Our Weakness, and the Source of Our Strength

IMPROVEMENT ERA Vol. XXV OCTOBER, 1922 No. 12 Our Weakness, and the Source of Our Strength* By Charles W . Nibley, Presiding Bishop of the Church My heart and my soul are in entire sympathy and harmony with the doctrines and precepts and counsel and admonition and spirit of this great conference. I know that the men who stand at our head, the Presidency of the Church, the Apostles, the Patriarch, the Seventies, and the Bishopric — you may ex- clude me from this consideration — but I do know that these brethren are men of God. There may have been, doubtless halve been, in times past, some here and there, more distin- guished as leaders, more fitted, as President Ivins pointed out to us, for the work that they were called upon to do, than any others who preceded them or who have followed them; but in the history of this Church I don't believe there ever has been a band of brethren of general authorities who are more de- sirous of serving the Lord unselfishly than the brethren that we now have who preside over the Church. They are men of God, clean of life and unselfish, and most devoted in their la- bors. They are men to whom the Lord manifests himself and to whom he gives guidance and direction, in the conduct of the affairs of the Church. The same may be truly said with respect to the authorities in the stakes, in all the stakes of Zion. As far as I know, the presidencies, high councilors, the bishops and their counselors are, as a rule, unselfish workers, and in the missions also, as well as the auxiliary organizations and, in fact, in all the activities Practical remarks worthy of careful study, delivered at the April conference, 1922. Entered at the Post Office, Salt Lake City, Utah, as second class matter. Ac- ceptance for mailing a special rate of postage provided for in Section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917, authorized on July 2, 1918, $2 per annum. Address Room 406 Church Office Building, Salt Lake City, Utah.

1048 IMPROVEMENT ERA of the Church everywhere, there are more faithful workers today who labor unselfishly for the upbuilding of the kingdom of God than there ever were up to this time; so that the Church and kingdom of God is today stronger, more powerful, more potent than it ever has been in any hour of its history in the past. We are Weak in Many Things But notwithstanding all this, we are, oh, so dreadfully weak in many things. We are not self-sustaining as we should be; far from it. We are most woefully in debt. I have been think- ing in these meetings this thought: I wonder what Brother Brigham would say to us if he could happen along here now and ascertain that we do not produce in our state more than about one-half of the meat that we eat ! We ship in tens of thousands of hogs from other states instead of raising them here at home! I wonder what he would say after all the years of his teaching, which I heard and others here heard, and which you can read, that this people should become self-sustaining, and then find out that today forty to fifty per cent of all the eggs consumed by the people of this state are shipped in from the East, and the fowls that you go down in the market and buy are shipped in by tine carload! We do not produce them here where everybody, pretty much, who has a little piece of land could be producing a few chickens and eggs, and have, as Brother Brigham used to tell us, a pig or two, and thereby become self-sustaining. Then again, following the same thought, I wonder what President Smith would say to us if he found now that we are more in debt individually than we ever were before. We have not followed the wise counsels that have been given to us as we should have done. I plead guilty myself, and yet, the Lat- ter-day Saints as a whole, are a good people. I believe in them. They are my people. I want to be with them. I see men here and there going away from this camp-fire of ours, going off with people who are not of our faith. They seem to find happiness and enjoyment there, and I fear some of them have pleasures in unrighteousness. But for me, I like my own people best, for I believe they are the Lord's people, and yet those of our friends and neighbors at these different camp- fires around us, they, too, are good people. I have an abiding faith in this Nation, which the Lord, our God, brought into being, and has brought to this day and age, standing as it does, doing a great work, a leader among nations for good, for helpfulness, for righteousness, for peace. Presi- dent Grant noticed in his opening remarks the wonderful work

OUR WEAKNESS AND SOURCE OF STRENGTH 1049 that had been done, and commended it, by the recent confer- ence held in the city of Washington, looking to the partial dis- armament of the nations; that has been a great work and a good work. We might say, if they had only done that one thing, the return of Shantung with its thirty millions or more of Chinese to their own land, to their own country, returned them to their own government, if that alone was the only thing that had been accomplished, that alone was worth while. But many other great things have been accomplished, and I am proud of what our Nation is trying to do. We need not fear as to this Nation from without. The Lord has said, "I will fortify this land against all other nations." The danger is not from without, but from within, as the Book of Mormon plainly points out, from secret combinations of men giving their first allegiance to their secret combination. That is the danger, for after awhile these combinations will be con- tending one against the other until anarchy is apt to prevail, crime becomes rampant and danger to the existence of our government with its glorious Constitution is great, unless the people turn unto the Lord and seek Him. The Spirituality so Lacking in the World is with the Church Our attention was called by a distinguished educator here the other day, to the fact that the great curve, as he called it, of mechanical development, invention of every kind, patents being issued by the millions on all these inventions, which go on mul- tiplying by the thousands, the great mechanical development that makes this the mo^t wonderful age in all the history of the world, that curve he said had gone way up almost out of sight, but he said the spiritual line or curve has not moved up- ward but rather downward, and he suggested that the people of this Nation should give more attention to the spiritual and less to the temporal. . On the opening day of our conference, when I saw a larger congregation here than had ever m'et on a week day of any conference before, I marveled at it. What is it? I thought, as this learned educator called attention to this lack in the spirit- ual growth, or development of spiritual matters, which is so sadly lacking in the world, that here is this very thing that brings these thousands and tens of thousands together, this spirit- ual power which is lacking in the world. There isn't any use denying the lack of it in the world. Indeed, it is not denied. It is confirmed. We heard it confirmed here the other day on the best authority, and we see it; we see the lack of it; we have heard it repeated in these conferences, the lack, as these men testify, such men as Nicholas Murray Butler and others from him on down, all testify to that lack in the world, but here is

1050 IMPROVEMENT ERA that spiritual power which has brought these tens of thou- sands together to this conference on a week day to listen to the servants of the Lord. That is the very power which the people of the world lack. For these thousands who come, do not come here to grumble and complain at the Priesthood. As a rule, they are clean men, good men. They are tithepayers. They are men who, generally speaking, keep the Word of Wis- dom. But those who do not pay tithes, and who do not keep the Word of Wisdom, you will not find them crowding into this tabernacle on a week day, or on a Sunday even, not as a rule. It is those who have this spiritual essence and power in their souls, which these distinguished educators say, and which we know, the world lacks. We have it here, and so we come to be refreshed and to learn of the ways of the Lord, and to par- take of His spirit, and to grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth. How to Secure Spiritual Power A distinguished and learned man, a ruler among the Jews, and an educator, called on the Savior in his day and stated that he knew that the Savior had power which they did not hate because, he said, "No man could do the works you are doing unless God be with you." Now the Savior said to him, "Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." At that the distinguished ruler, educator and teacher began to quibble and say: "Well now, how can a man be born again when he is old?" etc , and the Savior replied, "Except a man be born of the water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." He can secure for himself, by conforming to the law, this spiritual essence and power which shall make him to know God. Read in the Doctrins and Covenants how the conferring of the Priesthood was brought about, and how the power of the Holy Ghost which gives the key of the knowledge of God, was given through holy angels, conferring this Priesthood upon the Prophet Joseph Smith and his fellow-servant Oliver Cow- dery. They received this power, this authority. They were delegated to confer it upon others, and when they laid their hands upon them and said, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost," then, mystery of mysteries, miracle of miracles! they received it. And you also have partaken of that Spirit, my brethren and sisters. You have received it just as the Savior told this great teacher that he could receive it. The Savior said, "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou nearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth." We need not inquire further than to know that that power, that

OUR WEAKNESS AND SOURCE OF STRENGTH 1051 spiritual essence, is received when we comply with the condi- tions. The Savior said that no man could receive it without obeying. You know that is true. You have received, as I say, of this Spirit, and that is what brings you here. That is what gathers this great body of people every six months. That is what makes you to know that these brethren of the Presidency are men of God, that these presiding officers are clean, good, upright men, competent by the purity of their lives alone, to be entitled to communion with that Spirit and power called the Holy Ghost, and to receive direction and guidance from that source, and give it to this people, and this notwithstand- ing our many little failings and weaknesses which beset us in our lives. We can say, as Jesus said to this great teacher, Nicodemus, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness." The Latter-day Saints teach that which they know, and they say with the power of Almighty God, the power of the Holy Ghost, this spiritual existence, this spiritual missing force which the world is now finding out that it lacks, oh, so greatly, too, which they have not got and neither can they find it only in the Lord's way, "Except ye be born of the water, and of the Spirit ye cannot enter into the kingdom of God," neither can you know and feel assured of this spiritual essence and power which we possess, and which we know is the power of God unto salvation, without complying with this requirement. God Bless you. Amen. Yon Smiling Wild-Rose Hedge Yon blithely smiling wild-rose hedge A-blooming by the water's edge, So innocent and free. With silken petals pink and fair That flutter on the balmy air — My heart is all for thee! Ten thousand blossoms fresh and fair A-nodding by the way-side there In guileless rivalry! Yon blithely smiling wildtaose hedge A-blooming by the water's edge, How beauteous to see! Oh, maiden, lithe and young and fair, At dewy morn I'll meet thee there — And then I'll twine for thee A wreath of roses pink and fair, Fresh flowers that thou mayest wear, And think, sweet one, of me. Salem, Utah Minnie Iverson Hodapp

Fathers and Sons' Outings, and other Y. M. M. I. A. Activities First Fathers and Sons' Outing, Young Stake Daniel A. Christensen, superintendent Y. M. M. I. A. Young stake, reports their first fathers and sons' outing of that stake, held on July 17 to 19 inclusive, near Fort Lewis at the foot of the La Plata mountains. There were one hundred present, ?eventy-five of whom are in the picture herewith. The location of the camp was near the Colorado State Agricultural College, nscr Fort Lewis, at the foot cf the La Plata mountains. Dr. Stake Supl. Y. M. M. I. A. Daniel A. Christensen, left front kneeling; Ass't. Supt. J. Carr McGee, left front, standing G. F. Snyder, in honor of whom they named their camp, is the superintendent of the school, and he granted them the privilege of a camp ground in the pasture of the school, gave the com- pany free use of the campus, ball grounds, and turned the gymnasium over to them with all its furnishings, shower baths, etc. He also took time to escort them through the big power house^ experimental plants, and showed them their pure bred stock, etc., making explanations and answering questions. Super-

FATHERS AND SONS' OUTINGS 1053 intendent Christensen says: "He not only welcomed us, but thanked us for coming, and extended an invitation to our moth- ers and daughters to spend their outing there. Superintendent Snyder is one of the most splendid gentlemen and one of the finest hosts we have ever met. His teachers were likewise ex- ceptionally kind and courteous, one lady taking a couple of hours of her own time telling stories, in which she is an expert, to all of our boys under thirteen years of age, and then helped them play games in the gymnasium. We all marched in order to and from the camp and the school campus. The entrance of our camp is shown in the picture. One of our returned soldier boys directed the marching. Another returned soldier con- ducted the raising and lowering of the flag each day, at which all were requested to be present. Games, stunts, swimming, story-telling, etc., were indulged in. Morning and evening de- votion and prayers were observed by the camp. "We have five wards in our stake with a membership of one thousand. One hundred fathers and sons were in attend- ance, which is ten percent of our total population. Red Mesa had fifty-three of the hundred present; one of our wards had no representative, and one ward had only two. All declare that we are going bigger than ever next year. Three bishops were present. The outing was educational as well as enter- taining, and no one ever received more united and hearty sup- port from a group than was accorded to my assistant and my- self during the outing." Bingham Stake Fathers and Sons' Outing This is no passing event in Bingham stake; it is a coming event to be looked forward to each year. We held this year's outing on the banks of the Buffalo and Snake Rivers, August 3 and 4. When we compare our outing this year with last, we feel that the fathers of Zion are awakening to the work. Last year we had 101 fathers and sons, as compared with 365 this year. To many it meant a great sacrifice, for the farmers were in the midst of work not easy to neglect. Each day and hour of the time was scheduled for some event or the teaching of some great lesson in mother nature. First class scouts took merit badge work in athletics, swimming, pioneering, etc., watched with interest by the fathers. The campfire in the evening made the canyons echo with community singing. "We stand for a pure life through clean thought and action" was the subject of an address delivered by C. W. Hansen of the Stake Presidency. Patriarch R. L. Bybee, 85 years old, the oldest in the camp, brought joy to many by his early pioneer stories, showing that

1054 IMPROVEMENT ERA scouting in his early day was much more of a hardship than at present. Early pioneer life of Idaho was discussed by several others, and a discourse on the planets, the moon and stars, given by Brother A. D. Erickson, broadened the views of many con- cerning the universe about us. The Shelton ward had 55 mem- bers present, a total of 19.06% of its population. They were presented with a large American flag by the Stake Board, and will become its guardian for one year. If they win it next year, they will retain the guardianship permanently. The total absence of tea, coffee, tobacco, guns, and foul language, in the camp, will be a testimony for the boys in later years that these things have no place in the Church of God, and that through abstinence from them, they will reap the many blessings as promised in the Word of Wisdom. — Condensed from the report of Sylvan Olson, stake secretary. Growth of Scout Activity in Logan The group of men on the picture comprises the Logan Boy Scout commission: back row, Deputy Commissioner Rolla V.

FATHERS AND SONS' OUTINGS 1055 Johnson, Commissioner Dr. B. L. Richards, former Executive J. Karl Wood, Deputy Commissioners David A. Wooten, and John Moser; front row, Deputy Commissioners Norman Ham- ilton, Henry Oberhausley, and the present executive, Victor Lindblad. The commission as organized in Logan is a new feature there. Instead of a one-man machine, it offers the service of eight men. Each deputy commissioner has a dis- trict of four wards to supervise, and it is his business to work through the scoutmasters and troop committees to see that Scouting operates successfully in the wards under his jurisdic- tion. The growth and success of Scouting in Logan is largely due to the untiring efforts of Dr. B. L. Richards and the com- petent men associated with him. Scouting has grown in Logan during two years from 71 registered scouts to 525. During the year, 1921, 399 merit badges and 4 Eagle badges were awarded. From January to May 6, 1922, 674 merit badges, 8 star badges and 26 Eagle badges were awarded. From January, 1921, to May 6, 1922, 1,073 merit, 8 Star and 30 Eagle badges were awarded to deserving scouts under the Logan local council. Scouting was organized in Logan under a first class council during the year 1920, and has grown at such rapid rates that, at present, over one hundred men are voluntarily spending their spare time gratis, to scouting. There is not a member of the Logan local council who uses tobacco in any form, and this ex- cellent example, along with the wonderful leadership, is in part responsible for Logan's unusual record in scouting. — Victor Lindbald, executive. Third Annual Fathers and S&ns' Outing, Uintah (See Frontispiece in this number of the Era) Uintah stake held their fathers and sons' outing Tuesday, July 18, to Thursday night, July 20. This is the third annual outing held by this stake, and pronounced the best by those attending previous outings. The camp was situated on Ashley creek below Trout creek park, and 160 fathers and sons par- ticipated. Everything scheduled by the leaders was effectively carried out, even to the bringing of Congressman Don B. Colton from Roosevelt early in the morning and hustling him into the caraVan after an all night's ride from Salt Lake City purposely to be present once more. There was no occasion for discipline. Everyone was there to have a good time and to help others have a good time. Not an incident occurred to mar the pleasure of any one. Wednesday and Thursday were days of sports and every minute was occupied. Reed and LeRoy Morrill were the cham-

1056 IMPROVEMENT ERA pion trackmen both days; indoor base-ball was the big feature. Many spent the time fishing, and wonderful catches were made. Wednesday evening a large bonfire was built, around which the men and boys gathered. Superintendent Olsen took charge. Familiar songs were sung with vim, and selections were renr dered on the banjo. Splendid talks were given by Congressman Colton, Supervisor Charles DeMoisy, of the Ashley National Forest, and District Range Inspector Ernest Winkler of the National Forest Service. President Wallace Calder, Pontha Calder, A. G. Goodrich and Supt. H. S. Olsen were everywhere present looking after the welfare of all. All wards were repre- sented except Glines, Lapoint, and Mountain Dell. Vernal First ward had the largest representation, there being 48 in number. Pioneer Celebration Oneida Stake A stake celebration of the people of Oneida stake was held at Riverdale on Pioneer Day under the auspieces of the M. I. A. The grounds and beautiful' grove near the bank of the Bear River were beautifully decorated and arranged for the occasion, and breathed of the spirit of early days. The largest crowd of any in the history of the stake was present. An ex- cellent program was arranged, consisting of a number from each ward, and included songs, an oration by President Taylor Nel- son, comic readings, mixed and double mixed quartettes. At lunch hour the Mink Creek quartette entertained. Sports, races, games were indulged in. A base ball game was one of the features of the day between Mink Creek and Riverdale. In the afternoon there was a dance for the children, and in the evening a grand ball at the Preston opera house. It was grati- fying to the M. I. A. officers, to know that the people of the stake support them in their efforts in Mutual work and special activities of which the celebration was one. — Frank M. Cole. Fathers and Sons Outing, Fairview, North Sanpete Stake The fathers and sons of the Fairview, North Sanpete stake, had their outing at their permanent camp on Gooseberry lake, August 5 to August 10. Gooseberry lake is located in the Was- atch mountains east of North Sanpete stake, and is a wonderful nature spot. A one-day hike from the permanent camp was made to the Huntington reservoir, about four miles distant; and other short and interesting hikes, full of nature study and beauty, were taken near the lake. Two wards of Fairview went together, and consisted of 8 fathers and 44 sons. The outing was thoroughly successful and enjoyable. The pictures show the lake,

FATHERS AND SONS' OUTINGS 1057 the boys saluting the flag, the company on their way to the lake, the boys pushing out a log by which they launched a raft on the lake, and finally, the company standing on a formation of ice about twenty feet above the surface of the ground in a peculiar, crater-like hole, from which the water has no outlet. There are a number of this class of holes which are undoubtedly craters of extinct volcanoes, on the summit of the mountains, this being the largest. Lindon W. Peterson, who is chairman of the Advanced Senior department, reports the outing. Urvin Gee had charge of the Junior Sccut department. timmm&v&i* Top: The lake in the distance. Center: The boys saluting the flag. Bottom: The company on their tvay to the lake.

1058 IMPROVEMENT ERA Top: The boys pushing out a log by which they launched a raft Center: Close view and reflection scene taken jrom the north bank of Gooseberry lake. Bottom: The hiking company standing on the ice of a crater formation on the top of a mountain. The ice where they are standing is about twenty feet from the surface of the ground. It teas said by some of the men that they have seen the crater when there was na ice in it, and that the hole where the ice is found was about fifty feet deep in the crater. The rvater has no visible outlet. Several such craters or holes are found in the vicinity, but this lis the largest. All of them are located on the summit of the mountain.

FATHERS AND SONS' OUTINGS 1059 Mt. Pleasant Outing Calvin Christensen, Scoutmaster Troop 2, B. S. A., Mt. Pleasant, Utah, reports that on the early morning of July 31, troop 2 and troop 1 of Mt. Pleasant and the fathers and sons' outing company left Mt. Pleasant and reachsd Hog's Flat that Troop formation for flag raising. Pictures taken by R. W . Weech, official photographer afternoon where a permanent camping place was established. The party returned home August 4 from this ideal scout camp- ing place. Pure spring water, feed for horses, beautiful timber and a large reservoir are all close to the camp. Troop 1, under Scoutmaster Halverson and Assistant Scoutmaster Evan Madsen; Troop 2, under Scoutmaster Calvin Christensen and Assistant Scoutmaster Marvin Anderson, were in charge. Lieutenant Sey- mour Jensen was appointed camp director, G. F. Bohne, the cook, and he prepared meals for the boys "just like mother used to make." In the morning after flag raising and break- fast the boys were taken on hikes to points of interest and given lessons in Scouting by men qualified in these subjects. Special mention should be made of the lectures given by Deputy Super- visor Van Boskirk; Ranger Merrill Nielson, and Daniel Ras- mussen. During ths afternoons the boys had swimming, games and sports. In the base ball game between the fathers and sons the boys won by a small margin. The campfire programs were full of "pep" and made a fitting close for the day's pro- gram. Regardless of a few showers, the trip was a big sue-

1060 IMPROVEMENT ERA On a nature study hike, with Assistcnit Forest Supervisor Van Boskirk, and Ranger Merrill Nielson cess, and a feeling of loyal fellowhsip was created between the fathers and sons. Sixty-five fathers and sons were present to enjoy the trip. O Thou Creator of the Days! Mesa, Arizona O Thou Creator of the days And pageless years from chaos won, Thy architrave the cloud, the sun, The rainborn tempest spun, Let me, thy lowly one, But hallow them when I kneel to pray, For I, O Lord, am more than they, And need Thee every hour. Lo! unto Thee my faith is born, Deep cradled in my soul's desire, O nurture me, and draw me nigher, On, on and ever higher, Thy smile my steeple spire; Thy works, O Lord, all plead for me, For dearer still am I to Thee, And need Thee every hour. Bertha A. Kleinman