--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 1 number: 9 published: 1898-07 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations, "Our Work," *Improvement Era* 1, no. 9 (July 1898): 698–702.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera19unse 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: improvementera19unse start_page: 698 end_page: 702 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1898-07) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera19unse publication_year: 1898 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 1898, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Our Work OUR WORK. THE GENERAL ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF YOUNG MEN'S AND YOUNG LADIES' MUTUAL IM- PROVEMENT ASSOCIATIONS. The Conference of Y. M. M I. A., which closed on May 31st, 1898, surpassed in many respects any conference of the Associations held in many years. There was a greater number of stakes represented, twenty-seven of the thirty-seven answering to the roll call. The conjoint meetings in the Taber- nacle on Sunday were deeply interesting and a spirit of peace and good feeling prevailed. Energy and enthusiasm characterized the business meet- ings on Monday and Tuesday. At the social gathering on Tuesday evening the most delightful spirit of freedom and enjoyment prevailed and all were delighted with the happy termination of the three days' meetings. President Woodruff was present at the meetings on Sunday morning and afternoon and at the closing officers' meeting on Sunday afternoon. He was also present at the social on Tuesday evening, and remained until the close and pronounced the benediction. Following is a summary of the most important business transacted at the business meetings: The M. I. Fund was reduced from fifty cents to twenty-five cents; the whole amount to be forwarded to the General Treasurer. Two weeks were set apart for the collection of the fund; the first week in December and the first week in February. The fund was, by official act of the conference, designated the General Improvement Fund. A new course of study was adopted for the season of 1898-9, viz: "The Apostolic Age. " The Era was reported as in a prosperous condition, and all the officers present pledged themselves to continue to support it and work for its suc- cess and increased circulation. The report of the missionary committee was highly satisfactory and it was decided to continue the work next season. Following is a synopsis of the minutes of the conference. Sunday. 10 a. m. Tabernacle. There were present President Wilford Woodruff and his assistants in the General Superintendency, ten of the aids, the secretary and treasurer and the music director; also President Lorenzo Snow, of the quorum of the twelve apostles, and Patriarch John Smith. OUR WORK. 699 The tabernacle choir and congregation sang the hymn, "How Firm a Foundation, ye Saints of the Lord." Prayer was offered by Elder B. H. Roberts. The choir and congregation sang, "Redeemer of Israel." A roll of the stakes being called showed twenty-six stakes represented. President Joseph F. Smith addressed the conference. He said it was usual to hold the M. I. A. Conference on or near June ist, the birthday of President Brigham Young. But this year the istof June fell upon Wednes- day and could not be included in the conference without unduly prolong- ing it, and it had been decided to begin the conference today, because it was the nearest available Sunday to the usual date. The speaker called atten- tion to the fact that this was a joint conference of Young Men's and Young Ladies' Associations and said we know that the cause of Mutual Improvement is as important on the female side of the house as on the male side. It is as im- portant for the women of Zion to be conversant with the principles of the gospel and the government of the church as for the men; spoke upon the necessity of mothers understanding the gospel and enjoying the spirit there- of in order to properly train their children. President Elmina S. Taylor, of the Young Ladies' Associations, ad- dressed the conference. She spoke of the mighty work accomplished by the young people's associations since their organization. By the work of the associations very many had been preserved from the evils of the day and from apostacy through the influence of the gospel. Sister Taylor asked the parents to encourage their sons and daughters to attend their association meetings and assist them in their work. A beautiful quartette was then sung by Brothers Jas. T. Dunbar, John James, Thos. Butler and Heber Sharp. Elder Dennison E. Harris, superintendent of Y. M. M. I. A., in Juarez stake (Mexico) addressed the conference. He said he was greatly inter- ested in the youth of Zion educationally. The gospel teaches us to love all men and do good to all men. He counselled the young people to qualify themselves for the great responsibilities resting upon them. Sister Mary Morris, of St. George stake, reported the condition of the Young Ladies' Associations there as prosperous and asked the blessing of God upon the work and the workers. Elder Jos. E. Robinson, of the stake superintendency of Kanab stake, reported the associations there as in a very greatly improved condition. Nearly all the young men in the stake were enrolled in the associations, the result largely of the labors of Apostles Francis M. Lyman and Abra- ham O. Woodruff and President Jonathan G. Kimball. Many of the young men this season have been converted and have obtained a testimony of the truth of the gospel. In visiting the sheep camps Brother Robinson said he had found many young men studying the Manual, and many by this study and by thus obtaining an understanding of the gospel had had their hearts turned unto righteousness. Sister Meda Nelson, of Oneida stake, reported the associations there as making good progress. The stake covered a great area, extending as far as Baker City, Oregon. She felt to rejoice in the Mutual Improvement work and asked the blessing of God upon all engaged in it. The choir and congregation sang the hymn, "Now let us Rejoice in the Day of Salvation," and the conference adjourned until 2 pm. Benediction by Sister Maria Y. Dougall. Afternoon, 2 o'clock. The Tabernacle choir sang the hymn, "O God! Thou great, thou good, thou wise," Prayer by Apostle Francis M. Lyman. 700 IMPROVEMENT ERA. The choir and congregation sang "America," "My Country 'tis of Thee, Sweet Land of Liberty." General Secretary Thomas Hull, of the Young Men's Associations, read the statistical reports of the Y. L. and Y. M. M . I. A. The following were unanimously sustained as the general officers of the Young Men's Associations: Wilford Woodruff, General Supt. ; Joseph F. Smith, Heber J Grant, B. H. Roberts, Assistants; Francis M. Lyman, John Henry Smith, Matthias F Cowley, Abraham O. Woodruff, J. G. Kim- ball, Junius F. Wells, Milton H. Hardy, Rodney C. Badger, Geo. H. Brim- hall, Wm. S. Burton, Edw. H. Anderson, Douglas M. Todd, John E. Heppler, Edw. H. Snow, Nephi L. Morris, Richard W. Young, Horace G. Whitney, Willard Done, Aids; Thomas Hull, Secretary and Treasurer; Evan Stephens, Music Director. Sister Lizzie Thomas Edward and Brother Thomas Ashworth sang the duet, "Love Divine. " Elder Heber J. Grant addressed the conference. He was glad to be present. He was particularly pleased with the reports read and especially to note the increase in membership and average attendance. We desire that every young man and woman shall have burning within them the spirit of inspiration that shall lead them into all righteousness. We want them to become possessed of the spirit of patriotism for the Mutual Improve- ment work. Out of about i, 600 missionaries now in the field 1,090 are members of Mutual Improvement Associations. In the 28,358 testimonies borne in the Young Ladies' Associations, according to the report just read to the con- ference, we see that the mothers of the coming generations are filled with the testimony of Jesus, and the children of these women will be born under the influence of that testimony. We desire that the fathers and mothers shall encourage their children to attend the associations and that at least occasionally they shall come themselves. In accomplishing good for the associations we are accomplishing good for the church of Christ. That is the all-important thing Just as we are patriotic for the associations so shall we be patriotic for the church. As we love and revere our officers in the associations, just so should we revere and honor the officers of the church. He returned thanks to the officers and members of the associations for their good work for the Era and to all for their support of it. We started the Era with nothing and now have between 5000 and 6000 paid-up subscribers, and have paid all the expenses of issuing the first eight numbers and have sufficient cash on hand to fully pay for the entire volume. In addition we have made a donation of $1,600 to the mission- aries by reducing the subscription price to them to $100; then President Joseph F. Smith and the speaker had sent a letter to brethren who had means, asking them to contribute towards a fund that would supply the mis- sionaries with the Era free. Liberal contributions had enabled us to send it to every missionary free, and some who had sent large contributions said they would send twice as much if it was needed. He expressed thanks to God for his blessings upon our labors, to the brethren who had labored as missionaries last season, and to those who had subscribed for the Era and to the Era missionary fund. President Wilford Woodruff then addressed the conference. He said he not only felt happy but very thankful to meet with so many in the conference of the mutual improvement associations. If the visions of heaven and the future were opened none would marvel why the call was made upon the young people to labor with their parents in this work The events over the heads of this people are important enough to inspire any people who have faith in God. Neither the world nor even the saints under- tand the great things that lie before the children of men. A great respon- ibility rests upon us to prepare the inhabitants of Zion for the great events OUR WORK. 701 awaiting them. He rejoiced to see the interest being manifested among the saints. Admonished the people to read the revelations concerning the great events which are at our doors, and no man w>ll wonder that the spirit of God is working among and stirring up the Latter-day Saints. We have primary associations which teach the little ones, and Sunday Schools with a membership of over one hundred thousand and the young people 's associations which are doing a great work. The president exclaimed, ' 'Arise and shine oh Zion, for the Lord has set his hand to do a mighty work. " The eyes of the heavenly host, of the Lord himself and of Jesus Christ are over us, watching us to see if we will qualify ourselves to carry out those laws and principles laid upon us to fulfill in the earth. What a blessing to any man or woman to have children whose hearts are being opened to re- ceive the gospel of Jesus Christ. The prophet urged the young men to marry. "When I was a young man on my first mission I had an idea that I would like to be like Paul and not marry, but when I reached Kirtland and met the prophet and listened to his teachings my ideas changed and I saw there was great benefit in being married. I was over thirty years old when I married but I now have eighteen sons and seventeen daughters and over one hundred grandchildren, and some great grandchildren. I sometimes wish I had a few regiments of young men, single men, faithful and true. I would bring them up and command them to take these pure virgins in Zion to wife, so that these young women might have the opportunity to fulfill the object of their creation." The president quoted Isaiah 52: 9, 10: "Break forth into joy, sing to- gether, ye waste places of Jerusalem; for the Lord hath comforted his peo- ple, he hath redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the sal- vation of our God," and said that these predictions are about to come to pass. He encouraged the young men and women to prepare themselves to serve the Lord. The work of the Lord will increase in Salt Lake and in Utah and many will receive the truth. "Therefore let your hearts be com- forted. No power on earth nor under the earth is ever going to stay the hand of the Lord in the fulfillment of his revelations. They are coming to pass; therefore let us send up our prayers to God who is waiting for them and he will bless us." President Woodruff asked the blessing of the Lord upon the congregation and upon the brethren and sisters who are laboring in the work of the Mutual Improvement Associations. Sister Maria Y. Dougall was the next speaker. She thanked the Lord for the Mutual Improvement Associations. Her heart had been made to rejoice this afternoon. While listening to the prophet she had thought what a great thing it is to be a father or a mother. We have kept our first estate, that is the reason we are here, and we should so live that we shall reach an exaltation in our next estate. Advised the young men and women to edu- cate themselves to serve the Lord. She thanked God for the privilege of being a worker in the hive of Deseret and a teacher and instructor of the youth of Zion. Elder B. H. Roberts addressed the conference during the remainder of the time for the afternoon session on various matters connected with M. I. A. work. The choir sang the anthem, "Glory be to the Lord our Deliverer." Conference was adjourned until 7:30 p m. Benediction by Apostle John Henry Smith. Evening. 7:30 o'clock. Choir sang the hymn, "Oh God, our help in ages past." Prayer by Apostle Abraham O. Woodruff. Choir sang the hymn, "Glory to God on High." 702 1MPROVEMENT ERA . Sister Leah Dunford addressed the conference. She referred to the great blessings enjoyed by the Latter-day Saints through the perfection of the organization of the church, and the light of the gospel; of the educa- tional advantages enjoyed in the Young Ladies' and Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations. She spoke at length upon the home manage- ment department of the Young Ladies' Guide and upon the importance of home life, and closed with some excellent advice to young women. Sister Elsie Barrow sang the solo, "Oh my Divine Redeemer." Elder Geo. H. Brimhall then delivered a most interesting lecture on "Counsel." He commenced by stating that the creation of man was the result of the council of the Gods There are three steps in the guidance of man, first, coercion; second, command; third, counsel. In early revelation the Lord said, "Thou shalt not," then "Thou shalt," but now it is, "It is my will." This is the day of counsel. The road to obeying counsel is through obeying commands. Showed the beauty and benefit of counsel in families; between husbands and wives, and between parents and children Counsel must be sought for safety and correction, and given from unselfish motives Advised young people to seek counsel from their parents, Mutual Improvement presidents from their bishops, stake superintendents from their stake presidents, and all to beware of the man who advises against taking counsel from the servants of the Lord. The choir sang the hymn, "Ye simple souls who stray." Conference adjourned until Monday morning at 10 o'clock. Benediction by Apostle Matthias F. Cowley. [Minutes -will be concluded in the ERA for August] .