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Show r loniEBa vt vmi ivt- editorial page How Late - own. THE WORLD does not concern itself with morals in the same way in which the Church does, and is now accepting far lower standards than the Lord has ever been willing for his people to have. So we cannot follow - 1 - i v GEMS OF THOUGHT iv Real Patience Ds hat time is a good time to get home from a data? Who should decide? What is a reasonable rule? Many an unpleasant hour has been experienced in many a home because of a lack of understanding on these points. Where is the path of wisdom in this matter both from the standpoint of the youth and of patient parents who usually remain awake until everyone is in? There is always a reasonable middle ground in these matters,; and every Latter-da- y Saint, whether or to reach it for should strive parent youth, earnestly the best good of all. Probably we should note in the'first place that the hour of coming home should be and must be considered, as a part of our over-a- ll moral standard. No one will question that our reputation, our character, our good name, and our standing before God, are all related to it. Too late can be tragic. Too early can cause hard feelings. How may we reach the happy middle ground? SINCE PARENTS and children are both concerned, both should have a voice in reaching the decision. The Church has always advised family council meetings as well as home evenings, when family matters may be discussed plainly and frankly, but in a spirit of love and cooperation. There is no place for dictatorship in these family council meetings, any more than there is room for rebellion. But the final decision must rest with the parents. One of the important things to be discussed is the at age which young people should begin to date. For years the Church has advised against twosome dating at less than 16 years of age. Rather it has been urged that younger people go in groups, with proper chaperonage. It is true that the ways of the world are at variance with that concept, but that does not make it wrong. The world has its standards, the Church sets up its -- Essential To Sound Growth Too Late? the dictates of the world. Then in our family council meeting, we should seek for the advice of the Lord and His Church. Since Latter-da- y Saints are believers and therefore obedient, we should do that which the Lord suggests. He says: Be ye temperate in all things. That means ho extremes, either in demanding that we come in too early or that we remain out too late. He al30 said : Retire to thy bed early, as will be remembered. Too late or too early depends of course upon the age of the youngsters concerned. Certainly the early teenagers should be willing to recognize the curfew set up by law, which is 10 p.m. Since it is the law, let us observe it For older teenagers, what is reasonable? THE CHURCH has set a good example to its members by closing its social activities by midnight, with the one exception of New Years Eve, when special arrangements are made. It is well known that many youngsters stay out past midnight, but is it a good idea? Is it even a good idea for older people? Considering the next days demands of both school and employment, is midnght too early? And then there i3 Saturday. This is the big night out for most worldly people. What about the Saints? Sabbath Day observance is involved here. The Sabbath is stil the Sabbath even in the wee hours of the early morning. Should we not observe it? And is partying the thing to do on the Sabbath? Again midnight seems to be a good time to go home. CRITICS CALL us prudish when we keep sensible hours; but they likewise use that epithet for those who wont smoke or drink, or neck or pet. Should their disparaging remarks be either persuasive or controlling? The fact is that late hours are often directly related to moral problems of a serious nature. Since Latter-da- y Saints are expected to protect their virtue, they should be willing to adopt habits which will assist them in doing so. Late hours can and often do break down moral restraints, which is always tragic. If both parents and children will remember their Church standards, and if they will be reasonable with each other, they can easily reach an understanding on late hours which will meet the needs of all concerned. Excerpts from an address by Elder D. Richards as one session of General Conference of the Church, April, franklin 1968. Paul in writing to the Roman Saints said, . . . we glory in tribulations . . . knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience hope. (Romans 5:3-4- ) And so our trials and tribulations, as we meet them with patience, give us valuable experiences and prepare us for challenges that lie ahead. Likewise it is possible to glory in health, prosperity and happiness as well as in tribulations. All of lifes experiences provide us with opportunities to develop patience. In periods of health, prosperity and g we are inclined to overlook the importance of patience and are apt to become impatient. It is well to remember, however, that there are many hazards connected with impatience. One of the greatest is that of ones self physically financially or in many mentally ways. In 1828 the Lord in a revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith said, Do not run faster or labor more than you have strength . . . (D&C 10:4) By exercising patience we will not be inclined to run faster or labor more than our strength justifies. In this regard an adage which has been particularly helpful and inspirational to me is, Survey large fields but cultivate small ones. Concentrating on an immediate task while envisioning and planning for extensive growth, requires genuine patience and patience is very essential to sound growth and development. Some might construe patience to be a negative force resulting In resignation and discouragement. However, patience is a great stabilizing influence in our lives while impatience frequently brings fear, tensions, discouragements and failure. well-bein- over-extendi- THIS WEEK IN CHURCH HISTORY; Husband Leaves Ailing Wife for West April U. 1147 .Henson Walker kilted hit Invalid wife eoodbye and started well with President Brlaham Yount's Pioneer company. Elizabeth managed a smile as tall, ruggedly handsome Henson Walker held her hand and assured her that he would see her again soon. She was nearly as pale as the pillow under her head and was thin and weak after the long battle with the fever that still threatened her life. Henson did his best to cheer her up but in his heart, he was not sure that he really would see her alive again. With heavy heart, he left with the Pioneer Company. Throughout the trek from Winter Quarters to Salt Lake Valley, he could not entirely shake the feeling of gloom, wondering about Elizabeth. Henson was no stranger to sorrow. Twice in recent years, tragedy had struck heavy blows. Born in Manchester, N.Y., shortly before the family of the Prophet Joseph Smith moved in to the area, Henson probably heard a good deal about the Prophet and the gold plates, during the 14 or 15 years that he (Henson) lived there. The Smiths moved west to Ohio, when Henson was li. .;y. Four rr five years later, the Walkers joined several to Michigan. In the group was other families in the IBoick family whose pretty daughter Martha Ann ' attracted Heh sons attention. Thfcir friendship grew after their arrival in Livingston County. Henson .was a religious youngster, so sincere and dedicated that the Methodist minister sometimes took him along on preaching trips. .. When Mormon missionaries camffnto the area, Henson listened to them as did Martha and. her family. The missionaries soon had them converted and baptized. The rest of' the Walker family had absorbed too much preju- - t ,; I4CHURC- 1- WEEK "' ' ENDING APRIL 20, r'." 1968' dice against Joseph Smith. They would have nothing to do with the Church and were much disappointed when Henson joined. Soon after, Henson and Martha were married and moved to Nauvoo to make their home with the Mormons. After just three years of happy married life, Martha died, leaving Henson to care for their baby boy. For three more years, Hensons life was a lonely one. Then he met Elizabeth. She fired a spark of love in him .hat he had not felt for a long time. They were married in the Nauvoo Temple. Tragedy struck again soon after the wedding when Hensons little son John was accidentally drowned. Preparations already were under way to leave Nauvoo, and the small grave was still new when Henson and Elizabeth ferried across the river. Like many others at Winter Quarters, Elizabeth became desperately ill. Several times, she seemed near death. So it was that after Henson reached the Valley of the Great Salt Lake, he started back wondering if Elizabeth still would be waiting for him. She, in the meantime, begged to be taken with the second company to leave for the West. She was eager to be with Henson again and to escape what she felt was an unhealthy climate. By the time the company left Winter Quarters, she was sitting up a little in her wagon box bed. She gained strength as the train moved west and began to get up and walk about the camp. Word came that part of the Pioneer company was regroup. turning and would soon meet the westward-boun- d Elizabeth hardly dared let herself believe that Henson might be in the approaching company. Her company went into camp on the Sweetwater to await the arrival of the Pioneers and hold a celebration. Hearing that Elizabeth was in the camp, Henson excitedly scurried from wagon to wagon, until he found her. Laughing and crying at the same time, they held each other as though they would never let go again. Together they traveled to the Valley. They spent the remainder of their lives in Utah, rearing a family and playing prominent roles in Church and community life. Arnold Irvine Source Ftovd A. Walker, editor, "Henson Walker Family Record." |