--- 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: 32 number: 1 published: 1928-11 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations, “The October Conference,” *Improvement Era* 32, no. 1 (November 1928): 65–66." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera3201unse 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: improvementera3201unse start_page: 65 end_page: 66 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1928-11) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera3201unse 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 October Conference The October Conference "Mormon" conferences are talked of all over the world. Great human interest always attaches to a pilgrim- age whether it be to Mecca, Jerusalem, Lhassa in Tibet or Salt Lake City. During the recent gathering the city was at its very best, and it would be hard to find anywhere a more attrac- tive gathering place than Salt Lake at her best. Soft and mellow colors on bush and tree blended harmoniously with the more gaudy ones of autumn; the brown mountains were enlivened by patches of gorgeous red; a few steps took the lover of nature's beauties to some elevated spot from which the glistening lake was clearly visible, and the sunlight on the majestic towers of the temple was like a benediction. Religious people have always sought to know the will of the Lord. In olden times they came to the prophets to learn their duties concerning the affairs of daily life, their wars, their journeys, as well as in matters usually considered as belonging strictly to the realm of religion. The intellectual and religious com- plexion of the modern world is under- going a complete change; a startling array of new ideas confront the religionist, and in contemplating these a question naturally arises in his mind. How many of the innovations may be safely adopted? No one feels it neces- sary to wear sandals, though the Savior doubtless did so. None but extremists would insist that all baptisms be per- formed in the running Jordan, and yet all agree that if the leprous Syrian captain, Naaman, had dipped in the waters of Abana and Pharpar, about which he spoke so boastfully, he would not have been made clean. In many Christian churches there are days and seasons which are held sacred by certain devotees, but our members do not always observe them. The rigid Mohammedan considers it sinful to ride on the train which runs from Da- mascus to Mecca, and still makes the thousand-mile journey on foot or astride a camel; but the Latter-day Saint does not consider it necessary to come to conference with an ox team or with a span of horses as was formerly the practice. Those who consider themselves broadminded look upon adherence to old customs as fanaticism and would discard everything, including the sac- rament, baptism and innumerable other important things. A prophet's business is to reach out and with unerring judgment place his finger upon that which is vital. He urges believers to follow this course because it leads to peace, to avoid the other because it leads to trouble. Con- fronted with a difficult situation, the elements of which are so contradictory that they seemingly cannot be recon- ciled, he, because divinely guided, is able to say, this is essential and must be retained; that has no special signifi- cance and may be discarded. These questions answered by the wisdom of men resulted in the condition foreseen by Isaiah when he declared, "They have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinances, broken the everlasting covenant." When they are answered by one having authority the Lord him- self is bound by the answer. It is easy, therefore, to understand why thousands flock to our spring and fall conferences. They come to listen to the voice of prophecy, to re- 66 IMPROVEMENT ERA ccive advice which will aid them in the solution of their problems and to gain sufficient spiritual strength to meet these problems with wisdom and pa- tience. They come also to worship. There is not one of the general authorities of the Church who has not earned his livelihood by working long hours at his profession or secular calling. Therefore they are able to give advice on the temporal things of life. Because of their deep spiritual natures and the fact that their minds are centered so much on religious sub- jects they are well fitted to give advice on these matters. And more important than all else, the inspiration which belongs to their office qualifies them to discriminate between essentials and non-essentials. Joseph Smith, Brigham Young and all the leaders down to President Heber J. Grant and his asso- ciates have invariably pointed out the path of temporal and spiritual safety. They have spoken and still speak as one having authority. One may expect, therefore, that the counsel given at this conference will bear fruit. The subjects were all timely. Obedience to law, the home, clean living, temperance, unselfish service and other points were touched upon, and the spirit added to the elo- quence with which the leaders spoke. According to an ancient legend, a sphinx sat by the wayside propound- ing riddles to all who approached. If the traveler answered the questions cor- rectly, he was permitted to pass safely on; failing to answer at all or answer- ing incorrectly, he was destroyed. Carlyle compares this imaginary sphinx to life itself, and human wis- dom is not sufficient to answer all of life's riddles successfully. — C. Of Interest to Writers The Era offers a prize of $50 for the best and $25 for the second-best original story, on the following condi- tions: Stories are to be between 3,000 and 4,000 words in length, not necessarily religious but of good moral tone. All manuscripts to be typed and written on one side of paper only, and must be in our hands not later than February 1, 1929. Manuscripts must not be signed, but should be accompanied by a sealed envelope containing the author's name and address. If return of manuscript is desired sufficient postage therefor must be closed. Stories which do not win a prize, but which are suitable for our needs, may be retained by the Era upon pay- ment of its usual rates. Someone has said that "fine writing is re-writing." We suggest that those who intend to compete commence im- mediately, working their material over until they feel it is as nearly perfect as they can make it. Then lay it aside for a time until it is "cold." After that it can almost invariably be re- written with profit. The experience of writing, even if no prize is won, is well worth the effort. The Era will not be in the market for any more stories until further notice; so concentrate your best efforts on the contest. "Conscientiousness has in many outgrown that stage in which the sense of a com pelling power is joined with rectitude of action. The truly honest man, here and there to be found, is not only without thought of legal, religious, or social compulsion, when he discharges an equitable claim on him; but he is without thought of self-compulsion. He does the right thing with a simple feeling of satisfaction in doing it. and is indeed impatient if anything prevents him from having the satisfaction of doing it." — Herbert Spencer.