--- 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: 27 number: 1 published: 1923-11 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* 27, no. 1 (November 1923): 74–81.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2701unse 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: improvementera2701unse start_page: 74 end_page: 81 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1923-11) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2701unse 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 The Centennial Celebration at Palmyra A conference of the Eastern States elders and a number of the authorities of the Church, including Presidents Heber J. Grant, Rudger Clawson, Elder Joseph Fielding Smith and James E. Talmage, of the Council of the Twelve, was held at Palmyra with exercises at the Hill Cumorah, and the Sacred Grove, on Sept. 21-23, 1923, celebrating the hundredth anniversary of the visitations of Moroni to the Prophet Joseph Smith and the revealed existence of the Book of Mormon. There were besides in attendance, Elder John H. Taylor, president of the Northern States mission; Elders Asahel H. Woodruff and D. J. Lang, of Z. C. M. I., and Elder Edwin F. Tout, who acted as chorister and Nannie Tout Graham, organist. Also President B. H. Roberts, of the Eastern States mission, and Secretary LeRoi C. Snow, with about two hundred missionaries including fourteen lady mission- aries and many other Church visitors. An elaborate program had been prepared which was presented in seven public meetings, some held in the Sacred Grove, some on the Hill Cumorah and others in a great tent erected on the Joseph Smith farm, near Palmyra. The meeting on Sunday, at 2:30 p. m., Septem- ber 23, on the Hill Cumorah, with President B. H. Roberts presiding, was attended by about two hundred missionaries, fifty visiting mem- bers of the Church and about one thousand non-members. They were assembled on the Hill Cumorah under the Stars and Stripes and the Cumorah and Ramah flags. At this meeting, which was very impres„- sive, the minds of those present were carried back to the incident of the visit of Moroni to the hill and the miraculous coming forth of the Book of Mormon. This gathering was a significant feature of the conference and was attended by representatives of several of the great newspapers of the United States, particularly of Rochester, New York. The associate editor of the Rochester Herald was present during several of the meetings and had interviews with the authorities of the Church, the results of which appeared in several lengthy and illustrated articles in the Herald; and the Rochester Journal gave complete details of the celebration without bias, setting forth many of the beliefs and customs of the Latter-day Saints. President Brigham H. Roberts, unfortunately, was ill and was able to attend but a few of the meetings. This was the only regrettable circumstance incident to the conference. The conference and its meet- EDITORS' TABLE 75 ings and the general gathering will never be forgotten by those who were privileged to participate. The exercises were followed with great interest by the eastern press, as well as by the Saints in Utah and elsewhere. This was but natural. It was a notable mile-stone in the journey of the Church on the highway of history. The Book of Mormon, the showing of the plates and the coming forth of which were commemorated there at that time, has now been before the world almost a hundred years. The story of its origin is the record of the greatest miracle of our age; and yet, criticism has never been able to break down the evidence of its truth. The doctrines of the book are true; for they agree with those of the Bible, and a doctrine cannot be true in one volume and false in another. They bear, as Dr. Widtsoe has expressed it, the evidence of their truth in themselves. But the Book of Mormon is also a historic record of some of the ancient Americans. This historic part of the book must yet be tested by external evidence, such as may be furnished by archaeological research, by the intelligent analysis of the Indian languages, and by a careful study of the traditions, myths, religious concepts, social institutions, etc. As this line of research proceeds it will be found that the history of the Book of Mormon is the only scientific record in existance of the solution of the riddle of the origin and culture of the Indian, and through such research under the guidance of the Divine Spirit, even the exceedingly difficult subject of Book of Mormon geography will be- come clear and instructive. — A. The General Conference The 94th semi-annual conference of the Church was one of the most successful ever held, both in the matter of attendance, spirit and order. President Grant was especially happy in the delivery of his addresses at the opening and closing sessions. His address on Friday. October 5, at 10 a. m., will be printed in full in the December number of the Era. He referred to President Harding's visit, to the dedication of the Alberta temple, and dwelt upon the conference of the Eastern States mission in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the visits of the Angel Moroni to the Prophet Joseph Smith, the progress of the Arizona temple, the safety of the missionaries in Japan, and the general progress of the missionary work in the world. He referred to the M. I. A. slogan, "We stand for divine guidance through indi- vidual and family prayer," and deprecated the fact that there are some among the Saints who do not observe these requirements and likewise who fail to observe the Word of Wisdom, all of which he greatly regretted. He read the revelation on the Word of Wisdom, and stated 76 IMPROVEMENT ERA that it was a letter from the Lord to the Latter-day Saints with a promise. He counseled the Latter-day Saints to observe this word for their own salvation, temporal and spiritual. Reference was also made in his speech to the loyalty of the Latter-day Saints, and he commended them for the faithful payment of tithes, and said in closing: "O fathers in Israel, if you will set an example by being honest before God in the payment of your tithes, if you will observe the Word of Wisdom, if you will observe your family and your secret prayers, God will give you the strength to preserve the youth of Zion in purity and in the truth, and shield them from the adversary and from wicked and designing men, and give them a testimony of the divinity of this work." President Grant announced, also, that recently the Church pur- chased the R. H. Ingles farm of ninety odd acres embracing the west slope of the Hill Cumorah, about one-third of the way up the hill. "There is a nice farm house and it is a very fine piece of property. Elder Willard Bean, in charge of the memorial home on the Smith farm, wrote that we could purchase this property and we are glad now that at least a part of the hill is in the possession of the Church," he said. Concerning the two members of the Council of the Apostles who were absent, he stated: "Elder Orson F. Whitney's health is of such a character that he is not able to attend the conference. I am pleased to inform you, however, that his health has very greatly improved during the past six months, and that he is again able, occasionally, in fact nearly always, to meet with us once a week in the temple in the regular council meeting of the Presidency, the Apostles, and the Patri- arch. But considering the state of his nerves at the present time, he does not feel that it is wisdom to be here and mingle with a large crowd. He is with us in spirit, and we hope and pray that he may be here in vigor of body and mind six months from today." "Elder David O. McKay is absent in Europe, and is performing an excellent mission in presiding over the European mission and also over the British, and is accomplishing a splendid labor. The Council hear from him frequently and he is thoroughly enjoying his work." At no conference ever held has there been better order, perhaps for one thing, because amplifying devices had been installed so that the people outside as well as inside of the tabernacle could hear what was said; these were also in the Assembly Hall and Barratt Hall, and at the Bureau of Information where other thousands had gathered. The possibilities of this invention in the future, in the wards and homes, at long distances, can scarcely be imagined. All the proceedings in the Tabernacle on Sunday were broadcasted by the Desecet News radio station. There were hundreds of people in Salt Lake City who listened to the sermons sitting by their comfortable firesides in their own homes; and doubtless others, who possess radios at longer distances from the city, did the same. The spirit of the whole conference was excellent and the representation from all the Church was very satisfac- EDITORS' TABLE 77 tory. The spirit of the Lord was enjoyed by those who spoke, so that the hearts of the people were touched to their blessing and upbuilding, and for the progress of the work of the Lord in the earth. — A. Christmas Cantatas The committee on Church music recommend the following as suitable cantatas for Christmas; The Nativity, by Henry Housley; The Prince of Peace, by T. F. H. Candlyn; The Shepherd's Vision, by Horatio Parker, and The Christmas Rose by William Lester. All are published by W. H. Gray Company. Books The Era has received the advanced proofs of Rimrock, a story of the west, by T. C. Hoyt, a former citizen of Utah, and now a resident of Ari- zona. The book consists of 319 pages and is published by the Four Seas Company, Boston, Massachusetts. It is dedicated by the author to his brothers, Josiah H. Hoyt and Edward Lamb who lived and served amid the stress of the times and events depicted. The story has very many interesting episodes from the real history of the west, and the characters are genuine. A few of the forty-three chapters are entitled, "A Man with a Purpose," "How Does a Horse Laugh?" "Nerve and Sense," "Looking Two Ways," "The Mavericks," "When Cupid Shoots and Hoots," "The Stampede," "Paths that Touch and Twine," "The Poison in the Cup," "A Discovery that Didn't Discover," "When Friendship Proves Itself," "A Man's Gethsemane," "Two Views from the Rimrock." The story is laid in southern Utah and northern Arizona, Kanab especially, and is a story that ought to interest not only the citizens of these two states, but of every state in the union, and of every person who is interested in ranches, cowboys, and the development of the great West and its redemption from the red man, and progress through the many epochs from the wild condition to the present civilization and comfort that surround the settlers. The introduction of irrigation in the agricultural development of arid lands of the West by the "Mormons" is held forth as a "great deciding factor and potent economic influence that broke up the vast range areas into smaller units and brought about the establishment of farming, ranching, and the feeding of stock as distinguished from the old, year-long range regime." From the chapters that we have read we should judge it to be a book well worth the reading. It will be on sale in early November at the book stores. MESSAGES FROM THE MISSIONS Progress in Santa Ana Gwendolyn Woolley, conference clerk of Santa Ana, California, reports a semi-annual conference of Long Beach. There was a priesthood meeting held on the 22nd, and following the meeting, the missionaries were ban- queted by the Relief Society at the home of A. J. Smith. The general sessions of the conference were held on the 23rd and 24th of June in the 78 IMPROVEMENT ERA G. A. R. Hall, Santa Ana. Prest. McMurrin presided, and Prest. Silas A. Bushman conducted the meetings which were well attended by friends and investigators, as well as the Saints in Orange Co. Supt. Gustive O. Larsen of the mission Sunday schools and Y. M. M. I. A., Prest. Ruth Tanner of the Y. L. M. I. A. and Primaries, and Margaret K. Miller of the Relief Society, conducted conventions for the officers of these organizations. Excel- lent progress was reported. A* Huntington Beach a Sunday school, Y. M. M. I. A., Priesthood class and a Relief Society have been organized within the past few months, under the direction of Elder T. T. Rasmussen. Denying Slanders Elder Joseph H. Valentine, writing from Nottingham, England, June 23, reports a conference which took place there June 3, which was very successful. The outstanding feature was the fact that it was held outside of Nottingham. "As far as we know, this is the only one ever held in Hucknal. Prejudice against the Church still exists in the city and that is perhaps the reason we were unable to hire a hall there. The Hucknal Cooperative Society offered us their hall and we quickly accepted. We began the new year by baptizing four converts in Birmingham. Here, also, opposition prevented us from renting any baths in the city. Matters have changed since then and we have been able to hold baptismal services every month, either in Leicester or Mansfield. Altogether, we have baptized 26 here this year. Too much credit cannot be given to the able leadership of President David O. McKay in bringing the work to its present favorable condition. On the first of April a new tracting system was adopted throughout the mission and we are using as a first tract, "Anti-Mormon Slanders Denied." It is certainly allaying the prejudice against our people in this conference, and we are getting more investigators from tracting than ever before. Our open-air meetings are well attended, more orderly, and we have been able to do a good deal of good through going on to the open market and denying these slanders which have been circulated against the Church and stating to the people our true motives. The elders are all fine young men, interested in their work and desirous of making it greater. We greatly appreciate the Era and find it a big aid to missionary work." The Work Successful in Scotland Elder Glen A. Finlayson, president of the Scottish conference, writing from Glasgow, June 27, reports that the work continues successful in that field. "Even though many are still frightened of the elders and believe them to be anything but Christians, there are a few who accept the gospel teachings and thereby transform their lives for the better. The Era is^a great aid to us in our work, giving the elders not only valuable know- ledge, but also providing interesting and instructive material for our friends. Laboring in and visiting this conference May 27, were John C. Bell, Mt. Pleasant; Elbert R. Curtis, Salt Lake City, (released) ; Osmond O. Jorgen- sen, Logan; David L. McKay, Ogden, (from Liverpool office); David W. Goddard, Salt Lake City, (from Liverpool office) ; Marquis I. Batty, Vernal, Utah; George G. Cambell, Salt Lake City; Harvey H. Glade, Salt Lake City, (clerk of the Scottish conference) ; Katherine G. Wright, Ogden, (from London conference) ; Joseph E. Wright, (president London confer- ence) ; Emma Ray McKay, Ogden, (from Liverpool office and president of European Relief Societies) ; David O. McKay, Ogden, (from Liverpool office and president of European mission) ; John B. Cummock, Salt Lake City, (former president of Scottish conference) ; Annie R. Cummock, Salt Lake City, (released) ; Donald E. Rose, Salt Lake City; Frank W. McGbie, Salt Lake City, (released) ; Glen A. Finlayson, Provo, (president of Scottish EDITORS' TABLE 79 conference) ; George S. Taylor, Salt Lake City; Gordon L. Weggeland. Salt Lake City. West Texas Prospering Rex C. Ward, president of the West Texas conference, San Antonio, reports that the missionary work in that district is prospering and that the elders are doing all in their might to proclaim the gospel. "Many people who are earnestly seeking to gain a greater knowledge of our teachings are reading the Era each month, and the magazine is appreciated very much by the missionaries, since it is not only interesting and profitable to us individually, but a great help in our efforts to declare the gospel." Missionaries of the West Texas conference, Central States mission, left to right (top row) : J. A. Peart, Salt Lake City (Mexican mission) ; A. E. Peterson, Redmond; N. Orald Henric, Panguitch; R. J. Bremer, San An- tonio, branch president; V. F. Birch, Eureka; A. H. Sorensen, Salt Lake City, retiring conference president; J. V. Heusser, Deweyville; John C. Reinhardt, local elder; C. W. Hill, San Antonio. Sunday school superinten- dent. Front row: J. R. Southwick, Liberty, Utah; E. L. Davidson, Parker, Idaho, (Mexican mission) ; L. P. Varley, Provo; S. O. Bennion, president Central States mission; J. E. Broadbent, Heber, Utah; J. Dean Allen, Nampa, Idaho; D. W. Merrill, Torrey; Rex C. Ward, Parowan, Utah, conference president. Conference in Hull, England The largest attended conference in this district, since the years before the war, convened in Grimsby, March 18. President David O. McKay of the European mission was in attendance with a number of presidents of conferences and traveling elders. The adoption and the application of the aim of the European mission for 1923, "Every member a missionary" ac- counted for the record-breaking attendance which demonstrated beyond doubt the wonderful missionary work that can be accomplished by individual mem- bers of the Church, with whom the success of the Church in its missionary 80 IMPROVEMENT ERA work largely rests, and not entirely with the missionaries who are especially called and appointed. The individual can do more to spread the gospel than the missionaries who are called, and especially set apart for that work in the Church. President George Osmond Hyde was honorably released to return home, and Elder Marion Rogers was chosen to succeed him. Pros- pects were never brighter in this district, the united efforts of the Saints and the missionaries causing rapid advancement. — George Osmond Hyde. Missionaries laboring in the Hull conference, standing, left to right: Marvin L. Nielson, Garland; K. Marsel Widtsoe, Edward L. Burton, Jt., Salt Lake City; Grant Y. Anderson, of the Leeds conference, Malad, Idaho; J. Lewis Ellgren, clerk of the Norwich conference; J. Norman Dotson, Salt Lake City; Hiram Sutcliffe, of the Sheffield conference, St. Joseph, Arizona; Horace Y. Whittle, Fairview, Idaho. Sitting: Melvin T. King, Raymond, Alberta, Canada; David W. Goddard, of the Liverpool office, Ogden; George Osmond Hyde, retiring conference president, Downey, Idaho; Marion Rogers, incoming conference president, Snowflake, Arizona; David D. Lamph, conference clerk, Castle Dale; Alpheus Harvey, Kaysville; Donald E. Rose, Salt Lake City, Utah. The Gospel at The Hague Elders Heber C. Taylor and Philip C. Call, writing from the Hague; Holland, April 28, report that under the able leadership of the new president, Charles S. Hyde, and the splendid support of enthusiastic Saints, they are succeeding in bringing the truth of the gospel before the people. "Our labors are faithful, baptisms are frequent, hence our missionary work is pleasant as well as encouraging. Since The Hague is situated on the North Sea, a few nights ago we held a very interesting baptismal service on the beach under the shadow of the full moon, excelled in brightness only by the everwatching lighthouse, which threw its rays across the water as far as the eye could see. We baptized two persons, a short service was held an appropriate song sung, following the example set by our Savior. We are all happy and enjoying our work immensely, and thankful that God has blessed our effort with such success." EDITORS' TABLE 81 Elders, left to right: Heber C. Taylor, George D. Cushing, J. Francis DeBry, and Philip C. Call. Large Book of Mormon Sales Elder E. N. Christensen, writing from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, reports that "We have held street meetings in the different cities of this state and have large, attentive crowds. They are interested in our message and we are breaking down the prejudice which is prevalent throughout this section. The people in the country gladly entertain us while traveling without purse or scrip. We have sold large numbers of the Book of Mormon and many smaller books." The following elders are doing country work in the Wisconsin confer- ence: E. A. Christensen, Thomas £,. Smith, D. L. Rasmussen, and R. A. Madsen. New Mission Presidents In July, Ernest LeRoy Butler succeeded John Q. Adams as president of the Samoan mission; and Hilton A. Robertson succeeded Lloyd Ivie as president of the Japanese mission. Albert R. Peterson has been made president of the Norwegian mission succeeding August S. Schow. "Behold, they have been sent to preach my gospel among the congre- gations of the wicked; wherefore I give unto them a commandment, thus: Thou shalt not idle away thy time, neither shalt thou bury thy talent that it, may not be known." — Doctrine %p$ Covenants, 60:13.