Editors’ Table

feBsr.«s s FluJ is Tobacco and Religion We often hear it said, "A man is known by the company he keeps," and there is much truth in the saying. Tobacco-using is also known by its company. We may truthfully link tobacco with many other evils. It is frequently found in the category of profanity, drink, gambling, gluttony, extreme selfishness, de- ceit, law-breaking, and recklessness of many kinds. Swearers, crooks of all kinds, "bums" and prostitutes who do not use to- bacco would be genuine curiosities. It is a well known fact that nearly every prison convict uses tobacco. Our juvenile courts bear witness to the fact that most of the boys brought before the judges smoke cigarettes. Facing these and many other facts of a like character that might be named, one is compelled to admit that tobacco keeps company with, and has a close relation- ship to, nearly every form of evil. A tobacco publication recently recorded the fact that a wealthy tobacco merchant of Ozone Park, Long Island, known as the "king of bootleggers," was found guilty of violating the Volstead Act and sentenced in the United States District Court of Brooklyn to two years in the penitentiary and to pay a fine of $10 000. A recent statement in the Los Angeles Times de- clares that the cigarette consumption in China reaches thirty bil- lions annually, and that the market will double that within the next two or three years. The editor then adds, "The Chinese used to buy a good many Bibles in America, but now they seem to use more paper in their cigarettes." When a nation or a per- son uses more paper for cigarette wrappers than for Bibles, it is easy to predict the result. But China is not alone in this matter. The amount of tobacco used in the United States is ap- palling, and it is our United States. "The way to keep track of China," the Times adds, "is to watch her smoke." We may well add, "The way for a boy or a girl, a man or a woman, to keep track of themselves is to watch their smoke." Contemplating these facts, boys and young men should emphasize in their lives the religion of the Latter-day Saints which, among other virtues, injects into the daily program of true believers self-mastery and self-control, and so frees them from being slaves to the deadly ef- fects of nicotine and narcotics. The fruits of the gospel are cleaner men and women.

EDITORS' TABLE 473 "We stand for the non-use and non-sale of tobacco," and "A pure life through clean thought and action." — A. Changes in Mission Presidents On February 1, Elder Charles S. Hyde, son of Elder C. H. Hyde, of the Pioneer stake presidency, was appointed president of the Netherlands mission, to succeed John P. Lilly white; and Elder Fred Tadje, of the Presiding Bishop's office, was ap- pointed president of the Swiss and German mission, to succeed Elder Serge F. Ballif. Elder Joseph Quinney, Jr., has been appointed president of the Canadian mission, to succeed Elder Nephi Jensen. Elder Quinney is the first counselor in the Logan stake presidency. He will leave for Toronto, Canada, about March 1. The present list of mission presidents, with announced changes, is as follows: Australian mission, Don C. Rushton; British mission, David 0. McKay; California mission, Joseph W. McMurrin; Canadian mission, Joseph Quinney, Jr.; Central States mission, Samuel O. Bennion; Danish mission, Carl E. Peterson; Eastern States mission, B. H. Roberts; Hawaiian mission, Eugene Neff; Japanese mission, Lloyd Ivie; Mexican mission, Rey L. Pratt; Netherlands mission, Charles S. Hyde; New Zealand mission, George S. Taylor; Northern States mission, Dr. John H. Taylor; JNorth- western States mission, B. S. Young; Norwegian mission, August S. Schow; Sanioan mission, J. Q. Adams; Southern States mission, C. A. Callis; South African mission, J. Wiley Sessions ; Swiss and German mission, Fred Tadje ; Swedish mission, Gideon N. Hulterstrom; Tahitian mission, Ole B. Peter- son; Tongan mission, Mark V. Coombs; Western States mission, John M. Knight. Marvelous Discoveries in Egypt The sarcophagus of Pharaoh Tutenkhamun was found un- disturbed, February 16, in the mortuary chamber of his tomb in the Valley of Kings, near Luxor, Egypt, where it was placed more than 3,000 years ago. The chamber contained, besides the coffin, royal furniture, garments, chariots, ornaments, and ex- quisite works of art. One feature of the discovery was a statue of a cat, richly painted, which has stood guard over the royal remains all these centuries. The "official opening" of the tomb occurred Sunday, February 18, and interesting disclosures are expected as a result of further examination of the objects. The find is regarded as the most important, from an archaeological point of view, of the present age of marvelous discoveries. A full description of the rich contents of this royal mausoleum cannot be expected for some months.

474 IMPROVEMENT ERA Books "Voices from the Mountains" Voices from the Mountains is the title of a new book of poems of about one hundred pages, by the favorite author, Orson F. "Whitney, recently pub- lished in Liverpool, England. The book is dedicated "To my dear and faithful wife, May." It contains twenty-six choice, beautiful poems, many of which readers of the Era will recall. The themes range 7rom "grave to gay, lively to severe," and the words were written by the author mostly in his homeland, his beloved Utah, since the publication of his former three volumes, Poetical Writings, 1889; Elias — an Epoch of the Ages, 1904; Love and the Light, an Idyl of the Westland, 1918. The volume comes as a wel- come addition to the poetic literature of the Church, by an author whom everybody enjoys reading. "The Mountain and the Vale," "Elect of Elohim,'' "The Pioneers," "The Lily and the Bee," "Grand Canyon," "The Edu- cator," and many other favorites, are here preserved in splendid form. The book is such a one as a person would delight to take with him for enjoy- able reading during the summer days among the hills. Price $1.00. The Y. M. M. I. A. Hand Book The fifth edition of the Y. M. M. I. A. Handbook, a valuable standard guide for stake and ward officers of the Mutual Improvement Associations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will be ready for dis- tribution in the early part of March. It is a book that every Mutual Iml- provement worker should have in his possession. It is revised and enlarged from former editions, and is classified into nine parts, with an elaborate index, the whole covering: (1) Aim, Origin and General Supervision; (2) Schemes of Organization and Duties of General Board, Stake and Ward Officers; (3) Secretaries and Efficiency Reports; (4) Class Study and Man- uals; (5) Organization and Membership; (6) Finance and Publications; (7) The Senior Department, Including the M Men; (8) The Junior Depart- ment, Including Scouts, containing all the necessary information for scout- ing in the Y. M. M. I. A.; (9) Joint "Work, including the activities of the Advanced Senior, Standards and Recreation work and Music of the joint Committees. The book will contain about 200 pages of matter and will be found of great value to Mutual Improvement workers. Price 40 cents. Mail your orders now. Messages from the Missions Three Baptized Irvin S. Merrill, writing from Auckland, New Zealand, Palmerston conference reports that twelve months of the elders' work has been in the city of Wanganui, which has a population of 25,000 people. The people are quite indifferent to the gospel message, with little desire for religion, which seems to be distasteful to them. They appear to be content- ed to live as they are, caring little about their salvation and giving them- selves over to pleasure. "However, our efforts are beginning to show results in the accumulation of many friends and investigators. Three have accepted the gospel and were baptized on the 14th of December, being the first converts we have had for years in this city. We are very glad to get the Improvement Era from which we obtain a great deal of en- couragement and enlightenment."

EDITORS' TABLE The Nevada Conference 475 "Just recently a new conference was organized called the Nevada con- ference, including all of the State of Nevada, as far as the stakes of Zion on the east, and bounded on the west by Susanville, California, and all towns on the same line. President Jos. W. McMurrin attended, and conference convened January 13 and 14, 1923. A priesthood meeting was held Saturday and three general sessions on Sunday following. The total number in At the First Session of the Nevada Conference, Sparks attendance was 476. Pres. McMurrin and the missionaries all enjoyed the Spirit of the Lord in their council to the people. Assignments were made as follows: Pres. Harry Hanson and Elder H. R. "Winterton to "Wabuska, Elders L. J. Gammon and J. L. Murdock to Susanville, Cal., and Elders I. R. Fisher and L. T. Lythgoe to Elko and vicinity. — Harry Hanson, Confer- ence President, Sparks, Nev. San Francisco Conference Recently some very1 interesting events have taken place in this con- ference: December 14 the semi-annual conference was held in the San Francisco chapel. The first day was devoted to the Relief Society con- ference, presided over by Sister Margaret K. Miller, president of the California mission Relief Society. Friday, the 15th, Priesthood meeting was held. During the meeting there were forty-five speakers, President Joseph W. McMurrin gave some valuable advice to the missionaries. After the meeting the missionaries were given a banquet by the San Francisco Relief Society, under the direction of the local president, Sister LePrele Hoeft. There were many interesting toasts given and an after dinner talk by President McMurrin. Saturday and Sunday the general sessions of the conference were held, President Riddle gave an interesting discourse on the restoration of the gospel. During the three general sessions on Sunday there were one thousand and two people present, the largest gath- ering ever held in the San Francisco conference. Out of the number pres- ent there were many friends and investigators, who were strongly im- pressed with the testimonies of the missionaries. President McMurrin delivered three impressive sermons that will long be remembered by those present. Five stalwart missionaries have been released. Elder Frank P. Stevens, Sisters Naomi Rich, Vera Larsen, Naomi Cheney and Victoria Campbell. It is the ambition of this conference to put forth an extra effort so that there shall not be a deficiency in missionary work, owing to the return home of the five workers; and that this conference shall lead all

EDITORS' TABLE 477 the others in the California mission; not for the glory of so doing, but for the joy that comes to those who know they are doing their best for the advancement of the work of the Lord— Ira M. Bay, Conference Secretary. In Southern Indiana Elder H. Harris Lloyd, secretary, reports a conference of Southern Indiana, Northern States mission, held November 18 and 19, at Indian- apolis. The missionaries had their regular report meeting and President- Winslow Farr Smith gave valuable instructions. The general meetings were well attended and many friends and investigators were present. The Spirit of the Lord was present in rich abundance and the talks by Presi- dent Smith and the missionaries were enjoyed by all. Elder Fritz Winzenried was appointed to succeed Elder Vivian D. Erickson as con- ference president; and President Erickson, Charles W. Pilling, and Eph- raim L. Yeates were released to return home. * % % * " £ * ^ W yy ** It $ Missionaries top row left to right: Lawrence E. Bowcutt, Fred P. Nash, John A. Lambert, Byron S. Eaton, Ephraim O. Kingsford and E. Leslie Mecham. Middle row: Augusta Kenley, V. D. Erickson, outgoing confer- ence president; Winslow Farr Smith, mission president; Fritz Winzenried, incoming conference president; Alice Stark. Front row: Birch F. Ben- nion, David Haycock, Ephraim L. Yeates, Charles W. Pilling. Rapid Growth of the Church in Breslau Joseph Duran, president of the Dresden conference, Germany, writing under date of December 27, reports that at a Thanksgiving gath- ering held in Breslau the elders and Saints donated 50,000 marks for the poor of the three branches in Breslau. During the year, 1922, they bap- tized 131 new members, blessed 25 children, sold 320 Books of Mormon, 825 other books, held 661 regular meetings, gave away 25,4iy tracts, and held 267 cottage meetings. The work is growing very rapidly. The only handicap the elders have is in finding places to meet in. "We thank the

478 IMPROVEMENT ERA Lord for being with us during the past year, and we pray that he will be with us during 1923. We have already a large number of candidates ready for baptism." Elders left to right, back row: Carvel James; Henry Mueller, Harry Deardorf, Salt Lake City; Milton Hodge, Ogden; Hugh W. Kimball, Salt Lake City; W. F. Glaypoll, Smithfield; Irvin O. Lindquist, Salt Lake City; Otto Menssen, Hamburg, Germany; Lary Hansen, Pay son; second row: Gustav Liebelt, Salt Lake City; Wm. Pobanz, Stettin, Germany; Horton C. Miller, Farmington; Alberth J. Sutherland, Murray, Utah; Heinrich Drewes, Hamburg, Germany; Leland B. Sheets; C. M. Reynolds, Harold L. Snow, Salt Lake City; front row: President G. G. McKell, Spanish Fork; President J. M. Squires, Logan ; President Wm. Korth, Brigham City ; Presi- dent of conference, Joseph Duran, Salt Lake City; President W. E. White, Willard; William E. Riter, Logan, and Richard P. Middleton, Salt Lake City. Conditions in the Netherlands Elder S. R. Carpenter, writing from Arnhem, Holland, December 2, re- ports that there have been baptized 232 people for eleven months up to the 2nd of December, against 231 for the whole of 1921. Six were bap- tized in Arnhem in late November. They have the privilege of baptism in the historic Rhine. In Arnhem they have hired a new hall recently, and since then their attendance in the meetings has grown 40%. At a re- cent conference 5 public meetings were held, besides a missionary meeting in which 20 missionaries were present. Social and economic conditions in Holland are getting worse, and crime is increasing. Thousands are out of work. On account of the cheap German products Dutch industries are being closed down and the same products are coming from Germany much cheaper, notwithstanding the high tariff. Much poverty is created by this condition which is augmented by an exceedingly large shortage of homes. Thousands of families in the larger cities are living in places unfit for people to live in. In spite of these conditions the Saints are fairly well cared for. Elder Carpenter believes that the Netherlands mission is look- ing forward to the most prosperous period in its history.

EDITORS' TABLE 479 Missionaries left to right: W. R. White, Robert Cameron, Heiko Boekweg, Amsterdam conference president; Bouwa de Vries, Gron. confer- ence president; Henry Neerings, L. van Beekum. Back row: John Visser, S. R. Carpenter, Arnhem conference president; John P. Lillywhite, mission president; L. C. Walton, R. Berg, L. S. Williams, Heber Taylor, Roelof Steenblik, A. J. Bogedahl. Six Baptisms Recently Elder Raymon P. Nelson, November 20, 1922, writes from Gisbourne, N. S. W., Australia: "Since this branch was opened some time ago the Lord has crowned our labors with great success. Much of the prejudice has been removed and many friends and investigators have been found. Six baptisms have been performed during the past few months and others are considering the important step. Some time ago we were privileged with a visit by President Don C. Rushton. The Spirit of the Lord, which is ever with President Rushton, and which is felt by all whom he meets, proved to be a great source of strength to all, especially to new members. Several well-attended meetings were held. My compan- ion, Elder J. Elmer Hen- dricks, and I have taken a number of profitable country trips, upon which we have met many good people who have been willing to receive us into their homes and listen to our message with interest. Big-hearteflness is a characteristic of the real Australian. We feel that the work in this land is growing, and that God is ever with his people. The coming of the Era each month brings to us a "spiritual feast." Left to right: Raymon P. Nelson. Logan, Utah, J. Elmer Hendricks, Rexburg, Idaho.

480 IMPROVEMENT ERA i Preaching the Gospel 170 Feet Below Sea Level Elder Keith Murdock, San Diego, reports that missionaries in that district are meeting with success in their trading, and also that street meetings, though the police have twice deprived them of favorite corners, are successful. "Three baptismal services have been held within the last three months and eighteen persons were initiated into the Church, four of whom were converts who first heard the gospel during this year. Mis- sionary work has been opened in Imperial Valley after the intense heat of the summer. Elders Jesse M. Huish and Murray G. Bracken laboring there are enjoying the unique experience of preaching the gospel 170 feet below the level of the sea, a condition which exists nowhere else in the western hemisphere. Initial Sunday School and street meetings have been held and permanent organizations) are anticipated. Only seven families of Saints live in the valley and they live in five different towns. They were over- joyed to meet the missionaries and a number of these families had already warmed up a Uttftiber of investigators for the elders to preach to. The San Diego conference was held November 19 with a wonderful spirit pres- ent at every session, all being filled with a determination to forge ahead and make the work a success." Missionaries left to right, back row: Herbert E. Midgley, Laura Bow- man, Alice Hulbert, Floyd C. Draper, Jesse M. Huish. Second row: E. H. Clark, branch president counselor; Murray G. Bracken, Arthur W. Bowman, Wayne C. Gardener, Los Angeles; W. J. Remington, Alex F. Schreiner, Los Angeles. Front row: W. A. Tenney, branch president; Keith Mur- doch conference president; Joseph W. McMurrin, mission president; Gustive O. Larsen, mission Sunday School and Y. M. M. I. A. superintend- ent; Margaret K. Miller, mission Relief Society president; and Kathrine Stewart.