A Lesson from Nature

A LESSON FROM NATURE By Walter M. Horne I sit at the window on an Indian summer day, watching the tinted leaves as they are carried whirling to the ground by the breath of the warm Autumn breeze. I see them race hurrying, scurrying, now here, now there, and it makes me wonder. Why do they appear so happy as they swirl, aimlessly, carelessly, whither the air currents choose to guide them? Why do they not regret the fate which has fallen to their lot? As I look upon those noble trees, now robbed of their beauty, with naked limbs stretched heavenward as if in one last mute appeal to some high Power to repeal Dame Nature's stern decree, the conscious- ness of a great lesson sinks deep into my soul. I no longer wonder that the leaves are happy — that they linger not when once they hear the call of Nature to leave the tree's embrace. I no more marvel that they swirl so joyfully with each gentle impulse of the ever-freshening breeze. They are filled with the Joy of Service. They need not mourn, that the summer days have fled — that they have ceased to beautify the world or offer their restful shade to the weary creatures of God's earth. A glorious mission yet lies before them. When Spring's warm breath once more removes the white blanket which, for a time, will cover Earth's broad breast, the roots of every shrub, of every tree, of every living plant, will sink their tentacles into the moist soil to absorb the elements which give them life. While groping blindly in search of sustenance, these roots will find every- where the decaying leaves which were once so fresh and green, now enriching the soil that it might bring forth vegetation once more to beautify the earth, even as it was beautiful when they were rustling in the treetops and flirting so joyously with the birds, who brought them whispered messages from the white clouds overhead. Thus they are taken up in the plant's life-giving sap, and emerge again into the sunshine. Now, when once more they feel the breath of the Summer breeze, these tiny particles, though perhaps separated, must surely rejoice in the endless service they perform. How wonderful it would be if we mortals would learn the lesson of the fading leaf and apply it in our daily lives! When, in the Autumn of Trouble, we are overwhelmed with worry, care, and anxiety; when we are crushed beneath the load which weighs so heavily upon our shoulders; when Defeat has broken our spirits and destroyed our initiative, do we profit by our experiences? Do we allow the frosts of Discouragement and Bitterness to fill us with Despair, or do we transform the dead leaves of the past into renewed energy to assist us to rise even higher when the clouds of

1M6 IMPROVEMENT ERA Gloom have cleared away, and the Spring of Hope brings Faith and Strength into our darkened lives? Does every tear we shed help moisten the productive soil of Character in which the roots of Cheerfulness and Endeavor gather the sap of Success? If not, let us learn the lesson of the dying leaf, so that, when the Autumn winds of Sorrow and Defeat shall strip Life's tree bare of foliage, we may still be happy and hopeful in the knowledge that when the Springtime comes again, we can gain renewed vigor, strength, and wisdom from the added experience, and rise to bigger, better, nobler things. Salt Lake City A PROPHECY AND ITS FULFILMENT By Spencer Kimball The following incident was told me Sunday, June 14, 1925, by Isaac Odkinson Palmer, of Eden, Arizona. "In the summer of 183 7, when President Heber C. Kimball and his companions had opened up the missionary work in England, my mother, Sister Ann Walmesley, was one of the first to be visited by them in their tracting. For many months my mother, who has often told me this story, had been confined to her bed with that dreaded disease, consumption, which had caused her much trouble for years. She was reduced to skin and bones, a mere skeleton and had been given up to die by three different doctors. President Kimball explained the principles of the gospel to her, and bore testimony to it, after which he arose to his feet, lifted his hand to high heaven and said to her: 'Sister Walmesley, I promise you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, if you will repent and be baptized, you shall recover, and I do this as a servant of God — I will leave this testimony with you; converse with your husband, and I will call again.' "When he called again he asked her what she thought in regard to the testimony he bore her, to which question she answered that she believed that he was a servant of God! "When the first baptismal service was arranged they carried my mother to the water's edge and of the nine first baptisms in Eng- land she was the first to be baptized, President Heber G. Kimball performing the ordinance. She walked home from the service and began at once to mend. When she was confirmed the disease was rebuked, she was blessed, and she recovered immediately, being able with- in two weeks' time from her baptism to do her Own household work and was fully recovered. "And this recovery was permanent for she outlived her husband, Thomas Walmesley, emigrated to America, and after suffering the bitter persecutions of the early days, drove across the plains with teams composed of three cows and one ox. She married my father, Isaac