The Missionary Journals of Edward Daniel Harris

Transcribed and edited by Mark Harris, this book contains the daily entries of the four missionary journals kept by his father Edward Daniel Harris, who as a young man spent three and one-half years ministering to the Maoris in New Zealand. From 1917 to 1920 Elder Harris traveled throughout the Wairarapa and Manawatu districts of New Zealand's North Island. Following the unique missionary pattern of the Mormon Church, Edward traveled from village to village, living with Maori families. Oft times he stayed in a different home each night. Besides encouraging them to have faith in God and live correct principles, he also worked in their homes and fields, played with their children, cared for their sick and poor, prayed with them, buried their dead and in every way tried to meet their needs. Much of his writings tell of the difficulty traveling by bicycle throughout rural New Zealand, often on hot summer days or cold and rainy winter days. The country roads could be extremely dusty or extremely muddy. In recalling some of his missionary experiences, Edward Daniel Harris wrote "I learned the [Maori] language well enough to explain the gospel to them. I really got along with them, eating on the floor or having dinner in wealthy and well-kept homes."