--- 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: 4 published: 1916-02 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. 4 (February 1916): 360–370." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1904unse 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: improvementera1904unse start_page: 360 end_page: 370 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1916-02) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1904unse publication_year: 1916 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 1916, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Editors' Table Editors' Table On the Use of Tobacco A correspondent in Provo desires to know and enquires inwriting- of President Smith, concerning ordination to the holyPriesthood of persons who are addicted to the use of drink, andtobacco, and who profane the name of Deity. "I contend," saysthe correspondent, "that we never can be perfect so long as weplace the stamp of approval on such conduct and recommend suchcharacters as being worthy of the Priesthood. What can we ex-pect of the young boys with such examples before them all thetime? Am I right or am I wrong? I positively object to anyonesitting down in my house smoking. It is all I can do to stand thesmell of their clothes. For this stand which I have taken, I amseverely condemned by many of my friends. I am called a crank01 a tool. I have much charity for non-members of our Churchwho haven't been taught better, but very little for Church mem-bers who indulge in such habits. I heard President George H.Brimhall, in devotional exercises at the Brigham Young Uni-versity, quote you as saying that you did not allow any such thingin your homes, and that you did not want the Church memberswho use tobacco, and have been taught differently all their lives,to ever recognize you on the street. I have used this statementmany times in my own defense, but I cannot make people believe\< 11 ever made such a statement. With respect to these things, amI right or am I wrong? * * * * * Hoping you will replyat once, I remain, very respectfully—C. Elmo Cluff." Answering this request, President Joseph F. Smith used thefollowing strong language in a letter which the Era is permittedto quote, which ought to set at rest any doubts as to his standupon the subject. His statement is worthy of being read to thePriesthood in every part of the Church: "Your views, as expressed in your letter, are entirely in ac-cord with my own views, with reference to the use of, and theusers of, tobacco. What Brother Brimhall has said regarding myremarks on that question, T believe to be entirely correct. "Young men or middle-aged men who have had experiencein the Church should not be ordained to the Priesthood nor recom-mended to the privileges of the House of the Lord, unless theywill abstain from the use of tobacco and intoxicating drinks.This is the rule of the Church, and should be observed by all itsmembers. I would not, without positive objection, suffer any EDITORS' TABLE 361 person to smoke tobacco in my homes. I have always made it apractice not to recognize or bow respectfully to cigars or stinking-pipes in the mouths of men, when I meet them on the street orelsewhere ; it is sufficiently humiliating to me to see men, supposedto be intelligent beings, addicted to the filthy habit of smokingcigars, cigarettes or pipes with tobacco in them. "Any person claiming a membership in the Church who willpersist in the practice of profaning the name of Deity ought to bedealt with for his membership in the Church. No such personhas any right to be endowed with authority in the Priesthood, norto receive the blessings of the House of the Lord. "If this is not sufficiently strong to convince your friends thatI am averse to these contemptible practices, you can let me knowand I will try to emphasize it still more. "Yours very respectfully, "Joseph F. Smith/' No More Cigarette Advertisements The Curtis Publishing Co., of Independence Square, Phila-delphia, one of the largest publishing houses in the United States,and the publishers of the Ladies' Home Journal, the SaturdayEvening Post and the Country Gentleman,—and, by-the-by, thesemagazines have a circulation of about eight thousand in Salt LakeCity,—have recently sent a letter to Dr. John H. Taylor, M. I. A:Scout Commissioner, which we take pleasure in reproducing, asfollows: "Dear Sirs With the exception of a few advertisements hereto-fore accepted, and which we are under obligations to print, no cigar-ette advertisements will hereafter appear in any of our publications."Not only will we exclude cigarette advertisements, but afterJanuary 1, 1916, except in one advertisement previously contracted for,all reference to cigarette uses will be excluded from tobacco adver-tisements in our publications. "In spite of the fact that this policy will result in a reduction ofseveral hundred thousand dollars in our annual advertising receipts,we believe we have taken the right course in this matter. "For the reason that several men connected with your organiza-tion have made inquiries about our advertising policy, we believe thatyon, too, may be interested in this announcement."Yours very truly, "The Curtis Publishing Co."M. E. Douglas,"Mgr. Sales Division." We take great pleasure in making public this announcement,and we only wish that the Curtis Publishing Company could haveseen their way clear to exclude all tobacco advertisements from 362 IMPROVEMENT ERA their publications, as they have clone the cigarette. We can onlyadd that we wish all the publications of the states of Utah andIdaho, and, in fact, of all the states, would follow the good ex-ample of the Curtis Publishing Co. Not only the publications,but we wish the dealers, particularly those who are members ofthe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints whose principlesare against the use of tobacco, would be as self-sacrificing as theCurtis Publishing Company; and, notwithstanding it might resultin the loss to them of a few hundred thousand dollars, more orless, in their annual incomes, that they would be still willing tostand for principle, and make an announcement stating that here-after no tobacco of any kind will be sold by them. The old objec-tion : "If we don't sell it, somebody else will, and we will losethe money," is illigitimate and a miserable subterfuge. It savorsof the "hog-itch for money." Thoughts in Brief One does not often envy millionaires—the galling of theirgolden chains is too evident in their faces—but one recent excep-tion stands out. Three days before Christmas the PittsburghBank for Savings was closed by the state officials, and among itsdepositors were over 41,000 school children who had about fourdollars apiece to their credit. The bank had had an arrangementwith the Board of Education by which collectors visited theschools every week and got the children's pennies. When thebank closed, all the children had for their pains was the chanceof a 50 per cent dividend some two months later. But Henry C.Frick came forward that same day and said briefly that the kidswere to have all their money at once. So the storm passed byfor those young depositors, and their faith in men was justified.Mr. Frick has a stately and expansive house on Fifth Avenuefilled with works of art from many lands, but we doubt if thereis anything in it more cheering to the soul than the memory ofthat abrupt kindness. Sometimes it pays to be a millionaire!—Colliers. Resolve to cultivate a cheerful spirit, a smiling countenanceand a soothing voice. The sweet smile, the subdued speech, thehopeful mind, are earth's most potent conquerors, and he whocultivates them becomes a very master among men.—ElbertHubbard. "The world reserves its big prizes for but one thing, andthat is Initiative. Initiative is doing the right thing without being EDITORS' TABLE 363 told. Next to doing the thing without being told, is to do it whenyou are told once.—Elbert Hubbard. "I do not doubt that interiors have their interiors—and ex-teriors have their exteriors, and that the eyesight has another eye-sight, and the hearing another hearing, and the voice anothervoice."—Walt Whitman. Stories Wanted There were nineteen stories submitted to the editors of theEra for the January 5 contest. These are being read, and threeout of the lot are being selected by competent judges, for whichthe Era will pay $25 for the best, $12.50 for the second best, and$5 for the third best. We wish stories for five more contests—February 5, March 5, April 5, May 5, and June 5. The prices paidare the same as for January. Send in your stories. Messages from the Missions Visit after Thirteen Years Elders Avard Washburn and James Baron, Chattanooga, Tenn.,November 10, write expressing their thanks to the Lord for the wonderful progress experienced in'the East Tennessee conference:"Seveal baptisms were reportedlast month. The elders recentlyreturned from a ten days' tripthrough James, Meigo andLondon counties, being the first'elders to visit that part of thecountry for over thirteen years.To some extent the old spirit ofprejudice exists, but' the peopleare rapidly laying it aside. Wedistributed a goodly number oftracts and held a number ofmeetings. Several people ex-pressed surprise at the plainnessand simplicity of the gospel astaught by the Latter-day Saints.We relied on the hospitality ofthe people for our daily neces-sities, and with few exceptionswere kindly cared for andtreated with respect." 364 IMPROVEMENT ERA Why They Read the "Era" Elder J. Garfield Bastow, president of the Savaii conference, Sa-moa, writes under date of July 20, 1915: "As elders we certainly ap-preciate the Era, and derive much benefit from reading the good in-structions therein. Nearly all of the few white traders here read theEra, and they say they enjoy reading it because it is a good, cleanmagazine. The people here take religion lightly. Just at present they seem to worry a little more because of a famine. Their croo was de-stroyed by storm and worms. Truly the words of Jesus are comingto pass, that there shall be wars, famines and tribulations. The pic-ture is of the elders reading the mail from home." Elders, left toright: H. A. Dean, Redmesa, Col.; C. M. Farrin (at back), Salt LakeCity; W. M. Mason. Riverton; J. G. Bastow, Logan, Utah. Conference Gave New Impetus Howard McDonald, president of the West Pennsylvania confer-ences, writes that the Saints and'elders held a conference in Pittsburg,November 21: "Many were in attendance. Three sessions were held,every meeting being characterized by the spirit of love and harmonyprevalent on such occasions. In such gatherings we feel as the poetwrote: " 'Now the heart is so full that a drop overfills it,We are happy now because God so wills it.' ■ "President Walter P. Monson gave some excellent counsel, andthe elders have returned to their, fields with new energy for work inthe gospel cause. Considerable persecution is experienced here, butthrough the faithful efforts of the workers, the prejudice is graduallychanged into friendship. Elders left to right, as follows: Back row.E. Franklin Eardley, Salt Lake City; S. Albert Smith, Snowflake, Ari-zona; Elmo Hendrickson, Alberta, Canada; second row, Paul Whitesides, Rexburg, Idaho; William- H. Wallace, Salt Lake City; WesleyHaws, Logan; Spafford N. Daniels, Provo; J. Earl Felt, Ogden; third EDITORS' TABLE 365 TKh Ripia^ W Robinson, Salt Lake City; Arthur W. Maxwell,w n'-S™ Watson, (retiring conference president), Glendale; Walter P. Monson, (mission president); Howard McDonald, (succeed- ing President Watson), Holliday, Utah; Norton Piatt, (presidentNorth West Virginia Conference); front row, Anna Lott, (North-westVirginia Conference); Lona Ipsen, Plain City; Ella Gibbs, RrighamCity; Lois Mickaelson, (North-west Virginia Conference)." Converted Through the M. I. A. Hugh M. Larson, president, Melbourne, Australia, December 1:"The M. I. A. at Richmond and South Melbourne, Australia, is doinga good work under the supervision of local elders and sisters. Manyinvestigators and friends visit our Mutual which is a means of help-ing the work of the Lord along. Lately five members have beenadded to the fold by baptism, all of whom, for some time before theirbaptism, were active members of the M. I. A. The Era is a stimu-lant for spiritual development and we are glad to keep in touch withthe work of Zion, through its pages." Students Render Good Support in Chicago President F. B. Bowers, Chicago, Dec. 18, 1915: "The Chicagoconference is forging to the front each year, and this year is no ex-ception to the rule. Three branches of the conference are as com-plete in organization as many of the wards in the stakes of Zion. Acouple of years ago two buildings were erected in this city that area credit to the Church. The one, at Logan Square, cost approximately$40,000; and the church at Roseland $6,000. At present a rented hallis used for holding meetings in the University branch. A little over ayear ago the University branch had only a few members, but now 366 IMPROVEMENT ERA they have an average attendance of about sixty at their Sunday ser-vices. Some of the students that are attending institutions of learningrender good support to the various branches by attending the meet-ings regularly. A splendid force of elders and lady missionaries arcworking hard to get their literature and Church works into the homesof the people. All have the real missionary spirit, and as an evi-dence, many friends and homes are always open to them for calls andevening visits. Old time prejudice is gradually melting away, and theminds of the people are being prepared to receive the gospel in greaternumber than ever before." New Church in Alamosa, Colorado About three years ago, Alamosa, Colorado, was transferred fromthe San Luis stake to the Western States mission, and it soon becameapparent that a meeting place was desired and necessary for the Saintsthere who number about one hundred. The ground was contributedby the members in that place, and the Trustee in Trust appropriatedthe balance necessary to complete the building. The total cost in- cluding ground, was, $2,250.00. The building was dedicated November21, 1915, with Elder Orson F. Whitney, of the Council of Twelve andElder Rulon S. Wells of the First Council of Seventy, in attendance.The dedicatory prayer was offered by Elder Whitney. The Churchoccupies a corner in a good section of the city.—John L. Herrick,President of the Misssion. A Fruitful Field Grover T. Bennett, Bristol, England, November 25: "This pho-tograph of the elders of the Bristol conference was taken just prior tothe departure of three of our number. Their going leaves only sevento carry on the work in this conference, which includes what wasformerly comprised in the old Welch and Bristol conferences, a fieldthat has been exceedingly fruitful in times past. Many searchersafter the truth are still found here, and we are making friends with EDITORS' TABLE 367 the people many of whom, however, are indifferent to the religiousspirit which is very pronounced in this part of the country, since the beginning of the present great war. Elders, left to right: Earl Li.Broadhead, Nephi; George R. Dent, Salt Lake City; Chauncey H.Crittenden, Hoytsville; Vernon W. Dean, Salt Lake; Louis D. Bou-drero, Logan; sitting: John G. Hancock, Ogden, Utah; Elmer B.Edwards, Panaca, Nevada; Ernest M. Greenwood, conference presi-rdent, Elsinore, Utah; Grover T. Bennett, Shelley, Idaho; George A.Palmer, Plain City, Utah." Converting Themselves President J. L. Meyers, of Southern Indiana: "During the pastyear a number of new branches have been established in this confer-ence. Many local brethren have been promoted in the Priesthoodand set to work in their respective capacities. The wonderful im-provement in the Sunday schools and Relief societies have had atendency to increase the interest and integrity of the Saints in doingall they can to bring their friends out to church. During the summermonths, the missionaries penetrated the rural districts with muchprofit. Schoolhouses and churches were opened to them for services.In Brown Co., about fifteen miles from a railroad, they succeeded inorganizing a Sunday school of non-members. The members subscribedthe money, and supplied them with song books, minute and roll booksand 'Juveniles.' They have an average attendance of about 50, andexpect them to convert themselves, although some elders are alwayspresent." Twenty-five Baptisms More Than Last Year Boyd E. Lindsay, president of the East Kentucky conference ofthe Southern States misssion: "The year 1915 has been a banner yearfor us. The assiduous labor of twelve energetic young elders hasworked gratifying results. We have twenty-five baptisms in excess ofthe number last year. Elders left to right standing: A. C. Adams,Alberta, Canada; W. R. Stratton, Snowflake, Arizona; L. A. Martineau,Cedar City, Utah; R. H. Rawson, Carey, Idaho; H. M. Blackhurst, American Fork, Utah; T. E. Wardleigh, Ogden; A. E. Shumway,Blanding, Utah; H. P. Hansen, Lake Side, Arizona; G. II. Bowler,Gunlock, Utah; E. S. Lamb, Bine Water, New Mexico. Sitting, leftto right: Boyd C. Lindsay, Ogden, Conference President; Chas. A.Callis, Mission President; R. B. Humphrey, Salina, Utah." Large Attendance of Strangers President W. E. Clark, of West Iowa: "A few years ago themissionaries in West Iowa Conference were threatened with mobviolence. Today they are received and entertained by many of thepeople with whom they are acquainted. Only a few years ago theywere looked upon with grave suspicion because the people failed tounderstand the principles as taught by the Latter-day Saints, andwhich, if obeyed, would give them peace in this world and salvation inthe world to come. In no instance have the missionaries, doingcountry work this year, had to sleep out or go without a meal. Manywell attended meetings have been held in the smaller towns, and it isno uncommon thing to have 25 per cent of the population in attend-ance and as high as 90 per cent has been reached. The city work hasbeen confined to Council Bluffs. Sioux City, Des Moines, Boone andWebster. Sunday schools have been organized in the first three citiesmentioned." Anxious to Learn of "Mormonism" President C. A. Jones, Michigan: "A very remarkable develop-ment is evident among the Saints who are strictly living the gospel.This is noticeable in the organized branches where priesthood andresponsibility have been placed. The Relief societies have done muchin the way of genealogical and charitable work. 'Mormon' literatureand books are being read as never before. It seems that people every-where are anxious to learn about the truth of 'Mormonism.' ".. EDITORS' TABLE 369 "Mormon" Patriotism in Pudsey Elder Verner O. Hewlett, Leeds, England, November 27th: "Thepicture represents, Joseph F. Worthen, left; Verner O. Hewlett, SaltLake City, center; W. H. Hilliard, Smithfield, Utah, right. Manyfriends are sincerely investigating the gospel. We have had the priv-ilege of explaining 'Mormonism' to many people of Leeds and sur-rounding towns, by tracting and open-air meetings, which have been attended by large and attentiveaudiences. At times, however,because of a few anti-'Mormon'leaders, the people have beenaroused to ridicule, hoot, showerrocks at us, which of course, werelish best when it is over with.Many of the men in the branch-es have been engulfed in thewhirlpool of war, especially inthe Pudsey branch. Followingis the opinion of the PudseyNews regarding 'Mormon' patri-otism: " 'Patriotic Latter-day Saintsat Pudsey.—The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Pudseybranch has, (writes a correspondent), a record of patriotism whichwill be hard to beat, as every man of military age, with the exceptionof those engaged in government and munition work has enlisted.Whatever we may say about the so-called 'Mormons,' we must admitthat they are certainly, 'very patriotic at Pudsey.' "We are sorry to see the good men, most of them holding thePriesthood, leave us and we regret greatly to lose their great helpin the branch work. When we see the turmoil and strife about us,we can realize the great need for true Christianity." A Sun-stone Mary Smith Ells-worth, Chicago, for-warded to the Era thisinteresting picture ofone of the twenty-four sun-stones thatonce capped the pil-asters of the Nauvootemple, Illinois. Thisstone is now set in theHistorical Square,Quincy, Illinois. Read-ing from left to rightthe Elders are: Her-bert Halls, Mancos,Colo.: Albert J. Jex,Spanish Fork, Utah. 370 IMPROVEMENT ERA Converted by reading the Book of Mormon Grant M Romney, Waterloo, Iowa, December 15th: "Since ourconference in November the elders in East Iowa have added manyfriends to their lists and they have several baptisms in prospect. InWaterloo a man and his wife read the Book of Mormon, and it con-verted them to the gospel as taught by the Latter-day Saints, afterthree weeks of thorough study. In Rock Island one whole familyrequested baptism, and the ice in the Mississippi did not hinder them from doing God's will. Davenport, Cedar Rapids, Clinton and Lyonsreport splendid progress. We pray that all conferences may flourishas the East Iowa conference is doing. Elders East Iowa conference,left to right, back row: D. D. Bushnell, Arnold Workman, Frank W.Wayman, Elmo J. Call, Chas.. L. Cottrell. Middle row: Levi J. An-derson, E. J. Curtis, Conference President, Grant M. Romney; MissionPresident, G. E. Ellsworth; retiring conference President, J. H. Lar-sen, Joseph Pyrah, M. G. Hansen. Front row: Chas. Nielson, L. RaySmith, Geo A. Waite, Clem Eyre." The N. E. A. religious-educational essay contest, in connectionwith the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, was won by CharlesE. Rugh, University of Berkley, California. Four others receivedhonorary mention; and five essays, with a synopsis of the pointsbrought out by the 1,381 various writers, from every state in the Un-ion, except one, will soon be printed, so we are informed by SecretaryD. W. Springer of the Association. For the year 1916, the Association is ready to offer a prize foran essay on "Thrift." Two contests will be conducted, one for chil-dren and one for adults. The former will be carried on in the schoolsof the country. Each county superintendent will be asked to endeavorto secure a contest in each school within the! county, outside of citiesof 4,000 population, and in the cities a similar contest under thecity superintendent. The contest for adults will be managed from theSuperintendent's office of the N. E. A. from whom further instruc-tions may be obtained. His address is Ann Arbor, Michigan.