Life Is What We Make It, I

Life is What We Make It By Thomas L. Martin, Ph. D., Dept. of Agriculture, BHgham Young t University I.— What Are We Worth? What am I worth? is the question that very often comes to my mind. In terms of dollars and cents, this question is easily answered. Man is made up of a number of chemical elements. Three of these elements, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, are unusually valuable to the agriculturist. They add fertility to the soil, and each one performs a definite function in the production of plants. They have a commercial value where- ever commercial fertilizers are used. According to this value, there is enough nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in an average sized man, to make him worth at least seven dollars and twenty-five cents. Man is, then, worth something. However, he can take these chemical elements out of which he is composed and so or- ganize them as to make himself so valuable that his worth cannot be measured in terms of money. Caruso, the great tenor, so adjusted his vocal organism that he was able to produce the kind of singing characteristic of the heavens. How easily he could have drifted along the line of least resistance, when a young man, with a worth little more than seven dollars and twenty-one cents, as so many of us do! He had talent which he exercised and developed. The joy he has brought to the hearts of thousands of his hearers is a wonderful tribute to the man. President Heber J. Grant, in his stimulating talks to young people, very often tells of the efforts he had to put forth to become a good baseball pitcher and a successful penman. His talks are specific examples of the fact that within the man himself lies the power to say just what he will be worth. With that determination, that desire to take the stuff out of which we are composed, and by the help of the Spirit of the Lord which is promised to all men who will seek him and abide his laws, President Grant has increased his worth so much that he has attained unusual prominence both in and out of the Church. He is a splendid example of a successful life. The review of the lives of these successful men is a stim- ulation to me. What am I worth? brings forth the other thought — What is the other man worth — who has grown so

510 IMPROVEMENT ERA much into the hearts of the people that they feel almost de- pendent upon him? What is it that has brought him so much success? I find that he has lived a life of effort; he has looked for chances to do good; he has clenched his fists and re- solved within himself that life is what we make it. He has been stimulated by the testimonies of his elders that a success- ful life is one that adjusts itself to a life of service. He has grasped every opportunity that has come his way to better him- self and his fellows. He has been found in the vanguard of every righteous endeavor. How can such a man help but be a leader of men? Life is what we make it. If this idea can but crystallize within our minds, it will act as a spur to further endeavor, and establish a connection with that divine Spirit that is ever at our service, if we will but prepare ourselves for its reception. Just what we are worth is up to us. May this realization electrify our innate powers and force a vigorous surging of the red blood within us, then our worth will soar to dizzy heights and make it possible for us to bring service to a struggling world. Provo, Utah Culture Brings the Best Cultural education enables one to appreciate and select the best. In his dress the cultured man chooses the comely and comfortable; for food he selects the nourishing and health- building; for reading he elects the educational and edifying; for outings he attends the best of opera and drama; and con- sequently encourages the production of the excellent by patron- izing it. The rhapsody, the vulgar opera, and the coquettish dress would long wait a purchaser if all buyers were truly cul- tured. The sellers of such farcial trash would be forced to seek pursuits, morally more ameliorative. Likewise, culture would eliminate the quailing politician and the superficial quack. People would not tolerate the office- seeker with plastic policies if they realized the importance of having competent public-leaders nor would they patronize the charlatan if they knew the well-trained physician. Culture stim- ulates the better by creating a "better" demand. World-wide culure will bring world-wide peace. Through mutual understanding peoples sympathize with one another. Culture, by a slow conquest of the hearts of men, will drive racial hatred from the earth and give universal-altruism the scepter of power. We talk of peace and peace-conferences, and peace will come when men are educated to understand one an- other. A. G. Hubbard