much improved on since the play of June 10 & 11 last. Only believers in the Book of Mormon can appreciate it to the full. 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Joseph Booth’s Work with Near East Relief[38]

September 12, 1921 (Monday) [Salt Lake City, Utah, USA]

Aram Plowjian drove us into the city from Willmington Ave. Called on Mrs. Elizabeth Cohen & arranged for the Near East Relief[39] to send my baggage—the clothing for the Armenians. I phoned to Provo & had them send another box of 222 lb. which I turned over to the Near East Relief and they promised to send my one trunk and 2 boxes to Constantinople or Beirute. I took my own trunk with me. Went to Bountiful & visit some of the folks.

December 25, 1921 (Sunday) [Aleppo]

Christmas dawned under mist & fog but during the day the sun shone bright & warm Attended Christmas Services at the “Casino,” Head quarters of the Near East Relief, conducted by the Rev G. C. Doolittle. About 20 or 25 Americans & British & Armenian workers & friends were present. I was treated with very earnest courtisy by some of them and none seemed to have much of that offishness often met with by Ministers. I was very much pleased with the affair.

As I returned from an afternoon call at the “Casino,” where style & comfort & even luxury abound, I was attracted by the cry of a poor boy about 11 or 12 years old, crouched by the cold stone wall of the main thouroughfare of Aleppo. He was naked except a light rag around his hips, and looked as if he would freez in a few minutes. I pictured the contrast. Thousands of American money sent here to feed the poor, and the officials living like lords in their well furnished homes, and yet within a few minutes walk of the Headquarters of “Relief”[40] I found this young boy almost dead from cold. I beckoned him to follow me and in 10 minutes I had him dressed with a long shirt or dress & covered with two coats. He went on his way rejoicing. Of course the Near East Relief workers are doing a big thing for the poor here but hundreds more could be fed on the money used in extravagence.

December 30, 1921 (Friday) [Aleppo]

Visited the Hospital & orphanages of the Near East Relief charge and was shown thru by Mrs Norton, a very kind supervisor. Bot a suit of clothes, pants & coat, 5½ lira gold. Had some boys start to copy the Hymn book and the translations of the 28 sections of the Doctrin & Covenants, by F. F. Hintze.

January 4, 1922 (Wednesday) [Aleppo]

Talked with Puzant Mirhan again and gave a story to translate from the “Star” concerning “One of the Three Nephites.” Paid a short visit to the Armenian Relief Headquarters & gave them 1 Lira & also gave Mrs Norton 2 Lira for the aid of the orphans in the Near East Relief. Had pleasant talk with Moses Bilimjian, a former Aintab man.

January 14, 1922 (Saturday) [Aleppo]

Recd an invitation (written) to speak tomorrow at the orphanage, signed by A. A. Shiradjyan, a former minister in Marash, now supervisor of the Orphanages in Aleppo under Near East Relief. Also received invitation with 2 tickets, to attend the Red Cross Concert. Moses Hinduian & I went in the evening & sat for 4½ hours. It was good but in Armenian so we understood little.

February 15, 1922 (Wednesday) [Aleppo]

Ingas Schwartz, a German, called to talk with me. I received a letter from Khatun Boajian, Beirute, and got a pair of shoes from the Armenian orphanage, made to order (15 mej.).

Wrote the following letter.

Headquarters of the Armenian Mission of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Aleppo, Syria, Feb 15, 1922
Mr Jesse B. Jackson
U. S. Consul, Aleppo, Syria
Hon. Sir,

May I beg of you to make enquiry thru the officials at Constantinople concerning a shipment of clothing for destitute Armenians of this district.

The shipment consisted of one trunk (170 lbs) & two boxes (180 <lbs.> & 250 lbs.) = 600 lbs. and they were delivered to the Near East Relief, at Salt Lake City, Utah, Sept 12, 1921, to be shipped (free of charge by the Los Angeles & Salt Lake R R Co.) to the Coast and thence to Constantinople by a special Near East Relief steamer carrying a cargo of Relief clothing, food, etc which was expected to arrive there about Dec 1, 1921. The trunk and two boxes in question were carefully and securely bound with good new rope, and were addressed to J. W. Booth, Constantinople, c/o N.E.R. A letter was written by Mrs. Elizabeth [Chone?], State Director of N.E.R. Salt Lake City, Utah, Sep. 12, 1921 to Mr Jacquith, Managing Director of the N.E.R. Constantinople, asking consideration for Mr Booth in reclaiming his property at that port. Mr Jacquith has the letter. Information dated Constantinople Dec. 6, 1921 from Mr. W. H. Day, Director of Supplies & Transportation, is to the effect that the goods had not then arrived and he adds, “As soon as they are received I will advise you, and will ship them immediately to you care of Mr. Doolittle, Aleppo.”

Up to this late date nothing more has been heard of the clothing and I am anxious to know where they are as the goods are needed by these poor people for whom they were donated by my neighbors under personal assurance that they would be safely delivered.

Thanking you in advance for this great favor I am, Dear Sir,
Your Very Obedient Servant, J. W. Booth

February 16, 1922 (Thursday) [Aleppo]

Met Miss Mathers, a missionary. Called at the Consulate & at the Casino to enquire about a ship reported to be in Beirute with Relief Supplies. Sent a telegram and a letter to Mr. Howard B. McAfee, Director N.E.R., concerning my trunk & boxes, containing clothing for poor Armenians.

March 28, 1922 (Tuesday) [Aleppo]

Received the clothing, all the four big boxes—one a trunk—which I delivered to the Near East Relief last Sep. in S L City. The bill has not yet been presented. My carpet which Elisa Uzunian etal begun to make on Mar. 3. was finished to day soon after noon. Armen Uzunian and Herepsima Tutluian assisted in making it. There are about 485000 knots in it. I paid the sum of 8 lira Turkish & 3 mej Bakshesh. There was a wedding to night in Khan Jebrea. Two of our neighbors who are temporally stationed here on their way to Am. were married, Hohannes Mahigian and Miss Mirik Chaderjian were the two. Mr. Flack Am. Vice Consul called.

[Written in left margin] Partial eclipse of sun this p.m.

April 4, 1922 (Tuesday) [Aleppo]

I distributed clothing to a crowd of poor Armenians, or rather gave out about 50 pieces to a Relief worker to cloth a lot of poor shivering refugees. This exhausted the stock of clothing which I gave to the Near East Relief and also included some of the goods for our own people, but there is so much suffering among the refugees that I felt like doing that much for them & only wish I had a thousand times the amt. to give.

February 26, 1923 (Monday) [Aleppo]

Drew money from the Near East Relief as follows. 160 Syrian piasters for myself. 795 S.P. for Hatchig Task. Jun and 1192½ <S.P.> for Miram Anserlian sent by Nuritza Sevougian (<now> Davidian) at Bridgewater, Mass. Wrote letter & posted to Reba, Nauritza Sevougian, Armenag Davidian, Esther Plowjian, N. K. Shirinian, Araksi Orchanian enclosing letters from relatives in several of them.

April 24, 1923 (Tuesday) [Aleppo]

In the afternoon Mr Dittwyler & Mr Loi Kahemian of N.E.R. called & talked, and stated that the French Gov. is making some proposals to Armenian & Greek refugees to go out into the country & live on farms. We expect to look into the question for our people & if favorable report to Headquarters.

September 11, 1923 (Tuesday) [Aleppo]

Spent all morning at the Consulate investigating the Bribry cases. It appears that several Armenians have been collecting money from the emigrants and telling them that the clerks at the Consulate would receive part to ficilitate the issuing of papers and visa of Passports. Paid plasterers off and let them go. At night attended a fine reception at the N.E.R. in honor of the departure of Director Ditwiler and the arrival of his successor Mr Applegate.

October 22, 1923 (Monday) [Aleppo]

Wrote letters to Reba & to my sister May Talmage enclosing two sample handkerchiefs on her order of July 10. Mr Enoch Applegate, Director of N.E.R., came with his car and took us for a ride and then to his home where we had a nice supper and spent the evening. We also visited the Hospital & orphanage today.

January 28, 1924 (Monday) [Beirut]

Heard of more places to rent and went to get information, but most of them seems unfavorable. . . . had a talk at the Near East Relief with Mr J. W. Beech, Acting Manager, concerning their places to rent along the coast. In the evening I took tram for the Refugee camps and again visited Yerchanig Arabian and met his bro. Yervant and his Sister Pipa a very sweet and pleasant looking young lady. The preacher Mr. Kasbarian etal were there.

January 29, 1924 (Tuesday) [Jebail]

Was ready early to leave on my journey for Aleppo and at 8.30 a.m. Mr. F. M. Bustany of the N.E.R. called with his car and took me to Maamaltein where I inspected a number of their vacent building[s]. He was very kind to me and was interested in my story of the Gospel as restored through Joseph Smith.

Arrangements were made for my journey on to Jebail but just before the truck was loaded Mr R. P. Travis, director of the Orphanage at Jebail, came along and took me in his private car to the home of more than 800 orphan boys at the beautiful and commodious headquarters at Jebail where I was shown every curtesy and consideration I could wish for—a very kind feeling toward our people on acct. of Mr Travis having met two Mormon boys as soldiers in the war. As he remembered, their names were Weiss, & Warr (Ralph?). They were at Camp Merritt, crossed the sea together and were 5 month at Savenay, France. My host spoke of the boys in terms of highest compliment for their clean lives and said what a contrast they were to the common Soldiers in Co. D 502n Engineers. It was dinner time and I saw some 800 boys march in, take their seats at the floor-spread-table, arise, sing a doxology, sit, and eat their meal without a whisper. I met my friend Lucin Orchanian and she was asked to come to the head office to have a talk with me. I had a splendid dinner with Mr. Travis and a Danish lady named Peterson.

A car was secured for me with instructions for the chaffeur to stop at the village of Sheka some 25 mils N. of Jebail while I made inquiry concerning some land and houses there which Mr Travis had informed me were for rent. I found several small places but could not see the man I wanted, so I left my address and told him to write all about the proposition. I arrived in Tripoli at about 4.30 and put up at the Hotel Royal and then took a walk for an hour to see the town.

This has been one of the most pleasant days of my trip and I hope if it please the Lord: it will prove a very eventful day which it will if we rent a part of the village of Sheka for Headquarters of the Armenian Mission. I have also explained the gospel in part to some very influential and prominent people, and it may I hope be the turning point in their lives also. They have been kind to me.

February 22, 1924 (Friday) [Aleppo]

Washingtons Birthday. After reading and a talk with Bro Moses, Reba & I went out on invitation of the N.E.R. to attend a party in honor of Washington. We first made several calls. On the Arice family, our old Landlady of 20 years ago, on Mable Demerjian at Dr Iskendars, to the restaurant for dinner, & on the Am. Consul, then to visit our old homes of last year and the year before. And then up to Ahabi at the N.E.R. Headquarters where there assembled many dignitaries with their Lady friends. General and Madam Billotte,[41] several Colonels and officials of the French Army, Am. Consul & Vice Consul, British Consul, etal. I had the pleasur of an introduction with Madam Billotte who said she had heard of us and our work. and hoped to call on us someday.

April 2, 1924 (Wednesday) [Aleppo]

Worked at filing letters again. Near the clock at Bab el Faraje a woman was run down by an Auto accident as I sat near by in a shop, for lunch. I called on Dr Philip and talked with him about the Near East Relief work. I also copied a letter which fell into my hands—the translation of a letter from Turkish into English charging misconduct at the personel. I also had a pleasant conversation with a Mrs Levonian at the N.E.A. Headquarters while I was waiting for Mr Applegate.

May 3, 1924 (Saturday) [Aleppo]

Called at the N.E.R. and talked with Mr Fowler etal about a place to locate our people. They still have the place at Maameltane vacant and wish to rent it to us. He did not speak so favorably of Shekha as a suitable place. Mr Beach gave me a letter of introduction to the keeper of the houses there at Maameltane. Mr F M. Bustany also gave me addreses to his father & the N.E.R. office in Sidon if I wished to go there to look over some property. He went there to day.

Called on Boogians and spent a pleasant hour with them. Maria the 2 months ago (Feb.) bride of Nazim Boogian was there, a sweet modest little soul who we hope will someday be a good Latter Day Saint. In the afternoon I went to the camps of the refugees and met Parounag Kasbarian at his room (see Jan 27), also Yerchanig Arabian and 2 of his sisters at their home. In the evening I talked till late with a young man I met to day, and who came with his mother to converse on the gospel. They are Seventh Day Adventest.

September 13, 1924 (Saturday) [Aleppo]

Paid 45 Turkish gold pounds on the 10 room residence at Akabi which we have rented from the N.E.R. Bal to be paid this or next month. Mr Applegate showed me some more rooms, now being occupied by himself but will likely be available for rent later. The N.E.R. also gave us an order to get water from their well. Wrote to Pres Jos. W McMurrin, Los Angeles, Calif.

December 7, 1924 (Sunday) [Aleppo]

Fast day. It was clear but cold. We had a big crowd to S.S., more than 100. Krikor Kunadjian who came last evening from Zahle was present & spoke to us. I and many others spoke. Children recited in Armenian. At noon Reba & I attended a service at the N.E.R. where a few dignitaries were invited to partake of “An Orphans Dinner” <about 2 p.m.> in honor of the “Golden rule Sunday” to day.[42] We also attended the latter part of our Fast Day meeting & I talked again a few minutes at the close. I blessed Humpartzum Tehlekian, son of Stephan. Recd a letter from Lila Adams, $2. Bro John Bassmajian talked in Conjoint M.I.A. at night on “Saturday Nights Thoughts.” After meeting Reba & I and Rebecca Hindoian attended a N.E.R. play at Jededa.

July 24, 1925 (Friday) [Aleppo]

Pioneer Day. Wrote to Pres. Chas H. Hyde of Sydney, Australia and a letter of Introduction to him for Zaven Kundakjian. Received word that Senator W. H. King will be in Aleppo to night. Called at the Consulate and made arrangements to meet the senator at the Bagdan Station. A general cleaning of both Khans was ordered and at about 5.30 p.m. Reba & I went to the Station where we waited at Bro Nazars place till 7. Then met Mr Altaffer & Mr Minashi of the Consulate who had come to meet Senator King with their big car. Miss Sill of the N.E.R. was also there to greet him, with a letter from Mr Fowle of Beirute. After taking him to the Baron Hotel, arrangements were made for Supper at the Consulate and Reba & I were invited to dine with the Senator from Utah. We had a very pleasant evening, and Bro King gave us some information regarding the status of the nations. He is here to learn the conditions of Turkey & Syria, and especially that of the Armenian people.

July 25, 1925 (Saturday) [Aleppo]

We were busy all day with matters pertaining to the visit of the Senator. He met and faced the situation at the “Camps”, then called on officials and the Armenian National Union representatives. In the afternoon I had a number of my friends meet him at the Hotel to discus the situation and then we visited our own Headquarters. Had supper with Miss Sill <N.E.R.> and returned to our Khan & held a service in the open court. Some of the young people had prepared a few songs etc and Senator King gave a talk which I interpreted. Several friends came to greet him. I walked to the Hotel with him, where he settled his bill, 7.50 S.P.

February 3, 1927 (Thursday) [Beirut to Damascus by car]

We visited the American University of Beyrouth, where Pres. Bayard Dodge was very kind in showing us around the place. Also called on the consul, and talked with Mr Knabenshud & Mr Alling getting advice concerning conditions in Syria. Mr Fowle of the N.E.R. took us out to Antelias to visit their orphanage and see the work they are doing, Mr Brown in charg. After Dinner we went by auto to Damascus where we put up at Hotel Central. A Mr King was a companion from N.J.

Notes

[1] Servia, a town in northern Greece.

[2] Popular support for a “return” of Jews to Palestine was prevalent at the time among many Protestant Christians and Latter-day Saints. These Christian Zionists (Christians who endorse Jewish Zionism) based their millenarian theology on an interpretation of Old Testament scripture that viewed modern Jewry as the chosen people who would return to Palestine before the second coming of Jesus Christ. Sharif, Non-Jewish Zionism. For information on evolving Latter-day Saint attitudes toward Jews, see Green, “Gathering and Election” and “Jews in LDS Thought”; and Mauss, All Abraham’s Children.

[3] The riot of November 2, 1921, in Jerusalem began as a street demonstration of Palestinians protesting European Jewish immigration on the fourth anniversary of the Balfour Declaration but soon escalated into an outburst of violence that left a number of Jews dead and wounded. Under the direction of Sir Winston Churchill (Colonial Secretary at the time), Britain declared Ottoman Palestine a mandate (imperial possession) as part of the spoils of victory from World War I and commenced implementing the promises of the Balfour Declaration, which called for the creation of a “National Home for the Jews.” Palestinians were indignant with this policy because they saw this as yet another example of European colonization without their consent or input, notwithstanding that the mandate’s charter from the League of Nations granted the inhabitants of these mandates a say in their governance and that no other Middle Eastern mandate (Syria or Mesopotamia) allowed for European migration to those mandates. Furthermore, Palestinians were fearful of political and economic subjugation at the hands of the British to a Jewish Zionist minority (Huneidi, Broken Trust; and Gelvin, Israel-Palestine Conflict, chap. 4). David O. McKay described the riot in “Jerusalem—Then and Now!,” 803–4.

[4] Hugh Jenne Cannon (1870–1931) was editor of the Improvement Era and president of the Liberty Utah Stake. Jenson, Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia, 4:233.

[5] President McKay wrote in his journal that they had been praying to find Booth and that he considered their meeting a miracle (McKay, Cherished Experiences of David O. McKay, 86–91). See Hoopes, “Remarkable Meeting,” and Booth, “Armenian Mission,” 1049–51. Apostle McKay and Hugh Cannon were in the midst of a global tour of the Church’s missions in the post–World War I era. They had already been traveling since December 1920 beginning from the West Coast of the United States and making their way across the Pacific to East Asia and then to the Middle East by November 1921. See Journal Transcript, December 1920–December 1921, Hugh Cannon Papers, CHL.

[6] Near East Relief (NER) was the American charity organized in response to the Armenian Genocide, incorporated by an act of Congress in 1919. Managed by members of the American Board, NER collected and administered food and clothing and set up refugee camps, hospitals, and orphanages throughout Turkey and Syria between 1915 and 1930. See Grabill, Protestant Diplomacy in the Near East, 157; and Watenpaugh, Bread from Stones, 91–123.

[7] James H. Nicol was director of Near East Relief in Syria and Palestine.

[8] Bayard Dodge (1888–1972), son of American philanthropist Cleveland H. Dodge (organizer of Near East Relief), had recently been director of Near East Relief in Syria and Palestine. See footnote 18 in the section “Dealing with Poverty and Destitution” in part 3.Teaching at the American University of Beirut since 1913, he served as its president from 1923 until 1948 and later became one of the most distinguished American scholars of Middle Eastern studies of the twentieth century. Kaplan, Arabists.

[9] The Baron Hotel of Aleppo, built in 1909, is probably the most famous hotel in Syria. Over the years many prominent people have stayed there, including Agatha Christie, T. E. Lawrence, and Theodore Roosevelt.

[10] This is referring to the deportations and mass atrocities committed by Ottoman regular and irregular forces and local inhabitants, such as Kurdish, Arab, Bedouin, and Turkish tribes and militias, against the empire’s Armenian population across Central and Eastern Anatolia during World War I, resulting in over one million deaths and hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs). The Ottoman government at the time saw the Armenian and other Christian populations of the empire as potential fifth columns ready to assist the enemy in defeating and dismantling the empire. Untold suffering was inflicted upon an estimated three million Ottoman Christians during and immediately after the war. For more information, see Winter, America and the Armenian Genocide of 1915; and Miller and Miller, Oral History of the Armenian Genocide. A touching personal account that takes place in the region of Aintab is Hartunian, Neither to Laugh, Nor to Weep. For more recent discussions and up-to-date research about the Armenian Genocide, see Akçam, Young Turks’ Crime against Humanity; Suny, History of the Armenian Genocide; and Suny, Göçek, and Naimark, Question of Genocide.

[11] The Treaty of Sèvres of 1920 had granted Syria, Lebanon, and Cilicia (biblical term that includes the southeastern part of Anatolia) to the French, along with granting Western Anatolia to Greece and creating an independent Armenian state and Kurdish autonomous zone in Eastern Anatolia. However, the new nationalist forces led by Mustafa Kemal rejected the treaty and opposed the creation of any new nation states in Turkish Anatolia. Heavy fighting with Turkish nationalist forces (Defense of Rights Committee Forces) along the Turkish-Syrian border forced the French to settle an agreement with Mustafa Kemal’s government (soon to be the Republic of Turkey) in October 1921 in which the French promised to withdraw from Cilicia. See Zeidner, French in Cilicia and Vicinity; and Gingeras, Fall of the Sultanate, 278–94.

[12] Booth later wrote that in answer to prayer he was inspired to remove Church members from Aintab (“Our Sunday School in Syria,” 419). The close relations between the French and the Armenians who had been agitating for some kind of political sovereignty under the French led to a further breakdown in intercommunal relations between Armenians and Turkish Muslims. Booth writes that the Muslims in Aintab were threatening Armenians with “severe revenge as soon as the French withdraw” (see entry below for November 15, 1921). These threats can be best explained by the massacres committed by Armenians who belonged to the Armenian Legion in the French army against Turkish Muslims during the French occupation of Cilicia (see Shaw, “Armenian Legion”).

[13] The Baghdad Railway Station of Aleppo was on the main line of the Berlin–Baghdad Railway, constructed shortly before World War I by Germany.

[14] The French evidently believed this action would cause further intercommunal strife (see Booth’s interview below with General De Lamothe on December 1, 1921).

[15] This undoubtedly refers to the post–World War I settlements; Allied control of Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria; the dismemberment of the Ottoman Empire; and the emergence of the Turkish War of Independence.

[16] This is Eskender Shil Hagopian, the son of Sarkis Shil Hagopian.

[17] Excerpts in this section come from Booth Journals, vol. 15.

[18] General Marie De Lamothe, the first French delegate to Aleppo, was an ardent Catholic and former colonial administrator in Morocco. His duties were to “pacify northern Syria and hold the line against Mustafa Kemal’s Turkish army.” Khoury, Syria and the French Mandate, 73.

[19] Richard Whitehead Young (1858–1919), a grandson of Brigham Young from Salt Lake City, Utah, had a distinguished military career and was promoted to brigadier general in command of the 65th Brigade, 40th Division, American Expeditionary Forces in France during World War I.

[20] Lorrin Andrews Shepard (1890–1983) was the son of Dr. Fred Shepard.

[21] Booth later wrote, “Lieutenant A. P. Guitton, in charge of the convoy, with whom I traveled, furnished food, bedding, and protection for me and would take no pay at all. He told me much of the horrors of army life” (“Our Sunday School in Syria,” 419). Later journal entries indicate that Booth and Guitton remained friends after their collaboration in the exodus of the Latter-day Saint Armenians to Aleppo.

[22] See figs. 22 and 23: Pictures of convoy and French lieutenant Guitton on horseback.

[23] Booth is referring to the new government in Ankara led by Mustafa Kemal, who organized the local defense forces resisting Entente control into a cohesive fighting force that rejected the Treaty of Sèvres, defeated the Entente forces in Anatolia, and established the Republic of Turkey. See Zürcher, Turkey, chap. 9; and Gingeras, Fall of the Sultanate, chap. 6.

[24] This is referring to the Armenian Genocide that directly affected the Latter-day Saint Armenians and the ongoing violence during French occupation and the Turkish War of Independence.

[25] For more information about the exodus from Aintab, see Booth, “Our Sunday School in Syria,” 417–20.

[26] Forced marriages between Armenian young women and Muslim men were common occurrences during the Armenian Genocide. It is estimated that as many as two hundred thousand Armenian girls and young women were forced to marry Muslim men and subjected to horrific sexual and physical violence as part of Ottoman attempts to forcibly assimilate Armenians into Turkish-Muslim society and erase the Ottoman Armenian population. See Ekmekçioğlu, Recovering Armenia, introduction.

[27] Alexander Shil Hagopian. See entry above for November 25, 1921.

[28] This excerpt comes from Booth Journals, vol. 15.

[29] Booth here uses the geographic term that refers historically to the lands surrounded by the Tigris–Euphrates river system and today comprises parts of Iraq and Syria. Mesopotamia was also the original name of the mandate granted to the British after World War I that comprised most of the same territory and later became the states of Iraq and Kuwait.

[30] Deir El-Zor, which lies on the Euphrates River in the eastern part of present-day Syria, was the terminus for many Armenian deportees who were forced to march there from Aleppo and other cities. Christopher Walker called it a “vast open-air concentration camp” (“World War I and the Armenian Genocide,” 268). See also Miller and Miller, Oral History of the Armenian Genocide, 78–93; and Jebejian, Routes and Centers of Annihilation.

[31] Excerpt from Booth, “Our Sunday School in Syria,” 418.

[32] Following the initial excerpt in this section, the dated entries come from Booth Journals, vols. 15–17.

[33] See fig. 26.

[34] Excerpt from Booth, “Our Sunday School in Syria,” 419–20.

[35] The eleventh article of faith codifies the Latter-day Saints’ prioritization of religious freedom: “We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.”

[36] See fig. 27: MIA officers of Aleppo Branch, June 10, 1925.

[37] See fig. 28: Book of Mormon play, June 10, 1925. From top left to right: Joseph Bezjian, unknown, Hagop Asaian, Abraham Hindoian (Laban), Yacob Berberian, unknown. From bottom left to right: unknown, Garabed Junguzian, Khanlim Polisajian (Sarah), unknown (Lehi), Joseph Ouzounian (Nephi), unknown. Courtesy of Emrazian family.

[38] Entries in this section come from Booth Journals, vols. 15–18.

[39] On this organization, see footnote 6 above.

[40] The Near East Relief organization in Aleppo.

[41] Gaston Billotte (1875–1940), former delegate to the Alawite Territory, was the successor to General De Lamothe as delegate to Aleppo. He later became the chief of staff for the French Army of the Levant.

[42] According to the Near East Foundation’s website (successor to Near East Relief), “Beginning in 1923, Near East Relief urge[d] families across the nation to eat a simple orphanage-style meal on the first Sunday in December. They [were] then asked to donate the difference between an orphanage-style meal and a normal Sunday dinner to Near East Relief. Several U.S. presidents issue[d] proclamations and endorsements for Golden Rule Sunday.” https://neareastmuseum.com/exhibit/citizen-philanthropy/december-1923/.