--- 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: 5 published: 1925-03 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "Unknown, “Editors’ Table,” *Improvement Era 28, no. 5 (March 1925)*: 483–486." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2805unse 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: improvementera2805unse start_page: 483 end_page: 486 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1925-03) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2805unse publication_year: 1925 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 1925, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Editors’ Table EDITORS' TABLE 483 form that which is good I find not. For the good that I would, I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do." (Rom. 7:18.) That is exactly the condition of unregenerated human nature, a con- dition which only divine power can change. For although it is man's duty to work out his own salvation, and we emphasize that work strongly, "with fear and trembling," yet, "it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Phil. 3:12, 13). Paul, as remarked, was an indefatigable worker, but he was always conscious of the secret of all success — that in the last instance it comes from God. His great paradox: "I take pleasure in in- firmities * * * for when I am weak, then am I strong," (2 Cor. 12:10) is clear when read in connection with his own explana- tion: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Phil. 4:13). And this truly philosophical doctrine of Paul is the same as that which is expressed in one of the inspired Psalms: Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain." (Ps. 127:1). If we understand this great principle, which is one of the founda- tion stones of the divine plan of salvation, then we comprehend the meaning of the revelation which says that the wrath of God is kindled against those who do not acknowledge his hand in all things. Did not our Savior, himself, in the very beginning say: "Thine be the glory?" Then, also, we may comprehend the song of the redeemed: "Unto him that loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father: to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever." (Rev. 1:5, 6). — A. My Inspiration Men in class smile, or pass the time of day, Friends sympathize or glory in my struggles or success, Brothers and sisters have interest in the things I do, My Father sends me money, and sets me fair example, But Mother radiates all through my life. She used to press my tiny suit, kiss me as I left for school. She tucked the blankets tight about my shoulders; While I, unconscious, slumbered in my bed. When slight honor came to me, she beamed in lovely happiness, And when I erred, she wept. Still, she lavishes me with her holy love unrelenting. She fain would give to me, to go without herself, In silent hours, though far away, in fondest words I hear her say: "Be clean, my boy, and work and win." Cambridge, Mass. ALVIN GLENN HUBBARD. ^Priesthood Quorums The Mclchizedek Priesthood Study Subject: Doctrines of the Church; Text: A Study of the Articles of Faith LESSON 1 2 : THE HOLY GHOST Text : Chapter 8 Study well the scriptural proof of the personality of the Holy Ghost. Distinguish between the Holy Ghost as a personage and the agencies or means through which he operates. Emphasize important features of the ministry of the Holy Ghost to mankind. Consider well the ordinance of conferring the right of companionship of the Holy Ghost, which is associated with confirmation in the Church, following baptism. Appendix 8 is important in studying this subject. LESSON 1 3 : THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD'S SUPPER Text: Chapter 9 Emphasize the purpose of the Sacrament as set forth in scripture. Consider the prescribed manner or mode of administering the Sacrament, the authority requisite to its administration: and memorize the revealed form for pronouncing the blessing upon the bread and the water at the sacramental table. LESSON 14 AUTHORITY IN THE MINISTRY Text: Chapter 10, pages 179-189 All topics set forth in the text assigned for this lesson can be well covered during the class period. LESSON 15: FOREORDINATION AND PRE-EXISTENCE Text: Chapter 10, pages 189-194 The class period is sufficient for a consideration of the entire text as assigned. LESSON 1 6 : THE CHURCH IN FORMER AND LATTER DAYS Text: Chapter 11, pages 198-204 Stress the obvious fact that the Church of Jesus Christ must be the same in all essentials of organization today as it was in earlier dispensations. Note carefully scriptural and other proof of the universal apostasy following the ministry of the ancient apostles; and consider the fact of the restoration of the Church in these latter days. LESSON 1 7 : PLAN OF CHURCH GOVERNMENT Text: Chapter 11, pages 204-214 Give attention to the specified authority and duties associated with each of the offices in both the Aaronic and the Melchizedek Priesthoods Study well the benefit of quorum organizations. aAiutual Work Liberty at the Forefront After three years of hard work Liberty stake has attained the goal of perfection as outlined by the General Board. Board members, under the direction of the Stake Superintendency, have put in many long hours working with the ward officers to reach this standard; and be with the top notchers in the Jubilee, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the organization of the Y. M. M. I. A.. We have used a chart similar to the one suggested at the June M. I. A. General conference, eight feet by five feet, at our union meetings: posted in the front so that each person in attendance could see from where he was sitting just what progress his ward was making. The ones who were lagging soon grew tired of their position: and as a result, we had in Janu- ary eleven wards with 100% and one ward with 96%, out of twelve wards in our stake. This one ward did not have a registered Boy Scout Troop, and as a result did not have the attendance the other wards did. We certainly appreciate our Boy Scouts and "M" Men, for without either it would have been impossible for the largest stake in the Church to attain 100% efficiency. — Harold Brown, Secretary of Liberty stake Y. M. M. I. A. Three other stakes, South Davis, Utah ; Taylor, Canada ; and Fremont, Idaho, show 100 per cent for their January statistical and efficiency reports. M. I. A. In The California Mission The last of the fall conferences in the California mission was held Sunday, January 18, 1925. These semi-annual conferences have one session devoted the work for the M. I. A. These events are the main opportunities for personal contact between the thirty organizations in the mission and Superintendent Joseph G. Jeppson and President Elsie Hogan of the mission M. I. A.'s. The mission has not ai board to visit in the branches, to en- courage in the work, as the stakes have. The mission superintendent of Y. M. M. I. A.'s and president of Y. L. M. I. A's handle all of this work alone which means that the greater part is done by correspondence. Hence an opportunity for them to visit the local organization is very ef- fective and looked forward to by all concerned. The M. I. A. session of conference is held on Saturday evening with all of the organizations in the conferences taking an active part on the program. Meetings are held for all officers and teachers for general mission instructions in these periods, and are held in the branches on the days between the conferences. One con- ference was held in October, three in November, three in December and two in January. The Los Angeles conference has no M. I. A.'s in the mission. The mission officers in their visits usually give some demonstration of the M. I. A. possibilities, with the thought of encouraging similar work in the local organizations. In the Arizona conference the nine M. I. A.'s had a demonstration of a play given them. The party traveled for about three weeks on this part of the trip and were not able to take stage properties with them. Sometimes a stage was not available. This was a good opportunity 486 IMPROVEMENT ERA of showing that a play could be presented without expense, a stage, or scenery. Often an organization raises the objection that they have no talent. Here certain mission officers going on the trip had to play the parts required. This demonstration of entertaining without conveniences was just what was necessary. The play was staged in places from a one- room house to a city auditorium. The audiences ranged from fifty to eight hundred. In the branches in California and Nevada, where nothing interfered, the Superintendent and President of the mission M. I. A.'s gave demon- strations of evenings of recreation, after their business meetings were over. All of these programs were well prepared and they were just as well received by the people. Sometimes as high as three hundred participated in the games and other activities on these evenings. The quality of the mission M. I. A.'s can be judged to some extent from the table of points of efficiency in the Improvement Era, although the mission does not have all of the items on which the points are figured they nevertheless have more points than many of the stakes of Zion. We are pleased to state that our organizations are working in harmony with the instructions from the General Board and are invaluable to the young people of the California mission. — Joseph G. Jeppson, superintendent. The 50,000 Membership for the June Jubilee To officers of the Y. M. M. I. A. : New members! You'd better go work 'em, And don't you ever dare shirk 'em, Because if you do, It's woe unto you, He'll be after you, Oscar A. Kirkham. Keeping Up Attendance Stake Superintendents Y. M. M. I. A. Dear Brethren: Our experience in past years assures us that we have a decided falling off in attendance in our organization during the spring months, where the leadership does not keep extremely active in its work. Many reasons have been given for young men ceasing to attend, but we are delighted to know that in a number of places, where special efforts have been made, the as- sociations have kept up their work and attendance during this time of year. Will you please consider this matter at your March union meeting and make such plans as you think necessary to stimulate our work? The fol- lowing suggestions have been made which may assist you: Personal contact: Every superintendent and president should call his associate workers together and inspire them with the need of individually coming in contact with every available young man, and showing him the advantages of the Y. M. M. I. A., and create in him enthusiasm for our Jubilee celebration and the glory of our work, and induce him, for his happiness, to join our ranks, stay with our work, and obtain a testimony of its value and divinity. Live officers. Proper leadership: Stimulate proper recreation. Pre- pare early for big rally at the end of season. Encourage regular attendance for participation in closing rally. Have chart showing attendance each week, stimulating an interest in keeping up record. Special lectures. Change of program. Introduce tournament for "M" Men. More general discussion in class work. Build up the spirit of Jubilee year. Have testimony bearing. Rotate special programs, one ward to another.