For a Mess of Pottage

FOR A MESS OF POTTAGE By George F. Christensen "And the Lord said, * * * I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father; And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blest; Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws." Such became the birthright of Isaac. It was to have been the heritage of Esau, who was Isaac's firstborn, but — "And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware tinto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles, and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright." Through faithfulness to the will of God, Abraham had been promised grand and glorious blessings for himself and his posterity. Esau was his rightful successor, but, for a "mess of pottage" he sold his legacy. "Go ye out from among the nations, even from Babylon, from the midst of wickedness, which is spiritual Babylon." D. and C. 133:14. And the Lord designed that his people should stay out! The Latter-day Saints have been called out of the world — out of Babylon. Through abiding in the laws of God, we will receive the same blessings that were promised to Abraham, for — "This promise is yours also, because ye are of Abraham." "And inasmuch as they are faithful, I will multiply blessings upon them and their seed after them, even a multiplicity of blessings." Some of us are drifting back into spiritual Babylon. We arc becoming ensnared by worldliness. There seems to be an increasing number of drifters, or inactive members, in the Church, folks who arc "Mormons" by name only, and who are far — very far — from being Latter-day Saints by deed. When we are inactive and drift along, we become Esaus. When, we forsake the promise from God of health and strength, wisdom and knowledge, and the mercy of the destroying angel toward us, and adopt the cigarette, the steaming cup, and the hip-pocket flask, we are parting with the invaluable^ When we read that the Lord has promised to open the windows of heaven and pour us out blessings to overflowing, if we will but remember him, as Abraham did, with tithes and offerings, and then fail of our ten per cent, we have nc claim on those blessings. When we think of the sacrifices of out

1034 IMPROVEMENT ERA parents and grandparents for the sake of the gospel, and then dishonor them by not remaining "true to the faith," we cut ourselves off from our heritage. When we fail of salvation and exaltation in the Celestial kingdom because, of not enduring to the end, and of keeping ourselves unspotted from the sins ol the world, we are despising our birthright just as Esau despised his. Let us beware lest we part with our blessings and our heritage "for a mess of pottage." Winnemucca, Nev. A Dream of Fame Deep seated in my sub-conscious soul, A wonderful dream took form ; Of a substance rare and a form most fair; Enraptured I drank of its charm. In the world of men I had sought my place. Longing for work worth while; But the thing I sought I recognized not, Twas hidden in a baby's smile. In my dream I sailed the sea of fame, Topping the crested wave; My exultant soul sped forth to the goal, For I craved the plaudits men gave. At last the world lay at my feet, And humble obeisance made; My talent had won and now was begun, Surcease from the steep up-grade. The wealth of the world was mine to command, Its luxury nurtured pride, Till my mind was crazed at the brilliance blazed, And neglected talent died. With staggering blow the truth came home, The talent and not the man Wins permanent place in the worldly race, It is the old time-honored plan. My baby girl stood at my side, Her smiling face up-turned, In her laughing eyes I returned from the skies And trie fame of men was spurned. Sigurd. Utah. IRVIN L. WARNOCK.