Editors’ Table

Greetings The Improvement Era sends greetings to its friends through- out the world with a wish that the inspirational song of the heavenly hosts to the shepherds of old may find lodgment in the hearts of the nations and be a comfort to every individual and every family group in the land, On earth peace, good will toward men." We believe that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the panacea for the ills of the nations and for individuals; and furthermore, that every man, woman and child should be willing to submit them- selves to its influences, and to sacrifice, if necsssary, their own selfish desires and wills for the good of those around them, keep- ing in \iew the great commandments: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, * * * an(J thy neighbor as thyself." The celebration of this Christmas holiday should be di- rected to these thoughts and ideas. Every soul should put them into practice, not alone for the one day, but for every day of their lives. If this unitedly could be done, and it can be, what a marvelous reformation and change would take place, both in the affairs of nations and individuals ! Let us work to that end, so that we shall do our part to bring the rest and peace of our Lord and Savior to the world! A Day for the Aaronic Priesthood An item in the Priesthood Quorums' Table in this num- ber of the Era calls attention to an order of the First Presi- dency, requesting bishops in the Church to arrange for the Aaronic Priesthood, under the direction of the bishops, to take charge of the ward Sacrament meeting on Dec. 10. A suggestive program is also given, to which attention is called. This idea of permitting the Aaronic Priesthood to exercise this function in the Church is a splendid movement which should be encour- aged. Every preparation should tend to make these meetings

EDITORS' TABLE 195 successful. Many will recall the auspicious special services held on May 15, last, commemorating the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood. All who were present at these inspirational meet- ings and listened to the young men of the Lesser Priesthood, were heartened with faith that the great work which has been established, known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is going to he safe in the hands of the youth of Zion, who are thus exercising their calling in the Priesthood. On the present occasion the discussion of tithing is to be emphasized. Tithing is one of the grandest doctrines in the Church when thoroughly understood. It furnishes the whole community with a means of assisting in the upbuilding of the Kingdom of God. It gives them something to work to; and if there is any one thing above another that provides impetus for the accomplishment of any great work, it is the vision of it. When the vision of the early prophets of this Church was shown to the people and it was told them they should become great and mighty in the midst of the Rocky Mountains, they were willing to pass through great tribulation uncomplainingly to make it a reality. Its fulfilment is before us. A vision of what this Church is to become through the principle of tithing, and what it is to accomplish for the indi- vidual, will give zeal in our activities and enthusiasm in our labors. The young men holding the Priesthood need prophetic sight to get the best effort that is in them to the front. The idea of a meeting of this kind is therefore excellent. It gives them opportunity for expression and a desire to perform the labors under the Priesthood with understanding, foresight, and eagerness. We trust that not only the bishops, but that all the members of the Aaronic Priesthood will get the spirit of this great movement, and make it one of the big events in the Church. All of us, both young and old, will thus obtain a clearer understanding of the great law of tithing, which obeyed, will sanctify Zion, make it a land of the pure in heart, and us worthy to abide therein. Earthquakes and Desolation The destruction caused by the seismic disturbances in our South American sister republic, Chile, is one of the great calam- ities .of the present day. The reports show that the effects of the tidal waves that followed the earthquake shocks, were felt for a distance of 1,200 miles along the coast, from Antofagasta on

196 IMPROVEMENT ERA the north, to Valdivia in the south, and that on an area of 140 miles by about 250, scarcely a human habitation is left. The casualties amount to thousands and the loss of property is im- mense. The scientific explanation, as gi\en by Captain T. J. J. Lee, government astronomer at the Mare Island navy station, is that some portion of the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, perhaps as large an area as one of our smaller states, sank, owing to a dis- turbance of the underlying strata by steam, produced by the water coming in contact with the hot lava. The steam would press the lava towards the shore and cause upheavals, while the susbidence of the ocean floor would first draw the water towards the depression, and then send some of it back in waves, before the equilibrium was fully restored. The South American west coast is liable to such disturb- ances. The entire coast line seems to be slowly rising out of the deep. Sir Clements Markham says it has been upraised from the sea since man took possession of the adjacent land, and lived by raising maize and cotton. (The Incas of Peru, p. 200.) And the supposition is that the entire Andean mountain chain, and its lofty, snow-capped peaks and beautiful mountain val- leys, were created in remote geological times, by means of just such mighty forces as those whose work man still views with awe and wonder. But earthquakes and consequent desolation have also an- other message to this generation than that which comes through the deduction of the sciences, important though this is and full of interest. Their voice is, above all, one of warning. In 1831, our Lord gave a revelation through the Prophet Joseph Smith, in which he stated that earthquakes and desola- tion in divers places would be among the signs by which we may know that "the times of the Gentiles" are nearing the end. (Doc. and Cov. 45:30-33.) He said in the same revelation (v. 26), "The whole earth shall be in commotion, and mens hearts shall fail them." "And also cometh the testimony of the voice of thunderings, and the voice of lightnings, and the voice of tempests, and the voice of the waves of the sea, heaving themselves beyond their bounds." (Doc. and Cov. 88:90.) The voice of such calamities is, there- fore, a warning to be prepared for the end of the present dispen- sation and the beginning of the new, during which the nations of the world will be united under the scepter of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who owns this earth and is its lawful King and Ruler; when, in other words, his kingdom will be established, and his will done on earth as it is done in heaven.

EDITORS' TABLE 197 Messages from the Missions A Message from Africa The accompanying picture shows the elders laboring in the Cape con- ferences. The gentleman standing second from the right is Brother Peter L. Stoman, who traveled a distance of two thousand miles from Salisbury, Rhodesia, for the purpose of being baptized. Such examples of faith and effort encourages one to sow the good seed, for one cannot tell when it will fall in fertile soil. The free advertisement department manages to keep us constantly before the public. The following ,from the Cape Argus, is the latest contribution: "The spiritual needs of Sea and Green Pointers are just now receiving very close attention from two plausible young men, who explain that they are making a house-to-house visitation with the idea of bringing people to realize the wickedness of sin and the need for basking in the light of the true Church, which, in this case, is apparently that of the Latter-day Saints. There have been several complaints of the methods adopted by these 'mis- sionaries,' who, in nearly every instance, pay their visits during the absence of the male members of the household. | Before leaving they press litera- ture dealing with the Book of Mormon on those whom they visit, and in- variably promise to make another call.'" Missionaries, reading from left to right, front row: Conference Presi- dent Clinton M. Black, Mission President James Wyley Sessions, Marc Sessions, Magdalen Sessions, Mission Relief Societies and Y. L. M. I. A., Rosamonde Sessions; Mission Secretary Aaron T. Peters. Back row, First Counselor Branch Presidency Walter O. Hanson; Second Counselor Branch President John Walsh; Orville S. Cox; Gordon H. Sears; Wendell C. Sevy; Frank W. Nye; Royal D. Crook; Peter L. Stoman, of Salisbury, Rhodesia; and Clarence W. Jones. Branch President Thomas Wilson could not be present when the picture was taken. — J. Wyley Sessions, Mission President

198 IMPROVEMENT ERA Success in Minnesota Elder V. M. Jones, writing from Duluth, Minnesota, October 5, encloses this photograph of the missionaries laboring in Duluth, Minnesota, and Superior, Wisconsin. The elders have met with success throughout the en- tire summer, not only in .trading, but in Book of Mormon work and holding meetings. Several people have been added to the fold. They all enjoy the spirit of their calling and are enthusiastic in their work, and feel that the hand of God is in it all. They rejoice in the knowledge of being worthy of his blessings. Missionaries, left to right; back row: Fontell Peterson, Glenwood; Hedvig Mamer, Millville, Utah; Minette McArthur, Lowell, Wyo.; front, R. E. Farmer, Clifton; E. A. Evans, Raymond; V. M. Jones, Dayton, Idaho; Samuel Park, Tooele, Utah. %\ Twelve Baptized Mission Secretary Marion George Romney, of Newton, Sydney, Aus- tralia, reports that the New South Wales conference of the Australian mission is on a good sound basis, and while the progress is not startling, the cause is steadily gaining ground. The elders, under the able leadership of President Don C. Rushton, and with the support of the Saints, are pursuing with vigor the work of carrying the glad tidings to the people. Sunday, July 3, conference was held at Sydney, and though weather condi- tions were unfavorable, the attendance was very good, some of the Saints having come from over 100 miles away. It was the first conference since Elders McKay and Cannon were present with them, and naturally the memories of the people reverted to that auspicious occasion, and the experience and advice received came forcibly to them again. For the first time in the history of the Church in Australia, there were three Sunday Schools repre- sented in one conference, the schools being located at Newton, Bankston, and Newcastle. Favorable reports were given by the superintendents. Other meetings were held at 2:30 and 7 p. m., when President Rushton was the principal speaker. Elder Romney concludes: "During the past six months we have baptized twelve people into the Church. Only one of them was

EDITORS' TABLE 199 taken from the children's record. Many advancements have been made in the Priesthood, and the cause in this conference is steadily gaining ground." | I | | m f ^f" *& 0^ Missionaries laboring in the New South Wales conference of the Aus- tralian mission, left to right, standing: Terah L. Black, Raymon P. Nelson, Harold R. Jackson, Bryan S. Collett, Claudius Tolman, Neils W. Oldroyd, Arlie V. Bean. Sitting: Alvin Englestead, William L. Jones, Mrs. Don C. Rushton, Don C. Ruhston, mission president; Marion George Romney, Con- ference president. Two Hundred Baptized Elder Royden E. Weight, secretary of the Netherlands Mission, writing under date of October 31, says: "I have labored as secretary of the Netherlands-Belgium misison for two years. As a mission we are enjoying wonderful success, our meetings being well attended. There are plenty of investigators to visit every day. We are distributing thousands of tracts and booklets monthly, and many of the people are interesting themselves in our message. We do not at present have very much opposition. The pros- pects for the future are very bright, and our baptism record for the past year has been excellent, and will yet amount to more than 200 before the end of November. An Inspiring Testimony Elder Ralph S. Gray, Leeds conference, Bradford, who is on a mission in England, and who is a graduate of the School of Mines and Engineering of the University of Utah, writes to Dr. Richard R. Lyman: "I enjoy the work more every day. Although I have been here seventeen months, I feel as if my mission is just beginning. President Grant's counsel to parents to leave their sons and daughters in the mission field as long as possible, is splendid counsel. I trust that I shall be able to fill the desires of the Church

200 IMPROVEMENT ERA authorities in this respect. Mother informs me that never before has she en- joyed such bounteous blessings as since I was called into the service of the Master. Thank God for my birthright, the Priesthood I hold, and the herit- age of gospel blessings that have come to me. My sincere prayer is that I may have strength to continue the work of my mission when I return home, and that my present enthusiasm in the work shall continue." Sunday School Organized Elder LaPhene Peterson, writing from Galesburg, Illinois, October 20, encloses this portrait of the elders laboring in that district as follows: Left to right, J. N. Transtrum, St, Charles, Idaho, presiding elder at Gales- burg; Laphene Peterson, Hyde Park, Utah, conference president of north- ern Illinois; C. A. Neuenschwander, Salt Lake City, working at Galesburg; and H. Harris Lloyd, mission superintendent of Sunday Schools. "On September 24 a Sunday School was organized at Galesburg, Illinois, local brethren being put in charge, C. W. Custer, superintendent; A. F. Lindbloom, first assistant; L. Wl Brockelburt, second assistant. A teacher- training class was organized to help the teachers place the gospel truths before the children. We have a lively and prosperous branch here. We have four elders, four priests and one teacher, local brethren, holding the Priesthood. The Relief Society is a powerful unit in our work. People of the branch are faithful in attending to their duties — one hundred per- cent attendance not uncommon. We find the Era valuable in keeping us in touch with the work, both at home and abroad, aside from the excellent teachings found in its pages." Bay of Islands Conference Five elders are laboring among the Maori people in this conference and two with the Europeans. StandingT left to right: — Henry J. Armstrong, Salt Lake City; Harold J. Cassity, Provo, presiding over the European work; Jonathan R. Bennett, Holden; Russel Layne, Lewiston. Sitting: Melvin C. Stewart, Clinton; all of Utah; Alvin T. Maughan, conference president, Weston, Idaho; Joseph M. Stephenson, Holden, Utah. The Bay of Islands conference includes the extreme northern portion of the North Island. We have a membership of two thousand sixty-five souls in this district of which the greater majority are Maoris, who are a very sincere and devoted people. The work is progressing nicely, and, although we have had a great deal of wet weather) during the past three winter months, making travel very hard and inconvenient, we are pleased

EDITORS' TABLE 201 to report twenty-one baptisms and many good prospects. We have an or- ganized local priesthood in several branches; the brethren are putting forth untiring efforts and are accomplishing excellent results. We are regular readers of the Improvement Era, appreciate its good instructions, and wish is continued success. — H. J. Cassity. Nucleus for a New Branch Elder Osmond O. Jorgensen and Obra Pearce, the latter of Beaver, and the former of Logan, Utah, are located in Aberdeen, the granite city of Scotland, where, he says: "Every- thing is built of native granite, and with the clean streets and beautiful flowers and shrubbery, it gives the city a pleasing appear- ance. The people here are not very hasty to take up with the message we have to give them, but we have been given courteous treatment in our open-air meetings and tracting, which have been very successful the past summer, and our efforts have been rewarded by the addition of seven people to the Church. We hope this number will furnish a nucleus, for a branch of the Church which we are endeavoring to es- tablish here. Being refused the privilege of using the baths in the city we baptized our converts in the sea, a fact which was men- tioned in write-ups in a number of local papers, and papers all throughout Scotland."

202 IMPROVEMENT ERA The Thames Dialogue Co. Elder Abram M. McFarland, conference president, Thames, New Zea- land, under date of September 14, sends this picture of the Thames Dialogue company, which is made up of officers and members of the Sunday School and Mutual Improvement Association. The elders laboring in the Hauraki district are standing at the back, and are: Warren Tonks, president of the Maori work, Victor, Idaho; Abram M. McFarland, Ogden, Utah; James A. Thornton, American Falls, Idaho ; Willard J. Warner, Preston, Idaho. "The company gave a concert on the 26th of July in the Thames Miners' union hall for the benefit of the Thames branch. About three hundred Saints and investigators came to listen to the program, consisting of dialogues, songs, dances, recitations, etc. The confidence of many friends was gained through this wholesome entertainment. Since the completion of the Thames chapel the elders and Saints have been very successful in obtaining friends and in- vestigators, so that the work is progressing rapidly here, and we pray for continual success." Birmingham Conference Reports Energetic Work Edgar W. Jeffery, conference president of the Birmingham conference, England, under date of August 10, says: "The elders here are laboring energetically to present the message of life and salvation to the people of their respective districts. The attitude of the people is one of indifference, not only toward the Latter day Saints and "Mormonism" but toward every- thing of a religious nature. So deeply concerned are they with the physical things of life that they have neither time nor inclination to listen to things spiritual. Notwithstanding, we have been making progress. Our meetings are better attended by strangers and investigators, and in spite of the recent campaign waged against us by the press, the state, and the pulpit,

EDITORS' TABLE 203 we are more generally and favorably known by the fair-minded, truth-seek- ing portion of the population than ever before." Elders of the Birmingham conference, sitting, left to right: Francis R. Kirkham, Salt Lake City; John O. Hughes, Mendon; Edgar W. Jeffery, conference president, Delta; Tyler H. Barton, Kaysville; George C. Wareing, Salt Lake City, Utah. Standing: Earl N. Palfreyman, Springville; William C. Thornley, Smithfield, Utah; George R. Follick, Montpelier, Idaho; J. Elden Brown, Draper; Edward W. Southwick, Lehi; Esdras Whittaker, Ogden; Vernon W. Maughan, Wellsville; Marvin L. Nielson, Garland, Utah. Favorable Conditions in Holland Elder Sam R. Carpenter, Arnhem, Holland, June 9 says: "It seems to me that there never was a time of greater progress in the Church than at present. That vital energy shown by our grand-parents is still making itself manifest among their children. The pulsing life found in the "Mormon" Church is witnessed in no other organization. To me the reason is that the religion of the Latter-day Saints arises out of individual conviction and love for the truth, and is not like that of the world gen- erally, arising out of custom and habit. Five missionaries and about fourteen Saints left Holland for Zion last Wednesday. We are being blessed very much in our work, and are receiving new hands to help. Conditions are favorable here at present. We are in no way hindered in spreading our message. We held a very successful conference on the 21st of May, and are reaching many in our trading work. In very deed we are in a wonderful field of labor. We recently visited what they call here the Holy Land Foundation, a movement of the Catholic Church, to bring into life as much as possible the land and customs of Jerusalem at the time of the Savior. The work is very instructive. They have a re- production of Golgotha, the tomb, the stall where Christ was born, the gates of Jerusalem, etc. We had a real instructive tour, a priest explaining to us the situation so that we had quite an insight into some of the

204 IMPROVEMENT ERA Catholic principles. The 'Foundation' is within walking distance of the German border. We took the side trip across the line, and were so able to send cards home through Germany, took some pictures, and for 37c bought sufficient paper money to provide souvenirs for our friends." Tahitian Mission has a New President Elder H. Kennard has been succeeded as president of the Tahitian mis- sion by Elder O. B. Peterson. New President Danish Mission Elder Alma L. Peterson of Huntsville, Utah, has been called to preside over the Danish mission. Elder Peterson performed a mission to Norway in 1910-12, and presided for some time over the Aarhus conference. Elder Carl Peterson, of Ogden, who now presides over the Danish mission, has been honorably released and will return home, when the new president arrives. Elder LeRoi Snow, Secretary Eastern States Mission At the General Board meeting of the Y. M. M. I. A. on November 15, 1922, General Superintendent George Albert Smith reported that Elder LeRoi C. Snow was about to leave for the Eastern States mission. He congratulated Elder Snow on his appointment as secretary of that mission and extended him the thanks and appreciation of the General Board for his faithful and excellent service as a member of the Board. He was granted a leave of absence. He was also presented with a copy of the combined Book of Mor- mon, DoctrbJe and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price as a token of the love and esteem of the members of the Board. In response, Elder Snow stated that he regretted to leave the Board again, having once left to reside in Arizona, but returned in order that he might be in closer touch with the Snow family and also to resume his associations with the General Board. He considered it a great honor to be called to his present position, and with pleasure, accepted the call. He complimented the Board upon their splendid labors and assured them that he would continue his work in the mission in behalf of the Y. M. M. I. A. Our Slogan We stand for a life of purity, That is more than a passing trite. For a life whose acts are a surety, Of thought that is clean and right; We stand for a firm allegiance That is more than a boasted deed, For a true and loyal obedience To the code of our fathers' creed ; We stand for the hope predestinate That is more than a platitude When the "pure in heartl" shall consummate The Master's Beatitude. Mesa, Arizona Bertha A. Kleinman