Vern B. Millard

After finishing his service in World War I, he wondered what was next in his life? He started to make plans and realized he couldn’t get married until after he had gone on a mission. In those days the parents had to provide the funds or forget it. His family didn’t have much money but he “kept planning and preparing”. He got a job and it raised his hopes for a mission. He was 23 years old. After speaking to the bishop and declaring his desire and worthiness, his call came for the Central States Mission. He was thrilled, for his mission was to become a reality. He was assigned to labor in the Houston, TX area for the next 27 mo. (At this time the church had a 2,000 missionary force). About 1/2 way through his mission he became “terribly worried” about his finances. The money would be running out soon. In desperation, he went to the Lord and pleaded for a way out of his predicament. He promised the Lord that if he would see him through his mission, he would faithfully serve him throughout his life. Vern stated, “The Lord knows everything about us and our affairs, for just at this time, when I needed money for my mission, I received a letter from a Mr. Butterfield, who wanted to buy our homestead (a piece of property he bought with his uncle after the army). It was a miracle to me. I gave my uncle 1/2 the money and the rest was just enough money to finish my mission.” He had made a promise to the Lord and he kept it all his life. He ended up serving 2 more missions in Texas during the Depression and with a family at home. He proselyted and helped build chapels in Texas. His first mission prepared and qualified him to serve subsequent missions. The people he served with and the service he rendered during these later missions brought about the opportunity of serving the Lord as a bishop and a sealer in the Salt Lake Temple for 24 years. Vern’s first mission truly prepared him to serve in the church for the rest of his life and he was greatly blessed for it. Vern became conference president and trained many new elders and helped many to stay on their mission. He had great success teaching the Gospel and was an effective leader.