Spiritual Growth

SPIRITUAL GROWTH, BY N. L. MONSON. Remember, to be carnally minded is death, and to be spiritually minded is life eternal. (II Nephi, 9: 39). The value and need of spiritual growth can not be emphasized too strongly. Upon it depend, not only our future welfare, but our present usefulness and happiness. It is of vast -importance to us, individually and collectively, and yet this development is greatly neglected. We are trained so as to become experts in all branches of science and art, so that our usefulness in material things may be enhanced, and we may be prepared to delve deeper into the mysterious forces of nature, but the science that prepares man to communicate with the Fountain of Wisdom, is often overlooked. It is true that our spiritual vision may be sharpened and our souls so schooled that we may be in communication with beings of a higher order. I am not advocating spiritualism, in the sense of the day, by which, in darkened rooms and by aid of mediums, communication is sought with departed friends. The kind of spiritualism I am urging is the kind that comes from righteous living, pure thoughts, and unselfish deeds, where man can seek his Maker in the solitude of nature, pour out his soul in humble prayer, and receive needed strength and comfort. Perhaps no other class of the human family has developed the sense of sight to such an extent as the American Indian. The slightest scratch upon the earth, a broken twig, the disarranged foliage, or the twisting of a blade of grass, never escapes his watchful eye; and he can rapidly follow a trail where a person of less ability is unable to find a single trace of a passer-by. This skill was not attained in a day.

-lUU IMPROVEMENT ERA. neither in a year, nor yet in one generation, but by persistently cultivating this power, each generation handing down to its successors the skill acquired through inheritance and years of patient toil, until it has become as easy for an Indian to discover a hidden trail, as it is for us to follow a railroad track. Their method of life demanded such skill. Their very existence depended upon it, and thus it became part of their very lives. The dangers that sought the Indian in his native haunts are not greater than those which lie in wait for every son and daughter of God. Indeed, the one can not be compared with the other. The foes of the red man sought only for his scalp and his hunting grounds, but the foe of humanity seeks the destruction of souls, more precious than temporal life or gold. If the untutored savage may train his senses to such a high degree that they become his staff and his guide through life , why cannot we , who claim a much higher intelligence, school our souls to receive counsel from a higher source, more than willing to serve as our guide? To the frontiersman, who was unskilled in woodcraft, the forest held many dangers, and he often fell victim to the skilfully laid ambush of his foe; while, if his eye had been trained to see the snares, he would have avoided many dangers. The enemy of mankind has laid siege against the souls of men. His reserve forces are skilfully ambushed, while his main force attacks us upon all sides; but we are not left unguarded, save where, through sin, a breach has been made in our fortress. We are constantly surrounded by legions of friends who are doing all in their power to lead us safely through the narrow defiles; and by the ambush of our foe. But, alas! too often we are not aware of the help extended toward us. Like the unskilled frontiersman, we cannot read the language of the forest. Often through neglect and wilful wrongdoing we have grieved those who were trying to help us, until they have turned from us in sorrow, and we are left to grope alone. Others have seen no need of this spiritual guidance, and consequently have left their talent undeveloped, so that when the hour of trial came, and they finally sought Divine aid, they were not able to receive answer, because they could not read the language of the prompter. On the other hand, those who have sought spiritual development, will have brought their souls into