--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Taylor, John H. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 31 number: 7 published: 1928-05 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "John H. Taylor, “The Northern States Mission,” *Improvement Era* 31, no. 7 (May 1928): 567–570." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera3107unse 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: improvementera3107unse start_page: 567 end_page: 570 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1928-05) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera3107unse publication_year: 1928 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 1928, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # The Northern States Mission The Northern States Mission By President John H. Taylor GO YE into all the world and preach the gospel." Such was the admonition to the disciples of old. The same instructions have been given to us; and we have made every effort possible, during these many years, to send out missionaries to impart a knowledge of the gospel to the nations of the earth. It matters little where one may be called to go, as all missions are en- gaged in the same splendid work; but it is important that each individual missionary be diligent and put forth his best effort, wherever he is, if his mission is to equal others in accom- plishment, in love and unselfish serv- ice. The Northern States mission has been blessed with this type of ener- getic missionary, through whose faith- ful devotion to the cause, thousands of people have heard and accepted the truths of the gospel. It is gratifying also to see the at- titude of the Saints towards the gospel and the diligence they mani- fest in the performance of their duties as members of the Church. Sometimes, members get the idea that their responsibility ends when they are baptized and confirmed, and it is very encouraging when our Saints realize the necessity of showing the Lord, by the things they do, that they are grateful for the blessings they have received. My confidence and testimony in the work have been greatly increased by the faithfulness of the scattered Saints throughout the Northern States mission. Many of them have the privilege of meeting the elders only once or twice a year, but they remain true to the cove- nants which they have made, and often express, in letters to the mission office, their gratefulness for membership in the Church and their appreciation for the blessings of the Lord. It is not so hard to remain steadfast and energetic when one is surrounded by every- 568 IMPROVEMENT ERA thing that is agreeable and pleasant; but it is a more difficult problem under conditions that are unfavorable. A large number of the students who are attending the different institutions of learning in Chicago, despite the demands of their school work, find time to come to our Sunday Schools and sacra- mental meetings. Their influence and help in our various auxiliaries and other gatherings are both an incentive and a blessing to the members of the Church. Through the kindness of the First Presidency, we have been able, during the past year, to build a mission office and a recreational hall at Logan Square, Chicago; also to erect a chapel in Indianapolis. Plans are now under consideration in other branches for the gather- ing of money with which to build edifices for the worship and serv- ice of the Lord. The mission work looks very promising at present, but we are always dependent upon the effort put forth by the individual mis- sionaries in the field. Two outstanding words that we ever try to remember are "work" and "humility." They fit rather closely to- gether, and either one without the other can never attain its maximum of power. I firmly believe that our heavenly Father expects us to make the best use of our time and our talents; and that when missionaries come into the field, they should be as well prepared as possible for the work they are to do. I am not a believer in the sentiment that is often expressed, that the elder who has not been diligent or well trained at home is usually humble. I cannot see why taking advan- tage of opportunities should not place everyone in a more favorable position before the Lord. I am certain that an elder who has taken advantage of his opportunities is much better fitted to preach the gospel than one who has failed in this respect. This does not infer, however, that every missionary will not be blessed and built up, ac- cording to his humility and sincere effort, when he arrives in the field, despite the opportunities he might have missed; but how much better and easier it is for a missionary to go before the Lord when he knows that he has tried his best to prepare himself, and has taken advantage of school and Church auxiliary and priesthood work at home. 'Tis true, that men never succeed who rely entirely upon their own strength, no matter how great their knowledge; but the trained man ought to be more humble even than the untrained, for training and experience naturally teaches the necessity of gradu- ally reaching out, day by day, and little by little, for the better things of life. The development into a really efficient missionary comes from doing the things that are not easy to do. This gives strength of THE NORTHERN STATES MISSION 569 character, determination and encouragement to go on. Each one has certain talents that stand out prominently, and ought to be further developed by constant use; but each one also has talents that are not noticeable at first, but which, when used and developed, often promote the most powerful influences in the lives of the missionaries. Missionary life, in a way, is strenuous. The mission field is not a play ground, not a health resort, not a place to rest, nor a place to go because of convenience of travel, etc. It is where you have a chance to preach the word of the Lord and to meet people who are seeking to know the truth. You can be a 100% missionary if you will; but you may also hold your percentage down to sixty, or fifty, or at the failure point, if you like. The missionary has it within his own power to set the standard to which he will attain; but, to climb the mountain of success and reach the top, it takes work and humility, courage and determination. Once on the heights, however, from the training and experience gained in the ascent, he is able to enjoy, to the full, the broad view of life, unperturbed by the little, selfish motives of men. It should never be a question of how much the missionary is going to gain from his experience; but, rather, how much is he able to do for the mission, — how best can he serve the interests of God and humanity? It is worth all the struggle and sacrifice one is called upon to make to finish a mission creditably before the Lord, and to come, home with an honorable release, with a strong testimony and a humble spirit. The development has been gradual, as in other kinds of work; as in the schools of the world, the missionary advances Logan Square Chapel, Chicago, Northern States Mission At the right is the mission office and the mission home. 570 IMPROVEMENT ERA from lesson to lesson, day by day, learning here a little and there a little, adding grace to grace and power to power. When he returns home, he should have a keen desire to continue in the service of the Lord, that there may be no retrogression, that his time spent in the field may not have been in vain. This is the kind of home- coming that causes the missionary to say, "It was the happiest time of my life;" — not because of passing pleasures, but because of the humility of spirit and close companionship with the Lord in render- ing service to mankind. Chicago, Illinois. Their Testimony "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God." (Psalm 14:1.) The bird on the wing, so blithely doth sing His song of thanksgiving and praise; He testifies strong, through the medium of song, God's goodness and wonderful ways. The flower in bloom, in garden or room, Its fragrance and beauty displays; Sweet emblem of rest, you mutely attest God's goodness and wonderful ways. Ye mountains serene, and valleys so green, Your grandeur its message conveys; The book and the rill are murmuring still God's goodness and wonderful ways. Each season, in turn, should help us to learn The wisdom revealed in its days; In sunshine or rain, the elements proclaim God's goodness and wonderful ways. Ogden, Utah ROGER HOWEV