Editors’ Table: Practical Religion

Practical ^Religion

"It may be that the Era is not interested in the tobacco issue," writes one correspondent. The Era is decidedly interested in the tobacco issue. The organizations which the Era has the honor to represent, stand firmly upon the foundation of opposition to the use of tobacco in any form. The Latter-day Saints have preached against it for close on to ninety years, with a slogan to all the world, chosen from the "Word of Wisdom:" "Tobacco is not for the body * * * and is not good for man." It would be a good thing if tobacco were cleared out of every grocery and other place of sale, in all the land, particularly where Latter-day Saints control. Why? Because it is not good to make profit out of that which is seriously detrimental to the human race, physically, morally and mentally. The tobacco habit is one of the worst handicaps to success in life that a young man can acquire. It impairs every activity of the human organism and results, frequently, in mental and moral degeneracy. Tobacco depresses the nervous system, impairs the eye sight, weakens the heart, interferes with digestion, and strikes telling blows at the ambition of the boy, or man, or woman, who poison themselves with its use. "It strikes directly at the heart, the lungs, and the circulation," says one authority, "and results in under-nutrition and impaired physical development." Webelieve that the abolition of the entire tobacco business would be beneficial to the higher interests of the human race. The use of tobacco leads to deception, the habit being almost invariably acquired by boys without the knowledge or consent of their parents. It takes the boys away from their homes and out into undesirable places, where the pollution of morals often follows. Nearly all the boys and young men who are sent to the juvenile courts and detention homes are users of tobacco. Tobacco saps the boy's strength, befuddles his brain, makes him indifferent to religion, and a breaker of the Word of God. The Utah Educational Campaign Committee recently started a drive for better public school education in Utah, and

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in a pamphlet declared among other topics, that we pay too much for moral, physical and mental destruction, and too little for moral, physical and mental education, in these United States; and remember, Utah, Idaho, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, and Wyoming, each is one of these United States. They tell us that in the year 1916, this nation paid for liquor, $2,300,000,- 000; for tobacco, $1,200,000,000; and for education, $750,000,- 000. Fortunately, to some extent, the liquor avenue has been closed, but this has given the tobacco trust renewed impetus to induce men and women to ruin themselves through its twin avenue, drunken tobacco-debauchery. The Utah State Board of Education has decided that freedom from the use of narcotics shall be a requirement for graduation from high school. The use of tobacco, therefore, becomes a handicap to success in life, because no young man going through life with reduced educational and physical efficiency, can hope to succeed along with those who are perfectly normal, and no man using tobacco, can hope to be perfectly normal. What can be done? Two things we can do: We can strictly enforce the law of Utah which provides that no person may sell or furnish tobacco to minors; and that no person under 21 may use tobacco, or have it in his possession. Further, every Latter-day Saint business man might quit selling tobacco, and thereby avoid holding out this temptation to the youth and the thoughtless, and so set an example, worthy to be followed by all. And last, but not least, you and I can quit using tobacco. Some merchants have already set the pace, and are refusing to sell tobacco, thus becoming pioneers in this splendid movement. Jonathan D. Woods, of Farmington, Utah, a successful merchant, writes, in answer to a request from the Era, saying that he has discontinued the sale of tobacco. He writes further that some four or five years ago, at Bountiful, President Heber J. Grant spoke on the subject of the "Word of Wisdom," and made the wise saying that good Latter-day Saints should avoid placing temptations before the young people. Brother Woods desired to be a good Latterday Saint. He did not want to be anything else, for that reason he decided to dispose of his tobacco business which he had carried on for several years. He did so in a few days, and has never sold tobacco since. Asked as to how it affected his trade, he said: "I did not lose any trade." He is thoroughly satisfied with results and believes that Latter-day Saints would do much good by abandoning the sale of

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tobacco. He further states that in the early part of this year, all the merchants in South Davis stake, except one, signed a promise to quit the sale of tobacco. It would result in great benefit if this example were universally adopted throughout the Church. Ray S. Hansen, is the Manager of B. Y. Benson Sons & Co., general merchants, Trenton, Utah. Some time ago this company decided to discontinue the sale of tobacco in their mercantile establishments. The Era heard of it, congratulated the gentlemen, and asked for a statement as to why they took such action and whether or not it had injured their business. The following reply was received which is an inspiration, pointing in the right direction for all:

We have before us, yours of Jan. 22. In reply, will say, we thank you for the congratulations extended, and sincerely trust that you may have the opportunity, in the near future, of extending "congratulations" to all of our competitors who are now selling tobacco. We have discontinued the sale of tobacco from our two places of business, "General Merchandise Store," and "Confectionery," feeling that the satisfaction of not selling an article which is detrimental to our morals would offset all profits made on tobacco. We cannot see that our business is less prosperous than when we sold tobacco. The results we have obtained so far are gratifying. In almost every instance, when we have a call for to- bacco and we make an explanation for discontinuing carrying it, to our satisfaction we hear an expression of gladness from the men who called for it. Even the habitual user expresses himself as being pleased, and wishes every one would fall in line, thereby making it impossible to obtain it. B. Y. Benson & Sons, Co., Ray S. Hansen, Manager.

Who will be next?—A.

How are the American Indians Related to the Jews? This question has arisen from lesson 8, of the Senior Manual, in which the gathering into, and the expulsion from Missouri is discussed. In Sec. 57:4, we are told in a revelation

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from the Lord, to the Prophet Joseph Smith, relating to the purchase of lands in Jackson county, that the Saints should purchase the lands, and furthermore, should purchase also, "every tract lying westward, even unto the line running directly between Jew and Gentile." The manual then goes on to explain that "Jew and Gentile, in this connection, refers respectively to the Indians and the Missouri settlers, the Indians being of the Tribe of Judah, according to the Book of Mormon." Several class leaders have written for an explanation of the statement, justly protesting that there is no direct authority in the Book of Mormon for the statement that the Indians are of the tribe of Judah. In section 57:4, Doctrine and Covenants, the Indians are called Jews as we have seen, they being of Jewish or Israelitish descent. There is also, probably, in their veins, the blood of the tribe of Judah, though the Book of Mormon does not declare that in so many words. In section 19:27, we are told that soon the word of the Lord, "may go to the Jew, of whom the Lamanites are a remnant." It should be remembered however, that Jew, as spoken of here, may be used in a broad sense as including all who dwelt in Jerusalem. All who dwelt in that city, whether of Judah, Ephraim, or Manasseh were often spoken of as Jews. The relation of the Lamanites to the tribe of Judah, can only be proved from the Book of Mormon in this way, if at all: Lehi, the Hebrew prophet, ancestor of the Nephites and Lamanites, was of the Tribe of Manasseh, and was led out of Jerusalem to America in B. C. 600. Ishmael, a righteous Israelite of the Tribe of Ephraim, (See, Book of Mormon Concordance, Reynolds, page 62) with his many sons and daughters, came out of Jerusalem with Lehi. The mixture of the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. thus brought about, really made the Nephites and Lamanites descendants of Joseph, as stated in I Nephi, 6:2. But, eleven years after Lehi and Ishmael left Jerusalem, the Lord led another colony from that city to America, and among these was Mulek, a young son of Zedekiah, king of Judah. Mulek was saved when the rest of his family was slain. (See II Kings 25:4; Helaman 6:10; 8:21; Mosiah 25:2). After considerable time, Mosiah, the Nephite prophet, fleeing from the land of Nephi into the wilderness, came into the Land of Zarahemla and found a numerous and, to him, unknown people who were descendants of Mulek and his colony. So the people who came with Mosiah united with the people of Mulek who were of the tribe of Judah, and Mosiah was made their king. Thus was brought about a union which was perpetual

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and which resulted in the mixture, on this continent, of Judah and Joseph. (See Omni 1:12-19.) And so, after all, we may conclude that while the manual goes a step too far in saying that "the Indians are of the tribe of Judah, according to the Book of Mormon," there is at least this much evidence that the tribe of Judah is represented in — the original inhabitants of America the Lamanites or Indians. A.

Messages from the Missions

Native Elders in Scotland "We elders in the Scottish conference look forward with much eagerness to seeing theEra each month. The conference is now in charge of one of our home missionaries, President James E. Rennie, and everything is prospering fine. Oh, how happy it feels to be a missionary, spreading this

mighty gospel; the more one does for the cause, the more he wants to do, and this is how we elders feel in bonnie Scotland. The conference has gone through some trials during the great war. At one time there was but one traveling elder in the whole of the Scottish conference; then, last April, we were two, and now we are three strong. It is our greatest desire to make the Scottish conference the best in the British mission. The Scotch people literature. Elders are fine to get along with, and they readily accept our England; William Easton, Evanston, Wyo.; Leonard A. Higgins, Bradford, Prest. James E. Rennie, Glasgow, Scotland."—Leonard A. Higgins, conference secretary. Much Literature Distributed sisters Gladys Niel- Elders Karl H. Cutler, and William O. Peterson, Massachusetts, that they son and Viva Taylor report from New Bedford,

456 IMPROVEMENT ERA are doing a highly satisfactory and commendable work and that the results of their labors are very encouraging. During the month of October fifty-one meetings were held, consisting of hall, street, priesthood and cottage meetings. Equally good records were made in November and December. Many Books of Mormon have been sold and also numerous small books, and a large amount of literature, pamphlets and tracts, has been distributed. On December 20, a bazar was given by the Relief Society, which was gratify ingly successful. On December 21, special Christmas services were held, a large audience heard excellent addresses by Heber and Andrew Smith, sons of the late President Joseph F. Smith.

The Improvement Era is eagerly looked forward to each month and is certainly appreciated by missionaries, saints, and investigators. The Spirit of the Lord is manifest in the work which is progressing here, and future prospects are very hopeful. Elders in the picture and lady missionaries, reading from left to right: James Cooper, Gladys Nielsen, Viva Taylor, Karl H. Cutler, William O. Peterson.

The Latter-day Saints in Texas Writing from Gilmer, Texas, Elder A. 0. Ellett, says: "In Upshire County, there are about one thousand members belonging to the Latterday Saints Church, with well organized branches and three Sunday schools. In the Kelsey branch, there are about four hundred members, well organized, and having a modern Church building, worth approximately $30,000. We have also a school building constructed with bricks, with modern equipment, and four teachers conducting the schools. They have also an amusement hall worth probably $5,000. The colony was planted about fifteen years ago, with three or four families for a nucleus, in the very heart of a forest surrounded by people who were greatly prejudiced. This prejudice is fast giving way, and the Latter-day Saints have as good standing in the business world as any other people. The local elders and lady missionaries are privileged to go to almost any com-

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munity and hold street, cottage, and hall meetings. They are treated with all due courtesy, barring few exceptions. The Latter-day Saints never fail to take advantage of any opportunity to show to progressive people, that they stand for advancement in all things for good, temporal as well as spiritual. Through co-operation in the county fairs, the Latter-day Saints have done much good in this direction. Kelsey had an exhibit at the Pittsburg, Texas, fair in October, 1919. Thirteen counties were represented at this fair. They first put their exhibit on show at Gilmer, Texas, winning the first community prize, then at Pittsburg at the county exhibit, winning the blue ribbon and a premium of $150. One of the features of the display was a large star in the center of it and the letters "Our State, Our Emblem, Industry," being made wholly of seeds of various farm products. It was made by the good sisters of the Relief Society, whose patience and perseverance were richly rewarded. The seed is glued to a canvas and tacked on a board."

A New Branch in Santa Ana Elder Ray H. Jorgenson, Santa Ana, California, writes under date of January 20: "The missionaries here express their heartiest appreciation for the Improvement Era. Through its diversified columns, all are interested who read. We have eight missionaries, four of whom are laboring in Newport Beach, and the other four in Santa Ana. A new branch was organized here on Sunday, January 17, encouraging us with the thought that our efforts have not been in vain and have been well paid. We are holding many cottage meetings, and tracting is a privilege enjoyed by all. No more desirable or beautiful place could be found than dear old

The people are indifferent religiously, yet hos- Southern California. pitable, and we are taking advantage of every opportunity available to Earl Sesfurther the woik of the Lord." Elders, back row, left to right: Ray H. Jorgensen. Elders and lady missionaries, sions, Asmond Abildskvo, front row: O. P. Ograin, Utah; Mildred Harvey, I. B. Roberts, Canada; Lula Roskelly, Utah; Elmer Larsen, Idaho.

Privileged to Speak in Protestant Churches we are all united, and the work of the In the Vermont conference, Lord is being presented by example as well as by precept. We are hold-

458 IMPROVEMENT ERA ing cottage meetings in new homes and people are beginning to see that we are possessors of the truth. On three different occasions, since January 1, 1920, the elders have been privileged to speak in Protestant churches with favorable results. Many people speak very highly of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and mention with pride the monument which has been erected in his honor. This gives us opportunity to bear testimony

to his divine mission. The picture herewith represents the Vermont missionary force. Standing, left to right: B. R. Godfrey, Magrath, Canada; John A. Donaldson, Salt Lake City; Edward S. Meservy, Provo, Utah; Orval P. Mortensen, Rexburg, Idaho; J. Willard Marriott, Ogden, Utah. Sitting: Lawrence N. Norton, Pima, Arizona; La Rue Seager, Tremonton, Utah; Thomas W. Tanner, conference president, Snowflake, Arizona; Verna Cook, Liberty; Leonard Peterson, Ogden, Utah.

Not So Easy Lauring A. Whittaker, writing from Tokyo, Japan, December 10, 1919, says: "We catch the spirit of the true gospel and try in our weak way to instil it in the hearts of the people of this land. It is not so easy as pouring water from one vessel to another. If we could take the truth and convey it in that manner to those we desire to bring unto the Lord, we would surely soon have them filled wtih th spirit and well and strong in ;

the work. We receive the Improvement Era regularly and enjoy it."

Died in Service Mrs. Tressie Anderson Miner, missionary of the Church, in the Hawaiian islands, died there in December, 1919. She was the kind mother of nine children, and an exemplary Latter-day Saint.

Arzella W Symons, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Symons, of .

Salt Lake City, passed away at Independence, Mo., Feb. 12, while laboring as a missionary there. Elder Nephi Anderson, a brother-in-law, left immediately on the receipt of the message, for Independence, to bring back the body. Sister Symons had been in the mission field only since Jan. 28, having taken sick on the journey from home. The cause of death was given as influenza-pneumonia.

The Maricopa Stake to the Front The efficiency report for the Maricopa stake, Arizona, for Decern ber, which was delayed in transit, and so did not appear in the February Era shows that in membership, class work, , special activities, Scout work. Lra fund, vocations and industries, monthly stake and ward officers meetings, and ward officers' meetings, they are up to the standard, ihey have seven Scout organizations in good condition; in fact first class. Superintendent D. L. Stapley and his associate officers are certainly congratulated upon the excellent snowing. Furthermore, the Maricopa stake, so far, stands at the head in remittance for life membership dues in the Y. M. M. I. A. They have sent in, through the stake, $275 for this fund, which indicates that 55 members have become life members of the Mutual Improvement Association. Besides that, the office has received four memberships, $20 more, from individuals who have sent in their amounts personally. All who have thus paid $5 for a life membership, are free from further annual payment of the fund. The Maricopa stake officers are congratulated by the General officers of the Y. M. M. I. A., who vote them as being on the map as "doers." Are there other stakes well up, which have not reported?

In Commemoration of the First Vision

It is desired that exercises commemorating the First Vision of the Prophet Joseph Smith, shall be held in all our joint M. I. A. gatherings on Sunday evening, May 2, 1920. Suitable exercises should be carried out on this date, in every M. I. A. of the Church, and the following suggestive program is offered for

the consideration of the associations: Congregational hymn: "Praise to the Man." Prayer. Junior Chorus: "Joseph Smith's First Prayer." Concert recitation by the audience: James 1:5, 6. Ladies' Chorus: (See Young Woman's Journal, April, 1920.) Ten-minute talk, "The First Vision." Junior member. Male Solo: "The Seer." "The Testimony of the First Vision," given by the Prophet as recorded in the Pearl of Great Price, page 87, verse 25. Junior member. Mixed Chorus: "0* Sweet Simplicity." (See Improvement Era, April, 1920.) "What has resulted from the Vision?" Thirty -minute address by an able speaker. Congregational singing: "We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet." Benediction. The talk on the Vision might include a brief account of the condition of the world religiously, in 1820, the revivals being held, the character and early life of Joseph Smith, his reading of the Bible and especially James 1:5, 6, his prayer and its answer.