--- 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: 20 number: 11 published: 1917-09 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations, \"Messages from the Missions,\" *Improvement Era* 20, no. 11 (September 1917): 1018–1020." 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: 1018 end_page: 1020 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. --- # Messages from the Missions IMPROVEMENT ERA trusted to them from the Lord. We must proclaim it with even greater sacrifice and more vigor and power than it has ever been proclaimed before. Even the thousands of our boys who are now called to the colors must not forget that their cause is a righteous one, their responsibility is a weighty and earnest one, and that their lives and acts must correspond with the import- ance and nature of their mission. It is a battle for greater free- dom for the masses, and for the opening of the way for the proclamation of the Gospel of the Prince of Peace to all the nations. Many of them may later be called as missionaries. They must therefore now go with the spirit of the missionary in their hearts, having no hatred in their souls, but manfully, freely, without hatred but in love, abiding in the truth which they profess and living and acting, and dying if need be, as in- vincible, undented ministers of salvation. So shall they help to establish the Christian Church which shall not be disappointing and that shall meet all the conditions of life and which shall not fail in "speaking the truth which it professes." Joseph F. Smith. Books A very new thing in the literary line is Dean Milton Bennion's little Look, Citizenship. The purpose of the book, as the author says, "is to stim- ulate appreciation of ethical principles and the development of worthy social ideals, and to indicate how these ideals may find expression." The work is based on the broad and practical experience of the writer who has reason to know the needs and social deficiencies of young men and women. The text is divided into two parts: Part I deals with the nature of society and with innumerable social problems. Part II indicates in a most forcible and practical manner the obligations of the individual to the society which has produced him, but it goes farther and tells him how he may perform these obligations and at the same time receive development through the service. Although the book is designed as an introduction to Social Ethics and pri- marily as a text for Seniors in High School, or for Freshmen in College, since most adult citizens need now and again to have their attention called to social duties, the work is of value to all. Published by the World Book Company, Yonkers-on-Hudson, New York. Messages from the Missions Lady Missionaries Preach the Gospel In a letter dated Birmingham, England, July 6, 1917, President James Laird and the elders of the Birmingham conference give these items and express their appreciation of the Era: "The Era is a very welcome visitor, and is enjoyed by the Saints and investigators who receive it from us. The number of elders from Zion is steadily decreasing, but the lady mission- aries are vigorously prosecuting the work of preaching the gospel. We EDITORS' TABLE 1019 feel that the people of this section are receiving their entitled warning. The majority of the local brethren have been called into the service of their country, and therefore we experience considerable difficulty in keeping all of the branches thoroughly organized. However, much good is being accomplished, and we know that no power on earth can retard the work of the Lord. We feel truly thankful that we are able to assist in the glorious work of bringing to pass the immortality of the soul. 'It is not the work of God that is frustrated but the work of men.' Elders in the picture (left to right), back row:Leland Hair, Vernal; Arthur D. Evans, Ogden; and LeRoy S. Dickson, Morgan. Front row: James H. Ludlow, Salt Lake City; President James Laird, Idaho Falls; and Herbert P. Haight, Cedar City.*' Local South African Missionaries President Nicholas G. Smith, of South Africa, writes, June 7: "This is a picture of Elder and Mrs. Burlando. They are local workers who are keeping right in the harness. The Saints where they are working love them very much. Strangers have also sent them invitations for dinner, and thev are allaying much preju- dice. I am very happy to note thatamong the missions of the world we are not doing as badly as we might be doing, down here. Our tithes per capita seem to have made a record which not one of the other missions has reached. It is not out of place to state that Brother and Sister Burlando are being assisted to some extent by the Seventies of the Church at home in the missionary labor which they are performing in South Africa with such general satisfaction." IMPROVEMENT ERA Seeing Divinity in "Mormonism." Elder L. L. Palmer, New Albany, Indiana, of the Southern Indiana con- ference, writes, July 13: "In the southern part of Indiana we find the peo- ple not so prejudiced as they have been heretofore reported. They are begin- ning to see divinity in the cause which 'Mormonism' represents, and that it overs a vast field of truth which if accepted will be for the benefit and ad- vantage of mankind. Particularly will it be for the benefit of mankind r.nder the present war conditions which the religion of the past 1800 years has not been able to prevent, owing to its limitations, because of the selfishness of men. The gospel as revealed through Joseph Smith the Prophet is a solution to the present world-wide situation." Many Friends Found Elder Thomas K. Gunnell, writing from DeLeon, Texas, says: "We are enjoying our work in this part of the mission field and we feel blest in our labors especially in that we are having many friends raised up unto us and to our cause. Many are investigating for the real truth, and we are doing all in our power to help them find it. The elders in the cut are: Clive Killpack, Ferron, Utah; standing, Elder Thomas K. Gunnell, Soda Springs, Idaho." A New Mission Field J. Hansen, writing from Chauters Towers, Queensland, Elder Leland under date of March 12, says: "For several months past we Australia, have had the opportunity of laboring in North Queensland. We are the first elders to visit this section of Australia. We are now almost 900 miles from Brisbane which is the loca- tion of our conference headquar- \ ters. Although working among a people much given to pleasure, we have found some honest and sin- cere people who have become true friends. Our open air meet- ings held in the city park have been well attended. By this means as well as by tracting, we have been able to do much to present the gospel to the people. We are glad of the work that the Era is doing for us. We send the magazine around among our friends, and after new readers have read one copy, we find it always a welcome friend among them. It has been the link to unite us with the out- side world, and we rejoice in hear- ing of the success in other mission fields Elders, right to left, Leland J. Hansen, Jesse J. McQueen." Van F. McBride, of New Zealand, writes: "We always look forward to receiving the Era, and reading it is like meeting an old time friend."