The Heritage and Promise

THE HERITAGE AND PROMISE By John Henry Evans Author of "One Hundred Years of Mormonism" Part II V ' Contrary to a popular notion that "Mormonism" fosters ignor- ance, the Latter-day Saints have always laid great stress on the culti- vation of the mind. Not only have the "Mormons" developed a theory of education, but they have been zealous to apply this theory in their practice with a consistency that one would hardly expect under the circumstances. Democracy, we have said, demands self-restraint. It also de- mands intelligence. Self-restraint in government, as in everything else, requires that one knows where one is going, and the way there. No ignorant community can exercise the necessary self-restraint to uphold a democracy. The only form of government fit for such a community is the monarchical, where they are directed from without, like children who have not yet learned to use their freedom. Ignorance leads to license; intelligence, to liberty. "The law is for the trans- gressor." Ignorance, moreover, acts under the law, not above it. The more enlightened a community, the less of external control, because its actions are guided by an inner power. In the jungles the club is supreme, among the early American natives, the bow and arrow. In civilized communities there is a higher law invoked — live and let live. But in the highest democracy, the rule of life would be the Golden Rule. And this is the product of the highest intelligence in the universe. Not alone in civil government is knowledge necessary, but in all phases of thought and life. The old saying has it that "knowl- edge is power." There is not so much difference in looks between the ape and man as in mind. It is mind that has produced our com- plex civilization — the street-car, the railway-coach, the automobile, and the ocean-liner; the telegraph; the telephone, and the radio; news- papers, magazines, and books; houses, theatres, and churches; science, philosophy, and the arts. Strip man of the fruits of the under- standing and he sinks forthwith into the cave man and the bush- ranger. With these he ascends to study the stars, to paint the lilly, to count molecules, to annihilate time and space, to penetrate the earth, to lengthen the span of life, and to do a thou- sand things too tedious to enumerate here. "In the world," says a Scottish philosopher, Sir William Hamilton, "there is nothing great but man; in man there is nothing great but mind."

63 2 IMPROVEMENT ERA It is scarcely possible to emphasize more than do the Latter- day Saints the necessity of education in the best sense. Says an oft-quoted saying of Joseph Smith, "The glory of God is intelligence." Intelligence, with the "Mormons," is made a condi- tion of salvation in God's kingdom. "It is impossible," says the Prophet, "for a man to be saved in ignorance," or, to put the same thought positively, "a man is saved no faster than he gains intelligence." Knowledge is cumulative in the long span of the spirit's life, just as it is in this life. For "whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection; and if a person gains more knowledged and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the word to come." The truth is, that the Saints hold up God as the great prototype in intelligence as in character for man's emulation. He is the pattern after whom men are to shape their intellectual as their moral char- acter. God is God, ultimately, because of his superior intelligence. If there be two spirits, one is more intelligent than the other. But a third is more intelligent than these two — and so on indefinitely, till we come to God, who is more intelligent than all. This is the doctrine of "Mormonism." Being of the essence of God — for all men are begotten of him in the pre-existence spirit-life — men may in time attain to the intelligence that God now has. This is the daring philosophy of the Saints, and has been almost from the beginning. Here, surely, is incentive for the reaching mind of the most ambitious. Joseph Smith was admonished in one of the revelations to him to seek instruction "in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand; of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, and things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of nations, and the judgments which are on the land, and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms." In another he was enjoined "to obtain knowledge of history, and of countries, and of kingdoms, of laws of God and man," for "the salvation of Zion." And in still another he was directed to "seek out of the best books words of wisdom" and to "seek learning even by study, and also by faith." In pursuance of this ideal the Saints have always been solicitous about the education of themselves and their children, even under condi- tions that would seem to warrant a temporary shelving of ideals. Among the institutions established at Kirtland, Ohio, was a "high school," which was held in the temple. In Missouri there was a "school for the prophets," which was attended by men and to which at least some of its pupils had to walk barefoot. Schools for

THE HERITAGE AND PROMISE 633 children existed in Nauvoo, and a university there was contemplated. Even in the temporary settlements of Iowa the education of the youth was never neglected. In Utah schools were among the first concerns of the "Mormon" people. In order that there might be the neces- sary equipment for schools here President Young urged the Saints on the Missouri river to secure "at least a copy of every valuable treatise on education — every book, map, chart, or diagram that may contain interesting, useful and attractive matter, to gain the attention of children, and cause them to love to learn to read; and also every historical, mathematical, philosophical, geographical, geological, astronomical, scientific, practical, and all other variety of useful in- teresting writings, maps, etc." Although the first school in Utah was held in a wigwam, in 1847, still the people had their eye on larger things educationally. For, while the inhabitants of the Salt Lake valley were living chiefly on sego-roots, thistle-tops, and rawhides, the provisional government of the State of Deseret was busy working on a legislative act creating a university. Ever since Brigham Young's time at least the "Mormon" ideal of an educated man is that he be trained physically, mentally and spiritually, that he have a good head, a skilled hand, and a guiding heart. In the early Utah schools the Bible was one of the text books. In the institutions that President Young founded — the Brig- ham Young Academy, now the Brigham Young University, and the Brigham Young College — provision was made for this three-fold education. American educational institutions have all down the years emphasized only the mental. Lately industrial subjects have been al- most universally introduced into the schools. But there has been no religious instruction given in any but private institutions of learn- ing. The result is shown in the efforts made by leading educators to bridge over this gap in education. For it is being seen more and more clearly that not only the head and the hand require training, but also the heart, the spiritual nature. Although the "Mormon" practice in education lags behind this excellent plan, as one might expect who was acquainted with its troubled history, still the Saints are making such headway in the direction of all-round development in their youth through educational institutions as is already attracting attention. Their Religion Class organization promises to solve the vexing ques- tion of how the American boy and girl are to receive religious in- struction in connection with "a Godless public school system." This constant stressing of education has already produced its effects, and will continue to do so increasingly. The general level of intelligence in "Mormon" communities, it is safe to say, is distinctly higher than in similar communities of non-"Mormon" elsewhere in the United States. No other community of the same size can produce so many persons in various walks of life that are so well read, that have traveled so much, or that can think and speak on their feet as

634 IMPROVEMENT ERA readily. And we are easily within the truth when we say this, and not be socially egotistical either. It is because of the teachings of "Mormonism" and its unlimited openings for leadership that this is the case. VI What sort of family life do the Latter-day Saints believe in and cultivate? In what regard do they hold woman? What is their conception of marriage? ' How do they view divorce? Is the in- fluence of the home such as to contribute to the making of good citizens, good men and women? Western civilization rests on four corner stones — private prop- erty, the state, the church, and the family. Of these by far the most important, not alone in time but in value, is the family. Destroy the. other three, and they could be re-established; destroy the home, and there is nothing left. The state exists largely to protect the rights of property and the family; the church exists for the individual mem- bers of the family; the home therefore becomes the ultimate social unit. The survival of a society depends upon its views of the family life. In our present society at least, according to Professor Ellwood, "the primary function of the family is continuing the life of the species; that is, the primary function of the family is reproduction in the sense of the birth and the rearing of children. The stream of life must flow through the family. If the family performed no other function than this of producing the new individuals of society and furnishing them care and nourishment until maturity is reached, it would still be the most important of all human institutions. From the sociological point of view the childless family must be judged a failure." "Family life at the beginning of the twentieth century," says the same authority, was "in a more unstable condition than it has been at any time since the beginning of the Christian Era." Out of this in- stability of the family springs the modern problem of the home. In the United States today every twelfth marriage ends in divorce. "The United States," Professor Towne tells us, "has a higher divorce rate than any foreign country except Japan. It is about three times that of France, five times that of Germany, ten times that of Norway and Sweden, and about thirty times that of Great Britain and Ireland." Nor are the signs favorable. "If divorces should continue to increase as they have during the past forty years," says Professor Ellwood, "it is evident that it would not be long before all marriages would be terminated by divorce instead of by death." One of the causes of the decay of the family life, which is itself the cause of divorce, is the decline of the spirit of religion in the American home. So Professor Ellwood believes.

THE HERITAGE AND PRO*MISE 63 5 Any religion therefore whose teachings tend to the stability of the family life is laying for its adherents a sure foundation for permanence, in its individual and group life. Woman, in the view of the "Mormons," is the equal companion of man. They accept literally, and often quote, the statement of Paul, "Neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord." They do not however accept his state- ment that "women should keep silence in the churches," for their women often preach from the same pulpit as the men. The only thing denied them is the Priesthood, but even this the wife shares in a manner with her husband. "Mormon" women were the first in the United States to be granted political suffrage. In the Church women have always had equal votes with men. "Mormon" theology advances the daring conception of a Mother in heaven. If a heavenly Father, why not a heavenly Mother, too? As a result of these views, the women of "Mormondom" are at least as intelligent and free as women anywhere else in the world. Marriage, while not a sacrament with Latter-day Saints as with the Roman Catholics, is a religious as well as a social obligation. They take no stock in the individualistic notion of wedlock. While com- panionship between husband and wife is as dear to them as to others, still they are inclined to think with the sociologist that the primary purpose of marriage is the birth and the rearing of children, and to this end have organized their family life. This earth was created for the myraid spirits, male and female, in heaven. It is their per- manent home. Having progressed in the spirit-state as far as they could without bodies, they now come to earth to take up "taber- nacles of flesh and blood." Marriage is the means adopted through which these spirits are to receive bodies. So the "Mormon" people have always advocated early marriage and large families. Not being married is not to fulfil "the measure of one's creation." And not to have children, if this fact is due to voluntary acts, is frought with grave consequences. The whole push of "Mormonism" is therefore in the direction of permanent family life. Moreover, by every means available the Latter-day Saints en- deavor to surround marriage with the atmosphere of sanctity. The ceremony itself, when performed in accordance with "Mormon" ideals, takes place in the temple, the most sacred place known to a "Mormon." It is a house set apart for only the most sacred ordinances for the living and the dead. To it the general public, even the "Mormon" public, is refused admittance. Only members of the Church in good standing are supposed to cross its portals. When therefore a couple are united in wedlock in this sacred building, the rite is more deeply impressed on their minds than it would be possible if performed any- where else. This impression is deepened by the attire of both parties

63 6 IMPROVEMENT ERA to the contract, which is worn only on such occasions as this. In addition, all those who are thus married believe devoutly that they are man and wife not only for this life but for "all eternity" and that such children as may be born to them "under this covenant" will be theirs after, as before, death. Hence every circumstance of a real "Mormon" marriage tends to fix the minds of its participants in the direction of a permanent social contract, instead of a matter of in- dividual convenience. And that this is the actual effect of the ceremony is attested by the low rate of divorce in such temple mar- riages— not one in eight, as in the United States generally, nor one in every two, as in some States, but one in every five hundred. Similarly the Latter-day Saints throw about the family life gen- erally the safe-guards of religion. The average "Mormon" home is a religious home. The Bible has a conspicuous place there — and is read, too. No community in America can expound the Scriptures to better advantage than the Saints. Every day opens and closes with family prayer, in which all the members of the family that can do so take their "turn." Also every meal is blessed before it is eaten. Not only so, but all members of the household attend some form of worship — the Sunday School of a Sabbath morning or the "meeting" of an afternoon or evening. Most families, too, hold what is known as "home night," at which, besides prayer and singing of hymns and Bible reading, there may be a program of individual exercises and light refreshments — which cement the home ties. "Mormons" gen- erally make much of "family gatherings," even after its members have married off and the head of the household has departed this life. In a good "Mormon" home therefore may be found a wholesome atmos- phere, one that makes for good citizenship and good manhood and womanhood. An idea that is unique with the Latter-day Saints is that the family ties will continue throughout the next world. Their funerals, by reason of a fulness of hope rather than of a lack of love, are not the tragic affairs that they often are in other Christian communities. Many a mother in the Church, whose infant has been snatched from here bosom by the hand of death, has taken comfort from the teach- ing of Joseph Smith that she shall have it again "in the resurrection." No good "Mormon" has any lingering doubt that he will meet his loved ones on the other shore — any more, in fact, than he has that, if he but sleep tonight, he will rise in the morning to greet his rela- tives and friends. Indeed, this constant looking beyond death is to him an upholding thought. The Prophet Joseph declared that he saw in vision "men, before they ascended from the tomb, as though they were getting up slowly. They took each other by the hand and said, 'My father, my mother, my son, my daughter, my brother, my sister!' " The first thought he would have in the resurrection, he said, would be for his parents, his family, and his kinsfolk. And this

THE HERITAGE AND PROMISE 63 7 sentiment finds a ready echo in the hearts of his followers. Death has no terrors for the Saints. The late President Woodruff was wont to say that so desirable is the next world, we would hasten our de- parture thither by our own hand, if the act did not deprive us of its joys. And Parley P. Pratt, a close companion of the Prophet, assures us that all the holy affections of the human soul here will not only continue there but be magnified a thousand-fold. All this is but a commonplace reality to the man and the woman in whose bones "Mormonism" has been truly bred. (To be continued) The Silent Battle The greatest battle that ever was fought! Shall I tell you how and where? You may search a lot, yet find it not; Still, it wages everywhere. This greatest battle is silently Fought by the will of man, Against temptation continuously; Covering all life's span. A man becomes enthralled by sin, Then later sees the light; With determined grin, his powers within. Are marshaled for the fight. It takes real grit to fight alone, As the unseeing world goes by; But he does not moan, as he tries to atone. The wrongs that will not die. We shout our praise to the hero brave. Who wears the victor's crown; But the erstwhile slave, as gloriously gave. As he fought bad habits down. It took real work to lay them flat, Then keep them on the shelf; I doff my hat to a man like that, For he has conquered self. Sigurd, Utah. IRVIN L. WARNOCK.