A Character Test

THE "MORMON" EXODUS. 345 this world's history; they are the Lord's chosen people — chosen to establish the work of God in these last days. They are being rec- ognized by the people of the world, and will continue to be recognized until they establish the standard of Jesus before all the inhabitants of the earth. Let us ever take advantage of the heritage which this noble band of pioneers have left us. May we prove to the world that we are well worthy such noble ancestry. May the ideals and char- acter of this people ever be so embodied in our lives that all men who come in contact with us may be elevated to a higher plane of morality, and have a clearer vision of the purpose of human life. American Fork, Utah. • % is a ^ 4 Mri ELDERS OF THE RHODE ISLAND CONFERENCE, INCLUDING THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT. Back row -left to right: Heber C. Foulger, Ogden, Utah; A. Rowley Babcock, Lost River, Idaho; Heber C. Tippetts, Lowell, Wyoming; Edw V Snow, St. George, Marcellus Johnson, Ranch, John N. Smith, Granger, Utah; George L. Hhtch, Safford, Arizona. Front row: A. Le Roy Staker, Teton, Idaho: Charles T. Marsden, Cardston, Canada; H. Edwin Johnson, Goshen, Idaho; President John T. Barrett, Salt Lake City, Ross Bartlett, Vernal, James C. Glover, Farmmgton, Utah.

k Character Test. BY JAMES G. DUFFIN. "We believe in being true." — Articles of Faith. True to what? True to ourselves. He that is true to him- self is true to his God, he is true to his family, he is true to his country, he is true to his brethren, he is true to every principle revealed from heaven. Be the call from his church, or demand from the state, the man of integrity can always be depended upon to give full measure to any requirement made of him. In time of trouble his first thought is not of himself, but the good or pro- tection of others. No thought of disloyalty finds a resting place in his mind, no traitorous feeling finds expression in his soul. Not only does he "believe in being true," he is true. It is said that talent is developed in time of peace; character, in storm. The character that makes the traitor possible is not developed in the storm — the storm but furnishes opportunity to give expression to that which is in the heart. "In all your kick- ings and flounderings," said Joseph the prophet, "see to it that ye betray not Jesus Christ, that ye betray not the revelations of Jesus Christ, that ye betray not your brethren. All other sins, save that of shedding innocent blood, are not to be compared to that of being a traitor." Troubles have come upon the Latter-day Saints in the past; they will come again. Those who will be true to that which God has revealed will be assailed from without, and it is not improbable by many from within, the Church. It is not among the improbabil- ities that the strong hand of government, misguided by evil hands, again will be raised against them. During such trying times who will be true to the revelations of God, to those whom God has

A CHARACTER TEST. 347 placed to direct his work, to the glorious government under the protecting care of which this Church was organized? Those who have been thoroughly grounded in the eternal truth that principles are greater than men, and must be adhered to even under the severest persecution. Look back over the history of the Church. With what admiration we view the lives of its great earthly lead- ers! Never, even during the severe trials through which they were forced to pass, were they disloyal to their country. Contend against wickedness and tyranny in high places they did, but ever were ready to fight the battles of their country, or defend the principles upon which its government is founded. As they stood heroically in defense of political freedom, so they never wavered in their devotion to those eternal principles revealed from heaven. Nor fear nor favoritism could swerve them from that which thev knew to be heaven-appointed. Nor did their brethren ever stand in jeopardy of being delivered into the hands of their enemies by them. Under all conditions they were true. God chooses his own way of testing men and preparing them for the work he designs them to do. "Many are called but few are chosen." The chosen ones are those upon whom he can rely under the most trying conditions. Tests, in themselves apparently trifling, may determine the integrity of those thought of for more important work. It is related of the Prophet Joseph that when he was making up his company to go West, to find a suitable loca- tion for his suffering people, where they could worship God with- out being molested by mob violence, one day he invited a number of brethren to take a horseback ride with him. As the prophet led his little company along the road, he came to a large pool of water, around the edge of which the road made a curve. With- out hesitating, the prophet plunged his horse through the water. A number of those with him followed without saying a word, while others followed the road around the pool. It is related that when he made up his company, Joseph selected every man who followed him through the pool of water, and not one of the others was chosen. "Blind obedience," says one. The key is this: intelligent beings moved by the same spirit act in unison. Had the' prophet not laid down his life at Carthage, he would have

348 IMPRO VEMENT ERA . taken that journey of exploration, and the men chosen to go with him would undoubtedly have been true, even unto the death. There has been planted in the heart of every intelligent beiDg a feeling of loathing for the traitor. He may be used by the enemies of his country, or his people, to further their purpose, but after they have gotten out of his loathsome service all they desire, the enemies of his people will avoid him as they would one afflicted with a foul and contagious disease. When Judas was made to comprehend the enormity of his crime in the betrayal of his Master, he went to the chief priests and elders and said, "I have sinned in that I have betrayed innocent blood." They replied, "What is that to us? See thou to that." When the British had paid Benedict Arnold the debt they contracted with him for the betrayal of his country, he was cast out from among them as being too vile for their association. Many years ago, while the writer was living in southern Utah, he had a conversation with a certain deputy U. S. marshal, who had become somewhat notorious because of the success he had met with in bringiDg good men before the courts for their infraction of a law that was aimed at one of the principles of their faith. During this conversation the writer said, "I understand that you have employed, to assist you in your work, what among us are known as 'spotters.'" "Yes," he replied. "How do you look upon these men?" the writer inquired. "Just as you do, but we have to use them," was his reply. In their work as missionaries our young men and young women go to almost every nation under heaven. They are sub- jected to all manner of temptations, ridicule and abuse. But, notwithstanding all of this, the number who prove recreant to the sacred trust committed to them is remarkably small. Undoubtedly their constancy, under the trying conditions incident to the mis- sionary's life, is largely due to the splendid training by God-fear- ing fathers and mothers, and through the organizations of the Church. Never shall I forget the words spoken by President Joseph F. Smith to a number of missionaries and members of the Church in Kansas City, a number of years ago. President Smith and party had been to St. Louis to attend the dedication of the grounds on