--- 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: 22 number: 2 published: 1918-12 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations, \"Editor's Table,\" *Improvement Era* 22, no. 2 (December 1918): 166–177." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2202unse 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: improvementera2202unse start_page: 166 end_page: 177 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1918-12) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2202unse 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. --- # Editor's Table Vision of the Redemption of the Dead On the third of October, in the year nineteen hundred and eighteen, I sat in my room pondering over the Scriptures and reflecting upon the great atoning sacrifice that was made by the Son of God for the redemption of the world, and the great and wonderful love made manifest by the Father and the Son in the coming of the Redeemer into the world, that through his Atonement and by obedience to the principles of the gospel, mankind might be saved. While I was thus engaged, my mind reverted to the writings of the Apostle Peter to the primitive saints scattered abroad throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, and other parts of Asia where the gospel had been preached after the crucifixion of the Lord. I opened the Bible and read the third and fourth chapters of the first epistle of Peter, and as I read I was greatly impressed, more than I had ever been before, with the follow- ing passages: For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quick- ened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. (1 Peter 3:18-20.) For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according lo God in the spirit. (1 Peter 4:6.) As I pondered over these things which are written, the eyes of my understanding were opened, and the Spirit of the Lord rested upon me, and I saw the hosts of the dead, both small and great. And there were gathered together in one place an in- numerable company of the spirits of the just, who had been faithful in the testimony of Jesus while they lived in mortality, and who had offered sacrifice in the similitude of the great sac- EDITOR'S TABLE 167 the Son of God, and had suffered tribulation in their rifice of Redeemer's name. All these had departed the mortal life, firm in the hope of a glorious resurrection, through the grace of God the Father and his Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ. I beheld that they were filled with joy and gladness, and were rejoicing together because the day of their deliverance was at hand. They were assembled awaiting the advent of the Son of God into the spirit world, to declare their redemption from the bands of death. Their sleeping dust was to be re- stored unto its perfect frame, bone to his bone, and the sinews and the flesh upon them, the spirit and the body to be united never again to be divided, that they might receive a fulness of joy- While this vast multitude waited and conversed, rejoicing in the hour of their deliverance from the chains of death, the Son of God appeared, declaring liberty to the captives who had been faithful, and there he preached to them the everlasting gospel, the doctrine of the resurrection and the redemption of mankind from the fall, and from individual sins on conditions of repentance. But unto the wicked he did not go, and among the ungodly and the unrepentant who had defiled themselves while in the flesh, his voice was not raised, neither did the re- bellious who rejected the testimonies and the warnings of the ancient prophets behold his presence, nor look upon his face. Where these were, darkness reigned, but among the righteous there was peace, and the saints rejoiced in their redemption, and bowed the knee and acknowledged the Son of God as their Redeemer and Deliverer from death and the chains of hell. Their countenances shone and the radiance from the presence of the Lord rested upon them and they sang praises unto his holy Name. I understood that the Savior spent about marveled, for I three years in his ministry among the Jews and those of the house of Israel, endeavoring to teach them the everlasting gos- pel and call them unto repentance; and yet, notwithstanding his mighty works and miracles and proclamation of the truth in great power and authority, there were but few who hearkened to his voice and rejoiced in his presence and received salvation at his hands. But his ministry among those who were dead was 168 IMPROVEMENT ERA limited to the brief time intervening between the crucifixion and his resurrection; and I wondered at the words of Peter wherein he said that the Son of God preached unto the spirits in prison who sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, and how it was possible for him to preach to those spirits and perform the necessary labor among them in so short a time. And as I wondered, my eyes were opened, and my under- standing quickened, and I perceived that the Lord went not in person among the wicked and the disobedient who had re- jected the truth, to teach them; but behold, from among the righteous he organized his forces and appointed messengers, clothed with power and authority, and commissioned them to go forth and carry the light of the gospel to them that were in darkness, even to all the spirits of men. And thus was the gospel preached to the dead. And the chosen messengers went forth to declare the acceptable day of the Lord, and pro- claim liberty to the captives who were bound even unto all who ; would repent of their sins and receive the gospel. Thus was the gospel preached to those who had died in their sins, without a knowledge of the truth, or in transgression, having rejected the prophets. These were taught faith in God, repentance from sin, vicarious baptism for the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, and all other principles of the gospel that were necessary for them to know in order to qualify themselves that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. And so it was made known among the dead, both small and great, the unrighteous as well as the faithful, that redemption had been wrought through the sacrifice of the Son of God upon the cross. Thus was it made known that our Redeemer spent his time during his sojourn in the world of spirits, instructing and preparing the faithful spirits of the prophets who had testi- fied of him in the flesh, that they might carry the message of redemption unto all the dead unto whom he could not go per- sonally because of their rebellion and transgression, that they through the ministration of his servants might also hear his words. Among the great and mighty ones who were assembled in EDITORS' TABLE 169 this vast congregation of the righteous, wereFather Adam, the Ancient of Days and father of all, and our glorious Mother Eve, with many of her faithful daughters who had lived through . the ages and worshiped the true and living God. Abel, the first martyr, was there, and his brother Seth, one of the mighty ones, who was in the express image of his father Adam. Noah, who gave warning of the flood; Shem, the great High Priest; Abra- ham, the father of the faithful; Isaac, Jacob, and Moses, the great law-giver of Israel; Isaiah, who declared by prophecy that the Redeemer was anointed to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that were bound, were also there. Moreover, Ezekiel, who was shown in vision the great val- ley of dry bones which were to be clothed upon with flesh to come forth again in the resurrection of the dead, living souls; Daniel, who foresaw and foretold the establishment of the king- dom of God in the latter days, never again to be destroyed nor given to other people; Elias, who was with Moses on the Mount of Transfiguration, and Malachi, the prophet who testified of the coming of Elijah —of whom also Moroni spake to the Proph- et Joseph Smith — declaring that he should come before the ushering in of the great and dreadful day of the Lord, were also there. The prophet Elijah was to plant in the hearts of the children the promises made to their fathers, foreshadowing the great work to be done in the temples of the Lord in the Dis- pensation of the Fulness of Times, for the redemption of the dead and the sealing of the children to their parents, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse and utterly wasted at his coming. All these and many more, even the prophets who dwelt among the Nephites and testified of the coming of the Son of God, mingled in the vast assembly and waited for their deliver- ance, for the dead had looked upon the long absence of their spirits from their bodies as a bondage. These the Lord taught, and gave them power to come forth, after his resurrection from the dead, to enter into his Father's kingdom, there to be crowned with immortality and eternal life, and continue thenceforth their labors as had been promised by the Lord, and be partakers of all blessings which were held in reserve for them that love him. 170 IMPROVEMENT ERA The Prophet Joseph Smith, and my father, Hyrum Smith, Brigham Young, John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, and other choice spirits, who were reserved to come forth in the fulness of times to take part in laying the foundations of the great Latter-day work, including the building of temples and the performance of ordinances therein for the redemption of the dead, were also in the spirit world. I observed that they were also among the noble and great ones who were chosen in the beginning to be rulers in the Church of God. Even before they were born, they, with many others, received their first lessons in the world of spirits, and were prepared to come forth in the due time of the Lord to labor in his vineyard for the salvation of the souls of men. I beheld that the faithful elders of this dispensation, when they depart from mortal life, continue their labors in the preach- ing of the gospel of repentance and redemption, through the sacrifice of the Only Begotten Son of God, among those who are in darkness and under the bondage of sin in the great world of the spirits of the dead. The dead who repent will be re- deemed, through obedience to the ordinances of the house of God, and after they have paid the penalty of their transgressions, and are washed clean, shall receive a reward according to their works, for they are heirs of salvation. Thus was the vision of the redemption of the dead revealed to me, and I bear record, and I know that this record is true, through the blessing of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, even so. Amen. Joseph F. Smith. This Vision of the Redemption of the Dead was submitted, October 31, 1918, to the Counsellors in the First Presidency, the Council of the Twelve and the Patriarch, and by them unani- mously accepted. President Joseph F. Smith The great and noble work of President Joseph F. Smith on earth is ended! Surrounded by members of his family, his active life peacefully closed on Tuesday morning at 4:50 o'clock, November 19, 1918, at his home, the Beehive House, Salt Lake City. PRESIDENT JOSEPH FIELDING SMITH Born November 13, 1838, in Far West, Missouri; died November 19, 1918, in Salt Lake City, Utah 172 IMPROVEMENT ERA As this number of the Era was ready for the press at the time, we can, therefore, only make brief mention of our loss in this number. President Smith had been ill for several months, and last appeared in public at the October general conference of the Church when he received such spontaneous ovations from the people as indicated, more clearly than words, the deep ap- preciation with which the Latter-day Saints regard him. He had just quietly celebrated his eightieth an- niversary, having received heaps of congratulations and well- wishes, by letter, word, and wire, from friends in all parts of the world. Born at Far West, Missouri, November 13, 1838, he came to the world in the midst of mobs, persecution, and hard- — ships in the days that tried the hearts of men and women. His father, Hyrum Smith, the patriarch, about twelve days before Joseph was born, had been torn from his wife, Joseph's mother, Mary Fielding, by a mob, and sentenced with other leaders of the Church, to be shot. Through the intercession of General Doniphan, the wicked edict was recinded, but Hyrum still re- mained a prisoner when his wife gave birth to his son Joseph Fielding Smith. Joseph's mother was a native of England who, late in the '20's had followed her brother and sister, Joseph and Mercy Fielding, to Canada, where the family had been con- verted to the faith of the Latter-day Saints by Parley P. Pratt. She was married to Hyrum Smith, December, 1837, in Ohio. Hyrum'8 first wife, Jerusha Barden, had died previously, leaving five motherless children who were now cared for by the heroic Mary Fielding, who defended them against the mobbers when they invaded her cabin, and ravaged the fields and homesteads in the neighborhood. Under these trying conditions and many others that followed, Joseph was born, and it is no wonder that not only the mother, but her son also should hate mobs and tyranny, and love righteousness and liberty. It is no wonder that her son partook in his very nature of the independence, resourcefulness and initiative of his mother, and that some of the iron of the times should also enter into the soul of her child. All these Hardships and conditions made him, later, one of the ablest, most lovable, as well as the most determined characters among a people noted for strong and devoted leaders. Joseph F. Smith served the people of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all his life, in almost every useful private and public capacity, rising round by round up the lad- der of experience, as herdboy, pioneer, teacher, missionary, leg- — islator, counselor, leader always and ever making a record of large achievement. As a herdboy, he heroically saved his moth- er's cattle from being stolen by Indians, showing forth that deter- mination and faithfulness to duty so true to him in every posi- EDITORS' TABLE 173 tion later assigned to him, in his long and useful career. At the age of ten, as a pioneer, he drove his mother's ox teams across the plains to the Valley, arriving September 23, 1848, and here joined in all the toil and hardships of colonizing the des- ert and developing its resources, digging sustenance from the un- willing earth. He received only that scant education then af- forded, though it was richly supplemented by his faithful mother's teaching, for she was his principal tutor as long as she lived. When fifteen years of age, he was ordained an elder, and from 1854 to 1858 he served a four-year mission in the Sand- which Islands, supplemented later by many years of activity in the mission field in that country, England, and in other parts of the earth. As a teacher and public speaker he was forceful and effective, eloquent and convincing, and understood and ex- pounded the doctrines of the gospel so clearly that no hearer could misunderstand. He was ordained an apostle, July 1, 1866, and became a member of the Council of Twelve, in October, 1867; from 1875 to 1877 he presided over the Davis stake of Zion. In October, 1880, he was chosen and sustained counselor to President John Taylor, and from that time continued as a counselor in the First Presidency, under Wilford Woodruff and Lorenzo Snow until he succeeded the latter as President of the Church, October 17, 1901, thus becoming the High Priest of our people over whom he presided in wisdom, cheer, kindness and with a gentle voice and hand for over seventeen years. Thus he reached the topmoct round of official achievement in the Church which his father and the Prophet Joseph Smith died to estab- lish. He served in the city council, as regent of the University, and during seven consecutive terms in the Territorial House of Representatives, 1865-1874, and in 1880 and 1882 sat in the Coun- cil, being the president during the session of 1882. Helpful, sympathetic, thoughtful, courteous and loving, he was an ideal husband and father; a true and unshakeable friend, firm as the everlasting hills, yet tender as a little child. He was thoroughly imbued with a testimony of the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the divine mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and lived accordingly, and in harmony with such testi- mony. President Smith's administration was characterized by a steady growth of the people in both spiritual and temporal af- fairs, much of this growth and progress being stimulated by his leadership, forethought and consideration, and his ability to gather men about him who willingly co-operated with him for the advancement and progress of the Church, the State and the community. In both religion and business, he was staunch, firm, — progressive a leader beloved and respected by all. 174 IMPROVEMENT ERA In the various departments of the Church work, he was looked up to with similar love and respect, and every worker among his nearest associates fairly loved and admired him. As the editor of the Improvement Era and the Juvenile Instructor, he was a stimulating power, a fountain of wisdom to his asso- ciates. Had he devoted himself to literary work, his success in that line would have been quite as marked as in public dis- course and leadership. His sermons breathe the true spirit of the gospel, are sound as gold in doctrine, and express the spirit of the Master in every word; gathered, classified, arranged and printed they will constitute a compendium of the doctrines of the Church that will stand as a safe guide for its members for generations to come. He was very anxious for the welfare of the young people, and every good effort for their advancement was sanctioned and supported by him. Even in the midst of the cares, burdens, and anxieties of his active life weighing heavily upon him, he was never known to be too busy to give counsel, experience, testi- mony, helpful ideas, and to show sympathetic consideration, when called upon by workers or members of the Church. He always treated the writer as a life-long friend and companion, and it is one of the most pleasing experiences of his life, and the greatest honor, to have been called by him, his friend; the many hours spent in his presence are precious jewels of mem- ory. He loved to write, and often expressed the wish that he could have more time to devote to the Era. President Joseph F. Smith's death marks an epoch in the history of the Church. He was the last of the old school of veteran leaders who pioneered and founded our Common- wealth. We shall grievously miss him. As a measure of prudence, in view of existing health condi- tions, the general authorities of the Church and representatives of the family decided it would be improper to hold public fun- eral services. Brief services only were therefore held Friday, November 22, 1918, at the time of interment, in the City Cem- etery. Memorial services will be held later throughout the whole Church for the beloved leader. A. Books — Surname Book and Racial History A book that testifies at one and the same time of the magnitude of "God's great Latter-day work," and of the industry and devotion of the author, is the volume recently out of press entitled, Surname Book and Racial History, containing some 576 pages. Susa Young Gates is the compiler and editor, for the General Board of the Relief Society, with the approval of the Board of the Genealogical Society EDITORS' TABLE 175 of Utah. The book is broad in scope, scientific in treatment, and practicable in its applications to the problems of the Latter-day Saints. It treats of racial history in outline, personal names and the evolution of surnames, methods of deriving surnames in the several nations, addresses of genealog- ical societies and libraries, and an extensive alphabetical index of surnames found in the Church archives in ihe office of the Presiding Bishopric. Aside from and beyond the fact that this book is a tribute to the patience, inde- fatigable industry, scholarship, and devoted faith of the editor, it is to be hailed as a signficant landmark in the development of the Church. The great Am rican Prophet declared that the greatest work the Latter-day Saints have to do is to accomplish the salvation of the dead. This work is of such vital importance that the Lord sent a special messenger to inaugurate it, and himself gave instructions for the building of a special house of worship in which the necessary ordinances for the saving of the dead might be performed. The Saints have built eight temples, and laid the foundations of the ninth. Much work has already been done for the dead. But the doing of such work presupposes the tracing of ancestry, and the building of genealogical trees. The hearts of the children are to be turned to their fathers. Hitherto, however, we have depended entirely upon the labors of — others for our own knowledge of genealogy we, who should have the science of gnealogy more fully developed than has any other people. Fortunately, the time has come to begin the building of our own structure. This n-w book opens an era of constructive study and contribution. It treats from the Gospel point of view a science fundamental to the duty of Latter-day Saints. It furnishes information that every Latter-day Saint not only should but must have. It gives instructions not to be found in other books on genealogy. It is a distinct contribution in its direct application to the greatest work the Latter-day Saints have to do. Written clearly, in an interesting style, and conceived in the spirit of service and constructive fai'h, this book will find a conspicuous place in the library of every member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. — Scientific Aspects of "Mormonism" By Nels L. Nelson, Professor of English in the Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, author of Preaching and Public Speaking, printed by the Hillison & Etten Company, Chicago, 1918. Price $1.50. This is the second edition of a noted work, the first having appeared in 1904. Many will be pleased to know that the second edition is now on sale. The book is an attempt to look at the tenets of "Mormonism" from a scientific view point. It is primarily written to show that "Mormonism," as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is often erroneously called, is not a sect, but a religion, good, true and beau- tiful. Furthermore, that the religion which the Latter-day Saints teach is that of the Lord Jesus Christ, built upon the revelations of the word of God as contained in the Bible, and that it agrees besides with the true teachings of modern science. The book maintains that "Mormonism" not only agrees in doctrine with the holy scriptures, but that it squares with human life as interpreted in that newer revelation of God, the book of nature. The author discusses the subject from two aspects: Is "Mormonism" scriptural? Is "Mormonism" scientific? The philosophic aspect is dwelt upon at length, in an attempt to show that "Mormonism" answers satisfactorily the questions: Whence came man? Why is he here? Whither does he tend? at the same time, as the author expresses it in the preface, "making comparisons step by step with what modern scientific thought teaches along the same line." The arguments are both forceful and masterful; the illustrations, apt and con- vincing. The conclusions may not always agree with the Latter-day Saint reader, on one side, nor the scientific investigator on the other, but the book will hold the attention and interest of both, and set the thoughtful among them to further thinking. 176 IMPROVEMENT ERA Carita and How — she Became a Patriotic American By Lucy M. Blanch- ard, published by the Page Company, Boston, Massachusetts. Price $1.50. This is a well written, delightful and inteersting novel, particularly adapted to young people. The action is laid in Mexico, and the heroine is the daughter of an American business man who passes through some of the anxious days of the late Mexican revolution. The descriptions of scenes and social conditions in that land, are?^aaildly and beautifully pictured. Aside from the attractive delineations of Mexican life, the book teaches a splendid patriotic lesson, forever a necessity, always in order, and especially valuable at the present time. The story is chiefly adapted to boys and girls of from 14 to 16 years of age, though people of maturer years will also enjoy it. The author, Mrs. Blanchard, is a well-known resident of Salt Lake City, who bat had considerable experience in Mexico, and is therefore able to handle hrr subject, not only with personal interest, but correctly. If any criticism io to be expressed it is that the text is not as exciting as novels usually are; though perhaps this may be a virtue, rather than a fault. Messages from the Missions Elders Reduced from 120 to 12 Joseph S. Nelson, 10 Park Crescent, Otley Road, Bradford, August 30, 1918, writes: "This is a photo of a number of elders of the British mission, taken last April, after the Leeds conference meetings. Elders, left to right: Lester F. Hewlett, conference president, Manchester; Ether L. Marley, clerk, Leeds; Joseph S. Nelson, conference president, Leeds; Leland Hair, now clerk at Sheffield; David A. Owen, now conference president at Sheffield, then at Blackburn, Liverpool conference; Hugh S. Latimer, then conference president, Sheffield, now at London. Due to the fact that no elders are ar- riving from Zion, we have only about a dozen elders laboring, of whom there are six in four conferences where previous to the war there were about 120. Nevertheless the work of the Lord is making progress. English and Scotch boys under military age have been called into the ministry in EDITORS' TABLE 177 several cases. What few brothers of experience yet remain are laboring diligently. We are glad to report that in the case of this conference (Leeds) the number of baptisms for the first half of the year nearly equal the total of those for the whole of last year, 1917." Elders Aided by Native Brethren Elder Leon C. Higginbotham of Carterton, New Zealand, enclosing the photo herewith, says that the local brethren are pillars of strength in that district of the Church, who find joy in acquainting their friends with the facts concerning the restoration of the gospel. Many accepted the gospel years ago, and have strong testimonies to bear of its truthfulness. In our open air meetings these brethren often assist the elders from Zion. We meet with some opposition and prejudice, but this does not weaken us in the least, because we feel and know that the Lord is our helper. We have about thirty members in these parts and it strengthens our tstimony to hear them earnestly bear their testimonies of the gospel. We have no chapels, but the Sabbath day finds us all gathered together in one or the other of the humble abodes of the Saints, where we hold various lively and spiritual meetings. We gather much food for thought from the pages of the Im- provement Era. It is a great factor in assisting in the spread of the gospel, and we look forward anxiously to its arrival. Elders, left to right, standing: L. C. Higginbotham, Salt Lake City; A. E. Box, Provo, Utah. Sitting: Wm. J. Fryer, Gladstone, Carterton, New Zealand; Henry Jensen, Waihakiki, Carterton, N. Z.; August Nelson, Carterton, New Zealand.