“Of All Things,” New Era, Aug. 2001, 38

Of All Things

100 Years in Japan

In August 1901 Elder Heber J. Grant, along with three missionaries, arrived in Japan and dedicated the land for the preaching of the gospel on September 1 at Yokohama. The missionary work went slowly, and the mission was closed in August 1924. Fewer than 200 people were baptized into the Church in those 23 years.

However, in 1948, after World War II, the mission was reopened, and the Church in Japan has grown to more than 111,000 members since then. The Tokyo Japan Temple was dedicated in October 1980.

Dance Standards

Your stake probably has youth dances a few times a year so you can get together, dance, and have fun. As Latter-day Saints we don’t follow worldly standards, so we have Church guidelines for our dances that help invite the Spirit and allow everyone to have a good time. Here are some of those guidelines:

* Youth under 14 only participate in Church dances that are on regularly scheduled Mutual nights, unless otherwise stated by the bishopric or stake presidency.

* Dress and grooming should be modest, tasteful, and appropriate. Anything you might wear to Church would most likely be appropriate.

* Lighting, dancing styles, lyrics, and music should create an atmosphere where the Spirit can be present (see For the Strength of Youth, 13–14).

* Those who provide music should agree to follow Church standards when performing for Church activities.

* Music volume should allow people standing next to each other to carry on a normal conversation.

* Lights should be bright enough for you to see across the room.

(See Church Handbook of Instructions, 277–79.)

Zion’s Poetess

Eliza R. Snow, second general president of the Relief Society, was born on January 21, 1804. Before her conversion at the age of 31, she was an expert at needlework and a renowned poet in New England. She gave up fame in the literary circle there to join the Saints in Ohio, where she continued to write. But her theme had shifted from patriotism to uplifting the Saints and praising God. Her talent led the Saints to give Sister Eliza the title “Zion’s Poetess.” Her many trials as the Saints were driven from place to place, along with her failing health, were discouraging. Despite her trials, she managed to inspire and bless others with her songs and poems. One of her well-known hymns is “O My Father” (Hymns, no. 292).

Sister Eliza’s health problems also made her fear she would not be a good Relief Society president when Brigham Young called her. But President Young promised her if she would accept the calling the Lord would strengthen her, and she had faith in his words. She held that calling for 21 years, during which she also continued to write. Included in her writings is the biography of her brother, Lorenzo Snow, the fifth president of the Church. She died in Utah at the age of 83.

Test Your LDS I.Q.

You can read about Eliza R. Snow in this month’s Of All Things, but do you know what the R in her name stands for?
Which temple is the largest, and which is the smallest?
Who was chosen to fill the vacancy in the original Quorum of the Twelve Apostles after Judas Iscariot’s betrayal and death?
In how many languages is the Book of Mormon printed?
1. Fewer than 25
2. Between 25 and 50
3. Between 50 and 100
4. More than 100

Answers:

Photography by John Luke