Comment

Discipline

We just received our April Ensign. I picked it up immediately and thumbed through it, stopping to read the articles on disciplining children. I was particularly interested because of the three little children that we have. At the conclusion of one piece, the writer commented that it has worked for him to ignore his children when they fight or to let them keep on doing so. I immediately thought of the Book of Mormon where it says: “… neither will ye suffer that they transgress the laws of God, and fight and quarrel one with another, and serve the devil, who is the master of sin. …” (Mosiah 4:14.) We have found this counsel most helpful.

Nancy Jefferies
Kayenta, Arizona

I found the articles by the Bradfords to be excellent concerning the disciplining of children. I have both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in human relations, but I found it very hard to apply many of the concepts I learned until I began to preface my thoughts with, “What would Jesus have me do?” I have had many persons imply that the kind of family relationship I want is impossible, but the Bradfords have given me new encouragement and faith. For the sake of my one-, two-, and three-year-olds, and my husband, I hope we can put these good ideas into practice in our home.

Dorothy C. Clayton
Upland, California

Eight Verses a Day

One of our recent visiting teacher messages was to challenge the sisters to read the scriptures, a great challenge if you don’t have children, school, housework, or any of the other “good reasons” I’m blessed with. But when I read that the London Stake had challenged everyone to read just eight verses daily, I thought even I could do that—and I can. What’s more, we have passed the challenge on to the sisters we visit with 100 per cent success. I have found that many times I can read much more than eight verses, but other times I can at least read eight verses and have the good feeling that comes from reading scripture.

Janie Cox
Orem, Utah

Peruvian Facts

I thoroughly enjoyed “The Saints in Peru” (March). It was well done and the facts were true, except for one error: the picture of the Saints visiting outside the Tahuantinsuyo Branch was actually a picture of Saints visiting outside the Limatambo Chapel, and vice versa.

May I also tell you of a funny incident that happened here? A few weeks ago a new group of elders arrived in the mission field. After one elder had met with the mission president for the first time, the president admonished as they were leaving his office, “Now just go out and work in all humility.” The elder happily retorted, “Well, don’t worry about it, president. That’ll be no problem for me.”

Elder Kent M. Hansen
Andes-Peru Mission

Clay County

The answer to the inquiry regarding “Jack-Mormon” in the March issue was most informative, particularly regarding the first usage of the term in the stormy days of Illinois.

You will be interested in the Missouri Historical Review for October 1969 where Warren A. Jennings, professor of history at Southwest Missouri State College at Springfield, wrote “The Expulsion of the Mormons from Jackson County, Missouri” in 1837, containing the following:

“The citizens of Clay very hospitably opened their homes to the refugees, providing them with shelter, provisions, and work. This irritated the Jackson Countians, and for years thereafter they stigmatized persons from Clay County as being ‘Jack Mormons’.”

Professor Jennings gave as source for the term “Jack Mormons” the History of Clay and Platte Counties (St. Louis, 1885), p. 133.

The Ensign should be in every home, but more important it ought to be read regularly by every member of the Church. It must be an effective missionary tool.

Cecil E. Tucker
Ogden, Utah

Mormon Journal

The last two issues of the Ensign (March and April) have been especially good. I am impressed with the section in which members relate their testimonies and experiences. I just wanted to compliment you on the new format as it continues to develop at the Ensign.

Judith B. Dyke
Portland, Oregon

Even the Covers

The Ensign does more to influence for good than any other magazine. Even when I’m not reading it, it influences me through the pictures on the covers. For example, the December 1973 issue, with the cover portraying Jesus praying in Gethsemane, has reminded me every morning and night to humble myself and get on my knees and thank Heavenly Father for my many blessings, and for sending His son to atone for my sins.

And now President Harold B. Lee, on your February 1974 cover, is smiling at me—and I am reminded to follow his great example of leading a righteous and good life. This magazine is an inspiration from God! Why else would all my issues shine out, practically in the dark, and help me to get my life in order, even when they’re not being read?

Anita Hewett
Boulder, Colorado

A Missionary Tool

I would like to personally thank you for providing all of us in the Church an excellent missionary tool, the Ensign. I have seen this magazine touch and strengthen the testimonies of many of the fine Filipino people. I have also seen this magazine bring many fine families the joys of the gospel and have seen it strengthen their homes. The Ensign is a great missionary tool and is helping to spread the gospel to the Filippino people and to our other brothers and sisters throughout the world.

Gary Budge
Provo, Utah

I’d like you to know of an exciting missionary experience I had with the magazine. One day while riding on the bus, I was looking through the Ensign that I’d just received. After going through a few pages I turned, and six Brazilians were engrossed in the beautiful colored pictures. It made for some good contacting.

Sister Sue Anderson
Brazil South Central Mission

Thanks

May we take this opportunity to thank the Mormon Church for this inspiring magazine, the Ensign? I am a resource librarian at a Roman Catholic Church and I find your articles a welcome and practical addition to our school.

Carol Kowach
Schenectady, New York

There has been no happier day than when a friend gave me a copy of your magazine. I read it from beginning to end; it is now one of my most treasured possessions. May God bless you for your publication and for the help that I have found in its pages. I am a leper patient with deformed hands and feet and am almost a complete invalid. I have 13 children, five boys and eight girls.

Mrs. Constancio Alinsog
Culion Sanitarium, Palawan, Philippines

Thanks for the wonderful magazines. Stranded as I am 550 miles from a branch and nearly 2,000 miles from stake or mission headquarters, the magazines give me an idea of what goes on in the Church world today and help me to keep my testimony strong. They are also wonderful tools to share with those people who inquire about the gospel and its teachings. As we have no full-time missionaries here, the two families who are members have to do their best to spread the news. It can be hard, but we have always found aid in the magazines.

Margaret A. Lawson
West Australia

Thank you for your superb issues. I’m so sick of reading about free love, divorce rights, women’s lib, and socialist hordes. I feel refreshed to read the Ensign. By the way, my nine-month-old daughter loves it, too—but she likes to eat it.

Laura M. Irwin
Mission City, British Columbia