| Description |
Weber Stake Academy first opened its doors for instruction at the LDS Second Ward Meeting House on the corner of 26th Street and Grant Avenue on January 7, 1889. The academy's two teachers, Louis F. Moench and Edwin Cutler, welcomed nearly one hundred students on the first day, and, by the end of its first term, 195 students in all had registered for the school. This monograph depicts the role the LDS church and its leaders played in founding the school, the background of its first educators and administrators and the financial challenges they confronted in operating the school from 1889 through 1894. Letters of appreciation for Louis F. Moench and a bibliography of primary sources are also provided. |
| OCR Text |
Show 64 school any more that school year, but in May I received a request to go on a mission. I accepted it and left for the mission July 8, 1898. I thought often of "Brother Moench" and the refreshing help he had bestowed upon me. I did not see him again until I returned home from the mission (January 1900). I lost no time in getting into school again. I am sure that I had several short talks with "Brother Moench", and every time I talked with him he encouraged me to stay with school. He aided me on some speeches, but I confess that I am not thoroughly acquainted with him outside of educational matters. He had some trouble with the older boys. I have seen him step between two big boys that were fighting in the yard west of the building. Brother Moench separated them and had them shake hands, each with the other, and even apologize. This happened more than once. Etta, my wife, told me that she was shocked once when Brother Moench said it was not necessary to kneel in prayer. He said one could pray without any noise at all, whether in bed, on the train, or on a big ship on the ocean. "Prayer is the soul's sincere desire, uttered or unexpressed." Later I became a teacher under Principal Louis F, Moench of the Weber Stake Academy. I love the memory of my former teacher. He was one of that great army of people who came to this country for freedom and equality. He served in the ranks of Education. He was widely informed and a ready teacher. Many of the men and women of Utah can remember the splendid advice he gave the young people and the wisdom of his sermons. LeRoy E. Cowles, Ph. D. |
