Editor's Table: The Liahona

EDITOR'S TABLE. THE LIAHONA." In the Christmas greeting of the First Presidency, found in the January number of the Era, reference is made to the publi- cation of periodicals in several of the missions.- It is further an- nounced that "some of the missions desire to have a mission paper published regularly to take the place of the tracts, and as this would be published regularly, it would keep before the people new issues arising, and the experiences of the elders, as well as ex- plaining the doctrines of the Church. We think such a plan feasi- ble, and that it will be productive of much good." In conformity with this plan, the presidents of the Eastern, Northern, Central and Colorado missions, who are the advisory publication board, have perfected plans for the publication of the Liahona, a weekly, $1.00 per annum, sixteen-page, three-column religious magazine at Independence, Jackson county, Missouri, the first copy of which appears April 6. The Central states mission, S. 0. Bennion presi- dent, changed headquarters from Kansas City to No. 302 South Pleasant Street, Independence, Missouri, on March 1, this year. The name of the new publication is selected from the Book of Mormon, and means, being interpreted, a compass. It was the miraculous instrument which was found by Lehi and which served him and his colony as a director in their travels through the wilder- ness and over the water from Jerusalem to the promised rest and land in America. The Deseret News, in speaking of the probable etymology of the word says: "The word is both Egyptian and Hebrew, and in both languages signifies 'light.' Liahona, or L Jah Ona"—L (to) Jah (Jehovah) On (House of the Sun) —"then,

EDITORS TABLE. 473 it seems to us, may safely be translated literally: 'To Jehovah is Light.' That is to say, the Lord has indeed light to give to his servants who trust him and obey his word. * * * It would be presumptuous on our part to speak authoritatively on the subject. But it will be admitted that if the conclusions here suggested are correct, the word Liahona has a very beautiful and significant meaning." The location of the plant is important as being near the geo- graphical center of the United States, and convenient for distri- bution of mails to all the missions; also as being the place of the Center Stake of Zion to which many of the Saints look with long- ing interest because of its past history, and the glorious promises of the future relating thereto. The purpose of its publication, as outlined by the First Presi- dency, is to proclaim the gospel as revealed and promulgated by the Prophet Joseph Smith, to magnify the Book of Mormon, from which its musical name was taken, and to convey to strangers the significance and value of the great latter-day work. Historical, doc- trinal, descriptive and ethical writings will fill its pages; and these will be supplemented with missionary experiences and testimonies of rare charm and value. News of the missions, and essays from leading writers of the Church will find place in its columns. The editor is Elder B. F. Cummings, who has had long ex- perience in newspaper work, and who has been a leader in genea- logical work and research for many years. The business men of Independence and the people generally have given cordial reception to the enterprise, none having shown or expressed any kind of opposition, and there is a spirit and good feeling that is most gratifying and encouraging. The movement will afford great satisfaction to the Latter-day Saints in all parts of the world. With the Improvement Era, which has done con- siderable missionary work itself and hopes to persistency continue therein, they wish the new paper permanent success; and, with us, also wish that it may be a great aid in the mighty work to be accomplished in the building and establishment of Zion in the lat- ter days. May it be said of this light as of the ancient one: "Is there not a type in this thing? For just as surely as this direccor did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised