--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - L. L. Greene Richards collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 7 number: 8 published: 1904-06 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'L. L. Greene Richards, "Response to Joaquin Miller’’s Roundelay," *Improvement Era* 7, no. 8 (June 1904): 595–596.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0708unse 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: improvementera0708unse start_page: 595 end_page: 596 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1904-06) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0708unse publication_year: 1904 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 1904, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Response to Joaquin Miller's Roundelay — DID THE CANAANITES REJECT THE GOSPEL? 595 by his power, and overran the land, destroying the wicked and re- bellious from its face. The Lord drowned the world of mankind in the flood of Noah's time, and burned Sodom and Gomorrah, because of wickedness, and accomplished the destruction of the Canaanites by war, for the same reason. They were too corrupt to live upon and defile the face of the promised land. History repeats itself; the same causes produce the same efliects. Whether the destruction of the wicked comes in one manner or another, the justice of their destruction is not changed. "Behold the Lord hath created the earth that it shall be inhabited; and he hath created his children that they should possess it. And he raiseth up a righteous nation, and de- stroy eth the nations tf the wicked" (I Nephi, 17: 36, 37). RESPONSE TO JOAQUIN MILLER'S "ROUNDELAY OF SALT LAKE CITY." (For the Improvement Era.) Sing loud, brave Bard! Your roundelay Like sweetest music falls on well-tuned ears; Like balm on wounded hearts; and grateful tears Bedew glad eyes; and lips that always pray, Thank God anew, for chivalry today. And thank you for your chant, which tells The truth that Utah's motherhood is pure; While canting politicians, to secure Self interests, seek to blacken homes where dwells,- Untainted, heav'n-taught virtue which excels. Utah's free children, bright and strong. Your true notes will repeat in time to come, When tongues of false accusers shall be dumb. Dear, welcome babes! Well chosen is the song Sing on, brave, gallant Bard, sing loud and long! — L. L. Greene Richards. AN INVITATION TO INVESTIGATE. BY NELS F. GREEN. All truth-loving people require that there shall be clearness, plainness, and logic, in any principle, before they accept it. Sen- sible people demand that a matter must be so clearly defined, that one can see its logic, before they will assist in its promotion. Rational people will not accept a presented claim without investi- gating its correctness. So, all truth-seeking people require that religious principles shall be logical, and in harmony with reason, before they accept them as truths. Such are the doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The principles therein taught are plain, logical, reasonable, and, therefore, convincing. Dear reader, if you are not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I invite you to investigate its doctrines. We fearlessly and boldly claim that they are true. They are in har- mony with all known scientific truths; in short, in harmony with all truths known to mankind. They are logical and reasonable in every respect. Why? Because God, in his mercy, has revealed the true principles of life and salvation unto men. These stand to rea- son, and are in harmony with each other. By personal revelation to his servant Joseph Smith, Christ has revealed his true Gospel. Holy angels have been sent to the Prophet and to others to in- struct them in regard to the principles of the gospel. The holy priesthood is restored to earth, and through it the gifts and blessings of the gospel to mankind, — to all who believe and obey its requirements. The Holy Ghost is again conferred upon man, to inspire, enlighten and comfort, as at first. The gospel as taught by the Latter-day Saints courts the most thorough investi-