The Second Commandment

The Second Commandment. BY GRACE ZENOR-ROBERTSON. "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: "Thou shall not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; "And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments." In every human heart is planted an inborn desire for worship. Depraved, sometimes, the desire may be, yet as a rule, fancy converts the object of worship into something far more powerful than the worshiper. Scarcely had God's voice declared his commands to Moses on Sinai, when the children of Israel, with Aaron in the valley below, were making unto themselves an image of gold, declaring it to be the god which delivered them from Egypt. Moses, their guide and teacher, had left them for a short time. They were weak, and faith failed them without his presence; yet God forgave them because of their repentance. Just previous to the birth of Christ was a period of idolatry. Every nation, save the Jews, had a set of deities, each worshiping as it chose. Some made idols of the mountains, the rivers, and the sun, moon and stars, while others worshiped men and women who had achieved fame through great deeds. To each were erected temples, altars and statues of different materials.

732 IMPROVEMENT ERA. During this period there was little progression, either mental or moral. Nearly all known nations were under the rule of one despotic nation. Since Christ's burial, let us look at some of the nations that have been for centuries worshipers of graven images: In far away China, where magnificent temples are reared to unknown gods; in Japan, where Buddha's name and Buddha's form are reverenced, have existed both darkness and superstition until recent years, when Christianity has been taught among the people. During the terrible scenes of the French Revolution, nearly the whole population of France were unbelievers, and in the midst of the struggle, bowed in the streets to the enthroned "Goddess of Reason." Robespierre, himself, declared that a republic could not flourish unless the people were believers in a Supreme Being — in a hereafter. It is strange, with so many evidences of God's handiwork, so many acknowledgments of his love, that men will sometimes go astray because they lack faith to worship one who is not visible in person. Strange that men cannot walk by faith instead of sight. You remember the story of Thomas, who doubted that his Master was arisen from the dead— and must thrust his hand in the wounded side, and feel the nail prints in his hands and feet? And Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." I wonder, if in our own day, there are any in our fair land who make unto themselves graven images! There are few, perhaps, who lift up their eyes in prayer to the hills or the lights of the firmament, or who have raised up idols of stone, but there are some who, like the rich young ruler, would go away very sorrowful were they asked to exchange their gold for eternal life. There are others who see afar off and indistinctly the dream-idol of fame, and with their whole being are waiting to pay homage at its shrine. And there are still others who worship self, who remember not His little ones. Their hearts are set upon the glittering

THE SECOND COMMANDMENT. 733 baubles of the world, wherewith to clothe the outward form — when much fairer would they be with but one gem, the gem of chastity. Miserable are they, having neglected to seek first his kingdom. ' 'Visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me." In worshiping aught save the Creator, we not only injure ourselves but generations to come, except through sincere repentance and a return unto his love. And the promise is sure, "But showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments." Parker, Idaho. Photo by Gerald Anderson. AT THE BOUNDARY MONUMENT UTAH- WYOMING. This country is barren, with a wilderness of rolling hills, and the monument marks the south-west corner of Wyoming. It is located about twenty miles east of Grass Creek, Summit county, Utah, and perhaps thirty miles south and a little west of Evanston, Wyoming. Large herds of sheep graze on the surrounding ranges, and there is a large shearing and dipping plant in the neighborhood.

Photo by George Albert Smith. COTTONWOOD TREE AT FLORENCE, NEB., PLANTED BY BRIGHAM YOUNG. "A notable character in life's grand tragedy, one bloody scene of which had so lately closed, waiting at the wing he had caught his cue, and the stirring stage of Time was now ready for his advent."— Whitney's History of Utah, vol. /p. 235. "The foundation for the Church of Christ, which the Prophet Joseph had laid, was broad and grand. To follow Joseph, God had provided in Brigham Young a strong builder who thoroughly understood the plans and specifications of the complex and colossal superstructure that was thereupon to be erected. With master mind and hand, he stood ready at the appointed hour to grapple with the stupendous task.'' — Brief History of the Church, p. 100.