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T^llmprouementEra 


"STEADY"  LECTURES 
THE  LADIES 

(and  do  they  love  if!) 


TODAY!   STEADY    FLA^ 

"NEW  FREEDOM  FOR  HOMEMAKERS' 


Imagine!  ...  a 
flame,  talking! 


One  of  those 
cute  little  elves. 
What  fun! 


. .  .  like  all  New  Freedom  gas  kitchens,  it  is  designed 
for  assembly-line  food  preparation,  saving  you  count- 
less steps.  •  COOKING  is  automatic,  with  self-lighting 
burners,  oven  heat-control  and  a  time-clock  that  turns 
the  oven  on  and  off  while  you're  away.  Nothing 
equals  the  modern  GAS  range  for  flexibility,  speed, 
economy.  That's  why  so  many  homes  in  this 
area    use    GAS    for    cooking.     •     REFRIGERATION    is 


SILENT  with   GAS.   No   moving    parts  to   get  out  of 
order  or  make  a  noise.  •  HOT  WATER  SERVICE,  with 
an  automatic  GAS  water  heater,  is  absolutely 
dependable  and  costs  so  little,  you  need  never  skimp 
on  hot  water  needs.  *  In 
YOUR  new  or  remodeled 
home,  have  a  MODERN 
kitchen  .  .  .  GAS-equipped. 


MOUNTAIN   FUEL   SUPPLY   COMPANY 

Serving  Twenty-six  Utah  and  Wyoming  Communities 


By  DR.  FRANKLIN  S.  HARRIS,  JR. 

C  ixty-nine  words  are  used  for  half  of 
.  all  the  words  used  in  speech  and 
writing,  according  to  Godfrey  Dewey. 
Such  words  as:  the,  of,  and,  to,  a,  in, 
that,  it,  is,  and  sixty  others  are  used 
over  and  over. 
4- 


rpHE  famous  "Blue  Boy"  by  Gains- 
"■  borough  in  the  Huntington  collec- 
tion in  California  has  been  discovered, 
by  Roman  C.  Diorio,  to  have  another 
painting  underneath  on  the  same  can- 
vas. 


""pHE  irrigated  area  of  India  is  three 
"~    times  as  great  as  the  land  under  ir- 
rigation in  the  United  States. 

i 

TLTope  for  sufferers  from  hay  fever, 
*•  ■*"  asthma,  migraine,  and  other  allergic 
conditions  has  been  given  by  the  an- 
nouncement of  a  new  successful  chemi- 
cal treatment.  Dr.  W.  Merritt  Ketcham 
used  ethylene  disulf onate  in  from  one  to 
six  injections  which  removed  most  or 
all  of  the  patient's  symptoms  for  six  to 
eighteen  months. 

4 ; 

|~*\ouble  beds  can  now  accommodate 
the  different  needs  and  tastes  of  the 
two  sleepers  with  a  new  dual-control 
automatic  electric  blanket.  The  two 
halves  of  the  blanket  are  wired  sepa- 
rately and  can  be  set  at  different  tem- 
peratures to  keep  both  sleepers  com- 
fortable. 


J  - "  * 


A  new  phosphorescent  plastic  which 
*^*  stores  enough  daylight  to  keep 
luminous  for  six  to  eight  hours  after 
dark  will  be  useful  for  house  numbers, 
street  markers,  automobile  dashboards, 
handrails,  and  marking  dials. 

-♦ ■ 

rTto  withstand  Siberian  winters  a  spe- 

*  cial  apple  tree  has  been  developed 
which  creeps  horizontally  along  the 
ground  instead  of  growing  vertically. 
This  tree  is  completely  covered  by  snow 
in  the  winter  and  may  be  covered  with 
straw  and  fir  branches  under  the  snow. 
The  Kiziurin  creeping  apples  produce 
over  one  hundred  fifty  pounds  of  fruit 
a  tree. 


A  study  in  England  of  bats  from  the 
^~  point  of  view  of  direction  finding 
and  estimating  distances  from  exper- 
ience with  radar  has  found  that  a  bat 
can  ordinarily  estimate  a  distance  to 
an  accuracy  of  about  two  feet,  by  send- 
ing out  a  note  lasting  a  hundredth  of  a 
second.  It  is  not  impossible  that  they 
can  estimate  distance  to  about  six  inches 
if  the  duration  of  the  note  is  only  a 
thousandth  of  a  second. 

SEPTEMBER  1946 


* 


Lucky  bees .  .  .  that  gather  their  honey  from  the 
sweet  Chapparal  that  grows  high  in  the  Rockies. 
And  lucky  kids . . .  to  have  nourishing  Graham 
Crackers  in  their  luncheons  made  with  such 
distinctive  sweetening. 

Write  for  your  FREE  copy  of 
CARTOON  COOKERY- packed 
with  smart  new  recipes. 


GRHHRM 


PURITY 


M^lfjssstr^ 


DURKEE'S 


fatuitte,   MAYONNAISE 


Smooth,  delicious  Durkee's  Mayonnaise  is 
the  perfect  touch  for  finer  salads.  Gives  sand- 
wiches new  flavor,  too. ..because  this  flavorful 
mayonnaise  is  made  with  fresh  eggs.  You'll 
really  enjoy  Durkee's  Mayonnaise. 


,Ts  Tut 


'Recede 

Arrange  slices  of  avocado 
and  orange  sections  al- 
ternately on  crisp  salad 
greens.Serve  with  a  dress- 
ing made  by  blending  J^ 
cup  Durkee's  Genuine 
Mayonnaise  with  lA  cup 
orange  juice  and  %  tea- 
spoon sugar. 


545 


^Jke   L^c 


over 


The  September 
cover  to  which 
special  attention  is  di- 
rected, shows  Presi- 
dent George  Albert 
Smith  viewing  the  sac- 
red Aztec  calendar 
stone  in  Mexico  City 
on  a  recent  visit.  (See 
Father  Lehi's  Children, 
page  556.)  Similar  in 
many  ways  to  the 
more  widely-known 
Mayan  calendar  stone, 
the  Aztec  time  counter 
is  set  up  in  two  sec- 
tions. The  first  repre- 
sents the  religious  or 
ritualistic  dates  and  in- 
cludes what  one  writer 
calls  "the  core  of  the 
Aztec  religious  sy- 
stem"; the  second  con- 
tains a  solar  calendar 
divided  into  eighteen 
months  of  twenty  days 
each  with  a  five-day 
"unlucky"  period  in- 
terpolated. 

In  its  religious  as- 
pects the  calendar 
shows  a  marked  de- 
parture from  the  earli- 
est religion  of  the 
Aztecs,  reflecting  a 
belief,  and  dating  rit- 
uals based  upon  the 
worship  of  numerous 
gods  and  idols. 

The  solar  calendar 
is  based  upon  agricul- 
ture, the  names  of  the 
months  being  related 
to  crops.  This  calen- 
dar evidently  had  a 
more  or  less  accurate 
astronomical  basis,  the 
planet  Venus  being 
used  as  the  central 
point.  The  day  and 
month  names  and  fig- 
ures are  combined  in  a 
manner  which  pre- 
vents confusion  or 
duplication. 

* 

Editors 

George  Albert  Smith 
John  A.  Widtsoe 

Managing  Editor 

Richard  L.  Evans 

Associate  Editor: 

Marba  C.  Josephson 

General  Manager 

George  Q.  Morris 

Associate  Manager 

Lucy  G.  Cannon 

Business  Manager 

John  D.  Giles 

Editorial  Associates 

Elizabeth  J.  Moffitt 
Albert  LZobellJr. 
Harold  Lundstrom 


°rhe 


Qmprweraart 


SEPTEMBER    1946 


VOLUME  49,  NO.  9 


"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 


Uke  (Ldltor'd  f^a 


e 


f 

"Speak  Up" George  Albert  Smith  555 

L^Lurch,  creatures 

Father  Lehi's  Children John  D.  Giles  556 

A  Challenge  to  Youth Harold  B.  Lee  560 

A  Promise  and  Its  Fulfilment . Frank  Y.  Taylor  567 

Yesterday  and  Today Paul  Langheinrich  569 

Evidences  and  Reconciliations:  CVIII — Was  Joseph  Smith 

Honest  in  Business? John  A.  Widtsoe  577 


Romance  of  the  Third  Edition 
of  the  Book  of  Mormon,  Al- 
bert L.  Zobell,  Jr 548 

One  Man's  Life,  Clifford  Elijah 
Garrett  550 

The  Church  Moves  On 574 


Priesthood:    Melchizedek 586 

No-Liquor-Tobacco  Column....587 

Aaronic 588 

Ward  Teaching _.. 589 

Genealogy   590 

See  also  page 547 

Field  Photos _ 608 


Special  ^jreat 


eamrei 

Don't  Fence  Me  In Marvin  O.  Ashton  562 

Our  Members  in  the  Russian  Zone Arthur  Gaeth  566 

An  Escape  from  Death Melden  J.  Smith  568 

The  Spoken  Word  from  Temple  Square... Richard  L.  Evans  570 

Exploring  the  Universe,  Frank- 
lin S.  Harris,  Jr 545 


Patterns  of  Progress,  Fredrick 
C.  Wolters,  Jr 550 

Skull  Deformation  among  An- 
cient Americans,  Charles  E. 
Dibble 552 

These  Times,  G.  Homer  Dur- 
ham  554 

Homing:  Let's  Have  More 
Music  in  Our  Homes, 
Alice  M.  Read 578 


Cook's  Corner,  Josephine  B. 

Nichols  579 

Handy  Hints  580 

Another  Side  to  Tolerance, 
Bernice  Burton  Holmes.... 582 

"Beauty  Food  Is  Duty 
Food,"  Dora  Loues  Mil- 
ler   :. 584 

On  the  Bookrack 592 

Your  Page  and  Ours 608 


C^ditorlali 


The  1946-47  M.  I.  A.  Theme Richard  L,  Evans  576 

"It  Matters  Forever" Marba  C.  Josephson  576 


Stories,  f-^oeh 


y 


Ruler  of  the  Crags Hubert  Evans  564 

Checking  Up Gilbert  Andrews  572 

Indian  Summer,  Sytha  Johnson  Poetry  Page 573 

546      You,  Elaine  V.  Emans 580 

Frontispiece:        Grandmother,  Song  For  a  Day,  Catherine  E. 

Gertrude  L.  Belser 553  Berry 582 


Jrndi 


tan 


vjfc 


ummer 


By  Sytha  Johnson 

OAK  leaf  and 
sumach, 

Creeper    flaming    still, 

Autumn's  conflagra- 
tion 

Burning  on  the  hill! 

Smokes    from   autumn 

fires 

Mountain  tops  enfold; 

Nature  stokes  her 
furnaces 

Against  the  coming 
cold. 


Change  of  Address: 

Fifteen  days'  notice  re- 
quired for  change  of  ad- 
dress. When  ordering  a 
change,  please  include 
stencil  impression  from  a 
recent  issue  of  the  maga- 
zine. Address  changes 
cannot  be  made  unless 
the  old  address  as  well  as 
the  new  one  is  included. 

Executive  and  Editorial 
Offices: 

50  North  Main  Street, 
Salt  Lake  City  1,  Utah. 

Copyright  1946  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  1 103,  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. 

National  Advertising 
Representatives 

Francis  M.  Mayo, 
Salt  Lake  City 

Edward  S.  Townsend, 
San  Francisco  and 
Los  Angeles 

Dougan  and  Bolle, 
Chicago  and 
New  York 

Member,  Audit  Bureau  of 
Circulations 


546 


THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


GENEALOGICAL  GROUPS  ACTIVE 


SPRINGFIELD   BRANCH, 

FLORIDA, 

GENEALOGICAL 

GROUP 


Sponsored  by  the  junior  genealogical  chairman,  Ida  Starling,  thirty-four  members  of  the  Springfield 
Branch,  Florida  District,  arrived  in  Salt  Lake  City,  Saturday,  June  75,  to  perform  baptismal  work  in  the 
temple.    Fifteen  juniors  were  included  in  the  group. 

The  class  chartered  a  bus  and  stopped  at  many  places  of  historical  interest  along  the  way,  including 
the  Nauvoo  jail,  Nauvoo,  Illinois,  and  the  Wonder  Cave  of  Kentucky.  They  returned  by  the  southern 
route,  which  included  a  visit  to  Carlsbad  Caverns  in  New  Mexico  and  reached  home  June  29. 


Ogden  Stake  Monthly 
Temple  Excursions 

"\T7hen  Patriarch  Samuel  Martin  of 
the  Ogden  Stake  was  advised  by 
Salt  Lake  Temple  authorities  to  speed 
up,  if  possible,  the  endowment  work  for 
some  two  hundred  men's  and  two  hun- 
dred women's  names  on  his  genealogi- 
cal lines  that  he  and  his  wife  were  doing 
themselves,  they  took  the  problem  to 
Heber  J.  Heiner,  stake  genealogical 
chairman.  After  discussing  the  matter 
with  Stake  President  Samuel  G.  Dye, 
monthly  excursions  to  the  temple  were 
planned,  with  members  of  the  stake 
presidency,  high  council,  patriarchs, 
high  priests'  presidency,  bishoprics,  and 
their  wives,  invited  to  participate. 

These  group  excursions  were  begun 
in  October  1945  and  continued  through 
June  1946.  Each  month  the  trip  was 
made  by  chartered  bus,  and  sandwiches 


and  song  helped  to  pass  the  miles  en 
route.  Upon  arrival  back  in  Ogden  no 
one  would  ever  leave  the  bus  until  a 
closing  prayer  had  been  offered. 

It  was  difficult  at  first  to  arrange  a 
night  that  would  suit  everyone,  but  as 
the  months  went  by  the  question  was 
not  "Should  we  go?"  but  "When  do  we 
go  to  the  temple?"  The  excursions  have 
brought  the  group  closer  together  than 
they  ever  have  been  in  a  feeling  of 
brotherhood  and  good  will. 

The  temple  work  for  the  two  hun- 
dred male  and  two  hundred  female 
names  belonging  to  Patriarch  Martin 
has  now  been  completed  as  the  result 
of  the  enterprise  of  this  group. 

President  Dye  has  now  been  suc- 
ceeded by  President  Laurence  S.  Bur- 
ton, and  the  new  stake  president  has 
expressed  the  desire  of  seeing  these  tem- 
ple   excursions   continued   indefinitely. 


OGDEN  STAKE 
TEMPLE  GROUP 


-Photograph  by  Hat  Rumel 


U 


T/~ing  of  the  Cowboys"  in  the  Aug- 
ust 1 946  Reader's  Digest  concerns 
"Wild  Horse  Bob"  Crosby  who  has 
been  a  top  flight  rodeo  star  for  twenty- 
six  years,  a  profession  in  which  few 
cowboys  manage  to  stay  at  the  top  for 

SEPTEMBER  1946 


more  than  two  years.  Crosby  has  won 
$150,000  in  prize  money  during  his 
career,  and  is  described  as  having  never 
"chewed  tobacco,  smoked,  drunk  hard 
liquor,  shot  craps  or  cussed.  His  favor- 
ite expletive  is  'Foot,'  uttered  in  a 
protracted  drawl." 


SAN  FRANCISCO 


w 


See 
Raffy 


Fleishhacker 
Zoo 

Over  900 
animals  to 
thrill  you 


(fa  7>0e4t 
PACIFIC 

Once  again  Western 
Pacific  is  featuring  its 
traditional  advantages 
of  courtesy,  service, 
scenery.  Go  West . . . 
WESTERN  PACIFIC  . . . 
the  Short  Route  to  San 
Francisco . . .  the  magic 
city  where  it's  COOL, 
and  a  warm  welcome 
awaits  you. 

For  information  call 
H.  R.  COULAM,  General  Agent 
48  S.  Main  St.,  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah 
Telephone  4-6551 


547 


How  to  Keep 

Younq  Folks 
at  HomCff^ 


A  QUICK  SNACK  with  a  festive 
air  can  be  served  easily  and  eco- 
nomically —  and  the  "gang"  will 
love  it  —  when  you  use  some  of  the 
dainties  quickly  made  with 


KEY 


BONEP    T 

Oft 

SLICED    CHICKE 

No  Work,  no  Waste 
— just  Heat  and  Eat 


en, 


FOR    IMPROMPTU    SNACKS 

Toasted  Sliced  Chicken  Sandwiches 

.  . .  for  variety,  make  open-face  sand- 
wiches and  pour  hot  cheese  sauce  on  top. 

Lynden  Chicken  or  Turkey  a  la  King 

...  on  buttered  toast,  hot  biscuits,  corn 
bread   or  waffles  ...  or   in   patty   shells. 

Chicken   Salad  or  Turkey  Salad  . . . 

Delicious  heaped  in  center  of  molded 
cranberry  jelly  ring. 

Turkey  or  Chicken  Pot  Pie  .  .  .  with 
pastry  or  biscuit  dough  topping.  For 
satisfied  palates,  try  Turkey  or  Chicken 
Souffle  .  .  .  with    creamed    mushrooms. 

Thin  Turkey  or  Chicken  Sandwiches 

...  hit  the  spot  "after  the  show"  or  on 
weekend  get-togethers. 

Party  "Puffs"  ...  filled  with  hot 
creamed  chicken  or  turkey ...  or  with 
chicken  salad  . .  .  for  "at  homes." 


f-90K 


*Oft 


J 


ssapw 

raar  grocers 


"Lynden 
Canning  Kitchen 


R  O  M  A  N  C  E  of  tie  ZJLd  Edition  of 

the  i5ook  of 


Every  Sunday  School  lad  can  recite 
with  some  detail  how  the  Angel 
Moroni  brought  the  plates  to  the 
Prophet  Joseph  Smith,  how  the  Book 
of  Mormon  was  translated,  and  how 
Martin  Harris  gave  $3,000  in  order  that 
the  first  edition  of  five  thousand  copies 
could  be  printed.  But  that  is  only  the 
beginning  of  the  romance  of  getting 
"Mormonism's"  first  and  most  impor- 
tant tract  before  the  peoples  of  the 
world. 

By  1837  all  copies  of  the  first  edition 
were  disposed  of,  and  so  Parley  P. 
Pratt  published  a  second  edition  at 
Kirtland,  Ohio,  in  that  year.  The  sec- 
ond edition  is  said  to  be  more  rare,  and 
hence  more  sought-after  as  a  collector's 
item,  than  the  first. 

During  the  winter  of  1838-39,  the 
Prophet  Joseph  Smith  and  five  com- 
panions had  been  held  in  Liberty  Jail, 
Missouri,     on     trumped-up     charges. 

When  the  supply  of  the  second  edi- 
tion of  the  Book  of  Mormon  became  ex- 
hausted, the  Church  did  not  have  the 
money  to  finance  a  new  edition.  In  May 
1 840,  Ebenezer  Robinson,  a  prominent 
Nauvoo  businessman  and  a  partner  of 
the  Prophet's  brother,  Don  Carlos 
Smith,  was  inspired  to  go  to  the  Proph- 
et and  say:  "Brother  Joseph,  if  you  will 
furnish  two  hundred  dollars,  and  give 
us  the  privilege  of  printing  two  thou- 
sand copies  of  the  Book  of  Mormon, 
Carlos  and  I  will  get  two  hundred  dol- 
lars more,  and  we  will  get  it  stereo- 
typed, and  give  you  the  plates." 

Joseph  Smith  dropped  his  face  into 
his  hands  for  a  moment  and  then  asked 
Robinson  how  soon  he  wanted  the 
money,  and  two  weeks'  time  was 
agreed  upon. 

Don  Carlos  Smith  and  Ebenezer 
Robinson  made  an  immediate  effort  to 
raise  their  share  of  the  money.  They 
found  a  brother  in  the  Church  who  let 
them  have  one  hundred  twenty  dollars 
until  April  1,  1841,  at  thirty-five  percent 
interest  which  was  to  be  incorporated 
into  the  note,  and  all  to  draw  six  per- 
cent interest,  if  the  note  were  not  paid 
when  due.  A  few  days  later  the  same 
man  gave  them  an  additional  twenty- 
five  dollars  on  the  same  terms. 

Then  Joseph  Smith  came  into  the 
Robinson  and  Smith  printing  office  and 
said:  "Brother  Robinson,  if  you  and 
Carlos  get  the  Book  of  Mormon  stereo- 
typed, you  will  have  to  furnish  the 
money,  as  I  cannot  get  the  two  hundred 
dollars." 

Robinson  replied  that  they  would  do 
it  if  they  could  have  the  privilege  of 
printing   an   edition  of  four  thousand 


ormon 


By  ALBERT   L  ZOBELL,  JR. 


548 


copies.  Although  a  strenuous  effort  was 
made  to  raise  funds  for  the  project,  not 
another  dollar  was  forthcoming  in 
Nauvoo.  Meanwhile  the  one  hundred 
forty-five  dollars  was  a  temptation — 
it  could  have  very  easily  been  used  to 
pay  some  of  Robinson's  and  Smith's 
debts. 

In  June,  Don  Carlos  said:  "Brother 
Robinson,  you  take  some  money  and  go 
to  Cincinnati  and  buy  some  type  and 
some  paper,  which  we  must  have,  to 
continue  publishing  the  Times  and 
Seasons." 

"Yes,  I  will  go,"  Robinson  replied, 
"but  I  will  not  come  home  until  the 
Book  of  Mormon  is  stereotyped." 

The  Prophet  and  Ebenezer  Robinson 
had  taken  copies  of  both  the  Palmyra 
and  the  Kirtland  editions  and  compared 
them,  and  Robinson  started  June  1 8  for 
Cincinnati  with  a  marked  copy  of  the 
book  to  be  given  to  a  printer. 

A  T  Cincinnati,  he  bought  the  supply  of 
paper  that  Don  Carlos  had  wanted 
and  saw  it  safely  on  board  the  river 
steamer.  Then  he  counted  his  money. 
With  the  Spanish  coin  that  he  had  ac- 
cepted in  change,  and  which  would  be 
accepted  anywhere  he  cared  to  spend 
it,  he  had  $105.06J4-  Even  he  doubted 
the  conviction  that  he  had  come  to  Cin- 
cinnati to  get  the  Book  of  Mormon 
printed,  but  he  started  inquiring  for 
stereotypers.  At  the  second  stereotyp- 
ers,  he  entered  and  asked  to  see  Messrs. 
Gleason  or  Shepherd,  who  owned  the 
business. 

Gleason  introduced  himself,  and 
Robinson  said:  "I  have  come  to  get  the 
Book  of  Mormon  stereotyped." 

Shepherd  came  from  the  back  of  the 
shop  and  said:  "When  that  book  is 
stereotyped,  I  am  the  man  to  stereotype 
it."  After  figuring  a  little  he  offered  to 
do  the  job  for  five  hundred  fifty  dollars. 
Robinson  offered  him  one  hundred 
dollars  cash,  with  two  hundred  fifty 
dollars  more  in  three  months,  or  while 
he  was  doing  the  work,  and  the  re- 
maining two  hundred  dollars  within 
three  months  after  the  work  was  com- 
pleted. A  contract  was  immediately 
signed.  Robinson  casually  mentioned 
that  he  needed  a  bookbinder  to  bind 
two   thousand    copies,    and    Shepherd 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


took  him  to  a  friend  of  his  who  offered 
to  bind  the  copies  in  leather  at  twelve 
and  one-half  cents  each.  This  man 
willingly  accepted  Robinson's  terms — 
eighty  dollars  while  doing  the  work, 
and  the  remainder  within  six  weeks  of 
completion. 

Paper  was  the  next  problem,  and 
again  Shepherd  had  a  friend.  A  deal 
was  made  for  about  two  hundred  fifty 
dollars'  worth  of  paper,  and  a  contract, 
similar  to  the  other  two,  was  suggested. 
The  paper  dealer  said:  "Mr.  Robinson, 
you  are  a  stranger  here,  and  it  is  cus- 
tomary to  have  city  references  in  such 
cases."  Shepherd  calmly  replied:  "I  am 
Mr.  Robinson's  backer,  sir."  He  re- 
ceived the  paper. 

Robinson  used  the  five  dollars  to  en- 
gage board  and  room  and  had  the 
Spanish  six-pence  left.  He  advised 
Don  Carlos,  by  letter,  of  what  had  been 
done.  A  campaign  was  started  in  the 
Times  and  Seasons  for  money.  A  book 
was  offered  for  every  dollar  sent  to 
Robinson  while  he  was  in  Cincinnati. 
One  hundred  twenty  books  were  of- 
fered for  every  one  hundred  dollars 
received  by  September  1.  When  the 
books  were  available  on  November  1, 
1 810,  they  were  advertised  at  one  dol- 
lar and  twenty-five  cents  retail,  one 
dollar  wholesale,  and  "Extra  binding 
pocketbook  fashion  for  the  conven- 
ience of  traveling  elders,  one  dollar  and 
fifty  cents." 

Robinson  had  gone  to  work  for 
Shepherd,  helping  set  the  type  and 
proofreading,  for  which  he  received 
twenty-five  cents  an  hour.  The  first 
money  he  received  was  a  twenty  dollar 
bill  from  Nauvoo,  payable  on  an  In- 
diana bank.  That  bank  was  in  good 
condition,  having  survived  the  panic  of 
1837,  and  he  found  the  bill  was  actual- 
ly worth  twenty-two  dollars  and  sixty 
cents.  His  own  brother  and  a  convert 
of  1836,  sent  him  ninety-six  dollars, 
which  was  cashed  at  the  same  thirteen 
percent  markup.  A  convert  he  had 
never  seen  sent  him  one  hundred  dol- 
lars, which  he  later  repaid.  All  in  all, 
he  paid  Shepherd  all  his  money  before 
it  was  due  and  had  given  the  binder 
eighty  dollars  before  he  had  done  any 
of  the  work.  All  the  books  that  were 
pre-sold  were  delivered,  and  he  re- 
turned to  Nauvoo  early  in  October 
with  about  one  thousand  copies. 

*Tthe  following  year  Robinson  went 
again  to  Cincinnati  to  see  Mr. 
Shepherd.  "Mr.  Robinson,"  said  the 
friend,  "do  you  want  to  know  what 
made  me  do  as  I  did  when  you  came 
here  last  summer?  It  was  no  business 
way;  it  was  not  what  I  saw  in  you, 
but,"  Shepherd  pointed  to  his  heart, 
"it  was  what  I  felt  here." 

( Concluded  on  page  594 ) 
SEPTEMBER  1946 


Today  your  baby's  tiny  hands  reach  out  to  you.  His  eyes  follow  you 
across  the  room.  He  knows  that  when  he's  hungry  you  will  feed 
him.  He  feels  secure  .  .  .  because  of  you. 

Not  many  years  from  now,  he  will  be  grown;  ready  to  take 
his  place  in  the  world.  Then,  too,  he  can  feel  more  secure  because 
of  you  —  because  of  the  glowing  strength  that  you  can  begin  to 
help  him  build  today. 

One  of  the  ways  to  give  your  child  the  kind  of  security  that 
comes  from  vigorous  health  is  to  see  that  he  gets  now  the  very  best 
possible  milk  —  particularly  milk  containing  the  vitamin  D  he 
needs.  It's  the  combination  of  Vitamin  D  and  the  minerals  of  milk 
that  help  a  baby  to  build  a  well-developed  body,  sound  teeth,  and 
bones  that  are  straight  and  strong. 

For  years,  doctors  have  recommended  Sego  Milk  for  babies  — 
because  it  is  uniformly  rich  in  the  food  substances  of  whole  milk, 
because  it  is  easy  for  babies  to  digest,  because  it's  as  safe  in  its  sealed 
container  as  if  there  were  no  germ  of  disease  in  the  world,  and  be- 
cause it  was  fortified  with  extra  vitamin  D. 

Potent  reasons  those.  But  there's  one  more.  Now  this  extra- 
ordinary form  of  milk  is  fortified  with  a  new,  pure  form  of  vitamin 
D — the  very  same  kind  of  vitamin  D  that  bright  sunshine  would 
provide  for  babies  and  children  if  they  could  get  enough  sunshine. 

Sego  Milk  is  the  only  evaporated  milk  fortified  with  this  newest 
form  of  vitamin  D.    Ask  your  doctor  about  it. 


This  seal  guarantees  that  all  statements  made  here  have  been 
accepted  as  true  by  the  Council  on  Foods  and  Nutrition  of  the 
American  Medical  Association. 


This  seal  certifies  that  the  Wisconsin  Alumni  Research  Foun- 
dation makes  periodic  tests  to  determine  that  Sego  Milk  diluted 
with  an  equal  amount  of  water  always  gives  you  400  units  of 
vitamin  D  per  quart. 


SEGO  MILK  PRODUCTS  COMPANY 

Originator  of  Evaporated  Milk  in  the  Intermountain  West 

Plants  in  Richmond,  Utah;  Preston  and  Buhl,  Idaho 


549 


SHARE  A  MEAL 
EVERY  DAY 


Once  again  free  people  are 
called  on  to  help  in  the  name  of 
humanity.  500  million  persons 
are  hungry — pathetically  under- 
nourished. Millions  will  die  of 
starvation  unless  we  pitch  in 
QUICKLY,  and  rush  more  food 
abroad. 

3  Ways  to  Share  a 

Meal — and  Save  a 

Life! 

1.  Share  wheat  and  fat 
products. 

2.  Buy  and  serve  more 
plentiful  foods. 

3.  Waste  NO  food. 

We  of  the  Hotel  Utah  are  do- 
ing our  best  in  this  food  conser- 
vation program,  and  we  appre- 
ciate deeply  your  understanding 
and  cooperation. 


ONE  MAN'S  LIFE 

&   LsUttord  (Lilian   (jarrett 

HE  was  born  in  an  obscure  Vermont 
village,  the  son  of  farmer  parents. 
He  worked  as  a  farm  hand  until 
he  became  an  itinerant  missionary.  He 
was  never  schooled.  He  translated  the 
Book  of  Mormon.  He  ran  for  the  Presi- 
dency of  the  United  States.  He  reared 
a  family,  had  a  home,  and  happiness. 
He  never  traveled  fifteen  hundred  miles 
from  the  place  of  his  birth.  He  built  a 
city — Nauvoo  the  Beautiful — larger 
than  Chicago  at  that  date.  He  was  a 
humble  man.  He  had  no  credentials  but 
the  testimony  of  his  vision  when  four- 
teen years  of  age.  He  realized  all 
creeds  could  not  be  right.  He  said  in 
answer  to  his  prayer  he  had  seen  the 
Father  and  Son.  He  received  revela- 
tions of  divine  import.  He  established 
the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter- 
day  Saints.  He  built  temples  to  the  God 
of  Israel.  He  sent  missionaries  even  to 
foreign  lands. 

While  still  in  the  strength  of  young 
manhood,  he  was  spat  upon,  even  tarred 
and  feathered  in  the  night.  He  saw 
converts  become  apostates.  He  went  to 


jail  like  a  common  felon.  He  was  be- 
trayed by  a  governor  of  a  state.  He  saw 
his  trial  become  a  mockery  by  exhibit- 
ing him  as  "The  Mormon  Prophet."  He 
was  murdered  in  Carthage  jail  with  his 
devoted  brother.  His  executioners  had 
gambled  to  take  from  him  the  only 
things  he  held  dear  on  earth — the  com- 
panionship of  his  family  and  the  good 
will  of  his  fellow  men.  His  murderers 
fled  in  fear.  His  body  was  taken  to  a 
hotel  through  the  pity  of  a  stranger.  He 
was  laid  at  night  in  a  secret  grave  in  his 
city.  His  testimony  did  not  die  with 
him: 

Persecutions  may  rage,  mobs  may 
combine,  armies  may  assemble,  calumny 
may  defame,  but  the  truth  of  God  will 
go  forth  boldly,  nobly,  and  independ- 
ently, till  it  has  penetrated  every  con- 
tinent, visited  every  clime,  swept  every 
country  and  sounded  in  every  ear,  till 
the  purposes  of  God  shall  be  accom- 
plished. 

In  One  Man's  Life  we  read  of  Joseph 
Smith,  who  proclaimed  a  message  neith- 
er Catholic  nor  Protestant,  as  it  came 
from  neither,  but  built  on  latter-day 
revelation.  He  has  done  more  for  man- 
kind, save  Christ  only,  than  any  man 
who  ever  lived. 


FXe&RKK  C. 


OPJP/AJ  POPT£% 

'POC/i'WZLL, 

PICTURESQUE  PIONEER, 

AS  A   60V,  PICKED 

BERRIES    BV 
MOON  LIGHT    FOR 
§AL£  THE  NEXT  DAY, 
TO   HELP   JOSEPH 
SMITH    r»U5USH  THE 
fook  of  Mfot&f^ 


T)otiM$ 


Bsri 


WAS   THfa  "tOG  CI** 

car  m£&*^ 


IB' 


fB4-7 


Ct)OLT€^J 


550 


THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


^ 


Interesting,  Inspiring  and 
Faith-Promoting  Books 

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RANDUM OF  BOOKS  YOU  WANT.  TO  ORDER  BY  MAIL,  CHECK  THE 
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LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  F.  SMITH 

Sixth  President  of  the  Church.  An  inspiring, 
faith-sustaining  biography  .  .  .  the  absorbing 
story   of  a  great   leader. 

By  Joseph  Fielding  Smith 

YOUTH  AND  THE  CHURCH 

A  new,  searching,  forthright  discussion  of  the 
problems  of  modern  youth.  By  Harold  B.  Lee 

AN  UNDERSTANDABLE  RELIGION 

Concise,  thorough  discussion  of  the  universal 
concepts  of  L.D.S.  doctrinal  views  of  religion. 
Selected  from  the  radio  series  of  talks 

By  John  A.  Widtsoe 

THREE  MORMON  CLASSICS 

Three  long-time  favorites  from  George  Q.  Can- 
non's Faith-Promoting  Series  of  nearly  70  years 
ago.  Compiled  by  Preston  Nibley 

PROGRAM  OF  THE  CHURCH 

A  survey  of  faith  and  practice  of  the  Church  for 
students,  missionaries  and  general   readers.  fl!!    Cft 

By  John  A.  Widtsoe      **-*»« 

THE  PROGRESS  OF  MAN 

Full  outline  of  the  struggles  of  mankind  through 
eras  of  progress  and  retrogression  from  ancient 
to  modern  days.  By  Joseph  Fielding  Smith 

PRESIDENTS  OF  THE  CHURCH 

Brief  but  complete  biographies  of  seven  great 
leaders,  from  Joseph  Smith  to  Heber  J.  Grant. 
For  readers  who  have  no  opportunity  for  exten- 
sive study  or  research.  By  Preston  Nibley 

THE  KEY  TO  THEOLOGY 

Minth  edition  of  a  famous  and  long-popular 
Church  publication.  By  Parley  P.  Pratt 

EVIDENCES  AND  RECONCILIATIONS 

Answers  to  68  pertinent  questions  on  science  and 
religion  asked  by  perplexed  students  of  the 
author   during   his    long   career   as    an    educator.      (PI    QC 

By  John  A.  Widtsoe      *9*-  *OD 

TEACHINGS  OF  JOSEPH  SMITH 

A  selection  of  the  Prophet's  sermons  and  writings 

as  published  or  written  in  the  days  ofhisministry. 

Compiled  by  Joseph  Fielding  Smith 

PRIESTHOOD  AND  CHURCH 
GOVERNMENT 

Written  under  direction  of  the  First  Presidency  as 
the  official  text  and  guide  for  priesthood  quorums. 

By  John  A.  Widtsoe 

A  SKEPTIC  DISCOVERS  MORMONISM 

A.  sincere,  interesting  narrative  of  the  discoveries 

and  conversion  of  a  man  who  lived  among  L.D.S.      fljl    Cn 

people  on  a  Nevada  oasis.       By  Timberline  Biggs      ipl.wU 

ADDED  UPON 

Thirteenth  edition  of  a  famous  story,  beloved  of 
Latter-day   Saints   for  nearly   50   years. 

By  Nephi  Anderson 


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CONCORDANCE  TO  THE  DOCTRINE 
AND  COVENANTS 

— the  work  of  60  years  of  painstaking,  faithful 
compilation.  Should  be  owned  by  everyone  who 
studies,  writes  or  speaks  on  gospel  subjects.  ©O  flfi 

By  John  V.  Bluth      ipdAJU 

THE  RESTORATION  OF  ALL  THINGS" 

From   the   series  of   radio   talks    on   fundamentals^^* 
of  the  gospel.  fljl    "7C 

By  Joseph  Fielding  Smith      *9 * -*  ** 

THE  HOLY  GHOST 

A  scholarly  treatise  on  the  nature  and  personality 
of  the  Holy  Ghost — the  Holy  Spirit — director  of 
affairs  of  the  Church  on  earth.  $0  f\n 

By  Oscar  W.  McConkie      »P*.UU 

THE  WAY  TO  PERFECTION 

Fifth  edition.  Over  350  pages  of  brief  discourses 
on  gospel  themes,  dedicated  to  all  interested  in 
redemption  of  the  living  and  the  dead.  Ql    en 

By  Joseph  Fielding  Smith      «pl  .OU 

HISTORY  OF  JOSEPH  SMITH   BY  HIS 
MOTHER 

Originally    dictated   by   the    Prophet's    mother    in 

1845.     One  of  the  most  interesting  and  important 

stories    ever    written    of    the    early    days    of    the       <PO  Cfl 

Church.  Edited  by  Preston  Nibley      »P^.OU 

HANDBOOK  OF  THE  RESTORATION 

Complete  compilation  of  gospel  themes  discussed 

by  many  authors,  with  many  items  of  vital  inter-       CJO  Cfl 

est  to  students.    Numerous  illustrations.  hJZi.OU 

SIGNS  OF  THE  TIMES 

A  series  of  talks  sponsored  by  sisters  of  the  Lion 
House  Social  Center.  Six  discussions  of  predic- 
tions by  the  seers  and  Iheir  fulfilment  in  our  day.       <M    OC 

By  Joseph  Fielding  Smith      N>l.£iJ 

FUNDAMENTALS  OF  RELIGION 

Clear  forceful  presentations  of  basic  principles  of 
the  gospel.     Seventeen  inspiring  radio  talks.  tfl    Cfl 

By  Charles  A.  Callis      M>1.0U 

A  STORY  TO  TELL 

Interesting,    entertaining    and    character-building 

stories  for  children  of  all  ages.     Selected  by  the 

boards  of  the  Primary  Association  and  the  Deseret      <PQ  flfi 

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BEN  THE  WAGON   BOY 

Delightful  story  of  a  boy  who  traveled  with  the 

pioneers  from  Ohio  to  Nauvoo  to  Iowa,  Utah  and      fljl    Cfl 

California.  By  Howard  R.  Driggs      H>1-JU 

FROM  BABEL  TO  CUMORAH 

Third  edition.  Story  of  the  migration  of  the 
Jaredites  and  Nephites  to  the  new  world  and  to 
final  destruction  at  Cumorah. 

By  J.  A.  and  J.  N.  Washburn 


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44  East   South   Temple   St.  P.  O.  Box  958  Salt  Lake  City  10,  Utah 

Enclosed  is  $ Send :. copies  oi  each  title  as  checked  above. 

Name _ Address 

SEPTEMBER  1946 


551 


"What's  new  in  Bathrooms  ? 


The  modern  bathroom  offers  three-way 
privacy  in  compartments  for  (1)  wash 
basin,  (2)  bath,  and  (3)  toilet. 


© 


This  newly  designed  wash 
basin  has  — 

[~1  Foot  pedal  water  control 
□  Fur-lined  soap  dishes 
I    |  Built-in  tooth  brushes 


Both  the  flow  and  temperature  of  water  is 
regulated  by  an  efficient  new  foot  pedal 
control — like  surgeons  use.  An  efficient, 
sanitary  way  to  clean  the  wash  basin  is 
with  Hexol  disinfectant.  A  few  drops  on  a 
cloth  will  whisk  away  dirt  film — brighten 
the  basin  in  a  jiffy.  And  fresh-smelling 
Hexol  does  both  bathroom  jobs — fights 
germs  and  cleans. 


© 


This  bathroom  corner 
features  — 

O  A  three-speed  floor  lamp 
l~l  A  leather  foot  rest 
O  A  recessed  book  shelf 

Neat  storage  space  for  books  and  maga- 
zines is  found  in  this  handy,  recessed  book 
shelf.  Keep  a  bottle  of  Hexol  handy,  too, 
for  deodorizing  the  toilet  bowl.  Just  pour 
a  few  drops  in  the  bowl,  let  it  stand  a  few 
seconds,  then  flush — clean,  sanitary,  fresh. 
(You'll  find  many  leading  Pacific  Coast 
hospitals,  physicians  and  nurses  use  and 
recommend  Hexol  cleaner-disinfectant.) 


e 


At  the  foot  of  this  bath  tub 
is  a  convenient- 
ly Dog  house  for  a  water  spaniel 

□  Three-drawer  linen  cabinet 

□  Automatic  back-washer 

Conveniently  located  is  this  three-drawer 
cabinet  for  the  storage  of  linens  and  other 
bathroom  necessities,  like  your  bottle  of 
Hexol.  Hexol,  you  know,  is  the  modem 
cleaner-disinfectant.  Two  tablespoons  add- 
ed to  cleaning  water  leaves  your  bathtub, 
walls,  floors,  and  tiling  so  fresh  and  spark- 
ling clean.  And  because  Hexol  is  non-caus- 
tic, it's  so  easy  on  your  hands. 


GERMICIDE  •  DEODORANT 
DISINFECTANT 

On  Sale  at  All  Drug  Stores 


SKULL  DEFORMATION 


l9 


mencanS 


By  DR.  CHARLES  E.  DIBBLE 


|S>?v     3  **-* 


552 


Because  of  the  softness  and  pliabil- 
ity of  an  infant's  skull,  various 
types  of  head  deformation  occur 
among  the  American  Indians.  Artificial 
head  deformations  are  divisible  into 
unintentional  and  intentional  deforma- 
tions. 

The  general  and  most  widely  distrib- 
uted form  of  unintentional  deformation 
is  the  flattening  of  the  back  of  the  head, 
resulting  from  the  prolonged  contact 
of  the  infant's  head  with  the  hard 
cradleboard.  This  unintentional  com- 
pression was  widely  distributed  in  the 
United  States  and  was  found  with  great 
frequency  among  the  Pueblo  Indians  of 
the  southwest. 

Heads  were  deformed  intentionally 
in  two  ways — the  flattened  forehead 
and  pressure  with  bandages.  The  flat- 
tened forehead  was  usually  acquired  by 
pressing  and  binding  a  board  over  the 
infant's  forehead  or  thrusting  the  baby's 
(Concluded  on  page  584) 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


—Photograph  bg  George  Bergstrom 


(3ran6motb 


er 


By  Gertrude  L.  Belser 


G\0 er  low,  sweet  voice  recalls  the  harmonies 
J  c  Of  green  pine  groves  with  shadows  dark  and  cool, 
And  soothing  rest  beside  a  quiet  pool 
She  moves  with  stately  grace  of  swaying  trees; 
Like  flickering  sunshine  on  a  distant  hill 
Her  modest  beauty  smiles,  then  slips  away,— 
As  beauty  of  soft  twilight,  purple-gray, 
Dissolves  in  night  before  we've  looked  our  fill. 
A  courtly  chivalry  surrounds  her  place, 
Remindful  of  the  maids  and  knights  of  old,    - 
Historic  jewels  set  in  heavy  gold, 
And  mignonette  on  faintly  scented  lace. 
Now  fourscore  years  her  gracious  deeds  commend 
And  grateful  throngs  are  proud  to  call  her  friend. 


SEPTEMBER  1946 


553 


Save  it 


with  Soap! 


Lucky  girl  ...  to  start  housekeeping  with  such  a  gorgeous 
table  cover!  You  just  can't  bear  to  think  of  seeing  some- 
thing spilled  on  it,  can  you? 

It's  sure  to  happen,  though,  so  be  careful  that  it's 
always  washed  with  gentle  Fels-Naptha  Soap. 
Remember  that  Fels-Naptha  loosens  dirt  and  stains 
so  that  they  wash  away  easily  and  completely  in 
the  rich  suds  of  mild  Fels-Naptha  Soap. 

Someday,  this  lovely  wedding  gift  should  be  an 
heirloom,  admired  and  treasured  by  your 
children's  children.  Begin  to  save 

its  beauty  right  away — with 

good,  mild  soap — and  that 

means  Fels-Naptha  Soap. 


Fels-Naptha  Soap 


J 


Jimsidu 


By  DR.  G.  HOMER  DURHAM 

Director  of  the  Institute  of  Government, 
University  of  Utah 


TDritish  socialism  and  the  enormous 
expansion  of  Soviet  influence  both 
came  as  a  result  of  the  war.  Indeed, 
some  future  historian  may  write:  "The 
global  conflict  described  as  World  War 
II  really  brought  but  one  significant 
result.  This  was  the  envelopment  of  the 
world's  economic  systems  by  a  rough- 
ly uniform  pattern  of  state  ownership 
and  control.  The  expansion  of  the 
Soviet  Union  and  the  rise  to  power  of 
a  socialist  government  in  Great  Britain 
were  the  initial  guideposts  in  this  trend. 
The  new  technology  occasioned  by  the 
atomic  bomb,  however,  occasioned  the 
same  result  in  subtler  ways." 


"\I7hat  can  be  done  about  the  world- 
wide trend  to  state  socialization? 
It  would  be  folly  to  close  our  eyes  to 
the  facts  and  deny  the  trend's  existence. 
How  can  authority  and  liberty  be 
merged,  combined,  to  satisfy  man's 
yearning  for  security — whether  in  doc- 
trine or  wages;  and  at  the  same  time 
preserve  the  free  agency  of  man  essen- 
tial for  life,  progress,  and  happiness? 


Already  we  have  had  communism, 
fascism,  nazism,  socialism  a  la 
carte,  and  new  deals  as  the  expression 
of  human  responses  to  this  problem.  A 
British  scholar  some  years  ago  sug- 
gested that  the  "social  and  political 
doctrines  of  Continental  Europe  were 
five  in  number:  democracy,  Catholicism, 
communism,  fascism,  and  national  so- 
cialism."^— Michael  Oakeshott,  The 
Social  and  Political  Doctrines  o}  Con- 
tinental Europe,  Cambridge  University 
Press,  Cambridge,  England,  1939;  In- 
troduction, p.  XII. 


BAN/SHES  TATTLE-TALE  GRAY 


554 


/^ertain  things  appear  to  be  true  in 
the  coming  struggle  for  peace  and 
prosperity.  Fascism,  under  that  name, 
is  waning,  but  state  control  of  the  eco- 
nomic order,  anywhere,  is  not.  Com- 
munism is  expanding  and  is  as  suspi- 
cious of  non-communist  countries  as 
ever.  Democratic  capitalism  (imply- 
ing something  much  more  significant 
than  corporate  enterprise  alone)  is 
losing  ground.  Catholicism,  the  other 
active  doctrine  having  significance  in 
terms  of  the  numbers  of  people  in- 
volved, has  no  peculiar  economic  prac- 
(Concluded  on  page  599) 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


~2)peak    Up ! 


By  PRESIDENT  GEORGE  ALBERT  SMITH 


One  of  the  great  and  glorious  blessings  of  our  Father  in  heaven  to  his  children  is  the  power  to 
convey  thoughts  and  ideas  by  means  of  the  spoken  word.  And  in  using  this  gift  and  privi- 
lege, a  speaker  should  endeavor  always  to  be  heard  and  understood  by  all  of  his  listeners. 
The  speaker  always  has  the  burden  of  getting  and  holding  the  attention  of  his  listeners.  Of 
what  use  is  the  spoken  word  if  it  is  not  being  heard  by  the  person  to  whom  it  is  being  addressed? 
If  a  listener  does  not  hear  through  any  cause  or  defect  whatsoever,  it  is  the  speaker's  responsibility 
to  do  his  utmost  to  help  the  listener  hear  what  he  has  to  say.  And  where  a  listener  is  inattentive, 
it  is  often  the  fault  of  the  speaker  rather  than  the  fault  of  the  listener. 

Many  speakers  speak  in  a  low  voice  at  the  beginning  of  their  sentences  and  then  rise  to  a 
crescendo  toward  the  end.  As  a  result,  only  part  of  the  audience  may  hear  the  entire  sentence,  and 
part  may  hear  only  a  portion  of  the  sentence.  Others  speak  loudly  to  begin  with,  but  by  the 
time  they  reach  the  end  of  a  sentence,  their  voices  are  often  lowered  almost  to  a  whisper.  This 
habit  of  raising  and  lowering  the  voice  alternately  makes  it  difficult  for  an  audience  to  follow 
the  speaker.  Then  there  are  speakers  who  neither  raise  nor  lower  their  voices,  but  who  speak  in 
such  a  low  tone  all  the  time  as  to  make  it  almost  impossible  to  be  heard  by  many  of  those  who 
are  sitting  even  reasonably  close;  and  with  such  speakers,  listeners  are  either  on  a  constant 
strain  or  lose  interest  altogether. 

No  speaker  has  the  right  to  waste  or  trifle  away  the  time  of  others  by  speaking  in  such  a 
way  that  he  cannot  possibly  be  heard  by  the  members  of  his  audience.  The  time  of  every  individ- 
ual is  highly  precious,  and  where  several  hundred  people  are  assembled  to  hear  a  message,  and 
the  speaker  does  not  articulate  plainly  or  speak  loudly  enough  to  be  heard  clearly,  much  loss  of 
precious  time  is  involved.  For  example,  if  a  speaker  speaks  for  thirty  minutes  to  an  audience  of 
three  hundred  people,  and  only  about  a  third  of  them  hear  the  whole  of  his  message  while  the  other 
two-thirds  hear  only  fragments,  there  may  have  been  wasted  in  whole  or  in  part  the  time  of  two 
hundred  people,  or  a  total  of  approximately  one  hundred  man-hours  of  time.  Anyone  who  has 
been  honored  by  being  asked  to  address  a  group  of  people,  or  who,  by  reason  of  his  office  or  call- 
ing in  the  Church,  has  that  responsibility,  should  never  be  guilty  of  wasting  the  time  of  the  others 
by  not  speaking  so  that  they  can  hear.  Time  is  far  too  precious  to  be  wasted  in  this  way — so  pre- 
cious, indeed,  that  the  ultimate  salvation  and  the  degree  of  exaltation  of  each  of  us  is  dependent 
upon  the  use  we  make  of  it. 

The  suggestion  to  "speak  up  "  is  not  an  invitation  to  become  bombastic,  but  is  rather  to  be 
considerate  of  one's  audience  in  order  that  they  may  benefit  fully  from  the  message  intended 
for  their  ears.  A  good  rule  for  all  Church  speakers  to  adopt  is  always  to  talk  to  the  person  in 
his  audience  who  is  farthest  from  him.  If  he  will  follow  this  rule,  there  will  arise  no  question  as  to 
whether  all  others  in  the  audience  will  hear  him. 

Every  person,  therefore,  young  or  old,  who  may  be  called  upon  to  speak  or  who  may  volunteer 
to  talk  to  any  gathering  in  the  Church,  whether  large  or  small,  should  speak  up  so  that  every 
member  of  his  audience  may  hear  what  he  is  saying. 

We  of  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-day  Saints  are  charged  with  the  great  responsi- 
bility of  disseminating  the  gospel  message.  Let  us  who  have  this  great  responsibility  never  be 
subject  to  a  charge  of  presenting  it  in  such  a  manner  as  to  open  the  way  for  indifference  toward 
us  or  toward  the  message  we  bear  to  the  world.  May  the  Lord,  who  has  given  us  the  glorious  gift 
and  privilege  of  communicating  with  others,  bless  us  with  the  desire  to  make  ourselves  heard  and 
understood  whenever  it  is  our  responsibility  to  do  so. 


^Jke  (Ldltord  f^aae 


SEPTEMBER  1946  555 


CONGREGATION  ASSEMBLED  TO  HONOR  PRESIDENT  GEORGE  ALBERT  SMITH  ON  HIS  FIRST  VISIT  TO  MEXICO  AS  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  CHURCH 


IN  the  book  of  Genesis  are  found 
both  a  blessing  and  a  prophecy, 
which  should  be  of  particular  in- 
terest to  members  of  the  Church  of 
Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-day  Saints  at 
this  time.  It  reads:  : 

And  the  angel  of  the  Lord  called  unto 

Abraham  out  of  heaven  the  second  time, 

And  said,  By  myself  have  I  sworn,  saith 

the  Lord,  for  because  thou  hast  done  this 

;  thing,  and:  hast  not  withheld  thy  son,  thine 

'only  son:  ;:  ,  .■ •;■ 

That  in  blessing  I  will  bless  thee,  and,  in 

multiplying  I  will  multiply  thy  seed  as  the 

j  stars  of  the  heaven,  and  as  the  sand  which  is 

i  upon    the,  sea  shore;   and   thy   seed   shall 

!  possess  the  gate  of  his  enemies; 

And  in  thy  seed  shall  all  the  nations  of 
j  the    earth,  be    blessed;    because   thou    hast 
obeyed  my  voice.  (Gen.  22:15-18.) 

When  Father  Lehi,  about  600 
B.C.,  left  Jerusalem,  as  commanded 
by  the  Lord,  the  seed  of  Abraham 
was  fulfiling  prophecy — the  children 
of  Abraham  through  Isaac,  Jacob, 
Joseph,  Ephraim,  and  Manasseh 
were  marching  forward  to  a  destyiy 
little  dreamed,  of  by  themselves — 
and  one  of  the  strangest  in  world 
history.  Literally,  they  were  going 
to  a  land  where  the  descendants  of 
Father  Abraham  would  become  "as; 
the  stars  of  the  heaven,  and  as  the 
sand  which  is  upon  the  sea  shore." 

The  descendants  of  Father  Abra- 
ham in  America  alone  today  number 
many  millions.  Through  Ephraim 
and  Manasseh,  sons  of  Joseph,  who 
was  a  son  of  Jacob  and  whose  grand- 
father was  Abraham,  descendants  as 
numerous  as  the  stars  arid  of  the 
sands  on  the  seashore  now  live  in 
the  choice  land  of  Joseph,  America. 

Father  Lehi,  who  led  to  America 
the  people  about  whom  the  Book 
of  Mormon  is  largely  concerned, 
556 


Father  Lehi's 


FIRST  ASSISTANT  SUPERINTENDENT,  Y. M.M.I. A, 
AND  BUSINESS  MANAGER  OF  THE  "ERA" 


was  of  the  tribe  of  Manasseh.  Ish- 
mael,  whose  daughters  became  the 
wives  of  the  sons  of  Lehi,  was  of  the 
tribe  of  Ephraim.  Therefore,  their 
descendants  were  all  of  the  house  of 
Israel,  through  Joseph,  who  was  to 
become  "a  fruitful  bough"  whose 
branches  would  "run  over  the  wall." 
:  Thus  as  we  speak  of  Father  Lehi's 
children,  we  speak  also  of  Father 
Abraham's  children. 

Father  Lehi's  children,  who  still 
live  on  this  continent,  which  was  to 
be  their  "land  of  promise"  are  now 


called,  generally,  Indians.  Among 
Latter-day  Saints  they  are  known  as 
Lamanites,  having  descended  from 
Laman,  son  of  Lehi. 

T^he  term  Indian,  as  applied  to  this 
people  is  most  unfortunate.  In- 
stead of  being  Indians,  they  were, 
we  believe,  the  earliest  Americans. 
Long  before  the  white  men  came, 
America — both  North  and  South — 
was  their  land. 


President    Smith    (left    center)    visits    President 
Manuel  Avila  Camacho  of  Mexico  (right  center). 


THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


When  the  first  white  men  came, 
they  found  Indian  bands,  tribes,  and 
nations  occupying  the  land,  with 
most  of  it  divided  among  the  differ- 
ent groups,  in  much  the  same  way 
that  land  is  divided  among  the  states 
today;  each  nation  or  tribe  had  its 
own  lands,  fishing  grounds,  and 
hunting  grounds. 

The  coming  of  the  white  man 
changed  all  that.  Gradually,  the 
white  men  took  over  more  and  more 
of  the  land,  and  finally  the  Indians 
were  gathered  together  on  reserva- 
tions. 

This  change  of  conditions  at  one 
time  appeared  to  threaten  the  very 
existence    of    the    North    American 


Children 


Indian.  Freely  it  was  predicted  that 
the  Indians  were  a  vanishing  race 
and  that  eventually  they  would  be- 
come extinct. 

Those  who  made  such  predictions 
were  not  aware  that  in  the  provi- 
dence of  the  Lord,  the  children  of 
Father  Lehi  were  destined  to  play 
important  roles  in  the  last  days  in 
both  the  Americas. 

In  a  revelation  given  to  Joseph 
Smith  in  March  1831,  is  this  refer- 
ence to  the  future  of  the  American 
Indian: 

But  before  the  great  day  of  the  Lord  shall 
come,  Jacob  shall  flourish  in  the  wilderness, 
and  the  Lamanites  shall  blossom  as  the  rose. 


President    Smith   met   former   President   Herbert 
Hoover   in   Mexico   City. 


Zion  shall  flourish  upon  the  hills  and  re- 
joice upon  the  mountains,  and  shall  be  as- 
sembled together  unto  the  place  which  I 
have  appointed.  (D.  &  C.  49:24,  25.) 

In  the  Doctrine  and  Covenants 
Commentary  appears  this  state- 
ment: 

There  are  two  distinct  predictions  in  these 
paragraphs.  One  says  that  "Jacob  shall 
flourish  in  the  wilderness,  and  the  Lamanites 
shall  blossom  as  the  rose,"  before  the  great 
day  of  the  Lord  shall  come;  the  second  tells 
us  that  "Zion  shall  flourish  upon  the  hills 
and  rejoice  upon  the  mountains."  The  first 
of  these .  predictions  refers  to  the  Indians; 
the  second,  to  the  Latter-day  Saints.  Have 
they  been  fulfilled? 

The  American  Indians  are,  indeed,  flour- 
ishing today.  ...  In  Indian  territory 
they  have  attained  a  high  degree  of 
both  civilization  and  prosperity.  Indians 
now  occupy  government  offices  and  seats  in 
legislative  assemblies,  in  schools  and  pul- 
pits, and  in  every  walk  of  life.  They  are 
flourishing.  This  is  all  the  more  remarkable 
because  at  one  time  the  general  belief  was 
that  they  were  a  vanishing  race.  When  the 
United  States  became  an  independent  na- 
tion, the  number  of  Indians  in  North  Ameri- 
ca was  estimated  at  three  millions,  and  in 
the  year  1876  at  only  one  million  three  hun- 
dred thousand.  In  1907  the  decrease  had 
been  checked,  and  an  increase  to  one  mil- 
lion  four   hundred  and   seventy-four  thou- 


SEPTEMBER  1946 


President  Smith  with  missionaries  serving  in  Mexico 

sand  was  reported.  Only  a  prophet  inspired 
by  God  could  have  foreseen  such  a  decided 
turn  in  the  tide  of  Indian  affairs.  (Commen- 
tary to  section  49,  verses  24,  25.) 

Elder  James  E.  Talmage  effective- 
ly establishes  the  identity  of  Father 
Lehi's  children  in  this  manner-; 

David,  who  sang  his  psalms  over  a  thou- 
sand years  before  the  "meridian  of  time," 
predicted:  "Truth  shall  spring,  out  of  the 
earth;  and  ,  righteousness  shall  look  down 
from  heaven."  And  so  also  declared  Isaiah, 
Ezekiel  saw  in  vision  the  coming  together 
of  the  stick  of  Judah,  and  the  (Stick  of  Joseph, 
signifying  the  Bible  and  the  Book  of  Mor- 
mon. The  passage  last  referred  to  reads,  in 
the  Words  of  Ezekiel:  "The  word  of  the 
Lord  came  again  unto  mei  saying,  More- 
over, thou  son  of  man,  take  thee  one  stick, 
and  write  upon  it,  For  Judah,  and  for  the 
children  of  Israel  his  companions;  then  take 
another  stick,  and  write  upon  it,  For  Joseph, 
the  stick  of  Ephraim,  and  for  all  the  house 
of  Israel  his  companions:  And  join  them 
one  to  another  into  one  stick;  and  they  shall 
become  one  in  thine  hand." 

When  we  call  to  mind  the  ancient  custom 
in  the  making  of  books — that  of  writing  on 
long  strips  of  parchment  and  rolling  the 
same  on  rods  or  sticks,  the  use  of  the  word 
"stick"  as  equivalent  to  "book"  in  the  pas- 
sage becomes  apparent.  At  the  time  of  this 
utterance,  the  Israelites  had  divided  into  two 
nations  known  as  the  kingdom  of  Judah  and 
that  of  Israel,  or  Ephraim.  Plainly  the 
separate  records  of  Judah  and  Joseph  are 
here  referred  to.  Now,  as  we  have  seen,  the 
Nephite  nation  comprised  the  descendants 
of  Lehi  who  belonged  to  the  tribe  of 
Manasseh,  of  Ishmael  who  was  an  Ephraim- 
ite,  and  of  Zoram  whose  tribal  relation  is 
not  definitely  stated.  The  Nephites  were 
then  of  the  tribes  of  Joseph;  and  their  record 
or  "stick"  is  as  truly  represented  by  the* 
Book  of  Mormon  as  is  the  "stick"  of  Judah 
by  the  Bible.  (James  E.  Talmage,  Articles 
of  Faith,  chapter  XV: 275,  276;  1924  edi-: 
tion. )  i 

The  Book  of  Mormon  identifies 
the  Lamanites  as  of  Israel  and  also 
prophesies  concerning  them; 

And  now,  I  would  prophesy  somewhat 
more  concerning  the  Jews  and  the  Gentiles. 
For  after  the  book  of  which  I  have  spoken 
shall  come  forth,  and  be  written  unto  the 
Gentiles,  and  sealed  up  again  unto  the  Lord, 
(Continued  on  next  page) 

557 


Meeting  of  priesthood  members  with 
President  Smith 


President  Smith  addressing  group  with  the 
aid  of  an  interpreter 


(Continued  from  previous  page) 
there  shall  be  many  which  shall  believe  the 
words  which   are  written;   and  they  shall 
carry  them  forth  unto  the  remnant  of  our 
seed. 

And  then  shall  the  remnant  of  our  seed 
know  concerning  us,  how  that  we  came  out 
from  Jerusalem,  and  that  they  are  descend- 
ants of  the  Jews. 

And  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  shall  be 
declared  among  them;  wherefore,  they  shall 
be  restored  unto  the  knowledge  of  their 
fathers,  and  also  to  the  knowledge  of  Jesus 
Christ,  which  was  had  among  their  fathers. 

And  then  shall  they  rejoice;  for  they  shall 
know  that  it  is  a  blessing  unto  them  from 
the  hand  of  God;  and  their  scales  of  dark- 
ness shall  begin  to  fall  from  their  eyes;  and 
many    generations    shall    not    pass    away 


among  them,  save  they  shall  be  a  white  and 
delightsome  people. 

And  it  shall  come  to  pass  that  the  Jews 
which  are  scattered  also  shall  begin  to 
believe  in  Christ;  and  they  shall  begin  to 
gather  in  upon  the  face  of  the  land;  and  as 
many  as  shall  believe  in  Christ  shall  also 
become  a  delightsome  people. 

And  it  shall  come  to  pass  that  the  Lord 
God  shall  commence  his  work  among  all  na- 
tions, kindreds,  tongues,  and  people,  to  bring 
about  the  restoration  of  his  people  upon  the 
earth.  (Book  of  Mormon,  II  Nephi  30:3-8.) 

President  Brigham  Young  de- 
clared their  lineage  through  Israel 
in  these  words : 

The    Lamanites    or    Indians   are   just   as 


The  churches 
of  Mexico  City 
were  visited  by 
President   Smith 


much  the  children  of  our  Father  and  God  as 
we  are.  .  .  . 

They  are  of  the  House  of  Israel;  they 
once  had  the  Gospel  delivered  to  them,  they 
had  the  oracles  of  truth;  Jesus  came  and  ad- 
ministered to  them  after  his  resurrection,  and 
they  received  and  delighted  in  the  Gos- 
pel. .  .  .  [Discourses  of  Brigham  Young, 
page  122.) 

Most  easily  identified  of  Father 
Abraham's  children  today  are  the 
Lamanites.  Because  of  their  distinc- 
tive racial  characteristics,  they  are 
readily  recognized.  While  other  rep- 
resentatives of  the  tribe  of  Israel 
are  present  in  the  western  hemi- 
sphere in  large  numbers,  the  Indians 
or  Lamanites  are  the  most  easily 
identified. 


558 


Dresident  George  Albert  Smith 
is  the  friend  of  the  Lamanites. 
During  his  entire  lifetime  he  has 
shown  marked  interest  in  their  wel- 
fare. Whenever  the  opportunity  has 
presented  itself,  he  has  gone  out  of 
his  way  to  help  them  and  to  bless 
them. 

In  recent  years  he  has  visited  on 
their  reservations  the  Shoshone, 
Bannock,  Blackfoot,  Blood,  Ute, 
Goshute,  Hopi,  Zuni,  Navajo,  Arapa- 
hoe, and  other  tribes  in  North  Amer- 
ica. A  few  years  ago  he  spent  many 
months  among  Father  Lehi's  chil- 
dren on  the  islands  in  the  South 
Seas.  Here  he  made  friends  for  him- 
self and  for  the  Church  in  large  num- 
bers. President  Smith  maintains 
many  of  his  contacts  with  these  peo- 
ple by  correspondence,  occasional 
remembrances,  and  revisits  wherever 
possible. 

Frequently  Lamanite  brethren 
and  sisters  visit  him  at  his  office.  No 
man,  whatever  his  station  in  life,  is 
greeted  with  more  respect  and 
friendliness  or  is  shown  more  cour- 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


President  Smith  with  President  and  Mrs. 
Joseph  W.  Anderson 


Pierce  and  Elder 


Part  of  the  congregation  inside 
the  chapel 


tesy  than  are  these  descendants  of 
Father  Lehi. 

One  of  the  most  important  mis- 
sions of  President  Smith's  ministry 
as  President  of  the  Church  of  Jesus 
Christ  of  Latter-day  Saints  took  him 
recently  into  the  very  heart  of  the 
land  of  the  Lamanites.  He  journeyed 
to  Mexico,  a  land  which  today  is  the 
home  of  more  than  thirty  million  of 
Father  Lehi's  children,  for  a  series 
of  important  and  dramatic  meetings 
with  the  members  of  the  Church  in 
the  vicinity  of  Mexico  City. 

Among  the  Lamanites  of  many 
countries  are  members  of  the  Church 
of  Jesus  Christ  of  Latter-day  Saints. 
In  Mexico  large  groups  of  them  have 
joined  the  Church.  As  the  years  go 
by,  there  is  good  reason  for  the  hope 


Presidents  Smith  and  Pierce  and  Elder  Joseph 
Anderson  visit  the  ancient  ruins  under  the 
present  Mexico  City. 


Written  in  flowers  for  President  Smith's  visit. 

and  belief  that  thousands  more  will 
accept  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ, 
which  came  to  their  ancestors  direct- 
ly from  the  Master  himself. 

Among  the  thirty  million  Laman- 
ites in  our  neighboring  nation  to  the 
south  in  whose  veins  the  blood  of 
Israel  flows,  are  some  of  the  very 
(Continued  on  page  601 ) 


President  Smith   visited   the  people  and   saw 
their  many  activities.    Top  to  bottom: 

The  burros  with  their  loads  of  straw 

Threshing  by  oxen  as  in  Biblical  times 

Washing  done  at  the  well  and  dried  on  the 
ground  in  the  sun 


Plowing  with  oxen 


SEPTEMBER  1946 


559 


An  address  given  Sunday  evening, 
June  9,  1946,  in  the  Tabernacle,  [or 
M.  I.  A.  June  Conference  which 
officially  welcomed  home  the  ser- 
vicemen and  women. 


I 


approach  this  task  with  fear  and 
trembling  and  a  desire  for  an 
interest  in  your  faith  and  pray- 
ers. 

Tonight's  meeting  is  the  culmina- 
tion of  dreams  that  our  servicmen 
the  world  over  have  been  dreaming 
for  the  last  four  or  five  years.  Dur- 
ing the  absence  of  you  young  men 
away  from  your  homes,  the  most  oft- 
repeated  statement  that  has  been 
made  here  at  home  has  been  "when 
the  boys  come  back  home."  The 
girls  have  said  it,  those  who  had 
sweethearts,  married  and  unmarried, 
in  military  service,  and  whose  court- 
ships with  those  sweethearts  have 
been  rudely  interrupted.  It  has  been 
said  by  fathers  and  mothers  who, 
in  your  absence,  have  been  left 
to  carry  heavy  burdens,  trying  to 
hold  things  together  "until  their 
boys  came  back  home."  It  has  been 
said  by  businessmen  who  have  been 
planning  for  expansions  that  must 
be  planned  in  line  with  expected  de- 
mands for  certain  goods,  such  as 
automobiles,  clothing,  houses,  fur- 
niture, and  baby  goods — all  being 
determined  by  the  anticipated  in- 
creases upon  your  return. 

It  has  been  said  by  school  execu- 
tives who  have  been  planning  for 
the  next  fifteen  years,  and  what  your 
coming  back  is  going  to  mean  to  the 
school  population!  Those  in  higher 
education  have  had  to  do  some 
figuring  on  the  increases  in  their 
institutions.  It  has  been  said  by 
politicians  in  major  political  parties, 
in  labor  groups,  and  by  ex-service- 
men's clubs  who  have  been  laying 
their  plans  to  capture  your  vote  and 
your  membership,  by  inducements 
and  by  invitations,  not  always 
wholly  ethical. 

Your  Church  also  has  been  wait- 
ing for  this  day  with  an  eye  to  your 
spiritual  welfare.  Throughout  your 
military  service,  the  Church  has  had 
in  mind  that  you  were  laboring 
against  overwhelming  odds,  and  so 
even  before  wax  was  declared,  /when 
compulsory  military  training  went 
into. effect,  Elder  Hugh  B.  Brown 
was  called  to  be  a  Church  coordina- 
tor and  go  to  camps  and  organize 
560 


A 

CHALLENGE 

TO 

wjovith 

d5u  ^/srarold  (IS.  <=>Lee 

OF  THE  COUNCIL  OF  THE  TWELVE 

our  Latter-day  Saint  servicemen  in- 
to service  groups,  called  M.  I.  A.  or- 
ganizations. Group  leaders  were 
named.  In  order  to  maintain  proper 
direction  it  was  found,  as  this  organ- 
ization grew  to  number  one  hundred 
thousand  men,  scattered  in  every 
part  of  the  world,  that  it  was  neces- 
sary that  there  be  additional  assist- 
ants to  President  Brown,  so  thirteen 
assistant  coordinators  were  called  to 
serve  here  in  the  United  States,  in 
the  Hawaiian  Islands,  in  Europe, 
and  in  the  Pacific  Isles.  In  addition, 
there  were  mission  and  stake  super- 
visors who  were  called  to  assist.  We 
have  had  thirty-eight  army  chap- 
lains, and  eight  navy  chaplains,  who 
were  members  of  the  Church.  And 
finally,  in  addition  thereto,  accord- 
ing to  our  best  estimate,  we  have  had 
about  a  thousand  or  more  group 
leaders  who  have  been  set  apart  or 
who  have  assumed  leadership  as 
they  have  been  authorized  without 
having  been  set  apart,  together  with 
some  two  or  three  thousand  addi- 
tional assistant  group  leaders,  thus 
forming  a  great  army  who  have  di- 
rected the  work  of  blessing  with 
brotherhood  and  with  strength  this 
group  of  servicemen  who  are  rep- 
resented by  those  who  are  in  this 
meeting   tonight. 

In  addition,  we  have  had  our  girls 
in  the  nurses'  corps,  the  women's 
branch  of  the  army,  the  coast 
guard,  the  navy,  and  elsewhere. 
They,  too,  have  performed  a  monu- 
mental service  in  assisting  with  these 
activities. 

"^JS/hen  the  war  started  and  the 
rigors  of  your  trials  became  evi- 
dent, the  First  Presidency  delivered 
an  inspired  message  from  Temple 
Square  and  directed  a  part  of  that 
message  to  the  men  who  were  then 


in    service.     This    message   in   part 

reads  as  follows: 

To  our  young  men  who  go  into  service, 
no  matter  whom  they  serve  or  where,  we 
say  live  clean,  keep  the  commandments  of 
the  Lord,  pray  to  him  constantly  to  preserve 
you  in  truth  and  righteousness,  live  as  you 
pray,  and  then  whatever  betides  you,  the 
Lord  will  be  with  you,  and  nothing  will 
happen  to  you  that  will  not  be  to  the  honor 
and  glory  of  God  and  to  your  salvation  and 
exaltation.  There  will  come  into  your  hearts 
from  the  living  of  the  pure  life  you  pray  for, 
a  joy  that  will  pass  your  powers  of  expres- 
sion or  understanding.  The  Lord  will  be 
always  near  you;  he  will  comfort  you;  you 
will  feel  his  presence  in  the  hour  of  your 
greatest  tribulation;  he  will  guard  and  pro- 
tect you  to  the  full  extent  that  accords  with 
his  all-wise  purpose.  Then,  when  the  con- 
flict is  over  and  you  return  to  your  homes, 
having  lived  the  righteous  life,  how  great 
will  be  your  happiness — whether  you  be  of 
the  victors  or  of  the  vanquished — that  you 
have  lived  as  the  Lord  commanded.  You 
will  return  so  disciplined;  in  righteousness 
that  thereafter  all  Satan's  wiles  and  strata- 
gems will  leave  you  untouched.  Your  faith 
and  testimony  will  be  strong  beyond  break- 
ing. You  will  be  looked  up  to  and  revered 
as  having  passed  through  the  fiery  furnace 
of  trial  and  temptation  and  come  forth  un- 
harmed. Your  brethren  will  look  to  you  for 
counsel,  support,  and  guidance.  You  will  be 
the  anchors  to  which  thereafter  the  youth 
of  Zion  will  moor  their  faith  in  man. 

Latter-day  Saint  servicemen,  those 
were  the  admonitions,  the  instruc- 
tions, and  the  promises  that  were 
made  by  the  inspired  prophets  of 
the  Lord,  and  whether  or  not  they 
have  been  or  will  be  fulfilled  as  they 
were  promised  depends  upon  you 
now  who  have  received  those  prom- 
ises. 

[  should  like  to  pay  a  tribute  of  re- 
spect to  the  faith  and  devotion 
and  activities  of  our  boys  in  service 
by  reading  you  statements  from  two 
chaplains.  One  from  our  own  Elder 
Marsden  Durham  who  is  missing 
from  tonight's  meeting,  one  of  our 
splendid  boys  who  was  taken  in  an 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


unfortunate    accident.     This   is    his 
statement: 

It  is  amazing  how  signs  and  placards  ad- 
vertising Latter-day  Saint  services  have  ap- 
peared almost  automatically,  tacked  to 
convenient  telephone  poles  and  coconut 
palms  along  the  main  roads.  "Burma  shave" 
proportions  almost!  A  recent  article  in 
Harper's  (October  1944,  "A  Soldier  Looks 
at  the  Church"),  an  attack  at  the  decadent 
Protestant  world  and  its  failure  to  influence 
the  lives  of  its  communicants,  can  certainly 
have  no  application  to  Latter-day  Saint 
men,  because  the  Church  is  an  integral  part 
of  their  lives — one  of  the  values  of  a  prac- 
tical religion.  The  influence  of  the  "gather- 
ing" spirit  is  as  predominant  in  the  Philip- 
pines today  as  it  ever  was  when  the  Saints 
began  to  "gather  to  Zion."  As  a  chaplain, 
I  have  experience  with  many  groups,  many 
denominations,  and  I  have  yet  to  find  an- 
other organization  which  evidences  this 
same  characteristic  with  all  its  desirable 
results. 

Then  there  is  an  interesting  com- 
ment by  Lieutenant  Colonel  Ira 
Freeman,  not  a  member  of  the 
Church,  who  was  the  post  chaplain 
at  Fort  Ord,  which  during  the  war 
was  one  of  the  ports  of  embarkation 
and  one  of  the  great  training  centers 
through  which  thousands  of  our  Lat- 
ter-day Saint  boys  passed.  This  is 
what  he  said  in  tribute  to  our  Latter- 
day  Saint  boys: 

During   several  years  of  service  in   the 
United  States  army,  especially  since  Pearl 
Harbor,  I  have  had  the  privilege  of  min- 
istering to  the  needs  of  many  mem- 
bers of  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ 
of  Latter-day  Saints. 

The  Mormon  boys  whom  I  knew 
intimately  overseas  were  outstand- 
ing soldiers  in  every  sense  of  the 
word,  and  I  found  myself  wonder- 
ing from  time  to  time  if  they  were 
a  specially-selected  group,  the  salt 
of  Utah.  But  when  I  came  to  Fort 
Ord  I  had  to  dismiss  that  idea. 

The  Mormon  boys  on  duty  at 
this  post  have  what  it  takes!  There's 
something  about  a  Mormon  soldier! 
He  loves  the  United  States.  He  is 
loyal  to  Almighty  God.  Apparent- 
ly, no  real  Mormon  lad  leaves  his 
religion  at  home  when  he  accom- 
panies the  colors  to  the  battlefield. 
Undoubtedly,  that  is  the  chief  rea- 
son why  it  is  comparatively  easy 
for  him  to  carry  on  without  sham- 
ming, without  shirking,  without 
sniveling.  Anyway,  neither  world- 
liness  on  the  one  hand  nor  roaring 
of  guns  on  the  other,  affect  their 
faith  in  or  loyalty  to  God  or  coun- 
try. Naturally,  therefore,  as  an 
American,  I  am  proud  of  them.  .  .  . 


— Photograph  by 
Hobart  from  Monkmeyer  Press 


The  nation's  eyes  are  upon  its  defenders 
today.  Therefore,  in  my  humble  opinion, 
when  the  history  of  this  global  war  has  been 
written  and  read,  and  when  Uncle  Sam  is 
ready  to  reward  "every  man  according  to 
his  works,"  Americans  of  all  faiths  will 
say:  "God  bless  our  Mormon  soldiers!" 

No  matter  where  you  go  from  here, 
American  soldiers  of  the  Mormon  faith,  I 
want  you  to  remember  my  faith  in  you  is 
unbounded,  that  I  shall  follow  you  in  spirit, 
that  I  shall  remember  you  in  my  prayers. 

V[ow  as  we  pause  here  tonight  in 
honoring  these  boys,  naturally 
our  thoughts  go  out  to  those  who  are 
not  here,  and  who  will  not  come  back 
to  such  a  meeting  here  in  mortal  life. 
According  to  our  best  estimate,  if 
those  of  the  Latter-day  Saints  who 
have  fallen  in  battle  were  to  be 
brought  here  tonight  they  would 
form  a  congregation  that  would  more 
than  fill  the  body  of  this  hall.  It  is 
estimated  that  approximately  five 
thousand  of  some  of  the  choicest  of 
our  Latter-day  Saint  boys  have  died 
in  battle  or  in  training.  How  have 
they  felt  about  it  as  they  faced  pos- 
sible death,  and  what  shall  be  said  of 
them  in  our  welcome  tonight?  From 
the  letters  of  some  who  have  gone 
back  to  their  eternal  home — those 
who  have  gone  back  home  in  a  more 
real  sense  than  you  are  back  home 
now — can  be  gleaned  some  ideas  of 
their  true  feelings.   Here  is  a  closing 


paragraph  from  a  letter  of  a  Latter- 
day  Saint  serviceman  to  a  sweet- 
heart of  a  buddy  of  his  who  had 
fallen : 

I  needn't  tell  you  that  he  died  loving  you 
and  wearing  your  bracelet,  Bobbie.  Keep 
your  chin  up,  kid — and  if  I  see  Jimmie  be- 
fore long,  I'll  give  him  your  regards — and 
I  hope  my  fiancee  is  as  brave  as  I  know 
you  are. 

And  the  writer  of  that  letter  in 
less  than  a  month,  himself,  had  gone 
"home"  to  meet  Jimmie. 

How  do  the  fathers  and  mothers 
of  the  boys  who  went  back  to  their 
eternal  home  feel?  One  letter  from  a 
father  who  lost  his  son  reads  as  fol- 
lows: 

His  mother,  as  usual,  has  been  wonderful 
and  shows  daily  how  sincere  she  was  when 
she  told  him  as  he  left,  "Brave  sons  must 
have  brave  mothers,  and  I'll  not  fail  you, 
my  son." 

We  are  not  complaining  at  having  to 
make  this  sacrifice  although  it  involves 
bleeding  hearts.  Millions  of  parents  through- 
out the  world  are  suffering  similar  losses 
and  few  of  them  have  the  hope  which  the 
gospel  gives  to  us. 

I,  like  other  fathers,  wish  I  could  have 
gone  instead  of  him,  but  war  always  takes 
the  young  and  the  promising. 

Many  times  in  my  preaching  I  have 
quoted  the  words  of  David  when  his  son 
was  lost  in  battle:  "O  my  son  Absalom,  my 
son,  my  son  Absalom!  would  God  I  had 
died  for  thee."  (II  Samuel  18:131.)  But 
until  now  I  did  not  realize  how  earnestly  he 
(Concluded  on  page  600) 


SEPTEMBER  1946 


"Don't  fence  me  in 


// 


"D 


on  t  fence  me  in!"  Youth, 
that's  what  you  say  to  your 
fathers  and  mothers.  Youth, 
that's  what  you  cry  to  your  teachers 
in  school.  That's  the  language  many 
of  you  use  in  your  rebellion  against 
some  of  us  who  would  interfere 
with  you  and  your  rights  as  free- 
born  American  youth. 

With  a  twinkle  in  his  humorous 
eyes,  Brigham  Young,  one  of  the 
greatest  friends  to  red-blooded  Mor- 
mon lads  and  lassies,  is  reported  to 
have  said,  "You  young  people  think 
we  old  people  are  fools.  We  know 
you  are." 

Youth,  let  me  get  close  enough  to 
you  to  see  the  whites  of  your  eyes 
and  talk  to  you.  One  humorist  ob- 
served something  like  this:  When 
a  boy  reaches  the  ripe  age  of  seven- 
teen, he  looks  at  his  father  and  won- 
ders how  long  it  will  be  before  his 
father  will  know  as  much  as  he 
knows.  When  he  becomes  twenty- 
five  years  of  age,  he  marvels  at  how 
fast  his  dad  has  progressed  in  the 
realm  of  learning  and  understand- 
ing. 

The  cartoon  of  our  lamb  was 
taken  from  a  photo  used  by  the 
Arizona  Highways.  When  I  spied  it, 
I  told  Jim  Smith,  one  of  the  highway 
commissioners,  that  whether  he  liked 
it  or  not  I  was  going  to  have  J.  A. 
Bywater  make  an  ink  copy  of  it  and 
use  it.  He  made  no  objection,  and 
here  it  is. 

Now  this  venturesome  lamb — you 
can  see  by  the  set  of  his  jaw  and 
squint  of  his  eyes  that  he'd  like  to 
break  through  that  fence  and  do 
some  exploring.  You  don't  have  to 
do  any  tall  thinking  to  tell  in  an  in- 
stant that  there  is  something  across 
the  Mason  and  Dixon  line  that  is 
mighty  interesting.  The  only  thing 
that  is  holding  him  back  is  that 
forked  stick  with  a  piece  of  baling 
wire  held  over  his  head.  That  stops 
his  taking  part  in  the  game  on  the 
highway  or  in  the  field  adjoining. 

Now  that  half-grown  sheep,  al- 
though he  is  "dead  sure"  he  could 
conquer  the  world  with  the  flip  of  his 
little  hoof,  still  needs  his  mother. 
When  mealtime  comes  around,  he 
will  get  up  close  to  his  mother  and 
demand  refreshments  from  the  com- 
missary department.  When  the 
night  gets  dark  and  he  hears  the 
562 


yelp  of  the  coyote,  he  will  cuddle  up 
close  to  that  warm  fleece,  the  owner 
of  which  gave  him  birth.  For  weeks 
from  the  time  he  had  learned  the 
mechanics  of  getting  his  daily  nour- 
ishment he  had  been  satisfied  to  stay 
close  enough  to  her  to  hear  her  beck 
and  call,  but  lately  he  has  nibbled  a 
few  blades  of  grass  and  thinks  he's 
grown  up  and  craves  other  worlds 
to  conquer. 

Y0UTH'  y°u  are  )ust  like  that  lamb. 
Yes,  we  fence  you  in.  Yes,  and 
then  sometimes  when  you  get  too 
hilarious,  we  get  a  forked  stick  to 
keep  you  from  breaking  through. 
"Don't  fence  me  in,"  you  cry,  but,  in 
plain  English,  just  where  would  you 
land  if  you  had  your  entire  way? 
Some  of  you,  in  less  time  than  it 
takes  to  tell  it,  would  lose  your  hide 
and  land  in  a  lump  on  one  of  the 
highways  of  life. 

Happy  is  the  boy  or  girl  who  has 
confidence  in  his  parents  to  the  ex- 
tent that  he  will  sit  up  close  to  them 
and  take  their  advice.  Boys  and  girls, 
we  have  been  in  the  forest  for  many 
years — we  know  the  game  trails. 
We  know  of  those  who  lie  in  wait 
to  fleece  you.  We  know  the  wolves 
in  that  field  next  door  who  would 
take  advantage  of  your  innocence 
and  skin  you  alive.  There  are  rep- 
tiles in  that  dark  forest  who,  if  they 
caught  you  ofFguard,  would  entwine 
themselves  around  you,  python 
snake  fashion,  and  crush  your  life's 
blood  out  of  you.  That's  why  we 
want  to  fence  you  in.  This  little 
lamb  has  never  met  a  coyote;  he 
doesn't  know  the  destruction  of  the 
slap  of  the  paw  of  a  grizzly,  or  the 
terrible  accuracy  of  the  fangs  of  the 
timber  wolf. 

Yes,  we  are  talking  in  parables, 
but  we  are  not  telling  you  fairy  tales. 
We  are  talking  real  life.  You  don't 
like  that  forked  stick  nor  the  fact 
that  we  have  fenced  you  in.  We  are 
only  trying  to  save  you  against 
yourself. 

I  repeat,  boys  and  girls,  we  want 
to  protect  you  against  yourselves. 
President  David  O.  McKay  has  told 
a  story  of  a  beautiful  colt  on  his 
ranch,  one  of  those  colts  that  they 
weren't  very  successful  in  fencing. 
He  would  go  through  the  fences, 
untie  the  rope  on  the  gate,  and  do 


& 


9 


arum 


Ls.  ^Mskton 


OF   THE   PRESIDING    BISHOPRIC 


everything  but  unlock  the  padlock. 
He  would  no  sooner  be  in  a  field  and 
thought  secure  than  they  would  find 
him  breaking  over  the  traces.  He 
was  really  a  problem,  but  they  loved 
him  because  of  his  beauty  and 
strength.  One  day  he  broke  through, 
got  into  a  granary  where  there  was 
a  sack  of  grain  poisoned  for  gophers. 
Their  beautiful  animal  that  day  was 
stretched  out  in  death  because  he 
didn't  see  the  wisdom  of  honoring 
the  safeguards  placed  for  his  benefit. 

"Internal  vigilance  is  the  price 
of  security." 

A  painting  struck  me  very  force- 
fully a  few  years  ago.  It  was  a  picture 
of  a  mountain  lion  and  her  two  cubs 
resting  on  the  brink  of  a  precipice 
such  as  you  might  see  in  the  Grand 
Canyon  of  the  Colorado.  The  mother 
of  those  kittens  watched  every  move 
her  children  made.  Overhead  soared 
an  eagle.  What  a  dainty  morsel  for 
breakfast  one  of  those  young  cats 
would  make!  Yes,  no  maneuver  of 
that  carnivorous  bird  escaped  her 
vigilant  eye.  The  mother  knew  too 
well  that  other  enemies  would  take 
from  her  those  she  loved  or  that  one 
false  move  in  the  capers  of  those 
cubs  would  land  them  with  every 
bone  in  their  bodies  splintered  to 
bits,  a  thousand  feet  below  the  rock 
where  they  rested.  I  repeat,  on  that 
stage  the  lioness  was  playing  a 
major  role  in  "eternal  vigilance." 
She  knew  that  was  the  price  of 
security  for  her  brood. 

Boys  and  girls,  your  parents  are 
as  anxious  for  your  welfare  as  that 
big  cat  of  the  Rockies  was  for  her 
cubs.  If  we  watch  every  move  you 
make,  it  is  only  because  you  are  sit- 
ting, as  it  were,  on  a  precipice  where 
one  false  move  would  make  you  a 
"goner."  There  are  wolves  in  the 
forest,  eagles  in  the  air,  and  if  it 
weren't  for  the  vigilance  of  those 
who  love  you,  you'd  be  torn  to 
pieces. 

Youth,  we've  lived  longer  than 
you  have — that's  why  we  know  bet- 

the  improvement  era 


ter  than  you  the  "booby  traps,"  the 
hidden  mines  that  would  blow  you 
to  atoms. 

I  said  we  were  not  talking  fairy 
tales  to  you.  We're  not.  Aesop  wrote 
some  fables  that  have  value.  At 
least  once  a  year,  read  Aesop's 
Fables.  They  will  keep  your  mind 
and  judgment  physically  fit. 

Let  me  tell  you  one  of  those  stories 
—it  fits  here.  A  lion  once  radioed 
throughout  the  neighborhood  that  he 
was  sick  nigh  unto  death,  and  sum- 
moned all  the  animals  to  come  to 
hear  his  last  will  and  testament. 
(Curiosity  will  kill  a  cat,  and  others, 
too. )  The  first  to  enter  the  cave  of 
the  king  of  beasts  was  a  lamb  fol- 
lowed by  a  calf.  The  lion  seemed  to 
recover  his  health  and  strength  im- 
mediately after  the  visit  of  those 
unsuspecting  creatures.  He  came  to 
the  mouth  of  his  cave,  and  there  be- 
held a  fox  who  had  been  waiting 
outside  for  some  time.  "Why  don't 
you  come  in  to  pay  your  respects  to 
me?"  said  the  lion  to  the  fox.  "I  beg 
your  majesty's  pardon,"  observed 
the  wise,  little  animal,  "but  I  noticed 
the  tracks  of  the  animals  that  have 
already  come  to  you,  and  while  I 
see  hoof  marks  going  in,  I  see  none 
coming  out.  Till  the  animals  that 
have  entered  your  cave  come  out, 
I  prefer  to  remain  outside." 


Now  if  I  use  my  imagination,  be- 
fore that  lamb  broke  through  the 
fence  and  galloped  to  the  home  of 
the  lion  I  can  hear  him  mutter  as  he 
runs,  "Don't  fence  me  in."  If  that 
young  lamb  had  stayed  close  to  its 
mother,  the  lion  wouldn't  have  had 
lamb  for  breakfast.  If  that  young 
heifer  hadn't  jumped  the  traces  that 
day  and  disregarded  the  old  cow's 
advice,  she  wouldn't  have  had  her 
name  in  the  obituary  columns  of  the 
town  paper. 

Voung  folks,  there  is  always  a 
juicy  bait  on  a  hidden  hook 
waiting  to  land  you  when  you  are 
not  on  your  guard.  There  is  a  pred- 
atory animal  along  every  path  of  the 
forest  crouching  in  the  grass  waiting 
to  take  advantage  of  your  innocence. 
Young  lady,  there  are  innkeepers 
who  are  happy  in  the  profit  on  a  pint 
of  whisky  even  though  that  profit 
means  the  losing  of  your  virtue. 
Young  man,  there  is  an  army  of  men 
who  would  stay  up  all  night  and 
spend  a  hundred  dollars  on  you  to 
get  you  to  take  your  first  drink  and 
make  another  customer  for  John 
Barleycorn.  Yes,  there  are  a  thou- 
sand vicious  "joint"  keepers  in  every 
American  city  of  any  size  that, 
spider-fashion,  would  spin  a  web  to 
catch  a  boy  and  girl  off  guard. 


—Illustrated  by  /.  A.  Bgwater 


SEPTEMBER  1946 


We  older  folk  know  this,  and 
many  of  you  young  people  don't 
know  it,  but  we  stand  on  the  border 
of  the  forest  like  an  old  hunter  to 
warn  an  innocent  traveler  of  the 
man-eating  tigers  and  lions  lying  in 
wait.  Believe  us,  young  folks,  we 
stand  as  a  lighthouse  to  warn  you  of 
the  treacherous  rocks  just  under  the 
waves  that  would  dash  your  little 
soul  crafts  to  pieces.  "Many  brave 
souls  are  asleep  in  the  deep,  so  be- 
ware, beware." 

Let  the  lower  lights  be  burning; 
Send  a  gleam  across  the  wave; 
Some  poor  fainting  struggling  seaman 
You  may  rescue;  you  may  save. 

That's  the  only  role  we  want  to 
play.  We  have  been  tossed  about  on 
the  stormy  waves  of  life,  and  we 
know  where  the  rocks  are.  After  all, 
there  is  no  substitute  for  experience. 
We  have  been  exposed  to  the  ele- 
ments, and  some  of  us  are  carrying 
around  with  us  a  little  rheumatism  as 
a  result  of  exposure. 

You  of  the  next  generation,  we 
know  what  the  weather  will  be,  and 
we  don't  want  you  to  expose  your- 
self too  thoroughly  and  get  your- 
selves wet.  Young  lady,  your  mother 
doesn't  want  you  to  be  tied  to  her 
apron  strings.  Young  man,  we  don't 
want  you  to  be  a  hothouse  plant  or 
a  "pantywaist."  We  want  you  to  be 
vigorous,  courageous  entities,  able 
to  face  the  storms  of  life.  When  we 
were  your  age,  we  were  just  as  you 
are  now.  We  were  no  better  than 
you  are,  but  don't  forget  we  who 
have  weathered  best  are  we  who 
heeded  the  advice  of  our  parents.  It 
means  just  what  it  says,  "Honour 
thy  father  and  thy  mother"— just 
why? — "That  thy  days  may  be  long 
upon  the  land." 

We  don't  want  to  be  regimental 
of  every  move  you  make.  You  don't 
like  that  program,  and  you  shouldn't. 
All  we  want  to  do  is,  with  our  arms 
around  you,  guard  you  against  the 
pitfalls  of  life. 

Next  time  your  soul  rebels  against 
our  cautions  to  you,  "Stop,  look,  and 
listen,"  think  before  you  leap.  You 
know,  we  could  make  a  wonderful 
team,  you  with  your  vitality  and 
vigor,  and  we,  with  forty  or  more 
years'  experience,  walking  side  by 
side  with  you  to  help  you  appreciate 
the  things  which  have  made  us  hap- 
py. Yes,  and  we'll  get  around  the 
piano  and  sing  with  you  to  our 
hearts'  content,  "Don't  Fence  Me 
In." 

563 


Ruler  of  the  Crags 


vans 


FEET  bunched,  his  hulking  shoul- 
ders high,  Blackspike,  the  lead- 
er of  the  band  of  mountain 
goats,  rose  from  his  resting  place  on 
the  brink  of  the  highest  cliff,  and 
stood  silhouetted  against  the  slowly 
flooding  light.  At  this  season  he  had 
shed  his  thick  white  hair  and  the 
shaggy  "chaps"  which  in  winter 
gave  him  an  appearance  of  rugged 
symmetry.  In  his  scanty  coat  he 
seemed  ungainly,  his  head,  with  its 
two  ebony  spikes,  disproportionate- 
ly large.  Short  neck  lowered,  he 
stood  in  that  precarious  place,  star- 
ing unconcernedly  at  the  avalanche 
courses  spreading  fanlike  from  the 
base  of  the  cliff.  From  shallow  de- 
pressions in  the  rock  behind  him 
other  goats  were  rising,  and  already 
one  impatient  yearling  was  moving 
down  to  the  feeding  grounds.  But 
still  the  big  leader  kept  his  lookout, 
scanning  the  mountainside  to  see 
that  all  was  safe. 
564 


Illustrated  by 
John  Evans 


The  younger  males  and  the  nan- 
nies, knee-deep  in  the  heather  and 
ground  hemlock,  remained  motion- 
less, facing  the  east  as  if  in  perform- 
ance of  some  rite  without  which  their 
day  could  not  begin.  The  several 
awkward,  narrow-chested  kids 
gamboled  waggishly.  Close  behind 
Blackspike,  two  were  engaged  in 
mock  battle  for  possession  of  a  small 
outcrop  of  rock.  A  mile  below  and 
six  miles  distant,  the  big  river 
curved  between  its  flanking  spruce 
forests.  The  morning  mist  lay  over  it 
like  a  silver  scarf  flung  westward 
toward  the  sea.  Far  down  against 
the  mist  two  golden  eagles  traced 
exquisite  curves  and  spirals. 

Satisfied  that  the  band's  feeding 
grounds  were  free  of  lurking  men- 
ace, Blackspike  started  the  strag- 
gling procession  downward.  Most 
fearless  and  sure-footed  of  the  crag 
dwellers,  they  stepped  confidently 
onto  the  ledges  where  one  misstep, 
an  instant's  error  in  judgment, 
would  have  launched  them  into 
space.  Down  the  cliff  face  they  came, 
the  kids  moving  as  expertly  as  their 


elders.  Fifty  feet  from  the  bottom, 
the  ledge  broadened  into  a  flat 
bench  into  which  several  fissures,  or 
"chimneys,"  dropped  almost  verti- 
cally. From  this  lower  lookout 
Blackspike  surveyed  the  ground  be- 
low, then  shambled  lower. 

At  the  base  of  the  cliff  the  band 
scattered,  seeking  the  torn  snow- 
slide  channels  which  spread  like 
long  fingers  far  down  into  the 
stunted  evergreens.  On  the  openings 
grew  small  lush  plants  and  twig  tips, 
dainty  in  their  new  green.  Not  once 
did  Blackspike  look  above  him.  Un- 
told centuries  of  confidence  in  their 
climbing  skill  had  dulled  his  breed 
to  the  chance  of  attack  from  above. 
So  it  was  that  an  hour  later  as  he 
browsed  on  a  mountain  ash  clump, 
the  old  goat  did  not  see  the  gray 
form  which  showed  for  a  moment 
on  the  cliff  top  and  then  vanished, 
shadowy  and  soundless. 

The  ptarmigan,  those  trim, 
grouse-like  birds  of  the  altitudes, 
were  the  first  to  learn  of  the  gray 
wolf's  presence  on  Dome  Mountain. 

Not  even  the  watchful  marmot 
had  time  to  warn  them,  so  stealthily 
did  the  marauder  come.  Even  dur- 
ing their  brief  mountain  summer, 
roving  hunters  from  the  forests  be- 
low seldom  came  so  high  in  search 
of  prey. 


I 


t  was  soon  after  the  sun  came  out 
that  the  wolf  discovered  the  goats. 
The  light  had  found  the  cliff  face 
and  magnified  its  slight  irregulari- 
ties. Brightness  and  shadow  lay  in 
barbaric  patterns  upon  it.  A  pair  of 
ptarmigan  flashed  skyward  to  catch 
the  widening  rays.  Higher  and  high- 
er they  dipped  and  swerved,  pos- 
sessed by  the  flashing  madness  of 
their  late  season  mating  flight.  From 
among  the  rocks  to  the  north  of  the 
cliff  the  wolf  watched  them,  brush 
lowered,  head  out-thrust  level  with 
his  powerful  shoulders. 

The  pair  were  descending  now. 
With  wings  spread  they  were  glid- 
ing toward  the  broken  ground  to  the 
left  and  slightly  below  him.  They 
swept  parallel  to  the  sidehill,  banked, 
seemed  for  an  instant  to  hang  in  air, 
then  dropped  neatly  among  the 
sprawling  bushes.  For  the  time  be- 
ing the  wolf  forgot  the  goats. 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


He  circled  cautiously  in  the  lee  of 
the  rock  and  commenced  his  stalk. 
The  sun's  warmth  was  drawing  the 
cool  air  of  the  lower  slopes  upward 
in  loitering  currents,  and,  as  the 
wolf  worked  slowly  to  the  left,  he 
caught  scent  of  his  feathered  quarry. 
Here  and  there  the  heather  tips 
moved  slightly  to  mark  the  erratic 
courses  of  the  foraging  birds.  Body 
close  to  the  ground,  haunches  and 
shoulders  protruding,  the  wolf  crept 
nearer.  From  ahead  came  the  reas- 
suring clucking  of  a  hen  convoying 
her  half-grown  brood. 

With  great  muzzle  cushioned  on 
his  forepaws  the  wolf  peered  down 
the  slope  under  the  spreading  tops 
of  the  heather.  Once  the  light  dis- 
appeared at  the  far  end  of  a  broken 
opening  through  the  stalks,  then 
winked  on  again  as  a  bird  passed  it. 
Straight  below  him  in  a  more  open 
place  the  wolf  saw  the  first  of  the 
feeding  birds.  Although  their  winter 
plumage  of  pure  white  had  been 
partly  replaced  by  the  dark  protec- 
tive colorings  of  summer,  he 
glimpsed  the  white  feathers.  All  four 
paws  shifted  slightly  as  he  crept  on 
to  ambush  the  covey. 

Ten  feet  farther  on  he  stopped. 
On  both  sides  of  him  rose  rock  walls 
six  or  eight  feet  high,  forming  a 
funnel  through  which  some  of  the 
ptarmigan  must  pass  on  their  way 
up  the  slope.  On  the  near  side  of 
this  miniature  canyon  the  heather 
grew  thickly,  giving  him  an  excellent 
hiding  place. 

Head  and  tail  pressed  to  earth  he 
waited  while  the  bird  scent  came 
strongly  to  him.  The  first  of  the  un- 
suspecting birds  was  already  enter- 
ing the  wide  mouth  of  this  trap 
among  the  rocks.  His  stalk  had  oc- 
cupied a  good  hour,  but  now  success 
seemed  certain. 

Without  warning,  a  shadow 
swept  across  the  rock  face  opposite, 
and  the  wolf  knew  a  lone  ptarmigan 
had  settled  on  the  wall  immediately 
behind  him.  The  heather  tips  met 
over  his  back,  yet  his  great  form 
sank  lower,  imperceptibly  melting 
into  the  mottled  shadows.  The 
covey  was  close. 

The  cock  ptarmigan  on  the  ledge 
was  ignorant  of  the  danger.  A 
golden  eagle  sweeping  low,  a  marten 
ranging  high  in  summer,  these  were 
foes  he  watched  for  instinctively,  but 
a  wolf  was  an  enemy  new  to  Dome 
Mountain.  Leaving  the  rock,  the 
bird  was  about  to  settle  midway  be- 

SEPTEMBER  1946 


tween  the  two  ledges  when  it  saw 
the  motionless  gray  shape.  It  flashed 
straight  up,  sounding  its  staccato 
alarm. 

Instantly  the  covey  scattered 
downhill,  the  young  birds  skimming 
the  heather  tops,  the  hen  cutting  to 
right  and  left  behind,  driving  them 
on,  while  the  cock  high  in  air  clacked 
belligerently  at  the  discomfited 
stalker. 

A  less  experienced  hunter  might 
have  broken  cover  and  rushed  after 
the  startled  birds.  But  the  wolf, 
standing  now,  scarcely  watched 
them  scatter  down  the  slope.  Then 
in  a  long,  lithe  leap  he  rose  to  the 
crest  of  the  ledge  and  halted,  only 
his  gray  head  showing  above  the 
rim. 


A' 


long  the  slide  courses  he  saw 
several  of  the  soiled  white 
shapes  of  the  goats,  some  half  hid- 
den in  brush,  others  boldly  outlined 
against  the  green  of  the  valley  floor. 
On  the  highest  outcrop  along  the 
slide  Blackspike  stood  staring  plac- 
idly down. 

Dropping  from  sight,  the  wolf  be- 
gan a  long  detour  downhill.  The 
full  heat  of  the  autumn  day  lay  on 
the  slopes.  From  eroded  patches 
of  bare  rock,  heat  waves  shimmered. 
And  while  the  wolf  trotted  craftily 
along  a  depression  paralleling  the 
slide  course,  Blackspike  started 
slowly  toward  the  cliff  path.  In  the 
full  sunlight  and  with  no  wind,  the 
mountainside  was  becoming  uncom- 
fortably warm. 

In  groups  of  two  and  three  the 
rest  of  the  band  were  also  moving  up. 
They  had  fed  abundantly  since  day- 
light; now  they  were  thinking  of 
their  cool  resting  places  on  the 
snows  above  the  cliff. 

From  the  sloping  side  of  an  im- 
mense boulder,  the  wolf  could  see 
Blackspike  and  some  of  the  band 
already  mounting  the  cliff.  He  had 
never  hunted  mountain  goat  before, 
but  he  seemed  to  know  that  tactics 
he  had  used  upon  deer  in  the  low- 
lands could  not  serve  him  here. 
Hungrily  and  with  a  savage  stealth 
he  left  the  rock  and  started  upward, 
always  keeping  a  rock  or  clump  of 
brush  between  himself  and  the 
goats.  By  the  time  he  was  close  to 
the  frowning  wall  of  cliff  he  saw  his 
chance,  and  as  he  slunk  closer  there 
was  a  grim  intensity  of  purpose  in 
the  slightly  flattened  ears  and  low- 
ered head. 

At  the  end  of  the  straggling  band, 


a  full  hundred  yards  behind  the 
others,  a  young  nanny  and  her  kid 
were  mounting  slowly.  Each  time 
the  mother  stopped  to  nibble  at 
scattered  tufts  the  kid's  antics  were 
renewed.  Sometimes  it  would  climb 
to  the  gray  crown  of  boulders,  some- 
times start  ahead  only  to  bear  down 
on  its  mother  in  short,  stiff-legged 
jumps,  its  hornless  head  lowered  in 
mock  combativeness.  The  wolf 
moved  northward,  almost  abreast  of 
them,  a  gray  shadow  flitting  to  cut 
them  down  off  from  the  start  of  the 
cliff  path. 

Cuddenly  the  nanny  lifted  her  head 
with  a  warning  snort,  saw  her 
enemy  and,  with  the  kid  running 
close  beside  her  flank,  dashed  away 
for  twenty  yards.  She  was  confused, 
and  in  her  terror  she  had  no  thought 
but  flight  until  the  unerring  instinct 
of  her  kind  made  her  swerve  and 
rush  for  the  start  of  the  path.  Her 
course  ran  parallel  to  that  of  the 
speeding  wolf.  His  gait  was  faster 
than  hers,  but  the  broken  ground 
she  covered  so  easily  hampered  him 
and  she  and  her  offspring  reached 
the  gateway  to  safety  a  good  thirty 
yards  in  the  lead.  Madly  she 
bounded  up  the  steep  trail  leading  to 
the  bench  where  the  trail  turned  left 
again.  The  kid's  tiny  hoofs  thudded 
dully  on  the  rock  behind  her  as  she 
breasted  the  ascent. 

But  the  gray  hunter  was  not  beat- 
en yet.  Haunches  and  shoulder 
muscles  rippling  beneath  his  thin, 
summer  coat,  he  bounded  after  them. 
He  showed  a  gloating  recklessness 
as  he  shortened  the  distance  between 
himself  and  the  terrified  kid.  The 
ledge  here  was  wide  enough  for  him 
to  turn  easily  if  the  mother  showed 
fight.  In  one  last  terrific  spurt  he 
closed  just  as  the  two  goats  were 
crossing  the  level  of  the  bench.  Hurl- 
ing himself  at  the  kid's  flank,  he 
turned  onto  the  expanse  of  flat  rock 
and,  as  the  mother  gained  the  nar- 
row ledge  leading  to  the  cliff  top, 
gathered  himself  to  leap  upon  his 
prey. 

The  kid  never  knew  how  narrowly 
he  escaped  the  bared  fangs.  In  short, 
zigzagging  leaps  he  was  fleeing  for 
the  fissures  which  ages  of  sun  and 
frost  had  weathered  in  the  face  of 
the  wall. 

His  effort  seemed  hopeless,  but  as 

the  wolf  darted  with  head  low  and 

slightly  turned  for  the  fatal  inward 

thrust,      the      young      mountaineer 

(Continued  on  page  597) 

565 


OUR  MEMBERS  m  tL 


& 


wSSian 


one 


More  than  four  thousand  mem- 
bers of  the  Church  of  Jesus 
Christ  of  Latter-day  Saints 
today  reside  in  that  part  of  Ger- 
many occupied  by  Russian  troops. 
When  a  record  of  their  experiences 
has  been  compiled,  it  will  represent 
one  of  the  stirring  epics  of  sacrifice 
and  cooperation  in  the  history  of 
"Mormon"  missions. 

Because  of  Polish  expulsion  or- 
ders, the  more  than  fifteen  hundred 
members  of  the  Church  who  had 
resided  in  Silesia  now  taken  over  by 
the  Poles,  have  had  to  find  their  way 
into  Germany  proper.  In  Cottbus, 
fiery,  courageous  Fritz  Lehnig  last 
year  established  a  center  in  one  of 
the  schools,  and  there  often  as  many 
as  a  hundred  people  were  quartered 
until  they  could  be  pushed  further 
into  the  interior  to  distribute  them- 
selves in  other  parts  of  Germany.  At 
one  time  as  many  as  four  hundred 
refugees  were  provided  for  by  the 
Latter-day  Saint  organization  in 
Berlin.  When  the  bombings  caused 
tremendous  displacements,  the 
Church  leaders  of  the  East  Mission 
created  community  refugee  areas  in 
the  Spreewald,  Sudeten  Mountains, 
and  in  Kreuz  in  Pomerania.  An  ap- 
peal went  out  to  the  membership  in 
February  1944,  asking  for  contribu- 
tions of  clothing,  bed  linens,  and 
other  supplies  which  were  accumu- 
lated in  quantities  so  adequate  that 
the  appeal  was  shortly  voided.  To- 
day, of  course,  there  is  a  general 
shortage  of  all  clothing  and  supplies 
among  the  members,  but  in  1 944  and 
1945  many  a  person  was  assisted 
through  trying  months  because  of 
this  self-help  action  and  the  coopera- 
tion of  the  membership  of  the  dif- 
ferent branches. 

From  the  genealogist  Langhein- 
rich,  who  had  been  in  charge  of  wel- 
fare, I  heard  a  report  of  the  ten  days 
after  April  23,  1945,  when  the  Rus- 
sians occupied  the  area  in  which 
the  mission  office  was  located  at 
Rathenowerstrasse  52.  The  seventy- 
five  people  in  that  four-story  house, 
thirty-seven  of  them  members  of  the 
Church,  shared  their  provisions.  For 
two  days  from  April  23  to  the  25th, 
there  was  little  to  eat.  There  were 
shells  bursting  all  about,  but  ulti- 
mately the  struggle  ceased.  Some  of 
566 


the  people  went  out  and  scrounged 
bread.  A  mindful  member  made  her 
way  to  headquarters  bringing  rice 
and  other  foodstuffs.  Two  of  the 
brethren  made  their  way  out  of  the 
city  and  returned  with  1600  pounds 
of  potatoes,  a  bag  of  sugar,  farina, 
and  bread.  Another  foraging  party 
came  upon  Russians  slaughtering 
an  ox.  The  Red  troops  left  them 
the  tongue  and  less  desirable  sec- 
tions of  the  animal,  so  they  brought 
back  one  hundred  forty  pounds  of 
meat.  Others  secured  vegetables. 
Through  those  trying  days  no  one 
starved,  and  slowly  order  was  re- 
stored. 

VyiTH  the  end  of  the  war,  the  de- 
sire of  the  members  was  to  con- 
tinue their  religious  activities.  The 
Russians  had  to  be  contacted  for 
permission  to  hold  meetings.  The 
ultimate  result  was  an  order  from 
General  Sokolovsky,  noted  for  his 
active  participation  in  the  battle  of 
Warsaw.  That  order  is  today  the 
prize  possession  of  the  mission  presi- 
dency, for  it  not  only  permits  the 
holding  of  the  regular  services  of  the 
Church,  but  it  enables  representa- 
tives of  the  Church  to  move  about, 
and  it  secures  for  them  a  great  prize 
— the  largest  collection  of  genealogi- 
cal records  intact  in  Germany — - 
located  by  some  of  the  brethren  in 
a  mine  shaft  and  other  areas  where 
they  were  carelessly  dumped.  Ulti- 
mately 60,000  volumes  of  whole 
family  trees  and  Church  records  as 
well  as  hundreds  of  films  will  be 
made  available  to  the  Genealogical 
Society  of  Utah,  because  genealo- 
gists succeeded  in  obtaining  the  writ- 
ten consent  of  the  Russian  com- 
mandant to  gather  these  records  at 
a  time  when  most  people  in  Germany 
were  more  concerned  with  other 
problems. 

Today  more  than  forty-five 
branches  of  the  Church  are  again 
functioning  in  the  Russian  zone.  The 
Russian  officer  in  charge  of  propa- 
ganda and  religious  literature  has 
read  many  of  the  published  tracts, 
and  the  mission  has  permission  to 
publish  leaflets  when  the  necessary 


By   ARTHUR   GAETH 

paper  can  be  made  available.  Two 
automobiles  have  been  freed  for 
Church  use  by  order  of  the  com- 
manding general.  At  Whitsuntide 
permission  was  received  to  hold  a 
mission  conference  at  Leipzig,  and 
members  from  many  parts  of  the 
East  Mission  gathered  in  the  city 
where  I  well  recall  the  priesthood 
jubilee  which  I  helped  to  arrange 
back  in  1929. 

When  I  asked  Brother  Langhein- 
rich  how  the  Church  had  fared  at 
the  hands  of  the  Russians,  he  re- 
plied that  all  were  pleasantly  sur- 
prised at  the  consideration  given  to 
religious  needs.  With  two  mission- 
aries ( there  are  now  thirty-one  local 
members  called  to  missions  in  the 
East  German  Mission)  I  inter- 
viewed four  members  of  the  High 
Church  Council  of  the  Lutheran 
Church  in  Berlin.  They  gave  me  the 
same  testimony:  contrary  to  their 
expectations,  they  had  not  been  dis- 
turbed in  any  of  their  endeavors,  ex- 
cept where  certain  large  estates  were 
involved.  They  have  been  able  to 
establish  a  book  center  and  although 
the  Russians  had  little  understand- 
ing for  church  charity,  which  they 
think  is  the  function  of  the  state, 
and  have  been  opposed  to  mainte- 
nance of  youth  and  women's  organ- 
izations by  religious  bodies,  they 
have  now  given  permission  to  con- 
duct these  on  a  local  basis. 

The  Church  mission  also  has 
opened  a  permanent  refugee  center 
for  its  older  members:  wives  who 
have  lost  husbands  and  for  orphans 
at  Wolfsgruen.  About  eighty  people 
are  permanently  housed  there  on  an 
estate  which  includes  forty-five 
thousand  square  meters  of  park  and 
twenty-two  thousand  square  meters 
of  pasturage.  The  inmates  engage 
in  handwork  and  other  activities,  and 
the  whole  atmosphere  is  one  of  hope 
and  security. 

Tn  spite  of  extremely  strange  con- 
ditions and  the  loss  of  many  values 
through  the  destructive  nature  of 
war,  the  major  part  of  the  members 
of  the  Church  have  not  lost  their  be- 
(Conctuded  on  page  584) 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


"j'fi 


•-! 


romm  AND  ITS  FULFILMENT 


President  Woodruff  lived  on 
the  same  block  that  we  did, 
and  had  a  fine  orchard.  We 
also  had  a  fine  orchard  and  garden. 
Between  our  garden  and  his  there 
was  an  eight-foot  picket  fence. 
President  Woodruff  knew  me  almost 
as  well  as  he  did  one  of  his  own 
boys.  In  fact,  I,  boylike,  felt  that  his 
fruit  was  just  a  bit  sweeter,  a  little 


J 


out  in  the  world  to  preach  the  gos- 
pel, I  am  perfectly  willing  to  go  any- 
where you  desire  to  send  me,  but  I 
hardly  see  the  necessity  of  doing  it 
at  home." 

President  Woodruff  turned  to  me 
and  said,  "My  boy,  if  you  will  ac- 
cept this  mission,  as  a  prophet  of  the 
Lord,  our  God,  I  promise  you  that 
the  presence  of  the  Lord  shall  go 
before  you  to  prepare  the  hearts  of 
the  people  to  receive  your  message." 
This  statement  and  prophecy  of  the 
President  thrilled  me  through  and 
through,  and  I  turned  to  him  and 
said,  "President  Woodruff,  for  such 
a  wonderful  promise,  I  will  go  to  the 
ends  of  the  earth  to  conform  to  your 
desire." 


Ow   ^rran,R    l/l.  Jaulor 


f 


A 


PRESIDENT  WILFORD  WOODRUFF 

more  red  to  the  apple  than  ours,  and* 
so  I  climbed  carefully  over  that 
eight-foot  picket  fence,  and  many 
times  have  I  hurried  back  over  it 
with  President  Woodruff  after  me 
with  a  long  stick. 

President  Woodruff  sent  for  me 
and  told  me  that  he  would  like  me  to 
go  on  a  mission  for  the  Church. 
They  had  decided  to  send  out  a 
group  of  men  in  behalf  of  the  Young 
Men's  Mutual  Improvement  Asso- 
ciation to  encourage  greater  attend- 
ance and  enlistment  to  the  associa- 
tion, and,  at  the  same  time,  to  call  all 
people  to  repentance.  When  he  ex-, 
plained  this  to  me  I  said  to  him, 
"President  Woodruff,  is  it  necessary 
in  the  Church  where  we  have  organ- 
ized priesthood  quorums  and  ward 
teachers  to  call  our  people  to  repent- 
ance? Doesn't  this  problem  belong 
to  the  quorums  and  teachers?  For 
the  life  of  me  I  can't  understand  the 
necessity  of  sending  elders  out  to 
call  our  people  to  repentance,  and  I 
am  frank  to  admit  that  it  doesn't 
impress  me.    If  you  want  me  to  go 

SEPTEMBER  1946 


number  of  men  were  called  to 
act  as  superintendents  or  presi- 
dents of  certain  divisions  in  the 
Church,  and  I  was  one  of  those  se- 
lected for  that  purpose. 

We  went  to  several  bishops  to  ask 
their  cooperation  and  help  in  our 
work.  When  we  explained  to  them 
our  mission,  some  of  them  frankly 
told  us  that  they  were  not  in  har- 
mony with  it;  that  they  didn't  think 
we  could  do  any  good;  that  they  had 
men  in  the  priesthood  quorums  and 
teachers  in  the  ward  who  could  look 
after  their  own  affairs;  that  they 
didn't  need  any  help  from  us. 

I  had  in  my  mind  all  this  time  the 
promise  of  the  prophet  of  the  Lord 
that  the  presence  of  the  Lord  should 
go  before  me  to  prepare  the  hearts 
of  the  people  to  receive  my  message, 
and  I  said  to  my  companion,  "I  think 
that  we  need  to  do  a  little  praying 
and  a  little  fasting;  and,  if  it's  agree- 
able with  you,  we  will  fast  and  pray 
until  we  get  the  spirit  of  this  mis- 
sion." We  did  accordingly;  and  then 
one  night  a  spirit  came  over  me  that 
I  couldn't  describe.  It  seemed  to  fill 
my  whole  being  with  light,  and  I  felt 
almost  as  if  I  could  fly.  I  had  never 
had  in  my  life  such  happiness  come 
to  me  as  the  spirit  of  that  light  which 
rested  upon  me.  I  didn't  hear  any 
voice.  I  didn't  see  a  personage,  but 
it  was  made  plain  to  me, as  to  what 
we  should  do,  how  we  should  do  it, 


and  it  brought  me  an  assurance  that 
the  promise  of  the  prophet  should  be 
fulfilled. 

So  with  new  faith  we  went  back 
to  one  of  these  bishops  and  insisted 
that  he  send  out  couriers  to  visit  all 
the  people  in  his  ward  and  appoint  a 
special  meeting  for  them  to  attend. 
When  we  arrived  at  the  meeting- 
house, it  was  packed  to  overflowing, 
and  to  our  surprise  everybody 
stayed  throughout  the  meeting,  and 
everybody  wanted  us  to  go  home 
with  him.  In  the  morning  with  the 
president  of  the  Mutual  we  started 
out  to  visit  the  homes  of  the  people 
that  were  on  this  list.  It  so  hap- 
pened, without  any  premeditation  on 
our  part  or  arrangement,  that  the 
first  offender  happened  to  be  near 
where  we  were  staying,  and  we  went 
to  his  home  first.  When  we  arrived 
he  was  there  in  his  best  clothes  to 
meet  us,  kept  his  children  home 
from  school,  had  a  fire  in  the  parlor, 
and  received  us  with  courtesy  and 
kindness.  We  didn't  have  to  do  any 
preaching  to  him  or  to  call  him  to 
repentance.  He  volunteered  before 
we  said  anything  at  all  of  his  mis- 
deeds, of  the  things  he  had  been 
doing  wrong,  put  his  head  down  on 
the  table,  and  cried  like  a  little  child 
and  asked  if  God  would  forgive  him 
for  the  things  that  he  had  done 
wrong.  And,  when  we  explained  to 
him  all  the  Lord  required  was  for 
him  to  put  those  evil  things  away 
and  repent  before  the  Lord,  that 
God  would  forgive  him,  the  people 
would  forgive  him,  and  his  home 
would  be  a  home  of  happiness.  I 
think  both  my  missionary  companion 
and  I  shed  tears  with  him  and 
his  wife,  and  I  am  sure  I  had  never 
had  things  happen  that  gave  me 
greater  joy  or  pleasure  than  in  this 
home  witnessing  the  spirit  of  this 
man  who  sought  forgiveness.  And 
so  we  were  received  as  we  went 
from  house  to  house  with  like  con- 
sideration. It  was  not  necessary  for 
us  to  do  much  preaching  because  the 
hearts  of  the  people  were  touched 
before  we  met  them.   All,  I  felt,  ac- 

(Continued  on  page  591) 
567 


Jn  ESCAPE 


mm 


DEATH 


mo$>  tet.tbfe  teeling  that  can  come  to 
mEn  OU  slization,  if  not  based  on  a  be- 
\Kl  hi  ro  -ealed  religion,  breaks  dawn. 
Nations  and  communities  must  have  a 
■  ,-it  v  loissoess  \\  b«.h  must  be  kept  alive 
jo  (ha  fact  that  there  is  an  everlasting 
Jil!<  rence    between   the   best   and  the 


.1  ,-itior>C>f  our< 
tn:majs  spirit,  (SJWW7A,  Vsotil 
istence  evcrv  a*9  « ™J  ,'  ,3 
of  out  hopes  t  c  <  »<fi  i 

azsrt  ■  J 


AS  RELATED  BY 


to  Civilization 

Zi  Pn-iittrnl  devi  Cdcjat   Ijfmmy 


Of  THE  fift! 


JNCtL  OF  WE 


OT,t  and  that  there  is  a  neihteousne*, 
t'  1  nation  and  for  the  individua 
.  ipon  the  everlasting  nature  of 
fosclf  Thi«H  the  coni rsHntiv..n  _ 
%q\on  >.f  brae!  t1.<-  wriu;u;s  i 
ttgfe:^  and  "1  she  o.»;«H'>' 
-— S-ti  ;.""[  1  eer.  made  through  the  een- 


rse; 


thto 


fjlE  HotY-lfcatS 


lifted  up.'    Fra^'i-  .t  vi- 
;  beyond.  Use;  i  sPrai'^B, 
a  new  kanto*  jl,u>'  !7! .  a 
(Lis  vision  r-drf.HA     ^ 

bcv*id.      '•  "&  : 

,  ,..,thebW        ••  : 

world    Wan        *Pr'r^ 
the  h  3w.  a     !     ' 
imhethut-    ^,!,tV    ,T 


the 


1»«ElKMHl,f 


jc  bout  five  years  ago,  I  was  attend- 
/-\  ing  a  semireligious  meeting  which 
r*  *  I  shall  never  forget,  for  the  speak- 
er, I  don't  remember  his  name  or  sect, 
gave  a  talk  on  faith  which  I  have  kept 
as  my  guide  in  life  everywhere  I  go  and 
anything  I  do.  He  said  that  those  who 
live  righteously  and  try  to  make  the 
best  of  every  situation  that  arises  will 
find  that  everything  that  happens  to 
them  is  for  their  own  good.  This  will 
seem  hard  to  believe  for  those  who  have 
to  live  in  poverty  or  who  are  crippled 
for  life  or  have  other  trials. 

Before  our  full-scale  attack  on  the 
city  of  Metz,  France,  we  received  a 
message  from  General  Patton.  He  said 
this  was  the  third  time  to  try  to  take  the 
city  which  was  believed  to  be  the  most 
powerfully  defended  city  in  the  world. 
It  is  surrounded  by  the  Moselle  River 
on  one  side  and  steep  hills  on  the  other 
three  sides.  These  hills  were  hollow 
with  forts  in  which  the  defenders  had 
supplies  and  arms  and  artillery.  One 
fort  was  ten  kilometers  long  or  about 
six  miles. 

I  prayed  for  the  courage  to  do  my 
part  because  I  didn't  feel  at  the  time 
that  I'd  be  able  to  go  through  with  it. 
A  few  days  before  the  attack  I  was 

568 


TOP:  PHOTOGRAPH  OF  "THE  IMPROVEMENT 
ERA"  WHICH  WAS  CARRIED  IN  THE  POCKET 
OF  BROTHER  SMITH'S  FIELD  JACKET.  THE 
BULLET  ENTERED  HIS  BREAST  AND  LODGED 
IN   THE   OUTER   LINING  OF   HIS   HEART. 

BELOW:      PHOTOGRAPH    OF    ACTUAL    LEAD 
TAKEN   FROM    THE   CHEST  OF   ELDER   SMITH 


given  charge  of  a  squad.  With  that  re- 
sponsibility I  knew  that  those  lives  de- 
pended a  lot  on  me.  If  a  person  is 
given  a  responsibility  it  always 
strengthens  him. 

/^n  another  occasion,  I  had  just  been 
given  a  new  squad.  We  were  com- 
ing to  the  border  into  Germany,  and  our 
big  objective  was  Merzig.  That  day 
we  captured  a  position,  and  I  was 
turned  around.  I  didn't  know  in  which 
direction  the  Germans  were,  and  none 
of  the  rest  did,  either.  After  dark  we 
finally  found  a  place  and  dug  in,  hoping 
we  wouldn't  fire  on  our  own  men.  The 


fp/elden  //.  Dmitri 


Accompanying  the  account  by 
Elder  Smith,  and  the  folded 
"Era"  and  the  bullet,  was  a  letter 
from  Clifford  C.  Clive,  of  the  high 
priests'  quorum  of  St.  Anthony, 
Idaho,   who   wrote,    in   part: 

"As  a  high  priest  quorum  our  spe- 
cial interest  in  the  singular  experi- 
ence of  Elder  Smith  arises  from  the 
gratification  we  enjoy  in  the  thought 
that  this  folded  copy  of  'The  Im- 
provement Era'  carried  in  the  pocket 
over  his  heart  at  the  time  the  bullet 
struck  him  retarded  its  velocity  ex- 
actly enough  to  stop  it  at  the  lining 
of  the  heart  and  thus  saved  the  boy's 
life. 

"As  one  of  our  quorum  projects  for 
the  last  few  years,  we  have  sent  all 
the  members  of  our  stake  entering  the 
service  of  our  country  'The  Improve- 
ment Era.' . .  . 


next   morning  we   were   preparing   to 
attack.    I  was  puzzled  because  I  had 
received  no  instructions.    I  had  a  feel- 
ing that  something  was  going  to  happen 
to  me,  and  I  prayed  that  I'd  not  be 
killed.   Well,  we  went  into  the  attack 
and  had  orders  to  go  north.  The  shoot- 
ing was  coming  from  the  east  of  us,  and 
my  squad  was  on  the  right  flank  closest 
to  the  Germans.  We  came  to  a  trench, 
and   everyone    jumped    into  it.      The 
platoon  leader  hollered  for  me  to  get  the 
men  out  of  the  trench  and  get  them  go- 
ing. The  only  way  I  could  get  them  out 
would  be  to  go  ahead  of  them,  so  I 
crawled  out  and  started  to  run  north.  I 
got  about  ten  feet  from  the  trench  when 
a  machine  gun  bullet  hit  me  in  the  chest. 
I  felt  as  if  I  had  been  thrown  ten  feet. 
I  took  my  sulpha  pills  (eight  of  them) 
and  drank  what  water  I  could  get  into 
my  mouth.    I  couldn't  seem  to  hit  my 
mouth  with  it.  It  poured  all  over  my  face. 
Guess  I  was  a  little  excited.    My  pals 
were  in  the  trench  and  wanted  me  to  try 
to  crawl  on  my  back  to  the  trench.    I 
couldn't  do  it,  and  every  time  I'd  raise 
my  knee  a  little  the  machine  gun  would 
open  up.    Those  bullets  would  come 
thump,  thump,  thump  all  around  me. 
Well,  I  knew  I  had  to  move  some  way. 
My  buddies  offered  to  come  and  get 
me,  but  I  knew  they  would  be  hit  if  they 
tried  it.    I  rolled  onto  my  stomach  and 
coughed   up    a   lot   of   blood,    and   it 
{Concluded  on  page  580) 
THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


YESTERDAY  AND  TODAY 


IN  spite  of  the  many  difficulties  and 
oppressions  of  the  Nazi  gestapo,  the 
brethren  have  succeeded,  during  the 
war,  in  building  the  work  of  the  Lord. 
The  Spirit  of  God  triumphed  over  the 
insignificance  of  human  self-conceit. 

Many  difficulties  incident  to  war 
were  overcome  through  the  loyalty  of 
the  Saints.  Food  worries,  travel  pro- 
hibitions, lack  of  shelter,  and  numerous 
air  raids  did  not  keep  the  Saints  from 
drawing  renewed  strength  from  the 
gospel  to  overcome  all  obstacles.  The 
people  were  heroic.  Their  deeds  were 
not  of  the  spectacular  kind,  but  they 
revealed  a  deep,  soul-stirring  greatness. 
With  the  help  of  God  and  through  the 
strong  faith  of  the  brethren  and  sisters, 
we  held  with  great  success,  almost  for 
the  duration  of  the  war,  regular  spring 
and  fall  conferences. 

Our  members  suffered  heavy  losses 
through  the  destruction  of  the  cities  and 
homes.  Many  found  themselves  after  a 
terrific  night  attack,  in  the  early  morn- 
ing between  the  ruins  and  the  glimmer- 
ing rafters,  with  nothing  in  their  hands, 
bareheaded,  covered  only  with  scanty 
clothing,  without  food  and  home,  but 
not  without  hope  in  God.  In  all  their 
poverty,  they  were  still  truly  rich.  The 
losses  of  life  were  small,  but  the  ma- 
terial losses  were  very  heavy.  Thou- 
sands became  and  still  are  destitute. 

The  mission  home  was  destroyed  in 
a  bombing  attack  during  the  night  of 
November  22,  1943.  Of  course,  we 
unitedly  started  the  cleanup  work. 
While  at  work,  a  still,  small  voice  told 
me  forcibly,  "Leave  this  place  with  the 
lady  missionaries  at  once."  I  did  not 
hesitate  a  moment  to  be  obedient  to  this 
voice.  I  called  the  sisters  to  come  with 
me  immediately.  We  picked  up  a  few 
belongings  hurriedly  and  left  the  house. 
One  hour  later,  the  mission  home  was 
so  heavily  bombed  by  another  terrific 
attack  that  it  literally  burned  from  the 
cellar  to  the  roof.  Had  Brother  Klopfer, 
acting  mission  president,  then  visiting 
us  on  military  furlough,  his  wife,  the 
lady  missionaries,  and  myself,  stayed 
in  the  house,  no  escape  would  have 
been  possible,  and  we  would  have 
burned  to  death. 

Tn  the  wake  of  the  war,  many  homes 
of  the  members  were  destroyed.  In 
Koenigsberg  alone,  after  a  night  of 
bombing,  thirty-five  families  were  in 
the  burning  streets,  without  roof  or 
clothing.  In  view  of  the  ever  rising 
need  and  in  spite  of  limited  resources, 
in  January  1944,  we  inaugurated  a  re- 
lief program.     Although   the   members 

SEPTEMBER  1946 


~M  J-^lctvim  of  tke  (Ladt  C/t 


erman 


•   By   ELDER   PAUL   LANGHEINRICH,   Berlin 
First  Counselor  of  the  Mission  Presidency 


i55ion 


themselves  had  become  poor  during  the 
war,  our  call  was  answered.  The 
Saints  contributed  linen,  dresses,  books, 
and  all  kinds  of  household  articles.  As 
the  cities  were  evacuated,  many  mem- 
bers were  given  shelter  in  Saxony.  As 
long  as  the  Saints  followed  the  counsel 
of  the  priesthood,  they  were  preserved 
from  harm  and  danger.  In  Saxony  we 
laid  out  three  camps.  At  the  end  of  the 
war,  the  immense  problem  of  lodging 
the  many  homeless  members  confronted 
us.  The  task  seemed  almost  impossible 
but  with  the  Lord's  help  we  succeeded. 

First,  the  brethren,  about  one  hun- 
dred in  all,  gathered  in  the  hall  of  the 
branch  in  Cottbus.  Through  the  cour- 
tesy of  the  Soviet  army  officers,  we  suc- 
ceeded in  getting  a  former  nursing 
home  in  the  Erzgebirge  for  a  camp. 
Everywhere  we  received  help  through 
the  Soviet  administration.  On  our  first 
visit  to  Buchholz,  Sachsen,  the  members 
were  living  on  potato  peelings.  They 
were  on  the  verge  of  starvation. 
Thanks  to  the  support  of  the  Russians, 
we  could  furnish  the  necessary  suste- 
nance. The  local  German  officials  pro- 
vided a  small  amount  of  help.  Once  six 


As  far  as  possible,  tasks  are  being 
performed  by  groups,  according  to 
Church  practice,  so  that  the  members 
will  become  self-sustaining.  In  Cottbus, 
knitting  by  machine  is  being  done. 
Other  camps  have  new  tasks  to  do. 
With  the  available  lumber,  we  can 
build  one  and  two  family  dwellings. 
In  Wolfsgruen  and  Walthersdorf  in 
the  Erzgebirge,  we  could  start  a  mod- 
ern furniture  factory  in  available 
rooms,  if  we  had  a  way  of  financing  the 
project.  With  work,  and  adequate 
food  which  would  insure  continued 
health,  the  sorely-tried  members  would 
again  be  satisfied  and  happy. 

In  addition  to  the  material  needs, 
stand  the  sorrow  and  longing  of  the 
soul.  We  are  answering  the  earnest  re- 
quests for  preaching  the  gospel.  Our 
own  publications,  with  the  approval  of 
the  occupation  authorities,  provide  our 
members  again  with  literature.  Soon 
we  are  expecting  to  publish  the  mission 
publications  Det  Stern  and  Der  Weg~ 
weiser  in  new  and  approved  forms. 
Until  we  have  closer  contact  with  the 
Church,  the  auxiliaries  are  using  our 
own  revised  and  approved  lesson  ma- 


of  us  were  thrown  into  prison  in 
Zwickau.  Someone  had  falsely  sus- 
pected and  reported  us.  Through  the 
help  of  our  Father  in  heaven,  we  were 
set  free  to  continue  our  work. 

The  districts  of  Koenigsberg,  Dan- 
zig, Schneidemuehl,  and  Breslau  are 
disorganized.  Daily  displaced  members 
seeking  new  homes  are  being  met  in 
Berlin.  As  far  as  possible,  we  have 
gathered  whole  branches  and  put  the 
members  in  previously  prepared  camps 
and  homes.  At  the  earliest  opportunity, 
Breslau  Branch  is  to  come  in  one  large 
group. 


MISSIONARY  CONFERENCE  HELD  IN  DRESDEN, 
GERMANY,   MAY    1946 

terial.  The  number  of  active  mission- 
aries is  growing.  The  people  are  hun- 
gry for  the  word  of  God.  Now  we 
must  and  will  throw  in  our  sickle  and 
with  God's  help,  reap  a  rich  harvest. 
The  youth  is  marching  forward  and  is 
diligent  in  the  work.  In  order  to  create 
an  even  closer  relationship  among  the 
members,  pictures  of  the  accomplish- 
ments of  the  mission  are  desirable  and 
necessary.  Our  photo  and  film  equip- 
ment was  burned.  Due  to  this  fact,  suc- 
cessful accomplishments  through  pub- 
(Concluded  on  page  596) 
569 


)&!0&:f 


By  RICHARD  L  EVANS 


T_Teard  from  the  "Crossroads  of  the  West"  with  the  Salt 
*  ■*■  Lake  Tabernacle  Choir  and  Organ  over  a  nationwide  radio 
network  through  ksl  and  the  columbia  broadcasting  system 
every  Sunday  at  11 :30  a.m.  Eastern  Daylight  Saving  Time,  9:30 
a.m.  Central  Standard  Time,  8:30  a.m.  Mountain  Standard  Time, 
and  7:30  a.m.  Pacific  Standard  Time. 


\Jn  fcvunnina  ^rwau  from,  <=JLife 

C\&  this  question  of  trying  to  run  away   from  our 
troubles  and  from  ourselves:    We  all,  of  course, 
have  our  share  of  burdens.    Some  seem  to  carry  them 
better  than  others,  but  there  are  times,  no  doubt,  when 
many  of  us  become  discouraged  to  the  point  where  we 
woridei;  if  facing  life  is  worth  the  effort.    Perhaps  not 
iinany  of  us  seriously  harbor  the  idea,   and  yet  the 
shadow  of  its  suggestion  may  sometimes  cross   our 
thoughts.    But  when  life  becomes  overbearingly  com- 
plicated, when  problems  hang  oppressively  heavy,  or 
when  the  courage  to  face  consequences  fails  us,  there 
are  some  few,  unfortunately,  who  become  so  despond- 
ent, so  panic-stricken,  so  baffled,  that  they  contemplate 
running  away  from  life  itself  by  removing  themselves 
from  the  scene  of  this  world's  troubles  and  tragedies. 
There  is  much  that  could  be  said  on  this  serious  subject, 
as  preface  to  which  let  us  ask  ourselves  these  questions: 
Do  we  absolve  a  man  of  moral  blaine  if  he  runs  away 
to  a  far  city  to  avoid  facing  a  responsibility?    Is  an 
obligation  paid  by  the  deliberate  taking  of  a  journey 
put  of  this  worldNany  more  than  it  is  by  the  deliberate 
taking  of  a  far  journey  in  this  world?  Is  God,  who  gave 
us  life,  to  have  us  tell  him  when  we  have  lived  it  long 
enough?  A  man  can  no  more  restore  his  own  life  than 
he  can  the  life  of  another,  :'a^  he  who  takes  what,  he 
cannot  restore  is  doing  a  gravely  serious  tiling,  as  is 
also  he  who  undertakes  to  assume  consequences  which 
he  can  neither  understand  nor  estimate,  and  the  ultimate 
results  *6f  which  he  has  no  knowledge.  To  him  who  at 
any  time  for  any  cause  contemplates  thus  seeking  to f 
run  away  from  himself,  let  it  be  said  that  men  are  im- 
mortal, that  -lile  is  purposeful,  that  justice  is  certain. 
These  truths  we  need  never  doubt.   It  is  such  verities 
that  help  men  to  endure  to  the  end,  which  end,  so- 
called,  is  but  the  beginning  of  things  beyond — and  he 
who  would  run  away  from  life,  in  this  world  or  out  of 
it,  is  but  inviting  the  transfer  of  his  troubles  to  another 
time  and  place  of  settlement— perchance  on  less  favor- 
able terms  than  are  available  here  and  now.   Wisdom 
and  the  reason  of  reality  would  suggest  facing  the  facts 
and  solving  our  problems  on  the  best  terms  that  we 
can  make  with  rife,  not  counting  on  being  able  to  escape  .. 
from  ourselves  by  restlessly  running  up  and  down  the 
world  nor  by  removing  ourselves  from  it.    In  short, 
there  is  no  such  thing  ,as  running  away  from  life,  and 
so  we  had  better  learn  to  live  it.      j 
■eiy  .  —July  14,  1946. 


J^uccedd  id    rjeuer  ^jritial . 


HThere  is  a  challenging  phrase  to  the  effect  that  "suc- 
cess is  never  final."  It  is  true  that  there  are  many 
who  seem  to  be  successful  up  to  a  point — and  then 
something  happens.  Some  win  honors  and  achieve  dis- 
tinction in  school  years  who  seem  to  fail  in  meeting  the 
real  issues  of  life.  There  are  some  who  are  precocious 
as    children,    whose    early    success    is    not   sustained 
through  later  years.  There  are  those  who  enjoy  much 
popularity  in  their  youth,  but  who  later  fail  to  fulfil  the 
promise  of  their  youth.   On  the  other  hand,  there  are 
"ugly-ducklings,"  so  to  speak,,  who  were  overshadowed 
when  they  were  young,  but  who  achieve  distinction  in 
years  of  maturity.    There  are  those  who  die  too  soon 
for  success  to  reach  them;  there  are  those  who  die  in 
the  full  flush  of  success;  and  there  are  those  whd'  Outlive 
their  own  success.    There  are  those  who  go  through 
much  of  their  lives,  respected  and  in  good  conduct, 
who   later   make   serious   mistakes   and    lose    all   the 
reputation  for  success  they  ever  had,  some  on  moral 
grounds,  some  on  financial  grounds,  some  for  causes 
unknown.  But  if  they  had  died  before  they  made  such 
mistakes,  they  might  well  have  been  accounted  success- 
ful. Where  fair  judgment  and  justice  lie  in  such  issues 
would  be  beyond  the  power  of  mere  men  to  say,  and 
it  is  fortunate  that  the  valid  appraisal  of  success  in  life 
rests  with  the  Lord  God  and  not  with  any  mortal  judge. 
But  this  much  we  may  surmise:    that  it  is  the  whole 
story  of  adman's  life  that  must  ultimately  determine 
whether  or  not  he  is  successful,  and  not  any  single 
page  or  chapter  of  it.  And  there  are  none  so  young  but 
what  their  performance  has  its  effect  upon  the  whole 
of  their  lives,  and  none  so  old  as  to  place  them  and  their 
actions  beyond  judgment.    A   little   foolishness   may 
destroy  a  long-standing  reputation  for  wisdom,  and  a 
little  brilliance  may  seem  to  cover  a  multitude  of  sins, 
but  life  is  not  a  thing  that  begins  and  ends  at  two  defin- 
able points;  it  is  an  eternal  journey,  to  endless  destina- 
tions; and  the  highest  reward  is  for  consistency  of  per- 
formance— not  merely  for  occasional  flashes  of  bril- 
liance, or  isolated  acts  of  goodness,  or  brief  periods  of 
dependability.    It  is  still  true,  as  it  was  when  it  was 
anciently  spoken,  that  to  him  "that  endureth  to  the 
end"1  come  the  greatest  assurance  of  success  and  the 
greatest  promise  of  having  the  labors  of  his  life  pro- 
nounced "Well  done." 


1Matthew    JO:  22 


-July  28,  1946. 


570 


THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


*'<&£$$&& 


;S*:;5i;;;:::;>S:i:#iS;?S:: 


ipsm 


*#P 


S*:S?38S 


::::;::::ya:::::S;:K:S;K:SSi:::;;¥::;v;3:-S:|  ft:  i? 


la  ItoMOe 


:!v:vi:::::B 


'-■''■y''''A  ■:■;.-. 0.-:::\':x';:':;-.'::':.-:::v:--':;-; 
;.-.v  .;.■.■:■■■.',■,■..-,■, 


_,-,.., 


;:v^^;::::':^:;:;::;';:::::.:v-.:::.::::::::::''-: 


L/«.  J^owlna   \Jur  vJwn  J-^robu 


em5 


'"Phis  week  in  the  valleys  that  fringe  the  Great  Ameri- 
can desert,  we  pause  again  to  commemorate  the 
lives  and  labors  of  the  pioneer  empire  builders  of  the 
inland  West.  It  is  ninety-nine  years — one  year  before 
the  Centennial — since  they  made  their  entrance  into  this 
forbidding  wasteland,  and,  with  hard  work  and  the 
help  of  God,  here  created  one  of  the  garden  places  of 
the  world.  Recalling  these  events  brings  to  mind  the 
pioneers  and  pilgrims  of  all  times  past,  all  who  have 
ventured  forth  to  carve  out  a  way  of  life  for  themselves, 
and  one  cannot  help  being  moved  by  how  much  they 
sometimes  did  with  so  little,  and,  by  comparison,  how 
little  some  of  us  sometimes  do  with  so  much.  Those 
who  succeeded  best  with  least  material  advantage 
were  those  who  were  driven  by  firm  conviction.  Usually 
they  could  have  lived  more  comfortably  in  established 
places — that  is,  more  comfortably  as  to  the  physical 
man,  but  not  more  comfortably  as  to  conscience,  for  the 
compromising  of  principles,  convictions,  and  ideals 
never  brings  comfort  inside,  where  a  man  has  to  live 
with  himself  and  all  his  thoughts.  And  so  they  ventured 
forth  in  the  spirit  of  self-dependence  as  to  the  favors 
of  men,  but  with  great  dependence  on  the  providence 
of  God,  and  set  about  to  do  what  had  to  be  done.  Now 
a  man  who  is  breaking  the  wilderness  a  thousand  miles 
from  populous  places  has  no  one  to  run  to  the  minute 
life  becomes  difficult  or  the  minute  problems  become 
perplexing.  So  they  did  as  men  have  always  done  when 
face  to  face  with  necessity:  they  solved  their  problems 
with  what  they  had.  Now  comes,  a  century  later,  the 
year  1946,  with  all  of  its  realities,  all  of  its  headaches. 
all  of  its  perplexities,  and  we  are  led  to  ask  what  would 
we  do  if  the  props  and  the  pampering  were  taken  away 
from  us.  It  would  be  shocking  to  begin  with,  of  course. 
There  would  be  much  confusion,  much  consternation. 
Walking  is  always  difficult  to  one  long  accustomed  to 
riding — but  when  the  machinery  breaks  down,  forgot- 
ten energies  and  common  sense  and  neglected  resource- 
fulness come  gloriously  alive  again,  and  some  of  the 
artificial  props  which  we  seem  to  be  so  desperately 
dependent  upon  are  not  missed  so  much  nor  so  long  as 
might  seem  to  be  the  case.  Our  sons  have  proved  this 
over  and  over  again  in  the  unexpected  extremities  of 
war.  And,  given  reason  enough  for  doing  so,  the  same 
stuff  that  made  men  and  women  self-reliant  in  the  pio- 
neering past  would  make  them  so  again.  It  is  not  good 
for  men  "to  be  commanded  in  all  things."  (See  D.  &  C. 
58:26.)  They  should  "do  many  things  of  their  own 
free  will."  (D.  &  C.  58:27.) 

1  '    —July  21.  1946, 


On 


W 


ovma  an 


9 


id  L^h 


anqin 


ama 


rE  see  before  us  these  days  a  generation  on  the 
move.  There  is  much  of  going  back  and  forth, 
much  of  running  to  and  fro — much  of  seeking  new 
sights,  new  scenes,  new  situations;  and  there  are  many 
who  always  seem  to  be  possessed  by  the  urge  to  be 
going  somewhere,  but  who  never  quite  seem  to  be 
arriving  where  they  want  to  go.  It  would  be  interesting 
to  know  how  many  of  us  who  are  on  the  move  actually 
have  business  of  consequence  or  purpose  of  importance, 
and  how  many  of  us  are  deluded  into  thinking  that 
merely  because  we  are  moving  we  are  getting  sorrier 
where.  With  those  who  move  with  constructive  pur- 
pose there  can  be  no  quarrel.  With  those  who  are 
spurred  by  the  wholesome  discontent  of  progress  there 
can  be  no  quarrel  nor  can  there  be  with  those  who 
move  with  the  earnest  intent  of  seeing  worth-while 
things.  But  those  who  move  aimlessly,  those  who  drift 
without  purpose,  are  to  be  pitied  in  their  waste  of  life 
and  in  their  want  of  objective.  Aimless  motion  has  little 
in  common  with  directed  purpose.  But  even  more  to  be 
pitied  are  those  who  keep  moving  in  an  effort  to  elude 
themselves — those  who  try  to  outrun  the  pursuit  of  their 
own  thoughts,  those  who  try  to  solve  their  difficulties 
and  their  troubles  by  running  away  from  them.  This 
idea  that  all  we  need  to  do  to  solve  a  personal  problem 
is  to  move  to  another  place  is  an  idea  in  which  we 
should  not  place  too  much  confidence.  It  is  true  that 
many  of  our  troubles  grow  out  of  our  environment,  but 
it  is  also  true  that  more  of  our  troubles  than  we  care 
to  admit  are  chargeable  to  us,  ourselves.  And  for  such 
troubles,  moving  offers  no  certainty  of  cure.  We  may 
move,  and  move  again;  we  may  alter  our  apparel,  our 
appearance,  and  our  appellations— but  unless  with  all 
this  there  is  some  genuinely  new  attitude,  some  new  and 
real  determination,  we  are  running  to  no  purpose,  for 
without  some  change  within,  the  old  self  is  always 
there,  and  the  old  habits,  the  old  excuses,  the  old  fears, 
and  the  old  thoughts — and  temptation  is  everywhere. 
To  be  sure  there  is  nothing  wrong  with  moving.  All 
of  us  got  where  we  are  because  we  or  someone  else 
moved  us  there.  But  let  us  not  expect  more  of  moving 
than  it  offers.  It  sometimes  offers  an  opportunity,  but 
it  gives  no  assurance — and  though  we  were  to  run  rest- 
lessly up  and  down  the  world  forever,  we  would  never 
merely  by  moving  shake  off  the  shadows  that  pursue 
us.  Moving  is  one  thing,  and  changing  may  be  quite 
another — and  the  way  to  change  is  to  change. 


-July  7,  1946. 


Copyright,  1946. 


SEPTEMBER  1946 


:'«".■;>  j 


571 


CHECKING    UP 


I 


.van  knew  Carol  had  some- 
thing on  her  mind  as  soon  as  he  entered 
the  warm,  fragrant  kitchen,  but  he  said 
nothing.  Experience  had  taught  him 
that  the  trouble  which  brought  those 
wrinkles  between  her  eyes  would  be 
forthcoming  in  due  time. 

"You  know,  Ivan,  a  letter  came  from 
Roy  today.  That  is,  if  you  can  call  a 
half  page  a  letter.    It's  there — " 

"He's  going  overseas,  is  that  it?" 
Ivan  broke  in. 

"No,  he  doesn't  think  he  will  have  to 
go  now  the  war's  over — unless  he  en- 
lists for  three  years — " 

"And  you've  noticed  a  difference  in 
his  letters  lately — now  he's  got  so  much 
time  on  his  hands,"  Ivan  filled  in. 

"How  do  you  know?"  asked  Carol. 

"How  could  I  help  it  after  reading 
his  letters  lately.  They  don't  come  as 
often,  and  as  you  said,  they're  just 
notes  now.  And  then  he's  mentioned  a 
girl,  Jean,  and  that  she  has  red  hair. 
We  don't  even  know  if  she  belongs  to 
the  Church." 

"Oh,  Ivan,"  Carol's  eyes  filled  with 
tears,  "He's  been  such  a  good  boy.  He 
never  missed  a  priesthood  meeting 
when  he  was  here,  and  he  always  used 
to  wait  until  after  sacrament  meeting 
before  he'd  go  on  a  Sunday  night  date. 
I  can't  bear  to  think  of  his  getting  blue 
or  bitter  because  he's  tired  of  being  in 
the  service  and  maybe  going  out  with 
the  wrong  crowd."    She  began  to  sob. 

For  a  time  neither  of  them  spoke. 
Then  Ivan  gave  her  a  smile  and  went 
to  call  the  smaller  children  to  supper. 

"Do  you  know,  Carol,"  he  said,  "I 
can't  remember  ever  seeing  you  idle 
except  when  you  were  in  bed,  and  then 
you  generally  worried  about  your  work 
for  the  next  day  so  you  didn't  really 
rest.  I'm  going  to  call  the  depot  now 
and  see  if  we  can  get  a  Pullman  to  Los 
Angeles  next  Friday  night.  We'll  go 
check  up  on  Roy  in  person,  and  in  the 
meanwhile  maybe  we  can  rub  out  some 
of  those  wrinkles  between  your  eyes. 
I've  always  wanted  to  see  Hollywood 
and  maybe  get  a  chance  to  play  op- 
posite Betty  Grable.  I'll  wire  Roy 
we're  coming  and  maybe  he  can  get 
the  week  off. ' 

J.  hey  felt  very  much  alone 
in  the  big  Los  Angeles  station,  that  is, 
until  a  big  six-footer  in  sailor  blues 
jumped  up  and  came  to  meet  them. 
With  a  cry  of  joy,  Carol  ran  into  his 
arms  while  Ivan  stood  by  trying  to 
smile  and  swallow  the  lump  in  his 
throat  at  the  same  time.  Roy  had  even 
arranged  for  their  room.  He  had 
planned  everything  except  that  he  had 
only  Saturday  and  Sunday  off. 

"But,"  he  told  them,  "we'll  at  least 
have  our  evenings  together." 

On  Sunday,  Roy  took  them  to  Holly- 
wood to  see  some  of  the  famous  places. 
TTiey   spent   the   afternoon   at   Ocean 

572 


Park.  About  four-thirty  Roy  got  up 
from  the  grass  where  they  were  rest- 
ing and  said,  "Listen,  folks,  I'm  afraid 
you've  been  neglecting  your  sacrament 
meeting  attendance,  so  I'm  taking  you 
to  a  ward  in  Long  Beach.  It's  a  long 
ride.  We  have  to  go  back  to  Los 
Angeles  and  then  to  Long  Beach.  It 
will  take  close  to  two  hours  counting 
waits  and  all." 

"Isn't  there  a  ward  here  in  Santa 
Monica,  or  couldn't  we  go  to  one  of 
the  Los  Angeles  wards  and  save  at 
least  part  of  that  ride?"  Ivan  suggested. 

"But  I  know  some  people  in  Long 
Beach  Ward,  and  they  have  the  best 
Firesides  too." 

It  was  about  a  quarter  of  seven  when 
they  reached  the  chapel.  A  few  people 
were  around  waiting  for  Church  to  be- 
gin as  a  red-haired  girl  came  up  the 
hall.  Roy  walked  to  meet  her,  and  they 
came  back  hand  in  hand. 

"Dad,  Mother,  this  is  Jean."  That 
was  all  he  said.  Ivan  looked  into  the 
clear  eyes  and  the  radiant  young  face; 
then  he  looked  side  wise  at  Carol.  What 
he  saw  there  put  his  mind  at  rest.  If 
Carol  was  satisfied,  then  the  girl  was  all 
right. 

Ivan  suddenly  remembered  what  Roy 
had  said  about  knowing  some  people 
in  this  ward.  No  wonder  he  had  in- 
sisted on  coming  here. 


Dm    Ljiloert  ^fndrewi 


"Here,  Bishop,"  he  called,  as  a 
pleasant- faced  man  hurried  by.  "This 
is  my  dad  and  mother.  They  came  down 
here  to  check  up  on  me.  But  I've  de- 
cided they're  the  one's  that  need  check- 
ing up  on.  Help  me  keep  an  eye  on 
them  tonight  and  see  if  their  church 
behavior  is  up  to  standard." 

The  bishop  laughed,  "Hate  to  ask 
you  with  your  parents  here,  but  we're 
short  on  young  fellows  to  take  care  of 
the  sacrament." 

"It's  okeh,  Bishop,  I'll  get  that  sailor 
buddy  of  mine  over  here  to  help,"  and 
he  moved  away. 

Xhey  were  on  their  way 
home.  Ivan  knew  Carol  had  something 
on  her  mind,  but  he  waited. 

"Ivan,  how  many  times  have  we 
stayed  home  from  sacrament  meeting 
rather  than  walk  three  blocks?  Roy 
took  us  about  forty  miles  anyway.  And 
I  haven't  been  to  Relief  Society  for 
months." 

"Yes,  Mom,"  Ivan  squeezed  her 
hand.  "I'm  wondering  who  really  got 
checked  on.   Isn't  Jean  nice?" 


THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


T 


PEACE  IN  OUR  WORLD 

By  Charles  Henry  Mackintosh 

hey  are  not  wise,  who  think  the  war  is 
over 

Because  another  battle  has  been  won; 
Because  no  rockets  cross  the  cliffs  at  Dover, 
No  bombers  roar  against  the  Rising  Sun, 

The  war  of  hate  on  love  is  never  ended : 
To  think  it  won  is  to  increase  the  cost; 

It  is  to  leave  the  ramparts  undefended, 
To  count  the  unfought  fight  already  lost. 

Though  each  may  yield  to  hate  in  his  own 
fashion, 

Yet  each  will  use  it  to  its  only  ends: 
To  poison  understanding  and  compassion, 

To  make  new  enemies  of  former  friends. 

We  may  have  peace,  and  we  shall  keep  it 
longer, 

If  each  of  us  will  look  into  his  soul 
To  see  if  love  or  hate  is  growing  stronger 

Within  the  only  world  he  can  control. 


STAR  OF  GOLD  REMOVED 
By  Helen  Kimball  Orgill 

I  saw  my  neighbor  across  the  way 
Take  down  her  star  of  gold  today, 
That  in  her  window  shining  through, 
Was  superseded  by  the  blue. 
She  smiled  and  tried  to  hide  the  pain 
That  long  within  her  heart  had  lain. 
Evading  not  his  mentioned  name, 
Yet  modest  of  her  hero's  fame. 
I  saw  beyond  the  courage  won, 
A  pillow  wet  with  day  begun. 
The  star  to  her  meant  many  boys: 
The  one  who  played  with  childish  toys, 
The  lad  who  had  with  living  seethed, 
The  twinkling  eyes  and  teeth  all  wreathed 
In  smiles,  who  played  at  games  with  zest. 
And  danced   and  skated  with   the  best. 

O  wise  of  earth,  men  high  and  low, 
What  recompense  can  you  bestow? 
The  star  of  gold,  O  let  it  lead 
Away  from  selfishness  and  greed, 
To  beckon  on  like  long  ago, 
The  star  of  Bethlehem  to  glow! 


LIVING 

By  Jo  Adelaide  Stock 

OH,  there's  a  time  for  everything: 
A  time  to  laugh  and  play  and  sing: 
A  time  for  sorrow,  poignant  deep, 
And  time  for  weary  hearts  to  weep; 
A  time  for  gentians,  robin-wake, 
And  ducklings  riding  on  the  lake; 
There's    time    for    mistletoe    and    heather, 
Time  for  snow  and  summer  weather. 

There's  time  for  maidenhood  to  flower, 

And  for  a  bride  who  waits  her  hour; 

A  time  for  cold  gray  of  the  morn 

When  a  woman's  son  is  born. 

And  comes  the  lullaby's  soft  singing, 

Merry  children's  laughter  ringing; 

And  time  to  watch  the  falt'ring  breath 

Of  loved  ones  touched  by  grace  of  death. 

Hold  fast  the  joys,  the  tears  forgive, 
Because  it  is  so  good  to  live! 

SEPTEMBER  1946 


REAPING  WE  WONDER 
By  Lucretia  Penny 

Could  it  be  broccoli?   Is  it  a  beet? 
Tomato?    Potato.   Irish  or  sweet? 
Could  it  be  maybe  a  roasting  ear? 
Bring  out  the  botany  and  catalogs,  dear. 
Asparagus?    Leeks?    Cress  as  in  creeks? 
At  long   last  we're   reaping   the   thing  we 

have  sown. 
Could  it  be  squash?  An  artichoke  cone? 
Spinach?    Kraut?    The  Brussels  sprout? 
But  we  raised  it!  It's  ours.   We'd  better  find 

out! 


THE  PROMISE  OF  FALL 

By  Edna  S.  Dustin 

r\EFYiNG  winter  she  flaunts  her  brush 
*-*  Of   flamingo   wings    and    breast    of    a 

thrush. 
No  Senorita  is  gayer  than  she 
In  her  bright  petticoats  as  she  paints  each 

tree. 
Her  laughter  is  heard  in  the  tumbling  leaves. 
As   she   walks   in    the    face    of    death    and 

breathes 
A  promise  that  she  will  again  restore 
The  earth's  bright  cheeks  now  grayed  with 

scar. 


YUCCA 

By  Gene  Romolo 

"V^ucca  trees  that  rise  from  desert  sand, 

4    Like  waxen  tapers  waiting  for  the  hand 

Of  God  to  light  them,  help  man's  dust-filled 

eyes 
Turn    from    earth's    wind-swept    dunes    to 

search  the  skies. 

Yucca  trees,  with  many  a  low-swung  star 
Above  their  chastity  of  white,  are 
Lovely,  living  candles  of  the  Lord, 
That  well  might  grace  a  world  communion 
board. 


NEW  NEIGHBORS 
By  Bertha  R.  Hudelson 

Two  weeks  ago  they  moved  in  next  door, 
west! 
The  van  came  in  the  middle  of  the  night; 
Till  dawn  I  heard  the  shouts  of  weary  men 
Struggling  with   heaviness,   testing    their 
might. 

Later,  I  saw  a  little  boy  with  eyes 

Unsmiling,    watch    the    boys    across    the 
street; 
I    took   his   hand,   and   soon   he  was    their 
friend, 
Cheering   and   laughing,   racing  on  light 
feet. 

I  meant  to  call,  solemn,  well-groomed,  when 

she 
Had  curtains  hanging,  but  I  went  before. 
With  hair  askew  and  house  dress  smudged, 

I  took 
A  dozen  eggs,  new-laid,  to  her  back  door. 


THE  TURN  h 

By  Alice  Marie  Graves 

npo  feel  the  aching  weight  of  failure  deep 
■*■     within; 
To  think  back  through  the  years  and  years 

forever  past 
And  see  in  them  sad  unfulfilment  of  youth's 

dream; 
To  glimpse  a  crossroad  far  off  there  with 

its  wrong  turn — 
A  life  thereafter  lived  but  half  because  not 

yours — 
That's  heartbreak. 

For  you  to  drink  the  bottom  of  this  bitter 

well 
And  further  understand  that  time  may  soon 

run  out; 
But   now   to   turn   the   look   from   all    that 

should  have  been 
And  say,  "God  helping  me,  I'll  search  out 

every  scrap 
Of  dream-stuff   left.     I    can   do   something 

yet.   I  will!" 
That's  courage. 


— Photograph  by  Josef  Muench 


WOMAN  IN  PEACH  TIME 
By  Helen  Baker  Adams 

THESE  are  her  brimful  days,  for  well  she 
knows 
Too  soon  the  gold-red  peach,  the  grapes  full- 

vined 
Are  gone  again — as  every  autumn  goes, 
Retracting  all  its  tendered  wealth.   Her  mind 
Foretells  the  deep  contentment  of  her  brood 
About  the  supper  board  on  wintry  nights 
When  cook-stove  warmth  and  savory  pledge 

of  food 
Set  heavy  eyes  a-dance  with  hopeful  lights. 

She  hears  the  dull  cicadas  from  her  bed 
And,  wearily,  remembers  soon  the  frost, 
The  barren  trees,  the  fruitful  gardens — dead! 
The  earth's  good  gifts  can  never  quite  be 

lost 
When  woman's  hand  the  fleeting  harvest 

stays 
And  stores,  in  shining  rows,  for  leaner  days. 

573 


ALMA   SONNE 


European  Mission 

"Older  Alma  Sonne,  assistant  to  the 
Council  of  the   Twelve,  was   ap- 
pointed July   27,    as   president  of  the 
European  Mission  by  the  First  Presi- 
dency.   He  suc- 
ceeds Elder  Ez- 
ra Taft  Benson 
of   the  Council 
of   the   Twelve 
who     has     held 
that        position 
since   last   Feb- 
ruary. 

President  Ben- 
son whose  ap- 
pointment t  o 
Europe  was 
made  for  the 
purpose  of  re- 
organizing the 
mission  in  Europe  and  making  available 
food,  clothing,  and  bedding  for  Church 
members  in  all  European  countries, 
will  return  home  with  his  assignment 
fully  accomplished.  He  has  visited  all 
countries  of  Europe  where  Saints  re- 
side, including  western  Germany, 
Czechoslovakia,  and  France,  and  has 
just  completed  a  visit  to  Holland,  Swe- 
den, Finland,  and  into  Poland,  making 
his  first  visit  into  the  last  two  countries. 

Elder  Sonne,  who  has  been  an  assist- 
ant to  the  Council  of  the  Twelve  since 
April  1941,  has  a  Church  background 
rich  and  varied.  From  1910  to  1912  he 
filled  a  mission  in  England,  where  he 
had  charge  of  emigration  work,  traffic, 
and  transportation  in  the  British  Mis- 
sion office.  He  has  been  a  member  of 
the  Logan  Fourth  Ward  bishopric  and 
of  the  Logan  Ninth  Ward  bishopric,  a 
member  of  Cache  Stake  high  council, 
Cache  Stake  M.I.A.  superintendent, 
and  a  member  of  the  Cache  Stake  pres- 
idency for  seven  years,  the  last  two  of 
which  he  was  stake' president.  He  was 
born  in  Logan,  Utah,  and  has  always 
kept  his  home  there. 

Mrs.  Sonne  will' accompany  Presi- 
dent Sonne  to  the  European  mission 
field.     .  ;... 

Birthdays  To  Be  Celebrated 

HPhe  Improvement  Era  congratulates 
both  President  J.  Reuben  Clark, 
Jr.,  and  President  David  O.  McKay  of 
the  First  Presidency,  who  have  birth- 
days in  September. 

President  Clark  celebrates  his  sev- 
enty-fifth birthday  September  1.  He 
was  sustained  as  second  counselor  in 
the  First  Presidency  April  6,  1933,  and 

574 


Ckweh  Moves  On 


was  ordained  an  apostle  and  set  apart 
as  first  counselor  in  the  First  Presi- 
dency, October  11,  1934. 

President  McKay  will  mark  his  sev- 
enty-third birthday  on  September  8.  An 
apostle  since  1906,  he  was  set  apart  as 
second  counselor  in  the  First  Presi- 
dency October  6,  1934. 

German  Radio 

"pROM  the  New  York  Daily  Mirror 
comes  word  that  Captain  Fred  G. 
Taylor,  formerly  of  Salt  Lake  City,  and 
"one  of  those  fine  'Mormon'  boys  who 
was  a  missionary  in  the  prewar  days 
and  had  been  in  Germany  as  such,  is 
now  operating  the  radio  station  at 
Stuttgart.  Realizing  that  Stuttgart  was 
about  to  fall,  forty  Nazi  SS  men  were 
assigned  to  wreck  the  transmitter.  It 
was  estimated  that  it  would  take  at 
least  eighteen  months  to  get  the  station 
back  into  operation.  The  army  had  it 
back  on  the  air  in  six  weeks.  Today, 
under  Captain  Taylor's  direction,  it  is 
described  as  one  of  the  four  most  im- 
portant stations  in  Germany  with  a 
twenty-four  hour  daily  schedule  featur- 


ing fine  artists,  actors,  and  newscast- 
ers." 

Pioneer  Day 

/^hurch  members  wherever  they 
have  located,  fittingly  marked  the 
ninety-ninth  anniversary  of  the  coming 
of  the  Pioneers  into  the  valley  of  the 
Great  Salt  Lake,  July  24, 

President  George  Albert  Smith  and 
a  special  party  traversed  the  old  Pio- 
neer Trail,  covering  the  entire  distance 
in  less  than  a  week,  to  take  part  in  the 
laying  of  the  first  stone  for  the  $300,000 
"This  Is  the  Place"  monument  where 
President  Brigham  Young  uttered  those 
now  famous  words  near  the  mouth  of 
Emigration  Canyon. 

Earlier  in  the  day,  President  Smith 
and  party  had  taken  part  in  a  celebra- 
tion at  Henefer,  Utah,  where  Governor 
Herbert  B.  Maw,  in  a  special  proclama- 
tion, created  the  "This  Is  the  Place" 
state  park,  and  made  definite  promise 
of  completion  of  a  roadway  to  follow 
the  Pioneer  Trail  from  Henefer  over 
Big  Mountain  and  Little  Mountain  into 
the  Salt  Lake  valley. 


MISSIONARIES  ENTERING  THE  MISSIONARY  HOME 
JUNE  10,  AND  DEPARTING  JUNE  20,   1946 

Those  appearing  in  the  picture  are:  Jack  Oliver 
Hanson,  Elbert  Joseph  Johnson,  Christina  McCall, 
Robert  Lindsay  McCall,  Raymond  Walker  Miles,  Ethel 
Castleton  Miles,  Willis  Reed  Payne,  Joseph  Verle 
Porter,  Agnes  Eraser,  Archibald  George  Henry  Webb, 
Donnell  Monson  Whitehead,  Wynona  Cummings,  Wil- 
liam Newman  Patten,  Elsie  Knighton,  Clara  McMur- 
ray,  Leone  Andrus  Taylor,  William  B.  Taylor,  Douglas 
Wakefield  Welti,  June  Alberta  Anderson,  Keith  Done 
Bassett,  Robert  Louis  Brandley,  Hal  William  Fowkes, 
Lee  Kent,  Florence  Muhlestein,  Loren  Hill  Orr,  Ben 
Hill  Booth,  Rosa  Afton  Goodman,  Wanda  Gurr. 

Veda  Ellen  Kenney,  Dora  Moulton,  Eldon  Gone  01- 
sen,  Lois  Ruth  Petersen,  Elmina  C.  Papworth,  Harold 
Ray  Papworth,  Arvel  E.  Rasmussen,  Adah  Eleanor 
Culler,  Phyllis  Uarda  Perkins,  Lyneer  Charles  Smith, 
Simon  Lind  Baker,  Peter  Graham  Burt,  Robert  N. 
Clark,  Connie  Mae  Fackrell,  Peggy  Lucile  Hawkes, 
Dale  A.  McAllister,  Marguerite  Thomas,  Ralph  Alma 
Woodward,  Mack  Kennington,  Wells  Clinton  Wake- 
field, Lois  Margaret  Glad,  Rebecca  Torres,  Ruth 
Torres,  Kathryn  Woolley,  Hugh  Lynn  Brown,  Wayne 
Albert  Merrill,  Phyllis  Noall,  Helen  Lucile  Oleson. 

Virgie  Parker  Sullivan,  Willie  K.  Tanner,  Norman 
Ray  Wood  field,  Oscar  Jay  Hunsaker,  Arlen  Q. 
Leavitt,  Nels  Arthur  Nelson,  Meryl  Reber,  William 
Duane  Wardle,  Rose  Marie  Wegener,  Betty  Ida  Lub- 
bers,   Enoch   Oscar  J.   Henricksen,   Anna   Pauline  S. 


Henricksen,  Reed  Franklin  Lundquist,  Myrtle  Aroha 
Barton,  Sherman  Stewart  Barton,  Hyrum  James  Han- 
son, Evelyn  Mae  Haslam,  Jessie  Dawana  Holt,  Carol 
Johnson,  Bernice  Rosabelle  Randall,  Maurine  Randall, 
Norma  Shumway,  Grace  Alene  Williams,  Daloy  Carl 
Bowden,  Kay  Lewis  Hair,  Melvin  Hodgkinson,  Phyllis 
Emilie  Kemetzsch,  Eulla  Ann  Shakespear,  Erold  Clark 
Wiscombe,  Stunford  L.  Richards. 

Ellen  Dame,  Loreno  Jean  Duke,  Alda  Field,  Law- 
rence Greene,  Alene  Marie  Kotter,  Jesse  Monroe 
Layton,  LaRee  Lamb,  Elva  Luella  Moore,  Una  Vae 
Moore,  Sarah  Marie  Orme,  Virginia  Rupper,  Virginia 
Burton,  Cathryn  Elsie  Carlson,  Seisa  T.  Claussen,  Don 
Collier,  Anna  Lucille  Kelley,  Marie  Knighton,  Vernon 
Malcolm  Nuttall,  Royal  Eugene  Oakes,  Evelyn  Peter- 
son, Zelma  Winger,  Gordon  Lowell  Wright,  LaVaun 
Barber,  Viola  Burrows,  Jesse  Orson  Carter,  Mary 
Ellen  Christensen,  Ray  Leo  Dabb,  Ella  Melissa  Gib- 
bons, Royal  Homer  Hansen,  Neil  Kohler  Holbrook. 

Esther  Elvira  Holder,  James  Archie  Holder,  Dena 
Kirkland,  Joseph  Richard  Larsen,  Betty  Lou  Marshall, 
LaVell  Smedley,  Jacob  Moroni  Bingham,  Gertrude 
Edna  Breitling,  Leon  Bawden,  Irene  Blake,  Mary 
Kathleen  Chapman,  Calvin  Willis  Craig,  Annita 
Elmer,  Nedra  L.  Lee,  Grace  Manwaring,  Elsie  Vom 
Feld,  Mary  Wintch,  Bevan  Boyd  Blake,  John  Blake- 
more  Laycock,  Lorena  Brown,  Bud  Henry  Hinckley, 
Edith  Nyman,  Lorna  Shelton,  Dean  W.  Soman,  Audra 
Lucille  Call,  Larmer  D.  Ellsworth,  A.  Leland  Erick- 
son,  Clifford  Wayne  Humphreys. 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


MISSIONARIES  ENTERING  THE  MISSIONARY  HOME 
JUNE  24,  AND  DEPARTING  JULY  4,   1946 

Those  appearing  in  the  picture  are:  George  Han- 
cock Bowles,  Charles  Elmo  Turner,  Mares  Owens, 
William  Harper  Stoneman,  Ray  Eyre  Turner,  GustaYe 
H.  Anderson,  Mary  Lindgren  Anderson,  LeRoy  Elsdon 
Howard,  Jr.,  Nannie  Mosley  Lowe,  Reed  Y.  Newton, 
Nora  H.  Nielsen,  Zella  Rust,  Sarah  Langston  White, 
Edith  Young,  Kay  R.  Bendixsen,  Delwyn  Hirst  Fitches, 
Ralph  Lentord  Kitchen,  John  Gayle  Morgan,  Alden  A. 
Oakes,  Dorothy  Peck  Reese,  Zona  Walburger,  Rex  Dee 
Whiting,  Lois  Estelle  Widdison,  John  Nelson  Baird, 
Theodore  Harry  Greaves,  Dale  A.  Harrison,  Iris 
Brown,  Richard  Lowell  Castleton. 

Edwin  Victor  Davis,  Mary  Lalene  Hart,  Darwin 
Daniel  Madsen,  Grace  Helen  Riches,  Ruth  B.  Thomas, 
Edith  Melgaard,  Heber  John  Barnett,  Rachel  LaRue 
Evans,  Kathleen  Horsley,  Roscoe  Clinton  Loveland, 
Joyce  McRae,  Mart  A.  Nelson,  Calvin  Don  Pratt, 
Burtis  B.  Robertson,  Jeanette  Seibold,  Percia  Mae 
Terry,  George  Samuel  Tibbits,  Bruce  William  War- 
ren, Orrin  Raymon  Bates,  Ethel  Reader  Call,  Noal 
Davis  Despain,  Virginia  Edman,  John  Niels  Ipson, 
Nadiene  Renee  Meier,  James  Rowlings  Nielsen, 
Howard  Davis  Paul,  Don  Muir  Walker,  Don  Albert 
Westover. 

Lucille  Young,  John  E.  Anderson,  Jack  L.  Halversen, 
Clean  Max  Kotter,  Elden  R.  Littlewood,  Glenn  Samuel 
Smith,  Douglas  Wakefield,  Claud  L.  Westenskow, 
Clarence  M.  White,  John  Horace  Aikele,  Seth  G.  Mat- 


tice,  Wylma  Rogers,  Joseph  Lorenzo  Van  Leeuwen, 
George  Allen,  Jr.,  Stanley  Keith  Andrus,  Reuel  Josiah 
Bawden,  Ferl  Blackburn,  Vera  Dean  Blackburn,  Glen 
Randall  Boulton,  Arthur  Jesse  Bott,  LaVern  Toone 
Brown,  Avard  Pratt  Goodmansen,  Richard  Isaacson, 
Waldo  Evan  Jacobsen,  Grant  Wells  Madsen,  Truman 
Grant  Mardsen,  Sterling  Sessions,  Anna  White  Turner, 
Benjamin   Godfrey    Turner,   Lois   Leone   Bigelow. 

Don  Leroy  Fotheringham,  Mary  Gilson,  Nellie  May 
Haggen,  Leo  Dean  Hyman,  Lyman  Kapple,  Jr.,  Phebe 
Estelle  Taylor  Kapple,  Pearl  Lenore  Lillywhite, 
Claudia  Mortensen,  Roma  Richardson,  Annie  Mary  P. 
H.  Smith,  John  L.  Smith,  Virgil  Bushman  Smith,  Peggy 
Jean  Wilson,  Vivian  Alice  Barton,  McKay  Call  Burton, 
Guy  Erwin  Davis,  Delbert  Hadfield,  Julia  Helen  Han- 
sen, Harold  Durfey  Johnson,  Verona  Lewis,  Inez  Mac- 
kay,  Ronald  Clyde  Collard,  Betty  Buttle,  Norman 
Keith  Carroll,  Orton  Maxwell  Eyre,  Carma  Young 
Heilesen,  Mable  Amelia  Korn,  Irene  Lee,  Rene  Lyman, 
Keith  Hansen  Meservy. 

Marvin  Jewell  Miller,  Charles  Merlin  Plumb,  Sharon 
Mignon  Robbins,  Eugene  Lee  Robinson,  Thelma  Snarr, 
Thomas  Squire  Baxter,  Bessie  F.  Cherrington,  Roscoe 
Patten  Eardley,  George  Hugh  Gale,  Marvin  R.  Green, 
Ina  Hatch,  Ruth  Huffaker,  Ilia  Claire  Hunt,  Donald 
Bay  Hutchings,  Carl  Walser  Jackson,  William  Grant 
Sears,  Dean  Taggart  Berlin,  Allen  Claire  Rozsa, 
James  Bonner,  Laura  Pearl  Bronson,  Anabel  Button, 
Clarence  Ransom  Clark,  Diana  Mary  Hollingworth, 
Macoy  A.  McMurray,  Bea  Mendenhall,  Doreen  Niel- 


sen,   Clyde    E.    Palmer,    Fern    Thacker,    Frank    Allen 
Woodbury. 

Emily  Beth  Worlton,  Marjorie  LaRae  Worthington, 
Kenneth  L.  Barrick,  Wayne  A.  Melander,  Junius 
Crawford  Ruesch,  Ingebord  Johnson,  Helge  C.  John- 
son, Ruth  G.  Johnson,  Betty  Jo  Buchannan,  Gene 
Milton  Frodsham,  Dei  ma  in  Charles  Kunz,  Delbert 
William  Linsay,  Ralph  T.  Marchant,  Vfllttam  Jay/ 
Norton,  Lillian  Farnsworth,  Ray  Vincent  Milligan 
Lora  Norman,  Grant  Peck  Packer,  Dale  Pearson, 
Mahonri  M.  White,  Mary  Dott  White,  Melissa  Allen, 
Edmond  Mangefield  Andrus,  Doris  Arnett,  Samuel  K. 
Christensen,  Lois  Virginia  Clarke,  George  Finlinson, 
Twila  Dawn  Heugly,  George  A.  Hunter. 

Ivan  P.  Olsen,  Jacqueline  Geneve  Rohde,  Lorin  Bean 
Taylor,  Ted  Kay  Van  Buren,  Vern  Young,  Harvey 
Bischof  Black,  Robert  G.  Rigby,  Owen  Blair  Williams, 
Wayne  Edward  Lambourne,  Erwin  Albert  Standing, 
Franklin  Wood,  Paul  Reed  Anderson,  August  Walde- 
mar  Neilsen,  Seymour  Jay  Nielsen,  Max  Ervin  London, 
Ray  Engebretsen,  Zina  Rice  Engebretse'n,  Robert 
Wondel  Jensen,  Clara  M.  Larsen,  John  Martin  Smith 
Larson,  Floyd  Edgar  Lerdahl,  Andrew  Archie  Swensen, 
Ida  Murri  Swensen,  Thomas  Grant  Farnsworth,  William 
Lynn  Allen,  Lynn  E.  Cahoon,  Amy  E.  J.  Lundevall, 
Birger  E.  Lundevall,  Ray  Edward  Neilson,  Hjalmar  T. 
Oscarson,  Carl  A.' Sbderberg,  Ella  S.  Soderberg,  Alma 
Gene  Soderquist,  Sten  Hugo  Swenson,  Gordon  Weed, 
Glenn  Clayton  (toilette,  Wallace  Louis  Schaerr,  Wil- 
liam J.-Nord. 


Dimond  Ward  Genealogical  Library 

T~\imond  Ward  of  the  Oakland  Stake 
has  recently  purchased  forty-two 
family  genealogical  histories  to  be 
added  to  the  ward  genealogical  library. 
The  collection  of  books,  now  number- 
ing two  hundred  fifty  volumes,  will  be 
turned  over  to  the  Oakland  Stake  to 
form  a  nucleus  for  the  Oakland  Stake 
genealogical  library  when  the  recently 
projected  stake  tabernacle  is  completed. 

Phoenix  Fourth  Ward  Chapel  Erected 

t*7HEN  the  $45,000  Phoenix  Fourth 

I        Ward  chapel  and  recreation  hall 

was  dedicated  recently,  it  fulfilled  the 

jream  of  two  stake  missionaries,  Otis 

Rogers,  Jr.,  and  Josiah  Martin,  who, 

September  1938,  had  cast  in  their 
sickle  in  the  southwest  portion  of  Ari- 
zona's capital  city,  and  found  that  part 
of  the  Lord's  vineyard  ripe  and  ready 
for  harvest. 

In  the  fall  of  1938  the  section  was 
blocked  off  as  the  eighth  missionary 
district  and  a  corps  of  missionaries  as- 
signed. However,  other  Church  activi- 
ties claimed  the  missionaries  until  only 
the  two  men  remained. 

In  January  1939  a  Sunday  School 
was  organized  and  met  in  a  rented 
building.  Many  wondered  how  the 
rent  was  to  be  met,  but  David  P.  Kim- 
ball of  the  Phoenix  First  Ward  offered 
to  pay  it. 

A   month  or  so   later   the   Phoenix 

SEPTEMBER  1946 


Stake  presidency  made  a  survey  of 
members  and  investigators  living  in  the 
district,  and  as  a  result  the  Phoenix 
Fourth  Ward  was  organized  in  March 
1939.  Elder  Rogers  was  selected  as 
bishop,  and  he  selected  Josiah  Martin, 
his  mission  companion,  as  first  coun- 
selor, and  Homer  Phelps  as  second 
counselor.  Elder  Phelps  has  since  been 
released. 

After  meeting  for  three  years  in  the 
rented  building  which  first  served  as  a 
Sunday  School,  the  ward  was  forced  t6 
find  new  quarters.  It  was  summer,  and 
they  met  outside  for  the  season.  As  fall 
approached,  they  moved  into  an  old 
sectarian  chapel,  but  the  members 
wanted  to  build  a  chapel  of  their  own. 
A  plot  at  the  corner  of  Mohave  and 
Eighteenth  streets  was  obtained  and 
dedicated  in  March  1942. 

To  begin  the  chapel  an  old  two-story 
brick  building  was  purchased  for  $350 
and  carefully  torn  down  and  the  ma- 
terials salvaged  for  the  chapel  building. 
Their  contractor,  George  Hoggan, 
passed  away,  and  the  bishopric  took 
charge  of  the  building  project.  The 
membership  of  the  entire  Phoenix  Stake 
freely  donated  money  and  labor.  All 
holidays  were  designated  as  "Fourth 
Ward  work  days"  and  on  these  occa- 
sions, as  well  as  many  others,  the  Relief 
Society  served  lunch  to  the  workmen  on 
the  building. 

Today  the  chapel  and  recreation  hall 


are  completed  and, dedicated,  but  many 
of  the  ward's  .membership  remember 
when  the  area  was,  organized  as  a  mis- 
sionary  district — a   scant   eight   years!! 

New  Wards 

T  a  Brea  Ward,  Los  Angeles  Stake,  has 
been  created  from  portions  of  thie  Wil- 
shire,  Beverly  Hills,  and  Hollywood  wards, 
with  George  Lynn  Hoggan  as  bishop. 

Duncan  Ward,  Park  Stake,  has  been: 
formed  from  part  of  the  Salt  Lake  City  First1 
Ward,  with  Lamont  F:  Toronto  as  bishop;' 

Idaho  Falls  Eighth  Ward;-  South  Idaho 
Falls  Stake,  has  been  created  from  parts  of 
the  Idaho  Falls  Third  Ward,  with  George 

A.  Collins  as  bishop. 

i | 

Henderson     Ward,     Moapa      (Nevada); 
Stake,    has    been  :  formed    from    the    Basic  j 
Branch,     with    Edwin     Dee     Hickman    as 
bishop. 

Excommunications 

Carah  Violet  Carlson  Anderson,  born 
*'*'  August  17,  1885.  Excommunicated  May 
13,  1946,  in  the  College  Ward,  San  Diego 
Stake. 

Crilla  Alice  Bland,  born  August  1,  1876. 
Excommunicated  May  13,  1946,  in  the  Col- 
lege Ward,  San  Diego  Stake.  > 

Ellen  La  Verne  Bailey  King,  born  October 
28.   1909.    Excommunicated  April  2,  1945;; 
in    the    Walnut    Creek    Branch,    Northern  j 
California  Mission. 

James  Frederick  King,  born  September  1, 
1933.  Excommunicated  April r2,  1945,  in  the 
Walnut  Creek  Branch,  Northern  California 
Mission. 

575 


Editorials 

ZJL 1946-47  WJ.~J:Vk 


erne 


Let  everyone  get  a  knowledge  for  him- 
self that  this  work  is  true — then  let  every 
person  say:  I  will  live  my  religion — I 
will  walk  humbly  before  my  God  and 
deal  honestly  with  my  fellow  beings. 

— Brigham  Young 

pOR  the  year  that  closes  the  first  century  of  the 
Church  in  the  valleys  of  the  West,  and  for 
the  year  that  begins  the  second  century  of  our  his- 
tory here  where  our  fathers  found  their  "land  of 
promise,"  it  would  be  difficult  to  find  a  more  fitting 
theme  than  this  excerpt  from  the  utterances  of 
Brigham  Young. 

It  is  fitting  because  it  looks  to  the  present  and 
to  the  future — which  is  the  worthiest  way  of  com- 
memorating the  past. 

It  is  fitting  because  it  affirms  the  glorious  and 
eternal  principle  of  free  agency,  ("Let  everyone 
get  a  knowledge  for  himself")  in  opposition  to 
the  vicious  trends  of  regimentation,  mass  coercion, 
and  devaluation  of  the  individual.  Here  again  is 
a  clear  and  thrilling  restatement  of  the  God-given 
principle  of  individual  responsibility.  There  is  no 
condoning  of  "the  blind  leading  the  blind,"  but 
rather  a  reutterance  of  the  strength  and  conviction 
that  come  with  individual  testimony. 

The  1946-47  M.  I.  A.  theme  is,  in  short,  a  call 
to  this  generation  to  know  the  truth  and  to  live 
the  truth  that  makes  men  free — and  we  shall  be 
free  on  no  other  terms.  And  for  this  year  of  war's 
aftermath,  for  this  day  of  confusion,  for  these  times 
of  uncertainty,  we  earnestly  commend,  for  reading, 
for  pondering,  and  for  living,  the  theme  cited 
above,  which  brings  back  the  voice  of  our  nine- 
teenth century  prophet-leader  and  pioneer  empire 
builder  to  call  us  to  face  the  second  century  as  did 
they  who  faced  the  hazards  and  the  hardships  of 
the  first  century — knowing  the  gospel  of  Jesus 
Christ — and  living  it!  R.  L.  E. 


"Jt   Watte*   3 


>> 


I 


omver 


N  a  world  of  rapid  change  and  cataclysmic  hap- 
penings, none  can  expect  to  journey  through  life 
without  some  upheavals  and  some  disarrangements 
of  even  the  best-laid  plans.  Even  life  itself  is  an 
uncertainty  in  these  swiftly  moving  days.  One 
person  alone  cannot  control  the  onward  rush  of 
events — and  probably  would  not  wish  to,  even  if 
he  could,  for  he  knows  that  what  can  be  used  for 
destruction  can  also,  with  some  adaptations,  be 
turned  into  constructive  development  for  man  and 
the  world  in  which  he  moves.  The  atomic  bomb, 
which  struck  horror  to  people's  minds  and  hearts 
a  little  over  a  year  ago,  is  even  now  proving  a 
blessing  in  its  application  by  doctors  to  some  who 


are  seriously  ill.  And  scientists  proclaim  that  its 
possibilities  for  peaceful  uses  are  legion. 

The  airplane,  which  created  such  havoc  during 
the  war  years,  has  also  served  to  bring  medicine  to 
disease-ravaged  towns  in  inaccessible  areas  and 
to  carry  food  to  starving  people  stricken  by  sudden 
disaster.  Man,  who  has  fought  as  savagely  and  as 
ruthlessly  as  an  animal  for  his  life,  has  been  able  to 
attain  a  new  high  in  his  concern  and  consideration 
for  others  who  may  suffer  from  illness  and  catas- 
trophe. 

Disturbances  of  living  would  seem  to  be  the  order 
of  many  ages,  but  they  seem  to  be  the  distinguish- 
ing mark  of  this  particular  era.  What,  then,  can 
man  do?  Is  there  nothing  but  to  succumb  to  these 
tragedies?  His  attempts  to  stem  this  tide  appear 
feeble  in  the  avalanche  of  events.  Yet  he  can  do 
something:  He  can  train  himself  to  meet  the 
changing  world,  firm  in  his  belief  that  the  Father 
of  man  will  never  let  his  people  perish.  He  can 
come  to  a  realization  that  he  is  the  child  of  the 
Father,  and  with  self-reliance,  he  can  meet  each 
day's  tribulations,  each  year's  difficulties,  con- 
fident in  the  eternal  justice  and  Tightness  of  things. 

The  following  statement,  written  by  a  young  girl 
to  her  sweetheart  is  electrifying  in  its  profound  in- 
sight: "It  doesn't  matter  what  happens  to  us,  and 
it  doesn't  matter  for  long,  but  it  does  matter  how  we 
react  to  what  happens  to  us,  and  it  matters  for- 
ever."* If  Latter-day  Saints  have  lived  as  they 
should,  they  know  that  this  statement  is  true.  If, 
however,  they  have  contributed  by  their  wrong- 
doing to  the  events  that  have  happened,  they,  of 
course,  must  recognize  that  the  results  do  matter 
— and  likewise,  "they  matter  forever."  So  long, 
therefore,  as  they  have  done  their  best  and  have 
lived  to  the  truth,  they  need  fear  no  disaster  that 
may  come  their  way. 

For  Latter-day  Saints  the  statement  is  particular- 
ly worthy  of  deep  consideration.  With  the  Church 
belief  in  eternity,  members  can  develop  within 
themselves  a  resistance  to  occurrences  that  might 
otherwise  tend  to  discourage  if  not  destroy  them 
entirely.  They  can  come  to  know  of  a  surety  that 
so  long  as  they  are  living  as  they  should,  "It  does 
not  matter  what  happens  to  us,  and  it  doesn't  mat- 
ter for  long."  But  equally  well  they  will  know  that 
they  must  train  themselves  in  their  reactions  to  the 
events  since  they  are  building  not  only  for  time,  but 
also  for  eternity. 

When  they  realize  this,  no  physical  disaster  can 
be  too  great  to  bear,  no  financial  loss  too  galling  in 
its  bitterness.  The  only  fear  that  they  will  ever 
entertain  is  that  they  will  lack  the  power  to  retain 
their  ability  to  endure  whatever  may  come  so  that 
they  will  be  denied  the  comforting  spirit  of  their 
Father  in  heaven.  They  will,  if  they  believe  fully 
in  the  gospel,  learn  to  accept  without  too  much 
questioning  whatever  happens,  studying  more  fully 
the  gospel  which  will  in  turn  teach  them  to  live 
more  abundantly  in  spite  of  their  loss. — M.  C,  J. 


"Kenneth    Irving    Brown.    Margie. 
1946.    p.    105. 


The   Association    Press,   Naw  York, 


576 


THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


Evidences  and 
reconciliations 


cum 


IL     l/l/as  /Joseph  S^>mith  ^Afc 


ones 


t 


in  £5l 


in  i/->vi5ineS5  i 


? 


'"The  persecutions  of  Joseph  Smith  began  when  he 
first  announced  that  he  had  had  heavenly  mani- 
festations. They  grew  in  intensity  with  the  coming 
forth  of  the  Book  of  Mormon,  rose  to  fury  when 
the  Church  was  organized,  and  increased  in  vol- 
ume until  his  martyrdom.  Every  conceivable  charge 
was  hurled  against  him:  He  was  a  money  digger, 
impostor,  embezzler,  and  adulterer;  he  practiced 
every  sin  in  the  calendar;  he  was  the  worst  char- 
acter of  his  generation — so  the  persecutors  said. 
By  every  available  means,  actuated  by  hate,  men 
sought  to  destroy  him  and  his  work. 

It  is  doubtful  if  in  the  history  of  modern  civiliza- 
tion any  other  person,  or  any  other  people,  has 
had  to  endure  such  continuous  and  vicious  persecu- 
tion for  matters  of  belief.  It  is  a  black  chapter  in 
the  story  of  human  intolerance. 

In  the  words  of  Brigham  Young,  the  Prophet 

.  .  .  was  hunted,  harassed,  tormented,  afflicted,  and  per- 
plexed;   taken   before   this   magistrate   and    that   magistrate.1 

He  had  to  defend  lawsuit  upon  lawsuit.  He  passed  through 
forty-seven  lawsuits,  and  in  the  most  of  them,  I  was  with 
him.  He  was  obliged  to  employ  lawyers,  and  devise  ways 
and  means  to  shield  himself  from  oppression.  Lawyers  would 
come  to  Joseph,  professing  to  have  been  his  friends,  and 
palaver  around  him  to  get  a  fee.  I  could  see  through  them 
and  read  their  evil  intentions.  He  had  to  struggle  through 
poverty  and  distress,  being  driven  from  pillar  to  post.  I 
wondered  many  times  that  he  could  endure  what  he  did." 

A  favorite  charge  against  the  Prophet  by  ene- 
mies of  the  latter-day  work  has  been  that  he  was 
not  honest  in  business.  Naturally,  he  and  the 
Church  were  in  business.  The  Kirtland  Temple 
and  other  public  buildings  were  projected  and  built 
very  early  in  the  history  of  the  Church.  Lands 
were  bought  to  help  needy  Saints,  and  economic 
ventures  were  fostered  by  the  Church.  Besides, 
Church  members,  as  other  members  of  the  com- 
munity, engaged  in  business. 

In  the  normal  course  of  business,  money  was 
occasionally  borrowed  by  Church  members  or  by 
the  Church  itself  to  meet  immediate  needs,  or  ma- 
terials were  bought  on  credit,  or  lands  secured  un- 
der mortage  arrangements.  Such  dealings  were  of 
the  usual,  acceptable  kind,  wherever  men  do  busi- 
ness with  one  another. 

Joseph  Smith,  as  the  President  of  the  Church, 
became  of  course  involved  in  all  Church  ventures, 
for  which  his  signature  was  required.  He  also  made 

^Journal  of  Discourses  11:322 
2See  ibid..  8:16 


purchases  on  his  own  account.  It  is  folly  to  sup- 
pose that  he  could  hold  his  high  position  among  a 
people  who  moved  from  New  York  to  Ohio,  then 
to  Missouri,  then  to  Illinois,  without  doing  business 
for  the  Church  and  for  himself. 

It  would  be  equally  folly  to  believe  that  men 
could  do  business  one  with  another  without  dif- 
ferences of  opinion  arising  now  and  then,  some  of 
which  would  have  to  be  settled  by  courts  of  law. 
Especially  would  this  be  true  where  enemies  sought 
out  every  opportunity  to  embarrass  the  Prophet 
and  his  people.  The  records  show  that  on  the 
slightest  pretext,  these  enemies  brought  trivial 
transactions  into  court,  which  normally  could  be 
settled  among  the  principals.  Often  the  lawsuits 
were  brought  by  people  under  the  instigation  of 
avowed  enemies  of  the  Latter-day  cause.  It  is  said 
that  it  was  the  custom  for  informers  to  receive  a 
part  of  fines  imposed."  That  made  such  practices 
profitable. 

So  low  did  some  of  the  persecutors  fall  as  to  tell 
that  when  Joseph  Smith  repaid  a  loan  of  $3,000.00 
to  Samuel  Brown,  it  was  merely  to  make  friends 
with  him,  so  that  he  could  borrow  again  with  the 
intent  to  defraud  him.  No  comment  is  needed  on 
such  foul  charges.* 

One  hundred  years  of  diligent  search  by  anti- 
"Mormon"  writers  have  brought  to  light  so  few 
business  clashes  among  Joseph  Smith  and  the 
people  of  his  day,  as  to  be  embarrassing  to  those 
who  charge  the  Prophet  with  financial  irregular- 
ity. No  reliable  evidence  of  dishonesty  has  yet 
been  uncovered.  There  is  no  evidence  that  he  at 
any  time  attempted  to  escape  his  financial  obliga- 
tions. Instead,  the  evidence  is  that  he  sought  to 
meet  every  honest  obligation.  For  example,  after 
leaving  Kirtland  where  his  life  was  in  jeopardy, 
he  made  a  list  of  his  creditors  and  the  amount  he 
owed  each.  That  was  the  method  of  an  honest 
man.  There  was  no  subterfuge.5  Sooner  or  later, 
his  honest  debts  were  paid. 

Disappointed  "Mormon"-haters  have  usually 
taken  the  so-called  "Kirtland  bank  failure"  as  evi- 
dence of  the  Prophet's  financial  dishonesty.  For- 
tunately for  Joseph  Smith's  reputation,  this  well- 
known  "evidence"  has  not  been  sustained  by  the 
facts  found.  Instead,  those  who  have  trotted  out 
the  Kirtland  Bank  affair  to  blacken  the  Prophet's 
character,  have  placed  themselves  in  dishonest  and 
ludicrous  positions. 

Kirtland,  Ohio,  had  been  the  home  of  the  Church 
in  the  early  1830's.  There  the  first  temple  of  the 
Church  was  built  in  the  days  of  the  deep  poverty 
of  the  people.  Many  members  of  the  Church  lived 
there.  After  persecution  hindered  the  Church  in 
its  Missouri  projects,  it  was  decided  to  give  new 
emphasis  to  the  Kirtland  section  of  the  Church. 
Kirtland  was  a  promising  section.  Its  lands  were 
fertile;  it  lay  beside  Lake  Erie;  settlements  were 

(Continued  on  page  604) 

"•J.    H.    Kennedy,    Early    Days   of   Mormonism,   pp.    160-162 

Vhid..  pp.   158-159 

°F.    M.    Brodie.   No   Man   Knows  My   History,   p.   201. 


SEPTEMBER  1946 


577 


.  .  .made  with  CINCH  CORN 
BREAD  MIX.  Each  package  con- 
tains ALL  necessary  ingredients. 
Just  add  water,  mix  and  bake. 
Try  this!  Split  muffins,  fill  with  a 
dab  of  butter 
and  jelly  and 
replace  in  oven 
for  a  minute 
or  two. 

Try  Cinch 
Waffles  and 

Cinch  Hot 
Cakes,  Too! 


A  CINCH  FOR  FLAVOR 


...» 


Better 


BaV«<« 


The  Baking  Powder 

with  the , 
BALANCED  Double  Action 

Clabber  Girl  is  today's  baking  pow- 
der ...  the  natural  choice  for  the 
modern  recipe.  Its  balanced  double 
action  guarantees  just  the  right  action 
in  the  mixing  bowl,  plus  that  final  rise 
to  light  and  fluffy  flavor  in  the  oven. 


^^t^o°i°#'-S\  Good  Housekeeping  J 

S'J^'V"  tavr  .Turn  Xtl^i^ 


CLABBER  GIRL 

Vcdunq  VowdeA 

HUIMAN    AND    COMPANr    •    TERRE    HAUTE,   IND. 


578 


omxm 


w 


LET'S  HAVE  MORE  MUSIC  IN  OUR  HOMES 


By  Alice  M.  Read 

**T  et's  have  more  music  in  our 
homes,"  seems  to  be  the  desire  of 
many  boys  and  girls.  They  don't  mean 
by  way  of  the  radio  or  phonographs 
either.  They  want  "home  produced" 
music. 

Most  parents  would  be  pleased  and 
inspired  if  they  knew  how  much  their 
sons  and  daughters  enjoyed  an  hour 
or  an  entire  evening  that  the  group  had 
spent  around  the  piano,  or  maybe  the 
family  organ,  singing  together. 

Sometimes  this  happy  scene  lives 
only  in  memory,  because  part  of  the 
family  is  scattered.  It  is  a  memory  that 
Bob  or  Mary  enjoys  remembering  and 
talking  about. 

"We  had  the  best  time  last  night.  We 
were  all  at  home.  Mother  played  the 
piano,  and  we  sang.  You  know  we  sang 
for  over  two  hours.  We  sang  every- 
body's favorite  songs,"  Emma  Jean 
confided  to  me,  as  we  walked  to  school. 

"That  must  have  been  fun,"  I  an- 
swered. 

Tommy,  another  of  my  students,  was 
walking  with  us.  Quickly  he  spoke  up, 
"When  Uncle  Dave  and  Aunt  Myrtle 


come  over  to  spend  the  evening,  we 
always  sing.  Uncle  Dave  generally 
brings  his  violin.  He  can  always  play 
all  the  pieces  that  Mom  plays  on  the 
piano.  They  always  played  together, 
when  they  were  kids  at  home." 

"You  are  taking  violin  lessons,  too, 
aren't  you,  Tommy?"  I  asked, 

"Yes.  Dad  says  if  I  just  learn  to  play 
as  well  as  Uncle  Dave  and  make  as 
much  use  of  it,  he  will  be  satisfied," 
continued  Tommy.  "My  little  sister  is 
going  to  take  piano  lessons,  when  she 
gets  a  little  older.  Then  we  can  play 
together,  just  like  Mom  and  Uncle 
Dave  do." 

Children  like  a  great  variety  of  songs. 
They  like  to  sing  folk  songs.  They  en- 
joy singing  the  same  song  over  and  over 
again. 

"When  I  was  home,  we  often  gath- 
ered around  our  piano  and  sang  for 
about  half  an  hour,  before  we  went  to 
bed,"  a  friend  of  mine  once  told  me. 

"My  folks  won't  let  us  go  down 
town  to  hang  around  at  night,"  Jimmy 
confided  to  me,  one  afternoon,  when  he 
came  in  to  get  a  library  book.  "We 
don't  care  though.  'Cause  we  generally 
have  something  to  do  at  home.    I  like 


—•Photograph,  Harold  M.  Lambert 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


it  best  when  Dad  plays  his  banjo  and 
we  sit  around  the  fireplace  and  sing." 

"I  wish  our  family  sang  together 
more  often,"  Caroline  said,  when  we 
were  talking  about  music.  "It  was  fun, 
when  we  did  it." 

Group  singing  is  enjoyed  by  both 
young  and  old.  We  should  encourage 
everyone  in  the  family  to  "join  in"  the 
singing,  regardless  of  how  little  they 
know  about  music.  The  young  people  in 


the  family  will  be  quick  to  learn  and 
appreciate  old  favorites. 

A  family  achieves  a  closeness  in  fam- 
ily group  singing  that  they  seldom  have 
at  any  other  time.  Those  hours  will 
soon  be  looked  forward  to.  They 
will  provide  wonderful  memories  to  be 
looked  back  upon. 

"Let's     have    more 
homes." 


music    in     our 


Josephine  B.  Nichols 

Cchooldays  are  here  again:  Make 
the  schoolchild  happy  and  healthy 
with  a  good,  packed  lunch. 

It  takes  time  and  planning  to  prepare 
nutritious  box  lunches  that  pack  readily 
and  are  still  appetizing  several  hours 
later. 

Good  packing  equipment  is  almost  as 
necessary  as  good  food,  because  sand- 
wiches must  stay  fresh  and  not  become 
either  dry  or  soggy.  Cake  and  cookies 
must  not  crumble  or  dry  out  and  milk 
must  stay  cold. 

A  regular  lunch  box  or  pail  is  best, 
but  many  children  dislike  carrying  lunch 
boxes  back  home  and  prefer  a  paper 
sack  or  carton  that  can  be  discarded 
after  use.  When  a  paper  bag  is  used,  it 
is  not  desirable  to  carry  a  thermos  bot- 
tle. Children  can  usually  purchase  milk 
or  soup  at  school. 

Wax  paper  is  practically  a  must  for 
wrapping  food  for  the  lunch  box.  Small 
waxed  cartons  with  lids  are  excellent 
for  salads  and  desserts. 

Lunches  packed  the  night  before 
often  lose  appetite-appeal  by  morning, 
but  you  can  prepare  ahead  by  getting 
supplies  ready,  setting  butter  out  to 
soften,  making  sandwich  fillings  (store 
in  covered  jars  in  refrigerator ) ,  etc. 

A  lunch  box  might  include  two  to 
four  substantial  sandwiches,  using  a 
variety  of  breads  and  fillings,  a  crisp 
salad,  pickles,  raw  carrots,  celery,  or  a 
whole  tomatoe;  something  sweet  like 
cookies,  cake,  fruit,  and  a  beverage, 
and  just  for  fun  and  to  relieve  mono- 
tony for  both  you  and  your  luncher, 
tuck  in  a  surprise,  stuffed  prunes,  salted 
nuts. 

A  Schoolboy's  Lunch 

Egg  salad  sandwich  on  enriched 
white  bread.  (Filling  should  be  as 
thick  as  one  slice  of  bread. ) 

Two  peanut  butter  and  jelly  sand- 
wiches on  whole  wheat  bread. 

1  whole  tomato 

SEPTEMBER  1946 


Applesauce  cupcake 
Thermos  of  milk 

Egg  Salad  Filling 

3  hard  cooked  eggs,  chopped 
J4  cup  chopped  green  pepper 

1   teaspoon  chopped  green  onion 
l/2  medium  sized  cucumber,  chopped 
3^4  cup  salad  dressing 

Combine  ingredients,  place  in  cov- 
ered container  in  refrigerator,  until 
ready  for  use. 

Applesauce  Cupcakes 

Y2  cup  shortening 
1   cup  sugar 

1  egg 

1  cup  raisins 

1  cup  nuts 

1  teaspoon  soda 

2  teaspoons  baking  powder 
1  teaspoon  cinnamon 

Y2  teaspoon  salt 

1  cup  applesauce  (unsweetened) 

2  cups  sifted  flour 

May  use  134  cups  honey  in  place  of 
sugar  and  1  cup  whole  wheat  flour  for 
1  cup  white  flour.  Cream  shortening; 
add  sugar;  beat.  Add  beaten  egg, 
raisins,  and  nuts.  Sift  flour;  add  dry 
ingredients;  combine  with  first  mixture. 
Add  applesauce  last.  Bake  in  paper 
bake  cups  in  muffin  pans  at  350°  F.  for 
thirty  minutes. 

Whole  Wheat  Nut  Bread 

1  cup  sugar 
2/3  cup  honey 

2  eggs 

1  cup  sour  milk 

1  teaspoon  soda 

1  teaspoon  salt 

34  cup  melted  fat 

I}/?  cup  flour 

13^  cup  whole  wheat  flour 

\]/2  cup  nut  meats 

1  cup  raisins 

Beat  eggs  and  sugar  until  thick.  Add 
shortening  and  honey;  mix  well,  then 
add  sour  milk.  Add  white  flour,  sifted 
with  salt  and  soda,  then  whole  wheat 
flour.  Fold  in  raisins  and  nut  meats. 
Bake  in  waxed-paper-lined  loaf  pan  at 
350"  F.  for  fifty  to  sixty  minutes. 
Makes  two  small  loaves.  Excellent  for 
lunch-box, 

i'J  i  > "■■'■■ .  ■■•  .'  {Concluded  on  page  580) 


5^» 


urkees 

VEGETABLE 

OLEOMARGARINE 


(MARGAR1 


/  (&Q>V&  this  modern  margar- 
ine! You'll  know  at  once  why  it's  fine, 
fresh  flavor  makes  Durkee's  Margar- 
ine so  popular  as  a  spread  .  .  .  why 
delicious  Durkee's  adds  to  the  ap- 
petite appeal  of  favorite  dishes. 

Truly  a  farm  product !  Durkee's 
Margarine  is  made  from  select  veg- 
etable oils,  and  fresh,  pasteurized 
skim  milk  from  American  farms  in 
the  heart  of  rich  dairy  sections.  Dur- 
kee's special  process  evenly  distrib- 
utes the  tiny  particles  of  vegetable 
fat  in  order  to  give  you  a  super- 
smooth  margarine  with  the  flavor 
evenly  distributed.  It's  enriched  with 
Vitamin  A,  too. 


'.*) 


€>/ 


J5§» 


ight' 


.breads,  rolls 
be  used 


#<Must  ng"\ 
Ind  biscuits. 

#  So  economical  it  can 

liberally-  Nourishing 


parents. 


too. 


579 


The       „ 
ffl        Ust<*   piano    h  Vears   of 

1    *■**»  - \TkG  th^- 

MUXES'     * 
MLJS>C  en    § 


i 


Cook's  Corner 


sow 


(lllllllllllilllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllilllllllllllllllilllllllllllil! 

[J  — The    latest    reference    Bible, 
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CONTAINS 
Over  200  pages  of  references.  Indexed  by 
Book,  Chapter,  Verse  and  Page  Number. 
Beautifully  illustrated  with  many  colored 
pictures. 

Christ's  sayings  in  red  letters. 
Smith's  Bible  Dictionary. 

Concordance  and  Atlas  of  the  Holy  Lands. 
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Doctrinal  Subjects  Indexed  by  Page  Num- 
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Box  2SS1  Charlotte,  No.  Carolina 


{Concluded  from  page  579) 
Sandwich  Suggestions 

Meat  and  Fish 

Tuna  fish  with  salad  dressing.  May 
also  use  shredded  lettuce,  celery,  or 
cabbage. 

Chopped  meat,  hard  cooked  eggs, 
green  pepper  or  parsley  and  salad 
dressing. 

Chicken  with  parsley  and  salad 
dressing. 

Tuna  fish,  olives,  and  nuts. 

Ground  ham  and  sweet  pickles  and 
salad  dressing. 

Any  left-over  meat  chopped  and 
mixed  with  salad  dressing. 

Eggs 

Hard  cooked  eggs,  minced  and  mois- 
tened with  salad  dressing.  May  also 
use  chopped  olives,  chopped  ham, 
chopped  nuts,  crisp  bacon,  water  cress, 
or  lettuce  leaf. 

Cheese 

Grate  the  cheese,  moisten  with  cream, 
ketchup,  chopped  pickles,  tomato  juice, 
or  salad  dressing. 

Grated  cheese  with  nuts  and  salad 
dressing. 

Nuts  and  Fruit 

Chopped  nuts  and  salad  dressing. 

Chopped  nuts  with  dates,  raisins,  figs, 
or  other  dried  fruit. 

Chopped  ripe  olives  and  nuts  mois- 
tened with  salad  dressing. 

Peanut  butter  and  raisins  mixed. 

Fruit  jelly  or  marmalade. 

Maple  Sea  Foam  Frosting 

1   cup  dark  corn  syrup 

1  egg  white 

2  drops  Mapleine  flavoring 

Heat  syrup  to  boiling;  boil  one  minute. 
Pour  syrup  slowly  over  beaten  egg  white, 
beating  constantly.  Add  flavoring  and  beat 
until  frosting  is  cool  and  stiff  enough  to  hold 
its  shape. 


YOU 

By  Elaine  V.  Emans 

LITTLE  by  little  I  find  and  piece  together 
The  variant  parts  that  made  the  whole 

of  you: 
There  was  the  dog  you  loved,  the  sturdy 

weather 
Of  cold  white  winter,  summer  on  a  blue 
Lake,  and  the  good  companionship  of  trees; 
There  were  the  birds,  and  Handel,  and  each 

hymn 
Your    mother   sang    at    twilight,    some   of 

these 
Books  you've  around  you  now,  back  in  the 

dim 
Libraries  of  the  past;  and  there  was  duty. 
There  was  a  city,  too,  and  much  of  beauty 
I  have  not  yet  discovered,  and  may  never 
(But  shall,  I  think)    and  dreams  I  cannot 

name. 
And  surely,  like  some  gently  blowing  flame, 
There  was  the  fear  of  God  in  you  forever. 


580 


An  Escape  from  Death 

( Concluded  from  page  568 ) 

seemed  to  make  me  feel  better;  I 
crawled  to  the  trench  and  rolled  in. 
After  I  was  there  a  moment,  I  was  able 
to  walk.  I  walked  about  a  quarter  of  a 
mile  to  a  cement  building.  When  I  got 
there,  I  lay  down  and  couldn't  get  up 
any  more. 

I  knew  I  wasn't  going  to  die.  I  had 
prayed  that  morning  that  I'd  not  be 
killed.  I  felt  pretty  tough  for  a  few 
days.  I  was  operated  on  two  months 
later,  and  the  bullet  was  taken  out  of 
the  lining  of  my  heart.  There  were 
some  very  good  doctors  over  there.  The 
nurses  and  doctors  were  wonderful, 
working  long  hours  and  doing  much 
work. 

I  thank  the  Lord  for  preserving  my 
life.  That  sermon  has  proved  true  that 
no  matter  what  happens  to  you  it's  for 
your  own  good  if  you  have  faith  and 
trust  in  him.  I  feel  that  my  experiences 
have  benefited  me  very  much.  I'm 
thankful  for  the  teachings  I've  had  that 
influenced  my  actions.  I'm  thankful  to 
be  an  American  where  we  have  free- 
dom and  unlimited  opportunity. 

The  doctors  say  I'm  as  healthy  as  1 
ever  was,  having  no  trouble  with  my 
heart  or  anything  that  time  won't  heal. 
I  thank  my  Heavenly  Father. 


rlanifamts 

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. 


Try  using  milk  in  place  of  water 
when  making  punch  from  punch  pow- 
der. It  is  a  delightful  new  drink.  Use 
same  amount  of  sugar. — N.  7 '.,  Hood 
River,  Oregon. 

To  remove  mildew,  make  a  very 
weak  solution  of  chloride  of  lime  in 
water,  using  about  a  heaping  teaspoon 
to  a  quart,  strain  it  carefully  and  dip  the 
spot  or  the  garment  in  it,  and  if  the 
mildew  does  not  disappear  immediately, 
lay  it  in  the  sun  for  a  few  minutes,  or 
dip  it  into  the  lime  water  again. — Mrs. 
E.  F.,  Buffalo,  New  York.  * 

Not  many  housewives  relish  the 
thought  of  using  dull  paring  and  butcher 
knives  for  preparing  food.  How  simple 
to  sharpen  them  on  a  piece  of  crockery! 
Saves  money  and  takes  very  little  time. 
— N.  T.,  Maryville,  Missouri. 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


Traveling 

with 
children? 


Ttext  time,  tntf  t&e  tnafa 


The  train  offers  a  great  many  ad- 
vantages to  parents  traveling  with 
children: 

i  Safety.  Statistics  prove  that  you 
and  your  children  are  safer  on  the 
train  than  in  your  own  home.  That's 
pretty  hard  to  beat. 

2  Low  cost.  Children  under  5  ride 
FREE  when  accompanied  by  an 
adult,  children  from  5  to  and  includ- 
ing 1 1,  half  fare. 

3  Pullman  berths  cost  the  same 
whether  used  by  one  or  two  people. 
Thus  a  mother  with  a  child  can  "dou- 
ble up"  with  the  child  in  a  berth  for 
no  additional  Pullman  fare. 

4  Children  get  seats  in  chair  cars 
and  coaches  just  like  adults,  even 
though  they  ride  free  or  for  half  fare. 


5  Southern  Pacific  dining  cars  offer 
a  wide  variety  of  food  for  children  as 
well  as  adults.  A  special  children's 
menu  offers  meals  at  less  than  adult 
cost.  Ingredients  and  facilities  are 
provided  for  the  preparation  of  for- 
mulas and  special  diets. 

O  On  the  train,  children  have  plenty 
of  room  to  move  around.  They  aren't 
"cooped  up"  as  in  so  many  other 
forms  of  transportation.  And  they 
will  get  a  friendly  reception  from  our 
trainmen,  most  of  whom  have  chil 
dren  of  their  own. 

7  Traveling  on  the  train  is  highly 
educational  for  children.  They  see 
their  country  intimately,  at  ground 
level. 

8  Children  love  to  ride  on  a  train. 
Remember  when  you  were  a  child — 
what  fun  it  was  to  take  a  train  trip? 


'Ttcxt  time,  Pup  t&e  tnaia 


S*P 


The  friendly  Southern  Pacific 


SEPTEMBER  1946 


581 


')      ')      «>      >»      >)      >'      *' 


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Students  beginning 

SEPTEMBER  25 

Registration  for  Other 
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SEPTEMBER  30 


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•iv^-J^.^.*''    .iX.iik/iilii     K'i     f,>^i«     %     'i 


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Jkere  id  ^rnother  J^>lde  to 

TOLERANCE 


Du  vSernice  iSurton  ^Moln 


nxei 


582 


Most  of  us  are  agreed  that  more 
tolerance,  much  more,  is  neces- 
sary to  make  and  maintain  last- 
ing peace.  Tolerance  should  start  at 
home,  for  the  near  neighbor  as  well  as 
the  far  one.  We  are  willing  to  be  more 
tolerant  of  others'  words,  ideas,  and 
actions,  to  count  to  one  hundred  in- 
stead of  ten,  to  turn  the  other  cheek,  to 
walk  the  second  mile,  to  love  our  neigh- 
bor, to  do  unto  others. 

We  are  willing  to  give  all  of  this 
tolerance,  to  exercise  all  of  this  toler- 
ance on  behalf  of  our  fellow  men.  But 
how  often  do  we  unthinkingly  or  self- 
ishly ask  someone  else  to  turn  the  other 
cheek,  insisting  on  another  going  the 
second  mile  with  us? 

There  is  a  side  of  tolerance  that  in- 
cludes making  ourselves  more  tolerable 
ro  others. 

None  are  immune  to  the  making  of 
mistakes.  A  little  more  foresight,  more 
careful  planning,  a  great  deal  more 
willingness  to  accept  responsibility  for 
things  which  are,  or  should  be,  within 
our  control  is  a  crying  need  today. 

We  are  inclined,  everyone  of  us,  to 
let  the  unpleasant,  the  difficult,  the 
bothersome  task  lie,  either  hoping 
someone  else  will  assume  the  respon- 
sibility, or  take  care  of  the  matter,  or 
that  everyone  will  overlook  and  forget 
the  unfinished,  neglected,  or  untouched 
task.  This  is  the  most  common  way  to 
make  an  overdraft  on  the  tolerance  due 
us. 

Have  we,  have  I,  have  you  been 
guilty  of: 

Neglecting  to  teach  effectively  our  chil- 
dren to  respect  the  property  rights  of  others 
or  have  we  allowed  our  children  to  assume 
that  the  entire  street  and  adjacent  property 
is  a  sort  of  public  park?  (All  excepting  our 
lawn  and  our  shrubbery.) 

Religiously  attending  our  Sunday  meet- 
ings while  our  children  create  disturbances 
throughout  the  neighborhood  or  congregate 
destructively  on  porches  and  lawns  of 
momentarily  vacant  homes? 

Suddenly  taking  boyish  scraps  and  fights 
as  all  in  a  lifetime,  as  soon  as  Junior  and 
Johnny  are  big  enough  to  lick  all  the  "kids" 
in  our  neighborhood? 

Letting  early  teen-agers  and  younger  fry 
out  to  play,  possibly  annoy,  and  loaf,  if  you 
please,  up  and  down  the  street  till  ten  or 
eleven  o'clock  at  night,  even  neglecting  to 
check  to  see  if  that  was  his  voice  yelling 
imprecations  in  the  direction  of  some 
neighbor's  house? 

Considering  stealing  apples,  etc.,  as  just 
one  more  prank  to  outgrow,  or  did  we  point 


out  that  stealing  by  any  other  name  is  still 
stealing  at  whatever  age  or  for  whatever 
purpose? 

Imposing  on  the  capacity  for  tolerance  of 
our  neighbors  when  leaving  early  teen-agers 
to  their  own  devices  for  six  or  eight  hours, 
six  days  a  week,  or  for  regular  intervals 
once  or  twice  a  week?  ( Being  old  enough  to 
mind  one's  business  is  no  indication  that  one 
will  so  conduct  his  affairs.) 

Thinking  that  because  a  child  is  able  to 
walk,  talk,  feed,  and  care  for  nature's  needs 
that  he  can  be  safely  or  wisely  left  alone? 
(Such  care  or  lack  of  it  seems  to  have  left 
or  kept  many  a  child  morally  and  spiritu- 
ally barren.  The  spirit  needs  food,  cleansing, 
and  warmth,  too.) 

Trusting  him  where  and  with  whom  (the 
unknown  friend)  we  would  not  trust  our- 
selves? 

Leaving  him  to  decide  alone,  or  with  only 
the  vaguest  and  hastiest  generalities,  per- 
plexities of  social  conduct  that  still  puzzle 
us  at  times?  (Letting  him  have  time  and 
our  interested  ear  to  talk  to  may  do  as 
much  or  more  to  solve  these  problems  as 
talking  to  him.) 

Dealing  with  our  children  in  such  a  man- 
ner as  to  indicate  that  admission  of,  or  con- 
fession of,  one's  failings,  shortcomings,  and 
sins  are  all  that  is  morally,  and  socially 
binding  upon  the  individual? 

Maintaining  that  our  child  may  be  at 
fault  or  in  error  in  his  dealings  with  others 
and  yet  be  the  soul  of  injured  innocence 
when  a  neighbor  confronts  us  with  the  fact 
or  the  evidence  that  he  not  only  may  be  but 
actually  is  at  fault  or  in  error? 

Failing  to  imprint  indelibly  in  his  way  of 
life  the  principle,  right,  that  most  important 
right — the  right  to  be  let  alone? 

Failing  to  impress  him  with  that  most 
priceless  principle  and  precious  fact  that 
home,  your  home,  my  home,  the  home  of 
the  man  next  door,  and  the  home  of  the  man 
down  the  street,  is  sacred  "where  none  shall 
come  to  hurt  or  make  afraid,  eavesdrop, 
annoy  or  molest  in  any  way  by  deed  or 
word"? 

Oh,  how  diligently,  how  firmly,  how 
unceasingly,  we  must  strive  to  live  so 
that  others  can  and  will  find  it  in  their 
hearts  to  tolerate  us.  In  short  a  neigh- 
bor is  to  be  admired  and  appreciated  as 
much  for  his  lack  of  vices  as  for  his 
possession  of  many  virtues. 


SONG  FOR  A  DAY 

By  Catherine  E.  Berry 

F  cook  and  sweep  and  polish  pans 
■*■  And  sew  a  seam  or  two; 
I  shop  for  apples,  flour,  and  spice, 
To  make  a  pie  for  you. 

The  days  seem  scarcely  long  enough 

For  all  I  have  to  do; 
But  never  have  I  minded,  dear, 

The  things  I  do  for  you. 

When  twilight  comes  and  silver  stars 
Come  twinkling  through  the  blue, 

The  crowning  moment  of  my  day 
Is  watching,  dear,  for  you. 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


and  Of  tPlATE  Your  Engine ! 


I 


NO  one  knows  just  why  Saturn  is 
the  only  planet  to  have  rings 
around  it.  We  do  know,  however,  that 
mighty  forces  of  gravitational  attrac- 
tion hold  them  there.  Through  exten- 
sive research  into  the  forces  of  at- 
traction between  molecules  of  liquids 
and  solids,  Conoco  scientists  are  able 
to  bring  America's  motorists  the  ben- 
efits of  new  and  better  oils. 

Using  the  force  of  molecular  at- 
traction (basic  force  that  holds  things 
together),  a  special  ingredient  in 
Gonoco  Nth  motor  oil  is  attracted  to 
working  surfaces  of  your  engine.  In 
fact,  so  strong  is  this  attraction  that 
cylinder  walls  are  oil-plated. 


And  because  molecular  attraction 
holds  Conoco  oil-plating  up  where 
it  belongs  .  .  .  prevents  it  from  all 
draining  down  to  the  crankcase,  even 
overnight .  .  .  you  get  these  benefits: 

added  protection  during  the  vital 
periods  when  you  first  start  your 
engine 

added  protection  from  corrosive  ac- 
tion when  your  engine  is  not  in  use 

added  protection  from  wear  that 
leads  to  fouling  sludge  and  carbon 

added  smooth,  silent  miles 

That's  why  you'd  be  safer  to  oil- 
plate  your  engine  now  ...  at  Your 
Conoco  Mileage  Merchant's.  Look 
for  the  red  triangle.  Continental  Oil 
Company 


Ssrrsp  o/lplatb  mtv/ 


SEPTEMBER  1946 


583 


<-A 


CCOMPLISHMENT 

should  always  be  the  result 
when  energy  is  expended. 
Yet,  like  a  dizzily  spinning 
top,  many  businesses  go 
'round  in  the  preparation  of 
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Month  after  month,  the  same 
thing  happens  again  and 
again  and  nothing  is  accom- 
plished but  the  expenditure  of 
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produce  results.  The  function 
of  a  printing  organization  to- 
day is  to  help  clients  to  plan 
printing  that  builds  sales — 
to  take  copy  and  dramatize  it, 
make  it  so  irresistibly  attrac- 
tive that  it  must  naturally 
draw  the  reader's  attention. 
The  waste  of  which  we  speak 
is  often  due  to  lack  of  under- 
standing. Realization  of  this 
has  made  us  sales  minded. 
Your  selling  problem  is  our 
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FRANK  R.  WISHON,  Operator 
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HOTEL 

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LOS   ANGELES 


"Beauty  Food  is 
Duty  Food" 


By  Dora  Loues  Miller 


tf 


584 


Cven  the  nation's  animal  life  is  be- 
ing called  upon  to  support  the 
present  thirty-nine-point  food  con- 
servation program  recommended  by 
President  Truman,"  says  Ann  Dela- 
field,  nationally  known  health  and  beau- 
ty authority.  "But,"  she  added,  "this 
conservation  will  pay  dividends  in 
added  health  and  vitality  for  the  far- 
mer and  his  family  and  at  the  same  time 
help  to  'save  a  life.'  ' 

It  is  a  commonly  known  fact  that 
Americans  are  the  best  fed  people  in 
the  world   and   so  are  their   animals. 

Miss  Delafield  pointed  out  that  the 
first  step  in  supporting  the  conservation 
program  begins  with  changing  your 
food  habits.  "Eating  is  a  habit,"  she 
said,  "that  is  too  important  to  break, 
but  it  certainly  can  be  altered  to  pro- 
vide a  sufficient  and  nutritious  diet 
without  stuffing  one's  self  or  overload- 
ing the  table  so  that  there  are  leftovers. 

"The  new  food  saving  program,"  the 
noted  beauty  authority  continued,  "is 
a  program  for  health  and  beauty  as  well 
as  patriotism.  Broiled  foods  instead  of 
fried  foods  will  not  only  save  fats,  but 
is  better  for  your  blood,  your  figure,  and 
your  general  health,"  she  said. 

The  basis  of  a  sound  diet  is  plenty  of 
fresh  fruit,  vegetables,  lean  meats,  or 
fish  or  eggs.  "There  is  no  prescribed 
diet  that  will  fit  everyone's  needs," 
Miss  Delafield  said.  "Rather,  it  is  a 
prescribed  program  for  eating  which 
emphasizes  nutritious  and  vitamin- 
packed  foods  instead  of  starches  and 
sweets  and   fats 

"Here  is  your  chance  to  see  for  your- 
self that  food  habits  can  be  changed 
and  to  your  benefit,  while  you  are  re- 
sponding to  the  President's  request," 
Miss  Delafield  said.  "'Beauty  food  is 
duty  food'  is  one  of  my  maxims,  but  if 
you  follow  the  President's  suggestions, 
duty  food  is  also  beauty  food,  for  you 
not  only  will  help  save  the  lives  of 
people  who  face  starvation  unless  we 
share  our  food  supplies  with  them,  but 
you  will  also  improve  your  own  health 
and  appearance." 

If  you  eat  as  many  of  the  following 
foods  as  possible,  Miss  Delafield,  who 
is  also  a  trained  dietician,  said,  your 
body  will  get  all  it  needs  to  function 
properly  and  to  your  best  interest.  Or- 
anges, grapefruit,  lemons,  and  all  citrus 
fruits;  lettuce,  tomatoes,  raw  carrots, 
greens,  pepper,  watercress,  asparagus, 
spinach;  dried  prunes,  apricots,  cur- 
rants; lean  meat,  fish,  egg  yolk;  whole 
or  dried  milk;  whole  wheat  germ  and 
one  hundred  percent  whole  grain  ce- 
reals; dried  beans  and  peas. 


Our  Members  in  the 
Russian  Zone 

(Concluded  from  page  566) 
lief  in  the  message  which  they  em- 
braced for  its  spiritual  values  at  one 
time  or  another.  Meetings  in  Berlin 
(there  are  eight  branches  function- 
ing in  that  area  alone )  show  the 
effects  of  war  in  that  there  are  star- 
tlingly  few  young  men  present,  but 
all  the  branches  hold  at  least  two  or 
three  functions  a  week.  Soon  the 
offices  of  the  East  Mission  will  be 
moved  from  the  war-damaged  head- 
quarters secured  when  the  mission 
home  was  destroyed  at  Haendels 
Allee  to  a  sizable  villa  in  what  was 
the  fashionable  area  of  Berlin-Dah- 
lem.  Never  in  peacetime  did  the 
Church  enjoy  such  prestige. 

All  in  all,  I  found  conditions  bet- 
ter than  I  expected  to  see  them,  and 
the  East  Mission  in  the  Russian 
zone  in  some  aspects  may  find  it 
easier  to  develop  its  activities  than 
the  West  Mission  with  headquarters 
in  the  American  Zone  in  Frankfurt. 
Why  should  any  Christian  endeavor 
which  aims  primarily  at  providing 
spiritual  and  physical  aids  to  people 
as  well  as  a  message  of  peace  and 
happiness  find  oposition  in  a  world 
which  so  badly  needs  it? 


■  ♦  ■ 


Skull  Deformation 

(Concluded  from  page  552) 
head  into  a  V-shaped  board.  The  re- 
sultant deformed  head  exhibited  an  al- 
most continuous  line  from  the  tip  of 
the  nose  to  the  crown  of  the  head.  This 
type  of  head  was  common  among  the 
Maya  of  Central  America,  the  Natchez 
of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  the  Chinook 
of  the  northwest  coast.  Among  these 
and  other  tribes  the  deformation  came 
to  be  regarded  as  a  mark  of  distinction 
and  social  correctness. 

Intentional  deformation  by  binding 
the  infant's  head  resulted  in  a  truncated 
or  conical  head  with  the  resultant  de- 
formation of  both  the  front  and  back 
of  the  head.  This  unique  method  was 
common  practice  among  the  Inca  of 
Peru. 

The  harmful  result  of  various  de- 
formations has  not  been  established. 
The  tribes  who  practiced  it  do  not 
show  evidence  of  a  larger  percentage 
of  imbeciles  or  neuropathic  persons.  In 
fact,  the  Maya  and  the  Inca  were  out- 
standing for  their  intellectual  achieve- 
ments. 

It  is  true  that  these  deformations 
persisted  throughout  the  life  of  the  in- 
dividual, but  there  is  no  evidence  of  the 
deformation's  becoming  hereditary. 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


Increased  production  of  food 
and  fiber  is  necessary  to  pre- 
vent untold  suffering  and 
starvation  in  a  war-torn 
world.  The  job  ahead  for 
American  farmers  is  a  huge 
one.  Remember  that  corn, 
wheat  and  beans  are  critical 
crops  in  this  world  food  crisis 
— make  every  bushel  count1. 


forBetter  Farming,  Better  Living 


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any  other  make  of  all-purpose  farm  tractor.  Farmall  is 
the  favorite  based  on  experience . . .  the  leader  in  economical,  all- 
around,  dependable  farm  power.  A  size  for  every  farm. 

Count  on  the  Farmall  System,  the  leader  for  23  years,  the 
leader  today,  the  leader  in  paving  the  way  to  still  better  farm- 
ing and  still  better  living.  Talk  with  your  International  Harvester 
dealer  about  a  Farmall  on  your  farm. 

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YOUR  LIFE  IS  MORE  IMPORTANT  than  the  minutes  you  save!  Take  time  to 

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every  week  Safety  Week  on  the  farm. 

Tune  in  "Harvest  of  Stars"  Sundays,  NBC  Network.  See  newspapers  for  time  and  station. 


S 

■ 

INTERNATIONAL 
HARVESTER 

V 

by  INTERNATIONAL  HARVESTER 


SEPTEMBER  1946 


585 


Mat   Wifkt   We 

^Mave  *JJone  f 

"ZION  MUST  ARISE" 
(D.  &  C.  82:14.) 

Tn  April  1830,  the  Church  was  organ- 
ized with  a  membership  of  six.  Its 
appointed  head  was  Joseph  Smith,  Jun., 
a  young  man  about  twenty-five  years  of 
age.  The  Book  of  Mormon  records  had 
been  recently  translated  and  the  book 
published.  This  handful  of  Saints  com- 
menced their  sacred  labors  of  establish- 
ing Zion. 

In  the  one  hundred  sixteen  years 
since,  the  membership  of  the  Church 
has  increased  to  979,454;  thousands 
have  lived  and  died  in  the  faith.  More 
than  fifty-two  thousand  missionaries 
have  been  sent  into  the  world.  The 
gospel  has  been  proclaimed  among  the 
nations.  Branches  of  the  Church  have 
been  established  in  many  lands.  The 
missionary  activity  continues  at  an  ever 
increasing  tempo. 

One  hundred  and  fifty-eight  stakes 
of  Zion  have  been  organized  compris- 
ing twelve  hundred  five  wards.  Places 
of  worship  by  the  hundreds  fairly  dot 
some  sections  of  our  land.  Temples 
have  been  erected,  and  others  are 
projected  in  distant  areas.  The  labor 
of  salvation  goes  forward.  Truly  a 
marvelous  work  and  a  wonder  has  been 
achieved  in  a  relatively  short  period. 

What  has  been  accomplished,  how- 
ever, has  been  done  with  but  a  fraction 
of  our  potential  strength.  It  is  reason- 
able therefore  to  suppose  that  if  we  in- 
crease the  devotion  and  faith  of  our 
membership  generally,  our  achieve- 
ments will  be  proportionately  greater. 
All  principles  of  the  gospel  are  prin- 
ciples of  promise — promised  blessings 
for  obedience  to  eternal  law.  These 
blessings  come  to  the  membership  as 
a  whole  and  to  members  individually 
according  to  their  obedience. 

Behold,  mine  house  is  a  house  of  order, 
saith  the  Lord  God,  and  not  a  house  of 
confusion.  Will  I  accept  of  an  offering, 
saith  the  Lord,  that  is  not  made  in  my  name? 
Or  will  I  receive  at  your  hands  that  which 
I  have  not  appointed?  And  will  I  appoint 
unto  you,  saith  the  Lord,  except  it  be  by 
law,  even  as  I  and  my  Father  ordained 
unto  you,  before  the  world  was?  I  am  the 
Lord  thy  God;  and  I  give  unto  you  this  com- 
mandment— that  no  man  shall  come  unto  the 
Father  but  by  me  or  by  my  word,  which  is 
my  law,  saith  the  Lord.  (D.  &  C.  132:8-12.) 

From  the  beginning  of  this  dispensa- 
tion, through  our  partial  neglect  of 
duty,  we  as  a  people  have  denied  our- 
selves many  blessings  which  otherwise 
we  could  have  claimed.  It  is  the  Lord's 
good  pleasure  to  secure  these  blessings 
to  us,  when  through  righteousness  we 
are  prepared  to  receive  them. 

586 


eMefchyeiefc 


Behold,  I  say  unto  you  were  it  not  for  the 
transgression  of  my  people,  speaking  con- 
cerning the  church  and  not  individuals,  they 
might  have  been  redeemed  even  now.  But 
behold,  they  have  not  learned  to  be  obedient 
to  the  things  which  I  required  at  their 
hands,  but  are  full  of  all  manner  of  evil, 
and  do  not  impart  of  their  substance,  as 
becometh  saints,  to  the  poor  and  afflicted 
among  them;  And  are  not  united  according 
to  the  union  required  by  the  law  of  the 
celestial  kingdom;  And  Zion  cannot  be  built 
up  unless  it  is  by  the  principles  of  the  law 
of  the  celestial  kingdom;  otherwise  I  cannot 
receive  her  unto  myself.  And  my  people 
must  needs  be  chastened  until  they  learn 
obedience,  if  it  must  needs  be,  by  the  things 
which  they  suffer.  (D.  &  C.  105:2-6.) 

As  great  as  our  power  and  influence 
in  the  world  are,  they  are  still  infinitesi- 
mal compared  to  what  they  are  destined 
to  become  through  an  increased  devo- 
tion to  the  Lord's  work  and  to  the  wel- 


fare of  humanity.  As  a  matter  then  of 
sound  judgment,  we  should  not  be  con- 
tent with  but  a  mediocre  performance 
of  duty. 

The  Lord  requires  that  all  priesthood 
bearers  "live  by  every  word."  He  re- 
quires that  all  "endure  to  the  end"  if  all 
would  obtain  the  promised  blessings  in 
store  for  the  faithful.  "Peace  on  earth, 
good  will  to  men"  would  then  become 
a  matter  possible  of  achievement  rather 
than  a  remote  something  only  to  be 
hoped  for. 

For  Zion  must  increase  in  beauty,  and  in 
holiness;  her  borders  must  be  enlarged;  her 
stakes  must  be  strengthened;  yea,  verily  I 
say  unto  you,  Zion  must  arise  and  put  on 
her  beautiful  garments.  (D.  &  C.  82:14.) 

For  even  yet  the  kingdom  is  yours,  and 
shall  be  forever,  if  you  fall  not  from  your 
steadfastness.    (D.  &  C.  82:24.) 


Q 


uorum 


^Leaders  to  C-* 
to  S^tore  L^c 


ncouraae 
ommoaltled 


ill  (embers 


By  Fenno  B,  Casto,  of  the  Church  Welfare  Office 


And  it  is  my  purpose  to  provide  for  my 
saints,  for  all  things  are  mine.  But  it  must 
needs  be  done  in  mine  own  way;  ...  ( D.  & 
C.  104:15-16.) 

T/*nowing  that  every  word  of  the  Lord 
will  surely  be  fulfilled,  we  have  in 
this  declaration  the  greatest  guarantee 
of  temporal  security  that  can  be  given 
to  man.  And  it  requires  of  us  but  two 
things : 

1.  That  we  must  be  classed  as  the 
Saints  of  the  Lord 

2.  That  we  are  willing  to  accept  our 
provisions  in  his  own  way 

The  Savior,  while  on  the  earth,  em- 
phasized the  concern  of  the  Father  in 
heaven  over  our  temporal  welfare  by 
listing  as  the  first  direct  request  in  the 
perfect  prayer  a  supplication  for  "our 
daily  bread." 

This  prayer  reads: 

Our  Father  which  art  in  heaven,  Hal- 
lowed be  thy  name.  Thy  kingdom  come. 
Thy  will  be  done  in  earth,  as  it  is  in  heaven. 
Give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread.  (Matt.  6: 
9-11.) 

We  may  well  ask,  "What  is  the 
Lord's  own  way?"  It  is  immediately  ap- 
parent that  first  we  should  ask  the  Lord 
in  prayer  as  he  suggested:  "After  this 
manner  therefore  pray  ye."  We  should 


prepare  ourselves  to  recognize  the  an- 
swer to  our  prayer  for  daily  sustenance. 
What  good  would  it  do  a  gold  miner 
to  dig  and  dig  if  he  didn't  recognize 
the  gold  when  he  reached  it? 

Depression  Years  Recalled 

During  the  trying  years  of  the  early 
thirties,  thousands  of  Saints  faced  with 
real  want  for  bread  and  other  daily 
necessities;  faced  with  the  loss  of  a 
life's  savings;  faced  with  the  loss  of 
homes*  petitioned  the  Lord:  "Give  us 
this  day  our  daily  bread."  Many  of  us 
at  that  time  may  have  felt  that  our 
prayers  were  not  answered,  and  prob- 
ably many  of  those  prayers  were  not, 
because  in  years  past  we  had  been  very 
much  like  the  foolish  virgins,  and  had 
not  adhered  to  the  repeated  counsel  of 
the  General  Authorities  to  get  out  of 
debt,  to  store  the  things  we  need,  and 
to  save  for  days  of  hardship  and  tribu- 
lation. 

The  Lord  Answered  Our  Prayers 

However,  the  Lord  remembered  his 
promise  as  stated  by  Amos : 

Surely  the  Lord  God  will  do  nothing,  but 
he  revealeth  his  secret  unto  his  servants  the 
prophets.  (Amos  3:7.) 

and  did  inspire  our  prophet  and  leader, 
THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


HPriestdooi 


NO-LIQUOR-TOBACCO 
COLUMN 

Conducted  by 
Dr.  Joseph  F.  Merrill 


CONDUCTED   BY   THE   GENERAL   PRIESTHOOD  COMMITTEE   OF   THE   COUNCIL  OF  THE 

TWELVE JOSEPH    FIELDING    SMITH,    CHAIRMAN;    CHARLES  A.  CALLIS,    HAROLD    B. 

LEE,  SPENCER  W.  KIMBALL,  EZRA  TAFT  BENSON,  MARION  G.  ROMNEY,  THOMAS  E.  MC- 
KAY, CLIFFORD  E.  YOUNG,  ALMA  SONNE,  LEVI  EDGAR  YOUNG,  ANTOINE  R.  IVINS 


President  Grant,  to  give  us  the  Church 
welfare  plan.  In  this  plan,  which  cer- 
tainly is  a  response  to  our  prayers  for 
our  daily  sustenance,  we  have  further 
answer  to,  "What  is  the  Lord's  own 
way?"  We  are  taught  that  in  addition 
to  asking  the  Lord  in  prayer,  we  are 
expected  to  do  all  in  our  power  to  pro- 
vide our  daily  needs,  and  to  save  and 
store  all  that  we  can  for  the  future. 

We  should  also  remember  the  ad- 
monition of  James: 

What  doth  it  profit,  my  brethren,  though 
a  man  say  he  hath  faith,  and  hath  not 
works?  can  faith  save  him?  If  a  brother  or 
sister  be  naked,  and  destitute  of  daily  food, 
And  one  of  you  say  unto  them,  Depart  in 
peace,  be  ye  warmed  and  filled;  notwith- 
standing ye  give  them  not  those  things 
which  are  needful  to  the  body;  what  doth  it 
profit?  Even  so  faith,  if  it  hath  not  works, 
is  dead,  being  alone.  (James  2:14-17.) 

In  harmony  with  gospel  principles 
each  of  us  should  do  all  we  can  to 
help  provide  for  those  who  are  less 
fortunate. 

Calamities  Foretold 

The  Savior,  in  his  first  advent  to  the 
earth,  told  his  disciples  in  detail  of  the 
calamities  that  would  be  poured  out 
upon  the  earth  in  the  latter  days,  con- 
cluding with  this  statement: 

And  except  those  days  should  be  short- 
ened, there  should  no  flesh  be  saved:  but 
for  the  elect's  sake  those  days  shall  be 
shortened.   (Matt.  24:22.) 

And  to  the  Prophet  Joseph  Smith  he 
again  enumerated  and  added  to  the 
warnings  given  in  the  Bible,  specifying 
among  other  things: 

And  there  shall  be  a  great  hailstorm  sent 
forth  to  destroy  the  crops  of  the  earth.  (D. 
&  C.  29:16.) 

Saints  Warned  to  Prepare 

After  reviewing  the  calamities  which 
were  then  facing  the  world,  President 
Clark,  in  his  conference  address  given 
in  April  1937,  stated: 

What  may  we  as  a  people  and  as  individ- 
uals do  for  ourselves  to  prepare  to  meet 
this  oncoming  disaster,  which  God  in  his 
wisdom  may  not  turn  aside  from  us? 

First,  and  above  and  beyond  everything 
else,  let  us  live  righteously,  fearing  God 
and  keeping  his  commandments,  that  we 
may  in  part  claim  his  blessing  as  of  right, 
and  not  as  of  mercy  only.  .  .  . 

SEPTEMBER  1946 


Let  us  avoid  debt  as  we  would  avoid  a 
plague;  where  we  are  now  in  debt  let  us 
get  out  of  debt;  if  not  today,  then  tomorrow. 

Let  us  straitly  and  strictly  live  within  our 
incomes,  and  save  a  little. 

Let  every  head  of  every  household  see  to 
it  that  he  has  on  hand  enough  food  and 
clothing,  and,  where  possible,  fuel  also,  for 
at  least  a  year  ahead.  .  .  .  Let  every  head 
of  every  household  aim  to  own  his  own 
home,  free  from  mortgage.  Let  every  man 
who  has  a  garden  spot,  garden  it;  every 
man  who  owns  a  farm,  farm  it. 

Let  us  again  clothe  ourselves  with  these 
proved  and  sterling  virtues — honesty,  truth- 
fulness, chastity,  sobriety,  temperance,  in- 
dustry and  thrift;  let  us  discard  all  covet- 
ousness  and  greed. 

In  the  message  of  the  First  Presi- 
dency to  the  Church,  given  at  the  April 
conference  in  1942,  they  counseled: 

Times  approach  when  we  shall  need  all 
the  health,  strength,  and  spiritual  power  we 
can  get  to  bear  the  afflictions  that  will  come 
upon  us. 

We  renew  the  counsel  given  to  the  Saints 
from  the  days  of  Brigham  Young  until  now 
— be  honest,  truthful,  industrious,  frugal, 
thrifty.  In  the  day  of  plenty  prepare  for  the 
day  of  scarcity.  .  .  . 

We  renew  our  counsel  and  repeat  our  in- 
structions: Let  every  Latter-day  Saint  that 
has  land,  produce  some  valuable,  essential 
foodstuff  thereon  and  then  preserve  it;  or 
if  he  cannot  produce  an  essential  foodstuff, 
let  him  produce  some  other  kind  and  ex- 
change it  for  an  essential  foodstuff;  let  them 
who  have  no  land  of  their  own,  and  who 
have  knowledge  of  farming  and  gardening, 
try  to  rent  some,  either  by  themselves  or 
with  others,  and  produce  foodstuff  thereon, 
and  preserve  it.  .  .  . 

As  the  Church  has  always  urged  since  we 
came  to  the  valleys,  so  now  we  urge  every 
Church  householder  to  have  a  year's  supply 
of  essential  foodstuffs  ahead.  This  should, 
so  far  as  possible,  be  produced  by  each 
householder  and  preserved  by  him,  and  his 
family.  This  course  will  not  only  relieve 
from  any  impending  distress  those  house- 
holds who  so  provide  themselves,  but  will 
release  just  that  much  food  to  the  general 
national  stores  of  foodstuff  from  which  the 
public  at  large  must  be  fed. 

Another  Seedtime  and  Harvest 
Are  GrvEN 

In  his  mercy  and  long  suffering,  the 
Lord  has  given  us  another  seedtime  and 
harvest,  even  though  our  sins  and  in- 
iquities are  great,  and  the  world  is  ripe 
and  ready  for  the  judgments  which  will 
(Concluded  on  page  590) 


Bad  Law  Proposed 

HThe  Liquor  Control  Act,  proposed 
for  enactment  by  the  voters  of  Utah 
in  the  election  next  November,  will  not 
be  on  the  ballot  because  of  the  failure 
to  secure  the  requisite  number  of  legal 
petitioners,  (at  least  25,000) .  According 
to  the  newspapers,  the  promoters  say 
they  will  go  to  the  next  legislature  and 
try  to  get  their  bill  enacted  into  law. 

What  does  this  bill  provide?  Among 
other  things  the  following: 

1 .  A  repeal  of  many  of  the  provisions 
of  the  current  state  law,  including  one 
which  requires  a  permit  before  any  per- 
son can  legally  buy  liquor. 

2.  Increases  by  many  fold  the  places 
at  which  liquor  could  be  purchased — 
hotels,  restaurants,  fraternal  organiza- 
tions, and  social  clubs,  being  among 
them,  thus  taking  retail  sales  from  the 
state  and  turning  them  over  to  private 
licensees. 

3.  For  the  sale  of  liquor  by  the  drink 
as  well  as  by  the  package,  the  only 
legal  method  of  sale  under  present  laws. 

4.  Gives  the  power  to  license  places 
of  retail  liquor  sale  to  local  units — 
cities,  towns,  and  counties. 

The  impression  became  widespread 
in  the  campaign  for  referendum  signers 
that  sale  by  the  drink  was  to  replace 
sale  by  the  package.  This  impression 
was  wholly  in  error.  Retail  sales  by 
the  package  would  continue,  and  be 
made,  not  by  the  state,  but  by  one  or 
more  licensed  private  dealers  in  every 
county,  who  in  turn  would  sell  pack- 
ages to  individuals  for  personal  con- 
sumption and  to  a  multitude  of  licensees 
— hotels,  restaurants,  fraternal  organ- 
izations, social  clubs,  saloons,  etc.,  for 
resale  by  the  drink.  The  state  would 
continue  as  the  only  legal  wholesaler, 
its  function  being  to  supply  the  locally 
■  licensed  private  retailers. 

All  retailing,  both  by  the  package 
and  by  the  drink,  would  be  made  by  pri- 
vate holders  of  licenses  who  were  in 
the  business  for  making  money.  The 
current  law  puts  the  state  in  the  busi- 
ness solely  for  the  purpose  of  supply- 
ing the  demand,  not  to  promote  drink- 
ing— a  vast  difference  therefore  be- 
tween the  state  and  the  license  holder. 

Further,  the  state  sells  only  to  hold- 
ers of  permits,  given  only  to  respon- 
sible adults — not  to  minors,  etc.  Under 
the  proposed  law,  permits  to  buy  liquor 
are  not  required. 

And    so   the    proposed    law    would 

greatly  increase  the  number  of  places  at 

(Continued  on  page  594) 

587 


CONDUCTED  UNDER  THE  SUPERVISION  OF  THE  PRESIDING  BISHOPRIC.    EDITED  BY  LEE  A.  PALMER. 


WINDER  WARD,  BIG  COTTONWOOD  STAKE 
boasts  an  unusual  circumstance.  They  have  three 
brothers  who  are  active  members  of  the  Aaronic 
Priesthood  in  the  deacons  quorum.  They  are, 
reading  from  left  to  right,  Maurice  Durand  Cook, 
age  12;  Clifton  Arvin  Cook,  age  13,  and  Louis 
Severn  Cook,  ape  14.  Louis  is  president  of  the 
quorum  and  Clifton  is  secretary.  They  are  sons 
of  Clifton  Louis  and  Maurine  Stokes  Cook. 


WARD  YOUTH  LEADERSHIP 
OUTLINE  OF  STUDY 

OCTOBER  1946 

Note:  This  course  of  study  is  pre- 
pared under  the  direction  of  the  Presid- 
ing Bishopric  for  presentation  during 
the  monthly  meeting  of  the  ward  youth 
leadership  to  be  conducted  by  the  bish- 
opric in  each  ward.  Members  of  the 
ward  Aaronic  Priesthood  committee 
and  of  the  ward  committee  for  Latter- 
day  Saint  girls  are  expected  to  attend 
this  meeting. 

J  AST  month  we  discussed  in  this 
column  the  need  each  boy  and  girl 
has  to  love  and  to  be  loved,  and  the 
responsibility  of  every  teacher  and 
leader  of  youth  in  the  Church  to  help 
youth  satisfy  that  need.  The  first  ob- 
ligation of  the  leader  of  youth  is  to  win 
their  love. 

This  is  particularly  true  in  the 
Church  because  the  boy's  or  girl's  rela- 
tionship to  the  Church  is  purely  vol- 
untary. They  may  be  under  some  par- 
ental compulsion  to  go  to  Church  but 
they  are  largely  and  eventually  free  to 
come  or  to  go  as  they  please.  A  girl  is 
forced  to  go  to  school  and  embarrassed 
if  she  does  not  perform  fairly  well.  A 
boy  is  forced  to  be  regular  if  he  would 
hold  a  job  and  receive  his  wages  for  his 
labor.  Not  so  with  his  relationship  to 
the  Church  for  it  is  based  on  interest, 
good  will,  and  inherent  satisfaction  as- 
sociated with  Church  participation 
itself. 

588 


Boys  and  girls  live  in  quite  a  cold, 
impersonal,  selfish,  and  busy  world. 
The  average  adolescent — -for  all  his  ap- 
parent cocksureness — feels  uncertain 
and  is  in  need  of  friendship  and  under- 
standing. He  normally  possesses  feel- 
ings of  inferiority.  He  is  also  quite  un- 
certain about  many  personal  problems 
— vocation,  love,  family,  and  his  sense 
of  values  generally. 

Boys  and  girls  need  understanding 
adults  in  whom  they  may  feel  free  to 
confide.  Sometimes  their  parents  are 
too  close  to  their  problems  and  too 
much  involved  personally  to  be  ap- 
proachable by  their  children.  The 
Church  worker  is  in  an  ideal  situation 
to  win  the  confidence  of  youth.  He 
meets  him  on  a  voluntary  basis  in  an 
idealistic  environment.  Youth  is  ideal- 
istic by  nature  and  normally  responds 
favorably  to  the  qualifications  of  a  good 
Church  worker.  (Read  D.  &  C.  4. ) 

Every  Church  worker  should  ask 
himself  these  two  questions  occasion- 
ally :  ( 1 )  Do  I  love  those  I  serve  and 
work  with  in  the  Church?  and  (2)  do 
they  love  me?  Without  that  bond  of 
feeling  between  the  shepherd  and  his 
flock,  the  shepherd  of  boys  and  girls 
labors  in  vain  and,  to  quote  Paul,  he  is 
"become  as  sounding  brass  or  a  tinkling 
cymbal." 

How  can  we  strengthen  the  feeling 
of  love  between  us  and  those  we  serve. 
The  following  are  suggestions  which 
you  may  illustrate  and  to  which  you 
will  doubtless  add. 

( 1 )  Let  us  take  an  interest  in  each 
one  under  our  care — talk  with  him 
about  himself,  his  interests,  his  plans 
without  imposing  ourselves  on  him  and 
without  prying  into  affairs  which  do  not 
concern  us. 

(2)  Let  us  show  confidence  in  our 
youth  by  giving  them,  on  occasion, 
words  of  praise  and  encouragement  and 
also  responsibilities. 

(3)  Let  us  have  fellowship  with 
them  in  priesthood  and  M.I. A.  groups. 
They  will  like  us  when  we  do  things 
with  them  which  they  like  to  do — eat, 
play,  serve,  create. 

(4)  Let  us  try  to  put  ourselves  in 
the  position  of  boys  and  girls — learn 
their  problems,  their  home,  school,  and 
social  backgrounds — so  that  our  efforts 
will  relate  themselves  to  the  entire  lives 
of  the  boys  and  girls  whom  we  serve. 

Questions: 

1.  What  is  the  difference  between  a 
boy's    (or   girl's)    loyalty  to   his 


Church  and  his  loyalty  to  school 
or  a  job? 

2.  What  attitudes  of  a  Church  work- 
er are  most  consistent  with  the 
nature  and  objectives  of  the  gos- 
pel? 

3.  Can  discipline  be  achieved  in 
Church  without  a  bond  of  good 
will  or  love  first  existing  between 
the  disciplinarian  and  the  discip- 
lined? (Justify  your  answer,  and 
read  D.  &  C.  121:40-46.) 

4.  Think  back  on  teachers  and  lead- 
ers in  the  ward  you  had  as  a  boy 
or  girl.  Which  of  them  did  you 
love  most?  Why? 

References : 

D.  &  C.  sections  4,  12,  121:40-46. 
Reader's  Digest,  June  1946,  pp.  121- 
126. 


Lyoutk  J^peahc 


THE  EVILS  OF  PROFANITY 

(Excerpts  from  a  talk  given  by  Frank 

Bradshaw    at    a    recent    Wells    Stake 

quarterly  conference.   Frank  is  a  priest 

of  the  Browning  Ward.) 

"\1ext  to  idolatry  there  is  perhaps  no 
habit  in  common  practice  so  op- 
posed to  refinement  and  spirituality  as 
profanity.   It  is  Satan's  way  of  expres- 


FRANK 
BRADSHAW 


sion.  He  dislikes  God,  therefore,  he 
delights  to  desecrate  his  name. 

Jesus  said,  ".  .  .  Swear  not  at  all  .  .  . 
But  let  your  communication  be,  Yea, 
yea;  Nay,  nay:  for  whatsoever  is  more 
than  these  cometh  of  evil."  (Matthew 
5 :34,  37. )  Multitudes  followed  Jesus  to 
hear  him  talk.  No  evil  or  unclean  word 
ever  passed  his  lips,  only  pure  lan- 
guage— so  simple  that  all  who  listened 
could  understand.  As  in  everything  else 
he  set  us  a  pattern  for  speech. 

Speech  is  an  index  of  character.  We 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


CONDUCTED  UNDER  THE  SUPERVISION  OF  THE  PRESIDING  BISHOPRIC.    EDITED  BY  LEE  A.  PALMER. 


are    judged    by   the    way    we    express 
ourselves.  Mr.  Baird  said: 

If  one  would  find  profanity  developed  to 
a  fine  art  he  must  go  down  to  the  slums  of 
a  big  city  or  to  the  prisons.  The  lower  he 
goes  into  the  dens  of  vice  the  more  of  it 
he  will  hear.  When  he  travels  in  the  op- 
posite direction  he  will  hear  less  and  less. 
In  the  best  homes,  in  churches,  in  respect- 
able schools  and  all  places  of  genuine  re- 
finement profane  swearing  is  not  heard  at 
all.  To  swear  in  public  is  to  pin  a  sign  on 
yourself  to  the  effect  that  you  belong  to 
the  lower  strata  of  social  culture. 

It  breaks  down  one's  character.  It 
leads  one  to  the  extremes  of  evil.  It 
goes  without  saying — no  gentleman 
ever  swears — others  should  not.  Civic 
organizations  are  aware  of  these  evils 
of  profanity  and  steps  have  been  taken 
to  curb  this  practice.  Our  Church 
preaches  against  profanity.  Other 
creeds  have  organized  anti-profanity 
societies  having  the  "Third  Command- 
ment" for  their  slogan,  and  all  people 
are  asked  to  join  with  them  in  their 
efforts  to  suppress  the  vicious  custom 
of  blaspheming  the  sacred  name  of 
Deity. 

California  passed  a  law  in  which  per- 
sons could  be  fined  as  much  as  two 
hundred  dollars  or  given  ninety  days 
in  jail  or  both  for  using  profane  or  in- 
decent language  in  public  places  in  the 
presence  of  women  and  children.  San 
Francisco  has  a  city  ordinance  fining 
five  hundred  dollars  or  six  months'  im- 
prisonment for  using  profane  language 
in  public. 

Thus  we  see  this  evil  is  recognized 
and  must  be  stamped  out.  The  greatest 
damage  of  profane  swearing  is  done  to 
the  spirit — nothing  is  more  destructive. 
It  has  been  compared  to  a  gas  which 
exists  in  deep  coal  mines  known  as 
"black  damp."  Its  danger  lies  in  its 
seeming  innocence— it  cannot  be  felt, 
seen,  or  smelled — but  is  detected  by  the 
miner's  lamps  slowly  fading  out,  and  if 
he  does  not  quickly  get  away,  his  life 
will  also  flicker  out.  In  a  similar  way 
when  God's  name  is  taken  in  vain,  spir- 
itual life  and  light  begin  flickering  out. 


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.) 


\A/ard  Jeack 


for  OctoLr  1946 


"GOOD  TEMPER" 

"\T17hen  Solomon  said,  "He  that  is  slow  to  anger  is  better  than  the  mighty; 
and  he  that  ruleth  his  spirit  than  he  that  taketh  a  city"  (Prov.  16:32) 
he  was  visioning  the  potential  strength  of  justice  and  personal  discipline. 
A  triumph  over  the  spirit  strengthens  the  soul,  but  to  subdue  a  city  adds 
nothing  to  a  man's  moral  virtue.  Few  men  have  occasion  to  vanquish  a  city 
but  to  every  man  is  given  the  opportunity  to  conquer  the  wrath  of  his 
spirit. 

Almost  daily  we  come  in  contact  with  someone  with  a  "cranky," 
touchy,  irritable  disposition.  There  are  those  who  would  excuse  the  fault 
as  a  family  trait  or  weakness.  It  cannot  be  dismissed  so  easily.  The  in- 
gredients of  ill  temper  are  made  up  of  jealousy,  envy,  anger,  conceit,  harsh- 
ness, cruelty,  and  unkindness.  Each  element  is  a  vice  within  itself,  capable 
of  producing  misery,  laying  waste  to  homes,  ruining  cherished  relation- 
ships, embittering  life,  and  generating  disunity.  To  put  hatred  into  the 
world,  is  to  plant  the  seeds  of  revenge,  the  spirit  of  which  is  retaliation 
and  reprisal.  Such  an  attitude  can  never  be  expected  to  produce  other 
than  malice. 

We  have  just  emerged  from  one  of  the  most  devastating  conflicts 
ever  waged.  If  the  causes  for  this  recent  combat  were  enumerated,  it  would 
be  found  that  all  of  those  elements  which  make  up  ill  temper  would  be 
listed. 

We  cannot  live  in  total  isolation,  therefore  we  should  be  conscious  of 
the  influence  our  behavior  will  have  upon  our  associates.  This  is  one  of 
life's  most  serious  responsibilities. 

Each  of  us  is  a  ruler  over  our  own  mind.  Whatever  we  give  our 
attention  to  is  the  thing  that  will  govern  us.  We  select  our  thoughts,  make 
our  decisions,  and  are  responsible  for  our  reaction  to  emotion.  If  in  our 
thinking  we  give  place  to  the  ugly  and  sordid,  it  is  bound  to  find  expression, 
while  on  the  other  hand,  if  our  thoughts  are  elevated  to  the  joyful  and 
sublime,  then  those  qualities  will  be  reflected  in  our  lives.  ".  .  .  whatsoever 
a  man  soweth,  that  shall  he  also  reap."  (Gal.  6:7.) 

If  an  inventory  could  be  taken  each  day  of  the  number  of  those 
offended,  it  would  be  shocking.  Unkind  words  will  be  spoken  today  that 
will  produce  bitterness  and  ill  feeling  that  will  endure  for  a  lifetime.  "A 
soft  answer  turneth  away  wrath:  but  grievous  words  stir  up  anger."  (Prov. 
15:1.)  When  Paul  analyzed  the  principle  of  love  when  writing  to  the 
saints  at  Corinth,  he  set  forth  those  elements  which  were  indispensable  in 
its  operation;  patience,  kindness,  generosity,  humility,  courtesy,  unselfish- 
ness, good  temper,  guilelessness,  and  sincerity.  His  entire  analysis  is 
centered  around  good  temper.  It  ".  .  .  is  not  easily  provoked."  (I  Cor. 
13:5.)    It  is  the  key  to  the  successful  operation  of  all  the  other  virtues. 

In  conclusion  let  us  consider  the  words  of  Jesus  and  strive  to  avert  the 
evils  of  ill  temper  with  full  intent  for  higher  regard  for  our  fellow  men. 
"But  I  say  unto  you,  That  whosoever  is  angry  with  his  brother  without  a 
cause  shall  be  in  danger  of  the  judgment:  and  whosoever  shall  say  to  his 
brother,  Raca,  shall  be  in  danger  of  the  council:  but  whosoever  shall  say, 
Thou  fool,  shall  be  in  danger  of  hell  fire."  (Matt.  5:22.) 


SEPTEMBER  1946 


589 


Hjtmaiogy 


Genealogical  Activities 

TThe  Salem  Ward  of  Palmyra  Stake 
reports  a  fully  organized  genealogi- 
cal committee.  All  members  of  the  com- 
mittee attend  the  genealogical  training 
class  in  Sunday  School  each  Sunday 
morning.  They  have  a  good  attendance 
and  all  the  class  members  display  a 
lively  interest  in  it. 


given  their  patriarchal  blessings.  They 
are  also  looking  forward  to  the  oppor- 
tunity of  going  to  the  temple  to  do  bap- 
tisms for  the  dead. 

*     *     * 

Testimony 
During  a  genealogical  meeting  held 
in  Regina,  Saskatchewan,  Canada, 
March  1932,  several  testified  that 
the  spirit  of  Elijah  helped  them  to 
locate  their  ancestors.  Sister  Elizabeth 
Fisher,  one  of  our  Scotch  Saints,  who  is 
now  over  eighty-four  years  of  age,  did 
not  know  who  her  grandfather  was.  All 
she  knew  was  that  he  lived  at  one  time 
in  northern  Ireland.   One  night  she  had 

(See  also 


a  dream  that  her  own  father  came  to 
her  and  told  her  that  his  father's  name 
was  Robert  Armour,  but  that  they 
called  him  "Robin"  Armour,  and  that 
he  lived  at  Antrim,  Ireland. 

Armed  with  this  information,  coupled 
with  faith,  she  wrote  a  letter  to  the 
postmaster  at  Antrim,  Ireland,  asking 
him  to  hand  the  letter  to  the  oldest 
Armour.  A  search  was  made  for  this 
town,  but  Sister  Fisher  could  only  find 
a  county.  In  about  a  month  a  letter 
was  received  from  a  postmaster  at  Lis- 
burn,  Antrim  County,  Ireland,  in  which 
he  said  that  he  did  not  know  why  the 
letter  was  sent  by  the  post  office  author- 
ities to  his  place — however,  he  was 
glad  to  say  that  the  letter  had  been 
given  to  a  man  whose  mother  was  an 
Armour.  Further  correspondence  re- 
vealed that  his  grandfather  and  the 
grandfather  of  our  Sister  Fisher,  were 
brothers;  and  both  of  them  had  died 
there.  Quite  a  number  of  names  were 
gathered  as  a  result. — Recorded  by  G. 
Gordon  Whyte. 
page  547) 


Junior  Class  of  Salem  Ward,  Palmyra  Stake, 
organized  in  May  7945,  which  has  twenty  active 
members. 

Among  the  projects  of  this  ward 
genealogical  committee  is  one  carried 
out  in  connection  with  the  Melchizedek 
Priesthood  temple  project  by  which  a 
representative  has  been  maintained  to 
attend  the  Salt  Lake  Temple.  He  re- 
ports having  done  one  hundred  ninety- 
four  endowments  and  witnessed  eight 
hundred  thirty-two  sealings  of  parents 
and  five  hundred  sixty-five  to  parents, 
and  performed  19,056  baptisms  in  addi- 
tion to  having  assisted  in  other  temple 
ordinances. 

In  order  to  finance  this  temple  proj- 
ect for  1 946,  the  genealogical  committee 
assisted  by  the  juniors  put  on  a  dance, 
and  sufficient  money  was  raised  to  car- 
ry on  this  endeavor  for  at  least  a  year. 

Committee  members  and  the  juniors 
have  also  participated  in  a  home-teach- 
ing project,  visiting,  assisting,  and  en- 
couraging many  members  of  the  ward 
in  their  record  keeping. 

The  junior  class  was  organized  in 
May  1945,  with  Ruth  C.  Warren  as 
junior  leader,  and  Helen  C.  Davis,  as- 
sistant. Class  work  has  been  carried 
on  each  Monday  evening  with  twenty 
active  members.  They  are  now  work- 
ing on  their  tenth  activity  in  their  Book 
of  Remembrance.  For  their  reading 
course  the  book  Added  Upon  was  read 
and  discussed  in  class.  Preparations 
are  now  under  way  for  the  group  to  be 

590 


MELCHIZEDEK  PRIESTHOOD 

{Concluded  from  page  587) 

surely  come  to  pass.  Time  is  short,  for  are  not  needed   is   avoided,   for   both 

God's  judgments  come  quickly.  It  there-  spoilage  and  hoarding  of  scarce  or  un- 

fore  behooves  each  to  think  seriously  necessary  items  tends  to  work  against 

about  the  counsel  given  by  our  leaders,  the  economic  welfare  of  the  individual 

and  see  that  nothing  goes  to  waste,  but  as  well  as  the  nation.   The  family  stor- 

that  every  morsel  of  food  be  harvested,  age  program  should  be  a  long  range 

that  in  our  homes  the  storage  rooms  are  program  and  should  consist  principally 

filled  to  capacity  so  that  we  will  be  able  of  those  things  they  produce  or  make 

to  provide  for  ourselves  and  our  fami-  with  their  own  hands.    Along  this  line 

lies  in  a  day  of  want.  the  Lord  said : 


Priesthood  Leaders'  Responsibility 

One  of  the  great  challenges  which  to- 
day faces  presidents  and  group  leaders 
of  the  Melchizedek  Priesthood  quorums 
in  filling  their  assignments  as  personal 
welfare  representatives  is  to  see  that 
every  member  of  the  quorum  or  group 
becomes  actively  converted  to  this  very 
timely  counsel.  They  should  visit  with 
the  brethren  of  the  quorums  and  help 
them  lay  plans  as  to  what  should  be 
stored  and  how  to  store  it.  The  quorum 
members  should  be  taught  to  sit  down 
with  their  wives  and  children  as  a  fami- 
ly unit  and  make  up  a  list  of  all  their 
needs  for  one  year  or  more.  They 
should  then  strike  from  this  list  perish- 
able items  which  cannot  be  stored  and 
also  strike  out  scarce  items  which 
should  not  be  obtained  at  this  time. 
These  sacred  family  circles,  meeting 
under  the  inspiration  of  prayer,  should 
then  budget  their  income  and  their 
means  to  put  in  storage  at  least  one 
year's  supply  of  the  items  which  they 
have  listed. 

Great  care  should  be  exercised  to  see 
that  spoilage  is  kept  to  an  absolute 
minimum  and  that  storage  of  items  that 


And  again,  thou  shalt  not  be  proud  in  thy 
heart;  let  all  thy  garments  be  plain,  and 
their  beauty  the  beauty  of  the  work  of  thine 
own  hands;  And  let  all  things  be  done  in 
cleanliness  before  me.  Thou  shalt  not  be 
idle;  for  he  that  is  idle  shall  not  eat  the 
bread  nor  wear  the  garments  of  the  laborer. 
(D.  &  C.  42:40-42.) 

Quorum  Projects 

To  supplement  the  individual  family's 
ability  to  produce  or  otherwise  acquire 
the  items  it  desires  to  store,  the  quo- 
rum might  locate  production  projects  to 
be  operated  on  a  group  basis.  In  addi- 
tion to  helping  the  quorum  members  in 
providing  the  things  they  need,  such 
projects  will  do  much  to  increase  the 
unity  and  activity  of  the  quorum.  No 
greater  service  can  be  rendered  by  the 
quorum  leaders  to  their  members  than 
for  them  to  take  a  personal  interest  in 
seeing  that  each  member  learns  his  duty 
along  this  line,  and  then  without  pro- 
crastination takes  the  necessary  steps 
to  provide  the  things  that  he  and  his 
family  will  need  in  the  day  when  the 
Lord  pours  out  his  judgment  upon  the 
earth  in  such  fierceness  that  a  seedtime 
and  a  harvest  will  be  no  more. 

,    THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


A  Promise 

{Continued  from  page  567) 
cording  to  the  promise  of  the  proph- 
et of  the  Lord  to  me. 

Tn  the  wards  yhich  we  visited,  we 
went  to  Huntsville  in  Ogden 
Canyon.  It  was  very  cold  when  we 
arrived;  it  was  twenty  degrees  be- 
low zero  in  the  daytime.  A  heavy 
snow  had  fallen.  At  the  home  where 
I  stayed,  I  was  assigned  a  room  in  a 
story  and  a  half  house  with  no  stove 
in  the  room.  While  there  was  so 
much  bedding  on  the  bed  that  it 
weighted  me  down,  the  cold  was  so 
intense  between  those  quilts  that  it 
drew  all  the  warmth  out  of  my  body 
until  I  lay  shivering  all  night  long.  I 
don't  know  how  cold  it  was  during 
the  night. 

In  the  morning  we  followed  the 
usual  procedure.  We  went  to  the 
Mutual  president  and  had  him  make 
out  a  list  of  Mutual  people  who 
needed  to  repent.  We  took  the  list 
to  the  bishop  of  the  ward  who  was 
Bishop  David  McKay,  father  of 
President  David  O.  McKay,  one  of 
the  sweetest,  kindest,  loveliest  men 
I  have  ever  met.  His  wife  was  a  real 
mother  to  us,  and  it  was  a  pleasure 
to  be  in  their  home.  Bishop  McKay 
was  in  perfect  harmony  with  our 
procedure  and  offered  to  assist  us  in 
any  way  possible.  In  fact,  he  was 
very  much  pleased  at  our  purpose 
and  the  mission  we  had  at  hand.  We 
handed  him  the  usual  list  that  had 
been  prepared.  He  looked  it  over. 

He  said,  "Brother  Taylor,  I  ap- 
prove that  you  visit  all  on  this  list 
except  one  family."  And  he  marked 
his  pencil  through  the  name  of  that 
family.  And  I  asked,  "Why  should- 
n't we  visit  him?" 

He  replied,  "This  man  hasn't  been 
in  our  meetinghouse  for  twenty 
years.  He  has  apostatized.  He 
wouldn't  receive  you.  He  hasn't  re- 
ceived our  teachers  or  anyone  for 
years.  You  would  not  be  welcome 
at  his  home." 

I  asked,  "Who  is  he  then?" 

He  said,  "This  man  was  with  the 
Prophet  Joseph  Smith  in  Kirtland 
and  helped  build  up  that  city.  He 
had  a  fine  home.  When  the  Saints 
were  driven  from  the  place,  he  left 
and  followed  with  them  and  went  to 
Independence,  Missouri,  where  he 
built  another  home  and  endured  the 
mobbings  of  that  place.  He  was 
driven  out  again,  and  then  he  went 
{Continued  on  page  592) 

SEPTEMBER  1946 


What  to  take  along  when  you  take  a  trip  to  Tahoe 


Take  along  a  bathing  suit  to 
Tahoe,  the  swimming's  cool 
but  bracing.  And  go  on 
Chevron  Supreme  Gasoline 
—  it  "acclimates"  your  car 
to  the  kind  of  country  you 
drive   through. 


Ordinary  gasoline  vaporizes 
too  easily  in  hot  or  high 
areas  and  often  causes  va- 
por lock.  To  prevent  this 
Chevron  Supreme  is  "tai- 
lored" to  fit  each  different 
climate  zone  and  altitude. 


That's  why,  wherever  you  go, 
Chevron  Supreme  gives  you 
faster  starts,  smoother  pick- 
up, more  reliable  power. 
And  to  make  your  trip  even 
pleasanter,  take  along  a 
Chevron  Credit  Card. 


This  picture  of  Lake  Tahoe  is  drawn  from  one  of  Standard's  FREE  Scenic  Views 
.  .  .  yours  for  the  asking  wherever  you  stop  for  Chevron  Supreme  Gasoline. 

STOP  AT  STANDARD  STATIONS,  INC.  AND  CHEVRON  GAS  STATIONS 

591 


On^tBobkroick 


PAGES  FROM  THE  BOOK  OF  EVE 
(Ora  Pate  Stewart.   The  Naylor  Company, 
San  Antonio,  Texas.  1946.  $3.00.) 

|*  ITTLE  Eve  is  charming.  In  straightfor- 
*-*  ward,  simple  English  she  tells  of  life 
just  as  it  happened  to  her  in  the  pioneer 
days  of  the  west.  Some  of  the  episodes 
cause  laughter;  others  compel  tears  to  flow. 
That  is  always  the  way  of  real  life. 

She  also  paints  a  picture  of  man's  toil  for 
the  necessities  of  life.  This  is  a  good  tonic 
in  our  day,  when  the  love  of  labor  is  becom- 
ing flabby,  and  selfishness  walks  under  the 
cloak  of  honor.  Little  Eve  does  not  know 
that  she  is  preaching  a  big  economic  lesson 
to  her  readers.  And,  some  of  the  readers 
may  not  realize  it. 

Then,  when  some  of  us  would  be  engulfed 
by  emotional  upheavals  when  disaster  over- 
takes us,  Little  Eve  walks  straight  on,  hope- 
fully facing  the  enemy  with  clenched  teeth. 
That  is  also  a  lesson  to  be  learned  by  all 
who  want  happiness  in  life. 

However,  to  enjoy  to  the  full  a  few  hours 
of  leisure,  forget  all  lessons  and  teachings, 
lean  back,  with  Eve's  book  in  hand,  in  the 
easy  chair,  or  maybe  on  the  grass  under 
the  maple  tree;  let  Eve  tell  you  her  story. 
Laugh  with  her;  cry  with  her;  plan  with  her 
— and  life  will  look  better  to  you,  and  peo- 
ple will  look  lovelier  to  you,  and  you  will 
feel  refreshed  as  if  on  a  warm  day  you  have 
had  a  refreshing  drink. 

Pages  from  the  Book  of  Eve  is  a  unique 
but  captivating  story. — /.  A.  W. 

WOMAN  AS  FORCE  IN  HISTORY 
(Mary  R.  Beard.    Macmillan  Company, 
New  York.    1946.  369  pages.  $3.50.) 

'"Phe  author  of  this  book  has  long  been 
■*■  known  for  her  very  exceptional  his- 
torical work,  along  with  her  husband, 
Charles  A.  Beard.  This  study  of  woman's 
position  throughout  the  years  has  been  the 
subject  of  painstaking  research  on  the  part 
of  Mrs.  Beard.  Mrs.  Beard  blames  the  ac- 
ceptance of  the  idea  that  women  were  a 
subject  sex  to  two  factors:  the  rebellion  of 
American  women  who  felt  that  there  were 
too  many  restraints  on  their  liberty,  and 
Sir  William  Blackstone,  author  of  Com- 
mentaries on  the  Laws  of  England,  in  which 
work  he  considered  women  legally  subject 
to  their  men  folk. 

One  statement  that  it  is  interesting  to  re- 
call is  one  made  by  Dr.  Philip  M.  Kitay: 
".  .  .  the  present-day  attitudes  toward  wom- 
en have  been  largely  made  by  men.  Since 
many  accept  prevailing  opinions  as  facts, 
women  as  a  rule  fall  into  the  same  opinions 
as  men,  and  therefore  see  themselves 
through  male  eyes." 

The  book  is  well  worth  reading — for  both 
men  and  women — for  the  scholarliness 
of  its  work  as  well  as  for  the  interest  in  the 
subject. — M.  C.  J. 

THE  UNITED  STATES  MOVES 

ACROSS  THE  PACIFIC 

(Kenneth  Scott  Latourette.    Harper  and 

Brothers,  New  York.    1946. 

174  pages.   $2.00.) 

TpROBABLY  no  question  looms  so  vitally  be- 
■*-  fore  Americans  as  that  of  our  position 
in  the  Far  East.  And  probably  no  other 
author  than  Dr.  Latourette  has  had  the  ex- 
perience that  would  warrant  his  writing 
such  a  book.  In  addition  to  being  an  au- 
thority on  the  Far  East,  Dr.  Latourette  is 
592 


a  recognized  scholar  in  the  entire  Oriental 
field,  having  published  Development  of 
China,  Development  of  Japan,  Early  Rela- 
tions Between  the  United  States  and  China, 
and  the  outstanding  work,  A  History  of  the 
Expansion  of  Christianity. 

The  author  lays  a  clear  and  unmistakable 
pattern  for  what  occurred  on  the  fatal  day 
of  December  7,  1941.  And  from  the  scholar- 
ship that  goes  into  this  study  one  can  ponder 
long  this  book  for  a  more  thorough  under- 
standing of  our  position  in  the  Pacific. 

—M.  C.  /. 
MARGIE 

The  Story  of  a  Friendship 
(Kenneth  Irving  Brown.  Association  Press. 
New  York.    1946.    255  pages.    $2.50.) 

rTrHis  refreshing  story  of  young  love  will 
■*■  bring  quickened  awareness  of  youth  to 
the  old  who  read  the  story  and  heightened 
idealism  to  the  young  who  read  it.  Told  in 
large  part  through  Margie's  letters  to  Dick, 
their  vivid  friendship,  bound  as  it  is  with 
their  burning  belief  in  God,  stimulate  all 
who  read  the  book  to  try  to  measure  to 
their  own  standard  of  applied  Christianity. 

Those  who  have  read  and  loved  Larry 
will  be  doubly  glad  that  this  book  has  been 
published,  for  it  will  reveal  as  lovable  and 
as  stalwart  a  girl  as  Larry  was  a  boy. 

Margie  is  a  welcome  book,  a  book  that 
deserves  to  win  wide  acclaim  for  its  inter- 
est, its  idealism,  its  genuine  worth. 

— M.  C.  /. 

ARABIAN  NIGHTS 

(Collected  and  edited  by  Andrew  Lang. 

Illustrated  by  Vera  Bock.    Longmans, 

Green  &  Co.,  New  York.    1946. 

303  pages.    $2.00.) 

'"Phis  beautifully  prepared  edition  of 
■*•  Arabian  Nights  will  delight  old  and 
young  alike.  The  illustrations  certainly 
enhance  the  stories  and  seem  an  integral 
part  of  them. 

In  this  new  edition  a  foreword  by  Mary 
Gould  Davis  indicates  why  some  of  the  old 
stories  have  been  omitted  and  why  some 
new  ones  have  been  added.  She  states: 
"...  there  is  a  great  deal  in  Scheherazade 
that  will  appeal  to  modern  girls.  In  meeting 
a  truly  desperate  situation  she  showed  in- 
telligence, courage,  poise,  and  a  ready  wit." 

And  the  stories  themselves,  although  told 
primarily  to  entertain,  also  give  indication 
of  correct  principles  of  living.  Certainly, 
no  child  should  willingly  grow  up  without 
an  introduction  to  the  Arabian  Nights,  and 
particularly  this  edition  of  the  stories,  be- 
cause of  the  beauty  of  the  format  as  well 
as  the  selection  of  tales. — M.  C.  /. 

LIGHT  FROM  THE  ANCIENT  PAST 
(Jack  Finegan.    The  Princeton  University 
Press,  Princeton,  New  Jersey.  1946. 
500  pages.  $5.00.) 

HpHE  preface  states:  "The  purpose  of  this 
»  book  is  to  give  a  connected  account  of 
the  archeological  background  of  the  He- 
brew-Christian religion."  And  the  difficul- 
ties of  obtaining  that  background  is  well 
set  forth  in  the  author's  introduction.  But, 
the  author  states,  ".  .  .  through  the  appli- 
cation of  highly  scientific  techniques  and 
by  the  cooperative  efforts  of  scholars  in 
many  lands,  the  shattered  mosaic  of  the 
past  is  slowly  being  fitted  together  again." 
For  Latter-day  Saints,  this  book  will 
prove  of  tremendous  value  since  it  indi- 
cates further  proof  of  the  authenticity  of 
the  Biblical  account  of  the  world.  M.  C.  J. 


A  Promise 

(Continued  from  page  591) 
to  Far  West  where  he  built  another 
home.  This  man  witnessed  the  mob- 
bings  of  that  place  especially  when 
the  mob  militia  arrested  the  Prophet 
Joseph,  his  brother  Hyrum,  and 
others  and  told  them  to  bid  good-bye 
to  their  wives  and  families  because 
on  the  morrow  they  would  be  shot. 
Of  course,  this  edict  was  frustrated 
and  didn't  happen.  This  man  stood 
shoulder  to  shoulder  with  the  Proph- 
et Joseph  during  all  these  troubles 
and  all  these  mobbings,  and  when 
they  were  driven  from  Far  West,  he 
went  to  Commerce,  later  renamed 
Nauvoo,  on  the  Mississippi  River, 
and  built  a  new  home,  a  splendid 
place,  and  had  a  farm  and  was  do- 
ing well  until  the  mobbing  took  place 
in  this  city.  He  helped  to  build  up 
that  city  of  over  twenty  thousand 
people,  the  largest  town  in  the  state 
of  Illinois  at  that  time,  and  helped 
construct  the  million-dollar  temple 
that  stood  on  the  hill,  but  through 
the  hate  of  the  enemy,  he  was  driven 
out  again,  and  he  joined  a  party  of 
the  early  pioneers  who  crossed  the 
plains  and  started  a  new  home  here 
in  the  valleys  of  the  mountains." 

"KIThen  Bishop  McKay  told  me  the 
story  of  this  man  who  had  been 
true  to  the  Prophet  Joseph  Smith 
and  had  gone  through  the  privations 
and  mobbings  that  were  incident  to 
the  establishment  of  "Mormonism" 
on  the  earth,  I  forgot  all  about  any 
wrong  that  he  had  done  or  his  rejec- 
tion of  the  teachers,  and  my  heart 
and  soul  went  out  to  him.  I  made  up 
my  mind  if  I  visited  no  other  person 
in  that  ward  that  I  would  visit  that 
old  man.  One  day  as  we  were  run- 
ning down  through  the  snow,  run- 
ning to  keep  warm,  we  saw  a  log 
house  located  in  a  grove  of  cotton- 
wood  trees.  As  we  were  passing  the 
place,  I  said  to  the  young  man  taking 
us  around,  "Do  we  go  into  this 
place?" 

He  said,  "That  is  the  place,  Broth- 
er Taylor,  that  the  bishop  thought 
perhaps  we  should  not  visit." 

"Well,"  I  said,  "I  feel  impressed 
that  we  should  visit  them." 

I  knocked  at  the  door,  and,  when 
it  was  opened,  I  put  my  foot  in  so 
they  couldn't  shut  the  door  on  us 
and  turn  us  out.  They  invited  us  in. 
Sitting  around  a  cookstove  to  keep 
warm  were  an  old  gentleman,  pos- 
sibly past  eighty  years  of  age,  and 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


A  Promise 

his  wife,  both  of  them  feeble  and  old, 
and  two,  big,  husky  men  about 
thirty  years  of  age  whose  faces  were 
bloated  with  the  evidence  of  drink. 
I  was  rather  perplexed  as  to  how  I 
should  open  the  conversation,  but 
finally  felt  impressed  to  ask  an  ac- 
count of  his  life. 

He  told  me  what  the  bishop  had 
told  me.  He  related  his  experience 
in  Kirtland,  in  Independence,  in  Far 
West,  in  Nauvoo,  and  of  his  final 
trek  over  the  plains.  He  told  in- 
stances in  connection  with  the  life  of 
the  Prophet  Joseph  and  the  mob- 
bings  and  things  that  were  among 
the  most  intensely  interesting  to 
which  I  had  ever  listened.  At  the 
time  I  would  have  given  nearly  any- 
thing to  have  had  a  stenographer 
present  to  have  taken  down  his 
dramatic  story  because  it  was  dra- 
matic to  me  and  filled  my  whole  be- 
ing with  delight.  After  he  had  fin- 
ished telling  the  story  I  turned  to 
him  with  love  and  affection. 

When  we  explained  to  them  the 
desire  of  the  Lord  and  how  anxious 
the  bishop  and  all  the  people  in  that 
ward  Were  to  welcome  them  and 
treat  them  as  they  used  to  be  treated, 
we  told  them  that  if  they  would  be 
prayerful  and  humble,  God  would 
bless  them  and  forgive  them  if  they 
would  only  repent.  Those  two  big 
boys  put  their  heads  down  and  with 
tears  running  down  their  cheeks 
sobbed  like  little  children,  thanking 
the  Lord  for  our  coming  into  their 
home  and  promising  us  that  with  the 
help  of  the  Lord,  they  would  turn 
over  a  new  leaf  and  do  right  in  the 
future. 

After  we  had  finished  Weber 
County,  we  went  to  Salt  Lake  Coun- 
ty. It  was  then  getting  late  in  the 
season,  and  we  couldn't  visit  very 
many  wards,  but  we  had  excellent 
results.  That  mission  which  was 
performed  by  different  people  who 
were  called  as  I  was,  performed  a 
wonderful  work  and  resulted  in  a 
great  amount  of  good.  The  group 
that  was  with  me,  and  they  were  fine, 
faithful,  devoted  men,  men  of  ex- 
perience, men  of  faith,  did  Trojan 
work  to  accomplish  the  mission  that 
we  were  called  to  perform. 

I  don't  want  to  be  boastful  be- 
cause I  never  felt  any  credit  be- 
longed to  me,  but  we  enlisted  and 
caused,  among  those  people  who 
were  not  doing  right,  three  thousand 
men  and  boys  to  repent  in  that  work. 

SEPTEMBER  1946     '; 


A  New  Textbook  for  Youth  . . 

and  for  their 
parents 

FAMILY  ETERNAL,  by  Roy  A. 
West — a  book  vitally  important  to 
L.D.S.  families — to  those  already 
established  and  to  those  of  to- 
morrow. Practical,  interesting  .  .  . 
the  outgrowth  of  many  years'  ex- 
perience with  youth — and  with  the 
homes  from  which  they  come.  Here 
are  typical  chapter  headings: 

My  Personal  Preparation 
Choosing  Friends 
Seeking  a  Companion 
Harmonizing   Two  Personalities 
The  Spiritual  Foundation  of 

Marriage 
Those  Who  Marry 
Composition  of  the  Mormon 

Familv 


"All  the  fleeting  pleasures  and  all  the  dis- 
appointments of  life  are  submerged  -when 
we  can  behold  the  spiritual  worth  of  hu- 
man souls  living  harmoniously  in  the  fam- 
ily circle." 

Hoy  A.  West 

OTHER  BOOKCRAFT  OFFERINGS: 

MAN  AND  THE  DRAGON 

by  Dr.  John  A.  Widtsoe — a  golden  treas- 
ury of  gospel  themes  applied  to  the 
needs  and  problems  of  today.  An  in- 
spiring and  stimulating  volume.    $2.00. 

DISCOURSES  OF 
WILFORD  WOODRUFF 

compiled  by  Dr.  G.  Homer  Durham — 
teachings  of  the  fourth  president  of 
the  L.D.S.  Church.  A  valuable  book 
for  your  own  library  ...  a  choice  gift 
for  a  friend.    52.50. 

SONG  EVERLASTING 

by  Paul  Bailey — a  Mormon  novel,  rich 
in  romance,  built  upon  the  principle 
that  marriage  continues  beyond  this 
life.  A  book  you  will  love  to  read  .  .  . 
and   long   remember.     $2.50. 

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593 


PABCO 

MIRACLE  FINISH 

Everything  a  wall  paint  should  be— 
because  it's  a  quality  oil-base  product. 
Newest,  Truest  Tones  that  harmo- 
nize with  each  other— and  with  any 
room-scheme! 

Readily  Washable!  Remove 
smudges  without  fear  of  ruining  or 
"spotting"  your  Pabco  Miracle  Finish! 
Long-Lasting!  The  oil-base  quality 
assures  real  durability. 
Easy  To  Paint  With! -Goes  right 
on!  Self-leveling— quick  drying. 

Your  nearest  Pabco  Dealer  is 

listed  m  the  Classified  Section        /^ 

of  your  Phone  Book,  fH^F 


THE   PARAFFINE  COMPANIES  •  INC. 
SAN    FRANCISCO    T? 

Makers,  also.^  of  Pabco  Wet-Potch,  Black  Hydroseal 
and  Pabcoweb,  Alumi' Shield  Roofing;  Pabco  Paint, 
Linoleums,   Pabco  Mastipave   Heavy-Duly    Flooring. 


594 


ROMANCE  OF  THE  BOOK  OF  MORMON 


{Concluded  from  page  549) 
The  title  page  of  this  1840  edition 
carries  the  phrase  "carefully  revised  by 
the  translator."  This  was  thoroughly 
checked,  years  ago,  when  President 
George  A.  Smith  was  Church  historian. 
It  was  then  found  that  only  about  thirty 
corrections  had  been  made  in  the  1840 
edition  over  the  original  edition.  For 
instance:  "my"  was  changed  to  "they" 
on  page  67  of  the  Palmyra  edition; 
"hath"  to  "had"  on  page  83;  "went"  to 
"sent"  on  page  380;  "prisoners"  to 
"provisions"  on  387;  "sign"  to  "signal" 
on  453;  and  "Angelah"  to  "Angola"  on 
521.  In  seven  instances  omissions  of 
words  or  parts  of  sentences  were  sup- 
plied,  and  in  fifteen,   corrections   had 


been    made    by    omitting    superfluous 
words  or  tautological  expressions. 

Although  not  as  valued  as  the  first 
and  second  editions,  copies  of  this  third 
edition,  like  copies  of  other  rare  edi- 
tions of  the  Book  of  Mormon,  are 
prized  far  beyond  the  original  purchase 
price.  Such  books  are  interesting  to 
have,  to  hold,  and  to  compare  with 
the  editions  that  we  know  and  use  to- 
day. But  if  you  want  to  study  the  text 
of  the  Book  of  Mormon  and  its  in- 
spired contents,  buy  the  latest  edition. 
The  inexpensive  missionary  edition, 
costing  much  less  than  a  dollar,  places 
helps  and  indexes  at  your  fingertips 
which  no  previous  edition  ever  had  to 
aid  you  in  grasping  the  eternal  message 
of  the  Book  of  Mormon. 


NO-LIQUOR-TOBACCO  COLUMN 


{Continued  from  page  587) 
which  liquor  could  be  legally  bought, 
would  legalize  sale  by  the  drink  as  well 
as  by  the  package,  and  would  give  re- 
tailing into  the  hands  of  private  pro- 
motors  whose  sole  purpose  would  be 
to  make  money,  some  of  whom  would 
likely  do  as  many  promoters  have  al- 
ways done — try  to  find  ways  of  cir- 
cumventing and  violating  the  law.  In 
the  state  of  Utah  it  is  illegal  to  sell 
liquor  to  minors.  Under  the  current 
law  the  state  will  not  issue  permits  to 
buy  liquor  to  minors — those  under 
twenty-one  years  of  age.  The  proposed 
law  repeals  the  section  requiring  per- 
mits. Does  anyone  believe  the  private 
vendor  would  always  make  sure  that 
all  purchasers  were  over  twenty-one, 
and  that  they  were  otherwise  respon- 
sible persons? 

Under  the  proposed  law  licenses  are 
to  be  issued  by  cities,  towns,  and  coun- 
ties. Would  there  not  be  a  tendency 
for  friends  of  drinking  to  unite  in  efforts 
to  get  friends  of  liquor  as  commission- 
ers, sheriffs,  prosecutors,  judges,  etc.? 
What  does  history  teach  relative  to 
this  matter?  Liquor  interests  are  wide- 
ly reputed  to  exert  a  sinister  influence 
in  local  politics. 

The  record  shows  drinking  is  on  the 
increase  among  women.  What  would 
be  the  effect  on  this  tendency  in  Utah 
if  sales  by  the  drink  were  made  in  res- 
taurants, clubs,  cocktail  lounges,  etc.? 

All  Utahns  averse  to  loosening  up  on 
liquor  laws  will  stoutly  oppose  the 
changes  above  indicated. 

Cocktail  Lounges 

Behold,  it  is  not  coming;  it  has  come — the 
Cocktail  America.  I  lived  through  a  gen- 
eration of  the  saloon.  Then,  no  woman 
could  enter  a  saloon,  embrace  the  brass 
rail,  and  ever  live  down  the  disgrace.    But 


I  have  lived  to  see  a  disgrace  a  thousand- 
fold deeper. 

In  one  of  America's  greatest  hotels  I  re- 
cently saw  a  cocktail  lounge — I  beg  your 
pardon,  a  "Ladies'  Cocktail  Lounge" — the 
largest  drinking  place  I  have  ever  seen  in 
my  more  than  four-score  years.  The  man- 
agers told  me  their  average  daily  customers, 
totaled  three  thousand.  America's  death  is 
in  that  spot. 

Some  six  hundred  years  before  Christ 
there  lived  a  hero  by  the  name  of  Jeremiah. 
He  said:  "There  are  among  my  people 
wicked  men:  they  set  traps,  they  catch 
men."  Were  Jeremiah  living  today  he  would 
exclaim,  "What  a  perfect  picture  of  the 
liquor  brood  and  all  their  cohorts!" 

When,  alas,  this  government  threw  wide 
open  the  camps  of  our  boys  to  the  traps  of 
the  liquor  oligarchy,  all  the  devils  in  hell 
clicked  their  glasses,  and  all  the  brewers  and 
distillers  held  high  carnival.  They  well 
knew  they  had  set  their  traps  for  America 
of  tomorrow.  They  placed  their  cards  well. 
They  set  and  baited  their  traps,  and  they 
caught  the  choice  young  American  man- 
hood.— Dr.  Elmer  Ellsworth  Helms  in  The 
Voice. 

Kathleen  Norris  wrote: 

For  generations  excessive  drinking  by 
men  has  been  the  curse  of  helpless  woman- 
hood and  childhood,  has  been  the  creator 
of  want  and  slums,  cruelty  and  crime. 

For  generations  the  struggles  of  women 
to  curb  this  curse  have  represented  the  one 
desperate  effort  of  their  lives,  the  one  fer- 
vent prayer  of  their  hearts. 

It  is  a  sorrowful  thing,  it  is  a  bitter  re- 
flection upon  the  code  and  character  of 
American  women  today,  that  this  curse  is 
being  extended  to  include  them;  that  thou- 
sands of  our  women — and  by  no  means  our 
poorest  women,  by  no  means  the  women 
who  have  sunk  to  the  lowest  stage  of  deg- 
radation— are  voluntarily  placing  them- 
selves in  the  group  of  the  drunkards. — Chi- 
cago Herald  American,  September  28,  1943. 
{Concluded  on  page  596) 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


STRENGTH 


GjpIHE  GENERAL  INSURANCE  CO.  is  one  of  the  nation's  strongest 
dj  capital  stock  insurance  companies.  This  strength  is  the  result  of  the 
GENERAL'S  "preferred  risk"  plan  of  fire  insurance  protection.  Losses 
are  fewer  because  only  "good  risks"  are  accepted— the  bad  are  rejected. 

Owners  of  property  that  is  well-kept,  well  cared  for — property  that  can 
qualify  as  a  "preferred  risk" — do  not  help  pay  for  the  protection  of  sub- 
standard properties.  And  any  loss  which  may  be  incurred  is  paid  promptly. 
This  preferred  protection  has  meant  a  substantial  saving  for  thousands  of 
GENERAL  policyholders  during  the  past  twenty-five  years. 

Check  your  own  fire  insurance.  If  you  are  not  receiving  the  security 
plus  service  plus  savings  of  this  strong  capital  stock  fire  insurance  company, 
call  the  GENERAL  Agent  in  your  community. 


INSURANCE     COMPANY     OF 


"THE  CAPITAL  STOCK  COMPANY  OF  PREFERRED  RISKS" 

Churches  usually  qualify  as  "preferred  risk"  properties,  because 
they  are  among  the  best  cared  for  structures. 


Horn*  Qififti  Seotti;   Washington    •   Ag*nf$  Everywhere    m  H.  K,  DENT,  President 


SEPTEMBER  1946 


595 


"It  Costs 
a  l^t  less  to  Own 
a  JOHN  DEERE" 


You'll  never  know  how  much  easier 
on  your  pocketbook  a  tractor  can  be  un- 
til you  own  a  John  Deere.  Along  with  its  outstanding  fuel 
economy,  repair  and  overhaul  expense  over  the  years  is  far 
below  that  of  other  tractors.  Compare  the  actual  figures 
quoted  below  from  owner  letters  with  your  costs  and  those 
of  your  neighbors.  Talk  to  John  Deere  owners  in  your  com- 
munity. Then  see  your  John  Deere  dealer  and  let  him  tell 
you  why  these  simple,  rugged  two-cylinder  tractors  are  out- 
standing in  economy  as  well  as  in  every  other  feature  you 
want  in  your  next  tractor. 


August  22,  1945 
I  purchased  my  John  Deere  Model 
"A"  Tractor  February,  1935.  I  have 
farmed  an  average  of  200  acres  per 
year.  This  year,  however,  it  has  covered 
258  acres.  During  those  years  the  entire 
cost  of  upkeep  will  not  exceed  $300,  in- 
cluding a  paint  job. — Curtis  W.  Shafer, 
Bridgeport,  Indiana. 


December  6,  1945 
I  bought  a  Model  "B"  in  December, 
1939.  Just  had  it  in  the  shop  for  the 
first  time  and  the  overhauling  expense 
was  $25.22,  which  is  all  I  have  had  on 
this  tractor  in  6  years  of  operation. — 
Joe   Yostmayer,  Rush  Hill,  Missouri. 


August  30,  1945 
In  April,  1937,  I  purchased  a  Model 
"B"  John  Deere  Tractor.  My  total  re- 
pair bill  on  this  tractor  during  this 
time  amounted  to  $2.00.— Paul  F. 
Hinze,  Shiner,  Texas. 


June  8,  1945 
I  purchased  my  Model  "D"  in  the 
fall  of  1924  and  have  used  it  every  sea- 
son since.  During  this  long  life,  I  have 
spent  in  the  neighborhood  of  $150  for 
repairs. — Charles  A.  Kohns,  Capac, 
Michigan. 

*     *     * 

November  19,  1945 
My  John  Deere  Orchard  Tractor  is 
11  years  old,  and  I  have  spent  less  than 
$60  for  repairs  in  all  that  time  and  the 
tractor  runs  as  well  as  it  did  the  first 
year.— J.  C.  Unoke,  Modesto,  Califor- 
nia. 

August  13,  1945 
Do  we  like  John  Deere  Tractors?  In- 
deed, we  do!  We  own  three  Model" 'A' s", 
one  eleven  years  old,  one  eight  years 
old,  and  one  we  purchased  this  spring. 
Repairs  are  hardly  worth  mentioning. 
I  don't  believe  we  spent  over  $50  on  all 
three  tractors,  and  their  total  years  of 
service  adds  up  to  about  twenty  years. 
—2).  D.  Denman,  Cortland,  Ohio. 


JOHN  DEERE 

MOLINE  -  ILLINOIS 


596 


No-Liquor-Tobacco 
Column 

(Concluded  from  page  594) 

Cigarets  and  Alcoholic  Beverages 

In  Utah  during  the  fiscal  years  1945, 
1946,  the  figures  of  sales  here  given  are 
official : 

Paid  for  1945  1946 

Cigarets  $  4,978,196        $  6,856,215 

Beer  11,197,806  12,096,603 

Liquor  10,862,677  12,822,668 

Total $27,038,679        $31,755,486 

Thus  the  over-all  increase  for  the  year 
1946  was  17.4%.  The  over-all  increase 
during  the  five  fiscal  years  1941  to  1946 
was  from  $11,372,056  to  $31,755,486, 
or  2.8  times. 

President  David  0.  McKay  says: 

/^OD  has  made  America  great;  man 
must  make  and  keep  the  nation 
great. 

...  I  must  mention  an  insidious  evil 
that  is  destroying,  termite-like  the 
foundation  of  character  as  well  as  that 
of  the  home  and  nation.  I  refer  to  the 
appalling  increase  in  the  use  of  tobacco, 
particularly  among  the  young.  Of  its 
usefulness,  expensiveness,  injuriousness 
to  health,  I  will  say  nothing.  I  shall  re- 
fer only  to  its  undermining  effect  on 
character  and  to  its'  slovenliness. 

(From   address    "Nobility   of   Character 

Essential  to  a  Great  Nation,"  delivered  in 

Salt   Lake    Tabernacle,    Sunday,    April   4, 

1943.) 

■  ♦  ■ 

Yesterday  and  Today 

(Concluded  from  page  569) 
licity  are  not  possible.    Just  now  the 
use   of   such   articles    would   be   very 
valuable. 

We  are  resolved  to  meet  the  emer- 
gency by  bringing  into  play  all  of  our 
resourcefulness.  When  we  ourselves 
have  exhausted  all  possibilities,  the 
Lord's  help  is  always  there.  Of  this, 
loyal  and  active  members  are  fully 
convinced. 

The  priesthood  is  united  and  de- 
voted, and  rests  on  its  loyalty  to  the 
Church.  It  awaits  closer  contact  with 
the  other  continent.  It  prays  always: 
Preserve  our  children,  encourage  the 
widows  and  the  orphans,  cheer  the  af- 
flicted and  those  w,ho  mourn,  plant  in 
the  hearts  of  thy  children  the  banner 
of  hope  and  love,  and  give  to  them  vic- 
tory over  disease  and  death.  May  the 
tender  glow  of  peace,  oh,  God,  come 
over  us  and  lend  us  the  radiant  sun  of 
a  new  and  better  world. 

( Translated''  for  The  Improvement 
Era  by  Fred  Tadje,  "former  presi- 
dent of  the  German-Austrian  and 
the  Swiss-German  missions.) 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


Ruler  of  the  Crags 

(Concluded    from   page    565) 

leaped  for  the  crevice  in  the  wall. 
He  hung  there  for  a  split  second, 
seemed  actually  to  bounce  to  the  op- 
posite side  of  the  fissure.  Up  that 
yard-wide  vertical  crack  he  clam- 
bered in  apparent  defiance  of  the 
laws  of  gravity.  With  short  fore- 
legs spread  and  his  clinging,  rubber- 
like hind  hoofs  striking  wildly  for 
foothold,  he  scaled  a  slightly  over- 
hanging shelf  ten  feet  above  the 
bench.  Below,  the  wolf  was  leaping 
high,  scrambling  in  a  desperate  ef- 
fort to  drag  him  down. 

The  kid  bleated  for  its  mother 
who  had  vanished.  He  looked  above, 
but  the  fissure  was  shallower  there 
and  absolutely  smooth.  He  could 
climb  no  higher,  and  below  the  gray 
wolf  trotted  back  and  forth,  back 
and  forth,  waiting  for  him. 

From  the  ledge  trail  somewhere 
overhead  came  the  anxious  voice  of 
the  mother.  The  kid  answered,  then 
waited.  The  wolf  was  searching  the 
entire  length  of  the  wall  along  the 
bench  for  a  possible  means  of  ascent 
to  the  precarious  refuge,  but  he 
found  nothing  he  could  scale. 

The  kid  reared  on  its  hind  legs,  its 
little  front  hoofs  testing  vainly  for  a 
foothold  higher  up,  for  a  way,  how- 
ever dangerous,  that  would  lead  him 
up  to  his  unseen  mother.  Again  and 
again  he  called,  but  the  answering 
voice  was  distant,  distraught.  He 
was  alone,  and  below  him  the  wolf 
was  waiting. 

When  the  evening  feeding  time 
came  and  the  westering  sun  cast  long 
shadows  across  the  slide  courses, 
none  of  the  band  came  down.  They 
knew  that  an  enemy  lurked  below. 
The  sun  went  lower.  The  signal 
star  for  night  to  come  hung  low  in 
the  west.  The  lean  upper  air  seemed 
haunted  by  an  uneasy  foreboding. 
The  kid's  thin,  despairing  call  was 
answered  only  by  the  marmot's 
whistle.  All  outlines  were  overcast 
as  night  deepened  the  drab  tapestry 
of  the  dusk.  Only  the  stealthy  pad- 
ding of  the  wolf's  feet  reached  the 
ears  of  the  young  mountain  goat. 

(~}nce  again  the  slow  fingers  of  the 
dawn  reached  over  the  south- 
east ranges,  shredded  out  the  thick 
curtain  of  the  night,  tinting  the 
snowfields  with  faint  color.  On  the 
cliff  top  the  goats  were  stirring. 
Hungry,  deprived  of  food  the  eve- 
ning before,  they  stood  near  the 
(Concluded  on  page  598) 

SEPTEMBER  T946 


Created  by  a 
noted  artist  - 
especially  for  you! 


Lovely,  livable  "go-together"  colors 
make  re-painting  easy,  safe,  satisfying 

Elizabeth  Banning  didn't  rest  on  her  long  expert 
ence  as  a  color  specialist  when  she  planned  new 
"go-together"  colors  for  Fuller.  She  made  a  coun- 
try -wide  study — of  interior  colors,  of  textile  de- 
sign  and  decorating  trends.  Only  then! — she 
created  these  newest  colors. 

They'll  awaken  your  creative  spark,  too.  Each 
color  is  so  sunny-bright,  yet  so  exquisitely  deli- 
cate, that  you  can  make  any  color-fagged  room 
lift  its  head  with  pride  in  new  loveliness. 
Inexpensive?  Yes,  "go-together"  colors  re-do  an 
average  room  for  the  cost  of  a  new  purse !  Demand 
is  heavy!  Some  days  a  dealer  may  not  have  all 
colors;  but  we  ship  frequently.  Ask  your  Fuller 
dealer.  W.  P.  Fuller  6?  Co. 


SEE  WHAT  NEW 
"go-together"  COLORS 
DO  FOR  YOU— 

1.  Tie  in  adjoining  rooms 
harmoniously. 

2.  Let  you  color-match 
walls  and  woodwork  in  a 
choice  of  three  finishes  - 
soft  flat,  semi-gloss  or  full 
gloss. 

3.  Give  a  wide  choice  of 
colorful  backgrounds  that 
will  go  with  your  present 

furnishings. 


For  big  painting  jobs 
it  is  wise  to  call  in 
a  reputable  Painting 
Contractor. 


NEW 


COLORS 


THERE'S  A  FULLER  PAINT  DEALER  NEAR  YOU 

597 


IIKES  IT! 

*  Tastes  good" 
good  for  you. 


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ASK    FOR    A 


Hational 


BIBLE 


It's  the  Original 

KING  JAMES  VERSION 

(Authorized) 


SINCE    186  3  .  .".  AT    YOUR     BOOKSTORE 


CHEMURGIC    CORPORATION 


RULER  OF  THE  CRAGS 


HEAD       Off  ICE 

RICHMOND      CALIFORNIA 


(Concluded  from  page  597) 

commencement   of   the  down  trail, 
Blackspike  at  their  head. 

Below  on  the  slide  courses  was 
food;  below  also  was  an  enemy  dif- 
ferent from  any  Blackspike  had  ever 
known.  There  was  an  implied  chal- 
lenge in  its  presence  on  the  moun- 
taintop  where  for  so  long  he  had 
been  supreme.  One  of  the  kids 
moved  impatiently.  A  moment  later, 
in  a  stolid,  matter-of-fact  way, 
Blackspike  commenced  the  descent. 

A  lifetime  of  confidence  in  his 
ability  to  outclimb  any  enemy  forti- 
fied him.  Every  morning  for  several 
summers  he  had  been  among  the  first 
to  take  this  tortuous  path  to  the 
feeding  grounds.  The  band  followed 
in  a  straggling  line.  Lower  and  low- 
er they  went,  and  not  until  he  had 
rounded  a  turn  twenty  feet  above  the 
bench  did  Blackspike  become  aware 
of  the  wolf  standing  at  the  junction 
of  the  bench  and  the  trail. 

The  wolf's  fangs  bared  in  a  silent 
threat.  Blackspike's  head  went 
down,  and  his  hoofs  smote  the  rock 
angrily.  The  ragged  tufts  of  hair  on 
his  shoulder  rose,  and  he  took  a  few 
threatening  steps  down.  The  wolf 
stood  its  ground,  but  still  the  old 
king  of  the  range  advanced,  his  eyes 
glowering  beneath  his  lowered 
horns. 

Instead  of  retreating  down  the 
path  to  the  cliff  base,  the  wolf  backed 
onto  the  ledge,  determined  to  stand 
between  this  intruder  and  the  kid  it 
had  trapped  in  the  crevice.  Above, 
several  of  the  band  stood  on  the  nar- 
row shelf  at  the  turn,  half  minded  to 
pivot  on  bunched  hoofs  and  go  back 
the  way  they  had  come.  But  Black- 
spike had  no  intention  of  going  back. 
He  snorted,  pitched  his  head  warn- 
ingly  and  came  straight  for  the  ene- 
my in  a  series  of  short,  stiff-legged 
jumps. 

A  thin,  excited  bleat  came  from 
the  kid  at  sight  of  one  of  its  kind. 
The  wolf  leaped  sideways  and 
back.  Often,  far  below  in  the  river 
valley,  he  had  dragged  down  deer 
much  larger  than  this  ungainly  ani- 
mal. A  flashing  rush  at  an  unde- 
fended flank  would  give  him  the 
victory.  He  backed  off,  swerved, 
waiting  his  chance.  Then  suddenly 
he  seemed  to  realize  that  Black- 
spike's  attack  was  deliberate,  that 
the  goat  did  not  merely  want  to  pass 
down  the  path,  but  instead  was  in- 


598 


tent    on    closing    with    him.      He 
crouched  and  began  to  circle. 

But  always  that  awkward  body 
swung  to  face  him,  always  it  ad- 
vanced step  by  step,  forcing  him 
against  his  will  to  the  far  end  of  the 
bench.  A  rumbling,  barbaric  growl 
came  from  his  throat.  His  confidence 
deserted  him,  and  he  realized  that  he 
was  battling  for  his  life. 

Cnorting  at  every  abrupt  jump  for- 
ward, Blackspike  was  blocking 
him  from  reaching  the  down-trail. 
On  the  wolf's  right  and  behind  him 
the  sheer  side  of  the  cliff  loomed. 
He  feinted,  dodged,  and  with  head 
sweeping  low  snapped  at  a  foreleg. 
One  rapier  spike  raked  his  shoulder, 
and  he  flung  himself  clear.  Like  a 
flash  Blackspike  was  on  him  again, 
driving  hard,  leaving  him  no  room 
for  crafty  maneuvering.  And  at  that 
instant  the  kid,  seeing  a  chance  to 
escape,  left  its  shelf  in  a  scrambling 
rush  and  gained  the  level  rock.  Its 
little  hoofs  went  pounding  along  the 
up-trail  toward  its  mother. 

With  a  last  throaty  exhalation  of 
rage,  the  wolf  flung  himself  straight 
at  Blackspike's  throat.  The  two  jet 
horns  came  forward  and  up,  and,  as 
the  combatants  staggered  toward 
the  drop-off  of  the  ledge,  horns  and 
fangs  locked  them  together. 

The  lurching  of  that  powerful 
body  all  but  threw  Blackspike  from 
his  feet.  With  every  ounce  of 
strength  in  his  tough  neck  he  tried 
to  shake  free.  He  stumbled,  came  to 
his  knees,  the  wolf's  body  half  across 
his  neck.  Then  with  a  final  Her- 
culean effort  he  reared  up  and  shook 
clear  and,  hoofs  on  the  crumbling 
edge,  saw  the  enemy  go  jolting  down 
the  steep  pitch  to  the  heather  sixty 
feet  below.  For  a  full  moment  the 
wolf  lay  there,  then,  coming  to  its 
feet,  limped  down  the  slope  toward 
the  shadowy  forest  far  below. 

Stolid,  ungainly,  the  ruler  of  the 
crags  watched  the  gray  form  thread 
its  way  over  the  uneven  ground  to 
timberline.  Blackspike  had  kept  his 
kingdom  inviolate. 

From  a  rivulet  far  down  the  slide 
courses  a  water  ousel  greeted  the 
return  of  day  with  riotous  delight. 
The  full  dawn  lay  on  the  snow  fields 
in  slowly  deepening  pools  of  color. 
From  his  lookout  the  marmot  whis- 
tled cheerily  as  Blackspike  led  his 
band  to  feed  unmolested  on  the 
mountainside. 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


These  Times 


{Concluded  from  page  554) 
fice,  but  rather  an  elaborate  set  of  polit- 
ical and  ethical  doctrines,  based  on  the 
Roman  Catholic  faith,  which  historical- 
ly have  been  applied  in  whatever  sys- 
tem of  government  Catholics  have  in- 
habited. Yet,  Professor  Oakeshott  be- 
lieves that  Catholicism  is  a  vital  in- 
gredient in  the  shape  of  things  to  come. 
4 

'T'he  roots  of  state  intervention  in  the 
modern  economic  order  go  back  to 
the  mid-nineteenth  century.  What  has 
caused  it?  (1)  Technology  and  indus- 
trialization, (2)  economic  depression, 
(3)  war. 
4 

"TPechnology  brought  urbanization, 
then  collectivization  through  giant 
corporations  and  giant  labor  organiza- 
tions. The  twenty  or  thirty  giant  cor- 
porations that  dominate  American  busi- 
ness are  much  easier  to  control  by  big 
government  than  half  a  million  individ- 
ual small  businesses.  Depressions  and 
unrest  brought  the  demands  for  govern- 
ment control.  War  not  only  caps  the 
climax,  but  after  postwar  depressions, 
people  say  (as  Americans  said  after 
1929) ,  "The  government  did  it  in  war- 
time, why  not  in  peacetime?"  Right 
now,  most  people  expect  government 
to  solve  the  housing,  food,  and  clothing 
problems  of  America. 

4 

Tn  democracies,  people  have  to  learn 
nor  to  ask  for  what  is  not  good  for 
them,  for,  to  the  democratic  politician, 
"The  customer  is  always  right."  There- 
fore we  must  be  careful  not  to  ask  for 
things  we  do  not  want.  We  must  find 
out  what  is  good  and  what  is  bad  and 
ask  only  for  that  which  is  good. 

4 

'T'hen  we  shall  have  to  learn  how  to 
organize  and  control  society  in 
terms  of  the  centralizing  implications 
of  technology.  How  many  private  bus- 
inessmen can  invest  two  billion  dollars 
in  an  Oak  Ridge  plant?  How  avoid 
more  and  more  concentration  of  author- 
ity as  the  atomic  age  proceeds?  How 
organize  and  control  the  authorities 
necessary  to  that  age? 

4 

HPoo,  we  shall  have  to  learn  how  to 
eliminate  depressions  without  mak- 
ing economic  life  static — full  employ- 
ment opportunities  but  not  "fixed"  em- 
ployment. Finally,  war  as  organized 
social  conflict,  and  the  highroad  to  a 
totalitarian  world,  must  be  eliminated. 
Here  are  some  good  opportunities  for 
a  gospel  genius — to  solve  these  human 

problems. 

4 

T^hese  times  afford  a  wonderful  oc- 
casion for  men  of  future  greatness 
to  learn  of  ". . .  things  which  have  been, 

SEPTEMBER  1946 


things   which  are,  things  which  must  they  might  have  joy";  but  the  prophets 

shortly  come  to  pass.  ..."   (D.  &  C.  also  teach  that  men  cannot  be  saved  in 

88:79.)     Knowing   is    prerequisite    to  ignorance  of  the  times  in  which  they 

shaping  a  better  world.   "Men  are  that  live. 


FOR  COLORFUL 
HOMES 

BENNETT'S 

PAINTS 
**  WALLPAKfcS 

FOR  CLEAN,  SHINING  HOMES 
FOR  EVERY  HOUSEHOLD  USE 

BENNETT  GLASS  &  PAINT  CO.,  SALT  LAKE  CITY 
BRANCHES  AND  DEALERS  IN  UTAH  AND  IDAHO 


7U)w! 

Veterans  .  .  .  college  students  .  .  .  high  school  graduates: 

Enter  the  L.  D.  S.  Business  College  at  any  time,  for  beginning 
or  advanced  work.  A  few  months  of  intensive,  thorough  train- 
ing here  will  help  you  qualify  for  office  work,  either  in  private 
industry  or  in  civil  service. 

Day  and  evening  classes  continue  the  year  'round. 

L.   D.  5.    BUSINESS    COLLEGE 


(60th  Anniversary — 1886  to  1946) 


70  North  Main  Street 


Salt  Lake  City  1,  Utah 


" MAIL   THIS   COUPON    

L.  D.  S.  Business  College 

70  North  Main,  Salt  Lake  City  1,  Utah 

Please  tell  me  about  your  day  □  or  evening  □  classes;    tuition  rates  Q;    employment  serv- 
ice □;    living  arrangements  for  out-of-town  students  D. 

Remarks:    „ Q  High  School  Graduate 

Name  □  College  Student  or  Graduate 

D  Veteran 

Address    □  Mature,  non-High  School 

Graduate 


599 


The  Eyes  of 
the  Nation 

will  be  focused  on  Utah 
during  the  coming  year, 
Utah's  Centennial.  We  can 
all  help  Utah  by  resolving 
now  to  be  courteous, 
friendly  and  helpful  to  out- 
of-state  visitors.  Let's  make 
Utah  the  friendly  station  of 
of  the  nation!  We  pledge 
our  support  in  such  a  pro- 
gram. 

Hotel  Temple 
Square 

Clarence  L.  West,  Mgr. 


t1!. 


an 


AS  MAN  EATS 
AND  DRINKS 

We  believe  that,  in  large  meas- 
ure, as  a  man  eats  and  drinks, 
so  is  he.     For  food,  nature  has 
given  us  fruits  of  the  sun  and 
soil.     These  are  priceless  treas- 
ures,   conducive     to    health     of 
body  and  mind.     Besides  these, 
we  need  no  stimulants. 
You   who   agree,   will   be   inter- 
ested in  a  delicious  drink  that 
is   made    from    grain    and   fruit. 
And  this   delightful,  wholesome 
beverage    contains  no   caffeine, 
other  stimulants,  or  narcotics. 
FICGO  is  known  to  millions  of 
people  who  think  sanely  about 
food  and  drink.     It  is  made   of 
roasted  barley  and  tree-ripened 
California  figs.     It  is  a  boon  to 
non-coffee   drinkers  who  admit- 
tedly,    and     rightly,     enjoy     a 
wholesome  hot  drink  with  their 
meals.     Wholesome  FICGO  can 
be    freely    recommended    as    a 
healthful    drink    for    the    whole 
family.     ^ 

LEONARD  H.  BALLIF,  President 

California  Ficgo  Company 

Los  Angeles,  California 


A  CHALLENGE  TO  YOUTH 


(Concluded  from  page  561 ) 
wished  it  could  have  been  or  how  poignant 
was  his  grief. 


600 


As  I  heard  the  testimonies  of  the 
returned  veterans  here  this  morning 
who  testified  that  because  of  their 
clean  living  they  believed  they  had 
come  back  safe.  I  wondered  what 
the  parents  of  those  boys  who  didn't 
come  back  have  thought.  Have 
they  wondered  if  their  boys  fell  be- 
cause, somehow,  they  had  not 
proved  true?  The  words  of  the 
scriptures  must  bring  consolation  to 
those  who  thus  question.  Said  a 
great  prophet-warrior: 

Do  ye  suppose  that,  because  so  many  of 
your  brethren  have  been  killed  it  is  because 
of  their  wickedness?  I  say  unto  you,  if  ye 
have  supposed  this  ye  have  supposed  in 
vain;  for  I  say  unto  you,  there  are  many 
who  have  fallen  by  the  sword;  and  behold 
it  is  to  your  condemnation; 

For  the  Lord  suffereth  the  righteous  to  be 
slain  that  his  justice  and  judgment  may  come 
upon  the  wicked;  therefore  ye  need  not 
suppose  that  the  righteous  are  lost  because 
they  are  slain;  but  behold,  they  do  enter  into 
the  rest  of  the  Lord  their  God.  {Book  of 
Mormon,  Alma  60:12,13.) 

What  a  great  promise  and  what 
a  great  consolation  to  those  whose 
sons  have  gone  to  their  eternal  rest! 

It  has  been  suggested  that  we 
should  bow  our  heads  for  just  a  brief 
moment,  in  obedience  to  our  feel- 
ings, and  give  silent  reverence  to  the 
boys  who  are  not  with  us  here  to- 
night. 

[Then  followed  a  moment  of 
silence.] 

Jsjow  that  you  are  back  home,  you 
Latter-day  Saint  boys,  go  to  the 
homes  of  the  parents  whose  sons  are 
being  missed  so  greatly.  Give  com- 
fort to  those  who  stand  in  need  of 
comfort,  and  mourn  with  those  who 
mourn.  There  are  those  who  have 
strayed  away  on  forbidden  paths, 
and  they  did  not  meet  with  you  very 
often  in  your  groups  out  there.  They 
are  not  here  tonight.  You,  better 
than  anyone  else,  can  go  out  and 
reclaim  those  boys.  May  we  place 
that  upon  you  as  a  charge? 

Remember  that  you  are  apt  to  be- 
come a  prey  to  some  who  are  teach- 
ing false  philosophies  which  con- 
tradict the  basic  principles  of  hon- 
esty and  high  civic  morality.  Our 
anxieties  are  increased  when  we 
read  things  such  as  appeared  in  this 
morning's  paper.  This  is  datelined 
Los  Angeles: 

Ten  out  of  one  hundred  and  thirty  thou- 


sand work.  The  state  paid  a  hundred 
and  thirty  thousand  claimants  unemploy- 
ment insurance  here  this  week.  In  the  same 
period,  marked  by  urgent  pleas  from  agri- 
culturists, eleven  men  signed  up  for  orange- 
picking  jobs  while  several  thousand  other 
jobs  are  open. 

I  hope  our  Latter-day  Saint  boys 
will    never    be     in    the    ranks    of 
those  who  are  drawing  the  so-called 
"arm-chair  compensation."  Be  true 
to  the  name  you  bear.   This  pioneer 
land  was  never  reclaimed  by  men 
who  sought  to  draw  that  kind  of 
compensation.      Latter-day     Saints 
who  have  come  back,  may  we  plead 
with  you  to  forbid  any  such  practice! 
.  May  I  mention  one  thing  more. 
This  year  in  some  states  there  will 
come  a  test  at  the  voting  polls  to  see 
whether  or  not  we  shall  have  open 
sale  of  liquor  in  saloon  fashion.  You 
have  seen  the  deadly  effects  of  these 
things  in  the  service.    Now,  as  you 
come  back  and  have  a  chance  to  vote 
your    convictions,    may    we    again 
plead    with    you    young    men,    you 
young  women,  and  your  companions, 
to  forbid  a  step  towards  the  esta- 
blishment of  sales  by  drink  in  sa- 
loons which  will  place  curses  upon 
your  children  that  you  have  hoped 
might  be  forbidden  from  the  peace- 
ful valleys  where  your  homes  are. 
May  we  call  upon  you  to  become 
a  militant  organization  in  forbidding 
such  a  program! 

Finally,  may  I  bring  to  you  this 
thought  as  we  welcome  you  home 
here  now,  in  this  great  meeting.  The 
Lord  has  said: 

Behold,  I  stand  at  the  door,  and  knock: 
if  any  man  hear  my  voice,  and  open  the 
door,  I  will  come  in  to  him,  and  will  sup 
with  him,  and  he  with  me.  To  him  that 
overcometh  will  I  grant  to  sit  with  me  in 
my  throne,  even  as  I  also  overcame,  and  am 
set  down  with  my  Father  in  his  throne. 
(Rev.  3:20,21.) 

Latter-day  Saints,  returned  war 
veterans,  may  you  learn  to  wait 
patiently  on  the  Lord,  to  get  the 
comfort  that  comes  from  such  com- 
munion. May  you  see  that  figure  of 
the  Master  standing  at  your  door 
and  knocking,  and  if  you  will  open 
the  door  by  living  the  gospel  of 
Jesus  Christ,  he  will  come  in  to  you 
and  sit  down  with  you  in  the  solu- 
tion of  problems  that  are  too  great 
for  human  strength  or  wisdom. 

God  bless  you  as  we  welcome  you 
home  and  bid  you  into  the  company 
of  the  faithful  who  are  here  in  these 
valleys,  I  pray  humbly,  in  the  name 
of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Amen. 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


Father  Lehi's  Children 

(Continued  from  page  559) 
best  citizens  of  that  land.  They  are 
intelligent,  many  of  them  are  well 
educated,  and  most  of  them  reflect  in 
some  degree  their  noble  heritage. 

rTto  this  land  of  the  Lamanites,  the 
land  which  has  furnished  so 
many  external  evidences  of  the 
authenticity  of  the  Book  of  Mormon, 
went  recently  President  George  Al- 
bert Smith  on  a  truly  Lamanite  mis- 
sion. 

Since  the  first  mission  to  the 
Lamanites  called  by  direct  revelation 
in  1 830,  probably  no  more  important 
mission  to  the  Indians  has  been  un- 
dertaken by  any  member  of  the 
Church.  Because  of  the  nature  of  the 
mission  it  could  be  performed  best 
by  the  President  of  the  Church. 
It  was  the  first  time  in  the  history 
of  the  Church  that  a  President 
had  visited  the  Saints  in  the 
Mexican  Mission,  and  it  proved  to 
be  a  time  of  rejoicing  among  the 
people,  many  of  them  Lamanites  and 
many  others  of  the  house  of  Israel 
through  other  genealogical  lines. 

The  purpose  of  the  visit  of  Presi- 
dent Smith  was  to  welcome  back  into 
Church  activity  some  hundreds  of 
members  who  had  been  out  of  har- 
mony for  the  past  ten  years.  When 
that  important  step  was  taken  by 
this  group  of  Father  Lehi's  children, 
it  must  have  caused  great  joy  in  the 
spirit  world  among  those  who  had 
labored  and  given  their  lives  for  the 
salvation  of  the  people  who  sprang 
from  the  little  group  who  left  Jeru- 
salem by  command  of  God  and  esta- 
blished a  great  civilization  in  a  new 
land. 

Father  Lehi,  next  to  the  Master 
himself,  could  well  be  envisioned  as 
leading  the  rejoicing  among  his 
descendants,  the  Book  of  Mormon 
prophets,  down  to  Moroni,  last  of 
the  Nephites,  who  mourned  the  fate 
of  his  own  people  and  that  of  the 
Lamanites,  because  of  their  disobe- 
dience. 

The  return  of  this  large  group  to 
the  fold  occurred  in  Mexico  City. 
For  several  years  Elder  Arwell  L. 
Pierce,  now  president  of  the  Mexi- 
can Mission,  and  himself  a  native  of 
Mexico,  had  labored  with  great  zeal 
to  bring  about  this  result.  Knowing 
the  Mexican  people,  through  life- 
long contacts,  and  understanding 
and  respecting  them  and  knowing 
their  origin  and  destiny,  he  was  es- 
( Concluded  on  page  602 ) 

SEPTEMBER  1946 


J^^L^^r—^ 


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CAN  WE  BELIEVE 

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Page  381,  "On  The  Bookrack.") 
Published  now  for  the  first  time  in  book 
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HISTORY  OF  JOSEPH  SMITH 

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LUCY  MACK  SMITH 

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601 


.they  must  be  travel  in  with 

PEP  88 

GASOLINE 


FILLER  UP  AT  THE 
PEP  88-VICO  SIGN 


GASOLINE 

UTAH  OIL  REFINING  COMPANY^ ^ 


Your  cleaning 

PAR-tner! 


The  Quality  Soap  for 

PAR-ticular  Housewives 


602 


Father  Lehi's  Children 

{ Concluded  from  page  601 ) 
pecially    qualified    to    counsel    and 
guide  these   Lamanite   brethren   in 
this  most  important  action. 

Bringing  with  them  an  outstand- 
ing choir  to  furnish  special  musical 
numbers  for  the  various  conference 
sessions  and  accompanied  by  their 
leaders,  the  returning  Saints  par- 
ticipated in  the  exercises  in  humility 
and  sincerity. 

The  dramatic  highlight  of  the  im- 
pressive occasion  came  when  one  of 
the  leaders  of  the  reconciled  group, 
declared:  "There  is  only  one  Presi- 
dent of  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ 
of  Latter-day  Saints,  and  he  is  here 
today:  There  is  only  one  president 
of  the  Mexican  Mission,  and  he  is 
here  today." 

Reports  indicate  that  no  group  of 
Saints  anywhere  has  received  the 
President  of  the  Church  more  cor- 
dially, more  respectfully,  or  more 
reverently  than  these  descendants  of 
Father  Lehi  received  President 
George  Albert  Smith.  And  certain- 
ly no  Church  official  who  ever  visited 
Mexico  ever  greeted  them  with  more 
friendliness,  more  deference,  or  with 
more  interest  in  their  welfare. 

To  Father  Lehi's  children  we  are 
indebted  for  the  preservation  of  the 
early  records  taken  from  Jerusalem, 
for  the  earliest  written  history  of  this 
continent,  and  for  the  fulness  of  the 
gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  as  contained 
in  the  Book  of  Mormon.  For  these 
contributions  to  our  knowledge  and 
the  contributions  yet  to  come,  the 
whole  world  eternally  will  be  under 
obligation  to  these  descendants  of 
Joseph,  who  are  destined  to  play 
stellar  roles  in  the  drama  of  life  in 
the  Western  Hemisphere. 

Father  Lehi's  children  are  numer- 
ous. Their  destiny  is  made  clear  by 
prophecy  both  ancient  and  modern. 
They  are  God's  children.  At  the 
proper  time,  those  who  prepare 
themselves  will  play  important  roles 
in  the  nations  in  which  they  live. 
Much  as  they  have  contributed  to 
the  world  in  the  past,  their  contribu- 
tions of  the  future  will  undoubtedly 
be  much  greater.  Much  as  repre- 
sentatives of  their  race  have  been 
honored  in  the  past,  greater  honors 
lie  in  the  future.* 

A  people  of  prophecy  and  of  des- 
tiny are  Father  Lehi's  children. 

*"This  Is  the  Place"  Monument,  to  be  dedicated 
July  24,  1947,  as  a  part  of  Utah's  Centennial  Celebra- 
tion includes  an  heroic  size  bronze  statue  of  Washakie, 
chief  of  the  Shoshone  Indians.  Other  recognitions  of 
Lamanites  are  under  consideration. 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


o 

o 
o 
o 
o 

o 

o 
e 
o 
o 
o 
o 
o 
o 
o 


^olm^-f^^ 


a, 

Safeway's  Farm  Reporter  keeps  tab  on 
how  farmers  make  work  easier,  cut  op- 
erating costs,  improve  crop  quality. 
Safeway  reports  his  findings  because  we 
Safeway  people  know  that  exchanging 
good  ideas  helps  everybody.  More- than  a 
third  of  our  customers  are  farm  folks. 


*^#  £**■■* 


mtmmmm p— W 


Machines  equipped  by  the  Heidrick  broth- 
ers on  their  farm  near  Woodland,  Cali- 
fornia, incorporate  ideas  that  make  for 
extra  efficiency.  Ideas  at  work  in  their  rice 
fields  (indicated  by  numerals  on  machine  ,y( 
and  below)  include  .  .  . 

1.  Flag  operated  from  driver's  seat  signals  bank-out 
rig  when  combine  is  ready  to  unload  bin 

2.  Curved  rod  can  lift  telephone  wires  as  much  as  3 
feet  as  combine  moves  into  and  out  of  fields 

3.  Window  in  bulk  bin  permits  combine  operator  to 
check  fullness  of  bin  by  glance  over  shoulder,  without 
stopping  machine 

4.  Two  60  h.p.  Diesel  engines  —  mounted  ahead  of 
and  behind  bulk  tank  — give  plentiful  power  with 


reduced  fuel  costs.  One  engine  powers  threshing 
mechanism  —  the  other  propels  combine 

5.  Extra  large  12-inch  pipe  with  built-in  screw  con- 
veyor speeds  unloading  of  grain  into  bank-out  rig 

6.  Screen  windows  in  front  of  bank-out  rig  aid  driver 
at  rear  to  avoid  obstacles  when  driving  to  combine 
before  tank  has  filled 

7.  Tracks  equip  bank-out  rig  to  operate  over  any 
kind  of  ground,  in  any  weather 


% 


Getting  up  fn  worfd  Pays  in  Pest  Control 

This  new  boom  sprayer  for  fighting  scale  and  brown  rot  in  California 
citrus  orchards  has  a  22-foot  main  tower,  maximum  capacity  of  140  gallons 
per  minute.  Developed  by  K.  W.  Loucks,  of  Yorba  Linda,  the  sprayer  is 
hand-regulated  to  various  tree  heights  by  an  operator  stationed  at  the 
boom.  Cut-off  valves  control  nozzles  on  the  upper  part  of  the  boom.  22 
"guns"  spaced  at  16  inches  in  two  series  set  at  different  angles,  are  oper- 
ated simultaneously  by  a  small  motor.  For  supplemental  coverage  in  close- 
up  work,  an  independent  12-foot  stationary  upright  with  10  nozzles  is 
provided.  Pressure  is  maintained  at  500  pounds.  The  sprayer  gives  inten- 
sive tree  coverage  while  moving  at  about  1  to  l1/^  miles  an  hour. 


Homemade  Machine 
Builds  Terraces  — 
Sfopg  So  if  Erosion 

Instead  of  buying  or  renting  road  machinery 
to  terrace  his  Texas  farm  land,  J.  E.  Hancock 
of  Lubbock  built  the  original  terracing  ma- 
chine you  see  in  action  here.  The  Texas  A. 
and  M.  College  Extension  Service  is  inter- 
ested in  it.  Pulled  by  tractor  around  contour 
of  field,  this  machine  throws  a  stream  of 
dirt  to  build  terraces.  Mechanism  consists  of 
the  scoop  and  elevator  portions  of  a  potato 
digger  hooked  up  with  a  cross  conveyor  belt. 
These  units  are  powered  by  an  auto  engine 
mounted  above  and  to  one  side  of  the  ele- 
vator. Dirt  is  scooped  up,  loaded  aboard  the 
machine,  then  fed  off  to  side  by  conveyor. 


H  Modern  Safeway  idea  is 

on-the-ground  buying 

Safeway  divisions  which  buy 
farm  produce  for  Safeway 
stores  maintain  offices  all 
through  the  areas  where  the 

produce  is  grown.  In  telephone  ^olie*±Zn?™^ 
divisions  are  listed  as  "Easwest  Produce  Company. 

Each  Safeway  buying  division  specializes  in  buying 
certain  specific  kinds  of  farm  produce.  So  Safeway  men 
are  able  to  keep  close  in  touch  with  loca  growing  con- 
ditions on  eadicrop,  and  they  know  local  grower  prob- 
lems Safeway  buyers  do  not  accept  commissions,  allow- 
ances or  brokerage  fees.  They  pay  the  going  price  or 
better,  never  offef  a  price  lower  than  producer  quotes. 

•  Safeway  buys  direct,  sells  direct,  to  cut  "in-between" 
costT  Safeway  buys  regularly,  offering  producers  a 
steady  market!  when  purchasing  from  farmers  Safeway 
accepts  no  brokerage  directly  or  indirectly 

•  Safeway  pays  going  prices  or  better,  never  offers  a 
price  lower  than  producer  quotes 
Safeway  stands  ready  to  help  move  surpluses 
Safeway  sells  at  lower  prices,  made  possible  by  direct, 
lessSy  distribution  \  .  .  so  consumers  can  afford  to 
increase  their  consumption 

gAFEWAY—  the  neighborhood  grocery  stores 


O 


SEPTEMBER  1946 


603 


Kill  Noxious  Weeds  at  the  Roots! 


[THIS  PULLING   NOXIOUS 
WEED  TOPS  IS  DRUDGERY 
AND  NEVER  SEEMS  TO  GET| 
MEANYWHERE.IVEBEEN 
DOING  IT  FOR.  YEAR.S. 


I  HAVE  NO  NOXIOUS  WEEDS 
NOW,  THANKS  TO  A  MACK  ANT/- 
WEED  GUN  AND  A  FEW GALIONS 
OF  CARBON  BISULPHIDE  USED 
YEARS  AGO.THE  COST  WAS  MOD- 
ERATE AND  THEJhOB  WAS  EASV. 

, I  KILLED 

'  .THE  WEEDS 
AT  THE 
ROOTS. 


V£i 


■-•>*  «r«. 


If 


L«3Sr 


.«>- 


&1 


\ 


m 


:  & 


ifc 


««% 


Try   it,   nor   sometime,   but   NOW! 

CARBON   BISULPHIDE 

through   a  Mack  Anti-Weed   Gun 

will  kill  those  deep-rooted  noxious  weeds  that  are  taking 
your  farm — one  application  kills  morning  glory,  knap- 
weed, whitetop  and  many  others.  Send  for  circular  212P 
and  learn  more  about  this  tried  and  well  proven  material. 


WHALER,  R€yNOLDSj&  STAUFFER,  636  Carifomia  St:/ San  Fr^rfcisto 


Distributors— WASATCH  CHEMICAL  CO.,  Salt  Lake  City  and  Branches 


TEA  GARDEN  PRESERVES  taste  like  home 
made  because  they're  made  like  home-made. 
Same  fine  table  fruit-orchard-ripe  and  fresh 
. . .  same  pu  re  sugar . . .  same  slow,  gen  tie  cook 
ing,so  the  fruit  is  true  in  color,  rich  in  flavor. 


MENU  HIT! 

T3  give  your  menu  a  fling  serve  two 
it  three  kinds  of  Tea  Garden  Preserves 
,  .  .  put  them  in  a  sectional  glass  dish 
to   show  off   their  appetizing    colors! 


IPSE  for  OVER  FIFTY  YEARS 

Aids  in  treatment  of  Canker,  simple 
sore  throat  and  other  minor  mouth 
and  throat  irritations. 

HALLS  REMEDY 

Salt  Lake  City,  Utah 


604 


WE  Of  FER . .  • 

A  COMPLETE 
ENGRAVING  SERVICE  . 

From   Missionary   Portraits   to    the   Largest 
Catalogues. 

Mail  Orders  Given  Prompt  Attention 

UTAH  ENGRAVING  CO. 

113  Regent  St.  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah 


Evidences  and 
Reconciliations 

(Continued  from  page  577) 
springing  up  everywhere.  It  had  the 
possibilities  of  a  metropolis.  A  city 
of  Zion  was  platted,  and  duly  re- 
corded with  the  city  officials.6  Lands 
were  bought  by  the  people  within 
the  projected  city,  to  be  laid  out  as 
city  lots,  just  as  is  done  today  in 
growing  localities.  Farm  lands  were 
also  secured  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
"city."  Industrial  and  commercial 
enterprises  were  begun,  such  as  a 
tannery,  sawmill,  printing  establish- 
ment, and  mercantile  organizations. 
In  short,  the  Church  planned  to  es- 
tablish here  an  important  center  of 
its  spiritual  and  material  activities, 
and  Church  members  cooperated  in 
the  regular  ways  of  business. 

The  older  settlers  saw  themselves 
surrounded  by  the  abhorred  "Mor- 
mons." They  feared  that  their  own 
prosperity  was  jeopardized  by  the 
larger,  active  plans  of  the  Church. 
The  "Mormon"-haters  there,  of 
whom  there  were  many,  diligently 
fostered  this  nonsensical  fear. 

When  the  Saints  began  to  buy 
land,  the  fear  vanished  speedily.  If 
the  price  were  right,  and  it  was 
usually  greatly  inflated,  the  land- 
owners were  quite  willing  to  sell, 
even  to  "Mormons."  Often,  the 
buyer  paid  some  money  down,  with 
the  owner  holding  the  mortgage. 
There  was  always  then  the  possibil- 
ity that  the  "Mormons"  could  not 
continue  their  payments,  and  the 
property  would  revert  to  the  owners 
through  foreclosures.  That  was  one 
way  to  make  money. 

At  that  time,  as  every  student  of 
American  history  knows,  there  was 
in  the  Kirtland  region  and  elsewhere 
a  severe  inflation.  Settlements  were 
planned  everywhere.  Land  prices 
rose  far  beyond  the  ability  of  the 
land  to  repay.  Wild  speculation  was 
evident.  Money  was  spent  freely. 
The  national  bank  was  defunct  by 
congressional  action.  Paper  money 
issued  by  local  banks  flooded  the 
country. 

The  Latter-day  Saints  were 
caught  in  this  whirling  excitement. 
Undoubtedly,  many  members  of 
the  Church  bought  lands  at  exces- 
sive prices.  Industrial  enterprises 
were  financed  in  part  by  borrowing. 
Merchants  bought  goods  at  inflation 
prices,   feeling  secure  that  equally 

6Kennedy,   op   cit.,   pp.   155,   156 

THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


Evidences  and 
Reconciliations 

increased  retail  prices  would  yield 
them  a  profit. 

At  the  height  of  this  economic 
drunkenness  came  the  financial 
panic  of  1837.  The  speculative 
bubbles  burst.  Just  as  in  other  such 
panics,  communities  that  could  not 
pay  their  debts  were  ruined.  Banks 
by  the  hundreds  failed  throughout 
the  country.  Speculation,  not  dis- 
honesty, was  at  the  bottom  of  the 
calamity,  though  frequently,  dis- 
honest persons  took  advantage  of 
the  situation.7 

During  this  period,  before  the 
panic,  members  of  the  Church  with 
full  Church  good  will,  undertook  to 
form  a  bank,  in  which  the  common 
good  should  be  paramount.  Because 
of  this  idealism,  and  probably  also 
because  of  anti-"Mormon"  feeling, 
the  application  for  a  state  charter 
was  refused. 

Then  the  Saints  undertook,  in 
1836,  to  form  the  Kirtland  Safety 
Society  Anti-Banking  Company. 
This  was  to  be  an  industrial  stock 
company.  The  management  was  to 
be  in  the  hands  of  the  respective  oc- 
cupations: agriculture,  mechanical 
arts,  and  merchandising.  The  ar- 
ticles of  incorporation  included  some 
farseeing  principles  which  would 
have  been  very  beneficial  to  the 
stockholders  had  the  society  con- 
tinued. Paper  currency,  or  due  bills, 
was  issued  by  the  society  as  was  the 
custom  in  that  day. 

When  the  financial  panic  broke, 
this  company  collapsed  before  it  had 
really  begun  to  operate  fully.  The 
collapse  was  hurried  by  dishonest 
employees.  Each  stockholder  was 
obligated,  under  the  terms  of  the 
agreement,  to  redeem  the  currency 
issued  to  the  extent  of  his  holdings  in 
the  concern.  But  many  of  these  per- 
sons had  secured  their  stock  by 
pledging  lands  at  the  prevailing  in- 
flated values.  When  the  worth  of 
the  lands  fell  to  a  fraction  of  the 
former  values,  the  society  had  to 
bear  the  loss.  Other  stockholders 
had  also  lost  money  in  the  debacle 
and  could  make  no  redemption  of 
the  currency  for  which  they  were  re- 
sponsible. Yet  a  brave  attempt  was 
made,  and  most  of  the  debts  of  the 
company  was  paid. 

(Continued  on  page  606) 

7Chas.  A.  and  Mary  R.  Beard,  A  Basic  Hisory  of 
the  United  States,  pp.  234,  235;  J.  T.  Adams,  The 
Epic  of  America,   pp.  211-213. 

SEPTEMBER  1946 


A  Qirl  must  know  how  high  she  stands 
In  that  young  man  '$  affection, 


Who  thinks  of  her  then  chooses  Glade*s  . 


The  brand  of  such  perfection! 


CHOCOLATES 


For  the  MISSIONARY... 

HIS  MANY  MANSIONS,  by  Rulon  S.  How- 
ells,  is  a  brief  survey  of  13  leading  Chris- 
tian churches — their  beliefs,  history,  and 
organization.  Authoritative  .  .  .  concise 
.  .  .  understandable.  Especially  helpful  to 
the  missionary,  teacher,  or  student  of  con- 
temporary religions. 

(See  page  593  for  handy  coupon.) 


$2.25 


(Including  unique 
comparative  chart.) 


B00KCRAFT 


1186  South  Main 
Salt  Lake  City,  Utah 


605 


Royal  Baking  Company 
Salt  Lake  &  Ogden 


For  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century 
KOLOB  has  grown  with  the  West. 
Today  this  progressive  company  is 
foremost  among  general  insurance 
agencies  in  this  territory  .  .  .  rep- 
resented by  more  than  300  agents 
.  .  .  offering  policies  for  every 
known  risk.  For  complete  and 
competant  insurance  service,  see 
the  KOLOB  AGENT  in  your  com- 
munity. 


CORPORATION 


FRANK  SALISBURY.  Manager 
330  Judge  Bldg.  Phone  4-8451 


GO  BY 

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information  about  convenient 
schedules  and  low  fares  to  any 
point  in  America. 

OVERLAND 

GREYHOUND 

l/AT£S 

Operated  by 
INTERSTATE   TRANSIT    LINES 


Evidences  and 
Reconciliations 

(Continued  [rom  page  605) 
All  reputable  writers  on  the  sub- 
ject, even  many  unfriendly  to  Joseph 
Smith,  agree  that  in  forming  the 
Kirtland  Anti-Banking  Safety  So- 
ciety there  was  no  dishonest  motive, 
rather  a  high  altruistic  one.  It  was 
one  of  hundreds  of  similar  failures 
during  a  nationwide  panic.  Joseph 
Smith  himself  resigned  his  office  in 
the  bank  and  disposed  of  his  interest 
in  it. 

As  far  as  possible  the  currency  of 
the  Society  had  been  redeemed,  but 
some  was  still  among  the  people.  It 
seems  also  that  some  of  the  re- 
deemed currency  had  been  stolen 
from  the  vaults  and  was  being  of- 
fered for  sale  by  the  thieves.  The 
honesty  of  the  Prophet  was  evi- 
denced by  the  fact  that  after  the 
failure,  he  inserted  a  signed  notice 
in  The  Messenger  and  Advocate, 
warning  people  against  investing  in 
the  currency  of  the  society  for  pos- 
sible redemption. 

CAUTION 
To  the  brethren  and  friends  of  the  church 
of  Latter  Day  Saints,  I  am  disposed  to  say 
a  word  relative  to  the  bills  of  the  Kirtland 
Safety  Society  Bank.  I  hereby  warn  them 
to  beware  of  'speculators,  renegades  and 
gamblers,  who  are  duping  the  unsuspecting 
and  the  unwary  by  palming  upon  them  those 
bills  which  are  of  no  worth  here.  I  dis- 
countenance and  disapprove  of  any  and  all 
such  practices.  I  know  them  to  be  detri- 
mental to  the  best  interest  of  society,  as  well 
as  to  the  principles  of  religion. — Joseph 
Smith  Jun. 

Later  he  inserted  a  more  emphatic 
notice  for  three  successive  weeks,  in 
The  Nauvoo  Neighbor? 

In  the  wild  orgy  of  inflation,  peo- 
ple in  the  Kirtland  section  who  held 
mortgages  on  lands,  tried  to  collect 
on  the  excessive  prices,  rather  than 
to  receive  their  lands  or  to  accept  the 
normal  prices.  This  led  to  legal  and 
personal  troubles,  aimed  in  the  main 
at  the  "Mormons"  who  were  blamed 
for  whatever  happened,  on  earth,  in 
the  moon,  or  the  sun. 

Pathetically  the  Prophet  writes  in 

his  journal  about  the  Kirtland  Safety 

Society  that 

...  no  institution  of  the  kind,  established 
upon  just  and  righteous  principles  for  a 
blessing  not  only  to  the  Church,  but  to  the 
whole  nation,  would  be  suffered  to  continue 
its  operation  in  such  an  age  of  darkness, 
speculation,  and  wickedness.9 

One  act  of  the  society,  malicious- 


sMessenger    and    Advocate,    August    1837,    p. 
Nauvoo  Neighbor,  June  12,  19,  and  26,   1844. 
^History  of  the  Church,  Vol.  II.  p.  497 


560; 


606 


THE  IMPROVEMENT  ERA 


Evidences  and 
Reconciliations 

ly  played  up  against  the  Prophet, 
shows  the  venom  of  anti~"Mormon" 
writers,  and  reflects  the  boundless 
depths  to  which  hate  may  go.  In  the 
expectation  that  the  state  would  ap- 
prove the  request  for  a  bank  charter, 
Oliver  Cowdery  had  secured  the 
necessary  printed  currency  in  Phila- 
delphia. When  the  charter  was  re- 
fused, and  the  new  society  formed, 
rather  than  go  to  the  expense  of 
printing  new  bills  with  the  delay 
that  would  be  occasioned,  the  old 
bills  were  used,  but  there  was 
printed  on  them  additional  words 
that  clearly  designated  the  name  of 
the  society.  As  honest  people,  they 
did  not  foresee  the  evil  use  that 
would  be  made  of  their  action.  In 
fact,  this  use  of  the  bills  shows  the 
essential  honesty  of  the  people. 
They  could  not  hope  to  hoodwink 
intelligent  people  by  such  a  trans- 
parent device.  Detractors  of  "Mor- 
monism"  make  themselves  ridiculous 
by  this  charge. 

Decently  examined,  the  Ohio 
events  culminating  in  1 837  show  no 
dishonesty  on  the  part  of  Joseph 
Smith  or  most  of  his  people.  "Mor- 
mons" and  non-"Mormons"  were 
caught  in  a  deluge  which  they  could 
not  control.  The  persecution  of  the 
"Mormons"  in  that  Ohio  period 
throws  shame  upon  the  people  who 
were  parties  to  it. 

However,  enemies  to  the  Church 
assisted  by  apostates  from  the 
Church,  fomented  a  persecution  so 
furious  that  Joseph  Smith  to  save  his 
life,  not  to  escape  his  debts,  was 
forced  to  leave  the  state. 

Wherever  the  Prophet  operated, 
he  preached  honesty  and  practiced 
it — that  is  the  conclusion  of  any  per- 
son who  will  examine,  with  an  un- 
prejudiced eye,  his  writings,  and 
record. 

It  is  beyond  belief  that  a  dishonest 
person  would  write  in  his  journal,  as 
Joseph  Smith  did:  ".  .  .  it  is  the  de- 
light of  my  soul  to  be  honest.  O, 
Lord,  that  Thou  knowest  right 
well."10 

Read: 

History  of  the  Church,  Vol.  II. 

Comprehensive  History  of  the  Church, 
Vol.  1:  chapter  31   (pp.  393-413.) 

W.  A.  Linn,  The  Story  of  the  Mormons, 
Book  II,  chapter  5,  pp.  142-152  (1902  ed.). 

J.  H.  Kennedy,  Early  Days  of  Mormon- 
ism,  pp.  153-173    (1888  ed.) 

™Ibid.,  Vol.  II,  p.  281  /•  A*  W.S. 

SEPTEMBER  1946 


Salt  Lake 
Tribune 


Brings  You 


Fashions 


-  *         Sunday,  September  8,  the  Salt 

"  Lake  Tribune  presents  a.  full 

24-page  rotogravure  showing 

of  new  fall  fashions!   Grace 

■       Grether,  Tribune  women's 

editor,  visited  New  York  in 

'      July  ...  personally  interviewed 

the  world's  leading  designers  .  ..low  this  fall's  clothes 

being  sketched,  advance  models  being  made. 

The  high  fashions  she  viewed  are  brought  you  in  The  Tribune 

of  September  8.  Stores  and  shops,  in  addition,  add  their 
own  exclusive  pictorial  record  of  this  gala  fall. 

Here  is  a  section  every  woman  will  want  to  read  .  .  .  the 
gay,  glorious  outpouring  of  the  new  season. 

To  receive  this  section  ~  plus  a  full  month's  subscription 

to  the  Daily  and  Sunday  Salt  Lake  Tribune, 

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Salt  Lake  City  1,  Utah 

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including  the  Fall  Fashions  issue  of  September  8.  I  enclose 
$1.50.  (If  you  live  outside  the  Intermountain  states,  please 
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be  received  in  our  office  by  September  8,  1946,  to  receive  the 
Fall  Fashion  Section.) 


C?5>P 


IJS 


607 


gdouTT to  avid  Ours 


"THE  M.I.A.  MARCHES  ON" 
M.I. A.  "Key  of  Happiness"  Float  in  Fourth  of  July  parade  at 
Bountiful,  Utah,  depicted  the  forward  marching  of  the  Mutual  Improve- 
ment Association  everywhere.  Thousands  lined  the  shady  side  of  the 
streets  to  view  the  mile-long  parade,  which  was  dotted  with  many 
floats,  representing  various  organizations  of  wards  of  South  Davis  Stake. 

Photograph  by  Daisy  G.  Roberts 


-<♦>- 


Essential  Labor 

"She's  got  the  leading  part  in  a  theater." 

"Star?" 

"No,  head  usher." 

No  Trouble  at  All 

"Are  you  having  any  difficulty  meeting  expenses?" 
"Absolutely  not.    I  meet  them  at  every  turn." 

Could  Be  Contagious 

Absent-minded  professor:  "Mary,  I  believe  I  have  lost  the 
road." 

His  wife:  "Are  you  sure  that  you  had  it  when  you  left  the 
house?" 

Nothing  Hidden 

"What  do  you  know  about  your  neighbors?" 
"Everything.    I   go  home  with   them   every   night  on   the 
interurban  bus." 


What  He  Wanted 

Student:    "Did  you  give  me  my  grades  in  round  numbers?" 
Professor:    "Yes,  I  gave  you  zero." 

Late 

"Have  you  anything  to  offer  the  court  before  sentence  is 
passed  upon  you?" 

"No,  your  honor;  my  lawyer  took  the  last  dollar  I  had." 

Early  Bird 

"In  my  day  I  was  a  bird  of  a  stenographer." 

"I  know  the  kind.   Sort  of  an  Underwood  pecker." 

Choice 

"How  many  pieces  of  candy  do  I  get  for  a  penny?" 
"Oh,  two  or  three." 
"I'll  take  three." 

Yes  and  No 

"You  couldn't  loan  me  five  dollars,  could  you?" 
"No,  but  how  did  you  know?" 

Typed 

"How  would  you  classify  a  telephone  operator?"  said  the 
census  taker.  "Is  it  a  business  or  a  profession?" 
"Neither.    It's  a  calling." 

Point  of  View 

"Did  you  summer  in  the  country?" 
"No,  I  simmered  in  the  city." 

Too  Much  So 

"So  your  brother's  an  efficiency  expert  at  the  fire  depart- 
ment?" 

"Not  any  more." 

"What  happened?" 

"He  put  non-breakable  glass  in  the  alarm  boxes." 

Progress 

"One  more  payment  and  the  furniture  is  ours." 

"Good — then  we  can  throw  it  out  and  get  some  new  stuff." 


SUNSET  MEETING  OF  SALT  LAKE  AND  RIVERSIDE  STAKES 
An  annual  sunset  meeting  of  the  Salt  Lake  and  Riverside  stakes  was  held  on  the  Utah  State  Capitol  steps  Sunday  evening  July  7.  The  meeting  was 
sponsored  by  the  Mutual   Improvement  Associations  commemorating   Independence  Day.    Dr.  Royal  L.  Garff  delivered  the  address  and  President  Lincoln 
F.  Hanks  the  invocation.    Songs  were  sung  by  the  congregation,  and  four  seleztions   by   the  Millennial  Chorus  were    rendered   under   the  direction   of 
Bertram  T.  Willis.    Members  of  Boy  Scout  Troop  81  presented  the  flag  raising  and  lowering  ceremony.     Benediction  by  Joseph  W.  Dunlop. 

Photograph  by  Roy  N.  Holton 


608 


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George  Albert  Smith,  Pres. 


JAUf 


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RETU  RN     POSTAGE    GUARANTEED 
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