An Outstanding Introduction

An Outstanding Introduction By L. Valess Dewey, M. A. In this remarkable business and in- dustrial age, an age the like of which the world has never before seen or ex- perienced, a proper introduction is al- ways an advantage. If a person de- sires employment, one of the first requisites is a good and sufficient in- troduction from some one in authority. If that same person would have a promotion, an endorsement (which is also an introduction) will go far to- ward procuring that promotion. And what is true in the business and in- dustrial world is equally true and equally forceful in almost every other walk of life. Why should not this truth and fact apply also in religion? The answer is natural: It does. In days of old, the cause of truth was thus given ad- vancement. When the Savior was here among men, a Voice of authority in- troduced to the forerunner of the Christ the long-looked-for and much- needed Redeemer of the world. It was an age when the chosen people needed someone to come with an introduction of authority and to speak with that same authority. Because of that fact the world has since learned to look back upon that scene in the valley of the Jordan with awe and reverence. The words of that introduction re- sound today in a manner not to be overlooked: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (See Matthew 3:17.) But an untimely death took John the Baptist away from his people be- fore he had an opportunity to tell the world of the divinity of the Christ whom the Father had thus introduced. And so another heavenly introduction was needed that the work of God might take firm root in the earth. Thus we read that Jesus took Peter, James, and John into the mountain and was transfigured before them. And while Moses and Elias stood in their midst, a second voice from heaven proclaimed: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him." (Matt. 17:5.) Note the addition of words in this second introduction. It was now time for the world to receive this Jesus and acknowledge his authority. And the Father spoke to a fallen and grop- ing world, "Hear ye him." Again on the western continent, the ancient inhabitants of America received an introduction of authority from heaven. The Savior of the world had finished his ministry in the land of Jerusalem, had been crucified, and was risen from the dead. In the land Bountiful (in the northern part of what is now South America) the de- scendants of Lehi and Mulek received a heavenly introduction as the resur- rected Christ appeared unto them to teach his Gospel. This time the words were as follows: "Behold my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name — hear ye him." (Ill Nephi 11:7.) Once more the introduction has been en- larged. The Son of God has finished his fore-ordained task; the world has now a way and a name by which its inhabitants may be saved. Thus in the work of the Savior has the name of the Father been glorified. But one more heavenly introduction was found to be necessary in order that the divine plan of the ages might be consummated. And this is indeed an outstanding one. Centuries had passed and the Church of Christ had been destroyed among the ancient inhabit- ants of America. Likewise, the true Church of Christ with its holy Priest- hood, its gifts and blessings, and the doctrine taught by the ancients had ceased to exist on the eastern con-

672 IMPROVEMENT ERA June, 1929 tinent. And all this because of wicked- ness and unbelief. Like the business and industrial world of a century ago, the so-called Church of Christ was hopelessly di- vided, and stood helpless before a thousand world problems. A voice of authority was needed for would-be employees; a great Proprietor was needed who understood, and who could and would save the world from ruin by providing a way in which and through which it could solve the puzzling questions. And lo! in the woods of New York state, on a spring morn of the year 1820, the Voice of authority, the great Proprietor comes. This time it is in person, and not in language from the clouds. This time the introduction is delivered by a pointing of the finger and the proud lighting up of the countenance. For the great Eather of all condescends to come to earth in response to a boy's prayerful supplication. He calls the future prophet by name. "Joseph, this is my beloved Son," are the words of that outstanding introduction. And then the Heavenly Father adds, in the language of the nineteenth century, "Hear him." It was the Son of God who was thus introduced to the world for the fourth time; and the boy prophet saw the personage and heard the words of the Savior of the world as he, the Redeemer, declared that the true Church of God was not to be found on the earth. Moreover, if he, the boy prophet, would be faithful, it would soon be established, and through his own instrumentality. What a wonderful introduction it was! And now that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been established, and has become a power in the earth for good, we are led to give honor and reverence to the boy prophet, Joseph Smith, for the world-saving work which he began. But most of all, we remember in love and worship, the great Father who visited a world struggling in darkness and introduced his Son, — that the true Gospel of Jesus Christ might be estab- lished for the last time, never to be thrown down or left to another people. High Ideals Ideals are the blue prints of life's program. As the outcome of building operations depends on the plan that is followed, so character is determined by the ideals that are cherished and permitted to dominate a life. If your architect's plan calls for a barn you must not be disappointed if you do not find a cathedral when at last the work is completed. It is just as true that life is the incarnation of our ideals. If they are material, the characters in years to come will not be glorified by the fruits of the Spirit. If selfishness is allowed to control the springs of action we cannot hope to find the beauty of Christ's likeness. It is impossible for either individuals or nations to rise above the plane of their cherished ideals. If low ideals are allowed to dominate, life will be lived on a low level. In character building it is worth everything that men and women should "hitch their wagon to a star." It is of the utmost importance that high ideals be cultivated. A field left to itself will grow up with weeds. An uncultivated mind will degenerate. But if we are to cultivate high ideals we must begin by making a choice of them. Choice is always the beginning of self-determination. A great day dawned for- the Prodigal, when he said: "I will arise and go to my father." Choice that is not followed by action will die. — Frank Herbert Sweet.