--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Unknown collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 28 number: 1 published: 1924-11 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "Unknown, “Andrew Kimball,” *Improvement Era 28, no. 1 (November 1924)*: 68–72." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2801unse 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: improvementera2801unse start_page: 68 end_page: 72 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1924-11) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2801unse 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. --- # Andrew Kimball ANDREW KIMBALL Andrew Kimball, president of the Saint Joseph stake (Arizona; died in Salt Lake City, August 31, 1924. Born of parents who gave their all for the advancement of the Church (he was the son of Presi- dent Heber C. Kimball), he espoused the cause of the gospel in his youth and devoted all the labor of his life to its establishment among men. He was a credit and an honor to his parents, his Church, his country and to his family who were left to mourn him. President Kimball's work in the Saint Joseph stake, where he labored untiringly for twenty-six years, will long be re- membered. He devoted himself to the advance- ment of the Gila college, was interested in irriga- tion, and made every ef- fort to build up the com- munities in his charge. He took pride in being a citizen of Arizona, where, for many years he served in the state legislature, and as chair- man of the agriculture and horticulture boards. For many years he was associated with the Ari- zona Eastern Railway, as director and as commis- sioner of immigration. He was employed as special representative of the A. T. 0 S. F. rail- way, at the time of his death. In all his labors he had one central motive. It was to build up the As he lay ill in Salt Lake City, he re- "First and last be the glory of God, What a chance we take, if we The Late President Andrew Kimball, of St. Joseph Stake, Arizona the Church and kingdom of God marked to those about him: and the salvation of his children ANDREW KIMBALL 69 have not repented and been forgiven in this life. By knowledge and information accumulated by self-effort, one can go to preach to the spirits. If you go into the spirit world helter-skelter, you take a terrible chance, but if you go with your credentials, how glorious. The call will soon come to me, and I shall answer. We are all in the hands of the Lord." At the funeral services, at Thatcher, Arizona, President Heber J. Grant, who had accompanied the body there, paid Elder Kimball deserved honor. He said that there have been few men in charge of missions and stakes who have been so devoted to the proclamation of the gospel, in public and in private, as was President Andrew Kimball. He will have the great joy which comes from having brought many souls to a knowledge of the truth. President Kimball came to preside over the St. Joseph stake in obedience to a call from the authorities. He came in the true spirit of service, and gave the best that was in him, in an endeavor to build up this stake of Zion. Andrew Kimball was the son of a prophet of God, and had in him the spirit of prophecy. President Grant further stated that to obtain a knowledge of the gospel we must do the will of the Father. We cannot convey our knowledge to others; it must come from within. No Latter-day Saint believes that sinners will go to heaven because of death-bed repentance, but rather that men will receive reward according to the kind of life they live. President Grant also read from the Doctrine and Covenants, Section 76, concerning the gospel work for the dead, and told of the three degrees of glory. Andrew Kimball knew that Jesus was the Christ, the Savior of the World, and lived a life agreeable to that knowledge and he will enjoy the celestial glory. Luck and Failure Don't always be looking around for a snap, The boy who spells fail is this sort of chap, He's weary, he's dreary, In life has no aim, Eternally right, someone else is to blame. He's easy and slow, he is lacking in pluck; The success of another is only "good luck," He stumbles and grumbles, Keeps one eye on the clock, And never plays fair, always ready to "knock." Doesn't tackle his job with a hearty good will, Never tries to push forward or climb up life's hill A failure and a loser, "My luck," he'll complain, Rut the boy who fails has himself to blame. Elsie E. Barrett. Solving the Transportation Problem In the latter part of 1923, an American three-mast schooner, The Mer- riwingkleman, was wrecked on the reef just out of the Pago Pago harbor, Tutuila island. There were no casualties and part of her cargo was sal- vaged; among other things salvaged was a fine little motor boat, which has since been purchased, at a reasonable price, by President Butler for the Samoan mission, and this boat is now being used on the island of Upolu mainly by the Sauniatu school for the purpose of transporting their taro and bananas to Apia, where these are sold. Several tons of this product is brought to Apia weekly by our village to fill government contracts, and to sell to those who are working for a daily wage in Apia. This was formerly done in row boats, necessitating the taking of a large number of school boys from their work and sometimes from their school. By towing one of the row boats, this gas motor takes the place of that crowd of boys, and it is inexpensive when one considers the time and energy saved for necessary duties. Here- with is a picture of the boat and the Samoan boy who is in charge of it at present. In addition to the above the last boat from the states brought us a good lightweight Ameri- can wagon, and two sets of harness; this with the horses which we have will furnish a means of transportation from Sauniatu to the coast, a distance of about four miles. The road, over which wagons have not been used for a number of years, is being repaired and will soon be in good condition, and we hope this will put an end to the arduous task of carry- ing all of their produce on their shoulders or on pack animals. This is an encouragement to our school and we feel that it is a step in advancement. Several copies of the Era have been placed in the hands of the governor of Western Samoa, and some of the other government officials, and they are unanimous in pronouncing it a good wholesome magazine. — E. L. Butler, President, Apia, Samoa. Why? The battle raged onward, destructive and wide; The missiles, like raindrops, were falling, We beat the foe back; like the surge of the tide They fled! And the scene was appalling. Victorious, still we were sad and forlorn, To think of our brothers as booty, The poor, wornout creatures, all bleeding and torn, Had done not a thing but their duty. O, why will the rulers and powers on earth, Keep up such a terrible strife — Destroying the right of a home and free birth, Regardless of property, feelings and life? Monroe, Utah WESTON N. NORDGRAN AM I MY BROTHER'S KEEPER? By Dr. Geo. A. Wilson, Superintendent Malad Stake Y. M. M. I. A. We are living in a day in which our ideas and actions are changing. The old individual and national feeling of isolation is changing to one of individual and national responsibility. We no longer feel that we can stand independently apart from other individuals and from other nations. Our welfare is largely tied up with their's. As they move forward, so do we; and, reversely, they can move forward only as we do. What they do affects our well-being, as also does what we do affect them. The truth of Cain's inter- rogation— "Am I my brother's keeper?" — is being borne home. We are responsible to our brother, as he is responsible to us; in that what we do or say affects him, or as also what he does or says affects us. We are as a chain that reaches forward into eternity, and no one link can long hold back without, sooner or later, affecting the whole chain. These facts are becom- ing recognized more each day by sociologists, who are now saying that all advancement is done in groups; albeit, some are leaders, while others are trailing, and yet those in the lead can at no time put more than a certain dis- tance between themselves and those in the rear. The advancement of all takes place largely as each individual advances. A chain is no stronger than its weakest link. The degree of progress is largely gauged by the weaker members. As an illustration: I have in mind a mental picture of a winding trail leading upward. Above it a bright light, beckoning unto all. On the trail a seething, swaying mass of humanity, traveling upward. Now stopping, now advancing. Stopping as a brother falls; advancing as he is picked up and helped along. As an opening appears, the eager, the ambitious dart into it; closing, at times it crushes them down. Then, another stop, per- chance longer than usual, until the fallen ones are again helped on their way. Day after day, year after year, following the winding path through eternity. Progressing as each helps his brother. Albeit, in the next life we will occupy different degrees of glory; each one receiving his just reward; yet all, with but very few exceptions, will be saved. God's glory will not be denied. The following article very fittingly and beautifully illustrates this thought further and adds, also, the thought of the unity and eternity of labor: "What a glorious thing is human life, how glorious men's destiny: we behold around about us one vast union. No man can labor for himself, without at the same time laboring for all others. This truth becomes an inward benediction, lifting the soul mightily upward. The feeling of our dignity and power grows stronger when we say; being is not objectless and vain, we are all necessary links in the great chain which reaches forward into eternity. All the great and good and wise, whose names we read of in world history have labored for us, we have entered into their harvest, we tread in their footsteps from which blessings flow; we undertake the sublime task which they once undertook; we can make our common brother- hood wiser and happier; we can build forward where they were forced to leave off, and bring nearer to perfection the great edifice which they left incomplete; and, at length, we, too, must leave it and go hence. Oh! this is the most sublime thought of all — we can never finish the noble task of life, we can never cease to work, we can never cease to be, what man calls death cannot break off the task of life which is never ending: no period is set to our being — we are eternal." To conclude with this would be fitting, for it seems the logical place to stop — were it not for the importance of these thoughts in our Mutual 72 IMPROVEMENT ERA work: In carrying these thoughts into the M. I. A. — each ward is a group, and the Church, to fulfil its ultimate purposes is dependent upon it in direct ratio to its size. Each individual in the ward is an essential part of the group, helping or hindering it: helping, as each becomes an active member and a willing channel for the expression of the gospel of Jesus Christ; hinder- ing, as each stands either neutral or a willing tool of the adversary. The strength of the Church in bringing about the ultimate salvation of the human race, must start with the individuals of the group; for when each member does his or her part, the group is strengthened and the Church becomes stronger thereby. A stronger Church can make its influence felt throughout the nation and, in time, throughout the whole world. This seems almost too gigantic to be accomplished; but, a little root can break a massive rook. "Mormonism" is destined to do it. By doing our part the time is hastened. With these thoughts in mind, can we as Mutual workers feel that we are doing enough? Can we slacken our efforts before our work is carried out fully? Lines to a Picture Meek, staring eyes, and even bent on me, Blame or reproof in them I never see; A!l through the years they guard incessantly. Blue, open eyes, emblems of purity, Aught that is low in them there cannot be; All through the years they guard incessantly. Long chestnut hair, in neat and sweet array, Save one short lock that always went astray; And never would the hand of care obey. O, loving face, I had so very long, At matins, noons and so at even song, Small wonder now the tears of memory throng! Unfurrowed face, that waned before my eyes — Thank God, 'tis but the outward form that dies; And purest love e'en deepest grave defies! Count not my love throughout these lonely years Wasted on Death's and Mem'ry's falling tears, For sweet, undying hope outweighs my fears. Leastway, I feel, I know that you are there — Sweet spirit of my precious picture fair — And to the Christ my cravings ever bear. What though the weary day with work is long; And of the fears that ever round me throng? Spite of them all they flee at Evensong. Belleisle, Canada ALAN C. R.EIDPATH.