iVA"
1897-1937
Right in Your Own Neighborhood
WASHINGTON
VIRGINIA
QUEBEC
OREGON
AND DEATH VALLEY • MEXICO CITY GRAND CANYON • LAKE LOUISE THOUSAND ISLANDS • NEW ORLEANS SHELL WILL PLAN YOU TRIPS TO THESE, AND OTHER SCENIC WONDERS..
ASK SHELL!
CALIFORNIA
JUST down the street from you is a Shell dealer. Every kind of motor travel information is at his finger-tips.
Perhaps you plan a week-end
trip. Maybe a long vacation.
Whichever it is, let your Shell
dealer work out your complete
route. Show you the best roads
to take. Suggest points of interest along the way you
shouldn't miss seeing. And a dozen and one other helps
to make your journey pleasant.
No charge for this service. Simply drive in when you are ready. Ask all the questions you want. Get all the help you need. And when you are on your happy way, you will find Shell "Travel Bureaus" all along the route.
NO "GUESS-AND-TALK" SERVICE
Your neighborhood Shell dealer bases his advice on Shell Finger-Tip Travel Information reference books, Shell State highway maps, Shell Metropolitan street maps, the famous Shell Directories that list hotels, resorts, auto courts, trailer parks. And on his direct contact with Shell Touring Headquarters.
Touring Service
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, NOVEMBER, 1937
[Portrait of a JLadyi . . .
th
en
and
Thrilling similarity of the mode . . . the I897 hip - length basque that made grandma such a charming lady, in a new 1 937 version that wi make you charming too. Stun- ning two piece olive green sheer wool costume with black satin blouse and black persian cloth trim, $29.75. Black felt hat with persian trim, $5.00. Matrix shoes, black suede with clever stitching, $8.75. Black suede bag, $3.98. Gloves $2.98.
ZCM
America's First Department Store
657
87 Years of Transportation Progress
The Mormon Trail still was dusty with wagon trains when the Aurora Branch Railroad, forerunner of the Burlington, commenced operations over strap-iron rails on September 2, 1850.
A dozen years after the exo- dus from Nauvoo, Burlington rails were following the fresh ruts of Mormon wagon trains westward across Iowa.
The Spring of 1882 saw the Burlington in Denver — a new transportation artery dedicated to the development of the Rocky Mountain West.
By the Fall of 1897, when the Improvement Era was founded by Heber I. Grant, the Bur- lington had become a transportation system operating more than 7,000 miles of rail- road. We thought we had come a long way.
But, as the last 40 years have eloquently proved, the growth of the West and the Burlington had just begun. Population, industry and agriculture have doubled, trebled, quadrupled. The Burlington Lines have ex- panded to 12,000 miles, reach- ing 14 states. Freight and pass- enger trains operate at speeds undreamed of a few short years ago. Travelers aboard luxurious streamline Zephyrs now traverse in fleeting hours distances that took intrepid emigrants weary weeks.
Again we say that we have come a long way, much of it together, and the Burlington takes this occasion of the 40th anniversary of the Improvement Era to salute its friends and patrons in the Rocky Mountain West, and to predict that 40 years hence we can repeat: "We have come a long way."
(grating (&txtb$
featuring the smartest lines available. Outstanding, beau- tiful. Over 1000 styles from which to select.
CHRISTMAS CARDS that are distinctive and personally im- printed. Priced
50 for $1.00
25 for ..$1.79
25 for .__ $1.95
(And up to $50.00 per 100)
PEMBROK E
24 East Broadway— Salt Lake City
658
WHAT LEADERS ARE SAYING
Burley, Idaho. September 18, 1937. "Every number of the Era, beginning with volume one, has come to our home. Were my wishes granted, the Era would be found in every Latter-day Saint home in our stake. There could not be greater spiritual help. My bound volumes are invaluable as reference books. "Sincerely, (Signed) David R. Langlois"
President of Burley Stake.
Overton, Nevada, September 17, 1937 "As a missionary from November, 1899, to March, 1902, the Era came as one visiting from home. It has been a member of our family since 1904. We have enjoyed its pages, and appreciate its influence. Our aim in the Moapa Stake is to have an Era in every home. "Respectfully, ( Signed ) Willard L. Jones,"
President of Moapa Stake,
September 25, 1937.
"The success of the Long Beach Stake in placing The Improvement Era in the homes of Latter-day Saints is due principally to the firm conviction we have that The Im~ provement Era is the greatest missionary force in the Church today.
"Many of our families would no more think of refusing to subscribe for the Bra than they would to turn down an official call for missionary service. We know that homes where the Era is received and read enjoy rich spiritual blessings which would not come to them otherwise.
"Our Stake Era Director is a man whose life's profession is salesmanship and he has accepted the appointment of Era Direc- tor as a call to missionary service. The Lord is blessing him with the ability to instill into the hearts of his co-workers the spirit of missionary service of the Era. Recently upon his recommendation the new group of Stake Missionaries adopted the placement of Eras as their special mission- ary project during the winter. We are looking for some pleasant surprises from this source.
"With sincere appreciation for the out- standing magazine you are giving us,
"Sincerely your brother, (Signed) /. W.Jones"
President of Long Beach Stake.
July 22, 1937. "... I know of no magazine of equal standard and the quality of the material is unsurpassed. I congratulate you and wish you continued success.
"Your brother in the Gospel, (Signed) George Albert Smith."
Of the Council of the Twelve. {Continued on page 660)
The "Era" Advertisers Merit Your Patronage.
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, NOVEMBER, 1937
JhsL "ERA'S
//
J>ihAt SavinqA Sank
First Zion's Savings Bank ad in Volume L Number 1, of the Era. 40 Years Ago
SAVE YOUR MONEY AND WHEN YOU GET A DOLLAR
D E P O S I T
I
T
W I
T H
DIRECTORS:
Wilford Woodruff,
President.
George Q. Cannon,
1 ice -President,
George M. Cannon, Cashier.
Joseph t. Smith,
Lorenzo Snow,
Francis M. Lyman,
Beber J, Grant,
Angus M . Cannon,
T. G. Webber,
James Jack,
B. B. GlmrsoB,
George Reynold*,
L. John KoUall.
ZION'S SAVINPS BVNK AND TRUST0 COMPANY,
1, 3, & 5 MAIN ST., SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH,
Forty years ago, the same year in which the Brigham Young Monument was unveiled on Zion's Savings Bank corner, this bank extended the hand of fellowship to the infant magazine, The Improvement Era. "Zion's" believed in the need for such a magazine and in the ability of its business and editorial staffs, which included Heber J. Grant and Thomas Hull, business managers, and Joseph F. Smith and B. H. Roberts, editors.
In the very first issue, Zion's Savings Bank 5c Trust Company became the magazine's first savings bank advertiser. A copy of this ad is repro- duced above. The message of that ad, and the bank's same message to "Era" readers after 40 years, is,
Save your money and deposit it with
ZION'S SAVINGS BANK & TRUST CO.
MAIN AT SOUTH TEMPLE— SALT LAKE CITY
OFFICERS
HEBER J. GRANT JOHN F. BENNETT GEORGE S. SPENCER WILLARD R. SMITH WILLIAM McEWAN - J. FORBES DONE WM. T. PATRICK CLARON O. SPENCER
PRESIDENT
VICE-PRESIDENT
VICE-PRESIDENT
CASHIER
ASST. CASHIER & TRUST OFFICER
ASST. CASHIER
ASST. CASHIER
ASST. TRUST OFFICER
HEBER J. GRANT ASAHEL H. WOODRUFF LEWIS TELLE CANNON JOHN F. BENNETT
DIRECTORS
ARTHUR WINTER GEORGE S. SPENCER
WILLARD T. CANNON WALDEMAR VAN COTT
JOSEPH FIELDING SMITH GEORGE J. CANNON
WILLARD R. SMITH ORVAL W. ADAMS
J. REUBEN CLARK, DAVID O. MCKAY HERBERT A. SNOW
JR.
659
3<tfdisdk. dnmvajuwu^ Q&auul, 1897-1937
T^HmprooementCra
'The Glory of God is Intelligence"
NOVEMBER, 1937
VOLUME 4 0
NUMBER 11
THE VOICE OF THE CHURCH'
OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS, MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATIONS, DEPART- MENT OF EDUCATION, MUSIC COMMITTEE, WARD TEACHERS, AND OTHER AGENCIES OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.
|
Heber J. |
Grant, |
|
|
John A. |
Widtsoe, Editors |
|
|
Richard L. Evans, |
||
|
Managing |
Editor |
|
|
Marba C |
Josephson, |
|
|
Associate |
Editor |
|
|
George Q. |
Morris, General Mg |
r. |
|
Clarissa A, |
Beesley, Associate |
Mgr. |
|
J. K. Orton |
, Business Mgr. |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
cJhe Editors [Page
A Call to Church Leaders Heber J. Grant 665
(church C/ea tares
The Church Looks Into the Future J. Reuben Clark, Jr. 666
President Grant's First Era Article 670
From the Presiding Councils and Auxiliaries 682
The Log of a European Tour ..Lucy Grant Cannon 688
What Church Leaders Are Saying 658, 660, 695
Interior Views of the Manti, Utah, and Alberta, Canada,
Temples .690, 691
The Era's Three Decades as the Organ of the Priesthood. ... 693 Some Facts About the Church Forty Years Ago — And Now, 669; Church Moves On, 694; Priesthood: Melchizedek, 700; Aaronic, 701; Ward Teaching, 702; Mutual Messages: Ex- ecutives, 704; Adults, 705; Seniors, 705; M Men, 705; Gleaners, 706; M Men-Gleaners, 706; Juniors, 707; Scouts, 707.
Special 6/eatures
Forty Years of Change Glynn Bennion 672
Forty Years of Service Harrison R. Merrill 678
A Woman of Vision.. .Marba C, Josephson 684
Ensign Challenges Richard L. Evans 686
On the Book Rack, 697; Homing, 698; Exploring the Uni- verse, Franklin S. Harris, Jr., 703; Your Page and Ours, 728; Index to Advertisers, 709.
(bditortais
Forty Years John A. Widtsoe 692
A Woman's Changed World Marba C. Josephson 692
cftction, [Poetry, Cross word [Puzzle
Frontispiece Heber J. Grant 663
The Outlaw of Navajo Mountain Albert R. Lyman 676
Two Brothers — A Short Short Story Helen Tenna Tyree 683
A Good Investment Gilbert H, Andrews 687
Poetry Page, 696; Shining Faith, Ruby W. Simmerman, 702; Scriptural Crossword Puzzle, 716.
oJhe Co
vet'
Our Fortieth Anniversary cover was drawn by The Improvement Era's staff artist, Fielding K. Smith. It uses the architecture of the Latter-day Saint Temples as the symbol of forty years of change and progress. The lower figure is the profile of the Manti, Utah, Temple, with its Nineteenth Century architecture. The spires of the Salt Lake Temple break through the center, and the top figure is an exaggerated conception of the L. D. S. Alberta Temple (Cardston, Canada) showing what may well be the temple of the future. The horse and buggy below and the airplane above show through what era our people have seen the world progress, in their travel to and from the Temples of the Living God.
660
WHAT LEADERS ARE SAYING
(Continued from page 658)
July 23, 1937.
"... I sincerely congratulate you together with your associates on the way in which you are directing the affairs of the Era.
"May the future be full of joy and success for you and your co-workers.
'Sincerely your brother,
(Signed) Reed Smoot."
Of the Council of the Twelve.
London, W. C. 1, July 9, 1936. "... I congratulate you most heartily upon the growing popularity of the Era.
"With cordial good wishes. "Sincerely your brother, (Signed) Joseph F. Merrill,"
Of the Council of the Twelve.
5 Gordon Square, London, W. C. 1, August 31, 1937. "The Era is glorious. We enjoy it immensely.
"Very sincerely yours, (Signed) Amy Brown Lyman,"
Directing Women Activities in Europe.
Minneapolis, Minnesota, September, 1937. "It has been my good fortune to re- ceive every number of the Era pub- lished. The North Central States Mis- sion considers the Era 'The Voice of the Church,' the second best literature agency for stimulating life in the mis- sion, and for converting souls, the Book of Mormon alone excepted.
"Sincerely yours, (Signed) ' D. A. Broadbent,"
President of the North Central States Mission.
{Continued on page 695)
EXECUTIVE AND EDITORIAL
OFFICES: 50 North Main Street, Salt Lake
City, Utah
Copyright 1937, by the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association Corporation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All rights reserved. Subscription price, $2.00 a year, in advance; 20c Single Copy.
Entered at the Post Office, Salt Lake City, Utah, as second-class matter. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided for in section 1103, Act of October, 1917, authorized July 2, 1918.
The Improvement Era is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, but welcomes con- tributions. All manuscripts must be accompanied by sufficient postage for delivery and return.
A MAGAZINE FOR EVERY MEMBER OF THE FAMILY
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, NOVEMBER, 1937
-N^SSSS
Congratulations to the Improvement Era on its fortieth birthday!
Forty years have wrought many changes, one of the most beneficial of which is im- provement in standards of living.
As we glance back into our "yesterdays" there will always be many cherished mem- ories— but who would wish to return to the discomforts and inconveniences of those "good old days" of the nineties?
In the "better homes" of forty years ago there might have been found a single drop cord, in each room, with an old-style carbon bulb, switched on and off at the lamp. In many homes the lighting was not even that far advanced. The coal oil lamp was still the only source of artificial light. Housework was back-breaking drudgery.
It is difficult now to imagine a return to those conditions. Today, nowhere is the full use and enjoyment of electricity so evident as in the homes of this section. Today practically every family in the territory we serve has available the benefits of modem lighting, scientifically designed for protecting eyesight and beautifying the home. Today electric servants do the cooking, refrigeration, water heating and perform numerous other household tasks, in many, many thousands of these homes — at a remarkably small cost.
Adequate, dependable and low-cost Electric Service has made today's home more than a place in which to live. The home of today has become a place in which to enjoy living.
,.-• \^N.N\X
Electricity is the Biggest Bargain in the Home
UTAH POWE
LIGHT CO
The Advertisers of the "Era" Merit Your Support.
661
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, NOVEMBER, 1937
asolinean
J Oil
have chanqed , too j
• your sleek streamlined automobile with its high-compression, smooth-running en- gine, could not have been developed without the advances that have been made in refining gasoline and motor oil. In the intermountain territory, Pep 88 and Vico set the pace for modern performance. These products are made in one of America's most modern refineries where the latest devel- opments of science are utilized to produce gasoline and oil that give you enjoyable and economical motoring.
UTAH OIL REFINING COMPANY
STATIONS EVERYWHERE IN UTAH AND IDAHO
662
Deseret News Photo.
PRESIDENT HEBER J GRANT
| W/ORLD nea<^ 0/ ^ne Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and
beloved leader of his people as he appears seated at his desk in the Church Office building, Salt Lake City, as he approaches the Eighty-first Anniversary of his birth which occurs November 22, 1937,
663
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, NOVEMBER, 1937
Mural in the Union Pacific Depot, Salt- Lake City, showing the driving of the golden spike at Promontory, Utah, in 1 869, which marked the beginning of transcontinental railroad service in the United States.
(JN behalf of the Union Pacific Railroad and its employees, I am happy to extend greetings and best wishes to President Heber J. Grant and the great Mormon people and to heartily congratu- late The Improvement Era on its Fortieth Anniversary.
President
UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD OMAHA, NEBRASKA
Mural in the Union Pacific Depot in Salt Lake City depicting the con- quest of the Inland West by Brigham Young and the Mormon people.
664
Jb^^kuAdv
n
N<
o man can proclaim this gospel by the Spirit of the Living God
unless that man is living his religion."
BY
PRESIDENT HEBER J. GRANT
observe the and we ask the Church
O'
ut of the 108th ference, held in Salt Lake City, October 1st elusive, there came from the
I am very pleased indeed to express my deep ap- preciation of our Conference, from start to finish.
I am grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. am thankful for the devotion of the Saints as a whole.
I announced here at the Priesthood meeting last night and I decided to> announce it again that we expect all the General Officers of the Church, each and every one of them, from this very day, to be absolute, full- tithepayers, to really and truly Word of Wisdom; all of the officers of and all members of the General Boards, and all Stake and Ward officers, if they are not living the Gospel and honestly and conscientiously paying their tithing, to kindly step aside, un- less from this day they live up to these provisions.
We have undertaken a most stupendous work and there will be no difficulty whatever in carrying out that great work. We will have an abundance to take care of every living Latter-day Saint who is in distress. Mind you, when I say Latter-day Saint I mean Lat- ter-day Saint. I am not talking about idlers. I am not talking about people that want to lie down and let somebody else take care of them — I am talking of Latter-day Saints. If the people will pay their tithing and if they will keep the Word of Wisdom, and will actually, really, and for a fact, fast two meals once a month and give the equivalent, we will be able to carry forward our Security Plan without any trouble whatever.
It is simply marvelous that people can live on eleven cents, some of them — two meals a day once each month for twelve months in the year — twenty- four meals on a half a cent a meal. [Or at least, so their fast offerings would indicate.]
We feel that in all the stakes of Zion, every stake president, every counselor to a stake president, every stake clerk, and every high councillor, stand- ing at the head of the people in the stake — we ask them to kindly step aside unless they are living up to these laws. They are given the responsibility of presiding, and every officer who is a presiding officer should say from today: "I am going to serve the Lord, so that my example will be worthy of imitation."
No man can teach the Word of Wisdom, by the Spirit of God, who does not live it. No man can proclaim this Gospel by the Spirit of the Living God unless that man is living his religion; and with this great undertaking that we have before us now
we must renew our loyalty to God, and I believe beyond a shadow of doubt that God inspires and blesses, and multiplies our substance when we are honest with Him. We do not want in this day a repetition of what the scriptures tell us was the condition in years gone by, wherein the Lord de- clares that He had been robbed, because of the failure of the people to live the financial law that God has revealed.
Now, I pray from the bottom of my heart that God will give each and every man and woman who holds an office in any stake or ward the spirit and Latter-day the feeling and the determination from this day, to renew his covenants with God, to live his religion; and if we are too weak to do> these things, we step aside and let somebody else take our
should place.
Semi-annual Con the Tabernacle
to 3rd in- leaders of
in
the Church such messages, spoken with power and authority, and pertaining so vitally to our temporal and spiritual well-being, that all of them should be in the hands of every member of the Church, to be read and re-read. Doubt- less the most significant message of the Conference was the one reprinted here which President Grant left sounding in the hearts of the Latter-day Saints there assembled as he closed the final session.
The Word of Wisdom, we are told, is such that it can be kept by "the weak and the weakest of all Saints." I have heard that some of the members of Boards, after the law was passed legalizing beer, said: "Well, I do declare, now I am entitled to have a glass of beer." No Latter-day Saint is entitled to anything that is con- trary to the mind and will of the Lord, and the Word of Wisdom is the mind and the will of the Lord.
I want you to know that this will make no difference to me personally, but as the shepherd of the flock, the day has come, in my judgment and in the judgment of my associates, that we must live up to and be loyal to this work and serve God with all our heart, might, mind, and strength, if we are to accomplish what the Lord wants us to do.
I thank you all for your presence here. I thank the Lord for the splendid Conference we have had. In so far as God has given me the power to do so, I pray God to bless you one and all, I pray God to bless all the Latter-day Saints. I pray God to bless every soul that has good intentions, and to strengthen him and her in their determination to keep the commandments of the Lord. I love the Lord; I love the Latter-day Saints; I love the honest the world over; I have no animosity against any living soul. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is one of for- giveness of wrong-doing. It is a part of the Gospel to forgive those who have done wrong, when they repent, but "By this ye may know if a man re- penteth of his sins — behold, he will confess them and forsake them." He will do them no more.
The time has expired.
May God's blessing be with each and all of you, and with all the Saints, and with all the honest the world over, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, Amen.
( These were the President's closing words at the 108th Semi-annual Conference in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Sunday afternoon, October 3, 1937.)
665
3hjL CHURCH LOOKS
By J. REUBEN CLARK, JR.
Of the First Presidency
#1
666
I.
The days of our infancy and early childhood are filled with a growing awareness of time, space, gravity, the elements, and bodily well-being; and thence to the grave is a constant struggle to over- come the handicaps — the inhibitions and limitations — imposed by these physical incidents of our being. To the gaining of the experiences of mastering these incidents must be added the experiences having to do with making the biological part of man articulate and with the cultiva- tion and interchange of thought. The nearer comes the conquest of these, the nearer come men together, and the nearer men approach one an- other, the nearer comes the univer- sal brotherhood of men and their ultimate perfection.
But whatever may be the con- quests of man, these limitations and inhibitions remain to clog his ad- vance and intercourse with others. Time, space, gravity, the elements, disease are constantly with him; they assert themselves with disaster the instant he ignores or forgets them. All that man may ever do is to es- cape or thwart their operation by the use of other laws. In so far as man succeeds, he performs miracles.
During the ages, man has gone long distances towards his ultimate conquest of all these. From the shelter of a tree or cave, through the lean-to, the log hut, the adobe house, to the giant structure of steel, concrete, and glass, housing a city within its four walls; from the lone footpath in the forest, through the dirt road, the dust and mud of the city street, the paved sidewalk, the paved thoroughfares, to the great concrete ribbon spanning a conti- nent; from the pack of a few pounds on a man's back, through the oxcart, the horse and buggy, to the railroad with its thousands of tons, and the auto truck; from the fleetest runner, through the pony express, the fast mail train, to the airplane traveling a fourth as fast as the earth revolves on its axis; from the shout that, with fair air, carried a few hundred feet, through the telephone linking cities, to the radio carrying the voice round the globe with the speed of light (we
have yet to reach the speed of thought); from the passing down of story and song by word of mouth, through the invention of written characters, the writing by hand on bulky scrolls of parchment, on rush- es, on paper, then to the printing press with its plain black letters, through woodcuts, steel engravings, lithographs, photogravures, to gor- geous pages in natural colors; from the mangled, gangrenous broken leg demanding a life, through amputa- tion with hideous pain without an- esthetic, to the most refined and delicate painless operation upon the very seat of the mind itself, — all these but indicate man's conquests of his inhibitions and limitations.
Yet time, space, gravity, the ele- ments, disease, still inexorably rule the world; and death waits patient- ly, silently, at the end of the path of life. So shallow is man's success that a faulty iron girder, a weak rail joint, a loose connection, a poorly tempered wire brace, a blundering blade, and his conquest is swallow- ed up without a ripple in the ocean of law and force that rules the uni- verse. Surely man should make his boasts under his breath.
But however stable or unstable, however complete or incomplete these conquests may be, they mark human progress — how great rela- tively we may not measure for we do not know the ultimate, yet man seems to have come great distances. But these conquests of energy and force make human progress, add to human comfort and well-be- ing, increase knowledge and quicken intelligence, and, above all (and this is the end of it all) promote human happiness, for the ancient prophet declared "Men are that they might have joy." Happiness comes in pro- portion as we lift ourselves beyond the reach of the penalty of earth law; and perfection comes nearer with happiness.
Thus all knowledge in whatever field it may rest, all uplifting human experience, all the ennobling activi- ties of men, all truths of the uni- verse, aid men to rise above and save them from the inhibitions and limitations of the flesh. The Psalm- ist of old sang "The law is the truth." and Tesus said, "Ye shall
NTO THE FUTURE
THE CHURCH, ABSORBING THE TRUTH OF THE PAST, WILL MAKE ITS OWN THE TRUTH OF THE FUTURE TO THE ULTIMATE PERFECTION OF ITS MEMBERS.
And the forward look finds these things to be true even as they have been in the past
hphat while man's conquests of force and energy are yet shallow and un- stable, they lead him upwards towards perfection.
HThAT ALL TRUTH IS INTEGRALLY PART OF
the Gospel of Jesus Christ and leads # us towards perfection.
HThat material rewards may come with- out EFFORT OR DESERVINGNESS — BUT NOT m SO WITH THINGS OF THE SPIRIT.
That individualism in spirituality is
fundamental.
rphat the physical inhibitions and limi- tations of the flesh, and also those encumbering the spirit because of mor- tality, must be conquered before perfec- tion can come.
TThat "this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world"— and that "every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that jesus is the christ," — the Church is world-wide.
know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
As we make these truths our own, so perfection approaches. It was by His perfect knowledge of truth — and He said to Thomas, "I am the way, the truth, and the life"- — that Jesus turned water into wine, multiplied the loaves and fishes, es- caped from the threatening mob on the edge of the cliff at Nazareth and again within the temple walls at Je- rusalem, that took Him into the room with closed windows and doors to visit the fearsome, questioning, doubting Apostles; indeed, that brought Him forth from the tomb the First Fruits of the Resurrection. He had said to the angered mob in His great sermon on the Good Shep- herd:
Therefore doth ray Father love me, be- cause I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have
from my Father.
{John
'The
I received 10:17-18)
Hannah prayed of old:
Lord is a God of knowledge."
II.
So the Church and its members must seek for and cherish knowl- edge; the finding and learning of truth must always take their first thought, because knowledge of truth leads toward perfection, and the Master said, "Be ye perfect even as your Father in Heaven is per- fect."
Since knowledge of truth leads to perfection, and since the Gospel is God's plan to bring men to per- fection, our affirmation that all truth is part of the Gospel becomes clear, and to those who have not followed the reasons, the declaration of our Articles of Faith assumes now an added meaning when we say:
Indeed we may say that we follow the
ILLUSTRATED BY
FIELDING K. SMITH
'
667
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, NOVEMBER, 1937
admonition of Paul — We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, love- ly or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
Thus the Church glories in all progress and advancement in sci- ence, in art, in literature, and in every avenue of human endeavor and activity, for every conquest of a physical inhibition or limitation upon the freedom of the human soul makes for perfection. The Church makes its own every truth that comes. It casts away all error. It suspends adoption where truth and error still contend, until truth prevails and bares her face, then it takes her to its bosom and makes her part of itself. The Church takes all things of material progress and uses them for the convenience, com- fort, and advancement of the mem- bers, for their edification, education, and culture, for their social and eco- nomic welfare and security; no truth, no principle of well-being or right living is discountenanced, withheld, or forbidden. This has been the rule of the Church from the beginning.
III.
Dut the things already spoken of only lead out toward perfection but not to it, for perfection may not be reached by mastery over the ma- terial things alone.
Perfection means also the subju- gation of the intellectual and spir- itual limitations and inhibitions which are incident to the flesh.
But there is an essential and fun- damental difference between con- quest and achievement in the phys- ical and in the spiritual world. One need not do the works of Morse or Edison or Marconi in order fully to enjoy and use the telegraph, the telephone, the gramophone, or the radio; nor need one do the works of the Wrights in order to enjoy and use to the full the airplane. The most ignorant and depraved of men may use all these things for his own purposes, to serve his own ends, good or bad, for the benefit or in- jury of others, as fully as they who made them. The user has merely to pay the money price and then have all of the power, all the effec- tive use which he who created them had or can have.
So likewise it is with the works of the great artists, sculptors, mu- sicians, dramatists, and men of let- ters. Save only the creative joy which those alone who make may know, these masterpieces may be 668
fully understood, appreciated, and enjoyed by any one without doing the works of the creator.
But it is not so with the things of the spirit. One must do the works of Elijah if one would know his joy, have part in his blessings, share his glory, exercise his power and au- thority, and do the things he did. And surely the power to bring rain to a famine-stricken land, to call down fire from heaven, to cause the starving widow's barrel of meal not to waste, her cruse of oil not to fail, to restore to life her dead son, to declare the past and foretell the future — surely these things are be- yond compare; they may not be valued, nor purchased, nor hired; they are beyond price. Here the
works and the use are companions that never part. Do Elijah's works if you would use and enjoy his powers.
So it comes that in affairs of the spirit, the doing of the works and the use of the resulting spiritual power, are not only inseparable but wholly individual. They axe not to be bought as Elisha taught Naaman and as Simon the Sorcerer learned from the rebuke of Peter: "Thy money perish with thee be- cause thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money." Save for the atoning sac- rifice of the Son and the doing of certain initiatory rites for the dead ( and even these must be accepted and adopted by the dead), nothing can be vicariously done, in matters of the spirit, by one for another. Everyone must do his own work, if he would have the power and authority.
IV.
Individualism in spirituality is fundamental to Christianity. Thus Jesus, taking leave of His Apostles and about to ascend into heaven, said unto them: "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature; he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, and he that believeth not shall be
damned." Jesus had earlier said to Nicodemus: "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
The Lord has many times re- peated these same injunctions and principles to the Latter-day Church. There can be no question but that every ear must hear and be given the choice of living or refusing the Gospel.
To leave no doubt in the minds of the Apostles who were with Him in Palestine that He meant every creature in the whole world, and not merely among those who were called His chosen people — Jesus declared to them in the great dis- course on the Mount of Olives;
And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world, for a wit- ness unto all nations: and then shall the end come. (Mart. 24:14.)
In this day the Lord has declared the Gospel should be preached "at all times and in all places," "among all nations," in "all the world,"- — "and for this cause, that men might be partakers of the glories which were to be revealed." Again He declared, speaking to the Prophet in relation to Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams:
That thereby they may be perfected in their ministry for the salvation of Zion, and of the nations of Israel, and of the Gentiles, as many as will believe.
That through your administration they may receive the word, and through their administration the word may go forth unto the ends of the earth, unto the Gentiles first, and then, behold, and lo, they shall turn unto the Jews.
And then cometh the day when the arm of the Lord shall be revealed in power in convincing the nations, the heathen na- tions, the house of Joseph, of the Gospel of their salvation.
For it shall come to pass in that day, that every man shall hear the fulness of the Gospel in his own tongue, and in his own language, through those who are ordained unto this power, by the adminis- tration of the Comforter, shed forth upon them for the revelation of Jesus Christ. {Doc and Cov. 90:8-11.)
The Lord reiterated these funda- mentals time and again: the Gospel is to be preached "unto Gentile and unto Jew;" "the poor and the meek shall hear the Gospel," and "those who sit in darkness and in the re- gion and shadow of death."
The part of the Church in all this is clear and explicit:
For verily, the sound must go forth from this place into all the world, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth. (Doc. and Cov., 58:64.)
And again:
Hearken, and lo, a voice as of one sent down from on high, who is mighty and powerful, whose going forth is unto the
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, NOVEMBER, 1937
ends of the earth, yea, whose voice is unto men — Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.
The keys of the kingdom of God are committed unto man on the earth, and from thence shall the Gospel roll forth unto the ends of the earth, as the stone which is cut out of the mountain without hands shall roll forth, until it has filled the whole earth.
V.
Co the Lord has spoken. From His words, these things clearly ap- pear:
Every man, woman, and child, in every country, Christian, Hebrew, heathen, must hear the Gospel in its fullness — the rich, the poor, the meek, the haughty. The Lord has expressly told us: "I am no respec- ter of persons."
Thus every person shall make his own mind what his life shall be. None shall make it for him. Wheth- er he will be satisfied with that part of salvation which pertains to the physical world, or whether he shall go on and add to this the salvation and exaltation of the spiritual uni- verse, is for his own choice. And perhaps there should be here re- called the Lord's saying that in re- ality "All spirit is matter, but it is more fine or pure, and can only be discerned by purer eyes, we cannot see it, but when our bodies are purified we shall see that it is all matter."
For him who would throw off also the inhibitions and limitations of the flesh in matters affecting the spirit, for him indeed who would conquer the flesh for the blessings of the spirit, there is a joy awaiting which exceeds all power of descrip- tion,-— because words are made to describe the physical world, they are wanting to express even the highest pleasures and feelings of mortality; when the lofty emotions of the spirit are conceived, we must content ourselves with the flashing, tear-wet eye, the ennobled counte- nance, the sobbing of joy, an exalta- tion of mind and spirit which no pen can write or tongue tell.
These two conquests — the throw- ing off of the physical limitations and inhibitions that control and hold down our physical activities and the rising above the limitations and in- hibitions of the flesh in matters of the spirit — are each within the ulti- mate reach of everyone of God's children who is willing to live the Gospel and make the needed strug- gle and sacrifice. Neither conquest can be fully made in the flesh, but the beginnings made in mortality can be completed in immortality. This is man's destiny. And the
Gospel plan through which he reaches this end, is so plain and sim- ple that "a wayfaring man, though a fool, need not err therein."
VI.
TThe Church is the organization which God has set up to help men in their struggles against the limitations and inhibitions of the flesh as affecting the spirit and its manifestations and development. It is as nearly perfect as mortals per- mit it to be; greater perfection will come just as soon as men can un- derstand and use it. The Lord has never revealed His mind and will beyond man's power of comprehen- sion, and when man has shown his confirmed unwillingness to follow the plan and live the law revealed,
the Lord has taken each away and given a less perfect plan and lower law, as He did to Israel under Moses.
In all times, the Lord's plan — His Church — has provided for the physical well-being of the people. The divine plan calls for the perfect body as well as the perfected spirit. There is an intimate and not under- stood— if indeed it be at all com- prehensible by the human mind — relationship between biological man and spiritual man. Bodily well-be- ing,— the feeding of the hungry, the giving of health to the diseased body, the curing of the maimed, the halt, the blind, the deaf, the dumb, the thrusting out of death itself and re-enthroning life in the mortal body — was a large part of Christ's work
on earth. He would not have done this if, under His plan, the body were to be ignored, or mistreated, or debauched. The Church of Christ, to carry out His purposes; must have this twin purpose: The protection and perfecting of the body, the perfecting of the Spirit. To bring this about in every indi- vidual is the purpose of the Church.
Now the Lord has said that His plan is that every creature on the earth, that every nation, that every people, — each and every one must "hear the fullness of the Gospel in his own tongue and in his own lan- guage." So to carry this Gospel is the mission and the destiny of the Church. The responsibility for initiating the plan, for setting up the Church, and for presently di- recting it has been given to us of America. But it is not our Church: it belongs to all God's children and as much to one as to another. For those to whom God has entrusted the preaching of this Gospel and the spreading of it through the earth, there are no greater blessings awaiting than await anyone who holds the Priesthood and lives the Gospel, whoever he may be and wherever he lives; but upon us there rests an all but crushing responsi- bility that, not fully met, will bring to us not only loss of blessing but great condemnation as well.
So it is the mission of the Church to see that "the Gospel rolls forth unto the ends of the earth, as the stone which is cut out of the moun- tain without hands shall roll forth, until it has filled the whole earth."
Where the Gospel goes, there must go the Church also, until it fills the earth.
So not America only, nor America and Europe, but the whole earth is the Lord's and all that in it are. And His Church filling the earth will bring to its peoples and to all of them the peace, the joy, and the fullness and richness of life which the power of the evil and the base now denies to them. Ultimately "every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ."
|
SOME FACTS ABOUT THE CHURCH FORTY |
YEARS AGO— |
||
|
AND NOW |
|||
|
1897 |
1936 |
||
|
252,000 |
(approximately) Number of Members |
760,690 |
|
|
37 |
Number of Stakes |
118 |
|
|
466 |
Number of Wards |
1,001 |
i |
|
17 |
Number of Missions |
35 |
: |
|
4 |
Number of Temples |
7 |
|
|
1496 |
Number of full-time Missionaries |
1940 |
669
PRESIDENT GRANT'S
FIRST "ERA" ARTICLE
EDITOR'S NOTE: — We here reprint the first signed article by President Heber J. Grant to appear in "The Improvement Era." It is found on pages 395 to 398 of Volume I — nearly forty years ago, and is entitled "Recollections Awakened by the Late Semi-' Centennial Celebration."
During the recent celebration of the Semi-Centennial Anniversary of the entrance of the Pioneers into Salt Lake Valley, very many thoughts crowded themselves upon my mind, as I contrasted the difference between the Salt Lake Valley of that day and the Salt Lake Valley of today.
I was seated in one of the large show windows of the main store building of Zion's Cooperative Mercantile Insti- tution, as the Semi-Centennial procession moved down Main Street, and I contrasted that immense structure in which I was seated, with the one and two-story adobe dwellinghouse which at one time stood upon that identical spot, and in which residence I first saw the light of day. The house was built by my father, who died when I was a babe of nine days, and I lived there until I was a little over six years old, when I moved with my mother to Second East Street, where I now reside.
Having virtually seen Main Street change from a village thoroughfare to a business avenue, I recalled the time when Zion's Savings Bank, a splendid building of five stories, was occupied by the home of the late Daniel H. Wells, and in my mind's eye I saw the high rock wall which separated the home of my childhood from that of "Squire Wells." Every- body familiarly called him "Squire Wells" in those days. Two more lovable or kinder men never lived than my child- hood neighbors, President Daniel H. Wells on the north, and Bishop Edward Hunter on the south. Another kind friend was Joseph B. Elder, who' recently died in the Four- teenth Ward. He had a little frame grocery store and cooper shop which occupied the corner where now stands the Godbe- Pitt drug store. Many and many an hour have I spent as a child sitting in his store and chatting with him.
As I thought of the fine structure known as the "Hooper & Eldredge Block," I recalled the familiar home of the late Bishop Edward Hunter, which originally stood upon that ground, and scores of incidents and sayings of his which were amusing, interesting, and instructive came to my mind, prominent among them being his oft-repeated counsel, "Pay your tithing, brethren, and be blessed." Above all I recall his wonderful kindness to me in childhood days. I thought of the hundreds of times that I had crept through the pole fence which divided his home from ours, to play with his boys, and I also remember climbing very often the board fence south of his barn, to romp and play with one of the most beloved companions of my childhood, George Hooper, son of the late Captain William H. Hooper, who was called to his eternal rest in his youth. Where George's home then stood, now stands the substantial "Hooper Block."
As I looked across the street at the "Constitution Build- ing," I remembered the time when the "Old Constitution Building" stood there, and as I gazed at the "Home Fire Building," I remembered the old "Globe Bakery," and barber shop adjoining, which occupied the site when I was but five or six years old. 670
OLD SALT LAKE CITY SCENES. TOP: DEDICATION OF BRIGHAM YOUNG MONUMENT, SOUTH TEMPLE AND MAIN STREET, 1897; SECOND: THE OLD GLOBE BAKERY; THIRD: A PARADE OF THE RETURNING SPANISH -AMERICAN WAR VETERANS; BOTTOM: SCENES OF 1847 REENACTED IN 1897.
OLD SALT LAKE CITY SCENES. TOP: AN OLD MULE CAR AND HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE AT SOUTH TEMPLE AND MAIN STREETS; SECOND: AN EARLY PICTURE OF Z. C. M. I. J THIRD: THE OLD CONSTITUTION BUILDING; FOURTH: LOOKING EAST ON FIRST SOUTH TOWARD THE SALT LAKE THEATRE; BOTTOM: BATHING AT BLACK ROCK IN 1S80.
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, NOVEMBER, 1937
In looking up the street at the Pioneer Monument in stone and bronze, I recalled many, many incidents in the life of Brigham Young, and one of them of my childhood days I will relate, as it illustrates what it is impossible to do in stone and bronze, viz: the love which filled Brigham Young's heart for his fellowmen.
"\TUrHEN I was about six years old, in the winter of 1 862, the
sleighing was very good and as I had no opportunity of cutter-riding in those days, none of our family possessing a sleigh or team, boy-like, I used quite frequently to- run into the street, and "hang on behind" some of the outfits which passed our home, and after riding a block or two would jump off and run back.
On one of these occasions I got on the sleigh belonging to President Brigham Young, and as all who were acquainted with him know, he was very fond of a fine team, and was given to driving quite rapidly. I therefore found myself skimming along with such speed that I dared not jump off, and after riding some time I became very cold. President Young happening to notice me hanging on his sleigh im- mediately called out: "Brother Isaac, stop!" He then had his driver, Isaac Wilson, get out and pick me up and tuck me snugly under the robes on the front seat. President Young waited some time before saying anything to me, but finally he asked, "Are you warm?" and when I answered "Yes," he inquired my name and where I lived. He then talked to me in the most kindly manner, told me how much he had loved my father and what a good man he was, and expressed the hope that I would be as good as my father. Our conversation ended in his inviting me to come up to his office some day and have a chat with him. This I very soon afterwards did, and from the day of this childhood acquain- tance with President Young, I ever found in calling at his office or home, a most hearty welcome, and I learned not only to respect and venerate him, but to love him with an affection akin to that which I imagined I would have felt for my own father had I been permitted to know and return a father's love.
In nothing did Brigham Young shine more than in his love for children, and they repaid his love with love and confidence in him. The people of the world, who knew him not, with their prejudices against his system of religion, no doubt think he was unworthy of respect, but those who, like myself, have known and loved him since childhood, can tes- tify of his goodness and of his love for his fellows, and to be able to do this is of greater moment than to join in any degree of praise that may be accorded him on the score of his great achievements.
It would take too much space for me to relate all the feel- ings and memories that crowded upon each other while sitting in the Z. C. M. I. window looking upon the Semi-Centennial procession as it passed down East Temple Street, carrying with it the evidences of the peace, prosperity, progress, and happiness of the present day; nor can I write all I thought and felt as I contemplated the trials of the Pioneers as recol- lections of them were awakened by the passing of one of their "reproduced trains;" and the float of the "Sea Gulls," that brought up the remembrance of the mighty deliverance from starvation wrought out by these white-winged messengers of God destroying the crickets, which otherwise would have devoured the first crop of the Pioneers, and left them to perish of hunger in the wilderness.
This article is already long enough, but I can not close without saying that the grand celebration of Utah's Semi- Centennial was worthy of Utah's Pioneers; an honor to those who managed it; and on the other hand, the Utah Pioneers were worthy of just such a magnificent celebration.
HEBER J. GRANT.
I.
From our eminence of forty rungs up the ladder of time since The
Improvement Era took the vacated place of the old Contributor, let us take a retrospective look at some of the things that have been happening in the meantime. It may help us to answer the questions: Where are we going? — and — How fast are we getting there?
In many respects the past forty years have been the most wonder- ful in the history of mankind. Surely the prophet Daniel glimpsed our time when he saw in the last days a people running to and fro under the stimulus of a great increase of knowledge. Greater scientific ad- vances have been made during the past half century than during all the rest of recorded history. A catalogue of the new mechanical ap- pliances of this period is breath- taking. So rapidly has this tremen- dous release of inventive energy propelled us into the machine age that the social and spiritual progress of the human family has apparently failed to keep pace with technolog- ical advance, and to some thinkers has come the fear that the new ma- chinery will turn out to be a Fran- kenstein monster instead of a bless- ing. Let us examine, first, a few of the late outstanding inventions:
II.
"Dy 1897 the horseless carriage (the first one had been built by El- wood Haynes four years earlier ) had captured the imagination of the public and was rapidly advancing toward the factory stage of pro- duction. Two years later at least three hundred of these gasoline- burning, horse-scaring contraptions 672
RTY YEAR of CHAN
By GLYNN BENNION
Of the Church Historian's Office
Cince the "Era" first saw the light of day the world has
seen more changes than in many centuries before
some in the name of progress and some in the name of
LESS WORTHY THINGS. BUT MAN'S USE OF ALL IMPROVEMENTS IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE MATERIAL THINGS OF WHICH PROGRESS IS MADE.
were upon the highways of the United States, snorting along at death-defying speeds of from eight to twelve miles an hour. Each year since that time has seen astonishing improvement in the economy of pro- duction, comfort, speed, and beauty of the automobile, until today the face of the land is covered with mil- lions of them, scurrying, darting back and forth like a great swarm of frantic black beetles, crazily in- tent on their foolish errands.
In forty years the automobile in- dustry has grown from scratch to the second largest business in the country, involving billions of dol- lars in wealth. Over twenty-eight million motor cars are now in use in the United States, and the whole- sale value of new cars and acces- sories produced and sold last year was nearly four billion dollars. With this rapid growth has come a coincident expansion of the oil business and an era of road building. The continent is now banded with paved highways that reach from coast to coast, and the edges of
these are studded with service sta- tions from whose nozzles this year will be poured eighteen billion gal- lons of gasoline — such a river of gasoline as will presently empty our great underground reservoirs of oil. In automobiling the native Yankee urge to get somewhere else fast has found a glorious release, and we have become a nation on wheels. Descendants of pioneer "wagon tramps" now follow the seasonal cycle of work and climate in trailers, and the perils and hazards seeming- ly requisite to mortal life which once were furnished by savages and wild animals are now furnished by the speed demon. A speeding motorist can now cover more miles in twenty minutes than his grandfather could make in a day; but blood stains and shattered glass mark the smooth, straight highways, and annually in the United States forty thousand lives are fed into this modern, streamlined Moloch.
MAIN STREET, SALT LAKE CITY, IN THE LATE NINETEENTH CENTURY. (LOOKING NORTH FROM SECOND SOUTH STREET.)
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, NOVEMBER, 1937
III.
Tn 1897, a twenty-three year old Italian, named Guglielmo Mar- coni, who for several years had been intrigued by the theory that an elec- tric current when started in a given direction follows a direct course without the assistance of a con- ductor, was busy perfecting an ap- paratus for wireless telegraphy. With a sensitive detector, capable of picking up ever so faint etheric vibrations, he was able in 1901 to receive wireless messages at Signal Hill, Newfoundland, originating at Poldhu station in England. So suc- cessful was he, in fact, that the Anglo-American Cable Company, fearing for their trade, compelled him to leave Newfoundland!
These achievements in wireless telegraphy greatly stimulated elec- trical engineers experimenting in the field of wireless telephony, and soon a new race of geniuses sprang up all over the country speaking of "audions" and "oscillions" and other words no layman can under- stand, but very evidently meaning what they said, for by 1915 they were able to transmit speech without the aid of wires from Arlington to Paris, a distance of 3,600 miles. In the wake of these achievements mushroom factories sprang up every- where making radio receiving sets for individual use; a Federal com- mission had to be added to the al- ready overstuffed bureaus of Wash- ington to regulate conflicting send- ing stations, and now 25,000,000 sets throughout the United States may
A SCENE BEFORE EAGLE GATE, 1S72.
make both day and night hideous with the shrieks of dying gun molls, the jittery beat of swing bands, and the fiendish wailing of anemic love songs which fatuous advertisers hope will increase the sales of coffee, cigarettes, and patent cure-alls. And yet this thing called radio, properly used, spreads tidings of truth over the face of the earth in the twinkling of an eye and brings men together in the common bond of the common heritage of the good things of earth.
IV.
M
[otion pictures had a beginning in Thomas A. Edison's ingeni- ous idea of capitalizing on a defect of the human eye called "persistence of vision." He noted that an impres- sion on the retina lingers for a fiftieth part of a second after the scene exciting the impression has been removed. Accordingly, as early as 1879 he began experimenting with a lantern he called the "kineto- scope," an instrument by which many separate pictures per second were projected upon a screen, the interval during the change of pic- tures being so brief that to the eye it appeared one continuous presen- tation. The requirement of delicate precision in this machine, now called the cinematograph, was served by the Lumiere brothers of Paris, who in 1 895 effected several improve- ments, and by 1911, with the addi- tion of the multiple reel feature, the contrivance was ready to promote the vast new enterprise called the motion picture business. Techni- color and the synchronizing of voice
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with picture are the most recent improvements added to motion pic- tures, this new form of the drama which has all but crowded the legiti- mate theatre off the earth, and which in the United States weekly attracts a throng equal to two-thirds of the entire population of the country. No device ever invented has more power for affecting the manners and thought of the public than the movies. There is reason, therefore, for anxiety regarding the morals and tastes of the public in the hands of mercenary czars whose chief study often is an analysis of the human weakness for being hum- bugged by cheap thrills.
V.
Tn THE popular mind Edison is best remembered for the incandescent light, the phonograph, and the cinematograph, but the Patent Office shows that he was concerned with hundreds of other inventions, in- cluding the typewriter, the mimeo- graph, electric dynamo, railway sig- nal system, motion picture camera, and photographic films, automobile starter, process for making plate glass, process for constructing con- crete buildings, the electric lantern, and synthetic rubber. His discovery of most profound importance was perhaps that of the flow of electrons from hot filaments made during his early experiments with lamps, for from this observation has come the electronic tube, which in its myriad forms underlies radio broadcasting, long-distance telephoning, sound pictures, television, the electric eye, the X-ray, and a host of other de- vices. The United States Congress, in striking a medal for him in 1928, placed a value of nearly sixteen
673
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, NOVEMBER, 1937
*&$
billion dollars on his inventive con- tributions to humanity.
VI.
"pVER since man first realized that he was condemned to crawl on the earth's crust for want of wings he has watched with envy the glori- ous flight of birds. And being really a supernatural creature, as proved by his rankling ambition to learn the secrets of immortality, to move be- yond the bounds of his environment,
and to extend his dominion every- where, he has from the beginning nursed the confidence that he would some day learn how to fly. The first thinkers of whom history gives account seriously proposed methods of aerial navigation. Archimedes, the Greek mathematician who lived several centuries before Christ, es- tablished the principles of mechan- ical flight which are now success- fully applied. The Duke of Milan's dazzling jack-of-all-trades, Leon-
ardo da Vinci, made designs of a flap-wing affair, a helicopter, and a glider in the fifteenth century. But it was not until thirty-four years ago that a human being was carried from the ground in actual flight by mechanical means. On December 17, 1903, amid the Kill Devil sand- hills of North Carolina, Wilbur and Orville Wright flew 852 feet in a kite-like apparatus which they had constructed after long study of all the accumulated theories of flight. This was the birth of the airplane.
Two years later these pioneer air- men made a non-stop flight of twenty-four miles, the airplane re- maining aloft thirty-eight minutes. In 1909, the Frenchman, Bleriot, flew across the English Channel in twenty- three minutes. In 1911, Rogers crossed the United States in an airplane in forty-nine days. In 1919, Alcock and Brown made the first non-stop flight across the At- lantic. In 1924, the U. S. Army commenced the famous "Round the World" flight in May which was completed in August. During the same year Lieutenant Russell Maughan flew from New York to San Francisco in twenty-one hours. In 1927, Lindbergh flew from New York to Paris, 3,600 miles, in thirty- three hours. In 1933, Wiley Post flew around the world in seven days. In 1936, regular airmail service across the Pacific was inaugurated, and airlines within the United States carried 1,140,000 passengers.
No generation has been privileged to see so heroic a spectacle as we have seen enacted in the clouds by our pioneer pilots, most of whom fell to their deaths to advance the science of flying. What a horrible thought that all this inventive energy and sacrifice of gallant young lives may be misused to provide war lords
MAIN STREET, SALT LAKE CITY, 1936-37. (LOOKING SOUTH FROM NEAR COLLEGE AVENUE.)
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, NOVEMBER, 1937
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the raging seas that pounded their bobbing crafts, they did so much preaching and praying on those long voyages that more than one crew, captain and all, were converted and came on with the Saints to Zion.
IX.
A MULE DRAWN CAR FAMILIAR TO SALT LAKE CITY STREETS UNTIL LATE IN THE LAST CEN- TURY.
with the means to rain bombs on non-combatants!
VII.
"\7ast wealth invested in railroad equipment must be scrapped whenever new ideas are put into effect, but nevertheless the railroads have been increasing speed, reducing weight of carriers, and otherwise effecting economies in freight and passenger haulage. Tariffs have been generally lowered; new steam- line passenger trains have been built which in some cases weigh less than one old Pullman car; Diesel- electric and steam-electric power units have been tried in place of ponderous, old-style locomotives, and speeds of ninety to one hundred ten miles an hour have been achiev- ed. In passenger cars many new refinements of comfort have been installed, including air-conditioning.
VIII.
Cince the building of Dominie Peter's "Great Ship of three hundred tons burthen," which was launched at Salem, Massachusetts, in 1641, there has continued a dra- matic ship-building race between the rival maritime nations, with more or less constant progress in the size and speed of vessels. But it was not until the era of steel, commencing in the nineties that really big ships could be built which could with- stand the crushing blows of the great storm waves against their sides and would not break in two when poised athwart the crest of a "big one" or lying across the trough be- tween two waves. The record for fast-sailing packets between New York and Liverpool was twenty-one
days. In 1 856, the Persia, a steam- ship, made the crossing from New York to Queenstown in nine days. In 1 909, the Lusitania made the same crossing in four days, eleven hours, forty-two minutes. In 1935 the iVor- mandie, 1029 feet long, 79,280 tons, crossed from New York to Land's End, 200 miles beyond Queenstown, in four days, three hours.
The modern ocean liner is really a small floating city, the last word in safe, speedy, luxurious travel. What a contrast between such ma- jestic ships and the little old "tubs" of three-hundred-passenger capac- ity which carried many of the founders of Mormon families from Liverpool to New Orleans in from six weeks to two months! Each family carried its own bedding, food, and fuel for the journey, and took turns doing its own cooking. What with zeal for the Gospel and fear of
Tn the realm of building activity and architecture the outstanding feature of the past forty years has been the introduction of structural steel, which made possible the era of skyscrapers. There seems to be no limit to the height of these build- ings, for every decade has seen them going higher and higher. The latest of these great ones is the Empire State Building of New York, twelve hundred feet high, the tallest building on earth. The modern trend in American building is in the direction of exterior simplicity of line and form and inner utility and comfort. This is particularly true in the building of nouses, in which a decided revolt is noted against the jig-saw horrors of the nineteenth century and a return to the simple, unostentatious beauty of both Eng- lish and Spanish colonial designs. With scientific attention to economy of space, economy of housekeeping, indoor plumbing, mechanical re- frigeration, furnace heat or air-con- ditioning, these modern houses are very satisfactory places' to live in.
This return to colonial design is significant. American colonists in- cluded many fine Old- World ar- tisans who loved beauty and sought to plant it in the new land. But be- (Concluded on page 726)
RAIL TRANSPORTATION DELUXE, 1937.
The OUTLAW of NAVAJO MOUNTAIN
cJke Story of [Posey, JLast [Pah- Lite (Outlaw
By ALBERT R. LYMAN
ONE OF OLD POSEY'S RARE AND LATER PICTURES.
THE STORY THUS FAR: Down in the wild and lawless region of Fourcorners, where Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado come together, more than half a century ago Kit Carson rounded up the Navajos and drove them into Santa Fe, New Mexico, to keep them there in the "bullpen" for three years. While the Navajos were being thus harshly disciplined, a dis- affected handful of Pah-Utes broke away from their tribe north of the San Juan River and took possession of Navajo Mountain in Navajo territory. When the Navajos came back, these Pah- lite renegades refused to vacate the Navajo country and bad blood resulted. Sowagerie (Posey) the central character of this story was a child of one of the Pah-Ute renegades. He grew up in a cradle of anarchy. Bitseel, a son of the ousted Navajo, was Posey's most bitter enemy. In the midst of this tense situation in 1879, a colony of Mormons was sent down to settle the San Juan country, largely for the purpose of improving relationships with the Indians. Thales Haskel was their chief interpreter — a man skilled in Indian dialect and psychology. But the Navajos and Pah-Utes continued to prey upon each other and upon the Mormon settlement. During one skirmish when cowboy avengers scattered the tribe, the renegade son, Sowagerie, was momentarily sep- arated from the tribe with Toorah, little sister of Poke, the Pah- Ute leader. This brief interlude marked the beginning of a smoldering romance that caused Sowagerie bravely to change his name to Posey and vainly dress himself in fine clothes, braid his hair, and put on war paint. This interest in his little sister, however, was relentlessly disapproved by Poke, who looked upon the "apostate" Posey as "Skunk," and so referred to him. During one period of tribal disorganization, Toorah, Posey's beloved, disappeared with her brothers, and all Posey's searchings for her were in vain. Posey finally secured vague information concerning Toorah's whereabouts, and these two lovers madly dashed to freedom. Their new found freedom together was soun interrupted, however, when Poke accidentally stumbled upon their hiding place. But he was in trouble and his ugly threatening gave way to surly compromise. Posey now entered upon the most recklessly happy part of his life. But shortly later, in an act of playfulness, occurred the greatest tragedy of Posey's life — the shooting of his beloved wife by his own hand. His unbounded sorrow was made more terrible by the avenging pursuit of Toorah's brother, Poke. But the two met under circumstances which enabled Posey to save Poke's life, wherefore Posey was relieved of further vengeance on that score by agreeing to pay a high indemnity and by agreeing to marry another of Poke's sisters — a disagreeable superannuated maiden — which circumstance began another career of heckling evil. Later a handful of Mormon settlers from Bluff captured Posey in a humiliating manner, put him in irons and brought him before a justice of the peace, where he was bound over to appear at the next session of the district court. By a ruse Posey later escaped and went into exile at Navajo Mountain. He was shaken by his first personal experience with white man's justice and sent word to the inhabitants of Bluff, asking their forgiveness and pledging to mend his ways. The charges were withdrawn and Posey returned to the community on temporary good behavior. But as the terror of his exile began to fade, the humiliation of it loomed greater in his mind, and he took steps to see that it would not happen again by going to Colorado to purchase a long range
676
gun, and by learning how the recently installed telephones could be used and how communities could be separated by cutting wires. Thus prepared, he returned to his old ways with a vengeance. In the midst of this situation Poke's son, Tse-ne-gat, was accused of robbing and killing a sheepherder. Peace officers came to arrest him. In the skirmish that followed, both Pah-Utes and whites were killed. Posey had treacherously used a flag of truce to protect himself while he gained shooting position. General Hugh L. Scott was sent out from Washington to represent the government in this tragedy. Poke, Posey, Tse-ne-gat, and Jess Posey were taken to Denver for trial. Royally treated and ex- onerated, they were released by the government and sent home. This generous treatment they interpreted as an act of weakness, and began to plan further misdeeds. With an increasing belief in his own immunity from all punishment, Posey acquired another long range gun, traveled a long distance to purchase a horse that was superior to anything in the San Juan region, and in other ways prepared for the inevitable conflict that was destined to come. His preparations, however, were interrupted by another gambling affray with Bitseel in which Posey's prize horse was involved and from which he extricated himself by striking Bitseel with the butt of a revolver and dashing for freedom — thus post- poning another final meeting. The October installment describes Posey's activities in organizing and firing to violence the hoodlum element of the tribe — an element, which having been inspired to violence proved embarrassingly difficult even for Posey to control. Finally Pahneab, a young leader of the hoodlum element, was arrested with Dutchie's boy and brought to trial for holding up a sheepherder at gun's point. Posey entered the schoolhottse court- room and during the noon recess aided the defendants to break for liberty, with Sheriff Oliver in full pursuit.
Chapter XIX — The Big Stir
T.
.he big stir was on! It had come as the sharp crack of a whip, and it found most of the Pah- Utes lounging around the stores or killing time at other places in town. Many of them knew nothing even yet of what had happened.
When Posey and Dutchie-toats (Dutchie's boy) ran panting into camp, everything was in an uproar at once. Pahneab had dashed by on the black mare and was bringing the horses from the sagebrush flat beyond. They must be gone! No time to lose. Posey dared now to give imperious orders. But most of their people loafed stupidly somewhere in town. Parts of families there at the wickiups fumed and cried for children or wives or fathers or brothers still in Bland- ing. Oliver had turned back from the edge of the trees, but he would get help and be after them.
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, NOVEMBER, 1937
Then some of their people arrived breathless from town, — wild, ter- rified. They reported that every white man in Blanding was running for his gun — getting horses to ride — any horses in sight, the very first they could find.
Pahneab came pell-mell with the ponies from the flat, and everybody in camp ran to get his rope on his animals to pack up and be gone. Teegre sprang to the back of his buckskin and raced away to the east rim of West Water at the edge of town where he called in long and penetrating tones to his people, " Whoo-eeh-eeh! Tos-pon pikey! Tooish apane!" His magnificent voice carried far through the cool spring air, but his people in town, though they heard, had been hur- riedly rounded up by determined men who ordered them not to move a foot.
As Teegre returned on the keen jump, Joe Bishop, heavy, perspir- ing, and panting from undue haste came dragging up from West Wa- ter. He said he was the last man to escape the roundup and get out of town; fifty or more of their peo- ple were prisoners — men standing over them with guns. No use to wait longer for them.
Impotent haste and frightened confusion reigned in camp. They cinched saddles on squirming, pro- testing cayuses; they piled beds and provisions and supplies on the sad- dles in bunglesome heaps. They urged their motley flocks of goats up from the groves of oak in the canyon, expecting every minute to be attacked by the men from the town.
They must be off. "Tooish apane! Tooish apane!" commanded the general impatiently.
But how could they start on The Old Trail with nearly half their people held as prisoners in town to become possible hostages pending the outcome of the trouble? No dif- ference— they must go. Posey would come back in the night and get the prisoners — it was a prom- ise— "Tooish apane!"
They mounted in a panic of sus- pense and headed wildly for the nearest cover of thick treses and rocks to the south. Joe Bishop, puf- fing and palpitating with his fat and trying to get his saddle on his fidg- ety pony, was left behind. He hadn't got the blamed thing in place when Bill Oliver and half a dozen armed men rode into camp.
"Where's your boy?" demanded the sheriff.
"I show you." Old Joe panted,
JESS POSEY, SON OF OLD POSEY
getting his ponderous weight in the saddle, and starting on the reeking trail of the goats and the ponies, the white men at his heels.
Pahneab's father had no intention of giving his son away. He figured that once among the thick trees he could dodge out of sight, and hur- rying forward to his people he could tell them who and how many were in pursuit. But when he dodg- ed, Dave Black dodged after him, and Dave had to jab him fiercely in the ribs with the muzzle of his gun to convince him the only way to save his life was to go back with Black to the roundup in town.
Three miles down West Water Point, Posey and his fugitives stop- ped behind a barrier of big rocks to consider. Which way should they go, and at what point should they enter The Big Trail? The Big Trail was to the west, and the gen- eral wanted to turn that way at once. He was met again by the popular howl about the people held as prisoners in town. The best fighters of the tribe were there, Scotty among them. And they should by all means have Poke to be their leader.
Poke for their leader! The idea! After all Posey had done! His blood boiled.
And the inevitable second wife was with the popular majority, mak- ing a veiled threat of what her broth- er would do if he were left out. Also, a-plenty would happen to them if they went without him, even if he did nothing. They lacked little of open mutiny right there and then.
jl osey knew they must go on in spite of everything; they must go even if he had to yield a point; and he did yield a very dear point, almost amounting to the ab- dication of his imperial ambition. He sent a messenger telling Poke to meet them, and then instead of get- ting off to the west nearer the Old Trail, they had to turn east to meet the old bear at Recapture.
Posey wanted very much to have Poke with them, but not to super- sede him. He knew that one grunt from the old grizzly was worth more than forty fighting men, but Posey had a more cherished reason than that for wanting the old cavalier in the ranks of the big stir.
Poke, more than any other man in the tribe had been the author of all the big fights hitherto, and Po- sey had got a place in them only by inviting himself, and then he had to march in the mean tail of the pa- rade. Now, as the prime mover of this big event, he had a great am- bition to invite the old bear to oc- cupy a place in the ranks behind him.
Yet, after this mutinous display, with half his people under arrest, and the second wife carrying on as terribly as a hen with one chicken, he would be delighted to have the old grizzly take the whole infernal mess off his hands. As the brains of three riproaring wars, and with at least seven dead men to his credit, Poke could paw this mutinous herd into line and compel every man to do his ragged best.
The messenger left at once for Yellow Jacket, leaning forward on his speeding horse, and the outfit pushed on towards Recapture. Late in the afternoon they stopped to take a much needed lunch at the old cabin on Murphy Point.
In ten minutes Sheriff" Oliver and his little posse appeared at the field gate to the north of them. The posse was rather too far away for a shot, but Posey plowed up the dust in front of them as a gentle hint to wait a little while. The Pah-Utes behind the cabin rushed their re- {Continued on page 714)
677
THE FOUR PRESIDENTS OF THE CHURCH UNDER WHOSE ADMINISTRATIONS "THE IMPROVEMENT ERA" HAS CONTINUED ITS CHURCH-WIDE MISSION; LEFT TO RIGHT: WILFORD WOOD- RUFF, LORENZO SNOW, JOSEPH F. SMITH, AND HEBER J. GRANT.
40
YEARS of SERVICE
When this number of The Im- provement Era reaches the hands of its readers in all parts of the world, the magazine will be successfully launched upon its forty-first year of service, for No- vember is the birthday month of the publication which, for forty years, has been near and dear to hundreds of thousands of Latter-day Saints in all the world.
Though the magazine has been a constant, steady, hopeful, cour- ageous, and inspiring voice in a changing and often muddled and darkened world, if Professor Pit- kin's famous statement, "Life be- gins at forty," is true, then this number launches the magazine upon a career that will far transcend that of the past forty years, glorious as that has been.
From a tiny infant without ances- tors, unless the old Contributor could be called an ancestor, born
By HARRISO R.MERRILL
Director, Extension Division, B. Y. U„ Member of the General Board of the Y. M. M. I. A., and Former Managing Editor of "The Im- provement Era."
Ctarted without capital at a time when the Church was in deep financial despair, "The Improvement Era" has served a growing world-wide organ- ization DURING THE ADMINISTRATIONS OF FOUR PRESIDENTS
of the Church.
Through four stormy decades the "Era has
SOUNDED A SAFE COURSE.
during the Pioneer Jubilee year, the magazine has grown to be a fully developed, mature, dignified, and much-loved adult in the prime of life and service. Nurtured and loved and watched over by some of the best and ablest leaders of the Church, it has become an influential organ with an important message for all the world, and due to con- tinued effort of those who have had its destinies in charge, it is taking that message to all the world. There
is scarcely a nation or a people or an island of the sea that is not vis- ited by this bearer of truth and good tidings.
It is of more than passing inter- est, really of great significance, that there is one man who has been closely identified with the magazine
PAST EDITORS AND ASSOCIATE EDITORS OF "THE IMPROVEMENT ERA," LEFT TO RIGHT: JOSEPH F. SMITH, B. H. ROBERTS, EDWARD H. ANDERSON, HUGH J. CANNON, ELSIE TALMAGE BRANDLEY, HARRISON R. MERRILL.
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, NOVEMBER, 1937
PAST BUSINESS MANAGERS AND ASSISTANTS: HEBER J. GRANT, THOMAS HULL, ALPHA J. HIGGS, MORONI SNOW, MELVIN J. BALLARD, 0. B. PETERSON.
since the beginning. It was largely owing to his force and drive that the Era was born at all and that it has continued to grow in the face of many difficulties. That man is President Heber J. Grant, first busi- ness manager and present senior editor.
Forty years ago when the maga- zine was without funds and when there were no funds to be had from the Church, which was then in dire financial distress, President Grant was made business manager. His zeal carried him into all parts of the Church and there he preached Im- provement Era. Thousands have heard him tell, in a semi-serious and semi-humorous manner, many of the experiences which were his during those early years of desperate strug- gle for existence.
The magazine has lived during the administrations of four presi-
M. I. A. HEADS UNDER WHOSE ADMINISTRA- TIONS THE "ERA" HAS BEEN PUBLISHED. LEFT TO RIGHT, FIRST ROW: W1LF0RD WOOD- RUFF, LORENZO SNOW, JOSEPH F. SMITH, ANTHONY W. IVINS; SECOND ROW: GEORGE ALBERT SMITH, RUTH MAY FOX (Y. W. M. I. A.), ALBERT E. BOWEN, AND GEORGE Q. MORRIS.
dents of the Church. Begun in 1897, when President Wilford Woodruff was Trustee-in-Trust, it has contin- ued through the administrations of Presidents Lorenzo Snow and Jo- seph F. Smith, and for nearly nineteen years during the adminis- tration of President Heber J. Grant. During all of that time, President Grant has been either business man- ager or editor of the magazine, which is as dear to him as a living person- ality.
He held the position of manager until the death of President Joseph F. Smith, when he was made editor- in-chief with Edward H. Anderson as assistant and with Melvin J. Bal- lard as business manager. And the editor's chair he still dignifies.
The history of The Improvement Era is a story of faith and works united in a most efficient manner. The Contributor, a magazine which had been in circulation among the Saints for seventeen years, was dis- continued in the fall of 1896, for lack of support, leaving the Church with no magazine through which the young men could be effectively reached. This loss was soon keenly felt. President Grant writes:
Twice in my life I prayed to the Lord to
be appointed to a position. The first time was when there was a disorganization of the general superintendency of the Mutual Improvement Associations because of the failure of one of the men in that superin- tendency to retain his standing in one of the
tut
IMPROVEMENT
ERA.
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?*u »hv4 *9*th<«
■^::.:i^:.-.*?»«Uftitt.'
A MINIATURE COVER VOLUME I, NUMBER I.
REPRODUCTION OF
high positions in the Church. I got down on my knees and I asked the Lord to call me to be one of the superintendency of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Asso- ciation. The Contributor was a very splen- did magazine, one of the very finest mag- azines the Church has published. ... It had died a natural death because of the lack of support on the part of the people. We had no magazine, and there were no meet- ings of the general board, except that they met once in about every six months. I realized that they ought to meet every week, that they should come together and con- verse and work out programs. I prayed to the Lord that I might be chosen as one of the general superintendency. The very next day when I was in the president's office, President Joseph F. Smith said to President Woodruff who was then also General Superintendent of the Y. M. M. I. A.: "Brother Woodruff, I believe you ought to have two other counselors in the superintendency of the Young Men's Mu- tual. I suggest that Brother Grant here and Brother B. H. Roberts be counselors as well as myself." . . . We immediately call- ed a meeting and we considered the proposi- tion of starting The Improvement Era. . . .
At that time, the Church was in debt and without credit, and almost
679
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, NOVEMBER, 1937
THE PRESENT "ERA" EDITORIAL STAFF, LEFT TO RIGHT: HEBER J. GRANT AND JOHN A. WIDTSOE, EDITORS; RICHARD L. EVANS, WAN- AGING EDITOR; MARBA C. JOSEPHSON, ASSO- CIATE EDITOR.
at its lowest ebb financially. No funds were available for such a project, the committee was inform- ed by the office of the Trustee-in- Trust. However, plans were formu- lated in the late summer of 1 897 for launching a magazine. Said Presi- dent Roberts in an account he wrote of the matter, twenty-eight years later:
The strong assertion that those who sup- posed that we had no capital with which to begin the publication of the organ for the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association were entirely mistaken. Our capital was the interest of the young men of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Mutual cause; and that had
nounced as Joseph F. Smith and B. H, Roberts.
At that early time, before a single magazine was printed, the sub- scription price was set at two dol- lars a year. Several members of the General Board at that time were also members of the Council of the Twelve and the First Council of the Seventy; they took the mat- ter up in quarterly conferences which they attended and in other ways assisted the campaign. Though
mm
FIRST HOME OF THE "ERA", TEMPLETON BUILDING, SOUTH TEMPLE AND MAIN STREETS, SALT LAKE CITY.
only to be appealed to and drawn upon in order to be sufficient and permanent in the maintenance of the Young Men's or- gan. It was urged with complete confi- dence that if our case were fittingly pre- sented to the young men of the Church, and our determination to publish such an organ was strong enough, that we could supply the capital by asking our young men for a one year's subscription to the magazine, strictly in advance, and before any numbers were printed at all. . . .
That was rather a unique plan for rais- ing capital, and many were the predictions of failure should we attempt to execute it! But the committee in charge were then young men, and represented at that time the spirit of faith and confidence in things undertaken, characteristic of the young men of the Church; and so the plan, with some misgiving, was assented to, and a campaign for raising the capital was planned,
680
ANOTHER HOME OF THE "ERA", OLD PRESIDENT'S OF- FICE BETWEEN THE LION HOUSE AND THE BEE-HIVE HOUSE. (THE "ERA" WAS ALSO HOUSED FOR SEVERAL YEARS IN THE PRESIDING BISHOP'S BUILDING.)
The general outline of that plan, as I recall it, was first of all to adopt a name, have the management and editorial staff appointed, and then send out campaigning companies into all the territory occupied by the Church organizations to solicit sub- scriptions. The business management was placed in the capable and enthusiastic hands of Heber J. Grant, as manager, with Thom- as Hull, assistant, and the editors were an-
President Roberts could not remem- ber the number or the personnel of all the campaigning companies, he has left us a delightful paragraph or two telling of the activities of his own company. He says:
The company of canvassers with which the writer was associated was assigned a group of counties in northern Utah and southern Idaho, and their tour occupied something more than a month or six weeks and was somewhat typical of other groups who went upon the same mission.
Our territory consisted of the Afton
BUSINESS STAFF OF THE PRESENT ERA. LEFT TO RIGHT: GEORGE Q. MORRIS, GENERAL MAN- AGER, CLARISSA A. BEESLEY, ASSOCIATE MANAGER, JOHN K. 0RT0N, BUSINESS MAN- AGER.
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, NOVEMBER, 1937
in which Hull and myself sometimes swell- ed the chorus, seemed to be taken as cur- rency for the large draughts of buttermilk and lunches our company consumed.
Everywhere our public meetings were well attended, subscriptions for the forth- coming magazine rolled up on every hand. In other parts of the Church territory, as well as in ours, the young men of Israel everywhere responded to this appeal, and became the capital, the only capital with which the magazine started.
But despite this loyal and ready
Y. M. M. I. A. COMMITTEE WHO PLANNED THE PRESENT ENLARGED "ERA". LEFT TO RIGHT: GEORGE Q. MORRIS, CHAIRMAN; JOHN D. GILES, STRING AM A. STEVENS.
Stake, in Wyoming, Bear Lake and Oneida Stakes, Idaho, and Cache Stake, Utah.
The personnel of our party consisted of the late Robert Easton, and his wife Jean- ette Young Easton, Thomas Hull and his wife Margaret Hull, Douglas M. Todd, Viola Pratt Gillett and her mother, Mrs.
RIGHT: ANOTHER OF THE HOMES OF "THE IMPROVEMENT ERA," 47 EAST SO. TEMPLE, SALT LAKE CITY. Photo by D. F. Davis.
LEFT: PRESENT HOME OF "THE IMPROVEMENT ERA," 50 NORTH MAIN STREET, SALT LAKE CITY. Photo by Homer Wakefield.
Milando Pratt, Walter S. Lamoreaux, and myself. Those who are acquainted with the personnel of this company will at once surmise that it was strong for its singing talent, especially in the personages of "Bob" Easton, Viola Pratt Gillett, Mrs. Margaret Hull, and Mr. Lamoreaux. They were to give concerts and the rest of us were to represent the prose proposition of raising the .Era's capital. . . .
Easton and his associate singers were
at their best. Something in the outdoor life, and meeting in the homes, seemed to give a touch of romance to our undertak- ing. Everyone was cheerful, and we often went serenading people in their homes in out-of-the-way places. There "Bob" Eas- ton, in Scotch songs, and Viola Pratt Gil- lett, in sentimental ones, with solos by Sister Hull, and duets and trios thrown in for good measure, in which Lamoreaux joined, together with choruses and hymns
response, the financing and business management of The Improvement Era continued to be a burdensome task, and President Grant began a campaign of solicitation by personal letter for subscribers and donors. In this activity he used his energies and his private means, and the en- ergies of his family. His home, then on Second East Street in Salt Lake City, was ofttimes converted into a veritable mailing room, with the President's children folding and sealing while he signed thousands of letters.
(Continued on page 720)
Its arrival in far-distant lands is eagerly watched for.
It is clean, it is wholesome, it is refreshing, and a delight to its thousands of subscribers.
The First Council of The Seventy,
By Rufus K. Hardy.
T'he Improvement Era is to be congratulated, after forty years, on its fine appearance. In- deed, it is so bright and attractive that one is tempted, no matter how busy he may be, to pause and investigate. Opening the magazine and turn- ing to the title page his eye would immediately catch this extraordinary line: "The Glory of God Is Intelligence."
And glancing over the . . . contents and . . . finding them to be of the very highest character he would be led to exclaim, "Now I know why The Improvement Era is so widely read and so popular throughout the Church, and even beyond its borders."
The investigator would not be long in discover- ing that the editorials written by President Heber J. Grant and John A. Widtsoe, Editors; Richard L. Evans, Managing Editor, and Marba C. Jo- sephson, Associate Editor, add interest and strength to this important magazine. The ultimate success of a publication depends in part upon the general management. In the management of the Era the investigator would recognize the splendid work being done by George Q. Morris, General Manager; Clarissa A. Beesley, Associate Man- ager, and J. K. Orton, Business Manager.
May signal success attend the coming forth each month of The Improvement Era, is the ardent wish of
The Council of the Twelve.
By Rudger Claw son, President.
- — • —
\X/e desire to congratulate the Era upon its forty years of successful achievement.
A thing well born is well on its way to success.
Its impetus has never diminished since its found- er and business manager, President Heber J. Grant, and its first editor, President Joseph F. Smith, launched it forth on its errand of home educational enlightenment and its missionary career.
Being in touch with the missionary activities of the Church, we can truthfully say that the Era is and has been a messenger of joy, peace, and comfort to the missionaries in the field and the disseminator of the Latter-day Gospel truths to many not yet of our faith.
HTwo score years of splendid service in the presen- tation of interesting and instructive subjects, beginning with the jubilee year of this Common- wealth, justifies most cordial felicitations to this important magazine and to all who have con- tributed to its success.
We honor especially an outstanding character — - the first Business Manager and present Editor- in-Chief and President of the Church, Heber J. Grant.
His courage and persistence, his generosity and enthusiasm have been large factors in carrying forward this publication in the trying days of its early existence.
May this magazine continue its outstanding career!
The Presiding Bishopric,
By Sylvester Q. Cannon.
•
It gives the Relief Society great pleasure to ex- tend congratulations to The Improvement Era on the fortieth anniversary of its founding. It is impossible to estimate the power for good it has been among the people; a source of enlightenment
and of entertainment.
* * *
At this interesting period, may the thought be expressed, that the sympathetic understanding of the needs of the hour, the vision, courage and faith of the past, continue to direct its course for the next forty years.
General Board of Relief Society,
By Louise Y. Robison.
TThe Deseret Sunday School Union in its 89th year, applauds The Improvement Era for its 40 illustrious years of building faith and fervor into the characters of Latter-day Saints. It is a glorious record for your magazine. So long as such excellence marks your performance, we shall be cheering for you.
Cordially yours, Geo. D. Pyper, Milton Bennion, Geo. R. Hill, Jr. General Superintendency.
•
A magazine is successful in proportion to the friends it makes. The Improvement Era numbers its friends in the thousands because of its inspiring, enlightening, and helpful messages. The Primary Association is happy to be numbered among its admiring friends and takes pleasure in extending congratulations and abundant good wishes for its continued success.
The General Board of the
Primary Association.
TWO BROTHERS
FL
un and mud. Mud and rain. Sorrow and dread and futility. Men with courage and men with fear. So this was the front!
My sensations on going over the top? At first I thought of home. Pastel skies, cool mountains, green fields. Then — into a hell of rico- cheting lead! A symphony of death! The battlefield was a tumbled chaos of broken bodies. Dismembered souls drifted in the cannon smoke. Chatter. . . chatter ... an unending rhythm — was that machine guns or my teeth chattering? Some of the boys ran ahead of me. The mowing got them — over like wheat they went — sliced off — -quick — easy. My feet snagged on bodies. I kept on going. No telling — I might be next.
What an experience! My mind said that several times, I remember. But my body was numb, drenched, cold. And the senselessness of it all pounded at me.
A man fell in my way. Did it hurt much? I wondered. His eyes closed so quietly.
All around the air surcharged with death — with transient life. Hate crescendoing in song — bursting in screeching splendor. Shells — screaming — spiraling! Flash! Flame! Eternity swooping upon me with a thousand stars!
That smothering sense of death was hushing my throat. I fought. I wouldn't die! But I was so tired. I almost wanted to die.
I was drifting. Rising and sink- ing— just as someone is said to feel with a shot of morphine.
Here's what happened. You can make what you will of it.
I know. I know I passed into that mysterious half-realm between life and death. There perception is keener— there we see the ordinar- ily unseen — we hear the ordinarily unheard! There we are sensitized to vibrations on a higher plane than those of earth. Delirious? Oh, no! My mind was clearer than crystal!
I could feel someone standing there. Finally I opened my eyes. I could see someone in white and someone garbed in black. Out of the haze two faces were material- izing. The mists cleared. One was radiant . . . light. The other dark . . . haunted, I knew them some-
A SHORT SHORT STORY OF THE ETERNAL CONFLICT
HELEN TENNA TYREE
how. Where had I seen them be- fore? I kept trying to remember.
They say I was shell-shocked. But I tell you I saw through space and time!
Those two surely resembled one another, I thought. They looked like brothers — but separated by dif- ferent worlds! Suddenly they be- came aware of one another. They did not speak. The one in white stretched out his hand. But the dark one stood sullen. He didn't appear to notice the outstretched hand. A fleeting look of pain came over the dark face and then a sneer.
They were like people who have been separated for a long time and find words painful. They just stood and looked at each other. It got on my nerves, the way they kept stand- ing there. Silent. Death-like. The dark one kept on trying to sneer, but there was a heart-broken look about him — like someone forever doomed — someone forever lost ... lost in a world of nameless shad- ows and horror! I felt sorry for him. He turned to go.
The other stopped him.
"So — we meet again, my broth- er!" There was the gentleness of prayer in that voice. "It's been a long time."
Still the dark one didn't answer.
"My brother!" the shining one had said — and into the sweet stern- ness of his face came deep sorrow.
My brother! My brother! How those words sobbed themselves into my heart and chanted in my soul! And then I remembered who they were. Spiritual memories stirred in me.
. . . Existence was new. The uni- verse was young. I heard again a crucified voice breaking in anguish. Again I heard a father's tortured words ringing into the stillness of eternity: 'Lucifer! Lucifer! Why hast thou fallen, Son of the Morn- mg?
I sensed the half-turning of that soul moved by this omnipotent elo- quence. Then sullen pride triumph- ed. That god-like but self-destroy- ing pride! I sensed the perverted glory of that lost son. He who had been among the most exalted — fall- ing— falling from the grace of God!
LJespair weighed me! How could we — lesser ones — hope to prevail when such greatness had failed? He — the Son of the Morn- ing!
Voices murmured. Awe crept over all.
And then he was gone — the Prince of Darkness wearing his de- feat majestically. I will never for- get that terrible, tragic deserter! Alone — unwanted — but not un- mourned. . . .
And now the brothers had met
again.
{Concluded on page 707)
683
a Woman
of VISION
Ctarted by Susa Young Gates in 1889 and Edited by eight women of vision, the "young woman's jour-
NAL" IN ITS FORTIETH YEAR IN 1929 MERGED WITH "The
Improvement Era."
By MARBA C JOSEPHSON
Associate Editor of "The Improvement Era"
SUSA YOUNG GATES (Founder of the "Young Woman's Journal" and
Editor, 1889-1901.)
Behind every great movement stands a great person, one who towers above his fellows and whose shadow elongates to mold events and shape destiny. The story behind the founding of the Young Woman's Journal is poig- nantly bound up in the life of one whose vision and care brought the Journal through its perilous years of early childhood. Eight other great women also figured in its growth. Their genius nurtured the Journal into maturity and all of them lived to see this child of their hopes safely embarked on a greater journey when, as it reached its maturity of forty years, it combined with The Improvement Era.
We are told in the Doctrine and Covenants : "To every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God. To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby." Each of the women who fostered the Journal had rich gifts. But of necessity the story of the woman whose vision in- spired its founding must receive the greatest consideration in any article dealing with that magazine.
While nothing is said in the Doc- trine and Covenants about women's having gifts, many of them did, some of them by virtue of the men who fathered them. One such wom- an was Susa Young Gates, daughter of Brigham Young by Lucy Bigelow, who also by right of descent was entitled to many gifts of the spirit.
One of the surprising things about our early Mormon women and their descendants was their ability to see into the deeper significance of life and in spite of hard times keep bright the flame of desire for the 684
good things, both for themselves and others of their faith. Theirs was an entirely unselfish devotion to the cause of the majority. They knew that their personal accomplishments might carry them far, but they for- got self entirely for the benefit of the greater number.
Susa Young Gates, born of a gen- eration who had conquered dis-
MAY BOOTH TALMAGE (Editor, 1901-1902.)
tance, entered a new pioneering field. Brilliant, friendly, capable, she could have gone far in her own right. But first and last, she was a Latter- day Saint; all else must be sub- servient to her wish to be a good Latter-day Saint.
ANN M. CANNON (Editor, 1902-1907.)
VK7iTH the celebration of the fortieth year of the initial publication of "The Improve- ment Era," it is only fitting that recognition be accorded a mag- azine which submerged its identity in order to make a greater magazine for the Church. That magazine, "The Young Woman's Journal," owed much to the far-seeing women who piloted it through its perilous early life. They too must share in the glory that has accrued to the magazine which has resulted from their uniting to make a greater "Im- provement Era."
To read the accomplishments of Sister Gates sounds incredible to those who did not come in personal contact with this vital, tireless woman. The number of "firsts" to her credit is amazing. She started life with a first, since, although she was not the first child of Brigham Young, she was the first child born in the historic Lion House on March 18, 1856.
When she was attending school at the University of Utah, Dr. Park appointed her associate editor of the
first western college paper, The Col- lege Lantern. In 1870, when Pres- ident Young moved her mother's family to St. George, Utah, she or- ganized a large club of men and women, called the Union Club. In 1878, when she was in Provo, she organized the music department at B. Y. U. In 1897, she organized the domestic science department at the same institution. Sister Gates was also organizer of the first state chap- ter in Utah of the Daughters of the Revolution.
All of these activities show the tremendous energy, vision, and abil- ities of this truly remarkable woman whose greatness was recognized among women outside of Utah. Susan B. Anthony upon one occasion
J
ELEN WALLACE
(Associate Editor, 1902-
1907.)
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, NOVEMBER, 1937
said to her that she would make Sister Gates president of the Na- tional Council of Women, if she would forget her militant Mormon- ism. Sister Gates replied character- istically that the price was too high.
A woman's first duty according to Latter-day Saints is, whenever possible, to rear children under the everlasting covenant, according to the eternal family plan. Although tragedy stalked Sister Gates in her desire to live this law, she rose above her sorrow and finally earned the merited satisfaction of having a large and gifted family. Her first obedience was always to the Priest- hood and when her husband, Jacob F. Gates, was called to fill a mission to the Sandwich Islands, as the Hawaiian Islands were then called, she unquestioningly accompanied him and three of their children were born there. Had not her father led a people into the wilderness? She, a daughter of that father, could do no less than accompany her husband on his special appointment.
Proof of her undying love of the Church and devotion for its prin- ciples is manifested in her sacrifice of her own career in order to become a mother in Israel. In addition to the thirteen children whom she bore, she became a light to countless chil- dren not her own, who lovingly called her "Aunt Susa."
She herself never felt that she had sacrificed. On one occasion at least, she said: "It was better that I marry and give of my talent to my children. If I had continued with my own career, there would have been only one. Because I married, one daughter has achieved inter- national fame with her golden voice; one son has given his musical talent to the Church; another son has be- come recognized in the field of liter- ature; another daughter has become well-known in domestic science."
^Taturally, when a woman of the ability, the spirituality, the geni- ality which Sister Gates possessed, turned her attention to any field, she was certain to meet success. When, accordingly, while still in the Is- lands, she had the vision of what a
ELSIE TALMAGE BRANDLEY
(Associate Editor, 1923- 1929; Editor, 1929.)
magazine for young women could mean to them and to the Church, she was not long in trying to realize the dream. In this instance, she once again proved her willingness to obey and follow the counsel of the Priest- hood. While there were already three Church publications: the Juvenile Instructor, for the Sunday School; the Woman's Exponent, for the Relief Society; and the Con- tributor, for the Young Men's Asso- ciation; there was no magazine for the young women. There was no opportunity for the young women of the Church to receive special mes- sages, to voice their opinions, or to
ESTELLE NEFF CALDWELL
(Co-editor with Elen Wallace, 1905.)
MARY CONNELLY
KIMBALL
(Editor, 1907-1923.)
ask questions. She wrote first of all to Joseph F. Smith, second coun- selor to President Wilford Wood- ruff, and explained the plan for this new magazine. He advised her to counsel with President Woodruff, which she did. With his approval and recommendation, she wrote to the presidency of the Young Ladies'
CLARISSA A. BEESLEY
(Associate Editor, 1914-
1923; Editor, 1923-
1929.)
Mutual Improvement Association, who voted in favor of the publica- tion and presented their wishes to the First Presidency-
In May, 1889, when the Gates family returned from their mission, the work began. In October, 1 889, the first issue was published. Two aims were ever-present in the mind of Sister Gates and her co-workers:
1, the spirit of the magazine should take precedence over literary forms;
2, home writers should be encour- aged in order to cultivate talent among our own people. In the pages of the magazine were such depart- ments as: House and Home, Dress Department, Health and Hygiene, Our Girls' Department. In addi- tion were to be found fiction, poetry, and articles on literary appreciation.
Of course, the financial situation
was serious. The only way of ad- vertising was by word of mouth. Many of the women, including Sister Gates' own mother, paid all of their own expenses and drove their own horses and buggies into the outlying districts that the magazine might continue.
For eleven years, Sister Gates was the guiding spirit of the Journal. Traveling back and forth from her home in Provo, she was ever at the helm. Her keen intellect, her warm sympathies, her intense vitality kept the new magazine going.
When her husband was called on another mission, this time to New York, "Aunt Susa" resigned the editorship so that she might accom- pany him. Her indomitable spirit which had kept the magazine going during its eleven hazardous years was sufficient to carry it forward through the succeeding years.
Her courage in face of disaster, her sublime faith can best be illus- trated in episodes from her life, many of which have been a constant source of encouragement to those who have known of them. After the tragic death of a little daughter, instead of futilely weeping, Sister Gates went home and canned tomatoes. Her heart ached, as all women's hearts must ache in the face of a loss so intense, but hers was the truly val- iant spirit. She would work out her grief rather than succumb to it. She early in her life learned the value of true prayer. Whenever things seemed too hard to bear, she went to the Lord. She talked the situ- ation through with Him. Then when she arose from her knees, she left her sorrow and heartbreak with Him. She carried hope and courage to her new tasks.
Susa Young Gates had a talent, recognized it, and acted on it. From her vision, the Young Woman's Journal received the impetus to go forward through exactly forty years of existence under eight capable editors before it was wedded to The Improvement Era. The magazine began with the first issue in October, 1889, and closed with its final issue in October, 1929- — forty years of glorious achievement.
685
"In honor of the Era's Fortieth Anniversary and President Grant's forty years' service to the Era, at least forty per cent of all our homes will have the church magazine."
7T challenge in the Church-wide campaign /-% to place The Improvement Era in every "*■ home has been issued by Ensign Stake, last
year's third place winner in Class B Stakes for total number of subscriptions. One of the larger stakes of the Church, Ensign has set its immediate goal at 1250 subscriptions — 40 per cent of the Church homes in the stake — and has coupled this avowed objective of a new all-time Church-wide record with a further expressed determination to realize the symbolism of its name and be an Ensign to the Church.
The Ensign stake Era objective for the current year has in it several points of particular signifi- cance in addition to the fact that it represents 40 per cent of Ensign Stake Church homes. The goal was placed at this figure to commemorate The Im- provement Era's forty years' service to the Church and President Grant's forty years' service to the Era. The objective has also been established to honor President Grant, founder and editor of the Era, on his eighty-first birthday anniversary, which occurs in the same month as the Era's fortieth anniversary — November, 1 937.
The Ensign Stake plan, which involves many special features, was launched several weeks ago by Anne Smith and Chet Larson, Ensign Stake Era Directors, who have lined up behind them the active and loyal support of the stake and ward M. I. A. leaders; George Cannon Young and Louise P. Clawson, stake M. I. A. superintendent and president; and the stake presidency, Winslow F. Smith, George J. Cannon, and Oscar W. Mc- Conkie, and the bishops of wards.
A special meeting of the stake presidency, stake high council, stake M. I. A. leaders, and ward bishoprics was called early in September to approve and launch the plan, which provides for the ap- pointing of an Era chairman by the bishop of each ward, and for the appointment of captains of fifty under whom as many Era workers as are necessary are appointed to visit twelve families each.
Display cards were shown at the Ensign stake M. I. A. convention at which High Councilman D. E. Judd sounded the challenge. These placards have been shown also at other stake and ward functions. Some of them read as follows:
LEFT TO RIGHT: ENSIGN STAKE PRESIDENT WINSLOW F. SMITH; GEORGE CANNON YOUNG, STAKE SUPERINTENDENT OF Y. M. M. I. A.; LOUISA P. CLAWSON, STAKE PRES- IDENT Y. W. M. I. A.; CHET LARSON, STAKE ERA DIRECTOR, AND ANNE SMITH, STAKE ERA DIRECTOR.
Onward with the Church — The Era will keep
you Informed. The Era — 40 Years of Successful Missionary
Work. The Era Tells the Church about the Church. In the Era — Messages from the First Presidency. The Era Read in Every Home. Ensign Stake Goal — 1250. Ensign Stake to Lead the Church — Subscribers
and Readers. The Era is the Organ of the Priesthood
Quorums.
Tt is peculiarly fitting that Ensign stake should undertake to set a new all-time Church-wide Era record in this fortieth anniversary year be- cause it is President Grant's home stake.
It is not thought, however, that Ensign's earnest and spectacular challenge will be left uncontested. Most of last year's leading stakes have declared themselves out for this year's high percentage or high numbers placements and most of the stakes who did not place among the leaders last year are organized for higher records this year. Last year's record by Salt Lake and Ensign stakes has spurred other Salt Lake City stakes to project their activi- ties for greater accomplishment. Brother and Sister W. H. Earnshaw who directed Salt Lake Stake's outstanding achievement last year are again directing the program in that stake. President Leo J. Muir, Superintendent George A. Baker, President Geneva Langlois, and Arnold G. Morris, Era Director, who were behind last year's all-time all-Church record in Los Angeles, also have plans for this year, and Stake President H. R. Price has already set Maricopa stake's goal at 1000 Era subscriptions.
But above all the friendly and interesting stake competition and challenge and counter-challenge is the great motivating purpose of service and missionary endeavor — the determination and desire to comply with the oft-repeated request of the President of the Church to place the Era, the Church-wide missionary, in every home in order that a growing and spreading world-wide Church may be kept in touch with its leaders and with each other, in order that wholesome and informative Church reading matter may have its influence in every home, and in order that the Church may be kept closely united in a restless and shifting world. — R. L. E.
686
A GOOD INVESTMENT
"M
other!" ten-year-old Johnny stopped eating his cereal for a minute, "What is a good investment?"
"Whatever put that idea into your head, son?"
"Well, I heard you and Daddy talking after he came from meeting last night. He said the reason he promised to give five hundred dol- lars to the new meetinghouse was because he thought it would be a good investment. What did he mean?
"Well, dear, a good investment means that you put your money into something that pays. That is, you get back enough to pay for what you put in and more."
"Does that mean that if we put that much money into the ward chapel we'll get our money back some time?"
"No, we probably won't get our money back; but there are other things we could get out of it that would be even more valuable. But if you don't hurry you'll be late for school."
Johnny wondered what they could get out of a new meetinghouse that would be worth more than money. Goodness knows they had a hard time getting enough to live on as it was. There was the new stove Mother had planned on. It cost only about a hui. Hred, and they had waited a long tm:e trying to save enough to buy it. And now they wouldn't get it for a long time yet. He had heard them say last night that they would have to give it up.
It seemed to Johnny that mother needed a stove worse than almost anything. That one in the kitchen caused no end of trouble. And after all, a ward chapel wasn't used much except on Sunday. Money and fur- niture around the house were used every day. A stove was not all they needed. Other folks had new ice boxes that even froze ice cream and kept things cool — but mother kept her things cool in the ditch behind the house.
Everybody seemed thrilled over the new chapel. Johnny was proud of the fact that he was one of the first group of Deacons that were called to the stand and presented to the people. He noticed that his father and mother seemed proud of him as he stood there before the congregation.
The new building was grand. They never had to dismiss some
<*$.
of the Sunday School classes now on account of cold weather. But he'd had a lot of fun in the old one — been scared, too! There was the time the President of the Primary had asked him to lead in prayer. She had stood by his side with her arm around him and helped. It seemed a little thing now, but he'd been mighty proud after it was over.
When he became a Scout he passed most of his tests and receiv- ed most of his badges in the new chapel. He was ordained a Teacher and then a Priest there. First time he helped with the Sacrament he thought he knew the blessing on the bread, and, when he was half way through, he had to stop and start over with a card in front of him.
Shortly after he was ordained an Elder he was called on a mission. They had a party for him in the new chapel and almost everyone in the ward seemed to be there to help show him a good time. It made him feel more important, like somehow the ward was part his.
"\\7hen he first lauded in the mis~ sion field, the outlook wasn't so bright. How in the world could he ever learn enough to meet some of these polished ministers. Why, some of them had been to college twelve years, and he had just fin- ished high school. The first time
A SHORT SHORT STORY
BY
GILBERT H. ANDREWS
he talked to one he got so mixed up he didn't know whether he was a Mormon or what!
Then almost overnight he found himself. When he got the spirit of missionary work and really studied, so many things he had learned in the home ward came back to him that he found himself well able to defend and explain the Gospel.
All too soon his mission was over and he was home. Mother and fa- ther were still in the same old house with the same old stove. Every time they got ready to get a new one something like the ward chapel, the new stake house, or his mission had to come first.
The crowd at Sacrament meeting when he reported his mission was the largest he had ever faced. He felt just a little frightened when he stopped to think that after all many of these people knew more about the Gospel than he did. And then he saw his mother's face in the au- dience. She wasn't paying particu" lar attention to the opening exer- cises. She was watching him. He had seen that same look of pride and joy before, but it seemed to stand out more than ever now.
Once he got started he thorough- ly enjoyed himself. He had been rated one of the best speakers in his district and he would give these home friends the best that he had. And after all he was talking to just two people in the group. When he closed his talk with a strong testi- mony and sat down, he noticed that his mother's eyes were glistening with tears. He suddenly realized how much these people and this Church had meant in his life.
After the meeting so many peo- ple shook hands with him and con- gratulated him. Mother just put her arms around him and kissed him before the whole group. What a thrill it gave him!
As they walked homeward he put his arm around Mother on one side and Dad on the other. "Moth- er, do you remember telling me why you thought the five hundred dol- lars you put into the new chapel was a good investment? I know now why you thought so. May you never think otherwise."
687
JhsL LOG OF A
London News Agency Photo. PRESIDENT GRANT ON THE BOAT TRAIN, WATERLOO STATION, LONDON, JUST BEFORE LEAVING FOR SOUTHAMPTON ON THE RETURN JOURNEY TO AMERICA.
CONCLUSION
Stockholm, Sweden. Sunday, August 22, 1937
WE enjoyed this morning's meeting with the Saints very much. The Church looked very attractive with its vases of flowers and curtained windows. Sister Larson says the sisters of the Branch have been scrubbing and cleaning for days to have it all as clean as it could be when we came. The meeting tonight was well at- tended. The brethren estimated we had about 50% present who were not Church members. Father told us that very interesting experience he had when here about thirty-three years ago when he and his party called on King Oscar. It was the Fourth of July and in the morning he said to the party, "What would you like to do to celebrate our natal day?" No one seemed to have any special idea and so he said, "I know what I would like to do. I would like to call on King Oscar," and addressing his wife and daughters and the other lady he said, "Go put on your best clothes and we will call on the king."
King Oscar was at his palace on one of the little islands which com- prise Stockholm. When the party arrived at the palace grounds, father suggested to them that they wait at a certain place and he would go up to the door and present a letter which he had written before leaving the hotel. If the letter were favorably ■688
EUROPEANTOUR
UJWv {pM&uknt $Aan£ and. thiL QtwhwiiaL {Parity-
By LUCY GRANT CANNON
Of the General Presidency of the Y. W. M.L A.
received, he would beckon with his hand for them to come to him. In the letter he had told that they were Americans, that he had a letter from the Governor of Utah vouching for him as a worthy citizen, and he en- closed the letter which the Gov- ernor had given him with the seal of the state of Utah on it. He reached the door, knocked, and
faultless English. In the course of the conversation father told him who they were and about our missionary system. The king said many of the ministers of the churches in Sweden had asked that the Mormons be prohibited from proselyting in Swe- den. King Oscar said he would not do this because he had sent his agents all over the United States to
THE PRESIDENT AND HIS PARTY ON AUGUST 17, 1937, AT THE CASTLE NEAR COPEN- HAGEN MADE FAMOUS BY THE STORY OF HAMLET. LEFT TO RIGHT: JOSEPH J. CANNON, RAMONA W. CANNON, DANISH MISSION PRESIDENT ALMA L. PETERSEN, PRESIDENT HEBER J. GRANT, LUCY G. CANNON, JOSEPH ANDERSON, CLARISSA A. BEESLEY, PRESIDENT LY- MAN.
handed his letter to the man who answered the door. In a few min- utes another man appeared and asked in English what father want- ed. Father replied, he wished to see the king, and the man replied that would be impossible, as those who saw him must be properly pre- sented. Father said, "Did the king tell you to tell me that?" and the man replied, "No." "Well," said father, "I sent a letter to the king and I would like it back if he will not receive me. In the letter I have enclosed one from the Governor of the great state of Utah."
The man left him for a moment and in a few minutes he was told the king would receive him. So father beckoned to his party and they came up to the palace. King Oscar stepped out and spoke to them in Swedish. Then he asked how many of them spoke Swedish. Only three did. He then spoke to them in
ascertain how the Swedish people were faring in America, and that no- where in any of the states did he find them so happy, contented, and prosperous as in the state of Utah, The interview lasted about ten min- utes and was an experience to be remembered.
Monday, August 23, 1937
13 roth er Larson had our trip
planned so systematically he
CLARISSA A. BEESLEY AND LUCY GRANT CAN- NON ON THE STEPS OF THE L. D. S. COPEN- HAGEN CHAPEL.
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, NOVEMBER, 1937
TIVOLI, COPENHAGEN, AT NIGHT.
gave us a written schedule for each day. The one for today was:
8:30-9:30— Breakfast at hotel.
10-12 — Missionary meeting at chapel.
12-1:30— Lunch at Grand Hotel.
2-4 — Boat tour of Stockholm waterways.
4-6 — Relaxation.
6-7 — Dinner at Marnarita — City Hotel.
7:30 — M. I. A. meeting.
We followed it as outlined except the breakfast was put forward half an hour so the meeting could be held earlier in order that we might visit the town hall before lunch. We were glad we did not miss a visit to the town hall. It is so artistically situated, overlooking one of the waterways. The most elaborate room was the banquet hall where eight hundred people can be seated. The walls of this room are in glass mosaic; millions of pieces of glass were used to make the mosaics.
After a fine Swedish luncheon we took a boat ride of about two hours, circling the islands. The sun was shining and most of the time a gentle breeze was blowing. Passing boats made waves in the water and we had the feeling of real sailing. Along the banks were hundreds and hun- dreds of pleasure boats of every type. Sister Larson says 40,000 people in Stockholm own boats.
In the evening we had an M. I. A. meeting and afterwards walked back to the tower where we could take our last look at Stockholm by night.
Wednesday, August 25, 1937. HPhere were a few hours for us to spend in Gotberg before leaving for Oslo. We took the train a little after one o'clock. All the Elders and some of the Saints were there to see us off. There
was one dear old lady who came up to shake hands with father, and she said all her life she had wanted to see the President of the Church, but had not thought she would have the
SEEING STOCKHOLM THROUGH ITS WATER- WAYS. LEFT TO RIGHT: SWEDISH MISSION PRESIDENT GUSTIVE 0. LARSON, PRESIDENT GRANT, SISTER VIRGINIA B. LARSON, AND PRESIDENT LYMAN.
opportunity now that she was get- ting so old. She said she had seen his picture often, but now to see
him was the happiest day of her life.
We said goodbye to President Gustive Larson in Gotberg. We had all formed a very favorable opinion of Sweden and her people.
As we neared Oslo we came in sight of the fjords and we were not disappointed as we viewed the Oslo Fjord. The calm water and the beau- tiful islands and hills make it a scene we will long remember.
At the station a large group of Saints and missionaries were there to greet us. President Peterson's young daughter, dressed in the col- orful costume of the country, pre- sented father with a basket of beau- tiful flowers from the Elders and Saints of Oslo. The Relief Society president also gave him a bouquet of roses from the Relief Society. We came immediately to our hotel and after about fifteen minutes we were off again to an M. I. A. meeting. Father rested in the hotel. We had a good meeting and a very fine group of people in attendance. We enjoyed the singing of the choir. My, how these Scandinavians can sing. We will all have to take off our hats to them.
Y
Friday, August 27, 1937
esterday was one of the finest of the whole trip. Pres. A. Rich- ard Peterson and family and three Elders went on an auto trip with us, taking us to see the fjords and the Norse museum and other places of interest. They called for us at about ten o'clock, and we took a drive out along the hillside, and every now and then we would come in full view of the fjord. It was a perfect day, with the sun shining {Continued on page 697)
A TYPICAL NORWEGIAN FJORD WITH ITS RUGGED LOVELINESS AND AWESOME BEAUTY.
nineteenth Century 1. 1. %. Temple irchiteeture
THE TEMPLE AT MANTI, UTAH, (DEDICATED 1SSS). UPPER: CELESTIAL ROOM; LOWER: STONE SPIRAL STAIRWAY, LOOKING DOWN THREE STORIES.
690
These pictures copyright 1937. All rights reserved. Repro- duction permission for any purpose specifically withheld.
ALBERTA TEMPLE, CARDSTON, CANADA, (DEDICATED 1923). UPPER: CELESTIAL ROOM; LOWER: BAPTISTRY.
IweaMh Century |I. B. f . Temple Hrehiterture
These pictures copyright 1937. Alt rights reserved. Repro- duction permission for any purpose specifically withheld.
691
fcditxfiiaL
To President Heber J. Grant, divinely chosen leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the staff and readers of "The Improvement Era" offer congratulations upon the eighty-first anniversary of his birth.
Q/orty LJears
"Defore me stand forty volumes of The Improvement Era— one for each year of its life. More than forty thousand pages, every one filled with entertaining, in- formative, character-building, faith-promoting material! How the Era must have blessed its readers from month to month! It forms a noble record of the works and ideals of a great people. As I turn the pages, thoughts crowd in upon me.
A book of remembrance was kept in the days of Father Adam. Ever since, men have recorded their thoughts and deeds in pyramid and palace, on polished stone or beaten metal, on papyrus, or paper, along the highways of earth. Upon the lessons of the past, thus preserved, the generations of men have built their own days.
Indeed, every generation should, in justice to itself and those who follow, leave memorials of its times. Thus, expenditures for permanent structures of use and beauty are justified. Statues, shrines, and temples, beautiful homes and notable business buildings, roads and bridges, pictures, music and books — all become parts of the book of remembrance passed on from one generation to help another. Every man's joy is in the sum of human possessions, to which his own contribu- tion is necessarily small.
The Latter-day Saints have been faithful in recording their history. The Kirtland Temple, built at uncounted sacrifice, tells eloquently of the devoted faith of the founders of the Church. The Salt Lake Temple, rearing its six towers heavenward from the great Amer- ican desert, reveals the unconquerable, certain vision of the high destiny of the Church. Farms, houses, cities, tabernacles, temples, and monuments cover the course of "Mormon" history. And this type of record- ing is continuing.
The story of the Church has also been told in written or printed words. The publication of a book, the Book of Mormon, is the most celebrated fact connected with the organization of the Church. Hundreds of other books, setting forth the claims and history of the re- stored Gospel have been authorized by the Church. Periodicals have constantly informed and inspired the people; these have now become invaluable records of bygone days.
The periodicals of the Church, past and present, form a most distinguished assemblage; the Messenger and Advocate, the Morning and Evening Star, the Elders' Journal, the Times and Seasons, the Millennial Star, the Deseret News, the Journal o} Discourses, the Con- tributor, the Young Woman's Journal, the Children's
Friend, the Utah Genealogical and Historical Mag- azine, the Liahona, the Relief Society Magazine, and many others.
In this illustrious company The Improvement Era finds itself. Soberly, on its fortieth anniversary, it sur- veys its history, duties, and opportunities. Humbly it looks back upon its own record of service; coura- geously it looks into a future of greater achievement. Gratefully it remembers the host of contributors and field workers who have made its success possible. It is doubly grateful for the men and women who as found- ers and editors have made it acceptable to the people: Presidents Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, and Heber J. Grant, its founder and present editor, Brigham H. Roberts, Edward H. Anderson, Hugh J. Cannon, Harrison R. Merrill, and Elsie Talmage Brandley. It looks trustfully to the present staff, and knows that it will never want for capable help.
Today as before, The Improvement Era holds aloft its three-fold purpose: To record the current events and thoughts connected with the progressive life of the Church; to interpret events and opinions in the light of the principles of the restored Gospel, for the up- building of the faith of young and old; and to leave on the pages of the Era a truthful, helpful record of our own age.
Today, celebrating its fortieth anniversary, The Im- provement Era voices heartfelt gratitude to all who have helped to make it successful, and it pledges its best efforts to serve the people of the Church in achiev- ing their high purposes as Latter-day Saints. — /. A. W.
m
oman s
Changed v(/orId
HPhrough the pages of the Era, we have been empha- A sizing the tremendous changes which have occurred during the lifetime of our magazine. Strangely enough, the changes have revolutionized woman's sphere par- ticularly. Where formerly woman's work kept her constantly bent over the tub or the stove, modern con- veniences have emancipated her and brought a new, hitherto unheardof freedom. Hours of drudgery have dwindled into minutes of rapidly completed work. Where in years past woman was confined almost liter- ally to the kitchen, today she has leisure to do much as she pleases.
What is woman doing with this new-found leisure? Therein lies the secret of her success or failure. Is she frittering away her time with senseless amuse- ments or is she employing her time wisely to benefit her- self, her family, her community, her Church?
The old saying about idle hands and mischief is as true — if not truer — than it ever was. With increased leisure, there is also increased mischief — and need for increased diligence in safeguarding our heritage.
From many sections of the country has come the in- formation that most of our present-day trouble centers in young married women, who, having so much leisure, are using it to their destruction rather than to their salvation.
With the new leisure, many opportunities are afford- ed women to increase in power. Endless opportunities are open for mental and cultural growth through ex- tension courses, study groups, and individual reading. With increased time, women could undertake a study of our civil institutions and with vigor clean up some of
{Concluded on page 712)
692
ihsb OhqatL ofr. Bul (pAJUidJJwotiL
To the older men of the Church the story of the Era's many years as the organ of the Priesthood is perhaps familiar ground, but to the rising generation of young men and women it is one of those inherited facts which are accepted without historical knowledge. And so, in this fortieth anniversary issue we here review the steps through which the Era became a general Church- wide magazine.
In Volume XI, Number 1, November, 1907, pages 63 to 65, B. H. Roberts, speaking as a mem- ber of the First Council of the Seventy, wrote as f ollows :
Congratulations. — We congratulate the Seventies, first, upon their now having an Organ; by which we mean, of course, a publication devoted to their interests; to the devel- opment of their views; and the principles for which they stand; also a medium of announcement and publication of official acts. By means of the Era the First Council will be in constant communication with all the quorums of the Seventy in the Church. They will be able to suggest, advise, counsel, and direct the Seventies' work, both in administrative matters and in theological studies. , . The Era has been the medium, of late years, through which nearly all important doctrinal and theological articles both of an official and semi-official character have been published, and it is these doctrinal papers that are of especial interest to the Seventies, since they deal with questions in which Seventies are, or should be, intensely interested; and are published in such form that they can be easily preserved and readily consulted. . . . And so we say to our Seventies, now that we have an organ, let us make use of it, both because it will give helpful suggestions in relation to conducting the special work of the quorums, and also because it will give helpful suggestions in relation to conducting the special work of the general character that will be helpful in preparing the members thereof for their labors in the ministry. . . .
The proposition has been equally welcomed by the Sev- enties wherever it has been presented to them, and is regarded as a most fortunate thing, both for the lira and the quorums of Seventy.
Seventies Era Agents. — The presidents of the respective quorums should at once take under advisement the appoint- ment of an Era agent for the quorum, whose business it shall be to solicit subscriptions within the quorum for the magazine. . . .
The Era sends copies of each issue free to some two thousand missionaries in all parts of the world; it could not do this only that its agents who solicit and collect its sub- scriptions give their service gratuitously in the interest of missionary work; and it is on this basis that the First Council ask their brethren who shall be called to act as agents to accept the appointment cheerfully, and perform the work promptly and well.
Cixteen months later, Volume XII, Number 4, February, 1 909, appeared this official notice on page 323:
Now that the quorums of the Priesthood are engaged in the formal study of theology, and meet weekly with this commendable object in view, there arises a need for a means of communication between the general officers who have the study and the direction of the quorums in hand, and the members and teachers of the quorums. This need, it has been decided by the Presidency of the Church, the Presiding Bishopric, the Committee on course of study for the Priest- hood, and the General Board Y. M. M. I. A., will be supplied by The Improvement Era which from this date on becomes the organ of the Priesthood quorums and the Y. M. M. I. A. . . . Presidents of stakes, bishops and quorum officers and members are invited to take notice of this arrangement.
President Joseph F. Smith, writing in the edi- torial columns of Volume XIV, Number 1 2, Oc-
tober, 1911, noted the addition of the Church schools to the Era's broadening scope, when, on pages 1 1 12 to 1 1 13 he said among other things:
Already The Improvement Era is the organ of the Priest- hood quorums, besides being the official organ of the Mutual Improvement Associations. At a recent meeting of the Church Board of Education, our magazine was made the official organ of the Church schools, both boards unani- mously approving of this action. . . .
Attention is called to the statement of the special features to be presented in volume fifteen. It will be seen that many important subjects will be considered, and matters taken up that will be of vital interest to the general reader. We hope, as in the past, to make The Improvement Era the mag- azine of the home, in which both old and young members of the household will be interested, and in which the quorums, missions, organizations and educational institutions will be fully represented.
In all things, however, the spirit of the Gospel will continue to be the leading thread, holding all these institutions to- gether, and the Era as in the past, will breathe the Spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ, seeking to present nothing but what is clean, pure, proper, and in harmony with his laws and commandments. This does not mean that modern thought and ideas which contribute to growth and progress will be neglected. We believe in progress, and that all truth is em- braced in the great Gospel plan. We therefore seek these things, and will continue to present them in the light of the Gospel, and with a view to the furtherance of the great cause of the Lord — the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Joseph F. Smith.
C ubsequently, the Church Music Committee was added to the Era's widening scope, and in 1929, with the merger of this magazine and The Young Woman's Journal, the Era became also the organ of the Young Women's Mutual Improvement Associ- ation, at which time the First Presidency of the Church, writing in Volume XXXIII, Number 1, November, 1929, page 4, said:
It is not too much to expect that, combined with the Young Woman's Journal and with the aid of gifted women, The Improvement Era will reach a degree of perfection not heretofore attainable. . . . The Era will continue to be the organ of the Priesthood and the Church schools as it has been for some years past.
Offering, as it does, material suited to the tastes of young people, it has a well-defined mission to perform among them. The power of the destroyer is abroad. We read with be- wildering frequency of appalling disasters on land and sea — floods, volcanoes, earthquakes, cyclones, wars and revolu- tions, and both ancient and modern prophecy indicates that in this respect conditions will not become better. Over these occurrences naturally no human agency can have control. But disturbances caused by the elements are not the only forms, nor indeed the most serious, taken by the destroyer. Concurrent with them and of far more consequence are the destructive inroads planned to wreck the character and faith of our youth. In this line of warfare the assaults are not made with storm and noise, but craftily. . . . The Era must continue to herald the startling truth that the Almighty has spoken, that man is created in His image, that the Priesthood has been restored, Christ's Church established and the plan of salvation made clear.
Heber J. Grant, Anthony W. Ivins, Charles W. Nibley,
The First Presidency.
Another step in a broadening Churchwide scope was taken in May, 1935, when the First Presidency announced Dr. John A. Widtsoe's appointment as editor, with President Grant, to assume active editorial direction of the magazine which now serves, a worldwide Church. — R. L. E.
693
NEW TEMPLE SQUARE MISSION PRESIDENT APPOINTED
Joseph J. Cannon, recently returned from presiding over the British Mis- sion and now acting as first assistant superintendent in the General Superin- tendency of the Y. M. M. I. A., was appointed by the First Presidency to serve as President of Temple Square Mission. Elder Joseph S. Peery who has served for the past five years in that capacity has been appointed manager of the Bureau of Information.
ST. GEORGE TEMPLE PRESI- DENT NAMED— October 10, 1937
"Clder Harold S. Snow, bishop of i1 the St. George South Ward, has been appointed president of the St. George Temple by the First Presidency. President Snow succeeds George F. Whitehead, who has served as temple president since July, 1932.
President Heber J. Grant made the appointment at a special meeting of the St. George Stake Presidency and High Council.
Sunday, Sept. 5, 1937.
The Wasatch Stake was reorganized with Henry Clay Cummings as presi- dent.
Thursday, Sept. 23, 1937.
The headquarters of the Netherlands Mission have been moved from Rotter- dam, Holland, to 292 Loan Van Poot, The Hague, Holland.
Sunday, Sept. 26, 1937.
The chapel of the Sixteenth Ward, Salt Lake Stake, was dedicated by President David O. McKay.
The New England Mission has been fully organized. The mission head- quarters are at 7 Concord Ave., Boston, Mass.
SEMI-ANNUAL CONFERENCE 'T'he one hundred eighth Semi-annual ■ General Conference of the Church convened in Salt Lake City, from Fri- day, October 1, to Sunday, October 3, inclusive. All Latter-day Saints were directed to adhere to the principles of the Church in every particular. In ringing statements, President Grant said:
I announced here at the Priesthood meet- ing last night and I decided to announce it again that we expect all the general Officers of the Church, each and every one of them, from this very day, to be absolute, full tithe- payers, to really and truly observe the Word of Wisdom; and we ask all. of the officers of the Church and all members of the General Boards, and all stake and ward officers, if they are not living the Gospel and honestly and conscientiously paying their tithing, to kindly step aside, unless from this day they live up to these pro- visions. . . .
No man can teach the Word of Wisdom, by the Spirit of God, who does not live it. No man can proclaim this Gospel by the Spirit of the Living God unless that man is living his religion; and with this great un- derstanding that we have before us now we must renew our loyalty to God, and I be- lieve beyond a shadow of doubt that God inspires and blesses, and multiplies our sub- stance when we are honest with Him.
The General Authorities of the Church stirred the record-breaking audiences to a better understanding and an increased determination to follow the standards of the Church.
ORVAL W. ADAMS NEWLY ELECTED PRESIDENT AMERI- CAN BANKERS ASSOCIATION
r\ R V A L w. ^ Adams, vice - president of the Church- controlled Utah State National Bank of Salt Lake City was elected presi- dent of the American Bank- ers Association at their 63rd Annual Con- vention, in Bos- ton, October 13, 1937. Mr. Ad- ams is a mem- ber of the Church Auditing Committee.
The nation's highest banking hon- or has come to Mr. Adams after a long and successful career as a bank executive and as a prominent partici- pant in nationwide banking circles and activities. Two years ago Mr. Adams was made a vice-president of the same organization by popular acclaim from the floor of the convention, contrary to usual procedure.
MISSIONARIES LEAVING FOR THE FIELD FROM THE SALT LAKE MISSIONARY HOME ARRIVED SEPTEMBER 27— DEPARTED OCTOBER 14, 1937
Top row, left to right: Wilson W. Sorensen, T. Emerson Baggaley, Reid Richardson, Aldon Anderson, George A. Collins, Thomas E. Stolworthy, Karl H. Hilbig, Arlo F. Johnson, Thorley Johnson, Lloyd L. Karren.
Second row: John Van Limburg, Eldon Ricks, Melvyn A. Weenig, Don Orton, Don Jensen, Earl W. Smart, La Mar J. Wright, Ralph D. Kent, Garth S. Lunt, Sidney Priday, Calvin W. Ware.
Third row: Grant W. Baker, John Dean, Keith E. Smith, Robert K. Cutler, Carson R. Healy, Russell Hochstrasser, Ivan L. Cluff, Albert L. Lewis, Gilbert A. McDougal, Ralph H. Jones.
Fourth row: Verl Kartchner, J. Donald Earl, William G. Penrod, Karl Freeman, Lewis W. Smith, Elias W. Smith, J. B. Robinson, J. Ransom Hatch, Hyrum J. Amundsen, Jr., Duane S. Perkins, Arthur B. Nielsen.
Fifth row: Gene H. Gooslind, Wayne Bell, E. Enwood Thompson, Claude J. Burtenshaw, Roselin Stringham, Anna Allphin, Clarence F. Tanner, Darrell S. Robins, Jason V. Nordgren, Paul F. Lindberg.
Sixth row: Byron A. Howard, Fredrick Q. Lisonbee, Eldon W. Cooley, Emmett L. Brown, LaVern Whetten, Winnifred McLaughlin, Annie Jarvis, Allan C. Woolley, Irwin Foster, Roy W. Spear, Herman Richards.
Seventh row: LeRtoy Clark, Richard G. Grismare, Hubert C. Lambert, Helen Moffett, Jennie Fonnesbeck, LeRoy Clark, Edna Smith, L. Flake Rogers, Eugene S. Hintze, Thomas Dyches.
Eighth row: Aaron Jones, Dwight W. Smith, Lynn Buttle, Leona Cleverly, Emma Kendell, Dorothy Bowman, Alice Hanna, Dean Smith, Warren Stewart, Ralph i Kendell.
Ninth row: Howard R. Haggan, Preston D. Evans, Bessie Greenhalgh, Marguerite Christensen, Maurine Abbott, Elden Luke, Fern Dansie, Irene Elldredge, Delmer E. Simpson, Don R. Watkins.
Tenth row: Max L. Larsen, 0. Clement Williams, Calvin H. Bartholomew, Toynette Baird, Marjorie D. Collins, Mrs. LeRoy Clark, Carma Gamble, Pauline Black, Ken Wright, M. Floyd Clark, George R. Blake.
Eleventh row: Max W. McKean, Louis J. Haws, Zella Scott, Donna Anderson, Seletta Morris, lone Johnson, Dee Esta Burr, Lizzie D. Thomas, Darrill S. Bills, Wendell T. Jackson.
Twelfth row: Claude Brown, Jr., Ferryle B. McOmber, Dean G. Griner, Barton Watson, J. W. Sessions, Don G. Christenson.
h)PiaL Qkuhck, 3bwudsUiA* £Visl Smjinqj
{Continued from page 660)
Los Angeles, California,
September 22, 1937. "California hails the Era as the greatest mission- ary of the Church. In every home it enters it carries the Gospel message in a clear, interesting, and friendly manner. The Era is indispensable in the mission field.
( Signed ) W. Aird Macdonald,"
President of California Mission.
Lovell, Wyoming.
"Being members -of an outlying stake we are especially appreciative of The Improvement Era. It is one of our best means of keeping in touch with the leadership of the Church. We feel it is a bond that unites us all together. Also, in our stake, The Improvement Era has been used very effectively in our missionary work.
(Signed) Archie R. Boyack,"
President of Big Horn Stake.
Huntington Park, California,
September 25, 1937. "The 40th Anniversary of The Improvement Era suggests three-fold felicitations: (1) Hearty con- gratulations to the Era itself; (2) Sincere congrat- ulations to President Grant upon his living to see his humble yet inspired efforts mature to the mag- nificent periodical now issued by the Church; and (3) congratulations to all the people of the Church upon the fact that President Grant still lives to bless them with his wisdom and leadership. ( Signed ) Leo J. Mttir,"
President of Los Angeles Stake.
New York City, September 26, 1937. "The present day is one of excesses. The Church exercises wholesome restraints. Inquiries come daily as to what the Church is doing, as to its plans, its methods. Every person should have an intelligent answer. Give us the Era! It is a reliable source of information.
(Signed) Frank Evans,"
President of Eastern States Mission.
Salt Lake City, Utah. "I value The Improvement Era. I appreciate its vital messages on Church affairs and other live topics. Each month its pages are bristling with interest. It is a readable magazine and because of its fine ideals and standards it is a safe maga- zine for young and old to read.
( Signed ) Wilford A. Beesley,"
President of Salt Lake Stake.
LaGrande, Oregon, September 23, 1937. "Living as we do out in the world, we appre- ciate the Era as the instrument through which the voice of the Prophet of God speaks to us, and points the way to life everlasting.
(Signed) Geo. Ariel Bean,"
President of Union Stake.
Ogden, Utah, September, 1937.
"The modern test of the success of a magazine seems to require that it be instructive or entertain- ing, or both. Some periodicals cater exclusively to entertainment and others almost entirely to in- struction; but those of greatest circulation appeal to readers who are interested in instruction and entertainment.
"The Era has general appeal. Its instructive articles cover a wide range of topics of general information, and the Church matters give detailed and specific instruction that is almost indispensable to those who are active in Church work. Its stories and pictures are delightfully entertaining. And the gratifying thing about it all is that it is always wholesome and elevating. I have been a subscriber for many years and with the exception of few issues — which I hope some day to acquire — I have a complete file. As a reference work on Church history, biography of Church leaders and doctrine it is unexcelled.
"In fact, I think it is the finest publication of the Church, and I would not be without it. I read it from cover to cover. Those who haven't thus read it should do so and be happily surprised at the great wealth of stimulating entertainment and in- struction contained in it.
(Signed) W. H. Reeder, Jr."
President of Mt. Ogden Stake.
Ogden, Utah, September, 1937. "A magazine one likes to read containing doc- trine, testimony and counsel. It promotes cultural development and stimulates higher ideals. A source of information on Priesthood activities, and the progress of the Church. I am grateful for The Improvement Era. Congratulations on forty successful years.
(Signed) Samuel G. Dye,"
President of Ogden Stake.
St. George, Utah, September 27, 1937. "Congratulations on forty years of wonderful achievement and on the prospects of another forty years of continued improvement,
"The Improvement Era is entitled to the support of every home that wants the best in current literature. It is interesting, wholesome, vigorous, and inspirational.
(Signed) W. O. Bentley,"
President of St. George Stake.
Phoenix, Arizona, September 22, 1937. "I do not know of an institution in the Church that is wielding a greater influence than The Im- provement Era. Its pages are filled with vital truths attractively written and illustrated.
"Congratulations on the marked improvement in the last few years in the publication. Maricopa Stake's goal is one thousand subscribers this year. (Signed) /. R. Price,"
President of Maricopa Stake.
695
DRAMATIS PERSONAE By Clarence Edwin Flynn
WE all are here — the hero and the clown, The villain and the pauper and the slave — To speak our lines, to win or lose a
crown, To move across the stage toward a grave.
We tread the stage, and strain our ears
to hear The clap of hands, or hisses rising high. Where in the cast, oh friend, do you
appear? And which among the characters am I?
SO I MAY SEE By Ora Haven Barlow
Truth is so great I often cannot see —
Like a blinding light
It shines before my eyes
And I see naught
And stumble in the path.
Help me to rise, Great God, This hour; Help me to turn This beam Into the darkness.
Give me always
A portion of Thy power
To focus truth
In front of me
So I may see.
A GORGEOUS DAY By Estelle Webb Thomas
You and I planned a gorgeous day, But it rained — do you remember? And the wind blew chill and the clouds
hung gray, As they will in late November.
So we merely went for a walk instead, While the gale rose high and higher, Then home, with our cheeks and noses red To read and dream by the fire.
But we found we had a gorgeous day, Perhaps because of the weather, For the glory, it seemed, was not in play But in simply being together!
THE SINGING DUNES By Lucia Cabot
(There is an old saying among the fishermen that the wind in the grasses, and blowing through the top sand, makes the dunes sing.)
The WIND had played a melody Across the singing dunes, And in my heart left echoes, The ghosts of little tunes.
And some were songs of happiness, And some throbbed deep with pain;
But silver songs from singing dunes, Are never sung in vain.
696
PRAYER OF THANKS By Hilda James Worley
We thank Thee, gentle God, for love- liness That through the seasons live on stem and
tree, For masterpieces on a changing sky, The mirrored depths of every azure sea; Then for the humbler, sweeter joys of home: The ties that sanctify its every wall, Our friends, our kin, and then a loved one's
smile To cast its gentle aura over all. And last we thank Thee doubly for that
hour — The hour wherein our souls commune with
Thee, And in the beauty of that silence gain Another step toward immortality.
LIGHTS ON A HILL By Mildred Game
LIGHTS on a hill are stars swung low In answer to a prayer To bless the houses in a row And give them something rare, Lifting the eyes of men that climb In shining gratitude That God has granted them the boon To build a neighborhood.
. — ■
QUEST FOR BEAUTY By Anna H. Hayes
T sought thee, beauty, in the jeweled skies * And warm, sweet breath of ocean-sighing
wind. I sought thee in the break of pounding
surf And where a rose-stream meadow quiet lies.
I sought thee in the distant market place Where artist's skill has wrought old treas- ures rare Of ivory and silver filigree And silken strands of gold-encrusted lace.
I sought thee, beauty, in an arching dome, In lofty spires, crested by the sun, And yet, I found no lovelier sight than this, Love serving life, within a quiet home!
TRUTH AND BEAUTY By Nephi Jensen
Bursting bud and blushing rose And glint of dancing star Bring me Beauty's repose; I own all, near and far.
Serene Truth's regal reign
My heart with faith empowers;
Peace holds my soul's domain; I own life's rarest dowers.
GOSSIPS
By Kathvya Kendall
Their chattering is like a clod Which — loosened from a mountain- side— Bares grim destruction in its wake, And oh, what lovely flowers hide!
CHOICE
By Margaret Coray
Rather stars And shafts of candle-light To flow across all hidden, Grim, forbidden Ugliness
Than burning white Of day, that mars All loveliness By searching for its scars.
■ ♦ »
I HAVE A GIFT
By Aurelia Pyper
I have a gift, But it's so very small That some would say it is not A gift at all.
It is not mine
To thrill the souls of men
By painting pictures, singing songs;
Nor yet again
Is given me
The power to uplift
With words of flame, yet I repeat,
I have a gift.
I cannot build
Great temples, it is true.
Or delve in mysteries of science,
But this I do:
I stand in awe
Before a canvas where
An artist shows he's searched his soul
And laid it bare;
I bow me down
On humbly bended knee
While someone speaks his words of faith;
In ecstasy,
I listen to
The songs the singers sing,
Or see the beauty and the joy
The others bring.
It isn't mine —
The power to create;
But still I have a gift, for I
Appreciate. (
WHAT THEY WERE READING
November, 1897
Quo Vadis, Sienkiewicz, Little, Brown and Co.
Hugh Wynne, Mitchell, Century Co.
The Choir Invisible, Allen, Mac- millan.
The Christian, Caine, Appleton Co.
Captains Courageous, Kipling, Cen- tury Co.
In Kedar's Tents, Merriman, Dodd, Mead and Co.
November, 1917
The Dwelling Place of Light, Churchill, Macmillan.
Christine, Cholmondeley, Macmillan.
Extricating Obadiah, Lincoln, Apple- ton.
Missing, Ward, Dodd, Mead.
The Major, Connor, Doran.
The Salt of the Earth, Sedgwick, Watt.
November, 1937
Northwest Passage, Roberts, Double- day, Doran.
And So — Victoria, Wilkins, Mac- millan.
The Citadel, Cronin, Little, Brown, and Co.
The Seven Who Fled, Prokosch, Harper.
The Wind from the Mountains, Gulbranssen, Putnam.
On Reading
"V^ES' seek ye out of the best books •"■ words of wisdom; seek learn- ing, even by study and also by faith." These words, although spoken by the Prophet Joseph Smith in 1832, still have tremendous significance for us today.
The exhortation comes vigorously as a commandment that we must read not only good books but the best. As Lacter-day Saints we are eager to keep abreast of the times. Our alertness to events is evidenced through our reading. It is easy for us to read if we make up our minds that we should read. We can find time to do the things which we want to do.
The difficulty arises in seeking out the best books. At the present time, in the United States alone, there are a little better than twenty-four books published daily. Imagine — a book for every hour of your waking and sleep- ing day!
Even if we had the inclination and the desire, physical limitations would make it impossible for most of us to read even one book a day, to say nothing of one book an hour. Our eyes would rebel at the strain; our minds refuse to absorb what was read; our bodies revolt at the restrained position.
We must therefore develop a dis- criminating taste and not be misled by attractive make-up and clever adver- tisers. We want health both mentally and spiritually from the books we read. We therefore need to choose as carefully the books we read as the food we eat. Many books have been tested by the acid test of time and have been found not wanting. In this class must come of necessity the Bible which, during all the years, has proved a consistent best seller. For Latter-day Saints must come next the standard Church works: the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price.
Senator Borah has developed a sys-
tem which has proved worthwhile. For every new book he reads, he reads one that has become established. Books like Franklin's Autobiography, Cer- vantes' Don Quixote, Hugo's Les Mis- etables should be part of the common heritage of humanity. The more cur- rent, popular books should be read when their timeliness or their mes- sage warrants their being read. Link's The Return To Religion, Gulbranssen's The Wind From the Mountains, and Heiser's An American Doctor's Odys- sey fall into this category. The pas- sage of time will undoubtedly tend to decrease our interest in' these books, but their timely message is worth our considering right now.
As we finish reading those books which we select, we should make a very definite criticism, including both the good and the bad points of each of them. We shall in this way increase our power to analyze books, and we shall become better readers and fulfill more nearly the commandment: "Seek learning, even by study." — M. C. J.
LOG OF A EUROPEAN TOUR
(Continued from page 689) Ibsen. It is reproduced just as he
brightly, and just a few clouds in used it.
the sky. After visiting the museum we
We went to the museum which went for a lovely ride to a high houses three old viking ships. One point above the city where we had was unearthed in 1867, another in 1880, and the last one in 1904. These ships were in huge mounds, which when they were uncovered, were found to be burial grounds. The Osberg ship was found in 1903 and unearthed in 1904 under the guidance of the university. It is supposed to have been the burial ship of a queen who lived in the eighth century. When the ship was found it contained the skeletons of the queen, her handmaid, twelve horses, one ox, and four dogs.
From here we went to the Norse Folk Museum. We were especially interested in the room of Hendrik \^
a fine view of the city and the Oslo Fjord and the harbor.
After a hurried supper we all went to our rooms to rest for an hour before going to the chapel for meeting. Our meeting was a splen- did one. When we arrived the peo- ple were all in their places and some were standing up. The congrega- tion arose as father entered and re- mained standing until we had all come in. The choir made a fine ap- pearance, all the ladies were dressed in white. The choir was a splendid one and sang with feeling and spirit. Father and Brother Lyman were the speakers and they had the at- tention of the audience all the time. After the meeting father remained to shake hands with those who were eager to meet him.
{Continued on page 708) 697
CONDUCTED BY MARBA C. JOSEPHSON
IT'S ALL IN A WOMAN'S LIFE
1897 1917 1937
This is the way we wash our clothes so early Monday morning.
This is the way we iron our clothes so early Tuesday morning.
This is the way we mend our clothes so early Wednesday morning.
The Improvement Era wishes to express its gratitude to the following companies for their courtesy in making this feature possible: Blackstone Washing Machine Company, Utah Power and Light Company, General Electric Supply Company, White Sewing Machine Company, Eureka Vacuum Company, Crane Company, Z. C. M. I., Ironrite Company, and the Deseret News.
698
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, NOVEMBER, 1937
1897 1917 1937
This is the way we bake our bread so early Thursday morning.
This is the way we sweep our floors so early Friday morning.
This is the way we take our baths so early Saturday evening.
This deluxe tub of the nineties was of coppei-lined steel with a polished wood rim.
This is the way we go to church so early Sunday morning!
Ss i-mw
If
81
An actual reproduction of Z. C. M. I. advertisement appearing October 30, 1897.
699
CONDUCTED BY THE MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE TWELVE — EDITED BY JOSEPH FIELDING SMITH
COUNSEL AND
COMMANDMENT
HPhe General Conference of the A Church held during the first three days of October, 1937, was outstand- ing among the conferences of the Church in the outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord by way of counsel and commandment. The remark is some- times made by thoughtless and unob- serving persons that the spirit of rev- elation is not guiding the Latter-day Saints now as in former times. This thought can hardly be entertained by the members who crowded the Tab- ernacle during the three days of con- ference. To all who possess the spirit of discernment and the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, it was very ap- parent that the Lord was pouring out His Spirit and giving to the members of the Church commandment and di- rection, which is most timely and need- ful in these days of increased disobedi- ence and wickedness, which pervade the world.
Never, perhaps, has President Grant spoken with greater power and inspira- tion to the assembled multitudes of the Church than at this conference. Seldom have the members been called upon with greater power and inspira- tion to obey the counsels and com- mandments of the Lord; to walk in wisdom's paths and be faithful to principle and covenant, that the Church may escape the evils which are rap- idly consuming the entire world. Never has there been a time when such in- struction and commandments were more needed.
The world is rapidly being overcome by immoral practices. Men and wom- en and even children of tender years are destroying their bodies with nar- cotics, stimulants, and other evil agencies; and these are finding their way among the people who are under covenant to observe and keep the laws of God. The standards set up in the Gospel for the Latter-day Saints are exceedingly high. They are based upon divine principles which have been revealed for the temporal as well as the spiritual salvation of the children of men. No other people in the world, as far as we know, hold such high ideals. We are taught that salvation hereafter, as well as now, depends upon keeping the body clean, sweet, and a fit tabernacle for the Spirit of God. How can the Spirit of the Lord dwell in unclean tabernacles? Paul cried out in words of warning to the Saints of former days: "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall
700
God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are."
One reason why the ideals and as- pirations of the Latter-day Saints transcend the ideals and aspirations of other peoples is due to the fact that they believe in a literal sense that they are the offspring of God. He is in very deed our Father. We were created in His image and likeness, for it is written: "In the image of His own body, male and female, created He them, and blessed them and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created and became living souls in the land upon the footstool of God." The declaration of the risen Lord to Mary, is accepted in a literal sense. How else can it be received in reason? ". , . go to my brethren, and say unto them I ascend unto my Fa- ther, and your Father; and to my God, and your God."
What a glorious revelation it is to us to know that we are "begotten sons and daughters unto God;" that we are created in His divine image, even in the image of His own glorious body! What a sad thing it is that this great eternal truth has been lost to the world through their disobedience, and that Satan has gained such power among them, teaching them a debased doc- trine in relation to their origin!
Since, then, we are the offspring of God, endowed with power through the saving truths of the everlasting Gos- pel and obedience to sacred covenants, to become like Him, and by the power of the resurrection — a gift from Jesus Christ our Elder Brother and the Only Begotten Son of God in the flesh — to rise to the great heights of eternal exaltation, how faithfully and jealous- ly we should guard these bodies of flesh and bones! While they are now
corruptible and subject to the ills of mortal flesh, yet the promise is made unto us that they shall, through the resurrection, be quickened again and become eternal tabernacles for the spir- its which inhabit them. If we have been faithful to every covenant and com- mandment, we shall then receive the reward of celestial glory. Our bodies shall be like the glorious body of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, and we shall see Him as He is. "And every man that hath this hope in Him," said John, the beloved disciple, "purifieth himself, even as he (Christ) is pure."
With these glorious truths to gov- ern us it is only natural for the Lord to speak through His chosen servants in admonition and commandment to the members of the Church, calling upon them to keep their bodies clean, their minds pure, their spirits contrite and their hearts broken.
It is hard to think that any member of the Church can fail to keep the Word of Wisdom, and have a desire to maintain his body pure and unde- filed, if he understands the nature of the Gospel and the power of God unto exaltation. It is a mystery that so many who profess to know, fail in these holy and sacred things, for it is a sacred thing to keep the body undefiled and free from every power and influence which tends to impair and destroy its functions. If we do know the truth, and then refuse to abide in it, great shall be our condemnation. What ex- cuse shall there be for the man who knows the will of God and does not heed it? The Jews claimed to be walk- ing in the light of truth as it came down from Moses, but they rejected the Greater Light when he came to them with the fulness of the everlasting cove- nants of the Gospel. Jesus called them (Concluded on page 707)
MONTHLY REPORT OF THE L. D. S. STAKE MISSIONS
Made by The First Council of the Seventy to The Council of the Twelve Apostles
For the Month of August, 1937
Missionary Activities
1. Evenings or part days spent in missionary work 4,514
2. Hours spent in missionary work . 10,027
3. Number of calls made while tracting 8,130
4. Number of first invitations in while tracting 3,829
5. Number of revisits • 2,563
6. Number of Gospel conversations 8,776
7. Number of standard Church works distributed 293
8. Number of other books distributed 318
9. Number of tracts and pamphlets distributed 13,664
10. Number of Books of Mormon sold 153
11. Number of hall meetings held 193
12. Number of cottage meetings held 427
13. Number of cottage and hall meetings attended 2,400
14. Number of investigators present at cottage and hall meetings 2,167
15. Number of baptisms as a result of missionary work _ 91
16. Number of inactive members of the Church brought into activity through stake missionary service during the month 178
CONDUCTED UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE PRESIDING BISHOPRIC — EDITED BY JOHN D. GILES
GRADING AARONIC PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS
pOR several years, a recommendation "*■ has been made by the Presiding Bishopric that, in wards where there are two or more quorums, a plan of grading according to age be followed. The recommendation is that where there are three quorums in a ward, the twelve-year-old boys constitute the first quorum, those thirteen years of age would comprise the second quo- rum, and those fourteen the third quorum. Under this plan, a boy would have a promotion on advance- ment from one quorum to another each year. This plan, it is believed, will increase interest and make it possible to hold more boys for the three-year period covering the Deacons' quorum activity.
In wards where there are two quo- rums, it is suggested that a division be made on the most practical basis, leaving the older boys in one quorum and the younger in the other. Where four, five, or six quorums are organ- ized in one ward, the grading could be done along the same lines, keeping the boys of each age grouped together as far as possible.
An outstanding instance of the suc- cess of this plan is found in the Twen- tieth Ward, of the Ensign Stake, in Salt Lake City. The grading plan has been in effect for more than two years and has been very successful. Under the direction of D. J. Watts, Second Counselor in the bishopric assigned to Deacons' quorum supervision, three quorums have been organized, each with a supervisor, and each containing boys of the same age group. With the cooperation of Bishop C. Clarence Neslen and First Counselor, Louis R. Wells, this plan has now been stan- dardized in the ward, with the result that there is increased attendance and activity.
LEADING STAKES IN QUORUM ATTENDANCE
'T'he leading stakes in Aaronic Priest- A hood quorum meeting attendance for the month of August were the fol- lowing :
Per cent
Grant 62
Taylor .„. _ 54
Star Valley 53
Maricopa 53
Juarez - 52
Hollywood 52
Morgan 51
San Juan 48
San Francisco .48
Pasadena .46
Highland .46
The average attendance for the en- tire Church, for August, was slightly
below the same month in 1936, but one point higher than for July. It is urged that Aaronic Priesthood super- visors devote special attention to the development of better quorum attend- ance during the winter months.
PRIMARY ASSOCIATION COOPERATION
T Tnder the plan approved by the Pre- *** siding Bishopric, Aaronic Priest- hood supervisors in all wards, in charge of Deacons' quorums, should cooper- ate in every possible way with Primary Association teachers of the Guide Class, which is composed of boys eleven years of age, and encourage all Primary boys to continue with that organization, until they graduate. At the time of graduation, the ceremony suggested for such occasions should be conducted at the Sacrament meeting, and all boys who have graduated and are properly prepared should be rec- ommended for ordination to the Aaron- ic Priesthood.
For the past three years, the Pri- mary Association reports indicate that there is an average of 85 per cent of all the eleven-year-old boys of the Church enrolled and active in the Pri- mary Association. It is important that these boys be contacted by Deacons' quorum supervisors well in advance of their twelfth birthdays and urge
them to qualify and prepare themselves to become Deacons. The Primary As- sociation is in reality a recruiting agency for the Aaronic Priesthood, and every possible effort should be made by quorum supervisors to co- operate with Primary officers, in or- der that all boys may be properly pre- pared to receive the Aaronic Priest- hood and be ordained at the proper time.
TINTIC STAKE VISITS CHURCH SHRINES
Aaronic Priesthood members from ^* Tintic Stake visited Salt Lake City in a body on August 20, as the outstanding feature of the summer ac- tivity program.
Visits were made to President Brig- ham Young's Schoolhouse site, Eagle Gate, Beehive House, Lion House, for- mer office of the Governor of Utah, Church Office Building, Deseret News, KSL Radio Studios, the State Capi- tol, Presiding Bishop's Office and other places.
At the Church Office Building, the boys were fortunate enough to meet Senator Reed Smoot, Postmaster I. A. Smoot of Salt Lake City, and a party of Senators and Congressmen from the East.
The visit was arranged through the cooperation of the Presiding Bishopric.
THE WORD OF WISDOM REVIEW
A Monthly Presentation of Pertinent Information Regarding the
Lord's Law of Health
REPEAL AND "TEMPERANCE"
At the time prohibition repeal was **■ being urged, statements were made indicating that real temperance would be promoted, drinking reduced, and bootlegging eliminated by the re- peal of the Eighteenth Amendment. A statement issued recently by the Na- tional City Bank of New York City indicates that profits to the liquor in- terests in 1936, as compared with 1935, were nearly one-third higher. The profits for 1936 were $15,293,000, which is practically 18 per cent of the total investment. With the exception of three other industries: automobiles, automobile accessories, and drugs, the liquor profits were higher than those of any other industry in America.
HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS FROWN ON LIQUOR
An interesting survey, to learn the ^* attitude of Catholic high school
girls regarding the use of liquor by high school boys and girls, brought forth these comments :
"The high school boy who drinks in- toxicating liquors is a 'show-off,' a smart
aleck, vulgar, reckless."
"I do not associate with boys who drink intoxicating liquors."
"They're doing it to be smart or be- cause they don't know any better."
As to their opinion of girls who drink, they were almost unanimous with:
"Cheap and common."
"Million times worse than the boys who drink."
"I think high school girls who drink are a decided menace."
"Unfit companions."
"Gives me the impression they are 'tough.' "
701
CONDUCTED UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE PRESIDING BISHOPRIC — EDITED BY JOHN D. GILES
WARD TEACHER'S MESSAGE, DECEMBER, 1937
SQUARING OUR ACCOUNTS WITH THE LORD
HThere is still left of the year 1937 enough time, for those who earnestly A desire to do so, to square accounts with the Lord. There is still time in which to check back over the year and determine whether or not we have met our obligations in full.
The obligations to our Father in Heaven are of three kinds or classes: There are honor accounts, duty accounts, and financial accounts.
As Latter-day Saints, we have honor accounts. We have been taught the truths of the Gospel, the standards of the Church, and our obligations as members of the Church, and we have been given our free agency — placed upon our honor — either to obey the Gospel, or to violate its teachings. Unpaid honor accounts can be settled only by true re- pentance and a determination to make up for past failings by full ob- servance in the future.
Duty accounts are those which place upon us the obligation to do the things required of us in our Church relationship. Every member has individual duties, family duties, and Church duties. A check of the past year will remind us of duty obligations which are unfulfilled. Here again only true repentance and a determination to make up in the coming years for remissness of the past can repay the obligations of duty.
Financial obligations include titning, fast offerings, ward maintenance, and other contributions of money for Church purposes. At the end of the year is a suitable and appropriate time to check back and learn whether or not we have met our financial obligations to the Lord. There is still time in which to make amends for failure to meet these obligations.
As a New Year approaches, the best way to greet it with promises of success, happiness, and satisfaction, is to meet it with a clear conscience — with a knowledge of having met the obligations of the past year to the very best of our ability.
THE TEN LEADING STAKES IN WARD TEACHING FOR AUGUST, 1937
Cix stakes reported 100 per cent of ^ Ward Teaching in August, as com- pared with five stakes in July. Twelve stakes reported 90 per cent, or above. The ten leading stakes for August were:
Per cent
Juarez —.100
Los Angeles 100
Long Beach 100
Bear Lake 100
Oneida 100
Franklin - 100
Weber 97
Big Horn 96
South Davis 96
Ogden - 96
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE WARD TEACHER
And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
For the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ;
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the meas- ure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
That we henceforth be no more chil- dren, tossed to and fro, and carried about
702
with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ;
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the ef- fectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (Ephesians, 4:11-16.)
To this end we are given the Priest- hood and commissioned to go forth,
« ♦
SHINING FAITH By Ruby W. Simmerman
There are windows gold and shining, With God's light beaming through; There are clouds with silver linings, That bring us faith anew.
Sometimes we see the windows,
But not the gleaming light; Sometimes we see the dark cloud,
But not the lining bright.
Dear Lord: I thank Thee for the sun And all Thy glorious light; .
I thank Thee for the moonbeams — They make the clouds so bright.
I thank Thee for Thy care each day • And for Thy wondrous love.
Help me to understand Thy plan And reach to Thee above.
teaching the people by precept. How many who have accepted the Priest- hood have given thought of the re- sponsibility that comes with it? God has made His plans for our welfare; they are clear and comprehensive to those who have a desire to know His will and keep His commandments, there should therefore be no room for doubt in the mind of those who have entered the waters of baptism.
Some of us as of old are called to labor as teachers among the people.
To watch over the Church always, and be with and strengthen them; and see that there is no iniquity in the Church, neither hardness with each other, neither lying, backbiting, nor evil speaking; and see that the Church meet together often, and also see that all the members do their duty. {Doctrine and Covenants, 20:53-55.)
How many who hold the Priesthood are prepared and willing to carry cut these instructions and how many must first set their own houses in order and be converted before they will carry out these instructions.
Every man holding the Priesthood should learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence. He that is slothful shall not be counted wor- thy to stand, and he that learns not his duty and shows himself not approved shall not be counted worthy to stand. (Doctrine and Covenants, 107:99-100.)
After careful study and prayerful preparation the thing most needed by an acting teacher is to be in possession of the Spirit of the Lord; if he has a desire to know the will of the Lord, his efforts will be blessed, and, if he is humble and prayerful, he will be guided.
He should upon entering the homes of the Saints, familiarize himself with the conditions of the home life. This can be done mainly through observa- tion. It is not always wisdom to be too inquisitive or to ask pointed ques- tions concerning home life, habits, and personal matters. Every visit should be characterized by gentleness, kind- ness, and the spirit of brotherly love. A teacher should never leave his home to make a visit without first asking the Lord for His blessings and the guid- ance of His spirit.
A teacher who believes in his work and who is in possession of the Spirit of the Lord is a welcome visitor in the homes of the Saints and the more often his visits the greater the happiness, the greater the encouragement, the greater the desire to serve God. We are strengthened through associating with the strong. We receive faith through works, and partake of the Spirit of the Lord when unity, love, and kindness have prepared us for its reception.
Exploring the Universe
A newly perfected tungsten incan- ■*"* descent lamp is coiled and recoiled to give 10 per cent more light, a light saving of ten million dollars a year. Usually the filaments are wound into a coil, but in this lamp the coil is wound 335 turns to the inch into very small coils, and then the coil itself is wound into another coil 70 times to the inch, and stretched between two lead- in wires instead of forming the present semi-circle.
Tf man's voice were as powerful for his size as that of the tree frog, he could be heard from eastern Wash- ington state to New York City, accord- ing to Science Service.
TTo eliminate the crackle and rustle of ■*■ ordinary paper an almost noiseless paper has been developed for sound studios.
Tn stead of many strand barbed wire * fences, animals can now be kept fenced with a single strand electric fence. Touching the strand gives a shock sufficient to discourage an animal from going through, yet will not injure it or humans.
/Centralization of the fight on cancer ^ will be possible with the three- quarters of a million dollar National Cancer Institute, appropriated by Con- gress.
is
A puncture-proof inner tube ** made by putting a layer of plastic self-sealing composition on the inside of the tube. A puncturing object can be removed and the holes will self-seal without loss of air.
/^lass frying pans can now be used. ^-* A new variety of Pyrex type glass has been developed which resists heat so well that it can be used directly in contact with the flame.
By FRANKLIN S. HARRIS, JR.
VKTindow panels comparable to stain- "' ed glass are afforded by a new translucent marble. Taking advantage of the crystalline make-up of marble, and by proper selecting and cutting, the interior structure of the marble can be shown. Ordinary light bulbs may be used for novel effects with fixtures or interior walls.
man beings. Alfalfa gives good results in counteracting scurvy. It is unusually high in minerals.
Alfalfa has been found by South ''*' African biologists to make an ex- cellent and palatable vegetable for hu-
A device to be attached to a type- **""* writer makes from one to four duplicate copies appear as originals, by using extra ribbons built into the machine. Another innovation is a white typewriter ribbon using aluminum for ink making possible typing clearly on blue prints or other dark colored paper.
Ironrife
The Double Utility Ironer
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Buy a New Modern £hdbuc
Ironrife
IRONING MACHINE
SCHOSS
ELECTRIC CO.
Ogden, Brigham City. Tremonton, Utah. Malad, Idaho
QUALITY
APPLIANCE shop
45 West Broadway— Salt Lake City, Ut.
For iurther information call or write Gordon E. Wilkins. Factory Representative, 3100 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, Calif.
703
General Offices Y. M. M. I. A.
SO NORTH MAIN STREET SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH
General Offices Y. W. M. I. A.
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 33 BISHOP'S BUILDING
-o^.
Y. M. M. I. A. ANNOUNCES NEW FIELD SUPERVISION PLAN
"\17ith inauguration of the fall and ™ " winter season in the Y. M. M. I. A. a new plan of organization, moti- vation, and field supervision of the Scout, Explorer and M Men pro- gram has become effective. Under this plan a Church-wide program is to be conducted in cooperation with the Presiding Bishopric and the Sunday Schools which is designed to bring new vitality and interest in Church activity to every young man and boy in the Church.
The new Scout-Explorer plan in- cludes some organization changes which place full responsibility for committee work as well as program promotion with Y. M. M. I. A. officers of stakes and wards. Aaronic Priesthood officers, who have in a number of stakes for several years cooperated in Scout and Explorer committee work, are now to be relieved of detailed responsibility in Scouting in order that their efforts may be devoted to Priesthood quorum supervision through the Aaronic Priest- hood correlation plan, which includes groups representing Aaronic Priest- hood, Sunday School, and Y. M. M. I. A. The full cooperation of Priesthood leaders is to be maintained.
The supervision plan for Scouting, which includes Explorers, is to include strengthening of contacts with Na- tional, Regional, and Local Council Scout Executives, frequent surveys of conditions affecting L. D. S. boys in Scouting, and active promotion of the wider use of the Scout program. The aim is to have every L. D. S. boy in Scouting.
A conference with Scout Executives in the central Church area, which has already been held, a survey of each council by the Scout Executive, and a survey of each stake through the stake superintendents were the first steps in the campaign.
More intensive supervision and ad- ditional field work among M Men or- ganizations are also important parts of the new plan. More frequent con- tacts with district and stake M Men supervisors, plans for increasing in- terest in Master M Men activities and the use of the athletic program to build class attendance and activity are con- templated under the new plan.
M Men schools in each of the thir- teen districts of the Church and a series
704
of special Scout-Explorer promotion meetings in various parts of the Church are now under way in accordance with the new plans.
John D. Giles has been designated as Field Supervisor for the Y. M. M. I. A. — with special assignments to the M Men, Explorer and Scout departments, and Era and Publicity.
John D. Giles enters the duties of this new position with a lifetime of qualify- ing experience behind him. In com- mercial fields he has distinguished himself in advertising, promotion, and selling activities. He has long been identified as an eminently well quali- fied "boys' man" in ward and stake
JOHN D. GILES, FIELD SUPERVISOR OF Y. M. M. I. A.
activities where for years he has done notable service in Scouting, Aaronic Priesthood, and M. I. A. work. In the Eighteenth Ward and Ensign Stake he has been a ward and stake superin- tendent of Y. M. M. I. A., ward Aaronic Priesthood leader, and stake high councilman.
He studied at the Brigham Young University, and after working in the business office of the Deseret News for five years established an advertising agency, the first in Salt Lake City. He was for fifteen years superintend- ent of the Y. M. M. I. A. in the Ensign Stake. He helped to establish the fathers' and sons' outings and the M Men movement. He has devoted the past twenty-four years to Boy Scout work and is chairman of the organiza- tion committee of the Salt Lake Boy Scout Council. He is executive secre- tary of the Utah Pioneer Trails and Landmarks Association and a member
of the executive board of the Oregon Trail Association. He has photo- graphed scenes along nearly all of the Mormon Pioneer route from Nau- voo to Salt Lake City and gath- ered history for the erection of a large number of monuments erected along historic trails and sites connected with the history of the Church and the de- velopment of the western states. He is the author of a number of magazine articles relating to these subjects.
The new Field Supervisor came to the General Board of the Y. M. M. I. A. in 1929 and has earned much prestige in Church-wide circles as a "boys man" since that time.
LET'S GO TO MUTUAL
'"Phis phrase has caught fire and is ■* spreading all over the Church. Peo- ple are saying it throughout Utah, Idaho, California, and the other states and missions of the United States and in England, Germany, Scandinavia, and in other foreign missions.
This is the way they say it in Den- mark:
Lad os goa til Ungdomsmode.
And in Sweden:
Kom med oss till Utbildnings foreningen.
And in Norway:
La oss ga pa Ungdoms mote.
And this is the way they might say it in Germany:
Wir Gehen Nach G. F. V.
Let us use this phrase in salutation to each other as we meet in the home, on the street, at school, at business. The very saying of it will make us want to go to Mutual and when we get there the program is so delightful that we are sure to continue our at- tendance.
ARE YOUR COMMUNITY ACTIVITY COMMITTEES ORGANIZED?
A completely organized community •^ activity committee, with two en- ergetic counselors as chairmen and well-qualified directors in the various activities as members, is one of the most important factors in insuring suc- cess in the M. I. A. program. Ward officers, if you have not already done so, make every effort to place on this committee directors in music and dra- ma and dancing and in any other of the subjects you are taking up; espe- cially the subjects being considered on the Assembly Programs. This com- mittee has a fine piece of work out- lined for this year and a real oppor- tunity to enrich the lives of M. I. A. members. The reward in self-educa- tion and satisfaction in building up the entire organization will be great.
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, NOVEMBER, 1937
A HOBBY EXCHANGE
T-Jow would you like a Hobby Page A in the Era each month? A page where you could describe the thing that you are doing that gives you so much joy and cultural uplift and where you could read what other people are doing all over the Church? If you would enjoy such a page, indicate it by sending at once a brief, clear, snappy description of your especial hobby. Sign your name and tell where you live. We shall be governed in the publication by the number of re- sponses, the character of the hobby, and the interest of the description.
DRAMA
A ll reports indicate the most general ■*^ satisfaction with our 1937-38 Book of Plays that we have yet had. You will find a very interesting group of plays, from the simple comedies — which beginners can do — to big drama, call- ing for the best efforts of your most talented people. We are publish- ing this year individual copies of each of the eight plays contained in the volume. The ward must purchase at least one copy of the Book of Plays to entitle them to produce any one of the plays contained therein. Indi- vidual copies may then be obtained for members of the cast of the particular play being presented. Call your ward directors together and decide on some method of procedure in the exchange of plays by the wards, leading up to your stake Drama Festival.
DANCING
'""Inhere may be all the trappings of
A pleasure — rose color, gilt, tinsel, plush draperies, but despite all these, there is too frequently little spon- taneity, little variety, no play, no mirth. The modern dance is essentially a dance for two and too often is not social. The two-some convention al- lows no opening out to sociability and friendliness. It is usually stiff, formal, and unimaginative." So says Maria Ward Lamkin, as a result of her care- ful survey of dance halls throughout the country.
Our M. I. A. is doing much to do away with some of the undesirable situations mentioned above, notably non-sociability, by introducing into our church parties group dancing