--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Meldrum, G. Gilbert collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 20 number: 11 published: 1917-09 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'G. Gilbert Meldrum, "A Goal," *Improvement Era* 20, no. 11 (September 1917): 1006.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera20011unse 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: improvementera20011unse start_page: 1006 end_page: 1006 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1917-09) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera20011unse publication_year: 1917 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 1917, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # A Goal IMPROVEMENT ERA importance of the record is fully explained in section 124 of the Doctrine and Covenants, wherein it is stated that, "Whatsoever you record on earth, shall be recorded in heaven; and whatso* ever you do not record on earth, shall not be recorded in heaven; for out of the books shall your dead be judged." Also, "And as are the records on earth in relation to your dead, which are truly made out, so also are the records in heaven." The Saints should make themselves familiar with the printed instructions issued by the temple authorities, relating to the proper preparation of those records, etc. The Genealogical Society of Utah has been organized under direction of the First Presidency of the Church, to assist the members in procuring information concerning their ancestors and relatives, and to properly arrange that information for tem- ple work. "Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory. Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceeding glad. Let the earth break forth into singing. Let the dead speak forth anthems of eternal praise to the King Immanuel, who hath ordained before the world was, that which would enable us to redeem them out of their prison; for the prisoners shall go free. * * * Let us therefore, as a Church and a people, and as Latter-day Saints, offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness, and let us present in His Holy Temple a book containing the records of our dead, which shall be worthy of all acceptance." A Goal To seek the stricken dreams of calmer days, While vats of darkness smear immortal skies; To know on man and God the burden lies To bear the bleak confusion of dismays; To see the unseen and eternal ways Beyond the trodden spirit's sickly cries And then to pledge with loyal hearts and eyes To clear our visioned vistas of Death's maze. Let me retreat to innate man and call Him from his darkened shell apart; The breath of truth and hope shall make my heart A laboratory, Light to disenthrall The Light of love in God, and God in all; The far fruition of our earthly part; The vital goal of Earth's divine cohort For love is life and Life is all in all. G. Gilbert Meldrum.