AUGUST, 1941
VOLUME 44 NUMBER 8 RETURN POSTAGE GUARANTEED S A L T t A K E C I T Y .UTAH
TO UTAH FARMERS
As recently as 1929, dates were re- garded as a "curiosity" crop in the hot, fertile Coachella Valley of Cal- ifornia. By 1940 Coachella Valley date growers harvested eleven mil- lion pounds, their biggest crop. About 95% of all American-grown dates are produced here. The late King Feisal of Iraq (Persia) , Old World date center, wrote: "We who have been growing dates for centuries have never seen such fine dates in our own country."
My host in the desert was Mr.
William (Bill) Cook, who has grown up with the Coachella Valley date industry. The other photo shows Mr. Cook's adobe home which he built himself.
Bill Cook's place is between Palm Springs and Indio. Many of his trees are just coming into bear- ing (date trees bear at 7 years — mature at 12 years) . Since 1937 Mr. Cook has been president of the United Date Growers Associ- ation, a cooperative serving about 85% of Coachella Valley growers.
History of a "Curiosity" Crop
mm
?#...
iliP^lliP
WITH 95% of all U.S. date pro- duction here in the valley, our growers early turned to cooperative marketing," Bill Cook told me.
"The co-op from which our present Association developed was formed in 1920. For many years my father served as president. The depression came along when our production was almost doubling every year, and for a time date prices fell off badly. A merchandising program was set up in 1932 and by 1936 the market for dates had strengthened.
"Our present association, the United Date Growers, has been able to reduce packaging costs while providing uni- form grades and a dependable supply. Cooperation given us by Safeway and other food chains has been a big factor in decreasing distribution costs and improving returns to growers.
"What we date growers need, of course, is increasing consumption of dates to keep up with our growing production. Safeway stores do a fine selling job on dates and move large quantities — they help make our in- dustry possible." —Told To The Safeway farm Reporter
i^Sipt. ■^'■■- " ■'''■■ &'■& ■*' '^
It takes a great deal of skill and hard work to grow dates. Bill Cook told me about it. "In the spring, each bunch of blossoms must be pollinated by hand to control quality. The date bunches are also reduced in size, and only 12 to 15 bunches are left on each tree. In August, wax paper is tied around each bunch of dates for protection against rain or birds. Harvesting starts in September. Often there are seven pickings as only ripe dates can be picked each time around. Date palms grow up to 40 feet high, so both pollinating and harvesting are ladder operations. Irriga- tion is especially important in growing dates. We use well water here in the valley and during hot weather we often find it necessary to irrigate every week"
Here you see dates being packed for the United Date Growers Association, for which Calavo Growers of California acts as selling agency. "The fresh-picked dates are fumigated, cleaned and graded," Bill Cook told me. "Some are dried on trays and others, too dry, are steamed. Packed dates go into cold storage — we growers know it's important to keep dates cool to preserve their finest eating quality"
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, AUGUST, 1941
By FRANKLIN S. HARRIS, JR.
"\17eather reports by telephone can v" be obtained in New York City. The latest weather prediction includ- ing the predicted temperature, winds, and rain or snow conditions based on direct teletype reports from the li. S. Weather Bureau can be heard from a voice recorded on magnetic tape. The magnetic pattern in the steel tape cor- responding to the voice can be "picked up" many thousand times before being
erased.
-f
HPhere is no inborn difference in A musical ability in boys and girls, according to Dr. G. M. Gilbert Girls appear to be more musical than boys, because the girls are given the training.
Chyness and unfriendliness in dogs is *-* an hereditary trait, and it is due to fear, according to tests by Dr. F. C. Thorne.
-f
/Concrete attacked by frost before it **•* has set will still harden but it loses up to half of its strength.
"T
'"Phousands of passenger and com- ■*■ mercial vehicles in England have been fitted with molded one piece rub- ber fenders.
♦
Cmoking by a pregnant woman pro- *** duces an increase in the pulse rate of the unborn child; and four ounces of breast milk from mothers who smoke six to eight cigarettes per day has been found to contain enough nicotine to kill a frog.
+, !_
HPhe lowest death rate among per- sons over forty-five to fifty years of age occurs with those who are ten to twenty pounds under average weight, according to life insurance figures. This does not mean that weight loss is neces- sary but merely that the tendency to excess weight increases with age and that the weight which is desirable at the age of thirty should be maintained.
T^he slow-moving turtles have tough ■ hearts. It has been found that the heart of a turtle will keep on beating for hours after the turtle has been killed and the organ itself removed from the body. Such hearts have been immersed in liquid air at 1 92 degrees below freez- ing centigrade for three, five, seven, and ten minutes respectively. When then placed in a cold physiological salt solution and allowed to thaw out gradually, the hearts resumed their beats within a few minutes. The longer the freezing the sooner the hearts became tired and slowed down.
(Concluded on page 452)
3ES9**'
Qve/u
c«tion sons
-T
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Name
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In hungry glee For HONEY BEE GRAHAMS
By PURITY!
MmprooementEra
"The Glory of God is Intelligence'
AUGUST. 1941
VOLUME 44
NUMBER 8
VTHE VOICE OF THE CHURCH'
OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS, MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATIONS, DEPART- MENT OF EDUCATION, MUSIC COMMITTEE, WARD TEACHERS, AND OTHER AGENCIES OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.
Heber J. Grant, John A. Widtsoe,
Editors
Richard L. Evans,
Managing Editor Marba C. Josephson,
Associate Editor
George Q. Morris, General Mgr. Lucy G. Cannon, Associate Mgr. J. K. Orton, Business Mgr.
JoblsL 0$, Qontsmfou
JJvl £dU&v5u (paqsL
On Going to the Temple Heber J, Grant 459
QhutepL 3>swdutoA.
The World Crisis and Mormon Thought... G, Homer Durham 460
Joseph Smith Among the Prophets Heber C, Snell 462
Undaunted Archibald F. Bennett 467
Evidences and Reconciliations — XL. Is There a Personal Devil? John A, Widtsoe 481
From Generation to Generation, Church Moves On 477
Andrew Jenson 457 No-Liquor -Tobacco.. ..464, 191, 494
Northern States Missionary Chorus, Clive Bradford and Wendell D. Hart 471
Letters from the Church in Eng- land .47 1
News from the Camps 474
Royalty Visits M. I. A. Confer- ence in Denmark 474
SpsuriaL J'&ahih&A,
Priesthood: Melchizedek 490
Aaronic ....493
Ward Teaching 495
Mutual Messages 496
Field Photos _.._496, 497
Genealogy, Missionary Work in the Arizona Temple, Lewis Wells 467, 498
Music 503
The Millennium of Ferdowsi....
Beauty Builder
Evidence for God as a Scientist Citadel of Lofty Ideals
Franklin S. Harris 461
Alice Pardoe West 464
Sees It _.W. Blake Christensen 466 Marie Widmer 470
Exploring the Universe, Frank- lin S. Harris, Jr 449
Telefacts 452
An Apology for the Coincidence of Sevens, Rulon S. Wells....453
A Garden in the Desert, I. Thomasson Naumann 454
Compilation of the Indian Lan- guages of America, Charles E. Dibble 456
Looking Back at Ancient Amer- ica, William and Dewey
Farnsworth 473
Our Good Friend Tuba, George
Gardner 473
On the Book Rack .......476
Homing: Some Views on Home
Canning, Ethel Hudson 484
Handy Hints 486
Here's How 487
Cooks' Corner, Barbara B.
Burnett ; 487
Index to Advertisers 509
Your Page and Ours 512
fcdii&uaJbu
Concerning a Man's Right to Live His Life As He Chooses
Richard L. Evans 480
Recovering Our Losses Richard L, Evans 480
Judge Not Marba C Josephson 480
Si&lMA., (pQSrfjU^, QjWA&to&uL (pU%%bL
Champion Ellen Day 465
The 7~Up Spread's Sonny Boy Leon Y. Almirall 468
Frontispiece: Where the Wild Sage Grows, Kathrya Ken- dall 458
JhsL QovsJv
Page For Young Writers 472
Poetry Page 475
Pioneers' Soil, Edna S. Dustin..507 Scriptural Crossword Puzzle... .5 10
HPhis reproduction of Shiprock, famous landmark of New Mexico, is the work of ■*■ Wyatt Davis, and comes to us through the courtesy of Kenneth Allen of the New f Vxico State Tourist Bureau.
450
(Do IJdil. JOwiv-
Whether there is an inborn differ- ence in musical ability in boys and girls? 449
Where a general dictionary of the Indian languages of America is being compiled? 457
What example President Grant has set in doing temple work? 459
In what way "men's hearts fail them" in the present world crisis? 460
When Ferdowsi lived, and for what he is this year being celebrated? -461
By what standards we may consider Joseph Smith to be in the tradi- tion of the great prophets? 462
What a foremost make-up artist in Hollywood says about the Word of Wisdom as a beauty builder? 464
What a young college graduate ac- complished despite complete mus- cular paralysis? 467
What city is known as the "citadel of lofty ideals"? 470
How missionary work in the British Isles fares? 471
Where a ward clerk kept the record of ward families through three generations? 477
To what extent an individual "lives his own life"? 480
Whether there is a personal devil?. 481
How to go about the various meth- ods of home canning? 484
What an enterprising stake M. I. A. group did to advertise the No- Liquor-Tobacco campaign?. .491
What hymns have been selected for Churchwide study for August and September? 497
EXECUTIVE AND EDITORIAL OFFICES:
50 North Main Street, Salt Lake City, Utah. Copyright 1941, by Mutual Funds, Inc., a Cor- poration of the Young Men's Mutual Improve- ment Association o[ the Church o[ Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All rights reserved. Sub- scription price, $2.00 a year, in advance; 20c single copy.
Entered at the Post Office, Salt Lake City, Utah, as second-class matter. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided for in section 1103, Act of October, 1917, authorized July 2, 1918.
The Improvement Era is not responsible- for unsolicited manuscripts, but welcomes con- tributions. All manuscripts must be accompanied by sufficient postage for delivery and return.
NATIONAL ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES
Francis M. Mayo, Salt Lake City Edward S. Townsend, San Francisco
MEMBER OF THE AUDIT BUREAU OF CIRCULATIONS
A MAGAZINE FOR EVERY MEMBER OF THE FAMILY
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, AUGUST, 1941
Since 1847 we have lived together — the people of Utah and its industries. We have weathered many storms . . . we have watched and worked for the state's growth and progress.
There is still room for improvement, room for a better understanding to insure greater progress in the future.
Most people are conscious of the mines, mills and smelters that exist in Utah. It is realized that they em- ploy a great many persons, and are vital factors in the life of our State.
The State, through understanding and cooperation, has grown and the people who have lived here have prospered. Underlying all this progress has been harmonious relationship existing be- tween the people and its industries. Progress cannot be had otherwise.
We want you to know more about the industry which supports nearly 50 per cent of the people of the state — the min- ing industry.
Therefore, to everyone in Utah, we are addressing a number of messages relat- ing to the mines and plants of the State. They will appear, from time to time, in various publications.
Whoever you are . . . whatever you do . . . you have a share in the prosperity of Utah's Industry!
We invite you to a better understanding and knowledge of mutual problems. Through understanding and coopera- tion we will progress in the future.
The Metal Mining Industry of Utah
American Smelting & Refining Company Utah Copper Company Tintic Standard Mining Company
United States Smelting Refining Chief Consolidated Mining Company International Smelting & Refining Co.
& Mining Company park Utah Consolidated Mines Company Park City Consolidated Mines Company
Silver King Coalition Mines Company Ohio Copper Company of Utah Combined Metals Reduction Company
451
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, AUGUST, 1941
SUCCESS in
I Beauty Culture
can be yours , . . but you must start on the right foot by getting the finest training available. Quish train- ing prepares you to face the future with a sense of security. ENROLL NOW! Write for illustrated catalog.
OUISH
School of Beauty Culture "The Best in the West"
338 So. Main, Phone 4-0313
Salt Lake City, Utah Fill in coupon for new illustrated catalog.
/V#v
THERE'S
/eat flip... Jm flide
There's less slipping — -less sliding in wet, slippery lots or in icy, snow-covered fields when you use a sure-footed John Deere Model "H" Tractor - Drawn Spreader.
Working with any tractor having one- plow or more power, the Model "H" will speed up spreading and pull down costs.
Proper weight distribution for good traction of spreader and tractor wheels . . . enclosed, oil-bath feed drive and complete shielding of all other drives . . . strong, rigid, all-steel construction . . . big-capacity, non-wrapping beaters . . . adaptability for either new or used tires — you get all of these valuable fea- tures, and many more at a price that will surprise you.
See this outstanding tractor spreader at your John Deere dealer's.
MAIL THIS COUPON TODAY!
JOHN DEERE, Moline, HI., Dept. S-150
Please send me Free Folder I've checked below.
□ Model "H" Tractor Spreader.
□ Horse-Drawn Spreader.
Name-
Town
-State.
TELEFACT
HOW WILL WE USE OUR STEEL IN 1941?
ird
d a
AUTOMOBILE
CON3*KJCTION
a
RAILROAD | MA- CON- CHINERY TAINER
itttlH'"
ICOOO)
GAS CULTURE DEFENSE DOMESTIC AND EXPORTS) ALL OTHER INDUSTRIES
lllll
EACH INGOT REPRESENTS 5% OF ESTIMATED CONSUMPTION
SCIENCE SERVICE-NEW YORK TIMcS CHART 54
Exploring the Universe
( Concluded from page 449 )
HPhree and a third million average A page-size lines of print can be readably represented on a square-inch surface. To project the print onto the photographic film, and also to read it, the use of a microscope is necessary.
-T
'T'he color of the St. Lawrence River changes as the water approaches freezing.
4
HpHERE is a total of about two million tons of silver in the sea water of the world.
♦ — —
"Dy using suitable conditions water can be cooled below its usual freez- ing point without becoming a solid. When so supercooled, violent splash- ing will cause the water to freeze solid.
f~* lass instead of steel has been devel- ^-* oped in England as a means for
reinforcing concrete. Tests have shown that glass should not be used for reinforcement when impact loads are likely, but for static loading, glass is satisfactory.
+ — —
HPhe ability of special glasses to pro- A tect welder's eyes from injury by invisible infra-red and ultra-violet light depends on the chemical content of the glass and not its color. A new type of glass called "noviweld" stops ninety- eight per cent or more of the invisible rays.
•f
rPo determine the wearing quality of ■*■ "paper currency it can be given a normal several months' wear in a few minutes by a new test. The paper is crumpled to a certain volume in a piston then straightened out by mechanical fingers and recrumpled.
4- ■ —
Cnow of so light and fluffy a nature ^ has fallen that it would take two hundred and fifty cubic feet of it to be as heavy as a cubic foot of water.
TELEFACT
HOW MUCH FOOD ONE HOUR'S
WAGE BUYS
m >»:< >:«♦:< » m w& » *m w& «
$
*m %w w 3
IMA
El
IN GERMANY
* BBS GM 3
IN ITALY
IN RUSSIA
i
EACH SYMBOL REPRESENTS 24 DIFFERENT FOODS COMMONLY USED THIS CHART REPRESENTS A COMPARISON UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS
n BEFORE AFFECTED BY THE WAR
SCIENCE SERVICE -PICTOGRAPH CORPORATION 1-2
452
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, AUGUST, 1941
FOR THE COINCIDENCE OF SEVENS
Rulon S. Wells, late senior President of the First Council of the Seventy, was nearing the completion of his eighty-seventh year when death came on the sev^ enth day of May. He was born on the seventh day of July, 1 854. Some
THE LAST PHOTO OF RULON S. WELLS AT HIS DESK, APRIL, 1941.
three years ago, on the occasion of his eighty-fourth birthday, he wrote for his family, with the warmth of that high humor which was so much a part of him, the story of his life in verse, with the apology printed be- low. He repeated this verse several times in public with good-humored ridicule directed at the absurd super- stitions of numerologists.
MY APOLOGY
For these verses, the fault is mine. Alas! I wrote them, every line. In reading them be good and kind;
Fling rhyme and meter to the wind! I had to tell my story.
For this offense, if you'll forgive, Then never again so long's I live, I give my word, begorry.
1854— Birthday Meditations— 1938
JUST four score years and four today And growing old and hoary, With hair gone white and failing sight Hard of hearing, but deaf — not quite, With all these failings and in spite — I'm going to tell my story.
(Continued on page 488)
For HOME, LIBRARY, SEMINARY, and WARD and STAKE USE
A NEW CHURCH
REFERENCE WORK
AA, Tboiv (R&ody!
The Improvement Era TyioAhA. QndsDL
1897 to 1940 inclusive
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THE IMPROVEMENT ERA
50 North Main Street Salt Lake City
or
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44 East South Temple Street
Salt Lake City
453
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, AUGUST, 1941
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WITH A MODERN
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454
■■■ 'K ■■
YOUNG PAPAYA GROVE, FOREGROUND, WITH DATE PALMS, CITRUS, AND PROTECTIVE EUCA- LYPTUS HEDGE IN BACKGROUND.
CL $jcUid&n, ul ihsL (boA&hL
By I. Thomasson Naumann
a bout eight miles north of Tucson, Arizona, just off the Oracle Road, lies one of the strangest gardens in this country of contrasts. It is bor- dered by tall eucalyptus trees and a hedge of oleanders almost twenty feet high. Inside this natural fence is grown almost every kind of plant the world knows. Rare oriental plants and fruit-bearing trees which by all the laws of nature should refuse to grow in the desert (especially a desert that boasts freezing temperatures and a snow now and then during the winter months) flourish in this garden. Exotic plants thrive under the skillful hands of the Rancho's workmen.
Tropical plants abound behind the eucalyptus windbreak. The Papaya (Breadfruit tree), the citrus fruits, the date and coconut palms grow beside tall Aleppo pine trees. Bougainvillea clam- bers up the trunks of ornamental palms, and evergreen trumpet vine stands be-
side giant crepe myrtle under whose spread and poinsettia plants six feet tall bearing eight-inch blossoms. There are specimens of fruit-bearing trees which carry as many as eight kinds of fruit growing side by side, fed by the same root.
This garden, the Rancho Palos Ver- des, owned by Maurice Ried, formerly of San Francisco, was started as a hobby. From November until May the garden is open to visitors. Thousands pass through the Rancho every year. Mr. Ried advises those who would grow plants in the desert of southern Arizona to forget all they ever learned about gardening elsewhere. Says Mr. Ried, "You must not try to garden in Tucson by the rules of Florida, New York, or Iowa."
A VIEW OF THE DESERT GARDEN SHOWING EUCALYPTUS TREES IN THF FAR BACKGROUND WITH CITRUS AND DATE PALMS IN THE FOREGROUND.
OLIVER
POTATO DIGGERS
::***"
If you want a potato digger that will help you dig your crop in a hurry and handle your potatoes gently, see us about an Oliver tractor power take-off driven digger. Oliver diggers are built in both one and two-row models and in elevator widths and bed lengths to suit most all condi- tions.
The two-row digger was the first to have the convenience of a power lift. All Oliver diggers are smooth-running and easy to adjust. They have long wearing digger points, extra long wearing elevator chain and many other proved-in-the-field fea- tures.
Before you buy a digger be sure to see an Oliver. Check the coupon for free folder.
OLIVER SUPERIOR GRAIN RRILLS
With the Uncannily Accurate Oliver Double-Run Force Feed
Give your grain the best start possible — make best use of your valuable seed with an Oliver Superior grain drill that's backed by more than 100 years of experience in building the world's finest seeding equip- ment. Your Oliver Superior grain drill with its uncannily accurate, double-run, force feed, variable speed transmission with sixty different sowing rates, strong, sturdy, bridge-truss steel frame, and bushel-to-the- foot hopper is a favorite in this territory among farmers who KNOW grain drills from A ot Z. Drop in and see one on our floor! Check the coupon for free folder.
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, AUGUST, 1941
B„V T»E TBMTOB TBSfS
GIVE EM ALL THE 3T TEST!
Naturally, you want the tractor that best fits your needs. You'd like to buy that tractor at the lowest possible price, but you want to be sure that you get modern design, economical perform- ance and the sturdy construc- tion that means long life. Don't you? Here's how to find the tractor that has what you want!
Thinkl
Think of what you want your tractor to do. How many acres per day? What size machinery must it operate? Think of everything you'd like in a tractor — then . . .
Talki
Talk with your neighbors about Oliver tractors. Talk with every neighbor who owns and uses an Oliver 70, or the new Oliver 60. Get their story of modern power and economical design.
Then J
Test/
ON YOUR OWN FARM
Test an Oliver 80 or 70 tractor in your own fields — the only worth- while testing grounds for you. Test any other tractor you think begins to compare with the Oliver 60 and 70. Then buy the tractor that proves best for your work by TEST on your farm. We think you'll buy an Oliver 60 or an Oliver 70 — depending on your size of farm, the amount of work you have to do and which of these tractors prove to be the best for you.
Whether you buy the 60, the biggest, little tractor ever built, which in some soils out-performs ordinary 2-pIow tractors — or the 70, distinguished leader of modern tractor design, which pulls two or three plows in most soils, gives you far more power than you expect from its conservative rating — we're sure you'll say, "I'm glad I bought an Oliver — it's the trac- tor for me."
Come In or Mail the Coupon for FREE DEMONSTRATION
MMJ1VTAI1V STATES IMPLEMENT CD.
OGDEN, UTAH
BRANCHES: UTAH
Murray Ogden Logan Tremonton
BRANCHES: IDAHO
Preston Blackfoot Shelby Idaho Falls Rexburg
Hupert Twin Falls Buhl
FILL IN AND MAIL TODAY
Mountain States Implement Co. Ogden, Utah.
I would like to test an Oliver GO (..) 70 (..) tractor. (Check which.) Please send literature on: ( ) Potato Diggers. ( ) Grain Drills.
Name R. F. D.
Town State
I 'arm acres.
455
HERE IS A STORY OF WEED CONTROL!
WELL, SON- I'M SORRV YOU DIDN'T TREAT THAT MORNING GLORY AND WHITE TOP WHEN I MENTIONED THE MATTER.
ACTIVATED CARBON BISULPHIDE WOULD HAVE
kF.XED EVERYTHING,,
I M SORRY TOO, NEIGHBOR, THOSE PATCHES NOW COVER MANY ACRES. MY SEED PRO- DUCTION IS BELOW NORMAL AND SO WEEDY THAT I CANNOT
PAY TAXES ORFEED^ THE FAMILY. NOBOD^ BUYS WEEDY SEEDSj THESE DAYS'.
I:V
. tH* Anti-Weed Cun Buy a Ma* »
and a supw'J U'flft
, oio.P contaiiuiiy - °Ur °S S you upon request, be mailed
WHEELER, REYNOLDS & STAUFFER, 636 California St, San Francisco
Distributors — Wasatch Chemical Co., Salt Lake City and Branches
Date 1941
The Miskin Scraper Works Ucon, Idaho
Gentlemen:
My farm is so much like the one in the cartoon above that I would
like information on your scraper for horses, or
tractor.
(State make and model)
Name ... Address
fompUathwL oflL Uul
By CHARLES E. DIBBLE
7"| T the last International Congress I— I of Americanists, held in Mexico J- J- City in 1939, Robert J. Weitlaner, a linguist of Mexico City, proposed the compilation of a general dictionary of the Indian languages of America. The Congress accepted the proposal, and. with the backing of this organization, the work has been initiated with Mr. Weitlaner as director.
Headquarters have been established in the National Museum of Mexico, and to date three linguistic groups are being studied: the Macro-Otomangue group of Central and Southern Mex- ico; the Sioux-Hokan group of South- western United States and Northern Mexico; and the Uto-Aztecan group of Central America, Mexico, and West- ern United States. Study on a fourth group, the Maya of Southern Mexico and Central America, is soon to be initiated with the Maya linguistic scholar, Professor Alfredo Barrera Vasquez, as consultant.
Special emphasis is at present being placed on those languages which are rapidly disappearing. Every effort is being made to seek the few sur- vivors and capture a knowledge of these few languages before they are lost forever to linguistic scholars.
The study entails the searching out of all dictionaries and vocabularies thus far published on all of the languages and dialects in each group. It is also to include the work of modern, trained linguistic investigators whose studies are based on the more or less recent method of phonemic analysis.
For comparative studies three hun- dred basic words and fifteen hundred additional words are recorded. On each work sheet is recorded a word as spoken in each language and dialect of the group. On the basis of word comparison and grammatic comparison, the inter-relationships of the language within the group are established.
The organization solicits and wel- comes linguistic co-workers, and work sheets are at the disposition of those who desire to contribute to the linguistic fund. The accumulated information of the organization is at the disposi- tion of all, provided proper credit is given to the original contributor.
As the work progresses, other lin- quistic groups are to be added, and it is hoped that the National Museum of Mexico, due to its central location, will become the center of study for all aboriginal languages of the Western Hemisphere. The task is so large in scope that no time limit is considered. From time to time publications sum- marizing the accumulated information will appear.
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, AUGUST, 1941
J/wjyvL SmeAtrfiotL io ^smsUudwtL
By Andrew Jenson Assistant Church Historian
ONE morning in 1897, when cir- cumnavigating the globe the first time, I was a passenger on a steamer sailing northward on the Red Sea. As we were nearing the north end of that body of water, one of the officers of the ship called out with a loud voice: "We are passing the historic Mount Sinai, where God thundered out the Ten Commandments in the days of ancient Israel."
I at once became deeply impressed and responded by quoting in my mind: "Honor thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee," I remembered that the children of Israel, who had lived in bondage in the land of Egypt, at the time of the exodus clung to the promises given in an earlier day to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, about a land (a promised land) that would be theirs if they would serve God.
And I then also remembered that a modern Israel, after suffering for six- teen years under the yoke of mob vio- lence in Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois, cherished the promise made by a mod- ern Prophet that some of them, after much persecution, would live to see the Latter-day Saints become a mighty
people in the midst of the Rocky Moun- tains. Thus the Rocky Mountains also became a land of promise to many, and in the midst of their toils and hard- ships of travel they could sing — often with tear-filled eyes — ■" We'll find the place which God for us prepared, far away in the West."
So here we are in fulfillment of prophecy. But even now, after the lapse of many years, we still remember the wrongs of Missouri, and cannot easily forget the fate of Nauvoo, yet we glory in the fact that we reached our "promised land" and now we would like our descendants throughout the generations to come, to possess it. The Children of Israel prospered in the Land of Canaan as long as they served the Lord, but when they sinned, their enemies prevailed, and they were exiled or scattered all over the world.
When visiting Jerusalem a number of years ago, I was grieved to find the old people there along the streets as beggars, instead of being honored as the Lord had commanded. So far, we, of the present generation, have done bet- ter. We are endeavoring to honor our old people, not only by feasting them on Old Folks Day, but honoring them all the time by listening to their coun- sel, and by being guided by their ex- perience and example.
Let us continue to do this — you, sons
and daughters of Pioneers — continue to honor them, remembering that most of them have passed on to the great beyond. You, of the later generation, now, in the face of war and rumors of war, step forward and encourage your sons who are training in military camps for the defense of our country to live virtuous lives. Advise them to refrain from becoming slaves of strong drink and of tobacco, and habits which will minimize their manhood, courage, and endurance.
Will you listen to the advice of an old man when he tells you that he knows from experience that it pays to be good, virtuous, and loyal to sound principles? Dare I say that if the sons of America and other countries will repent of their sins and become practical Christians, the world war now raging would cease, and the dictators with their oppression, violence, tyranny, and murder would be brought to an account. Then the world would become a pleasant abode for a God-fearing people — yea, a de- sirable world in which to enjoy that liberty which is the right of every man.
God bless the old folks of today, and those who are waiting on them. May you of the younger generation never by sin and transgression lose your right to possess and inhabit our blessed land of liberty.
From a statement at the Old Folks Gath' ering, Liberty Park, Salt Lake City, June 9, 1941.
lie Fill that Stretches
MOTOR OIL
CONTINENTAL OIL COMPANY
457
Photograph by Hal Rumel.
458
-IJ.AVE you ever lived where the wild sage grows
And smelled its tang when a soft wind blows?
The spring weaves a delicate gauze of green,
Gowning the earth with its soft verdant sheen;
The lengthening days turn sage silver-gray
Which blends with the haze when you look far away.
Have you ever lived where the wild sage grows And smelled sage-dust when a hot wind blows?
The purpling sage on the hillsides vie With the shadowy tones in the evening sky; While your heart may long for a sageless view, It clings to the tingling fragrance, too.
O, you cannot love sage, as anyone knows, Unless you have lived where the wild sage grows And smelled its tang when a warm wind blows.
By KATHRYA KENDALL
Ihe Ed ito rsTaqe
On. $olmcl to ihe, J&mhfa,
BELIEVE THAT IF A PERSON HAS A DESIRE TO DO TEMPLE WORK HE CAN FIND A WAY TO DO IT. THE IMPORTANT THING IS THE DESIRE.
By PRESIDENT HEBER J. GRANT
To my mind, one of the great privileges that we as Latter-day Saints enjoy is that of doing temple work for those of our ancestors who have died without a knowledge of the Gospel. Per- haps no man among the officials of the Church ever did more work for the dead than did President Wil- ford Woodruff. He had work done for thousands of people and spent many, many months of his life in St. George, when that temple was first com- pleted, working with his friends and relatives, setting a very remarkable and wonderful example of diligence in this regard.
Nor do I think I have ever known a man who was more interested in temple work or who was more convinced of the benefits that accrue to us through having had revealed to us the privileges and op- portunities of this work, than was my father-in- law, the late President Daniel H. Wells. Daniel H. Wells had such an admiration for his ancestors and was so much attached to them that in the days of Nauvoo he concluded he did not care to join the Church. He thought he would prefer to be with his parents and his relatives and friends who had heard nothing of the Gospel. And then, when information came to him through the Prophet Joseph concerning salvation for the dead, this glorious truth brought that man into the Church at the very time when our people were being perse- cuted and driven from Nauvoo. He aligned him- self with the Latter-day Saints in the midst of their greatest troubles and difficulties, and it was the restoration to the earth again of the privilege and the right to perform temple work and the knowledge of how to do it, that brought this about.
I am thoroughly convinced that we can do nearly anything within the bounds of reason that we want to do. I believe that genius is, as has been stated by someone, "an infinite capacity for taking pains." I believe that if a person has a desire to do temple work he can find a way to do it. The important thing is the desire. A young man can find hours and hours and hours, outside of his work, to spend with his best girl before he gets married. He doesn't have any trouble whatever in finding the time to spend evening after evening with her.
If we have a desire to do a thing, we can gener- ally find the time to do it. I made up my mind several years ago that I would like to go to the temple once a week when I was in Salt Lake City, although I had so much work to do that quite
frequently I got out of bed at 4:30 in the morning and talked to the dictaphone — I have dictated many times more letters before going to my office at 8:30 than any stenographer can write in one day. I had felt for years that I did not have the time to go to the temple, but finally I got the desire to go, and from that time on I had no difficulty in finding the time to go once a week. Occasionally I went twice a week, and it so happens that one week I went all four nights that the temple was open.
For some years, on an average of from twelve to more than twenty of my friends and relatives went through the temple once a week, representing the Grant family. For many years I have maintain- ed four or five people going through the temple all the time at my expense. I have in my employ a sister gathering genealogical information. One year I ex- pended in the neighborhood of $200.00 a month during the entire year for genealogical research work pertaining to the families to which I belong in direct descent and through marriage.
There is nothing like example. I like to encour- age people to do their duty and to have a mind to do something, and if they have the mind and the desire, I am convinced they can do almost anything they want to within the bounds of reason.
This genealogical work, to me, is simply mar- velous. It is wonderful how those of us who take any interest in it have the way prepared. It seems miraculous the way my wife has been able in the past to gather genealogical information regarding her forefathers. It is little less than marvelous the way books and other information have come into our possession. When we got right up against a stone wall, in some way there has been a hole made through that wall so that we could crawl through and get on the other side, figuratively speaking, and find something that was of value.
I believe that if I could find the time to go to the temple and do temple work once a week, there is hardly a man in the entire Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but what can find the same time if he wishes to plan his work accordingly; the trouble with so many people is they do not have the desire. (I am speaking of people who live where there is a temple. ) If you get it into your heart and soul that this is one of the most im- portant things you as Latter-day Saints can do, you will find a way to do it.
459
jtuL World crisis
AND
MORMON THOUGHT
Crisis and revolution engulf the world. About us we see the dissolution of things which formerly appeared to have the very essence of stability. Truly men's hearts, following the mistakes of their heads, are failina them. But there need be no such fear on the part of Latter-day Saints if they know and recognize the unique posi- tion of Mormon thought with rela- tion to this titanic upheaval.
The world crisis has two large aspects. One is the collapse of what we have called democratic systems of government. The other is the disintegration of the entire Western World. Both these aspects are only expressions of a single, basic, and fundamental problem. This prob- lem has long been a familiar theme in Mormon thought. But it is doubt- ful whether many of us have had the foresight to apply it in terms of political and social forces. It often requires an outside lesson in order to demonstrate internal efficacy. Such a lesson has been severely pre- sented in terms of events, and also in a small but significant document entitled, "Causes of the Peace Fail- ure,'' published by the Carnegie En- dowment for International Peace (October, 1940). The same lesson is illustrated again in an inter- church ( Protestant and Catholic ) movement in Britain, dating from the Malvern Conference of January, 1941. The lesson: the necessity of meeting such problems with the force of spirituality. 460
By DR. G. HOMER DURHAM
Utah State Agricultural College
The Carnegie document, "Causes of the Peace Failure," is peculiarly and strikingly significant. It is the joint product of the famous "Inter- national Consultative Group" of Geneva, Switzerland, composed of experts from all nations and particu- larly experts who have been, or are now, administrative officials of the many international organizations having their offices in Geneva. In its report of October, 1940, this group united to state that the pres- ent crisis, "it becomes increasingly evident, is in the last resort a spir- itual crisis which is due to the ab- sence of great common and compell- ing convictions." Further, "None of the ideologies which are at pres- ent in control can pretend to be able to bring about a true integration." And that therefore, "Men every- where are searching for a new uni- versalism."
The search for a "new universal- ism" is of tremendous significance.* International society is so interde- pendent, domestic society is so com- plex, that without a common basis for understanding and action there can be no solution to current or future problems. That hard-headed men of earth recognize the need for a spiritual foundation for this prob- lem is encouraging, but no guaran- tee of success. Without such founda- tion, there will be no democracy — utilizing democracy as a symbol of modern man's social and political ideal. Nor will there be a stable world-order, upon which the attain- ment of social and political ideals rests.
,rpHEGenevaexperts recognize three broad categories of universal concepts: the communistic, the hu- manistic, and the Christian. To these three might be added a fourth which was in process of formulation at the time of their discussions, and which has been announced since as
"The New Order for Europe" (and perhaps the world). This plan, al- though known to the Geneva group, was probably not included because of its weakness as a philosophical system. In terms of recent events, as well as that weakness, it may ac- cordingly be dismissed from our dis- cussion as unpalatable. Nor do the remaining three, communism, hu- manism, Christian universalism, as generally understood present a com- plete picture, especially in terms of the Orient. But these three sets of ideas have powerful followings in the western world. Communism, especially, is strong and militant, and, in its militance and the fervor of its faith, affords a stern challenge to other groups.
Communism is dismissed by the experts. "Its universalism is impres- sive and real," they say, "but it ar- rives at universality through a pro- cess of destruction of all values ( and those who hold them). . . ."
Humanism, based primarily on faith in human reason, is also weak, for its neglect of irrational factors in human nature, and for its too "facile optimism concerning the na- ture of men."
Christian universalism is presented to rest on "a common faith in Jesus Christ," a noble ideal, but nowhere achieved. Pertinently, the learned scholars and administrators who ex- amined the "Causes of the Peace Failure," point out:
The great question which must be asked of all who advocate this Christian univer- salism is, however, whether they realize to what extent Western civilization has be- come derChristianized, and whether the Christian Church, weakened by uncertainty and dissensions within and by unprece- dented attacks from without, can truthfully claim that it is able to achieve an integra- tion on a world-wide scale.
Men's hearts fail them! The analysis of these great minds, ex- perienced in the play and interplay of world affairs, and presented to English-language readers over the signature of Nicholas Murray But- ler, President of Columbia Univer- sity, is all too true. And what of the outlook? This most significant doc- ument concludes with a show of brevity which reveals, more than anything else, the lack of powerful ideas with which to attack the prob- lem. It says in conclusion:
The gravity of the present situation is precisely that, humanly speaking, we do not see how our disintegrated civilization may come to a new unity. No one who faces realistically the spiritual situation, who measures the depth of the gulf . . . , and who is aware of the work of spiritual de-
(Continued on page 507)
JhSL
MILLENNIUM OF FERDOWS
By FRANKLIN S. HARRIS
President of Brigham Young University
brate writer
!•
r is not often that we have an opportunity to cele- the millennium of a great A thousand years is a long time to wait for such an event. Our English language, in its essential present form, is scarcely more than four hundred years old, so that the writers who have written in this medium have lived much less than half a millennium. Such languages as German and the Romance group have undergone great changes in half a millennium. Latin, the mother of French, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese, has ceased to be a living spoken language in the world. Greek, which is one of the old classic lan- guages, has changed so much since the ancient days when the great classics were written that one who understands only modern Greek is not able to read the Iliad and Odys- sey as they were first written.
In Persian we have an unusual example of a language that has re- mained almost unchanged through- out many centuries. The Persian people are so much in love with their poets of the past and are so eager to preserve their ancient literature for present readers that they do every- thing possible to prevent changes in the language. At present they main- tain an Academy which periodically
issues word lists designed to elimi- new words from foreign sources to help preserve the old words true Persian origin. This is one e reasons why poets of the past are so well known to the present Iranians.
Persia has had really hundreds of poets who are venerated by the people of that country. One of the most beloved of all these is Fer- dowsi, who was born a thousand years ago, probably in the year 941 A. D. He is the greatest epic poet of the country. His monumental work, the Shah Nameh, contains a collection of stories and legends of the Persian kings up to the Arab conquest in 636 A. D. These stories cover a period of something like thirty-six hundred years. They be- gin with the grandson of Noah and recount many legendary characters which gradually merge into those whose historicity is authenticated. Much of the Shah Nameh tells of the conflict between Iran and Turan, or Turkey. It has many things in com- mon with the conflict between Greece and Troy, which is the subject of the better-known classics.
Most countries have epics com- memorating the exploits of their early history. Many of these were writ- ten since the time of Ferdowsi; for example, the Spanish epic, the Cid, which tells of early national wars carried on by this great hero, dates back to 1140; the French song of Roland goes to the eleventh century; and the German song of the Nibe- lungs was written about the year 1200. The old Greek classics
brought together by Homer were written much earlier, about 800 years B. C.
Ferdowsi was born in Tus, a city in Khorisan, which is the northeast- ern province of Persia. This region has long been noted for its poets. Shah Mahmud was desirous of hav- ing the heroic stories of the country written by the best poet that could be found, so he engaged Ferdowsi to bring the material together. The poet spent thirty years in writing this great epic, which contains sixty thousand couplets. The agreement was that the poet should receive one thousand drachms of gold for every thousand couplets which he pro- duced until the work was completed.
The Vizier of the Shah did not like Ferdowsi and he contrived to show his dislike by paying the poet in silver instead of gold. It is said that the poet was so enraged by this treachery that he gave away prac- tically all the money to show his con- tempt. He also wrote an invective on the Shah Mahmud which remains one of the fine pieces of literature of that period.
Tn the first part of the Shah Nameh, the main characters are personi- fied powers of good and evil, Urmuzd and Ahriman. The second part is devoted to the exploits of the Shahs and other heroes. One of the most important of the stories is that of Sohrab and Rustum, which has been made known to many of us through the poem of that name by Mathew Arnold. Rustum is one of the great legendary national heroes of Persia. The city of Teheran recently erected a bronze statue of him slaying a dragon. Rustum's horse Rakush is always a great aid in the battles of his master.
Isfendiyar is also one of the great heroes. Unlike Rustum, who always fought alone, Isfendiyar had a troop of horsemen to assist him.
The dragons and demons play no
small part in the early accounts: for
example, in the story of Rustum, his
horse Rakush was always encoun-
{Concluded on page 488)
461
JOSEPH SMITH PROPHETS
By DR. HEBER C SNELL
L. D. S. Institute of Religion. Pocatello, Idaho
The writer of this article holds the Ph. D. degree in the field of New Testament study. He is at present Director of the Church In- stitute of Religion in Pocatello, Idaho. This institute serves students of the University of Idaho, Southern Branch.
N-
o persons in history are more interesting than the prophets. This statement is as true of modern as of ancient prophets. It is profoundly true of Joseph Smith. Prophets are inter- esting because of their claim to a calling both distinctive and impor- tant,-namely, in a special sense to represent God in the world. The prophet is God's spokesman, making known the divine will to man. Also, by the manner of his life — his atti- tudes and actions — he may be a revealer of God's will. One has a right to expect this of him.
Prophets have always been mis- understood by the mass of the peo- ple. By their own generation they have generally been opposed, often bitterly hated, and not seldom killed. By a later generation they have been eulogized, even if still misunderstood, and sometimes legends have clus- tered about their memories. Per- haps it is true on the whole that the later generation does them more jus- tice than did their contemporaries, but we still build the tombs of the prophets and reject their messages.
It is our purpose here ( 1 ) to pre- sent some outstanding common characteristics of ancient prophets whose claim to be spokesmen of the 462
Divine has been generally allowed, and (2) to consider the claims of Joseph Smith, our own prophet- founder, to the possession of similar credentials and authority.
One of the obvious characteristics of a prophet is that he is human, i. e., limited in the ways that other persons in this world are. He must eat, sleep, and practice the require- ments of health generally. He acquires knowledge through experi- ence with men and things. Science, history, art become his possession, as for other men, through study. He may possess insight, far beyond that of the average man, into the meaning of this heritage, but the underlying factual materials are those com- monly known. Being primarily a man of his time, the message of the prophet is colored by the conditions of his day.
No prophet, so far as I know, has ever claimed to be impeccable or infallible. The genuine prophet would be the first to confess, as did Jeremiah (Jer. 1:6-10) and Isaiah (Is. 6 : 5-7 ) , his unfitness for his high calling. It is an elementary step in understanding the prophets to rec- ognize their true humanness. They themselves recognized it and achieved thereby genuine humility. Sane men are always willing to ad- mit their human limitations — and to deplore them. Joseph Smith pos- sessed this characteristic in a high degree, as many incidents in his life would show. His human qualities contributed, as in the case of the other prophets, toward making him
the humble servant of God that he was. (See "Evidences and Recon- ciliations," Era, February, 1941, p. 97.)
When we have allowed all we should for this quality of humanness in prophets and have justly appraised it, we should go on to point out how they are different from other men. It is in these points of difference that the prophetic characteristics are best seen. They deserve a much more extended discussion than can be given in this paper.
The prophet seems born for his task ( cf . Jer. 1:5) and called, in a genuinely divine sense, to it. He may possess just the combination of native traits which fits him ideally for the prophetic task and which forms the basis for the characteristic prophetic concern he is apt to feel, even while he is still young, for God's work in the world. Then, someone "with authority" or some convincing "sign from heaven" des- ignates the prophet for his mission, and he receives thereby increased stimulus and power. Sometimes both sources of authority operate, as in the case of Elisha (I Kings, 19:19f; II Kings 2:1-18) or of Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:1-19; 13:1-3).
Vision experience has been a com- mon source of assurance to the prophet that he has been called of God. Thus Amos, first of the "writing prophets," beheld the three visions of destruction ( Amos 7:1-8) and knew that God was speaking through him. Isaiah saw the majesty of the Lord of Hosts displayed in the temple of Jerusalem and heard His voice commanding him to go to a people who would not hear (Isaiah 6:1-10). Ezekiel saw "visions of God" by the river Chebar in Baby- lonia and heard himself called to warn rebellious Israel, "whether they would listen or decline to listen" (Ezek. 1-3). Peter was reassured through the vision of the clean and
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, AUGUST, 1941
unclean animals, that God was no respecter of persons and that the good news was no longer for Jews alone (Acts 10:7-43). And Paul's great vision on the Damascus road changed the entire course of his life and made him the valiant "apostle to the Gentiles" (Acts 9:1-16).
"\\7ith all these credentials — fitness for the prophetic task, vision experience, and divine appointment — came Joseph Smith, at the begin- ning of the last century, with a mes- sage of religious reform and restora- tion. His call was unmistakable, both in his own mind and for his contemporary following: it was backed by every prerequisite which conditioned the sending forth of the ancient prophets. As to his fitness there is no need to speak apolo- getically, for he rapidly acquired the necessary knowledge essential in the performance of his work. That he had great native gifts not even his enemies would deny, and as to his vision experience and divine author- ization— exceptionally clear and striking as these were — it is the con- viction of thoughtful students of his life that their validity is beyond reasonable doubt.
It is a mark of the authentic pro- phet that under divine inspiration he senses vividly the urgent needs of his own time and generation and responds to them intelligently and with resolution. More than a thou- sand years B. C, Samuel saw that the very life of the Hebrews was threatened by the Philistine menace and that to organize a kingdom was the only hope of deliverance. Solo- mon's tyranny brought the kingdom a hundred years later to the very verge of dissolution, and Ahijah — and other prophets, no doubt — warned of disruption to come. In the ninth century Tyrian Baalism men- aced the very existence of Hebrew religion, and Elijah and Elisha, mighty champions for Jehovah, threw themselves into the breach. Critical times for the two Hebrew kingdoms came again in the eighth century, and Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, and Micah appeared to stem the tide of un- righteousness. But Judah went from bad to worse and Israel went to pieces (722 B. C.). In vain did Zephaniah and Jeremiah a century later seek to turn aside destruction from the southern kingdom. In 586 B. C. it followed the fate of its northern neighbor. Ezekiel, in Baby- lon, whither the Hebrew exiles were taken, tried persistently to restore the religion of the Hebrews.
Numerous other examples could
be cited to witness the prophetic insight, inspiration, and activity in the interest of great social and re- ligious values. The student's atten- tion should not be diverted from the tremendous part played by the pro- phet, in his effort to serve human need, to the less significant matter of tracing a prediction — important as this may be, in its place — to its fulfillment. Yet this latter course is too often the direction which a study of the prophets takes. The great prophets related themselves to great issues and epochal events and, more than any other men of their day, threw themselves into the battle against social evil and irreligion.
JOSEPH SMITH
On the American frontier, at the beginning of the last century, re- ligion, and consequently morality, were in confusion. It was a critical time for the earnest man or woman seeking to know God's will and to obey it. There was a babel of hu- man voices pointing "the way to be saved," but the voice of God seemed inarticulate. Into this situation came Joseph Smith, a mere youth, with a revelation from God, set- ting up a movement designed to reform and stabilize both morals and religion. In the course of a few years and in the face of many ob- stacles, the movement became inter- national in scope and thousands found the satisfaction of their hopes within it.
TThe supreme qualification of a prophet is to be sought in the character of his message and the results it produces. He may possess all other qualifications but if his mes- sage will not stand up under certain tests, chief of which is the good re- sults that flow from it, he cannot justify a claim to the divine call. Let
us see what these tests of the pro- phetic message are.
The first test I shall speak of is disinterestedness. There is no ele- ment of selfishness in the message of a real prophet. It is not given for his advantage or aggrandize- ment. It favors no class of men. It is a warning cry to "sinners" and a source of comfort to those who seek to do God's will. The prophet must be self-denying to the point of willingness to die for the message. This is the requirement also of all who receive it. The message is un- worldly, altruistic, and universal. It need not, because of these qualities, be impracticable. Since the pro- phet's message is divine, it possesses the qualities which attest its high source.
One of the most crucial tests of the divine authenticity of the pro- phetic message is its correspondence with the knowledge of the past and the present. Such knowledge rep- resents a huge accumulation of three kinds broadly speaking, scientific, philosophic, and religious. The scientific is that body of knowledge which has been checked and vali- dated by certain rigid methods. It is in no sense mere theory, essential as theories are to scientific method, but established fact and truth. The philosophic is an interpretation of the all-inclusive realm of experience which furnishes the materials and basic assumptions of science and which at the same time reaches be- yond science's outermost borders. Philosophy deals with ultimates, with the "why of things," while science deals with processes, with the "how of things." Religious knowledge includes both scien- tific and philosophic knowledge and adds an active divinely revealed concern for the continuance of higher and more spiritual experiences. Re- ligion is appreciative of all facts and values and may be justly said to "embrace all truth." Now the point I am working to is this: The essen- tial message of a true prophet would be in line with — it could not be op- posed to — assured scientific knowl- edge; it would accept true philo- sophic knowledge, and it would in- terpret with religious knowledge every experience of life.1
One or two illustrations may clarify the point: A certain Koreshite pre- tender to the prophetic role, operat- ing in Chicago forty years ago, taught his followers that the earth (Continued on page 504)
1Only the most general treatment of this im- portant test of prophecy can be given here.
463
R
ecently, while mak- ing my rounds in Hollywood, visiting the studios and stars, I called upon Max Factor, Jr., at his famous make-up studio and spent one of the most interesting afternoons of my life. After show- ing me through his vast plant, where almost every kind of cosmetic and perfume is manufactured, and where various types of wigs for screen and stage, as well as social wear, are made, he invited me into one of his make-up rooms. It is especially de- signed for brunettes ( that being my complexion) and I really marveled at its attractiveness. Its soft, thick rugs, elegant cream-colored furn- ishings, and mirror-bedecked walls remind one of some luxurious home, rather than a make-up room.
"I should like very much to show you just what can be done with make- up," he said.
Knowing that this person had spent most of his life at the side of his famous father, the late Max Fac- tor, in his various experiments of make-up for feminine pulchritude, and had beautified practically every motion picture star in Hollywood, I was more than thrilled to see just what he could do with me.
After making me most comfort- able before a three-way mirrored dressing table, equipped with almost every kind of make-up imaginable, he placed a band of white gauze on my head well down around the hair line and applied a thick coating of cleansing cream.
"Do you know," he said, as he deftly worked the cream well into the skin, "that Utah has the reputa- tion for producing the most naturally beautiful girls in the country?" He stopped for a moment while he spoke seriously. "I'll tell you why. It's the Word of Wisdom as you call it back there. Dissipating habits in any form destroy charm, and by keeping the Word of Wisdom, you girls have already conquered the beauty game seventy-five per cent."
He then gently removed the cleansing cream from my face and applied a cotton pad saturated with skin freshener. Patting my face deftly with this until it glowed, he then dampened a sponge and ap- plied his famous pancake powder base.
'Cleanliness is next to godliness' is what my father always said," he continued, "and that means inside and out. The skin is the indicator of the physical condition. If you 464
BEAUTY BUILDER
A LA
dtoihjwDod,
T^EEPING THE WORD OF WlS- DOM IS A SHORT-CUT TO
BEAUTY SO SAYS MAX FACTOR,
Jr., ONE OF THE WORLD'S GREATEST MAKE-UP ARTISTS.
By ALICE PARDOE WEST
are well and in good physical con- dition, your skin, eyes, and hair radiate. Smoking tears down cer- tain tissues, affects the nerves and also takes its toll of feminine charm. And drinking," he continued, "well, now, can anyone tell me what pos- sible good can be obtained from drinking . . . except for medicinal purposes?" He daubed a bit of gray eye shadow over my eyes.
"Besides, it puts on weight," he said, "and makes you do things you
never would do otherwise, and takes away that sweet freshness from a girl which is so hard to find these days."
Then, as he placed the proper color of rouge high on the cheek bones, blending it well toward the outer eye, he explained in great length why he thought the Word of Wisdom made fine men and women, citing the case of a Mormon boy who had worked for him until he had become very valuable to the firm.
"You couldn't tempt him in any way," he said. "I never saw a per- son like him. Then he later gave up his fine position with us to fulfill a mission for the Church. There was a specimen of your Word of Wis- dom," he added, nodding his head in approval. "Why, I'd do anything for that boy."
"LJe then came to my eyebrows, picked up a pair of tweezers, studied my face a moment, and said, "No, I won't pluck your eyebrows. They are the most expressive feat- ures of one's face. Natural-looking eyebrows complement the face the Lord gave you."
Building them out a little at the end with the pencil he accentuated their natural line and then put on the lipstick. He applied this with a rather solid small brush outlining the mouth well first, then filling in afterwards.
A glance in the mirror showed me that I was really being transformed. He then put on some powder, the same shade as the base and brushed off the surplus with a soft complexion brush.
"Too much make-up drowns out your personality and that, believe me," he said, "is far more important than beauty. Personality is beauty," he added, "and that's where your Word of Wisdom comes in again. It creates good taste, breeding, and culture, which in turn make charm . . . and what is charm ... if not personality!"
By this time, I thought surely I was "a finished product." But no . . . next came the arranging of my hair. After studying me for a while he changed my appearance entirely by giving me a new hair dress.
"Everything is trending toward the Latin right now," he stated, "ac- cording to that slogan 'Love thy neighbor in South America' or some- thing, so I have darkened your skin considerably and think I shall part (Concluded on page 488)
CHAMPION
A story of Jacob Hamblin — and a
LONE FIGHT WITH A TRIBE OF
BRAVES.
H
E had heard the dis- turbance for some time before he reached the Rio Virgin's flood bank. At first he feared two tribes were fighting, and his job of peacemaker between Indians and whites might take on the aspect of peacemaker be- tween Indians and Indians.
Drawing closer, he distinguished yells of laughter in the hubbub. His fears relaxed. Probably settling some dispute between individuals, he thought. It must be involving a large group, though, the way the yelling comment, challenge, laugh- ter, and Indian invective swelled at his approach.
Atop the flood bank he could look down to where the noise centered. The small encampment was on the bottom bank, wide and level here, for the river was low. And the contest (for it was not rightly a fight) was plain to his eyes.
The young squaw about whom two braves had their arms wrapped, made it instantly clear to him that it was over the question as to who should take her to his wickiup. The two piles of Indian valuables nearby told that she must be a mighty pretty squaw and that the rivals were both ardent and almost equal in wealth.
But, he thought grimly, she would be dead in a few more minutes, and what would those heartless devils care?
The Indian's "White Brother" was seeing red. And that would not do. He must remember that he liked Indians, that they liked and trusted him. He must not let his disgust at the way they treated their women upset his judgment. This was not a propitious moment for ap- proaching the tribe, and if he obeyed his hot impulse it would be still less propitious. He'd best con- trol himself and stay where he was until the tragi-comedy ended.
The two trying to pull the Indian girl away from each other were not the only ones involved. Friends of each had wrapped arms about the chests of the rivals, and other friends had taken hold of them until it looked like a children's game of "London Bridge'' in the final tug-of-war. But
By ELLEN DAY
MY grandfather, Orville Cox, crossed the plains from Nauvoo to Salt Lake City with the second company in 1847. After pioneering at Bountiful and Salt Lake City he was sent to Manti, then to Fairview, then "Down on the Muddy," now Overton, Nevada, and then to Order- ville in southern Utah.
His son, Frederick Walter Cox, of Fairview, Utah, spent several years of his boyhood on the "Muddy" which flows into the Rio Virgin. They were both personally acquaint- ed with Jacob Hamblin. Uncle Walt has been in the habit of spending his winters in Mesa and whenever he and I could get together I would take my typewriter and write pioneer stories as he told them to me.
When I asked him for incidents illustrating the match-making cus- toms of the Indians, he told me this one (among others). — Ellen Day.
this game was being played by grown men, and the girl was the victim of their fierce struggle.
The scout, however, was not the only person concerned lest the girl die. The other squaws had at first en- joyed it as much as the brawling braves themselves. But now a shrill note of protest became discernible in their screams.
Suddenly one of them directed others. They snatched up grass baskets, scooped hot embers from
the smoldering fires, and threw them over the braves' naked shoulders.
Amid surprised yells of agony, burned arms let go all holds, even the rivals loosening their grip before a second dipping of baskets. The released girl swayed and the scout could see her chest heave as she gulped in the blessed air. She seemed bewildered.
But the squaw who had thought of the hot coals knew the men would return to their struggle as soon as they had vented their wrath upon their women for this interference. She must be mother to the girl, thought the white observer, to have courage thus to dare for her the men's fury.
Wildly, the woman lifted her eyes as though petitioning aid from the Great Spirit. There, against the sky stood the answer to her mute prayer. She seized the shoulder of the bemused girl and pointed.
"Hamblin! Jacob Hamblin!" she exclaimed, "Run to him! RUN!"
Ihe girl ran. Frantically ( as a few braves turned their atten- tion back to her) she ran — climbed — scrambled— fell — scrambled again — up the slope to the scout. Reaching him slightly ahead of her nearest pursuer, she gasped, "Save me!" and locked her arms about his knees.
"Now, ain't I in a pretty kittle of fish!" thought the white man. "Why didn't I keep out of sight?"
But his action belied his thought. As the girl's tightening arms nearly flung him off balance, he braced him- self and brought his rifle to point at the pursuers. They stopped. Silence fell. The yelling savages became the dignified braves that white men usually saw, and the chief assumed his authority as spokesman.
The rifle pointed only a moment. Hamblin dropped its butt to the ground with one hand, touched the suppliant's head with the other, and motioned her to stand up and step behind him, accepting thus the role of her protector. Then he spoke a greeting in the native language and with dignity equal to the chief's, approached him for talk.
The talk was brief. This was no time for complimentary orations. A fight over a squaw had been inter- rupted, and Jacob Hamblin had be- come a third party to the contest. There would be but one solution.
As soon as the woman had pointed to him and screamed his name at the girl, Hamblin knew he was doomed to fight separately both the rivals and then as many others of the tribe as cared to enter the contest. He (Concluded on page 504)
465
EVIDENCE FOR GOD
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few months ago a popular magazine published state- .ments by well-known men concerning what they thought Christ would do if He were on earth today. One of these men, a noted English author, made the statement that modern science makes it impossible to believe in a personal God. That statement made me wonder how the discoveries of science could prove to that author or to any man that God does not exist, for after work- ing in science as research man and teacher for a number of years, I re- gard such an accusation against science as very grave and grossly unjust.
In the first place, such an accusa- tion tends not only to condemn science as a whole, but it also tends to brand the individual scientist as one who lacks a true perspective. Now the scientist, as such, unless he has made a purposeful study of the relationship between science and re- ligion, is not ordinarily concerned with proving that God does or does not exist. Immersed as he is in the materialistic aspects of living, he is interested primarily in discovering and applying fundamental physical truths for the material betterment of mankind.
The scientist does not usually wish to invade the domain of spir- itual life as an investigator, but he leaves that field to men who have studied it. He is not necessarily, of course, an atheist or agnostic; his religious beliefs are of the same gen- eral nature as would be found in any professional group. However, when individuals accuse the scientist of proving through his discoveries that God does not exist, it is only just that he be given the opportunity of defending himself against such charges. In making such defense, therefore, the scientist wishes to look at all sides of the argument to 466
By W. BLAKE CHRISTENSEN
TThe author, formerly instruct tor in Bacteriology at the Pocatello Branch College, here gives brief comment to a ques- tion that has often been loosely and freely dealt with by pop- ular writers of the day.
discover whether he can find any evidence in science that would argue for or against the existence of a Supreme Being.
The theologian when asked what evidence he has that God exists im- mediately answers that revelation and the religious experiences of man prove beyond question that there is a God. The scientist, though real- izing from past experience in his own field that it is unwise to brand as non-existent something which he has not definitely measured or dem- onstrated for himself, at the same time is prone to disregard the evi- dence offered by the theologian, for he feels that he has no adequate physical means at his disposal to demonstrate revelation or measure its effects on human beings.
Yet, when the scientist disregards that evidence, he overlooks the greatest supply of evidence in exist- ence for proving from the scientific standpoint that God exists, for, while there is absolutely no scientific evi- dence to show that God does not exist, the analysis of the evidence offered by the theologian from a scientific point of view will prove beyond doubt that God does exist. Thus, the scientist will have in his hands evidence which is as scien- tifically sound as the soundest re- search that has been done in the field of science. In order to show how scientific methods of reasoning may be used to prove that God ex- ists, let us examine these methods of reasoning in connection with or- dinary research, and let us use as a specific example the research that has been done on the breakdown of glucose, the energy-yielding sugar, in the human body.
Biochemists for many years have studied the manner in which glucose is decomposed in the human body, for it is by that decomposition pro- cess that we obtain the energy that enables us to move about and to live. In the early days of the study a great many conflicting reports were made. One research worker in one lab- oratory would conclude from his in- vestigations that glucose was broken down in one particular way, and another worker in another laboratory would conclude from his own re- search that it was broken down in a different way. However, with hundreds of workers investigating the problem in different laboratories all over the world, the true break- down process was finally discovered, and all workers in all of the labor- atories by using the correct methods were able to confirm the work of one another. This example indicates the mass of evidence that scientists demand before they accept as true any given hypothesis. They demand that the evidence be overwhelming, and that it be subject to rigid ex- perimental proof.
Now, to press the example a little further, scientists have found that certain preliminary stages of glucose breakdown in the human body are exactly the same as the preliminary stages in other animals, in yeast cells, and in many bacteria. Thus, they are able to say that the first stages of glucose decomposition in these organisms are universally the same, and also that these processes are necessary for the maintenance of life. Examples of this general nature are legion in biological in- vestigations, and it is possible for scientists to say that where such universal processes are found it may be concluded that they are not only necessary for life but also that they represent the highest degree of effi- ciency and usefulness. In other words, to make a justifiable general- ization, in living organisms there are no processes, functions, or emotions of universal occurrence that are use- less. That fact has been proved time and again by scientific research.
How does this scientific truth furnish evidence for the existence of God? If we examine the history of man we find that he has always reached upward in a supreme strug- (Concluded on page 503)
Undaunted
HPhE STORY OF LEON Y. POND — WHO FACED LIFE WITH FORTITUDE, AND ACHIEVED MUCH.
Tf you can watch the things you gave your
* life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out
tools; If you can force your heart, and nerve, and
sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the power which says to them,
"Hold on!"
. . . you'll be a MAN, my son.
This was indeed a high ideal for mankind that the poet Kipling held up. Leon Y. Pond measured up to that ideal. Imbued with an un- shakeable desire to serve his Master and render loving service to his fellow man he held steadfastly to his task, despite an ever-weakening body, until there was virtually nothing left of him physically except the faith and the power which said "Hold on!"
Such faith and determination should be known throughout the Church, to provide inspiration, and encourage to noble endeavor. Others may now be facing dire disappointment, yet like him may have it within their power to ac- complish important service. To all such his achievement should be as a beacon light.
His life was short in years, but rich in accomplishment. He excelled in whatever he undertook — as a student, a missionary, a genealogist. The task that was worth doing was worth doing well, and if he set out to perform a duty he stayed with it until he had accom- plished it to the very best of his ability.
Leon Young Pond was born in Poca- tello, Idaho, September 19, 1907, the son of Noah S. Pond and Alice A. Snow Young, the latter a granddaughter both of President Brigham Young and President Lorenzo Snow.
In 1928 Leon's father was called to preside over the Northern States Mis- sion, to which place Leon accompanied him and later Leon attended the Univer- sity of Chicago. He also became active in genealogical research, and while re- covering from illness spent much time in the Newberry Library, seeking to trace back his ancestral lines as far as pos- sible. In his later travels he visited the library of every large city he en- tered to obtain all he could on the family lineage. Later, as a missionary in the northern states, he helped to train the Saints in record-keeping. He and a companion compiled a book of genealogical instructions which bore tangible results in increased temple work.
With his mission ended in March,
By
ARCHIBALD F. BENNETT
General Secretary, Genealogical Society of Utah
1 933, he had already compiled his Book of Remembrance and his Book of Fore- fathers, and had taught others to com- pile theirs. Subsequent to his return he spent every available moment in the Genealogical Library at Salt Lake City, specializing in research on the Pond and Pettibone lines. He amassed, dur- ing this period, several thousand con- nected names. Then he was appointed to supervise the newly organized gen- ealogical department of the Ogden Library. From older residents of that city he solicited and obtained many valuable volumes of historical and genealogical records.
Experiences of his own had taught him the importance of young people's becoming active in genealogy. He wrote:
Young people should participate in Temple services for the steadying influence, the spirit, and protection coming from such participation through the promises given. Temple participation gives the youth power to live more fully the Gospel in all its prin- ciples. There is peace and comfort in such activity. Always I feel "good all the way through." . . . Young people should be ac- tive in genealogy, for they grasp the prob- lems of research more quickly than older people; they share in the responsibility of the redemption of the dead and may receive blessings therefrom. Again, they learn to think of others and of helping others. This develops their character, making them un- selfish and helpful to others. Genealogical and temple work are the most altruistic labors that youth can perform. President Wilford Woodruff said that this work "will go forward with leaps and bounds" when youth becomes interested in genealogy and temple work. They will bring enthusiasm into the work.
During the summers of 1933, 1934, and 1935 he served as a guide or lec- turer on the Temple Square Mission, a happy activity for him.
He and his brother attended Brig- ham Young University at Provo in 1934 and 1935, and he worked his way as a janitor, and by selling insur- ance, correcting chemistry papers, among other things. Events were now leading swiftly to the climax of his
LEON Y. POND
life. Pathetic are his words describing this period:
I entered the University at Provo, Utah, in June, 1934, and carried a heavy course in school and a full time job in order to meet expenses. In May, 1935, I noticed a drag in my legs, but continued the grind I was under. During the summer of 1935 the drag in my legs became worse. More and more frequently my legs refused to move and I would plunge to the ground, my arms refusing to stop the fall. In Novem- ber, 1935, I lost the use of my muscles for several hours. About this time my hands began to lose strength and it became more difficult to write. In December, 1935, the muscles through my legs began to twitch; and the muscles in my hands and legs lost strength and began to atrophy and wither away. I lost weight. The atrophy has continued to the present.
Every day now he grew weaker and more helpless. Finally he completely collapsed, falling as in a stroke. When revived he was paralyzed on the right side, and had lost the use of his right hand and foot, so that when he tried to walk he dragged that foot. He con- tinued his school until the examinations. Then the doctor told him that he had an incurable malady.
In this hopeless condition he entered undaunted and with zest upon a great undertaking. This is best told in the words of his mother, his constant and unfailing companion during this time of protracted trial.
When it was decided that he should not return to school, he became very active in genealogical work. For months he was ever persistent with the typewriter, and with his research for the Pond ancestry, writing letters wherever he found a trace of the Pond name throughout the United States.
For Christmas, 1937, Leon, with the help of Miss Thora Bailey, made four Books of Remembrance for his four brothers. In them he made pedigree charts of his great- grandparents — President Brigham Young, Margaret Pierce Young, President Lorenzo Snow, and Harriet Squires Snow, and of Grandfather Stillman Pond.
Although his body became more and
more helpless, his mind continued alert
and bright. A question arose in a ward
class as to the origin of the various
(Concluded on page 498)
467
SONNY BOY
m CUVCL CL di&lbSL
T
he heat in the brown eyes of old Joe Kuba's son matched the smoldering brown of his hair. The glance he sent forth seemed to vie with the shimmering heat-haze which drifted upwards from the grama-grassed New Mexico coun- try.
From where he stood in the shade of the ranch house porch, words of scorching indignation broke the si- lence of the morning. Despite the deep tan of his young face, red crept through with each utterance, and Bob's hands balled into clenched fists, which opened and 'closed. He left the shade of the porch and high- heeled his way in the direction of the corral.
In the poled enclosure, a long- barreled bronc with a Roman-nosed head rolled his eyes until the whites showed, and threw a damaging look in the direction of the approaching footsteps.
For a few seconds, Bob peered between the poles. His straight lips curled derisively, and he mocked the big dun.
"So, you're an outlaw, eh? A real bad one. So bad no peeler has ever stayed with you to a finish. Well, today that's goin' by the board, for I'm goin' to ride you to a fare-thee-well."
As if he understood the uttered threat of the nineteen-year-old, the outlaw let loose a squeal of rage and whirled about the circular pen.
Bob jiggled the lariat in his right hand:
"Yeah, horse, I plan on takin' the first trick in this private rodeo. You've got 'em all scared, but me, an' I don't mean maybe.'' Even as he spoke softly, he pulled back the bolt on the gate, stepped swiftly in- side, closed it, reached behind him 468
with his left hand and shot home the bolt. Never for a second had his eyes left the outlaw, and always he kept up a low-voiced conversa- tion. He edged closer, and the dun backed away slowly, suspicion writ- ten in every line of his body. His small ears flicked backwards and forwards, and his breath whistled through his nostrils.
"Lissen fellow, every time you back away like that, you get closer to that snubbin' post an' that sure helps me, if you only knew it."
The sing-song tone of the young cowboy's voice accompanied his steady approach towards the dun, while he held his rope ready. Well he knew the power of a human voice if rightly used on any kind of horse. On that knowledge lay half of the first part of his plan to top this dun to a finish ride, because he'd have to get his rope-noose on him, for the chance.
Only one ranch-raised would have seen the moment to make the throw when it arrived. A horse-fly buzzed on the scene and lit on the outlaw's flank. Instinctively, the horse turned his head towards the attacker, and as the head swung back, Bob shot his noose. It sailed true, went over the outlaw's head, slid down his neck, and the first part of Bob's pri- vate rodeo was on.
Even as the dun ran the length of the rope in his frenzied rage, Bob dug his high-heels into the corral dirt, and fought to force the outlaw closer to the snubbing post.
Time and again he almost was close enough to throw a dally over the short solid piece of upright wood, but always the dun would drag him away. Round and round they went, but once more came that moment which helped Bob, and he managed to get his rope around the post, and made it tight with a quick half-hitch.
Now, when the big bronc ran the length of the rope, the post took the brunt, and the outlaw hit the dust, and came up a wild-eyed, wheezing brute, with sides which heaved like
By LEON V. ALMIRALL
a gigantic pair of bellows. Bob wiped the sweat from his face and advised:
"You shouldn't do thataway. You won't be none a-tall tough for me to ride if you go wastin' your breath."
He picked up his saddle with hackamore hung over the horn in his right hand, and his Navajo saddle blanket in his left.
"Now, all I do is put this blanket on your back, balance my hull on top, cinch her tight, slip the hack- amore over that Roman nose o' yours, turn you loose, and climb aboard." He grinned wryly. That, as he well knew, was quite a large order, but he meant to fill it.
"Yes, sir," he mused, once more reverting to his grievance and the cause of his resolve, "I'm sure fed up on bein' called 'Sonny,' and 'Son- ny boy.' I'm no toddlin' kid, but none of this outfit seems to know I've grown up. It's 'Hi Sonny, your pa wants you.' 'Hi Sonny! Bring in the cayuses outa the pasture.' Gee whizz, I'm nineteen, not nine years old!"
JDeside the snubbing post, opposite to where the dun still strained at the rope, eyes bugged out and nostrils flared, Bob upended his saddle on horn and cantle, like any good cowpuncher would, when he set it on the ground.
"Can't afford to get the skirts of that saddle bent in because when I set it on you, old-timer, I won't want to waste time."
He still held his blanket in his hand as he moved towards the out- law.
"You've got me all wrong," con- soled Bob. "I'm aimin' to do you no harm, bronc, if you behave. All I aim to do is to make you gentle, and show this outfit I'm not just a
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, AUGUST, 1941
'sonny boy,' but a real dyed-in-the- leather cowpoke. Then, maybe Rene Glover and Pete Smith, and the rest of the ranneys with this spread will get wise, and call me by my right name which is Bob, not 'Sonny.' '
Gradually, he shortened the rope that held the bronc until it was right beside the post with little room to display his vicious wares.
Then, careful of willing heels, he fanned the dun with his saddle blan- ket, and twice ran it over the animal's back.
Minutes lengthened into an hour, and still the battle between the boy and horse continued with always Bob's soothing talk having its well- nigh imperceptible effect.
Had the ranneys on the "7 Up" considered that in this son of their boss dwelled the sensitive disposition of his mother, who had passed on when he was just a tyke, they would have tempered their teasing. In- stead, in him they only saw, "the spittin' image" of his rough-hewn father, and they passed along un- sparingly the bunkhouse banter — particularly, Rene Glover and Pete Smith, both of whom, they swore, had "nursed him along from the time he was hock-high on a tall horse."
Hadn't they taught him to ride,
rope, and shoot? They sure had, and how to "use his dukes too," when, and if, he was in the right — not to be a quitter ever, or a tin-horn. They sure had done all these things. And if they'd seen this young cowboy with the light in his brown eyes faced towards this outlaw horse, right now, they'd have said: "He's committin' suicide. No peeler ever rode that dun to a finish." Maybe it would have dawned on one or both why Bob was going to put on this act, or maybe not.
But the fact was that, at the hour when Bob entered the corral to start his proof he was no longer a "sonny boy," most of the outfit was absent. He'd made sure of that. He knew that otherwise he'd have no chance. After the ride was over, they'd be able to tell from the condition of the bronc that he must have been ridden to a finish, for he'd look the part. Then would be time enough for him to say:
"Sure, I rode him. I was the only one here, wasn't I?" No, sir. He couldn't have picked a better day to show 'em he was a full-fledged dyed-in-the-leather cowpoke. The only one left at the ranch was the deaf Chinese cook. His father was in Deming.
"So you see, you mangy old dun, I picked me a day for both of us. There won't be any interference. You do your stuff, an' I'll do mine."
THE BRONC HAD DONE A "JACK- KNIFE," CLIPPED HIS FRONT AND HIND LEGS AFTER A STRAIGHT PITCH AHEAD, AND BOB'S YELL OF DERISION HAD MET THE TRICK.
He edged closer to the bronc, and the horse suddenly stood like a
"Huh! A lamb, eh? Well, don't think I don't know your breed. You won't catch me nappin.' '
Bob laid the blanket on the dun's back again, and that was the famous "straw." With a hump of that back, and a squeal of rage, the outlaw sent the gaily colored blanket skywards into the thin air, and it flopped down into the dust.
"Attaboy!" exclaimed Bob. "Get rough. I knew you wouldn't stand like that long."
But the sing-song voice in which he spoke began to have effect on this four-legged rough-neck of the plains. Twice more Bob laid on the blanket, and the last time, the dun let it stay. Bob eyed him with skeptical wonder, then, as he picked up his saddle, ad- dressed more conversation to him:
"You wouldn't fool me or would you? You wouldn't go foxy and let me set the whole works on you like you kind of wanted me to ride you?"
The forty-pound stock saddle, with the swell in front and high cantle in back, now rested on the blanket, and Bob's eyes bugged out in wonder, for, again, the dun stayed quiet.
However the youthful rider never lost his caution. When he reached for the cinch beneath the barrel of the horse, he stood close to the front legs, and watched the hind ones.
Then, his hand shot forth, snatched the cinch strap, pulled it towards him, ran it through the cinch ring on the saddleskirt, and heaved.
"Yeah, blow yourself up, bronc. I expected that and worse," volun- teered Bob, as the dun did just that and no more. But the moment he let out his wind, Bob pulled up hard on the cinch, and made it tight. One fast reach upwards and his hand gripped the saddle-horn. He pulled on it, but the saddle sat secure.
"You're a fox. Instead of kickin', you let me saddle you up like a broken broomtail. Maybe that's smart, but if you knew what a help it was to a fellow tryin' alone to put his gear on a wild-eyed brute like you, you'd sure be mad. Now, let's see' bout this hackamore. Lucky no bit goes with it to shove between your teeth." Bob picked up the rope- made bridle which had no bit, walked to the dun, and quickly slip- ped it over his head.
"A regular lamb. They must've had you all wrong. You're no out- law. You're just a broken down bronc. Of course after I'm settin' {Continued on page 500)
469
CITADEL OF LOFTY IDEALS
Photo by Lacroix.
THE MONUMENT OF THE REFORMATION AT GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, BEARS AS A MAIN INSCRIPTION THE WORDS "POST TENEBRAS LUX" (LIGHT AFTER DARKNESS). THE FOUR CENTRAL FIGURES SHOW CALVIN, FAREL, BEZA, AND KNOX. EIGHT PANELS, CROWDED WITH FIGURES, ARE CUT IN BAS-RELIEF, WITH APPROPRIATE INSCRIPTIONS. THE SIGNING OF THE COMPACT IN THE CABIN OF THE MAY- FLOWER IS ALSO PICTURED.
By MARIE WIDMER
Geneva, first mentioned in Book I of Caesar's "Commentaries," adopted Christianity in the fourth century, was annexed by the first kingdom of Burgundy one hundred years later, and fell under the dominion of the Franks in 534 A. D. In 888 A. D. the second kingdom of Burgundy, east of the Jura, rose from the ruins of the Carolingian Empire, with Geneva as one of its principal cities.
Rapidly destiny wove her threads. Out of the struggles of intervening cen- turies, Geneva's security was definitely established after it had adopted the doc- trine of the Reformation, as preached by Farel in 1535. It now became a Republic governed by Syndics and by Councils elected by the people.
A year later, on August 5, 1536, there arrived in Geneva the man whose name still lives in the city — Jean Calvin, a native of Noyon in Picardy. Attach- ing himself to the new religious party, he soon acquired tremendous influence in Geneva and throughout Europe. Cal- vin not only organized the new church, but also the state; he developed public instruction and founded the Geneva Academy, which became in those days the leading school of Protestant the- ology, with the gentle Beza, Calvin's devoted friend, as its first rector.
Geneva consequently gained promi- nence as a stronghold of the reformed faith and it became a refuge for Pro- testants driven from various countries, especially from France.
Intellectual life gained in intensity and when Jean Jacques Rousseau, son of a local watchmaker, startled the world with his Contrat Social, his Emile, his Confessions, and his Nouvelle Heloise, Geneva, more than ever, held the attention of the cultured public. Gradually the city and its wondrous lake shore became the mecca of leaders 470
& ^JUmpAJL i)£ 5&wwjcl, SivIi^siAlanjcL
in science and literature. Voltaire, Mme. de Stael, George Sand, Dumas, Daudet, Byron, Gibbon, Ruskin, Frances Havergal, Sismondi, De Saussure, Amiel — a veritable parade of illustrious authors, philosophers, and scientists — were sojourners in this en- chanting realm. In more recent years
THE MINIATURE LIBERTY BELL CONSERVED IN THE ALABAMA ROOM OF THE ANCIENT TOWN HALL OF GENEVA, SWITZERLAND. THIS BELL, ORIGINATING FROM THE ME SHAWE BELL FOUNDRY IN BALTIMORE, WAS ACTUALLY MADE FROM THE REMNANTS OF THE METAL FROM WHICH THE GREAT LIBERTY BELL WAS CAST AND IS AN EXACT COPY.
modern luminaries too have succumbed to its charm.
Several momentous events have be- come milestones in the city's newer history, and each of these has enhanced her prestige and magnet- ism. Thus Jean Henri Dunant, a philanthropic citizen, stands out as the founder of the International Red Cross. He happened to be present at the battle of Solferino on June 14, 1859. Three years later he published a book on his experiences, and advocated an interna- tional convention to provide for care of the wounded in war. This conven- tion, which took place at Geneva and was concluded and ratified on August 22, 1 864, neutralized the surgical corps of hostile armies and volunteer so- cieties caring for the wounded. As a tribute to Switzerland, the Swiss flag in reversed colors, i. e., red cross on a white field, was adopted universally, and white arm bands with a red cross have since been worn by all members of the neutral staffs.
Geneva has since that time been the headquarters of the International Red Cross Society, whose enormous and manifold charitable activities during the first World War proved an inspiration to all mankind. At the outbreak of the present conflict, work in behalf of all war sufferers was immediately resumed.
The same chamber in the City Hall where the First International Red Cross Convention came to a successful end was also the meeting place of the Ala- bama Claims Commission from Decem- ber 15, 1871, to September 14, 1872. The thirty-second conference of this
(Concluded on page 502)
By Clive Bradford and Wendell D. Hart
IN a three weeks' good will tour through Indiana and Ohio recently, the Mormon Male Chorus of the Northern States Mission, presided over by President Leo J. Muir, presented forty-five programs before service clubs, churches, schools, conventions, and other organized groups, and ap- peared on nine radio programs as well. Fifteen thousand people heard them in Dayton alone, where the chorus was featured on the opening program of the summer series of concerts sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.
The Midwest Management Confer- ence, where insurance executives from fourteen states were gathered, was the occasion for their first appearance in Indianapolis. Toastmaster of the eve- ning, Mr. E. A. Crane, President of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insur- ance Company, said, "If everyone lived by the ideals of these young men, life insurance rates would be considerably lower."
Two assembly programs were given at Arsenal Tech High School, which has an enrollment of 7,000 students, the largest technical high school in the United States.
A prominent visitor to the Indian- apolis Speedway classic was Salt Lake's famed racing mayor, Ab Jenkins, who, at a Lions' Club luncheon, also attended by the Elders, defended the Word of Wisdom as "essentially the same health advice that would today be prescribed by the Mayo clinic."
In the "Hall of Mirrors" of Cin- cinnati's beautiful Netherlands Plaza Hotel, the chorus sang for the Kiwanis Club. Here they were asked to sing "Oh, My Father" by a man who ex- plained that he had been deeply moved at the singing of this hymn by the Tab- ernacle Choir in its weekly broadcasts.
At the Cincinnati Rotary Club, the chorus evoked the response from the chairman for the day that "As long as we have young men like these singers who will give two years of voluntary service for their religious convictions, America need have no fear."
At Patterson Field near Dayton the members of the chorus were the guests of Major Robert W. Stewart of the U. S. Army Air Corps, who presented them in a special concert for the com- manding officers stationed there. Here the chorus sang ten numbers on their regular program and received eleven encores.
The chorus completed the tour in Columbus, Ohio, singing for the dele- gates to the National Lumber Sales Convention, attended by lumbermen from all parts of the United States.
The Mormon Male Chorus was or- ' Conclusion and photograph on page 500)
SOME OF THE MEMBERS ATTENDING THE LEEDS DISTRICT CONFERENCE AT BRADFORD, ENGLAND, ON SUNDAY, JUNE 15, 1941. ONE HUNDRED NINETY PEOPLE ATTENDED THE FINAL SESSION. SIX SISTERS VOLUNTEERED TO GO ON MISSIONS IN RESPONSE TO THE APPEAL OF PRESIDENT A. K. ANASTASI0U.
LETTERS FROM THE CHURCH IN ENGLAND
AN airmail envelope postmarked June 20, 1941, in London reached the editorial desk of The Improvement Era, July 7, 1941, with these photographs and mate- rials enclosed, explained by this note:
„ „ , 19-6-41.
Dear Brethren:
WE are sending herewith some material, which we hope will be of interest to the readers of the Era. With every good wish,
Sincerely yours, Sister V. G. Thomas,
Mission Secretary.
strengthened. The work of the British Mission is going forward and we have been blessed beyond our expectations.
To the readers of the Era we send our hope, love, and prayers for the brighter future.
Isabella Macdonald,
Glasgow, Scotland.
Greetings!
To all readers of the Era and to friends I know personally.
Conditions have changed since the mis- sionaries from America left these shores. Today we have a force of twenty-seven British missionaries following in the steps of their American brethren and sisters. We have lived through many experiences, har- assing, thrilling, miraculous. Some of the Saints have suffered in the air-raids, losing homes and chattel, but all have been won- derfully protected from personal injury and death.
Although the loss of the things we hold dear has been a great blow, we regard these trials as a privilege and honor, showing that we can surmount them.
We look forward to the time when peace will be with us again and we can live a normal life again.
Ethel C. Scott.
Although laboring under rather difficult conditions we British missionaries are doing more than just "hold the fort," which was the parting injunction of President Hugh B. Brown. The Saints are more bound to- gether; their faith and testimonies are
We received no special message for the Era from Sister Gillespie. She had bad news from home about her people and many of our members in Belfast who have been blitzed: Ditties, Hislops, Harkins, Darlings, Ferrises, Fergusons, McAlphines. "Can I go back and finish my mission in my branch among our members who have been scat- tered, lost their homes and friends?" wrote Sister Gillespie to the Mission Office. Pres. Anastasiou visited Belfast and found all the members safe, but some have lost their homes; some have evacuated. Sister Ferris lost her father (non-member); Sister Fee- Frazer lost her husband (non-member); some members suffered from shock, but are well.
Mrs. Gillespie, the mother of our lady missionary, a typical Irish woman, sturdy, smiling, with rosy cheeks, said to me: "Akh no, let Aggie stay where she is; we are all right; let her finish her mission." Admirable character, an example of fear- lessness, courage, and grit, living in a hum- ble cottage of three very small rooms. I stooped in the passage to gain the street door. "We are not moving; we'll be all right here. See our shelter; we go in there when Jerry comes over."
And a word from our Aggie: "We are having quite a lot of success in our tracting, and as we have only a few hundred tracts left, we would like you to send us some more. The Whitsun M. I. A. Convention at Kidderminster promises to be a great success." (It was.) "I love this district (Birmingham) and my happiest moments have been spent here."
BRITISH MISSIONARIES
Left to right: IsabePa Macdonald, Agnes Gil- lespie, and Ethel C. Scott.
(paqsL #&l yjojinty, (x)/uhAA,
LANDMARKS OF THE PAST
T)laces, names and places, are the land- ■*- marks of the past;
Faces, dear ones' faces, mental miniatures that last,
Drifting through the shadows in an endless phantom chain,
Long-forgotten stanzas to an old familiar strain.
Strange no big things fill the niches in the Pantheon of life!
Like unequal hand-sewn stitches, seaming - in both joy and strife —
Glowing satin, crimson velvet, without reason we align,
Yet one thin thread runs between them, the unending thread of time.
— Kay Burt.
Improvement Era, Salt Lake City, Utah Dear Editor:
Farmington, Utah
Since there has been so much propaganda flooding the world today, I thought it might be appropriate to introduce myself to your readers.
I am the most fascinating and interesting of companions. In fact, there is no one with whom you would rather spend your spare time; yet I am the most boring com- pany. Indeed I am often forced upon you and you go to sleep in my presence. Still I am entertaining. I keep you roaring "with laughter, or weeping in sympathy.
I make you feel the deepest emotions: admiration, love, reverence, disgust, anger, hate! I thrill you with supreme joy; I weigh you down with sorrow and despair; I inspire you with courage, yet I make you feel afraid.
I am honest, truthful, dependable, and generous with all of my valuable pos- sessions. But always be cautious in my presence, for I lie and would deceive you.
I bring to you your religion; I present to you your law. I can take you almost anywhere in the world. I can tell you of the past and of the future. Furthermore, I am hundreds of years old and will prob- ably live forever — yet I was born yester- day. I am indeed far beyond your powers of comprehension, but there are only a few who cannot understand me.
I am simple and beautiful. I am vague and unreal. I inspire you with awe and wonder. I make you cringe in horror, and send cold chills down your spine.
I belong to the mystic, the intangible — yet I am common, every-day, and matter- of-fact.
Yes, I have such a great influence over you, but still I am just what you make me.
I am the "Spirit of the Printed Page."
— Gladys Pratt. 472
EIGHTEEN FORTY-SEVEN
A strong-winged eagle from far wind- worn cliffs
Alights upon a white-lined buffalo-skull
With these carved words like faded hiero- glyphs
Above the cracked eye-sockets, meaningful:
"Camped here July the second, 'forty-seven.
We made eight miles today." The eagle unfurls
Its far-flown wings and skims and soars toward heaven
In easy sweep, where the thin-frothed cirrus curls.
The eagle labors aloft between the clouds
Which plunge their misty walls to the horizon;
Like bleached and billowed sails the sea- wind crowds,
And on the desert swift their shadows run.
But those slow wagon-wheels, tight-choked with clay,
Groaned beneath their loads — eight miles that day.
— James Hammond.
LITTLE BUNGALOW IN ENGLAND
Little bungalow that I used to know With thumb-marked walls and windows
low, You haunt my memory day after day, Little bungalow in England, far, far away. I can still hear my mother, see her eyes Filled with tears
And hear her "Cheerio" in my childish ears. Little bungalow in England, when all guns
are still And the nightingale sinqs to her mate on
the hill, I'll tuck all my memories in the Red, White,
and Blue. Oh, bungalow in England, I'll come back
to you.
— Bobby Sutherland.
MY LOVE TO GOD
touched a twig into a flame * It took up light or life- — the same! A little dimly at first it burned, But slowly it seemed as though it learned To make its way and give more light, Rather than going out of sight. The breeze and the zephyrs blew, And it gathered all its courage anew To weather the storm and keep its light. It didn't intend to give up the fight. And yet it flickered once or twice Grew dimmer and dimmer, then flickered
thrice, And then it went out as though to die; The wind had spoken the ending sigh. A little smoke to heaven drew near, "This my soul to God so dear."
— Donald Neff Bagley.
REVERIE
A s the years fade away
And fond memories die, You sit all alone And begin wondering why — Yes, why loving friends Are all far away; And you're lost with yourself At the end of the day.
The chats filled with laughter Are things of the past, And you find yourself faced With a heavier task — The task of forgetting The gay hours you've spent, And now gain anew All that destiny's sent.
So smile to the future, It's not worth a tear; Perhaps it shall render New friends just as dear.
— Wendell Bradford Terry.
:■ V.
MY COUNTRY
This is my country, clean and free, Wholesome and healthful, 'twill always be. Full to the brim with wonderful gifts,
Wide green meadows and high snow drifts.
Deep black caverns filled with ore,
Men dig it out, but the earth yields more.
Liquid gold from the heart of the earth, Praises are sung to an oil field's birth.
Glittering mountains, towering high,
Their snow tipped fingers clutch at the sky;
Wide, dry deserts, brown and bare, With cities of Mormons nestling there.
Bustling cities, skyscrapers tall,
Are man-made glory, that soon may fall, But give me the prairie, the mountain, the sky, That I might look on them with wor- shipping eye.
Yes, give me my country so clean and so
free, Made by the wise Father for you and for me.
— Olive Rose Helton.
LOOKING BACK AT
By WILLIAM and DEWEY FARNSWORTH
THE GATE OF THE SUN, TIAHUANACO, BOLIVIA This famous doorway in the ruins of Kalasasaya at Tiahuanaco, known as the Gate of the Sun, was shaped from a single block of gray volcanic rock about 16 inches thick and, standing erect, measures 11 by 15 feet, facing toward the east. It was originally formed whole, but it is thought the great crack in the upper section at the top of the doorway was probably caused by a bolt of lightning. This surprising facade is wonderfully ornamented in low-relief and is considered a masterpiece in primitive carving.
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RUINS AT PACHACAMAC About twenty-five miles from Lima are found what are considered the best known ruins in Peru, those of Pachacamac, a great city which flourished here more than a thousand years ago and to which it is believed the early coastal races made pil- grimages to pay homage to the Creator-God, Pachacamac. Myriads of open graves, despoiled by generations of treasure seekers, form small depressions in this region, while everywhere skulls and skeletons of the city's ancient inhabitants scattered over the land lie bleaching in the sun.
A CORNER OF THE WALL OF THE GREAT FORTRESS AT SACSAHUAMAN Joining and overlooking Cuzco on its northern side lies the hill of Sacsahuaman, upon which is erected the great fortress of the same name. The huge stones of the walls are of soft blue limestone, quarried from a ledge in the limestone hills a mile or more away to the north and transported over very uneven ground to their present position. Every stone was cut with exact accuracy, smoothed upon all sides, laid without mortar in regular rows, joined to each other with such nicety, layer interlocked with layer with such consummate art, that with few exceptions the frequent earthquakes of centuries have not dislodged them in any perceptible degree.
0WL $jOjOjcC J>ajuwjcL JubcL
By George Gardner
IN May of 1941 a monument was erected to honor and perpetuate the memory of good friend Tuba, the Hopi Indian of Moencopi.
In the early history of Utah, the Saints found themselves so far removed from important sources of supplies that they quickly made plans to become self-supporting. The settlements around St. George and some of the Northern Arizona towns were established for the purpose of supplying cotton for the much-needed cloth. The Hopi Indians at that time were growing cotton around Moencopi and they were mak- ing a good grade of cloth. So the Mormon leaders conceived the plan of inducing the Indians to expand their cotton crops and help to supply the Saints. As a part of this plan, a settle- ment was established near the Indian village. Tuba, a Hopi, became a loyal friend of the Mormons, so they named the new village Tuba City, in his honor. As time passed there has grown a greater appreciation for this noble In- dian and his services to the Mormons in promoting better understanding and more peaceful relations with his own tribe and the Navajos.
As a part of the cotton project at Moencopi, it was decided to bring Tuba and his wife to St. George and to Wash- ington, nearby, to show them the white man's ways of growing cotton and making cloth. Jacob Hamblin, the missionary to the Indians, set out from Tuba City for St. George. When the party reached the Colorado River, at the present site of Lee's Ferry, they found the river high and exceedingly dangerous.
Tuba asked courteously if he might pray, according to his custom, to the Great Father, before the party at- tempted to cross. The Indian then took a bag from his neck and threw something from it into the river and into the air. He prayed that the Indians and their white friend might cross over safely. He explained to the Great Father that if any of them was lost or should fail to return, their loved ones at home would be very sad and lonely and if any of the animals or the provisions was lost in the river there would be great hardship on the trip.
After crossing safely, the Indian ex- pressed his gratitude in a beautiful, sincere prayer of thanks. The white missionary tells us in The Life of Jacob Hamblin that he was impressed by the beauty and sincerity of Tuba's prayer and that he believed firmly that our Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers and watches over His Indian children. Tuba was surely deserving of watchful care.
After crossing the river, they pro- ceeded to St. George. When Tuba and his wife had seen the cotton made into cloth at the factory and had seen the wheat made into flour at the mill, they {Concluded on next page)
473
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, AUGUST, 1941
Our Good Friend Tuba
( Concluded from page 473 )
remained silent for some time. They then said thoughtfully that they could never again be content to spin the yarn with their fingers and grind the corn between two flat stones.
Human nature and human ways change very slowly. The good Indian and his wife and the good missionary and his wife have long since been dead. The little cotton factory has altogether vanished. A magnificent steel bridge now spans the turbulent Colorado. An excellent highway connects St. George and Tuba City. Speeding automobiles carry the children of Tuba and Jacob where weary horses carried their fathers. Perhaps the one thing that has not changed is the friendship between these two kindred souls.
As we entered Moencopi on a trip through this enchanted desert, we thought of this treasured bit of history that links two fine groups of people, the Latter-day Saints and the Hopi Indians. We had a sudden desire to preserve something in memory, something per- sonal and vivid. While we sat in the automobile, two children, perhaps five or six years of age, played in the street. The potentialities of children are infinite — one of these might be another Tuba and the other his wife. A photograph of them would be an ideal token.
As we went to take it, an excited mother called from the doorway of her low sandstone home. A young Indian hurried from this home to the adjoining house, and a second mother rushed to the door, and the other child hurried as fast as its short legs would carry it to the protection of its mother. By that time a large automobile dashed between us and the children and their homes. Two large Indians were in the automobile. One raised his hands. We took that to mean that they did not wish to have us take the pictures. We put the camera away, a little afraid, and, in some confusion, we drove out of the Indian village toward home. We learned afterward that these Indians and many other primitive peoples have a belief that harm will come to one who has his picture taken.
We have felt sad since leaving this quaint little village out in the great desert of Arizona, to think that we caused these two mothers alarm and worry. We have wondered how we might communicate to these Indians whose parents may have befriended the Mormons, that we did not take the pictures of the children and that no harm would come to them from any actions of ours.
The great and mysterious problems of life may, after all, not be solved by steel bridges or cotton factories or flour mills or highways or automobiles, but rather by intelligent kindness and bet- ter understanding and friendship such as that between Jacob Hamblin and Tuba. 474
Hugh B. Brown, former British Mission president and now Church-Army Coordinator, delivers stirring appeal to Latter-day Saint men stationed at Fort Ord, California, to maintain and cherish the high standards of living they received from the Church before entering the army. President Brown is now visiting army camps throughout the nation and was eagerly welcomed at Ford Ord by the L, D. S. organization there and hy the members from surrounding branches. His visit to Fort Ord was on Sunday, May 25, 1941.
NEWS FROM THE CAMPS
Chaplain Reuben E. Curtis, Fort Ord, California, sends two photos of interest. One is of a group of returned missionaries at Fort Ord who have been very active. They were photographed with Elder Hugh B. Brown, two branch presidents, and the local missionaries. Also included in the picture are the officers of the Fort Ord L. D. S. young men's organization. The president of this organization is a convert.
The other is a picture of Elder Brown addressing L. D. S. services during his recent visit, showing the interior of the Special Troops Recreation Hall which is used for a chapel. In this chapel are held four different kinds of religious services — Protestant, L.D.S., Catholic, and Jewish. Chaplain Curtis holds the Protestant service as regimental chaplain of the special troops and also the L. D. S. service as Division L. D. S. Chaplain.
Front row, from left to right: R. D. Kelly, German-Austrian C32-'36); Leo Merrill, secretary, Fort Ord L. D. S. organization; H. E. Larsen, South African C3S-'40); James Unopulos, president, Fort Ord L. D. S-. organization; Dr. A. C. Sessions, president, Watsonville Branch; Mrs. A. C. Sessions; President Hugh B. Brown, former British Mission president and now Church-Army Coordinator; Mrs. Reuben E. Curtis; Chaplain R. E. Curtis, formerly a missionary in the Central States ('26-'2S); Geo. S. Walker, formerly of British Mission and now president Pacific Grove Branch; Richard Crandall, now of the California Mission.
Second row, from left to right: Philo E. Henricksen, Danish Mission C36-'39); L. Thomas Long, chor- ister; Charles Wright, California Mission C35-'37); M. P. Gunnell, British Mission ('30-'3D; Zemmeth Hale; M. Jensen; J. W. Harper; L. Noyes, Western States C35-'37); E. W. Nielsen, San Juan Stake C39-'41); J. Harold Call, Spanish-American ('37-'40); R. S. Wilcox, now of the California Mission.
Royalty Visits M. I. A. Conference in Denmark
From Orson B. West, acting president of the Danish Mission, Elder Thomas E. McKay, supervisor of European Mission affairs, on July 17 received the following inspiring communication:
During the first part of June, I had
the privilege of visiting some of the branches where good and interesting meetings were held. The branch at Aalborg had arranged a concert, as- sisted by a local male choir, and the pro- gram performed was wonderful in all details. Furthermore, the big hall was filled to capacity, a thrilling sight. I
had the opportunity to deliver a speech, explaining the doctrines and beliefs of the Latter-day Saints. While thus traveling in the country I also had the great privilege of visiting about thirty families, some of which had not been visited for quite a long time by mis- sionaries or members.
The other day we received some copies of the May issue of The Im- provement Era, for which we were very thankful.
We have now completed our 10th (Concluded on page 497)
AS FLEET AS MEMORY By Gwenevere Anderson
LET me but keep these smells, when Earth no more Shakes out the fragrance from the cloak
she wore: Sweet clover's nectared honey, sweet with
dew; Wood-smoke that hangs above the autumn's
blue; The pungent strength of sagebrush after
rain; Cedar, whose spice is magic; and the train Of meadow-grasses, rustling beneath my
feet, Clinging about me still; but slipping fleet When I'd recall them from the last fall
weather — That day we tramped the fields, we two
together.
GOD NEVER TIRES By Mildred Goff
God is so prodigal With lovely things. Each morning comes anew On shining wings. The faithful tides, the moon, The sunset fires, The seasons' ebb and flow — God never tires. He brings, forgivingly, New gifts to men. I will put by despair And try again. My failures and mistakes Shall be forgot, For why should I despair When God does not?
A MOTHER TO HER MISSIONARY SON
By Anna Prince Redd
THE church was filled with Saints, With friends to wish him on his way— A messenger to foreign lands, Christ's envoy of a latter day.
With earnest voice he rose to speak, So humbly proud to be a chosen one; I watched his face with tear-wet eyes And prayed it were my son. . . .
Where that boy stood, my son, tonight, Stood by the pulpit there And prayed to be a credit to his Church — I thank Thee, Lord, Who heard my prayer.
Give him conviction, courage, Humility of mind and soul To carry to the mission field; In service make him whole.
faith;
CLEANLINESS By La Verne Stallings
Wind sweeping the sky clean With its misty swirling hands, Rain washing the earth clean — The grassy hills and the lands!
Pain stripping the heart clean To keep it unfettered and free,
Tears like rain, cleansing the eyes, So the eyes of the soul might see!
A DAY IN THE TEMPLE
By David Astin
'he fretful cares of yesterday, I left behind me on the way To this most peaceful, quiet spot; So pardon me if I am not
Inclined to whisper or to chat And gossip about this and that,
About things being said and done In every land beneath the sun.
I come here to meditate,
And try to help, ere it's too late, Some soul who's passed this mortal sphere,
Who had no chance to enter here.
Worry not o'er life's swift paces;
Stand ye now in holy places, When plagues visit every nation
Spreading thereon desolation.
Ye saints of God should now rejoice And praise Him with a mighty voice,
And sing aloud your songs of love For His rich blessings from above.
With gratitude this prayer I ask In faith that may not lack: "When he's no longer needed there, Lord, send him safely back."
A ROSE By Elsie C. Petersen
Nestled close to a dear little cottage Is a tiny rose bush fair, With moss green leaves and sweet perfume, And exquisite petals fashioned with care.
I lingered to look at its beauty So close to the soft warm sod.
I touched my finger to its heart And felt the pulse of God.
AUGUST ARCHITECT By Jean Anderson
Before the threshing time His grain stacks wait Like rounded pyramids Against the sky: He shaped each circled base, His sure trained eye Directing well the hands That could create An amber structure, strong With living weight From billowing fields of wheat And bearded rye; His bit of earth was yielding A supply
Far greater than his April Estimate.
O architect, whose blocks Were fruitful sheaves, You built far better than You knew, those piles Whose golden symmetry Of curving line Holds harvest-beauty safe For one who leaves The noisy street to walk Long, fragrant miles, Keeping within his heart, God's clear design.
■ m • ■
LIGHT ON THE LEAVES By Helen McMahan
I know a prairie homestead where A seasoned maple stands; The changing tints of sunlight play
Like soft caressing hands Among the leaves, till they appear
Bright as a linnet's wing, All warm and lush, then suddenly
With deepening shade they bring A cooling green that makes me think
Of sea waves just before They split into an ivory foam
Along a rocky shore. I know my heart will always sing
With gladness when I see The vagrant lights and shadows play
Within a maple tree.
UNKNOWN By Coursin Black
MAN organizes expeditions to penetrate unknown continents,
To probe the frozen mysteries of the Ant- arctic,
To explore the vast tropical jungles — ■
At Palomar he erects a mighty lens, two hundred inches of mechanical perfection
To bring his eyes closer to billions of miles of Infinity. . . .
Yet we are blind to the everyday miracles —
Sunshine that promotes magic growth,
Clouds heralding beauty never equaled by man,
Dawn that ushers a new day from Eternity's span,
A child
Dreaming by a still pool.
475
HiiflWflacfi
WHAT PRICE ALCOHOL?
(Robert S. Carroll, M. D.( The Macmillan Company, 1941.)
This is a sane and safe discussion of the alcohol problem, especially as it relates to the brain and nervous system, the most important part of man. The author has had a lifetime of experience with alcohol ad- dicts, and has the right to speak with authority.
The causes of the alcohol evil are out- lined in convincing terms. The effects of the alcohol evil, the general misery that follows, are pictured faithfully in its un- exaggerated, but horrible colors. The cure is based upon modern knowledge, and is convincing. The craving for artificial stimulation is traced back to faulty methods of living, especially in the province of nu- trition. The cure is found in correcting improper nutritional habits.
Clinging to the main argument of the book is a mass of valuable suggestions relative to family life. This incidental help to fathers and mothers would alone justify the writing and reading of this unusually fine book.
While strictly accurate and scientific, the book is written in everyman's language, without attempt at propaganda. The twenty fascinating chapters discuss simply yet forcefully the methods by which man may preserve a healthy mind in a healthy body.
It is a splendid book, dealing wisely, yet courageously with a difficult subject. The author frankly asks the alcohol user whether he has "a college training with kindergarten emotions."- — /. A. W.
"HISTORIC RECORDS BEARING ON AGRICULTURE AND GRAZING ECOLOGY IN UTAH"
(Dr. George Stewart. Journal of Forestry, April, 1941.)
IN this historically important article is compressed a wealth of early Utah and Idaho history. The determining factors in locating the early settlements are described. The reasons for agricultural success or failure in the settlements are given. The times and first settlers of the early settle- ments are enumerated. The forage con- ditions of the country at the time of pio- neer settlement are stated in the words of early travelers. Evidently, the pioneers built settlements wisely and according to an intelligent plan. We are grateful to Dr. Stewart for this interesting presentation of painstaking work. — /. A. W.
FEEDING OUR OLD-FASHIONED CHILDREN
(C. Andersen Aldrich and Mary M. Aldrich. Macmillan Co.)
The feeding of children is most important, for upon the food habits they form in infancy and young childhood depends much of their health in later life. If they learn to eat the right kind of food, served regularly, their health may be assured.
Often, however, and for unaccountable reasons to the mother, the child may refuse to eat the food provided and gradually ac-
476
quires the habit of refusing most foods, or "picking" a bit of this or that while defying the mother, who is at a loss to know what to do.
This book is a real help in solving such a problem. It shows how attempting to force a child to eat is futile since it leads to family strife and confusion and little food is ever made use of when the child is in this mood. Such habits should be prevented if possible and corrected as soon as pos- sible, for no child may be well nourished if he has not learned to eat all good food as it is put before him. Mothers should learn now to master such a problem.
—I. D. W.
DARVILL'S PARLIAMENTARY LAW AND PROCEDURE
(Published by Fred T. Darvill, San Francisco. 64 pages.)
This pocket summary and simplification of the generally accepted rules for organizing and conducting societies, asso- ciations, and assemblies, will be found very helpful as a guide and handy reference in this day of many meetings. While Church procedures do not conform with parlia- mentary procedure, most of us are called upon to function in many capacities outside the Church, in which activities this concise work would be of great help, as well as in expediting business within the Church, in class organizations and discussion groups.
— R. L. E.
THE WORD OF FAITH
(Concord Press, Concord, Massachusetts, 1941. 379 pages $1.50.)
THE publishers describe this "simplified scripture" as "the essence of the Old Testament and Apocrypha, in their ethical and doctrinal values," based on the King James Version, with the Septuagint and the Douay translation being used "where they provide greater clarity." "It is hoped also that the re-arrangement of Books pro- vides a clearer historical perspective and avoidance of duplications." Compiled by students, and for students, this rearrange- ment of the scriptures in our opinion will be of limited use and limited value in gen- eral, but will be of interest to the well- grounded, advanced student of Old Testa- ment scripture. — R. L. E.
TEMPLES OF THE MOST HIGH
(N. B. Lundwall, Compiler and Publisher. 1941. 358 pages, illustrated. $2.00.)
This recent publication contains a wide variety of illustrations and materials pertaining to Latter-day temples, their physical and historical aspects, and their spiritual significance.
The title page records that this work is "a compilation of: The dedicatory prayers of temples erected in the present dispensation; their historical and physical description; faith-promoting incidents and manifestations of divine acceptance; ser- mons and historical data pertaining to temples which are yet to be erected; infor- mation pertaining to records and historical places that are held sacred by Latter-day
Saints; the efficacy and sacredness of tem- ple ordinances; discourses by the Prophet Joseph, Brigham Young, Orson Pratt, Par- ley P. Pratt, John Taylor, Wilford Wood- ruff, and others, on the eternity of intelli- gence and the immortality of the soul; con- cordance and references pertaining to temples, temple work, and kindred his- torical subjects."
While not an official publication, this compilation will find wide use and ready acceptance as a reference work and for the enlightening reading that some parts of it offer, from sources that are not readily or conveniently available to most of those who are interested in these vital subjects.
— R. L. E.
A FIELD GUIDE TO WESTERN BIRDS
(Roger T. Peterson. Illustrated. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, 1941' 240 pages. $2.75.)
This guide to birds in the Rocky Mountain area, the Pacific Coast, and the South- west answers a long-felt need. Easily written and freely illustrated, this book will satisfy both the professional and the be- ginning naturalist. The illustrations include forty pages of half-tone illustrations, forty- eight line cuts, and six full color pages. In addition to these illustrations, one for every bird — the author has written exceed- ingly clear word pictures, which make com- prehension fool-proof.
The book is attractively and appropriately bound so that it can be slipped into a pocket or a handbag to make it readily available.
— M. C. ].
WESTERN AMERICA
(LeRoy R. Hafen and Carl Coke Rister. Illustrated. Prentice-Hall, Inc., New York, 1941. 698 pages. $3.65.)
This rather comprehensive history of Western America deals in the first part of the book with the early forces that en- tered into the making of the new civiliza- tion. Spaniard and French alike began the exploration of the vast region from the Mississippi westward. But those whose in- fluence was widest spread were the English- speaking folk who came in search of gold, fur, and homes, into the new, and then unexploited, west. Their response to the world in which they found themselves made this region more typically American than the regions from which they had stemmed. The authors treat authoritatively the de- velopment of each section of the west: the old Southwest, the old Northwest, the Louis- iana Purchase and consequent exploration, the acquisition of Oregon, the final inclu- sion of Texas into the Union, the develop- ment of California, the settlement of the Mormons in the Great Basin, the settling of Iowa, Minnesota, the Dakotas, and Wyo- ming, and the culture that finally resulted from the amalgamation of old and new, the English with the Spanish and the French. Since history should be a personal inter- pretation and response as well as a recital of facts, these authors have done an esti- mable work in this book, which all who would understand America should read.
—M. C. ].
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Hollywood Bowl Awaits Tabernacle Choir
"\\ 7idespread publicity is being given ** the coming of the Tabernacle Choir to California, where it will ap- pear in concert in the Hollywood Bowl on Wednesday evening, August 20, and in the San Francisco civic auditorium on August 21. Local stake and mission leaders comprise a joint committee pre- paring for the event. The Choir, which in July entered its thirteenth year of continuous nation-wide broadcasting, first sang in the famed Bowl in 1926 and last made a personal appearance in California in 1936 at the Century of Progress Exposition in San Diego.
Church Makes First Beautification Award
HPo Mrs. Jane C. Weaver of the North "■* Twentieth Ward, Ensign Stake, the Church Beautification Committee in July made the first award for 1941 in the Churchwide program for improv- ing home surroundings. The award is made to home owners who achieve seventy of the following one hundred points: clean-up, twenty points; condi- tioning of buildings, twenty points; landscape principles, thirty points; con- dition of the lawn, ten points; trees, ten points. Cleanliness, neatness, and particularly effort are emphasized rather than the expenditure of large sums of money in making the improve- ment.
Families participating in the beauti- fication program should call their ward committees when they are ready to re- ceive a rating.
Idaho Falls Temple To Be Ready by Fall
"\X7orkmen now are erecting the
"* ninety- foot tower on the $550,000
Idaho Falls Temple, which overlooks
the Snake River from its seven-acre site
AUGUSTA WINTERS GRANT AND A GREAT- GRANDSON, RICHARD JUDD WILLIAMS, ON HER EIGHTY-FIFTH BIRTHDAY.
northwest of the L. D. S. Hospital in Idaho Falls. Work is proceeding on schedule, it is announced, and construc- tion will likely be completed by fall. Approximately $40,000 has been paid in wages to workmen of the upper val- ley since work started. An average of sixty men have been employed daily.
Ward Clerk Serves Nearly Lifespan
TLTenry Vincent Ballard, clerk of the South Cottonwood Ward for sixty-one years, has recorded the birth of two of the bishops he later served. The eighty-one-year-old clerk was set apart by Francis M. Lyman in 1880, since which time he has served under eight bishops and has kept the record of ward families through three gen- erations. Generous with his time and talents, Henry Ballard has also been ward chorister, manager of dramatics, dance committeeman, ward teacher, and M. I. A. secretary. On his release as ward clerk recently, he and his wife, Annie E. Ballard, were feted at a ward testimonial.
Through the courtesy of the Na- tional Park Service and for the benefit and enjoyment of the visitors to Yel- lowstone National Park, L. D. S. services are being held each Sunday evening at 7:00 p. m. at the Mam- moth Hot Springs Chapel, continuing until September 7, 1941. The serv- ices are under the auspices of the missionaries of the Northwestern States Mission, for the convenience of the many Latter-day Saints who spend their vacations in Yellowstone Park.
THE MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS CHAPEL, AND INSET, THE MIS- SIONARIES OF THE BUTTE DISTRICT WHO CONDUCT THE SERVICES, FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, ELDERS WRIGHT AND JEX, SISTER MAURER, ELDERS DAVIS AND MAW.
Augusta Winters Grant Looks Ahead at Eighty-five A nticipating another year as rich in 'v* experience as each of the four- score and five she had just completed, Augusta Winters Grant, wife of Presi- dent Heber J. Grant, was paid loving tribute by family and friends on July 7 as she observed her eighty-fifth birth- day anniversary. An informal dinner at the Lion House attended by members of the family and General Authorities of the Church commemorated the oc- casion. Noted for her ever-present calm and wise administration of family affairs, "Aunt Augusta," as she is fa- miliarly known, has the affection and admiration of the membership of the Church. Today a great-grandmother, she is remembered as an inspiring teacher in humble schoolrooms of sixty years ago, before her marriage to Pres- ident Grant in 1884.
Sister Grant was born in Pleasant Grove, July 7, 1856, daughter of Oscar and Mary Ann Winters, pioneers from New England.
Harold B. Lee Heard on Church of the Air
Cpeaking on "True Patriotism — An **■* Expression of Faith," Elder Harold B. Lee of the Council of the Twelve, was heard Sunday, July 6, on Colum- bia's Church of the Air, nationwide radio program immediately following the regular broadcast of the Tabernacle Choir. Elder Lee's address marked the third time this year that the Church has appeared on this program.
Sculpture for Idaho Baptismal Font Approved
f ife-size models of oxen designed *L*' by Torlief Knaphus for support of the baptismal font at the new Idaho Falls Temple have been approved. Four copies of each of the three mod- elled oxen will be cast to form the tradi- tional circle of twelve underneath the font. Mr. Knaphus, among other Church commissions, sculptored the oxen models for the baptismal fonts in the Canadian and Arizona temples, and the Angel Moroni monument atop the Hill Cumorah.
Deseret Industries Opens New Store
"P\eseret Industries, an important branch of the Church Welfare Program engaged in reconditioning merchandise of all kinds for resale at low cost, has opened its tenth store. Operating at 328 South Main Street in Salt Lake City, the new retail unit is the largest of those maintained by the Industries for the distribution of its remade goods.
(Continued on page 478)
477
ELRAY L. CHRISTIANSEN, LEFT, SUCCEEDED BY WIL- LIAM L. WARNER, RIGHT, AS PRESIDENT OF THE TEXAS MISSION.
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, AUGUST, 1941
The Church Moves On
( Continued from page 477)
Prominent Churchwoman, Composer, Passes
gEATRicE Farley Stevens, member of the General Board of the Na- tional Women's Relief Society, the General Church Music Committee, and wife of Stringam A. Stevens of the Y. M. M. I. A. General Board and of the General Church Welfare Com- mittee, died June 19, after an illness of several months.
For thirty years in ward, stake, and general capacities, auxiliary organiza- tions of the Church received her un- selfish services. Long identified with musical activities, Mrs. Stevens was widely known for her original com- positions, including both words and music. Only a few days before her death she had completed a new song for the Relief Society Centennial next year. Last February she wrote a prize- winning school song for the University of Utah.
Mrs. Stevens was born in Ogden, May 27, 1885. Besides her husband she is survived by a daughter, Virginia Stevens Reichman, and a son, Robert S. Stevens.
Church Opens Branch in Leading Alaskan City
Pormation of a branch of the Church in Anchorage, largest city in Alaska, took place on May 25, under the direction of Elders Lester F. Hew- lett and Clifton B. Thomas, of the Northwestern States Mission. The Anchorage Branch was organized with Joseph H. Tippets, president, and H. O. Johnson and Wells Bowen, coun- selors. D. W. Ogden had been pre- siding Elder of the local Saints, who had been meeting at various homes. First public meeting was held on March 23, and regular Sunday School work began only last April. Upon invitation, the missionaries occasionally conduct
.. ■ . .■:::■:■:■ :■:■:■: ::■:::■
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religious services at Fort Richardson nearby, where several members of the Church are stationed.
MARION G. ROMNEY, WHO WILL SERVE THE WELFARE PROGRAM
Missionary work also continues at Fairbanks, Alaska. — Reported by Les- ter F. Hewlett, Jr.
SPECIAL MOTHER'S DAY SERVICES AT THE ANCHORAGE, ALASKA, SUNDAY SCHOOL
Photo by Fred Thunncl.
New President Goes To Texas Mission
"\17illiam L. Warner of Richfield, *" Utah, a member of the Sevier Stake presidency, has been appointed to succeed EIRay L. Christiansen as head of the Texas Mission. With Sister Warner and three of their seven chil- dren, he was scheduled to leave for headquarters in Houston late in July.
A former mayor of Richfield and a past president of the Utah State Muni- cipal League, President Warner has served the Church as a missionary to the Hawaiian Islands, as bishop of the Richfield Second Ward, as a member of the Sevier Stake high council and stake presidency, and as an officer in various Church auxiliaries.
Elder Christiansen, retiring mission president, will return with his family to Logan, where he will resume teaching in the Logan Seminary.
Marion G. Romney Named to Welfare Position
"Older Marion G. Romney, president ■*■"' of the Bonneville Stake and one of the five assistants to the Council of the Twelve, has been called to serve as assistant managing director of the Church Welfare Program. Elder Harold B. Lee of the Council of the Twelve continues as managing director. Elders Thomas E. McKay, Clifford E. Young, Alma Sonne, and Nicholas G. Smith, the four other assistants to the Council of the Twelve, have been appointed advisers to the Welfare committee.
Old Pioneer Route Being Reconstructed
'Y\ Jork has begun on the reconstruc- * ™ tion of the old pioneer mail route between Bear Lake Valley and Cache Valley as part of the program of the Franklin County chapter of the Daugh- ters of the Utah Pioneers to conserve early pioneer landmarks. Stone mark- ers will outline the trail to its end at the head of Cub River, where a monu- ment will be erected. This marks the trail of the first communication between Cache Valley and Bear Lake Valley known as the Shoshone trail.
478
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, AUGUST, 1941
Relief Society Names New Board Member
"Driscilla L. Evans, wife of Elder Frank Evans, secretary for finance to the First Presidency, has been ap- pointed to the Relief Society General Board. For three years she directed Relief Society activities in the Eastern States Mission and since 1937 has served as corresponding secretary of the National Council of Women. In addition to long service in Church work, the new board member was for several terms chairman of the Salt Lake County chapter, American Red Cross, and was a member of the board of directors and treasurer of the Neighborhood House in Salt Lake. Both she and Elder Evans are members of the Utah State Bar.
Massed Choirs Sing in Annual Festival
Tn the final concert of the Church- wide music festival conducted during the past season by the Church General Music Committee, one hundred ward choirs participated in the second annual massed choir music festival in the Tabernacle June 18. Taken from the collection Festival Anthems, which has been prepared by the committee to raise music standards, each number was un- der the direction of one of nine different stake conductors and }. Spencer Corn- wall, director of the Tabernacle Choir.
Cumorah Forms Setting for Book of Mormon Pageant
L. D. S. CHAPEL, BASEL, SWITZERLAND, ERECTED IN 1939-40 DURING THE PRESIDENCY OF THOMAS E. McKAY. SET IN THE BEAUTIFUL SURROUND- INGS OF A PUBLIC PARK, IT IS THE FIRST CHURCH- OWNED CHAPEL IN THE SWISS MISSION.
for the presentation. The pageant, co- directed by Harold I. Hansen and Karl J. Wood, is an adaptation by Dr. H. Wayne Driggs from the Book of Mor- mon. Mission president Gustave Iver- son was in charge of the conference.
O. D. Romney, Pioneer Church Worker, Dies ^rson Douglas Romney, 80, pioneer ^-^ lumber executive and leader in many Church activities, died June 16 in Salt Lake only three days following the death of his wife, Emma F. Rom- ney, 79, herself an active Church worker.
Born in Salt Lake City on August 15, 1860, Elder Romney knew early Church leaders intimately. His grand- father, Miles Romney, helped build the Nauvoo Temple, and his father figured prominently in the construction of buildings in Salt Lake now rich in his- torical interest. With his father, Elder Romney founded the Romney Lumber Company.
His Church services include two mis- sions to New Zealand, once as mission president, and numerous positions in the Ensign Stake.
Surviving him are two daughters, Mrs. Antoine R. Ivins and Mrs. Shirl Y. Clawson; and two sons, O. D. Rom- ney, Jr., and Melbourne Romney.
New Wards Organized
A division of the St. Anthony First Ward, Yellowstone Stake, saw the for- mation of the St. Anthony Third Ward recently with R. Dean Baird as bishop.
The Homedale Branch has been or- ganized into the Homedale Ward, Nampa Stake, with Elmer C. Barlow as bishop.
(Continued on page 499)
MISSIONARIES LEAVING FOR THE FIELD FROM THE SALT LAKE MISSIONARY HOME ARRIVED JUNE 16, 1941— DEPARTED JUNE 25, 1941
First row, left to right: Grant W. Heath, Willard B. Wilkinson, Marshall A. McEntire, Lloyd S. Sandberg, Rolla Dean Richey, Kay A. Schwendiman, Keith H. Clarke.
Second row: Leo S. Gerrard, Oreta Keaton, Alberta Farrimond, Rachel Christensen, President Don B. Colton, Fern Kitchen, Kathleen Hulet, June Gleave, William Romney.
Third row: WilNam E. Berrett, George McMillan, Lynn Jenkins, Dorothy Miller, Ethel Jones, Lillian Lee, Maxine Miller, Marshall Ericson, Joseph Allen, Lyle E. Wtiitmer.
Fourth row: Aden V. Johnson, Neil H. Christensen, Lucian Melvin Mecham, Harold Perry Porter, Constance Spear, Virginia McQuarrie, Elizabeth Walker, Claire Bolton, Gerald N. Christensen.
Fifth row: Lee Winn Buttars, George Golden Stewart, Lillian Morley, Ruby Hasler, Albert A. Madsen, Robert R. McKay, Charles C. Orr, Joseph Stobbe.
Sixth row: Tyler A. Woolley, C, Brain O'Neil, Harold M. Stander, Calvin Guest, Grant Mann, T. Richard Muir, Joseph F. Patrick, W. Stanford Durrant, Joseph Perschon.
Seventh row: Mark R. Cram, William N. Wale, Fred R. Green, Glen E. Cracroft, Glenn L. Somisen, Gail B. Home, Donald Turner.
Eighth row: Orville Hancock, Alvin W. Barlow, Rex Sessions, Jack L. Huish, Robert F. Daynes, Floyd V. Israelson, Harry Postschlag.
Ninth row: Karl Caldwell, Earl R. Watts, Edwin C. Dean, Grant Fisher, Max Carleton Garr'ck, Andrew C. Knaphus.
Tenth row: R. Vernon Ricks, Robert Burton Ward, Robert Van Drimmelen, M. Dee Smith, Paul Toronto, Kent Werner.
Eleventh row: Kenneth R. Krey, D. Leon Johnston, Stuart M. Maiiookin, Donald C. Hughes, Wallace H. Allen.
N
ence at Palmyra, the sacred pageant, "America's Witness for Christ,"
ow a regular feature of the annual Eastern States Mission confer-
was
this year presented the nights of July 11 and 12, with 50,000 attending. An open-air amphitheatre on the slopes of the historic hill furnished the setting
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f^UiTE commonly heard among us is the person ^^ who loudly proclaims his right to live his life as he chooses, regardless of what anyone else thinks about it. His contention is that his life is his own, and what he does with it is none of anyone else's business. Usually he recognizes, in part at least, the restraints of the civil law, because he wants to keep out of the hands of those who are sworn to uphold it. But beyond that, he says that no moral law or social convention or public opinion or pri- vate counsel is going to have any effect on his way of living — and he doesn't care who knows it.
Much as we dislike to see a man make a fool of himself, perhaps we could bring ourselves to leav- ing this type of individual to his own devices — if it weren't for the effect his life has upon others. It is for this very cause that the Scriptures enjoin us not only to avoid evil itself, but also to "abstain from all appearance of evil." (I Thessalonians 5:22. ) In all the world there is no man or woman so inconspicuous that the acts of his daily living do not in greater or less degree influence the acts of others. Mass psychology, moral force, and other like powerful factors affecting human conduct all enter the picture. If a man advertises his unbe- coming conduct, his associates and especially the young and impressionable, and those who are easily led, may thereby have their own resistance lowered.
Even the least of us does not fail to be observed. And the higher the place a man reaches the greater is his responsibility in this matter. The writer of Ecclesiastes expressed it, not delicately, but im- pressively, when he said "a little folly" in him that has a "reputation for wisdom and honor," sends forth "a stinking savour," (Ecclesiastes 10:1) which all boils down to the conclusion that our lives are our own only up to that point where we begin to affect the lives of others. Authority for this is the scriptural implication that every man is his brother's keeper, and since almost anything that a man would or could do has its effect, not only upon himself but others, we come back to the thought that not only must we avoid evil, but also the very appearance of it, lest others, seeing us, take license for themselves.
And this is our answer— or part of it, at least — to those who proclaim their right to do as they please, regardless of the consequences.—/?. L. E.
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YkjE are constantly facing critical decisions, some of which we recognize as such, and some of which seem relatively of little importance, but which may have far-reaching effects. It is quite charac- teristic of humankind that whenever we pass up an opportunity or make a bad decision, there is always something of a secret hope and feeling in cur hearts that our mistakes are not conclusive — that there will come again to us the possibility of making other choices to offset the ones on which we have defaulted.
In a limited sense this is true. It is true that a man never ceases to live. It is true that, inherently,
he will always have the right of choice. It is true that he may always repent so long as he doesn't let himself descend below the possibility of repentance. It is true that we shall always have the opportunity to better ourselves and just because we made a bad choice yesterday is no reason why we cannot make a better decision today.
But it is also true that making bad choices has its permanent effect upon our lives, and no man who makes many bad choices is going to progress as far as the man who consistently makes good choices, because there is no other life in which the work of this life may be done — that life which is to come will have its own work to be accom- plished, its own decisions to be made, its own achievements to be won, and time lost and journeys traveled in the wrong direction are all subtracted from the measure of our highest possibilities even though eternity lies before us. — JR. L. E.
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Judge not that ye be not judged" — these simple words were quietly spoken many centuries ago by a simple carpenter as He began His preaching on the dusty paths of Judea. Today their softly spoken accents thunder in our ears for their perti- nence to the present situation.
And in the overtones of their simplicity goes all the experience of man from the beginning of life on this earth to its last dim footsteps before it shall be celestialized. Man, at best, is human, glori- ously human. His spirit is immortal. In his hu- manity, he has the power to achieve magnificently and to fail miserably. In man's enduring hunger and struggle for advancement he may err; he may make mistakes. Although man's spirit is eternal, it is encased in a mortal body, directed by a finite mind. In man's struggle, he cannot see completely to the end, and therefore goes astray at times.
Each of us has his faults. Each of us suffers from misconceptions. From year to year, each of us sees how things could be done more nearly according to the divine plan laid out for mankind. Because this is true, how unfair it is for some of us to criticize others for mistakes, for errors.
A group of women was talking the other day, and one woman said that it has been terribly hard for her to appreciate that some of the leading peo- ple in our Church, such as bishops, stake presi- dents, and some of the other high officers of the Church made mistakes. For a time it had almost destroyed her faith in the principles of the Gospel because she saw that some of its officers could not quite abide by that which they preached. Now she had come to realize that all of us on earth are strug- gling to attain perfection, as we have been directed. She has now come to a realization that all have faults — that is part of being human, but that one of the most serious faults lies in deliberately setting out to do malicious wrong. So each of us must realize that even as we want our own shortcomings to be considered mercifully, we must also judge not the failures of others.
It is strange, isn't it, that the simple words of the Master should have such vibrant meaning over nineteen hundred years after He said them quietly to some of His followers on a Judean hillside.
— M. C. /.
480
Evidences and reconciliations
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'"Phe devil has not escaped modern attempts to explain away old beliefs. "Mormonism," how- ever, has found it easy to answer the baffling question about the nature of the devil.
The beings in the "spirit world"- — whence hu- manity comes — are alike in that they possess the right of free agency; they are unlike in that they do not choose, nor have they chosen alike. Conse- quently, the inhabitants of the spirit world, as in our world, with the same beginnings and opportuni- ties differ in the degree or stage of their devel- opment. There is therefore in the spirit world as on earth a gradation among individuals in knowl- edge and power from the lowest to the highest, from the least advanced to the God who represents all knowledge, power, and good. Those who lag behind in the march towards progression are not necessarily evil. They are chiefly enemies to them- selves as they loiter along the highway of eternity, though they do hinder the purposes of the Lord who seeks the ultimate salvation of all His children.
The inequality or gradation among those who dwell in the domain of spirits is clearly set forth in the Book of Abraham:
And the Lord said unto me: These two facts do exist, that there are two spirits, one being more intelligent than the other; there shall be another more intelligent than they; I am the Lord thy God, I am more intelligent than they all. . . . Now the Lord has shown unto me, Abraham, the in- telligences that were organized before the world was; and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones; and God saw these souls that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them, and he said: These I will make my rulers; for he stood among those that were spirits, and he saw that they were good; and he said unto me: Abraham, thou art one of them; thou wast chosen before thou wast born. (Pearl of Great Price, Book of Abraham, 3:19, 22, 23; see also, 3:16-23.)
Another class of beings, using free agency im- properly, are of more serious concern. A being may choose wisely and well, throughout ages of exist- ence, until great progress has been achieved, and then he may turn against truth and become actively opposed to that which made his rise possible and to those with whom he was formerly associated. That is not an uncommon experience among human beings, which occurs also in the spirit world. Such a change, or apostacy, results from sin — negligence of duty, ambition, greed, selfishness, jealousy, im- purity, or any of the many acts that defeat progress. Such persons become enemies of truth, opponents to progress, ready to use evil to defeat good. They become personified evil.
The story of Lucifer is the most terrible example of such apostacy. Lucifer, son of the morning, through diligent search for truth and the use of it, had become one of the foremost in the assembly
of those invited to share in the experiences of earth. But, in that Great Council, his personal ambition and love of power overcame him. He pitted his own plan and will against the purposes of God. He strove to gain the birthright of his elder brother, Jesus the Christ. When his proposition was re- jected, he forsook all that he had gained, would not repent of his sin, defied truth, and of necessity lost his place among the followers of God. He was no longer Lucifer, bearer of truth, who walked in light, but Satan, teacher of untruth, who slinked in dark- ness. He became the enemy of God and all who try to walk according to the Lord's commandments. Pitifully in that vast assembly, one third of the spirits present supported Satan and became enemies of the truth that they formerly cherished. With him these rebellious spirits lost their fellowship with the valiant sons of God. What is more, they lost the privilege of obtaining bodies of flesh and blood without which they cannot gain full power over the forces of the universe. In the face of that defeat, and that curse, they have sought from Adam to the present time to corrupt mankind and defeat the Lord's purposes.
The story is well told in modern revelation:
And I, the Lord God, spake unto Moses, saying: That Satan, whom thou hast commanded in the name of mine Only Begotten, is the same which was from the beginning, and he came before me saying — Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor. But, behold, my Beloved Son, which was my Beloved and Chosen from the beginning, said unto me — Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever. Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man, which I, the Lord God, had given him, and also, that I should give unto him mine own power; by the power of mine Only Begotten, I caused that he should be cast down; and he became Satan, yea, even the devil, the father of all lies, to deceive and to blind men, and to lead them captive at his will, even as many as would not hearken unto my voice. (Pearl of Great Price, Moses, 4:1-4.)
And it came to pass that Adam, being tempted of the devil — for, behold, the devil was before Adam, for he rebelled against me, saying, Give me thine honor, which is my power; and also a third part of the hosts of heaven turned away from me because of their agency; and they were thrust down, and thus came the devil and his angels. (Doctrine and Covenants, 29:36, 37.)
And there stood one among them that was like unto God, and he said unto those who were with him: We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell; and we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them; and they who keep their first estate shall be added upon; and they who keep not their first estate shall not have glory in the same kingdom with those who keep their first estate; and they who keep their second estate shall have glory added upon their heads for ever and ever. And the Lord said: Whom shall I send? And one answered like unto the Son of Man: Here am I, send me. And another answered and said: Here am I, send me. And the Lord said: I will send the first. And the second was angry, and kept not his first estate, and, at that day, many followed after him. (Pearl of Great Price, Book of Abraham, 3:24-28.)
It is universal experience that he who apostatizes from truth is never quiescent. He is impelled by his own evil conscience to justify himself; and there is no justification equal to winning followers to his own sinful life. He knows {Concluded on page 511)
481
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, AUGUST, 1941
Joseph Smith Building
IF the man of God who founded Brigham Young University sixty-six years ago were to walk over the Upper Campus today, he would have reason to feel pleased at the progress being made. For this year has seen the completion there of a stately build- ing named in honor of the Prophet-founder of the Church and designed to develop char- acter and spirituality.
Brigham Young instructed that practical training for vocational success be given at the institution; but he admonished that the spirit of God should pervade all the teaching. In harmony with these injunctions, the splendid Joseph Smith building has been erected to serve as the center of the religious life of the University. It has a spacious hall for devotional exercises, Sunday School, Mutual Improvement sessions, and concerts of ex- alting music; classrooms for religion and supporting subjects; an attractive ballroom, lounges, and banquet halls for social development of a high order.
The addition of these and other facilities, with a strengthened faculty, make Brig- ham Young University better able than ever to carry out the desires of the founders of the Church and of the Institution.
Brigham Young University is founded on the faith that man can become God-like and the world can become better. The attempt is constantly made to reveal to the stu- dent ways to develop the resources of personality in order to serve efficiently, live rich- ly, and progress eternally.
Standard University Training at Moderate Cost
NO OUT-OF-STATE FEES Autumn Quarter Registration — September 26, 27, 29
For catalogue, address The President
BRIGHAM YOUNG
482
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, AUGUST, 1941
DEFENSE
Looking into the Future . . .
DEFENSE is not achieved in six months of hectic bustle or six years. America and her dem- ocratic liberties will need protection in all her generations. And the per- manent security that is her due will come, not merely from tanks and planes, not merely from men hastily trained to fabricate and serve the war-machines, but from citizens fully trained in body, mind, and heart.
Even under stress of a national crisis, government officials recognize how vital to national security are thoroughly and highly developed persons. Alluding to "the tendency of students to enroll in short defense training courses instead of complet- ing their regular college curricula," John W. Studebaker, Commissioner of the U. S. Office of Education, stress- es the fact that "the demand of in- dustry for fully trained professional personnel in all the fields related to national defense is already greater than the supply, and the need for these fully trained men is going to be greater with the passing years."
America will have genuine secur- ity only while her people can look at their fellow-citizens and think, "These men and women inspire con- fidence because they have charac- ter." It is this rugged foundation of character that Brigham Young Uni- versity seeks to lay, through direct and indirect religious and spiritual training. Then upon this bedrock it helps young men and women erect structures of specialized knowledge demanded by a technological age.
WINDOWS AND VISTAS
Tall windows that reveal inspiring views are one of the most pleasing features of the Joseph Smith building. They frame such imposing sights as for- est-skirted Mount Nebo and the soaring up-sweep of Mount Timpanogos.
These windows may symbolize the enlarged vistas of life that open before students at the Church Uni- versity. More fruitful than the rich green farms and orchards about the campus, more exalting than the views of snow-crowned mountains, are the glimpses of possibilities for mental and spiritual growth which unfold before the earnest student.
UNIVERSITY,
"Scholarship - Spirituality - Character"
PROVO, UTAH
483
CONDUCTED BY MARBA C. JOSEPHSON
For the good of your clothes!
IN
SIZES
|
',» |
|
|
;D |
«s* |
|
"Regular," con- |
|
|
taining |
24 ounces |
|
of soap, and |
|
|
"Giant,' |
contain- |
|
ing 50 |
ounces, |
|
and a |
piece of |
|
Parma |
Pottery. |
Perhaps it IS hard to believe that a soap s: rough on dirt can be so gentle with clothes . . . even the most delicate of fabrics and colors. BuS it's true of PAR! What's more, the "Pyro" in Par Soap prevents scum and wash-tub ring end makes rinsing quick and complete.
For the good of your hands!
Even if PAR had no glycerine in it, it would be easy on the hands. But this hand-lotion ingre- dient makes it even kinder to smooth, tender skin. Try Par, just once, and you'll keep on using it.
or
3
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m
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iTV
DELIGHT YOUR FAMILY with this delicious
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Everybody votes this cake a real prize winner when
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RECIPE ON PACKAGE
Buy a package of Globe Al Special Cake Flour today. Make this prize-worthy cake tomorrow!
SOME VIEWS ON HOME CANNING
By Ethel Hudson
"Camilies who know the value of good diet, but who have to watch their pennies, have busied themselves this summer by improving every available square foot of ground. They know that a daily diet, well planned and well cooked, is worth more than a whole medicine cabinet full of pink pills, and they have learned that practically the entire food supply may be grown and produced in their own backyard. Aches and pains are not always easily cured, but they are easily prevented by using a well balanced diet of good, whole- some, nourishing foods, containing the vitamins, minerals and body-building elements necessary to buoyant health. Children, most of all, need the store- house of minerals and vitamins that come from a backyard garden, properly planned and cared for.
That poor diets are inexcusable has been proved by a recent government survey which showed that families who enjoy the best diet spend little more in actual cash for food than those who have insufficient diet. The difference lies in the foods produced at home. Families with the best diets grow more than twice as much food at home as those with inadequate diets. These better-fed families use three times as much milk, one and one-half times as much meat, poultry, and eggs, and almost twice as much vegetables, fruits, and other home-grown foods.
To plan food production is to plan for a balanced diet. According to Ex- tension Service reports, the value of foods canned and preserved in the home last year would have cost more than twenty-one million dollars if purchased over the counter. A quarter of a mil- lion families grew their own food sup- ply on a planned basis. These fam- ilies canned over seventy-six million quarts of food and fourteen million jars of jams, jellies, and other such products.
Home canning no longer presents the problem that it did several years ago, for modern methods and modern equip- ment have so simplified the task that even the youngest, most inexperienced homemaker may do her canning with complete assurance, provided she has well fixed in her mind the proper steps of procedure in handling both the product and the equipment, and follows carefully an accurate time table.
The pressure cooker method of home canning has become a universal favorite with thousands of homemakers. It is recommended by the United States Government as well as prominent au- thorities in homemaking, for the can-
484
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, AUGUST, 1941
ning of all non-acid foods, because of the higher degree of heat obtainable which insures easier destruction of harmful bacteria.
The oven method is preferred by many for processing fruits and toma- toes. A temperature of 250 degrees has been proved to be the most satis- factory and the oven used for canning must be equipped with an oven control or regulator so that a consistent tem- perature can be maintained throughout the processing period. A temperature higher than 250 degrees will cause the liquid in the jars to boil too hard and evaporate. Fruits and tomatoes pro- cessed by the oven method retain their natural color and flavor, and result in a beautiful finished product with a minimum of shrinkage.
The hot water bath method still ranks high in favor because of the fact that no expensive equipment is neces- sary. A wash boiler or large deep vessel that has a close-fitting cover is all that is needed. The "canner" must be fitted with a rack made of laths, gal- vanized wire, or other perforated ma- terial to hold the jars at least one-half inch above the bottom of the canner. The water in the canner should be near the boiling point when filled jars are put into it and should cover the jars at least one inch. Processing time is counted when the water begins to boil, and if water boils down, more should be added to keep it at the required height throughout processing period.
The open kettle method can be used for fruits, tomatoes, preserves, and pickles. The most important point to remember in connection with open ket- tle canning is that only one jar should be filled at a time with the boiling hot product, and the seal completed, before the next jar is filled. The product should be kept boiling hot until the last jar is filled and sealed.
The first step in home canning should be a careful check on all canning equip- ment. See that the canners to be used are in working order. Make sure that you have a sufficient supply of fruit jars and caps so there will be no delay when the food is ready to be canned. The jar and cap form an important part of the canning equipment and should be chosen for the ease with which they are used, and the assurance they offer of making an air-tight seal. For large fruits the wide mouth jar is very convenient. If using a jar cap which requires a rubber ring, be sure the rubber is the right size and width. The two-piece "Self-sealing" cap does not require a rubber ring. This cap is simple to handle since it is merely placed on the jar with the sealing composition next to the glass, and the band tightened firmly before processing. It does not seal until the contents of the jar begin to cool after processing, and for this reason should not be tightened again at the end of the processing period or when jars are cold. When jars are (Continued on page 436)
"WAIT UNTIL YOU TASTE THE SOUP WE'RE HAVING
TONIGHT"
I. "It's Rancho vege-
table soup and it really tastes home-made. I had ,it at Janet's lunch last week and you should have heard her guests rave."
/• Janet Says her grocer told her a lot about Rancho soups. How they're made from old-time Western recipes and simmered for hours, just like I'd do it here at home. And once you've tasted them, thar's very easy to believe."
S* Home-made — no indeed! This is Rancho and I know something about it. It's made the way we like our soups out here in the West. Only the finest Western vege- tables are used in the preparation of Rancho — that's why it tastes so good."
RAMCHO SOUPS
Vegetable
Mushroom
Chicken Noodle
Pea
Asparagus
Tomato
4« They loved the dinner didn't they? And what a hit the soup made. Just wait until they find out how little Rancho soups cost. And it's all because the Rancho kitchen is located right here in the West. That's why Rancho soups can be sold at such economical prices. They don't have far to go to reach my grocer's shelf."
485
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, AUGUST, 1941
JhsL £jkci,—
A monthly visitor from home and Church headquar- ters, will be ap- preciated by your boys who are away.
That's the way with most husbands. They want their salads simple and rich and sharp (not sweet ot flat j Try adding TANG, next salad.
Use Nalley's Old - ashioned French Dressing with Ro- quefort Cheese as a dress- in on lettuce hearts.
THE
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DRESSING
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O Teaspoons \J\J
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Send for Yours NOW.' Mail coin and emblems to . . .
KERR GLASS MFG. CORP.
Dept. 287, Meriden, Conn. Full details on how to obtain other units in this charming silver plate will be enclosed with your 6 teaspoons.
This offer is void in any state or political sub- division where same is prohibited or restricted by law.
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KERR MASON the Wise Ji Buyer's PREFERENCE
Can at home — Serve your own healthful homecanned foods; SAVE MONEY, TIME and ENERGY; USE KERR MASON JARS, CAPS and LIDS, for they ARE BEST.
PUFF "Home Can- ■ Hit ning in 12
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Send 10c for KERR'S Home Canning Book Rec- ipes...full instructions.
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RE Best
( Continued from page 485 )
cold and have been tested for seal, the screw band may be removed and may be used over again by purchasing a new "lid" or the part of the cap con- taining the sealing composition.
Foods canned by any method other than the open kettle are prepared by either the "cold pack" or "hot pack." The cold pack method consists of pack- ing the cold product into the jar, then processing. Most products are packed raw; others, in order to remove the skin, are blanched (scalded) in hot water or steam, and then dipped into cold water, peeled, and packed into jars. The hot pack consists of a short precooking, after which the boiling hot product is packed into clean jars and processed. The hot pack has been found more satisfactory for vegetables and meats.
Fruits and tomatoes for canning should be uniformly ripened and firm
ing of the product in the jar is brought about.
In precooking vegetables, only enough water to cover the product should be used, as certain mineral salts are soluble and in order to retain as much food value as possible, it is de- sirable to use the water in which the vegetable was precooked to fill the jars. The precooking period should be a short one, just long enough to heat the vegetable through and expel the air from the food cells. As soon as the precooking period is up, the boiling hot vegetables should be packed imme- diately into clean jars.
The pack of vegetables should be a medium tight one except for corn, peas, and lima beans. These are starchy foods which expand during processing and absorb some of the liquid in the jar. The pack on these foods should be a loose one and the jar filled only to within one inch of the top with the vegetable, and one-half inch of the top with the water in which the vegetable
in texture. If too green, the flavor is not fully developed and the finished product is not a good one. Over-ripe fruits and tomatoes shrink badly during the processing, and the flavor is not so good as that found in fruits which are uniformly ripened and firm.
Large fruits, such as peaches and ap- ples, should be thoroughly washed be- fore the skin is broken. This will help to free them of soil which may carry contamination into the jar. All small fruits such as grapes and berries, should be washed and carefully picked over, discarding the bruised and sour ones. If these find their way into the jar, it may later result in spoilage. Because of their delicate texture and the fact that they are rich in juices, fruits and tomatoes may be packed very solidly in the jar, filling the jar to within one half inch of the top with the product.
The hot pack method is preferable for all vegetables as it expels the air from the food cells of the vegetable, shrinks it, and makes it more pliable for packing. The most important rea- son for hot packing vegetables, how- ever, is the fact that the processing is speeded up because the food in the jar is already hot when the heat of pro- cessing is applied, and a uniform cook-
was precooked. This will allow a good proportion of liquid to the solid ma- terial and offer more assurance of a uniform processing of these starchy foods.
Faced with rising prices and a pos- sible food shortage, every homemaker should make a special effort to produce at home an adequate food supply, and to conserve the surplus by storing it in jars to meet the demands of the winter months. Nothing will go farther to- ward promoting good health, high mor- ale, and happy dispositions, and in no way can the woman in the home better serve her country than by serving her family. Our country can be no stronger than our homes, and a healthful diet lays the foundation for healthy, happy home life.
Payment for Handy Hints used will be one dollar upon publication. In the event that two with the same idea are submitted, the one postmarked earlier will receive the dollar. None of the ideas can be returned, but each will receive careful consideration.
T
o mend china or glass, melt some pow- dered alum in an old spoon; then quickly
486
rub the melted alum over the edges of the pieces to be glued; press together and set aside to dry completely. (This glue with- stands hot water.) — Mrs. Z. K. E., Chand- ler, Arizona.
When threading a needle, hold the needle over something white; the eye will show up plainly, making threading easy. — Mrs. C. A. S., Myton, Utah,
Cinnamon rolls will be much lighter, will hold their shape better, and can be cut much more quickly with a clean string, rather than a knife. Pass the string under the roll of dough, bring the ends around it, cross them, and give a quick pull. The rolls will be cut off smoothly and evenly. - — D. L., Afton, Wyoming.
One can prevent having a rusty oven by leaving the oven door ajar for an hour after baking. This lets the moisture dis- appear instead of settling on the metal. — Mrs. G. D. C, Columbus, Ohio.
When painting ceilings, cut a rubber ball in half, slip over paint brush, cup part to- wards bristles. This will prevent the paint running down the handle. — Mrs. M. D. J., Salt Lake City, Utah.
Now that the summer crops have made a good appearance and the prices are low, the thrifty housewife will be eager to lay aside some of these good things for the winter months when the health of her family will depend to a large degree on her thriftiness now. There are many suc- cessful methods of canning fruits, vege- tables, and even meats, poultry, and fish; just which is the best way for you is in- cluded in some booklets which give all the needed directions. If you wish this in- formation for yourselves and your friends, write us, and give your addresses, and we shall be glad to see that you get the booklets.
j[ooksr Coriier
By Barbara Badger Burnett
Tuna and Pea Fritters
1 cup flour \]/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
34 cup milk 1 cup flaked tuna 1 cup drained cooked peas
Sift together the dry ingredients. Beat egg yolks until thick; add milk; add to dry ingredients; mix well; add tuna and peas. Add stiffly beaten egg whites. Drop by spoon in frying pan in hot pot. Drain on paper.
Lemon Sponge Pie
1 tablespoon butter 1 cup sugar
few grains salt 1 tablespoon flour
juice and grated rind of 1 lemon 2 eggs l/2 cup evaporated milk Y2 cup water
Line a pie tin with pastry. Cream the ( Concluded on page 497 )
"WHY, THIS IS ABOUT MEI*
toys Elsie, the Borden cow
It says right here that Borden's began to evaporate milk in Logan, Utah, July 1. 1916. Think of it — all this delicious Borden's milk we see in Utah stores is good Utah milk — all oi it enriched with vitamin D. Just the brand to put right at the head ol your shopping list today.
So pure, rich and flavorful you'll want to buy it always!
if irs TSenktii-
IT'S GOT TO BE GOO*
A
Utah Product
ROYAL GELATIN DESSERTS
Seven popular flavors. Pure, delicious gelatin for tasty, colorful desserts. Also Royal Salad Gelatin, which has a meat-like flavor {not sweet), and is ideal for jellied soups and moulded salads.
ROYAL PUDDINGS
Chocolate, Butterscotch, Vanilla Puddings and Royal Vanilla Tapioca. Rich, smooth, creamy puddings that are easy to make.
ROYAL BAKING POWDER
The only nationally-distributed baking powder made with cream of tartar. For fluffy cakes and grand biscuits.
FLEISCHMANN'S YEAST
—The All -Purpose Yeast for Household Use.
Now — drink this famous food to your health, in plain, cool, tomato juice, mitk or water. You 'II like it I
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fHF TOP GRADE PACKED ? WAYS: FANCY SOLID PACK or READY GRATED IN STARKIST'S MODERN SUNLIT PLANT
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PIMENTO AGED CHEDDAR DUTCH LUNCH
Retailer's ICE BOX
487
"It's no secret! —
let me tell you about
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(Concluded from page 464) your hair in the middle," which he did.
"Some can wear their hair high, which is very stylish these days," he continued, "but I think you look better this way. Many girls are wearing jeweled combs with a high hairdress for evening," he added, "and have you noticed the bright colored sashes and belts? All of this is in compliment to South America."
I was more than eager to get a look at myself by this time ( a wom- an's vanity) but he was not through yet. He then placed over my own eyelashes a pair of very long silky ones. That made the complete transformation, and he then told me to take a good look at myself.
I wasn't there at all. I was really someone else. The deep copper- colored skin in harmonious blending with the long silken black lashes,
dark eyes, and black hair, high- lighted by his magic touch had in- deed effected a change.
"Now," he added, scrutinizing me proudly, "that shows what a little artistic make-up can do . . . but with- out beauty within, make-up can do very little. Nature's own loveliness must be there too, for remember . . . beauty is more than skin deep and keeping the Word of Wisdom plays a very important part in nature's handiwork."
Helping me from the chair, he added, "There is just one more thing I might say, 'Beauty without virtue, is a flower without perfume,' and there is no beautifier of com- plexion or form, or behavior, more effective than a sparkling personality that comes from clean thoughts and clean habits."
As for me, I shall never forget just how I looked .
once!
THE MILLENNIUM OF FERDOWSI
(Concluded from page 461) tering these dragons and other wild beasts, sometimes overcoming them and sometimes being worsted by them. One of the touching passages is the instruction of Rustum to his horse to be more careful after he had been injured by a lion. Earlier, Rustum had chided the horse for waking the master on any small pre- text.
These epic tales of the Shah Na- me h are assigned to well-known locations in the country, such as the Elburz Mountains and Mazandarin, so that one who goes through Persia today is impressed with many fa- miliar place names contained in the great epic.
After Ferdowsi had finished this great work and had had the un- pleasant experience with the Shah and his Vizer, he returned to his native Tus to spend the remaining years in quiet, apart from public life.
It is said that due to pressure from the people, who very much loved Ferdowsi, the Shah finally relented
and sent emissaries to the poet, carrying his apology and also con- veying the gold which should have been paid earlier. As the emissaries of the Shah entered the gates of the city on one side, the body of the poet was being carried to its final resting place on the other side. While the poet did not live to receive the resti- tution of the Shah, the money that was brought was used to further the project he had so much desired, the building of a fine bridge over the river at his native city.
In Persia today practically every person, be he peasant or ruler, knows something of the works of Ferdowsi. Almost everyone can quote long pas- sages from the Shah Nameh. The poet is honored by having streets, hotels, and other public places named after him. His poetry has outlived palaces and dynasties. For a thousand years it has helped to preserve national unity and has as- sisted in making of Persia one of the chief poetry-loving countries of the world.
An Apology for the Coincidence of Sevens
(Continued from page 455)
So hearken then while I unfold The strangest story ever told,
Unheeding time or rhythm;
And if in telling this queer tale
In classic diction I may fail, I hope to be forgiven.
It comes in cycles of seven years With the mystic figure seven.
Whate'er betides me as I go
Along the road, both to and fro,
And whether it be weal or woe, I mark it with a seven.
For I was born on the seventh day In seventh month and seven years
After arrival in the valley
Of that noble band of Pioneers —
In all the world they had no peers, And here they made their rally.
And from the place where I was born In 'dobe hut behind the cobble wall
.488
THE IMPROVEMENT ERA, AUGUST, 1941
Which once enclosed the famous block Where immigrants were wont to flock — ■
From bishop's storehouse get their stock, Responding to their needy call,
I moved when seven years of age To where Zion's Bank now stands,
But then in mansion did we dwell — In homelike comfort and oft heard tell
Of mighty deeds and angry Indian yell; Of buffalo and cruel outlaw bands.
When two times seven — just fourteen years—
In the old Endowment House, The Temple not built but scattered 'round
In native rock upon the ground, I received endowments and was ordained
An Elder in my tender years.
When three times seven — just twenty-one, Ordained a Seventy by Brigham Young;
On foreign mission sent
And bent on preaching Gospel plan,
In Germany and Switzerland My ministry began.
Returning home from distant lands
My mission being ended, The second time on native soil
On the seventh day and seventh month In eighteen hundred seventy-seven
In America I landed.
When four times seven, though 'twas quite late,
Already I was twenty-eight, A lovely maid from the Seventh Ward
Seven years I wooed and labored hard Before I reaped the great reward
As Jacob did to get his mate.
When five times seven — ' O, where's my pen and ink?
For I must now put on my cap and think." I remember well that I was thirty-five,
And furthermore that I was still alive. If aught I did or did what I ought not —
Tis just as well that it should be forgot.
When six times seven, again I went abroad O'er European Mission to preside.
In Mid-Atlantic on the very day That I was forty-two, by the way,
Bryan's "Cross of Gold" then on display Filled our hearts with patriotic pride.
With seven-year cycles I'm only half way through,
So let's forget the rest but still pursue The mystic figure seven, and you will find
It still more mysterious if you're inclined To superstition, or you're of feeble mind.
So listen: Strange! but what I say is true!
Seven wives my father truly had;
His seventh child and oldest son am I. Seven children to him my mother bore; And seven to me from the wife whom I adore; I only wish of such I had a score,
'Twould raise me to the Seventh Heaven nigh.
When I came home from Germany,
Seven years as missionary And seven in auxiliary,
I served my Church at home, and then Was chosen one of seven men:
First Seven Presidents of Seventy.
So now I'm fourscore years and four;
Twelve times seven make eighty-four And so you see I'm through;
And greeting friends and kindred all, Both old and young — and big and small,
I bid you all adieu.
—Rulon S. Wells.
10-inch size
Styled by
INEZ DONOV
&>'
fflfo C7U44
and 6 labels from Chicken of the Sea
Brand
Grated Style Tuna
or White Star Tuna !
See outserts on top of tuna cans for other valuable pottery offers
New California Pottery plates. An exclusive design, in rich "Mat White" finish, they'll harmonize with any tableware pattern.
Start enjoying America's finest tuna . . . and start building your set of these unusual plates. For 29 years, this quality tuna has been America's favorite, because only the tender light meat is packed. As healthful as it is delicious, this tuna is a tempting source of Vitamins "A" and "D," effective preventive of nutritional goiter.
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JLi£i¥& 9 OVERALLS
with patented CONCEALED COPPER RIVETS on back pockets
LEVI STRAUSS & CO., San Francisco
489
ilHelchizedekTriesthood
CONDUCTED BY THE MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE TWELVE — JOSEPH FIELDING SMITH, CHAIRMAN; JOHN A. WIDTSOE, JOSEPH F. MERRILL, CHARLES A. CALLIS, SYLVESTER Q. CANNON, AND HAROLD B. LEE
TWO LETTERS FROM THE FIRST PRESIDENCY
Concerning Government Money
June 13, 1941
Presidents of Stakes and Bishops of Wards
Dear Brethren:
Tt has come to our attention that in at ■*• least one case — and the suggestion is made that it has happened in others — one of our bishops in carrying on a farming project for the Welfare work has taken from the Government money for not raising crops on the Welfare Project, the land belonging to the ward.
We are not able to approve of this practice. We do not believe the eco- nomics behind this practice are sound, nor do we feel that they are consistent with that civic integrity which should be among our people. We have con- stantly declined, as the First Presi- dency, to receive gratuities from the Government, and this receiving of money for not raising crops is a pure gratuity or dole. The Church is making every effort to avoid the necessity of later facing a charge that it has ac- cepted governmental gratuities to carry on its work, and it has no desire to ac- cept such gratuities.
We must, therefore, ask all presi- dents of stakes and bishops of wards