There were missionaries in the South Sea Islands as well as Europe, Mexico, Canada and the United States. (Did I miss any?)

There were schools at all levels being run by the members, contributing to the unusually high literacy rate.

I think it is wonderful that instead of congratulating themselves at getting up to 80% VT and HT, and 50-70% tithing, the Saints were being asked to think about the additional things they could do, and how to do them

Even then they must have had some of the strange twisting of thoughts to try to justify the withholding of liberal donations, since the lesson specifies that the concept of hospitality is natural within Polynesian culture and other primitive cultures. In others words, sharing is the kind and natural thing. To withhold it, you have to turn yourself away from the natural inclinations of your Spirit.

These lessons have been very peaceful for my soul. Thanks!

Julia
poetrysansonions.blogspot.com

How active was the Relief Society at this point?

Julia
poetrysansonions.blogspot.com

As I was reading this, I couldn’t help but think of 1920s society and that this lesson was perhaps a warning coming as it did just prior to the Great Depression.

#2 David Y: I’m not only surprised by the specific mention of taxes, but also the inclusion of other charitable giving beyond the church’s programs.

Great stuff, Ardis.

A friend and I have talked about the “Myth of Self Sufficiency” as often interpreted by the members of the church, and it reminds me of King Benjamin’s counsel:

Mosiah 2:21 I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants.

4:19 For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind?

There is now, as never before, need of liberality in giving to public or community causes. to the state and other civic institutions this giving is in the form of taxes.

This was written before the Great Depression set in. It makes me wonder if attitudes of giving and liberality changed in the decade that followed? Surely some of the stingy and surly attitudes of the current crop of conservatives pertains in part to the difficult economic times?