--- 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: 10 published: 1898-08 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. 10 (August 1898): 777–782.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera110unse 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: improvementera110unse start_page: 777 end_page: 782 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1898-08) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera110unse 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. {Minutes—Continued. ) Monday, May 30, 10 a. m. —Assembly Room, Latter Day Saints' Business College, Templeton Building. Singing, "Redeemer of Israel. " Prayer by Elder Edward H. Anderson. Singing, "Guide Us, Oh, Thou Great Jehovah." The roll was called showing 18 members of the General Board present and 29 stakes represented. There were about 300 ofl&cers present alto- gether. The Secretary read the statistical report for the season of 1897-8. The report showed an increase of 22 associations, 10,257 members, 3,786 in average attendance. Every stake of Zion reported except Bannock Stake. On motion the report was received and filed and the Secretary in- structed to use every effort to obtain the Bannock Stake report before the publication of general report. The Treasurer presented the financial report for 1897-8 showing: Balance on hand, per last report, - $ 310.83 Received from M. I. Fund, - - 1,672.09 1,982 92 General expenses, ... 1,056.75 Balance on hand, - . - . 926.17 On motion the report was received and filed. Apostle Heber J. Grant introduced the subject of funds. He called attention to the fact that while much more had been received by the General Board on the M. I. Fund this season than last, the amount paid was very much less than should have been received if all the members were faithful in this matter. He stated that the Board had considered the propriety of reducing the amount of the annual offering to twenty-five cents per member, and he moved that the fund be reduced to twenty-five cents, the whole to be forwarded to the General Treasurer and that the fund be called the General Improvement Fund. The motion was carried unanimously. On motion of Elder Douglas M. Todd, the first weeks in December and February were decided upon as collection weeks for this fund. 778 IMPROVEMENT ERA. On motion of Elder B. H. Roberts it was decided that remittances on the fund should be made by the ward treasurers to the Stake Superinten- dents on January ist and February 20th, and that the Stake Treasurer then remit in.mediately all funds received on this account to the General Treasurer at Salt Lake City. Adjourned until 2 p. m. Benediction by Elder Willard Done. Afternoon. 2 o'clock. Singing, "Come let us anew our journey pursue." Prayer by Elder Angus T. Wright. Singing, "Let Zion in her beauty rise." Elder B. H. Roberts addressed the meeting on the course of study for next season. He referred to the great interest taken in the course adopted last season and said that the Board had decided upon a course of lessons on the Apostolic Age for the next Manual which they felt assured would be equally as interesting as the Manual on the "Life of Jesus." A committee had the matter in hand and were preparing the new Manual, which it was hoped would be in the hands of the members in ample time for the first meetings of the associations in the fall. The following motion presented by Elder Geo. M. Cannon was carried unanimously: That it is the sense of this meeting that an effort be made to complete the last Manual during the summer, before taking up the new Manual in the fall. The following motion presented by Elder Geo. H. Brimhall was carried unanimously: That all associations in any event be required to begin this fall with the new Manual with a view to completing it during the season. On motion of Elder Jos. E. Robinson it was decided to commence the meetings of all the associations on the first week after the General Con- ference in October. Elder B. H. Roberts suggested that the Stake Superintendents begin their preliminary work early in the fall, and get their associations organized and in running order so as to be ready to begin work in earnest on the date decided upon for the commencement of the work. Elder Wiliard Done suggested that the first lesson be taken up on the first night of meeting and that the presidents of associations make appoint- ment for the first lesson a week or two before the first meeting. On motion of Elder Edw. H. Anderson it was decided that wherever possible the associations have a uniform night of meeting throughout the re- spective stakes. On motion of Elder Jos. E. Johnson it was decided, as the sense of the meeting, that wherever practicable, Tuesday night be the night of meeting for the Young Men's Associations, and that the joint sessions be held on Sunday evenmg, the evening of the Fast Day being selected for that pur- pose wherever possible. On motion of Elder Fred. Beesley it was decided that the names of all parties enrolled should be continued on the roll, until removed by proper action of the associations for cause. Apostle F. M. Lyman said the rolls should always be kept as they are and never diminished, unless some good reason could be shown, and then the matter should be disposed of in a regular way and by the action of the association, and a record of the action kept. Our business is.to look after those who are enrolled. President Joseph F. Smith presented the matter of the Era. He con- gratulated the officers on the success which had so far attended the magazine. Though we had started with nothing, we now had 4,136 fully paid up sub- scribers and over 1,600 missionary subscriptions at $1.00 each. The Era OUR WORK. 779 had made a donation to the missionaries of one half of the subscription price, which was equivalent to more than $i 600.00; and in response to a letter sent out by Elder Heber J. Grant and the speaker, generous brethren had subscribed for enough copies so that it was now being sent to every mission- ary in the field without cost to him. Referring to the subscriptions to the missionary fund, President Smith said he thought it only right that mention should be made of the subscriptions of Brothers George Woodward of St. George, and A. W. McCuneof Salt Lake, who had each sent $500.00, and the latter of whom had stated, that if necessary he would double the amount. President Smith urged all the oflBcers to labor diligently to keep up the sub- scription and the interest in the Era, as it was an enterprise calculated to do great good, both at home and abroad. The following resolution presented by Elder C. A. Welch was unan- imously adopted: That it is the sense of this meeting that we return to the Editors and Managers of the Improvement Era a vote of commendation, and that we pledge to it our support, and that we also pledge ourselves to sustain and subscribe for the next volume. On motion of Apostle Abraham O. Woodruff, a vote of thanks was re- turned to the Manual Committee for their labors. Adjourned until Tuesday at 10 a. m. Benediction by Elder B. S. Hinckley. Tuesday, 10 a. m. Singing, "Arise, O Glorious Zion." Prayer by Elder J. F Allred. Singing, "Hark, Ye Mortals, Hist! Be Still!" Apostle Heber J. Grant spoke upon the Era. He read a list showing percentage of the enrollment in each stake who were subscribing for the Era, and suggested that at the next conference there be read the names of the fifteen stakes standing at the head of the subscription list. Elder B. H. Roberts referred to the Era, and showed that it had ex- ceeded every promise made in the beginning. Representatives from thirteen stakes expressed themselves as highly pleased with the Era and said that all were satisfied with it in their stakes. Apostle Heber J. Grant stated that twenty per cent, of the enrolled membership obtained as subscribers, would increase the subscription to five thousand, and that an average of ten subscribers from each and every ward would accomplish this result, and while we did not desire to rest at a subscription of five thousand, nor a subscription of ten from a ward, he urged all the ofl&cers to bend every effort for the accomplishment of this object. Apostle Lyman then addressed the meeting on the subject of stake and ward organizations. He said he never did anything in a ward or stake with- out counselling with the Bishop of the ward or the President of the stake, and urged the brethren to advise with and get the help of the authorities of the stakes and wards. He called attention to the fact that there was a difference between ordi- nations to the priesthood and appointments to special callings or missions. Ordinations to the priesthood are everlasting, while an appointment may be only temporary; and a man should feel in relation to home appointments or missions as he does in relation to foreign missions, willing to work as long as required and when changes were deemed necessary, accept release with thankfulness. At the same time brethren should not feel restless in office, but should take an interest in their work and should always be .willing and ready to take as deep an interest in the work, if they were removed and some one else chosen to preside in their places. There should be, abiding 780 IMPROVEMENT ERA. in our hearts, the feeling that whatever is best for the Kingdom of God and the Church of Christ, is all right and we are in accord with it. On motion of Elder N. L. Morris, the Secretary was requested to fur- nish to each Stake Superintendent, a list of the subscribers to the Era in each ward of his stake, before the expiration of the first volume. Adjourned until 2 p. m. Singing, "Lord Dismiss Us With Thy Blessing." Benediction by Elder H. A Pedersen. AFTERNOON, 2 O'CLOCK. Singing, "Redeemer of Israel." Prayer by Elder Andrew Morrison. Singing, "Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean." A telegram from Washington was read, announcing that President Mc- Kinley had nominated Willard Young to be Colonel of Engineers. On motion of Elder B. H. Roberts the following telegram was sent to Brother Young: To Captain Willard Young, Washington, D. C. The Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations, in con- ference assembled, having heard with pleasure of your nomination to the Colonelcy of Engineers, congratulate you and our country. (Signed): WiLFORD Woodruff, Joseph F. Smith, Heber J. Grant, B. H. Roberts, General Superintendency. Elder Jonathan G. Kimball reviewed the work done by the mission- aries last season, and said that in taking up the work the coming season a careful selection of men was necessary. We need men who are already converted and have an abiding faith in the gospel. Young men should not be selected for this mission to reform them, as they are to be sent out to bear testimony to the truth of the gospel to the wayward and unconverted. It was intended that the work be commenced earlier this fall than last. Elder B. H. Roberts also spoke on the subject of the missionary work and emphasized the remarks of Elder Kimball on the kind of men needed for the labor. He said that the missionaries could only start the work and the greater labor must be performed by the local brethren, who must continue the missionary work. He urged the officers to look well after the new mem- bers who had been brought into the associations during the past season, and see that they were encouraged to take hold next season. Apostle Matthias F. Cowley said every missionary should be converted, not only to the principles of the gospel in general, but to the plan of the Mutual Improvement work and to the matters and items adopted for the good of the work. He should be converted to the Manual plan, should pay his twenty-five cents on the general Improvement Fund, and should be a subscriber to and advocate of the Era. Apostle Abraham O. Woodruff called attention to the large number of men between the ages of twenty and forty years who were unmarried, and said he felt that this subject should receive the attention of Mutual Improve- ment workers. He said he believed Mutual Improvement officers should seek to persuade young men to take up farms and build themselves homes. He also suggested that all should assist the families of the Mutual Improve- OVR WORK. 781 ment missionaries while they were in the field, if such assistance should be necessary. Elder Nephi L. Morris said that we should not lose sight of the fact, that the great object of the associations was to convert the young men to the gospel and encourage and assist them to obtain a testimony of its truth. President Wilford Woodruff addressed the meeting. He said: I am deeply interested in the position we occupy. The Lord has appointed the place we are in, where the blessings were given to Joseph; we are the sons of Joseph. Here is the flace Tvhere ive are going to stay. Ao^ozver be- neath the heavens ivill ever drive this ;peoj)le from, these mountains. This was a desert when we came here President Young went to work with a- will, like a man. I was with him when he took his first walk from his carriage, across the site where this city now stands. When he reached the place where the Temple now stands, he stuck his cane into the ground and said: "Here will be built the Temple of our God." I thought that was a strange prediction, but I lost no time until I cut a sage stake and drove it into the very spot he had marked. That was before any survey had been made, or any street made, and on that spot indicated by Brigham Young and where I drove the stake, the Temple now stands. Men tried to persuade President Young to go to California, but he replied, "I'm going to stay here, to build a city here, a temple and a country." Young men, the vision of my mind is upon your position. Upon your shoulders rests the mission of carry- ing on this work, of converting the children of men to the Gospel of Christ, from the sins of the world. There is nothing the children of men can be engaged in that is equal to the converting of the souls of men. The only oflBce I ever asked the Lord for, was to be permitted to go and preach the gospel. You hold the power of the priesthood in your hands. I was present in Nauvoo when the Prophet Joseph Smith gave the keys of the kingdom of God to the twelve apostles. He was with us about three hours. He was full of the Spirit of the Lord; his face was as clear as amber. He said, "I stand at the head of this dispensation, and God has given me every key of the priesthood, every power of the priesthood. I am going away (we did not then know what he meant by this). This kingdom will depend upon you and I now roll the responsibility upon you and Godrequiresit at your hands, and if you do not carry it on you will be damned." Joseph never bestowed upon young Joseph any key, or priesthood, or authority. God is not with the Josephites nor are the ordinances of the House of the Lord with them. I was once riding on the cars from this city to Provo, and a man named Short took occasion to walk up and down the car declaring that Joseph Smith never taught nor practiced plural marriage, and never instituted the cov- enants and endowments of the House of the Lord That Brigham Young and those with him were the authors of these things. I rose up and said to him: "You say what is untrue. I received my endowments under the hands of the Prophet Joseph Smith and he taught me the celestial order of mar- riage, and he had plural wives and several of his wives are in Salt Lake City today." Joseph was the author, under God, of all these things. Brigham Young, George A. Smith, and many others received their endowments from Joseph, and their wives were given to them by him in the celestial order of marriage. I shall be a witness of this in the spirit world and I shall meet you all there. The day is not far distant when you will see great events in the earth and sorrowful judgments. God bless you President Joseph F. Smith said that President Woodruff was one of the last living witnesses of the things about which he had spoken. Sister Bath- sheba W. Smith, who is still alive, and her husband received their endow- ments from Joseph, and the Prophet Joseph had conferred all the keys and powers of the priesthood upon the twelve apostles. He urged upon the young men present to make a note of the testimony borne by President Woodruff, that hereafter in the generations to come they could testify that ISa IMPROVEMENT ERA. they had heard him bear witness of these truths. President Smith then spoke upon the subject of conjoint meetings and conferences. He said: In all these meetings there must be authority to begin and close; some one must take the initiative and this belongs to the man who holds the priest- hood. Beyond this the time and appointments should be fairly divided be- tween the young men and the young ladies. President Woodruff expressed approval of what had been said by Pres- ident Smith. Apostle Matthias F. Cowley referred to the history of the Prophet Wil- ford Woodruff, and said he had never been known to say one word deroga- tory of the men who stood above him in the priesthood, and called upon the young men to emulate the example of their venerable leader. Apostle Heber J. Grant bore testimony to the blessing of the Lord be- stowed upon him in the restoration of his health, when the doctors had given him up to die. He also bore testimony that the Prophet Joseph Smith had taught the principle of plural marriage to his (Brother Grant's) mother. The conference was adjourned for one year. Singing, "Our God, we raise to Thee." Benediction by Elder J. G. McQuarrie. On Tuesday evening. May 31st, a most delightful reception was tendered by the brethren and sisters of the general boards of the Young Men's and Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations to the visiting stake ofl&cers of Mutual Improvement Associations, and their wives and husbands. Pres- ident "Woodruff was present and remained until the close of the entertain- ment, at 12 o'clock. So ended one of the most notable conferences of the Mutual Improve- ment Associations ever held. MANUAL FOR 1898-9. Our new Manual for next season's study, on the "Apostolic Age, " will soon be issued from the press, and in order that it may be in the hands of all members by the first meeting of the associations, we shall be pleased to receive orders from the associations for the number they will require for their members. Send the orders early so that we shall have time to dis- tribute them after they leave the press, and get them to the members before the season opens. Send orders to the general secretary, Thomas Hull, Era Office, Templeton Building, Salt Lake City. A WORD TO MISSIONARIES. Of late we have had a great many Eras returned from postoffices in the Southern States, marked "not called for," or "unclaimed." They have all been forwarded to the addresses of missionaries furnished us. It is possible that the brethren to whom they were sent have returned home or have changed their addresses, but in either event have failed to notify this office. On all magazines returned to this office we are charged third-class postage, and this added to the expense of mailing in the first place is all wasted. In- asmuch as the Era is being sent to all missionaries without any profit to the publishers, and in many cases at an actual loss, we hope the missionary brethren will make it a point to promptly notify this office of all changes. In this connection we desire to call attention to the fact that we mail our magazines not later than the first of each month and therefore all notices of change should reach us before that time, and also that in order to avoid loss of magazines, when leaving a place the postmaster should be notified of the place to which you remove, so that your mail may be forwarded.