Service a Means of Progressive Action

Service a Means of Progressive Action* By Elder Richard R. Lyman, of the Council of the Twelve

This is certainly a wonderful gathering. As I look through that open door and see upon the Gull monument the bent backs — — of the pioneers men and women engaged in a struggle to reap their crops, I cannot help but think how their hearts must rejoice, if they know what the results are of the service they rendered and the sacrifices they made. I have listened with great interest to what has been said on this occasion. Every word spoken has been uttered with the thought of putting us into even more progressive action. The words of Miss Beesley have stirred us greatly. We all feel the inspiration in the words of Brother McMurrin. Without spiritual strength and a burning testimony, we cannot go forward with the spreading of the gospel and the converting of the people as the plan has been begun by the worthy pioneers through whom our heavenly Father has revealed the message of this last day and dispensation. — Then the words of Miss Connelly an appeal to us to study, to work, to put forth effort to do what the Scriptures so clearly state: "Store in your minds continuously the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour, that portion that shall be meted unto every man." While spiritual and intellectual preparation are important, these are perhaps not most important. We may have the inspiration, we may have the intellectual training, but if our work is to be effective, we must stand ready always to give service. Your presence here tells more forcefully than can I with what willingness you are ready to serve. I was thrilled when I saw this great body of General Board members on the stand. Why? Because they are strong men who are willing and ready to give service. For what purpose? For the good of mankind. But he who gives service receives, himself, for so giving, the greatest benefit; when I see how many strong men and women are here whose time, perhaps, could hardly be secured with money, I say the hearts of the grand old pioneers are rejoicing if they know that you are here and that you are making this tremendous contribution in the form of service. As I see these lawyers here, these business men in attendance, and the president of our State University present, I repeat, brethren and sisters, this is a glorious occasion.

"Remarks at the opening session M. I. A. Conference, June 11, 1920.

SERVICE A MEANS OF PROGRESSIVE ACTION 931

I desire to emphasize two or three points and one of the most important is organization. I think probably as yet we do not appreciate the strength of our Church organization. In our missions, stakes, and associations, if the work is to be effective, our organizations must be effective. A lecturer of broad experience and a great engineer, emphasizing the importance of organization, said "Suppose that a man owned all the money :

that is being put into a great project. Perhaps in the construction a thousand men are employed. The compensation that goes to each of these may come from the pocket of this one individual. If coming upon the work, this man sees that a waterboy should be clapped on the head, if he claps that boy on the head, the whole organization, from top to bottom, will be wrecked by that one stroke. If he steps into his office and says to A: 'That boy must be clapped on the head,' and A takes the message to B, B gives it to C, C to D, etc., all the way down the line until finally the man is reached who employee^ the boy, who directs him in his work, and perhaps handles his compensation, when he claps the boy on the head the intensity and effectiveness of the whole organization is increased." So in our work there must be organization. Every man and every woman must be respected in his or her place. It is a psychological fact that all human beings like responsibility. To make your organization effective, place responsibility upon those over whom you preside and then hold them for results. One other thing: Do not hesitate. While it is important to have a fine plan, don't use all your time in preparation. The most important thing to be done in many cases is to decide. Often a little thought will show that arriving at a conclusion is much more important than is the conclusion itself. A poor plan well executed is better than a good plan poorly executed. Better oftentimes to make a little mistake than to hesitate too long. We had a song out in the country where I lived, about one of our school-teachers. A part of the chorus was: "He taught us to read, to write and to 'rithmetic." So I am going to teach you "three r's" and in so doing I shall be emphasizing what Miss Connelly has said: These are to read, to write and to remember. There is hardly any element in intellectual effort that helps the memory more than does writing. Another help to the memory is illustrated by an experience told to the students of the University of Utah by General Richard W. Young. He said he had the honor of being graduated from West Point with the man who received the highest average mark which that institution has given. He asked this young man: "How is it that you seem to know everything of nearly every subject, and yet you devote so littte lime to your

932 IMPROVEMENT ERA books?" "Well," said the student, "when a lesson is assigned, I open my book and look it over. I close the book, put on my hat, and go out for a stroll. It is then that I do my work." It is not what we eat, but what we digest, that counts. It is not what we read, but what we remember, that gives us mental power. Therefore I urge that you follow this same practice. If you are following a plow, walking on the street, pitching hay, or doing any other kind of labor, learn the lesson you have read and written and you will be able, in this work of ours, to render more effective service. .

You are familiar with the following words: "If a man have a hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?" If we are to render real service, we are not to be satisfied with teaching and training those only who come to us, that is, with merely watching the ninety and nine, but we are to go into the mountains, to climb the hillside, to wander through the woods, to go into the remote places, and find the one that has gone astray and when we have found that one, as the Scriptures ;

say, we will rejoice more over his salvation than over the ninety and nine that have not gone astray. "Even so, it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven that even one of these little ones should perish." There should be no road so rough or lane so long that we will not be willing to travel it if at its end there is a boy or a girl to save, for the country, the community or the Church. Let us be worthy sons and worthy daughters of those grand old pioneers, and let us do as they have done; that is, give to the world the best we have, and let us, as they did, give that best in service. I ask it through Jesus Christ. Amen.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S BIBLE

The Bible which fed the soul of Abraham Lincoln in the Kentucky log cabin of his boyhood was one of the cheap little Bibles imported from England by vote of the American Congress in 1777. Lincoln loved the Bible above all other books and once paid the following tribute to it:

"I am profitably engaged in reading the Bible. Take all of this book upon reason that you can and the balance by faith and you will live and die a better man. In regard to the Great Book, I have only to say that it is the best book which God has given to men."

The American Bible Society alone has issued more than 138,000,000 yplumes since its organization in 1816,