--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 6 number: 7 published: 1903-05 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations, \"Editor's Table,\" *Improvement Era* 6, no. 7 (May 1903): 544–553." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0607unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera0607unse start_page: 544 end_page: 553 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1903-05) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0607unse publication_year: 1903 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1903, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Editor's Table EDITOR'S TABLE. SEVENTY-THIRD ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE CHURCH, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was seventy- three years old on the 6th of April, 1903! Those who were pres- ent to witness the throngs that attended the annual conference, held in Salt Lake City on April 4, 5 and 6, gained some idea of its splendid growth since it was organized with six, and numbered nine baptized members on that April 6th seventy-three years ago. A mere nucleus then; now the representatives alone, from all parts of the western states, Canada and Mexico, number a host in themselves. Then, a few members in one state; now over three hundred thousand people, with prosperous homes and settle- ments in nearly all the western states, in Canada and Mexico, with missions and colonies in all the states and in many parts of the world, and upon the islands of the sea. Then the Prophet alone with his few followers making known their heavenly mes- sage; now fifteen hundred missionaries constantly in the field of the civilized world proclaiming the glad tidings of the gospel of Christ restored through the voice of God from heaven, with thousands of faithful men and women in well-organized, free, and happy communities, eagerly and without pay, teaching the word, and training the young in the way of true temporal and spiritual salvation. The conference opened with the great Tabernacle packed while every meeting following filled the big building to its utmost limits. On Sunday, the Assembly Hall was thrown open also, and completely filled. Still there were large numbers who could not gain admission. The key note of the instruction was sounded by EDITOR'S TABLE. 545 President Joseph F. Smith in his opening address on Saturday. He warned the people to get out of debt in these prosperous times, and to free themselves and keep free from burdensome financial obligations, and to avoid mortgages and speculative investments. A second important topic was the need of teaching the young people to be producers, mechanics and artisans, rather than mere followers of the learned professions. This implies manual train- ing and domestic science as part of the education of the boys and girls, so that they may be able to produce something for the gen- eral welfare. While he did not in any way belittle scholastic attainments, such as the schools and universities lead the youth to acquire, he pointed out the need of knowing how to cultivate the soil to the best advantage, and ofhow to make articles needful for the comfort and convenience of the people, and of how to manage the practical affairs of home. These topics were enlarged upon with many illustrations by succeeding speakers, and the im- pression made will surely result in good. We may look for the more practical side of education, especially in our Church schools, from this time forth. The nobility of practical labor, and the contentment arising therefrom, will be more clearly manifest among the people. During the meetings a large number of presiding brethren from various quarters of the Church reported the condition of the people; and their speeches, which were marked by a spirit of zeal and enthusiasm, were significant as showing the increase of faith and good works, as well as the growth of the people. In one part of Idaho, where only a few years ago one ward existed with two hundred souls, five stakes have been organized, each with a population of from five to six thousand souls. The people were generally faithful, moral, temperate, enjoying peace and the spirit of the gospel. There were, of course, exceptions, but these stood out as conspicuous warnings proving the general rule. The Seventies were doing a great work in proclaiming the gos- pel to the nations, and incidents were related showing the self- sacrifice that individuals are making for the gospel's sake, which in the aggregate amounts in a year to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Men and women show more faith, self-denial, and greater sacrifice of labor, means, and convenience, in the missionary work 546 IMPROVEMENl ERA. of this Church than is'shown by any other church or people in the world. This labor of the Latter-day Saints stands apart and alone, a striking testimony of their faith in the divine work as revealed and established through the Prophet Joseph Smith — and their earnest belief in the doctrines, ordinances, organization and spiritual gifts therein enjoyed. President John R. Winder made a strong plea for marriages within the Church, and dwelt upon the evil of young Latter-day Saints being unequally yoked together in marriage with people not of their faith. A striking part of the program was President Smith's closing remarks, in which he testified earnestly of the desire of the Saints to be model citizens, to their patriotism, and the love we bear for our country and her institutions; and our desire to support the government in its righteous efforts to carry liberty to other nations and to the islandg of the sea. Some of the enemies of the Church, and especially interfering and meddling ministers who malign and misrepresent the Saints, were vigorously denounced as hypocrites, and raving wolves in sheep's clothing; and yet the people were asked to treat them right, and to contend for the liberties and rights of all people, good and bad, and even to follow the admonition of Christ in relation to those who lie about us and despitefully use us. He denounced the liquor traffic, and declared that no Latter-day Saint did or could engage in such a disgrace- ful business. Any one pretending to be a member of the Church soengaged should be immediately cut off from the Church. Temperance, virtue, chastity, cleanliness in person, home, speech and spirit, were enjoined upon the people in stirring, practical sentences, that made a deep im- pression upon the hearers, and that will find lodgment in the hearts of every true believer. The spirit of the great gathering was for the promotion of thrift, integrity, honor, righteousness, mercy and peace among the people; and for the gaining of prac- tical knowledge, intelligence, and the spirit of the gospel of Christ. This desire will permeate the whole Church, for there were present representatives from all its stakes, and from many of the mission fields in various parts of the world. The Priesthood held two important meetings, where the real work of progress was .mpressed upon the leaders. EDITOR'S TABLE. 547 The Relief Societies, Sunday Schools, Improvement Associa- tions, and other auxiliary organizations, were well represented, and some of them had their annual gatherings in connection with the conference. Several of the missionary societies also met and en- joyed old times, notably the Polynesian society, which gathered one evening in the Assembly Hall, where a display of curios from the islands of the sea was among the attractions. For the first time in the history of the people, a United States senator who is a member of the quorum of the Twelve, spoke to the people —Hon. Reed Smoot. His instructions were practical, relating to the need of cleanliness — moral and personal, and to the evil prevalent in the world, of preventing offspring, a disease that was even creeping into some of the wealthy homes of the Saints. He denounced it as a curse upon mankind, and thanked God that the chief of our nation. President Roosevelt believed in children, and was a man of family. A curious incident was the visit of Carrie A. Nation, who has gained national notoriety as a "saloon smasher," to one of the meetings. She spoke to a number of people, in the Tabernacle, at the noon recess on Monday,being introduced by Elder Nephi Pratt, president of the Northwestern states mission. The music and song of the world-famous Tabernacle choir was of the usual standard of excellence, and added to the joy of the gathering. Altogether, Zion is growing, and her children are ex- panding in faith and good works, earnestness and devotion, as they are increasing in importance and numbers. The missions in Europe and Japan, with Apostles Francis M. Lyman and Heber J. Grant as presiding authorities, were remem- bered in the prayers from the stand, and the utmost good feeling goes out from the center of the Church of God, where stands his divine temple, to all the workers in the nations, and to all the Saints in the covenant of Christ, the world over. LOVE AND LAW. If one were to listen to all the complaints that brethren are inclined to make against brethren, trouble would never cease. Some people seem to be so constituted that there is no rest with 548 IMPROVEMENl ERA. them unless they are engaged in stirring up some complaint, for- getting that in this world all men are imperfect, and we must forgive and forget, and still go on loving, to be really happy. John, the apostle of love, admonished the saints formerly to "love one another, for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love." The same apostle went further, declaring that "if a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar; for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?" It was the idea in ancient Israel that God was to be feared, and that one's enemies were to be hated. Because the Moabites met not Israel with bread and water in the way, when they came out of Egypt; and because Balaam was hired to curse them, Israel was commanded to "not seek their peace nor their prosperity all thy days for ever." But Christ taught, "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray, for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." It was one of his main teachings that we love oar fellows. Not only did he come to men with the great doctrine of love upon his lips, but he taught us that our Father in heaven is full of mercy and love for his creatures — he was not the harsh Jehovah that Israel feared, but the loving Father whom we as children may approach, feeling sure that he is full of mercy and love as well as justice and judgment. In our dealings with each other let us seek to combine these qualities, as they are combined in God, and manifested in his Son Jesus Christ, our example. Christ revealed the Father both as judge and parent —the embodiment of law and love. Law is inex- orable; but it is sweet to know that in the judgment it will be tempered by the mercy of a loving, merciful Father. You have all read of the proud Roman, a newly- elected praetor,, arrayed in regal garments, bearing his ivory scepter, and preceded by the lictors, taking his seat upon the throne, when his two sons were brought before him and convicted of the crime of treason. The proud Roman showed no hesitancy in pronouncing the sen- men were slain in the presence tence of death, and the two young of the father. EDITORS lABLE. 549 Then, also, we have the story of David, and his rebel son. His parting words to Joab, as he stood by the gateside and saw his army come out by the hundreds and thousands, was: "Deal gently, for my sake, with the young man, even with Absalom." The king «at anxiously waiting for tidings of the battle. At length the watchman descried a messenger running toward the city, and be- hind him still another. The first courier hailed the king with glad news of victory. But David's only question was: "Is the young man Absalom safe?" The messenger returned a prudent but eva- sive answer: "1 saw a great tumult, but I knew not what it was.'' Then came the second, and kneeling before the king announced: "Tidings, my lord the king: for the Lord hath avenged thee this 550 IMPROVEMENT ERA. vided by the Lord, by his priesthood, his authorized representa- tives. Individuals have no right to set themselves up as judges of their fellows: "Why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye ?" Let us, brethren, love one another, and exercise patience and forbearance, avoiding judgment except when called upon to ren- der it, and then tempering the law with a father's love. The Lat- ter-day Saints must be promoters of both law and religion, as ex- emplified in the justice and mercy of God. Joseph F. Smith. PRESIDENT BRIGHAM YOUNG. When, on Saturday night, April 11, 1903, death relieved Brigham Young, the president of the quorum of the Twelve Apostles since October 17,1901,and a member of the quorum since 1868, the Dread Messenger claimed a servant of the Lord who was not yet ready to go, and with whom the Church and people as reluctantly parted. In his last illness, which disabled him from taking much part in public affairs for many months, it was his constant desire that he might yet remain a number of years to complete the labors which he felt he had yet to perform labors — which he said his father, the great pioneer and founder of Utah, wished him to accomplish. But the Lord willed it otherwise, and he was called to meet his God, his father, and the apostles and saints beyond, to report what he considered an unfinished mission, but which, in the estimation of those who best knew him, abounded in a harvest of many precious jewels of achievement. Born in Kirtland, Ohio, December 18, 1836, he has ever been a conspicuous character in the trying conflicts that transplanted the Saints from their eastern homes into Utah and the far West, as well as in the more severe battles and hardships experienced in pioneering cities, fields and gardens in their desert abiding place. He was early "one of the boys" who feared no exploit, and who did his duty, no question how difiiculfc, with a light heart and a gay EDITORS TABLE. 551 spirit that kindled hope and enthusiasm in his companions. This leading characteristic of his life continued with him through the years; he was full of hope, joy, and beguiling song, and delighted in merriment, anecdote and story. The writer had the pleasure of traveling in a mission field with him under trying circumstances. President Young was suffering great pain from a disease of the throat, but while he was 'yet almost unable to speak, he told amusing tales and anecdotes, abounded in laughter, song and joke. "How can you feel so happy under such circumstances?" was asked. His reply was, "I sing, and play with words, to avoid melancholy." That was his nature: he covered his own troubles with a cheerful countenance that he might inspire other men with joy. He was kind, and loved to see all about him happy. He was as true as he was kind; as faithful to his covenants as he was full of integrity for the truth, and devotion to the cause which he loved. Plain and ojtspoken, he possessed a deep hatred for cant and hypocrisy. He filled, always with honor, many important and difficult missions, both in colonization, proselyting, and pioneering, and, while he made mistakes, as all men do, he was never known to depart so far from the line of duty, but that when the critical moment came, he was always on hand and in line on the side of right and honor. His whole life was devoted to the Church, and he died possessing little of this world's goods, but with firm hopes of eternal riches where moth and rust do not corrupt, nor thieves break through and steal. As long as the wonderful story of the Latter-day Saints from Missouri and Nauvoo, to the opening of the twentieth cen- tury in Utah, is perpetuated in the pages of history, the name of Brigham Young, Jr., will be held in honored remembrance, for he was of them, and for them, and with them in every hardship and vicissitude. His life, sympathy, and labors are interwoven with theirs, and have become conspicuous threads in the fabric of their temporal enterprises and religious exploits. NEPHl W. CLAYTON. The work of the General Secretary of the Y. M. M. L A. de- volved upon assistant secretaries Richard W. Young and George 552 IMPROVEMEhiT ERA. F. Gibbs for some time after the departure of Elder John Nicholson, the first secretary, on his European mission. On the sixth of April, 1880, Heber J. Grant, whose portrait is found in volume 5 of the Improvement Era, was appointed the second secretary* Two years thereafter, on the eighth of October, Nephi W. Clayton, whose portrait is printed in this number of our magazine, was chosen for the place. He continued to serve as the third general secretary until October, 1887. His assistant, Joseph A. West, an early and enthusiastic worker in the cause of mutual improvement, was appointed in April, 1885, at the general conference held in Logan. Nephi W. Clayton is the son of William Clayton, the "Clerk of the Pioneers," and Augusta Braddock, and was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, October 8, 1855, where he reaeived his education in the common schools. When twenty-one years of age, he was appointed Territorial Librarian, which office he held until the year 1891. In 1880, he was elected Auditor of Public Accounts and Recorder of Marks and Brands to which offices he was re-elected for several terms, holding them until 1891, when the U. S. Supreme Court de- cided that the officers were appointive and not elective. It was at this time that he decided upon entering upon a bus- iness career, and he became interested in the Inter-Mountain Salt Company as its manager. This position he held with marked suc- cess until the company was consolidated with the present great concern. The Inland Crystal Salt Company, in the year 1898. He then became manager of the consolidated company which position he has held up to the present time. When, in 1892, the Salt Lake and Los Angeles railway was projected, he was appointed and set apart to build that road and the Saltair pavilion. He succeeded in finishing the road in 1892, and in June, 1893, the pavilion on Saltair beach was completed and opened for business. He was then appointed manager of both the railway and the beach company, which place he held until March, 1900. Besides his interest in the salt business, he is at present pres- ident of the Brigham Young Trust Co., and of the D. 0. Calder & Sons' Company, and a director of the Saltair Beach, and Salt Lake and Los Angeles Railroad Company. — IN LIGHTER MOOD. These are what may ba termed "Questions and Answers": What is the longest word in the English language? Answer: Beleaguered, because it has a league between its first and last syllables. If the postmaster should visit the Zoo, and there be eaten by the animals, what time of day would it be? Answer: 8 P. M. Why is a race horse like a sugar plum? Answer: The faster you lick it the faster it goes. How does a farmer get water in his watermelons? Answer: He plants his seeds in the spring. Why is a hen sitting on the fence like a cent? Answer: Because there is a head on one side and a tail on the other. Cholly —What did your father say when you told him that my love was like a broad and impetuous river? Edith — He said, Dam it. Old Gentleman —So you think my daughter loves you, sir; and you wish to marry her? Dudeleigh —That is what I called to see you about. Is there any insanity in your family? Old Gentleman —No, sir; and there's not going to be any. A teacher in the juvenile department of a Sunday School in Rock- land, Mass., inquired of his class: "What did the lame man ask Peter and John for?" "Alms," promptly answered one of the lads; whereupon another boy thoughtfully followed with: "If I had been in his place, I should have asked for legs." "What is an orphan?" asked the teacher of the class in definitions. Nobody seemed to know. "Well, I'm an orphan," said the teacher, seek- ing an illustration that would not reveal too much. At this a hand popped up and the owner of it exclaimed: "An orphan isa woman that wants to get married and can't." Harper's Magazine.