Editors’ Table: Rights and Obligations

EDITORS' TABLE 911

safer guide than the gospel teachings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. A. —

Messages from the Missions

Missionary Drowned in St. John's River

Leroy R. Shepherd, son of Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Shepherd, of Salt Lake City, sent on a mission to the Southern States, June 11, 1919, was drowned in St. Johns river, Florida, July 4. Shortly before his departure from Salt Lake City, he married Rachel Stromness. He graduated from the Lniversity of Utah in 1917, and during the war served in the shipyards at Mare Island, Cal.

An Australian Wedding Group Elder Parson U. Webster has just returned from Australia where he has been laboring as a missionary. JJe gave the Era the enclosed picture of a wedding group of prominent Saints in Australia, the groom

and bridegroom being Brother and Sister Donald Crane. Left to right: Arthur Crane, Miss Molly Curtis; the bride and bridegroom, Mr. and Mrs. Donald Crane, Dora Howells, Arnold Hand. Sitting: Rosella Morris, and Parson U. Webster of Cedar City, Utah. Brother and Sister Crane were married on January 28, 1919, in Adelaide. Sister Crane's maiden name

912 IMPROVEMENT ERA

was Teeney Peddlar. Both are active members of the Church and are always ready and willing to do their best to help along the cause of the restored gospel. They desired very much to be married in the temple, but there being no temple in Australia, they were married in the hall where the religious services of the Saints are held. Following the marriage, were a bridal breakfast, a dance, musical numbers, and appropriate exercises for the occasion. Brother and Sister Crane are very desirous of coming to Zion in order that they may have a home in Utah and be married in the House of the Lord, some day. They desire to be kindly remembered to all the elders who have labored in Australia, particularly in Adelaide, and to all friends in Utah and other states of the West.

Mission Work in Los Angeles, Cal. On April 19 and 20, 1919, a very successful, encouraging and faithpromoting conference was held by the Saints and missionaries of southern California at Los Angeles. Those in attendance felt happy and greatly honored by the presence of President Heber J. Grant, President Rudger Clawson, retiring Mission President Joseph E. Robinson, and his successor, Joseph W. McMurrin; also Elder Geo. W. McCune of Ogden, Utah, called while visiting here to take charge of affairs in the Eastern States mission. These leaders addressed the Saints and friends in a convincing and powerful manner. President Grant grave an interesting and inspirational discourse relative to his knowledge of the truth and the manner of obtaining and keeping that knowledge. He spoke of the exemplary character of President Joseph E. Robinson and of his successful ministry of eighteen years. President Robinson was released and Joseph W. McMurrin was unanimously sustained as his successor. He next spoke of the integrity of President McMurrin and related how the latter had been healed by faith from a mortal wound. Also how he, himself, had been healed by faith from blood poisoning in the severest form. In closing he invoked the blessings of the Lord upon the retiring and incoming presidents and upon all the chosen people of God. Elder McCune, President McMurrin, and President Jos. E. Robinson followed. On Sunday evening the Saints were entertained by an Easter song service. The Los Angeles choir under the direction of William Salt gave a very beautiful and pleasing rendition of, "The Lord of Life." The missionaries who spoke during the conference were John Walsh, I. B. Roberts, A. E. Wilson, S. L. Mendenhall, Sec. J. L. Horsley, Eva B.

Miller, Louisa Jones, Jane Creer, Eva Smith, Irene Clayton, and Luella Anderson. Priesthood meeting was held Monday. The Relief Society served a well arranged luncheon immediately after the meeting. The work throughout this part of the mission is progressing well. Ten new missionaries have arrived. They are very much needed. Conference President Clyde R. Richards who for the past two months has been confined in the -hospital because of a broken leg, shoulder and collar bone, received in an automobile accident, is again active in his affairs as leader of thisconference. Many entertainments have been tendered President Robinson and family during the past few weeks. A spirit of sorrow has somewhat prevailed among the Saints because of the thought of losing one who has been their leader and administrator, guiding them in love and sympathy for so long. Their love and esteem will ever follow him. The missionaries and Saints are pleased to welcome and sustain one so worthy and capable to take his place, President Joseph W. McMurrin.

• (

?$* w 3 3 S

S3 ... J 3 £» I

2Lb b M ST P i *' DO <"•

I' B GO is 8— ** ^-

B § -# ST _ 3 as

S S'g 8" §« IS ~ £ B 2 B £ M B.„i S M wB CO ^1 » "o i a. « s* 5 ft ?? ^§-3 1

iiiil-E g n« © £- O'g .

OB W^H CD 3 O B £D — ft " 3 B HH a*© go

Og- I 3/° 3 83 3 3 §- so

B* M. j-rt i-) * ^Z P— 3 ST 2. S3 F^

Si 8 3 I? &8

» ST "• k^ B

»H|i O"* 2- « 102 s 3

a S P * a Jr & !* •5BB

a J: or a cw a » tart*1 »

enco £0 B o ° B 5 a a o-j*

914 IMPROVEMENT ERA

Mrs. Louisa Jones was appointed special genealogical missionary and Elder John Walsh special traveling missionary. — Releases Sec. J. LeRoy Horsley, S. L. Mendenhall and wife, Sister F. D. Parkinson and Sister Irene Clayton, Geo. E. Smith and Erwin F. Bohne. — Arrivals Thos. C. Woodland, Willard, Utah; Jos. Henry Laker, St. Charles, Idaho; Anthon C. Christensen, Eden, Arizona; Quincey David Maxfield, Lyman, Utah; John Virgil Lowe, Franklin, Idaho; Joel Arza Mason, Parker, Idaho; Robert Swan, Burley, Idaho; Mildred Harvey, Lethbridge, Canada; Henrietta Facer, Brigham City, Utah; Esse Mecham, Brigham City, Utah, Joseph B. Martin, Evanston, Wyoming; W. W. Richards, Paris, Idaho;James H. Steele, Rigby, Idaho; Vernon C. Layton, Kaysville, Utah; Bryant H. Wilde, Cumberland, Wyoming; Ralph L. Mellor, Fayette, Utah. —Clyde R. Richards, president, Los Angeles, June 28.

Preaching Against the "Mormons" Elders Dewey H. Nielson, of Hyrum, Utah, and Karl H. Cutler, of Preston, Idaho, are la- boring in Providence, Rhode Island. They find many good people while trading and are often invited to return to the place where they called, to explain the gospel more thoroughly. The work of the Lord in their district is going on very well. They state: "The work is prospering although Lula Loveland Sheppard is here preach- ing against the 'Mor- mons.' We are privil- eged to hold three street meetings each week and are having fairly good

A Completely Organized Branch Elder F. Mark Austin, conference president of the Nuhaka district of the New Zealand Mission, headquarters at Nuhaka, H. B, where one of the largest branches in the mission is located, writes under date of May 13: "The largest chapel in the mission, and grounds, of which the people are justly proud, are located at this place. This is one of the few completely organized branches; besides the work in the auxiliary organizations, which are completely organized and successful, the elders are doing a great deal of home missionary work, both at the branch and the surrounding villages. The elders appreciate the Era and get a great deal of help from it. Those of our native Saints who can read English are also very much interested in it. The Saints join with us in sending greetings to Zion from the South Sea Isles. Elders Cleo D. Wright, Salt Lake City; F. Mark Austin, Rexburg, Idaho."

:

PRIESTHOOD QU04X -RUMS' TABLE Lli .W

"GOSPEL DOCTRINE" The Priesthood Quorums have adopted for their study for the years 1919-20 Gospel Doctrine, a book of some seven hundred pages, containing selections from the sermons and writings of President Joseph F. Smith, treating practically every essential doctrine of the Latter-day Saints concerning the present life and the life hereafter. It will become one of the great study and reference books of the Church. How it came to be written, and what it is, is perhaps best gathered from the introduction, signed by the Committee on Courses of Study for the Priesthood Quorums. We give the introduction complete President Joseph F. Smith incidentally stated on one occasion that when he should pass away, unlike many of his brethren, he would leave no written work, by which he might be remembered. It was his modest way of viewing his own ministry and literary labors, for President Smith would live in the hearts of the people even if he had said nothing for the printed page; but on the contrary, it was discovered that there are volumes in print, though at that time it had not been gathered and was therefore not so well known. One of the compilers of this volume, Dr. John A. Widtsoe, listening to his remark, thought to himself, "certainly it cannot be true that he has left no written work." He then decided to look into his published writings and sermons, conceived the idea of making extracts from them and arranging these extracts by subjects and in chapters, in the form of a book. The result is this splendid volume now presented to the public under the title Gospel Doctrine. Doctor John A. Widtsoe interested his brother, Prof. Osborne J. P. Widtsoe, also Albert E. Bowen, Doctor F. S. Harris, and Joseph Quinney, in the work of compiling and classifying, from the voluminous writings and sermons of President Smith, such extracts as would bear upon the subjects — chosen for consideration subjects covering a wide range in gospel doctrine and philosophy, as taught by the Latter-day Saints. Lorenzo N. Stohl geneiously paid the expenses of the work. Without price, and as a matter of love for the work in hand, these brethren proceeded with the compilation, had four typewritten copies prepared, nicely bound and titled, and were privileged sometime before the death of the President, to offer him the first typewritten copy of the work, with their love and gratitude for his life, his example, and his inspired teachings, as well as for his gentle kindness and constant helpfulness to each of them. Needless to say, the presentation and the work were gladly accepted and gave President Smith great delight. The Committee on Study for the Priesthood Quorums, being apprised bv the compilers of the work, conceived the idea, under the initiative of Elder David O. McKay of the Council of the Twelve, of making it a text book for the Priesthood. The volume is now presented to the Melchizedek Priesthood Quorums of the Church for their study and consideration. To accompany it is A Guide for the direction of teachers and students, and adopted for convenience in reference and study.

916 IMPROVEMENT ERA

The sermons and writings of President Joseph F. Smith teach, in wisdom and moderation, practically every essential doctrine of the Latter-day Saints concerning the present life and the life hereafter. Not only that, but they abound in helpful counsel and advice on everyday practices in right living, stated in simple and persuasive language. President Smith's sermons and writings breathe the true spirit of the gospel, are sound as gold in tenet and precept, and express the will of the Master in every word. Gathered, classified, arranged, and printed as in this volume, they constitute a compendium of the doctrine and teachings of the Church that we believe will stand as a safe guide for its members for generations to come. In presenting this compilation to the public, we are confident that every reader will be fully repaid in its persusal, containing, as it does, rich and vital selections from the sayings, teachings and sermons of one of the foremost prophets of the Lord in the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times. Committee on Courses of Study for the Priesthood. Gospel Doctrine is furnished to the quorums and the public at $1.50 net, as cheap as it could be placed upon the market. A book of this size could not be printed and sold at such a low price, were it not for the large circulation insured by the Priesthood Quorums, who, with the general public, are reaping the benefit. A book of this size, as well bound and printed as it is, would cost ordinarily at least $2.50. It will serve as a text for the quorums for two years. Two guides, one for the year 1919, covering one year's study, now ready and selling for 15c, may be obtained by order from the Improvement Era office; and a second guide, to be issued for the year 1920, covering the second part of the book. The Guide is very convenient and really necessary for both teachers and students, in the preparation of the lessons. All Quorums are enjoined to take up the study of the text as soon as possible. Gospel Doctrine may be obtained by order from the Deseret News or the Deseret Sunday School Union book stores; or, where money accompanies the order, from the Improvement Era, where all orders for the Guide should be sent.

Erratum In Gospel Doctrine, on page 241. after the word ordinances, ninth line, lastword, the following words, which should constitute the tenth line, are omitted: thereof, the power of godliness is manifest; and without the ordinances, etc. The reader will notice that the meaning is changed completely without these omitted words. It is a typographical error to which the words of Cowper apply, who once said: "a single erratum may knock out the brains of a whole passage.**

Sacred Sabbath

Commendable activity is shown in a number of the 6takes of Zion, by the Presidencies and Hisjn Councils, to impress the people with the sacredness of the Sabbath day. Two of the M. I. A. slogans bear upon this sub- ;" ject, namely: "We stand for a sacred Sabbath and a weeklv half-holiday and. "We stand for spiritual growth through attendance at Sacrament meetings." The following circular letter entitled, "A Brief Word Addressed to the Latter-day Saints of the Utah Stake," deals with the Sabbath day and the importance of keeping it holy, and suggests how the hours of the Sabbath day may be spent: