--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 17 number: 2 published: 1913-12 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations, \"Editors' Table: Greeting from the First Presidency,\" *Improvement Era* 17, no. 2 (December 1913): 168–179." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1702unse 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: improvementera1702unse start_page: 168 end_page: 179 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1913-12) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1702unse publication_year: 1913 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 1913, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Editors' Table: Greeting from the First Presidency Editors' Table Greeting from the First Presidency At the approach of another holiday season, and the close of another year, we greet and congratulate the quorums of the priest- hood, with the missionaries and the various auxiliary societies, particularly the Mutual Improvement Associations, the Church Schools, and all the officers and members of the Church, not for- getting the readers of the Improvement Era, on the progress made, and the good feeling prevailing. It is with thankful hearts and praises to our Heavenly Father, that we contemplate the growth of the Church during the past year. It has been highly satisfactory, both spiritually and tem- porally, both at home and abroad. In the various stakes and wards, the people have been diligent in building houses of wor- ship, and there is a perceptible advancement in every department of our work. The officers in charge have fulfiled their mission of love in a manner gratifying to the presiding authorities, and, we believe, acceptable to the Lord. In season and out of season, they have worked with the old and the young to better the religious, physical and moral condition of the people. The Lord has blessed and prospered them, not only in spiritual things, but in temporal matters as well. MISSION WORK. In the foreign mission fields, a force of nearly two thousand elders have labored diligently, during the year, to fulfil the great and important duty resting upon the Latter-day Saints — "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel." They have thoroughly realized that God has given us the gospel of Jesus Christ in its purity, and that we owe it to our fellow-men to make known the glorious message to mankind. They have gone out willingly and with a determination to perform this duty. Some ministers declare that we do not send our missionaries to the Pagans. We are not yet a very numerous people, and have not the means to pay missionaries, as most sectarian societies do, even if that were the better way. Our elders depend upon the Lord and not upon the dollar, and so they go to the world believing in and dependino- upon God, and his Son Jesus, the Redeemer. But they do not preach to the Christian nations alone; they are also to be found among the Pagans, though we have not yet as many among them as we hope to have, for this gospel is unto every creature. A EDITORS' TABLE 169 number of our missionaries are working in Japan. There is a branch of the Church in Hindustan, with a few Saints. We have also Saints in Syria, among the Mohammedans, and the work will doubtless further spread and grow. During the year, in England and Scandinavia, our elders have found considerable opposition, owing to a misapprehension of the nature of our work, but it has not hindered its progress. Where denied the use of halls to hold meetings in, we have built chapels and meetinghouses of our own, and we hope there will be a broad and Christian spirit sufficient to enable us to occupy them in peace. We invite all people to come and worship with us, and hear the message we have to bear to the world. In the South Sea Islands, also, among the Maoris and the Samoans, we have established schools for the people, in which are taught the common branches of education, and the doctrines of the Church. For the natives, in New Zealand, we have a high school where not only the gospel is taught, but also the general principles of education, and training in practical things, including manual labor, husbandry, and agriculture. This school has already achieved notable success. We rejoice in the work that is being done, and approve the zealous labors the elders are performing. The presidents of the twenty-one different mis- sions are men of God, and they are commended for their untiring labors in conducting the missions, training the elders, and pro- mulgating the gospel of Jesus Christ. PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS The General Priesthood committee has provided and will con- tinue to supply the priesthood quorums throughout the Church with the necessary text-books for the study of the gospel, and for familiarizing them with their duties in priesthood and quorum ca- pacity. Commendable efforts are being made to unite the quorums in fraternal strength and love. The growth of the quorum ac- tivities during the last five years is a cause for gratitude. The practical work performed, and the educational information dis- seminated by them, have tended greatly to the building up of Zion, and to the edification of her people. Efforts are being made to enroll all members of the priesthood in the various quorums to which they belong. This work should be zealously encouraged. There is a praiseworthy advancement among the Priests of the Church. At present, in five hundred wards in the Church, there are priests' quorums, or classes, each presided over by a bishop, and arrangements are making for an organization of such a quorum or class in every ward of the Church. The bishops are gathering the young brethren around them, and taking a fatherly interest in their welfare, thus teaching the young men the com- mandments of the Lord and their daily duties, by precept and 170 IMPROVEMENT ERA example. Another very important activity in the priesthood work is ward teaching. This work, in many places, has been seriously neglected, and we are delighted to learn that the spirit of teaching has been awakened generally. An effort is being made in many of the stakes of Zion to have all the families of the Church visited regularly every month by teachers, and all the officers are being enlisted in this very commendable work, which is worthy of the best efforts of our brightest men. Not only the priests, teachers, but elders, high priests, and seventies, should be encouraged to do their part in this great labor. We trust that in addition to the consideration of the studies provided for the coming year, the practical work of the priesthood will not be neglected. It is nec- essary that every officer shall magnify his calling, and that the teachers visit the people in their homes, to teach them the word of God. The authorities throughout the Church should come close to the members, and particularly to the youth, to lead them in light and truth in spiritual affairs, and to that conduct in temporal and social affairs that should characterize Latter-day Saints. MOVEMENTS IN THE M. I. A. In the Mutual Improvement Associations of the young men and the young ladies, praiseworthy activity has been shown in the past year. There appears to be a new awakening among the young people, and the officers of these organizations are cer- tainly to be congratulated upon the interest they have aroused. The boys are sought after, and new methods have been adopted to interest them in the work of the Lord, and in all that pertains to good citizenship in Church and state. The processes by which this is being accomplished are presented in detail from time to time by the officers, throughout the stakes and wards, who are instructed by the general board concerning this important work. The Y. M. M. I. A. offers splendid opportunity in class study, de- bating, musical exercises, oratory and public speaking, story- telling, scout organizations and athletic exercises, dramatic and literary entertainments, and dancing, all of whicti are presented with a view to winning and uplifting the boys. A force of some 3,500 officers, young men, devote some of their spare time and efforts in teaching the youth in these activities. We express our gratitude and thanks to them. This home work has its reward as great as the reward that comes to those who go out into the world to preach the gospel. In fact, there is a quicker and mere satisfactory return for the labor expended with our own boys, our own flesh and blood, in holding them in the line of duty, and interesting them in their own development and welfare, than in any other work that a missionary can engage in. We trust that this will soon become a sphere for greater effort than at present, EDITORS' TABLE 171 a field where our college graduates, educators, and men of spe- cial talent in the various activities of the associations may take part in the blessing and advancement of the young men of Zion. The age of eligibility for membership in the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations has recently been changed from 14 years up, to 12. It has been found difficult to enlist the interest of the boys from 12 to 14 in the Primary Associations, owing to ordinations to the priesthood at the age of 12, and also to the fact that they are admitted into the M. I. A. Scout organization at that age. Therefore, it has been thought wise to include these boys in the regular ranks of the Y. M. M. I. A. The necessary outlines for their class exercises, and for their entertainment in the various activities, will be provided by the general board. In the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations, commendable work is being done in every line which they have undertaken, and their officers, from the general board to the active teachers in the classes throughout the Church, are to be praised for their diligence in teaching the young ladies, not only the prin- ciples of the gospel, and social and literary knowledge, but for training them in practical work in sewing and domestic science. What is said in praise of the officers of these organizations may with equal emphasis be said of those of the great Sunday School Union, the Primaries, the Religion Class, and the Relief Society. THE CHURCH SCHOOLS. Supplementing the labors of these organizations, or perhaps standing at their head, for the more favored students, are the Church schools. The people are urged to patronize them. They are organized to teach the principles of the gospel, as well as to impart a thorough general education. A great amount of good is thus being accomplished, which is making itself felt among the youth throughout the Church. Students of these schools are a wonderful help to the auxiliary associations as teachers, and are aiding all the organizations of the Church by their superior ability. Others who are not so engaged, should be induced to assist in this work, for men and women willing and able to instruct the youth in the very best methods of learning, and the right ways of living, are needed, and they will in nowise lose their reward. Taking a broad view of the situation of the Latter-day Saints in general, we see everything to encourage us, and our gratitude goes out to our Father in heaven for the many blessings, of every kind, he has granted unto the Saints. We believe that most of them appreciate these favors, and their gratitude will doubtless be manifested in their obedience and devotion, and in their active support of the Church, and of all these organizations and activities. 172 IMPROVEMENT ERA With earnest wishes for the continued welfare and happiness of Israel, and of those who love the truth, and wishing all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, we remain, Your brethren, Joseph F. Smith, Anthon H. Lund, Charles W. Penrose, First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A Greeting to the Missionaries Beloved Brethren: One of the distinguishing features of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is its missionary sys- tem. In proportion to numbers, no other church or sect in the world today approaches ours in the extent and scope of its mis- sionary service, nor in the sense of importance with which that labor is regarded by the members in general. To you who have left home and dear ones ; to you who have relinquished, for a period, your material affairs ; to you who have promptly and willingly responded to the call to go forth into the world as duly accredited preachers and teachers of the Gospel of Christ, without hope of pecuniary or other reward in things of earth — I write this brief greeting as one who loves you for the sacrifice you have made, for the zeal and integrity you exhibit, and for the splendid results accruing through your unselfish devo- tion. I write as one called and ordained to life-service in the same ministry in which you labor. One of the many good gifts with which our Father requites the labors of his faithful children is the blessed boon of happi- ness. I know of none more truly happy than the active mission- ary, upon whom rests in full measure the spirit of his Divine com- mission. To him, no duty, no requirement, no phase of his labor is irksome or unwelcome. I commend to you for study and prac- tice a lesson which I doubt not you have already learned in part through demonstration and test in the laboratory of experience, but which I would have you master thoroughly — the lesson that tells of the vital distinction between pleasure and happiness. The present is an age of pleasure-seeking, and men are los- ing their sanity in the mad rush for sensations that do but excite and disappoint. In this day of counterfeits, adulterations, and base imitations, the devil is busier than he has ever been in the course of human history, in the manufacture of pleasures, both old and new ; and these he offers for sale in most attractive fashion, falsely labeled, "Happiness." In this soul-destroying EDITORS'" TABLE 173 craft he is without a peer ; he has had centuries of experience and practice, and by his skill he controls the market. He has learned the tricks of the trade, and knows well how to catch the eye and arouse the desire of his customers. He puts up the stuff in bright- colored packages, tied with tinsel string and tassel ; and crowds flock to his bargain counters, hustling and crushing one another in their frenzy to buy. Follow one of the purchasers as he goes off gloatingly with his gaudy packet, and watch him as he opens it. What finds he inside the gilded wrapping? He had expected fragrant happiness, but uncovers only an inferior brand of pleasure, the stench of which is nauseating. Happiness includes all that is really desirable and of true worth in pleasure, and much beside. Happiness is genuine gold, pleasure but gilded brass, which corrodes in the hand, and is soon converted into poisonous verdigris. Happiness is as the genuine diamond, which, rough or polished, shines with its own inimitable luster ; pleasure is as the paste imitation that glows only when artificially embellished. Happiness is as the ruby, red as the heart's blood, hard and enduring ; pleasure, as stained glass, soft, brittle, and of but transitory beauty. Happiness is true food, wholesome, nutritious and sweet; it builds up the body and generates energy for action, physical, men- tal and spiritual ; pleasure is but a deceiving stimulant which, like spirituous drink, makes one think he is strong when in reality en- feebled ; makes him fancy he is well when in fact stricken with deadly malady. Happiness leaves no bad after-taste, it is followed by no de- pressing reaction ; it calls for no repentance, brings no regret, en- tails no remorse ; pleasure too often makes necessary repentance, contrition, and suffering; and, if indulged to the extreme, it brings degradation and destruction. True happiness is lived over and over again in memory, al- ways with a renewal of the original good; a moment of unholy pleasure may leave a barbed sting, which, like a thorn in the flesh, is an ever-present source of anguish. Happiness is not akin with levity, nor is it one with light- minded mirth. It springs from the deeper fountains of the soul, and is not infrequently accompanied by tears. Have you never been so happy that you have had to weep ? I have. Recently, I witnessed an instance of tearful happiness, and I shall not soon forget the experience. I had been engaged with my brethren in setting apart missionaries, who were about to leave for their several fields of labor. We had laid our hands upon their heads, one by one, and had invoked Divine blessing upon them and their work. You know the solemn procedure, for each of you has been so blessed and set apart. After the missionary 174 IMPROVEMENT ERA assembly had closed — there in the Annex to the House of the Lord — my attention was attracted to a woman, one who had long passed the noon-tide of her life, standing with her arms about the neck of her manly son ; her head rested upon his shoulder, and she was sobbing with strong emotion. He stood tenderly supporting her with his strong right arm, while his tears fell upon her whitening hair. I ventured to approach ; and she, becoming aware of my presence, looked into my face through the mist of tears, and smilingly said, "He is my boy, you see ; my only son ; and he is going far away, across the great ocean." I asked, "Don't you want him to go?" "Want, him to go?" she repeated, with beaming countenance ; "oh, yes ! yes ! I am so thankful to have a son worthy to go out into the world as a missionary of the gos- pel, that I can't help crying, you know." Then, after a pause which to me was profoundly affecting, she added, "His father filled an honorable mission, and has since died ; now our son goes to continue his father's good work, thank God !" And the thought of it all filled that widowed heart with such over-powering hap- piness that she could but weep and sob. And now, let me tell you of another scene which I witnessed soon after the incident just described. Again I saw a loving mother with her arms about the neck of her son. She, too, was shaken with sobs, and the flood-gates of his tears were open. To my look of inquiry she replied with an explanation : "He is my son, and has just returned from his mission after nearly three year's absence. Oh, I am so happy, I just have to cry." The glad father, who stood by, wept in unison with his wife and son. The young man soon suppressed his emotion and answered my questions with proud humility and soulful gratitude in his face. His record in the mission field was good ; his release was an hon- orable one. And as I looked upon the reunited family, I said in my heart — this is happiness, indeed ; while, through the inner chambers of my soul, there echoed a holy refrain, "Well done, good and faithful servant ; happiness is thy reward." Beloved brethren, may hapiness be your portion, and success in the saving of souls your eternal glory. James E. Talmage. Why Pay Tithing? BECAUSE IT IS A LAW OF GOD The Lord revealed the law to Abraham and Jacob, empha- sized it to Israel through Malachi, and reiterated it during the personal ministry of our Savior. The law has been restored to EDITORS' TABLE 175 us in a very emphatic revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith. The Lord has said to his Church in this dispensation: Verily, thus saith the Lord, I require all their surplus property to be put into the hands of the bishop of my church of Zion, For the building of mine house, and for the laying of the founda- tion of Zion and for the Priesthood, and for the debts of the Presi- dency of my church; And this shall be the beginning of the tithing of my people; And after that, those who have thus been tithed, shall pay one- tenth of all their interest annually; and this shall be a standing law unto them forever, for my holy priesthood, saith the Lord. Verily I say unto you, it shall come to pass, that all those who gather unto the land of Zion shall be tithed of their surplus properties, and shall observe this law, or they shall not be found worthy to abide among you. And I say unto you, if my people observe not this law, to keep it holy, and by this law sanctify the land of Zion unto me, that my statutes and my judgments may be kept thereon, that it may be most holy, behold, verily I say unto you, it shall not be a land of Zion unto you; And this shall be an ensample unto' all the Stakes of Zion. Even so. Amen. The word of the Lord is very plain. The law is clearly set forth. The blessings to be obtained for obedience are stated, and the penalties for disregarding it are made known. The gospel of Jesus Christ teaches that the Lord does not command of his children things which they are not able to do. Tf we have faith in him, therefore, obedience to this law is im- perative. Not one among us is too poor to observe the payment of tithing, and not one is rich enough to afford to neglect it. The poor need the temporal and spiritual blessings predicated upon obedience, and the rich are poor, indeed, if they are not in pos- session of the blessings of heaven, for "What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his soul?" BECAUSE IT CALLS FORTH THE BLESSING OF HEAVEN The Lord has said, speaking of this principle, "Prove me herewith." Those who have honestly obeyed the law, with pure motives, have learned by happy experience that his promises never fail. The blessings to be received are both temporal and spiritual. Among the temporal are these : This .shall be a land of Zion unto those who obey the law. 176 IMPROVEMENT ERA The devourer shall be rebuked, and the land blessed for their sakes. They shall enjoy their substance in contentment and peace. Their children shall not beg in the streets of Zion for bread. The spiritual blessings, however, are the greatest. Tithe- payers shall receive blessings more than they can contain. Who among the Latter-day Saints has not seen this promise verily ful- filed? Go into the presence of one who is living the gospel, includ- ing the law of tithing, and you will observe that the Spirit of the Lord that fills his heart cannot be contained by him, but it flows forth to bless those with whom he associates. BECAUSE IT INCREASES FAITH Faith is the basis of spiritual power, and the very foundation of our hope of salvation. Without faith, which "is the moving cause of all action," there can be no salvation, and the degree of salvation that each one shall receive, will depend upon the measure of faith that he possesses. Any principle that will increase faith is, therefore, of great value. A thoughtful American writer has said that the only faith that wears well, and holds its color in all weathers, is that which is woven into conviction and set with the sharp mordant of ex- perience. Jesus stated the striking truth that those who may know of the doctrine are those who do the will of the Father. The righteous, who shall finally live by that high, divine faith that Christ possesses, are those who, by keeping the divine command- ments, have gone from faith to faith. The blessings experienced by the tithepayer weave his faith into a conviction that will hold its color in all weathers. His faith will increase until he shall know of the, doctrine, and know- ing, he will be enabled to lay a foundation on which he can build until, finally, with the just in Christ, he will live by faith. BECAUSE IT UNFOLDS OTHER ATTRIBUTES OF THE ETERNAL SPIRIT THE EGO THE REAL I AM The salvation vouchsafed to him who obeys the gospel, a necessary law of which is tithing, will fill the soul with high and exalted aspirations, and inspire him to climb to greather heights, both here and hereafter, than he would otherwise attain. The act of obeying these high impulses will call forward a high sense of moral courage and will compel him to despise cowardice in every form. He will become a defender of virtue and truth and honor.. Doubt will be vanquished, and in the storms of life, whether outward or inward, he will feel a calm assurance that his life has been in harmony with the Infinite, as far as he was able to make it so, and therefore, "all is wehV* EDITORS' TABLE 177 Love — the greatest virtue — will be broadened and deepened. When one pays tithing he is contributing to humanity ; for, after all, tithing is merely part of the material means necessary to teach- ing the gospel to the world. But when one does his share in the manner provided by the Lord, it leaves no room for selfishness or egotism. Too often men contribute their means to gratify selfish instincts — their vanity, avariciousness or pride. Such gifts have a tendency to impoverish, rather than enrich the soul. Tithing is paid in the spirit of not letting the left hand know what the right hand doeth. And yet we are conscious that it will bless the world; and because we are thus serving the world, our love increases. "The Lord loveth a cheerful giver." Tithing is a free will offering, and is cheerfully paid. The act of meeting the obliga- tion develops the quality that God loves. The law of tithing may be made a potent factor in develop- ing some of the nobler attributes of the soul, and a Christ-like soul is its own triumphant reward and blessing. BECAUSE IT IS A GREAT PRIVILEGE TO HELP SUPPORT THE INSTITU- TIONS OF THE CHURCH WITH A PART OF OUR MEANS The power of the Church for good shall increase in the midst of the earth. Her light shall shine unto all the world. All nations will call her blessed, for because of her all nations shall be blessed. The tithepayer demonstrates that he holds these things not merely as a passive belief, but as a proposition in which he has a living, active faith. All institutions that have to do with material things need material support. The work of no great institution can be car- ried on without means. This is a proposition that will appeal to every thinking individual. In this great work of redemption, the Lord has not only granted us the privilege of giving this support, from a part of the means over which he has given us stewardship, but he has made it imperative that we take a part of the substance entrusted to us to carry on his work. Many of the greatest spiritual blessings are dependent to a great extent on material things for their realization. In fact, all through the creations of our Father, the material and spiritual are closely associated. Take for example our temple work that is so full of spiritual blessings. It is necessary to have suitable buildings in which the sacred ordinances can be performed. Then, these buildings must be properly furnished, heated, lighted and cared for. The spiritual work done in our temples is of the greatest importance to the race, because it effects the redemption of the living and the dead. This work is made possible only because of the tithes of the people, and no man can place himself 178 IMPROVEMENT ERA in a position to receive all these blessings unless he meets this obligation towards the Lord. In a similar manner, the stake and ward houses, in which the Sacrament is administered on the Sabbath, and so many other spiritual feasts enjoyed, must be maintained. Our splendid schools, a system that does so much towards developing the nobler qualities — both mental and spiritual — of our boys .and girls, must be housed in convenient buildings and be provided with competent instructors. Even our great missionary work could not continue without means, and many other phases of the work, that are pregnant with spiritual blessings, that are destined to bless all mankind, would cease if the Saints were not loyal to this law of tithing. In all these important activities, that are doing their part in cleansing the world from sin, raising men and women to higher ideals, and redeeming the race, some material form of help is needed for their full fruition. God, who is wise and just and filled with love, mercy and compassion towards all, has ordained the plan whereby the means may be provided in a just, equitable and proper manner. That plan, ordained by him, is described in the revelation on tithing. Then, because the Lord has commanded it ; because we have faith in him ; because we wish this faith to increase ; because we wish the other soul-attributes developed ; because we wish to enjoy the blessings of heaven in temporal and spiritual matters ; be- cause we are jealous of the privilege granted us to support the institutions of the Church with a part of our means ; because our good, common sense tells us that institutions dealing in spiritual things, need material support ; because we want this to be a land of Zion unto us and our children forever ; and because we believe with full faith in the power of the gospel to bless all mankind and ultimately redeem the race — both the living and the dead, — we should pay our tithing. Messages from the Missions Elder J. Leo Ellertson, Korangata, New Zealand, July 29: "Noth- ing but good can be said of the work being accomplished in the infant institution of learning established by the Church at Korangata, New Zealand. The casual observer can readily see that the Spirit of the Lord is directing the work. This is proved by the spirit of brotherly love that accompanies all that are connected with the institution. The native boys are highly elated over the privilege they enjoy of at- tending the college and often send letters home to their parents giving EDITORS' TABLE 179 such good reports that it inspires their parents to reply with letters of thanksgiving to Professor Johnson and his assistants for their labors. Already certain boys have expressed themselves as seeing life in a new light and a complete revolution has taken place in them. Instead of the wild, roving and restless spirit that permeates their souls on entering school, an altogether different attitude is gradually taking possession of them and comparatively speaking they have be- gun to place their ideals among the stars. They are making strenuous efforts to realize their new formed ambitions. Recently we had a case of supposed small-pox but which turned out to be nothing but a milder disease. The government thoroughly cleaned and fumigated the buildings and vaccinated all the students and teachers, free of the GROUP OF KORANGATA SCHOOL CHILDREN burden of expense. We therefore feel secure from that unwelcome disease, and while we are still quarantined yet joy and happiness reign in our midst. The small schools scattered throughout the north island for the purpose of teaching the younger children the fundamentals of an education and the gospel, are doing well and are instilling into the hearts of the children the fear of God and a desire to do good. I send herewith a group of children who attend school at Korangata near the college where I am teaching at present, also of three elders who have had the privilege of teaching in the graded schools and felt that it' was one of the happiest positions they ever held. Two of them are now teaching in the college. We feel that the Spirit of the Lord is striving with the people of New Zealand, and that slowly and surely they are being made to realize the importance of the gospel message that we bear."