--- 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: 23 number: 5 published: 1920-03 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations, "A Mission as a Factor in Education," *Improvement Era* 23, no. 5 (March 1920): 441–443.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2305unse 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: improvementera2305unse start_page: 441 end_page: 443 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1920-03) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2305unse publication_year: 1920 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 1920, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # A Mission as a Factor in Education PROPHECIES AND PROMISES OF THE LORD 441 special prominence by the expressions, "long-suffering, by gentleness and kindness. Paragraph 44 says, in substance, Save through service, "that he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death." Paragraphs 45-46 present the dominating power of good will and promise an everlasting dominion with an absence of all domineering. Questions and Problems for Part II 1. When and where were the contents of Section 121, Doc. and Cov., written ? 2. What were the circumstances under which this prayer and prophecy were written? 3. Discuss the majesty of the literary style of Section 121. 4. How is its beauty and loftiness of diction to be accounted for? 5. What has become of those who sought to besmirch the character of the Prophet Joseph? Paragraph 11-14. 6. What is the penalty-promise made for passing judgment on the Lord's servants while they have a standing before him? Par. 17-23. 7. Wherein is the penalty-promise of the persecuting perjurer worse than the curse of Ham? See Pearl of Great Price, Book of Abraham, 1:26. 8. What does the word "Valiantly" mean in paragraph 29, Doctrine and Covenants? 9. Compare valiantly with the terms half-heartedness in tithe-paying; weakness of faith in keeping the word of wisdom, disinterestedness in obeying counsel. 10. What does paragraph 36 mean to you? 11. Name three ways mentioned in paragraph 37 by which attempts may be made to domineer through the priesthood. 12. What does the word "Amen" mean in paragraph 37? 13. Distinguish between unfeigned love and feigned love. 14. Illustrate the difference between pure knowledge and contaminated knowledge. 15. Compare the promise made in paragraph 46 with the declaration of Jesus recorded in John 12:32. 16. Find the conditional promise concerning complete dominion by the Saints. Sec. 103:7. Note also the promise concerning their being domineered over. Sec. 103:8-10. A Mission as a Factor in Education A Study for the Advanced Junior Y. M. M. I. A. Class, 1919-20 LESSON X.-DOES A MAN WHO GOES ON A MISSION GET FINANCIALLY POORER? of a Whether a man gets richer or poorer financially by the filling because the acquiring Mission should not vitally enter into consideration, of worldly wealth alone is not the true standard of success. The person who spends his life in the preaching of the gospel may not, of course, fie- become rich in the come wealthy in the things of this world, but he will truer and larger meaning of that word. . , the will The Lord has said to us: "If ye seek the riches which it is tor ye richest of all people, of the Father to give unto you, ye shall be the 442 IMPROVEMENT ERA shall have the riches of eternity; and it must needs be that the riches of the earth are mine to give." (Doc. and Cov. 38:39.) It is true that the average missionary, instead of losing money by his period of absence from business, in the end gains; and there is a reason for this. Usually, the missionary is limited in his means, and must practice the closest economy while away, to make his allowance cover his needs; must be very careful how he spends his money; and this habit of careful frugality usually remains with him when he returns home, and aids him in any line of work or business he may engage in. Again, the observant missionary, without detracting from his work of preaching the gospel, may obtain many new and helpful ideas on the various industries and activities of the life about him, which he can put to good use when he returns home. Name the men in the ward who have filled missions, and compare their present financial condition with what it was before going. Compare also their condition with men of like standing and ability who have not been on missions. In a general way, this ought to give a very fair estimate of what a mission does to men financially. LESSON XL— WHEN SHOULD A BOY BEGIN TO PREPARE FOR A MISSION? "He that seeketh me early shall find me." (Doc. and Cov. 88:83.) Every able-bodied boy in the Church should have as one of his objectives in life the going on a mission. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is essentially a missionary Church, and to be a member of the Church implies that the member partakes of the spirit of the Church. Why is the Church a missionary Church? Explain and discuss these quotations from the Doctrine and Covenants: "And ye shall go forth in the power of my spirit, preaching my gospel, two by two, in my name, lifting up your voices as with the voice of a trump, declaring my word like unto angels of God." (42:6). "And it becometh every man who hath been warned, to warn his neighbor" (88:81). In what way is preaching the gospel the delivering of a warning? The earlier a boy has fixed in his mind that he is under obligation some day to go on a mission, the sooner he will prepare for it, beginning in his most impressive years; also the easier it will be for him to go when the time comes. The Prophet Joseph Smith was between fourteen and fifteen years of age when he received the first great Vision which marked the beginning of his work as a preacher of the gospel. President Joseph F. Smith went on his first mission when he was fifteen. President Anthon H. Lund read the Bible at eight, and at thirteen he was called to do missionary work. Others might be mentioned. "What effect, do you think, this early beginning had on these men? Discuss with the class members their personal thoughts and feelings towards the subject. LESSON XIL—HOW SHOULD A BOY PREPARE HIMSELF FOR A MISSION? A successful missionary should be "physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight." He should have a clear and comprehensive knowledge of the gospel, and be able to explain it to others. He should have faith in God and his power and willingness to help in time of need. He should be wise and humble, and know how to work and pray. A MISSION AS A FACTOR IN EDUCATION 443 The Lord said to the first elders in the Church: "Let your preaching be the warning voice, every man to his neighbor, in mildness and in meekness. And go ye out from among the wicked. Save yourselves. Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord" (Doc. and Cov. 38:41-2). What provisions has the Lord made to help men to be clean and strong? Ho°^an a b ° y be clean in other way8 than b y lhe use of S0£>P and water? Why is it necessary for a missionary especially to be clean and strong? The third chapter of the epistle of James in the New Testament tells how the tongue may defile a man. Read it. Make local application. Some splendid instructions were given to the early elders who were preparing for missions. They may be found in the Doc. and Cov. Section 88:70-85. What Church organizations will help a boy to prepare himself for a mission? LESSON XIII.—MISSION EXPERIENCES IN THE LIFE OF W1LFORD WOODRUFF It is suggested that this lesson be devoted to the study and discussion of some of the most interesting experiences in the life of President Wilford Woodruff as he himself tells them in the little book, Leaves from My Journal. Select those incidents which are the most faith-promoting. At the close of Chapter 3 of his little book, President Woodruff gives some timely advice to the young. If Leaves from My Journal, or the Life of Wilford Woodruff, cannot be obtained, use the extracts found in the Deacon's Course of Study for the Priesthood, 1920. LESSON XIV.—MISSIONARY EXPERIENCES IN THE LIFE OF GEORGE Q. CANNON The text for this lesson should be the book, My First Mission, by President George Q. Cannon. Treat this lesson like the previous one. If the book is not to be found, there may be found selections in the Deacons Study for 1920, of President Cannon's missionary labors. Here is what he says in his preface to My First Mission: "The thought which prompts me to publish My First Mission is that perhaps it may have the effect upon some of the youth of Zion that the recitals of faithful elders had upon me. I have thought that the missionary spirit did not burn as brightly in some of our young men as it should — that they did not understand the value of human souls in the sight of the Lord, and the precious rewards which he bestows upon those who seek, in the proper way, to save them. And yet there never was greater need of faithful men as missionaries than there is today." LESSON XV.— PERSONAL EXPERIENCES OF LOCAL MISSIONARIES This lesson should be devoted to the telling of personal experiences of local missionaries, those who live in the ward. This should be done by the missionaries themselves, if possible, or if not, by the boys whose fathers or brothers have told their experiences to them. A little previous announcement and preparation will assure the success of this lesson. If it is not possible to obtain such personal narratives, a very interesting lesson may be conducted by reference to the many written experiences which may be gathered from the Lesser Priesthood Course of Study, or the Junior Manuals of the Y. M. M. I. A. The Junior Manual II, Lessons on Conduct, contains some interesting experiences under the chapter heading, "Belief in Providence," page 10.