--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Brimhall, George H. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 24 number: 2 published: 1920-12 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Brimhall, George H., "Vital Problems of Life," *Improvement Era* 24, no. 2 (December 1920): 147–155.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2402unse 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: improvementera2402unse start_page: 147 end_page: 155 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1920-12) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2402unse 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. --- # Vital Problems of Life Vital Problems of Life A Study for the Advanced Senior Classes of the M. I. A., 1920-21 By Dr. George H. Brimhall Lesson X.—The Influence of Natural Environment In the discussion of this theme, a tendency to consider en- vironment in general should be guarded against, and the work kept within the range of the provisions of the title. Natural environment is furnished first hand by nature, such as climate, topography, vegetation,— including the denizens of the forest' stream, and air. Trees can not make the same growth, either in size or in fiber on the south side of the hill, that they could on the north- ern slope. The sable is brown in summer time and white'dur- ing the winter, and the chameleon takes on the color of what- ever object he chooses to rest upon. We shall place emphasis upon the influence of environment upon the human being, and shall first turn our attention to the physical aspect. Physical Aspect. That prominent differences in men arise from contrasting effects of upland and lowland climates is set forth in an article by Professor S. U. Patten, in the Popular Science Monthly, of March, 1912, page 273: An upland race if in a dry region has a purer and moi'e bracing atmos- phere and hence does not need so much lung power. Its food is dryer, harder, and more condensed. Along with this comes smaller stomachs, better digestion, and fresher blood. A tall, narrow-chested man comes into being who is in marked contrast with the short barrel man of the lowland region. The upland races can not go too far down south without facing extinc- tion, while the lowland races have been unsuccessful in facing the rigor of dry, cold upland. I shall call the pure uplander the long-faced type, and the pure lowlander the round-faced type and the mixture of the two, the oval-faced type. While the findings of Professor Patten may be true in gen- eral, there are undoubtedly some exceptions, notably the case of the Swiss peasantry and the Chilian Indians of the Andes, and this variation forms a basis for refusing to accept in toto the findings of even eminent scholars. Franz Broz, professor of anthropology, Columbia Univer- sity, found, through a careful and exhaustive investigation, that the children of European types change in the first generation 148 IMPROVEMENT ERA i from the European type to the American type. While the laws governing this physical change are universal, its operations are accelerated in America where there is a sort of psychic cutting loose from the old, and a pronounced tendency to reach out for what is new in the land of their adoption. Intellectual Aspect — To him who, in the love of nature, holds Communion with her visible forms, she speaks A various language; for his gayer hours, She has a voice of gladness, and a smile And eloquence of beauty, and she glides Into his darker musings with a mild And gentle sympathy that steals away Their sharpness ere he is aware. — William Cullen Bryant. For nature the coarser pleasures of my boyish days, And their glad animal movements all gone by, To me was all in all — I can not paint What then I was. The sounding cataract Haunted me like a passion; 'The mountain, and the deep and gloomy wood, Their colors and their forms, were then to me An appetite, a feeling, and a love That had no need of a remoter charm, By thought supplied or any interest unborrowed from the eye. — William Wordsworth. In the course of a lecture before a county institute, Utah's famous sculptor, Cyrus E. Dallin, said the lowlands and the plains may produce the painters, but it remains for the moun- tains to produce the sculptors. When asked from what source came the greatest inspiration for his work, he pointed to Mount Flaunet, due east of Spanish Fork, Utah, and said, "I always heard the voice of that mountain calling to me to be lofty and to achieve lofty ends." The sight of the mountains always af- fected Mr. Dallin very deeply. He relates that at one time, when he was westward bound, he occupied the seat with a Kan- sas lawyer with whom he was conversing. Said Mr. Dallin, "I got a whiff of mountain air, and I knew that my apologies were due, so I said to my traveling companion, 'I was born in the West in the mountains, but never in my life have I been able to return to them without breaking down and weeping.' Hardly were the words out of my mouth," said Mr. Dallin, "when the train turned a Curve and we were in full sight of the mountains and true to my usual form, I broke down and wept like a child." William Wordsworth got much of the inspiration for his poetry in the English lake districts of England. Not to Sir Walter Scott alone, but to the highlands of Scotland are we in- debted for the "Lady of the Lake." It is a question whether VITAL PROBLEMS OF LIFE 149 without the inspiration of the great outdoors the genius of William Cullen Bryant could ever have reached the artistic climax found in "Thanatopsis." It is equally certain that John Bunyan never could have written Pilgrims Progress in a palace. Natural environment supplies conditions for successful ef- fort and enterprise which enterprise becomes the setting for civilization. The necessity for irrigating the valleys of the Nile and the Euphrates was no small factor in developing the intellectuality of ancient civilization. The making of deserts to blossom as the rose is no job for a thoughtless and nomadic people. The possibility of the ne- cessity for irrigation creates a demand which the ages have not as yet supplied. The twentieth century mind is still employed in the solving of reclamation problems. The influence of an arid environment is still uplifting the race. Patriotic and Spiritual Aspect. It would appear that there is a close relationship between mountains and inspiration. Caesar conquered the peoples of the plains; but, believing that it would not pay to attempt the subjugation of the peoples of the mountains, built a wall to shut Scotland off from his con- quered fields. Napoleon refused to attempt the subjugation of Switzerland on the ground that it would not pay. There seems to be a close relation between inspiration and altitudes. In Adam's time, God said to the great dispensator, Enoch, "Turn ye, and get ye upon Mount Simeon." And from this elevation was given one of the greatest revelations in the history of mankind. Chaper 7, Pearl of Great Price. The second peopleing of the world was launched from the top of Mount Ararat. Genesis 8:4. The Mosaic dispensation was ushered in on Mount Horeb. Exodus, 3 and 4. ■ m . . The decalogue which has been the basis of law tor civilized nations was written on Mount Sinai. Exodus, 19:3, 17, 18, 20 23. The greatest of all sermons was the Sermon on the Mount We are living in fulfilment of two great mountain proph- ecies: "And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to th -, mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God f Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths. Micah *:l. The other is the prophecy of Joseph Smith to the effect that the Saints would come to the Rocky Mountains and there be- come a mighty people. 150 IMPROVEMENT ERA The snow-capped peaks of our mountain home say to us, "Be lofty." Their pine-clad baces say, "Be firm." The gur- gling streams in the canyons say, "Be cheerful, be glad," and the chainless mountain breezes say, "Be free." The fruitful valleys call to us repeating the first great command. Literary Lights for Memory Gems "God's first Temples," William Cullen Bryant. "Lines written above Tintern Abbey," William Wordsworth. "Morning Hymn to Mount Blanc," Sam. T. Coleridge. "Sunrise in the Vale of Chamouni," Sam. T. Coleridge. Questions and Problems . 1. To tho consideration of what special phase of environment has this lesson been limited? 2. Give some additional illustrations of the influence of climate on vegetation and animals. 3. What are the special physical characteristics of people inhabiting high, dry mountain regions? 4. Wheroin do we choose health through the choice of natural environ- ment? 5. What historical connection is there between liberty and lofty moun- tain peaks? 6. Give a quotation from William Tell, in support of your answer. 7. Why should the inhabitants of the Rocky Mountain region be espe- cially interested in the habit of deep brfeathing? 8. Discuss the special advantages of a close social relationship between the inhabitants of the highlands and the inhabitants of the lowlands. 9. What quotation in this lesson indicates that Zion is to furnish en- vironment for a spiritual melting pot for the world? 10. Select a memory gem for this lesson. Suggestions We suggest that you use as your opening hymn, "Zion stands with hills surrounded," and that your closing number be, "Our mountain home so dear." Lesson XL — The Moulding Power of Vocation It goes without saying that it is advantageous to every per- son to have a vocation. It is claimed by some thinkers that persons are much more what they do for a living than they are anything else, which is equivalent to saying that one's vo- cation has more to do in the moulding of his life than has all other influences. Now, while it would be unsafe to accept this view there is no denying that our profession or trade has much to do in the construction of our lives. Life and livelihood are quite inseparable. Physical Moulding Potver of a Vocation. Function may not be the creator of the organ, but the organ is dependent VITAL PROBLEMS OF LIFE 151 upon the function for quality. Work has not created the hand, but the shape and strength of the hand is conditioned by work. The Greek Philosopher pronounced against universal ed- ucation on the ground that it would be an interference with nature, which had provided the toilers with big knuckles, large feet, huge shoulder, strong muscles suited to the doing of drudg- ery, while she had given the tapering finger and symmetrical form to the higher classes. Society has sought to emphasize this physical moulding power of vocation by dress distinction, called uniform, which may have its institutional advantages, but certainly has indi- vidual disadvantages. The Mental Moulding Power of Vocation. The first ques- tion to ask concerning a vocation is, can it give me a living? The second question is, will it afford me enjoyment? And the third question is, will it give me an opportunity to grow? Vocations with their mental moulding power have a ten- dency to become monopolistic, to be contractive instead of ex- pansive. In yielding to the monopolistic tendency of vocation, one may be found content with reading, thinking, and talking shop, and while he may be growing deep-minded he may be growing correspondingly narrow-minded. One must have a job, know it and know how to do it; but he must have more, know more, and enjoy more than his job. Vocation furnishes the heart of interest in life. It is a sort of center from which the activities go out and to which they return. It gives steadiness to character and it is not unsafe to say that a person with a vocation can have a grasp and enjoy- ment of life unattainable without a vocation. The harnessing of steam, the hitching of our machinery to the lightning, are driving drudgery from civilization. The hand that holds the plow may touch the typewriter, and the foot that presses the gasoline valve of ia mighty car can trip the light fantastic, save in cases where vocation refuses the companionship of avocation; and cog-wheeled continuity of ac- tion is insisted upon, where the chopping-block blocks the way to the gymnasium, or a milk pan obstructs the entrance to the dancing pavilion. Men must make vocations, but vocations must not be permitted to unmake men. Vocation must not be subordinated to avocation or recrea- tion, but the harmonious life demands that the first be sup- plemented by the other two. The Spiritual Moulding Power of Vocation. The idea of the common Fatherhood of God and comomn Brotherhood of man levels all trades and lays the pick beside the pen. The prophet and the plow boy sit together at the sacrament table. 152 IMPROVEMENT ERA The mechanic, the merchant, the professor, and the minister preach from the same pulpit. The literary woman and the housekeeper, the professional nurse and the teacher, enlist together in the ranks of spiritual service for the salvation of the living and those yet to come. Our religion pronounces against idleness and inefficiency, but proclaims in favor of a temperance in all things. It provides for the highest ideality and the most perfect realities in life. It stands for soul salvation, which means perfection of body and spirit united. It tempers the moulding power of vocation forbidding the deifying of work. It requires that we not only pause and pray, but that we learn by study and faith. It reaches into our hearts, takes a tenth of the fruit of our vocation and invests it in such a way that we become the business part- ners of our Father in heaven. It secures us against manual servitude, by taking one-seventh of our days for spiritual growth. Most Latter-day Saints will have vocations, some will have more than one avocation, but all will have at least one avocation, service for the Lord through the Church. Reading References The Man of Tomorrow, Claude Richards. Advice to a Hired Student, Charles Mackay. Questions and Problems 1. Discuss the problem : Eastern farming moulded our typical Uncle Sam. 2. How does the Sabbath day observance affect the moulding power of vocation? 3. Illustrate vocational intemperance. 4. Discuss the following propositions: "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." It is as applicable to the whole life of man as is the saying, "All play and no work makes Jack a useless shirk." 5. What desirable thing can gymnasium exercises do for a person? 6. At what point does a vocation begin to unmake the man? 7. Wherein is a vocation essential to the perfect man? 8. How does a lack of vocation interfere with a desirable feeling of security ? 9. Distinguish between vocation and avocation. 10. Name the first three indispensable inquiries to be made in the choice of a vocation. 11. In what direction is your vocation moulding you? 12. Discuss the custom of nobility requiring thy»ir children to learn a trade that they may appreciate the toilers of the kingdom. Lesson XII. — The Advantage of Custom Custom is Group Habit Customs come into being through the following steps: first, introduction; second, imitation; third, repetition; fourth, gen- VITAL PROBLEMS OF LIFE 153 eral adoption. Customs have their disadvantages, but in this lesson we are to discuss the advantages of custom. In general, customs make society homogeneous. Custom gives to society sta- bility. People are one just to the extent that they think alike, believe alike, and act alike. Thinking of America as the land of the free, believing it to be the home of the brave, singing America, rising to the music of the Star-Spangled Banner, cheering and saluting the flag, tend to make the people of the United States homogeneous, one in patriotism. Custom Gives Stability to Society The custom of accompanying mating with marriage cere- mony forms a foundation for the stability of the family and the home. The custom of respecting property rights secures society against financial chaos. The custom of toleration of differences of opinion contributes to individual freedom without which so- ciety can have no cohesive power. Custom Gives Picturesqueness to Life Symbolizing patriotism by flags and pennants. The lime lighting of heroism in statues and monuments, the repeating of the desirable in history through celebrating festivities and pageantry preserve worth-while traditions. Customs Originate in Two General Ways From the standpoint of origin customs fall into two classes, the elective and prescribed. The custom of keeping late hours or of early rising has come to us by election. The custom of day light saving will have originated in the provisions of law. Prescribed customs are possessed of the greater advantages, and this is especially so in a Democracy, for they have their origin in deliberation, and are at least savored with consistency, while elective customs are often highly flavored with folly. Advantageous customs impel to action through keeping alive the ambition to be of the group as well as in it. Next to launching a noble life comes the introduction of a good custom. Family Customs That Need More Attention 1. Celebrating Weddings. The beginning of a new king- dom is no unimportant event, it deserves anniversary remem- brance. 2. Celebrating Birthdays. A survey of a number of high school classes disclosed the fact that only eight per cent of the students knew when their father's birthday came, and only twelve per cent knew their mother's birthday. The advent of a 154 IMPROVEMENT ERA new soul into the family is of group importance, and the com- memoration of that event is a recognition of the individual's value to the family group, and a stimulus to his individuality. The knowledge that others place value on him adds to his abil- ity to be valuable. The custom of family reunions is worthy of more general adoption. Lack of family interest leads to in- dividual depreciation. Interest in the family group adds to in- dividual appreciation and accelerates the ambitions and activ- ities necessary to individual success. A Commendable Church Custom When the young men among the ancients were going to battle, they were cheered, but when they returned victoriously, no gate was good enough for their entrance, a new opening in the wall was made for their admittance. We celebrate the departure of our missionaries, why not commemorate their return, and as a feature of the program make an official announcement of his or her home service ap- pointment. How to Change a Disadvantageous Custom There are two ways of changing a disadvantageous custom, whether it be prescribed or elective. The bad custom of hunt- ing and fishing on the Sabbath day may be changed by legisla- tion making Sunday, a closed season. In all probability a refer- endum vote of any Christian community, state, or nation would show an overwhelming preponderance of public sentiment in favor of such a law. The custom of girls going to dances without either escorts or chaperons, and the custom of the boys creating a necessity for such custom, might be dealt with in most communities by a few of the leading young people holding to the custom of attending dances in couples and doing propaganda work for the reform. With all its downward tendencies, humanity has more af- finity for the good than it has for evil, and as the power for good in the universe is greater than the power for evil, there is every reason for the reformer or the group of reformers to have implicit confidence in the triumph of their cause. The cause of good habits and customs is next to the cause of life itself. Good habits mean good individual life, and good customs mean good community life. Literary Lights "We are more sensible of what is done against custom than against na ture ." — Plutarch. VITAL PROBLEMS OF LIFE 155 "Nothing really pleasant or unpleasant subsists by nature, but all tilings become bo by habit/' — Epictttus "Custom, that unwritten law, By which the people keep even kings in awe." — C. D. Avenant. "'Tis nothing- when you are used to it." — Swift. "Habits are at first cobwebs, then cables." — Old Proverb. "Habit with him was all the test of truth; It must be right, I've done it from my youth." — Crabbe. "Custom hath made dotards of us all." — Carlyle. "In this great society, wide lying around us, a critical analysis would find very few spontaneous actions. It is almost all custom." — Emerson. Reading References The Amile, by Jean Jaques Rosseau. Gospel Doctrine, by President Joseph F. Smith, pages 408 to 420. Questions and Problems 1. What is the difference between a custom and a personal habit? 2. Name two ways in which customs originate. 3. Give an illustration of custom originating in legislation. 4. Show how customs are perpetuated. 5. What is the origin of the custom of war for conquest? 6. Wherein does custom promote homogeneity in society? 7. How does custom give stability to society? 8. Why is it difficult to go against a custom? 9. What are the characteristics of an advantageous custom? 10. Discuss the relative value of ridicule, persuasion, and substitution for the breaking down of a bad custom. 11. What are the advantages of family celebration? 12. What are the objects of celebrating the departure of a missionary? 13. Discuss the probable results of celebrating the return of mis- sionaries. ^_ ' 14. Discuss the advantage of young people showing special deference to the aged, (a) From the standpoint of its effect on the young, (b) From the standpoint of its effect on the aged, (c) From the standpoint of its effect on the longevity of the race. 15. Of what good L. D. S. custom is this assertion made — " 'Mor- monism' has no junk heap for its old people?" 16. Discus9 the advantages of a family home evening. 17. Name the three chief advantages of a weekly half-holiday custom. 18. Illustrate the truth of the following: The Sabbath day custom is a habit-link holding the mind of man and the mind of God near each other. Sec. 59, Doc. and Cov. _ . , 19. Discuss the custom of overcoming evil with good, and driving out error with truth.