---
title: Improvement Era
description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930.
authors:
  - Anderson, Edward H.
collections:
  - periodicals
tags:
  - magazine
  - improvement-era
periodical: Improvement Era
volume: 1
number: 1
published: 1897-11
publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations
publisher_place: Salt Lake City
language: en
type: magazine
reference: 'Edward H. Anderson, "The Past of Mutual Improvement," *Improvement Era* 1, no. 1 (November 1897): 1–10.'
source:
  url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera11unse
  transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers.
  identifier: improvementera11unse
  scan: "Original source link: https://archiveviewer.org/viewer/internet-archive/improvementera11unse"
start_page: 1
end_page: 10
rights:
  status: public-domain
  basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1897-11)
  source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera11unse
  publication_year: 1897
  note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1897, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright.
---

# The Past of Mutual Improvement

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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 <!-- page:2 -->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

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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

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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.

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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 <!-- page:6 -->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.

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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,

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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

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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

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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)