The Past of Mutual Improvement

IMPROVEMENT ERA. Vol. I. NOVEMBER, 1897. No. 1. THE PAST OF MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT, BY EDWARD H. ANDERSON, FORMERLY GENERAL SECRETARY OF MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATIONS. I. Mutual Improvement in its organized form, as it is known to us today, has not existed long in the church. Only a few years ago there were no organizations of this class. The Sunday school dates back to that second Sunday in December, 1849, when Richard Ballantyne opened his home in Salt Lake City to fifty children to whom it was his ambition to teach the principles of the gospel. But mutual improvement was not introduced among the young people for upwards of a quarter of a century later. In 1873 it became the rule in some of the more thickly populated settlements of the Saints for the young people to form associations for entertainments and improvement. These were called night schools, literary societies, debating clubs, young men's clubs, or any other name that indicated the object of the gathering. Frequently they were solely for amusement, and, taking pattern after the early efforts in Salt Lake City, were formed to instruct the people by theatrical exhibitions and dramatic performances. In Weber county, about a dozen young men met, at the invitation of Apostle F. D. Richards, in his home, on the 20th day of April, 1873, to consider the importance of organ

izing themselves into a society for mutual improvement. President George Q. Cannon was with them and it was determined to organize, which was accordingly done. Meetings were thereafter held weekly, simple rules being adopted to govern the same, and a small mutual assessment was levied on the members to cover the expenses. The numbers grew until in a short time the association was compelled to move into the City Hall to accommodate the membership. Sister Jane S. Richards shortly thereafter gathered a number of the young girls together. Sister Eliza R. Snow Smith came and organized and met with them, and was finally asked to permit the young men to meet with the young ladies, which was granted, and from that time on the meetings were held conjointly, Apostle Richards retaining the presiding charge. This association was not discontinued, but when the general movement was inaugurated, it was divided into four—one in each ward in the city. Other associations of like character were early formed in the settlements of the county, and improvement associations and literary societies had also been organized in several wards of Salt Lake City, and in other places, previous to the general movement in 1875. About this time it became evident to President Brigham Young that there existed a necessity for a general organization of the young people into societies for their mutual improvement—associations that should be separate from the priesthood, and yet so organized that they should be under its guidance, and for its strength. This idea seemed to have found maturity while the President was contemplating the condition of the young people and the stakes of Zion generally, for the mutual improvement movement was contemporaneous with, if not previous to, that of the organization of the stakes of Zion, the crowning labor of President Young's last days. It was in the summer of 1875 that he called Elder Junius F. Wells to begin this work of organizing societies for mutual improvement. To Brother Wells and his associates, the President, without outlining any definite course, said: "We want you to organize yourselves into associations for mutual improvement. Let the keynote of your work be

THE PAST OF MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT. 3 the establishment in the youth of individual testimony of the truth and magnitude of the great latter-day work; the development of the gifts within them, that have been bestowed upon them hy the laying on of hands of the servants of God; cultivating a knowledge and an application of the eternal principles of the great science of life." Acting upon these instructions, and without more detailed delineation of the movement. Elder Wells called a public meeting in the Thirteenth Ward meeting house in Salt Lake City, on the ioth day of June, 1875, and organized the first Mutual Improvement Association in the Church, under the direction of the authorities. There were a goodly number of people in attendance, and after it had been explained what the object of the movement was, it was decided by the vote of those present to organize the society. The following officers were chosen: H. A. Woolley, president: B. Morris Young, Heber J. Grant, counselors; Hiram H. Goddard, secretary. The work of organizing was continued by Elder Wells in other wards of the city, and a tour was made to different parts of the territory, especially to Brigham City in the north, and to St. George in the south, where organizations were likewise effected. In the midst.of this work he was called to fill a mission to the Western States, upon which he departed Nov. 1st. Elder Milton H. Hardy had already assisted in the organization of several associations in Salt Lake City, and it was on the 6th of Nov., 1875, that Elders John Henry Smith, M. H. Hardy, and B. M. Young were appointed by the First Presidency of the Church to continue the work which had been begun by Elder Wells. In the letter of instruction received by them, they were charged, "to visit the various portions of the territory as opportunity offers, confer with the bishops and local authorities, and act in unison with them, hold meetings, organize institutions or associations, attend to the election of officers, and give such instructions as the spirit of the Lord may inspire and counsel from us may direct." The brethren completed the organization in Salt Lake City and in December, 1875, Elders Hardy and Young visited Cache county, beginning the tour of the territory as appointed. Then followed organizations in other counties, and in the

4 IMPROVEMENT ERA. spring of 1876, tours were made of Box Elder, Utah, Juab, and Sanpete, previous to the April conference. After conference, organizations were effected by the same brethren in Millard, Beaver, Iron, Kane, Washington, Sevier, and Rich counties, Utah, and in Oneida and Bear Lake counties in Idaho, returning by way of Brigham City and Farmington. From the organization of the first association to December 8, 1876, about one hundred associations were formed with a membership approaching two thousand. This completed the first general movement in the organization of the associations throughout the territory. To sum up the leading points in the organization of the movement: The first idea of improvement meetings seems to have grown out of the inherent desire in the minds of the young of both sexes to improve their minds by study, and to enjoy each other's intellectual society. Associations were formed in various cities and settlements for this purpose. The Lord inspired President Brigham Young to encourage these desires for knowledge in the youth by ordering societies for mutual improvement to be organized generally throughout the settlements of the Saints. This labor began in the Thirteenth Ward, Salt Lake City, June 10, 1875, and from that date and time spread to all the stakes of Zion. Thus we have the modest origin of a work which has at this date grown to such dimensions. Now let us briefly consider the organization. Up to April, 1876, there had been no thought of a general head to look after the interests of the associations. At the first general conference held in Salt Lake City on the 8th of said month, the brethren who had been selected to form the associations, personally represented them as far as established and as a step toward a central organization, Elder M. H. Hardy was at this conference sustained as territorial secretary. At first the societies were under local rule, that is, there was no united whole, each association being independent; but at a meeting held in the old Council House, Salt Lake City, December 8, 1876, a central committee of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association was selected, composed of the following Elders: Junius F. Wells, president; Milton H. Hardy and Rodney C. Badger, counsellors; John Nicholson, R. W.

THE PAST OF MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT. 5 Young, and George F. Gibbs, secretaries, and Mathoni W. Pratt, treasurer. "The object of the central committee was to form a board of reference for the combined associations throughout the church to act at the head of the entire organization, conduct missionary labor among the young people, receive reports and issue general instructions for the government of the associations." There were as yet no general stake organizations, but during that season the central committee conducted an extensive missionary labor among the young, resulting in the formation of about one hundred more associations in various parts and greatly encouraging those already in existence. During the summer of 1878 the government of the associations was further perfected by the calling of central committees in each county. Every stake in the church was visited by Elders Junius F. Wells and M. H. Hardy who effected these central organizations which were similar to those already established in Utah county, where the idea appears to have originated. A superintendent and counsellors, with a secretary and treasurer, were appointed for each stake. These stake central committees, as they were called, were charged with the general supervision of all the associations in the stake—with organizing, visiting, and with receiving reports—and were to be the medium through which any instructions that the authorities of the church might wish to impart to the societies. The results of this system were soon felt for good in the whole church. At the regular semi-annual meeting held at the April conference in 1879, representatives were present from eighteen out of twenty stake organizations and from the statistical reports submitted, it was shown that two hundred and thirty associations were in existence, with a membership of more than nine thousand. The work had now grown to such proportions that the brethren of the central committee felt that they needed to further strengthen the general organization by calling to their aid an additional committee of influential, representative brethren from the quorum of the Twelve, who should stand at the head of the organizations, and who might be consulted singly or as a committee, on all questions of interest pertain

ing to it; and further, with a view to placing the organizations upon a permanent footing that would be recognized by all, and that would insure the most satisfactory work being done among the youth. Accordingly, at the fourth semiannual conference, held in Salt Lake City, Tuesday evening, April 6, 1880, on nomination of President John Taylor, Apostle Wilford Woodruff, with Apostles Joseph F. Smith and Moses Thatcher, as counselors, was sustained as general superintendent of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations throughout the world. The following were chosen as assistants to the general superintendency: Junius F. Wells, Milton H. Hardy, Rodney C. Badger; Heber J. Grant, secretary; William S. Burton, treasurer. At this conference the following suggestions for the further organization of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations, by the council of Twelve Apostles, then the presiding authority of the Church, were adopted: First. —This institution must not interfere with the priesthood of any of its members; but each individual member must be subject to the quorum of which he may be a member, and to the regularly organized authorities of the stake with which he is associated. Second.—Every stake organization to be under the authority of the stake organization of the priesthood in that stake, and to have for its superintendent a high priest selected by the president of the stake and his counselors, sanctioned by the high council of the stake, and voted for and sustained by the stake conference and associations of the stake. Third. —This stake superintendent may call two or more persons to his assistance, who may or may not be high priests. They shall be known as assistants or counselors, and shall be approved by the president of the stake and his counselors, sanctioned by the high council of the stake, and sustained by the vote of the stake conference and associations of the stake. Fourth. —The Twelve may appoint a general superintendent, from time to time, who may, when convenient, be one of their council, who shall have the general superintendence of the stake organizations.

THE PAST OF MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT. 7 Fifth. —The general superintendent may direct the action of all stake superintendents, and preside over all the officers of the associations in all the stakes, and may have two of the Twelve, when convenient, as counselors; and they may call upon such assistants, secretaries and other help, as may be required. The whole to be under the general superintendence of the Twelve, as the presidency. The editor of the Contributor and the paper to be subject to, and under the general direction of, the superintendent and council. All books used in the libraries, for the use of the association, to be inspected and approved by the general superintendent and his council, and all works containing skeptical, immoral or improper doctrines or principles, to be excluded therefrom. Sixth. —The general superintendent and council to make arrangement for the purchase of books for the libraries and other purposes on the best possible terms, and all profits arising therefrom, after paying the necessary expenses, to go for the use and benefit of the associations who may order such books. It must be understood that this organization is not formed as a separate or distinct church organization or body of priesthood, but for the purpose of mutual improvement of the members and all connected therewith. On the 8th of October, 1882, Elder N. W. Clayton was sustained as secretary; and at the conference held in Logan, April, 1885, Elder Joseph A. West was sustained as an assistant. October 6th, 1887, Elder R. G. Lambert was selected and sustained as secretary, and in 1888 Elder Evan Stephens was chosen music director. Elder Edward H. Anderson succeeded as secretary in October, 1888, and Elder George D. Pyper followed in October, 1890, and was succeeded in 1896 by Elder Thomas Hull, the present incumbent. At the conference held in June, 1894, the following officers were sustained: Wilford Woodruff, general superintendent; Joseph F. Smith, Moses Thatcher, counselors; assistants, Junius F. Wells, M. H. Hardy, R. C. Badger, G. H. Brimhall; secretary, George D. Pyper; treasurer, William S. Burton; music director, Evan Stephens. The list of the general officers sustained at the annual conference in 1897, is as follows: Wilford Woodruff, general superintendent; Joseph F. Smith,

8 IMPROFEMENT ERA Heber J. Grant, B. H. Roberts, counsellors; assistants, Francis M. Lyman, John Henry Smith, J. G. Kimball, Junius F. Wells, Milton H. Hardy, Rodney C. Badger, George H. Brimhall, Edward H. Anderson, Douglas M. Todd, John E. Heppler, Edward H. Snow, Nephi L. Morris, Richard W. Young, Horace G. Whitney; secretary, Thomas Hull; treasurer, William S. Burton; music director, Evan Stephens. An association was formed in Laie, Oahu, Sandwich Islands, by Elder R. G. Lambert, May 7th, 1876; and societies for mutual improvement have been organized, from time to time, in the missionary fields in various nations of the earth. Now, as to the aims of the organization. We have already seen that with President Young the leading purposes were that the young people might obtain testimonies of the gospel, develop the intellect, and cultivate a knowledge and application of the eternal principles of the great science of life. Elder Junius F. Wells quotes the remarks of President Young in some instructions given in regard to governing the associations and conducting the exercises, when the general organization was inaugurated: "We want you to meet together and bear testimonies of the truth. Many think they haven't any testimony to bear, but get them to stand up, and they will find that the Lord will give them utterance to many truths they had not thought of before." In their instructions to Elders Smith, Hardy, and Young, in a letter dated November 6, 1875, referring to the Young Men's Associations, Presidents Brigham Young and Daniel H. Wells speak as follows: "It is our desire that these institutions should flourish, that our young men may grow in the comprehension of, and faith in, the holy principles of the gospel of eternal salvation, and furthermore, have an opportunity to, and be encouraged in, bearing testimony to, and speaking of, the truths of our holy religion. Let the consideration of these truths and principles be the ground work and leading idea of every such association; and on this foundation of faith in God's great latter-day work let their members build all true knowledge by which they may be useful in the establishment of his kingdom. Each member will find

THE PAST OF MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT. 9 that happiness in this world mainly depends on the work he does, and the way in which he does it. It now becomes the duty of these institutions to aid the holy priesthood in instructing the youth of Israel in all things commendable and worthy of the acceptance of Saints of the Most High God." President John Taylor, in 1879, at a meeting of the association of the Fifteenth ward, Salt Lake City, referred to the improvement societies as constituting in part the helps spoken of by St. Paul in the holy scriptures. Further, at a conference held January 3rd, 1880, in the Assembly hall, Salt Lake City, President Taylor, in offering words of encouragement to the officers and members, blessed them in the work they were doing; and, in speaking of the Mutual Improvement Associations, said: "I consider these associations very important auxiliaries to the church in building up the kingdom of God on the earth." Only little more need be said on this subject. The purposes of the organization are made amply plain from these remarks of the authorities. The scope of this plan, outlined by them, is as wide as truth in all its ramifications. To obtain testimonies not only must a knowledge of theology, as taught in the gospel of Christ, be comprehended, but there must be an individual understanding and enjoyment of the spirit of God; to develop the intellect, there must exist a familiarity with the basic divisions of learning—theology, history, science, the arts and literature; and finally, "to cultivate a knowledge and an application of the eternal principles of the great science of life," involves work for time and eternity. It covers the investigation of all true learning, and the application of the same to our earthly and to our everlasting lives. In fact, all efforts extended in any direction conceivable or yet unfathomed are but subdivisions and parts of the eternal principles of the great science of life. All things that may be said or done are but methods by which we may accomplish the great work before us. It is self-evident that young men who even though only imperfectly and partially cover the plan, become helps of great value to the priesthood; and, likewise, it is clear that organizations of intelligent beings, with such aims, and seeking development in

1 IMPROVEMENT ERA this manner, become powerful auxiliaries to the Church of Christ. The officers of our grand organization must awake to the importance and magnitude of the purposes of this mighty work. The keynote with them must be sacrificing devotion, implying a laying aside of self for the benefit of the cause. It means, further, that every officer must be an example, a teacher and a leader, among the youth—not in appearance, not in seeming, but in reality—all of which means earnest, prayerful work, sacrifice of self, and diligent application to duty. With all our growth, and viewing it comparatively, it has been rapid and great, we have scarcely begun to glean upon the edges of the mighty field of accomplishment ripe before us. (To be concluded in the ERA for December)