--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Harris, F. S. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 27 number: 7 published: 1924-05 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "F. S. Harris, “Tasks of This Generation,” *Improvement Era 27, no. 7 (May 1924)*: 613–618." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2707unse 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: improvementera2707unse start_page: 613 end_page: 618 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1924-05) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2707unse publication_year: 1924 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 1924, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Tasks of This Generation TASKS OF THIS GENERATION By F. S. Harris, President of the Brigham Young University. Distant pastures always seem a little greener than the one in which we find ourselves. We are prone to spend our time lamenting the mistakes of the past or worrying about problems of the future, quite forgetting the duties of the present. Likewise, we may concern ourselves more with the distress of people in Shantung or Armenia than with the needs of our own village or neighborhood. If we are to be real useful citizens in the world, however, it is best that we do not overemphasize interests of far places and times but that we devote ourselves to the tasks that are before us, here and now. We must discover what are the big problems of this generation and set ourselves at work solving them. Modern civilization is simply the accumulation of those things which the experience of man in the past has indicated are beneficial to his welfare. The findings of one generation are added to those of the next, and these in turn are passed on to be added to the dis- coveries of succeeding generations. In this way there is a progressive gathering of the information of the past ages to be used in perfecting the race of today. We have come a long way from the day when all the work of the world had to be done by the hand of man with, perhaps, the aid of a few animals. The significance of this point is brought clearly to view when we realize that an average man working eight hours a day for twenty years can do only as much mechanical work as a good steam engine can do by burning between five and six tons of coal, which would cost considerably less than one hundred dollars. The mind of man has been used to discover the forces of nature which will save him an infinite amount of routine toil and add numberless comforts to his daily life. In government the world has also made much progress from the time when might made right and each ruler bolstered up his authority by the doctrine of divine rights to rule, and when the masses were considered as legitimate pawns of a few rulers who could trade them about at will. The world has gradually become conscious of the fact that governments are for the people and not the people for the governments. This idea has given a basis for real progress in liberty and justice, and the whole world today finds itself accepting the idea of equal rights for all. In former times education was thought to be for only a select few who made up an educated aristocracy. The curriculum was com- posed of subjects that would set those who were educated apart from 614 IMPROVEMKNT ERA the rest. During recent years it has become evident that education should be made universal and subjects have been introduced that help in the daily lives of the people. The useful element in education has taken its place with the cultural, and now all people are granted the right to be made better for their daily work, through education. In morality and temperance the progress of the world has also been marked. A generation ago a looseness in morality was toler- ated which will no longer be countenanced. It has not been long since it was thought to be quite the thing for a gentleman to get drunk every Saturday night, whereas today the person who becomes intoxicated is frowned upon by the better class of citizens. The demand for a clean, wholesome life is becoming more insistent every year. Today we find ourselves in a world with comparatively high standards of excellence in industrial, civic, and educational affairs. Now the question arises, what must this generation contribute to human welfare and to the onv/ard march of civilization, if it does its duty? Just what are the specific tasks that we should set for ourselves — the tasks that we should endeavor to have completed during our lifetime of service? First, it becomes obvious that the present generation must be one of progress. High as are the present standards of civilization, we must not be satisfied to have them continue on the present level. We must make a distinct contribution else the race may be impeded in its onward march. Our contribution should be greater than that of any previous time, since we have at our disposal means of investigation that were not possessed by any previous people. This means that one of our first tasks is to follow up research with all possible diligence. The world needs to know infinitely more of science and art, of industry and business, of society and government, and of morality and spirituality. New information in all of these lines will come slowly and by every-day experience, but we do not have time to wait for this slow method. Numerous problems are calling for solution, and we shall not be doing our full duty unless we carry on definite research in all these fields. This may be re- garded as one of the well defined tasks of the present generation. In the last three quarters of a century transportation has been changed from the ox cart to the fast train and the automobile. It will be our task to perfect means by which the air may be made a safe and efficient means of travel. Our fathers and elder brothers have developed the telegraph and the telephone, and we must in our day perfect means by which all parts of the world may have free and sure intercommunication without the aid of wires. The isolated farmer must be able each evening to receive from centers of culture the education and entertainment that will keep him abreast of the times. Ways must also be found for him to secure cheaper and more TASKS OF THIS GENERATION 615 dependable power with which to till his land. Through better methods of communication and transportation, he must be able to raise cheaper products than he has ever done before, and at the same time be more secure in his occupation than were his father and grand- father. One of the responsibilities of the present generation will be to perfect its manufactures so that hundreds of conveniences of which we know nothing today will be made available, and the useful or helpful things which are the luxuries of the wealthy today, must be brought within the reach of the average citizen of tomorrow. The educational facilities of the world must be so multiplied that the higher branches will be available to more than the few who can study them today. The entire vocational program must be so modified that every worker can do the kind of work for which he is by temperament best suited, and he must have the training that will best prepare him to give the greatest service to the world. We have yet a long way to go before we shall have an efficient vocational adjustment. The best minds of the generation must be put to work on this problem, since the entire social and industrial welfare of man- kind is so intricately tied up with it. The pioneers of the West dug the canals and cleared the land of brush and rock; they planted trees and beautified their simple homey as best they could. It now remains for us to perfect this beautifi- cation. It is not enough that trees were planted a generation ago; there are still many things that need to be done. The duty of the past generations was that of subduing; ours is one of finishing and refining. The first stage called for the building of protection from wind and rain, and for making passable roads and bridges and fields as it found them. It must add in building and in beauty just as it must add in knowledge. If our grandparents fought to make men free; we must con- tinue to perfect our civic organizations so that freedom will be con- tinued, and our institutions of government perfected as much beyond the present as the present is in advance of the past. It required many generations to incorporate in legislation a basis for temperance; it will require the best efforts .of this generation to see that the spirit of that legislation becomes effective in every locality. The divorcing of religious teaching from the schools which was made necessary by mixing of population has produced a lack of in- terest in spiritual matters that must be restored by some means if the best elements of our civilization are to persist. The method for best accomplishing this is not entirely clear, and will require some of the best minds of the present generation to work the problem out. This brief statement of some of the problems of the day should make it clear that there is still very important work to be done — 616 IMPROVEMENT ERA that unto this generation are given tasks fully as important as those of any other period in the history of the world, tasks that call for the best training and ability of the world. With all these major problems before us, does it not seem a pity that so much good human energy is wasted on trivial matters? Ptovo, Utah. The Sixth Scout Law A Scout Is Kind. He is a friend to animals. He will not kill nor hurt any living creature needlessly, but will strive to save and protect all harmless life. Tom the Cat By Christen Hansen, Scoutmaster, Troop No. 1. Mink Creek, Idaho Our Thomas Cat is sleek and fat, His face has features kind. His charming joy makes him a toy, As good as you will find. His loving way will ne'er betray The tribe where he belongs, Which seeks its prey, in cruel play, And fiercely plods along. The Lion crew, the Leopards too, Through kindness will become As this old cat, who posed and sat, While photographed, for fun. If man will cease to harm the beast, And shed no more their blood, His neighbor dear, need him not fear, For peace to earth will flood. "OF THE MOST WORTH UNTO YOU" By J. Orval Ellsworth My Dear Friends: I frequently think of you as Mutual workers and watch the Improvement Era for record of your progress. I know that all officers, both stake and ward, are anxiously doing their best to further the cause of M. I. A. and to fulfil the aims of our glorious organization as given in the Hand Book — "Assist every young man (and woman) to complete living on the foundation of faith in God and his great latter-day work." Our aim has been clearly stated, but a proper interpretation of it is essential. No doubt each of you inter- pret it differently. I must confess that my ideas have changed greatly since leaving you and coming in contact with the people of the world; with those who have never yet been privileged to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. You remember we discussed many times how best to save from the sins of the world the young people of our associations. We went to our classes with the idea to assist each other to only help himself. We little thought what Christ meant when he said, "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it." Our work is not all to save ourselves, but to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. The joy of service is overwhelming and gives the strength to Scouting and Bee Hive work. Why not carry the idea beyond the confines of our local Church, home, ward, and stake to the masses beyond? The same love of service that makes the boy a good scout will make him a good man. Help him to forget himself in the love of teaching the gospel to others. The soul of any boy will thrill with the thought that there are over two thousand people dependent upon him for their sal- vation. The world must hear the gospel and can do so only through the labors of those who know the truth. Why not hold this oppor- tunity before our young people? In preparing for such a mission, they will care for themselves and "learn to do by doing." You have frequently asked yourself, "What may I do that will be of most worth unto me?" Our Savior in his message to John and Peter Whitmer said: "And now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father." (Doc. and Cov. 15:6.) Likewise to John and the three Nephites Jesus said: "More blessed are ye * * * for ye have desired that ye might bring the souls of men unto me." (3 Nephi 28:7, 9.) Why do returned missionaries say, "The happiest days of my life were those spent in the mission field"? During that period 618 IMPROVEMENT ERA they were devoted completely to the work of the Master; "To bring souls unto me." Personal pleasures were completely forgotten in the service of others. Cannot such joy be made more permanent in the lives of those who have "partaken," and made to yet function in the souls of the many who have not so been blessed? Do we hesitate, waiting an official call? "Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God, ye are called to the work." (Doc. and Cov. 4:3.) "Behold the field is white already to harvest; therefore, whoso desireth to reap, let him thrust in his sickle with his might, and reap while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God." (Doc. and Doc. 6:3.) Did Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris wait to be called? No, their souls cried unto God for the privilege and blessing to function in his mighty cause. Their supplications were answered in approval, and their desires were granted. Cannot our boys be inspired to first prepare, and then volunteer, by going to their bishop and saying, "I am ready." We are prone to think that the people of the world have all been warned, or do not want to hear the gospel. Not so. You will be surprised, as I was, to know that the first eight people to whom I have chanced to discuss the gospel in the past four weeks, had never before met a "Mormon" and that every one of this number is now reading our literature, and two of them have ordered copies of the Book of Mormon. I mention this only as an illustration of the fertility of the mission field, and the need of workers. I pray God to bless you and the work in your stake. This I know he will do, if you "Seek not for riches, but for wisdom, and behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich." Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y. My Religious Philosophy I have faith in God, and my vision of life is raised to a higher and broader level. I pray to God in the sincerity of my soul, and it brings his blessings into my life. I exercise in worthiness the priesthood which has been authoritatively conferred upon me, and it functions vitally to heal and to bless. I keep the Word of Wisdom, and my body becomes strong, my mind vigorous and my day happy. I obey the law of tithing and receive a practical lesson in obedience and unselfishness, and material and other blessings as I need. I do good to my neighbor and experience the joy of helpfulness and friendship. I love the Lord my God and peace comes to my mind and satisfaction to my soul. I obey these laws, and others required by a consistent conception of "Mormon" theology, and feel a close harmony with God and a freedom to ask of him in my need with a positive assurance that I shall receive. Pcovo, Utah LOUIS BRANDLEY