--- 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: 31 number: 1 published: 1927-11 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations, “Editors’ Table,” *Improvement Era* 31, no. 1 (November 1927): 81–82." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera3101unse 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: improvementera3101unse start_page: 81 end_page: 82 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1927-11) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera3101unse publication_year: 1927 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 1927, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Editors’ Table EDITORS' TABLE enjoy is in spite of the fact that they use it. He referred to several examples: Richard Washburn Child said of Theo- dore Roosevelt that in year9 of intimate acquaintance he never knew him to take any stimulant other than hot milk. Henry Ford is strongly against the use of liquor, and does not even allow smoking by his men. Tom Mix, the noted movie artist, does not smoke or drink. President Calvin Coolidge is opposed to the use of liquor. Mussolini, the great Italian dictator, says: "I abstain rigidly from all kinds of alco- holic beverages, even from the lightest wines." Also, he says, "Coffee is never served me at any meal. It is a stimulant compelling by its action a useless1 nervous effort, resulting in no concrete good." Charlie Chaplin, the noted movie comedian, says he does not use liquor. It is further stated that once in a while he uses a cigarette but without enthusiasm. He seems to realize that he is better with- out. The result of the observance of the Word of Wisdom, Bishop Cannon testi- fies, is that it develops integrity and char- acter in men and women. Whether they acknowledge that these principles have been given of the Lord, or whether they accept them as coming from medical science, the observance of the same makes for their wel- fare. From whatever source or idea they gain the conviction, it is for their benefit, if they observe it; and, if they fail, it is for their injury. In like manner every principle of the gospel brings its own bless- ing. You can prove these assertions by look- ing about you among the men and women in your own locality, for living illustration. Read what Dr. Oaks says of tobacco and its uses in this number of the Era. You are to choose; be sure you choose right, even if it implies a sacrifice of your appetite for a short time. Happiness and health are worth more than satisfying a vicious and degrading habit. — A. Truth The Forum for October in its depart- ment on the definitions of words, discusses the "Truth." "Truth" is one of the most difficult of concepts to define, the Definitions Editor confesses, and he ap- proaches it in a spirit of cautious inquiry, and feels disappointment in the answers re- ceived. However, in his opinion the best statement of Truth's attributes, not an adequate definition, was submitted by Eli- nore Lennen, Los Angeles, California: "Truth is that which we ask about, Pilate- wise, not expecting an answer, nor daring to wait for it. Many investigate it, few invest in it. Truth would make us free to think, but obligated to act. It is the ideal which makes things real, the real which makes things ideal." Here are three contributors: more suggestions from "Truth is that which temporarily has the appearance of permanence." "Truth is that unique symbolism of experience or of phenomena that possesses a maximum of accuracy." "Truth is the voice of God speaking to the inner ear of man." In our opinion, the inspired statement of the Prophet Joseph Smith is as near as any definition can come to Truth. Here it is for the Forum to use, if desired: "Truth is a knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come." — A. Romance and Legend vs. Dollars Many thousands of dollars are spent by Utah and Idaho and Wyoming people in seeing the sights of the United States in various places, not to speak of the millions that are spent by Americans, in Europe each year. Utah residents spend their share. In Utah, Idaho, and Wyom- ing and in the West generally, there is some of the most remarkable scenery in the world, which many of us have not be- held. Within reach of Salt Lake City, one could spend easily a month in seeing marvelous sights of great attraction. Two things are necessary to cause people to 82 IMPROVEMENT ERA take interest in them. The foremost, next to roads and accessibility, which are now provided rapidly, is that people shall know about them. Another necessity is, that something shall be told about the setting and atmosphere of these places. Th^re are romance, tradition, legend and story with every one of them. This offers a grand opportunity for our writers. The people should wake up to these facts, real- ize their importance, and not sweep away pioneer incidents and attractive Indian folk-lore like rubbish. Where else in the world is there anything like the Yellow- stone, the North rim of the Grand can- yon, the Kaibab Forest, Zion, Bryce, Cedar Breaks, Bingham, the Cottonwoods, the islands of the Lake, the Ogden canyon, Timpanogos, the great Uintahs with their thousand lakes — all of these natural mar- vels brimming over with thrilling lore! Frank Beckwith, in this number of the Improvement Era, gives a good sample of fascinating legends that are waiting to be told. Elizabeth Cannon Porter illustrates scenes of great natural beauty abounding in our canyons and mountains. And be- hold what marvels the fathers and sons' outings are bringing to view; beautiful revelations of wonder! — all waiting for light through literature. Within com- paratively few miles of Salt Lake City, there are places of archaelogical significance rivaling those found in the old world, but which many people are passing every day ignorant of their whereabouts. It is quite as important that we get people to speak of our West, to admire it, and recognize the loyal, law-abiding, and devotional spirit of the people in it, as it is to sell them land or to inform them that the bank credits of Utah, or Idaho, or Wyom- ing, have increased so many millions within the past month. Romance and color will awaken their emotions and claim their attention more than the infla- tion of our money world. They will bring us dollars, too. — A. November — Attendance Month It is urged that in every stake and ward throughout the Church, special efforts be made to secure the largest possible attend- ance each week of Aaronic priesthood members at the weekly priesthood meet- ings, during the entire month of Novem- ber. In order to secure the best results, it will require preparation in advance on the part of all of those having direction of the priesthood. Those members who are now attending regularly should be encouraged to continue this regularity. Those attend- ing irregularly or not at all should be sought after in the most effective way to secure their interest and attendance. Spe- cial attention should be given to the week- ly priesthood meetings, both the general and the departmental sessions. They should be made as interesting as possible through careful preparation and despatching of all business and lesson work. The effort should be made to make these gatherings so attractive that all those who attend in November will continue to increase in ac- :ivity. Fruits of Tithepaying In the year 1922, the officers and mem- bers of Lethbridge stake instituted a cam- paign to promote the payment of tithes by all who should observe this principle. The Saints of the Orton ward, of about 150 Church membership, had at that time suffered from five years of partial or com- plete crop failures, and at this time were in a critical financial condition. Every