Editor’s Table

Editors ^Table Our Heritage The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is divine in origin. It is not an ordinary organization designed by men; it had its beginning with the Lord, when he deemed it necessary to restore the gospel to men on earth in the latter-day dispensation, after it had been taken away through apostacy. The establishment of the Church has occurred, not by chance, but by foresight and declaration of the Lord. It began in miracles and is the greatest miracle of which the world has ever heard. There were many visits of heavenly representative beings, each coming to the Prophet Joseph Smith to make known a definite, funda- mental principle. Thus we have — 1 . The visitation of the Father and the Son themselves, through which a definite knowledge of God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ was obtained; and the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man, and the separate and distinct personality of the Godhead established. 2. The appearance of the messenger Moroni, who, with many instructions, delivered the plates to Joseph Smith, from which the Book of Mormon was translated, the hundredth anniversary of which oc- casion we celebrate this year. That book contains a fulness of the gospel to the Nephites, ancient inhabitants of this continent, and is a marvelous witness of the Lord Jesus Christ, his resurrection and di- vinity. 3. The visit of John the Baptist, who conferred the Aaronic Priesthood upon Joseph and his companion, Oliver, (acting under the direction of Peter, James and John, the ancient apostles who held the keys of the Melchizedek Priesthood) , restored the keys of the ministering of angels and the gospel of repentance and of baptism for the remission of sins, and which Priesthood abideth forever with the Melchizedek. 4. The coming of Peter, James and John, who possessed the keys of the Melchizedek Priesthood and the dispensation of the fulness of times, and who ordained and confirmed the Prophet and Oliver Cowdery to the Melchizedek Priesthood, and to be apostles and special witnesses of the name of Christ; committed to them the keys of his kingdom and the dispensation of the gospel for the last time, and for the fulness of times, in which, we are told, shall be gathered together in one all things, both in heaven and on earth. 5. The appearance of Moses, who committed to Joseph and Oliver the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the earth, a marvelous illustration of which we have before us in western

EDITORS' TABLE 463 America, where are gathered people who have embraced the gospel from all parts of the earth, in conformity with the predictions of the prophets in holy scripture. 6. Elias, who committed to them the keys of the gospel of Abraham, saying that in them and their seed all generations after them should be blessed. 7. Elijah, who committed into their hands the keys of the dispensation of the fulness of times, by which a way was opened through which the hearts of the fathers might be turned to the chil- dren, and the children's to the fathers, for the salvation of the dead. This has resulted in the erection and work of temples, where vicarious work is performed for those who have died. The Church is founded upon the revelations of the Father and the Son, and the holy messengers sent by them to the Prophet — every visitation a miracle. The Latter-day Saints believe in these miracles implicitly. They believe that the covenant of the Lord with Abraham is in the process of fulfilment, in their organization and gathering, and in the great work — the "marvelous work and a won- der"— which He has established in the latter days. They believe im- plicitly in the literal sonship of Jesus; that he is the Christ, the Son of the living God, that he is a resurrected being, and that the messengers who lived upon the earth in early ages still live; that life is everlasting; that our associations, and friendships and loves in this life will continue in joy in the eternities to come; that life after death, and the resurrection, are realities; and that obedience to the plan of salvation as taught in the gospel of Jesus Christ will insure the en- joyment of these realities, now and throughout the countless ages of eternity. The Latter-day Saints believe in eternal progress, and that the joy that comes from obedience to the gospel will accompany them in this life, and will continue in the eternities. The effect of faith in this philosophy, and in these facts, on the lives of the members of the Church, is marvelous. It has resulted in unparalleled spiritual and temporal growth and progress. Believing in Christ, and in the Church established in the latter days through his direct command, after a pattern outlined by him, they follow the essence of his teach- ings, live a simple life, unencumbered by hypocrisy or needless ritual; keep in constant communication with the Father in heaven by prayer coming from the heart, and are doers as well as teachers of the word of God. They believe in the resurrection, and that the great beyond is a place of progress towards higher and greater things, and even Godhood. They marry, not only for time, but for the eternities. Going hand in hand with :the spiritual phases of "Mormon" phil- osophy are the practical doctrines that pertain to this life, and which are destined to promote the welfare of the Saints in temporal affairs. The Saints who live their religion care for the health of the body through strict obedience to the Word of Wisdom; they welcome

4 64 IMPROVEMENT ERA truth from every source. Every member is an active worker. They believe in education and progress, spiritual, temporal, and intellectual. They believe in the development of leadership, in colonizing the waste places, and in work. They are loyal to the government; take care of their poor; believe in fatherhood and motherhood; and stand among the first in education, chastity, and obedience to law and order. Their faith in the Church, their living by it, and practicing the precepts of the gospel as revealed to their inspired leaders and made manifest in the miracles at the establishment of the Church, have given them outstanding fame in the earth. They are fulfiling the prophecies of the ancient prophets. They are a part of the greatest miracle ever produced in the world. "Mormonism" is designed for the happiness, well being and sal- vation, temporal and spiritual, of all the creatures of God. It is broad in scope, tolerant, truth-seeking, and is destined to be the re- ligion of the future. It is a rich legacy of faith and good works which the fathers and mothers have transmitted, at great sacrifice, to their descendants, the youth of Zion. By the help of God, we will prove worthy of an adequate vision of this great miracle. By his help, we will obtain an inward con- viction of the value of this marvelous inheritance; and, through our faith, worthiness and work, continue on to even greater achievements. We will be valiant, true and courageous. We will not prove recreant to our trust and heritage. — A. Reflections How Instructions Become Useful. Instructions coming from without are helpful or hurtful only so far as the heart and soul of the individual are converted to them. Instructions and informa- tion coming from outward sources are of little value, unless their power is felt inwardly by the individual. Phillips was right when he stated, "An interpretation must be felt, and not accepted as author- ity without inner appreciation.'1 Discipline and Order — Among the instructions that Dr. Karl G. Maeser frequently gave to parents and teachers, none is of more importance for present-day application than this one: "In religious as well as in all kinds of public assemblies, even in theatres and places of amusement , children are to be taught the principle of respect and reverence for the place, the occasion, the property, and for the feelings of others. This principle is urged upon the parents for cultivation at their firesides." This principle is also urged, at this time, upon recreation leader*s and all officers of auxiliary organizations in the Church. It is needed everywhere, and especially in the movies, and often in other exercises in the ward recreation halls.

EDITORS' TABLE , 465 Responsibility for Conduct — Much stress is lately placed upon the notion that men and women are not responsible for their acts, under certain conditions; that they can not choose between right and wrong, but are thrust hither and thither by heredity, environment and other forces over which they have no control. Behavioristic psycholo- gists would probably exonerate such men and women from responsi- bility, as suffering from a series of "complexes," whatever that may be. The complexes doubtless exist, but it must be emphasized that they can be vanquished. They are not fatal. People may adopt ra- tional measures to overcome them. The moral responsibility of the person must be insisted upon, regardless of his hereditary and en- vironmental complexes, which, by proper determination, can be over- come. People are blamed for their right or wrong actions. They are held accountable because we know they are responsible. Very often these complexes arise from lack of self-control and will power. We live in a time when the moral responsibility of the individual should be insisted upon and stressed. As With the Leaders, So With the People. If officers of the law and respectable business men and leaders in society in their gather- ings, in private clubs or in business clubs, should meet to tell lewd stories, engage in carousing, or in drinking orgies, they would prove unworthy of the confidence and respect that are usually given them. Men of this class, because of their standing in society or because they have money, who close their eyes to the breaking of law in private or in their club rooms, are not worthy of public respect. How can such men expect or demand that young people shall be law-abiding, shall live clean, honest lives, when those who should be their ex- emplars violate law and morals! These people need not flatter them- selves that their secret acts are unknown; on the contrary, they are flouted upon the housetops. Such men are hypocrites, and are not worthy of official position, leadership or respect. Verily the words of the Lord apply with force to them: "Ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so, ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity." BOOKS The Book of Mormon A new and beautiful edition of Volume II of New Witnesses For God. and treating on the Book of Mormon, has just been issued from the Deseret News Press and published by the Deseret Book Company. The book contains five hundred pages, in which the well-known author, Elder B. H. Roberts, treats the Book of Mormon in four parts, as follows: u 1. The value of the Book of Mormon as a witness for the authenticity and integrity of the Bible: and the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

4 06 IMPROVEMENT ERA 2. The discovery of the Book of Mormon and its translation, mi- grations, lands, inter-continental movements, civilizations, governments, and the religions of its peoples. 3. Evidences of the truth of the Book of Mormon. 4. Objections to the Book of Mormon considered. It is one of the most convincing books ever written on the value and truth of the Nephite record; and, in this Book-of-Mormon year, should have a wide circulation. "Der Wegweiser" A new quarterly comes to the Era, Der Weg-Weiser,- published in the interest of the priesthood and the auxiliary organizations of the Swiss- German and German-Austrian missions of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Sanits. No. 1, January-March, 1927, contains 144 pages, double-column print; it is introduced by several literary articles, after which follow the outlines for the first three months of study for the Priesthood quorums, the Relief Society, Sunday schools, the Mutual Improvement As- sociations, and the Teacher-Training classes. President Hugh J. Cannon, of the Swiss-German mission, is the editor, assisted by Hyrum W. Valentine, president of the German-Austrian mission, and a corps of writers. Several pieces of music, suitable for general worship and for the different organiza- tions, are found in the book. It is a wonderful publication, and has en- tailed much worthy work in its compilation, for which the editors and the heads of organizations are congratulated. It should be of great value and help to the Church workers in the two missions. Y. M. M. I. A. Statistical and Efficiency Reports It is a delight to study the reports received for January, 1927, from 79 stakes out of the 96 stakes in the Church. The largest stake is Liberty. It has an enrollment of 1,365 out of a possible 1,407 members, and an average attendance of 924. It reports 100 in [all the ten activities. When we take into account that so large a membership is involved, it is a remarkable achievement, for which the officers are highly commended. Other stakes with large populations and high enrollments are Alpine, Granite. Grant, Jordan, Salt Lake, Utah; and the California mission keeps them company. These have an enrollment of from nearly 900 to 1,003. Utah stake, with 1,003, has the second largest enrollment in the Church. Fremont is worthy of note. It has a required enrollment of 658, but an actual enrollment of 750, with an average attendance of 566, and besides reaches 100 in all its ten activities. Cassia is the next with 100, making three perfect for Janu- ary— Liberty, Fremont, Cassia — though fifteen stakes have 90 or more, Maricopa. Arizona, reaching 99. Seventeen stakes failed to report for January this year, which is regrettable. They are, Carbon, Duchesne. Kolob. Mt. Ogden, Nebo, South Sanpete, Wayne, Blackoot. Lost River, Portneuf. Twin Falls, Alberta, Los Angeles, St. Johns, St. Joseph, San Luis, Union. COMPARATIVE REPORT Stakes Wards Total Total Aug. Reporting Reporting Enrollment Attendance December, 1925 77 577 31,052 20,558 January, 1926 80 678 36,910 22,961 December, 1926 83 648 33,784 21,161 January, 1927 79 666 35,829 23,090 Counting stakes which have failed to report, but which have done their work, the Y. M. M. I. A. shows commendable progress.