--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 26 number: 11 published: 1923-09 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations, "Editors’ Table", *Improvement Era* 26, no. 11 (September 1923): 1053–1065.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera26011unse 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: improvementera26011unse start_page: 1053 end_page: 1065 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1923-09) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera26011unse 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. --- # Editors’ Table EDITORS' TABLE 1053 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is itself a testimony of the divinity of the heavenly messages given to the Prophet Joseph Smith. Hundreds of thousands of faithful men and women are convinced of this truth; and I join my testimony with theirs that the revelations of the Lord to Joseph are true, and that this Church, through divine source, bears legitimately the name of Jesus Christ and his divine authority. Heber J. Grant. The Book of Mormon Revealed to Joseph the Prophet Circumstances Attending the Miraculous Incident The prophet Joseph Smith, at the age of 15 years, received bis first vision in 1820. He then was instructed in answer to his question, Which of all the sects is right? that they were all wrong, and that he must join none of them. His mind be- came satisfied so far as the sectarian world was concerned, that he must join none of the sects, but was to continue as he was until further direction. He continued thus for an interval of about three years and a half, occupying his time with the common vocations of life, suffering persecutions constantly from all classes of men be- cause he insisted he had seen a vision. During this time he fell into many minor errors, as a young man of his age naturally would; not grievous sins at all, however, but minor errors such as levity and the association of jovial company, not consistent with the character which he thought ought to be maintained by one who was called of God as he had been. Feeling condemned because of these things, he retired to his bed on the night of September 21, 1823, and prayed the Lord to be forgiven of his sins, and in full confidence also that it might be made known to him how he stood before the Lord. It was then that the Angel Moroni, a resurrected being, son of Mormon, and the last representative of the ancient Ne- phite race on the American continent, who had been given charge of the records by his father, appeared to him three times during the night and once on the following day. Moroni's message to the Prophet was that he was sent as a messenger from God, and that God had a work for Joseph to do, that his name should be good and evil spoken of among all nations, kindreds, tongues and people. Also, "he said there was a book deposited, written upon gold plates, giving an account of the former inhabitants of this continent and the source from whence they sprang. He also said that the fulness of the everlasting gospel was contained in it, as delivered by the Savior to the an- cient inhabitants; also, that there were two stones in silver 1054 IMPROVEMENT ERA bows — and these stones, fastened to a breast plate, constituted what is called the Urim and Thummim — deposited with the plates; and the possession and use of these stones were what constituted 'Seers' in ancient or former times ; and that God had prepared them for the purpose of translating the book." He then quoted to Joseph certain very important proph- ecies from Malachi (3d and 4th chapters), Isaiah (11th chap- ter), The Acts (3:22-23), and many other passages of Scripture. Moroni appeared the second time and repeated the same things over again; in addition, informing Joseph "of great judg- ments which were coming upon the earth, with great desola- tions by famine, sword, and pestilence; and that these grievous judgments would come on the earth in this generation." Again Moroni appeared the third time repeating what he had previously said. He cautioned Joseph, in addition, owing A view of the Hill Cumorah to the indigent circumstances of the family, that Satan would try to tempt him to get the plates for the purpose of getting rich. "This he forbade me," says Joseph, "saying I must have no other object in view in getting the plates but to glorify God, and must not be influenced by any other motive than that of building his kingdom; otherwise I could not get them." Day was now approaching. The interviews had lasted the whole of that night. On the 22nd Joseph went to his la- bors as usual, but his strength failed him. His father, seeing something wrong with him, told him to go home. Joseph started, but in crossing the fence out of the field where he was working, he fell unconscious to the ground. The first EDITORS' TABLE 1055 he remembers was a voice calling him by name. "I looked up, and beheld the same messenger standing over my head, sur- rounded by light as before. He then again related unto me all that he had related to me the previous night, and com- manded me to go to my father and tell him of the vision and the commandments which I had received. I obeyed; I returned to my father in the field, and rehearsed the whole matter to him. He replied to me that it was of God, and told me to go and do as commanded by the messenger. I left the field, and went to the place where the messenger had told me the plates were deposited; and owing to the distinctness of the vision which I had had concerning it, I knew the place the instant that I arrived there. "Convenient to the village of Manchester, Ontario (now Wayne) county, New York, stands a hill of considerable size, and the most elevated of any in the neighborhood. On the west side of this hill, not far from the top, under a stone of considerable size, lay the plates, deposited in a stone box. This stone was thick and rounding in the middle on the upper side, and thinner towards the edges, so that the middle part of it was visible above the ground, but the edge all around was cov- ered with earth. "Having removed the earth, I obtained a lever which I got fixed under the edge of the stone, and with a little exertion raised it up. I looked in and there indeed I beheld the plates, the Urim and Thummim, and the breastplate, as stated by the messenger. The box in which they lay was formed by laying stones together in some kind of cement. In the bottom of the box were laid two stones crossways of the box, and on these stones lay the plates and the other things with them. "I made an attempt to take them out, but was forbidden by the messenger; and was again informed that the time for bringing them forth had not yet arrived. Neither would it, until four years from that time; but he told me that I should come to that place precisely in one year from, that time, and that he would there meet with me, and that I should continue to do so until the time should come for obtaining the plates. Accordingly, as I had been commanded, I went at the end of each year, and at each time I found the messenger there, and received instruction and intelligence from him at each of our interviews, respecting what the Lord was going to do, and how and in what manner his kingdom was to be conducted in the last days." On the 22nd day of September, 1827, the Prophet received the plates of the Book of Mormon. The heavenly messenger delivered them up to him with this charge: "That I should be responsible for them, that if I should let them go carelessly 1056 IMPROVEMENT ERA or through any neglect of mine, I should be cut off; but that if I should use all my endeavors to preserve them until he, the messenger, should call for them, they should be protected." From this time on, every effort was made to get the plates from Joseph. He says that, "Every stratagem that could be invented was resorted to for that purpose. "But," says the prophet, "by the wisdom of God, they remained safe in my hands until I had accomplished by them what was required at my hand. When, according to arrangements, the messenger called for them, I delivered them up to him; and he has them in charge until this day." The translation of the Book of Mormon proceeded; fi- nally, in March, 1830, the book was printed in an edition of 3,000. Its contents, its further career and circulation, the credi- bility of the testimony of its witnesses, the predictions in the Bible of its coming forth, and some of the new and marvelous doctrines contained therein, and other facts concerning it, are further treated in the articles in this number of the Er% as contributions in memory of the hundredth anniversary of the day when the sacred plates of the Book of Mormon were first shown to Joseph Smith in the Hill Cumorah. — A. A scene near the sacred grove EDITORS' TABLE 1057 Warren G. Harding President Warren Gamaliel Harding, the 29th President of the United States, veritably the Nation's Apostle of Peace, passed away suddenly at his apartment in a hotel in San Francisco, August 2, at 7:30 p. m., as a result of cerebral apoplexy. He was born near Corsica, Ohio, November 2, 1865. At the moment of death Mirs. Harding was reading to him and his last words were : "That's good. Go on; read some more." Dr. Sawyer was the only physician present. President Harding left Washington on June 20 for a swing around the circle to visit the western states and Alaska. He planned to travel 7,500 miles in thirty-nine days. He visited St. Louis, arguing eloquently for the World Court, in his first set speech; then at Kansas City, where he advocated railroad consolidation; at Hutchinson, Kansas, where he spoke to the farmers; at Denver, where he came out strongly for the enforce- ment of the dry law; and at Salt Lake City, where he delivered a carefully prepared speech on taxation, in the large tabernacle, where thousands listened to him and other thousands heard him by means of radio in the tabernacle square and surrounding places. Aside from that, he made a trip to southern Utah where he endeared himself to the people by his kindly association with them. He was in Alaska on July 8, returning by way of Van- couver to Seattle where he spoke July 27, on the Alaskan prob- lem, urging that Alaska be saved from those who would exploit her vast resources so recklessly as to ruin them, thus linking his name with Alaska in a very vivid sense. The following day, July 28, signs of ptomaine poisoning appeared and he was rushed to San Francisco. His itinerary was changed and his engagements cancelled, but it was hoped that a few days' rest in San Francisco would restore his health and enable him to return to Washing- ton. On July 30 it was announced that the President was suffer- ing from broncho-pneumonia, but later reports were favorable; and on the morning of the day he died he was declared to be on the way to complete recovery. The death message came in the evening as a shocking surprise to everybody. The train carrying the body of the late President to Washington was met everywhere on the way, and in our state in Ogden, Utah, by sympathetic and mourning throngs. After official observances in Washington, the train slowly proceeded on to Marion, Ohio, and on the 10th of August his remains were laid at rest in the cemetery in the home town of the beloved 1058 IMPROVEMENT ERA departed one. The funeral services were simple, but impressive". The day was one of mourning and prayer. Memorial services were held in many cities of the country and large numbers of people were present. Thousands attended the special services and musical program in the Salt Lake tabernacle, where Presi- dent Nephi L. Morris, of the Salt Lake stake, in a brief, but eloquent address, bore testimony to the worth of President Hard- ing, and how he had won his way into the hearts of the people, both in his private and public life. The public offices, business houses and banks were closed a part of the day as a tribute of respect to his memory. In many of the wards of the Church memorial services were held on Sunday, August 12. Vice-President Calvin Coolidge, upon whom the power and the duties of the Presidential office now devolves until a Presi- dent shall be elected in November, 1924, and installed in March, 1925, was immediately notified upon the death of President Harding and took the prescribed oath of office at 2:47 a. m., August 3, at Plymouth, Vermont. His father, who is a notary public, administered his oath. President Coolidge then issued a statement that he would carry out the policies of the late Chief Executive and would seek the cooperation of all who had been associated with the former President during his term of office. He said : "I have faith that God will direct the destinies of our nation." The outstanding facts of President Harding's administration are thus briefly summarized by the Associated Press: Reestablishment of peace with Germany and Austria. The calling of the Arms Conference, which approved the Naval Limitation Treaty and the Four-Power Pacific pact. Ratification of the treaty with Columbia, resulting from the partitioning of Panama. Revision of the tax and tariff laws. Restriction of immigration. Farmer aid legislation with particular reference to easier credits. »■ Establishment of the Budget Bureau. Veto of the Soldiers' Bonus Bill. Extension of the program of aid for wounded, sick and disabled veterans of the World War. Advocacy of American participation in the World Court. The New York Herald says: "Warren G. Harding was a man whom the people loved. Each President of the last generation has made his own particular personal appeal to his countrymen. Cleveland's rugged courage, McKinley's gentleness and tact, Roosevelt's strength and fervor, Taft's good nature, Wilson's intellectual idealism — all these drew people toward their possessors. President Harding ivas one who attracted to himself the intimate affection of the people."— A. EDITORS' TABLE 1059 Books Songs of a Pioneer By John Lyon, compiled by his son, David R. Lyon, Magazine Printing Co., Sail Lake City. This is a collection of writings both in verse and prose by the author of the well-known Harp of Zion. The subject matter contained in the volume of 391 pages is most varied. The poems range through satire, humor, reflection, and contemplation of the religious and the devotional. The prose consists of stories and essays, the scene of the former being found mostly in Scotland, and they are humorous, historical and narrative. As would be expected from the title of the work, the volume is replete with verses which reflect the faith and purpose, the happy pastimes, and trials, of the pioneers. John Lyon was the first Librarian of Utah, having held the position in the Territorial Library, in the Pioneer days. A portrait of the author as Librarian embellishes this volume of Songs of a Pioneer. In lha L. D. S. Hymn Book he is represented by several hymns, among them the familiar one "Where the voice of friendship's heard." Songs of a Pioneer is a commendable monument to his memory. "Columbus, Westward, Ho!" Truly the life of Columbus is a most fitting theme for play; the West- ward, Ho! of the noble Admiral was one of the greatest world-events of all time. No boats did more in the service of the human race than the tiny cara- vels, Pinta, Santa Maria, and Nina. The voyage of Columbus eclipses in im- portance that of all other men, and the life of the intrepid sailor who dis- covered our Western World ranges from the dreams of a poor youth to the achievements of an associate with kings and queens, to a sad ending in a prison cell, the victim of envy and misrepresentation. This splendid material has been taken by the author of Columbus, Alice Merrill Home, woven into a play of a prologue, two acts, and an epilogue. This has been most skilfully done, and the main points in the Life of Colum- bus placed before the reading public who shall see the play. The author is to be highly congratulated upon the result of her labors, the reading of this play will give young or old a concrete conception of the life and work of Columbus. The book is beautifully prepared in the very best of paper, printing and binding, and the illustrations add much to the interest of the text. For Oct. 12, Columbus Day, schools and organizations will find in this play a welcome guest. Messages from the Missions In the Berlin Conference Elder George H. Smith, Berlin, Germany, reports that the Moabiter branch of the Berlin conference is progressing nicely, and through the help of the Lord, they are able to accomplish much. This branch is one of the four in Berlin. On the 24th of May a conference was held at which Presi- dent Tadje visited and gave excellent instructions. The present conditions enable us to receive 76,000 marks for the dollar and the marks are con- stantly falling. Although high in figure the purchasing power is very low. To give you an idea of the cost of the necessities of life: bread, 3,000 marks 1060 IMPROVEMENT ERA butter, 15,000 marks; eggs, 7,000 marks; milk, 2,000 marks a 'liter' and the average working man earns 75,000 marks per week; so one can imagine the difficulty of rearing a family on less than one dollar per week. We read with interest the Improvement Era. It is certainly a great help to a missionary. Its contents are always a scource of spiritual food. Elders left to right: Truman R. Young, .1. Russell Hughes, E. Virgil Norton, outgoing branch president; George H. Smith, incoming branch president. Northern Illinois Elder J. N. Tran- strum of the Northern Il- linois conference reports the missionary work in Bloomington as haviug taken on an added force in the furtherance of the gospel message. New friends are being made and a number are favor- able for baptism. The conference is in very good condition. The missionaries are as fol- lows: Back: DeWitt J. Paul. Front: (left to right) Rodney Schaer and President J. N. Trau- strum. EDITORS' TABLE 1061 Sixty-Two Baptisms in Alabama Elder J. E. Harvey, President Leland K. Cullimore, and H. L. Nance, laboring in the Alabama conference, report a baptismal service, April 29, on the banks of Port St. Joe, Florida Bay. About fifty people were present and a confirmation meeting was later held at the home of one of the Saints. It was attended by one hundred people seeking for the truth. Among them were five earnest investigators who came prepared to be baptized that evening, as we were compelled to leave on the morrow. The elders invited the congregation to go to the bay some two blocks away, and over two hundred people went to see the moonlight baptisms which gave us an opportunity to speak to the people and present our mission message to them. The baptisms were performed and we returned to the cottage to hold confirmation meeting. Many could not gain admission, the crowd was so large. Again we preached to the people and confirmed those who were baptized members of the Church. We closed the day by thanking our Heavenly Father for his tender mercies and many blessings. From January 1 to May 10, sixty-two baptisms have been performed in our conference. Six Baptisms in Houston, Texas Elder Vern B. Millard, Houston, Texas, reports on June 2, that the elders of the south Texas conference are enjoying prosperity. "Six baptisms were reported at the recent conference and indications of a big increase during the next three months. All the elders are enjoying good health and appear to be immune from diseases of this southern climate. We apreciate the Improvement Era, its contents promoting energy in our daily labors." **■> ¥ % '1 Jr 1 ^ * 1 m ^5 - * : w ™ ,Missionaries of the south Texas conference, back ft»w, left to right: Clarence M. Reber, Mesquite, Nevada; Theodore Collier, Vernal; Golden Haight, Cedar City; Arden Ogden, McCornick, Utah; Joshua H. Taylor, Preston, Idaho. Front row: Todd W. Andrus, conference president, Ucon; Ray C. Bright, retiring conference president, Preston Idaho; Vern B. Millard, Riverton; Timothy W. Kendell, Uintah, Utah, 1062 IMPROVEMENT ERA Social and Mutual Work in Massachusetts Elder E. J. Ellison of the Massachusetts conference reports that they have four organized Mutual Improvement Associations in that conference, and are teaching the gospel to the young people as well as the old. "We are keeping our branches together socially. We have a number of investi- gators who are regular attendants at our Mutual meetings. We have found many articles in the Era that have proved to be very useful in missionary work, and very strengthening to our testimonies. It is a great help to us in our work." Missionaries in the Massachusetts conference, front row, left to right: C. D. Peterson, Hyrum; Pearl Williams, Axon, Georgia; Ed. J. Ellison, conference president, Layton; Rose Dalton, Roy; T. S. Nielson; former conference president, of Albany, Montpelier, Idaho. Top row: J. C. Nelson, Provo; L.W. Fuller, Silver; Martha Stuart, Wellsville; R. W. Newman, Ogden; Margaret Pierpont, Provo; E. G. Berntson, Logan; J. L. Garrett, Nephi, Utah. Matters in Melbourne The Victorian conference was held in Melbourne, Australia, April 15, as reported by John E. Hipwell. One hundred forty Saints and friends were present. A Priesthood meeting and Sunday School gatherings were held at which interesting programs were given, and yearly report of the Sunday School was given by Superintendent Kneale. They had an average attendance of one hundred. President John C. Rushton attended the con- ference and at the regular sacrament meeting, President John E. Hipwell reported good progress. The new church building had been bought and paid for, a fine house adjoining the church has been purchased for the elders and partly paid for, twenty-two people had been baptized EDITORS' TABLE 1063 since the dedication of the new church, there was an increase in the pay- ment of tithing and the building fund. President Rushton spoke and commended President Hipwell for the splendid work which he had per- formed while there. This would be his last Sunday with the Saints in Melbourne, as he was about to be released to return home to labor in the new field. Elder Hipwell was released as president of the Victorian con- ference with a hearty vote of thanks for his past labors. Joseph B. Gun- nell was sustained as president of the Victorian conference. A very en- thusiastic meeting was held in the evening and many things were said to encourage the Sajnts and increase their faith. Missionaries standing, left to right: David M. Paskett, Grouse Creek; Byron S. Collett, Vernal; Carrol L. Olsen, Hyrum; E. Eugene Gardner, ex-president Tasmania, Delta, Utah. Sitting, George A. Christensen, ex- president South Australia, Tremonton; John E. Hipwell, ex-president Victoria, Ogden; President Don C. Rushton, Salt Lake City; Joseph B. Gunnell, conference president Victoria, Wellsville, Utah. Steady Increase in Every Way in New South Wales Very encouraging news has been received from Conference President M. George Romney concerning the missionary work in the New South Wales conference, Australian mission. He among other things says: "During the past year the elders have spent an average of 11 hours and 55 minutes, thirty days in the month in missionary work. As a result, in answer to special fastings and fervent prayer, the Lord has blessed us far beyond our merits. We have seen the attendance at our meetings more than double. Forty-six have been baptized, nearly all new members. This number may seem small to some, but taking into consideration that last year there were but two, and the year before barely half dozen, a large increase is noticeable. "When Brothers McKay and Cannon visited us they said one of the greatest needs of the Australian mission was a strong, 'united, active, local priesthood.' In this most important line material advancement has been made. Our numbers have increased 50%. The efficient activities and 1064 IMPROVEMENT ERA splendid spirit of the Saints is evidenced by the consistent attendance at meetings and steady increase in payment of tithes and offerings. In Mel- bourne and Adelaide splendid chapels have been recently built, but New South Wales is not one whit behind in this endeavor, as shown by the fact that during the past months our building fund has increased to 250 pounds sterling. With President Don C. Rushton at our head — a man always in touch with the Spirit of the Lord — we anticipate great development in the coming year." Missionaries at the Sydney conference, left to right, back row: Ira J. Page, Robert H. Andrus, Leon A. Robins, William C. Warner. Middle row: Thomas W. Lutz, Gerald O. Billings, Russel B. Tingey, Doris Baker, Edward E. Burrows. Front row: Carrol L. Olsen, Marion oeorge Romney, conference president and outgoing mission secretary; Don C. Rushton, mission president; Mr? Don C. Rushton, Cecil S. James, incoming mis- sion secretary, Joseph W. Ward. Large Conference in Newcastle Elder Ezra T. Benson, president of the Newcastle conference, Sunder- land, England, writes that they had a spiritual feast at their annual con- ference on the 13th of May. There were 200 present at one of the meetings. "The splendid discourse delivered by President McKay will doubtless cause many to look on the restored gospel with a desire to find out the truth. A number of special meetings of officers and teachers, Relief Society sisters and the Priesthood were held. The work is progressing nicely. There have been thirteen baptisms during the last three months and a number more have applied. The Saints are co-operating with the elders in arranging a series of cottage meetings at which friends and investigators may hear more of the gospel. The eight branches of this conference are in flourishing condition, some of which have doubled the attendance at their Sunday meetings during the last six months." EDITORS' TABLE 1065 Elders left to right standing: Joseph J. Brown, Payson; William E. White, Beaver; James L. Wheat, Salt Lake City; William M. Harris, con- ference clerk, Evanston, Wyoming; Don Clyde, Heber City; John M. Jones, Salt Lake City; Walter H. Allington, Jr., Murray; Rodney D. Price, Phoenix, Arizona; Thomas V. Phillips, Springville; John B. Fowers, Provo. Sitting: David L. McKay, Liverpool office, Ogden; David O. McKay, President of the European mission; Emma Ray McKay, president of the Relief Societies; Ezra T. Benson, conference president, Whitney, Idaho. A Mission An Exacting Teacher Miss Ellen Copening and Miss Nellie Moncur, writing from St. Joseph, Missouri, May 10, report that they have found a mission to be a very exacting teacher and efficient. Little time is found for idleness. "Our field is broad, as we look after a branch in Kansas as well as St. Joseph, almost more than we are able to do, but we are firm believers in the old adage, 'Where there's a will there's a way.' We enjoy our work in the Central States mission." Lady missionaries, left to right: Nellie Moncur, Ellen Copening.