--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Smith, Joseph F. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 19 number: 1 published: 1915-11 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Smith, Joseph F., "Editors’ Table," *Improvement Era* 19, no. 1 (November 1915): 71–87.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1901unse 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: improvementera1901unse start_page: 71 end_page: 87 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1915-11) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1901unse publication_year: 1915 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 1915, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Editors’ Table Editors' Table General View of Church Conditions* BY PRESIDENT JOSEPH F. SMITH Blessings Enjoyed by the Saints I am delighted and most thankful for the privilege I enjoy of being with you to attend our 86th semi-annual general confer- ence of the Church. I am thankful, also, to see the very large number of our brethren and sisters who are assembled here this morning, and I sincerely hope that throughout our conference ses- sions the Spirit of the Lord may pervade our meetings and in- fluence those who shall speak to us; and bless everything that may be done for the upbuilding of Zion and for the continuance of the work of the Lord. I feel today, as I have always felt at the opening of our con- ferences, that the Church was never in a better condition spirit- ually or temporally, since its organization, than it is today. I be- lieve that the people have never been more united nor come nearer seeing eye to eye on doctrine and policy and principle than they now do. I cannot recall the time when the Church, or the mem- bers of the Church, were more prosperous temporally than they are now. The earth has been blessed of the Lord. It has been made fruitful to those who have toiled upon it and tilled it; the people have reaped a bounteous harvest this season, the elements have been propitious, and all things seem to have conduced to the well- being, happiness and prosperity of the people throughout the length and breadth of the land. There is no great reason for won- derment that under these circumstances the adversary is active on the other side, and that his satanic majesty is still alive; he is not dead, nor is he conquered, but to a very large extent his power is curtailed. He cannot now inflict upon us the trouble and in- jury that he once did; neither can the agencies do so whom he employs in the work of opposition to the truth. I believe that from year to year this increase in the power of truth, and decrease in the power of evil, will grow in greater proportion, both as to the prosperity and happiness of the people of God, and also as to the curtailment of the power of their enemies, until the power *Qpening remarks at the Semi-Annual Conference of the Church. October 3, 1915. 72 IMPROVEMENT ERA of God shall prevail throughout the land ; and the power of the adversary will wane, and truth will triumph and righteousness will reign. I feel very thankful for the general good health that prevails throughout the land, among all the people. It is true the great reaper, Death, has gathered some of the aged, the weak and infirm from among us, but our number has continued to increase from month to month and from year to year. I pray that the blessings of the Lord may abundantly rest upon his people, and upon all the people of our land. We live in the midst of our great country, and our interests continue unabated in the welfare and pros- perity of all the people of our land, from ocean to ocean, and from the north to the south ; not only toward our own people but our desire and our prayers are that all the people of the earth may be blessed of God, that they may so conform to his will and so unite themselves together in good works and upright purposes that they may be worthy of his favor and blessing'. We earnestly plead and hope and pray that the spirit of peace may come upon the warring nations of the earth, that they may cease their strife one against another and learn the peaceable things of the kingdom of God. We would that it were possible for our elders and messengers of truth to penetrate every land and nation upon the earth, and carry to them the olive branch of peace, the principles of life, and the opening of the door of salva- tion to all the inhabitants of the world. Grozvth of the Church I have a few items to be mentioned at this meeting and I will read them : Since our last conference we have organized four new stakes. Curlew, North Davis, Portneuf and Raft River, are the names which have been given to these four newly organized stakes of Zion. Of course, these new organizations are off-shoots of older organized stakes. The people are increasing, spreading out, and settling upon the land. Therefore, it becomes necessary, to in- sure the proper teaching and organization of our young as well as the old, that new stakes should be organized to give opportunity for the people to enjoy the benefits and privileges of Church or- ganization. There have been organized twelve new wards, and five branches not connected with any wards. We have a number of branch organizations which are a part of wards, and are looked after and presided over by the bishops of the wards, a presiding elder being appointed over the branch ; but in this mention thev are independent branches, and are rapidly growing into sufficient numbers and strength soon to be organized into wards. EDITORS* TABLE 73 There are now seventy-two organized stakes of Zion with 764 wards and thirty-eight branches, which are not connected with any ward, making a total of 803 wards and branches. During the past six months there have been changes made in the presidency of the Tahitian Mission, Ernest C. Rossiter suc- ceeding Franklin J. Fullmer; and in the Japan Mission, Joseph H. Stimpson succeeding Heber Grant Ivins. During the current year eighty wards have been assisted in erecting ward meetinghouses, amusement halls, or to pay for in- debtedness incurred on such buildings already erected ; and we are continually receiving applications for assistance in the erection of new meetinghouses in the newly organized wards. We are continually contributing, out of the funds of the tithing so far as we have it at our command, to fill the promises that we have made to the various wards of the Church who are erecting their houses. We give to them from month to month, or from time to time, as they demand, and as they raise their proportion, that which we have promised to them. We have a large amount on our records which has been promised, and which is gradually being drawn upon. Church Schools and Education I am happy to say, so far as the records show, that the tithing funds of the Church have been a little over the average of 1914. So far throughout this year (1915), the tithing funds have been a little in advance of those of the previous year. This is certainly very necessary, as the work is growing, the demands upon the Church are increasing, our schools are enlarging, and needing more and more assistance ; we have already appropriated a very large sum of the yearly tithing to maintain our various Church schools. These schools need no praise from me on this occasion. Those who are associated with them or live within the stakes where they are conducted have come to realize what a great benefit they are to the youth of Zion. and we hope that they will continue to be conducted in the spirit of the gosped of Jesus Christ. The object, I may say almost the only purpose, for the. maintenance of Church schools is that true religion and undefiled before God the Father, may be inculcated in the minds and hearts of our children while they are getting an education, to enable the heart, the soul and the spirit of our children to develop with proper teaching, in connection with the secular training that they receive in schools. I hope that I may be pardoned for giving expression to my real conviction with reference to the question of education in the State of Utah. The government of the State has provided for the common schools up to the eighth grade, and meets the general 74 IMPROVEMENT ERA expenses of these schools. The treasury of this state has pro- vided for one of the best universities that can he found in any state in the Union; thoroughly equipped for the highest education in the land. The State Legislature has also provided, out of the State treasury, for an agricultural college, a most worthy and efficient institution of instruction and training for the youth of the people of the state. In addition to these, we are having forced upon the people high schools throughout every part of the land. I be- lieve that we are running education mad. I believe that we are taxing the people more for education than they should be taxed. This is my sentiment. And especially is it my sentiment when the fact is known that all these burdens are placed upon the tax payers of the state to teach the learning or education of this world. God is not in it. Religion is excluded from it. The Bible is excluded from it. And those who desire to have their children receive the advantages of moral and religious education are ex- cluded from all these state organizations, and if we will have our children properly taught in principles of righteousness, morality and religion, we have to establish Church schools or institutions of education of our own, and thus the burdens of taxation are in- creased upon the people. We have to do it in order that our children may have the advantages of moral training in their youth. I know that I shall be criticized by professional "lovers of edu- cation," for expressing my idea in relation to this matter. Care of the Worthy Poor We are striving to the best of our ability to provide for the poor ; that is, for God's poor. You know there are several kinds of poor, and we want to provide out of the funds of the tithing and of the offerings of the Saints as far as we possibly can, for the honest and the worthy poor, and not for the drunken poor or for those who bring poverty, and distress upon themselves by "riot- ous living," extravagance, folly and sin. They should be put to work by some means or power, and kept at work until they learn to abstain from that which is vicious, and they will observe and do that which is essential to life and to the well-being of man- kind. I am not prepared to give you exact figures with reference to our fast offering fund, but it would be safe to say in view of past references to this matter, that if the Latter-day Saints would care- fully, (I will not say honestly, because I do not believe they intend to be dishonest about it,) and thoughtfully observe the rule or law of fasting one day in each month, and give for the benefit of the poor just what it would cost them to maintain themselves and their families with food on that one day, we would have suf- ficient funds in the Church to feed all our poor without taking a dollar of tithing to do it. When it comes to the fact that the fast EDITORS' TABLE 75 offering represents perhaps about three or four cents- per head per year, it does not figure out to be a very inexhaustive fund, and does not, of course, meet the necessities of the really worthy poor. Teaching in the Home I am glad to say that the policy to do ward teaching that has been urged upon the bishops and upon the bishops' counselors, and teachers is being carried out to a greater extent than heretofore. It is advised that the bishops and their counselors themselves, by the aid of the teachers called to their assistance in their wards, shall visit every family within their ward, advise with them, and look after their temporal and their spiritual well-being. Not long ago I happened to be at the home of one of my children when the teachers came in. We called the family together and submitted ourselves to the duties of the teachers. The head teacher began by saying that he had been sent there by the bishop of the ward to inquire into the condition of the members of the family. He was instructed to inquire of them if they held family prayer, morn- ing and evening, if they asked the blessing upon their food, at each meal. He was required by the bishop to inquire as to whether they kept the word of wisdom, as to whether they attended to their Sabbath meetings and honored the Sabbath day, as to whether those who were of age to attend the various other organizations of the Church, such as the Relief Society, the Young Men's and Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations, the Sunday Schools, the Primary Associations, and the Religion Class, did so, and if they sustained in their hearts their bishop and his counselors and were united in feeling and sentiment with them, and if they were in harmony in their feelings and sentiment with the presi- dency of their stake. And as to whether they sustained, by their faith and prayers, the presiding authorities of the Church, the Presidency of the Church and the Twelve Apostles, the Patri- arch, the Presidents of Seventies, and the Presiding Bishopric. If they could pray for them in faith and in good feeling, and were in harmony with them. If they believed and observed the law of tithing, and were at peace with their neighbors, etc. Then lie asked that the head of the family should arise and open his heart to the teachers and tell them just what he had to say in relation to all these inquiries and requirements that were made of the teacher by the bishop. I admired it. I thought it was just the right thing to do, and I approved of it, and so pronounced my approval of the thoroughness, the simplicity, and the honesty of the teacher to inquire into all these things. I was very happy indeed, to see and hear the young man of the house get up and say that the family were endeavoring, to the best of their ability and knowledge, to comply with every requirement that was made of 76 IMPROVEMENT ERA them as members of the Church in that ward, as required by the bishop. Then I took the liberty to say to the teachers that I was pleased with their mission and with the performance of their duty, and to assure them that from the training and instruction that my children had had from their birth up, I felt quite sure that they would be found, wherever they were, complying with all the requirements that were there made. Namely: the keeping of the word of wisdom, eschewing the use of intoxicating drinks, the use of tobacco, of strong and hot drinks, etc. The word of wis- dom comprises all these things. Do you have your prayers ? Do you remember God, the giver of all the good you get and have in the world ? Do you acknowledge his hand in all things, and do you render the gratitude and thankfulness of your souls to the Giver of every good and perfect gift? These are the questions that we should put to the inhabitants and the home-makers in Zion, to the family organizations in the Church. Is the husband and the father conducting himself in such a way as to be worthy of the affection and confidence of his whole family? Is his con- duct and his dealings with them such as will secure to him their unstinted love and approval, Are the father and the mother living peacefully together, without strife or contention? Do the chil- dren live harmoniously and peacefully together in their homes, and are they taught to be peaceful and gentle with their neighbors' children? All these things should be taught by the teachers in the various wards, and by the bishops, visiting every house as far as possible, confirming the labors of the teachers in this work of love for the benefit of the inhabitants of Zion. My brethren and sisters, these are some of the little things, perhaps. Some people would consider them trivial and of no im- portance, but I say there isn't anything that I know of in a man's life that is more essential to his happiness, and to the happiness of those with whom he is associated, than these little amenities by which he shows his love and respect for others and he is respected and loved, and his presence is cherished, by those with whom he associates. The father comes home, and the children are glad to see him ; the mother welcomes him with all the affection of the true wife and mother, for he is good and true, he does all in his power to provide a home for them, to make them comfortable and to add to their happiness and well being, also to provide for their education and their proper training and instruction. The whole family is united, and the children grow up to honor their parents and say: "My father and mother were honest. They set me the example of their lives. They taught me what was good, and they practiced it. They set the example to me, as well as taught me the precept of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and I love them for it. I will always love them for it." When they shall go beyond, the children will carry with them forever a blessing EDITORS' TABLE 77 for their parents. But the man who is rough, harsh, unkind and thoughtless, the man who spends his time away from his home and his children, when he should be with them, or who is absent for pleasures of his own, or for associations that are not congenial to the family, what influence for good can he have with his children? Will they not follow in his footsteps ? Will they not emulate his example ? Will they not grow up to be even less observant of that which is required by the Lord of his children than the parents were, because of the example set before them? Personal Duty and Power of Presidency Now, my brethren and sisters, my business, my duty, is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and him crucified and risen from the dead and sitting enthroned in power, glory and majesty on the right hand of his Father, our God. That is my business and my duty, and I love to do that more than anything else in the world. I would deplore and dread the thought that I am neglecting my duty towards those whom I love more than my own life. I can't afford it. I must do the best I can, the best I know how, for those whom God has entrusted to my care. I must also do my duty to- ward the people of God to whom he has willed that I should be a humble minister and teacher of the gospel. It is my duty to set an example, to plead with the people to live their religion. I ought to pay my fast offering regularly, right along, as I pay my tithing ; when the end of the month comes I go and pay my tithing. Why ? So that I won't neglect it nor forget it, and that is one of the things that the good teacher taught us the other evening at our home — the payment of tithing. Are we honest with the Lord? Do we remember him with the first fruits of our increase? If I were as punctual in observing my fast, and as careful to do all I should do for it, and a little more than would be really. required of me, as I try to be in paying my tithing, I believe I would feel better over it, but sometimes I am a hundred, or a thousand miles away from my ward on the fast day, and then I can't quite do it ; but the family at home can attend to their part of the duty when I am away. It is my duty as the head of my family to set the example before all the members of my household. I have the right to bless. I hold the keys of the Melchizedek Priesthood and of the office and power of patriarch. It is my right to bless; for all the keys and authority and power pertain- ing to the government of the Church and to the Melchizedek and Aaronic Priesthood are centered in the presiding officers of the Church. There is no business, nor office, within the Church that the President of the Church may not fill, and may not do, if it is necessary, or if it is required of him to do it. He holds the office of patriarch; he holds the office of high priest and of apostle, of 78 IMPROVEMENT ERA seventy, of elder, of bishop, and of priest, teacher and deacon in the Church ; all these belong to the presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and they can officiate in any and in all of these callings when occasion requires. God bless you. May peace abide and abound in Israel, from the north to the south, and from the east to the west; and may the favor and mercy of God be extended unto all the nations of the world to their restoration to peace and unity and good will, I humbly pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Why a Temple ivas Built in Canada I am reminded of one or two other items that I intended to mention. As you all know, we have been authorized and have undertaken, to build a temple in Alberta, Canada, and we have already expended very large sums of money upon that building. It is in course of erection and is progressing rapidly. The corner stone was laid only a week or so ago. The walls are being put up and it is nearing or will be nearing, soon, its completion, and readiness for the ordinances of the house of God. We took it there — why? Perhaps just one instance that was brought to our minds yesterday, or the day before, may illustrate. A young man, who has filled a good mission and returned home, living away off in the northern part of British Columbia, still clinging to the faith and wearing the harness of his ministry, doing all that he can for the benefit of mankind, desires to get married and to be married right. He lives hundreds and hundreds of miles away from a temple ; he has been on a mission for years and has exhausted all his means, he returns home almost penniless, and has found some good girl who is willing to enter life with him on the ground floor, and he says to us : "What can I do ? I want to begin a home for myself, it is according to the law of nature and of God, but I haven't the means to go to the temple. Will it be right for me to be married here, and then when I get the means sufficient to go to a temple, go and be sealed for time and for all eternity?" Well, what can you do under circumstances of that kind ? All we could do was to say to him : "Go to the nearest bishop or elder of the Church that you can find, and with our permission and approval ask him to unite you in marriage for time, and as soon as you are able to reach a temple, where you can go to the altar and be united by the power of God, and not of man, for time and for all eternity, go and get your union sealed by the power of God that will unite you for eternity as well as for time, and will bring your children unto you under the bond of the new and everlasting covenant, as heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ." What else could we say to him? Nothing else, EDITORS1 TABLE 79 so we said it ; but by and by we will have a temple up there, and those who are in these circumstances will not be compelled to waste all their substance in travel to come to a temple here. We were in hopes, not many years ago, of being' able to build another temple near the borders of the United States, in Mexico ; but that nation's unfortunate people, oppressed by rulers ambitious for power at the cost of the lives of their fellowmen, have driven out or expelled practically our people from their land. A New Temple Authorised to be Built in Hawaii Now, away off in the Pacific Ocean are various groups of islands, from the Sandwich Islands down to Tahiti, Samoa, Tonga, and New Zealand. On them are thousands of good people, dark- skinned but of the blood of Israel. When you carry the gospel to them they receive it with open hearts. They need the same privileges' that we do, and that we enjoy, but these are out of their power. They are poor, and they can't gather means to come up here to be endowed, and sealed for time and eternity, for their living and their dead, and to be baptized for their dead. What shall we do with them? Heretofore, we have suffered the con- ditions that exist there, and have adopted the best measures that we knew how, always looking to the better and fuller requirements of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Now, I say to my brethren and sisters this morning that we have come to the conclusion that it would be a good thing to build a temple that shall be dedicated to the ordinances of the house of God, down upon one of the Sandwich Islands, so that the good people of those islands may reach the blessing of the House of God within their own borders, and that the people from New Zealand, if they do not become strong enough to require a house to be built, there also, by and by, can come to Laie, where they can get their blessings and return home and live in peace, having fulfilled all the requirements of the gospel the same as we have the privilege of doing here. It is moved that we build a temple at Laie Oahu, Territory of Hawaii. All who are in favor of it, will please manifest it by raising the right hand. [All hands raised. 1 Contrary minded by the same sign. I do not see a contrary vote. I want you to understand that the Hawaiian mission, and the 80 IMPROVEMENT ERA of the most perfect and thorough Sunday School work on the part of the children of the Latter-day Saints that we had ever seen. God bless you. Amen. "History of the Mormon Church" Few people realize what difficulties are encountered by writers of history, and still fewer, what hours, days, months and years of patient labor are required to ferret out the essential items for record. Only those who have had such work to do can thoroughly realize what it is to gather the scattered material, formulate it, weigh it, and make it available for historical use. A work has just been completed by Elder B. H. Roberts, assistant historian of the Church, which is a most distinguished achievement of this class. Some years ago, July, 1909, the first chapter of The History of the Mormon Church appeared in the Americana, published in New York bv the Historical Society, David I. Nelke, president. Each succeeding number of the Americana, up to June, 1915, which number has just come to hand, seventy-two in all, has contained a division of the great work. The large, printed pages number 2.745, with about 500 words to the page, making an average of about forty pages to the number, a total of about 1.300,000 words during the six years. Aside from the text, the history is richly annotated, there being over four thousand references and notes. Every important statement is sustained by a citation, or a reference to the original source of information. In fact, it may be truthfully said that all important historical facts may be found in the original sources by following the references in this history. It may readily be con- ceived, therefore, that this great historical contribution to our Church literature represents not only a valuable work, but enor- mous toil and long sustained effort on the part of the author. When we remember, in addition, that Elder Roberts has edited and published, in the meantime, two volumes of a six-volume series under the title The History of the Church, composed of a journal history of Joseph Smith the prophet, from the inception of the great Latter-day work to his martyrdom in Carthage. Illinois, in 1844'. the excessive tension under which he has labored may to some extent be imagined. Within the same period, too. the author has published the second volume of Defense of the Faith and the Saints, which was printed in 1912, and is a book of 550 pages. In addition, also, in 1910-11-12, he wrote three year- books for the Seventies, being a heavy study course in theology ; and beside5; numerous spirited articles and published discourses. The History of the Mormon Church without doubt repre- EDITORS' TABLE 81 sents Elder Roberts' greatest literary achievement. This may be truly said, notwithstanding there is no dissertation in our religious writings which in any way equals, in conception of thought and originality of argument, his treatise upon the Book of Mormon. In The History of the Mormon Church every subject has re- ceived conscientious treatment and thorough consideration and analysis. When we consider in addition that the history has been carried through nearly three thousand pages of a series that •will make six volumes, the undertaking may well be considered a marvel of achievement as well as a valuable contribution to Church literature. During the publication, in the Americana, the Dcseret News occasionally noted the progress of the work, and alluded fre- quently to the quality of fairness in the text and the breadth of treatment of the subject by the author. Here is a quotation from an editorial January 2, 1915 : "The honest historian may not properly omit incidents which his readers and himself may feel would be better forgotten — it is his duty to record that which transpires, not merely that which pleases his fanc}r or subserves his purposes. That Mr. Roberts accepts this con- ception has been many times demonstrated in the course of this his- tory: and his censure like his praise, is bestowed with such bold im- partiality that the unprejudiced reader is forced to applaud him for his desire to be fair. His work will therefore go far toward correcting misapprehensions which man}' authors seem desirous to perpetuate." On the 15th of March the News again commented on a period of the history of the Church covering chapters 111 to 114, in which it was stated : "Elder Roberts has spared no pains in delving deeply into all reliable sources of -information, and his conclusions are set down with vigor and yet with fairness. The farther he carries his narrative the more is the reader impressed with his fitness for the task he has undertaken. His work reflects great credit upon him: it is a most valuable contribution to the history of the Great West." On the 7th of August, this year, in reviewing chapters 1K> to 120, inclusive, the News stated, regarding the period covered by those chapters and relating to the time often referred to as "the raid:" "It is not a pleasant epoch to contemplate, and not an easy one to describe, but its significance and consequences are so far-reaching that it deserves full explanation and perpetuation on the printed page. Elder Roberts has performed the task with excellent fidelity, his sense of fairness impelling him to seek information from all sources, whether friendly or hostile, and the result being that in his conclusions he has nothing extenuated nor aught set down in malice. Copious foot notes and references give the authorities from which the main narra tive has been compiled and derived: and these are so exhaustive that the 'History' will itself be considered an authority for all time to come." 82 IMPROVEMENT ERA On the whole, the work shows careful consideration of the text in every page. It is quite profusely illustrated with fine steel engravings of prominent characters and places notable in the Church and made prominent in the historical narrative. It is understood that these illustrations alone have cost about $21,000. The manner in which the history came to be published by the American Historical Society is very interesting. In 1898 one Theodore Schroeder wrote an article on the origin of the Book of Mormon for the Historical Magazine the predecessor of Amer- icana, which appeared in four issues of that publication. These articles were reproduced in the Salt Lake Tribune. Elder B. Ii. Roberts asked the privilege of answering Mr. Schroeder who, by- the-by, supported the Spanieling origin of the Book of Mormon. The editor of the Tribune, who at that time was Colonel Nelson, thereupon referred him to the Historical Magazine, suggesting that its publishers would perhaps be pleased to accept a paper in answer to Mr. Schroeder. Elder Roberts took the matter up with the president of the Historical Society, Mr. Nelke, who gave a guarded answer that they would publish an article in reply to Mr. Schroeder, in the event of its being of sufficient polemical value, and up to the standard of the magazine in literary quality. This is exactly where Elder Roberts came to the front and an- swered the requirement. The article was written and published in four issues of the Historical Magazine. It was then that the publishers stated to the author that they would be willing to pub- lish a history of the Church in detail if Elder Roberts would pre- pare it. They were informed that such a history of the "Mormon" Church would perhaps be a larger undertaking than they were aware of. In answer the publishers replied that they were will- ing to undertake the work, and that they would either enlarge their magazine or would change it from a monthly magazine to a bi-monthly to make room for the undertaking. Under these arrangements the publication of The History of the Mormon Church was begun, but its length has largely exceeded the expectations of both the author and the publishers. Mr. Nelke, let it be said to his credit, has persistently shown commendable zeal for the work, notwithstanding objections were raised against the publication on the part of some of the members of the His- torical Society and others in high educational places. It is expected that the history will in time be published in book form. It will make a set of about six volumes of between 500 and 600 pages to the volume. The author is at present engaged in thoroughly revising the work, and checking it up with a view to publication in book form. While the annals of our history, as a Church, are well recorded in detail, they are widely scattered in papers, records, documents and manuscripts, and one may well EDITORS' TABLE 83 imagine, therefore, the toil and patience necessary to hunt out the facts from these original sources, condense them, and place them in form suitable for the reading public. The author is con- gratulated upon having achieved this purpose. The history closes with these significant sentences : "The controversies of the Church of the Latter-day Saints, then, that have relationship to this first great period of the Church's exist- ence— the period in which the dominant note has been a struggle for existence — are ended. The victory is won for the Church. The prophecy of Joseph Smith that the Saints would survive the period of their persecutions, and that there were men then listening to his words who would live to see the Saints become a mighty people in the midst of the Rocky Mountains — is now an accomplished fact. "It remains for the Church of the Latter-day Saints to enter upon the second period of her development with perfect confidence that her existence is assured; and that henceforth she has the two groat things of her high mission to accomplish, viz., (I) to teach the truths which God has committed to her by a reopening of the heavens and a renewal of revelations to an established Church, to an organized priesthood, thence to be proclaimed to every nation and kindred and tongue and people; and (2) to perfect the lives of those who shall accept the truths so revealed to her, and thus assist in preparing men and the world for the personal coming and reign of the Christ on the earth. "He which testified these things [The Christ] saith, 'Surely T come quickly.' "And we who write them respond in our heart — "'Even so, come, Lord Jesus!'" Thoughts in Brief "The basis of all human pursuit is character, a lack of char- acter means loss and peril and death." — Colliers. In the probation room of the county court house at Santa Ana, Orange county. California, there is a sign which reads: "Blessed is the boy with a strict boss, and a hard task, for he shall learn many things that are kept from the fellow with a soft snap." Writers for publication may well take to heart the statement of a wise and busy Englishman, Walter Bagehot, who is said to have once stated in eleven words what is meant by the whole craft of letters. He said : "The secret of style is to write like a human being." Owing to the world-wide fame and achievements of Luther Burbank 'his opinion on the use of stimulants is worth while. It is a complete vindication of the Word of Wisdom. We quote what he says, as it has come to the Era m a number of exchanges : "I never use tobacco and alcohol in any form, and rarely coffee 84 IMPROVEMENT ERA or tea. l.can prove to you most conclusively that even the mild use of stimulants is incompatible with work requiring accurate attention and definite concentration. "To assist me in my work of budding — work that is as accurate and exacting as watchmaking — I have a force of twenty men. I have to discharge men from this force if incompetent. Some time ago my foreman asked me if I took pains to inquire into the personal habits of my men. On being answered in the negative, he surprised me by saying that the men I found unable to do the delicate work of budding invariably turned out to be smokers or drinkers. These men, while able to do the rough work of farming, call budding and other delicate work 'puttering,' and have to give it up owing to an inability to con- centrate their nerve force. Even men who smoke one cigar a day cannot be trusted with some of my most delicate work. "Cigarettes are even more damaging than cigars, and their use by young boys is little short of criminal, and will produce in them the same results that sand placed in a watch will produce — destruction. "Several of my young acquaintances are in their graves who gave promise of making happy and useful citizens, and there is no question whatever that cigarettes alone were the cause of their destruction. No boy living would commence the use of cigarettes if he knew what a useless, soulless, worthless thing they would make of him." Messages from the Missions The Priesthood in Halifax Branch Elder Earl S. Harper, Halifax, England, sends this photo of thir- teen out of the sixteen local brethren holding the priesthood in that branch of the Leeds conference. Three others are on duty for their king and country. "The photo was taken just before Brother Scofield, sitting in the center, the oldest member of the priesthood, emigrated 1 Jp4- £ 'f^jy % i| k i If4 f* f. * ■??■ A3 K ** "mm W**m lAi *• V Ni' :? IF, if % FT1 K*J T 1 jlTiaml. i & 0 * ty * * l 9 * N i i i 1 * \ s> « ■ ■ * ' — ■" wLJi *m p . \m 1 EDITORS' TABLE 85 to Zion with his family. Elder John J. Haslam, of Wellsville, Utah, is at the right, and Elder Earl S. Harper, Smithfield, is at Brother Scofield's left. There is a branch of eighty -two members and aboul twenty investigators, in Halifax. We feel to let the photo speak for the activity of the Halifax branch." Wood Work in the Maori College Elder R. C. Allred of the Maori Agricultural College, New- Zealand, sent the enclosed pho- tograph of Tauaiti Royal, and a chair of his own workmanship, which demonstrates the excel- lent work being done at that college. "The chair was donated by the school to the war fund and sold at auction in Hastings, by the war fund committee, for eighteen pounds, or $86.40. The purchaser was Takar Ihaia. The native students of the school are doing exceptionally well in their work this year." A Visit to Society Islands. Elder J. Ervin Pearson, branch president of Takaroa, Society Isl- ands, July 30: "Ernest C. Rossiter, the new president of the Tahitian mission, made his first visit to the Society Islands, leaving headquar- ters at Papeete, July 10. Arriving at Apataki, some two hundred miles out of Papeete, he met several of the Saints from Takaroa who had come there for supplies. They told him that they were very anxious to meet him, and offered to take him there. He changed his course, and after sailing two days in the little craft they arrived. After the news of his arrival spread, some two or three hundred people came running out of their houses to meet him, and greeted him very warmly. He was taken to the home of Brother Mapuhi, which is always open to the elders. On the day following, which was Sunday, there were large meetitngs held — regular Priesthood meeting at eight, and at nine o'clock the morning preaching meetitng, at which President Ros- siter spoken in French. His language was translated by -Brother Mapuhi, a very able and faithful man in the gospel. He spoke on the comparisons between the people of the Book of Mormon and those of the South Sea islands. Sunday school was held at the ten o'clock, at which the order and marching were very commendable. At three o'clock the general sacrament meeting was held. In these islands snow-white pulp of the old cocoanut, which forms in the nut after it commences to sprout, is used in the service for bread, and the water from the young cocoanut is the symbol of the blood of Christ, in the administration of the sacrament. The Saints are to be commended for Iheir strict observance of this sacred ordinance. At seven o clock a 86 IMPROVEMENT ERA ># w--' - -_ meetting for the young folks was held. This meeting is on the order of our Mutual Improvement Associations at home. They first sing the songs of Zion, and then give a lesson on Church history. Presi- dent Rossiter said he had never seen a Mutual meeting conducted in a A GROUP OF SOCIETY ISLAND SAINTS more interesting manner. During the week Relief Socity and Pri- mary mettings are held. These conditions are not only true of the Takaroa branch, but of all the branches throughout the entire group. All the elders are enjoying good health." A Thriving Branch with a Good Meetinghouse Elders Winfield Hurst, Woodville, Idaho, and P. Eugene Johan- sen, Castle Dale, Utah, of Gaffney, South Carolina, August 23: "The people here as a whole are very friendly towards our cause, and we have a host of friends who are willing to entertain us and to hear the gospel truths explained. Conditions have greatly changed here in the past twelve years. Up to 1903, the elders were not allowed to stay here at all. Now we have a thriving branch, fully organ- ized, and about one hundred members, with prospects of sev- eral joining our cause in the near future. We have a good meetinghouse, which was erect- ed about two years ago. The majority of the business men in the town assisted us in building it. Older members tell of the many oersecutions they were subjected to, for accepting the living gospel, during the time when the people were so bitterly op- EDITORS' TABLE 87 posed to 'Mormonism.' Some were driven from their homes in the country by mobs, and were compelled to come to the city where they have assisted greatly in establishing the work of the Lord. Others had their houses and all their possessions burned, but the persecu- tions tended to spread the gospel rather than to bring it to naught. We feel that the Lord has greatly blessed us in the past, and that the cause is thriving in this district, and are glad and thankful to be bear- ers of his saving message." The Auckland "Messenger" Elder Roderick Miller, Auckland, New Zealand, sends the en- closed photo of the editing staff of the Auckland "Messenger:" Left to right: J. M. Rex, Spanish Fork; W. R. Beckstead, Provo, Utah; R. L. Shumway, Taylor, Arizona, editor of "Tekaere;" Roderick Miller, Shelley, Idaho, editor of the "Messenger;" Thomas Grimshaw. Beaver, Utah, retiring editor of the "Messenger." "The 'Messenger' and 'Takaere' are enjoying great success, and our mission papers are reaching the homes of many of the people in New Zealand, being the means of carrying the gospel over the land. We recently added an Australian section to our paper, and are receiving some encouraging reports of the missionary work in our sister island. Thus a wider held has been opened up, and as a consequence our mission paper is growing." A Correction In the September number of the Era, Elder G. Humphries was erroneously credited with being president of the Maine conference, in an introduction to a message. In the message itself, however, M. G. Kuhre the retiring president, and Lorenzo Standirird, successor, were correctly named for these positions.