Paul gives the Romans some good advice on this subject, which is very appropriate for the Latter-day Saints, and I trust we may all lay it to heart and learn wisdom therefrom: "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." Let us not be simple, but let us continue to be united and to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.

JOSEPH F. SMITH.

BOOK MENTION-THE CASTLE BUILDER.

The IMPROVEMENT ERA has a limited number of copies, bound in neat paper cover, of THE CASTLE BUILDER, which was printed as a serial in volume five. It is a pretty and appropriate Christmas present. Sent to any address for 50 cents. Of the story itself, Edward H. Anderson says:

I read THE CASTLE BUILDER with infinite delight. Its characters have many counterparts among the "Mormons," a people whose every member has wrapped about his life a wondrous mantle of romanceunder which, also, is hidden a store of heroic action.

THE CASTLE BUILDER, which was first printed as a serial in the IMPROVEMENT ERA, faithfully describes scenes, and explains life, in Norway, one of the nations that early gave stalwart men and women to the Latter-day cause. While it portrays to the life, the convert's early hardships, moral battles, and sacrifices, it also tells how his heart is thrilled with new and consoling religious doctrine, and fascinated with suggested dreams of Zion. The whole is interwoven with the old but ever new story of life-the love of faithful hearts.

All this is well and good; but when I reluctantly parted with Harald and Thora, there appeared before them a still more romantic and fascinating career;—I wished to go with them over the waters, and plains, and mountains, to Zion; I wished to learn of their new hardships in redeeming the desert, in rearing and educating their children in the midst of poverty; how, in building their castles as Pioneers in the Rocky Mountains, their souls were clarified in the furnace of heavy trial and sore affliction; and, typical of the Pioneers, how they yet conquered, and triumphed and proved faithful to the end, dying amidst their children's

peaceful benedictions, with the gospel's polar light of truth beckoning them on to the glory of the Father.

IN THE CASTLE BUILDER, the story is only begun. To tell the remainder will require a greater volume. Some day, I hope, that may be written. If not by my friend, Nephi Anderson, then by a descendant of his characters, -a young man in whose soul the dream-and-work energy of Harald and the love-nature of Thora are curiously intertwined with the sweet spirit of an English Pioneer wanderer in the American desert, whose pretty castles, because Need pointed to lowlier things, only in the mists were builded.

In the meantime, the reader will find delight in the true-to-life introduction which this book gives to the lives of two typical "Mormon' converts.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

The Sealing of Eliza R. Snow to the Prophet Joseph.

Did Eliza R. Snow testify in what is known as the "Temple Lot Suit," that she was sealed to the Prophet Joseph after he was dead, and not while he was living?

She did not so testify. Any one pretending to have such testimony may be truly set down as an impostor.

Translation of the Book of Mormon.

Into what languages has the Book of Mormon been translated and printed?

It is well known that the Book of Mormon was translated into the English language from the plates of gold, by the prophet Joseph Smith, by the gift and power of God, through the Urim and Thummim. The first American edition from such translation was printed in Palmyra, New York, in 1830. From the English it has been translated into fourteen other languages, but in ten only of these has it been printed: viz., in Danish, in 1851; Welsh, French, German and Italian, in 1852; Hawaiian, 1855; Swedish, in 1878; Spanish, 1886; Maori, in 1889; and the Dutch in 1890. The translations in Hindostanee, modern Jewish, Turkish and Samoan, have not yet been printed. The first Utah edition bears the date. of 1871.

OUR WORK.

DO YOUR DUTY.

At the late semi-annual Conference of the Church, in the general summing up of the reports and labors of the Church organizations, President Joseph F. Smith, in the course of his remarks, delivered this message to the workers in the Mutual Improvement Associations. Let every officer ask himself whether or not he is doing his whole duty in the lines indicated, and let us all take courage, and do our full share of missionary work:

"Now, I want to say one word to the Mutual Improvement Associations. You young men and young women, officers of the Mutual Improvement Associations, I implore you to go from this conference and do your duty. Look after the wayward, the disobedient, the thoughtless, and the indifferent. It is necessary that they should be guarded and looked after. As it has been expressed here, time and again, it is far better, and does not cost so much, for us to save our own boys at home than it is for us to go into the world and spend years of time and endless means to gather in a few people and bring them to a knowledge of the truth; because, they are often so full of the traditions and superstitions of their fathers that it is difficult for them to eradicate these things from their minds, and come to a full comprehension of the gospel and a perfect reception of the truth. Yet a soul saved out in the world is as precious in the sight of God as a soul saved at home. But we have work to do right at home, right at our own doors. It is not right for us to neglect the labor necessary to be done at our own thresholds, and then go out into the world to do work that is no more necessary. Let us do our duty everywhere."

ARE YOU AT WORK?

The Association as a Missionary Agency Among Unbelievers was the subject upon which Elder H. S. Tanner spoke to the officers of the Y. M. M. I. A. at the June conference. Our labors are now in full swing, and these instructions are timely, and well worth a review:

"We all understand that every individual is subject to the influence of somebody else. Boys naturally fall under the influence of other boys. They naturally partake of he influence by which they are surrounded. The spirit that prevails in a neighborhood will be the spirit that most of the boys have there. If the saloon element prevails, there is where most of the boys will be. If it is a religious element, you will find the majority of the boys inclined that way.

"The Spirit is what is going to do the work. If we go out as dead soldiers, so to speak, and passive in our faith, we are not going to accomplish much. Boys have to be infused-to be inspired; and they are not inspired by passive faith."

Elder Tanner illustrated this point by referring to an experience of his in the California Mission, where they had succeeded in getting several young ladies and gentlemen to attend their improvement meetings, who would not go to their regular meetings. These young people were attracted by the social side of the improvement work; and though for months no impression was apparently made upon them, they took part in the exercises, and were finally brought into the Church.

"The only way you are going to reach these young men and these young women is by your influence. You must have the Spirit of God in laboring among the young people. You do not want to be overbearing, but labor patiently and faithfully with them. You can go into most any community of the Latter-day Saints, and you will find young men who are not members of the Church, and many who are members of the Church have nothing to do with our improvement work. There is ample opportunity, therefore, for you brethren to exercise your faith and works among these. Get the confidence of the young men, and then you will be able to teach them. The trouble is, there is an estrangement between us and many of the young men of our communities. We know the boys are inclined to be a little tough, and we are too quick to condemn them. We say they do not amount to anything, and we let them go. It is wrong, it seems to me, not to labor with them. When I was a boy, they regarded me as a nut too tough to crack; but the time came when I was cracked, and I cracked a number of others.

"We want you to get converted to this work. You may find the boys uncouth and rough, but you will find they have hearts as large as yours, and we want to reach those boys' hearts. These boys are just as dear to their fathers and mothers as we are to ours. If you are not converted, you cannot go out and convert the young men; but if you are

Latter-day Saints, and have a knowledge that the gospel is true, you will be able to sow the seeds of repentance in the hearts of the young men, and bring them into the Church. If you get the spirit of your work, you will have influence with them. The trouble is, too many of our workers are simply passive; they have not active faith. They simply go out and say, 'Boys, be good;' they do not convert. What we want is the spirit of prophecy engendered in our young men. They must have a testimony, something to stand on; and we must overcome the barriers which stand between us and the young men who are not members of our associations. I have seen scores of young men converted to the gospel of Christ, and much of it has been done by the influence of our associations. We should see to it that each one of us is able to convert one or more. I would hate for a winter to go by without my being able to say I had been the means of converting some young man.

"It is our duty to get the spirit of the work, and if we have that spirit, our associations will then wield some influence among those who are unbelievers. Do not let us think we are so tied up in our business that we cannot do anything. You can do something every time you meet a young man. Put your arms around him, let him know you are his friend, and you will find that you will gain his confidence and love; and when he partakes of your influence and spirit, it will be easy to teach him the gospel of Christ."

PLEASĘ RETURN SURPLUS JUNIOR MANUALS.

Presidents of associations are asked to note this request. We have sent out thousands of Junior Manuals, many of which are not disposed of by the association officers. Such officers are now requested to return immediately to the General Secretary, Thomas Hull, Salt Lake City, all the Manuals that are not sold, or that they think will not be used in their associations. This, in order that we may make use of them in other places where they are needed. Hence, we repeat again, return your surplus manuals immediately to the General Secretary Y.M.M.I.A.

ARE YOU HOLDING OFFICERS' MEETINGS?

Every stake and every ward organization should have regular council meetings of the officers, in which the main purpose should be to get the spirit of their work in its various details and divisions. Make no other appointments for that hour, but remember your council meetings.