--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 29 number: 11 published: 1926-09 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations, “Editor’s Table,” *Improvement Era* 29, no. 11 (September 1926): 1100–1103." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera29011unse 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: improvementera29011unse start_page: 1100 end_page: 1103 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1926-09) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera29011unse publication_year: 1926 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 1926, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Editor’s Table Editors ^Table Gambling It has been decided by the Supreme Court of Utah that the Redd law, known as the "Pari-Mutuel Horse Racing Enactment," is constitutional. Betting on horse races in the State of Utah, there- fore, practically has been made legal, and the odium attaching to the State from this condition can only be removed by arousing the public conscience, to such an extent, this Fall, that legislators shall be elected who are sure to repeal the law, so that the State of Utah may come, thereby, to its moral own. Under date of September 21, 1925, the First Presidency of the Church published the attitude of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints on the subject, as follows: The question has been asked: What is the attitude of the Church in regard to this innovation [The Pari-Mutuel system of betting], which has been introduced into our community since the enactment of the law to which reference is made? The answer is as follows: The Church has been and now is un- alterably opposed to gambling in any form whatever. It is opposed to any game of chance, occupation, or so-called business, which takes money from the person who may be possessed of it without giving value received in return. It is opposed to all practices the tendency of which is to encourage the spirit of reckless speculation, and particularly to that which tends to degrade or weaken the high moral standard which the members of the Church, and our community at large, have always maintained. We therefore advise and urge all members of the Church to refrain from participation in any activity which is contrary to the view herein set forth. ? This should be sufficient answer to the question asked. Heber J. Grant, A. W. IVINS, Charles W. Nibley, First Presidency. There is no doubt that -great evil is connected with gambling. England just now is proposing to tax and legalize gambling at the tracks, in which, as is well known, king, nobleman and commoner, take part in that country. Gambling on horses has been an accepted cus- tom there with little outcry against it until now, when it is proposed to legalize gambling at the tracks. Now a vigorous protest has been raised against such action. The Methodist Christian Advocate, as quoted in the Literary Digest recently, encouraged the forward steps taken in forming public opinion to loose the strangle-hold which gambling has had over enormous sections of the population ;of England. The dis- cussion has brought out the fact that legal betting in England amounts to $850,000,000 a year, and it is estimated that the national output is EDITORS' TABLE 1101 reduced by this evil by nearly 20% a year. But this is not the greatest evil. One of the English ministers has estimated that at least oine hundred thousand cases of thefts, bankruptcy and suicide are directly attributable to this vice. He stated that the church, if its voice is to be more than a sounding brass, must cease to use raffles, lotteries and guess- ing competitions. Charitable institutions must clear their skirts in the same way. Furthermore, condemning the evil is not all that the church can do, and must do. In a recent editorial, The Methodist Times, states, in substance, that the church must diagnose the disease and seek to provide better housing conditions for the people, more adequate edu- cation, and above all, "the closer power of a new affection." The betting evil has never become the terrific blight in the United States that it has in England, and the present struggle ]now going on in England ought to serve as a warning to constant vigilance, in this country against its growth. i In a recent interview, published in the Deseret News, City At- torney W. H. Folland ventured the opinion that "every avenue of crime had been increased in Utah by the race-track gambling," foisted upon the State by reason of the action of the late Pari-Mutuel Legislature. He further believes that race-track gambling in Salt Lake City has increased the difficulty of the enforcement officials many times over what it was before this law was passed; and, further, that the enforce- ment of the anti-gambling laws is made much more difficult when the State is a partner in the business and receives a profit. Our only remedy now lies in the serious objection of the general public of the State to the betting law. This can be expressed in the Fall election by electing representatives and senators from, the various districts of the State to the next legislature, convening in January, 1 927, who can be depended upon to repeal the law. The public conscience should be aroused to that end. The State should be placed in its proper position, by sweeping off the black moral spots unfortunately placed upon it by its own formerly elected representatives. Again, this result will not depend so much upon any group action as it will depend upon the individual voter. We ask, in all earnestness, that each voter propound these questions to himself: What have I done? What am I doing? What is my vision of the future concerning this evil? The voting population hold the power; it is their duty to make it work in righteousness, so that it shall not only be potential, but '"something doing," and that "doing" result in moral uplift and advantage to the whole community by a speedy repeal of this vicious law. — A. Individuality Counts in Repeating the Slogan Anyone acquainted with the Mutual Improvement Associations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints must admit that they are growing in size and power. Also it must be admitted that the membership of our organization is a distinct type of individuals, 1102 IMPROVEMENT ERA different from those who belong to nothing, and hence, in too many cases, do nothing. However, it must be remembered that organization size and power are not all that is required. Group size and power cannot take the place of individual effort in a cause. Our associations have won- derful slogans, directing to fundamentals in character and religion, to useful and righteous living. These slogans are and have been repeated in groups, but some have doubted that the sentiments expressed have come from the hearts of the individuals themselves, or have had much effect upon them. Group expression is sometimes due to organi- zation influence. It represents little, in that case, more than the opinion of one. The thought we wish to impress is that thq slogan should express the heart-felt opinion of each one, as unitedly echoed in the group, so that when \ve say, "We stand for a testimony of the divine mission of Joseph Smith," every individual repeating the sentence should be convinced in his soul of the sentiment uttered. In this way the result will be multiplied infinitely. Our organization leads, suggests, directs, and devises means and methods for faith, advancement and progress; but only if the individuals feel and follow, will its power become immeasurable or even enhanced. Having and expressing the truth is not all; it requires individual feeling and doing. We have a membership of about fifty thousand young men and as many young ladies. But if our slogan becomes a group expression only, its use will mean little, physically, intellectually or spiritually. Whether in many or few, man or woman, learning is valueless, unless put into action, set free, released. In that case, it becomes not only power, but "something doing." Growing in number without increasing individually will not benefit us in the end. With- out putting our power in motion, we are likely to go the way of all overgrown things that do not use their muscles. Bulk and power not in action only stand in the way. Not what we are and know, but what we act and do, will decide our fate, and will be the standard by which we will be- measured. In the lessons of our manuals and in the slogans adopted, we have indicated great objects to be attained by our organizations, outstand- ing common aims, designs and aspirations to be reached and per- fected, to be carried through to successful ends. However, group- organization size, grace and power alone will not count in reaching these objectives. There must be also individual effort and support. If the M. I. A. shall become one of the greatest powers of the earth for righteousness, it must depend upon the fine, individual action of the membership. Let us, therefore, individually be up and doing, make the slogans our own; the valuable lessons found in our manuals, a part of us; the truths taught in our classes, a part of our beings and lives. If we go forward, if we have righteous aims ahead of us, and seek con- stantly to attain those ends, we can not be stopped. Let us avoid be- coming mere group vessels of knowledge and power, but by added EDITORS' TABLE 1103 vigorous, individual action cause the good works of the past to be multiplied in us a thousand-fold. — A. Books The women of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have wonderfully aided in the establishment of God's marvelous work and a wonder in the latter days. Sometimes their labors are not publicly recognized as much as they should be. This is the case, not only concerning the leading women of the Church, but concerning the splendid unknown heroines, who, in the pioneer struggle, not only stood as pillars of the Church, but, in connection with it, suffered and toiled as mothers and comforters of the race. Such heroines are very numerous in every settlement of the Church. They are not only neglected in history, but their splendid lives are both unrecorded and unsung. They frequently deserve more notice than those whose names are constantly before the communities in speech and print. A recent pamphlet, entitled Wvmen of the "Mormon" Church, by Su'sa Young Gates, and Leah D. Widtsoe, has been published. It answers the questions as to whether the "Mormon" women have free agency — Are they really American- voting citizens? Have they any share in Church activities? Are they educated or illiterate? How does the modern sex-conflict affect them? Are they individualistic, or are they a group of women without individuality? Are they loyal and patriotic? The pamphlet answers these questions in no uncertain tone, and the answers are inspiring and does great credit to the "Mormon" women. The Women of the "Mormon" Church, a brochure of 3 6 pages, is well worth the reading and is very valuable in the hands of a missionary. Joys Beyond Hast not thy heart within thee burned, At evening's calm and peaceful hour? Hast not thy inmost soul discerned The presence of God's holy power? It was the Lord who spoke to thee, Who whispered to thy soul within And told thee, If thou wilt be free, Thou must abandon all thy sin. When I enjoy Christ's peace and care. What comfort to my soul it brings, I then can raise my heart in prayer, And rise above all earthly things. My daily wants is all I crave, I soon shall leave them all behind, My soul can see beyond the grave Joys that will startle all mankind. James Hayton.