The Y. M. M. I. A. Leader

THE Y. M. M. I. A. LEADER* By Judge Thomas H. Burton, Supt. Y. M. M. I. A., of Juab Stake. I do not believe that there ever was a time in the history of the Church, or the history of the world for that matter, when there was such a demand for leaders as there is at the present time. In every profession, every occupation, every calling the world has a standing advertisement: "Leaders Wanted." From all of the stakes and wards of Zion and from the mission fields there is a constant growing demand for men to fill leading positions in the Church. "Wanted a man," is the crying need of the hour. A man who is not a coward in any part of his nature; a man who is well balanced and who is not cursed with some little defect or weakness which cripples his usefulness and neutralizes his power; a man who will not lose his identity or individuality in a crowd; a man who has the courage of his convictions; a man who is not afraid to say "No," though all the world says, "Yes." The old adage that leaders are "born" not "made" is a mistaken idea. The mission of the M. I. A. is to search out, develop and train leaders for service, not only in the kingdom of God, but in the every day affairs of life, and there is no better organization in the world to develop and train leaders than in the M. I. A. organizations. What we need is men who are educated all over, — through and through spiritually and intellectually; men who possess the rare qualification of leadership; men who can bring together those factors which make true success. The Essential Qualifications of Leadership Some of the essential qualifications of leadership may be summed up as follows: First, a testimony of the gospel. This is to me the first and most essential element and qualification of an M. I. A. leader, because the very purpose for which it was organized was to install in the hearts of the young men a testimony of the gospel. Second, Example. "Example is better than precept." Third, Humility. Be humble, if you would gain the confidence and respect of your fellowmen. Never allow yourself to become puffed up with pride. Fourth, Work. A leader must not only be a man of thought, ♦Delivered at the Y. M. M. I. A. committee meeting on Organization and Membership, June Conference, 1924.

1050 IMPROVEMENT ERA but he must be a man of action. One of the prerequisites of a leader is work, — systematic, hard work. Don't underestimate this qualification. A man must have opportunity and capacity for work and apply himself diligently to his task. "Faith without work is dead." Fifth, Foresight. Foresight is much better than "hindsight." The power to see ahead — the power to create — the power to do things. Sixth, Initiative is the ability to rely upon one's self; to do the right thing, at the right time without being told. In other words, to carry the message to Garcia. Seventh, Courtesy. Courtesy, thoughtfulness, kindness, etc., is a business asset stupendous in value and as free as the air we breathe. Eighth, Appreciation. Cultivate the spirit of appreciation, if you would be a leader. Don't be afraid to express your appreciation wherever and whenever opportunity presents itself for the service of your stake and ward officers and to all others who lend aid and as- sistance in your work. It will pay ten fold for the investment. Ninth, Friendship. If a leader truly succeeds he must foster and develop friendship. A man is measured by the friends he makes and keeps. Sympathy begets love. Love your fellow man, and he in turn will love you. All business today whether it be religious, social or civil, is based upon confidence. Friendship is the stuff from which confidence is made. Permanent success in any line stands squarely upon the permanent rock of confidence. Tenth, Unselfishness. Banish selfishness from your nature, and forget self in the welfare of others if you would succeed as a leader. Be very considerate, at all times, of the feelings of the officers with whom you have been called to labor. Eleventh, Concentration. "Whatever is worth doing is worth doing well." Concentration of energy is necessary to success. Many a man has failed because he chose to be a jack-of-all-trades rather than to be an unrivaled specialist. An M. I. A. leader, if he truly succeeds must confine his main efforts to the work of that organization. The man who scatters him- self upon many objects loses his energy, and, with his energy, his enthusiasm. He cannot act as the Superintendent of a Sunday school and the President of the M. I. A. at the same time and succeed as a leader in either. Twelfth, Will Power. "Nothing is impossible to the man who will." "The world always stands aside for a determined man." "Success in life as a leader stands largely upon the 'Will Power,' and whatever weakens or impares it, diminishes success." "Where there is a will there is a way." Thirteenth, Live Wood. Get rid of the dead wood in your

THE Y. M. M. I. A. LEADER 1051 organizations. "Life's highway is strewn with failures, just as the sea bed is strewn with wrecks." Many a leader has failed because his organization was inef- fective, caused, sometimes, through discord, jealousies, misfits, lack of love for the work, etc. Get rid of the dead wood in your stake and ward organizations. Nothing will retard the success of a real leader more than dead wood. The forest is full of young men who are waiting for the op- portunity. Fourteenth, The Measuring Rod. No organization can exist without a leader. Your association will never be any bigger than its leader. The work and achievements of your stake or ward organization will be measured, fixed and determined in a very large degree by the man who is chosen to lead. Fifteenth, Love for the Work. "Blessed is he who has found his work, let him ask for no other blessedness." No man can truly suc- ceed in this or any other work unless he likes his job. A leader must love his work, he must have faith in it, and he must have faith in himself to put the job over. He must be able to "Take the 'ice' out of service." Sixteenth, A Little Plan. One of the most essential qualifica- tions of leadership is to have a Plan or Program. You must lay your plans and execute them. You must go straight to the goal. You must not be led off from your purpose. You must not be pushed this way or that way every time some obstacle or difficulty is thrown in your path. If you cannot go over it, then go straight through it. Some people have the idea that if they "keep everlastingly at it," they will succeed. But this is not always so. To work without a plan is as foolish, it seems to me, as a sailor going to sea without a compass. Professor N. L. Nelson's key to success, as he used to give it to us in the old school days, at the B. Y. U. was: 1. To get at it; 2. To stick to it; 3. To finish it. I have found it necessary in my experience to prefix to this rule one additional qualification which I think makes it more complete. In its modified form it would read: 1. To have a little plan; 2. To get at it; 3. To stick to it; 4. To finish it. The application to this rule spells success, and success can be spelled in no other way. It is said that the inscription on the tombstone of Joseph II of Austria reads: "Here lies a monarch with the best of intentions, who never carried out a single plan." And so we find in our organization today. Good men, men of

1052 IMPROVEMENT ERA faith and integrity, holding position of leadership, who never will succeed, worlds without end, unless they change their course and work to a plan. Seventeenth, The Man With An Idea. One of the qualifications of an M. I. A. leader is to embrace new ideas and develop the same. "Ideas go booming through the world louder than cannon." Thoughts are mightier than armies. Principles have achieved more victories than horsemen or chariots." Look around you and you will find plenty of ideas left in the world yet. All good things have not yet been done. Look at your cemeteries, your play grounds, your parks, your meetinghouses, etc., and you will find excellent ideas for service in civic improvement. There are also thousands of abuses to rectify, especially in our community amusements. Cheap vaudeville stunts, low comedy, ex- treme jazz in the dancing, etc., each and all of which challenges an independent soul armed with a new idea. The way to get ideas is to keep your wits open. Observe, study, think, and when the proper time comes, act. Eighteenth, Stability. Stand for something. I have never found a substitute for honesty. I have heard of people going to the wall trying to find one. If you will visit our jails and prisons you will find a great many people who have attempted to find a substitute for honesty. No man can believe in himself when he is occupying a false position, and wearing a mask; when that still small voice within is saying "you are a fraud; you are not the man you pretend to be;" the consciousness of not being genuine, not being what others think you to be, robs a man of power and character and destroys self- respect and self-confidence. Stability is a necessary qualification for leadership. Twentieth, Punctuality. "On the great clock of time there is but on word — N-o-w." It is said that, "Success is the child of two very plain parents: punctuality and accuracy." There are critical moments in every suc- cessful life, and in every successful plan. There is a well known truism which reads: "That which may be done at any time, will be done at no time." As leaders of the M. I. A. you are charged with the responsibility of performing certain services in the season thereof: Unless this is done, at the proper time, your work will be a failure. Among these tasks may be mentioned the canvas for the Era, the campaign for the fund and the life membership, and other general and special activities. Promptness in taking care of these things will take the drudgery out of your work if done with dispatch, at the proper time.

THE Y. M. M. I. A. LEADER 1053 "Putting off, usually means leaving off, and going to do, be- comes, going undone." "Doing a deed is like sowing a seed; If not done at the right time it will be forever out of season." "To-morrow," is the devil's motto. "Its victims are the wrecks of half finished plans and unexecuted resolutions. It is a favorite refuge of sloth and incompetency." "Strike while the iron is hot," and "make hay while the sun shines," are golden maxims, which should be adopted and practiced by every M. I. A. leader if he would succeed in his work. Last but not least, Twenty First, Self-confidence. Self-confidence is one of the most essential qualifications of leadership. If you doubt your ability to do what you set out to do; if you think that others are better prepared to do it than you; if you are afraid to lead out and take a chance, you can never succeed as a leader, until you change your mental attitude and learn to have faith in yourself. "A stream cannot rise higher than its source." The height of one's possibilities are measured, fixed and determined by his self-con- fidence. "According to your faith so be it unto you." Our faith is a very good measure of what, as leaders, we will get out of the M. I. A. work. We must not only believe that we can succeed, but we must believe it with all our hearts. We must have positive conviction that we can succeed. There must be vigor in our expectations, in our faith, in our determination and in our endeavor. We must resolve with the energy that does things. Many people make very poor leaders, because there is no vim and no vigor in their efforts. They are what we call "weak-backs" and their resolutions are therefore spineless. There is no backbone in their endeavor, — no grit in their ambition. I take it that the reason so many of us are so narrow and pinched up in our beings is because we do not have faith in ourselves. We are not bold enough. We are too cautious. Now right here let us not be mistaken in the term. Self-con- fidence is no egotism. Self-confidence is knowledge, and it comes from the conscious- ness of possessing the ability requisite for what one understands. It is an established fact that civilization today rests upon self- confidence. There is nothing that will multiply one's ability like self- confidence, or self-faith, if you choose to call it such.

1054 IMPROVEMENT ERA It can make a man with one talent a success while a man with a hundred talents without it, would be a failure. If you would succeed as a leader in the M. I. A., you must ex- pect big things of yourself. A Prophecy and its Fulfilment By Bishop Tauesin Evans The good book says, "that not a jot nor a tittle" of God's word shall fall to the ground unfulfilled. Back in the 80's when Daniel H. Wells presided over the European mission, myself in connection with my father and mother and the rest of the family, attented a conference at Merthyr-Tydvil, at that time the headquarters of the mission in Wales; President Wells came down from Liverpool, England, and, as I remember now, he was becoming very feeble with age and poor health. The Evans family furnished the singing for the conference, President Wells was very much impressed with our singing, and walking down from the platform he placed his hand on my head and uttered these words, "My dear little brother, you have a beautiful voice, and in fact the singing of the family has been an inspiration to our conference; you shall have the privilege of singing in our great Tabernacle at Salt Lake City, Utah." I was about thirteen years old and you can imagine the thrill that went through me when that man of God uttered those prophetic words. From that time until the fulfilment of the prophecy, which was years after, I wondered many times how that was going to come to pass, for I always looked forth to this as a special privilege. In 1902, I was requested, by Prof. Henry E. Giles, to sing a solo with chorus at the Welsh Reunion, at Saltair Beach. The next day after the Reunion, Prof. Giles gave an organ recital in the Taber- nacle for the benefit of the Welsh people, who had come from many quarters of the state, including Carbon county. I had no idea that I was to sing again at the recital; however, in walking up the aisle, Prof. Giles hailed me; one of my brothers remarked to the other, as I turned back, and said, "The prophecy of Daniel H. Wells will be fulfilled in Taliesin to-day, for I am sure Prof. Giles will want him to sing." And such was the case. In addition I will say that President Wells also prophecied during the meeting, and, as I can remember, every word came true. God's word never fails. I submit these few lines in hopes they will be faith-promoting to many of our young people. Sunnyside, Utah

MAKING RECREATION FUNCTION AS A MORAL AGENCY* By Bishop H. C. Iverson, Member of the General Board Y. M. M. I. A. The most direct and forceful statement I have read on this important subject is this by Jane Addams: "Amusement is stronger than vice and it alone can stifle the lust of it." This is a wonderful assertion. Is it technically correct? So far as human agencies are concerned I believe this to be largely if not wholly true. But if in our consideration we include the Divine Influences I would boldly declare there is nothing so potent as the guiding, purifying and sus- taining influences of the Spirit of the Lord. Recreation undoubtedly possesses basic principles of education, character building, and spiritual development, and therefore the responsi- bility of directing the recreational activities of the Church is indeed a sacred one. It is a noteworthy fact that a great many eminent characters are evidencing deep and sincere interest in this important phase of human welfare. In a recent address delivered by President Coolidge to a group of recreational leaders, he recognized the value of recreation as a great, harmonizing, and moralizing force. Among other state- ments is the following: "In the case of a people which represents many nations, cultures and races, as does our own, a unification of in- terests and ideals in recreation is bound to wield a telling influence for solidarity of the entire population. No more truly democratic force can be set off against the tendency to class and race than the dem- ocracy of individual parts and prowess of sports." In all our larger communities, and in most of our stakes and wards, are people who represent many nations, cultures, and races and also various moral and religious ideals. As members and officers of the Church of Jesus Christ, the greatest mutual improvement organization on earth, it is not only our blessed privilege but our religious duty to employ the most effective influences at our command in our effort to break down all social and religious barriers, to exalt and unify interests and ideals. The following resolutions were adopted by the Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America, which met in the First Baptist Church in Indianapolis on of the 13th day of December 1923. "In view of the country-wide unrest, of the increasingly apparent, un- wholesome effects of our machine-age upon the life and spirit of industrial workers, of the strains of our modern civilization, of the ♦Given before the section of Adolescent Recreation. M. I. A. June Conference. 1924.

105 6 IMPROVEMENT ERA perils of youth arising out of commercialized amusement, it is recom- mended that increasing attention be given by all of our churches and local federations to the subject of recreation and the application of its deeper principles of education, character building and community en- richment." This Council speaks of the unwholesome effects of our machine-age upon the life and spirit of industrial workers. Were this machine-age influence, which is so destructive of initiative and development confined to industrial activities and to industrial workers, the tragedy would not be so great, but it is invading nearly every field of human interest, and humans are fast becoming unthinking machines. In a recent number of the National Recreation Association Mag- azine, Adolph Huxley registers a vigorous protest against machine- made or ready-made recreation of the Twentieth century, styling it the worst type of auto-intoxication. He says, "Of all the various poisons which modern civilization, by a process of auto-intoxication, brews quietly up within its own bowels, few, it seems to me, are more deadly (while none appear more harmless) than that curious and ap- palling thing that is technically known as pleasure. What night- mare the word evokes. The horrors of modern pleasure arise from the fact that every kind of organized distractk n tends to become pro- gressively more and more imbecile. There was a time when people indulged themselves with distractions requiring the expense of a certain intellectual effort. Their pleasures were intelligent and alive and it was they who, by their own efforts, entertained themselves. We have changed all that. In place of the old wholesome pleasures de- manding intelligence and personal initiative, we have vast organizations that provide us with ready-made distractions, distractions which demand from pleasure-seekers no personal participation and no in- tellectual effort of any sort. These effortless pleasures, these ready- made distractions that are the same for everyone over the face of the whole western world, are surely a worse menace to our civilization than ever the Germans were. The working hours of the day are already, for the great majority of human beings, occupied in the per- formances of purely mechanical tasks in which no mental effort, no individuality, no initiative are required. And now, in the hours of leisure, we turn to distractions as mechanically stereotyped as our work. Add such leisure to such work and the sum is a perfect day which it is a blessed relief to come to the end of." I cannot but feel that our own tendency to commercialize amuse- ments or recreation is bearing unwholesome fruit and I sincerely pray that the day will speedily come when this practice will be abandoned. Joseph Lee, President of the Playground and Recreational As- sociation of America, says, "The thing which it is the purpose of the Playground and Recreational Association of America to promote is not only allied to religion but is an aspect of religion, for the good and

RECREATION AS A MORAL AGENT 1057 the beautiful are not merely two parts but two dimensions of that which by our natures we are compelled to seek." In our statement of purposes or objectives we have emphasized the religious aspect, for we say, "The organization and activities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are essentially moral and spiritual. All the activities under the direction of our Church organizations should contribute to the making of true Latter-day Saints." We further say that the recreational program of the M. I. A. must do more than provide amusement. Through it we must em- phasize the fundamental ideals and standards of the Church. In other words, we must be true to the Faith. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy, we seek after these things. With this most sacred purpose in view would not the commercializing of our recreation savor of commercializing at least a very important aspect of our religion? The Apostle James says that pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. It is our sincere desire to keep our young men and young women un- spotted and uncontaminated by the sins of the world, so the sacred duty which has been imposed upon us is truly an important part of our practical religion. In conclusion may I urge that in our efforts we heed the very choice and helpful admonition of President Brigham Young to Dr. Karl G. Maeser when he sent Brother Maeser to Provo to establish the Brigham Young University. President Young said, "Brother Maeser, don't attempt even to teach the multiplication table without the Spirit of the Lord." May we enjoy the inspiration and power of our holy calling I earnestly pray. An Old Folks' Psalm (To be Sung in Concert at an Cld Folks' Day gathering.) We thank thee, Lord, for this earth so f..ir For the heavens above with their beauty rare For the rocks and the rills and the glorious hills And all things living whose million tongues Raise a song to thee for thy loving care. And we pray thee, Lord, that the time may cc.ne When the men of every clime and tongue Shall love the aged for the work they've done Shall steady their feet to the foot of the hill And across the ford to that bright road That leads to the gates of that home over there. Salt Lake City, Utah WM. H. BURTON.

HOW I WAS CURED OF PROCRASTINATION By Glen Perrins "Now George, remember to get those cows in before dark," cautioned father as he grasped the reins and drove for town. The book I held in my hand was a small volume by Edgar Allan Poe, and I was very much interested in "The Murderers of Rue Morgue." 1 looked up at the clock. "Plenty of time yet," I murmured to myself, as I curled up on the cushions by the fire. The blaze was warm. I soon began to doze, and before I knew it I was asleep — I awoke with a start thinking a giant ape was chasing me around the haystack. Imagine my astonishment when I glanced at the clock and saw that I had been asleep over two hours and a half. How dark it was outside! A drizzling rain was falling and a strong wind blew the drops against the windows. The cows were out in the storm. What would father think of me? I took the lantern from the shelf, snatched my hat from the hook and started off up the canyon shivering and shaking, partly from the cold and partly from fear. I had taken only two or three steps when I stumbled over a large rock. Crash went the glass chimney of the lantern. A blanket of darkness fell about me. Then, as I looked ahead, I saw something come rolling down the path. I was too frightened to run. I stood still clutching the broken lantern tightly in my right hand, prepared to swing it if need be. When the object, dim in the night, brushed against me I brought the lantern down with all my might. My hand was scratched a little as the thing easily crashed to the ground. It was a large tumble weed. "That was a close shave," I said aloud, and the echo from the other side of the canyon answered, "shave." "If I ever get home safe I'll never put off getting the cows until after dark again." For a while I did not heed the trees that seemed to bend toward me, or the dismal sighing of the branches. But, after a time, I began to see shapes behind the stumps. They seemed to rush at me as I went by. As I entered the pasture I thought I saw something move. Sure enough, it did move! I came toward me. Faster and faster it came. Again I could not run. I became so frightened that I sank to my knees, and put my arm over my eyes to try and shield off this terrible phantom of the night. Then, as it was nearly upon me, I heard a long drawn out moo-oo, and Bess, the brindlc cow, came up beside me. Safe! But cured of procrastination. The cows were in before dark after that. Salt Lake City

PROPHECY AND HISTORY A Study for the Advanced Senior Class M. I. A., 1924-25 By Prof. Levi Edgar Young, of the University of Utah History — The Founding of Utah Introduction by the Committee of the General Board For the study of this class in "Prophecy and History," for the com- ing season, there will be twelve lessons on The Founding of Utah, and twelve lessons on the Book of Mormon. The historical lessons will be given first and are prepared by Elder Levi Edgar Young of the First Council of Seventy. The settlement and development of the West is more closely related to us than any other discussion of American history. The history of the Church and the history of the west arc interwoven with a many-sidedness of interest. A knowledge of what heroes and heroines have done inspires the heroic within us. An appreciation of the parents of the past helps us in honoring the parents of the present, thus sustaining and emphasizing the M. I. A. slogan for this season: We Stand for the Commandment, Honor thy Father and thy Mother. The text has received the commendation of high educational author- ities. The author of the text is a recognized authority on western history. The course of lessons will require a study, not a mere reading of the message. It will require a long time and a lot of hard work to prepare the lessons but the labor will be intensely interesting. The text for these les- sons is The Founding of Utah, by Levi Edgar Young, and may be obtained at the book stores for $1.75. Each class must have a copy, and it would be well for each student to possess the book for study. Note by the Author — You are to study the Founding of Utah or how the pioneers began the work of redeeming the vales of the Great Basin, and changing them into beautiful private homes and gardens. The book is divided into four parts, all of which deal with the important features of the State's history. In studying The Founding of Utah, the reader should not feel that history is the mere learning of facts. History is, as Frederick Harrison says, the taking of facts and weaving them into principles of life which peoples have stood for. Facts are the means of teaching how people think, their habits of mind, in other words. So in your study of Utah's history, note carefully peoples' motives and the ideals for which they worked. Learn to gather historical material and seek out the pioneers who are still living and obtain their life's history. It is hoped that the book The Founding of Utah will stimulate a greater love and patriotism for Utah and her people. Part I Part I deals with the pre-pioneer history of the State of Utah. It tells something of the natural beauty and physical features of the country, as well as the first people — the Indians — who inhabited these valleys. Then comes the story of the early day trappers and explorers who be- came acquainted with the rivers and lakes, the mountains and valleys of the Great Basin. The Oregon Trail was opened up between the Missouri river and the far west, and this trail became the highway for the migration of Americans to Oregon, California, and Utah in the forties.

1060 IMPROVEMENT ERA The long period of history before the advent of the "Mormon" pio- neers is a story of adventure and self-sacrifice on the part of some of the most splendid characters in American history. Lesson I. — Read Chapters 1, 2 and 3. They Are Entitled: "The Land of Sunshne," "The Indans of Utah," "The People of the Long Ago." Questions and Problems 1. Tell something of the beauties of your State. 2. What parts are just becoming known? 3. Why is the Great Salt Lake so world- famed? 4. What arc the natural resources of Utah? 5. Why are we interested in the Indians? 6. The Cliff Dwellers? 7. What is the origin of the American Indians according to the Book of Mormon? 8. Do you think the Indians will come to understand the gospel of Jesus Christ? Why? 9. Tell something of the Indian legends. 10. Try to read Longfellow's "Hiawatha" and tell something of the nature of the Indians? 11. Is our government today doing anything to help the Indian? If you will write a letter to the department of Indian Affairs at Washington, it will send you information as to what the government is doing. (At the University of Utah or in the Bureau of Information, on Temple Block, Salt Lake City, you will find a splendid collection of relics from the Cliff Dwellings. Visit these places if you can.) 12. Where else have the great remains of ancient America been found? (In Mexico, Yucatan, Central America, and Peru are the temples, cities, and roads of the ancient peoples of America.) Read something from Prescott: The Conquest of Mexico or The Conquest of Peru, and you will find much valuable information concerning the Aztecs, Mayas, and Incas, and the ancient peoples of the south. Lesson II. — Read Chapters 4, 5 and 6 Subject Matter They tell about the time when the Great Basin belonged to Spain, The Fur Traders of the Wasatch, and on the Oregon Trail in the 30's. Spain conquered the southwest as early as 1603, when the Spaniards began the colonizing of the country north of the Rio Grande. Santa Fe in New Mexico was founded in 1603 by Onate. The first explorer of Utah was a Franciscan priest named Escalante. They came as far north as Utah Lake in 1776. Then the fur traders penetrated the Wasatch mountains in search of beaver skins as early as 1825. Beaver skins found a ready market in St. Louis, New York and the commercial cities of Europe. Jedediah Smith was a member of the Rocky Mountain Fur Company, and was the first to explore the vales of Utah. This was in 1826-27. James Bridger discovered the Great Salt Lake in 1825, and Peter Skene Ogden of the Hudson Bay Company came as far south as what is now Ogden river and planted a little fort in 1825-26. You will be interested in reading about the missionaries of the Methodist, Presbyterian and Catholic churches who went over the trail to Oregon in the thirties, where they established missions. The first companies of pioneers came in wagons in the early forties, and the Donner party's sad fate is one of the tragedies of the West.

PROPHECY AND HISTORY 1061 i Questions and Problems 1. Tell about the exploration of Escalante. Why was he trying ij l-ind a way to California? 2. Tell the story of Jedediah Smith, Peter Skene Ogden, and James Bridger. (James Bridger is called "The grand old man of the Wasatch.") 3. Why do you think the Indians were interested in the Bible in the early thirties? Do you think they had heard of The Book of Mormon? 4. Give something of the life of Marcus Whitman, Samuel Parker, Jason Lee, and Father de Smet. 5. You will be interested in the story concerning the early missionary move- ment to the Far West in the thirties. Story of the Missionary Movement to Oregon In 1832, four Indians appeared on the streets of St. Louis, "wan and haggard" after a journey of many hundred miles from the wilds of the Far West. They were Nez Perces and Flat Heads. They explained that they had heard of the white man's "Book from Heaven" and they had come to find it. General George Clark, commander of the military post at St. Louis entertained these visitors. They were shown about the frontier town, which to the Red Men was the civilization of the pale faces. Two of these Indians soon died. Before returning to their homes, General Clark gave the other remaining two a dinner. A number of military officers and citizens were present. These two Indians were called Rabbit Skin Leggins and No Horns on his Head. At this dinner they were told about the Bible and the desire on the part of the whites to treat the Indians with justice. One of the Indians arose and spoke his thoughts. They had been disappointed in that no one was to return to their people with the 'Book from Heaven." This is what one of the Indians said: "I came to you over a trail of many moons from the setting sun. You were the friend of my fathers who have all gone the long way. I came with one eye partly opened, for more light for my people who sit in darkness. I go back with both eyes closed. How can I go back blind to my blind people? I made my way to you with strong arms, through many enemies and strange lands, that I might carry much back to them. I go back with both arms broken and empty. The two fathers who came with me — the braves of many winters and wars — we leave asleep here by your great water. They were tired in many moons and their mocassins worn out. My people sent me to get the white man's "Book from Heaven." You took me where you allow your women to dance, as we do not ours, and the jBoofe was not there. You took me where they worship the Great Spirit with candles, as we do not ours. The Book was not there. You showed me images of the Great Spirit and pictures of the good and the beyond, but the Book was not among them. I am going back the long trail and sad trail to my people of the dark land. You make my feet heavy with burdens of gifts, and my mocassins will grow old in carrying them, but the Book is not among them. When I tell my poor people, after one more snow, in the Council, that I did not bring the Book, no word will be spoken by our old men, and our young braves. One by one they will rise and go out in silence. My people will die in darkness, and they will go on the long path to other hunting grounds. No white man will go with them and no white man's book to make the way plain. I have no more words." As a consequence of the visit of these Indians to the confines of civ- ilization, Marcus Whitman, Dr. Samuel Parker, Father de Smet, and other missionaries began their work among the tribes of the Northwest during the thirties. Many Indians were converted to Christianity, and these noble missionaries did a great work in teaching the Red Men the Bible and its meaning.

1062 IMPROVEMENT ERA Lesson 3. — Read Chapters 7 and 8 Subject Matter They will tell you about some of the early day explorers into the Great Basin. You should know something about the life of John C. Fre- mont, Captain Bonneville, and Zenos Leonard. These men explored the Great Basin, and if you will obtain the very interesting book of Washing- ton Irving entitled Captain Bonneville, you will be interested in reading about this famous explorer and his many experiences in the West. One of the most famous old books ever written on the West is that of J. C. Fremont entitled: Report of the Exploring Expedition to the Rocky Moun- tains in the Year 1842, and to Oregon and California in the Years 1843-44, by Brevet Captain J. C. Fremont of the Topographical Engineers. The following is what Fremont wrote about the Great Salt Lake, in 1843: "August 2 1. An hour's travel this morning brought us into the fertile and picturesque valley of the Bear River, the principal tributary of the Great Salt Lake. The stream is here 200 feet wide, fringed with willows and occasional groups of hawthornes. We were now entering a region which for us possessed a strange and extraordinary interest. We were upon the waters of the famous lake which forms a salient point among the remarkable geographical features of the country, around which the vague and superstitious accounts of the trappers had thrown a delight- ful obscurity, which we anticipated pleasure in dispelling, but which in the meantime, had a crowded field for the exercise of the imagination. "In our occasional conversations with the few old hunters who had visited the region, it had been the subject of frequent speculation; and the wonders which they related were not the less agreeable because they were highly exaggerated and im- possible. "Hitherto, this lake had been seen only by trappers who were wandering through the country in search of new beaver streams, caring very little for geography. Its islands had never been visited; and none had been found who had entirely made the circuit of its shores; and no instrumental observations or geographical survey, of any description, had ever been made anywhere in the neighboring region. It was generally supposed that it had no visible outlet; but among the trappers, including those in my own camp, were many who believed that somewhere on its surface was a terrible whirlpool, through which its waters found their way to the ocean by some subterranean communication. All these things had made a frequent subject of discussion in our desultory conversations around the fires at night; and my own mind had become tolerably well filled with their indefinite pictures, and insensibly colored with their romantic descriptions, which, in the pleasure of excitement, I was well disposed to believe, and half expected to realize." Questions and Problems 1. Tell something of the explorations of Bonneville and Fremont in the West. Read carefully what Fremont says about the Great Salt Lake as given above. Com- ment on it. 2. Who was La Hontan? What did he say about an inland sea? 3. Tell something about Father de Smet, the Catholic missionary. 4. Tell the story of the Donner Party. What were some of the reasons for their failure? Additional Subject Matter From the foregoing lessons, you will see that the possibilities of the Great Basin were not known. The country was considered a great barren waste. The following will give you something of an idea as to how the West was looked upon in the early part of the nineteenth century:

PROPHECY AND HISTORY 1063 There were members of Congress who did not believe that the country west of the Rocky Mountains was worth settling. Congressman Bates of Missouri said: "The entire region between the Missouri and Pacific, save a' strip of cultural prairie not above two hundred miles wide is waste and sterile, no better than the Desert of Sahara, and quite as dangerous to cross. * * * Today the extremity of drought prevails; tomorrow all except the hills are under water. Settlers could not be induced to remain there longer than two years." Senator Mitchell of Tennessee said: "The Rocky Mountains form our natural boundary on the West, and no man, even though he had the most prolific mind, could ever look forward to the day when our country with that boundary would be densely populated. If any other nation wants the Far West, let that nation have it." Boys and Boys Here's a boy wants a job where he's dressed in his best; Yes, a job where he won't have to dig; Where the hours are short, Easy work, and that sort; And a job where the pay is quite big. Here's a boy wants a job, not a job with a hoe, But a job where his clothes will keep clean ; Where his hands don't get soiled, And his shoes won't get spoiled ; Such a boy you and I have both seen. These two boys want good jobs, but they better walk off, Take a look, size themselves up and down ; They're a very fine sample, And they set an example, Of a crowd of the boys in their town. "Just how much will I pay?" asked a boss of these boys, "Well, I pay for live brains, pluck and grit; When you've proven to me That you have these — all three, Then I'll give you a job that is fit." Here's a boy wants a job, he is willing to dig, But as yet he's not worth much big pay; There's success sure for him; In the end he will win; He takes joy in achievement each day. Better work with a shovel, a spade, or a hoe, While you study to get a good start. There'll be character-building, While some other lives gliding, And the joy of just doing your part. Salt Lake City, ELSIE E. BARRETT.

DO WE NEED A SAVIOR? By Nephi Jensen One day a devout elder of the Church had a friendly con- versation with a man, who professed no faith in the gospel. In the course of the conversation, the elder urged some strong reasons for believing in the divinity of God's great Latter-day work. The doubter became impatient and remarked rather proudly: "I do not believe in authority in religion. I do not need a savior. I can save myself." Is this man's boast based upon fact? Is his conclusion correct? Suppose we turn to history for an answer. Was there ever a time when all the inhabitants of the world lived above sin? History records no such period. Try another test. Has there ever been a perfect man? Yes, Just one. Did he keep free from the power of evil by his own strength? Mark his expressive words: "The Son of man can do nothing of himself." (John 5:19). Man is a fallen creature. He is by nature disposed to do evil. The scriptures affirm this fact. All history proves the sad truth. In every age, greed, lust, strife, war and bloodshed have corrupted, distracted and destroyed the nations. Can fallen man, by his own strength, rise to a life of purity? Can he by his own power conquer the forces of evil? A simple illustration will help us answer these questions. Sup- pose life consisted of one single act. Suppose all one had to do in a lifetime was to carry a precious gem, from a rich man to the sum- mit of a high mountain, and deliver it in a becoming manner to a notable and gracious personage in a castle, and the success of the undertaking depended upon its being done without a single mistake. Could any mortal of his own power accomplish this task? "Yes," says the self-confident man. "What will you give me if I deliver the gem?" "A thousand dollars," says the man of wealth. "It is done," shouts the proud man. He fastens the gem securely upon his person, and starts up the steep mountain side. He does not know the person to whom the gem is to be delivered. He has never heard of him. He neither loves him nor fears him. But, inspired alone by the offered compensation, he struggles up the mountain side. When he stops to rest, a single thought passes through his mind: "When I shall have accomplished the task, I shall get my pay." Every step he takes is impelled by the same selfish thought. So the further he climbs the more sordid and ignoble he becomes. For it is a settled law of human nature that the longer one pursues a purely selfish course the more cold and hardened he becomes.

DO WE NEED A SAVIOR? 1065 Suppose he should reach the summit, would he be able to make proper presentation of the jewel? Remember the person who is to receive it is a very notable and gracious person. Remember also the gem must be delivered in a becoming manner. Would it be fitting and proper for a person to deliver the jewel who has in his heart the sordid thought, "I don't know you. I never heard of you. I neither fear you nor love you. I bring you this gem simply because I am paid to deliver it?" Could anything be more inappropriate? Let us now look at the problem of delivering the gem from an- other angle. Suppose the wealthy man should command one of his servants to deliver the gem, and threaten him with imprisonment if he failed. What would be the attitude and spirit of the servant as he trudged up the mountain side? We can easily think of the words that would describe his thoughts. "Stubborness" and "sul- lenness" are the words. Every step he would take, his spirit would become the more hardened. When he reached the summit would he be able to make becoming delivery of a precious gem to a very gracious personage? Would it be proper to have the gem delivered hatefully and grudgingly? We cannot do a single act perfectly when we are actuated only by either the hope of reward or the fear of punishment. It is only when we do something out of pure love for a superior, that our acts are perfect. If the jewel is ever delivered in a manner befitting the gracious personage, it must be delivered by some one who truly loves the noble dweller in the castle. But no one can reverence some one of whom he has not heard. We cannot love some one whom we do not know. So in the very nature of things only some one who has learned about the gracious personage could deliver the jewel in a proper manner. Let us now look at the problem of delivering the gem from an entirely new point of view. Suppose a generous spirited young man should offer to deliver the gem. "I will deliver your jewel," he says, "What do you ask for your services?" inquires the rich man. "Nothing," replies the noble-hearted youth. "I have met the only son of the gracious man in the castle. He is the gentlest, wisest and noblest man I ever met. I have been led to believe that the father is just like the son. Through my association with this son I have learned to dearly love the gracious man in the castle on the mountain. I love him so dearly that it would be to me the greatest pleasure in the world to deliver the gem to him." This young man starts up the mountain with the precious stone. He walks briskly, and with resolute step. There is a smile on his lips, light in his eyes, and deep joy in his heart. He is on the most delightful errand of his life. Every step he takes, his joy is in- tensified. Every ounce of energy he expends is turned into love for

1066 IMPROVEMENT ERA the one he is going to honor. For it is a settled law of human nature that the more we do for another in the true spirit of love, the deeper and truer our love becomes. When this man reaches the summit he will be a nobler person than he was when he started. Through struggle and sacrifice for another, he purified his heart and ennobled his mind. He will be able to make proper and becoming delivery of the gem. He will be able to deliver it in the spirit of true love and reverence. Jesus the Christ, came into the world to manifest God to the world. He was "Emmanuel, God with us." In all his conversation he spoke as God would speak, In all his conduct, he acted as God would act. In his personality he was a living photograph of the Father. In his torn, bleeding flesh he revealed the tender love of God for his children. In his victory over the grave he manifested the infinite power of God. Through this perfect revelation of the per- sonality, love, and power of God, given us through the life and mis- sion of the Son of God, we are led to love God, with that pure love which lifts all our thoughts, aspirations, and acts far above the coarse things of the selfish life. Without this pure love of God which comes to us through the divine mission and ministry of Jesus Christ there is no salvation. Truly did Jesus say, "If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me." By the cords of faith and love the Christ draws us from the evil to the good, from the false to the true, from the coarse to the pure, from the unholy to the holy, from the imperfect to the perfect. We need a Savior. Oh, Come, Let Us Seek God Oh, come, let us seek for the God of our fathers, The great and omnipotent Ruler of old, Who once walked and talked on the earth with his children ; To know him and love him is better than gold. To know him and love him with deepest devotion Doth give me more joy than all treasures of earth; I'll tell of his goodness from ocean to ocean, And sing of his glory his honor and worth. I'll shout what he's done for his dutiful children, And what he will do for them now and alway ; In healing and guiding and blessing them evert His children who walk in the straight, narrow way. Oakland, Cat. ANNIE G. LAURITZEN.