--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Tomlinson, J. B. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 14 number: 4 published: 1911-02 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'J. B. Tomlinson, "The First Principle of the Gospel," *Improvement Era* 14, no. 4 (February 1911): 307–308.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1404unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera1404unse start_page: 307 end_page: 308 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1911-02) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1404unse publication_year: 1911 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1911, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # The First Principle of the Gospel that by our works in Christ's name we may cast out devils, heal the sick and remove mountains, if we doubt not. There is another kind of faith— one that removes mountains by pick and shovel, instead of words only. I have faith that I can raise a crop of corn, for 1 have the substance of a crop of corn which is the seed-corn— and the ground such as raises good corn— and, besides, I know just how to do it. Therefore, I have faith that I can raise a good crop of corn. Again, I believe that I can make a loaf of bread, for I hav^e the substance of a loaf of bread — which is the flour— and the water to mix the flour into dough. I have the salt to season it, the yeast to raise it, the fire to bake it, and I know just how to do it. Paul may well say that faith is the "substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen;" for without the substance, we cannot have any faith that we can have the things that we desire. For the substance is our evidence and our hope. It is our assurance of the thing we hope for, and without the substance we cannot have any assurance of the thing we desire in our hearts. What is the substance of eternal life? It is what we build our hopes upon, which is the promise of Jesus Christ to us of eternal life, through obedience to the gospel (Mark 16: 16). Life is in us, if we believe Christ; for he declares that "he that believ- eth on the Son hath everlasting life" (John 3: 36). Jesus says again: "Verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my words, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life" (John 5: 21). Therefore Jesus' promise to us through the gospel is our only hope of eternal life, and is the substance of eternal life. We know that Jesus is the Christ, for Jesus has proved himself by signs and wonders; and the fulfiling of the prophecies of the holy prophets concerning him, which is sufficient proof to us that he is the Son of God. Therefore his promise to us of eternal life is a sure foundation upon which to build our house of hope, of life and salvation. The Holy Ghost beareth record of the Father and the Son. Salt Lakh City, Utah. Ere Life's Fleet Hour Has Flown. (For the Improvement Era.) Let us make the pathway brighter, Strive to make the burden lighter For the hearts that beat so closely to our own; Let our life's work be a lesson, And to others prove a blessing; Let us strive for this ere life's brief hour has flown. Let us trust in God to guide us, And in times of danger hide us From the storms that might assail us when alone; For his mercy faileth never, And bis power endures forever. Let us think of him ere life's fleet hour has flown. Let us plant for future reaping, Then to trust in God's great keeping Every furrow that enwraps the seed we've sown; For the planting time is with us, But the reaping God will give us; Let us think of this ere life's brief hour has flown. Even though the way be dreary, And our feet sometimes grow weary, As we travel on, and step from stone to stone; Yet above life's mountains rugged, With their peaks and cliffs so jagged, There is peace and rest when life's fleet hour has flown. Sarah E. Mitton. Logan, Utah.