Where Are We At?

Where Are We At? BY JAMES X. ALLEN, M. D.

One feeling common to humanity is — Where are we at? The Where traveler by sea or land, ever has this recurring thought, are we On the ocean the questions are asked: How far are at? we from New York? When shall we reach Liverpool? Where, our port of destination? The traveler by train constantly looks out of the window seek- ing an answer to the mind's query, Where are we at? Merchants and trades-people go to much expense, in clerks and record books, in order the batter to find an answer to the questions: Where are we at? How do we stand? Are we making headway? How is it with us? And to settle all doubts, they take stock periodically, not only to ascertain what line of goods are most lucrative, but to find out who may be trusted, and what customers are unreliable. The wise merchant, having found out his past mistakes, will at once proceed to correct them. Not only merchants and corpo- rations must keep tab as to where they are at, but farmers and professional men must know the why and the wherefore of their failures before they can correct mistakes and proceed onward to success. Will not these same rules apply to the child of God who has started on the path of life, and whose objective is celestial glory? It seems that such was the opinion entertained by an old veteran in the ranks, the Apostle Paul, who advised his brethren and co- workers: "Examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith, prove your own selves." The sacred writer knew that to get off the "narrow way" was one of the easiest things in the world. He, therefore, pressed this matter home: "Prove yourselves whether

WHERE ARE WE AT? 423

you be in the faith." He did not wish them to take chances; but to "make their calling and election sure." A writer in the Book of Mormon who, with the Apostle Paul, was equally solicitous for the welfare of the children of God, points them to an "iron rod," —the law of God — and bids them cling to it as the only means of safety, knowing, as he did, that separated from said rod they would be in constant and imminent danger. There has been of late much excitement about the north pole of our earth. I think I see a parallel in the searches for the pole and those who start out for the great reward promised to the faithful. Many brave souls have made the attempt to reach that hitherto unknown point, the north pole, some have started in ships not fit- ted for the journey — not properly built; not properly officered. Captain Nansen, of Norway, after looking around and failing to find a vessel adapted to the voyage, consulted the marine architects and had a ship built for the occasion. Captain Nansen, although he failed to find the object of his research, attained greater latitude than any previous explorer in His name is not left without distinc- '

search for the "no longitude. '

tion. It is surrounded with a halo of dauntless energy. The boy Joseph Smith— being moved by the Divine Spirit to reach a place much talked about, but of which little, if anything, was known, the highest abode of the blest, started out to find a sure — means of conveyance one that was correctly built and properly officeredby intelligent and properly authorized managers. The many churches which he examined proved unsatisfactory to his earnest mind, so he concluded to consult the Master-builder — the Supreme Architect of the universe. In his perplexity he con- cluded to take and put into effect the advice of the Apostle James: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not." He asked God to tell him which of the many churches professing to guide souls to divine glory was the right one to carry him safely across the stormy sea of life and adversity, and of human frailties, to the desired haven of rest. The Great Architect told him not to risk his soul with any of them; they were not properly built; the material used in their construc- tion was not the best; they were not properly officered, and that

424 ROVEMENT ERA.

those which they did have were unlicensed —were without divine authority. A new Church was organized, having God for its designer. The materials were selected by the designer; the proper officers were selected, licensed and divinely authorized to conduct the Church. They were enjoined to keep in constant touch with the Great Designer's office, so that, difficulties arising on the voyage, or doubts springing up as to what would be best to do under cer- tain circumstances, they could communicate with the head office and be set at rights. The Church was named after its Designer and Author — "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints;" officered according to God's plan, and he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, etc. (Eph. 4: 11). The voyagers in search of the pole have been in the habit of taking observations of the lum.naries and stars every day when the sky was clear enough for them to do so. When the heavens were obscured for a time, and no observation was possible, the officers were on the alert to take advantage of the first bright star

that should make its appearance, to enable them to ascertain their whereabouts, — where they were at. Had these duties been neg- lected they would have been like a rudderless ship without a com- pass, drifting none knew whither, in constant dread of shipwreck or other disaster. How is it with us members of this Church? Do we each and all keep a log-book through whichwe can trace out each day's course in this trackless ocean of time? Do we each know just where we

are at? Do we each know just how far we have advanced? Or are we in a rudderless boat drifting on an unknown sea without compass or sextant, toward we know not where? You who are familiar with the life of Benjamin Franklin, the great American scientist, philosopher and statesman, will call to mind that he made himself a table of faults to be avoided. On the top of the sheet of paper he wrote down a dozen things to be avoided, and down one side of the page, the days of the month. At night, before retiring, he looked over his list of "dont's" and when he found a "don't" that he had violated, he at once put a

WHERE ARE WE AT? 425

black mark in the square opposite the day and the "don't" that he had disregarded. In this way he was enabled to compare dates and to know exactly what progress he was making — to know where he was at. Benjamin Franklin was not only a great man, but he was a good man whose example could be followed to advantage by all of us. What advancement have I made in the divine life since I first saw the light? Am I constant in attendance at the gatherings of the Saints, as I was when I first felt the joy of saint- ly communion? Do I contribute as honestly and freely to the Lord's storehouse as I did at first? If not, why not? Have I as many or as great faults as I had years ago? Am I overc miing every known defect as it manifests itself from time to time? Am I as eager to warn my neighbor and show him what God has done

for me, as when the blaze of gospel light and truth first illumined my soul? St. John 1: 40-43 tells how Andrew, a disciple of John the Baptist, after first hearing the Master, made haste to find his brother Simon and declare unto him the glad news: "We have found the Messiah." When we first saw the light of truth, was not the impulse within us — "I must hasten to show the glad tidings to my relatives?" Of course it was, and so it is with every- one who is "born again." Are we as eager today to bear our testimony to the truth as we were when the love of God first filled our hearts? And if not, why not? I fear that many become disheartened — disgusted with them-

selves and their many shortcomings, and cease to pray, instead of examining themselves and finding out the cause of their back- sliding, and avoiding the same pitfalls in future. At the battle of the Wilderness, in the first day's conflict, the Southern army had the best of it. That night General Sherman thought that he could see where the Union army had made some mistakes, and that he could also see how those mistakes could be rectified. He donned his hat and proceeded to General Grant's tent in order to lay the matter before his commanding officer- Not finding Grant in his quarters, he proceeded to hunt him up. In time Sherman spied a lone figure leaning against a tree with a lighted cigar in his mouth. Sherman, knowing the habits of his superior, judged this lone figure to be Grant. Sherman approached with— "Good evening, General." "Good evening, General," was