OPPOSITE HOTEL UTAH "The Photographers in Salt Lake City" (A SPECIAL RATE FOR MISSIONARIES) Young Man, You Older Men, too It's the Farm Book recomn ended by the General Board of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association for reading this winter by all Y. M. M. I. A. members. The fact that they have endorsed it, proves its standing and value. We'll send you one Free of Charge By a fortunate arrangement with the publishers we are able to offer you this book as a premium with The Utah Farmer. If you are not now a subscriber, send us $1.00 and we will send you The Utah Farmer until January 1, 1915, and a copy of "Making the Farm Pay" free of Charge. If you are already a subscriber, pay up your subscription to date and one year in advance and we will send you a copy of the book free. Still better, if you will get us two new subscribers and send us the $2.00, we will send each of these the paper until Jan. 1, 1915, and will send both them and yourself a copy of this book free. The books are bound in durable paper covers and are the official edition. Send today, before they are all gone. The Utah Farmer PUBLICATION OFFICE LEHI, UTAH Joseph Hughes, South Melbourne, Australia, November 28: “I can honestly say that I have enjoyed the reading matter contained in the ERA very much. I am very fond of reading and have read a good many books but nothing that has given me greater pleasure than the ERA. Wishing it a wide circulation and continued prosperity, yours sincerely." President Martin Christopherson, of the Scandinavian Mission, Copenhagen, Denmark, November 13: "On my last trip through the mission the elders in every conference expressed their appreciation of the ERA and the valuable instructions and encouragement received through its pages. We consider it a welcome visitor, containing just such teachings and information as are needed by the elders in the field." Elder Eugene Hilton, Philadelphia, Pa., January 10: "It would be difficult indeed for anything to be more welcome than the monthly visits of the IMPROVEMENT ERA. It is a great aid to our elders in their work. The authoritative and instructive articles contained in it are thoroughly enjoyed by us. I have received some very pleasing compliments for the ERA from many competent and educated people to whom I have shown it. May it continue to prosper in its work of shedding forth light and truth to mankind." Improvement Era, February, 1914 TWO DOLLARS PER ANNUM WITH MANUAL FREE Entered at the Post Office, Salt Lake City, Utah, as second class matter. Joseph Longking Townsend 304 Discoveries on the Colorado-IV. Illustrated. Joseph F. Anderson. Character Counts Have Joseph Smith's Interpretations Been Discredited? What Lack We Yet? A Poem. Washington. A Poem... Men Who Have Done Things-XIV. Joseph Smith as Educator-II-IV. "It is Well." A Poem.... 305 Thomas W. Brookbank.... 366 . O. F. Ursenbach....... 370 371 372 380 383 385 388 395 Hebrew Idioms and Analogies in the Book of The Most Perfect. A Poem.. Where Flowers Grow. A Poem. In Honor of President Joseph F. Smith. A Practical Demonstration Editors' Table-Boy Scouts-History of Lehi. Priesthood Quorums' Table Alfred Lambourne Claude Richards Mutual Work-M. I. A. Special Mid-Season 397 402 . ORGAN OF LISHE HOOD QUORUMS, THE YOUNG MEN'S MUTUAL TIONS AND THE SCHOOLS OF THE CHURCH OF US CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS GENERAL BOARD AT SALT LAKE CITY, UTNE Three Daily 1 "Safety First" 3 "Careful Attention By these Each Operating Employe UNION PACIFIC SYSTEM OSLER Pledges His Faith. For Information Apply to CITY TICKET OFFICE, Hotel Utah Salt Lake City L. D. S. Conference SALT LAKE CITY Low Rate Excursion Tickets on ASK FOR TICKETS VIA and Salt Lake Route Stopovers in Southern California IMPROVEMENT ERA VOL. XVII MARCH, 1914 No. 5 The Honor and Dignity of Priesthood BY JAMES E. TALMAGE, OF THE COUNCIL OF THE TWELVE Many able investigators have expressed surprise and admiration over the plan of organization on which the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is founded. A critical observer who had devoted time and skill to the study of The Church, viewing it solely as a human institution, is credited with this expressive summary of conclusions: "The 'Mormon' Church is a magnificent organization splendidly officered." Without caste distinction as between clergyman and layman, with no order of salaried ministers or professional preachers, The Church provides service for every member who is able and willing to labor in the ministry. The bestowal of the Priesthood is a blessing reserved for no privileged few; every worthy man in The Church may confidently aspire to some measure of this sacred investiture. Ordination to any office in the holy order of authority and power imposes responsibility, separately and individually, upon each recipient. While every holder of this Divinely-appointed commission is an officer in The Church, there are numerous official positions of specific character to which worthy members are called and appointed. Even in the several quorums, each comprising members who have been ordained to the same office in the Priesthood, there are of necessity positions of presidency and administrative service. Priesthood is the authority delegated to man to minister in the name of Deity. It is power such as no one can assume on his own initiative; it is an endowment from the powers of heaven; "and no man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron" (Heb. 5:4). Men may form associations for and among themselves; they may create institutions and establish authority to administer the affairs thereof; men may set up governments, as municipalities, states, and nations, and may provide for the enactment of laws and |