A Mecca for Service

A MECCA FOR SERVICE By A. Rex Johnson "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, my breth- ren, ye have done it unto me." So spoke the Master in ancient times. At no period in the his- tory of the world has there been greater need for a personification and an exemplification of this much quoted phrase than at the present time. The spirit of helpfulness, and the desire to carry out the slogan of the Brigham Young University, "Training for Leadership," have actuated students of the University during the past three years in fostering a very novel and distinctive program of unselfish service for their fellow men. During the school year 1922-3 considerably over 200 different students — one out of each 4 attending — participated in programs, lyceum numbers, and various types of entertainment in sacrament meetings, Mutuals, Sunday Schools, conferences, schools, clubs, and other organizations. Most of the participants were used several times. Sometimes these entertainments are given absolutely without cost to the public, but transportation is usually furnished by the group or organization which receives the services. During the school year just passed a very conservative count showed that over 20,000 people, most of them church-goers, had enjoyed the efforts of members of the "Y" student body outside the halls of the institution. These entertainments consisted of solos and combinations of all sorts of musical instruments, varied kinds of vocal selections, readings, one-act plays, etc. Speakers on various subjects, from among members of the student body, espe- cially in the case of returned missionaries and public speaking students, were available on all occasions and at short notice. Of the services rendered last year, by far the largest percentage were for Church organ- izations, and practically every participant when given a choice chose this field. The year 1923-24 promised even a more fertile period for ser- vice. At the beginning of this school year a complete individual rec- ord of all students who are able to participate in any sort of public or church activity was obtained and is now on file in the student body office. With this basic information the officers and members of the Public Service Bureau are bending every effort toward filling promptly and effectively every demand made upon them this year by all Church organizations, clubs, and schools within convenient distance of the University, and an ever-widening field of activity is sought. Records show that the ability of the student to serve increases almost in direct proportion to the number of years spent in the in- stitution; last year the largest number of participants were from the upper division college classes of the institution.

678 IMPROVEMENT ERA Where can a better opportunity be found for service than in answering the call of those who lead the various organizations of our Church or social units of our rapidly growing commonwealth? The function of the Church School, first to build spiritually, is in- deed being manifest in this field of community leadership and service. Ask and ye shall receive! Pcooo, Utah Potent Motherhood I walked forlornly lone one day, Along a busy, thronged highway; No face familiar did I see. No friendly voice saluted me. My gown was not the latest cut, A maid exclaimed, "Look at that mutt." My hat was two years past the style; Another said, "My, what a tile!" Block after block I passed them by, Some eyes were lowered, some heads held high, Until at length I met a lad With a smile that made my heart grow glad. "Paper! paper!" loud he cried, As he his ovation plied. I paused to purchase from his stand, And as I placed within his hand A meagre coin, I cautioned him Against e'er yielding unto sin. His face grew sad then as he said, "My mother is but lately dead. And e'er she left me here alone, I promised her to keep my own Good name free from all evil taint. My mother truly was a saint." "She keeps a watch-care over me, I do believe, and she can see I'm selling papers now to gain A little money to obtain More learning through the year of school. I do not mean to live a fool." Again I walked among the throng Of that vast highway, when along There came a man, a man of power; Honor proclaimed itself his dower. Strong was he and frank of face,

MOTHERHOOD 679 The image of a godly grace. He gave to me a friendly hand, Recalling to my mind the stand Where he had daily papers sold, Not merely from a greed for gold. He spoke again of that dead saint, Whose memory had kept him from taint Of evil and had made him strong To walk that broad highway along, With head erect and eye undimmed, . While others were by rum red-rimmed. We parted and I went my way, Exultant in my heart that day, That motherhood had power won, To hold secure from sin this son. Provo, Utah. GRACE INGLES FROST. Father There's only one word, and we call it "bother," That rhymes with the good old name of "Father;" But why need we worry in terms of rhyme, Or offer our praise in beats of time, For, along with Motherhood's matchless fame, I dignify Fatherhood just the same. They don't paint father in monochrome, Or sing his graces in monotone; They rather neglect him in things of art, But Dad goes on with his manly part, And, along with Motherhood's splendid aim, I build him a pedestal just the same. They speak of father in terms of state: To me he's a pal and an old playmate; And, though no halo adorns his brow, He's worth whole yards of it here and now, For along with Motherhood's wondrous name I eulogize Fatherhood just the same. Mesa, A'izona BERTHA A. KLEINMAN How Sweet is Now Thy Heaven Fair Soul of Love! How sweet is now thy heaven! Glorious and blest beyond all earthly care — Rare, radiant dawn! A crown of life is given Such as the tried, the true, the faithful wear! Ransomed in Love and Peace; the Grace Eternal Kisseth the weary earth-cares from they brow; Fountains of joy leap crystalline, supernal Rare Soul of Love! Sweet is thy heaven now!

680 IMPROVEMENT ERA Beauty and light shone ever brightly o'er thee! Justice and right were evermore thy law; Flowers of grace and mercy smiled before thee, Pure was thy charity without one flaw. And though our hearts are bowed with woe and sorrow, Faith shineth clear to cheer this prayerful vow; We will look up and hope and gladness borrow, - Rare Soul of Love! How sweet thy heaven now! Loved Woman-Queen! How glorious was thy mission! Fond Mother- Heart! To many hearts so dear! • Ah, tenderly we weep thy quick transition, Warm human ties that feign would bind thee here: O'er death's dark portal passed supreme, victorious, Unto thy home-ward call we meekly bow, Beyond the veil, where all is fair and glorious, Peace, holy peace! Sweet is thy heaven now! Salem, Utah, Minnie Iverson Hodapp. PROPOSED MONUMENT TO PIONEER MOTHERS The above is a proposed monument to the wives of the pioneers who aided in founding the homes of the West and who suffered unrecorded privations in so doing. When completed it will be dedicated to those unnamed and almost forgotten heroines who, through their integrity, made possible the achieve- ment. The monument, appropriate if set in any western town before the school house, or in the public park, is the conception of Mr. Gavin Jack, of Salt Lake City, who recently exhibited the model. The whole composition, including the tired mother and her child, the wagons and oxen by which the long journey was completed, is remarkably direct in significance, and simple yet profound in symbolism. The author seeks aid in general subscriptions to complete his work.

Editors (Table PROGRESS OF THE CHURCH— TEMPLE WORK— FAITH IN CHRIST— PRAYER By President Heber J. Grant, in an Address to the Saints on the Opening of the Ninety-fourth Annual Conference of the Church It certainly is a very inspiring sight to see this house full and people standing at this our first session of the conference. The Church in Excellent Condition I rejoice in the growth of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints at home and abroad. I rejoice in feeling that we have every cause to be grateful to the Lord for the blessings that have come to us during the past year. I believe that I am within the bounds of truth when I say that the Church was never in a better condition than at the present time, that there was never greater unity existing among the general authorities of the Church, more anxiety and de- termination to serve the Lord, than today; that we never had more energetic and faithful men presiding over the stakes of Zion and in the wards and missions of the Church than today; neither have we had more energetic, faithful men and women, than have been presid- ing and are presiding at the present time, as general, stake and ward officers in our various auxiliary organizations. Good Work by the Auxiliary Organizations It fell to my lot, yesterday afternoon, to address the conference of the Relief Society for a few minutes. The Assembly Hall was filled to overflowing, and many people were standing. I am con- vinced that such a gathering as that of active, wide-awake, energetic women-members could not be witnessed, among any other people, who are no more numerous than are the Latter-day Saints. Our Relief Societies are doing a very remarkable and wonderful work in looking after the sick and the afflicted. I remember one very good friend of mine, a non-member of the Church, said to his wife just before he passed away, so she told me, that no other people, in his estimation - — and he had traveled nearly all over the world — took as good care of their sick and looked after their poor as well as do the Latter-day Saints. They are really one great family of brothers and sisters, united with a common bond of love and respect. Our young people, and those who look after the children of the Primary Association are also doing a splendid work.

682 IMPROVEMENT ERA Satisfactory Reports from the Missions The reports from our Missions from all over the world are very satisfactory; and the one call, claim, or plea that is made is, "Send us more missionaries." There is only one real exception to this, and that is in Japan. There is no exception in the call for more mission- aries in that field, but, after twenty-odd years of labor in that coun- try, we are convinced that not a dozen people have been thoroughly converted to the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. We have seriously considered the question of closing that mission, but have not yet arrived at any conclusion. Enlightening Statistics It has been customary, at April conferences to give some statistics to the people regarding the expenditure of their tithing. Nearly the entire tithing paid during the past year has been returned, in various appropriations, to the different stakes of Zion. General — The amount returned to the stakes from the tithes, for stake and ward purposes, during the past year, and for main- tenance and operation of the same, has been (I shall not read the odd figures) - - $ 993.000 The amount expended for the maintenance and operation of Church schools has been 83 5,000 The amount expended for the construction, maintenance and operation of temples has been 449,000 Expended for hospital construction 146,000 Since our last General Conference our hospital in Idaho Falls, costing in the neighborhood of $400,000 has been dedicated, and is open for the care of the afflicted. For Charity — For the care of the worthy poor and other charitable purposes, including hospital treatment 171,000 Missions — For the maintenance and operation of all the mis- sions, and for the erection of places of worship and other buildings in the missions 5 8 6.000 The grand total — Taken from the tithes, and returned by the Trustee-in-Trust to the Saints for the maintenance and operation of the stakes and wards, for the maintenance and operation of Church schools, temples, charities, and for mission activities, is $3,182,207.22 Other charities — In addition to charities paid out of the tithes, as before stated, there have also been distributed the fast offerings and Relief Society and other charities, amounting to $471,000 which, added to the $171,000 paid from the tithes, makes a total of Church charities of $643,060.47. Following statistics and other reports are compiled from the Church records for the year 1923: Church growth — Children blessed and entered upon the records of the Church, in the stakes and missions 19.199 Children baptized in the stakes and missions 13,020 Converts baptized and entered on the records of the stakes and missions 7,492 The organized stakes of Zion now number 90. Wards and independent branches 9 72. There are 24 missions of the Church. There are branches in the missions, 63 5. The birth-rate in the Church is 3 5 per 1000. The marriage-rate is 14 per 1000. I think that ought to be increased.