Editors’ Table

Editors (Table Testimony The preeminent aim of the Y. M. M. I. A. is to assist the young men to complete living on the foundation of faith in God, in Jesus Christ, and in the great Latter-day work which the Father and Son inaugurated through the prophet Joseph Smith. Brigham Young, who was instrumental in founding our association named this aim, among others, to Junius F. Wells when he was sent out to organize the Y. M. M. I. A: "We want you to organize yourselves into associations for mutual improvement. Let the key-note of your work be the establish- ment in the youth of an individual testimony of the truth and magni- tude of the great Latter-day work; the development of the gifts within them that have been bestowed upon them by the laying on of hands of the servants of God. It is our desire * * * that our young men may grow in the comprehension of, and faith in, the holy prin- ciples of the gospel of eternal salvation, and * * * have an opportunity to be encouraged in bearing testimony to, and speaking of the truths of our holy religion." Read I Tim. 4:12-16; II Tim. 1:6. This was to be the ground work and leading idea of every such association. For fifty years the organization has labored to this end, and has done much in this direction and much to aid the priest- hood in all things commendable and worthy. We are still anxious to press on in this line, and practice the principles that lie at the root of our associations. Thousands of the leaders of Israel have found their first opportunity for expression in the Y. M. M. I. A. It would be wonderful and inspiring if in this our Jubilee year, 50,000 young men should be given opportunity and be encouraged to bear their testimonies to the value of the truth of our religion as it has affected their lives. We believe such provision can be made, and that each member can be given such an opportunity to bear his testimony during the year, in the one thousand associations of the Church. What an inspiration for the present and the future growth of testi- mony in the hearts of the young people this would be! The General Board have expressed the wish that our member- ship should obtain testimonies and give expression to them from time to time in the activities and meetings of the associations. Recently Superintendent George Albert Smith, being solicited, submitted to the officers of the Salt Lake Stake, a message of the General Superin- tendency to the Y. M. M. I. A. in which he urged mat every young man should obtain and express a testimony of the divinity of the great Latter-day Work which God has restored through the prophet

390 IMPROVEMENT ERA Joseph Smith. He then tells what a testimony is and how it can be obtained: "Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God, and is at the founda- tion of this Church. It is his Church. Joseph Smith was chosen by the Father and the Son to organize it. The Church is founded upon the gospel of Jesus Christ through which alone salvation can come to men. The gospel is the safe road, the pleasant pathway of physicial and spiritual righteousness. It is the source of happiness in this world and in the world to come. It was restored to earth through the revelations of Jesus Christ, and through a series of several important appearances of heavenly messengers to the great prophet of the latter-days. It has been faithfully led and directed through the revelations of the Lord by every authorized successor of Joseph the Prophet to and including the present leader of the Church and prophet of the Lord. "When this testimony can be borne from the heart, and exempli- fied in practice, the person having it has an abiding witness that will bring to him the rich promises of the Lord. It is such a testi- mony that all the activities of the Y. M. M. I. A. should seek to establish in the youth. "How can that be done? A cultivation of the power and in- fluence of the Holy Ghost conferred upon every member of the Church will lead in this direction. By prayer and right living, and con- formity to gospel teachings, every soul is entitled to and will receive this knowledge and testimony. If we do not succeed in getting it, there is failure in our method." The reader will note that our aim may be attained in three ways as set forth in our fundamentals: (1) By making use of every opportunity to learn and to do what the Lord requires of his children, which implies learning and maintaining right relations to God, to his gospel, his laws and com- mandments, and to Church duties and activities. (2) By making use of every opportunity to live rightly in relation to our fellows, in the home life, and in community, political, vocational and Church life. (3) By making use of every opportunity for self -improvement, which includes a study of the gospel, correct living, industry, and expressional activity. The latter implies bearing testimony which let us up and do. — A. Prizes for Jubilee Literature The Improvement Era offers the following prizes for literary and musical contributions to be used either in the program of the Jubilee celebration or in the Improvement Era numbers for June and July devoted to the fiftieth anniversary celebration of the M. I. A: For poem of about 50 lines, $25. For a short story of about 4,000 words, $40.

EDITORS' TABLE 391 For an essay of about 3,000 words, $30. For a hymn of 18 or 24 lines with music, $50. The music and lines need not be by one person, but the prize will be offered for the combination. For a scout camp song, $20. For a short play, $35. Contestants are limited to active or past members of the M. I. A., men or women. The manuscripts must be submitted without names in a separate envelope in which should be a sealed envelope containing the name and address of the author and the title of his manuscript. All communications must be in the hands of the editors of the Era, preferably before and not later than May 1. Judges will be selected by the Era staff to decide upon the merits of the literature, and the best in each contest, according to the judgment of the judges, will be awarded the prize. The range of subjects may be as broad as the work of our organization, but in each case, should be con- sistent with, and relevant to, M. I. A. standards and work. The sub- ject matter of the essay should be of a forward-looking character. . For a new cover design for the Era for June and July, appropriate for the fiftieth anniversary celebration, $25 is offered. Contest is open to all. Going Forward to Conquer Part II of the "Heritage and Promise," by John Henry Evans, begins in this number of the Era. The first division of this serial was printed beginning in the November number of the Era, and other parts will continue during the year. These articles are worthy of care- ful reading by the young people of the Church. The rich heritage and the substantial foundation laid for the young people's prosperity and success in this Church is pointed out. The youth of Zion have a wonderful future full of rich promise before them. The influence of the past and the foundation laid should stimulate them to future great achievements. We are convinced that they will not lie down in restful contentment over the past, but will brace themselves to go forward, conquering and to conquer in all righteous endeavor, determined that the superstructure of the foundation that has been laid shall be built by them strong and beautiful. We have faith that the youth will submit themselves to the discipline required to ac- complish this purpose, and so perpetuate the faith and works of those who have passed before. We have a wonderful machinery for the permanent continuation of these characteristics of our fathers and mothers, and we have confidence in the young people and expect them to make the best of their opportunities. The Latter-day Saints are a peculiar people in faith, righteousness and progress, and have always been tenacious to perpetuate these principles in their ions and daughters. Let us resolve not to disappoint them. — A.