A Word to Young Latter-day Saints

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A WORD TO YOUNG LATTER-DAY SAINTS. BY THE LATE GEORGE GODDARD.

"He being dead yet speaketh." [Some weeks before his demise, the late Elder George Goddard was invitedto write some word for the Era. This he did, but by some inadvertence his paper did not reach the hands of the Editors of the Era until a few days ago, and we now take pleasure in publishing it As one reads it recollections of the kind spirited old man who labored for so many years, and so faithfully for the triumph of the principles he here admonishes the youth of Israel to observe, are brought back. To our young men, to the middle aged and even to the aged, we say listen once more to the pleadings, admonitions, and words of encouragement of Brother George Goddard. Editors.]

It has been my privilege and duty for over thirty years to publicly talk to many thousands of Sunday School children throughout Utah and several surrounding states and territories, and in doing so, I have used simple language that all could understand my meaning. Era for the I have been requested to write something for the

benefit of the many thousands of Mutual Improvement members, who read its pages. I scarcely know just where to begin to make it interesting and profitable to you. I will suppose, however, that you have been a member of the Church several years, and lately united yourself to the Mutual Improvement Associations. This is a good beginning, and if I can say a few words to you by way of encouragement, I shall be so glad, because everobody likes to be encouraged when they are trying to do what is right. First as a member of the Church, having been baptized for

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the remission of your sins, and the gift of the Holy Ghost conferred upon you by the ordinance of confirmation, you start out as a disciple of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

"You must not forget to pray Night and morning every day."

Always try to be on hand at family prayer, with father and mother and the rest of the family. Never refuse to ask a blessing on the food, or engage in family prayer, when asked by your parents. Be strictly honest and never steal anything. Respect and honor your Bishop by being punctual at his ward and fast meetings. Keep good companions and avoid bad ones. Every dollar you earn pay one tenth as your tithing, and don't forget the poor on fast days, if only a trifle. Never forget your tabernacle and quorum meetings. By observing these things, you will be regarded as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ, in full fellowship. No matter what ward you may live in, any Bishop will be proud of such a member, and any blessing within his reach he will always deem it a pleasure to impart to you. To be such a member would be far more desirable and a far greater honor, than to be a son or daughter of any king or potentate on the earth. I have only referred to a few of the duties and privileges that all Latterday Saints are entitled to, and in carefully reading them over, one by one, please compare them with your own daily habits, and if reminded of some delinquency or neglect, repent and reform, and keep correcting and reforming until you become perfect as "your Father in Heaven is perfect." I am reminded of one more important item that I must not forget to mention under this heading, because it has absorbed so much of my anxiety, prayers and teaching for so many years past. I mean abstinence from the use of tea, coffee, beer, wine,

liquor and tobacco, which all Latter-day Saints should strictly observe, especially at weddings, festivals, bathing and pleasure example may be always telling on such occaresorts, so that your sions. All the inestimable blessings of our Heavenly Father, couched in the "Word of Wisdom" and promised to all Saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, are within the reach of the many thousands

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of the growing youth of Zion, of both sexes. Therefore let it be

the determination of every officer and member of all Mutual Improvement Associations, to start with the New Year of 1899 as strict observers of that wise and reasonable requirement of the Gospel. Let the effort be at once made to effect a mighty reformation among the youth of Israel. Let the echo reach the head quarters of Zion from every stake and branch of the Church throughout the world, that at the opening of the millennial year of two thousand, there are over one hundred thousand youthful Latter-day Saints living .in strict harmony with the mind and will of God. By thus living, a mighty future awaits you, not only on this continent, but throughout the nations of the earth. God will give you power and influence among the most refined, and enlightened statesmen of the present day, and by your self-denying example, you will become saviors upon Mount Zion. And that God our Heavenly Father may carry conviction to the hearts of every one who reads these few lines, and prompts them to carry out the same in their lives, is the sincere desire and prayer of Your aged brother in the Gospel, George Goddard.