Although much has been done in the study of values several important questions relative to the study of values remain. This thesis discusses the questions of what happens to the value systems of those who leave their culture for extended periods of time, do the perceptions of value systems become more accurate after exposure, and how does religiosity affect value systems.The study was based on the idea that each of the cultures being tested (Latin and United States) had a distinct, general value system which differentiated it from the other and yet unified the individuals within it. In this particular study this was not true. However, the possible reasons for this occurrance suggest some intriguing questions for further study. It is possible for example, that these results occurred because the sample group contained all LDS individuals and that this similarity in religion caused more similarity than culture caused differences between the sample groups. Also there was an indication that it is easier to differentiate cultures on the basis of their stereotypes of each other than on the basis of their value systems.

Because the need exists for a professional image among lady missionaries, this thesis will define what knowledge concerning communication of clothing is necessary in order to create a desirable image of professionalism. The term "professional" is derived from available research describing the most appropriate attire for women business executives. In lieu of an experimental study by this author, the interpretation of the professional look is supported by Molloy's extensive research on women's wearing apparel. His research shows that beyond a doubt, the skirted suit and blouse give women "a look of authority and a sense of presence in business." In fact, when a woman is dressed in a good suit, "it is easier to give orders and have them carried out."

The purpose of this study was to develop a course outline to begin the teaching of the American Sign Language at the Language Training Mission in Provo, Utah. Presently there is no program offered to train missionaries to teach the eight discussions to the hearing impaired who use sign language and fingerspelling to communicate. This study attempts to provide such a course outline that can later be developed into a complete training program.To establish a criterion for this course, existing theories and curriculum guides for teaching sign language were reviewed and summarized. A survey for training interpreters, particularly in the religious setting, was made and essential concepts were extracted. The course curriculum used at the Language Training Mission was outlined and used as a guide for this course.

The purpose of this study was to determine what sociocultural, sociodemographic, and sociopsychological factors the Sisters in four Wards in the Taipei Taiwan Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints perceived as keeping them from using the health services during the period from June 1975 to May 1976.Forty-five Sisters, age twenty-one and older, were surveyed by a written questionnaire during Relief Society meetings during the last week in June and the first week in July 1966.A majority of the Sisters were found to have experienced times when they did not avail themselves of the existing health services. The way the Sisters viewed their illness, their unwillingness to take time to seek aid, and their limited finances were the reasons most often given as obstacles preventing use of the services. It was concluded that the Sisters tended most often to view the sociocultural factors as limiting their use of the health services.

The purpose of this study was to construct a physical fitness program for the needs of full-time missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Two groups, a control and experimental, were selected from the missionaries entering the Language Training Mission on February 16, 1972. The experimental group, consisting of thirty-two subjects, participated in a structured physical fitness class for seven weeks. The control group, consisting of twenty students, participated in no structured program. Each group took a pre- and post-test consisting of four strength factor tests and Cooper's twelve-minute run.Findings of the study suggested no significant difference between the experimental and control groups for the shuttle run, hand grip, and twelve-minute run. An analysis of variance showed a significant difference for the softball throw and pull-ups and the .01 level of confidence. An analysis of variance showed a significant difference at the .01 level between the groups for the four strength factor tests.

The purpose of this study on Mormon missionaries was to determine the effect of health on missionary activity time, age, sex, months in field, laboring city population, monthly mission cost, living conditions, diet, pre-existing conditions, adequacy of medical care, nativity, effectiveness, emotional health, interpersonal relationships, and motivation and enthusiasm. In addition the research attempted to ascertain the effect of the selected independent factors on ill missionary lost time.As an outcome of the statistical analysis performed on this study's sample the following results were obtained. Respiratory disorders, gastrointestinal difficulties and orthopedic injuries were the most common health problems. Well missionaries were generally older, spent more money, had been out longer in the field and were judged in better emotional health than were ill missionaries. Ill missionaries rated the adequacy of medical care higher than their counterparts. Sex, activity time over a three month period, and laboring city population were not found to be significantly related to missionary health. The average amount of lost proselyting time per missionary over a four-month period was 9.3 hours.

The purpose of this study or survey is to discover facts that might show the religious, social, and economic activities or practices of the returned missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who now live in the Garland Ward of the Bear River Stake, Utah.

Latter-day Saint female missionary activities informally began in the early 1830's, remaining numerically unconstant until 1879, when a significant increase began. Between 1830 and 1898 over two hundred women had been involved in missionary work, laboring mostly in California, New York, Hawaii and England.Before 1865, Latter-day Saint women did not have any official missionary status. After 1865, Church officials began the practice of setting them apart. Finally, in 1898 women were "certified" as missionaries which placed them on an equal status with their male counterparts.Some lady missionaries performed household chores, taught school, preached sermons and presided over female auxiliary organizations. There were some who suffered extreme illness and even death. Others experienced dangerous modes of transportation and extremely poor living conditions. The extraordinary faith and courage demonstrated by many Latter-day Saint lady missionaries has rendered an important contribution to the missionary work of the Church.

This study examined the relationship of Spanish language proficiency as related to location and length of stay in a foreign language environment. The participants took a Spanish diagnostic test that measures Spanish proficiency through grammar principles and then answered a questionnaire concerning their language learning experiences, location and length of stay in a Spanish language environment.It was found that Spanish language proficiency increased with longer lengths of stay in the Spanish language environment. No conclusive data were found to support the hypothesis that those in one Spanish-speaking environment attain a higher language proficiency than those in another Spanish-speaking area. The study aids which were most beneficial in attaining higher levels of Spanish proficiency were those activities which involve reading.It is suggested that more research be done in this area using larger populations to assess whether the findings in this study are actual tendencies or caused only by chance.

On 14 February 1901, the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced the opening of the Japan Mission and the selection of Elder Heber J. Grant as its first president. The idea of sending Mormon missionaries to Japan had earlier been entertained by President Brigham Young and several other church leaders and lay members. Until 1854, Japan was closed to western nations and their religious influences. Finally, Commodore Perry forced the Japanese to open their borders and minds to the economic and political entreaties of the United States. In time, other western nations and their Christian theology were admitted into Japan. Aware of their technological inferiority when compared to the West, the Japanese government set out to westernize their nation. During the second half of the nineteenth century, Mormons and the Japanese made a series of positive contacts. On two occasions, plans were made at the highest church levels to send missionaries to Japan. Both ended in failure. Finally, in 1901, the Church again committed its resources and one of its finest leaders, Elder Grant, to open the Japan Mission. After accepting his own calling, Elder Grant began the selection process of his own companions. He chose Horace S. Ensign, Louis A. Kelsch, and a young man from his home ward, Alma O. Taylor. Eighteen-year-old Alma was raised with the best Mormonism had to offer. His parents blessed him with education and position. He was also blessed with a sharp mind and a determined soul. Alma served in Japan for over eight and a half years. During this time he kept detailed journal entries of his experiences and impressions. The body of this thesis is devoted to making his writings available to other scholars and church members interested in the foundational events of the Church in Japan.