Commandments and Promises

Commandments and Promises A New Years Message, by President Heber J. Grant

On this New Year's day, I am impressed with the desire to discharge the duties and obligations that rest upon me as a Latter-day Saint. I trust that a like desire may be in the hearts of all who read these lines. I believe in the man who is willing to do the things which the Lord has commanded, and who shows his faith by his works. All Latter-day Saints, young and old, should have this desire in their hearts. Of what good is our faith, our repentance, our baptism, and all the sacred ordinances of the gospel by which we have been made ready to receive the blessings of the Lord, if we fail, on our part, to keep the commandments? All that we expect, or all that we are promised, is predicated on our own actions, and if we fail to act, or to do the work which God has required of us, we are little better than those who have not received the principles and ordinances of the gospel. We have only started, and when we rest there, we are not following our faith by our works, and are under condemnation, our salvation is not attained. I wish in my heart that all the members of the Church would have the loyalty in their souls, not only to believe the word of the Lord, but to put it into practice. The gospel which we have received means not only happiness, in this world, if we embrace and faithfully live it, but life eternal hereafter. The saving of souls, including our own soul, is the one great labor of all others that is most valuable and important, and that will bring to us the blessings of our Father and the good will of our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. I therefore hope and pray that the appeals to the Latterday Saints, made by the leaders and elders of the Church and the authorities in every stake and ward of Zion, to observe the laws of God, may find lodgment in the hearts of the people and be crystalized into righteous action. Let me call attention to the necessity of observing what is known among us as the Word of Wisdom, in all particulars, but especially that part relating to the non-use of tobacco, which is now prominent before the people, and in which appeals are

260 IMPROVEMENT ERA also made to those of our Latter-day Saint merchants who are selling this weed, to abandon the sale thereof, as an exemple of their willingness to avoid setting the wrong example before the youth of Israel. The Lord has pronounced tobacco not good for man, and this should be sufficient reason for the Latter-day Saints to abandon it. But instead, many of our people are becoming care- less in the observance of this law, and consider it a very slight matter to use tobacco in various ways. I cannot believe, nor have I ever believed, that it is a slight affair for any man, woman or child, to do that which God, our heavenly Father, has com- manded us not to do. I believe, beyond a doubt, that the financial saving to this community, by a strict observance of the Word of Wisdom, in all particulars, especially in the use of tobacco, tea and coffee, would amount to enough to build two sugar factories annually. We may thus, to some extent, realize the financial importance of what some people call an insignificant matter. This money saved, instead of absolutely lost as it now is, could be used for many noble purposes, in the building up of the people and in the furtherance of the cause of righteousness in the earth. But the cost here accounted is only financial. What shall we say of the moral, the mental, and the physical costs to the youth of the people, the rising generation? And besides that, this is saying nothing about the faith and spiritual blessings which come to every soul who serves God and keeps his commandments, but which are irretrievably lost to all who disobey this particular commandment of the Lord. I have heard some people say that those who preach reform movements, overstate the evils, and over-estimate and overemphasize the particulars, and that they stand up so straight that they lean backwards. We need not employ this method in the matter of tobacco. Its evils are found on every hand, and there are witnesses in every city, in public places and on the street corners, to prove the financial, moral, physical, and spiritual deterioration that is correlated with this evil, and that appears to be a certain consequence of the breaking of the word of the Lord on this subject. Besides, no man can stand up an Y straighter than he ought to stand, in keeping the commandments of God and urging the people to do the same. The life of every true Latter-day Saint should be a bright and shining example, worthy of imitation by all men. I find recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants, this verv short but significant passage, which reads: am "I, the Lord, bound, when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I sav ye have no promise." I wish that every Latter-day Saint would remember these few words. I wish that they were engraven

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upon our memories and upon our hearts, and that we would determine that God shall be bound to fulfil his promises unto us, because we keep his commandments. The prophet, Joseph Smith, furthermore, has received this wonderful commandment: "There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven, before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated; and when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated." Brethren and sisters, if we desire the blessings of life, of health, of vigor of body and mind; if we desire the destroying angel to pass us by this year, as he did in the days of the children of Israel, we must obey the Word of Wisdom. We then may rest assured that God is bound, for he has so declared, and the blessings shall come to us. If you and I desire that the windows of heaven shall be opened, and that God shall pour out such blessings upon us that we will hardly be able to contain them, we must observe his other law, the law of tithing, and God is bound to give us that blessing. If we desire that we shall have influence over our children so that they shall grow up with a disposition to love God and to keep his commandments, and particularly in this case the commandment referred to, concerning right living; that they may have the spirit of the gospel of Jesus Christ in their souls; we must again remember: "And again inasmuch as parents have children in Zion, or in any of her stakes which are organized, that teach them not * * * to pray and to walk uprightly before the Lord, * » * the sin be upon the heads of the parents." How shall we obtain influence with our boys that they may avoid the use of the noxious weed, tobacco, except under this law of the Lord? If we desire the Spirit of God so that we can teach our children and inspire them to do that which is right, and keep the commandments of God, we must ourselves obey that law and commandment. So with all the requirements that are made of us as Latter-day Saints. May we not look for reformation in this matter and a more strict observance of these laws and commandments among the people? What a wonderful power we shall have with the Lord in the furtherance of his mighty purposes in the earth, if we keep his commandments. Our influence will be, not only with the world, but with our own young people, whose strength and power will be multiplied if we shall succeed in having them feel the necessity of observing the commandments of God and particularly these instructions concerning the Word of Wisdom and the clean and righteous living. The promises are just as certain of fulfilment as that the Lord has spoken, and the action results in the gretaest wealth and riches that the earth can produce.

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The promise is that those who keep and do these sayings, and walk in obedience to the commandments, "shall receive health in their navel, and marrow in their bones, and shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; and shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint; and I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the Children of Israel, and not slay them." Let us live worthy of this marvelous promise and so become the people that God has designed shall establish his kingdom and further his purposes, prior to the glorious coming of our Lord and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, to rule and reign upon the earth. Heber J. Grant.

Christmas Greeting from the First Presidency

(In the Christmas Deseret News) To the Saints Throughout the World, and to all Mankind, Greeting: Joining w.ith the uncounted millions who celebrate in this festive season the anniversary of the birth of the Savior of the world, we extend to one and all to whom our message shall come fervent wishes for a Merry Christmas and a prosperous and happy New Year. Since last we had the opportunity of sending greetings through the Christmas News, the earth and its inhabitants have experienced many of the violent reactions that could not but ensue as the aftermath of so great a war as that which lately ended. The sword has not been fully sheathed; the voice of suspicion and strife has not been entirely stilled. Though in comparatively few countries today are men arrayed against each other in regular line of battle, in many there is still a persistence of conflict smoking with devastation and running red with blood. In others, there is the angry clash of class and faction, the muttering of discontent, the threat or fear of overturn of society's foundations. In yet others, gaunt famine stalks, starvation menaces millions, and pestilence is laying its consuming hand upon the undernourished populations. The year now drawing to its close has been tempestuous and disturbing; and some of its developments have tended to chill the timid with forebodings, presaging problems and perils to civilization such as never have had to be met before. But allusion to these phases of the present world situation serves but to emphasize the causes for gratitude which abide with the great body of religious worshipers to and for whom we speak today. Surely we have been abundantly blessed and prospered. Zion's lines have been lengthened and her stakes strengthened. Peace and health and progress have been our

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portion, and love of righteousness is taking ever firmer root among our people. There is a perceptible advance, not only in numbers but in good works; unity and that true charity which should ever characterize the Church of Christ are increasingly manifest. As watchmen upon the towers, we therefore bid you to be of good cheer. Though dark may have been the night, the approaching dawn of a brighter day is already shot with gleams of encouragement and hope. We have reason to rejoice, beyond the power of expression, in the birth of the lowly Nazarene in whom we hail the Redeemer of mankind. We have even greater reason to rejoice that his death wrought out salvation for all those who will take upon them his name and keep his laws. Appreciation of this sacrifice and gift can in no way so sincerely be shown as by obedience to his precepts and devotion to his cause. Even in the festivities of the holiday season, this resolution may be taken to heart, as we reflect on the humility of his birth, the wondrous beauty of his life, the ignominy with which he was made to suffer death, the glory and power in which he rose again. Desiring no one's injury, but everyone's good; seeking to be helpful to those in need, and forgiving to those who err, our gifts, whether given or received, our mirth and melody, our feasting and our family reunions, will have a sanctified significance that will multiply the pleasure many fold. In the spirit of blessing and benediction we send forth these few words, adding the prayer that human strife may soon cease that health and plenty may prevail; that the true spirit of Christ may hasten the time of universal brotherhood and the Messiah's reign, when good will to man shall everywhere be found, and peace on earth become a blessed reality. Heber J. Grant, Salt Lake City, Utah, Anthon H. Lund, December 18, 1920. Charles W. Penrose,

Books The Boys of Springtown is a new story by Nephi Anderson, well known local author of stories. It is a book of some 160 pages, nicely printed by the press of the Zion's Printing and Publishing Company, Independence, Missouri. The book is illustrated by a number of drawings by C. E. Tillotson, and is dedicated "To my boys, Dean, Grant, Harold and Charles." It deals primarily with William Wallace Jones and Ned Fisher, and is a boy's book from beginning to end, the plot being laid somewhere in Utah. It presents characteristic illustrations of rural life among the young boys of the Latter-day Saints. The leading character is William Wallace Jones, sent to Zion before the arrival of his mother, and the story portrays the ups and downs which he experienced in his initiation into

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264 IMPROVEMENT ERA the new community, and the characters that influenced him until the happy arrival of his mother in the Land of Opportunity. As far as we know, it is the pioneer boy's book of our state, and for that reason should find a wide reading, and also because its incidents touch the experiences of many people. At the book stores, price $1.00.

The Improvement Era has received the Memoirs of John R. Young, Utah pioneer, 1847, written by himself. The book consists of some 341 pages of subject matter descriptive of his travels and experiences as a pioneer. It contains, besides, many interesting and thrilling incidents in the life of the well known pioneer, including his escapades on the plains. It is a valuable contribution to the pioneer history of our commonwealth, containing also, interesting mission experiences, as well as many personal and historical references to which the author was an eye-witness, in the early history of our state and the West. There are besides, a number of poetic contributions by the author. One can take a book like this and in a few hours live over again the struggles and hopes of the founders of Utah:

"Push on, push on, ye struggling Saints. Behind us, storms and rivers lie; Before, the sun shines bright, And we must win or we must die We cannot shun the fight." Prophecies of Joseph Smith and Their Fulfillment is the title of a valuable doctrinal volume by Nephi Lowell Morris, president of the Salt Lake stake of Zion. This work is designed to prove the claims of Joseph Smith as a prophet. It calls attention to the fact that for a century past the prophecies of Joseph Smith have been before the world, and that these show him to be a true prophet, because the verdict of time, the supreme test of prophecy, has not failed him. To prove this, there are eight particular prophecies treated; namely, The Great Prophecy on War; the Saints a Mighty People in the Rocky Mountains; America— the Cradle of Humanity; the Prophecy Regarding Stephen A. Douglas; the Book of Mormon; Orson Hyde; Date of Birth and Crucifixion of the Lord; Two Expulsions from Jackson County, Missouri. Early prints and old and almost forgotten manuscripts have been examined to establish the truth with respect to the claims of the prophet. This first-hand evidence is laid before the reader in these well considered pages, twenty-one original illustrations and reproductions being thus submitted. The book has been adopted by the Mutual Improvement Associations as one of their reading course. The faith-promoting and well stated arguments of the author are well worthy the careful study of old and young. The book is one of the most valuable additions to the faith-promoting literature of the Church, proving the divinity of the messages of the Prophet Joseph Smith, that has appeared in recent years. Price $1.25, Deseret Book Company.

Gospel Doctrine.— A new and third edition of this remarkably popular book, containing selections from the sermons and writings of President Joseph F. Smith, has just been issued, and is ready for delivery, by the Deseret Book Company, price $2. The edition is uniformly printed with former editions. It is designed for use in the classes of the Melchizedek Priesthood and the Priests for 1921. This popular book was first published m 1918, since which time, two editions have been sold. It contains practical, faith-promoting counsel and many doctrines and principles of the gospel as expounded by President Joseph F. Smith, whose ability as a preacher

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of righteousness is so well established that all Latter-day Saints should become familiar with his arguments and ideas. The Guide, part two, a book of lesson outlines, 72 pages, price 15c, should be used in connection with the study of Gospel Doctrine. Order from Improvement Era, 67 East South Temple Street, Salt Lake City, Utah. Fundamental Problems in Teaching Religion, the new teacher-training text book, is now on sale at the Deseret Book Company, price 50c, paper, 174 pages. The spirit of the book is well hinted at in the preface: "That ever old question, 'How to Teach' becomes ever new when made to read 'How to Teach Better.' This volume aims to raise those problems which every teacher sooner or later faces, and it attempts to suggest an approach by way of solution which will insure at least some degree of growth towards efficiency. — "The successful teacher ever views his calling as an opportunity not as an obligation. To associate with young people is a rare privilege; to teach them is an inspiration; to lead them into the glorious truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ is heavenly joy itself. This little volume hopes to push the door of opportunity a little wider that more of that joy may be realized.

"Perchance in heaven, one day, to me Some blessed Saint will come and say, 'All hail, beloved! but for thee My soul to death had fallen a prey'; And oh! what rapture in the thought, One soul to glory to have brought." The chapter headings here set down indicate the scope of the work as treated by the author, the popular Superintendent of Church schools Adam S. Bennion, which is designed for quorum instructors, and auxiliary organizations of the Church: Purposes Behind Teaching, What Is Teach ing? The Joys of Teaching, Personality, Attainment, Native Tendencies. What to do With Native Tendencies, Individual Differences, Individual Differences and Teaching, Attention, What Makes for Interest, A Labor atery Lesson in Interest, The More Immediate Problems in Teaching, Or ganizing a Lesson, Illustrating and Supplementing a Lesson, The Aim, Ap plication, Methods of the Recitation, Review and Preview, The Question as a Factor in Education, The Problem of Discipline, Creating Class Spirit,

Conversion—The Real Test of Teaching. his All teachers and every teacher-trainer will find helpful hints, for calling, on every page of the book; and since all who hold the Priesthood well adapted to are teachers, the book should have universal reading. It is home reading, and father and mother will find hundreds of valuable hints for family government in this splendid volume.

Messages from the Missions

Elders Meet the High Cost of Clothing Elder Karl H. Cutler, writing from New York, September 24, calls at- September 19. Fres- tention to the semi-annual conference, held at Albany, McCune was principal speaker, giving valuable instruc- ident G. W. the to continue in their tions to the Saints and encouraging the investigators search for the truth. A special Priesthood meeting was held at which missionaries reported their labors and received appointments for the the fall and winter work. , .

"Our elders have been traveling in the country districts during the

266 IMPROVEMENT ERA summer without purse or scrip and report the best of success. They recognize the hand of the Lord in this and realize that their success is due to their humility. A new and efficient plan was adopted by the elders in their country work, making it possible to visit every home in each particular district. Lady missionaries have been laboring in the city of Albany and have made many good friends. The picture herewith shows the elders in their country garb which proved to be very attractive and makes possible a neat and tidy appearance. It also is a great improvement on the 'High Cost of Living' of missionary dress."

The missionaries are as follows: Bottom row: left to right, Sherman C. Robinson, Farmington, Utah; Sidney N. Parkinson, Blackfoot, Idaho; Nelsen A. Hogan, Hatch, Idaho. Middle row: Ralph B. Keeler, Provo, Utah; Sister Verda Jensen, Rexburg, Idaho; Karl H. Cutler, conference president, Preston, Idaho; Sister Sadie N. Kramer, Ogden, Utah. Paul H. Otterson, Lehi, Utah. Back row: Elder Harold H. Humphries, Thayne, Wyo.; Ezra E. Johnson, Richmond, Utah; Gordon L. Jenkins, Rigby, Idaho; Karl F. Pomeroy, Mesa, Arizona; Acile McGavin, Sugar City, Idaho; Earl R. Belnap, Rexburg, Idaho.

Third Semi-Annual Conference, Gridley, California

This conference convened Oct. 29, 30 and 31. Eight meetings, includ- ing a priesthood meeting were held. Relief Society meeting, and six gen- eral sessions were also held. On the evening of Nov. 1, a social was held for the missionaries and Saints at the Liberty branch chapel. The total at- tendance of the conference was two thousand forty-eight. Pres. Jos. W. McMurrin, secretary Elias A. Lemon and Sister Louise Jones were in

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attendance. Most of the missionaries were speakers and the meetings were well attended. The greatest hospitality was extended to all visitors. A spirit of brotherhood prevailed and those in attendance took encouragement from the remarks and testimonies of the various speakers. The spirit of the gospel was manifest in Gridley. Elder Ove C. Inkley.

Elder Henry Parkinson Rogers "Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." In the great majority of cases where missionaries are called to preach the gospel, tney are obliged to make a considerable sacrifice in material things, but they almost invariably return in safety and bear testimony to the fact that the time devoted to the cause of missionary work was the most profitable of their lives. On such occasions there is rejoicing, and there are prayers of thanksgiving unto God for his goodness and mercy. Many of the brave boys who offered their service to their country in the great world war have also been welcomed home again with gladness, although for those who had sustained the loss of an arm, or some other member of their bodies, the reunion was tempered with sadness. -For the brave ones who gave their lives, there has been no such glad reunion, but we fondly hope that the time of rejoicing is only temporarily postponed. Accompanying these paragraphs is a photograph of Elder Henry Parkinson Rogers, who also has given his life in the service of God and mankind. He was the oldest son of Henry T. and Esther Parkinson Rogers, formerly of Preston, Idaho, but now residing at Logan, Utah. He was born on the 19th of January, 1900. On the 17th of February, 1918, he responded to a call from the priesthood to do missionary work in New Zealand. He had been there only a short time, when the influenza epidemic broke out in violent form in the island, and the people were dying by the thousands. According to the testimony of Elder Louis G. Hoagland, who accompanied Elder Rogers to New Zealand and was intimately associated with him while there, he completely forgot himself in his untiring efforts to nurse the sick and dying in that perilous time. After the epidemic was practically over he contracted the disease, and died on the 17th of November, 1918. Through the efforts of Elder Hoagland his body was encased in an hermetically sealed lead casket and interred on the island. Later, through the assistance of President James N. Lambert of the New Zealand mission, arrangments were made whereby his mortal remains were sent to America. His body, after considerable delay in the matter of transportation from

268 IMPROVEMENT ERA Vancouver, which was finally overcome by the help of Senator Reed Smoot, arrived in Logan on the 11th of April, 1920. Funeral services were held on the 18th of April at the Logan Tabernacle, where a large audience of friends and sympathizers paid their respect to the memory of our departed brother. Tributes were paid to his excellent cha>acter by those who were with him at the last and words of sympathy and comfort were expressed by missionaries who had labored in the New Zealand mission field, including Elders J. S. Welch, Carl Hardy, Benjamin Goddard, and Hugh S. Geddes, of Preston, Idaho. A letter giving an account of Elder Rogers' death, written by Elder Louis G. Hoagland, was read by Elder E. B. Brossard.

Eight Baptisms

President Wm. C. Olson writes from Birmingham, Alabama, under date of September 27: "Missionary work in Birmingham, commenced last spring and has progressed wonderfully since that time, with a force of from two to four elders. We have baptized eight souls into the Church and have sold 229 Books of Mormon, 1,462 small books .and distributed much other literature. Also organized a thriving Sunday school. We organized a Book of MWmon class, held once each week, and have made many friends. We advise all Saints at home and abroad to subscribe for the Era so that they will be built up spiritually as well as becoming acquainted with the missionary work of the world."

Elders of Alabama conference. Standing, left to right: J. Gilbert Fuller, Laveen, Arizona; Floyde Crandall, Gilbert, Arizona; Walter H. Harms, Thatcher, Arizona; Elmer A. Sharp, Preston, Idaho. Sitting: Wilford W. Hardy, Bountiful, Utah; President Wm. Carlyle Olson, Ovid, Idaho; Grant Smith, Beaver City, Utah.