■ ■■•■■■■:-.
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,■■■ RETURN !>- • L-SALT LA
M*AT SALVAGE! One of the most important of all home front duties. Here's why: Just one pound of waste kitchen grease is all it takes for the gun- powder in 120 cartridges . . . bullets that may help save American lives. Conserve every spoonful of used fats. Your meat dealer will pay you in both cash and precious "red" stamps. * And here's a friendly tip! Prepare salvage grease quickly, easily by this method: Put scrapings and drippings into a pan, cover to prevent spattering and place in oven when you're baking or roast- ing (or over simmer top-burner) and melt slow- ly, thus saving gas for vital war needs. Then strain the "rendered" fat into a clean can. * Just as easy as it sounds if you cook with clean, con- trollable gas . . . the economical fuel preferred by eight out of ten western housewives. MOUNTAIN FUEL SUPPLY COMPANY
Serving 23 Utah Communities
/•
SERVING
1.
PATRIOTISM, POINTS, PENNIES Three reasons for saving every scrap of used fats-
THE WEST • IN WAR AND PEACE
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THE MOST DRAMATIC STORIES EVER TOLD
i
1
~Jhe L^c
ouer
The flag always flies in front of the home of Betsy Ross, in Philadephia, Perm., for in the dark hours of the fight for freedom, that home was the cen- ter of activity in creat- ing a symbol which would unite all of the colonists in their great struggle. Since that time, the qualities of the flag have increased in their power to in- fluence: the blue of the field indicates the strength of truth; white signifies purity of mind; red indicates the courage which en- dures unto death; and the stars are the ideals which lend purpose to patriotism.
The cover is the photographic work of Martha E. Bonham, re- touched by Charles E. Jacobsen.
Editors
Heber J. Grant John A. Widtsoe
Managing Editor
Richard L. Evans
Associate Editors
Marba C. Josephson William Mulder
General Manager
George Q. Morris
Associate Manager Lucy G. Cannon
Business Manager
John K. Orton
National Advertising Representatives
Francis M. Mayo, Salt Lake City
Edward S. Townsend, San Francisco
Dougan and Bolle, Chicago and New York
Member, Audit Bureau of Circulations
<27fe
Improvement Era
" THE GLORY OF GOD IS INTELLIGENCE "
'imm* ■ <» dn d*/m m M tm mT irifT tM \rT m ,tjj > iflinfr irffflT irfjn inW iffff tm m urtfT <m dm ilffi ritt m m mm «M m\ im it%M
JULY, 1944
VOLUME 47, NO. 7
"THE VOICE OF THE CHURCH"
Official Organ of the Priesthood Quorums, Mutual Improvement
Associations, Department of Education, Music Committee, Ward
Teachers, and Other Agencies of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints
Jke C^ditor6 J-^a
r
A Family Temple Night... Heber J. Grant 425
L^hurch J~eatu.re5
Bishop: What Is Your Sense of Values?
Marvin O. Ashton
United Order Feramorz Y. Fox
Report to the Field: Another Year of "Era" Activity and
Success John K. Orton 436
Evidences and Reconciliations: Note to June Question, and
LXXXII — Is the New Testament Translated Literally?
John A. Widtsoe 445
The Church Moves On 440 No-Liquor-Tobacco 429, 447
Priesthood: Melchizedek 446 Music Page 454
Aaronic 448 Genealogy 455
Ward Teaching 449 Field Photos 457, 459
428 432
Special ^jreaL
}p
eatures
Thou Hast Made Us to Incline to Thee... .Levi Edgar Young 426
How Can I Quit Tobacco? L« Weston Oaks 429
Resume of Laws Affecting Title to Utah Lands
...HughaNeU 430
Apostate Factions, Following the Martyrdom of Joseph
Smith — Part HI — James J* Strang E. Cecil McGavin 433
The Spoken Word from Temple Square.. ..Richard L* Evans 442
Exploring the Universe, Frank- lin S. Harris, Jr 419
Telefacts 420
Similarities Between America - and Oceania, Charles E.
Dibble 42 1
Books 422
A Reward of Faith, Albert L.
Zobell, Jr 424
Weary Not, Donald Bruce 338
Homing: Storage of Canned Goods ...: 450
The Management of the Bad
Boy, Mary S. Kinney 450
Handy Hints 450
Cook's Corner, Josephine B.
Nichols 451
Out of the Junk Heap, Peter
Hunt ...452
News from the Camps 453
Our Flag, Christine Dryburgh 456 New Horizons, Noma Roberts..458
Solution to June Puzzle 466
Index to Advertisers 467
Your Page and Ours 472
(L*dltorial5
The Way of Unity William Mulder 444
Parental Opportunity Marba C. Josephson 444
Pioneers — 1944 Style Marba C. Josephson 444
S^*torie$, \-^oetr<
t
Confidence James P. Sharp 431
Success House Katharine H. Taylor 434
Frontispiece: The Shining Airplane, Rose T. Graham 421
Words, Arthur Wallace Poetry Page 439
Peach 423 To Think, J. Orval Ellsworth._459
^^^^^^^■*^^^>.*^-'^-*-*^/i^^^ ****** CIRCULATION FOR THIS ISSUE: 92,000
voneer
Pi
*JJa
THE month ©f July holds a place in the hearts of all Latter- day Saints for two reasons: first, the Fourth of July recalls vividly that this coun- try was dedicated from the beginning to the doctrines of liberty and justice for all; and second, the Twenty- fourth of July symbol- izes the willingness of a great people to leave all they possessed and move into a desolate region, suitable as one trapper said for rattle- snakes and coyotes, and by their unstinted effort make that desert a place of refuge for those who would wor- ship under the newly restored Church.
Executive and Editorial Offices:
50 North Main Street, Salt Lake City 1, Utah.
Copyright 1944 by Mu- tual Funds, Inc., a Cor- poration of the Young Men's Mutual Improve- ment Association of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All rights reserved. Subscrip- tion 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 Oc- tober, 1917, authorized July 2, 1918.
The Improvement Era is not responsible for un- solicited manuscripts, but welcomes contributions.
All manuscripts must be accompanied by suffi- cient postage for delivery and return.
418
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA
By DR. FRANKLIN S. HARRIS, JR.
HThe blackboard was invented by -"- James Pillans, famous Scottish edu- cator and classical scholar, about 1823. He finally used a board of beechwood stained with logwood, after several ex- periments, and his students helped him grind his chalks and mix them with colors.
TTantalum, the non-corrosive, strong- * er-than steel, blue-white metal, has found new valuable uses recently. With a melting point about 5000° F., it has been used for electric lamp and radio tube filaments. It is now used in medi- cine, since it is easily malleable; it has been used for plates in the skull and plastic surgery. Tantalum has replaced silk and catgut for sewing nerves to- gether. Bone and tissue will grow over tantalum and to it. A new type of glass using tantalum with tungsten and lanthanum, with no sand, has doubled the lens speed in aerial photography.
> :
An "unsmkable" lifeboat has been ■**■ designed and built by Francis Lowe. It will right itself from a 99-degree list. The 55-passenger capacity boat, if held completely under water, jumps to the surface when released. The drinking water tanks have twice the amount car- ried in a normal boat. 4 1
"RTany of the toys played with in an- ■*•■*■ cient Athens and Rome are used also for playthings today. Sir D'ArcyW. Thompson reminds us that the first toy the infant has is his rattle; sometimes anciently it was a little jug with peb- bles in it. The boys of old had a top, a ball, a drum or tambourine, a mask to frighten friends, and a stick horse. Agesilaus, the King of Sparta, was found riding a stick horse for the amuse- ment of his own small boys, and the philosopher Socrates wasn't embar- rassed when similarly caught. Every little girl had her own toys, especially dolls.
A bout ten to fifteen thousand icebergs ** break off the east coast of North America and Greenland each summer. The number which reach the northern shipping lines varies from a thousand to just a few for a year. Since the forma- tion of the ice patrol, the course of southern traveling icebergs is made known to shipping. Though rarely reaching the shipping lanes, great tabu- lar icebergs from the Antarctic have been observed one to two hundred feet high and fifty miles long. The North Pacific Ocean has no iceberg menace. (Concluded on page 420)
JULY, 1944
Should they ever be weaned?
The thousands of babies who are fed Irradiated Sego Milk — should they ever be weaned?
Why should they ever be? Children, as well as babies, need safe milk. They need uniformly rich milk. And children through all their growing years need more vitamin D than ordinary foods provide.
All these things are provided for children
who use Irradiated Sego Milk — provided at
lower cost since Irradiated Sego Milk costs less generally than ordinary milk
Segd Milk Products Company
Originator of Evaporated Milk in the
Intermountain West
Plants in Richmond, Utah; Preston and Buhl, Idaho
Pie Crust! You Bet!
Making delicious pie crust is child s play! Just use g^me^Sss, GRHHHMS whole in your pie tin; or use gfotuy&c*. crumbs. They're chock- full of flavor — the perfect com- plement to any pie! But be sure "(ey re tffauy&c* GRHHAMS ishest things in town!
419
The always-new gift of Mrs. J. G. McDonald's Personal Selection Choc- olates will add to the joy of your Anniversary.
For more than 80 years, a gift of Mrs. J. G. Mc- Donald's has been a part of many anniversary rit- uals. So continue the customs with chocolates which truly are the BEST of GOOD chocolates.
»••,
Mrs. J.G. McDonald
Chocolate Company
Salt Lake City — Owned and Operated by Mrs. J. G. McDonald and R. Neal McDonald ■
420 .
TE1EFACT
THE FOOD CONSUMPTION PICTURE (II) [ u. s.-per civiuan]
175 150
1
^ ^ ^ 3£
M£AI CWCttN EGOS DAIRY SUTTEf
MtQDUCTS
MCTOGtAFH COVOBATtON
— ■-^■-■~-
EXPLORING THE UNIVERSE
(Concluded from page 419)
HPhe appendicitis death rate has been ■*• reduced to almost half in the last
four years.
+_
'"Phe chemists of the duPont Company ■*■ have developed a new chemical process which makes wood extra strong, flame-resistant, and warp-proof. Poplar can be made harder than maple, cottonwood can be treated so that it warps less than mahogany. The wood is put in a vacuum to remove the air, then methylolurea is drawn into the chamber and the airless wood soaked in a solution containing the methylo- lurea, which can include dyes if desired. The chemical reaction with the wood forms a hard, insoluble, unmeltable resin from the surface into the heart of the wood at a cost of about four cents a board foot.
Tn the naiad stage of development, * the young dragon-fly is jet- propelled. Water squirted from the gill chamber by its powerful abdominal
muscles drives the naiad in a series of rapid spurts through the water.
*♦
HThe Straits of Dover, as they are * called on the English side of the Channel, are called by the French, Straits of Calais (Pas de Calais) from the main city on the French side.
•♦
A TTACKS of influenza were reduced by ■** two-thirds by vaccination in men in the Army Specialized Training Pro- gram at eight universities scattered over the United States during the winter epidemic.
*
"\17arning scents are possessed by the
* * members of the hymenoptera or- der of insects, wasps, and their relatives, which are enemies of spiders. The spider's reaction to the scents is not only to let these insects alone but often to fly away in apparent panic.
+
{~\nly about fifty woods are commer- ^-* daily used of the 1,100 varieties in the United States.
TEtlFACT
RISE IN NET FARM INCOME 1939
1942
1943
(EST)
Each symbol represents one billion dollars
PICTOGRAPH CORPORATION
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA
SIMILARITIES
between
AMERICA and OCEANIA
&u -Dr. Charlei <L. -Dibble
T\R- Rivet, the French anthropologist, begins his discussions of Melane- sian influence in America with the state- ment:
Melanesian elements in aboriginal Amer- ica are more important and more extensive than the influences which derive from Aus- tralia.
America possesses a great number of cultural elements in common with Oceania. They include the following :
Blow gun, throwing stick, sling, double canoe, similar decoration of the prow, tree house, wooden pillow, hammock, musical bow, shell trumpet, wooden tambor, fish poi- soning, masked dances, head deformation, the blackening of the teeth, and the pre- paration of alcoholic beverages by mastica- tion.
Turning to a linguistic analysis, Rivet finds that the languages of Oceania ( Melanesia, Indonasia, and Polynesia ) , show traits in common with the Hokan languages in North America. (The Po- rno of California, the Yuma of Arizona, the Sioux, and others.)
|
Oceania |
Hokan |
|
|
head |
upoko |
epok |
|
mouth |
haha, aha |
aha, ha |
|
large |
matoi |
mato |
|
man |
opa |
upa |
|
ocean |
tasi |
tasi (water) |
|
sun |
laa, la |
alia, al |
Rivet concludes with bacteriological and medical evidence of the relationship and reviews the problem of a possible route to America. He suggests a route via the Pacific and observes:
For a people who had demonstrated their prowess by discovering the many islands of the Pacific, their arrival on the American coast would be relatively easy. In fact, it would be surprising if they had not done so.
■ ♦
AIRPLANE
By Rose Thomas Graham
myriads of flying -fish skimming ocean's blue Think the sky's a looking-glass as they gaze at you?
JULY, 1944
re
PIONEERS
HpHE first oil refinery in Utah was built in 1909 by Utah Oil Refinery Company on V4 acre of land, leased from the Union Pacific Railroad.
The first cracking unit to be installed in a modern refinery in Utah was built by Utah Oil Refining Company in 1918.
The first pilot still to condense oil from coal and shale in Utah was built by Utah Oil Refining Com- pany in 1915.
The first oil pipeline to cross the Rocky Mountains was built by Utah Oil Refining Company in 1939, at a cost of four and one-half millions of dollars. If it had not been for this pipeline it would have been almost impossible to transport crude oil into this territory during this emergency.
The first hi-octane plant to manufacture hi-octane gasoline in Utah was built for Utah Oil Refining Company at a cost exceeding fifteen millions of dol- lars. Our plant now covers 135 acres of land in Salt Lake City.
AS A PIONEER, WE SALUTE OUR FELLOW PIONEERS!
UTAH OIL REFINING COMPANY
Pep-88 Gasoline
Manufacturers of -Vico Motor Oils and Greases — Hi-Octane Gasoline Products of Highest Quality
AMERICA'S FINEST OVERALL
LEVI'S
SINCE 1853
THERE'S A REASON— Others can't imitate LEVI'S!
LEVI STRAUSS.
A NEW PAIR FREE IF THEY RIP
NON-
SCRATCH CONCEALED COPPER RIVETS ON BACK POCKETS
421
MIA- Reading Course Books
1944-45
Officially adopted and enthusiastically recommended are
these inspirational books:
$2.25
Executives— "THE GOSPEL KINGDOM"
Writings of PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR
Special Interest— "THE CHURCH IN WAR AND PEACE" .$1.00
By STEPHEN L RICHARDS
M Men-Gleaner— "THE ROBE" $2.75
By LLOYD C. DOUGLAS
Junior— "I WANTED TO SEE" $2.00
By BORGHILD DAHL
Senior Scout— "FAITH-PROMOTING STORIES" $1.00
Compiled by PRESTON NIBLEY
Bee Hive— "TRAVELER'S CANDLE" $2.00
By FLORENCE M. UPDEGRAFF
Scout— "CANYON OF WHISPERS" $2.00
By L. A. WADSWORTH
DESERET BOOK COMPANY
44 East South Temple Street Salt Lake City 10, Utah . . . P. O. Box 958
"THE BOOK CENTER OF THE INTERMOUNTAIN WEST"
(BodJuu
THE CHEMICAL FRONT (William Haynes. Alfred A. Knopf, New York. 284 pages. $3.00.) : ' '
This is really a popular presentation of the recent progress of the applications of chemistry in warfare. However, the numerous facts presented are those now generally used in industry, medicine, and other human activities. Moreover, it out- lines coming world demands if the coming will lead to prosperity. Whether technical- ly trained or not, the reader will be inter- ested in the informative, unusually well- written chapters of this book. Explosives, smoke screens, blood banks, drugs, rubber, plant foods, plastics, motor fuels, magnesium production, food dehydration, and many subjects between crowd the pages. It is a book for the day, to keep us up on the pro- gress of the day in the chemical field — and we are entering a chemical age. — /. A. W.
THE WAKE OF THE PRAIRIE
SCHOONER
(Irene D. Paden. The Macmillan Co.
514 pages. $3.00.)
IF you would go over the pioneer trails of the West, as if you were one of the prairie schooner companies, read this book. You will bump over the hills and hollows of the desert, follow the landmarks of the course, and rub shoulders with the actual people who made and traveled the roads, and built the West. With them you will face Indian massacres, buffalo stampedes, floods, sandstorms, wagon breakdowns, births, courtships, weddings, deaths, burials, quarrels, and reconciliations, and the thou- sand and one events of the pioneer road. The past will come alive.
The book is unique in structure, accurate in historical detail, and vivid in the telling of the westward march. It is well done, of informative, absorbing interest for all. It could serve as a historical handbook for the traveler between Missouri and California.
Mrs. Paden gained intimate knowledge of the trails as, for nearly a decade, she ac- companied her husband over the trails, and between trips by examining the literature of the early West — in manuscript or printed form.—/. A. W.
BEFORE MAKING IMPORTANT
DECISIONS
(Roger W. Babson. J. B. Lippincott Co.
80 pages. $1.00.)
Thoughtful people welcome the spiritual messages of Roger W. Babson. Here, (Concluded on page 456)
FAULTLESS FARM FUNNIES... goodbye to washday blubs.'
GRAHAM HUNTEK
NOW COME.
So 0
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422
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA
StSWMj
m
;-**■■' -; •-"*:.
ords
T.
hese are the
shining words In a world
grown dark When sullen guns
repeat old fears In phrases stark —
These are the
noble words That like a flame Brighten the ages
with a sign, A holy name —
These are the shining words
That call again:
Courage and faith — across the world
To the souls of men!
By
ARTHUR WALLACE
PEACH
— Photograph by Marie Scacheri
JULY, 1944
423
Jl&
eward of PA|T|-| By ALBERT L. ZOBELL, JR.
Many of the converts to Mormon- ism, now on a tiny steamer in the mid-Atlantic, were seasick and homesick — homesick with the remem- brance of the good but simple food that was theirs in a Denmark of 1869. The memory of better days in a friendly na- tive land was especially strong to Cath- rine Henningsen Hansen Zobell as she sipped again the "sour soup" which had been concocted by the ship's cook. Al- though she had a grown son and two daughters with her, that feeling grew as they arrived at New York, entrained for Chicago, and were said to be the first group of Scandinavian converts to travel by rail right to Ogden, Utah.
As they neared the mountains on the last portion of their journey, measles broke out among the children of the company, and two children died on the train.
The journey from "Tailor's Switch," the rail terminus, to Salt Lake City was a day-long excursion with fast, desert- worn horses, and soon the emigrants, and their earthly possessions, including the measles, were deposited on the Tithing Yard, there to spend the August night with the stars as a roof. The next morning an elderly white-haired man came with a big basket of green corn and another basket filled with green cucumbers and began to toss them to the emigrants for breakfast. Cathrine joined several of her friends in grum- bling. Then her son, Hans, who was well versed in languages, having spent ten years on the sea before the gospel found him, stepped to the brother, be- lieved to be an Elder McMurray, and said: "There's a nine-year-old girl here dying with the measles. I know. I have seen death come before."
The brother touched the girl with his hands and then asked: "Are you people Latter-day Saints?"
"We are," came the firm answer.
"Then let us form a circle around the sick." This was done, and the brother prayed that God would give the child life's strength, and promised her that before the sun went down that day, she would walk upon the streets of the city. This done, the elder disappeared from among the emigrants to perform other duties.
That was a challenge to Cathrine and all the doubters in the Tithing Yard. They watched the strength return to the girl's body, slowly at first, and then to fulfill that promise to the very letter, as the sun was setting that night her grandmother took her for a little walk up what is now East South Temple. * * *
And my great-grandmother, Cathrine, and my grandfather, Hans, and those who had witnessed that modern-day miracle, covenanted again to support the Church all the days of their lives.
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA
■J 3
amiliA ^Je
emote
f
te V flqkt
£5u l-^redldent *~Meber sr. \irant
I
F YOU WANT TO DO A THING, YOU CAN GENERALLY FIND TIME TO DO IT.
Iast September the First Presidency of the Church asked the presidencies of stakes and -J the Melchizedek Priesthood quorums to do the endowment work for the one hundred thou- sand men for whom the ordinance of baptism had previously been performed. I am greatly pleased with the interest that many of the brethren have taken and are taking in this work.
All my life I have been interested in the build- ing of temples and in the work performed therein. Ever since 1901 when I obtained a Grant record, I have had someone working along research lines, and from four to twenty-four people doing ordi- nance work. It has been suggested that the results of this activity, particularly an account of my personal participation, would be stimulating to the priesthood of the Church.
I have had one of my secretaries look up facts and figures from my journal and letter book. One letter of December 24, 1 926, contains this item :
Dear Brother Chipman:
Thursday morning I was busy at my office until ten o'clock with the Presidency's mail. We then went to the temple for the regular weekly meeting of the Presi- dency and Twelve, following which I went through the temple with the majority of the apostles and their wives. It being the birthday of the Prophet, we celebrated it by doing temple work in honor of the founder of the Church.
It was in January 1928, that I decided to have a weekly "Grant night" at the temple. We had a splendid response from the following letter to Bishop Joseph Hyrum Grant.
My dearly beloved Nephew:
I feel that I have sadly neglected my temple work. We have had about one meeting in a year or two of the Grant Family Association.
Yesterday I hired Brother Brigham S. Young to de- vote his entire time looking after genealogy for me first and then if he has any spare time to gather up informa- tion for a history of my life.
I made up my mind a year ago that inasmuch as I could find time to play golf nearly an hour or two that I could find time to go to the temple for at least once a week, and I have no difficulty in arranging to go. I don't have to get there until ten or fifteen minutes before six o'clock and I am out before ten every night. I have sometimes managed to go to the temple as often as three times a week, and I feel that we should try to arrange for you and your good wife and for other members of the family who are within reach to also go to the temple, and that we should be actively engaged in this work.
I realize that as I am seventy-one years and past, unless we do something in the near future, I am going
to pass on to the other side and meet my relatives who have died without a knowledge of the gospel and am going to be condemned for my neglect.
Now I would like you to stir up your brothers and sisters to try to get to the temple at least once a week, and we will try to make Thursday our special night to go. I have managed to find time to go to theaters and amusements in the past for years and years without going to the temple once. If I had spent the time in the Salt Lake Temple that I have spent at worthless shows, it would have been far better for me, to say nothing about the benefits that would have accrued to those who die without a knowledge of the gospel.
As you always have taken more interest than I have in temple work, I am going to trust to you to stir up your family to get to the temple as often as possible.
Ever praying for your welfare, and with assurances of love and esteem for you and all your dear brothers and sisters, and asking that we make a specialty of temple work, which I know will please your dear mother and father, I am, as ever,
Your affectionate uncle,
Heber J. Grant
That the work was taking a strong hold on my heart and that of the Grant family is shown by an entry of March 6, 1928:
Hyrum 's family are doing fine, going to the temple every Friday. That is the day we have set to go. We had twenty-three a week ago last Friday and eighteen last Friday who had endowments and then stayed after- wards and did a lot of sealing. Last Friday we were sealed for twelve couples and had sixty-one children adopted. I went through the temple twenty-two times in January and February, which is a good record, and I can go away now for a week without feeling that I am not keeping up my record of going twice a week, which is what I have been trying to do for the year 1928.
I have become very deeply interested myself in tem- ple work, and am annoyed that I neglected it for twenty or thirty or forty years when I could just as well have done some temple work during all that period. Taking time to play golf taught me a lesson that if you want to do a thing you can generally find time to do it. I thought it would be a hardship to go once a week, but we went a little more than once a week last year and have decided to go twice a week this year, and I have had no trouble at all in going more than twice a week while I have been home.
From that time until my illness four years ago, I endeavored to go to the temple once a week.
Another excerpt from a letter of December 17, 1934, indicates our participation as a family in this wonderful work:
It may be of interest to you to know that on my birthday there were fifty of the family — including some of my brother's relatives — sat down to dinner in the
(Concluded on page 471 )
JULY, 1944
^Jke C^dlto^d fife
aae
t
425
THOU HAST MADE US TO
^rvicilne
to
^Jkee
There is a permanent reality called religion; with spirit and form, with word and life. Without any extra- ordinary effort, thoughtful men and women can have it, and rejoice in it. It is a reality of the spirit; it is sanctified by the body and spirit of man, for both the spirit and the body constitute the soul of man. This was the teaching of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Religion is related to experience and is something that lies deeply in the souls of men. While it is true that there are today and ever have been many schools of religion, we are concerned with the true relation of man to God, and this we have to learn and accept and employ. It is given to us as the Light, and cannot itself be changed in our hands. In our studies of the Bible and all other sacred books of God, there is a point — an eternal truth — at which, with full consent, our thought begins. We love the superb tones of the primal words: "In the be- ginning, God." This is the greatest of all certainties, and is more than knowl-
edge, for its home is in the deepest na- ture of man.
It has been truthfully said by the world's great thinkers that the words found in the first chapter of Genesis are unsurpassed in the literature of man. Human history has no words more eventful than these:
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth; . . .
And God said, Let there be light: and there was light, . . .
And God created man in his own image.
He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. (Eccl. 3:11.)
Few truths could be of more service in bringing man to the right apprehen- sion of himself, and of his place in the universe, in quickening a high respect and regard for his splendid possibilities in character and achievement than that
ONE OF THE
OLDEST BIBLE
MANUSCRIPTS IN
EXISTENCE—
IN THE
SINAI
MONASTERY
Photograph by
Underwood 6
Underwood
&
426
which at once declares and continually asserts his relation to the eternal. Man is in the image of God, and both his body and spirit are divine. The Greeks saw the beauty of the hu- man form and they declared that it was related to the gods. The eternal truths of Holy Writ demand of every man the recognition of the divinity of the human body — for we are more depend- ent on physical conditions for our hap- piness and for our goodness than we realize. Our lives take color from our state of health. "The close connection between mind and body is a solemn fact." Health becomes a duty, and every wilful disobedience to the laws of health is wrong. The keenest brain needs a foundation of health to do its best work. We should therefore put the whole treatment of the body upon a moral basis. The body should be treated sacredly as an integral part of human nature.
HPhe Apostle Paul had been speaking A to the Corinthians and admonish- ing them to remember that their bodies were the temples of the Holy Ghost and then he adds: "Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit which are God's." There is something in man's bodily constitution that symbolizes his divine origin. The human frame in its delicate proportions is the most beauti- ful of all natural objects. There is a sacredness to it, derived from its asso- ciation with the spirit, whose fit abode it is, and the physical body is more pro- foundly connected with the invisible world than is any other thing in nature. The revealed truth given to the Prophet Joseph Smith that the spirit and body constitute the soul of man finds ready acceptance by the Latter-day Saints.
There is a close connection between the laws of health and the principles of morality. A truly healthy man with cleanness of blood, a clear brain, and healthy tastes will keep free from evils; the body should be treated sacredly as an integral part of human nature. Every act of intemperance of whatever sort; every sin against the physical constitu- tion; every wilful neglect of the laws of health and moral life injures self and prevents one from living right. Herbert Spencer in his book on educa- tion says: "Few seem conscious that there is such a thing as physical morali- ty. If bodily transgression is vicious, so breaches of the laws of health are physi- cal sins." The knowing of what is good to eat and drink, and living by that
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA
PRESIDENT
LEVI EDGAR YOUNG
OF THE FIRST COUNCIL OF THE SEVENTY
knowledge brings about a state of mind and a spiritual glow which are essential to high living.
"N^ANY of the Indian tribes of America ■*■ A have a fine conception of the im- portance of the body and its health and strength. Charles Eastman, a full- blooded Sioux Indian, writes in his book, The Soul of the Indian :
The moment that man conceived of a per- fect body, supple, symmetrical, graceful, and enduring — in that moment he laid the foun- dation of a moral life. There was aroused in him as a child, a high ideal of manly strength and beauty, the attainment of which depends upon strict temperance in eating, together with severe and persistent exercise.
With what beauty of word does St. John the Divine write of the Savior in description of his personality: "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, { and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." (John 1:14.) The perfect body was a part of Christ's glory.
Home Life in the Bible
Among the many secondary books ** that will interest the student of the Holy Bible are Dr. Neil's Life in the Holy Land and Mrs. A. T. Roberson's Ministry of Women. They are interest- ing as they give many ideas concerning home life in the Bible. Marriage was a sacred thing in ancient Israel and the many descriptions of the love between man and wife become fine lessons for the youth of all time. Read how Isaac brought the beautiful Rebekah into his mother, Sarah's, tent . . . and he loved her; and was comforted after his moth- er's death. Jacob and Rachel loved each other with deep devotion for "Jacob served seven years for Rachel and they seemed unto him a few days for the love he had for her." Mothers taught their children the "ways of the Lord," and we read in Proverbs 31 :28 how "Her children arise up, and call her blessed." When the law was offered to Israel at Sinai, the women, according to many Jewish writers, were the first to pledge obedience. We know that the early expositors of the law declared that man and woman were equal before the statutes. The authority for this state-
JULY, 1944
I** o*m
mnStBsR.'. ■
■■■... ■ . .
: ■-■:- .,■■■. ■ ■■..■ ■:-, • ...-:.-.. ■■-.■.■.,...- V ■■■.,-.■
ment is derived from two Biblical pas- sages: "Honor thy father and thy moth- er that thy days may be long upon the land." (Ex. 20:12.) A later passage in Leviticus reads: "Ye shall fear and rev- erence, every man, his mother, and his fa- ther." In the reversal of the words "fa- ther" and "mother" in this second in- junction was to establish equality . . . neither the father nor the mother was to take precedence one of the other. The reason why Jewish life has survived op- pression and persecution through the ages is because it has been deeply rooted in law. The eminent scholar, George Foot Moore, formerly professor of Se- mitics at Harvard University tells us in his Judaisim in the First Centuries of the Christian Era — that the "Legal status of women under Jewish law compares to its advantage with that of contemporary civilizations and represents a develop- ment of the Biblical legislation consist- ently favorable to woman." (Vol. II, p. 127.)
When the Jews settled in Rome after the Roman conquest of Palestine, Jewish women organized into groups in the Jewish communities to render aid to the fatherless and those in want. The de- scription of their duties is found in the Rabbinic Code:
Feed the hungry and give the thirsty to drink.
A THRESHING SCENE IN THE HILLS OF GALILEE IN PALESTINE, THE WOMEN WINNOWING
— Photograph by Underwood & Underwood
Clothe the naked, and shelter the home- less.
Visit the sick, bury the dead and comfort the mourner.
Support the widow and instruct the fa- therless.
Ransom the captive.
Make garments for the orphan and pro- vide for the betrothed maiden.
Legend throws this code back to the first Hebrew, Abram, to whom it was revealed as a prevision of the principles that would underlie the law which was to be the heritage of his posterity. The record of this revelation in the book of Exodus, according to Professor George Foot Moore, discloses the basis of He- brew law. Moses received the law direct from God, yet he had to descend to his people, and present it to them. In the assembly at the foot of the mountain were men, women, and children. These all lived under the law, and all pledged their assent, exclaiming: "We hear and we obey!" The commandment was rati- fied by the voice of the people. Com- munity and home life as described in Exodus and Deuteronomy make it plain that children were taught the principles of Jewish law. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" says the 127th Psalm, and {Continued on page 470) 427
EiiLo: WHAT IS YOUR
ip:
SENSE OF VALUES?
IN other words, bishop, "do you see gold in them thar hills"? When Colonel Tackling surveyed the sandy hills to the west of Salt Lake City, his sense of values told him that hidden therein were millions in copper. It doesn't take much intelligence, when gold is flashed in your face, to realize that you are beholding a pre- cious metal, but what is important is to discern value when it is obscured or hidden. The virtues of grace and beau- ty were hidden in the awkward clumsy personality, if you please, of the Ugly Duckling. Jumbo, the elephant, was loved by the millions of children of Great Britain for a generation or two. He was world renowned for his almost unbelievable dimensions, but he was once the scrub of the herd. It took a P. T. Barnum to see this hidden value. Now look at the awkward unsymmetri-
&
f
LJ. ^tshton
arvivi
OF THE PRESIDING BISHOPRIC
a specimen would make a Man of War, clipping off a mile in one minute and thirty-seven seconds?
We are still talking about hidden values, but what we want to emphasize here are hot horses, swans, and ele- phants, but things decidedly more pre- cious, boys and men. Yet, the above comparisons may help us to keep in mind eternally that sometimes a boy's outward appearance may throw us off the track in appreciating those hidden values that perform such miracles. This unkempt, awkward product of the fron- tier, sprawled on the floor putting into his head every piece of knowledge and
of three million of his fellows? Who would have dreamed that that same fel- low would some day give a three-minute talk that would be heard around the world, and every letter of it be cut in stone and cast in bronze, throughout the civilized world?
Bishop, do you see those values un- der that mat of unkempt hair sticking through the straw hat of an American boy? Bishop, do you have the discern- ment to see behind the inquisitive mis- chievousness of an Edison the world light-flooded with an incandescent lamp? Bishop, it was that kind of stuff that gave you the steam engine, the Ben
MAN OF TOMORROW
—Illustrated by Nelson White
cal, unpromising colt in this picture. Bishop, have you noticed a young thoroughbred — how all out of propor- tion he appears — long, awkward-look- ing legs and over-sized knee joints? When you looked him over, were you impressed that in a couple of years such 428
inspiration from the pages of a book read by the flickering tight from the open fireplace — who would have had the audacity to prophesy that that same piece of humanity in that log cabin would forty years later sign a document that would break the chains of bondage
Franklins, your Lindberghs, and Mac- Arthurs. If you see the possibilities of that lad over whom you preside, you'll love him that much more — and if you love him, we don't worry about the rest of it.
(Concluded on page 466)
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA
HOW CAN I QUIT
Job,
acco
?
By L WESTON OAKS, M.D.
Here are presented some sugges- tions for those who would win release from tobacco's hold upon them. The measures set down have been gleaned from various sources, and it is earnestly hoped that some of them may prove helpful.
Craving for tobacco is strictly an ac- quired thing. No one ever had it natur- ally. It exerts its power over the user in two definite ways. Number one is purely physical, and grows out of ef- fects of nicotine upon the nervous sys- tem, especially. Any powerful sedative drug, when taken for a time, is said to induce production of certain antibodies or chemical substances to neutralize, so far as possible, ill effects of that drug. Thus the body develops tolerance to- ward a poison and is enabled to deal with it. Consequently, smoking as it is continued, does not produce the dizzi- ness, nausea, and general illness which frequently arise from a first experience.
These same anti-drug substances de- veloped for defense of vital processes in one's body are themselves abnormal, and serve only to attack and neutralize in a measure the poison which caused their production. Therefore, when the poison fails to be supplied to use them up, they are said to set up a disturbance of their own, which is recognized as a physical craving for the drug that stimu- lated their development.
The second factor is mental or psychic. And, whereas the physical hunger for nicotine is speedily over- come and finished, this craving existing in the mind may with some persons last throughout life. It is purely an out- growth of an established habit, yet the most stubborn and persistent force a person can have to face. It will drive a man to drink liquor when he honestly desires to avoid it, when he knows full well that to do so will bring hunger and sorrow upon those whom he loves bet- ter than life itself. It compels the mor- phine addict to lie, steal, and even worse, that he might obtain the poison which brought about his enslavement.
Habit is one of the strongest forces in human life — for good or evil. Good habits are a salvation to the fortunate possessor. Bad ones are a continual trial and curse to him who desires to be liberated from them. Some individuals are sufficiently strong in will power to stop almost any habit at once and never indulge in it again. Most of us must do it more gradually, and with continued effort over a long time. Especially is this true of the mental craving for to-
JULY, 1944
bacco, liquor, and similar habit-forming drugs. A certain gentleman who had ceased to smoke cigarets some thirty years previous was heard to remark that he still had the desire for a smoke whenever he came into association with others who were smoking.
The physical craving already men- tioned is of short duration, once the to- bacco has been discontinued, and two to four weeks will usually see it over with. As has been suggested, duration of mental craving will depend upon how firmly the individual can set himself against it. The story is told that Mark Twain was able to meet this only by converting himself to look upon tobac- co as his mortal enemy and to hate it lustily.
The Desire to Quit
"^Taturally then, there is one thing ■*"^ and one thing only which is ab- solutely necessary, if you are setting out to win your fight against the tobac- co habit. That is a strong desire and stubborn determination to succeed in it. If you have any reservation in your mind, if you are not quite convinced that you are ready, if you are not sure the results and the blessings that will come from it are worth the fight, you had as well not begin, because this particular battle was probably never won by any- one who entered it that way. Also,
while much help can be given one who is sincerely determined in his struggle, no individual can do the job for another.
The once popular notion that some drug could be secretly included in a smoking husband's coffee and destroy his taste for tobacco had no foundation in fact.
Perhaps, from this point, brevity and clearness may best be served by using a method of questions and answers :
1 . How Shall I Proceed?
Having considered the above facts and arrived at your decision to break your bondage, you may begin in either of two ways :
(a) Stop short off, and not touch an- other smoke or chew thereafter. This serves for the strong-willed person especially, but is also good for some of the weaker ones who cannot follow the second plan because of being unable to stick faithfully to its conditions.
(b) Gradually taper off on amount of tobacco used until none is taken. If you have been accustomed to smoking fifteen cigarets daily, reduce the number by one each day until the zero day, then leave them alone from that time on. You cannot win, if you give way now and then and smoke one or two because some friend ridicules your silly notion of leaving them off. You will only have the whole thing to do over again. Suc- cess requires all or nothing.
2. Will a Change of Surroundings Help?
That would be of great benefit, if your work takes you more or less con- stantly into association with others who are smoking. However, if you approach this thing in the right spirit, such an en- vironment will not cause you to fail. There is no doubt that association with persons who do not use tobacco is a great help, under such circumstances. {Continued on page 466)
— Illustrated by John Henry Evans, Jr.
429
RESUME OF LAWS
^Aiffectina ^Jitte to Ultah <=Lana5
six months after the first publication of such notice, were required to state in writing the interest claimed in such land and to file the same with the clerk of the probate court of the county. The clerk was required to record the state- ment in a book and file the same in his
When the first settlers arrived in *~ By HUGH O'NEIL office, which was to act as a notice to
hen trie nrst settlers arnvea in 7 { persons c aiming interest in such
^TU^ t C -S n°W 11 land Anyone not filing a claim in the
of Utah the region was a small The t rf hts were not con. scribe<J period was forever barred in
part of a vast territory belonging to tested insofar gs ^ United States gOV_ H d^m ^ ^ Uw Qr it £ t
Mexico. In less than a year, however emment was concerned, but the Indian that the judge could extend the time not
°? .F?bTrYT K a t Mexico ceded all tifcles to theS£ lands had not yet been ^^ ^ from the first b,
of it to the United States in the Treaty extin uished; consequently, the people iication of notice, for good cause.
of Guadalupe Hidalgo. No effort had fa sections alr£ad gettkd were holdi »
been made by the pioneers to secure .. . , , , J cauatters In De- 7 , ,]i 9 • prooate courc was
from Mexico title bv land arants to the l u ,o„ iy squatters, in ue t hoId hearings on adverse claimants,
lands Xv occuDied C£mber i853' tbe President ,m ,hAs fft *>r which full minutes were to be kept
lanob uiey occupieu. sage to Congress recommended that the j Pr,r,rnvp>d An anneal from the de-
Brigham Young had declared it , b, svstemb bc extended over Utah a*T aPP.roiyed' ^n appeal irom trie oe
would be the nolicv to measure out to A? f^stem °e extenaea over Litan dsion of the probate mdge was allowed
wotua oe tne policy to measure out iu About a year later an Act was passed . .h Ai*trirt mnrt
paoCsesmNoapner ^ SSaZeK aulhorizinS ^appointment of a sut- l^?no adTe^e dataants to lands ap-
Uy or feU fanTandftSe who refused ^S^AlS^£T3 land ^ thc Pr°bate C°Url WaS \Sm*-
toyabide by the rules Were to be re- ~ *%5& fe Congress's^ ^^T^^IX^ftfSrt
quested to live elsewhere. ^utWizpd the> armointment of a survev- y 9 , * ° . ^°L 1Y' iTjA f i ■
Fxercisina the riaht of leadership authorized the appointment or a survey wajJ satisfied with the validity of claim,
Exercising tne rignt 01 leaoersmp, or-generai for TJtah territory, provided hiHament was to be entered on the
Brigham Young and the members of the . ° fu. f fh Indian tit]e to aaricultural judgment was to oe enierea on cue
Twelve on Auaust 7 1847 selected lots j fc tne Indian title to agricultural record and fun minutes to be kept of
twelve, on August /, lot/, seiecteaiou, and minerai iands be extinguished. * artion after which the iudae was
near the temple site, also making res- Therefore durina Tune 1865 a treatv w ?t. * : *Y fu ' 9 (lu
prvations for members of their imme- lfteretore- auring June ioo:> a treaty tQ certify the fact to the mayor of the
ervations tor memoers or tneir imme was made Wlth a number Df Utah tribes ■. __ /own who would make a deed
diate companies who, by right of mar- wherebv thev relinauished all claims to °P ' ? u T u£Z
riage, were entitled to lots and land, ^S Srttffih^rtto^excertTdcs- °f • con,veyf nce to snf Par> I£, *e
n^hpinn rrivf>w to nnmarripd men Al- witnin tne territory except a oes original entry was made by the probate
none being given to unmarried men. ai- iqnated reservation. -,, A. l_ ' , tn mau a convevance
thouqh it is clear that lots were selected y Jud9e> Thfe ,was to maKe a conveyance
s^rto*p^er^n4r^ iJS'ipssiscM ^sa^Assfsi-
to na Stv did the settlers flrst secure a meth°d S the probate judge was the claimant
Instructions were issued that all allot- wherebY theY c°uld obtain legal title to to any landS; his ciaim was to be filed
men's ^re t^b* Vc^terld on a^Sy the land they had OCCU^d foru°Ver with the probate court of an adjoining
olat to be keot bv Thomas Bullock It ****& Xears, as S£Juatters, although act- county, which court would handle his
tfslo\r^lt^Tl7^\nl ydW f* was not obtained untl1 claim 'as outlined for other claimants,
surveys, certificates approved by au- 18°? Pr^c% . rt^fci-J giving notice to adverse claimants
thorized surveyors shoufi be considered , % Act of Marcht?' 1 8,67' P °^ ' thr°UgJ the may°/ f a tOWn r°r °lty'
itle of possession to the holder for the that the corporate authorities of all in- or to the ju tice of the peace of an un-
amount of land therein described. corporated cities and the judge of the incorporated town. If the claim was
, .i iL >-t- i- j *~ county court should enter the land set- valid the mavor or probate udqe was
J&5& land^ndTo h'avf1 Thomas tled - their city or county and the land VQ executed deed of conviyance. If
6 32 £ Wn a rtnrH of surh assSn was to be deeded to SUch corPorate the mayor of an incorporated city or
Bullock keep a record of such assign- authority or judge in trust £or the use t0wn ^ ^ yalid daimPant> the record.
ments until iodu. and benefit of the inhabitants. The lands er 0f such town or city was to execute
Although the Mormons organized a were to be disposed of to the proper tbe deed 0£ conveyance to the mayor
provisional civil government during persons under regulations to be pre- Upon the certificate of the probate court
March 1849, under the name of Pro- scribed by the territorial legislature. A change of venue was allowed in all
visional Government of the Mate ot By an act of Congress of July 16, these cases, the same as in suits of law.
Deseret, it was not until March I, 1868( it was ordered that the public Within thirty days after expiration
1850, that the office of county recorder lands of the territory should constitute of six months for filing of statements,
was created. It was the duty ot this ot- a new iand district, to be named Utah the corporate authorities or the probate
ficer to record conveyances or transfers district, and that pre-emption home- judge were required to make a statement
of lands or tenements With the crea- steads and other laws o£ the United q£ a„ mQn c ded in acquisition of
tion of this office, the efforts of the States should be extended over it. the title to iands and to file it in the
Church leaders to determine whether The Utah territorial legislature in an office of the clerk of the probate court.
land was to be sold or purchased, were Act approved February 1 7, 1 869, fur- The corp0rate authorities or the probate
also apparently relinquished, tor early ther outlined the procedure to be fol- judqe were required t« collect all
deeds of this year mention the transfer lowed in granting the legal title of the charges due in the acquisition of the
of lands for a consideration. land to the settlers. The corporate au- title> before making a deed of convey-
During the existence of the Provision- thorities of a town or city or the probate ance. The money collected for lands
al Government of the State of Deseret judge of any county were to convey was to be paid into the county treasury
many land grants were made to individ- title by a deed of conveyance. for the support of common schools in
uals by the general assembly. The corporate authorities or the tbe city or town.
When Utah Territory was created, it probate judge were required, within {Concluded on page 457)
was provided in the Organic Act that thirty days after the entry of the lands,
the "lands were to be surveyed under to give notice by publication in a news- o^^^^&^SS^lJ^iS.
direction of the United States govern- paper once each week for three sue- tember 9, 1850; Compiled Laws o{ Utah, 1888: United
ment preparatory to bringing the same cessive months. The notice was to con- |££ £* Jg ggj-j. i « |^ ff^Hgri
into market." By the Organic Act the tain an accurate description of the lands pued United States Statutes, 1901, Section 2387; Acts.
1 _ £„.l,:JJ^« *V.» «rim->»T, Aic imj^lxjoA Resolutions, and Memorials of ISth Annual Legisla-
people were forbidden the primary dis- involved. fiue Assemblyi Territory of Utah, Chapter 7. pages
posal of the soil. Any claimants of such lands, within 4-6, approved February 1 1, 1 869, ■
430 THE IMPROVEMENT ERA
CONFIDENCE
M,
.idnight. The stars winked and blinked as if playing a friendly game. Not a sound could be heard ex- cept the horse trotting along the trail, the creaking of the saddle, and the spur chains hitting on the bottom of the stir- rups. A coyote howled nearby. An- other took it up until it sounded literally as if thousands were making the night hideous with their wailing. The horse had been tense and nervous but now he settled down to an easy running walk as if completely relaxed. The rider sat there wide awake and alert thinking and wondering, wondering and think- ing
Three short hours before, I had locked the store door after filling a large order that was to go out early Monday morning. Two other young men came along and we stopped and talked for a few minutes when we saw a horseman riding over the hill a short distance away. The moon was low in the west and we could not see clearly who it was but we did notice that the horse was a mighty tired animal. Right up to the store came the horse and we saw the rider slumped over in his saddle, about
Dm dam,e5 [-^.' Syrian
<p
to fall off. He stopped the horse and said:
"Clara and her baby are both dead."
In a small country village when death
strikes it affects every home just as if
one of their own household had passed
away.
We helped him from his horse and as we sat on the steps he told us this — for forty-eight hours he had sat at the bed- side of his sister without leaving. She had died at noon that day and he had ridden forty miles to bring the sad news — the young husband and father was bringing the bodies in a white-top — the funeral they wished to be held at noon the following day and someone must see about digging the grave and notify some relatives back in the mountains with their sheep, and he could not go on.
We helped him on his horse and told him to go home, for we would notify the bishop who would see to everything.
When we entered the home of the bishop he was preparing for bed. He listened in silence as tears came to his
eyes. Then he said to me : "Get on your horse and notify the relatives. You will find them up either in Head-waters, Horse Valley, or Little Valley. Better leave now so as to be there when it comes daylight and you can see, for they will need all the time there is to get here."
I told him my saddle horses were all in the pasture, three miles away and chances were I could not catch one be- fore daylight. My cousin, Adam Sharp, was there with me. He spoke up saying, "You're welcome to ride Blue Steel. That's his old range and he can take you there by the shortest trails. Why not take him?"
Why not? I hesitated. Then the bish- op said; "What you waiting for?"
I explained to him that this horse was considered an outlaw that bucked every time any one rode him and he was large enough to carry a man to the end of any trail and as nimble as a cat.
He looked at me for a moment and then said, "Trouble with you young people of today is — you have everything come to you too easy and always have an excuse ready for any and every/oc- casion. Adam here has confidence", in; the ability of his horse to take you there, ■ and I have confidence in your ability" to bring him back, and I don't want1 to see you come limping down "'the" road with a lot of excuses. Do you think : I relish the idea of going through this : town tonight asking people 16 meet'mej1' at the cemetery at daybreak id "dicpthe/ grave? Do you think I like the criticism,* : that will come from certain cmtside'fs ;i when they find I have broken tne' Sab- ! bath by digging a grave? ; How would"'1 you like to conduct the funeral tomor- row? I asked you to get. word to those boys and I expect you to do it even if you have to walk." :
He' put on his hat"ahd"'coat .and went out of the house.
"V
W,
/ TOUCHED HIM WITH MY SPURS AND IM- MEDIATELY I WAS ON TOP OF A TORNADO
JULY, 1944
t t E three youngsters got up and went to the stables where I got my saddle^ blanket, bridle, chaps, and spirs and we carried those to my cous- in:s;place. When we led Blue Steel out ofli|te stable, he lifted up his head and gave a loud snort — a defiance to us. We tied his front feet together and put a blindfold over his eyes. Then carefully thfe saddle was cinched tight, the front feet untied, and while my cousin twisted the horse's ears I eased myself into the saddle and pulled up the blind not knowing what to expect. The unex- pected happened, for the horse gave an- other snort and trotted off like a well broke animal.* >-•■. -■■;-,
[As I . rode awa^: I he&rd the other (GorifihueSoripage 458 ) AW
UNITED ORDER
^Ijidcrimination in the Ulde of ^Je
ermd
Whoever desires to understand the literature of the Mormon people that deals with their so- cial ideals and experiments, must ex- ercise considerable care in confining the meaning of terms to their original sig- nificance. Much confusion has been oc- casioned by the current acceptance among the Mormons of the term united order as a general designation of ideal economic systems from the days of the Prophet Joseph Smith to the present time; whereas the appellation was used by the Prophet and his contemporaries in a most restricted sense, and never thereafter found its way into the litera- ture of the church until Brigham Young applied it to the system inaugurated in 1 874. Neither Joseph Smith nor any of his associates ever referred to the Jack- son County experiment as the united order, and it is an anachronism to apply the title to that program.
Outside of a dozen references in the Doctrine and Covenants and the Proph- et's own History of the Church, the words united order may be looked for .in vain prior to their use by President Young at St. George as a designation for the system he was then proposing. Had it been common practice to refer to the socio-economic arrangements made in Jackson County as the united order, the name would have been used subsequently as a convenient label in the frequent allusions to that experiment in sermons devoted to the consecration of property and the system of steward- ships. As a matter of fact, though the ideal social system attempted in Jack- son County was frequently discussed in Mormon assemblies during the period
JOSEPH SMITH
By FERAMORZ Y. FOX, PH.D.
President, L.D.S. Business College
1844 to 1874, the words united order were never used.
Joseph Smith gave the name united order, which he used interchangeably with united firm, to a joint-stewardship of five men, later seven, constituting a board of trustees to hold certain church properties and to supervise the opera- tion of mercantile establishments in Ohio and in Missouri. Their functions and responsibilities were quite similar to those of the board of directors of a corporation of the present time, holding and managing business properties for the Church. The proof of this state- ment is ample. On April 26, 1832, lead- ing elders of the Church held meetings in Zion during which the Prophet pre- sented by revelation a command that five men — Sidney Rigdon, Newel K. Whitney, Joseph Smith (all of Kirt- land), Oliver Cowdery, and Martin Harris (both of Zion) — be organized "to manage the affairs of the poor, and all things pertaining to the bishopric both in the land of Zion and in the land of Shinehah [KirtlandJ." This or- ganization was ' appointed to be an everlasting order."1 In the minutes of the meetings the organization thus ef- fected is referred to as the united firm.2 In later revelations this body of men is designated as the united order or simply as the order.
Those who have become accustomed to think of the united order of Joseph Smith as coextensive with the steward- ship system can find further proof of the restricted sense in which the term was used in the following sentence from a letter written by Joseph Smith April 21, 1833, and dispatched to his brethren in Zion: "For your satisfaction I have inserted a revelation given to Frederick G. Williams the 15th of March, 1833. constituting him a member of the united firm." The inserted revelation is this: "Verily thus saith the Lord, I give unto the united order ... a revelation and commandment concerning my servant Frederick G. Williams, that ye shall re- ceive him into the order." A careful study of other references to the united order show that the term was never
1Doctrine and Covenants 82:11-12. 20
*Far West Record, Ms.. April 26, 1832. Office of the church historian; Smith. History of the Church. 1:270. footnote.
used by Joseph Smith as a name for the more general system of steward- ships attempted in Jackson County.3
Tf there has been confusion in the use of the title united order, there has been more in the use of the designation order of Enoch. In the scriptures re- vealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith the following occurs: "And the Lord called his [Enoch's] people Zion, because they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there were no poor among them."4 It has be- come customary among Mormon writ- ers and speakers to refer to this happy economic condition of the inhabitants of the Zion of Enoch as the order of Enoch. Likewise, Joseph Smith's ideal system is often spoken of as the order of Enoch, it being supposed that the two systems are of the same pattern. But the name Enoch was also used by the Prophet as a substitute for his own and when so used the order of Enoch could have meant, in the opinion of the writer, the order of Joseph Smith and the city of Enoch the city of Joseph Smith (Zion City).6 As so used, the order of Enoch has the same meaning as the united order and would not there- fore signify the broader system planned for the members of the Church.
(Continued on page 459)
•Doctrine and Covenants 78:9; 92:1-2; 96:1-9; 104:1- 53: Smith. History of the Church 1:267, 270, 340. 363; 11:21, 49. In choosing the title for his book The United Order Among the Mormons, Geddes fell into a prevalent error. The title of a second book, The Second United Order Among the Mormons, Allen, is also misleading. There can be no second until there is a first. *Pearl of Great Price, Book of Moses. 7:18 •Doctrine and Covenants 78: title. 3-4; 82: title; 96: title: 104-. title.
BRIGHAM YOUNG
432
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA
.^TDodtate ^jrach
tpo5iaie ^jracuons
FOLLOWING THE MARTYRDOM OF JOSEPH SMITH
Dm C*. L^ecll rvlcLjauln
OF THE CHURCH HISTORIAN'S OFFICE
III
James J. Strang
The largest of the early apostate factions of Mormonism was the one founded by James J. Strang, a man who was comparatively unknown at the time of the martyrdom of Joseph Smith, having been baptized only four months before the Prophet's death. Mr. Strang was the shrewdest of all the "aspirants to Moses' seat."
He commenced his imposture by an- nouncing that an angel came to him late in the afternoon of the 27th of June and told him that Joseph and Hyrum Smith had been killed in Carthage Jail and that the Lord wanted him to lead the Church. He insisted that the angel anointed his head with oil and ordained him to be a king over the latter-day kingdom.
This miraculous visit and important message did not surprise Jesse James Strang,1 since he had in his pocket an alleged letter said to have been given to the Prophet Joseph Smith a few days before he went to Carthage. So carefully had he planned his course that he had the letter printed before he showed it to anyone. He thought this course would add to the importance of the document, as the Prophet no doubt intended publishing it in the Times and Seasons at once, he maintained. It would also fail to betray the hand of the scribe who wrote it — -at least Mr. Strang thought so.
In 1858, President Joseph F. Smith made the acquaintance of a member of the church, Charles Wesley Wandell, in California, who declared in the pres- ence of witnesses that he wrote the document himself and mailed it to Strang. He said he was never so sur- prised in his life as when Strang ac- cepted his vagaries as a revelation from the Lord.2
This spurious epistle was dated June 18, 1844. It was mailed to Strang at
xIn his diary Strang frequently wrote his name across the top of the page. In 1831, this entry is uniformly "Jesse J. Strang." Beginning with the following year, the forms "Jesse J." and "James J." are intermixed until in 1834 only the latter form appears. The maiden name of Strang's mother was James, her father being Jesse James [not the desperado]. Thus it is apparent that Strang was named for his maternal grandfather, and that beginning about the year 1832 he gradually reversed the order of his given names. — The Kingdom o} Saint James, Milo M. Quaife, p. 2 (footnote).
^Conference Report. October 1918, p. 58
JULY, 1944
Burlington, Wisconsin, where he re- ceived it July 9, 1844. It assured the Prophet that his days were numbered and that he would "soon be called to rule a mighty host in the land of spirits." This letter made it clear that "my serv- ant James J. Strang shall lengthen the cords and strengthen the stakes of Zion," establishing the place of gather- ing in Wisconsin, the rendezvous to be named Voree. Later he transferred his headquarters to Beaver Island in Lake Michigan.
To a few of the new converts who did not know the order of the Church in matters of presidency, these claims seemed attractive, but most of his dis- ciples were gleaned from the ranks of the apostates — people in whose hearts had been sown the seeds of misunder- standing and hatred.
Within a few years, a few hundred followers of this type had gathered to his standard at Voree. Among his dignitaries were such people as John C. Bennett, William Smith, John E. Page, William Marks, William McLellin, George J. Adams, and others who were notorious troublemakers even before the death of Joseph Smith.
As some people began to question his ordination by an angel, he had William Smith and John C. Bennett ordain him, both of whom had been excommuni- cated from the Church.
He established a secret order in which he was known as the imperial primate, absolute sovereign, general-in-chief and successor to Joseph Smith. There were three viceroys, eight privy councilors, twelve cardinals, twenty-four princes, and an equal number of marquises, earls and knights, with twelve chancel- ors and marshals.
He asked his followers to build him a large tabernacle, promising the Holy Ghost to all who labored diligently on the project.
At last the long-expected day arrived and the glory of Pentecost was to be revealed at the dedication of the build- ing. The service was held in the early evening, since all his plans worked bet- ter in the dark. His apostles stood at the doors and anointed the faces of all the members with olive oil which con- tained a strong solution of phosphorus. In the early darkness he pronounced the
phosphorus glow a manifestation of the Holy Ghost, another witness of his prophetic calling.
There were a few people in the dedi- catory service who were not deceived. Among this number was Reuben Miller, who with his family left on the next boat that sailed from Beaver Island. He was glad to join the pioneers and follow the leaders to the valleys of the mountains.
Another of Mr. Strang's deceptive *^ devices was the announcement that an angel had told him that a set of metal plates awaited his attention. He rep- resented the angel as having said:
You know that tall tree where the road comes close to the forest. That tree has grown over a set of plates which contain a record too sacred to get into the Bible. Di- rectly beneath that tree you will find that ancient record. Get the plates and translate them!
This shrewd schemer thought that if he went alone and recovered the plates it would be said that he had deposited them there, so he called three of his- apostles and described the hiding place and sent them after the record. Arriv- ing at the designated spot, they cut the roots of the tree and pushed it over. Di- rectly beneath it they found a small casket of baked clay. They surmised that the said plates were concealed ira this material, so placed it in the wagon and took it back to Mr. Strang. He carefully cut into the clay covering and found the metal plates.
This self-appointed potentate soon published what he said was a transla- tion from these records. He called his new book of scripture The Book of the Law o/ the Lord. He insisted that this record had no connection with the plates of the Nephites, having been pre- pared in Old Testament times.
His alleged translation was in the
style of the Old Testament and dealt
with a variety of subjects such as food,
dress, animal sacrifice, activity on the
( Continued on page 468 )
JAMES J. STRANG
433
SUCCESS HOUSE
d5i4 ~J\atharine ^r4avliand-^JaiAioir
j
A,
.my Arnold was going home, back to the town that had been named after her family when they had owned almost all the land in sight and were important. Amy was bitter from the defeat that had been hastened by her having in her heart the family sweet- ness. In the last days of her shop life — she had had a chaste and expensive New York shop with "Arnold Decora- tions" written on the door — she had let customers return goods for which they couldn't pay. "Things have changed so, Miss Arnold," she heard again and again from harassed people. And she had answered, "Yes, I know; don't give the matter another thought!" That was the family way and the way, she now felt, through which they all had come to ruin.
She had even made exit easy for Dean Hewlett, to whom she had been en- gaged. When the cessation of luxury buying had forced her to close her shop, he had whined out: "But I thought, dear heart, I thought you were so well es- tablished! This ends everything, it has to end everything for us! You see that?"
She had been kind about it, too kind she felt later, and now she vowed she was through with softness. She would hereafter be hard and successful, and she would try to teach them at home that getting on came only with grasp- ing and holding on.
She had changed trains at the junc- tion and now she rode on what Arnolds- ville called "The Branch," in the famil- iar old, soot-stained, creaking car.
She rubbed steam from the car win- dow, hoping to see some landmark that still meant getting home, after ten long, hurried years away, but the winter world was dark.
"Arnolds-t>i//e next stop!" sang out the conductor, stepping into the car. The door slammed back of him. Amy's chin set; the name might have been something to be proud of if any of them had taken thought of what they had once had, fought against loss, and held on. But, no, they — all of them, and she included — had preferred to smile and make the world happy and to lose out.
Waiting to get off, Amy saw her fa- ther on the station platform. Always shabby, he was even unusually so. "Amy!" he called loudly. "Amy!" His voice broke on the second Amy. Then a moment later he was kissing her, patting her back, saying, "Well, darling, home again, home again!" and his eyes were brimming.
She fought the rise of emotion that his frankly shown joy put into her, for you didn't get anywhere if you were soft. Instead, she spoke of her baggage. 434
"How much baggage you got, Amy?" Harry Arnold asked.
"Two trunks, three bags, and a hat- box," she answered, and her father, taking off his cap, which she suspected had once belonged to her younger brother, Bob, scratched his head. He guessed he could get Abel Jones to bring the trunks; he couldn't manage those.
"Haven't you the farm wagon any more?" she asked sharply.
Had Amy been looking at her father she would have seen the gathering of worried lines upon his brow that, with an effort of will power, he erased. But she did not glance his way and she heard only the cheerful but decisive voice that was often his: "These have been bad years; I had to make up my mind to lose some things, and I've made up my mind, too, to be thankful that I could keep the car."
To be thankful for that car of stiff springs and ancient vintage set upon Amy's lips the new, seared smile. If her father weren't so content, if he would realize the decay, fight and rebel, she could stand it, she thought. But every miserable thing he salvaged from the wreck was so much to be thankful for.
"You get in, Amy girl," said Harry Arnold, opening the front door of the car, "and I'll talk to Abel about bringin' up the trunks."
He settled by her some minutes later. "I'll tell you, Amy, we're pretty happy to have you here!"
X HE same unpaved street; the same dull houses and the sparse street lamps that with their feeble pricks of gloom made dark so much darker. Now they were leaving the town behind them.
"Mother's havin hot biscuits for you, Amy. And another thing, she made new window curtains for your bedroom; and I'm kinda mentionin' 'em on account of the way she's been thinkin' of how pleased you'll be. She was ironin' 'em off this afternoon and all the time she kept smilin' and sayin,' 'Well, I guess she'll be pleased!' "
"I'll notice them," she promised, feel- ing their kindness, but feeling, too, that the happiness they drew from little things clouded their eyes and the far sight that should be fixed always on the uphill road ahead.
They were turning into the drive — once impressive, edged by stately pines, but now so many of tnem dead and others dying. The door of the house was opening and she saw her mother silhouetted against the yellow light. She was a trifle more stooped — natural
for one who'd never known respite from hard work. Then, inside, her mother clung to her, crying but smiling, and saying, "Dearie! Dearie!" as if she'd never stop. Cecile came down- stairs, shy from meeting the sister she knew so slightly. She was grown and lovely, but still plastic, Amy saw, from her candid, inquiring eyes. Bob ap- peared; he had the fatal family smile. "Gee," he said, "you're looking swell!" She was to go to her room to wash up, and Mrs. Arnold would dish up. Bob followed her with two of her bags. When he went down to get the other bag and the hatbox, she stood staring, unseeing, at the new curtains.
Oh, the family would just smile about it all. They'd say, easily, that something would turn up, and have biscuits for supper. They'd sell another stretch of fields because they couldn't meet the taxes, and rejoice because the begonias were in bloom. Well, she too, had been like that, but she would be no more.
l\i
LMY found the dining-room crowded. Mr. Arnold's favorite chair stood before one window, and Bob. was working out something on the table that was before the other. Mrs. Arnold had had the sewing machine imported for the same reason; it was nice to be to- gether.
"Sit down, dear, in your old place," her mother said. Amy spoke her ap- preciation of the window curtains and her mother's eyes filled again. "I hoped you'd like them," she said. Then, "Give her some of the breast, Papa. We killed a young hen, but they're not laying much, anyway."
"We haven't seemed to have much luck with the chickens of late," said Harry Arnold comfortably; "but then" — he beamed around the table — "we got plenty to be thankful for!"
Amy stiffened. Cecile spoke in her shy way, "How's Mr. Hewlett?" she asked.
"Oh, I suppose all right," Amy an- swered. "The engagement's over, of course — this smash! One can't marry and live in a pigsty, and Dean could pay only his half of the way, so when I had to close up — "
They were appalled, she saw. Every- one had stopped eating. Cecile breathed out a stricken, "Oh, Amy!"
"He — he expected you to keep on workin'?" Harry Arnold questioned in the slow manner of one who meets a problem that is entirely beyond his un- derstanding.
"Certainly," Amy answered, "and so when business got bad we decided to
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA
cut the tie. Both of us are rather keen, you know, on making the best of life and making it a success,"
That was the way successful people thought and talked, she knew, and she knew, too, that her people didn't un- derstand it; that they couldn't. Cecile had twisted the setting of a small ring she wore to the inside of her hand. Amy suspected that the child felt herself to be in love and didn't want to speak of it now.
"I saw that ring," she said. "You've met the young man?"
"Oh, I have, Amy! He's wonder- ful!" She held her hand toward Amy. "It was his mother's ring," she added softly.
"I see. Is he going to be a success?" she questioned. They were looking at her, because the voice she had used was not one they had ever heard from her before; it was sharpened and by haste- — and something less pretty.
"Why, I don't know," Cecile fal- tered. "I — I know I love him!"
"You'd better know about his future. It's well to think of that, you see," said Amy, and she saw this question filter into her small sister's mind to start a churning ferment of thought.
"I'm thinking of her and her good!" Amy chanted to herself, for the change in Cecile's face had hurt her.
Harry Arnold spoke with decision: "Harvey Lane's a fine young man!" he said. "And speaking of fine young men, we got a new neighbor you re going to think a sight of, Amy, when you come to know him!"
She doubted that. She had "thought a sight" of one young man who had paid, upon her loving him, a dividend of pain. She was, she knew, through with men — and every softness.
"He's taken the Biggers' place," put in Bob.
"His name's Jim Grisby," said Cecile. "He's just a few years older than you."
Amy forced a laugh. "Not inter- ested."
"He's from the city," said Harry Arnold, "but he knows how to farm, and don't you forget it. I don't know how he gets the results he gets. I can't," he ended without envy.
"He's real kind," said Mrs. Arnold. "He throws lots of little jobs Papa's way."
Once they had owned nearly all of Arnoldsville; now they were grateful to anyone who "threw little jobs" their way!
"He'll probably be over tonight," said Bob. "He's got the habit of running in."
"You're not eating much, dear," said Mrs. Arnold, leaning toward Amy.
"He's kind," said Harry Arnold. "Always askin' my advice about this or that, and that's just his politeness, be- cause, when you come down to it, I'm just kind of a failure. Mamma, would you start the pickles down this way? Thanks."
You admitted you were a failure and then asked someone to pass the pickles, if you were her father's sort, Amy re- flected. If you were another sort you'd
JULY, 1944
lose all appetite, as she had, because you must see the impossibility of their getting anywhere.
J.
J im Grisby, the new neighbor, appeared as the last of the supper dishes were being set on the pantry shelves by Cecile. He was well-dressed, good-look- ing. Amy would have met him without surprise in New York and might easily have been charmed by his genuine ap- peal. But now the poison in her mind made her see him obliquely. She was hostile to this newcomer and upstart who was doling out small jobs to a descendant of the Arnolds who had once, long ago, owned all the land that this young man now made to pay.
He turned to ask Mr. Arnold if he wanted to play checkers.
"Well, now," Harry Arnold an- swered as he rose, "you know what hap- pens when I'm asked that." And quick- ly he moved to get the checkerboard and men from the sideboard drawer and they settled to play.
Amy, looking on, admitted that the scene would have been appealing on a stage, but she knew that in life it meant failure. Bob, eternally smiling, putter- ing on some invention or other, was his father over again and would never get anywhere. Sweet little Cecile was about to throw herself away on a young man who would farm through all his lean days and hers. And her mother, her mother was used to it! Content!
jl\ month passed to carry the world with it. Amy knew she was making an impression on Cecile.
"I know you're right," Cecile would grant weakly.
"Darling, I am!" Harvey has Father's placidity and cheer — that horrible habit of making the best of everything. "And watch that sort, dear. Watch, that's all I ask!"
Cecile would sit on the edge of Amy's bed, twisting the ring that had been worn by Harvey's mother, and during these sessions she drew deep breaths that did nothing to aerate her sodden feeling.
Jim Grisby visited almost daily, but Amy's hostility continued. And Jim said little to her.
So she was surprised, one day in early March, when, in the presence of the en- tire family and over the checkerboard, he asked her to go motoring with him. "Tomorrow afternoon," he specified, eyeing her anxiously.
"It would do her good," said Mrs. Arnold.
"That'd be real nice for her and it's mighty good and kind of you to think of it, Jim," Harry Arnold added.
Amy's chin went up and she was about to refuse when Jim Grisby spoke. "Dear friends," he said ironically, "you have spilled the beans! She won't go, now."
"I shall be glad to go," said Amy quickly, hot spots of angry color on her pretty cheeks. She hated him! By im- plication, with raised eyebrows and questioning expression, thousands of times he had pointed to disagreement with her hard code and now he was trying to make her seem a spoiled, capri- cious child.
( Continued on page 462 )
—Illustrated by John Henry Evans. Jt
435
REPORT TO THE FIELD
of sQnotker Ljear of (L-ra ^Arctlultu and ~2)u
STAKES
)ucce55
By JOHN K. ORTON
PJinineSd ftlanaqer of the C-m
The year past for the Era was the most significant in accomplish- ment since the combination of The Improvement Era and the Young Women's Journal in 1929, and even though we fell a little short of our goal of 100,000 subscriptions, we did secure 94,000, which is an all-time high for
MISSIONS
PERCENTAGE OF QUOTA AND TOTAL NUMBER OF SUBSCRIPTIONS— GROUP "B"
SOUTHERN STATES— Pres. Heber Meeks; Helen Bay, Y.W.M.I.A. supervisor and "Era" director.
NORTHERN STATES— Pres. David I. Stoddard; For- rest Ring Black, Y. M.M.I. A. supervisor and "Era" director.
TOTAL NUMBER OF SUBSCRIPTIONS— GROUP "A" CALIFORNIA— Pres. Elijah Allen; Harro C. Beyer, Y.M.M.I.A. supervisor and "Era" director.
PERCENTAGE OF QUOTA— GROUP "A" NEW ENGLAND— President Wm. H. Reeder; Kenneth Porter (who organized and started the campaign) and Foley Richards (who carried the campaign to its completion).
PERCENTAGE OF QUOTA GROUP "B"
SOUTH LOS ANGELES— Pres. John M. Iverson; Owen B. Robinson, Y.M.M.I.A. supt.; Mrs. Nell Ellsworth, Y.W.M.I.A. pres.
LONG BEACH— Pres. C. Douglas Barnes; L. M. Richmond, Y.M. M.I. A. supt; Ethelyn L. Ward, Y.W.M.I.A. pres.; Darrell W. Call and Mrs. Frances Soffe, "Era" directors.
SAN FERNANDO— Pres. David H. Cannon; David G. Watts, Y.M. M.I. A. supt.; Florence M. Nortk, Y.W.M.I.A. pres.; Ernest C. Haws and Mary Robinson," Era" directors.
EAST JORDAN— Pres. Heber J. Burgon; Hyrum P. Cannon, Y.M.M.I.A. supt.; Gayle Gard- ner, Y.W.M.I.A. pres. (no photo available); Albert Black and Mary Jenkins, "Era" directors.
ONEIDA— Pres. Paul R. Wynn (no photo available); Erwin R. Spils- bury, Y.M.M.I.A. supt.; Oneta Forsgren, Y.W.M.I.A. pres.; Mr. and Mrs. Ira J. Taylor, "Era" directors.
TOTAL NUMBER OF SUBSCRIP- TIONS—GROUP "B"
INGLEWOOD — Pres. Alfred E. Rohner; E. J. Sorensen, Y.M. M.I. A. supt.; Elva D. Cusworth, Y.W.M.I.A. pres.; Stanford Bird, "Era" director.
OGDEN—Pres. Samuel G. Dye; Merrill W. Bird, Y.M.M.I.A. supt.; Lynette Taggart, Y.W. M.I.A. pres.; Albert W. Bell, "Era" director.
WELLS— Pres. Thomas E. Towler, Percy K. Fetzer, Y.M.M.I.A. supt; Natalie Parsons, Y.W. M.I.A. pres.; A. Y. Stirling and Alice Coombs, "Era" directors.
BEN LOMOND— Pres. William A. Budge; Earl J. Rhees,Y.M.M.I.A. supt.; Addis Thomas, Y.W. M.I.A. pres.; Melvin L. Swenson, "Era" director.
POCATELLO—Pres. Wm. P. Whit- aker; Dan W. Martin, Y.M. M.I.A. supt. recently released who carried on the campaign; A. B. Chase, newly-appointed supt.; Grace Meadows, Y.W. M.I.A. pres.; Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Robbins, "Era" directors.
436
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA
TOTAL NUMBER OF SUBSCRIP- TIONS—GROUP "A"
LOS ANGELES— Pres. Wilford G. Ed ling Mervin L. Saunders, Y.M.M.I.A. supt. and "Era" di- rector; Mona H. Kirkham, Y.W. M.I. A. pres. and "Era" director.
SEATTLE — Pres. Alexander Brown; Jack C. Wilkins, Y.M.M.I.A. (no photo available); Cropper, Y.W.M.I.A. Leslie C. Seal, "Era" di-
supt. Leora pres., rector.
TAYLOR— Pres. T. George Wood; John L. Allen, Y.M.M.I.A. supt.; Fannye H. Walker, Y.W.M.I.A. pres.; D. E. Wilde, and Emma H. Dahl, "Era" directors.
MOAPA — Pres. Bryan L. Bunker; Marion B. Earl, Y.M.M.I.A. supt; LaVema Whipple, Y.W. M.I.A. pres.; A. L. Riddle and Eva N. Perry, "Era" directors.
FARR WEST— Pres. Wilmer J. Maw; Lawrence W. Jenkins, Y.M.M.I.A. supt. and "Era" di- rector; Mrs. Marjorie Schanck, Y.W.M.I.A. pres.
PERCENTAGE OF QUOTA GROUP "A"
SAN DIEGO— Pres. Wallace W. Johnson; Kenneth T. Calder, Y.M.M.I.A. supt. and "Era" di- rector; Lois Westover, "Era" director; Mrs. Josie B. Bay, pres. of Y.W.M.I.A.
PHOENIX— Pres. J. Robert Price; Wallace E. Broberg, Y.M.M.I.A. supt.: Ethel R. Peterson, Y.W. M.I.A. pres.; L. L. Driggs, "Era" director.
UNION— Pres. C. Lloyd Walch; Nephi P. Combe, Y.M.M.I.A. supt. (no photo available); Kate Metcalf, Y.W.M.I.A. pres.; Mel- Yin Westenskow and Myrtle Price, "Era" directors.
PORTLAND — Pres. George L. Scott; A. R. Standing, Y.M. M.I.A. supt.; Rose D. Hardy, Y.W.M.I.A. pres.; Wilford W. Hardy, "Era" director.
MINIDOKA — Pres. J. Melvin Toone; Frank F. Watson, Y.M. M.I.A. supt.; Elsa Mclntire, Y.W.M.I.A. pres.; Ralph McCloy and Marjorie Larson, "Era" di- rectors.
Improvement Era subscriptions by a very substantial margin.
This magnificent total was achieved through the untiring efforts and the mis- sionary spirit of ward, stake and mis- sion workers throughout the entire Church. It is impossible to single out any particular individual because out- standing records were received from every locality and under every condi- tion. Just when we thought an insur- mountable record had been established in Idaho some ward or stake in Arizona would surpass it and then later some other stake in Utah or California would surpass that, until at the close of the campaign, stakes and missions were far ahead of any previous record, and we have received testimonies from men in the armed services and from families in the wards, stakes and missions express- ing gratitude for the message contained in the magazine and appreciation for the splendid way it is being produced by the editorial department under trying con- ditions.
We list with this article the names of the citation winners, and while we know that in one sense there can only be a certain number of winners in every race, still we like to stand on the side- line and cheer for those valiant stakes and missions who with courage and de- termination carried on to the very clos- ing day of the campaign, and who won in many ways.
Again this year Southern California ■**■ had the highest number of citation winning stakes and a new percent of quota winner in Group "A" — San Die- go. San Diego has always been con- sistently good, but this is the first time it has won the top honors of the group. Kenneth Calder and Lois West- over were the San Diego Stake di- rectors.
A new mission came to the front this year— New England. President Wil- liam H. Reeder, along with Elders Ken- neth Porter and Foley Richards, would not be denied and New England for the first time secured first place in percent of quota of the smaller missions of the Church.
The Southern States Mission won first place in percent of quota and the highest total number of subscriptions, not only of all the missions of the Church, but of all the stakes and mis- sions as well. They have reached a record that will be hard to surpass, turning in 3,391 subscriptions and reaching 511.5% of their quota. Presi- dent Heber Meeks with the splendid director, Helen Bay, achieved this re- markable record even with a greatly reduced missionary personnel. Every letter has indicated that the mission as a whole is solidly behind this work and knows of the great good which is done by placing this magazine in the homes of our people.
With pride we mention the achieve- ments again this year of the South Los Angeles Stake, first place winner in per- {Concluded on page 438)
JULY, 1944
437
Report to the Field
{Concluded from page 437) cent of quota and total number of sub- scriptions of all the stakes in the Church. Our appreciation to South Los Angeles is great, and we know that the growth of The Improvement Era through the past ten years is in part traceable to the remarkable achieve- ments of the South Los Angeles Stake. This work is directed from the stake presidency, with the bishops of wards as a very important cog in the machin- ery. The organization is set up with perfect precision, and we believe that perhaps less actual campaign time is used in this stake than any other stake in the Church.
We must mention the remarkable achievements of the other citation win- ners. Seattle Stake, which has been con- sistently a first* place winner, even though it placed second this year was able to secure 345.7% of its quota. The Northern States Mission, also a usual first place winner, finished in second place this year with a very remarkable record of 433.7% of its quota. California Mission, Los Angeles, Inglewood, Long Beach, Phoenix, Og- den were again outstanding in their groups, as well as the other citation winners.
X\7e are proud that every stake in con- ** tinental America went over the top this year. We are proud of our as- sociations with a group of workers that are not surpassed in any phase of Church activity for loyalty and devo- tion and energetic pursuit of a great cause. The devotion and sacrifice of these leaders is responsible for the suc- cess of The Improvement Era. Every ward, stake and mission worker has contributed to this phase of missionary activity. Many homes will be blessed and benefited and large numbers of in- active Church members will return to activity through the inspiration of The Improvement Era. Soldier boys in every corner of the world will feel a contact with home and Church through the dili- gence and conscientious efforts of these workers who have seen to it that The Improvement Era would be placed in their hands.
The Improvement Era has grown be- yond our fondest hopes. Its power for good is being felt throughout the entire world. Era directors, ward, stake and mission, with the support and help of the priesthood officers, are the motivat- ing force behind this growth, and we know that all who have participated will have joy and satisfaction in the knowledge that the work has been done so successfully during 1943-44.
CITATION WINNERS
Stakes in Group "A"
1. Los Angeles Stake
First Place, Total Subscriptions Fourth Place, Percent of Quota
438
2. San Diego Stake
First Place, Percent of Quota Sixth Place, Total Subscriptions
3. Seattle Stake
Second Place, Percent of Quota Second Place, Total Subscriptions
4. Phoenix Stake
Third Place, Percent of Quota Fourth Place, Total Subscriptions
5. Taylor Stake
Third Place, Total Subscriptions Sixth Place, Percent of Quota
6. Union Stake
Fifth Place, Percent of Quota
7. Moapa Stake
Fifth Place, Total Subscriptions
8. Portland Stake
Seventh Place, Percent of Quota Eighth Place, Total Subscriptions
9. Farr West Stake
Seventh Place, Total Subscriptions Ninth Place, Percent of Quota
10. Minidoka Stake
Eighth Place, Percent of Quota Ninth Place, Total Subscriptions
Stakes in Group "B"
1 . South Los Angeles Stake
First Place, Percent of Quota First Place, Total Subscriptions
2. Long Beach Stake
Second Place, Percent of Quota Third Place, Total Subscriptions
3. Inglewood Stake
Second Place, Total Subscriptions Third Place, Percent of Quota
4. Ogden Stake
Fourth Place, Total Subscriptions Fifth Place, Percent of Quota
5. San Fernando Stake
Fourth Place, Percent of Quota Seventh Place, Total Subscriptions
6. Wells Stake
Fifth Place, Total Subscriptions
7. Ben Lomond Stake
Sixth Place, Percent of Quota Sixth Place, Total Subscriptions
8. East Jordan Stake
Seventh Place, Percent of Quota
9. Oneida Stake
Eighth Place, Percent of Quota
10. Pocatello Stake
Eighth Place, Total Subscriptions
Missions in Group "A"
1. New England Mission First Place, Percent of Quota
2. California Mission
First Place, Total Subscriptions
Missions in Group "B"
1. Southern States Mission First Place, Percent of Quota First Place, Total Subscriptions
2. Northern States Mission Second Place, Percent of Quota Second Place, Total Subscriptions
l/l/ean
t
flot!"
By DONALD M. BRUCE
Now as at no other time since the Saints left Nauvoo, there is great need for the faith expressed in the grand old hymn, "If the Way be Full of Trial, Weary Not!"
None of us can say as to what trials and tribulations we may have to endure before this war is won. It is needless to tell the members of the Mormon Church that they will have to make sac- rifices to win this conflict, for no other people in the world know the meaning of that word as we do. Our past history and present deeds show that clearly. I have in mind one brother who, while keeping his younger brother on a mission in California, was called into the U.S. Army. Instead of calling the missionary home, he sold his car, and left the money in trust in order that his brother might finish his mission. No, we Mormons don't need to be told how to sacrifice.
This war cannot be won sim- ply by sacrifice, but rather by a combination of that and coopera- tion, perseverance, and reverence for God. The need for the latter will be found increasingly more in the postwar era. Yet the seeds must be planted now in order to gain the final and ultimate victory over oppression and evil.
Victory would be an empty word if we could not see some means of a decent place to live in the generations following the war. It is in this coming era of chaos and confusion that we of the Mor- mon faith will be called upon to take a large share of the huge task of" resettling the world. In order to be equal to the task, we must face the dark days ahead with the same faith in God as did the pioneers during the dark days of Kirtland and Nauvoo.
So keep singing, you Latter-day Saints, and remember —
If die way be full of trial, weary not!
If it's one of sore denial, weary notl
Weary notl
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA
Poetry
GIVE THANKS FOR ROOTS By Eva Willes Wangsgaard
GIVE thanks for quiet roots. Unkissed by sun, Deep in the earth, unseen, Their work is done.
Spraying the breath of spring With almond scent,
Sweetening crimson fruits When bloom is spent,
Cooling the summer noon With fragrant shade
Over a flowered rug By grasses laid,
Making the autumn air
Mellow as musk While curls of smoke unfold
Bluing the dusk,
Keeping the patterns true, Leaves, flowers, fruits —
Such is a mother's work. Mothers are roots.
IF I HAVE FAITH By Helen Mating
After this time of work and stress My love of beauty will not be less. I shall find words again to say What I may wish about the day.
If I have faith, and hold to light, I shall find comfort in the night. Seasons continue, as rain and sun . . . I shall know calm when peace is won.
Dormant within, like bulbs till spring, My heart will never forget to sing. Lovely in music, words may tell Surges of beauty that rise and swell.
FOR THERE A TREE HAD BEEN
By Anna Prince Redd
**XTot well placed, and far too big," we
*■ ^1 said. "Too shady underneath for lawn to grow; It cuts the view; its branches trail too low; With all its tough, exploring roots outspread, It dulls the mower, chokes the sewer bed . . . Too bad, the weeping willow tree must go, A flowering shrub shall take its place." And
so We called the cutter. Undisquieted.
Too lightly we consoled ourselves for loss Of gray-green leaf, of graceful bough and
shade; For linnet songs the dawn had ushered in. We tried to hide the scar with florist moss Until new grass should grow. We used the
spade To no avail — for there a tree had been!
SURRENDER By Merling D. Clyde
The dogwood blooms are white Along the canyon walls. In wooded, mossy dells Snow seepage gently falls. There is a tangy breath In burst of swelling sod; While stiff young breezes Cause tag-alder buds to nod. The old hills watch once more Each vibrant, living thing Surrender to the charm Of winter into spring.
TWO GUESTS
By Lois Neupert Greene
HE only saw uneven floors; He winced and frowned at creaking doors; He found the worn place in the rug, Gave old mahogany a shrug. When he had gone I couldn't face My house; it seemed an ugly place.
You loved the shine of my old brasses, Admired my Wedgwood demi-tasses, Traced my Paisley shawl's design, And sighed for Persian rugs like mine. When you left, my house and I Were thankful for your loving eye.
POSTSCRIPT TO A PRAYER By Elaine V. Emans
Close to my heart Has my request Lain now for weeks, Yet, Lord, the best
Answer, I know. At length will be Not my own will, But yours for me.
SON AT SEA By Margery Ruebush Shank
OGod, through tomorrow and the next day and the next,
Watch over the sea. Let starlit nights prevail, I ask of Thee! Be Master of the waves that toss the ship
upon the deep; And safely guard a little boy I used to rock to sleep!
« ♦
HOPE By James Hood
WHILE THE SHORTAGE LASTS By Lucretia Penny
IT may leak, it may lean. Lack windows, lack paint, Miss being modern Without being quaint; But the words FOR RENT Upon a sign Can make a shabby House look fine.
Every cloud will pass away And sunshine come again; As darkness but precedes the day So will flowers follow rain.
A FLEETING THOUGHT By Inez Stevens Cooper
Time is but reactive in length to how we spend it.
Thus —
Yesterday my children were but babies in
my arms, And yet today they're grown. Tomorrow I shall find them holding babies
of their own Because the time is filled with little things
that I must do To make them grow.
No wonder that
Eternities are short to God.
ENOUGH FOR ME By Anne Pendleton
Tt will be, then, enough ■*■ If, as a friendly dart, A word in song of mine
Should lull some saddened heart. Perhaps that heart, through ache,
Has quite forgot to sing; The lilt of my tuned thrust
May send that heart awing!
JULY, 1944
"Photograph by Wgatt Davis
PATTERNS By Marvin Miller
Stolid-faced Navajo, Weaving designs Conceived in silence
Under silent pines, What Master hand
Gave you the loom And wool to twist
In your hog an room? Stoic-like Navajo,
Do you see The blood-red pattern
Of eternity?
TWILIGHT By Thelma Ireland
The sky is military blue; It glows with eerie light. The stars are big brass buttons Sewed on the cloak of night.
■ ♦ ■
ESSENCE
By John E. Donovan
As years the book of Life unclose, •** The eyes of love have shown to me That other hearts are told in prose, But yours in poetry.
439
The Chircfo
Relics of '49
'T'he James H. Sweeney collection of * guns; pictures, both portraits and paintings of the early days of the El Dorado region of California; and fix- tures, furniture, household items, and equipment of early day activities, has been received by the Deseret Museum. Some of the guns date from the Revolu- tionary War.
The Church came into possession of the collection when they purchased the Sweeney home to be used for a meet- ing place of the Placerville Branch, Northern California Mission.
Church of the Air, July 23
'T'he Columbia Church of the A Air will be heard over KSL and the nationwide Columbia Broadcasting System, from the Tabernacle, Temple Square, Salt Lake City, Sunday, July 23, at 1 1 :00 a.m., Mountain War Time.
Y.W.M.I.A. Board Member
"RTrs. Carol Hinckley Cannon, long ■*-VA active in M.I. A. work in Liberty and Utah Stakes, and the Wasatch Ward, has been named as a member of the Y.W.M.I.A. General Board. She is the wife of Tracy Y. Cannon, manager of the McCune School of Music and Art.
British Ambassador
At his own request, Lord Halifax, ■**■ British ambassador to the United States, touring America, accompanied by Lady Halifax, Governor and Mrs. Herbert B. Maw, and others of his of- ficial party attended a typical Mormon Sunday evening meeting during a Salt Lake City visit May 14.
At the services, held in the Garden Park Ward of the Bonneville Stake, Dr. Adam S. Bennion was the principal speaker. He described the Mormon people and the Church.
At the close of the meeting Lord Halifax was presented with a triple combination copy of the Book of Mor- mon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price autographed by President Heber J. Grant, Governor Maw, Salt Lake City's Mayor Earl J. Glade, and Sterling W. Sill, ward bish- op.
In response to the gift the ambas- sador said;
I have been profoundly impressed by this experience. The Mormon exodus was one of the greatest ventures of faith in all his- tory. What an example it is for those who seek the same freedom and liberty of truth.
440
The Invasion
HPhe First Presidency issued this
■*■ statement soon after hearing
that allied forces had begun the
invasion :
June 6, 1944
We have been asked for a com- ment upon the invasion.
We feel this is a day, not for com- ment, but for prayer for our loved ones who are in the service and for the triumph of righteousness.
Heber J. Grant, J. Reuben Clark, Jr., David O. McKay,
The First Presidency
"The Church News"
'TVie Church News, miniature Church A paper published by the first presi- dency for the service men and women throughout the Church began publica- tion of a monthly schedule May 15.
The twelve page 2% by Ay2 inch paper will contain inspirational material, vital messages, answers to questions, and a summary of important Church
current events. Questions pertaining to Church doctrine may be sent by service men to the L.D.S. Service Men's Com- mittee, 47 East South Temple Street, Salt Lake City 1, Utah.
Distribution of The Church News will be made to approximately seventy thousand service men and women through their ward bishops.
Logan Temple
"T^HE sixtieth anniversary of the dedi- •*■ cation of the Logan Temple was limited to regular temple sessions, May 1 7. Six persons who attended the dedi- cation services May 1 7 to 20, 1 884 were present at the endowment sessions. They are Joseph B. Daines, first coun- selor of the present temple presidency, Patriarch Samuel B. Mitton, John E. Eliason, John E. Dahle, William P. Camp, and Mrs. Mary E. G. Titensor.
Standard Quorum Awards
T^he presiding bishopric have an- ■*■ nounced that during the first quarter of 1944 they issued 873 Standard Quo- rum Awards to the Aaronic Priesthood quorums throughout the Church for the year 1943. This record is nearly as high as 1941, the banner year in this activity.
MISSIONARIES WHO ENTERED THE MISSIONARY HOME MAY 15, AND LEFT FOR MISSION FIELDS MAY 24 AND 25, 1944
1944,
Left to right, first row: Marie Egbert, Carol Snow, Mary E. Barraclough, Don B. Cotton, Jessie John- son, Marjorie Jensen, Rosa Mae McClellan.
Second row: Jacob L. Hartvigsen, Cleo Pond, Ingrid Johnson, Marion Knight, Ellen Knight, Verla G. Wamsley, Edna Groen, Clyde Bair.
Third row: Wm. E. Berrett, Deaun Moulton, Patricia Croft, James C. White, William L. Francom, Marva T. Jensen.
MISSIONARIES WHO ENTERED THE MISSIONARY HOME APRIL 77 AND DEPARTED
APRIL 26 AND 27, 1944 Front row, left to right: Joseph Smith Wilson, Nancy A. Sorensen, Kathleen Zundel, Don B. Colton, Alice May Brewer. Beverly Ure. Carol Snow.
Second row: Maurine Hansen, Katherine Tuttle, Hector J. Spencer, Lola Humphreys, Rosemary Spears, Clifford J. Bell, Henry W. Gubler.
Third row: R. H. Boswell, Elizabeth Boswell, Donna M. Corbin, Ira A. Maxfield, Mary B. B. Maxfield, David T. Edwards.
Fourth row: Henry G. Lawrence, F. E. Peterson, Wm. E. Berrett, Wm. L. Huff, Eben R. T. Blomquist.
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA
Primary Board Member
TJTermana Forsberg Lyon of the East * *■ Mill Creek Ward, Grant Stake, Primary Association has been ap- pointed to the Primary General Board. Mrs. Lyon, a graduate of the Uni- versity of Utah, is the wife of T. Edgar Lyon, associate director of the Salt Lake institute of religion, and former president of the Netherlands Mission. She supervised women's activities of that mission for four years.
Boy Scout Movement
HT'o further promote and utilize the Boy "*■ Scout movement in the Church, six of the Scout executives of Utah and Idaho were recently named field rep- resentatives of the Y. M.M.I. A. general board. The executives are S. Dilworth Young of the Ogden area council, Pres- ton W. Pond of the Cache Valley coun- cil, Vernon L. Strong of the Teton Peaks council, Charles R. Balmforth of the Snake River area council, D. L. Roberts of the Tendoy council, and Rulon W. Doman of the Utah National Parks council. Datus E. Hammond of the Salt Lake council has been a mem- ber of the general board since 1931.
Missionaries Released
,rpHE following missionaries were re- A "leased during March, and others not previously reported:
Brazilian: Finn Bergstedt Paulsen, Salt Lake City.
California: Jeddie Woodrow Hart, Preston. Idaho; Clarence Max Orton, North Ogden, Utah; Waldo Golden Cook, Hyde Park, Utah; George Austin Palm- er, Malad, Idaho; Lloyd William Guest, Salt Lake City; John Leslie England, Tooele, Utah; William Wright Robinson, Freedom, Wyoming; Elmer Carvel Dansie, Pittsburg, California; Ida Hougaard Rogers, Lewiston, Utah; Samuel Russell Rogers, Lewiston, Utah.
Central States: Loren Waldon Ferre, Salt Lake City; Ellis John Robinson, Salt Lake City; Max Lawrence Bond, Roy, Utah; Carlton Herbert Craner, Portland. Oregon; Orren Otto Munro, Soda Springs, Idaho; Allen Clyde Schoenfeld, Salt Lake City; Eldon Leon- ard Walton, Salt Lake City.
East Canadian: Alton Anderson, Idaho Falls, Idaho; Lewis Cail, Woods Cross, Utah; Byron Braithwaite
{Continued on page 447)
LETTER TO STAKE PRESIDENCIES
ON GIRLS TWELVE TO TWENTY
/~\n June 5, 1944, the following im- ^^ portant letter was sent to stake presidencies by President George Al- bert Smith, of the Council of the Twelve :
Dear Brethren:
A need for carefully looking after our girls as we are now doing with our boys of Aaronic Priesthood age is commonly recognized. A plan for doing this was put into operation in Granite Stake in 1941 and similar plans were soon in op- eration in some neighboring stakes. These plans were examined by the Council of the Twelve and their assist- ants with the result that a checking or correlation plan has been recommended which we approve herewith and send to you with the request that you give it careful study.
The girls' checking or correlation plan as set up is as follows:
1. A stake executive committee directing the work consists of a member of the stake presidency, a member of the stake high council, stake Sunday School superintend- ent, presidents of the stake Relief Society, Y.W.M.I.A., Primary, and principal of the Junior Seminary. Working under this com- mittee and by its advice are a woman su- pervisor and a secretary who work closely with ward committee.
2. In each ward there is a similar com- mittee made up of the bishopric and presi- dent or superintendent of each auxiliary organization.
3. Working under, and with the advice of the executive committee, are a lady chair- man and secretary who work with lady advisers or checkers. Each checker is di- rectly responsible to the ward committee and the bishopric for checking on from 8 to 15 girls.
4. The duties of the checkers requite them to keep in touch with each girl assigned to them and let her know that she has a friend interested in her. She is regularly checked
and advised monthly as to her attendance at Sunday School, Y.W.M.I.A., sacrament meetings, seminary, payment of tithing, ob- servance of the Word of Wisdom, social life and associates with specific reference to her moral life. A careful record is made of all these checkings and regularly reported.
The secretary keeps an individual card for each girl, as well as a comparative master roll, of every organization or girl group, showing the attendance of each girl at M.I.A., Sunday School, and sacrament meeting.
5. Once each month, as required by the Presiding Bishopric, the bishopric of each ward meets with all boy leaders of priest- hood, Sunday School, Y.M.M.I.A. To this same meeting come the women who work with and check on the girls. At this meeting problems concerning every girl and boy may be discussed. To facilitate this there is a separation into three sections — workers with boys and girls of ages from 12 to 14, 15 to 16, 17 to 20, respectively. Thus the check-up plan for girls involves no extra meeting of the bishopric. A monthly report on each girl is sent by the lady chair- man and secretary to the stake supervisor and secretary who compile the reports re- ceived for the ward committees and stake presidency. Once a month the stake director meets with ward lady chairmen to discuss special problems. In small and widely scat- tered wards it may be wise for a lady check- er to contact all the girls from 12 to 20 in her immediate neighborhood rather than to do as would be done in larger, condensed wards where all the girls assigned to each checker belong to one of the three age groups. Checking only on one age group enables the checker to be in that section of the monthly meeting to which her age group belongs.
As will be seen the setting up of com- mittees under the direction of the stake presidency and bishopric, respectively, necessitates no new organization, but a plan paralleling the Aaronic Priesthood plan designed to help and encourage the (Concluded on page 447)
MORMON BATTALION
Part of the first platoon of the "Mormon Battalion" that enlisted in the Marine Corps in July, 1942, is seen here ot a South Pacific base. They spent nearly a year in New Zealand, and came through the Gilberts campaign unhurt.
The men, seated, left to right: L. Morris, R. Strieby, J. K. Heaton, H. . Vandertneyden, R. W. Young, R. Wellard, W. Rounkles, G. Shupe, G. L. Anderson. Stand- ing, second row: E. Redd, G. Thurber, J. Barfus, D. Lindsey, O. Nelson, W. Beaus, A. J. Thomas, D. Sayer. Standing, third row: H. White, P. Levorsen, Hadlock, L. Burton, J. W. Surrage, D. Tomlin, D. G. Heaton, 5. De Santis.
Those not present when the picture was taken are R. Beesley, J. Donaldson, H. Moss, O. Dilworth, W. Stevens. — Reported by Cpl. Reid W. Young.
iULY, 1944 -4*1
pOtteOD EtotPtif
^^^^. ...: _"* *__ * * . . • •• * ..........' .\.. ........... .\.<
m
- ':C: ^fW
By RICHARD L EVANS
TLTeard from the "Crossroads of the West" with the Salt Lake Taber- nacle Choir and Organ over a nationwide radio network through KSL and the Columbia Broadcasting System every Sunday at 12:00 noon Eastern War Time, 11:00 a.m. Central War Time, 10:00 a.m. Mountain War Time, and 9:00 a.m. Pacific War Time.
~Jo r 1/ (others, present and Ujet to L^ome
Tt would be difficult on Mother's Day to say anything new concerning mothers, or even to say anything old in a new way, so numerous and eloquent have been the tributes writ- ten and spoken of them in all past years. But this year the channels of thought are burdened with urgent messages of love and appreciation for mothers the world over from sons in far places. For these young men, who would say it for themselves if they were here, may we assume the role of spokesman and convey their love and their gratitude to those millions of mothers whom they cherish in their hearts, and whom they dwell upon in their thoughts on this day. All glory be to the mothers who have done their work well. And now may we use the seconds remaining to say for those who are away defending home and country what we think might be their message to the mothers whose work still lies before them — a message freighted with truth and urgency: The politics of the world run in cycles. The great men of earth come and go. The fortunes of war change — but the influence of motherhood is constant. Every generation is shaped by their thinking. The kingdom of motherhood is one of the last to be invaded — and throughout all genera- tions has strongly withstood those who would intrude upon it. Its jurisdiction no public agency has ever taken over with continuing success. That's why we must look with critical reservation upon any tendency toward making inroads upon the home. If we are to keep faith with our children, we must, while ours is still the primary influence in their lives, counsel with wise and understanding hearts, exhort, and dis- cipline in ways of sound living. War would not be possible; evil could not gain hold upon the hearts of men; the social structure of nations could not disintegrate; the spiritual hopes and ideals of the world could not be thrown down and trampled upon, if every mother were to give to the career of motherhood all that is implied and expected in this, the greatest mission that God ever gave to any woman — a mission which, being well done, no joy can equal. A home where the great spiritual truths and fundamental virtues, where self-imposed courtesy and consideration for the rights of others, have been instilled into the hearts of children, cannot be the incubator of false ideas and ideals which per- mit men to go wrong and upset the world in every genera- tion. This thought the mothers of all nations and people, present and yet to come, will do well to ponder: We are fighting a war to make the world safe for those things which
the mothers of the world could make safe for us without war, if they will. —May 14, 1944.
Ljlorifuina the Ifl/ledi
vocre
"THhere comes to mind a phrase of three words — Glorifying the Mediocre — which is indicative of a practice where- by young and old are schooled in a world of unreality and confused thinking. In its mildest forms, in casual conversa- tion and in the recounting of experiences to our friends and acquaintances, it may be recognized by a tendency toward moderate exaggeration — placing emphasis where it doesn't belong; adding color to what really happened; speaking in terms of quantities and qualities that are somewhat beyond the facts. In its more aggravated forms this practice of glori- fying the mediocre goes beyond mild exaggeration to the ex- treme of deliberate and premeditated hyperbole, coupled with prodigal use of extravagant words. We do not, by any means, use the English language exhaustively; thousands of words lie buried in the dictionary, never seen, never heard, never known by most men — but a few hundred words, some of which are most extravagant, are greatly overworked. In- deed, there are those who have lost the art of understate- ment, and with whom hyperbole is worn and weary — whose only regret is that there are not more grand and superb and incomparable and stupendous adjectives for the glori- fying of the mediocre. But calling the commonplace collos- sal, or the greatest whatever-it-is of all time, is much like crying "wolf, wolf!" If every performer comes on with fanfare, there isn't much left for the real star. If everything is great, if everything is unprecedented, if everything is said to be indispensable, if everything is the chance of a lifetime, an opportunity that will never come again, language soon takes on the dullness that comes with over sharpening. After using a superlative there isn't much more that can be said to add strength or to fortify conviction. It is no wonder, then, that our youngsters sometimes become loose in their thinking and immoderate in their speech. They have been schooled by observation in the prevalent practice of glorify- ing the mediocre. If everything commonplace is clothed with glamor and garnished with unrestrained words, and propped up with insupportable claims, it is going to be difficult for any generation to be straight and sound and sure in its think- ing. This business of glorifying the mediocre and misrep- resenting the commonplace is basically unethical, and is making it difficult for our children to distinguish between sterling and tinsel. And it may make it difficult for us to recognize the real thing when it does come along.
—May 21, 1944.
442
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA
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9
As the years were added upon his head, Victor Hugo wrote: "I feel immortality in myself. Winter is on my head, but eternal spring is in my heart. The nearer I ap- proach the end, the plainer I hear around me the immortal symphonies of the world to come. . . . For a half century I have been writing my thoughts in prose and verse; but I feel I have not said one-thousandth part of what is in me. When I have gone down to the grave I shall have ended my day's work; but another day will begin next morning. . . ." It is comforting to read what great minds have caused to be written, but whether they had so written or not would neither affect the outcome nor alter man's conviction. Man is himself the evidence of his own immortality. "God is not the God of the dead, but of the living," (Matt. 22:32) and Memorial Day is recognition of an undeniable conviction in men, that, being dead, they live. And yet, as concerning life and death, there are those who would take issue with the decisions of the Almighty — those who, if they were running the affairs of the universe, would no doubt cause to live some who have died, and would shorten the years of some who now live unworthily. But we who find it difficult to make the simple decisions of our daily lives — difficult enough (and sometimes too difficult) to keep straight our own personal affairs — could scarcely trust ourselves with the decisions of life and death. It is not given unto us to know the why of all things. Beyond every answer lies an- other question, and inevitably we come to know that we must live, in part at least, by faith — but a faith fortified with the all-sufficient assurance that though death do us part there is yet another meeting place where men shall know and be known by those they cherish; where they shall find work to do, and shall grow in intelligence and godlike achievement, worlds without end. And neither the uncertainty of life nor the certainty of death can destroy the peace of those with whom is found such conviction — a conviction that could not be implanted by argument. There are no words to convince a man of such an elemental truth if the evidence of it didn't speak to him from his very being. And all our deference for the dead is its own testimony of that without which life would have no meaning. — May 28, 1944.
ing that somehow they will become what we have called them. In childhood we find this practice delightfully excusable. A small boy wants a horse. He finds a stick, and straddles it, and calls it a horse — and to him it becomes a horse. If we were to confine this practice of childhood to things that don't matter, it might well continue to be a harmless source of pleasant diversion. But we sometimes permit it to carry over where it does matter. In material things our laws have made some progress in prevention. The manufacturer of commodities must indicate to the consumer what his product contains in terms that can be understood. If it's all wool, the label may say so; but if it isn't, the maker must so inform us. But with intangibles — with principles and virtues and character and human qualities — the problem becomes more difficult. A man may designate himself as Honest John Smith. The prefix may indicate honesty or it may be a device to cover sharp practice. The conferring of a high-sounding title in public life, or in private venture, may mean what it implies, and it may not. We have seen much of overnight experts and specialists. Holding the office and receiving the salary aren't the determining factors. Titles are cheap, and there is no limit to the number or the grandeur of those that can be coined. Raising a man to office, lavishing him with authority, gilding him with extrav- agant publicity, attributing to him virtues he doesn't possess, do not effect miraculous transformations. A leader isn't a leader merely because someone says he is. He is a leader only if he can lead men and if they will follow him — and if they aren't soon sorry when they do. But to go back to the boy and his stick horse: Someone will say, if the stick will make him as happy as would a horse, why not? That might be all right if we could remain in our childhood and forever in- dulge in the game of self-delusion, but inevitably there comes a time when life forces its realities upon us, and then comes the realization that labels are fraudulent and titles are empty unless they honestly describe the contents of the package or the qualities of the man. To call a man something he isn't, doesn't make him what we call him, whether it be good or bad. Labels are useful if they tell the truth. They are treacherous if they don't. — May 7, 1944.
Copyright. 1944.
cLabeld
"Rvery generation has its foibles and its
practices of self-deception, one of which, certainly, is the mislabel- ing of things — calling them something other than what they are, and hop-
JULY, 1944
443
Editorials
^Jke \AJau of lAnitu
VS7"hen Christ plead that his disciples all might be *" one, he sounded an abiding principle of conduct in human affairs more fundamental than any rule of parliamentary procedure to be found in the handbooks. Being one in purpose and spirit is the necessary prelude to being one in mind. Men of widely divergent views can deliberate on any problem and come out friends as long as they are not partisan in spirit. In committees or councils or general assemblies, or at international peace tables, they will arrive at unanimity of action when they begin in unanimity of feeling. Fact and opinion and free discussion resolve themselves into a decision which is the product of many minds but one spirit. What is an open forum becomes a concord of action which is not an agreement merely but a convic- tion having the forged strength of alloy, the harmony of many chords. It is not spineless compromise; it is not "peace at any price"; it is not flabby submission to whoever happens to be presiding. It is a new creation — ■ it is the way of unity.
It is the only way the Church knows. Since the burden of its mission is to establish peace, its member- ship must be one — whether as bishopric or stake presi- dency or Sunday School superintendency, as quorum, committee, or conference. Their every action to be valid must be an action unanimously taken. This does not call for a leveling of individual thought and con- viction to a meaningless concurrence, but on the con- trary for the full employment of the very experience and differences which caused them to be called to their positions. So long as they are "anxiously engaged in a good cause," they will without fail come to a unanimity of action. And to the extent they are in harmony in their deliberation and discussion, they will express the Lord's will, for harmony is the law of his government, in the bodies of the universe as in the heart of man.
Some there may be who, "convinced against their will, are of the same opinion still," and miss entirely the thrill of this harmony. Unable to discipline themselves, they nurture an opposition even after the decision founded on due deliberation and free discussion has been made. High-minded men and women avoid these rifts. They see the greatness and the beauty and the power of the whole, the one, of which they are but a part. They know the strength and joy of the way of unity in the Church. — W. M.
[Parental kJi
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"VJiTiTH the summer vacation in full swing, parents now "™ have an opportunity to learn whether they have planned wisely enough for activity, in both work and play, for the younger members of the family, who, re- leased from school, still need most careful direction.
In the past year or so, parents have heard much about juvenile delinquency. Recognizing that such a thing exists, it now seems opportune to change the emphasis and call it, from a positive point of view, juvenile op- portunity. It is amazing in the history of mankind just how much had been done by children of even tender years. Parents need to recall frequently that Mozart was only eight when he published his first musical score; Columbus went to sea at fourteen; Robert Fulton in- vented paddle-wheels, computed proportions, and sold enough paintings to support his family by the time he
was sixteen; Henry Ford started his mechanical work at seventeen; Jane Addams was only six when she had determined what her life work would be; Florence Nightingale at a very early age devoted her attention to the illness around her. And, most significant of all, so sincere was the desire of the fourteen-year-old Jo- seph Smith to learn the truth that his earnest prayer was answered by the appearance of the Father and the Son to him, resulting in the establishment of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Perhaps something has gone wrong in the world of adults that young people are not given the encourage- ment to develop early those qualities which could so easily better the world. As parents right now, the opportunity presents itself to give more responsibility to these young people in learning the joys and duties of family and community life. Too often, parents who themselves had a hard time in their early life are guilty of coddling their families. They feel that they wish to make the road easier for their children. But the way of progress is not easy. As someone so wisely said, "Drifting is pleasant, but it is always downstream." If the struggle for an education, for instance, is not so terrific that the young people go down to defeat, the actual sacrifice entailed in obtaining the education will make it doubly appreciated when final attainment is realized.
There should be a goodly amount of family activity planned during this summer, for the rubber shortage will make travel at a minimum. However, that need not mean that the joys of travel cannot be experienced, for directing an active imagination will devise ways and means of capitalizing on this loss.
At the same time that parents are providing for their own, they can exercise a little generosity and include other young folk in the family fun. The mother whose husband is at war will be especially appreciative if some one else's dad will only put his arms around her son's shoulders and "pal" up with him. The mother who works will feel ever so grateful if some one else's mother will occasionally arrange an hour or so of recreation in which her own daughter can participate. Those parents who, meaning well, cannot seem to put into practice their ideas of wholesome recreation will receive an impetus to greater activity by their children's stories of what they did in a neighbor's home.
This task lies at hand : to plan so well in constructive effort that the destructive element has no chance even to enter the thoughts of young people, let alone be given a chance for fruition in delinquent acts. The oppor- tunity lies at hand to create better citizens at the same time that parents create a happier, more completely satisfying type of home life. — M. C. /.
Pioneet6—i944 StuL
t
HPo all Latter-day Saints, the Twenty-fourth of July ■*• is synonymous with achievement — the culmination of a vision strong enough to carry the Pioneers across barren deserts to an even more barren alkaline waste land. The Twenty-fourth means also the wresting of the land from its devastating drought until it became an oasis of beauty and rest for any who happened to reach her shelter. And many thousands have come and found surcease. More important, this day means that the Pioneers had maintained their integrity, even in the face of almost overwhelming odds.
The qualities the Pioneers developed did not die with them; they are to be found in abundance in today's pioneers who are holding fast to the vision of a new world, a world suited to the cause which they have espoused. For that vision they are willing to withdraw from the world of temptation (Concluded on page 466)
444
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA
Evidences and reconciliations
r/ote — <Jjia sfe5a5 C^ver f^erfortn iSaptL
I5m5
HPhe last paragraph of the answer to this question in "^ the June issue should read as follows :
There is no recorded evidence in the Bible, as trans- lated from existing manuscripts, that Jesus actually per- formed baptisms. However, the inspired translation by the Prophet Joseph Smith, John 4:2, reads: "Now the Lord knew this, though he himself baptized not so many as his disciples." This accords with our understanding of the mission of Jesus. He gave authority to his dis- ciples to baptize, and no doubt often directed the or- dinances. But, certainly, he had the right to perform baptisms if he so desired. And, from modern revelation, as above quoted, he did perform baptisms. — /. A. W.
amen
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Ixxxll. ^fd the V few ^Jeit translated cJLiterallu f
HPhe art of translation from one language to another •^ involves many difficulties. Vocabularies and gram- matical constructions differ with every language. A literal or word for word translation of any book, would probably fail to reproduce the original meaning. Cer- tainly, it would not be very readable. Here is an ex- ample :
The literal translation of Matt. 23:14 reads:
But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye devour the houses of widows, and as a pretext at great length praying. Because of this ye shall receive more abundant judgment.
King James' version renders the above:
Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
The translator must catch the intended message of a sentence or paragraph, from the meaning of the words, from the context, and from his own feelings, and then attempt to reproduce the thought correctly, with every inflection of meaning, in the best words at his command; and to the understanding of the reader.
This makes it unavoidable that much of the translator, himself, remains in his translation. His technical knowl- edge, his manner of language, his beliefs, and even his likes and dislikes are reflected in his rendering of a docu- ment from one language to another. For example, a person reared in false Christian doctrine would, perhaps unconsciously, make the translation of a religious writ- ing conform to his beliefs.
It is these and other difficulties that make it necessary to scrutinize translations with greatest care; and to com- pare the renderings by different persons to come as near as possible to the original meaning, and to avoid mis- leading interpretations. The more important a book is, the more necessary such care becomes. Therefore, the New Testament has been translated and re-translated many times. In every translation differences are ob-
served that help clarify the intent of the original manu- scripts.
Often, the student cannot well fathom the mind of the translator. For example, in the King James transla- tion of the Bible, the Greek word pneuma is mostly translated "spirit." When, however, the word "holy" ( hagios ) precedes pneuma, the rendering becomes, gen- erally, "Holy Ghost." Apparently, the translators felt that the prefix "holy," gave the word "spirit" the mean- ing of the third member of the Godhead, distinguished by the name "Holy Ghost." This, however, led to in- consistencies, for in Luke 3:22, "the Holy Ghost de- scended," and in John 1:32, "saw the Spirit descend- ing." Distinctions without differences appear.
It is more likely that the failure to understand the distinction between the Holy Ghost, and the influence which issues from God, called the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, the spirit of truth, etc., led the copyists of the manuscripts in early days to corrupt the text, by adding or taking away the word "holy" whenever it seemed to fit their erroneous theology. Certainly, whatever the cause of the various translations of the word pneuma, they have led to misunderstandings and endless con- troversy about the third member of the Godhead and his functions. Recent translations, such as Goodspeed's, translate the word pneuma, as "spirit" wherever it oc- curs. For that matter, the word ghost is but the Anglo- Saxon word for spirit.
The word pneuma is also translated as "wind" (John 3:8, "The wind bloweth where it listeth"); as "life" (Rev. 13:15, "He had power to give life"); and as "spiritual'' (I Cor. 14:12, "Ye are zealous of spiritual gifts").
Many other Greek words are likewise rendered under several English words. The Greek word phthano is translated "prevent," as in I Thess. 4:15, "We shall not prevent them." In other places it is rendered "attain," as in Romans 9:31, "Israel hath not attained to the law." (See also Philippians 3:16.) The word psyche is most frequently translated "soul," as in Matt. 10:28, "but are not able to kill the soul." But, it is nearly as often translated "life," as in Matt. 6:25, "Take no thought for your life." Psyche is also rendered "heart," as in Eph. 6:6, "will of God from the heart"; and the word becomes "mind" in three places, as in Philippians 1 :27, "with one mind striving together." The word baptizo is usually translated "baptize"; but it is also translated "wash," as in Mark 7:4, "except they wash, they eat not" (see also Luke 11:38). The word soteria is usually translated "salvation," as in Philippians 2:12, "Work out your own salvation"; but it also appears as "health," as in Acts 27:34, "for this is your health."
Such diverse translations of one word are numerous, and examples could be multiplied.
It is equally interesting to note that several Greek words are often rendered alike in English. For example, the English word "law," in the New Testament, comes in most cases from nomos, but there are about five other words translated "law." Twelve or more different words are translated "child"; about twenty are trans- lated "see"; about thirteen are rendered "ordain"; ten or more are translated "death" and nine at least appear as "life." Eleven are rendered "minister"; eight are translated "judgment" — and so on with scores of ex- amples.
This is not surprising. In English we have numer- ous synonyms, words that have very nearly the same meaning. For example, agreement, contract, covenant, compact, and bargain, carry much the same idea. So also do alarm, terror, fear, fright, consternation, trepida- tion, panic, and apprehension. Or take the words, belief, credit, trust, faith; or heavenly, celestial, divine, god- like. When, in a language, there is no exact equivalent, with the same shade of meaning, the translator is com*
{Concluded on page 471 )
JULY, 1944
445
Melchizedek Priesthood
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CONDUCTED BY THE MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE TWELVE — JOSEPH FIELDING SMITH
CHAIRMAN; CHARLES A. CALLIS, HAROLD B. LEE, EZRA T. BENSON, MARION G. ROMNEY, THOMAS E. MCKAY, CLIFFORD
E. YOUNG, ALMA SONNE, NICHOLAS G. SMITH, LEVI EDGAR YOUNG, ANTOINE R. IVINS, RUFUS K. HARDY
Intelligent Leadership Means Increase in Temple Work
"Deports indicate a commendable in- Av crease jn temple work, particular- ly in connection with the current priest- hood temple project. Although some stakes are located more favorably for temple attendance, results invariably in- dicate that it is virile and progressive leadership which determines the amount of temple work accomplished.
Official instructions emphasize that the encouragement of attendance at the temple is one of the major responsibili- ties of stake and ward genealogical of- ficers. All appointments for official bap- tism, endowment and sealing excursions from the stake should be made through the stake committee. Stake and ward genealogical officials should utilize every established organization and every legitimate opportunity to have effective announcements of such ap- pointments made to stimulate and in- spire Church members to participate.
Reports follow of two stakes where such leadership is being effectively given :
Cache Stake
Last June we accepted an assignment from the temple to do 2700 proxy male endow- ments during the balance of 1943. We did 4486 and had many brethren participating who had not previously been active in this work. In lieu of a local project for this year we are accepting the Churchwide project of temple work for every Melchizedek Priesthood member who desires to partici- pate. The bishops are furnishing us with list of names of Melchizedek Priesthood members who are worthy to receive temple recommends; they will also recommend a conservative assignment for each member based upon his capacity to fulfill the same. Our committee, as a part of the Church serv- ice committee, will then help in the prepara- tion of a letter to call to go to each of these ward members, assigning them a temple re- sponsibility in the form of so many proxy endowments to do. We are having the member of the stake presidency in charge of our work sign this letter. . . .
During the latter half of 1943 we broke our assignment of 2700 names down into eight units and gave a unit to each ward on the basis of priesthood membership. These units were broken down within each ward and given to the high priests, seven- ties, and elders. The work was done by a few. This experience caused us to go direct to the individuals worthy to do temple work in our project for 1944. We hope that it will work out with greater satisfaction.
Brothers Nolan Olsen and Spencer H. Daines are my counselors and we are in mutual agreement in our program.
Nolan is in charge of our research pro- gram, since he was already directing the efforts of a group of part-time lady mis- 446
sionaries at our city library in the genea- logical section. Most of these ladies are from Cache Stake and we have officially set them apart to their work, in which they are most conscientious. To make our library more of a drawing card for our research- minded people, we have made various at- tempts to enlarge it. . . .
Already many of our brethren who are too busy to go to the temple, and in some instances brethren who know they aren't worthy to get a recommend yet, have made cash contributions towards the proxy en- dowment program. . . .
We have found that our stake and ward leaders are outstanding in recognizing their responsibility as priesthood members to go to the temple, and it has its effect on other ward members who come to know of this leadership activity and become aware of individual responsibility in Church service. Excursions from elders' and seventy's quo- rums are in frequent evidence. . . .
All in all we recognize we have a real responsibility to fulfill in the calls made of
us, but we are happy in our assignments. We know enough of human nature to realize that the development of a new program is gradual. So long as we can continue to maintain an active interest and gradual in- crease in work accomplished, we shall feel that a degree of progress is being made. We are mindful of the continued need for divine help and inspiration in doing such an impor- tant work.
Rigby Stake
December 26 the high priests visited the Logan Temple and did work for 52 names. Our only means of transportation is to hire a bus and that is difficult to do. However, we met with a member of every Mel- chizedek Priesthood quorum presidency last Sunday, along with a representative of the stake presidency and Church service com- mittee, and discussed this work.
On one excursion, all members of the stake presidency, the stake patriarch, six high councilmen and most of our wives vis- ited the Logan Temple. Our bishops have been cooperating with us very well. . . .
Melchizedek Priesthood Outline of Study, September, 1944
Text: The Gospel Kingdom: Selections from the Writings and Discourses of John Taylor
LESSON 33
Foundations of the Christian Faith
Text: pp. 109-114. Topics: The Memo- rial of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. The Second Advent. Reasons for Christian Memorial Came by Revelation. Knowledge of Christ to Come by Revelation. The Work of God. The Diffusion of the Christian Idea. The Testimony of Myth and Tradi- tion. Modern Revelation and Knowledge of the Atonement.
Discuss: On the basis of all past lesson material and class discussions, treat this question — What is the purpose of the sacra- ment? Why do we partake? What new light does President Taylor throw on these questions in this chapter? What clearer un- derstanding of the meaning and nature of the gospel is to be had from the material organized under the heading, "The Diffusion of the Christian Idea"?
LESSONS 34-35
The Mediation and Atonement
Text: pp. 114-120. Topics: The Posi- tion of Christ. Holds All Power by Reason of the Atonement. Distinctions Between the Position of Christ and His Followers. The Act of the Atonement. Of Central Impor- tance. The Suffering, etc. The Power and Effects of the Atonement. The Resurrection. Progress Toward Godhood Made Possible, etc. The Atonement and the Christian's Life.
Discuss: What is Christ's position in the scheme of things? Was his sacrifice necessary to gain this position? Why suffer- ing, bloodshed, sacrifice in connection with the atonement? Could the sacrifice have been made in some other way? Was an atonement necessary? Why? (Recall ma- terials in previous lessons, e.g., concerning
law, Satan, etc.) What are the results of the atonement? Why should "all things be done in the name of the Son"? Are they? What things are? What things are not? What difference might it make in the modern world if all things were done in the name of Christ? Should all things be done in his name? (Recall the scripture: "Not every- one that saith, Lord, Lord . . ." and its warning about insincere performance.)
LESSON 36
The Restoration of the Gospel and the Keys of the Priesthood
Text: pp. 121-126. Topics: Joseph Smith. Referred to the Son. Principles and Priesthood. Keys of the Gathering. The Purpose of the Restoration. To Gather an Upright People. To Bring Life and Im- mortality to Light. To Make Men Free. To Introduce the Rule and Government of God on Earth. Joseph Smith as a Re- storer. Joseph's Own Story. Joseph's Tes- timony to John Taylor. Need for the Re- storation.
Discuss: (This lesson concludes the ma- terial in Book II, "The Gospel Message," and leads naturally into Book III, "Priest- hood: The Government of God.") Could the gospel have been restored without priesthood? What of this statement (p. 122): "The people that are independent, who think they can get along without re- ligion or without God, will find that in time or eternity they will have to come to the priesthood of God." What was the pur- pose of the Restoration? What is "the rule and government of God on earth"? Was the gospel restored to bring such rule about? This being true, what forces or agencies be- sides sectarian churches might have been expected to oppose the rise of Mormonism? Why? Need they have feared?
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA
NO-LIQUOR-TOBACCO COLUMN
Conducted by Dr. Joseph F. Merrill
How to Cure the Smoking Habit
Would you like to stop smoking — overcome the habit? If so, we in- vite you to read the interesting article by Doctor L. W. Oaks, printed on p. 429 in this issue of the Era. The doc- tor, who writes authoritatively, is an outstanding practitioner in Provo, Utah. He is very sympathetic with the smoker who really would like to give up the habit but finds it difficult to do so. Hence Doctor Oaks has taken time out to write up the most helpful suggestions the experts have been able to make. Among all these suggestions surely every smoker desiring to quit the habit will find one or more of them suited to his case.
But there is an unfailing, powerful help that the doctor does not name. It is prayer — sincere, worthy prayer. The Lord will surely not turn away the to- bacco addict who will worthily and persistently seek his help. This means the smoker who makes up his mind to quit and sticks to his resolution, in the meantime praying earnestly that the Lord will take away the desire to smoke, will not be let down. Yes, will power and God's help combined enable any smoker to overcome his enslaving habit.
And how great the joy of him who finds that he is free once again! "I will," is the battle cry of achievement.
Doctor Oaks' article will be re- printed in pamphlet form and a copy sent free on request to all applicants. Address No-Liquor-Tobacco Commit- tee, Church Office Building, Salt Lake City l,Utah.
Teachers and Smoking
Xn the June issue of the Reader s Diigest is published a condensed article by a professor in an eastern university, en- titled, "Revolt in the Classroom." The writer deplores the fact that many teachers have left the classroom during recent years for other more remunera- tive work. But among the reasons given by the writer for the change in employ- ment are the following: "Communities have been infinitely ingenious in de- vising ways to make the life of the teacher unpleasant. They have forbid- den him to smoke, drink, swear, dance, live in a hotel, play pool or take part in politics, and so on ad nauseam. In general, communities have forced the teacher to be a model of all the nega- tive virtues."
One of the things surprising to us in this statement is the assertion that moral virtues are negative. How long since did tkis come to be? To drift downstream is easier than to row upstream. "When in Rome do as the Romans do" is the easy, the worldly way to behave, not the courageous, the moral way to act. Most youths (and other people, too) begin to
JULY, 1944
smoke, drink, swear, etc., because they lack the moral courage to refrain when others indulge.
Now it is a demonstrated, scientific fact that smoking and drinking are posi- tively harmful, physically, mentally, and spiritually, to the normal person, espe- cially to the youth. So, many states have passed laws requiring that the youth in public schools shall be taught the harmful effects of alcohol, tobacco, and other narcotics. Also school and college athletic coaches all over the country prohibit their boys in training from smoking, drinking, etc.
There are two general methods of teaching conduct — precept and exam- ple. Of the two, it is generally conceded that example is the far more effective method. "I'd rather see a sermon any day than hear one" states a generally accepted truth. Further, "I cannot hear what you say because what you are rings so loudly in my ears."
We most heartily commend school authorities for asking their teachers to abstain from indulgences that would be harmful to their students. Virtues can best be taught by example. « ♦ ■
Letter to
Stake Presidencies
(Concluded from page 441) girls to be active in existing organiza- tions. The committee should not plan or promote activities for the girls except those sponsored by one or more of these organizations. There are to be no classes or activities planned for the girls outside of the existing organizations. This is a matter which should be closely guarded, for the tendency will other- wise develop to have social and other activities independent of existing or- ganizations.
In the stakes where the girl checking plan has reached every girl the results are very satisfactory. The attendance at organization and sacrament meetings, the payment of tithing and all other ac- tivities relating to the girls as Latter- day Saints have greatly improved and increased.
In a recent report from Granite Stake we read:
We have had an average of approximate- ly 558 girls ages 12-20 inclusive on record in Granite Stake. Using this number as a base we have made the following observa- tions: 35% of these girls attended sacra- ment meeting during the year 1943; 61% of the same group were present in Sunday Schools of the stake; 71% of all these girls are on the records of the Church as tithe payers, 308 of this number being reported as full tithe payers and 90 reported as part tithe payers. (This group of girls paid a total of $8,150.42 in tithing during the year 1943.) In the month of February 1944, of the 558 girls 62% are shown to have been present in Sunday School, 43% were pre- sent each Sunday in sacrament meeting, and 45% attended Mutual. In the public eve- ning session of our stake conference held March 12, 1944, under the presidency of Bishop LeGrand Richards, 53% of all the teen age girls of Granite Stake were present. A feature of the program was the "Binding of the Gleaner Girl Sheaf." One hundred thirty girls participated in this ceremony.
This means that every girl of Gleaner age, not properly exempted, has been enrolled in Mutual.
We submit the plan to you for your study and adoption with such modifica- tions as your conditions and circum- stances may wisely warrant. However, two things are to be kept in mind: the committee set-ups ( 1 ) shall be kept un- der the direction of the stake presidency and ward bishoprics and thus the tend- ency to develop independent activities shall not develop, and (2) the lady workers shall be chosen because of their qualifications to work sympathetically, continually, and effectively to the end that a check shall be maintained on every girl between the age of 12 and 20 who is a member of the Church. Sincerely your brethren,
Council of the Twelve, George Albert Smith, President.
The Church Moves On
( Continued from page 44 1 )
Cheever, Payson, Utah; Stratford Evans, Logan, Utah; Delbert Lorenzo Jex, Santa Monica, California; Bronzel LaBriel Pickett, Gunnison, Utah; Nathaniel Carling Young, Kanab, Utah; Gerald Eldon Melchin, Winni- peg, Manitoba, Canada; Fulton Woodruff Bevans, Cardston, Alia., Canada; William Love Nalder, Ray- mond, Alta., Canada; James Niels Skousen, Jr., Chandler, Arizona; Elmer Earl Wilde, Welling, Alta., Canada.
Eastern: John Hayes Moore, Spanish Fork, Utah; William Nibley Wale, Salt Lake City; Conway Welch Dunn, Logan, Utah; Greenland Cadman Simpson, Sacramento, California; Lawrence Edward Taylor, Bakersfleld. California; Edgar Thatcher Rolapp, North Hollywood, California; Ray Bailey Barker, Ogden, Utah; Fred Russell Green, Salt Lake City.
East Central: Norman J. Andrew, Trenton, Utah; Mrs. Ruby Adelia Harper Andrew. Trenton, Utah.
Hawaiian: Ray James Hill. Ogden, Utah; Scott Al- len Petersen, Tremonton, Utah.
New England: Douglas Jolley Hardy, Salt Lake City; Golden Atkin Buchmiller, Rexburg, Idaho; Leo Winfleld Hurst, Declo, Idaho; Don Frithiof Johnson, Shelley, Idaho; Willard Bovee Mecham, Mt. Emmons, Utah; David George Nelson, III, Snowville. Utah; Kenneth Winder Porter, Monroe, Utah; Frank Ben- nion Redd, Monticello, Utah; George Rogers Hawkes, Preston, Idaho.
Northern California: Spencer Rock Pugh, Murray, Utah; George Shelton Standage, Mesa, Arizona; David Alma Stewart, Kaysville, Utah; Rodney Davell Peter- sen, Venice, California; Emer Huffaker Wilson, Mid- way, Utah.
Northern States: Grant Morgan Bosworth, Salt Lake City; Hermen Rudolph Carpenter, Park City, Utah; Marion Duff Hanks, Salt Lake City; Spencer T. Rees, Loa, Utah; George Ashton Richards, Oakley, Idaho; Scott Haskell Smith, Greybull, Wyoming; Mervin Norman Salvesen, Hyrum, Utah; Robert Eugene Thompson, Salt Lake City.
North Central: Reid Jay Bodine, Phoenix, Arizona; James Keith Anderson, Spanish Fork, Utah; Lynn Balls, Hyde Park, Utah; Jess Charles Bennett, Holden, Utah; Van Odell Call, Ogden, Utah; Willard Richards Card, Salt Lake City; Ted Clifford Smith, Bountiful, Utah; James Arthur Timothy, Altonah, Utah; Heber Jacob Zollinger, Sublett, Idaho; David Clayton Bishop, Delta, Utah; Merlin Norton Cook, Willard. Utah.
Northwestern: James LeGrand Bradby, Tetonia, Idaho; Dwayne Timothy Johnson, Vernal, Utah; Don- ald Benjamin Koller, Salt Lake City; Cornelius Wright Nielsen, Salt Lake City; Thirl William Tew, Maple- ton, Utah; Archibald Gardner Widdison, Hooper, Utah; Thyrald Harris Finn, Rigby, Idaho; William Robert Hatch; Boise, Idaho; Delbert Norman Nelson, Howell, Utah; Paul Delos Campbell, Phoenix, Ari- zona; George Kay Oldroyd, Loa, Utah.
Southern: Orson William Lauritzen, El Monte, California; Vyrin King Orr. Paris, Idaho; Victor Henry Wathen, Bluebell, Utah; Catherine Brady Jen- sen, Salt Lake City; James Christian Jensen, Salt Lake City; Arthur Willis Smith, Monroe, Utah; Reese Baird Sessions, Idaho Falls, Idaho; Jack Hill Coburn, Ox- ford, Idaho; Jack Northman Anderson, Cottonwood, Salt Lake County, Utah; Earl Franklin Updike, Phoe- nix, Arizona; Francis Marion Gibbons, Phoenix, Ari- zona; Lamont James Johns, Ogden, Utah.
Spanish-American: Julia Griffin, Clarkston, Utah; Melvin Miller Hansen, Monroe, Utah; Grange Camp- bell Goff. Lorenzo, Idaho; Marion Heath Hill, Sacra- mento. California; Ralph Alvin Taylor, Mendon, Utah.
Texas: Lyle Rigby Cooley. Newton, Utah; Hale Burt Seeley, Mt. Pleasant, Utah; Nathaniel Keller. Mink Creek, Idaho; Norman Earl Ricks, Teton, Idaho;
( Concluded on page 452 ) 447
Aaronic Priesthood
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CONDUCTED UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE PRESIDING BISHOPRIC. EDITED BY LEE A. PALMER.
WARD BOY LEADERSHIP
COMMITTEE OUTLINE OF STUDY
AUGUST, 1944
Text: HOW TO WIN BOYS
Chapter XX: A "Do" Program
Quotations from the Text:
1. Boys are held to religious life by a do program in their own lives. Nothing produces loyalty like activity.
2. In the do program you must use every tack possible in your discovery of potential abilities. I've located talent by talking to day-school teachers, to parents, and to a boy's close friends who make up his crowd.
3. Wise teachers ace alert to signs of na~ tive leadership.
4. My family would tell you that of my half-dozen hobbies, my first hobby is the search [or talent. I like to try to outguess people. I like to locate ability where nobody else has seen it. You get that hobby and you'll build an inven- tory of youth that thrills the Church.
5. Whatever personal success with boys I have ever had has not been due to ability but to a certain uncanny knack of making boys run themselves. To that end, in my own class work I've never yet done more than be leader of class discussions. The "chores" were done by members of my classes. That so trained leadership that one boy went into the deep hills of the Cumberland range, back among his own illiterate people and forty miles from a railroad started the first Sunday School in that section. The whole truth is that I started something that was probably more important than the thing that I, myself, was doing. That is what all of this comes to. The ripples of service finally find themselves on distant shores. It gives one a thrill to know this, doesn't it?
6. My youthful leaders were trained for jobs. We sent lieutenants into room- ing houses, hotels, homes. They found out why members were missing. They brought word of sickness. They brought in delinquent members. They brought in new members. I never knowingly located a true leader that I did not straddle him right into a job.
7. No John Dillinger was ever given a boyhood do program. He heard only a series of shouted don'ts!
8. To locate and use boys' talents not only gives them a positive Christian action program of living, but it is the world's greatest spiritual wall against evil and inaction. God help us all to k^ep on building men for God's vast tomorrows!
Helps for the Class Leader:
1. Discuss thoroughly the author's sug- gestion of a "black and white" inven- tory of talents.
2. Demonstrate the use to which such in- ventory of talents may be placed through the agency of our Church or- ganizations.
3. Is there an actual "Do" program for boys in your ward?
448
(xJPi&iL Sbwudstiidu 3bwuL
AARONIC PRIESTHOOD LEADERS, MIDVALE FIRST WARD, EAST JORDAN STAKE
Left to right: Robert Mortey, deacons' adviser; Lawrence Mineer, ward clerk; Elmo Sager, deacons' adviser; Henry Wahlqttist, second counselor to bishop; Cecil Douglas, teachers' adviser; Frank Griffiths, first counselor to bishop; Louis Monson, general secretary; H. G. Tempest, bishop, and priests' adviser; Sid Arnold, deacons' adviser.
"Dishop Henry G. Tempest and his **"* Aaronic Priesthood leaders point the way and the boys follow their leader- ship as witness the following attendance records at priesthood during the entire year 1943:
Priests i
Ray Brown, 85%; Raymond Wan- berg, 85%; Marvin Buckley, 77%.
Teachers :
David Bates, 94%; Glendon Camp- bell, 94%; Richard Olson, 94%0; Rich- ard Vincent, 92%; Donald Buckley, 90%; Tommie Stowe, 90%; Shirl Sandstrom, 88%; Clark Jones, 83%; Nelson Buck, 81%; Kenneth Wanberq, 81%.
.Deacons:
Billie Buck, 88%; Robert Strong, 88%; Allen Jensen, 80%; Shirl Kirk, 75%; Melvin Mitchell, 75%; Jack Webster, 75%.
Some of the reasons for success in this work are set forth by Louis Mon- son, general secretary, as follows:
"The Mid vale First Ward conducted a successful Aaronic Priesthood pro- gram during 1943.
"We attribute our success to follow- ing the prescribed program suggested by the Presiding Bishopric. We reli- giously hold our monthly ward boy leadership committee meeting. We also hold regular council meetings with the general secretary, quorum advisers, and quorum officers in attendance. A social at least once each month is very helpful.
"Each member of the bishopric super- vises the activities of his respective group, and in close cooperation with the
general secretary and the quorum ad- visers.
"All five quorums in the ward quali- fied for the Standard Quorum Award. The average attendance at quorum meeting for the entire year was 66%, Standard Quorum enrollment.
"A total of $530.00 tithing was paid by the group, with 98% of the boys participating. The deacons produced 113 pounds of dressed rabbit for the Church welfare program.
"Under the direction of Robert Mor- ley, one of the advisers to the deacons' quorums, a chorus was organized out of which a double quartet and a quartet were also selected. These boys sing regularly at ward and stake functions."
On the last Sunday of each year. Bishop Tempest and- his co-workers hold an award program. Here the priests, teachers, and deacons meet in a group for a fine spiritual program and the presentation of special awards presented to young men with outstand- ing records in the various phases of the program.
Another splendid example of what can be done with boys when leadership points the way.
yojdk. Spwkdu
"WHAT A BOY LIKES IN A PRIEST- HOOD LEADER"
T like a priesthood leader who is friend- ly, a fellow who greets you with a smile, shakes hands, and has some friendly conversation whenever he meets you. A friendly leader gets your
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA
Ward Teaching
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CONDUCTED UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE PRESIDING BISHOPRIC. EDITED BY LEE A. PALMER.
confidence and helps you with your problems. A boy won't go back on a friend, so a friendly leader helps his boys to do right whether he is with them or not.
I like a leader who is interesting, one who studies the lesson before coming to class and finds things to illustrate each point. An interesting leader knows his boys and the things that will hold their attention. He makes the lessons fit our experiences.
I like a leader who has understanding, one who is sympathetic when we are in trouble and, in turn, shares our fun when we are happy. An understanding leader
CHARLES PETER WARNICK
Charles is president of the Deacons' Quorum, Denver Second Ward, Denver Stake. He delivered the address printed here during a stake quarterly conference. His younger brother, Reed, is also shown in the photograph.
places himself in our position and sees things from our point of view. He never embarrasses a boy but always makes him feel that he is in the right place at the right time.
A leader who knows what he is talk- ing about soon gains a boy's ■ interest and respect. We all like to feel that our teacher is an authority and that there is no need to question anything he says. Boys don't respect a leader unless they feel that he knows more than they do and that they can depend on what he tells them as being true.
I like a priesthood leader who is humble, one who doesn't strut or show off. I don't like a boaster, but I do like a leader who makes me feel somewhere near his equal and that he can learn from me, too.
I like a leader who is cheerful and looks on the sunny side of life. No one wants to be around a grouch or a leader who can't ever seem to smile without unusual effort.
I like a leader who is sincere, who practices what he preaches, who doesn't He or cheat. A leader who is sincere gets under our skin and stirs our emotions.
JULY, 1944
WARD TEACHERS
The teacher's duty is to watch oyer 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. (D. & C. 20:53-55.)
Warn UeackeH rl/le55a<je for ^Jruffbist, 1944
SECRET PRAYER
TJTis heart was heavy. The time of His betrayal was near at hand. The ■*■ *• curtain of mortal life was soon to be drawn. A full realization of the climax to his earthly mission was pounding upon his consciousness. He knew!
Though he was a God; though the earth, the sea, and even life itself were the products of his creative power, how he longed for the support which could come only from his Father in heaven.
Gethsemane — it was quiet, peaceful. Wearily, but expectantly, he trudged toward the garden. His disciples followed as if to protect him. Though he appreciated their faithful interest in his welfare, that which he sought was far beyond their power to give. He bade them "tarry." He wanted to commune with his Father. He "fell on his face, and prayed," — alone.
Jesus has not only set before us the example, but he has also given us instructions in the matter of secret prayer, saying, "But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." (Matt. 6:6.)
Jesus recognized the great power coming through secret prayer. He was anxious that all men be instructed in this principle. It had blessed and comforted him — it would do likewise for others.
When shall we pray? Shall we wait for the exigencies of war, the pinch of poverty, the dread of disease, or the fear of death, to crowd upon us before we seek the Lord in prayer? Should these and kindred needs be the only spur that sends us to our knees?
What about those who now enjoy an unprecedented degree of pros- perity? Have they need for the Lord's help? Do they have any need for prayer — secret prayer?
The answer is obvious to the thinking mind. There is not one single thing ordained for the blessing and comfort of man which is not God's to give — or to withhold. Man's obligations to the Lord are clearly defined. The truly Christian soul will bow reverently each day in thanksgiving for blessings received and pray for blessings needed.
The secret prayer of a father, a mother, a son, a daughter, whether old or young, rich or poor, happy or sad, is a sure anchor to the salvation of the soul, for it is linked to the throne of God.
Yes, let us pray as Jesus did, — always, and so teach our children.
What he says we remember and believe. I like a leader who has a sense of humor, a fellow who can appreciate a good joke even though it might some- times be at his own expense. Boys like to feel free with their leaders. They don't want to feel afraid or that they must guard every word or act. If their leader has a sense of humor, boys soon learn that they won't be blamed for
every little mistake, and they will take a chance in answering a question or do- ing an assignment, even though they are not sure they are exactly right.
Most of all, I like a leader who com- mands my respect. I want him to be successful in his work — honest in what he says and does — and someone who and will correct me when I
can
wrong.
am
449
Homing
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ON STORAGE OF CANNED FOODS
Issued by the General Church Welfare Committee
Bulletin No. 9
Since pioneer days, our people have been counseled by their leaders "to have a year's supply of essen- tial foodstuffs ahead. This should so far as possible, be produced by each house- holder and preserved by him."
A part of these foodstuffs are canned foods. The question frequently arises as to the length of time these foods can be safely stored in containers manufac- tured under wartime restrictions. An- swering this question Dr. R. W. Pilcher, of the Research Department of the American Can Company, has said :
The introduction of so many possible variables in the canning procedure makes it difficult to issue a definite statement on the service life of the various canned products.
Although the shelf life of cans is not quite as long as pre-war, yet with ordinary care in handling and processing, cans should give service almost equal to former years. At best, the shelf life of the highly pigmented fruits, (black and red cherries, berries, prunes and plums), is limited and these products should not be stored for longer than one year. Vegetables such as aspara- gus, beets, carrots, green beans, tomatoes, spinach and greens have a shelf life of ap- proximately two years. The shelf life of such vegetables as peas, corn and lima beans is considerably longer.
Cases or cans of milk should be turned over every thirty days to prevent the fats from separating, and the product should be consumed within a year.
Reports indicate that it has been the experience of some housewives that canned goods properly processed and sealed in pre-war cans, and kept under good storage conditions, may be kept for periods longer than two years. Some have gone so far as to say that meats properly canned and stored have a shelf life of from three to five years.
Canned goods should be stored in a cool, dry place. The cooler and dryer the canned goods are kept, the longer they will last. Place the oldest canned goods to the front of the shelves, and use them first. Fruits and vegetables and meats properly processed in glass jars and stored in the home will keep in a cool, dark, dry place fully as long as canned goods, and some fruits, such as the highly pigmented, will keep longer.
In determining what to can, careful consideration should be given to stocks on hand.
450
The utmost care should be taken to see that foodstuffs produced and preserved by the householder do not spoil for that would be waste, and the Lord looks with disfavor upon waste. He has blessed his people with abundant crops. The promise for this year (1942) is most hopeful. The Lord is doing his part; he expects us to do ours." (From the "Message of the First Presidency," given at the April Conference, 1942. See Era, p. 272, May 1942.)
Additional copies of this bulletin will be sent upon request.
■—Photograph by Paul S. Bieler
The Management of the Bad Boy
By Mary S. Kinney
A boy is very imperfect. Therefore, ■*"* he is very interesting. One won- ders whether he will become a savage or a seer, a bandit or a knight-errant.
To understand him one must go be- neath the surface. His hidden life is his real life. His real life does not consist in being, but in the process of becoming.
What he is to be can be seen only by the eye of faith. One must see into the future and find evidence of things not seen in a mere word, a softened look, or even without any exterior at all.
One should be chummy with him and get close to his heart. Right contact with joyous activities, good books, pic- tures, company, pleasant surroundings, love, and sympathy help make up the proper forces and facts in bending the boy to the right direction in which the man should grow.
A positive, powerful force for good in the boy's life is the acquaintance and love for the perfect character of Jesus, "What a boy knows is not so important
as what he loves," says Dr. William Hyde. "The greatest part of what he knows, he will speedily forget. What he loves, he will feed on. His hunger will prompt his effort to increase nis store." It is the thoughts of the boy and the things that he loves which shape the future man.
President James A. Garfield once said, "I feel a pro founder reverence for a boy than a man. I never meet a ragged boy on the street without feeling I owe him a salute, for I know not what possibili- ties may be buttoned up under his shab- by coat."
On the tomb of Schubert, the great musician, is written, "He gave much, but he promised more"; and it is this im- measurable wealth of promise that makes the lives of boys so full of beau- ty, of interest, of wonder, and of power.
Handy Hints
Payment for Handy Hints used will be one dollar upon publication. In the event that two with the same idea are submitted, the one postmarked earlier will receive the dollar. None of the ideas can be returned, but each will receive careful consideration.
If you have trouble keeping double blankets from pulling up at the bottom, try running a cotton clothes line rope or heavy string through the fold of the blanket at the foot of the bed and fasten securely at each side. — Mrs. E. D. H., Grace, Idaho.
Substitute for sleeve board : Lay a maga- zine on a turkish towel, and roll with towel on outside. Insert the end of this roll inside the sleeve and iron as if on sleeve board. It works beautifully and is especially helpful for colored garments which should always be ironed single thickness to minimize streak- ing.— Q. M„ Leavitt, Alberta, Canada.
When baking potatoes in a bonfire; wash potatoes well and wrap each in a piece of brown paper sack that has been wrung out in cold water. When done you can remove the paper and you will have clean, delicious baked potatoes. — E. P., Shelley, Idaho.
To make celery curls cut small stocks
in short pieces of celery lengthwise into thin shreds, cutting to within a half-inch of the leaves on end of piece. Place in ice water - to curl.— E. E., Salt Lake City, Utah.
Your ice trays won't stick in the freezing compartment of your refrigerator if you slip a piece of wax paper cut to size under each one. The trays will slide out at your touch. — E. H., Hinckley, Idaho.
After new shelf paper has been put in place, cover shelf with a piece of wax paper, extending over edge of shelf only far enough that thumb tacks may keep it and the shelf paper in place. When waxed paper is soiled, it may be quickly removed without disturb- ing the paper underneath. — /. E. A, Para* dise, California.
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA
Cook's Corner
Josephine B. Nichols
•"Pake your dinner outdoors, on the tcr- A race, in the back yard or at a near- by park.
Things to take. Some hot, some cold:
Main Dishes Casseroles, meat loaf, meatburgers, bar- becued meat, and kabobs.
Scalloped Chicken in Casserole
5-oz. package potato chips
2 cups cubed cooked chicken or tuna, or
tuna and chicken may be used ■4 hard cooked eggs, chopped 2 tablespoons chopped green pepper or
parsley 2 cups thin mushroom sauce
Combine mushroom sauce, chicken, eggs and pepper; season with salt and celery salt. Put a layer of the mixture into a greased casserole: next a layer of potato chips, then a layer of mixture topping with potato chips. Bake at 350° F. 25 minutes.
Kabobs
Kabobs are made by alternating bacon strips with meat cut in 1-inch cubes placed on skewers. Lamb, beef, veal, liver and ham may be used. In addition mushrooms, onions, apples or tomato wedges in any combina- tion may be used. Broil to a turn, over a good bed of live coals, or in the oven.
Bread
Rolls, buns, and a variety of breads may be used.
Prune Bread
1 cup whole wheat flour \x/2 cups white flour
1 cup sugar 3^ teaspoon salt teaspoon soda teaspoons baking powder
1 cup sour milk
2 tablespoons fat
1 cup cooked prunes
1 cup prune juice
1 egg
1 cup nuts
Cream fat and sugar. Add beaten eggs and prune juice. Mix dry ingredients and add alternately with the milk to mixture. Add prunes and nuts cut fine. Pour into loaf pan and bake at 375° F. for 35 minutes.
Salads Garden Tossup with French Dressing Use fresh, crisp, vegetables. Lettuce, radishes, spinach, celery, cucumbers, green peppers, endive, water cress, onions, cab- bage, carrots, cauliflower, and tomatoes. There is no limit to the combinations that are possible in tossed salad. Add the dress- ing and toss before serving.
Gelatin salads may be made and stored in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Cucumber Salad
2 cups grapefruit juice 1 package lime gelatin 1 teaspoon onion juice
1 cup chopped cucumber
Dissolve gelatin in hot grapefruit juice. Add onion juice. Chill until syrupy. Add chopped cucumber. Pour into mold and chill.
Desserts
Cake, cookies, frozen desserts, and fresh fruits.
(Concluded on page 452)
JULY, 1944
2
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Durkee's Margarine is made by an improved process which churns the pure vegetable oils right in with the fresh pasteur- ized skim milk. IN foods and ON them, you'll love the flavor of Durkee's Troco Margarine!
SPREAD . . COOK . . BAKE . . FRY
One of the Basic 7 Foods recommend- ed in the U. S. Nu- trition Food Rules.
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Cook eight-ounce package of FRIL-LETS 6% min- utes. Drain and chill. Make cream sauce with flour, butter and milk, cooked thoroughly. Mix in tuna fish or salmon, fine cut pimiento, salt, then chill again. Shape into croquettes, roll in egg beaten with two tablespoons of milk. Dip in bread crumbs, fry in deep fat. Watch them "come again" for this treat! Several packages of FRIL-LETS on hand for quick, tasty dishes will provide so many easy-to-prepare meals that are wholesome and cost you less money.
Order a supply GOLDEN
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SEND THE "ERA"
Your loved ones away from home need its inspiration.
12 issues
$2.00
IIVUSEForOVERFlFFYYEARS
Aids in treatment of Canker, simple sore throat, and other minor mouth and throat irritations.
Hall's Canker Remedy
536 East 2nd So. — at Salt Lake City, Utah
451
GOOD IDEAS
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Have 3 walls patterned, the other plain. Among Fuller Vogue Wallpapers you'll find special "ensemble papers" made to go together!
Nobody Can Stop LOSS-
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When you come here for insurance you get it, coupled with attentive, ex- perienced service. This is an agency of the Utah Home Fire Insurance Co.
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( Concluded from page 45 1 j
Brownies
Yi cup fat
2 ounces chocolate % cup cake flour Y2 teaspoon baking powder Y2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup nuts, chopped
Melt fat and chocolate over hot water. Cool. Sift flour with baking powder and salt. Beat eggs until light, add sugar, then chocolate mixture, and blend. Add flour, vanilla and nuts, and mix well. Pour batter into greased 8x8 inch pan. Bake at 350° F. for 35 minutes. Cut into squares.
Summer Coolers
3 cups apple juice or cider
3 cups orange juice
1 quart carbonated water or fruit mixer
Combine, pour over decorated ice cubes.
1M
1
Iceberg Cooler
cups sugar cups water
package lemon or lime flavored summer drink powder lemons oranges
grated peel of 1 orange cup mint leaves 4-5 cups water
Boil sugar and water 5 minutes. Add drink powder. Cool. Add fruit juices, peel. Pour over mint leaves; let stand one hour. Add water and ice. Makes 2Yi quarts.
3 2
OUT OF THE JUNK HEAP
By Peter Hunt
"\17'hat can be done with a discarded ^* radio cabinet? Lots of things. Here's an example. The radio set was removed and sent to
was painted on each side as well. A feather edge, also red, was brushed on the inside of the top, and another heart put in the center.
the salvage heap and a backing of ply- wood put on. The legs were sawed off leaving the top knobs. The top was hinged. New wooden knobs were put on the doors. Then I painted it all over with white. Chinese red was used to paint around the penciled outline of a heart in each door panel, and a red heart
Bermuda blue was used for the corner posts, for the mottos, for lace-edging the hearts, and for the tear-drop scrolls which use the veneer applique as a be- ginning, repeating only the graceful ele- ments of it. Mary Rose keeps her dolls in the bottom, Mother stores blankets in the top.
THE CHURCH MOVES ON
(Concluded from page 447)
Franklin Willard Turpin, Murray, Utah; James Ed- ward Lindsay, Jr., Ogden, Utah; Afton Ballard, Rock- ville, Utah; Glen Call Bleazard, Ogden, Utah; Joseph Leonard Henriod, Salt Lake City; Allen Roy Lindsay, Heber City, Utah; Vance Wendell Andersen, Mendon, Utah; Angus Gilbert Green, Sandy, Utah; Robert Charles Hopkin, Lovell, Wyoming; Glen Calvin Palmer, Grantsville, Utah.
Western States: Ray Orvin Taylor, Mendon, Utah; John Charles Duncan, Salt Lake City; James Edward Hunter, Holden, Utah; Royal Dow Murphy, McGill, Nevada; Clarence Gordon Tregeagle, Salt Lake City; Verle Thomas Waldron, Tremonton, Utah; Lorin Fisher Widdison, Rexburg, Idaho; DeLeon Clayton, San Diego, California; Anton Joseph Wozab, Salt Lake City; Jay H. Buell, Heber City, Utah; Dean Wintsch Bartholomew, Fayette, Utah; Wallace Troy Butler, Tetonia, Idaho; Alma Howard Cooper, Salt Lake City; Max B. Crandall, Salt Lake City; Dean William Criddle. Clearfield, Utah; LaMont Heaton,
452
Moccasin, Arizona; LeRoy Junior Longenbohn, Grace, Idaho; Victor Eugene Steimle, West Los Angeles. California; Elmer LaVar Sagers, St. John, Utah; Mark Lynn Judy, Pocatello, Idaho.
Western Canadian: Philip Tadje Sonntag, Salt Lake City; Robert Donald Klein, Los Angeles, Califor- nia; Mills McClellan Johnson, Barnwell, Alta., Can- ada; Garth Edward Pehrson, Provo, Utah; Dale Richard Stephens, Lynwood, California; Kenneth Ros» Tucker, Salt Lake City, Utah.
New Zealand War Chest
"M"ew Zealand Saints raised $110,000 * ^ for their nation's war fund at their four-day annual hui tan (conference) held at Hastings, New Zealand, last Easter. Two thousand Maoris from all parts of New Zealand attended.
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA
News From The Camps
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Somewhere in Italy
As I arose at five-thirty and com- •*"*■ menced preparations for the Easter Sunrise Service, it seemed just like an- other day in the army. But in a few minutes the camp commenced taking on a little life. Over the loud speaking sys- tem came a conglomeration of phrases, "Time to get up — French toast for breakfast — Get out of those 'sacs' — Come on let's go." The wheels of the heavy trucks could be heard bumping along the dirt road as they sped the mechanics down to the line. Soon I could hear the roar of the airplane en- gines as they resounded throughout the early morning air, and I could almost feel the vibration which was caused by such a tremendous concentration of horsepower. Except for the lighted mess halls, most of the tents remained en- veloped in darkness as the occupants clung covetously to those precious last winks of sleep.
As I carried the songbooks to the se- lected meeting spot, and the organ and pulpit were arranged in their proper places I was conscious more than ever of this terrible conflict in which we were engaged and aware of the hate and greed it expressed and the suffering and death which it brought.
The meeting was being held in a field directly in front of the officer's mess, fresh spring grass being our carpet and the clouded sky our roof. The fellows drifted towards the appointed spot, and at three minutes to seven I commenced the prelude and the chaplain and the "eight-voiced choir" took their places. The sincere prayer and inspired singing seemed to build towards that sublime moment when from the scriptures was read, "He is not here: for he is risen." The service was short, but the spirit which ensued from those few minutes
spent in worship was to have a lasting effect, not only upon me, but upon all of those in attendance.
The dull gray clouds were still above us: the roar of the airplane engines still audible: our daily routine still ahead of us: a job still to be done. However, our perspective had changed, our vision been enlarged. I was able to see beyond my thoughts of a few minutes ago and realize that death was not final. All around us in nature could be seen evi- dences of hope, faith, and a new life — the green grass, the budding trees, the young colts grazing in a nearby field.
Thus thousands of miles from our loved ones, without the grandeur and splendor of our gothic temples, an Eas- ter service in far away Italy had en- tered into our thoughts and touched our lives as never before, for we felt the real significance of what had occurred when the angel said unto them, "He is risen."
Sgt. George I. Cannon
'"Phis was written one night while A Keith was on guard duty in the mountains of Washington. He is an M Man of Compton Center Ward, Long Beach Stake.
A SILHOUETTE AT NIGHT
By Keith Wardell
A silhouette at night, when All the stars are twinkling bright. I see the mountains towering high Like rugged sentinels against the sky. They seem a constant vigil to keep, While all the world is deep in sleep. I see the towering peaks above Like symbols of untarnished love. So looking forth on every hand I gaze upon this wonder land: And wonder how, or when, or where "God found time to put them there."
THE "EIGHT VOICED CHOIR" SINGING GATES' "THE LORD'S PRAYER" AT THE SUNRISE EASTER SERVICE, APRIL 9, 1944, SOMEWHERE IN ITALY
Reading from left to right: Chaplain Frank Robinson, Jr., St. Petersburg, Fla.; Sgt. George I. Cannon, Salt Lake City, Utah (organist); Pvt. Wayne C. Christensen, Rapid City, So. Dak.; S/Sgt. Wm. H. Greer, Muskogee, Oklahoma; S/Sgt. Richard L. Hunter, Farmersburg, Ind.; Capt. John D. Sandifer, Sequin, Texas; Sgt. Gerald R. Hunter, Farmersburg, Ind.; S/Sgt. Verner L. Hunter, Farmersburg, Ind.; Corp. Stuart E. Ballard, Detroit, Michigan.
JULY, 1944
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Worship in Song
By A/ejcander Schteinev
Tabernacle Organist, and Member,
Church Music Committee
{"Congregational singing is a mode of ^ worship. The importance of this mode of worship looms very large to the ordinary member of the congrega- tion. To strangers and visitors the act of singing together with the faithful may easily be the most effective part of the service. The emotions are aroused, hearts are touched, and courage re- newed by the singing of Church hymns.
Singing with the congregation is an important way of worshiping. It is the only opportunity allowed the congrega- tion of actively participating in the worshiping service. Therefore we mu- sicians must do all we can to make con- gregational singing an inspiring, devo- tional, and enjoyable part of the serv- ice. How can this be done? Let us consider only three items. The reader may be able to add others.
First, let us differentiate clearly be- tween a recreational type of song lead- ing, and the devotional way of song leading. The former is suitable when a group sings for amusement. Here the eyes of the director will sparkle, he will exercise his personality, and attract the utmost attention of the singers to him- self. The director will do some con- siderable talking to cajole and entertain his singers. But all of this technique is out of place when a group of people have met to worship on Sunday morn- ing or Sunday evening. Here the people have met to worship and pay their de- votions to the Most High. The best di- rectors will say little or nothing. They will not ask for the attention of the sing- ers, because these singers will give their hearts and attention to the sense of the hymn through which they are worship- ing. When the congregation addresses itself to Deity by singing "O My Fa- ther, Thou that Dwellest," or "Redeem- er of Israel, Our Only Delight," or
"Great God, Attend While Zion Sings," or "Sweet is the Work, My God, My King," then the director will do well to conduct modestly, so that his actions will not interrupt the prayerful devo- tions of the worshiping singers. The best of congregational singing by the righteous is a prayer unto the Lord. It seems clear that recreational directing is suitable only in recreational gather- ings, and that in a worshiping assembly we must allow our singers to worship.
Let us consider a second thought. Americans do not like dictators, either political or musical. A good chorister will lead gently, like a shepherd. He will never use any kind of compulsion or force, and he will never ask that the congregation sing faster. This simply is not done by the best directors. He will merely need to keep his beat just a little, a very little, ahead of the singers, lest the hymn slow down too much.
Dr. Hamilton C. Macdougall of Wellesley College, a national authori- ty, writes:
It is not uncommon for an organist (or chorister) to nag and drive the congrega- tion. Is not that a most mischievous notion, destructive of good hymn singing? For this reason I find myself often unable to sing the hymn-tunes in church. When I was young, I had the idea that singing the hymns was a musical performance. But now when I be- lieve I have more sense, I am strongly of the opinion that hymn singing is primarily a mode and part of worship.
Our best professional directors, when they lead a congregation in hymns, merely lead gently along, according to the teachings of the Good Shepherd, whose example we are all trying to fol- low.
Third, we still need to give some care to the selection of songs. Our Deseret Sunday School Songs contain many songs intended primarily for children. Such songs are less useful in adult Sun- day Schools and services. "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things." (I Cor. 13:11.)
As an example, it would seem clear that adults will draw more spiritual strength from "O Thou Kind and Gra- cious Father," than from the children's song, "The Opening Buds of Spring- time."
Sometimes leaders choose songs for a rousing response, avoiding those of spiritual power. There are many peo- ple who will agree that that which (Concluded on page 457)
Tropic Ward Choir
"Dishop J. Orval Christensen of the Tropic Ward, sends us the follow- ing information concerning his ward's progressive choir:
After hearing Bishop LeGrand Richards say in the semi-annual conference in Oc- tober that he desired every ward to have 25% or more of their ward out to sacra- ment meeting, our bishopric decided that a well-organized choir with much to do would be one of several ways we might adopt to reach this goal. Thus, thirty ward mem- bers were called by the bishop, as a mission- ary would be called, for a period of one year. Twenty-five of this number, over 75%, have been in attendance at choir prac- tices, sacrament meetings, and other planned programs which we set as the minimum re- quirements to obtain the Choir Service Award for 1943.
The choir sang for all sacrament meetings, with over 85% average attendance. They sang for all funerals, for all missionary fare- wells and parties, and also took three com- plete programs to neighboring wards. Four complete sacrament meetings in this ward were under their direction: one being the life of Joseph Smith in song and music; one, the life of Christ in song and music; one, the early history of the Church and the west- ern journey into Utah; and one, the music of our early Church writers. At Christmas time they presented a Christmas pageant. They also furnished all the music for one stake