--- 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: 25 number: 3 published: 1922-01 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations, "Editors’ Table," *Improvement Era* 25, no. 3 (January 1922): 263–268.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2503unse 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: improvementera2503unse start_page: 263 end_page: 268 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1922-01) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2503unse publication_year: 1922 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 1922, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Editors’ Table New Year's Greeting The shifting of the years finds us busy in the midst of our Mutual Improvement work. I send this word of greeting to the thousands of workers in our great organization, and compliment them upon the splendid achievements that are being realized in this wonderful association of young people, instituted for the advancement, religious, moral, intellectual, and physical, of the youth of Zion. I extend my good wishes to you all, and assure you of my personal interest in your welfare, and in the glorious work that you are performing in all the settlements of the Saints, for the progress and advantage of the youth of Israel. I ask the Lord to bless every officer and every member of our or- ganization, and enjoin them to continue as enthusiastic, ener- getic, and faithful missionaries and counselors, for there are yet many not associated with us who should have the advantage of the education and elevation found in the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations of the Church. If you will so labor, serving God with true purpose of heart, I am sure he will bless you in all your efforts in this direction. I encourage all to continue diligently in the noble work, and pray that the Spirit of the Lord may rest upon every officer and member in their homes and at their firesides, to cheer them with the peace, love, and joy of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wishing you a prosperous and happy New Year, and the rich blessings of the Lord upon all your labors and efforts, both in your own righteous cause and in the mutual improvement work in which we are engaged, I remain, Sincerely your co-laborer, George Albert Smith, General Superintendent Y. M. M. I. A. 264 IMPROVEMENT ERA League of Nations and Association of Nations Just now while the discussion is going on concerning the limitation of armaments congress in Washington, the question has arisen as to the difference between the League of Nations now existing, and the prospective Association of Nations, of which we have heard rumors during the past weeks. As far as can be seen at the present writing, the difference is that the league is a permanent organization with a complicated ma- chinery— the Assembly, the Council, the Secretariat, etc. — and is supposed to function in accordance with articles formed, sub- scribed to, and stereotyped, as it were ; while the association will not be permanent, but temporary, called into brief existence for special purposes as the contingencies may demand. The league imposes permanently certain duties and obliga- tions. The association entails only such obligations as are agreed upon from time to time and endorsed by the governments represented at the conferences. The difference is somewhat analogous to that between a permanent national committee of a party and a temporary committee formed for local and tempo- rary purposes. The results aimed at by the league and the asso- ciation are practically the same, but there is an essential dif- ference between the means by which they are sought to be ob- tained. Books Saturday Night Thoughts, a book of some 323 pages, recently issued, is a series of dissertations on spiritual, historical and philosophic themes, by Elder Orson F. Whitney of the Council of the Twelve, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A large number of the articles appeared in the Deseret Evening News between October 26, 1918, and May 31, 1919, during the influenza epidemic when religious meetings were discontinued. These thoughts were designed to fill the requirements of people who were denied during that time the privilege of attending Sunday services. They were of such excellent character that it was found wise to preserve them in a more substantial form. As a result one more choice- volume has been added to the literature of the Latter-day Saints, with reading matter especially suited to the needs of students and missionaries. The contents consists of eight parts: "Our Place in History," "Seership and Prophecy," "A Marvel and a Wonder," "A Glance Down the Ages,'" "In Times Merid- ian," "The Era of Restitution," "Powers and Principles," and "Beyond the Horizon." The collection is a very valuable addition to the literature of our people, and has the advantage of being practical and authentic in its expressions, in every respect. Editors' table 26$ Messages from the Missions A Spirit of Investigation Manifest Elders Floyd Brinkerhoff, Ray T. Lindsay, O. E. Rose, and Wilford Ww Jensen, writing from Biloni, Mississippi, November 15, report that each day the missionaries there are finding new inspiration and encouragement to continue in the work of the Master: "During the past few weeks street meetings have done much to open the way for the distribution of literature, and the real spirit of investigation has manifested itself in gospel conversa- tion. We are earnest readers of the Improvement Era, and firm believers in it as a valuable factor in missionary work, and we therefore take this means of conveying our appreciation for the good instructions always con- tained therein. It renders us timely and practical service, assists us very much in keeping abreast of the times, and provides the inspiration so es- sential to diligent missionary labor." Elders left to right: Floyd Brinker- hoff, Emery; Ray T. Lindsay, Ogden; O. E. Rose, Hyrum; Wilford W. Jensen, Monroe. Missionary Work Resumed in South Africa Five years have passed since "Mormon" elders have arrived in South Africa. Latter-day Saints missionaries have never had full government sanction to enter and labor in this land. It has always been a question upon arrival in Table Bay, whether they would be allowed to land or be deported. After the political election in February, 1921, and the new government officials had been installed, the matter of discriminating against our elders was presented to them by President James Wyley Sessions. Through the faith and prayers of the Saints — who held special fasts and prayers for this purpose — the Lord opened the way so that the case could be presented to the proper officials. A thorough investigation 266 IMPROVEMENT ERA was made, in which Senator Smoot, and the American Consul in Cape Town rendered valuable assistance. The Government officials were most courteous, and seemed anxious to learn the real truth. They willingly read the literature furnished them from the Mission office and from Senator Smoot. The secretary of the interior invited several conferences with the mis- sion president, which gave opportunity to personally present the story of "Mormonism," and explain the purpose of its missionary system. This investigation resulted in the government granting representatives to enter and labor throughout the union of South Africa. Elder Golden W. Harris, of Trementon, Utah, was the first arrival since permission was granted. Trading was begun at once by the mission president, and Elder Harris. The first six weeks' tracting has met with unusual success. Many friends are being made. There has been in that time only one experience of ill treatment, when Elder Harris was ordered off the place. People seem anxious to hear the gospel, which will satisfy their doubts concerning Deity, and the inconsistencies which arise from the teachings of their own churches. The films of Zane Gray's novels, "Riders of the Purple Sage," and "The Rain Bow Trail," have been drawing crowded houses in. this country, of late, and while they have supplied good rations to scandal-mongers, who feed on such, they have offended, with their disgusting scenes of unrea- sonable situations, the good taste of fair minded people, who are intelligent enough to realize that such inconsistencies could not possibly exist in any civilized nation. These pictures, false as they are, have done more good than harm. The information concerning Utah's educational position, her war record, and her examples to the world in solving the housing prob- lem, which has been so widely published, keeps people's minds open to the fact that something good can come from Utah, and "By their fruits ye shall know them." The accompanying picture shows one view of " Cumorah," the Mis- sion Home, at Mowbray, Cape Town. — J. Wyley Sessions, Mission President. EDITORS' TABLE 267 Conference at Gridley, California The fifth semi-annual gathering of the Gridley conference convened October 21, 22 and 23, with nine meetings, including a priesthood meeting, two Relief Society meetings and six general sessions. A social was held Monday evening, October 23. The total attendance of the conference was 2,169. Mission President Joseph W. McMurrin, Margaret K. Miller, presi- dent of the mission Relief Societies, Lillie T. Freeze, member of the board for mission Relief Societies, Superintendent Claude C. Cornwall, of the mission Sunday Schools and mutuals, and President George C. Knapp of the San Francisco conference were in attendance. Most of the laboring missionaries were speakers. The meetings were well attended and the greatest hospitality was extended to all visitors. President Joseph W. McMurrin rendered valuable counsel to mission- aries and Saints and the meetings throughout centered upon gospel doctrine and timely instruction. The conference encouraged the Church workers in their duties. Many were in attendance from far-off branches, and Gridley conference is prospering through faithful service by its members. — Elder Ovc C. Inkley, Conference Clerk. % 9 *m Missionaries of the Gridley Conference Left to right, back row: L. R. Halverson, Thomas B. Smith, Harry Hanson, J. Leroy Murdock, Henry M. Stark, of the San Francisco confer- ence, Louis M. Messervy, Leon P. Jenson and Anson P. Winsor; third row: Elmo R. Crockett, William D. Hill, C. Melvin Hanson, G. W: Magleby, Vern Blomquist, C. W. Green, William Leavitt, William R. Williams, G. L. Robison, and J. Frank Dewsnup; second row: Elna Pederson, Hazel Hill, Margaret K. Miller, president of the mission Relief Societies; 268 IMPROVEMENT ERA Lillie T. Freeze of the Mission Board; President Clarence A. Frost of the Gridley conference; Mission President Joseph W. McMuirrin, President George C. Knapp; Superintendent C. C. Cornwall, of the Mission Sunday Schools and Mutuals, and Mrs. Louise Dewsnup; front row: M. J. Clark, Ove C. Inkley, Frank P. May, Valoran Russell, E. C. Searle, and Alfred C. Nielson, M. L. Saunders and Clarence D. Judd. Welsh Conference Formed President Fred R. Morgan, Cardiff, Wales, reports that the mis- sionary work is progressing well in Wales which has again after a number of years been formed into a conference comprising all of Wales. Mission- aries of the Welsh and Bristol Conferences assembled at Cardiff, October 9, 1921. Top row: Frank Lockyer, Ogden; Harvey D. Hansen, Brigham; L. D. Naisbitt, Logan; Richard Williams, Jr., Cedar City; Jetter L. Shepard, Paris, Idaho; middle row: Gomer D. Thomas, Salt Lake; President Fred R. Morgan, Welsh conference; Sister May Wells Whitney; President Orson F. Whitney; D. N. Low, President Bristol conference; Secretary T. M. Wheeler, European mission; Cyril K. Munk, Smithfield; bottom row: Ernest Joseph, Beaver; Ora Williams, Alberta; David D. Terry, Delta. — Fred R. Morgan. Progress in Hawaii President E. Wesley Smith, writing from Honolulu T. H., November 25, reports a recent trip to the top of Haleakala, and that the elders are meeting with marked success in their missionary labors. "Our recent semi- annual conferences held throughout the mission have been most inspiring, and the Lord has been kind to us. At the present time we are enjoying good health and many other good blessings."