--- 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: 2 published: 1924-12 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "Unknown, “Editor’s Table,” *Improvement Era 28, no. 2 (December 1924)*: 167–174." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2802unse 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: improvementera2802unse start_page: 167 end_page: 174 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1924-12) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2802unse 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. --- # Editor’s Table EDITOR'S TABLE 169 things upon the earth. But to those who have repented of their sins and been baptized, who have had hands laid upon them by authority and received the gift and made proper use of it, to them the Holy Ghost, the Teacher of the Father, becomes a special and increased light, a guide to their feet, and a witness of the Father and the Son. By right living, and through this minister of the Godhead, these may receive an abiding knowledge of God and his Son, which is eternal life. Being enlightened by the Holy Ghost, they are able to testify that God is the Father in whose likeness we were created, and that Jesus Christ who was crucified for the sins of the world, is the name given of the Father whereby man can be saved, and that there is no other name through which salvation can come. To them who have complied with the requirements necessary to obtain this knowledge, the Holy Ghost witnesses that Jesus Christ is the actual Son of the living God, our Lord and Redeemer, the first fruits of the resurrection, the creator of heaven and earth. They have learned to know Christ, our Lord. To these people the testimony is given direct, and to others it is given to believe on their words that they also might have eternal life, if they continue in the faith. At all times, and especially on this day, celebrated as the an- niversary of the birth of our Lord and Savior, the Latter-day Saints have this abiding testimony. and declare and witness before the world by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus Christ lives, that he stands at the head and directs his Church, through his constituted authority, that he is one in the Father, and knoweth all things. The people in all the world are called upon to repent of their sins and to be baptized by one having authority, that by the same authority, they may obtain the gift of the Holy Ghost, so that they, too, may know the living God and serve him in the name of his Son Jesus Christ who is our advocate with the Father, whom to know is life eternal. — A. Celebrating Our Fiftieth Anniversary The Y. M. M. I. A. is fifty years old on June 10, 1925. It began with a few members in the Thirteenth ward of Salt Lake City at a meeting held there on the 10th day of June, 1875, when the first Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association in the Church, under the direction of the authorities, was organized. From this nucleus has steadily grown the great system as it exists today. With- out departing from its fundamental design, several progressive evolu- tions have taken place in its methods and functions, until today the association practically provides every activity desired by the yout!) of the Church in study, social affairs, recreation, and religious and literary instruction. As an organization of young men, the Y. M. M. I. A. may well 1 70 IMPROVEMENT ERA be counted the liveliest and best in spirit and purpose of any com- bination of youth in America. In the ninety-two stakes of the Church there are approximately 900 separate societies with a total membership of about 45,000. This number will be largely augmented and will exceed 50,000 by next June, since each of the wards through- out the Church is making a commendable effort to swell its member- ship by at least 15% by that time. As to the celebration, the details of the exercises have not yet been decided upon but a great parade is contemplated, in which un- doubtedly, will be presented the banners containing the slogans, which in the past decade have come into use as the rallying cry to con- centrate the efforts of the membership to live the gospel standards. The great slogan of the organization is: "The Glory of God is Intelligence," and there have been eleven others. The aim of the organ- ization is to assist every young man to complete living on the founda- tion of faith in God and his great latter-day work. During the celebra- tion there will be devotional meetings, and it is proposed that there shall be contests in musical, literary, dramatic, recreational and other activities. It is also designed that there shall be a Boy Scout encamp- ment. Prizes will be offered for a poem, a song, a short one-act play; perhaps a great concert and a boys' band contest. An his- torical pageant of the past, the present, and the future of the Y. M. M. I. A., setting forth its progress from the 10th of June, 1875, to the present, with the vision of its future, has been sug- gested, with many other attractions. The Improvement Era contemplates devoting the June and July numbers largely to descriptive, historical, and literary matter per- taining to and originating in the great gathering. The occasion is designed to be a real display of the past, the present and the future of the wonderful work accomplished in the past fifty years and the vision of what lies in the future. In the exercises undoubtedly the history of its publications, — the Amateur, the Contributor, the Improvement Era — the various volumes of manuals and the reading courses, will receive consideration, as will also the subject of recreation and Boy Scout work, which are such great features at present of the organ- ization. The program is now being considered and every effort is being made by the General Board to have a celebration worthy of the great occasion. It is designed, in addition, that an appropriate program shall be suggested for the ward organizations of the Church, so that the mem- bers of each society may celebrate at home, simultaneously, in all the wards of the Church. — A. Intellectual vs Manual Education Have you read the story in this number, "Which Shall It Be?" You will probably disagree with it. Considering the effort and expense EDITOR'S TABLE 171 devoted to our schools, the question at issue is one uppermost in many minds. But, in answer to the argument of the story: It is the boy that counts, and the right and most suitable training makes the boy. Cigarettes, useless knowledge, devilment, idleness, sport, and in- competence connect with both ignorance and education, with both the college man and the self-educated. Extremes are dangerous, and misdirected education is evil. The universities should be left to pursue their classical courses for those who are especially fitted for intellectual leadership and the professions. Other schools might be established and devoted to the training of the hands for industrial work. There is little sense in teaching dead languages and other kindred studies to people who have rather need of understanding how to produce from the earth, and to manufacture valuable products. However, a certain amount of training for the mind as well as for the body is necessary for both classes. Every farmer, other laborer, and artisan, every office drudge, every job worker, should have a reasonable amount of intellectual education. The day laborer as well as the college graduate should be gen- erally well informed, but there is necessity for specialization and technical knowledge, according to choice of occupation. A blacksmith cannot devote his time to art any more than an artist can devote his time to blacksmithing; but there is no reason why the blacksmith should not know something about art and have enough general edu- cation to enjoy life, besides doing his chosen work acceptably. Nor is there any good reason why an artist should not know something about blacksmithing and still be an artist. But neither could take the place of the other in the highly specialized labors of today. There must be leaders in thought as well as in manual labor. The trouble is, our schools have been devoted mostly to intellectual development. Let us not destroy nor discourage the schools established for the train- ing of the mind, but rather found schools for and devote more time to handcrafts; let us continue the universities where intellectual train- ing is first and foremost, that leaders for the thinking of the world may be produced. It is not so much the fault of the schools, as the incompetence and the unavailability of some of the youth who attend the schools that should be diagnosed. We are trying to mould too many in the same mould, to their own detriment and frequently to the detriment of the community. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ devoted his time and his at- tention, his sweat and his suffering, for the spiritual and social welfare of the people, and to communion with God. He did not remain at the carpenter's bench, his mission was greater. But knowing what it was to toil at the carpenter's bench he had sympathy with all laborers; and so, one must learn to have a deep feeling of tolerance for both manual and intellectual endeavor. All noble effort is com- 1 72 IMPROVEMENT ERA mcndable: capital, ordinary labor, intellectual leadership, art, letters, industry of all kinds, are all necessary for the growth and advancement of the world of mankind; but it depends upon the individual, the boy, whether he is fitted for what he is put to, and whether he is going to make the best of his opportunities, in any line of work he may be given to do: It is the boy that counts, and his training should be adapted to his ability and aptitude. — A. Gulls Destroy Grasshoppers Mr. R. Scott Zimmerman, of the Agricultural College, sends the following clipping to the Era. The article was printed in The Survey, Washington D. C September 25, 1924. It will be interesting to our readers from the fact that the people of Utah are especially interested in the gulls. They have erected a monument in honor of these birds. It was built by the Latter-day Saints in memory of the time when the gulls protected the growing fields from the crickets in answer to the prayers of the Pioneers to the Lord to save their crops. The incident is no legend, it is a well attested fact. The Survey gives credit for the item in the following words: The following items regarding gulls, which are protected at all times under the Migratory-Bird Treaty Act, is quoted from the Gazette, Billings, Montana, August 26, 1924: Thousands of Birds do Valiant Work About Valier According to P. F. LaValle, of the Valier-Montana Land and Water Company, sea gulls of a variety believed to be the Franklin gull are solving a problem in eradicating grasshoppers in Pondera county, which poison and other forms of preventives long since failed to do. Flocks working in units of between 4,000 and 5,000 birds have done the job so nicely around Valier that farmers in that section look forward to a hopper- less season next year, and there is now a movement on foot in that country aiming to protect the birds by State law and to give them the credit they deserve. Pondera county, like many others of the State, has suffered a great loss through the pest and. though poison has been used in great quantities, the desired effect was not obtained until the gulls came. "During the last six or eight weeks great flocks have commenced to prey on the grasshoppers," says Mr. LaValle. "From my personal observation it would seem that they generally work in alfalfa fields immediately after the hay has been taken off, and usually move about from place to place in flocks of about 4,000 to 5.000. After working for a day or two on a field, depending upon its size, I have noticed that virtually all the grasshoppers are destroyed. On my own fields it so happened that the hoppers were very plentiful, although I had used poison quite freely. The land adjoining was vacant and because no poison was used there the pests were constantly flying into my fields, so that the time and expense of putting out poison was practically lost." "A few weeks ago the gulls came, great clouds of them," says Mr. LaValle. "They stayed for two or three days and then moved on to conquer a new hopper army. Since that time not a hopper has been seen." LaValle calls the birds "benefactors" and feels that they should be protected. He thinks they are the same which legend credits with saving EDITOR'S TABLE 173 crops for the early "Mormon" settlers in Utah, where as a result gulls have been protected by law for many years. This circumstance testifies that the saving of the crops of the "Mormon" pioneers, by gulls, is not so improbable as some doubters have supposed, and is a justification of history which some have deemed a wild and improbable story. — A. Jesus the Christ Jesus the Christ, the bright Star of the Morning. News of his birth to all nations extend; This earth and all worlds his light is adorning; To his life-giving light there is no end. Glory to God in the highest be given; Singing his praise, our allegiance declare To the King of kings, Royal Son of David, We will adore him — the bright Morning Star. A God in the flesh revealed unto mortals; The sign of his birth was Bethlehem's star; He was light of that star, shining that morning; Star of great power, giving light near and far. He came to this globe that he might redeem us; Born of a Virgin to die on the earth ; Killed by vile men, but the grave could not hold him : Redeeming our souls, from death we'll come forth. God nailed to the cross and held in derision! The Savior of men in hatred they slew. Praying to God. He said: "Father, forgive them, Surely, Father, they know not what they do." He rose from the grave, to heaven ascended. His Spirit he sends our souls to inspire, With his life-giving light ever to lead us Near to the throne of the bright Morning Star. O give us light now, great Star of the Morning, With brilliant rays give thy light near and far; Give light to the souls that now sit in darkness; Give light to all nations, bright Morning Star. Granite, Utah. DAVID ARCHIBALD. (Priesthood Quorums The Melchizedek Priesthood The subject, divided into 48 lessons, for 1925 is: "Doctrines of the Church": the text book: A Study of the Articles of Faith LESSON 1 : JOSEPH SMITH, A TRUE PROPHET Text: Chapter 1. The introductory paragraphs, pages 1-7, should be studied by the members individually, though but a small part of the class period is to be devoted thereto. The principal topics of the lesson subjects are to be covered, and incidental items, however interesting, should be passed with but brief comment. Outstanding events in the life of Joseph Smith are to be considered; but the object of the lesson is that of demonstrating his divine calling as a true prophet of the Lord. LESSON 2 : THE HQLY TRINITY Text: Chapter 2. Give due attention to the evidence relating to the existence of God, but avoid extended discussion of infidelity and atheism. Members of Priesthood classes are neither infidels nor atheists. Emphasize the distinct personality of each member of the Holy Trinity, or Godhead. Study Ap- pendix 2:11, beginning on page 465, relating to "The Father and the Son." LESSON 3 : MAN'S FREE AGENCY Text: Chapter 3, pages 52-63 Make clear the fact that agency, or freedom in action, is inseparably as- sociated with accountability. Distinguish between sin and the sinner — see Doctrine and Covenants 1:31-33, and compare Alma 45:16. Know that divine punishment is a natural and inevitable consequence of sin except as sin is atoned for through compliance with the conditions prescribed for for- giveness. Note that the scriptures clearly prove the personality of satan; and read the prediction of the modern fallacy that there is no devil. See 2 Nephi 28:22. LESSON 4: THE FALL Text: Chapter 3, pages 63-70. Give due consideration to the all-important fact that our first parents in the garden of Eden were under commandment, but nevertheless had been given freedom, or agency, to obey or disobey. Compare Genesis 2:16, 17 with Moses 3:16, 17 and note the greater fulness of the latter scripture. Read Appendix 3, 4, page 474 in the text-book. As to the nature of the transgression in Eden, see reference given in Appendix 3:8 page 476. Study carefully the citations in the text showing the necessity of the banishment from Eden, so that Adam and Eve should be prevented from becoming immortal without opportunity for full repentance. Know that mortality is a blessing; see Appendix 3 :5, page 475. Study Texts for the Aaronic Priesthood, 1925 It has been decided by the First Presidency and the Presiding Bishopric that for the future the course of study for the deacons shall cover a period of two years; the course of study for the teachers, a period of two years; 174 IMPROVEMENT ERA and the course of study for the priests, a period of three years. As a rule, young men leave for the mission field between the ages of 18 and 20. To give them an opportunity for serving in each of the offices of the Lesser Priesthood, it is expected that, for the future, boys ought to be ordained to the office of deacon at about the age of 1 2 years, or as soon as they show, by their -ability to serve and their knowledge of the gospel, that they are capable of performing the labors required in this office of the Priesthood. As already made known, the course of study for the year 1925 for deacons is entitled, Duty Stories from the Old Testament. This course will outline in story form incidents in the lives of the prophets, followed by questions which should fix upon the mind of the boy the lesson it is hoped he will learn. The course of study prepared for the teachers will be The Life of Christ, dealing with the subject in a manner interesting and helpful to boys called to labor in the office and calling of a teacher. The course for the priests is entitled, Missionary Themes. These lessons are made up of quotations from the scriptures, each lesson dealing with one particular subject. Accompanying each will be a sermonette calling the attention of the priests to the manner in which the references may be used in a sermon. It is expected that at each class period a member of the priests' quorum will give to the class, or quorum members, a short address, using the references given in the lesson for that day's work. The whole purpose of these lessons is to lay a firm foundation for service, and to provide a means for proper training and development through service in the Church. The lessons will soon be in the hands of the publishers, and it is hoped will be ready to distribute before the beginning of the year. The price for each of these texts has not yet been announced. This information is given out by Bishop David A. Smith, of the Presiding Bishopric. Motion Pictures The following pictures were previewed by the M. I. A. Committee and are considered suitable for church ward entertainment: Richard Lion Hearted, 8 reels, Wallace Beery. An excellent presentation of the character of Richard, against the background of the Crusades. This picture is a continuation of "Robin Hood." Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall, 10 reels. Mary Pickford. This is Mary Pickford's latest picture, one of romance and thrills, with beautiful settings and picturesque background. This picture is to Mary Pickford what "Robin Hood" a to Douglas Fairbanks. Exciting Night, 1 1 reels, Carol Dempster. A melo-drama of a hunt for one- half million dollars in haunted house where man has been murdered, with rescue by hero in storm. This is a mystery story with all the thrills and laughs one may desire. Pofs and Pans Peggy, 5 reels, all star. A comedy-drama, full of action and romance. It is a juvenile picture. Bag and Baggage, 5 reels, all star. A romantic comedy-drama, contrasting the characters of two girls. Old Kentucky Home, 7 reels. Melo-drama of Kentucky life. The Prince and the Pauper, 6 reels. This is the story of a poor boy and a prince who change places. Juvenile picture. One of Mark Twain's stories. Rupert of Hentzau, 9 reels. A romance in which Rupert tries to bring dis- grace upon the queen of Ruritania, but finds his match in the man she loves. Modern Matrimony, 6 reels. Owen Moore. This is an up-to-the-minute comedy drama of the installment plan of housekeeping. Box Car Limited. 2 reels, Jimmy Abrey. This is a live, 2 reel, Jimmy Abrey comedy. cyWutual Work Birth and Growth of "Mormonism," Pageantry and Tableau The Denver Branch M. I. A. gave a successful presentation of "The Birth and Growth of 'Mormonism' " in a pageant, under the direction of Sister Jessie Whitaker. This story is a very beautiful one, and was made very real by the appropriate costumes, music, scenery, and carefully selected characters. Mr. Lorin Boswell, a Denver art student, assisted in the painting of new scenes of "old places" very fitting for the occasion. The theme of each setting is written in the form of a poem which was read by a "Prince Herald" just before the accompanying tableau was shown. After a short musical prologue, a brief history of the advent of Christ; the birth and growth of Christianity, and its decline during the dark ages, was given by the Herald. Then followed the first tableau; a very effective scene of the picture of "Joseph Smith's Prayer," showing the glorious answer to the supplication of a humble youth. Delicate lighting, and the soft strains of music made this scene very real and touching. The episode of the organization of the Church by the six original members, with Joseph Smith at its "head, was next shown in dignity and impressiveness. Such attributes of the courageous pioneers as faith, purity, love, and justice, were personified' by little children in Grecian costumes. Each one gave his little eulogy of his forefathers. The pioneers were shown crossing the plains, with their hand carts full of sacred relics. The Mormon Battalion, the Indian scares which ended in trades, the work of the patient pioneer mothers, the old camp fire scenes where a meeting which began with "Come, come, ye Saints" ended with a rousing Virginia Reel, were all uniquely, and realistically portrayed. Last of all, when all hardships were overcome, and the great distance was behind, Brigham Young showed, to an intensely interested audience, "This is the place." He stood upon a mound and stretched out his arm and designated the home of the children of Zion. The scene of the great lake, and its surrounding desert was shown; and Zion with her superior industries, and her progress in education was depicted as the con- cluding tableau. A great portion of the success of this little production must be at- tributed to the able leaders of our M. I. A. Sister Minnie Knight, and her counselor, and also to the enthusiastic efforts of all the Saints in the Denver branch, who are doing all in their power to make this branch the most successful in any of the missions. — W. L. Hout, Pres. M. I. A. Denver Branch. Enrollment and Teacher-Training Only a very few stakes reported on possible enrollment for October, the reason given in most instances being, that there was no information at hand. This emphasizes the need of an immediate survey in which every eligible member of the Senior, Advanced Junior, and Junior classes should be listed, with a view of getting them enrolled in the Y. M. M. LA. May we not have this done in all the stakes, and have it given in the January 10 report for December? Another item left blank in most of the reports for October was the average number of Y. M. M. I. A. officers who have at- tended Teacher-Training classes. Please fill in this information for the next report, also.