Citizenship and Religion

CITIZENSHIP AND RELIGION By Lamont Johnson. It has always been a favorite cry with enemies of "Mormonism" to charge it with national disloyalty and to seek to discredit our Church organization as being motivated by strictly sectarian and unpatriotic desires. In view of the intense unpopularity which Joseph Smith and his followers endured; of the vast unfavoritism which was their lot to suffer from the prejudiced opponents of their belief, such a charge natur- ally would have been included in the siege of hatred and antagpnism so conspiculously arrayed against "Mormonism." During the imperilled years of Joseph Smith's teaching of the restored gospel, and his endowed regency in instituting and carrying on the work of God for the benefit and salvation of mankind, no charge was too vile, no threat too severe for his impassioned foes to raise in their determination to subdue and abolish "Mormonism." Persecution has always been the tragic lot of prophets to endure, so it was only consistent with the traditional ways of moral blindness and intellectual egotism for a misguided humanity to stir itself in revolt, against that which sought to reveal to the world its evils and to place on the throne of idealism the truth which God himself declared. Time alone can vindicate a righteous people from the false charge of religious infidelity and disloyalty to the sacred principles by which they are protected. Latter-day Saints have endured well the blasphemy heaped upon them since the restored gospel of Christ was placed in their care. Now the voice of common justice is being listened to wherever "Mormon" doctrine is concerned. Right will prevail and an under- standing of the creed which Joseph Smith proclaimed will continue to establish itself as a firm, enduring principle in influential as well as humble circles of world thought and enterprise. The charge of un- patriotism is too flagrantly inimical to the facts surrounding "Mormon- ism" and its true history to require refutation in the attention of reason-guided people. Religion is the greatest and most essential of all spiritual qualities in a nation. As obedience, duty, justice, loyalty, hope and individual integrity are the fundamental elements necessary to the growth of national character, so are they inherently the basic principles by which a true religion can be permanently directed and protected. When analyzed in the light of truth, the history of "Mormonism" reveals a close and consistent adherence to the laws of our federal govern- ment. Through all its persecutions it did still retain a firm faith in the divine inspiration emanating, as the purpose of God, from the national constitution; and through all the disgraceful series of crimes

CITIZENSHIP AND RELIGION 151 and abominations committed against it, even, at times, in the name of that government, it did yet hold true to the conviction that retaliation is not the way for obtaining favor in the eyes of God. When, on occasion, prudence has dictated the wisdom of comply- ing with congressional laws, citizenship was not violated by the Church leadership in opposing the order. Contrarily, "Mormonism" as a church organization holds it to be a sacred obligation on the part of every citizen to comply with the laws of that government by which its freedom is made secure. No alternative is justified for his claiming fullest protection from encroachments on his privileges. "Mormon" religion considers it a part of worthy membership to remain true to the ideals our political fathers embodied in the constitution and to defend by creed and conduct the divine faith which inspired the birth of the United States government. Upon us in particular, because we hold it as a part of God's direct purpose in bringing about the discovery of America and the establishment of the United States as a pbwer among nations, it is obligatory to contribute to our country the finest sense of devotion and service of which in- telligence makes us capable. In this way only can we as individuals do our whole part in rendering complete "Mormon" fulfilment of its obligations as the Church of all churches and the medium for divine direction of human affairs. Thus is good citizenship connected with "Mormonism" — a re- lationship that is binding because the fundamentals of religion and citizenship are identical and mutually essential to our spiritual advance- ment. The authorities directing both are, in our faith, analogous and singular in the greater, diviner plan of human spiritualization. Huntington, Utah. CULTURE— MUSIC By Charles Kent. Culture is education's noblest achievement, but culture is not confined to specialized performance, it admits of universal participation through appreciation. Unless we except the basic social art, language, there is no subject comparable with music in its universal appeal. Music is a fundamental emotional expression of the race, and this has a place today, as always, in alleviating or heightening emotional life. Music is rhythmic, more completely and variably than any other art. We are realizing more and more that all life is based on rhythm; wc shall yet learn the basic connection between music and health. Music is social, hence capable as a means of developing mutual respect and helpfulness which are fundamental in a democracy. This heritage of

152 IMPROVEMENT ERA every individual, and in all times, has been the chief agency through which man has given expression to longings, aspirations, depression, loves, and other fundamental emotions. Man has always erected temples in which he might express his conception of the sublime and the beautiful, and in this self-expression, music has always had an indis- pensable part. There can be no doubt that the appreciation for music in America has grown to such proportions that it has become a national need. We must give full credit to the early pioneers who brought with them love of home, of church, of political freedom, and of all noble achievements of civilization. It was from their ranks that many of our musical institutions and organizations received support and in spiration. What we need is a system of theory that will interest the pupil; one whereby he can write little compositions, get results, stimu- late his love for good music, arouse a spirit of enthusiasm in him, and have him gasping for more. How wonderful it would be if some theorist could devise a system whereby such a heavenly short-cut to accomplish- ment could be made: Just open the book to page one and write a delightful ditty. Rock Springs, Wyo. In Tune With The Infinite Isn't it wonderful that when a player picks E on hisi mandolin, the E strings on all others within range of the sound lift up their voices in answer to the note? The strings have life, and each is tuned to catch and comprehend the sob or song of others in its key. Thus the human soul reacts to that with which it is in tune. Knowing the babe as Christ, Simeon (Luke 2:25-31) blesses God for his plan. The poet enjoys the whisper of the sparkling brook and the whisper of the breeze. The scandal-monger gloats in gossip's hateful tale of woe. The sorceress hears weird murmurings of evil spirits, while fiends take and give the pass signs of their kind. Some day, however, all will respond to what is best to hear: the Lord (Joel 2:28) will pour out his Spirit on all flesh; the world will be in tune with the Infinite! — ALVIN GLEN HUBBARD. Bits of Philosophy Success is easier to win than to endure. Sweetness of disposition comes from meekness. The best of us are not much better than the rest of as. The development of fine character is the highest human achievement. An odd person is one who does the odd things we do differently from the way we do them. A fool is a fellow who trades the prospects of a life of honorable happiness for the reckless fun of today. — Nephi Jensert