Editor’s Table: Annual Conference; Questions and Answers

EDITOR'S TABLE.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE.

The annual conference of the Young Men's Mutual Improve- ment Association was held in Salt Lake City, on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, June 2, 3, and 4, 1901. On the first day, there were three meetings held conjointly with the Young Ladies' Improve- ment Associations; and, on the following two days, four business meetings of the young men were held in the assembly hall of the Latter-day Saints College. The lower space in the great taber- nacle was well filled with young people, on Sunday morning, and in the afternoon and evening, the galleries were thrown open to accommodate the large numbers in attendance. At the business meetings, on Monday and Tuesday, there were representatives present from forty-one stakes out of forty-six which are organized, there being two, Hyrum, and Benson, as yet unorganized. Presi- dent Joseph F. Smith presided at all the meetings, and Music Director Evan Stephens and his assistant Horace S. Ensign looked well after the very excellent musical part of the program. The details of the arrangements were in the hands of General Secretary Thomas Hull who deserves great credit for his indefatigable labors to make the conference a success. The spirit of the assembled workers gave clear evidence of increased earnestness in the cause of mutual improvement among the young people of Zion. At no previous conference has advance- ment therein been more clearly discernible. Among this great.

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body of representative young men of Israel, there was an under- current of stability, strength, and determination to do, which bodes well for progress in the season now approaching. The General Board, and the stake superintendents with their aids and officers, have the work well in hand, understand its needs, and

were united in a determination to strike hard for its glorious pro- motion. Some of the main questions discussed and decided in the busi- ness meetings were as follows: It was resolved that where practicable, the grading of asso- ciations into senior and junior classes, be adopted; and where this had already been done, that it be continued, —the details of method to be left, as heretofore, with the stake superintenden- cies.

It was resolved that stake conventions of officers be held in the stakes of Zion, on September 8, 15 and 22, as shall hereafter be arranged, the purpose being to instruct and enthuse the officers in their season's labors, these conventions to be conducted by the stake superintendents, under the direction of the General Board. It was unanimously resolved to continue the subscription price

of the Improvement Era at $2 per annum, and to double the efforts to secure subscribers for volume five, which would, as hereto- fore, continue to be sent to all the missionaries in the world, free of cost. It was agreed that the local missionary work shall continue on the plan of last season, and, that in addition, fifty general mis- sionaries will be secured and sent out to labor with the young men during the season. Each stake will forward two names from which the desired number will be selected. These will meet in Salt Lake City to receive instructions. The names should be for- warded to the missionary committee at once: J. Golden Kimball, J. W. McMurrin, B. F. Grant and Thomas Hull. It was agreed

that every effort to get the new manual before the associations in time, will be made, both by the committee who are preparing it, and by the officers. Besides its main study on the principles of the gospel —the Godhead; faith in God, in the scriptures, revelation,

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and in the'living oracles of The Church; repentance and baptism, it — will contain an outline for a miscellaneous program. The senior and mixed classes will use this manual; and where the associations are graded, the junior classes will use the manual on "The Life of Christ." The instructions on these and other topics were full of life officers who appeared to and spirit, being greatly enjoyed by the be enthusiastic over the prospects of successful work in their various associations. Brethren, let the spirit of enthusiasm of the conference spread to cheer with its sunshine every member of our brotherhood in all the stakes of Zion! The near departure of Apostle Heber J. Grant, one of the General Superintendency of the Y. M. M. I. A., to open the mis- sion field in Japan, was a leading topic of interest to the confer- ence. His farewell speech to the young people, is presented in this number. In parting with him," the youth of Zion will miss for a period an enthusiastic worker in the mutual improvement cause, who has labored night and day for their good, and whose welfare is very near to his heart. If all the young people in The Church

could be heard, we are sure they would join us in saying, "Brother Heber, God speed! God bless and prosper you in your important mission, and at its successful close, return you home in safety to Zion, the people of your love." One of the pleasant features of the conference was the recep- tion at the residence of our beloved President Lorenzo Snow. Six- hundred people, mostly officers and their wives, were privileged to shake hands with him. The social spirit was all that could be asked, and the musical program, the dancing and refreshments, were pleasant incidents in the entertainment. Sister Minnie J. Snow and the sisters of the Y. L. M. I. A. deserve great credit for the splendid success of this beautiful and enjoyable feature of our conference. A fuller account of the proceedings will be published in this and the August number of the Era, and the most important speeches and instructions will appear in full in these pages, from time to time. Every progressive officer will see the importance of keeping well posted on these topics, as well as upon instructions and decisions of the General Board which have already appeared.

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This suggests the necessity of every association library containing a complete bound file of our magazine.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

Did Jesus Baptize? In St. John 3: 22, we read that Jesus baptized; also in 26th verse. In St. John 4: 1, 2, we read that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John. In the second verse, though Jesus himself baptized not, but his dis- ciples. What am I to infer from the quotations above? Did Jesus baptize, or was it only his disciples that baptized?

Jesus did baptize. The passage which appears to conflict with this scriptural fact is evidently an error of translation. As proof of this, reference is made to the inspired revision of the scriptures by the Prophet Joseph Smith —John iv; 1, 2, 3:

1. When therefore the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John,
   2. They sought more diligently some means that they might

put him to death; for many received John as a prophet, but they believed not on Jesus. 3. Now the Lord knew this, though he himself baptized not so many as his disciples. The 4th verse gives his reason for his action (stated in the 3rd verse) : "For he suffered them for an example, preferring one another."

Was there a Difference Between the Baptism of Jesas and John? Now if Chirst baptized or his apostles, what difference between their baptisms and John's, as Jesus or his disciples bestowed not the Holy Ghost? Acts 8: 26.

The baptism administered by John and Jesus and his disciples was identical, being, as referring to John's administration, "The baptism of repentance for the remission of sins." Mark i: 4, and Luke iii: 3. In relation to the apostles: Repent and be baptized

—

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every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission

of sins. Acts ii: 38. See also words of John the Baptist Book of Doctrine and Covenants, page 108. The disciples did confer the Holy Ghost, as related in the chapter named by the questioner (Acts 8th). Philip, who evidently only held the Aaronic Priesthood, baptized a number of people of Samaria. He not having authority to confer the Holy Ghost upon those who had been baptized, Peter and John were sent to officiate in that capacity, and they "then laid their hands upon them, and

they received the Holy Ghost."

Why were the Disciples of John at Ephestts Re-baptized? If Jesus and his disciples had the same baptism as John, why were those baptized by John re-baptized? In acts 8: 16, we find that those bap- tized in the name of the Lord Jesus, had only to receive the Holy Ghost and were not re-baptized? The question evidently refers to the incident of Paul finding certain disciples at Ephesus who had been baptized, but had not even heard of the Holy Ghost. By reading, with close attention, from the beginning of the chapter (Acts 19) to the 6th verse, in- clusive, it will be discovered, from the statement of Paul, that he virtually informed them that they had not been baptized unto John's baptism, but by some pretender, they not having been bap- tized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Evidently their only author- ized baptism was administed by Paul.

Birth and Death of Martin Harris.

When and where was Martin Harris, one of the three witnesses to the Book of Mormon, born; and where did he die?

Martin Harris was born in East-town, Saratoga County, New York, May 18, 1783. He died in Clarkston, Cache County, Utah, on Saturday, July 10, 1875, being then in his 93rd year. He had resided in Utah since August 30, 1870. When buried, the Book of Mormon was put in his right hand, and the Doctrine and Coven- ants in his left hand.

How Shall We Pray? A missionary asks: In praying is it appropriate to use the name

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^'Father" more than once? Does repeating the name of Deity eight or ten times, and asking every two or three sentences "in the name of the Son," make the prayer more emphatic?

The prevailing idea and rule in praying should be simplicity. The Lord's prayer is an excellent example, and in it the Father is mentioned only one time. Repeating the name in that prayer could not make the petition more emphatic. Vain repetition should be avoided; vanity and show in prayer^ is as repulsive to the Lord as it is displeasing to right-thinking men. Another thought in prayer should be propriety, —a regard for appropriate- ness as to time, condition, and place; and above all else, there should be the spirit of prayer present in the heart of the peti- tioner. In such case, it is safe to say that the dictation and utter- ance will be pleasing to God whether his name is mentioned once or twice or a dozen times. Extremes either way, in praying as well as in other actions of life, should be avoided. The thought and the sincere desire of the heart, after all, let it be remembered, is prayer, whether "uttered or unexpressed." In expressing these in words, the natural and simplest is the most fitting and accepta- ble way. In the Doctrine and Covenants, we have two samples of prayers revealed to and uttered by the Prophet Joseph. One, (Section 121) given in distress and sorrow; the other, (Section 109) given in a time of thanksgiving at the completion of a holy temple, lifote their difference.