--- 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: 19 number: 2 published: 1915-12 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," *Improvement Era* 19, no. 2 (December 1915): 172–179.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1902unse 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: improvementera1902unse start_page: 172 end_page: 179 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1915-12) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1902unse 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 A Lesson tothe Prophet Joseph The law of recompense demands that men shall work for what they get. One gets little or nothing without the asking, and one can only ask when he is willing and desires. Nothing comes without effort, is an old saying ; and largely it is true, at least as far as blessings are concerned. Evil, of course, is always present. But as Latter-day Saints we are looking for the good : "if there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy, we seek after these things." You will notice the word seek which implies work, endeavor, inquiry. And this is the thought with which we should be impressed. To strive for the things we desire and love ; and to love and desire the things worth striving for. Speaking of that which pertains to our inner lives — the spiritual — that can only come to us provided we are willing to search and have an inward preparedness and desire for it in our souls. To obtain this, let us will to act by asking the Lord to grant it, and it will come, for faith is a gift of God. When we once possess this longing, this desire, then our duty is still further action. In this we are sure of results, for "ask, and it shall be given you ; seek, and ye shall find ; knock, and it shall be opened unto you ;" was not uttered in vain by our Savior. But it all implies effort. Without work and willingness to search we shall fail to possess a knowledge of the spiritual things of the kingdom. When the Prophet Joseph Smith, whose birth we celebrate once more, was in darkness and doubt about one of the vital things of life — what to do in the midst of the tumult of religious opinion and extreme difficulties, — he was directed in this line of thought by the chance reading of the words of one of the fol- lowers of Jesus Christ : "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not ; and it shall be given him." His faith led him to action. He concluded that he must either remain in darkness and confusion or else do as James had directed, ask of God. His strong desire to know led him to action ; and he asked as directed, for the first time, for in all his anxieties and difficulties, he had never before made the attempt, observed the simple injunction, to pray vocally to his Heavenly EDITORS' TABLE 173 Father. Now he acted, and the answer was not delayed ; it came immediately. He received the light which resulted not only in satisfaction, knowledge and rest to himself, but gradually in the establishment of God's "marvelous work and a wonder," in the earth. The experience was a lesson to him that was never forgotten. His subsequent career is proof that he remembered this lesson so received and so strongly impressed upon his soul: if you lack wisdom ask of God and receive. He saw clearly that no light would come, if on his part no effort to find it were made. Hence, ever after, he put forth strong exertion to overcome evil by the "assisting grace of the Savior," though acknowledging himself ever liable to "deviate from that perfect path in which all men are commanded to walk." There is perhaps no truth, certainly no vital principle, con- tained in the teachings which he afterwards received, that did not come to him because of his asking. The wonderful revelations in the Doctrine and Covenants, containing the underlying principles of the great truths upon which the Latter-day work of the Lord is founded, were revealed by his asking, and come to us as a legacy of the Prophet's faith and work. The Lord is no respecter of persons, and to all who are will- ing to seek in prayer, with preparation, and work, having a desire in their hearts for spiritual light and understanding, he will grant abundantly without reproach. But no light will come to the un- willing, for they will not ask. The promise that they shall receive is made only to those who ask ; and that they shall find, only to those who seek. Our duty, then, if we would enjoy spiritual gifts, is made clear. It is borne in upon us not only by the teachings and ex- ample of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and by his servant James, but it is verified in the life and labors of the prophet Joseph Smith : "Ask, and it shall be given you ; seek, and ye shall find ; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." Joseph F. Smith. With Thankful Hearts What have we to be thankful for? For health, and for life with its splendid opportunities in this glorious land; and for our hope of eternal life, with friends and loved ones. For work to do; for blessed arc they who have found their life's work. For the privilege of association, play, and rest with our 174 IMPROVEMENT ERA families, friends and loved ones ; for their love of us ; and for their choice hands that clasp our own in confidence and faith. For living in this day when the gospel of Jesus Christ is restored in simplicity and plainness to guide our lives to happi- ness ; and for having hearts amenable to its teachings. For the Church of Christ, with its prophets, apostles and of- ficers, to counsel, direct and advise as the inspiration of the Lord directs ; and for our faith and confidence in them, and in the ultimate triumph of the righteous purposes of God. For the privilege of associating with the Saints in our or- ganizations and gatherings — religious, educational and social. For the desires implanted in our hearts to love righteousness and truth, to extend justice, and obey the commandments of Jesus our Lord; and for parents, families, friends, and neighbors filled with like desires. For our glorious nation and state, where we enjoy peace, law and order. For wise men who strive to make our land safe, peaceful, clean and prosperous, and who sacrifice for the public good rather than reach out for personal gain ; who promote the advancement, welfare and honor of our common country. For our peaceful homes in the valleys of the mountains ; for our temples of worship, where we may converse with God ; and our palaces of learning where our children may grow in wisdom and virtue. For the mountains, with their changing moods ; the sunshine and storm, the moonlit nights, the clear streams, the fruitful fields, the birds, the trees, the flowers, and all the marvels of nature about our mountain homes. If these are not enough, let us go out with God into the solitude of the high mountain, with the everlasting hills, the vales, the lake and plains stretching out before us ; and viewing these, our souls shall be filled, our hearts shall fairly swell with thanksgiv- ing and praise for the countless tender mercies of our Father. A Disavowal It may be well to remind our readers that the Era is not re- sponsible for the individual views or opinions expressed by con- tributors to its columns. In the November issue an article was published under the caption, "On What Day was Jesus Christ Crucified ?" We do not endorse the inferences drawn by the writer in the article named; but, on the contrary, we consider his views to be in opposition to the teachings of the Church, as also at variance with the well attested and generally accepted views of Christian denominations. EDITORS' TABLE 175 The crucified Christ emerged from the tomb, an immortal, resur- rected Being, on the third day, reckoning from the time of His death, so that His body had lain in the tomb one entire day and parts of two other days. The ordinary Hebrew expression for such period of time was "three days." Joseph F. Smith. Stories Wanted The Improvement Era solicits authors to submit stories to the editors of the Era on or before the 5th of January, and each succeeding month thereafter until the 5th of June. Dur- ing each of these months three of the stories submitted will be selected by competent judges for publication in the Era. The Era will pay for the one considered the best $25 ; for the second best, $12.50 ; and the third best, $5. The length of the stories should be on an average between three and five thousand words. The contest is open to all who may desire to enter. All manu- scripts not selected will be returned. In case there are no stories submitted each month that are considered available, the Era re- serves the right to reject them all. Thoughts in Brief Many a man can testify to the truth of this statement, especially men who have the invention working their way: Son: "Vitch is de greatest inventchun, Fader, de ottermobile oder de fonnygraft?" Fader: "Id is a question, min sohn, Heinrich. Ford tind Mr. Fddyson iss bote great men; aber dot feller vot inventioned interest vas no slouch." An exchange prints the following dog story as an illustration of the fact that different things need different treatment: "The attitude of some people toward progress reminds us of the point of view of a dog of our acquaintance. He was a sheep dog. and had acquired the habit of running toward flocks of sheep, up to- ward the front of the group, and steering them in the direction he wanted them to go. The automobile came in, and he acquired the same habit of attacking the automobile in front. The consequence was he did not last very long." Messages from the Missions "O Ye Mountains High," in Tasmania Pioneer Day was celebrated at mission headquarters, Hobart, Tas- mania, according to an account recently sent the Era by Sister Louisa 176 IMPROVEMENT ERA Dyer, secretary. The president of the Mutual Improvement Associa- tion, C. D. Turner, opened the social by singing, "O Ye Mountains High." Prayer was offered by Omni Porter. The exercises consisted of remarks by Glenn Merrill, duets, recitations, current topics and readings, following which there were games. Supper was then served, and the entertainment closed by singing, and by prayer by Elder Ivin Chard. Success Arouses Antagonism. "In the city of Bicknell, Indiana, the population of which is about 9,000, we have a membership of thirty-five, sixteen of whom have been added since August 10 last. "We have found this city an excellent field of labor. Many are coming to a knowledge of the truth, being baptized and showing after- ward by their lives that they are true disciples of the Lord. "Last Sunday, October 17, we held a baptismal service, and ini- tiated nine into the Church. The Saints rent a hall in which we hold meetings on Sundays — Sunday school in the morning and two preaching services afternoon. Ministers of the local churches have become so much aroused over the progress of the work here, that they are preparing to openly oppose us by having anti-'Mormon' lectures held in their churches, the first one being tomorrow evening in the Baptist church. As missionaries, we are indeed grateful for the glorious opportunity which we have of representing the work of the Lord in the earth. We are thankful for our kind and loving par- ents who have reared us in the fear and admonition of our Father in heaven." — The Missionaries of Bicknell, per Octave W. Ursenbach. * £2 9 L f ig^. fi Y^ jf V ^ Hki jfiL W f ^ f Bicknell, Indiana. Elders and lady missionaries of the South In- diana conference. First row, left to right: Wm. Ray Stoddard, J. L. Pgterson, Geo. W. Denning, Octave W. Ursenbach. Front row: Sisters Delia Peterson, Laverne Larsen. Elders Denning and Stoddard labor in Robison, Indiana, and the others at Bicknell, Indiana. EDITORS' TABLE 177 Traveled without Purse or Scrip t .Eld^r ?enJami,n H- Knudsen, Scranton, Pa., October 20: "Elder Lester Ogden and myself made a trip to Susquehanna, where the Book of Mormon was translated, and took a picture of the grave of an infant son of Joseph and Emma Smith. The elders are: Lester Ogden, Richfield, Utah, left; and Benjamin H. Knudsen, Provo, Utah, right. The feeling in that neighborhood has been very bitter, and little missionary work has been done there for many years past. Ours was the second street meeting held in Sus- quenhanna for seven- teen years". We trav- eled without purse or scrip and, while some of the people were bit- ter, we were well pro- vided for. We have friends there now who will welcome an elder any time. One family provided for us from Friday until Monday morning, and we were granted the privilege of explaining our mission to many of the people there. We were re- minded of what Christ said: 'A prophet is not without honor, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.' The people must realize that the fruits of 'Mormonism' are good. Part of the house and the room where the Book of Mormon was translated are still in good con- dition. We are making new friends continually." A Heated Discussion. Elder Stephen W. Paskett, Nottingham, England, Oct. 14, 1915: "The earliest historic mention of Nottingham refers to the place under the British name, Tigguocobauc, which means, 'the house of caves." Today the word Nottingham has been modified by Norman influence, from the names, 'Snothryngham,' 'Snottingaham,' 'Snottingham.' The ending, 'ham,' is akin to the word home, and is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It tells us of a family or people that came to this part to make for themselves a home. It is likely that the leader of this peo- ple, or family, was named Snott, thus with the possessive "ing," the whole word means, 'the house of Snott.' And as they were, no doubt, cave dwellers, the two names, Tigguocobauc _and_ Nottingham, have the same meaning. Many of the caves are still viewed with interest by visitors to Nottingham. We also have, in our district, other places 178 IMPROVEMENT ERA 4 -, * < ™. Tmi * of historical interest, such as Lincoln cathedral, with parts of the old Roman wall which surrounded the city, still standing. Hardwick Hall, where Mary, Queen of Scots, was im- prisoned for some time, the rooms are still kept as they were supposed to be left by her. Then, within nice cycling dis- tance of Nottingham, we can visit the Major Oak, in Sherwood For- est, under which Robin Hood and his men used to meet for council. The above picture, No. 1, shows, left to right, Elders J. E. Neville, John M. Mills, C. J. Smith, S. H. Paskett, and President E. E. Green- wood, standing beneath this great tree. Its age is 1400 years; it is 21 yards in circumference at base, and its trunk, being hollow, will admit seventeen average persons. Such places as above mentioned are very interesting to the traveling elders, and we always enjoy a day's outing, mixed with our missionary work. Picture No. 2 shows more of the real work of the missionary. It shows a meeting in which a heated discus- sion took place between Elder Gilbert Taysom, (on cycle) of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Elder Holmes of the Reorgan- ite Church. We have met Mr. Holmes many times, but with the same result. He seems satisfied to hold with his doctrines and denounces the 'Brighamites' or 'Salt Lake Mormons,' as we are known by them. Tn this way, he escapes any persecution, by making the distinction. We are happy in striving to show unto the people o.l the world the true way of salvation. We have had fine success in reaching the homes of strangers, and getting our books and tracts before the peo- ple, especially since the war broke out. People begin to think that the day of judgment, which the Bible so often speaks of, is really upon them, and those who have not hardened their hearts against Goo have been brought to think more of the teachings of Christ." A Word from the Battle Front As indicating the feeling among people in England who have become acquainted with our elders in the mission field, the following extracts from a letter addressed to Elder Albert Swift of this city, from a non-member of the Church who had become acquainted with him in England while he was there recently on a mission, will prove interesting. The letter was written by Stanley Fuller, on a leave of absence from the front, who refers to the sinking of the steamship "Arabic," and the rescue of one whose name was familiar to him — Elder A. H. Nebeker. He says his mind dwells on his acquaintances made during England's peace days, though now his country is in tur- moil and rigid machine-like preparations for human destruction. Then EDITORS' TABLE 179 stanYoman TnTJn ^^ t0 ^ %C beaUty °f Christ's trile «*" of human blood h« Y WC S'arch E^Pe's cities for hands clean ot miman blood., but far away in seclus on, under eternal orincinles ive one people peculiar and zealous of good works How favS e d that city of endurance none can fully estimate. I attempt to express myself in a medium so inadequate-words. What comes to m Tow PC;"'" ;.ts mo,st beautiful expression-Utah. With her cosmopol- itan population, she alone knows the practical peace which passes un- derstanding, a conception unknown to us who are now watching wait- ing and prepared for what our country feels to be a destructive men- £ce" . B,ut how m"ch better if peace could have been secured by more rational means than the destroying of so much God-created lite which is being hurried bv scientific, artificial means into the pres- ence of God who has decreed that all men should be brothers. * * * Your_ people, in old times reviled, scoffed at and maimed, maintain in practical life the will of God concerning man's relations. How hon- ored you all. must be to enjoy the favor. Should you not, far away from murder, possess a life truly godly, and always be conscious of God's special providence so^ abundantly bestowed upon your Church? Lasting joy must be your inheritance. Europe is sustaining a huge strain upon the moral and spritual growth of her peoples. * * * While I have sat at the wheel of my transport, it has often occurred to me_ that yours is the only 'organized body' that today can be said to be in any sense devotionally united in the true meaning. As I have known your people, they even now shine as the stars of the morning, far away from the gory roadside. T picture your ward meetinghouses, and your people worshiping and living sweetly unconscious of eastern murder and rapine. * * * The blood of your prophet has not been shed in vain. Truth has brought peace, and good will prevails in the family of God, so long misunderstood. Babel is in the East, heaven smiles with holy benediction upon Utah and its faithful in the West. God bless you, and would that I might in -eace participate in your life. Since the war began, I have been a unit in this army. I have lost a few toes from my left foot, but am still able to assist in mili- tary work, and expect to go back to France with the motor transport, at some day yet to be fixed. The doctors seem undecided as to whether I can keep fit again for a second duration of journeys between base and fire line. Nerves are all that are required and these cannot be artificially acquired. Send me a newspaper, now and then, so that my mind may brood over the friends I have met and respected in your Church, also any little pamphlet. With deepest respect and admira- tion for your people, which memory increases, yours fraternally, Stanley Fuller." What Systematic Tracting is Doing President John H. Larson, Waterloo, Iowa: "The work in the va- rious parts of this conference appears very favorable. All the elders are working faithfully and with diligence, and their efforts are moving many of the people to buy our books in order to give our religion a more thorough investigation. Successful and systematic tracting has created a large circle of earnest gospel friends. Now we have more calls than the elders are able to fill."