Editor’s Table

Editors' ^Table The June Conference The great annual conference of the Young Men's and Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations, held in Salt Lake City, June 11 to 13, was attended by numerous representatives from prac- tically every stake of Zion. Los Angeles contributed 700 people, among them a chorus of 117 M Men and Gleaner Girls, their singing being a leading feature of the conference. Maricopa, Arizona, sient 50. The meetings held on Friday and Saturday were full of practical instructions for the officers, and featured the departments of the organization, including the Scout and Junior, Senior, Advance Senior and Recreation divisions. The treatment of the theme, "What are the outstanding needs of the young people of the Church, and how can the M. I. A. best meet them?" was new and attractive and aroused many excellent suggestions and, we hope, thoughts upon the subject. The contests among choruses, quartettes, public speaking, trios, orchestras, were unusually interesting and created many favor- able comments. The visit to the new and brilliant Saltair was greatly enjoyed. The Sunday sessions in the Tabernacle and Assembly Hall were real feasts. A wonderful testimony meeting was held at 8:30 in the morning and a joint officers' session at 10:30 a. m., at which Dr. John A. Widtsoe spoke on the new slogan, which was then adopted, "We stand for a testimony of the divine mission of Joseph Smith;" and Bishop Sylvester Q. Cannon spoke entertainingly upon "Maintaining M. I. A. Standards." In the afternoon, at 2 o'clock, the general session was presided over by President Anthony W. Ivins, President Heber J. Grant, everybody regretted, being unable to attend on account of illness. The house was packed in the evening at the general session, the theme for the evening being the general motto of the organization, "The Glory of God is Intelligence," upon which President Anthony W. Ivins gave an inspirational discourse, follow- ing a special ceremony upon the theme with musical setting. The evening session was a joint one of the Mutuals and the Primary or- ganizations, which latter also held their conference during the same days. The August number of the Improvement Era will contain some of the speeches, with illustrations of the choruses and other participants in the contest numbers. Information concerning the contest num- bers and the winners is found in this issue of the Era. — A.

EDITORS* TABLE 889 M. I. A. Reading Course 1926-27 There are four books on the M. I. A. Reading Course this season. The list follows: The Book of Mormon; by mail, 50c. Prophecies of Joseph Smith and Their Fulfilment, by Nephi L. Morris; by mail, $1.50. Hugh Wynne, a novel, by S. Weir Mitchell; $1.2 5; by mail, $1.3 5. Wild Life in the Rockies, by Enos A. Mills; $2.50; by mail, $2.60. Full set delivered, $5.50. Remittance must accompany orders. The Deseret Book Company, 44 East South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah, P. O. Box 1793, are handling the course. Since the year 1927 marks the one hundredth anniversary of the delivery of the plates to Joseph Smith, the Prophet, this is a very opportune time to have the Book of Mormon placed upon the Read- ing Course. There will be special interest and desire by all the members of the M. I. A. to read the wonderful contents of this sacred record. Taking into account the fact that the slogan of the M. I. A. for this year, 1926-27, is, "We stand for a testimony of the divine mission of Joseph Smith," a study of his prophecies and their fulfil- ment is of vital importance to all students of the slogan, in that it will tend to bring a testimony to the individual concerning this vital sub- ject. This book is especially adapted for strengthening the testimony of the reader on the divine mission of the prophet. The year 1926 marks the one hundred fiftieth anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Hugh Wynne, the novel, by S. Weir Mitchell, gives a thrilling insight into the conditions that preceded this great epoch in the history of the world, and will be read by young people with keen interest. To the Scouts and to the Advanced Junior men, a study of the Wild. Life in the Rockies will have immediate and important at- tractiveness. The Reading Course this year should be an alluring study for every member of the organization. The spiritual nature of the community will be awakened and strengthened through the slogan on obtaining a testimony of the divine mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Through the study of the Book of Mormon and the prophecies of the Prophet, this testimony will be given birth and grow. Light on the struggle for the precious liberty we enjoy will come from the novel. Love of nature will be strengthened by reading Wild Life in the Rockies. Systematic reading fifteen or twenty minutes a day will accomplish wonders, and will be an education in itself in the three important subjects: religion, history, and nature study, pro- vided in the Reading Course for 1926-27. Let us begin to read now — this month. — A.

890 IMPROVEMENT ERA The Sesqui-Centennial In May of this year, Philadelphia opened a celebration known as the "sesqui-centennial," in honor of the one hundred fiftieth an- niversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. On the 15th of May, 1776, Congress voted that all British authority in the country ought to be suppressed. Following that action, a little later, committees were appointed to draft the declaration and to prepare articles of confederation. The Declaration of Independence, chiefly in the words of Thomas Jefferson of Virginia, was finally adopted on July 4, 1776. The Philadelphia Exposition commemorates the rise of this Na- tion and brings to the world a view of its progress in the last century and a half. It is the birthday of the United States that is being celebrated. The exposition not only shows the growth of our Na- tion, but witnesses that many other nations have taken advantage of the "sesqui-centennial" to show their own growth. It brings together the striking evidences of accomplishment in leading lines of endeavor in many nations of the earth. The Declaration of Independence, in which the Thirteen Amer- ican colonies declared their liberty, was signed at Philadelphia, the spot where our Nation had its birth; hence, it is quite appropriate that the hundred fiftieth anniversary of its signing should be celebrated there. While the present exposition has not been widely advertised, nor received other great publicity; nevertheless, it is believed that many millions of people will visit the exposition before it closes in Novem- ber. Undoubtedly much good will come to the visitors and to the world because of it. In view of the auspicious occasion, it is quite appropriate that the youth of the land should learn about the conditions that caused the revolution, separating the people1 of this country from the mother nation. It is a good time to study the history of our country, to gain a knowledge of the causes that created the Declaration of In- dependence. It is a fitting time to become informed on the value of the liberty that is ours and which, through this nation, came to the world, through the experience and suffering of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the inhabitants of the thirteen original states. It is an opportune chance to review the past, and to learn the lessons of sacrifice that the founders suffered in order that we might have the liberty that we now enjoy. It ought to give us re- newed loyalty to our government and a stronger determination to sup- port the principles and laws underlying our liberty and independence. In this connection, the Reading Course this year for the M. I. A. contains a novel which elucidates with great interest some of the conditions that existed prior to the Declaration of Independence, show-

EDITORS' TABLE 891 ing how families became separated; how people who were friends sided, either with the king or with the country; turmoils through which they had to pass in order that liberty might be born. We hope that all our young people will read Hugh Wynne; it will give them information that will enhance- their interest in the thrilling history of our beloved country. — A M. I. A. Slogan for 1926-27 "WE STAND FOR A TESTIMONY OF THE DIVINE MISSION OF JOSEPH SMITH." In other words, we declare and maintain that the commission and delegation of Joseph Smith, the Prophet, to perform the service which he did in the earth, emanated from God, and hence his was a sacred and holy calling. What was the mission of Joseph Smith, to which he was called by the Father and the Son? It was to establish the Church of Christ upon the earth at a time when, according to the word of the Lord, men had gone estray. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in itself and in its history, is an evidence that the service of the Prophet Joseph was divine. Be- cause of his calling and instruction of the Lord, Joseph was able to state marvelous truths not heretofore understood, and which truths neither ancestry nor schooling did or could give him; they could come only from a divine source. How is the divine mission of Joseph shown in the work which he did and the truths he revealed? He testified of the personality of God and of his Son and of the Holy Ghost; that God has revealed himself to man in the day in which we live; that there was no divine authority ! in the churches at the time of his calling; that, through the call of God, the Father, and his Son Jesus Christ, and the ministry of heavenly messengers, authority was given to Joseph to act in the name of God. How may this testimony be obtained? A testimony of Joseph's divine mission may be received through prayer and the inspiration of the Holy Ghost; and it may become a reality and be retained in the lives of all who seek it through right living. Individuals who are not members of the Church are required to repent, be baptized, and receive, under the hands of the authorized elders, the gift of the Holy Ghost. Persons already in the Church possess that gift, and through clean and righteous living are entitled to be, and will be, led to know, by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, that Joseph's mission was divine. Joseph was led to teach practical ways that men and women may

892 IMPROVEMENT ERA follow so that the blessings of faith and testimony may come to them. Evidence of his divine authority, as stated, is found in the Church which he established. Elder James E. Talmage, of the Council of the Twelve, has said, in justification of the claims made by and for Joseph the Prophet: 1 . Ancient prophecy has been fulfilled in the restoration of the gospel, and in the re- establishment of the Church of Jesus Christ upon the earth, through his instrumentality. 2. He received by direct ordination and appointment, at the hands of those who were empowered in former dispensations, the authority to minister in the various ordinances of the gospel. 3. His possession of the power of true prophecy, and of other spiritual gifts, was abundantly shown by the results of his ministry. 4. The doctrines he taught are both true and scriptural. Joseph Smith taught God's way of prayer; God's way to health, to success, to happiness, to perfection and to peace. (Doc. and Cov. 41:3; 89; 59; 45:8; 14:7; 88:74-83, 123-127.) Every available method by which one can obtain an individual testimony of the divinity of Jesus Christ may be adopted to obtain a testimony of the divine mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and of the great work which he established never more to be thrown down nor to be given to another people.- — A BOOKS A Study in Hebrew and Indian Languages, by Thomas W. Brookbank is the title of a pamphlet of twenty-six large pages printed by the Salt Lake Efficiency Printing Company. The object of the author is to show the similarity between the Hebrew and the Indian languages. To this end a large number of Illustrations, showing identical forms, or a striking similarity in form, in whole or in part, are given in the work. The similarity between the two languages is really remarkable, especially when it is considered that the greater part of the North American Indians have had no books of any kind, or alphabetical writings in manuscript form in the long centuries of their history. Hence the greater marvel that more than a chance word here and there should show any great relationship in any respect or degree to the Hebrew; even if it were conceded that two thousand five hundred years ago their forefathers were Hebrews in very deed. The author calls attention to the changes that have taken place in the English language during the different periods of its history from 1170 to 1892, A. D. The book is well worth study to those interested in the change of language, and particularly to those interested in the similarity between the Hebrew and the North American Indian languages as bearing upon the relationship between the Indians and the Hebrews. The examples are largely from standard historical works and also several words from the Book of Mormon, and one example from The Pearl of Great Price. We have received a book of poems, seventy-seven in number, entitled Anchor Poems, by Robert Sparks Walker, and published by Fleming H. Revell

EDITORS' TABLE 893 i Company, New York. The book is dedicated to Wendell, the son of the author, "because he frequently disagrees with me." Each one of the poems in the book is headed by a scriptural quotation, which is treated in the poem, the first one being "Let thy words be few." (Ecc. 5:2.) Mr. Walker is a well known writer and newspaper man of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and has written frequent articles for the Improvement Era. His Anchor Poems is well named; one cannot go far astray in taking for his text beautiful passages from the holy Scriptures. The book may be read with profit, not only by Wendell, his son, but by many young people who are inclined to disagree with anything scriptural. Fleming H. Revell Company, Publishers, New York. The Pioneers ; Ever westward — ever looking toward the evening sunset-sky, Lap by lap, new generations o'er the road go trailing by. Caravans of prairie schooners with their cumb'rous, heavy load Blaze the way for those who follow; make for them a westward road. Ah, the first trail toward the sunset, with its mingled hopes and fears, Could be traced by bleeding footprints of the sturdy Pioneers. They, the men of forty-seven braved the hostile Indian bands, Crossed a continent, unbroken, through the wild untrodden lands. Night and night the men stood guarding, for the camp might be waylaid By the fierce and savage Red Man, if his hand should not be stayed. Oft the horses and the cattle were stampeded in the night, Tramping down on men or women in their desperate, maddened flight. When the prairie fires were raging — filled the air with lurid flame, Then the cries of beasts unheard of stilled their hearts with fears unnamed. Oft the wind howled through the canvas, rolling in terrific peals, Stripping shelter from the helpless till the bravest watchman reels. Then grim cholera claimed its victims, taking gaunt and ghastly toll, Till the lone graves dot the desert where the sandy billows roll. Oft the thunders shook the heavens; flashed the lightning's vivid glare, And the rain came down in torrents, drenching all the earth and air. Far beyond Missouri's waters, miles on miles of sand dunes tell, Where are lying by the trail-way, whitened bones of beasts that fell. But those stout hearts ask no quarter — yield no quarter to the foe, Beast nor scourge nor death can stay them,' lap by lap the Pilgrims go. Pushing through the flood and defile — "Mormon" Road or Or'gon trail, Bearing westward — ever westward, toward the evening sunset sky, Men of vision, men of courage, men of faith that cannot fail, Suns look down upon the Pilgrims— lap by lap a-trailing by. Tridell, Utah ALICE MORRILL