--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Brimhall, George H. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 26 number: 3 published: 1923-01 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'George H. Brimhall, "The Fallacy of Going Two Ways at Once", *Improvement Era* 26, no. 3 (January 1923): 283–295.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2603unse 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: improvementera2603unse start_page: 283 end_page: 295 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1923-01) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2603unse publication_year: 1923 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 1923, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # The Fallacy of Going Two Ways at Once The Fallacy of Going Two Ways at Once By Dr. George H. Brimhall, President Emeritus, Brigham Young University The greatest responsibility that can be placed upon me is the responsibility of confidence. Reference was made here to the fact that we have some misappropriation of property in our school, and these thoughts came to my mind. It was not a case of a man getting in backward, or walking backward. It was a case of a man going in two directions at the same time. I was driving a buggy up Spanish Fork canyon years ago. By my side sat my boy. A freight train came thundering along and we speeded up the team for the purpose of enjoying the accom- paniment of the great moving mass. The boy spoke up, saying, "Pa, look!" I said, "What do you see?" "A Fellow going in two directions at the same time!" I looked, and sure enough there was a man on the top of the train running toward the rear. He was traveling west and the train was going east; but he was making progress in both directions. The boy had heard me say that people could not go in two directions at the same time, and he found evidence against my assertion. I said, "Well, what's going to happen?" "He will have to stop or be dumped off." And then we had a little talk about it — talked of the dump- off. That was the notice given by our president when he spoke : — stop going in a direction opposite to that of our school, because it is in the direction of an up-grade, a bigger, better school, and the man or woman, boy or girl, who expects not to be dumped off must be going in the direction of a better student, a bigger student. The same thing holds good with my country. I am in the great and glorious government of the United. States, and it is moving toward greater liberty, more magnificent achievement, better laws. It is becoming an institution noted for law, a centei of liberty-giving laws, centers where lawlessness must not super- cede law by pursuing the course of seeking the nullification of a law instead of seeking a correction of wrong through amend- ment or repeal. If I am not in harmony I am going in the op- posite direction from that of my country. My country is Amer- ica forward, but my conduct would be America backward. The same would hold true with my Church. A person standing on a hill and viewing our good works as a Church is glorifying our Father which is in heaven. If my inner life, my private life, my public career, is not in the direction of my 284 IMPROVEMENT ERA Church; if I am not a good man, if I am not a tithe-paying man, as my Judge is a great giver, I am not going with the Church but am being carried by the Church, and inevitably and finally must be dumped off. So it carries all the way through life. Go in the direction of the institution, the family, the country, or be dumped off. Provo, Utah. Why we Teach By Ida Walser "And I give unto you a commandment, that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom, * * * Of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth, things which have been, things which are abroad ; the wars and the per- plexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land, and a knowledge also of countries and kingdoms." Who could state more plainly than God our real object in teaching? Does he not state more beautifully than man that our big aim in teaching is "to prepare the minds of our neighbors and countrymen to meet the problems of this life and to so live and study that the knowledge we acquire will remain with us throughout all eternity"? Then as teachers we teach because of the great love we have toward mankind. In order to create this love one must entirely forget "self" and work with prayer in his heart for the advance- ment and growth of the precious souls he is moulding and work- ing with. Christ, the most perfect teacher of all educators, was a liv- ing example of "Why we teach." Did he not sacrifice his own life in order that man might be saved? Was he not teaching mankind the real way to enter the kingdom of God by his living example of humility, obedience, charity and love. If every teach- er could fit his life, as did Christ, into the real object of teaching, how perfect would be our education ! In giving the parable of the ten pieces of money, Christ showed very clearly the real worth of using and developing the talents that have been given to us. Is it not our duty to develop these talents that God has given to each individual in such a way that he in return can assist in this great art of teaching? 1. To prepare the child to meet all problems in this life. 2. To so develop his talents that he. too, in time can assist in rolling on the great work. 3. Prepare him by example and teaching to enter thf kingdom of heaven. Greetings from the First Presidency From the Christinas Deseret Neim On this auspicious anniversary, commemorated as the na- tal day of the Redeemer of the World, with thanksgiving and rejoicing we send greeting, love and good will to the Latter- day Saints, and to all mankind, at home and abroad. We pray that the season may be one of joy, and that it may so continue throughout the new year, and into the years to come. The Saints are happy in the knowledge that the words of the ancient prophets were fulfilled in the birth of our Savior, in the meridian of time: "The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light, they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath a great light shined. For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end." (Isaiah 9: 2, 6, 7.) In this further knowledge we also rejoice, that we who live in the later times have not been forgotten. As a presidency we appreciate, and thank you for your willing co-operation and devoted assistance in carrying on the work of the Lord. We pray God our Heavenly Father that His peace may abide wth you, and His Spirit enlighten all. We pray that the Lord may bless you in your homes, in your fields, that they may produce in their strength, in your flocks and herds that they may prosper. May the blessing of the Lord be with you as husbands and wives, parents and children, that faith may in- crease, and good works be manifest in your lives. Let us not forget the obligation wbiob rests upon us to render allegiance 286 IMPROVEMENT ERA and service to the Lord, and that acceptable service to Him cannot be rendered without service to our fellow man. And so, on this happy day we extend to you, our brethren and sisters, fellow workers in the cause for which the Master lived, and for which He gave His life, our cordial greetings, and our blessing, that in this time of turmoil and confusion, which prevails in the world, you may find peace to your souls, with the assurance that the purposes of the Almighty will be accomplished, Christ's Kingdom be established, and the will of the Father be done upon Earth, as it is done in Heaven. Heber J. Grant, Charles W . Penrose, A. W. Ivins, First Presidency. Salt Lake City, Utah, December, 1922 New Year's Greetings At the beginning of a New Year we congratulate the stake and ward officers of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations of the Church on the present favorable prospects that generally obtain among our associations. They were never in a better condition in the history of the Church. While this is the general condition, still they are far from being what we would like to see our organizations become. We trust that your vision of future work to be done will enable you to see every boy of mutual age in your ward as a possible asset, that you will not be content simply to take care of those who come to your meetings; but that you will keep in mind those who do not come. Make definite assignments of various faithful men and boys to work with those who are not yet in the fold. You are not only to instruct those who come; but since to the Mutuals has been given the task to become the rescue mission of the Church for young men, ours is a mighty responsibility. All engaged in such an undertaking, to be successful, must feel that there is nothing on earth of equal value with a human soul. Our heavenly Father, who knows the full value of things, says that "the worth of souls is great in his sight," and that if we should labor all our lives and succeed in bringing to him only one, great will be our joy with that one soul. He has said that the thing that would be of the most worth unto us is to EDITORS' TABLE 287 "bring souls unto him." If we are convinced that this is true and that the Mutual Improvement method is one of the best plans that has ever been devised by inspired men to accom- plish this thing, then with a heart overflowing with love for these boys, who would not engage with all his might, mind, and strength, in such a profitable undertaking! Profitable to those of us who do the work, because we will never lose our investment, and it will pay us eternal dividends and how profitable it is to those whom we win to Christ — how poor in- deed they would be even if they gained the wealth of the whole world and lost their own souls! Keep the vision clearly in mind that our varied program, wonderful as it is, has as its end the bringing of these boys unto Christ, establishing faith in their hearts in Him, and keeping them clean from the sins of the world. Will you not invest to the limit, in such an undertaking? You have the capital required, and all about you are these precious investments awaiting your cooperation. Praying the Lord to bless you with a glorious New Year, and at the end a bountiful harvest, Your Brethren, George Albert Smith, Richard R. Lyman, Melvin J. Ballard, General Suptcy. Y. M. M. I. A. Messages from the Missions New President Northern States Mission Announcement was made in the Deseret News on December 15, that Dr. John H. Taylor, Field Secretary Y. M. Mi. I. A., had been called to succeed Elder Winslow Farr Smith, as president of the Northern States Mission. The Work at Syracuse We are informed by Rulon Nuttall, that last year the missionary work in Syracuse, New York, was opened, and at present there are many friends who are listening to the message delivered by the elders. A Mu- tual Improvement Association is not yet organized, but the elders are tak- ing up the Mutual lessons bi-monthly at their Bible study class, and the students enjoy them very much. The lessons, besides, are aiding the elders in teaching the gospel to investigators and friends. Many are heeding the call to repentance, and are overjoyed when they find the true plan of salva- tion as delivered by the elders. "We are very close to the birth place of 'Mormonism' and there has been a very deep-rooted prejudice through this part of the country, which is now gradually dying away. The Lord is cer- tainly blessing our efforts." 288 IMPROVEMENT ERA Steady Progress in Newcastle The Newcastle semi-annual conference (.British mission) held October 8, 1922, was one of the most successful of its kind ever helt'. There were in attendance, Elder Vm. A. and Sister Annie H. Morton, from Liverpool; President G. Osmond Hyde, of the Hull conference; President James T. Palmer, and all the traveling elders of the Newcastle conference, and Elder Ralph S. Gray, of the Leeds conference. All sessions were well attended by Saints and investigators, and a rich portion of the Spirit of the Lord was present. The work is steadily advancing here, and we are all en- joying it. Those on the photo are: Back row, left to right: Ralph S. Gray, Salt Lake City; Rodney D. Price, Phoenix, Arizona; John Black, Montpelier, Idaho; John M. Jones, Salt Lake City; Joseph J. Brown, Payson; Charles W. Spierman, Logan, Utah; Thomas Dinsdale, local. Middle row; Wil- liam M. Harris, Evanston, Wyoming; Ezra T. Benson, Whitney, Idaho, con- ference clerk ; Annie H. and William A. Morton, Salt Lake City, Liverpool office; James T. Palmer, Morgan, Utah, conference president, Newcastle; G. Osmond Hyde, Downey, Idaho, president of Hull conference. Front row: Thomas V. Phillips, Springville ; John B. Fowers, Provo ; William E. White, Beaver; Russell B. Hodgson, Salt Lake City, and Robert E. Finch, Goshen, Utah. — James T. Palmer, President of the Newcastle conference. Improvements on Church Building and Progress in Pueblo Elder Vernal Twede, Pueblo, Colorado, reports that the elders are laboring hard to complete the new addition to the meetinghouse in Pueblo, and that the Sunday school attendance has increased so that it has necessi- tated the erection of two new class rooms. Due to the untiring efforts of Elder Newell Kelsey, who presides over the Pueblo branch, many bene- ficial improvements in the matter of conveniences have been made in the EDITORS' TABLE 289 meetinghouse. The branch is in a thriving condition. A Sunday school was recently organized in Canon City. Colorado Springs is a very promis- ing field. Here many new homes have been opened for cottage meetings. He proceeds: "There is little prejudice here, but the feeling of cool indifference is our worst enemy. Every elder has done some country work during the past summer, traveling without purse or scrip. Many Books of Mormon have been sold. It is inspiring to note that in general throughout the whole Church, with its many branches, the present day always finds the work at its height, in power and splendor, thus fulfilling the prophecy of Daniel, 2:44." Missionaries, back row, left to right: Melvin E. Christisen, Joseph M. Sherwood, Clarence H. East, Junius L. Crowther, A. Bardell Larsen, Owen H. Martin, Frederic Giles, mission secretary; Thomas R. Harper. Middle row: Franklin C. Hansen, Alice Kirkham, Leah McKell, Minnie Knight, visiting from Denver; Thelma Goodwin, Effie Hilton, Vernal Twede, incom- ing conference president. Front row: J. B. Porter, visitor; C. Stewart Mason, outgoing conference president; John M. Knight, mission president; Florence B. Knight, president of Relief Society of Western States mis sion; Newel Kelsey, president Pueblo branch; Andrew Hood, visitor from Denver conference. A Child Healed President L. W. Doxey, Fort Worth, Texas, of the Central States mis- sion, November 15: "The missionaries here rejoice in the many glorious privileges and blessings witnessed in their travels to further the Lord's work. We have a testimony that the Lord is blessing his children in these days as in days of old. This has been realized here of late during the present prevalence of a fever spreading through the country. The child of a family afflicted with this fever was given up to die by two attending physi- cians. That night the elders were called and administered to the child and prayed for it, that it might be restored to health. The next morning, to the surprise of the physicians and neighbors, the boy was feeling well and on the rapid road to recovery. This is but one instance of many. Many hearts have been softened, and a number of people have been re ceived into the Church by baptism. Others have expressed themselves as desiring to follow in the near future." 290 IMPROVEMENT ERA Missionaries, left to right, top row: Ada Smith, C. Guy Mallory, out- going president North Texas conference; G. B. Done, president East Texas conference; L. W. Doxey, president North Texas conference; A. B. Smith, John Longden, L. E. Sheek, Leah Burch. Bottom row: W. R. Nel- son, W. E. Buck, S. O. Bennion, president Central States mission; C. L. Wright, D. T. Midgley. A Nottingham Parson on the Rampage A goodly number of strangers and investigators were treated to a spirit- ual feast at the Nottingham conference, Nov. 12. A little incident occurred at the afternoon session. When the meeting was about half over, a Nottingham Baptist minister, followed by several men, came in and tramped half way around the hall, making a great deal of confusion. Elder William A. Morton, who was addressing the congregation, stopped speaking, waiting for them to locate seats. The minister blatantly called out: "Go on, mister. Never mind us." Elder Morton reminded him that we had rented the hall and were holding a religious service, and that gentlemen knew how to keep order and others would be forced to. The parson then called out something about Joseph Smith, and the speaker asked for someone to call an of- ficer. There was no more disturbance until after meeting was dismissed, when the "reverend gentleman" shouted out a few accusations, but when his good character was challenged by a few members of the congregation who have known him for many years, he left the building and his gang followed after him like whipped pups. He then published a statement in three of the newspapers that we know of, throughout the country, to the effect that he had taken possession of the conference and when he made certain accusations the elders all slipped out the back door. The Sunday Illustrated, a London paper, had large posters stuck up all over Nottingham and in front of most of the news stands on Sunday morning. They read: "Nottingham Parson Routs Mormons." We have been unable to get any of the papers to publish a denial for us but some of the directors- of the Corn Exchange, where we held the conference, are taking the matter up EDITORS' TABLE 291 and say they won't let it drop until these papers make a public denial. The press and movies are beginning to advertise our cause a little more now. The election excitement is now over so we are looking for some real publicity. Two of the elders attempted to give out tracts in front of a show house where they were playing "Married to a Mormon,"' and it caused quite a rumpus. Last Monday night we attempted to hold our usual open air meeting on the market, and we were run off by a crowd of several hundred. Two of the elders were pursued up Market street, and the mob kept shouting and throwing small pebbles or corn. The elders caught a tram car and escaped. One of them was struck just above the left eye by an angry man but was not badly hurt. This was rather a tragic conclusion to our open air meetings which have been a great success during the summer and fall months. We have made many friends, and the attendance at our hall meetings has been more than doubled. We have about a dozen in the conference who are ready for baptism, but we are up against it, for a place to perform the ordinance. We have been refused the use of the baths where we have previously held our baptismals, but we know the way will be opened up in the near future. We certainly appreciate the Era. It is a great help to us in our mis- sionary work and stimulates us to put forth greater efforts. May it always be a success is the wish of your brother. — A. Walter Stevenson. Elders and Lady Missonary of the Nottingham Conference, November, 1922- Front row, William M. Oswald, George S. Taylor, Jr., Elder R. Curtis, Salt Lake City. Middle row: J. Fred Pingree, Mission Office, Salt Lake City A Walker Stevenson, conference clerk; Joseph E. Wright, conference president; Katherine G. Wright, Ogden; William A Morton associate editor of Millennial Star, Salt Lake City; Fred D. Maughan, Wellsville. Back row, William Hunt, Plain City; J. Howard Valentine Brigham City; McCracken Smith, Leeds conference, San Francisco, Calif ; Gordon W. Mathis, Hull conference, St. George, Utah; Grant P. Geddes, Leeds con- ference, Banida, Idaho; J. Max Toolson, Smithfield. 292 IMPROVEMENT ERA Semi-Annual Conference of Pomerine, Arizona Elder Leroi M. Doney, Pomerene, Arizona, November 14, reports the semi-annual conference, held there, November 10-12, under the direction of President M. A. Condie. President Joseph W. McMurrin and other officers of the California mission were in attendance, with heads of departments of the auxiliary organization, and a number of the traveling elders of the Arizona conference, with large representations from the Southern Arizona branches. A spirited priesthood meeting was held on Friday afternoon, and in the evening an educational lecture was given by Superintendent Gustive O. Larsen on the "History of the Church," illustrated by stereopticon pic- tures. On Saturday morning the elders and branch presidents spoke, and in the afternoon, the Relief Society held a well attended meeting. In the evening a light drama was staged by the Pomerene choir. On Sunday three sessions were held, the house being filled to its limit, there being some 1,200 people in attendance during the three sessions. The residents of Pomerene entertained the visitors royally, and an enjoyable farewell entertainment was given the elders before leaving for their various places of labor. Elders left to right, front row: Peter Allen, Charlotte Star, Margaret K. Miller, President Joseph W. McMurrin, Conference President M. A. Condie, Superintendent Gustive 0. Larsen of the M. I. A.; Mission Secretary R. C. White. Back row: Wallace Thompson, Ray Blackburni, D. L. Bay- less, L. M. Doney, S. M. Price, J. M. Harvey, A. Shreiner, Grace Sheever, Ruth Tanner, T. E. Reece, M. B. Child, and J. F. Robinson. Ten Added to the Church in San Luis Conference The missionaries of the San Luis conference, A. Stanton Mason, presi- dent, Alamosa, Colorado, Western States mission, held their general fall conference on October 27, 28 and 29, in Durango, Colorado. Five splendid, inspiring, well attended sessions were held, in which the elders delivered addresses on the various principles of the gospel. President John M. Knight was in attendance and spoke with power on fundamental differences between Latter-day Saints and other Christians and the power of God as manifested in our present day andl age. During the month following the fall conference an excellent start was made on their winter's work. In November two baptismal services were held at Pagosa Springs at which EDITORS' TABLE 293 ten new members were added to the Church. A Sunday school will soon be organized here. The work in the conference is progressing. The elders are now firmly established in their winter fields of labor. Several places have been visited recently by the elders, some of them being Santa Fe, Las Vegas, Clovis, New Mexico; Monte Vista and Bayfield, Colorado. In many of these places a sincere interest in the gospel has been manifested by the people, and the results have been encouraging. — From a report by Caroline M. Adams, mission stenographer. Elders left to right, top row: C. J. Yearsley, L. J. Cummings, Lee M. Hatch, J. H. HoweU. Bottom row: R. H. Stuart, A. S. Mason, President John M. Knight, G. P. Roundy, T. H. Murphy. Dedication of the Tuana'i Church, Samoa "Just a paragraph as to a distinctive event in this mission — one of several we hope to repeat in due time. It consisted of the dedication of a new church building at the place mentioned above. Tuana'i is a lively little branch situated about eight miles west of Apia, and was only opened last year. "Wle have the 'Pulenuu,' or village magistrate, who is the lead- ing man of each village, as our head member there. For several months the Saints^ with Elder Aulelio, have been quietly at work erecting their house of worship. We conceived the idea that a native-style building, cheap, cool, airy and thoroughly serviceable and well-appearing, would be just right for their needs. The result may be noted from the illustration. The struc- ture is forty by twenty-four feet, and will seat a hundred fifty people. It was filled the day of its dedication last month. From Sauniatu there at- tended, by invitation, the entire brass band of twenty-eight, part of the school girls and boys, and heads of families, while other missionaries, white and Samoan, were also invited. A great feast of both the spiritual and tem- poral resulted, and all who attended pronounced it a perfect occasion of the kind. The Spirit of the Lord was richly poured out upon the gather- 294 IMPROVEMENT ERA ing, and the discourses were impressive. The writer offered the prayer. The white elders, also Sister Adams and children, as well as some of the Saints, were carried to and from the exercises in the two cars of Brother Top: Tuarw'i church native, and congregation seated inside. Day of dedi- cation. Bottom: Tuandi native church and group attending its dedicati<i>rx John Ah Mu, without charge, of course, as is his custom. In the evening the Sauniatu school and band gave a program before a big audience, the chiefs and most of the villagers not of us turning out. Thus one more step has been taken along the line of advancement and in adding to the ef- fectiveness and prestige of the Lord's work in Samoa. — John Q. Adams, Mission President, Samoa. Change of Presidents in the Swedish Mission Isaac P. Thunell of Sugar House, Granite stake of Zion, who has presided over the Swedish mission, was honorably released on the 10th of November, 1922 ; and Elder Gideon N. Hulterstrom succeeded him as president of this mission. EDITORS' TABLE Antagonism and Prejudice Allayed 295 Herewith is a picture of the missionaries laboring at Fargo, North Dakota. From left to right: Owen M. Hale, Elvin O. Russell, J. Edgar Birch and Cloyd L Hansen. We experience great pleasure in the promul- gation of the restored gospel, and many incidents occur daily to greatly strengthen our testimonies. Elders Hale and Hansen are comparatively new in the field, while Elders Birch and Russell have labored over two years in the service of the Master. During that time much antagonism and prejudice have been removed and the future promises many bright possibilities. We send greetings to our fellow-laborers, and pray earnestly for the advancement of the cause we all love so dearly. — Edgar Birch, Conference President of North Dakota. Delta, Utah God's Pardon When mortals fear of God's forgiving All the many sins they've done, If they truly are repentant, He will pardon every one; Just the same as mother pardoned, As we hark back through the years, When we told of our transgressions, As she kissed away the tears. H. L. Johnston