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AUGUST 1949
Above: the new Beacon-laurelcrest Ward Chapel, located at Romona Ave. and Twenty-first East, designed by Woods and Woods, architects, and built by Jensen Brothers Construction Company. Constructed of No, 12 red stretcher facing brick.
EXPLORING
By DR. FRANKLIN S. HARRIS, JR.
A new chlorine compound can be suspended in a bag in the toilet reservoir which by treating the flushing water will keep the bowl free from stains and bacteria for six months with one chemical change.
HThe Sandoe bridge in Sweden has the longest concrete arch in the world with 866 feet long main arch of reinforced concrete. This 3,200- yard-long bridge was opened in 1943 and carries the highway across the Angerman river on the road between Stockholm and Haparanda.
A new deodorant called "Metazene" which destroys odors by combining with the sulfur and nitrogen com- pounds which are responsible for so many unpleasant odors, instead of masking them, is undergoing final tests. The compound which is non- poisonous and non-inflammable and non-corrosive can be sprayed into the air in a liquid mist under pressure from freon gas.
Tron nuts are being made in Europe by compacting powdered iron around a threaded insert, which when unscrewed forms threads. The nut of powdered iron is then heated to bond the powder together.
Dole beans require 850 hours of man labor an acre to produce and harvest in Utah, the most of any crop. Onions require four hundred, tomatoes two hundred, sweet corn one hundred, and alfalfa about twenty-five hours of labor.
Tn some flies the increase of metab- olism in flight over that at rest may be 100 times, for the hawk moth and bee about 40 times, and with man in a state of extreme exertion 10 to 14 times that of normal resting, but man can only maintain this for a few seconds at a time. The flight muscles of flying insects twitch rapidly 160 to 200 times a second in blowflies, 300 to 400 in some bees and wasps. A deft pianist cannot contact the muscles on the hand more than 10 times a second. For the hawk moth to fly, a body temperature of 86° F. in the thorax is necessary and so they have to warm up by vibrat- ing their wings before trying to take off, in flight the temperature will ex- ceed 104° F.
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AUGUST 1949
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"THE VOICE OF THE CHURCH"
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1949
VOLUME 52 NUMBER 8
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
The Editor's Page
Blessings for Youth George Albert Smith 493
Church Features
Testimony: A Sacred Gift J. Reuben Clark, Jr, 495
The Meaning of Peter's Confession — II Sidney B. Sperry 496
Mission to Polynesia — -V Doyle L. Green 505
Evidences and Reconciliations: CXXXVII — Is Religion Needed in
an Age of Science? John A, Widtsoe 513
It Can Be Done 484 pointments 518
The Church Moves On 485 Melchizedek Priesthood 520
Departing Missionaries, April and June 486
Y. M. M. I. A. Honor Certificates
Awarded Forty Scouters 488
June Conference in Picture 490
Y. M. M. I. A. General Board Ap-
No-Liquor-Tobacco Column 52 1
Presiding Bishopric's Page 522
Genealogy: Books of Remem- brance, David R. Roberts 529
This Month with Church Publica- tions 543
Special Features
"Youth That is Clean" Marilyn Oliver 494
Frederick Pingree 494 In the Good Old Summertime! — Let's Talk It Over.... Mary Brentnall 499 Free Agency and Social Organization — The Church and Modern
Society — Part VII G. Homer Durham 501
The Spoken Word from Temple Square Richard L. Evans 509
Exploring the Universe, Franklin Homing: Safety is Only Common S. Harris, Jr 481 Sense, Barney Schwartz 514
These Times — Faith, Fear, and the Battle of Ideas, G. Homer Dur- ham 483
On the Bookrack 511
Cook's Corner, Josephine B.
Nichols 5 1 6
Good Hostesses Remember Jun- ior, Helen C. Hicks.— 515
Your Page and Ours 544
Editorials
Youth in Action Marba C» Josephson 512
Era Writers' Conference Marba C. Josephson 512
Stories, Poetry
O Ye of Little Faith Marilyn Yarn 503
The Fort on the Firing Line — XI Albert R. Lyman 506
The House of Wisdom, Clarence
Edwin Flynn 488
Nocturne, Beulah Huish Sadleir 490
Poetry Page 492
The Deepest Well, Dorothy J. Roberts 498
August, Iris W. Schow 500
The Artist, Arthur Wallace Peach..502
Rendezvous, J. Fabian Giroux 515
Poem, Ruby Zagoren 519
Betrothed, Elizabeth Reeves Hum- phreys 526
Executive and Editorial Offices:
50 North Main Street, Salt Lake City 1, Utah Copyright 1949 by Mutual Funds, Inc., a Corporation of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All rights reserved. Subscription price, $2.50 a year, in advance; foreign subscription, $3.00 a year, in advance; 25c
single copy. Entered at the Post Office, Sait Lake City, Utah, as second-class matter. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided for
in section 1 103, Act of October 1917, authorized July 2, 1918.
The Improvement Era is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts,
but welcomes contributions.
All manuscripts must be accompanied by sufficient postage for delivery and return.
Change of Address: Fifteen days' notice required for change of address. When ordering a change, please include address slip from a recent issue of the magazine. Address changes cannot be made unless the old
address as well as the new one is included.
482
-Photograph by Gladys M. Relyea Summertime at the park
The Cover
HPhe rustle of the corn in the mild -*■ August breezes and its golden goodness typify the ease and beauty that endear this last of the summer months. This photograph is by Fritz Henle from Monkmeyer and was adapted to cover use by Charles Jacobsen.
Editors
George Albert Smith
John A. Widtsoe Managing Editor
Richard L. Evans Assistant Managing Editor
Doyle L. Green
Associate Editor
Marba C. Josephson
General Manager
Elbert R. Curtis
Associate Manager
Bertha S. Reeder
Business Manager
John D. Giles
Editorial Associates
Elizabeth J. Moffitt Albert L. Zobell, Jr. Advertising Director
Verl F. Scott
National Advertising Representatives
Edward S. Townsend,
San Francisco and Los Angeles
Dougan and Bolle,
Chicago and New York
Member, Audit Bureau of Circulations
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA
FAITH, FEAR, AND THE BATTLE OF IDEAS
By DR. G. HOMER DURHAM
Head of Political Science Department, University of Utah
"\17hen the history of postwar Ameri- ca, 1945-49, is written, it may be recorded that the most widely ad- vertised item in the United States was communism. Every metropolitan news- paper gives it large free space in the news columns. Every columnist and editorial writer fills his column with warnings and exhortations. From pul- pit, radio, luncheon club, and intimate social circle issues a never-ending stream of discussion. I think back on my personal missionary experience. If only, somehow, we lonely missionaries from
"Utah" could have pro- duced such publicity for our cause. If the 60,000 to 75,000 communist "mis- sionaries" in the United States are human, how they must exult in the daily features, the free advertising, their movement receives!
As a result, the nature, tenets, and personalities of Russian-inspired inter- national communism are probably bet- ter known to the rising generation than the nature, tenets, and personalities of the Christian religion, democracy, or of scientific development. It is possible that only Joe Palooka, Dick Tracy, and Lil' Abner, their wills and ways, are as commonplace as the goings and comings of Stalin, Molotov, Vishinsky, et al. This may not be actually true, but the net impact of what daily fills the air is certain to have some impres- sion.
'"Together with this phenomenal pub- licity has grown an atmosphere of fear. Prominent speakers warn their women's club audiences about the "danger" to "American principles." Men and women in high places and low are suspected of "dangerous" thoughts. No one can discount the dangers of the Russian-inspired ma- terialist faith that is called communism. But thinking citizens may well question whether fear, hysteria, loyalty investi- gations, and fulsome oaths are the way to combat such a menace. In any event, totalitarian methods should be avoided in coping with the totalitarian menace. We should remember the futility of the Inquisition.
HP he Russian state of Lenin and Stalin appeared as the first one- party totalitarian state of the twentieth
AUGUST 1949
century. Those who refused to think as the party directed were beaten, killed, exiled, or frozen by fear into submissive silence. It is the history of religious and political thought that no man can be forced to think an- other's thoughts against his will. He may be persuaded, bribed, and beaten. But if he, like John Huss, St. Paul, Galileo, or Joan of Arc, insists on the integrity of individual conscience, death itself will not change his view. The founders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints well re- membered this experience. On August 17, 1835, they adopted a declaration of belief which stated:
We believe that no gov- ernment can exist in peace, except such laws are framed and held inviolate as will secure to each indi- vidual the free exercise of conscience. ... (D. & C. 134:2.)
Governments, whether of church or state, can exist where freedom of conscience is violated — as witness the modern world scene. But they do not exist in peace. They are held together by fear, regi- mentation, thought control, and all the arts of propaganda, secret police, and neighbor spying upon neighbor. This is not peace. Persecution against con- science cannot be tolerated. From Roger Williams down, this has been the American inheritance. It may be a hard thought to some, but freedom of conscience, even for communists and their ilk, must be maintained in America. This does not mean that communists are free to act contrary to the interests of law and good order. But in the long run it is as important for a communist to have freedom of conscience in America as it is for a non-communist to have freedom of conscience in Russia. The cause of freedom in the world will not be served should American government suspend the Constitution, and force everyone to think alike.
HPhe real menace attached to current communism, is the atmosphere of fear. No amount of patriotic shouting about Americanism, no witch hunts through educational institu- tions and public employments will compensate for the absence of a vital, living faith and atone for the presence of fear. The combination of fear and successful communist publicity
(whether favorable or unfavorable
[Concluded on page 510)
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M Men and Gleaners are, reading from left to right, front row: Ruth Ann khees, Elna Dawn Kirk, Joyce Dickemore, Ferol Cragun, Melba Johns, Laura Harris. Second row: Odeal Kirk, M Men leader; Nanette Budge, Gwenda Cragun, Mildred Cragun, Gleaner leader; Delores Bernett, Gleana Marriot, LaVern Humphreys, Vila Halliday, Shirley Gerard, Ilia Stanly, Ida June Summers, Maurece Thinnes. Third row: Richard Cragun, Delbert Dickemore, Bob Barett, Aldine Case, Levi Cragun, Luan Ferrin, Sylvia Bernett, Quin Call, Barbara Tarren, and Elmer Bailey.
IT CAN BE DONE
330 Judge Bldg. Phone 4-8451
Salt Lake City. Utah
The M Men and Gleaners of Pleasant View Ward, Ben Lo- mond Stake, have purchased and installed a new electric organ in their chapel. How they did it is marvelous to learn, for it sounds as if they had the best time ever. Here is what one of their M Men, Luan Ferrin, stated:
For as long as I can remember in the P. V. Ward, there has been an old standby. This old standby was a reed organ which in the early days of our ward was the pride and joy of the people.
It was not a cheap organ but one of the finest anywhere. Down through the years when different men were called in to tune the organ, they always remarked on the fine workmanship and the clear tone quality of this old masterpiece. It served as a center for religious activities and was loved by all, young and old alike.
However, like all good servants, age caught up with it. The organ found it increasingly hard to satisfy the people, for along with other advancements came bigger and more beautiful instruments. The M Men and Gleaners of our ward, facing a long winter, felt the need of a project that would keep up the interest of the group.
Elder Odeal Kirk, who several years ago moved to our ward from Magna, Utah, is M Men director. Sister Mildred Cragun has been guiding the Gleaners.
Elder Kirk suggested that the M Men and Gleaners unite on the project and purchase a new electric organ. The group literally flew at the idea. Committees were ap- pointed; meetings were held; and
484
a general busy-ness stirred the group. Members who before sel- dom had come were now on the job every week. Some folk dis- couraged us, and some openly op- posed our project, but our deter- mination was only strengthened by the opposition, and several weeks before Christmas we had our first event. This affair was in the form of a country store. A widely known entertainer, J. P. Herrick, consented to auction our produce. After we sold everything from chickens to baled hay, we found we had taken in $700.00. It was a very happy group that planned the next event.
We decided to have a vaudeville and began to sell tickets, but the bishop told us we shouldn't, so we turned back the $200.00, we had collected, and told the people who came to give what they wanted. We took in $250.00. Then we had picture shows which netted us $120.00. We held food sales— and reached a new high for money col- lected.
This was not only a good project for the M Men and Gleaners, but it unified the ward also, keeping all the ward members interested.
Ctrangely enough, this is not a large ward; its membership is 444 — which makes it one of the small wards. But the M Men and Glean- ers had the will, and they found the way. The project was commenced December 11, 1948, and was com- pleted March 29, 1949. On May 8, 1949, Roy Darley, assistant Tabernacle organist, played a recital on the new organ to the satisfaction and uplift of the entire ward.
— M. C. /.
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA
THE CHURCH MOVES ON
-^v <UJau Jo <=JJau L^kronoloau Ksf L^fuirch (L-uentd
JUNE 1949
C The Santa Cruz Branch chapel of the Northern Cali- " fornia Mission was dedicated by Mission President German E. Ellsworth.
o William B. Smart of Salt Lake City was appointed 0 to the Y.M.M.I.A. general board.
Mrs. Phyllis Hawkes Shorten of Ogden, Utah, was appointed to the Primary Association general board.
9
After careful consideration the decision was reached that the Y.M.M.I.A. would continue to maintain minimum age requirements for Boy Scouts and Explorers at twelve and fifteen. On May 24, the national council had given the various sponsoring organizations the option of lowering the age requirements to eleven and fourteen.
I A President Oscar A. Kirkham of the First Council -*- " of the Seventy addressed nearly four hundred youths of the stakes and mission in the northwest, at Portland, Oregon. Sessions of the youth conference continued June
II and 12.
1 O Elder Henry D. Moyle of the Council of the •*• " Twelve delivered the baccalaureate sermon before the graduating class of the University of Utah.
Shirley M. Palmer was sustained as president of the Oneida (Idaho) Stake, with Gottfried Schwartz and Elden S. Tanner as counselors.
Presiding Bishop LeGrand Richards dedicated the Thomas Ward, Blackfoot (Idaho) Stake, chapel.
j C The Y.W.M.I.A. Camping Conference convened at ■* M The Wigwam (Boy Scout Camp), in Mill Creek Canyon. It continued the following day with an institute at Jordan Park.
Population reference bureau findings were announced on a study of college graduates of the class of 1924, indi- cating that on the national average, a graduating male had had 1.77 children, and a graduating woman, 1.26. How- ever, Brigham Young University students led the list of college graduates in establishing homes with children. The men averaged 3.47 children, the women 2.45.
The appointment of Crawford Gates of Brigham Young University's music faculty, to the general board of the Y.M.M.I.A., was announced.
16
The first annual Improvement Era Writers' Con- ference was attended by over one hundred fifty writ- ers. It featured a general session, a writers' luncheon, three departmental seminars, and a concluding general session.
The M.I. A. Drama Festival, held at Kingsbury Hall, University of Utah, campus consisted of four road show acts, a play, and part of an operetta. Two complete per- formances were given during the evening.
President David O. McKay dedicated the buildings and grounds of the Northern Utah Region of the Church welfare plan, Ogden, Utah.
-j n The fiftieth annual M.I.A. conference began with an •■■ ■ early morning reception on Temple Square, at which the executives and members of both general boards were in the receiving line. Speakers at the morning conference session included President George Albert Smith, Elder John A. Widtsoe of the Council of the Twelve, General Superintendent Elbert R. Curtis and General President
AUGUST 1949
Bertha S. Reeder of the M.I.A. The Friday afternoon gen- eral session featured Elder Ezra Taft Benson as a speaker. Both meetings were held in the Tabernacle.
Twenty-five thousand persons saw the M.I.A. Dance Festival at the University of Utah stadium.
1 O For the most part, the M.I.A. conference day was *- ° devoted to departmental sessions. One of these was an Indian correlation meeting at which the music was furnished by an Indian girls' chorus, and the praying and part of the speaking was done by Indians.
During June conference, the M.I.A. Music Festival was held in the Tabernacle. It featured a 1 200-voice youth chorus, made up of Y.M. and Y.W.M.I.A. members from all over the Church.
-j Q An M.I.A. testimony meeting was held in the Taber- ■*• ** nacle. An afternoon general session also convened in the Tabernacle. In the evening a discussion by youth was directed by Assistant Superintendent Ralph W. Hardy. President David O. McKay addressed the youth confer- ence.
Elder Harold B. Lee of the Council of the Twelve dedicated the Ukiah Branch chapel, Northern California Mission.
Speaking from New York City on "Faith for Today," Elder Wallace F. Bennett delivered the Church of the Air address on a nationwide radio network. The Sunday School treasurer was in the East on business, as current president of the National Manufacturer's Association.
2 A The San Fernando (California) Stake choral society " presented the dramatic cantata, The Liahona, in the Tabernacle on Temple Square.
The sixty-eighth anniversary of the founding of the general board was noted by a luncheon of present and former members of the Y.W.M.I.A. general board.
O 0 The appointment of Asahel D, Woodruff, dean of " " the graduate school at Brigham Young University, to the general board of the Deseret Sunday School Union was announced.
Approximately 5,000 oldsters, seventy years old or over, attended the annual Old Folks' Day in Salt Lake City's Liberty Park.
20 Robert D. Young was named president of the Salt ** Lake Temple, succeeding Elder Joseph Fielding Smith of the Council of the Twelve. President Young, formerly president of the Manti Temple, will assume his duties in August, as the temple reopens after a summer vacation.
Year Book of Facts and Statistics 1949, a forty-eight page pamphlet issued under the direction of the Council of the Twelve, came from the press.
O A Steam shovel equipment began operations at the " ■* site of the Primary Children's hospital in Salt Lake City. Ground for the new structure had been broken April 1.
o 0 Elder Henry D. Moyle of the Council of the ** " Twelve dedicated the Alameda Ward chapel, Oak- land (California) Stake.
La Cresentia Ward, San Fernando (California) Stake, was created from parts of the Glendale East Ward. Joseph E. Rich is bishop of the new ward.
(Concluded on page 537) 485
MISSIONARIES ENTERING THE MISSIONARY HOME APRIL II, AND DEPARTING APRIL 20, 1949
Reading from left to right, first row: Derrell Milo Anderson, Boyd G. Pett, Theral R. Nielsen, S. LeRoy Middaugh, John Gerald Bjarnson, Loras Burke Tan- gren, LaMar Floyd Evans, James L. Swapp.
Second row: Estelle Moe, Carolyn Robertson, Wil- liam Thornton, Hazel Skouson, Don B. Colton, di- rector; Bonnie Ellis, Edward R. Tolman, Eliza Car- penter, Fay Lunceford, Lila Mae Astle.
Third row: Lorenzo Hawkins, Mary R. Hawkins, John A. Green, Ralph L. Webb, Ray E. Christensen, Bertha M. Newman, Mary Bird, Marie G. Charles- worth, Dimple Aycock.
Fourth row: Keith J. Chapman, Allen Henry How- ard, LaRell David Muir, Ernest LaVar Gunderson, Roy A. Christensen, Eldene Taylor, Lenore Reynolds, Ina R. Butterworth, llean G. Corbridge.
Fifth row: Carl Mellor, Willard K. DeGraffenreid , George W. Hatch, Abigail W. Sant, Walter R. Sant, M. W. VanSeters, Evan A. VanSeters, Grace L. Hunzeker, Lillas Swensen, Donald S. Gray.
Sixth row: Grant C. Howard, Nephi W. Bushman,
William J. Pratt, David Stanley Pulsipher, Jack Sommer, Harvey D. Dimond, Lowell A. Nielsen, Bruce
B. White, Walter D. Halliday, Keith G. Markham. Seventh row: J. Quentin Midgley, Vern R. Wigant,
Grant A. Adams, Robert J. Fenton, Laurence Duke Smith, Donald L. Graviet, Keith J. Meldrum, Junior G. Garlick, Alan Johnson.
Eighth row: Kent Tonks, Darrell G. Kippen, Robert R. Rasmuson, Don W. Hill, Russell Dwayne Crockett, Dean H. Christensen, Edmund O. Greenwood, Horace David Nelson, George Stanton Knowlden, Don Frank Dailey.
Ninth row: Reed H. Neilson, Eugene S. Dahl, Rob- ert R. Stevens, Alan G. Elder, Earl G. McLain, Franklin Daly, Earl W. Dickman, Mary C. Nevers, Reeda M. Bjarnson.
Tenth row: Carmen Bitter, Phyllis Jenkins, Ima Lucille Christofferson, Carol Welding, Carl G. Brown,
C. Denton Brough, William R. Southwick, Richard Keith McDonald, Reginald R. Dorff, Thomas V. Ras- mussen.
Eleventh row: Carol Taylor, Grace Bowman, La- verle Morley, Wesley Ruane Law, Ray L. White, Reed K. Curtis, Claire J. Fisher.
Twelfth row: Donna Mae Corbridge, Thelma Esther Dustin, Martha Parrish, Shirley S. Simmons, Alice Sargent, Ralph McFarland, Charles R. Oniones, Curtis Wright, Roland Hanson, Raymond S. Jensen.
Thirteenth row: Richard Beazer, Rulon Judd, Bob Calderwood, Audrey Elaine Montague, Serge Wood- ruff, Phoebe Williams, Franklin Hyrum Millet, Paul E. Richardson, Glen L. Nelson.
Fourteenth row: Roberta F. Carpenter, Ted Shum- way, Keith T. Nelson, Harold A. Brooks, James R. Lindsley, Gordon A. Madsen, Fanny G. Brunt, David A. Erickson.
Fifteenth row: Berk Washburn, Reed Crapo, Duane Major, Harry Trice, Richard Potts, Richard Brown, Darwin Hansen.
Sixteenth row: Earl S. Jones, Richard G. Green- land, Rulon Lee, Ray L. Montgomery, Richard B. Allen.
Seventeenth row: Barton C. Olsen, Glendon E. Steiner, Raymond A. Webb, Glen T. Bean, Clarence S. Sharp, Leland H. Florence, Theodore A. Miller, Dale E. Dawson, Dean S. Alger, Dean L. Palmer, De- Waldo Potter, Edwin C. Cook.
Departing Missionaries
MISSIONARIES ENTERING THE MISSIONARY HOME JUNE 6, AND DEPARTING JUNE 15, 1949
Reading from left to right, first row: Byron E. Jones, Edgar Neel, Gerald R. Thomson, Herbert D. Papenfuss, Darlene A. James, Don B. Colton, director; Thelma R. Butterfield, Shirla V. Howell, Vera Schofield, Betty N. Miller, Phyllis Earl.
Second row: Lucele Kartchner, Laurie Dea Thomp- son, Phyllis Maurine Beard, John Richard Walker, Arthur Daniel Lindquist, Ranee Wilde, Mary Osgu- thorpe, Lora Dunn, Ernest H. Webb, Joseph M. Newey, Kenneth Wayne Park, Arnold A. Williams.
Third row: T. W. Gardner, Amelia P. Gardner, Ora Mae Bishop, Dorothy Eckersell, Ernest D. Smith, Dean R. Crump, Boyd G. Parker, Clair E. Snow, Louis Howell, Carl D. Loveless, Raymond Jones, Bartola Ramirez, Betty Lou Tanner.
Fourth row: Marie Allred, Harold L. Richards, Richard Merrill, Leland C. Grant, Ned B. Bethers, Owen Garlick, Benton L. Blake, Newell Kay Rich-
ardson, Kenneth Munk, Garrett Thain, Dennis Funk, Mrs. W. S. Erickson, W. S. Erickson.
Fifth row: Arleen Smith, Margaret P. Petersen, Dorothy M. Blackham, Keith Bischoff, Dorothy Crookston, Rex Thomas Price, Bryce E. Goodwin, Marion S. Wittwar, Deon L. Hendrickson, William B. Stanger, Donna Buttars, Virgil Ricks, Arturo R. Martinez.
Sixth row: Edward R. Gwynn, Wayne Berry, Dean W. Packard, Paul Kent Cropper, Joseph Brick Holt, Joel R. Bischoff, Conley S. Thatcher, Robert L. Leake, Max Holman, Ferol LaRae Poulson, Norine Butler, Garth B. Whitney.
Seventh row: Valden Jay Wood, Pearson S. Cor- bett, Richard S. Watson, Grant Budge Wiser, Bruce Conrad Bushel!, Cuma Poulton, Shirl H. Bunting, Boyd A. Hansen, Rena Jewel Curtis, Jenice Alene Hardy, Nola F. Heppler, Byron J. Gooch.
Eighth row: Barbara Higginbotham, Donna Mae Linford, Merwin Voyle Sorenson, Forrest Hyrum Nulph, Alice May Cutler, Robert E. Schneider, Lois
Kelsey, Valena Ballard, Mildred Ann Widdison, Elwin O. Barnum.
Ninth row: Margaret Millett, Glenn W. Hunt, Rogers F. Lambert, Emmett R. Nulph, Dale Steiner, Warren Floyd, Dean Brian, Jerald P. Squire, Glenn M. St rattan, Joseph B. Abegg, Fay Olsen, Hilda Baldauf, Ray L. Carter.
Tenth row: Dean O. Peck, Wilford Bruce Hilton, Richard B. Miskin, Wilford J. Tolman, Sylvan M. Anderson, Norman F. Hurst, Gordon H. Lee, Gerald Morris, Milford C. Cottrell, Wayne W. Probst, Elaine H. Higgins, Calvin L. Maxfield, John L. Anderson.
Eleventh row: Florence Larkin, Shirley M. Johnson, Louis Nielsen, LaWana King, James C. Richards, Ray C. Meldrum, Loy G. Hatch, Lawrence J. Spjute, Grant E. Broderick, Theron Bowles, Carl J. Carlson.
Twelfth row: Rex L. Allred, William Dean Wood, Walter A. Kramer, A. Darrell Rigby, George Joe Thain, James M. Wagstaff, Sherwin H. Larsen, Essie L. Wright, Roald E. Peterson, Keith Crandell.
486
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA
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lew luxury train — new low fare — new fast schedule! The beautiful Shasta Daylight now links Portland and San Francisco in a 15%- hour run (7:45 a.m. to 1 1 .15 p.m.), lets you see the whole Pacific Coast by day.
Now you can see the whole Pacific Coast by Daylight. Through the huge "Sky- view" picture windows of the Shasta Daylight you see Lassen Peak, Shasta Dam's Lake and Pit River Bridge, breath-taking Sacramento River Canyon, mighty Mt. Shasta, the Cascade Moun- tains, Odell Lake, the Willamette River.
Together with our California Dayligh ts, this new streamliner shows you the world's greatest parade of ocean and mountain scenery — all by daylight, in streamlined chair cars, at lowest fares.
The Shasta Daylight is custom-built for the route it serves. Decoration and
S*P
color schemes were taken from the scen- ery along the way.
Its enormous windows — nearly 30% taller and wider than the extra large windows on our other Daylights — are especially designed for viewing mountain scenery. A "breathing" apparatus pre- vents fogging of the glass. All seats are of soft foam rubber. Luggage is safely stored in baggage elevators, out of your way. Feather-touch doors open and close automatically.
Traveling to or from the Pacific North- west, plan to ride the Shasta Daylight.
it: Send for free folders.
SOUTHERN PACIFIC'S FOUR SCENIC ROUTES
showing the route of the Daylights in black
r
O. V. Gibson, 14 S. Main St. Salt Lake City 1, Utah
Please send me, free, your natural-color booklet, "The New Shasia Daylight", and trip planning folder, "See the Pacific Coast by Daylight in 5 Days".
Name
The friendly Southern Pacific
Address, City
.State.
AUGUST 1949
487
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Y.M.M.I.A. HONOR CERTIFICATES
Explorer post advisers and scout- masters listed below have been recognized for efficient leader- ship. They have received a special honor certificate awarded by the general superintendency of the Y.M.M.I.A. to exploring and scout- ing leaders who have completed a required leadership program, unit- ing the spiritual phase of the pro- gram with the standards and prac- tices of the Church.
The honor certificate require- ments are based upon a nine-point program, as illustrated in the 1949- 50 requirements for Exploring ad- visers :
1. Participating in youth leadership pro- gram
2. Urging by a personal campaign with each Explorer the non-use of liquor and tobacco
3. Urging each Explorer to observe a sa- cred Sabbath
4. Conducting impressive carry-on exer- cises for all Boy Scouts entering the Explorer posts
5. Urging proper respect for the house of worship and Church authorities
6. Using eight discussion topics on the "Qualities of Attractive Manhood" pre- pared by Superintendent Ralph W. Hardy, as a basis for discussion in eight unit meetings
7. Participating of Explorer post in at least one inter-unit athletic activity dur- ing the year (all camping is conducted according to Latter-day Saint stand- ards)
8. Seeing that Explorers meet the require- ments of "duty to God" before advanc- ing from one rank to another, with at least ten percent of the post qualifying for the Deseret Recognition award
9. Carrying out an active social program
■ ♦
THE HOUSE OF WISDOM
By Clarence Edwin Flynn
Wisdom keeps a wide house On an open street, On a crest inviting All earth's questing feet
Pleasant is her fireside, Nourishing her bread. Wisdom sets a table Always richly spread.
Though her house is spacious, And has room to spare, Only honest seekers Can be happy there.
Sons of truth arriving Enter in and stay, But the sons of darkness Turn and go their way.
ten
in harmony with the Explorer-Junior five-point social program
Certificate winners for the 1948- 49 season are:
Tendoy Area Council (Idaho)
Scoutmasters: LeRoy Hirschi, St. Charles; Zendell M. Hale, Pocatel- lo.
Mr. Lassen Council (California)
Scoutmaster: Dean R. Myers, Redding.
3 G Council (Arizona)
Scoutmasters: Bernard Clawson, Safford; Virgil Jones, Duncan; J. Leo Mortensen, Thatcher; Farr D. Taylor, Pima; Roland W. Corri- veau, Globe; Earl B. Young, Jr., Morenci.
Post Advisers: Reef P. Kelly, Safford; L. M. Hatch, Duncan.
Roosevelt Council (Arizona)
Scoutmasters: Joseph J. Criswell, Floyd J. Bennett, J. Winton Miller, Ellis D. Biggs, and W. Kenneth Huish, Mesa.
Post Adviser: Oral Lee Moore, Mesa.
Ogden Area Council (Utah)
Scoutmasters: William Poole, Warren N. Shurtliff, Howard E. Watts, and C. Michael Larsen, Og- den; Ray M. Wangsgard, Hunts- ville.
Post Advisers: Robert Ray Wade, Ogden; Ted Valentine and Martella T. Nelson, Brigham; Burns H. Wangsgard, Huntsville.
Salt Lake Area Council (Utah)
Scoutmasters: Clyde D. Glad and Walter A. Christensen, Salt Lake City.
Post Advisers: Rue Sanders and Knight B. Kerr, Salt Lake City.
Utah National Parks Council (Utah)
Scoutmasters: John F. Abel and Wayne R. McTague, American Fork; Horace W. Hood, Verne S. Nelson, J. Hugh Sellers and How- ard L. Jensen, Provo.
Post Advisers: Rex Larren and Fred S. Doffendoe, Price.
Boise Area Council (Idaho)
Post Advisers: W. Porter May and Dan R. McQueen, Boise.
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA
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STORIES FROM THE BOOK OF MORMON $2.00
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51 great stories from the famous American scripture.
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More true stories of daring and faith.
STORIES OF LATTER-DAY SAINT HYMNS $2.25
By GEORGE D. PYPER
28 authors and 32 composers — their stories of popular Mormon hymns.
DENNIS AND THE MORMON BATTALION $2.25
By MABEL S. HARMER
A boy battalioneer has stirring adventures while he helps make history.
BETSY BUTTONS 75
By ERLA YOUNG
A little girls story, beautifully illustrated of cross- ing the plains, Indians and adventure. Original edition.
BEN THE WAGON BOY $1.50
By HOWARD R. DRIGGS
A boy pioneer comes over the plains with many an adventure.
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By HELEN CORTEZ STAFFORD
Authentic, historical, dramatic story of a good woman's fulfillment of noble purposes formed in a young girl's heart.
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Picture story of the heroic trek, vividly, dramatic- ally told in action pictures.
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DESERET BOOK COMPANY
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AUGUST 1949
489
JUNE CONFERENCE
Jsn J-^ictvire
June 17-19, 1949
7. President George Albert Smith and President George F. Richards look over the June confer- ence program with Superintendent Elbert R. Curtis and President Bertha S. Reeder. Photo, courtesy Salt Lake "Tribune"
2. View of the youth in attendance at the youth conference session in the Tabernacle, June 19. Seated among the youth are President J. Reuben Clark, Jr., and President David O. McKay of the First Presidency, and Elder Stephen L Rich- ards of the Council of the Twelve and author of "The Case for Virtue" being used to empha- size the M.I. A. theme for 1949-50. Photo, courtesy Salt Lake "Tribune"
3. One view of the great interest shown in the handicrafts section held at the Lion House. Photo, courtesy Salt Lake "Tribune"
4. Narrators for the Dance Festival: Shauna Mc- Latchy and Lvnn McKinlay. Photo, courtesy "Deseret News"
5. View of the music festival, Crawford Gates conducting, 1200 participants. Photo, courtesy Salt Lake "Tribune"
6. Floor Show, Dance Festival, one of many origi- nal floor shows presented. Photo, courtesy Salt Lake "Tribune"
7. Floor Show featuring black light- Idaho. Photo, courtesy Venice dance director
-from Nampa, Grant, stake
8. Bee Hive Group, demonstrating the organiza- u0n ?j responsibility: Ann C. Larson, general board; Maxine Garff, stake bee keeper; Barbara Reynolds, ward bee keeper; and Charlotte Shef- field Bee Hive Girl. Photo, courtesy Salt Lake
Tribune
9. Boy Scout-Explorer Barbecue. Photo, courtesy Salt Lake Tribune
10. Reception line at beginning of conference, June U, on the tabernacle grounds. Photo, courtesy
Deseret News
11. Photograph of the M.I.A. general boards. Photo courtesy D. F. Davis
12. MI.A. dance festival — at the moment of praver Photo, courtesy "Deseret News"
13. M.I.A. General Executives: Superintendent El- bert R. Curtis and President Bertha S. Reeder- First Counselor Emily H. Bennett, First Assistant Superintendent A. Walter Stephenson, Second Counselor LaRue C. Longden, Second Assistant Superintendent Ralph W. Hardy. Photo, courtesy D. F. Davis
14.
Scene from "The Other Apostle" at drama festi- val, June 16, 1949. Photo, courtesy "Deseret
NOCTURNE
By Beulah Huish Sadleir
/^\h, calm, cool night,
^^ That rode in on an evening cloud,
Spread your blue-black majesty
Over a parched summer earth
Andgive man a chance to rest from
Day's exacting pace.
Let yourself in mystic stillness
Whisper to the trees,
And in their rustled symphony of strings
Give him music to drown
Day's raucous sounds.
Hasten not the sleeper — oh, night, Neither the builder of dreams, For he that is not robbed of you Will awaken to a better dawn.
And once again, wondrous savant of old, Whose magic incites love's timeless trend, Cause this love, enrobed in garments of Faith and peace, to know man's soul And fill his hungering need. 490
■ \
THE MISSIONARY
By Alice Morrey Bailey
HE needs no robe to set himself apart. He wears authority! His countenance Shines with his faith and purity of heart. He heeds the call of holy circumstance And bears the greatest privilege known to
man. His path may lead to thrones or lowly
berth; His gift is life, through God's appointed
plan, And his the message angels brought to
earth.
He worships where his fathers' altars
burned And sees their labors brought from many
lands, The precious yield of humble and of
learned. High on a mighty eminence he stands And lifts the flame of those who have gone
by, For he shall fling its light beyond the sky.
MY FATHER
By Leone E. McCune
I SEE him still, behind his plow; His muscled body swings Along the rough, uneven swell Of fields; his heart within him sings.
I see him still; he's bent and old; But joy lights fading eyes. He prunes the roses by his gate Under the soft, blue, summer skies.
This is his joy, his love, his faith, Collaborating with his God, Throughout the years to help create Earth's precious life from seed and sod.
A FARM NEEDS A BOY By Mildred Gofi
A farm needs a boy. Nothing else takes the place Of a quick-footed boy With a tan-freckled face. To fish in the brook, To slide in the hay, To hunt for the eggs That are hidden away, To greet every morning With a wild shout of joy, To make life worth living, A farm needs a boy!
DAWNBREAK
By Ella Waterbury Gardner ran up the curtain,
I
And there was the moon, A crescent through foliage Across the sky strewn.
I ran up the curtain, And there I could see The bridal wreath tapping The window for me.
With sharp little chirpings The birds were awake. But all else was silence At breathless dawnbreak.
W
HERE, IN SUMMER By Elaine V. Emans
hen you declared, "It will be thus and so,"
Dreaming of summertime, in winter's grip, I said, 'You overdream her; she will slip In quietly and warmly." But I know, Now, she is more than prisoners in snow Could well remember, from the nectar-sip Of every bee at flower to the tip Of each wing-lifting butterfly; from doe With nuzzling fawn to piquancy of wren, And thrasher aria; from waving wheat To cumuli within the river when The day is quiet. Here, in summer, meet Even more joys than could be dreamed by
men Walking a snowy lane, an icy street.
RAIL FENCES By Alice Josephine Wyatt
"Dail fences marked the farmers' shoe-
■■■*- string parks
Inhabited by orioles and larks,
And strung with berries winding like red beads
Dotted through the flowers and the weeds.
Here weary men could leave the horse and plow
To take the shade of some wild cherry bough,
And doze a while, or watch a copper bee
That exercised his grand monopoly
On some defenseless, honey-hoarding flow- er
With one drop hidden in its petaled bower.
Here butterflies were flung on silent wings In colored squadrons like enchanted things. These fragile flower-like bombers had one
duty — Their flying mission was not death, but
beauty.
All loveliness and fences are akin —
The path of peace they weave is genuine.
TIME IS A GIFT
By Mary O'Connor
' I 'ime is a woven filigree * of moments and their hours Required to weave a tapestry
of strength or fragile flowers. Time is the God-gift briefly held
by men both rich and poor, A thing to which their faith can weld
a life that stands secure. And they may waste it, bit by bit,
or make each second serve To glorify and gladden it
with every bone and nerve. Time is the space allotted man
to make all hatred cease And live within the prayerful plan
of brotherhood and peace.
WESTERN MANNA
By Ruth C, Ikerman
HPhe desert to me was a wilderness until I *• learned that God
Provides there beauty, daily manna despite sun's hot rays.
Now he speaks to me from out that burning bush, the ocotillo.
His silver smoke tree guides, pillar of cloud through the days.
ENOUGH
By Mabel Jones Gabbott
Ts this enough to bring my heart content: •*• The gleam of crystal in low candlelight, A coverlet laid smooth, a fragile white Old vase with roses spilled, like love well- spent?
Or this: the laughter in my daughter's eyes,
The warm pink glow of health that lights her face,
Her tawny hair, sun-filled, her swift em- brace?
Is there on earth a more endearing prize?
Is this enough: your need that meets my own,
In sun and storm, the certainty that whether
Joy or sorrow comes, we are together,
Two as one, not each adrift alone.
Beauty, work, and love: this is "the stuff
That dreams are made of." Yes, it is enough.
492
— Photo, Godsey from Monkmeyer
REFLECTIONS
By Thelma Ireland
* I vhe lake spread out her apron ■*■ Of ruffled, blue percale To catch the downy snowball clouds That rode the azure veil.
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA
ESSINGS FOR YOUTH
Dm l^resiaevit (ueorae ^Mloert ^mith
(From a Talk Delivered at the M.I. A. June Conference, Friday, June 17, 1949.)
V.
his is a beautiful picture. It has been an inspiration to me to be here this morning, and as I have sat here, I have gone over in my mind nearly seventy years of my life in M,LA. and I have discovered that there is so much that has come to me as a blessing from this marvelous organization that I have no way of telling you adequately about it.
I wonder if you realize what a power for good this institution holds, with approximate- ly one hundred seventy-five thousand mem- bers. Think what it means to be identified with such a group.
Here we are in this great tabernacle that has been dedicated to the Lord for worship. We have not filled all the seats this morning, but it is a marvelous audience, and I am grateful to be able to be here.
My mind has gone back over my experi- ences in M.I. A., the development that has been made. When I realize that we are not only representing here a community such as we have in this valley, but you are repre- sentatives of groups of people who have pushed out into other states and territories and nations, how grateful I am! If we are doing our full duty in each of these places, there are those who have joy in making the lives of their associates rich by companion- ship. There is an influence for good in a congregation like this in this great house. My feelings are subdued when I realize what a privilege has been mine for seventy years to mingle with men and women and boys and girls in the great audiences that have been assembled here.
I have never learned anything in M.I. A. that was not beneficial. I have learned many things, but all were for the best, and when I have taken advantage of the advice and counsel and the programs that were pre- pared for us, my life has been enriched, and my happiness has been increased.
Today there are thousands of our young
people who would be glad to be here with us, and it would be a blessing to them as well as to us if they could be here.
We have listened to quite a number of those who have been on the program this morning. I wonder sometimes if we realize that every one of these is a child of our Heavenly Father. Every one that has talked to us, or sung for us, or prayed, every one is not just a man or a woman or a boy or a girl, as we see him; but each one is living eternal life, each one is a child of our Father in heaven. What a wonderful thing it is to know that, and to feel the influ- ence that comes from that knowledge. They are dear to him. He is anxious for their suc- cess and happiness, but there are multitudes of them who have no way of knowing that they are his children unless the membership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints functions in the missionary field and in all parts of the world.
It has been my privilege the last year to have a good many visitors, men and women of prominence, come into the office. It has not been unusual for them to say: "What a delightful place you have to live in." When they have called my attention to that, I have taken them to the window of my office and said: "Can you see that little round knoll out there on the horizon?"
"Yes."
"Can you see a flagpole sticking out of the top of it?"
"Yes."
And then I have said: "That is Ensign Peak. Do you see the trees and the flowers and all the beauty at the top of that peak?"
And they have turned to me questioningly to say: "I can't see any trees of flowers."
And I have remarked: "A little over a hundred years ago when the Latter-day Saints came into this valley, the whole valley looked as barren as Ensign Peak with the
(Continued on page 540)
AUGUST 1949
493
"Youth That Is Clean"
^rrom talkd delivered durina the Ifvl.^J-.^A, Confe Jrn Jhe J^>ait <=JLahe Jabernacie June 17, 1949
erence
By Marilyn Oliver
Obedience and joy go hand in hand. This was realized by the First Presidency when they said, "How glorious and near to the angels is youth that i« clean; this youth has joy unspeakable here and eternal happiness hereafter."
Cleanliness of body and mind is essential, for our mortal bodies house the Spirit of God, and impurities of speech ejected from these tabernacles are soiling that which belongs to God. The language of Adam was pure and undefined, and so should we strive to make ours. God gave men language as a means for them to communicate with each other, that they might express their ideas, hopes, and beliefs, and pass on the knowledge and wis- dom they have received in their lives.
As members of the kingdom of God, it is our duty to keep our language pure and clean, for our Father in heaven commanded it of us when he said, ". . . let all things be done in cleanliness before me" (D. & C. 42: 41 ) and "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain." (Ex. 20:7.) Incomprehensible is the joy that will be ours if we obey these com- mandments.
The man or woman who abuses our language is committing sacrilege, for sacrilege is the violation of anything that is sacred or holy, and surely our language can be considered to be such, for it is the means by which we teach his commandments unto others. The person thus committing sacrilege does not have the great joy or happiness that the righteous and obedient pos- sess. When a thought, word, or story comes to our mind that we wish to express, we might say to our- selves, "Would I want my Father in heaven to hear me say this?" And if our answer is no, we will know that we should not speak; and thus we can judge our speech; for God does hear the things we say, and he will remember if we keep our tabernacles pure before him by using language that is beautiful and not cor- rupted.
May our desire be like that of the Psalmist when he said, "Let the words of my mouth, and the medita- tion of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord . . . my redeemer," (Psalm 19:14). This is my prayer, and I ask it in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 494
1949-50
*. I. \. THE/WE
How <=rforiO«S arid Me*r
to the AngeJs
h YoutK that I* Cie*rt;
Ihh YoutH H« Joy
Unspeakable Here
arte) {rterrtal Happlnew
Hereafter"
3y Frederick Pingree
There was once a very rich ruler who lived in a foreign country. Although he was considered to be one of the wealthiest men in the world, he was very greedy and was always thinking up new ways to get more money; but still he wasn't satisfied. He wanted the most precious thing on earth. He sent out three of his subjects to bring back such a treasure. When the first presented his find to the king, it was a beautifully ornamented ring of gold. The king was pleased with this, but he hoped for something better. The second then presented the king with a very large jewel. This man was rewarded greatly. When the third presented his find, he was laughed at, for all he had was a sack of wheat. His reward came when he was cast out of the kingdom and he was mocked for all that year. But the next year came and brought with it a famine. Then the king and his people realized that the common and seemingly unattractive wheat was much more valuable than all the rich treasures put together. They had been judging things by a wrong set of values.
We, the youth of the Church, are sometimes guilty of judging things by a wrong set of values. Such is some- times the case in this matter of moral- ity. Although it is much easier to go along with the crowd and go against what we have been taught, those who keep the law of chastity will be re- warded here and in the life to come. One who is unclean is denied the privilege of entering the temple for marriage and consequently is unable to receive the blessings that come with it. We should strive toward that goal of perfection at all times, remembering that one moment of forgetfulness can bring unhappiness for a whole lifetime. High ideals and a will to do right are the means by which we can make a better life for ourselves both here and in the life to come. The First Presidency told us what could be promised to those who lived right when they said, "How glorious and near to the angels is youth that is clean; this youth has joy unspeakable here and eternal happiness here- after."
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA
TESTIMO
* | f his timely address by Presi- ■*■ dent Clark was given at the Sunday morning session of June con- ference, June 19, 1949, immediately prior to the general testimony bear- ing of the meeting.
MY brothers and sisters: I trust that the blessings of the Lord will be with me as I stand be- fore you today. We are here to bear witness to the goodness and the mercy and the blessings of the Lord, and to testify to the truth of the restored gospel, and to the re- stored priesthood; to the fact that the restoration accomplished by and through the instrumentality of Jo- seph Smith exists today with the same powers, the same authorities, the same blessings, that came through the Prophet himself; that since the Prophet's time, from then until now, there has been an un- broken line of descent of authority; and that President George Albert Smith is the prophet, seer, and revelator, and the President of the Church today, the presiding high priest, just as fully and completely as was the Prophet Joseph when he established the Church.
A testimony is a sacred gift. It is not to be trifled with; it is not a matter to be boasted about; it is a matter to be treated in the greatest humility, to be used whenever the cause of the Lord requires it to be used, to be cherished, nurtured, fed by righteous living.
Many people who come amongst us ask: "What is it that enables you people to work together as you work?" It has seemed to me the answer is simple, and I have so stated to them. We are united, we work together, because of what we call our testimonies, which means our knowledge that this is the work of God, and that we are united in carrying forward his purposes.
A testimony is the thing which gives us the power to endure, en- dure the scoffs and the ridicule that are sometimes heaped upon us, and to endure likewise the praise which comes to us and about us, endure praise so that we may not be turned aside and become proud, boastful,
AUGUST 1949
-JSc
acm
By PRESIDENT J. REUBEN CLARK, JR.
OF THE FIRST PRESIDENCY
and haughty in our attitudes and spirits.
HThere are two kinds of testimony, one which comes from the senses, the eye, the ear, the touch. So far as I am concerned, because I know how uncertain is the eye and the ear and the touch, I have felt that the other testimony, the testimony of the Spirit, was for me the truer one.
As for the testimony of the senses, you will remember that Thomas, one of the Lord's ancient Apostles, was not present at the meeting on the evening of the day of the resur-
PRES1DENT J. REUBEN CLARK, JR.
rection when Christ appeared to the others. They, when he appeared, had not believed until he had by his presence and his words and actions shown them that he was actually the risen Lord. When Thomas was told of this, he said he would not believe "... Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side." (John 20:25.) •
The week following that first meet- ing, the disciples were together again. Thomas was there also. Suddenly into the room came Jesus, even as he had come the week before; he
turned to Thomas and said: "Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing." Thom- as, beholding the Lord, said: "My Lord and my God."
And then the Savior said unto him: "Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." (John 20:27, 28, 29.)
And that is the testimony of the Christ which must come to most of us, the testimony of believing with- out seeing, a testimony which the Lord blessed. And this testimony is the testimony of the Spirit. I want to read to you a few words spoken by Paul to the Corinthians. He said:
For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of a man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually dis- cerned. (I Cor. 2:11-14.)
Later in his epistle, Paul said:
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
For the wisdom of this world is foolish- ness with' God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. (I Cor. 3:16-20.)
(Continued on page 539)
495
Now let me present my view as to the meaning of petra in a little more technical detail than it has hitherto been given. Meanwhile, please bear in mind that Catholics of great reputation in centuries past have not agreed that the word refers to Peter. St. Jerome and Augustine are sufficient witnesses of that fact. Moreover, Protestant scholars have argued with great learning, some agreeing with the Catholics, that the word does refer to Peter, others that it means something else, as we have already seen; however, practically all agree among themselves that the Roman church has made a wrong application of the word, even if it does refer to the man of rock. In the midst of all the confusion, the Latter-day Saints point out that scholarship and tradition have not cleared up the problem; only a new revelation could do that. We believe that Joseph Smith, the living oracle of God, gave the true answer. Rev- elation or the principle of seership is what petra refers to. Once in pos- session of the key to the problem, Mormon scholars can proceed to strengthen the position of the Church in the eyes of men. It is wonderful how simple a riddle can be, once you receive the solution to it! Let us hark back to Matthew 16:16-17, for a moment. It will be recalled that Peter's famous answer, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God," so pleased our Lord that he blessed him by saying:
Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood [mortal man] hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. (Italics author's.)
Why was the Savior pleased? Few or no commentators would dis- agree with me when I say that it was because he found Peter in such a spiritual state that his mind could be marvelously illumined from heav- en. Peter's revelation was the rea- son. Only the Father would mani- fest the Son. (Matthew 11:27; I Cor. 12:3.) Having felicitated Pe- ter, the Lord proceeds to add the important words we have been con- sidering :
And I tell you, you are Petros, and upon this petra I will build my church; . . .
"VTow let us consider the play on words, petros-petra. Any com- petent Greek scholar will admit that the two words are, not different
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PETER'S CONFESSION
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DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY
Part II
forms of the same thing. That is to say, petros and petra are two dis- tinct words, as distinct in Greek as pebble and boulder ate two distinct English words. Petra in Greek is not equivalent to petros any more than a pebble is the same as a boul- der. Had the Greek writer or trans- lator— assuming Matthew to be a Greek translation of a Hebrew or Aramaic original — meant to convey the idea that Peter was the rock upon which the Church was to be built, he would doubtless have writ- ten either, ". . . you are Petros, and upon this P&tros I will build my church . . ." or ". . . you are Petros, and upon you will I build my church. . . ." (Italics author's.) That the writer meant to convey a differ- ent idea is shown in the fact that he wrote Petros and petra, having quite different meanings. A good Greek lexicon such as the new edition of Liddell and Scott will show that petros is used in poetic literature and usually has reference to rocks that can be held in the hand. It may even refer to a kind of reed. An ex- planation is added that "the usual prose word is lithos," Petra, on the other hand, is shown generally to mean a mass of live parent rock such as cliffs, ledges, etc. In fact, petros is, in the nature of things, bound to be a piece of rock derived from the parent mass of rock, petra. In view of the considerable differ- ence in usage between petros and petra, we are justified in concluding that the feminine petra was in- tended by the writer of the Greek text to refer to something other than Peter, the man of rock. What, then, is the antecedent of petra in the Greek text?
In view of the fact that our Lord was so pleased with the revelatory or "seeric" powers of Peter, what could be more reasonable than to
believe that by petra he had refer- ence to the fundamental principle of seership or revelation? That is the great mother rock or principle upon which the Church should be built.
One more thing about the text we have considered: It has been indicated already that some scholars believe it to have been written orig- inally in Aramaic, others in Greek. As for myself, I cannot help be- lieving that Matthew was written in Aramaic and afterward translated into Greek. If this view is correct, it is all the more surprising to find a translator rendering two identical Aramaic words, kepha-kepha, re- spectively into petros-petra, which are far from being identical. Couldn't the reason be that he rec- ognized the true significance of the Aramaic play on words and tried to make it more obvious in the Greek?
I" et us discuss another part of Christ's answer to Peter, par- ticularly "and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it [the Church]." This part of his answer has been grievously misinterpreted in many churches. Most persons, following early commentators, have taken it to mean that hell, the abode of Satan and the infernal powers, would join with the wicked men in attempts to overthrow the Church but should not succeed. None of us doubts, of course, that Satan and his legions have fought and will continue to fight God's work. Nev- ertheless, this is not what the scrip- ture means. Dr. Hugh Nibley, in his article, "Baptism for the Dead in Ancient Times," which appeared in The Improvement Era for De- cember 1948, has discussed it at length and given, I believe, the true solution to the passage. However, let me review it again in my own
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA
way before passing on. The "gates of hell" is rendered in the Greek by the figurative expression "the gates of Hades," and in the Aramaic by the well-known Hebrew equiva- lent, "gates of Sheol." By "Hades" the ancient Greeks meant the abode of the dead. The ancient Hebrews also regarded "Sheol" as the abode of the departed. They viewed it, generally speaking, as a subter- ranean citadel with great gates, which would open to receive the spirits of the dead but would never open to permit them to leave. In "gates of Hades" and "gates of Sheol" we simply have an ancient form of speech which means the power of the kingdom of death. Jesus simply meant then, that the powers of death should not over- power or prevail against the Church. The gates will be opened, permitting the dead to leave Sheol.
In the ancient Coptic version of the passage, we find this interesting rendition: "The gates of Amenti shall not have power against it." In Egyptian the word Amenti has ref- erence to the West, which was the place where the dead went. It will be remembered that during World War I soldiers were prone to say that fallen companions had "gone West." This is our modern version of an old speech custom.
In Matthew 16:19 our Lord speaks of the "keys of the king- dom of heaven," which would give power either to bind or loose in heaven or earth. What is meant by the "keys of the kingdom"? We be- lieve that it refers to certain presid- ing and organizing powers con- ferred on Peter in relation to the work of the Church. It should be noticed that Jesus did not at once confer those powers on Peter. "I
End of the Via Dolorosa — the oldest section of Jerusalem, with its arched, narrow streets.
— Alice Schalek from Three Lion*
will give thee the keys . . ." is what he said. Moreover, it should be ob- served that Peter was not the only one in due time to receive keys. In Matthew 18:18, we find the Christ saying to his appointed Twelve:
Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heav- en: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
How is this scripture to be ex- plained in view of the promise made to Peter? Our friends in the Roman church explain it thus: This extra- ordinary authority was granted to the other Apostles, because of the needs of the Primitive Church. But Christ, they add, did not make the other Apostles equal to Peter, who had been made their supreme head. Our Lord made them the founda- tion of the Church in a secondary or relative manner only: he does not bestow unlimited jurisdiction on them, as he does on Peter. Before being invested with their great pow- ers, which ceased at death, they had been placed under a superior, who was to be for them what Jesus had been. Christ's words to Peter reach beyond him. They were to apply to all his successors to the end of time as the Catholic Church has al- ways maintained. Peter's privilege was not to stop with him, but to pass to all pontiffs who succeeded him in the see of Rome.'
We shall see presently whether this is the most reasonable explana- tion. When did the Christ confer the promised "keys" on Peter? Catholics and Protestants alike do not know. But Joseph Smith, we believe, had the facts revealed to him. He said:
The priesthood is everlasting. The Savior, Moses, and Elias, gave the keys to Peter, James, and John, on the mount, when they were transfigured before him. (D.H.C.. Ill, 387. Cf. D. & C. 63:20-21.)
In other words, the Savior, in company with Moses and Elijah, conferred these keys on Peter, James, and John about a week after he had promised them to Peter. ( Matthew 17:1.) What could be a more appropriate time than that of the transfiguration to confer the keys? This was one of the most im-
5See, for example, L. C. Fillion, S.S., Consultor of the Pontifical Biblical Commission, The Life of Christ, II, 543, 544. Incidentally, this work in three volumes is, in my opinion, one of the finest reference works on the life of Christ ever published. B. Herder Book Co., 15 and 17 South Broadway, St. Louis, Mo.
(Continued on page 498) 497
THE MEANING OF PETER'S CONFESSION
portant acts of the Savior's public ministry. And Fillion rightly points out that the transfiguration was the highest point of the Savior's public life. (Ibid., II, 554.)
What were the roles played by Moses and Elias (Elijah) at the transfiguration? (Matthew 17:3,4.) Moses probably conferred certain keys pertaining to the gathering of Israel on Peter, James, and John. Elijah, on the other hand, must have given to them keys of the sealing powers pertaining to the living and the dead. Latter-day Saints have had revealed to them that Elijah held such keys; these permitted the ancient Saints to be married for time and eternity and to enter into holy places for the purpose of performing baptisms and other gospel ordi- nances for the dead. These ordi- nances were necessary for the right- eous dead if the "gates of Sheol" were not to "prevail" against them. Thus the keys delivered to Peter, James, and John had saving powers beyond the grave. This fact ex- plains I Corinthians 15:29, which passage has been an enigma to most New Testament commentators:
Otherwise, what do people mean by be- ing baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf? (Revised Standard Version.)
In other words, the Primitive Church held the keys which made it possible for saving ordinances to be done vicariously for the dead who receive the gospel beyond the grave and cannot attend to their own bap- tisms and endowments. These must be performed on this side of the grave. It will thus be perceived that the "keys" and the binding and loosing powers promised by the Savior are of tremendous scope and importance. Only a new revelation could impart their full significance to us, because the New Testament reveals very little concerning them.
ceived the promised keys? Keep in mind that the New Testament evi- dence shows that all of the Twelve received keys. (Matthew 16:19; 18:18.) I have to disagree emphati- cally with Fillion ( see above ) when he claims that the Christ did not bestow unlimited jurisdiction on the other Apostles as he did on Peter. Who said so? Certainly not the New Testament. Moreover, he ( Fil- lion) is going beyond the evidence when he holds that Peter was to be for his fellow Apostles what Christ had been for them. When Paul withstood Peter "to the face, be- cause he was to be blamed," it does not appear that the Apostle to the Gentiles regarded the "Rock" as be- ing in the place of Christ. ( Gala- tians 2:11. See also II Cor. 11:5.) Furthermore, the New Testament says nothing about Peter's primacy, nor does it imply that such was to be passed to any pontiffs who should succeed him in the see of Rome. In view of the fact that Fillion says that Christ's words to Peter were to apply to all his (Peter's) successors, may it not be wise to ask, "Who were to be Peter's successors?" When and if Peter passed away, is it not reason- able to believe that all of his special powers would revert to the remain- ing members of the Twelve who held the keys and who had been special witnesses of the Christ? Who can produce a shred of evi- dence that after Peter's death, Linus, Anacletus, Clement, and other so-called "successors of Pe- ter" ever gave orders or directions to the remaining members of the Twelve? Is it not remarkable that during the so-called bishopric of Saint Clement of Rome (A.D. 92- 101. Cayre, Patrology, I, 52 ) , John the Revelator was receiving visions and revelations and giving counsel to the seven churches of Asia ( Rev. 1:4)? John could receive visions and revelations, but his supposed
W
rE have considered the Latter- day view as to the time Peter and his companions received the keys spoken of by our Lord, and also a little description has been given concerning the nature of the binding and loosing powers. Now what was the relation of Peter to his fellow Apostles when he re- 498
THE DEEPEST WELL By Dorothy J. Roberts
'"F'he young heart quails at silence, ■*■ Finds it emptiness; The wise receive from winter Deep, still blessedness.
May the heart grow patient, The spirit understand, Silence is a well of wisdom Deep upon the land.
superior in office, the supposed "suc- cessor to Peter," St. Clement, could not, for does not Cardinal Gibbons say:
The Apostles were endowed with the gift of inspiration, and we accept their writings as the revealed word of God. . . . No Cath- olic, on the contrary, claims that the pope is inspired, or endowed with divine revela- tion properly so-called. ( The Faith o/ Our Fathers, p. 146.)
Is it not hard to believe, under these circumstances, that Clement was a "successor to Peter" when he could not do what his supposed sub- ordinate, John, was able to do for the Church, by giving revelations for his benefit and blessing?
I emphasize that in the light of the New Testament and later Church history it is very reasonable to assume that the relationship of Peter to the other members of the Twelve was this: Peter stood at the head of the Twelve in much the same sense that a chairman stands at the head of a board of directors. Should the chairman die, the board of directors does not fold up. It simply takes over the powers as- sumed by the chairman. If we com- pare the directors to the ancient Apostles, we have a close analogy to the relationship that existed be- tween Peter and his immediate com- panions. Peter was the presiding authority, and when he was slain, his fellow Apostles took over the presiding authority held by him. Moreover, there is no proof that they ever passed it on to any other person or persons. They knew that the hour of anti-Christ was at hand. (I John 2:18.)
Seen purely from the Latter-day Saint point of view, the above paragraph may be amended some- what. As we have already seen, Peter, James, and John received the keys of the kingdom conjointly upon the mount of transfiguration. They doubtless became the presiding quo- rum over the Primitive Church at a later time (Cf. D. & C. 107:22; 7: 7; 27:12, 13; Galatians 2:9) with Peter as the presiding officer. (Cf. D. & C. 107:65, 66.) Keep in mind that James and John must have held the keys equally with Peter in this quorum. (Cf. D. & C. 90:6.) At Peter's death the remaining mem- bers of the Twelve held power with- {Conduded on page 537)
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA
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August is here — the last month of summer. Thirty-one days in b which to harvest summer! You've been counting a lot on this last month. June was over before you knew it, and July was wonder- ful, but it was filled with vacations within vacations, and the heat and activity were intense. It's strange that no matter how well you try to remember and plan for the days of July, you are always limper than you think. Not so in August!
A lovely month! In the first place, by August you're getting used to the temperature, and you're begin- ning to feel really firm about all your summer resolves. You begin
By MARY BRENTNALL
So let's turn the page on July and open to that beautiful inviting month of August.
Have you thought of making yourself a calendar? The long, hard
let's Talk It Over
labor was done for you in ages past — the determining of the seasons and the years — the months and the days. The spacing of seconds and
actually to do something about the things you hoped to accomplish in summer. Whether you planned on getting a sun tan or painting a pic- ture — on improving your tennis stroke or picking more fruit than anyone else in your world — on win- ning the 4-H awards, becoming the most honorable of Honor Bees, or making that final climb to Eagle scouthood — you probably haven't done quite as well as you hoped up to now. But August is another chance — a lovely final opportunity.
AUGUST 1949
—Photo by U.S. Forest Service
minutes and hours. All the heavy work was handed to you "for free" — all the drudgery and mathematics and cross-eyed peering through telescopes. Yours is the fun. How about making a calendar something like this:
A ugust 1. Sit down and plan just how much more work you need to do in order to lift your end of the family load? Have you been doing it? Just what were your assignments this summer — dishes, ironing, bak-
ing, milking, irrigating, carrying a paper route — just what were they? There's only this month left to give your family a fair return. What about it?
August 2. Set your alarm at the exact hour you've decided to get up, and do it. Get up when it rings. Yesterday you turned it off and went back to sleep. But no more of that. This is the last lovely month of summer — August. Have you been up at sunrise this year to hear the birds, to smell the dew on the field, to pick a ripe melon for breakfast, to walk barefooted in the grass? Yesterday your alarm woke your dad. He didn't mind too much — he got up and went to work. But he didn't enjoy the morning. He was too tired. You're not too tired to look and listen and feel and see. Get up and out. When you come in, read the eighty-eighth sec- tion of the Doctrine and Covenants. You'll know what it means — at least part of it.
August 3. Now tackle the other end of the day. You need fun and recreation — singing and dancing and laughing. But it has to end sometime — now doesn't it? So there's no reason why it shouldn't end before midnight instead of after. Actually there are a dozen reasons why it should end at 11 :00 p.m. in- stead of 1 :00 a.m. There are a hun- dred reasons why it is better to fin- ish at 10:00 p.m. than at 2:00 a.m. (if you must decide between one or the other). And if there is the re- motest possibility that the party goes on until 3:00 a.m., pass it all up firmly and go to bed at 9:00 p.m. Surprising? Goodness, kids, read that eighty-eighth section of the Doctrine and Covenants all over again. You need sleep. Work hard enough all day to want to get that sleep before midnight.
August 4. A day to practise. Practise what? Anything — piano, bass viol, auto harp, yodeling, fox trot, ballet, raspa, jackknife diving, penmanship — anything in which you want to perfect your skill. Prac- tise twice as long today as you planned, to make up for some of the (Continued on page 500) 499
(Continued from page 499) days you've missed, and then deter- mine not to miss again (except on Sunday) this month. And what a glorious month you'll give yourself.
August 5. Write a list of five things you fear to do. Pick the one you most want to do and do it. Establish sane precautions and then be brave. Please don't misunder- stand me. I'm not suggesting that you scale that unscalable cliff or drive ninety miles an hour down the main thoroughfare — or any other stupid foolhardy venture, but get the weight of at least one fear off your hunched shoulders and quak- ing knees. Listen carefully to in- struction, have someone stand by and then take that first dive in the pool. March right up to that girl that you've been dodging — and yet wanting to date — and ask her out. This is the day. And good luck!
August 6. Plan a real "bang up" party — one so full of fun and sur- prises that no one will be bored. Pick your crowd, plan your enter- tainment. Take time to hunt clever ideas — a hobo hike, a hayrack ride in circles, a canyon party with the invitations in cryptograms (not too hard ones, please), a "cook-out" using aluminum foil. A party is worth making memorable. Eat a marshmallow that has been toasted on the end of a "just-right" twig. End it all with singing. Nothing is more romantic than singing under the moon or stars. And end it early. Take a tip from that music festival at June conference that left you wanting more because it stopped just a minute too soon. Don't ever let anything drag out to a yawning love stage. This is a hint to wise gals and fellows.
August 7. A day for reading. Start a new section of the scriptures — or finish one that you have al- ready started. How about the Book of Mosiah from the Book of Mor- mon? Or if you've been ambitious and recently read that, try Third Nephi all over again. Or try the Psalms. Soothing yet powerful.
August 8. This is a wonderful day to do a little organizing. Go through your closets and cupboards and drawers. Fix up all the things that need cleaning or pressing or mending. Sort out the family games. Check the fruit storage space for 500
IN THE GOOD OID SUMMERTIME
Mother. Tidy the attic room. Straighten the basement. Is your fishing tackle ready and at hand? Is your hunting gear assembled? Is your camping equipment invento- ried? Any or all of these is the order of the day.
August 9. Yesterday you started, but we're sure that you didn't finish all of this checking. Hunt up the garden tools and wipe them with oil — helps that rusty situation. And while the oil can is in your hand, how about a little of its ease on those door hinges that sound like Inner Sanctum!
August 10. While you're in the mood, won't you put the tools where they belong? Hunt and replace missing items and then just to prove that you have great skill, mend that
AUGUST By Iris W. Schow
She of the steady hand, mature, sedate, A touch of Mona Lisa in her smile,
Gives earth those days of peace com- mensurate
With summer's fruitage. Now for mile on mile
The burdened boughs yearn earthward, while the peach
Absorbs new sweetness, and the winnowed grain,
Refined gold of the land, pours into each
Gargantuan receptacle again.
While earth provides for dormant days to
come, Let the warm, fruitful weeks tread calmly
by; This time of opulence is optimum For steady pace and inward-looking eye: These hours when earth makes certain of
her goal Are meant for the appraisal of the soul.
electric cord, replace that missing screw in the toaster, fix that loose screen that's been tempting flies into mother's spick kitchen. If you do all of this, the merest hint will get you your favorite devil's food cake as a reward. You might even bake it yourself — if you've learned how!
August 1 1 . This is cooking spe- cialty day. Last week you asked why your fudge went grainy. Wouldn't it have been better to find out ahead of time and exercise every necessary precaution instead of asking after- ward? But fudge is something that is definitely old-time, college-girl stuff. Why not make a really beau- tiful spaghetti dish and the choicest of salads and surprise the family with a special porch party. Be ye
girl or be ye boy, you can do it, and your parents will love it.
August 12. While you were learning to cook, did you learn to clean up? It's more than washing dishes. It's keeping the place cleared as you go. Utensils beg to be whisked clean and put away as they are used. Then it's easy to arise from dinner and handle the dishes- minus the delaying dread of a messy kitchen. Try it.
August 13. Is it hard to get up early for your priesthood meeting? It won't be half as hard if your clothes are in order and at hand — if you've visited the barber and had that hair cut — if you've taken time to look over your lessons for the Sabbath. Such thoughtful prepara- tion on Saturday is like a prelude that sets the spirit for Sunday. Play yours well. It's a nice tune. You'll hum it contendedly as you bathe and pull up a clean sheet on a young man clean in mind and body — ready for the early hours of a hallowed day.
August 14. Take an hour and really think over this day and what it can mean to you in your life. A growing number of young men and women are lending their weight to eliminating sporting events such as baseball games and tennis tourna- ments from the Sunday program. You can save a lot of time and en- ergy if you establish your Sunday standards now so that you need never worry about them again as long as you live. Learn what is ex- pected of you and what you believe, and then stand firm.
August 15. Persuade Dad and Mother to take a day or two for a real family camping trip. You don't need fancy equipment, but it is good to have a tent or its equivalent. It is good to have sleeping bags or bedding rolls, a first-aid kit, plain food, and some arrangements for cooking and refrigerating it. Plan simply but well. Get all heads to- gether. It will be something to re- member all of your lives.
August 16. This is a good eve- ning to try out your prowess in square dancing. It's fun. Take the trouble to dress the part — blue jeans and a plaid shirt for the boys, a few yards of calico and an hour or two at the sewing machine for the
girls!
(Continued on page 535)
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA
Free Agency And Social Organization
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Anew textbook in American gov- ernment opens with a phrase to the effect that "for better or worse" all men live in society, and that all societies, for better or worse, are embraced in the modern state. A state may be based on the idea of freedom, but the state necessari- ly implies controls, regulations, en- forcement. Where such controls re- spect the principle of freedom, where authority is subject to popular participation, selection, arid removal, and to checks and balances, we may assume we have a democratic state. Where the state is based on the idea of authority, where its purpose and principal objective is control, where freedom is merely incidental, per- haps accidental, where au- thority is subject to nothing but its own judgment, we may assume we have an au- T li a thoritarian state. 1 11 0
A principal source of po- litical philosophy and attitudes is found, historically, in religion and religious practice. Much western political philosophy is in heavy debt to the sheer weight of Roman im- perial institutions as crystallized in the age of Constantine, and, cor- respondingly, to the church organ- ization, practice, and teachings which grew out of the Roman world. The idea of one God as an absolute monarch of the universe, seated however wondrously on a topless throne sans parts or passions, con- tributed much to the political, as well as to the religious philosophy, of the medieval world. From the medieval world came the modern state and most modern churches. It is little wonder that many people, steeped in European, especially con- tinental European, tradition have difficulty in understanding democ- racy. If thoughtful, they also have a tendency to think that all religion leads automatically to the concept of an authoritarian church as well as to an authoritarian state.
Tt may come as something of a shock to many readers of The Improvement Era that many hon- est observers, while "liking" the
AUGUST 1949
BY
Cj. ^Afomer ^Durham, f-^k.*Jj.
HEAD OF POLITICAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
Part Vn Church and Modern Soci
Latter-day Saints, look askance at our Church organization and gov- ernment as absolutism, as authori- tarian and totalitarian — simply be- cause they view any religion, or religious organization, through the spectacles of the Roman-medieval continental European tradition. Such persons, while basically religious, feel that they have to be irreligious if truly democratic. Accepting democracy, some feel they must oppose the idea of God's existence; for, is not God an absolute monarch? Who ever heard of a theological system, say they, in which God was "elected" by the people and held responsible to them? Therefore, a person, if democratic, has to be so in opposi- tion to religion, as the very idea of God leads to authoritarianism and despotism, however benevolent. It follows, in their thinking, that inas- much as the Latter-day Saints preach and think much about "di- vine authority," that although an individual Latter-day Saint may be a "pretty good fellow," their system and their organization has to be viewed with suspicion, because it is essentially authoritarian and anti-democratic. What about this? Most of these people are impris-
oned by the traditions of European culture, in which God is pictured and viewed something like a heaven- ly Justinian or Diocletian. They not only overlook the basic idea of the nature of God, and of man, as held in the restored gospel, but they usu- ally know their European political ideas better than they know Ameri- can political thinkers. Many indi- viduals, even American scholars, dismiss and deny the existence of any real American political philos- ophy in the sense that Jean Bodin (1530-1596) or Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) produced the same. This is precisely the point! Bodin, Hobbes, and others were captured, held, imprisoned by their medieval cultural inheritance. They could not conceive a state or a society without its final ± seat of authority, from
" V which everything else de- rived, whether law and au- thority in the state or ultimate truth from an absolutistic god! How dif- ferent are the basic concepts in Lat- ter-day Saint thinking, which in tracing religious concepts back to the pre-existent council of God in organizing and planning the present world, view at once, the ex- istence of a kind of "pluralistic" "pluriverse" with Jesus Christ's se- lection as Savior and Redeemer resting on agreement and common consent, as well as the choice of God the Father — after discussion and debate in the council;1 plus the recognition of the existence of the right of disagreement of the forces of Lucifer, and their secession; plus the recognition of the probable varying degrees of "valiance" and "consent" ranging in choice of free individuals between Jesus on the one hand, Lucifer on the other! There grows out of this concept the great idea of the probation and free agen- cy of man on this earth — that the course of existence is not determined
1Mention could also be made of the Latter-day Saint concept of the plurality of Gods, for which traditionated Christian sects have bitterly attacked us, but which remains an essential ingredient of «ui theology, together with the plurality of worlds. See Joseph Fielding Smith (ed. ), Teachings of the Proph- et Joseph Smith, 348-355; John Taylor, The Gospel Kingdom. 27-29. See also D. & C. 121:32.
(Continued on page 502)
501
FREE AGENCY AND SOCIAL ORGANIZATION
(Continued from page 501 ) nor settled in advance, but that much depends on the individual and how he uses his time and talent, in relation to God, his fellows, and himself.
HThe philosophy of American de- mocracy is rooted in the doctrines of "natural rights." John Wise (1652-1725) was one of the earliest and ablest formulators of these argu- ments in America. A congregation- al minister of Ipswich, Massachu- setts, Wise, in 1717, published A Vindication of the Government of the NetV'England Churches in which he stoutly defended the con- gregational principle of common consent and opposed the transfer of control of the churches from the members to the clergy, as suggested by Increase and Cotton Mather. Said Wise:
I shall consider Man in a state of Nat- ural Being, as a Free-Bora Subject under the Crown of Heaven, and owing Homage to none but God himself.
He argued that no form of govern- ment had been particularly pre- scribed by God; that the best form was that which suited the nature and inclination of the people, name- ly, democracy. Wise thus argued for the government of the church. Implied from his arguments was the notion that if democracy is the best government for the church, it is ob- viously the best government for the state, for civil society. His works were much in demand by the leaders of the American revolution.
Wise correctly argued that man must be free, and unless bound by his own consent, owes "homage to none but God himself." This is liberal doctrine. But it is still not as liberal as we find in the restored gospel — man's homage to God is a matter of free, voluntary choice which cannot be forced! Al- though homage may be owed to God in the sense that "every knee" shall bend and tongue confess Jesus, yet we have the pattern of the council of the Gods and the entire plan of salvation — that even when intelli- gent beings rebel against God, God does not "destroy" them. Rebellion brings sorrow, loss, and evil. Progress becomes retrogression. But nowhere do we find the suggestion 502
that God, like a mighty monarch, decrees destruction to the souls that rebel against him. Rather, men will destruction upon themselves. We read, accordingly, about the "de- struction of the wicked" on this earth. But we usually interpret it as a consequence of the evil of men and not as a direct material intervention by God. God respects the individual, law, order, justice, and mercy. We read about Satan being "bound" but not "disintegrated" nor "liquidated" as a personal being.
|u|artin Luther (1483-1546) taught the leavening doctrine of "the priesthood of all believers," as opposed to the select priestcraft against which he dissented. The "priesthood of all believers" became a living reality in the Restored Church, where every worthy man may receive it by ordination and common-consent vote. In a very real sense, therefore, it could be maintained that the inspiration and power of God is to all men (and women) in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The story of the development of Latter-day Saint Sunday Schools is a notable case among hundreds, in point, where men and women, "anxiously engaged in a good cause, ... of their own free will . . . bring to pass much righteousness." (D. & C. 58:27.) ( The next verse of the rev- elation is also worth quoting: "For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves." [Ibid., 58:28. Italics author's.] ) In the case of President David O. McKay, as a second assistant in a stake super- intendency of Sunday Schools, a carefully graded course-of -study system was worked out in Ogden
THE ARTIST By Arthur Wallace Peach
She painted no pictures That won her fame; She sang no songs That brought acclaim.
She wrought in marble
No artistry; She did not dance
Like dreams set free.
She wrote no music That thousands played;
But what — with joy and love — A home she made!
which was eventually adopted, Churchwide. Later, President Mc- Kay himself was called to become one of the General Authorities of the Church.2 As a matter of order in government, those who hold the keys of the priesthood invoke the common consent of the general membership as to whether or not the Church will sustain certain practices and developments. Sometimes gen- eral Church policies have roots in the field, in the inspiration and ex- perience of the general membership of the Church. There are many ex- amples of this. Sometimes these policies have roots in direct inspira- tion of those who hold the keys to the priesthood. There are also many examples of this.
HThe great political invention of the modern world is the written law, in America the written constitution, as a device for popular understand- ing and control of civil government. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we have some- thing similar in the book of Doctrine and Covenants. It is not merely a book of doctrine. It is a book of doctrine and covenants. Many of the sections, if not most, represent ideally, covenants between God and man. But it is fundamental and im- portant to note, that as canon law of the modern Church, the entire volume was adopted by vote of the membership of the Church, some things being included that did not purport to be revelations from God — direct evidence of the workings of the democratic spirit." This is not to impugn nor defeat the reality of the doctrine of authority. It is, in fact, a demonstration of the way in which really divine, and not psuedo-divine, authority actually operates. The history of the rela- tion between divine authority and the doctrine of common consent in the history of the founding and or- ganization of the Church will dem- onstrate this fact. Our Church his- tory seems to indicate that the real test of divine authority-in-practice, lies in authority's recognition of and compliance with the doctrine of common consent.
( To be continued )
2See Jeanette M. Morrell, "The Sunday School Instructor 208-210, 243, May 1949. Activities of President David O. McKay," Vol. 84.
*See History of the Church, vol. 2, chapter 18. throughout.
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA
0 Ye Of Little Faith
The kernel of this story has been told before, by far more competent authors. Whether it is true or not, I do not know. If it is fiction, I am sincerely in- debted to its originator and here ac- knowledge his presence, though I do not know his name. . . . If it is a true tale, it deserves a place in pioneer literature. Whether fact or fiction, it is a great lesson in moral courage and religious faith, and is a story that de- serves retelling, and remembering.
I heard it from my grandmother, Carrie Laub Richards; the adaptation is my own.
She was tired — terribly tired, and discouraged. She'd played all the games she knew how to play, over and over and over again. And so she sat dejectedly on the old wagon wheel, and picked at the dwarfed sunflowers that grew be- tween the spokes. The yellow petals fell, unheeded, on her dress. Her dress! She'd even forgotten that the sleeves were striped while the rest was flowered. And it had been a major issue this morning, when Mother had emptied the last of the flour into the bin, and had finished her dress with the empty sack.
Then they'd sent her out to play, and told her not to bother them any more that day. She hadn't supposed they meant lunch, too, so she'd gone back when her little stomach sig- naled "empty." But her mother thrust a shriveled carrot into her hand and pushed her out the door. There was no milk because the cows were starving to death. The grass had all dried up, and they had no feed. There was no bread because the grain was dying for want of water, and what little flour there was left had to be saved against greater need.
She wanted to play with Mother; but Mother's eyes were deep and dark and worried now. She wanted to help Daddy. She loved to run in front of the reapers, and call to her father when she found a bird's nest. It was nice to feel the golden stalks whispering around her, and slapping at her, and swaying before her like the real gold she often pretended it to be. But they hadn't been out to the wheat for some time. And the last time they'd gone, the stalks had
AUGUST 1949
& WarlLn U
•J'
jam
been short and brittle and snapped easily.
Nothing had been right since then. Everything had been drying up. And as the earth dried and crusted, the people seemed to be- come dry and crusty too — and brit- tle! There was no whispering or gentle swaying or playful slapping in the group. Every movement, every answer was brittle — and snapped easily.
And so she played dejectedly with the sunflowers that grew be- tween the spokes of an old wagon wheel which lay in the field behind the cabin.
XX/hat could she do to help? Dad- dy said everyone's righteous de- sires were answered. And so they'd prayed and prayed. Each night the three of them knelt together, and each night Daddy's strong loud voice would fill the room. And she would shake and move closer to Mother. Surely, if God heard any- one, he would hear Daddy. And yet no rain came.
She looked up as a huge foot al- most stepped on her.
"Hello, Amanda." The stocky man with the brown hair and the bushy beard lifted her effortlessly into his arms. He, too, was strained and tired-looking. But his eyes were soft and gentle. "You haven't been over to see any of my little boys and girls, lately."
"Mommy wants me to stay close to home."
"That's a good girl to mind," he said and patted her little shoulder. Then with the child still in his arms, he sat down on the old wagon wheel. His eyes and his thoughts took in the heavens.
"Sir?" In his arms she could only see his beard and cheeks.
"Yes." He answered her as a busy father answers a child, not really answering, but responding unconsciously.
"Can I pray, too?"
He looked into the big eyes of the child with surprise. "Why, of course you can pray, child. Don't you say your prayers every night?"
"Mostly Daddy prays for us — for Mommy and me. But I thought that if I prayed, too, maybe it would help. Daddy has to ask for so many other things. But I just could pray for rain 'cause I don't need any- thing else."
"Pray, my dear. And I know it will help. I know our Father in heaven will hear you and answer. You should pray, Amanda. We all should pray — ." He stopped short, gave her a long, almost startled look, and repeated, "We all should pray." He was almost singing as he hugged her little body to him, then set her on her feet, and strode away.
She watched him for a moment — then dropped to her knees beside the wagon wheel, and folded her arms just as Mother had taught her to do.
When she finished, she walked quickly to her back yard and picked up all the tools she could see lying in the open and placed them under the shelter. She dragged the barrow into the shed and had just tugged her father's shirt off the line when her mother called.
"Amanda — Amanda! Come on! The President just called us all to the Square for a prayer meeting."
"Just a minute, Mommy." And she dashed into the cabin to search for something.
All but a few stragglers had ar- rived when she finally reached the Square with her precious article (Concluded on page 526) 503
MISSION TO POLYNESIA
In 1843 Addison Pratt and three other elders were called to open a mission for the Church among the Polynesian people on the islands of the Pacific. Knowlton Hanks died and was buried at sea, but Addison, Noah Rogers, and Benjamin F. Gvouard reached the I si nd of Tubuai on April 30, 1844, after spending nearly seven months on the ocean. Elders Rogers and Grouard continued on to Tahiti, but Addison remained on Tubuai at the request of the people to preach the gospel.
Although Addison was the first white missionary who had ever ■ lived for any length of time among the people of the island of Tubuai, missionary work had been carried forward on the island for some fifty years by representatives of a Protestant missionary society. And although the society had done much good, including helping to re- duce the native language to writing, and translating and printing the Bible, still some of its representa- tives, Addison heard, were reported to be anything but true Christians. The first actual contact Addison had with these missionaries came in July after he had been on the island nearly three months. Early one Sabbath morning while Addison was in the village of Mahu, he re- ceived word that a ship was at Ma-
The Story of Addison Pratt
And The
Society Islands Mission
& <Jjoute oi. Ljt
reeti
ASS'T MANAGING EDITOR
taura, on the other side of the island. Immediately he dispatched a note to Brother Hill (who was in charge of the branch ) , asking him to send a message if there were any news of importance. That evening the mes- senger returned with a letter which revealed that missionaries from the ship had been on shore telling the people "all the scandalous reports that had ever been reported about the Mormons; that Joseph Smith is a liar and a false prophet, and the Book of Mormon is a lie; that his (Joseph Smith's) followers worship him, and also the Virgin Mary, and the Saints, and that there is no dif- ference between the Prophet and the Pope, and much more of that stuff." The letter also stated that the members of the Church wished Addison to come over on the mor- row without fail.
ThArly Monday morning, Addison, accompanied by a number of na-
tives from Mahu, left for Mataura. When they arrived, they were met by Church members and friends, who were more than a little happy to see their missionary. At the time the newly arrived missionaries were in the chapel, teaching some new hymns to the people.
Addison and his friends walked into the building between songs. After introductions were made, Ad- dison offered his hand. "No," said one of the missionaries, "I shall not give my hand until we are better acquainted."
Addison said nothing but sat down in front where he could "look them full in the face."
After the services were over, one of the men, by the name of Howe, said to Addison, "I understand that you have come to these islands in the capacity of a preacher."
"That I have," Addison an- swered.
"I suppose that you are aware that many years ago our missionary society established a mission among these islands at a very vast expense." Then he continued at some length, describing the work they had done and the sacrifices they had made. "And now," he continued, "we have the Bible translated into this lan- guage. . . ."
"And now that you have the Bible translated into their language," Ad-
dison said when he finished, "are you unwilling to have it preached to them?"
Taken aback, Mr. Howe an- swered, "No, not if you preach the Bible to them."
"I preach nothing else," Addison said.
"But," protested the minister, "I understand you have another book you call a bible that you teach them from."
"It is a mistake," Addison an- swered. "We have no book that we call a bible but the Old and New Testament. We have a book we call the Book of Mormon, but it is no use to teach them anything from that till they understand the Bible well."
A long discussion of the princi- ples of the gospel followed. Toward the end of the conversation Addison asked if they believed in the second coming of Christ.
"To be sure we do."
"And how will he come?"
"Precisely as it says, 'But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.' ' (Matt. 24:37.)
"And how was that?" Addison asked.
"Why, they were eating and drinking till the day that Noah en- tered into the ark, and the floods came and swept them all away."
"Did it take them unawares?"
"It did."
"Would it have come upon them so, had they taken the warning the Lord sent them?"
To this question the missionary did not answer. So Addison con- tinued: "How was it in the days of Noah? It was thus: The Lord raised up a prophet and told him to go forth and warn the people faithful- ly, and if they did not repent of their sins and turn from their wicked ways, he would bring upon them a flood that would destroy them all. This prophet went forth according to command, but the peo- ple made light of what he said, not- withstanding he was warning 120 years.
"Toward the close of the period God commanded him to build an ark, and set it on dry land. This was another warning before their eyes, but they made sport of it all. And the Lord brought upon them the flood as he promised without
AUGUST 1949
Noah ever making a convert that we have any record of.
"Precisely so it is in these last days. The Lord raised up his Prophet, whose name is Joseph Smith, and ordered him to estab- lish the Church of Jesus Christ ac- cording to its original plan. He has obeyed the command and has sent forth the servants, of whom I am one, to warn the people."
Then holding up his right hand toward heaven, he continued: "I call upon the heavenly hosts to witness that I know Joseph Smith is a good man and a Prophet of the
ADDISON PRATT
Lord, and I know this work is pre- paratory to the second coming of Christ, and if I lie, I lie in the name of the Lord. Eternal damnation, and nothing less, is the penalty for such a crime. But if I am telling the truth and you heed it not, you will have to suffer the consequences."
"I roared on them like a lion," Addison wrote in a letter home. "I believe my eyes flashed, for I felt as if I could swallow them all at one mouthful."
Advancing some other points of doctrine, Addison offered the mis- sionaries his Bible to find scriptures to confute them. But the mission- aries, dumbfounded by the strength and power of Addison's testimony, replied that they had to go aboard the ship. And anyway they said, as long as Addison preached the truth, they would pray for his success, but if he preached error, they would pray that it might fall to the ground.
"Our prayers are united, then,"
Addison said, and handed them a copy of the Book of Mormon and "The Voice of Warning," a tract by Parley P. Pratt. "If you will pray for me 6n this basis, I will make the same prayers for you."
The three then hurried out of the church but remained on the island for several hours before they re- turned to the ship.
f")N the first Sabbath following the missionaries' visit to the island, Addison devoted his talks to points that had been raised by them, espe- cially concerning proper conduct, authority, and baptism. Realizing the great power of proper example, he said: "You all have been eye- witnesses to my conduct for more than five months, and you know well whether I have acted the part of a good man or a bad one. So you have not to go to them ( the mission- aries) for my character, nor need I tell you any tales about them. You know well their precepts and their examples. You are eyewitnesses that I have taught you nothing but what I practise myself."
The visit of the missionaries to the island greatly strengthened Ad- dison's position, rather than weak- ened it.
Many years earlier the missionary society had set aside one day each year for an annual meeting of all the people on the island for the pur- pose of collecting a "tax" of arrow- root and coconut oil. The day was set up to be one of feasting and mer- riment, as an incentive to the people to participate and contribute large amounts of produce to the society.
In the year 1 844, preparations for the feast went on as usual. Large underground ovens were prepared and heated, and onto the hot rocks to be covered by leaves and sand went five full grown pigs, hundreds of fish, generous amounts of taro for pot, and other vegetables.
At sunrise on the festive day, virtually the entire population of the island gathered to hear a sermon preached by Addison. Then the feast took place. Addison thought that he had never seen such great quantities of food. It was served, a share to each of the families on the islands, on a long table consisting of coconut leaves spread on the ground. Addison's portion was half a hog, and vegetables in proportion. No one could eat his share of food, {Continued on page 532) 505
Brush dam in the San Juan River near Bluff. This particular dam was built in 1910 and saved Bluff from destruction.
SYNOPSIS
Tn the year 1851, President Brigham Young sent colonies to extend the Mormon territory to the south. Those who went had to fight four adversaries: the Utes, the Navajos, the renegade whites, and nature, which seemed at times the greatest adversary of all. No treaty with the United States could guarantee the settlers from the depredations of the Nava* jos. Even Kit Carson who displaced the Indians had found it impossible to quell them. Jacob Hamblin and Thates Haskell genuinely loved the Indians, and time after time won them to a reluctant peace, only to have it broken again because of the actions of the renegade whites. But at last the Mormons had begun their settlement, in the face of Indian attack and nature.
XI
The Piutes grinned their perfect security and took every un- guarded thing they wanted. The coming of the Mormons to their country was a most fortunate wind- fall which they intended to gather in spite of Mormon protests, Mormon guards, and Mormon herders also, and with extra contempt, in spite of all the imaginary evils which Has- kell had predicted upon them.
Erastus Snow had predicted that the unfriendly Indians would melt away, yet the most unfriendly of them were enjoying good health and unusual prosperity. They lived easy and fat and fearless. Their grand champion, Frank, was the image of Navajo affluence.
But the end was not yet. These 506
The Fort on the
vessels of tribulation, called to the peculiar mission of "turning the other cheek also," and acting as the indispensable shock absorber be- tween Utah's older settlements and a pack of threatening evils, were destined to be brought low many times within an inch of their lives, but never to perish under the heel of their major enemies. True, they had not yet conquered the first of those enemies, but they were to fight on and on, panting and persisting and praying on the edge of despair.
The changes which come in hu- man fortunes may be by slow and imperceptible degrees, but there are times when they come with stunning suddenness. That is the way they broke on the despoilers of the fort.
A big Navajo came slowly on his pony from the way of the river. Carefully and pantingly he dis- mounted at Haskell's door and went stooping inside with feeble step. It was the grand champion, Frank, his vigorous physique blighted like a squash in the frost of October. Something in the nature of quick consumption had made his great lungs cave in as a deflated balloon, and he wheezed and gasped for enough breath to keep him alive.
"Tell your God — " he gasped, in desperation of appeal, and paused for more breath, "tell your God I've quit stealing your horses."
"Until you get well?" asked Haskell, without looking up.
"Tell him if he'll let me live, I'll never touch any of your horses again," and Frank leaned despair- ingly on the table as he delivered the last words of his appeal.
A strange and deadly malady seized Norgwinup's two roughneck sons, and left them stark and stiff by the fire in the wickiup. A cold chill ran through both tribes. While the chill lingered, half a dozen other inveterate Piute thieves met with heavy misfortune or death, and some of Old Frank's most ardent disciples suffered surprising re- verses.
Frank lived ten or fifteen years after that, a poor, broken, humbled wreck of the splendid figure he used to be, and he had a story to tell about the fury of the Mormon God and his love for his people.
Rattle and horses were safe for the present, so far as the In- dians were concerned, but in as much danger as ever from thieves. As the immunity from arrest in San Juan was whispered more wide- ly in the realm of crime, the stream of "white trash" swelled in volume. If they could just reach the borders of San Juan, they could work in safety for a grubstake with one of the cow-outfits at Blue Mountain,
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA
or at the worst they could ap- propriate a fresh horse, or hide among the rocks eating somebody's beef till they could go farther. From San Juan they could skip in any one of ten directions with nine chances to one of not being followed, and then with a sure chance of obliterat- ing whoever might be so stupid as to follow them.
With a pistol on each hip and a long gun under their saddle-fender, they stopped frequently at San Juan Co-op for coffee and bacon, appear- ing from nowhere and vanishing into the same place. Every good horse not being watched or hidden in some terrible gulch, or on some inaccessible mesa, vanished with mysterious suddenness never to be seen again.
An early photograph of a grave at Soldier Crossing
The men of the fort clung for their sacred hunting ground, a re- served area of primeval wilderness
Firing Line
& JtLt R. JL
man
taken by them, and the flat-topped tion in mind, Platte D. Lyman, Jo- Elk Mountain, fifty miles to the seph F. Barton, and Orrin Kelsey northwest of Bluff, was claimed and rigged out with pack horses to ex- monopolized by the Piutes. It was plore the mountain, known to the
Indians only who guarded its trails from all intruders. Those trails had
such as their fathers had enjoyed not yet been found by the outside,
before the invasion of white men. and the Piutes intended they should
Also, it was a safe and ready retreat never be found. The Elk Mountain
after the punitive expeditions they is a tableland, and much of its pre-
had made and would yet make cipitious rim length is difficult or
against those white invaders. impossible of ascent.
The Piutes occupied the three
Jf the San Juan Mission were ever valleys east of the mountain, and
to succeed as a buffer state, to they made it their business to see
endure as the lightning rod for that no one passed through to
prowlers, but they had no summer catching and neutralizing every climb the steeps west of them,
range. It was hard on cattle to live blast of fury before it could cross Platte Lyman and his companions
through the warm months in the low the Colorado River, and if the mis- succeeded in getting into First Val-
country, and then have to winter on sion were ever to become sufficiently ley without being seen, but when
the hills they had grazed bare. This, strong and influential to soothe and they undertook to climb the moun-
even without any other of their hin- tame the source from which the tain, there was no trail, but a steep
drances, would prevent them from lightning generated, then it would surface of rugged rock,
increasing their herds. Blue Moun- have to lift its head above the slug- Tying their horses to the cedars,
tain was claimed by the aggressive gish tide of poverty. If it were ever the three men scrambled up afoot to cattle kings who had come in from to master its three major adversa- Colorado, and they would endure ries, it would have to have more cat- no crowding. LaSal, too, besides tie, and that meant a summer range, being rather too far away, was
7
their very lives to all the cattle and horses they could save from the
the top and found a wonderful country of tall timber and waving grass, rich underbrush, and flowers.
The anchorage for Amasa Barton's waterwheel, standing on the bare shelf of rock after sixty-two years. This protruding log, seventy-five feet above the river, held a treadmill in which a donkey worked.
AUGUST 1949
With this vital phase of the situa- They walked all day, going as far
as what is now known as Wooden Shoes, and returned in the evening enthusiastic over the prospect. They got back to Bluff without being seen by the Piutes, but their tracks through that sacred solitude nettled the Indians, and their resentful responses along with other worries and surprises hindered the Bluff men for months from exploring further.
\\7hen, after a long time they were
free to go again, Platte Lyman,
Kumen Jones, and Hyrum Perkins
succeeded only in getting into the
edge of First Valley before the
vigilant Piutes rushed out and
(Continued on page 508)
507
(Continued from page 507) formed themselves into a dark half circle across the trail ahead of them and back along each side. Every one of those dusky faces was hard and unyielding; not one of them would answer a question nor speak, but among themselves. They simply sat there on their cayuses looking as grim and terrible as they could, a silent and fearsome protest against any admission to their sacred moun- tain.
The three men, exercising such benevolent chivalry as they could with an adversary frozen to silence, turned back around one end of the half circle and rode forward again, hoping to follow the trail they were on to the top of the mountain. That trail led through the cedars to Sec- ond Valley and on to the ridge of rocks and trees to the north, but there it had been camouflaged with jealous care: a web of tracks in all directions, no trail at all, and they stopped in bewilderment looking for a possible way to go.
Then out from the forest around them came the slender Piute boy, Henry, riding a lean roan colt; Hen- ry, whose honest, youthful heart, like a gem nestling with crude stones, had made glad response to Haskell's fervent words. Hurriedly in an undertone he directed the three men where to go, and when they turned to ask him more ques- tions, he was gone. Yet again when they paused in perplexity, he ap- peared as before, showed them the way and vanished in a clump of cedars. Up along the narrow back- bone, hidden by the trees, and then along the shelf to what is known as Dwarf Spring, he directed them, riding out many times from the cover of trees and brush and dodg- ing from sight lest his people should know the part he was taking. He led them to Kigaly Spring, and to the other good springs of the moun- tain, his copper face agleam with the radiant light of friendship.
The three explorers camped at Kigaly Spring, and in the evening that ugly half circle of Piutes from First Valley, having followed them up, came stringing down through the quaking asps and stopped silent and sinister around their camp. With their dark faces set in harder lines than they had worn in the val- 508
THE FORT ON THE FIRING LINE
ley below, they appeared to be re- solved on some vengeful action. Henry was not with them; he had been in sight but a few minutes be- fore and was no doubt watching from cover.
The three explorers took silent account of what this demonstration was intended to suggest, and what it might really mean. They consid- ered how they were beyond the end of the known trail and fifty miles from Bluff, and how Bluff was three or four times that far from any help on whom they might call in case of trouble. They could appreciate also how serious this matter was to the Piutes who, if they allowed any in- vasion of their retreat, would lose their precious hunting-ground and be overrun by the outside. Their appreciation of this very thing showed in their angry faces, and they had nothing to fear from any method by which they might want to register their objections. It was their own world where they were and had ever been supreme. Uncle Sam's laws could not reach them whatever they decided to do.
Fighting silently a battle for calmness within, yet hiding all out- ward signs of the conflict, the scouts searched their souls for all the strategies of the new warfare. The prime objective just now was not to get a summer range for the people of the fort, but to foil what might be death in this trackless mountain. They talked freely with each other about things in general, preserving an appearance of complete uncon- cern.
Moencopi Mike was the leading spirit of the gang — he with the Berkshire boar neck and the one who, according to the sworn state- ment of the Navajos, had murdered Mitchel and Myric with his own hand. He glared at the three men with muddy eyes, toying all the time with the stock of his pistol as if about to take it from the holster.
Mike's men stood waiting for his initial word of beginning on the big things he had boasted he would do, but whether or not his gang was aware of it, he was exerting himself to his utmost in an unseen conflict with these bold invaders. It was that inevitable contest which begins the moment when eyes of enemies meet. Mike glared at them
and searched eagerly for any tremor of fear, for the least sign of any weakening under the weight of his wrath and could find no fit moment for his initial growl. They were simply wearing him out with their stubborn composure, and finding it impossible to maintain such a mighty pitch without it even being recognized, and his dignity about to shrink in the estimation of his waiting braves, he signaled them to move on, and they camped in a grove of oak fifty yards down the canyon. Henry came down the hill over their trail as if he had been following them and joined them where they seemed to be holding a powwow.
Mike had to make some face- saving explanations; he had met with something unexpected, and in spite of all his boasts, his men had to watch in vain while he did nothing. In half an hour he came back along to where the three men had camped, still with no word to say, apparently hoping to take up the fight where he had left off, to inspire the fear and find the op- portunity of redeeming his dignity of leadership. Platte Lyman spread a big slice of bread with homemade molasses and held it forth to him without a word. And without a word Mike took it and closed his ponderous mouth over one wide corner. It made but a few bites for him, but he got a second and a third slice, munching them with audible relish.
His dark countenance changed, there was a weakening around the corners of his wide mouth, "Nini tooitch tickaboo," he grunted. (I like you. )
Full of bread and molasses, he sauntered away to bring the other Indians and talk it over. As the night winds moaned over them through the tall pines, they reached an understanding in which the Piutes agreed to a certain price for the use of their mountain. But besides the stipulated amount which they knew would be paid in liberal measure, they had dreams of finding fat cattle and valuable horses in the thickly-wooded canyons of their retreat where they could enjoy much desirable privacy in helping them- selves. It was easy to track a thief (Continued on page 528) THE IMPROVEMENT ERA
FROM TEMPLE SQUARE
V
By RICHARD L. EVANS
Uo a (.feneration
oLeavina J^chool
As each school year comes to a close, another generation of young people are appraised and promoted and graded and gradu- ated. Many, of course, will return to continue their studies; some will go to higher halls of learning; but each year there are many who for- ever leave school doors behind — leave teachers, and campus, and cherished companions. And despite all outward exuberance and all ex- pressions of relief, it is a sober time for youth, as they leave their days of preparation to go out into a world that expects performance. And as they go forth to assume their share of the world's burdens and respon- sibilities, it is exceedingly important that they take with them much more than formal facts committed to memory. It is important that they take with them a reliable sense of values, the ability to sift the facts from the fallacies, the truths from the theories, the essentials from the non-essentials. We must in fair- ness be reminded that some things we have learned with great effort will soon be forgotten; that some of this year's textbooks may next year become obsolete; that many theories will change; that added truth is constantly coming to light. But if we have learned to keep our minds open for all that the future may bring forth; if we have learned to value high qualities of character above mere intellectual acumen; if we have learned to avoid intolerant dogmatism, academic or otherwise, and have learned to guard against assuming that our education is com-
plete, we shall be better prepared to meet the many adjustments that are sure to come. And now as to the future: It would be difficult to appraise the permanent prospects of any particular occupation or profession. But no matter what lies before us, character, faith, intelli- gence, loyalty, and reliability will always be held at high premium; and the future holds much promise for the well-trained young man or young woman so long as he is will- ing to work and so long as he has not lost the capacity to learn. But more tragic than he who thinks there are no more worlds to conquer is he who thinks he has finished his education. And more tragic than either is he who supposes that there are no more truths to be discovered, that there are no further facts to come forth.
—June 5, 1949.
Revised
^Jke ^jraltaciA of ^rveraaei
TDerhaps it is an opportune time to pay our respects again to the fallacy of figures. We are some- times inclined to look with consid- erable satisfaction upon columns of assorted figures which seem to indi- cate that all is well with the average. But statistical columns seldom take all of the facts into account, and this elusive individual known as "the average" is rarely found. The fallacy of averages appears when we begin to look at what lies above
and below the average. The fact that the average man isn't starving doesn't tell us anything about the man who is starving. The fact that the average man may try to meet his honest obligations doesn't prove anything about the people who don't make much effort to meet their obligations. The fact that the average rainfall is adequate doesn't give much comfort to a farmer who has to face floods at one time and burning drouth at another. The fact that the average temperature in a certain city is seventy degrees does- n't take into account that it may be unbearably cold in the winter and unbearably hot in summer. The Savior of the world once preached a sermon on the fallacy of averages. You won't find these very words in holy writ. But you will remember the parable of the ninety and nine sheep who were safe, and of the one who was lost. If the Good Shepherd had been deceived by the fallacy of averages, he would perhaps have failed to go forth to find the one who was lost. Averages may not mean much when we are speaking of your children or of mine, or of ourselves or even of other men. "You may prove anything by fig- ures," wrote Thomas Carlyle. But every man, woman, and child who walks the earth is an individual with his own immortal identity, and the personal problems of people are not frequently solved by figures or by fixed formulas from far places. We must look at people and their prob- lems individually and with open eyes. Figures can be made to fool us if we let them.
—June 12, 1949.
Revised
(Concluded on page 510)
H
eard from the "crossroads of the west" with the salt lake tabernacle choir and organ over a nation- wide radio network through ksl and the columbia broadcasting system every sunday at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time, 10:30 a.m. Central Time, 9:30 a.m. Mountain Time, and 8:30 a.m. Pacific Time.
AUGUST 1949
509
1 Jt MM?
f
Constantly we are all confronted with many prospects and pos- sibilities and proposals. Indeed, life is an endless series of decisions. And one of the questions frequent- ly asked when proposals are pre- sented is this: "What is there in it for me?" It isn't always so frank- ly phrased or so bluntly stated as this, but it is often the first question asked, nevertheless. Surely it is not improper that the question of per- sonal profit should frequently pre- sent itself, but it is exceedingly doubtful if the matter of material gain should ever be the first ques- tion. Rather, should not the first question to any proposal be simply this: "Is it right?" A large part of all the proposals that are made in
THE SPOKEN WORD
(Concluded from page 509)
the world could easily be eliminated from further discussion simply by asking this one question: "Is it right?" If it is, we may well con- sider it further. We may then rea- sonably ask whether or not it is convenient, whether or not it is profitable, whether or not we want to do it. But if it isn't right, we are wasting our time in asking any other question, because if it isn't right, it isn't worth it, no matter what else there may be in it for anyone. In the materialistic mode of our day, this may sound to some like impractical idealism. Cynicism would surely sweep it aside. But actually it is a hard-headed fact, an unalterable reality, for which all time, all ex- perience, all happiness and unhappi- ness, all success and failure provide the proof. There is no other basis on which we should entertain any
proposal from anyone until we have asked this one first question. And this is true in social situations, bus- iness opportunities, in matters of profit or popularity, in private and in public. Putting the wrong ques- tion first, and giving it the wrong answer may well complicate and compromise life from that time forth. And so, whenever we have a choice to make, a decision to reach, a proposal to consider, an opportunity to weigh, this is the first question: "Is it right?" Then, and only then, it may be time to ask other questions, including, perhaps: "What is there in it for me?" But if it isn't right, there is nothing in it that we or anyone else can afford. If it isn't right, the other questions don't matter. If it isn't right, let it alone.
—June 19, 1949.
cLooklna dSetAond <^Labei5
"pMERSON wrote in one of his es- says: "I am ashamed to think how easily we capitulate to badges and names. . . ."* It is undeniably true that we often accept things for what they seem to be on the surface. One look at a label is often all we ask. We are sometimes so impressed with names that we may not look closely enough at the man. Some- times we accept a person merely be- cause of the company he keeps. Perhaps it is generally true that people can be judged by the com- pany they keep, but it is not invari- ably true, nor is it invariably a fair or adequate or safe judgment. We cannot always accept a man simply
because he belongs to what seems to be acceptable society, nor can we always condemn him simply be- cause he doesn't. If we accept the wolf in sheep's clothing, we still have a wolf and not a sheep. This isn't true only of people; it is true also of actions, of things, of virtues and vices. An unworthy act isn't good merely because it is performed by a man who has a reputation for goodness. And a worthy act isn't bad merely because it is performed by someone who is held in poor re- pute. All of us have our faults, and all of us have our virtues, and we must not expect our faults to be condoned merely because they trav- el with our virtues. To go back to Emerson's idea, it is hazardous to
be too much impressed with names and badges and labels and to ac- cept things or people merely because they are traveling with others who are accepted. Every man has a right to be, and must expect to be, judged on his own merits. Badges don't make men; names don't change the nature of things; vices don't be- come virtues simply because they travel with virtues. If we accept a poisonous toadstool simply because it is traveling with edible mush- rooms, we are in trouble. It isn't safe to accept people or things or ideas simply because they are trav- eling in what seems to be acceptable society. Everything should be con- sidered for itself.
—June 26, 1949.
^ elf -Reliance
• ♦ ■
FAITH, FEAR, AND THE RATTIE OF IDEAS
(Concluded from page 483) matters little) could produce in time the undesired communist victory by default. If democracy, free enterprise, the Christian religion, freedom of con- science and association are to be pre- served, it will be as much by the valid- ity of an underlying faith as in material ability. Communism involves, true, more than ideological warfare. But that warfare requires the power of
510
ideas on the side of those who oppose communism. All the material power of the Roman Empire was insufficient to halt the spread of the idea of Christ and him crucified. The testimony of Joseph Smith survived the shot and lead of Carthage Jail. Even God, the Fa- ther, permits Satan freedom of con- science and much freedom of action! Perhaps the real questions for western
democrats, for disciples of free enter- prise and free elections, of multiple parties and the right to disagree, are: "What is our faith? Upon what is it grounded? How does it operate in the lives of men? How is evil resisted?" As in basketball, the best defense in the battle of ideas may be a good of- fense— in this case, effective rendition of democracy and not hysteria.
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA
AT THIS SAME HOUR
(Richard L. Evans. Harper & Bros., New York. 1949. 207 pages. $2.00. )
Co popular have been the "sermon- ettes" on the Tabernacle Choir and Organ broadcast that this is the fourth published book which has been eagerly awaited by a receptive public. At This Same Hour, like the other three, abounds in thoughtful "capsules" — to borrow the author's word from his dedication*. One of the virtues of this book is that no matter how busy a person is, he can get time enough to read some of these bits on which to ponder until he gets time to read some more of these thought-provoking para- graphs. Another convenience that has been attended to is the size of the book which permits easy carrying for ready accessibility of reading.
The book includes something more than 150 sermonettes classified under ten great heads with subdivisions and specific titles falling under these. In addition there is a section which in- cludes sermonettes on Special Days. At This Same Hour is more than enough to prove a stimulus to every reader and thinker. — M. C. /.
THESE ALSO BELIEVE
(Charles Samuel Braden. Macmillan Co., New York. 1949. 491 pages. $6.00.)
rpHis study of "Modern American Cults" is essentially an interesting and unbiased presentation of the his- tory and doctrine of thirteen so-called "minority religious movements in America." The list begins with Father Divine and ends with Mormonism, touching on the way Psychiana, New Thought, Unity, Christian Science, Theosophy, I Am, Liberal Catholic Church, Spiritualism, Jehovah's Wit- nesses, Anglo-Israel, and the Oxford Group.
It is the best, if not the only, attempt to present these various forms of be- lief in one easily read volume.
The work is well done as would be expected from the distinguished profes- sor of the history and literature of religions in Northwestern University.
The chapter on Mormonism (32 pages) is fair and generally correct, following authoritative Church sources. However, in discussing the conflict- ing opinions concerning Mormon origins, the author overlooks the sanest, modern non-Mormon views by following too closely Arbaugh's Rev- elation in Mormonism, an unreliable
AUGUST 1949
B_ J^S &<s\t^cue\i.
volume, which, for example, accepts in this day the theory, long since ex- ploded, that Sidney Rigdon wrote the Book of Mormon, or the disproved theory that the story of the first vision was concocted by Joseph Smith in 1 838, and fails to note that the Anthon Transcript, published over a century ago, and still existing, has been shown to be Egyptian as claimed by the Book of Mormon.
Dr. Braden's informative book sets out clearly that when eternal truth is not the basis of religious thought, only confusion follows. — /. A. W.
THREE TIMELY TREASURES Leon M. Strong. Published by Leon M. Strong, Sugar City, Idaho. 1948. 103 pages. $1.50.)
'"The author has spent a lifetime of teaching in the department of edu- cation of the Church. From his studies he has selected three discussions of general interest. The first deals with the dispensations of the gospel: the meaning of a dispensation, when dis- pensations occurred, and other infor- mation of interest to gospel students. The second is a discussion of the lost tribes, setting forth the scriptural argu- ments for their existence and present location. The two theories of their whereabouts are mentioned, without taking sides in this interesting discus- sion. The third is a history of the tribe of Judah, which is of special in- terest to Latter-day Saints because of the descent of Jesus the Christ. There are informative tables that show the relationship of the various leaders of the Jewish kingdom before Christ and after.
It is an interesting little volume that will quite repay the short time needed in reading it. — /. A, W.
SHORT STORY CRAFT (Lillian Gilkes and Warren Bower. Macmillan Co., New York. 1949. 501 pages. $3.50.)
Tn addition to the "Introduction" and "Memo from the Editor's Desk," which afford a wise and careful analy- sis of short story technique and reasons for rejections, the book includes twen- ty-seven examples of short stories by recognized writers of this medium. By a thoughtful analysis of these stories, with a consideration of all the sugges- tions in the first two sections of the book, the readers will be sure to de- velop a basic idea of how they may improve their own writing — or their reading. — M. C. /.
RISE UP AND WALK
(Percy Elliott Lindley. Chapman and Grimes, Boston. 1949. 171 pages. $2.50.)
|~}r. Lindley, Dean of Hyde Point College and also Professor of Re- ligious Education has attempted in the twelve chapters of this book to inspire youth to the higher goals of life. Not only does the author use his own thoughts in this task, but he also pre- sents a wealth of stories and anecdotes from the lives of great people, encour- aging to every upward striving youth. The collection of anecdotes itself would justify this book. It should be very useful in the building of char- acter.— /. A. W.
THEIR FINEST HOUR
(Winston S. Churchill. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston. 1949. 751 pages. $6.00.)
'T'his book, the second volume of Winston Churchill's history of World War II, carries on from The Gathering Storm in Churchill's inimit- able manner — and unusual vitriolic charm, and unique language and style. To the Americans there may be a bit of acid in the theme of the volume in which Churchill states: "How the British people held the fort ALONE till those who hitherto had been half blind were half ready." No one can use mouth-filling, soul-stirring, fighting words any better than can Churchill — and this book is a good example of his language as well as of his philosophy. Students of rhetoric as well as students of history will find this book of great value.
It, together with The Gathering Storm, is an invaluable source book which will more than prove its value not only currently but also in the years to come. — M. C. J.
KNOW THE BIBLE
(Arranged and compiled by Benjamin B. Alward. Stevens & Wallis, Inc., Salt Lake City. 1949. 184 pages. $1.00. $1.50 in cloth.)
HPoo few people in the Western Hemisphere know the Bible well enough to quote chapter and verse. This reference book, arranged under sixty questions and topics of vital im- portance, gives quotations to indicate answers and solutions.
For Christians everywhere, this book will prove stimulating to try to learn the answers by accurate quota- tions from the Book of books. It would make an interesting volume to keep close to the family gathering place and make use of it during meals and home evenings. — M. C. /.
{Concluded on page 519)
511
Youth in Action
A chievement follows work as surely and in- evitably as night follows day. The glorious gathering of youth and its leaders in the M.I. A. June conference exemplifies the motivating power of a great cause, and the breathtaking results of that ideal through the months that precede this great gathering.
To watch original roadshows and drama, to hear twelve hundred young folk lift their voices in song, to see 3,400 young people dance in the great outdoor stadium under the intense blue of the evening sky and the stars, to listen to youth express themselves in formal speech and in testi- mony— these are never-to-be-forgotten experi- ences, the joy of which lights the way to another ' year's efforts.
Great as these events are — and they afford a rare spiritual and recreational treat — behind them stands the idea which initiated them: that of providing well-rounded activities and lessons throughout the days, weeks, and months of the entire year. The culminating programs afford spectacles of inestimable worth, but the over-all achievement lies in the week-by-week planning and execution of those plans. Thus, an equally ex- ceptional feature of June conference is the prepara- tion program for the coming year's work, presented in special department sessions.
This year departments were held for stake board workers, an innovation that assuredly proved its worth. Also a special session for Indian correla- tion work was called for the first time. In all, thirty- two department sessions convened in which the succeeding year's work was projected. In addi- tion to the three festivals five general meetings were held for the entire group of youth and their leaders who attended conference.
Something inexplicable occurs when great groups come together, motivated by the same stir- ring ideals — and June conference was a glorious example. To the six hundred and forty Junior girls of the Church who danced in the livening M. I. A. colors of gold and green, there came a feeling of solidarity that no amount of talking could induce. Merely knowing that there were many others of their own age who were guided by the same ideals, who accepted the same stand- ards, who enjoyed the same kind of activities, will be a force for good that is inestimable. A joyous restraint will come to their minds and hearts when they realize that "everybody is doing it" in a wholesome, enjoyable manner, with no after re- grets which sometimes follow activities.
To those who sang in the famed Tabernacle
will come the feeling that they are part of a great tradition that must continue and grow even greater as a result of their lives and actions. The feeling for drama which has been so marked from the founding of the Church will receive an impetus which will promote even greater activity in this worthy recreation as a result of the drama festival. M.I. A. is a compelling magnet when it can draw people from Florida, New York, California — and all points between; from Hawaii, Canada, and Mexico; and these come at their own expense to participate in and receive inspiration from June conference. It is a great catalyzer in that it sends these people back to their home areas with the program in order that it may be diffused into the wards, branches, stakes, and missions and gath- ered together for another glorious June confer- ence.— M. C. /.
ERA Writers' Conference
"\\7riters have a great responsibility in whatever medium or media they may present their ideas, but writers for the Era have an even greater re- sponsibility since a magazine for the Church must bear the scrutiny of even the most critical on every- thing that is published within its pages.
The recently held Era writers' conference ( June 16, 1949) was of especial value in order that the editorial staff might come to know the writers personally and recognize them individually. And it was fun to speak with them both informally and formally. It was a joy to hear them read or dis- cuss their own work, and it was stimulating to listen to those who came to instruct.
It was also gratifying to learn that so many were interested in this conference, the first of its kind for this publication. In venturing to estimate the response, the Era staff timidly vouchsafed that there might be fifty who would attend. When the final count was made, it was learned that more than one hundred and fifty attended. It has been especially gratifying to hear from many of those who attended that they were pleased with this initial conference and felt that it accomplished the purpose for which it was called, that of acquainting writers with Era needs and procedures as well as of acquainting the Era editorial board with the exceptional writers who make the magazine a real force in promoting intelligent, worth-while reading.
Naturally, there are ideas and programing that could be perfected for another year, but the whole- hearted response to this call to writers has been most gratifying and stimulating to the Era staff and has made the members of it begin already to initiate plans for another year's conference with Era writers. — M. C. /.
512
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA
4.^4.
cxxxuii. Jrd IKeliaion rfeeded In an,
^fge or Science f
\X/e live literally in an age of science, in every factory, farm, and home are helps undreamed of a century or two ago. On every man's table today are things beyond the reach of kings or potentates before science began its onward march. The change in human life, in comforts and lux- uries, since the scientific age began, is beyond un- derstanding. All this is received gratefully by the people of the world.
This has come about because about three hun- dred years ago men began to search out the laws of nature. With every new discovery came other discoveries. The knowledge of man grew so rapid- ly that many new sciences were born. Today the multiplicity of knowledge won from the study of nature is bewildering. No one man can know all that has been discovered. The best a person can do in our day is to occupy some little corner of human knowledge and make himself strong there-
in.
It was a great day for human welfare when peo- ple began to replace traditions and imaginations with answers of nature herself to questions asked by man. Since that time we have seen the universe with clearer vision, and now we refuse to accept any statement which has not been tried out by the powers with which nature has endowed man.
Through the advancement of science man has not only learned to understand the laws of nature, but he has also obtained great power over the surrounding forces of nature. Trees are blown out of the ground; rock is blasted out of the mountain; falling water now turns turbines and motors to perform much of the work that man formerly had to do with his hands. In countless ways power has been won over conditions that formerly defied human efforts.
These great achievements filled men with a sense of pride. They were masters of nature. They forgot the higher power — God. They sought more knowledge and paid little attention to the proper use of increased knowledge. Unfortunate- ly, therefore, as powers multiplied, they were not always used for the best interests of humanity. Powder, for example, useful in clearing forests or tunneling in mountains for coal or valuable min- erals, became also a tool in the hands of evil. Guns and cannons were made to destroy human beings. The release of atomic forces with their promise of tremendous service to mankind has so far been used only in terrible, unspeakable destruction of life. The wars of the present are a thousandfold
e conciliation
more horrible than those of past ages when men fought with simple instruments, each one against his opponent.
It must be confessed that, while science has brought ease into man's daily work, it has also often reduced man to beast-like conditions. This misuse of new discoveries has become so grievous as to make man wonder if science is really an un- mixed blessing; for example, the discovery of how the atomic forces of certain elements may be re- leased has therefore been received with fear rather than joy.
The situation has become so serious that many scientific men have at last accepted their full re- sponsibility and have set up the dogma that a man who makes a discovery in science must thereafter concern himself with its proper use among men. It must be watched over so that it may help ad- vance the welfare of men. Gradually, this con- ception is moving in upon all workers in science. Scientific men are being held responsible, in part at least, for the use to which their discoveries are put.
Here religion steps in. After a great discovery has been made, what are the right or wrong pur- poses for which it may be employed? How may it be used for the common good?
What are the standards of right and wrong? What is the common good? To these questions science is silent. There is but one field, the field of religion, in which the standards of right and wrong, of human behavior, are set up and where the seeker may find courage to cling to the right and eschew wrong in discoveries made.
The doctrine of the common good, which is the essence of religion, is a basic principle in the plan of salvation, laid out by the Lord for his children on earth.
It is left to man to apply facts as they may be discovered, for human benefit. That is a religious process, for the common good implies the existence and purpose of God, and man's relationship to him.
Religion is able to answer the questions that may be asked by delvers of science into the mys- teries of nature. Religion asserts that all men are the children of God; that they were placed on earth to become acquainted with the elements of earth; and to learn to control themselves, by di- recting the laws of nature to the good of man.
Every discovery of science should be used for the good of man, in harmony with his divine plan. That is a thought greatly needed by science. The vastness of the discovered universe is an evidence of the fathomless nature of the supreme Intelli- gence who made this universe possible. Science may become a faith-promoting subject of consideration
(Concluded on page 538)
AUGUST 1949
513
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SAFETY IS ONLY COMMON SENSE
By Be
ame
t
^>ck
warlz
lx
IT happened suddenly. Traffic ac- cidents always do. The baby didn't cry. There wasn't time. He was crushed, lifeless, as the perambulator was crumbled under the wheels of the automobile.
The mother had tried desperate- ly, frantically, to pull back the small cart, but even in a split-second there's too much time between real- ization and action.
A few minutes before, the baby was prattling innocently, trustingly. Then his mother started across the street, pushing the low perambulator with him in it, not thinking it neces- sary to carry him in her arms. Wouldn't it seem silly to push an empty cart? Silly? This baby's carriage became a death trap on a street in a California metropolis!
The driver's fault? That is no consolation at a funeral.
There are no statutes decreeing a baby must be carried across a street. Be your own lawmaker about it. Better an empty carriage for a few minutes than an empty crib for a lifetime!
A doting aunt took her small nephew for an automobile ride, and was overjoyed at the cuteness of the baby standing on her lap and holding the steering wheel as if driving the car.
It was cute. Such baby antics al- ways are.
Suddenly, and without warning, the motorist in front of them stopped his car. There was a colli- sion. Very little damage was done to either automobile, but the baby lay dead on the aunt's lap. The impact had hurtled him against the steering wheel. His little chest was crushed.
It could happen to any baby!
Tn Georgia, a woman reached into the cage of a gentle-looking polar bear — and lost her hand!
At another zoo, a monkey — al- ways a favorite with children — ferociously bit a small child's hand as the child offered a peanut.
A beautiful, strutting Oriental fowl viciously pecked a deep scar- ring hole into another child's face, narrowly missing the eye.
Animals are moody too. Ask the keeper at the zoo. He'll tell you to obey the "Stand clear" signs. They were put there by people who know the animals can be more dangerous in a cage than they are in their natural habitat.
HThe ball rolled to the side of the room and came to a stop at the wall. Naturally, the baby crawled to it. It was his plaything, a good plaything, because it was bright and shiny and made noise. He reached for it, and, by sudden tragic coinci- dence, a picture on the wall fell with guillotine-like speed. The child's hand is disfigured for life.
Of course pictures on walls make a home attractive and prove decora- tive skill. But will those same dec- orations jar loose and fall? Do you check yours frequently? Vibrations of all kinds, and the settling of a house loosen nails and screws. In earthquake areas, the danger is even greater.
Why not mark the calendar for periodic checks? The above tragedy occurred in Ohio. It could happen in your house wherever you live.
HPhe inside of the electric wall socket was bright copper. It glittered like Christmas tinsel. It was shiny enough to attract this baby in Illinois. The tot reached into the socket.
Scores of babies throughout the nation died the same way during the year. Yet the price of ordinary screw plugs to fit those open sockets is so low that neglect is criminal.
After all, safety is only common
sense.
514
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA
Good Hostesses Remember Junior
Anne is such a darling. You love to have her visit — did, rather, ■ before she had that terror tod- dler. Why, Junior can't sit still one minute! Can you? Try sitting on an oversized chair some day: no book, no nothing, and pretend that you are Junior.
Time after time you say apolo- getically to Anne and your other friends with children, "I'm sorry. There is nothing for small children to play with here. We're all adults, you know." Then you search franti- cally for some object which might possibly interest a curious, squirm- ing child.
'"This situation can be remedied eas- ily, but few childless hostesses think of it, it seems. How? Invest in a few inexpensive toys, a color book, crayons, clay, a stuffed toy. A trip through the nearest dime store will give you ideas. Assemble them in a gaily-colored box.
A toy presented to a child guest in this manner takes on impor- tance which far outweighs its actual cost. I know, for I vividly re- member such a thoughtful hostess. Twenty years later I still send her greeting cards each holiday!
You might even buy a gay plas- tic bib (easily washed off), a box of graham crackers, and an inexpen- sive set of tiny dishes.
Then the next time you see Anne, or anyone else, strolling up your walk with Junior, you can smile to yourself with happy expectations, because Junior will (following a normal child behavior pattern) be happy, too; and happy children are always good.
THE NEW
RENDEZVOUS By J. Fabian Giroux
A'
N eternity of time has dropped, Grain by heavy grain, Since last we met.
All time is but a moment now: We meet again!
AUGUST 1949
Gold' Rush of 49
Maybe you've noticed it already— the way women are hurrying to buy Golden Fels-Naptha Soap and Soap Chips.
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If you haven't tried the 1949 Fels-Naptha Soap or Soap Chips get some today. Get a big red and green box of Fels-Naptha Soap Chips for your washing machine or automatic washer. You'll really get a thrill at the way this grand, golden soap gets things fragrantly clean and sweet and a bigger thrill when your dazzling white washes are hung on the line.
Join the 1949 Gold Rush today—
to The Golden Fels-Naptha Soap shelves
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515
TUNA-TOMATO CASSEROLE
SiMB
You'll like this easy family dinner. Make it early and reheat just before serving. It's a meal in itself! Star-Kist Tuna makes it best because only the tender, smaller, better-tasting tuna are packed under the Star-Kist quality label.
STAR-KIST TUNA-TOMATO CASSEROLE
1 7-oz. can Star-Kist Fancy Solid Pack (or Chunk Style) Tuna
Vi cup chopped onion
1 teaspoon salt
Vi cup sliced ripe olives
Combine first six ingredients and place over 1 cup noodles in greased casserole. Cover with remaining Yz cup noodles, sprinkle with cheese. Bake in 325°F. oven for 30 minutes.
1 TO'/a-oz. can tomato soup Vi cup milk 1 Vi cups cooked
noodles Vi cup grated
American cheese
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cups that will make your best creamed luncheon or dinner dishes taste better! Remove crusts from slices of Fisher's White Bread, then brush each slice with melted butter. Gently press each slice into a muffin cup. Bake in a moderate oven (350°) until crisp and golden brown. Fill toast cups with chicken a la king or other favorite creamed mixture. Watch this column for more wonderful ways to use nourish- ing, delicious, economical Fisher's Bread — truly bread at its best!
516
Josephine B. Nichols
/^ompany coming — serve simple, east- ly prepared meals, meals that sound cool, look cool, and taste cool. Pre- pare them early in the morning and place in the refrigerator until serving time.
Cool Luncheon
Chilled Tuna Loaf Cucumber Dressing
Buttered New Corn
Sliced Tomatoes
French Roll Butter
Green Apple Pie
Quick Meal
Sea-food Shortcake
Tomato and Cucumber Wedges
Ice Honeydew or Watermelon Slices
Fruit Salad Bowl with Fluffy Cheese
Dressing
Nut Bread Sandwiches
Chocolate Sundies
Porch Supper
Casserole of Chicken and Mushrooms French Fried Potatoes
Relish Plate Fresh Peach Shortcake
Fruit Salad Bowl
Choose fresh fruit, peaches, pears, can- taloupe, honeydew, and grapes. Arrange around Fluffy Cottage Cheese Dressing.
Ftuffy Cottage Cheese Dressing
2 cups cottage cheese
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons sugar
Beat cottage cheese until fluffy, beat in remaining ingredients. Chill.
Whole Wheat Nut Bread
1 cup sugar 2^3 cup honey
2 eggs
1 cup sour milk
1 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon salt Y cup melted fat
\Yi cups enriched flour 1^2 cups whole wheat flour \Yi cups nuts
Sift dry ingredients together except nuts. Combine remaining ingredients. Add to dry mixture. Stir only until flour is mois- tened. Stir in nuts. Bake in two small loaf pans one hour at 350".
Chilled Tuna Loaf
2 tablespoons unflavored gelatine
1 cup cold water
2 hard cooked eggs, sliced $3 cup lemon juice
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA
4 7-ounce cans tuna (grated) 2 cups mayonnaise or salad dressing 2 cups chopped celery Y2 cup chopped green pepper 1 teaspoon salt
Soften gelatine in cold water. Dissolve over hot water. Combine remaining in- gredients, add gelatine. Pour into oiled loaf pan or ring mold. Chill until firm, un- mold. Garnish with parsley and tomato slices. Serve cucumber dressing.
Cucumber Dressing
1 cup cream, whipped Yi teaspoon salt
34 teaspoon paprika
2 tablespoons lemon juice 34 cup mayonnaise
1 cup chopped pared cucumber, drained
Whip cream, fold in remaining ingre- dients. Serve at once.
Seafood Shortcake Tuna Sauce
1 cup flaked tuna
1 can cream of mushroom soup x/i cup evaporated milk
x/2 cup water
2 tablespoons chopped pimento J^ teaspoon salt
1 cup cooked peas
Heat soup, milk, and water in double boil- er. Add remaining ingredients, cook ten minutes. Make waffles or biscuits with package mix, following directions on package. Arrange waffles or biscuits short- cake-fashion with hot tuna sauce.
Casserole of Chicken and Mushrooms
4 cups cooked chicken
3 to 4 cups chicken broth
2 ounces macaroni or noodles
4 tablespoons butter 4 tablespoons flour
13^ teaspoons salt 34 teaspoon pepper
1 6-ounce can mushrooms
Cook macaroni or noodles in chicken broth until tender, strain off broth. Make sauce with butter, flour, and broth, season with salt and pepper. Drain and slice mushrooms. Arrange chicken, macaroni, and mushrooms in layers, in large casserole or eight individual casseroles. Pour over sauce. Top with buttered bread crumbs. Bake in oven (300") fifteen to twenty min- utes.
Peach Shortcake
2 cups cake flour J^ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder 14, teaspoon soda
34 cup sugar
J/? cup shortening
x/2 cuP buttermilk or sour milk
3 cups sliced fresh peaches Yi cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Sift flour with salt, baking powder, soda, and sugar. Cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add milk, mix only until dough follows fork around bowl. Pat out in greased eight-inch square pan. Bake in hot oven (425°) twenty minutes. Split hot shortcake. Fill and top with sliced peaches, sprinkle with remaining sugar and cinnamon. Serve with cream, plain or whipped.
AUGUST 1949
A language that
mtjfy f&u eon 4€4u£e^to#t€£
Your baby has a language all his own . . . but how well you under- stand it! The cry that says he's hun- gry. The small sounds he makes while you're feeding him — sounds saying "this tastes good." And when you hold him 'high — the merry gurgle.
Of course, your baby's welfare and happiness depend largely on the things you do. Right at the top of the list is the kind of milk you give him. Is it always easy to digest — causing no harmful upsets? Does it provide all the food substances he needs to enable him- to grow sturdy, with sound teeth and straight, strong bones?
If the milk you give your baby
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This seal certifies that the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation 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.
FREE TO MOTHERS! This handy book that makes it easier for you to care for and train your baby. Dozens of the most important questions about the care and training of your baby are answered in this 64-page illustrated book. Approved by a well-known doc- tor. Praised enthusiastically by mothers all over the west. Send for your free copy of this helpful book today. Address: Sego Milk Co., Dept. E-4, Salt Lake City, Utah.
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517
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Y.M.M.LA. General Board
"\17ith the approval of the First Pres- idency, General Superintendent Elbert R. Curtis has announced the ap- pointment of William B. Smart and Crawford Gates to the general board of the Y.M.M.LA.
Elder Smart, first assistant to the superintendent of Y.M.M.LA. in the Salt Lake City Twelfth Ward, at the time of his appointment, is a reporter for the Deseret News. Born at Provo, Utah, he is the son of Patriarch Thom- as L. Smart of the Portland (Oregon) Stake. He is a graduate of Reed Col- lege, Portland, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, the national schol- astic fraternity. He served in the army for four years during World War II.
Elder Smart is an ardent sportsman, and has worked with Explorer groups in the Mutuals. He has been assigned to the M Men committee of the general board.
WILLIAM B. SMART CRAWFORD GATES
JPlder Gates, composer of "The Promised Valley," for the Utah Centennial, was born in San Francisco. All four of his great-grandfathers were Utah Pioneers. Crawford Gates started playing the piano at the age of eight, and later took up violin, viola, clarinet, trumpet, organ, harp, and other instru- ments to be able to write music for them.
He is an Eagle Scout, a former as- sistant scoutmaster, and has served the Church as chorister, Aaronic Priest- hood supervisor, and an officer and teacher of the Sunday School in Palo Alto (California) Ward. He filled a mission in the Eastern States, 1940-42, where he served as mission music di- rector and conductor of the Mormon male chorus of Philadelphia, participat- ing in fifty broadcasts for the Church. In the navy during World War II, he was an M.I.A. group leader and taught Sunday School in Kihei Branch, Maui, Hawaiian Islands.
At present he has a two-year leave of absence from Brigham Young Uni- versity music department, to complete his doctorate. He is assigned to the music committee of the general board.
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA
On The Bookrack
{Concluded from page 511)
YOUTH ASKS ABOUT RELIGION
(Jack Finegan. Association Press, New York. 1948. 191 pages. $2.00.)
T~^\R. Finegan, a minister of the Dis- ciples of Christ, has collected one hundred questions frequently asked him by young people. He has divided these questions into twelve groups under: The spirit of the quest, exploring the universe, understanding evolution and history, God, Jesus Christ, the Bible, the Church, the other religions, philos- ophies of religion, prayer and worship, religious living, and immortality. His brief answers are generally nonsec- tarian, and in most cases conform to the best knowledge and belief. The book will be useful because of the questions, if nothing else. The an- swers given are all thought provoking. It is another of the useful Haddan House books. — /. A. W.
RURAL SOCIOLOGY
(Lowry Nelson. American Book Company, New York. 1948. 567 pages. $4.25.) HpHis latest addition to the American Sociological Series covers the rural field, in which Latter-day Saints are keenly interested. Rural life has changed greatly in the passing years. This book brings together, in a simple but dependable manner, for the use of students and general readers, the facts and theories regarding rural life. It emphasizes the place of social institu- tions in a rural environment, and the various forms of social inter-action among rural groups. There is assem- bled in this book a mass of material which those interested have been obliged to hunt for, far and wide, in periodicals and books. That makes the book more useful than ever. Tables, graphs, and pictures help to visualize the statements made in the text. The author, Dr. Lowry Nelson, formerly of Brigham Young University, now pro- fessor of sociology in the University of Minnesota, has achieved national renown in his chosen field. The series itself is under the general editorship of Dr. Kimball Young, also of Utah origin. — /. A. W.
pMs the ftcnic Complete
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The heart must speak or bleed To silent death; The heart must speak although The faintest breath.
And when the heart has spoken Its weight of words, The heart can soar beyond The swiftest birds.
AUGUST 1949
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519
Is Your Quorum Sending The ERA to Servicemen?
■Rrom the office of The Improve- ment Era the general priesthood committee of the Council of the Twelve has received the following communica- tion:
Dear Brethren:
We have just received a letter from the army chaplain at Camp Cooke, California, in which he says: "We have a group of Mormon men meeting once each week and holding their Mormon service and discus- sion group. The leader of this group has requested that, if possible, we have a copy of your publication available for this group."
Quorum presidencies have been re- sponsible for nearly a year to secure for men in the military services sub- scriptions to The Improvement Era and Church News from quorum funds. This applies to those bearing the Aaronic as well as the Melchizedek Priesthood.
At this camp there is a large con- centration of L.D.S. servicemen, but apparently not a single one, if this re- port is correct, is receiving The Im- provement Era. We emphasize again the request that all quorums meet this responsibility without delay.
During the recent worldwide con- flict many glowing letters of praise and appreciation were received from serv- icemen concerning the important part The Improvement Era played in their lives. This messenger of faith, encour- agement, and admonition is a timely and welcome friend of servicemen. It may do much to keep these young men away from home supplied with the highest type of reading matter. In a number of cases it has also proved to be a valuable missionary among those in search of truth.
Stake leaders charged with the su- pervision of servicemen activities are requested to make every reasonable effort without delay to effect this pro- gram through Melchizedek Priesthood quorums and ward bishoprics to insure every L. D. S. serviceman's receiving "the Church's greatest missionary."
Softball Program Meets With Ready Response
Tnder the able leadership of the all- Church softball committee, nearly all stakes in the Church as well as some missions are participating in what may well be the largest softball league in the United States. Competition is now at its height and stake championships are being determined so winners may engage in the regional playoffs. 520 *
Plans are now under way to conduct the all-Church softball championship playoff at Salt Lake City on September 15, 16, and 17. Winners from each of the thirteen divisions will contest for the honor of being named Church champions for 1949.
This is the first year of a softball program conducted on a Churchwide basis. Several stakes have had teams of elders engage in this sport for a number of years and in some areas inter-stake playoffs were conducted, but this marks the inaugural year for extending this activity throughout the Church.
Excellent teams are playing in many stakes and, as usual, there is a keen spirit of friendly rivalry. California teams are reaching out for the coveted championship trophy while those in Arizona, Utah, Idaho, and neighboring states predict victory for themselves. Before the final game is played, there will be considerable speculation as to a possible championship team, but after all competition is past, the close ties of friendship formed in such par- ticipation will remain the biggest single prize, and teams will return home to begin making plans which will assure them of greater triumphs for the next year.
While we wish gratifying success for all teams, we join with them in saying, "May the best team win." Each team, of course, considers itself that "best" team.
Reprinted 1949 Lesson Text Now Available
HThe supply of 1949 Melchizedek Priesthood lesson texts was ex- hausted several weeks ago. Word has just been received from the printer that an additional supply is now available for purchase. These may be purchased in person or by mail from the Deseret Book Company, 44 East South Temple Street, Salt Lake City 10, Utah.
This lesson outline will sell for forty cents a copy over the counter and for- ty-five cents a copy by mail partially to defray the recently increased postal costs. The supply is limited, so quo- rums and individuals are urged to secure their copies while the supply lasts.
Printing of the 1950 lesson text has commenced. Announcement will be made on this page as soon as it is avail- able for purchase.
Priesthood Record Keeping Supplies Simplified
Printing of greatly simplified roll,
report, and minute books is now un- der way. The new record book com- bines a roll and record section, a fi- nancial record, minutes, and reports. The same basic record is adapted for use of quorums and groups in stakes as well as missions. This will be welcome news to quorum presidencies and sec- retaries.
All items will be in large print, and the information requested is stated in such a way that detailed instructions are unnecessary. Each page of the roll and record section provides space for forty names, listing all vital data to- gether with a record of activities. This will enable the entire membership of most quorums and groups to be written on one to three pages, although books with more pages for larger quorums will be available.
Each record will be used for one calendar year. Following completion, it will be filed in the Church His- torian's office with other essential rec- ords.
The size of the books is much small- er. Reports likewise will contain a limited amount of easy-to-understand information. One book will contain all the records and reports necessary.
It is anticipated that these supplies will be available within a short time. Announcement will be made on these pages of a later issue of The Im- provement Era as soon as stakes and missions may place their orders.
More detailed information concern- ing them will be published later.
Truth will endure for ever and for ever, and every man that preaches the gospel of salvation may take the old text that some of us took in the commencement of the building up of the kingdom of God upon the earth in the last days, I took truth for my toxU sal- vation for my subject, and the whole world for my circuit, to go as far as I could and talk all I could about it* It takes every truth from every sect and party. What! in a civil capacity also? Yes. All law, all powers, all king- doms, and all thrones, — in fine, all things are under the control of God. — Brigham Young.
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA
CONDUCTED BY THE GENERAL PRIESTHOOD COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE TWELVE — HAROLD B. LEE, CHAIRMAN; EZRA TAFT BENSON, MARK E. PETERSEN, HENRY D. MOYLE, MARION G. ROMNEY, THOMAS E. MC KAY, CLIFFORD E. YOUNG, ALMA SONNE, LEVI EDGAR YOUNG, ANTOINE R. IVINS, RICHARD L. EVANS, OSCAR A. KIRKHAM, S. DILWORTH YOUNG, MILTON R. HUNTER, BRUCE R. MC CONKIE
NO-LIQUOR-TOBACCO COLUMN
Conducted by Dr. Joseph F. Merrill
Alcoholics in Industry
"pROM the Quarterly Journal of Studies On Alcohol, we learn that conservative statistical estimates show that 2,060,000 alcoholics are regularly employed. One million three hundred seventy thousand male alcoholics are employed in manufacturing plants, by construction companies, and by public utilities. The male alcoholic in indus- try loses an average of twenty-two working days annually — a total of 29,700,000 working days from the acute effects of alcohol alone. In ad- dition, the alcoholic loses each year two days more than non-alcoholics be- cause of various ailments. The alco- holic is responsible annually for 1,500 fatal accidents at work, and 2,850 fatal accidents at home, in public places, and in traffic. This is an accident rate of 321 for each 100,000, which is twice that of the non-alcoholic. The work- ing life of the chronic alcoholic is re- duced by approximately twelve years. A severe loss to industry occurs when an experienced worker, or executive is dismissed because of excess drinking. Estimates of the cost to industry of alcohol addiction among employees are staggering.
investigation of Crime Crisis
Bishop Wilbur E. Hammaker, exec- utive vice president of the board of temperance of the Methodist Church, in a release to the press, calls for the appointment of a presidential com- mission to investigate the crime crisis, stating that we are in danger of being overwhelmed by a calamity of major proportions.
Slowly, but surely, the mind of America is becoming aware of a con- tinuing orgy of crime. The offenses are startlingly bestial. As the editor of the Richmond, Va., News Leader wrote a few days ago:
It is a rare day that does not find in the papers some such monstrous crime as that of the sex murder and attempted incinera-
AUGUST 1949
tion of a six-year-old boy in East Lansing, Michigan.
The stories of all sorts of horrible crimes stain the pages of our papers and, worse than that, stain the lives of our people.
America is beginning to sense the significance of the abounding and in- creasing wave of lawlessness. It is more than a wave. It is a great and rising tide. As a public leader said a few days ago, and he was not a "Dry," or a "Preacher":
The criminal situation is so grave that it calls for a study at the highest level by the best qualified authority. I would ask Mr. Truman to give consideration to the crisis and name a presidential commission to in- vestigate the new prevalence of crime.
Some such official cognizance of our frightful disregard of all human rights by the criminally inclined section of our population is due, long overdue. We might as well look with open eyes at what is happening when there is no prohibition of the liquor traffic. In the twenties and early thirties of this cen- tury, the blame for bad conditions was laid at the door of the Drys. The goat was Prohibition.
Is the blame now to be laid at the door of repeal and legalized liquor? That would seem to be fair. Especial- ly, would that be a just indictment in view of current newspaper stories? In almost every instance of brutal murder or horrible crime, the reporter on the trail soon scents alcohol. Honest re- porting constrains him to write in this vein: He or she had been making a round of the taverns. He or she or they were under the influence. Yes, it is time that the nation took time to stop, look, and listen.
The matter is so extremely serious, that others than reformers and near reformers should be taking a hand. We are in danger of being over- whelmed by a calamity of major pro- portions. The stench of nations that have died of rottenness cannot be escaped by anyone who travels along the road of history through the suc- cessive centuries. Morals are not lux- uries; they are necessities.
Liquor by the Drink
A legislative committee in Texas
has rejected the proposal to legalize the sale of liquor by the drink. Such laws inevitably result in the opening of cocktail rooms, which always prove a demoralizing influence on young peo- ple of the "better class" homes. It is in these drinking places that they make contacts with underworld char- acters. Liquor by the drink also serves the convenience of night clubs, which are perhaps responsible for more drunken driving than any other influ- ence in metropolitan areas.
A Pledge Asked
A ccording to the Denver Post, May • 20, 1949, at the ninety-second an- nual convention of the Southern Bap- tists, held in Oklahoma City, all six million Baptists, from President Tru- man down, were asked to sign a pledge for total abstinence from liquor.
In this column several months ago attention was called to a movement of the Methodist Church in the United States to secure a similar pledge from its members.
It was in 1808, we learn, that Dr. Billy James Clark, a distinguished physician, organized the first temper- ance society in America. The pledge taken by its members read:
No member shall drink rum, gin, whisky, or any distilled spirits or composition of any of them, except by the advice of a physician, or in case of actual disease, also except at public dinners.
It was not until 1826 that the or- ganized temperance forces became con- vinced that moderation in the uses of spirituous liquors as a solution of the problem was impractical. Thomas Jef- ferson was one of the first men of that day to become convinced of this. It was in this year that this conviction had become common to all temperance people of the day, so the pledge of the American Temperance Society in that year called for total abstinence from the stronger drinks. In part the pledge read:
We, whose names are hereunto annexed, believing that the use of ardent spirits as a drink is not only needless but also harm- ful to the social, civil, and religious inter- ests of men; . . . We do therefore agree that we will not use or traffic in it, that we will not provide it as articles of enter- tainment, or for persons in our employment, and that in all suitable ways we will dis- countenance the use of it in the community.
Thus the temperance movement in the United States was begun and suc- ceeded in 1920, in getting national pro- hibition. Many accepted this as ending the curse of liquor in America and be- came quiescent, only to learn that laws, however good, do not enforce them- selves.
521
Aaronic Priesthood
Dealing With the Absentee
A few leaders feel it an "unjustice
that the quorum must now account for members living away from home since the Standard Quorum Award enrolment was discontinued as of Jan- uary 1, 1949.
It is recognized that in a few isolated cases, and especially in very small groups, a boy living away from home and in such location as to preclude any Church activity, may bring down quo- rum or group records to the point where the earning of the award will be impossible. In such cases, we have been asked for some adjustment of the requirements to meet this situation.
We cannot modify the requirements — they stand as published. Where it becomes entirely impossible for a small group to qualify for the quorum award because of an absentee member, there still remains the individual award for personal excellence. After all, we feel our first concern should be the look- ing after of each individual member, letting "quorum chips" fall where they may.
It is a safe prediction that quorums or groups qualifying for the award for 1949 will be those whose leaders and members have paid particular atten- tion to the individual boy, recognizing that the qualifying of the individual is the surest way, the only way, to quali- fy the quorum or group.
In the final analysis, the elimination of the Standard Quorum Award en- rolment as a means for increasing the requirements was preferred over the retention of such enrolment and the raising of the standards.
One other observation: It is a fact that since the elimination of the Stand- ard Quorum Award enrolment, our absentee boys are receiving far more personal attention from bishoprics and other Aaronic Priesthood leaders than was ever the case before.
How can we count it a loss, an "in-
Presenting the Champions from Inglewood Ward, Inglewood Stake
GARRY VAN VLIET ALLEN EVERLEY JACK SOLOMON
— Photo by Robert Stum, Los Angeles
Tn a communication submitted by Mel- vin H. Johnson on behalf of Bishop Arlow W. Nalder, Inglewood Ward, Inglewood Stake, we are introduced to these Latter-day Saint champions and made acquainted with their records as follows:
An achievement has recently been made in our ward that is not only newsworthy but almost unbelievable.
Each year the Horace Mann Junior High School, one of the largest public schools of Los Angeles with an enrolment of nearly
justice," even though we fail to qualify quite as many quorums for the Stand- ard Quorum Award, if, in the mean- time, we reach out to warm the hearts and to save the souls of more of our boys who are living away from home?
Idaho Stake Honors Youth and Parents in Unique Award Program
fjjf
two thousand students, presents a most cov- eted award to the young boy who, for the year preceding, has distinguished himself as the most outstanding student in athletics, character, and scholastics. This is a perpet- ual trophy sponsored by former students of the school who are presently renowned in the field of sports. Notably among the sponsors are Gerald Priddy and Lou Strin- ger of the major leagues in the baseball world.
This award is made at the annual Fa- thers and Sons banquet, the highlight of the school year calendar. In 1947, this award was presented to Gary Van Vliet (center in the photo). The succeeding year, 1948, saw the honor bestowed upon Allen Everley (left) and this current year, 1949, Jack Solomon (right) was similarly hon- ored. Three consecutive years the award was presented to three young Mormon boys, all of them members of the Inglewood Ward of the Inglewood Stake of Zion.
Gary, Allen, and Jack are just as out- standing in their Church work. All are very active members of the teachers' quo- rum.
We point up the communique — Gary, Allen, and Jack are champions in "athletics, character, and scholas- tics," and "are just as outstanding in their Church work." Could more be said of Latter-day Saint boys? May these high standards and pleasing ap- praisals of their conduct always be the criteria of their lives.
Supposing all Aaronic Priest- hood records for 1949, individual and quorum, were to be called in now, where would your boys and your quorums be — in the parade of success, or watching the par- ade go by?
522
Three hundred Aaronic Priesthood members and L.D.S. girls, with their parents, were special guests of the Idaho Stake Aaronic Priesthood committee and ward bishoprics in a program and social hon- oring award achievements.
In the photo, Lee A. Palmer represented the Presiding Bishopric in the presentation of three Standard Quorum Awards and twenty-eight individ- ual awards to Aaronic Priesthood members. G. Wal- lace Fox presented three Standard Group Awards and thirty-seven individual awards to L.D.S. girls.
Fallowing the program and presentation of awards, a lively game fest was conducted by Onan Mecham and Henry Maxfield.
The stake presidency, high council, bishoprics, and stake and ward youth leaders were well represented. A. Wilder Hatch is chairman of the stake Aaronic Priesthood committee. Ross D. Redford (extreme left in the photo} and Luella Peterson were in charge of this outstanding event.
Idaho Stake youth are already looking forward to another social just like it in 7950 and stake and ward youth leaders are determined not to disappoint their young people.
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA
HH Leaded ou <=Lee _^v. rait.
mer
ADULT MEMBERS
OF AARONIC
PRIESTHOOD HONOR
GROUP ADVISER ON
SEVENTY-FIRST
BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY
George E. Manworing, Libeity Ward, Liberty Stoke, was on the re- ceiving end when his class of