---
title: Improvement Era
description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930.
authors:
  - Heber J. Grant
collections:
  - periodicals
tags:
  - magazine
  - improvement-era
periodical: Improvement Era
volume: 21
number: 3
published: 1918-01
publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations
publisher_place: Salt Lake City
language: en
type: magazine
reference: "Heber J. Grant, “A Message to the Soldiers,” *Improvement Era* 21, no. 3 (January 1918): 261–265."
source:
  url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2103unse
  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: improvementera2103unse
start_page: 261
end_page: 265
rights:
  status: public-domain
  basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1918-01)
  source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2103unse
  publication_year: 1918
  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 1918, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright.
---

# A Message to the Soldiers

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A Message to the Soldiers

The Latter-day Saints protest most earnestly against the

efforts of manufacturers and others who seem interested in the

matter who ask us to raise money to pfovide cigarettes and to-

bacco for soldiers, sailors and Red Cross nurses.

From the beginning the people of our community have

strongly condemned the use of tobacco. A revelation to the

Prophet Joseph Smith, distinctly declares that tobacco is not

good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle ; and

even in such cases, to be used with judgment and skill. A prom-

ise is given that those who refrain from its use and keep the

commandments shall receive health in their navel and marrow

to their bones, and shall find "wisdom and great treasures of

knowledge, even hidden treasures, and shall run and not be

weary, and shall walk and not faint." A further promise is that

the destroying angel shall pass by them and not slay them.

Thousands of our boys who are now going to the front there-

fore have never formed the tobacco habit. For these and other

reasons our people as a whole are emphatically opposed to the

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262 IMPROVEMENT ERA

raising of money to buy cigarettes and tobacco for the soldiers.

All are urged to help in the conservation campaign, to save

food and fuel. Why not save the strength and the manhood

of the nation? Cigarettes and tobacco destroy the nerves and

the courage, the physical strength and ability, the clearness of

mind, of our young men who are unaccustomed to this evil!

Through the generosity (?) of the manufacturers, we are

told, this gift plan is made possible. If these people wish to

make gifts, why not do it on their own account and charge it up

to advertising? They certainly have no right to call upon the

community to do it, and particularly in the name of the nation.

Their action is an affront to this people, to the teachers of our

country, and the genuine patriotism of America.

We are not especially objecting to any man who is accus-

tomed to having his tobacco, continuing to use it, though we

are convinced he would be more of a man in every way with-

out it, but every such man can presumably get it. It is crim-

inally unjust to place it as a gift before all who have joined the

ranks of the army, many of whom have never used it. It should

never be offered to them as a gift. If it should be found

by scientific test, that men in the army who use tobacco

have a steadier nerve, make the best gunners, and are

more reliable than those who do not, it would be time enough

to have the government supply the remainder. But this will

never be found to be the case! Hence, we protest against in-

discriminately sending tobacco gifts to the soldiers.

President Heber J. Grant of the Quorum of the Twelve

Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, re-

cently sent to the National Guard of Utah (145th Field Artil-

lery, Camp Kearney), fifteen hundred copies of a little pamph-

let published by Henry Ford entitled The Case Against the Lit-

tle White Slaver, which is a clear-cut arraignment of the cigar-

ette. A four-page insert accompanied the pamphlet, contain-

ing his personal appeal to the boys, to live clean, pure lives, and

requesting them to live up to the standard of morals taught

them by the Church and by their parents. His words and the

poetic selections accompanying them are meant for all, whether

in the National Guard, or in other divisions of the service, and

for that reason we reproduce them in full:

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Office of the Council of the Twelve

Heber J. Grant, President

Salt Lake City, Utah, November 13, 1917.

My Dear Brother: I call you brother because we are all God's children.

On account of the generosity of Mr. Henry Ford in making a nominal price

on 2,000 copies of his Little White Slaver, I am able to present you this copy

of his most excellent pamphlet against the cigarette.

<!-- page:263 -->

EDITORS' TABLE 263

I am sending the pamphlet and some poems with the sincere hope and

earnest prayer that the truths which they contain may sink deep into your

heart, and that the knowledge you may gain from them may become a part

of your life. "Knowledge without practice is like a glass eye — all for show

and nothing for use." Make use of the knowledge you gain from this

pamphlet.

Learn the poem "To my Son," by heart, and live by its teachings. I

promise you, if you so live that you can "force the proud world to do hom-

age" to your mother, (because of the nobility and cleanliness of your life,)

God's blessings shall attend you, and there shall be given to you a peace and

joy "which passeth understanding." I believe in our boys and that they will

maintain a high standard which will lift all men who follow it.

May our Father's protecting care be with you, is my earnest prayer; and

above and beyond this, I pray, with all my heart, that you may be able to so

live that when the battle of life is ended there will be a reward awaiting you

of life eternal, with the privilege of dwelling forever with our Father in

Heaven, our Redeemer, and your loved ones.

With best wishes, I am,

Your friend and brother,

Heber J. Grant.

O, Say, What is Truth?

O , say, what is truth? 'Tis the fairest gem

That the riches of worlds can produce;

And priceless the value of truth will be when

The proud monarch's costliest diadem

Is counted but dross and refuse.

Yes, say, what is truth? 'Tis the brightest prize

To which mortals or Gods can aspire:

Go search in the depths where it glittering lies,

Or ascend in pursuit to the loftiest skies;

'Tis an aim for the noblest desire.

The sceptre may fall from the despot's grasp

When with winds of stern justice he copes,

But the pillar of truth will endure to the last,

And its firm-rooted bulwards outstand the rude blast

And the wreck of the fell tyrant's hopes.

Then, say, what is truth? 'Tis the last and the first,

For the limits of time it steps o'er;

Though the heavens depart, and the earth's fountains buist,

Truth, the sum of existence, will weather the worst,

Eternal, unchanged, evermore.

— John Jaques.

True Nobility

Who does his task from day to day

And meets whatever comes his way,

Believing God has willed it so,

Has found real greatness here below.

Who guards his post, no matter where,

Believing God must need him there,

Although but lowly toil it be,

Has risen to nobility.

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264 IMPROVEMENT ERA

For great and low there's but one test:

Tis that each man shall do his best.

Who works with all the strength he can

Shall never die in debt to man.

— Edgar A. Guest.

Let Each Man Learn to Know Himself

Let each man learn to know himself;

To gain this knowledge, let him labor,

Improve those failings in himself,

Which he condemns so in his neighbor.

How lenient our own faults we view,

And conscience' voice adeptly smother ;

But oh! how harshly we review

The self-same errors in another.

And if you meet an erring one

Whose deeds are blamable or thoughtless,

Consider, ere you cast the stone,

If you yourself be pure and faultless.

Oh! list to that small voice within,

Whose whisperings oft make men confounded,

And trumpet not another's sin,

You'd blush deep if your own were sounded.

And in self-judgment, if you find,

Your deeds to others are superior;

To you has Providence been kind,

As you should be to those inferior;

Example sheds a genial ray

Of light, which men are apt to borrow;

So first, improve yourself today,

And then improve your friends tomorrow.

To My Son

Do you know that your soul is of my soul such a part,

That you seem to be fibre and core of my heart?

None other can pain me as you dear, can do,

None other can please me or praise me as you.

Remember the world will be quick with its blame.

If shadow or stain ever darken your name,

"Like Mother like son" is a saying so true

The world will judge largely of Mother by you.

Be yours then the task, if task it should be,

To force the proud world to do homage to me.

Be sure it will say when its verdict you've won

She reaped as she sowed, Lo! this is her son.

— Margaret Johnston Graflin.

Providence is Over All

When dark and drear the skies appear,

And doubt and dread would thee enthrall,

Look up nor fear, the day is near,

And Providence is over all.

<!-- page:265 -->

EDITORS' TABLE 265

From heaven above, His light and love,

God giveth freely when we call.

Our utmost need is oft decreed,

And Providence is over all.

With jealous zeal God guards our weal,

And lifts our wayward thought above;

When storms assail life's bark so frail,

We seek the haven of His love.

And when our eyes transcend the skies

His gracious purpose is complete,

No more the night distracts our sight —

The clouds are all beneath our feet.

The direst woe that mortals know

Can ne'er the honest heart appall

Who holds the trust — that God is just,

And Providence is over all.

Should foes increase to mar our peace,

Frustrated all their plans shall fall.

Our utmost need is oft decreed,

And Providence is over all.

Emily Hill JFoodmansee.

Nobility-

True worth is in being, not seeming;

In doing, each day that goes by,

Some little good — not in the dreaming

Of great things to do by and by.

For whatever men say in blindness,

In spite of the fancies of youth,

There is nothing so kingly as kindness,

And nothing so royal as truth.

Alice Cory.