Our Work: Meetings by Returned Missionaries; September Work

OUR WORK. MEETINGS BY RETURNED MISSIONARIES.

Recently the editors of the Era received the following communica- tion from a brother through one of our Stakes of Zion; giving an account of a series of meetings held there by some returned missionaries, and suggested the holding of such meetings throughout the Church. While we may not approve of the suggestion that such a course of meetings be held throughout our settlements, we nevertheless publish the com- munication for the purpose of encouraging the submitting of such sug- gestions to the Era as it indicates an interest in our work, and it will result occasionally in securing suggestions by the associations that could be followed with advantage. Here is the communication referred to:

Dear Brother: Sometime ago one of our Mutual Improvement officers while studying the necessity of missionary labor among our own people here in Zion, conceived the idea that a series of meetings con- ducted by two "Mormon Elders" would be beneficial. Accordingly the plan was adopted and a series was given in one of our wards. The result was so gratifying that another series was given entire public. The in the general meeting house for the benefit of the Associations are so well pleased with the .officers of the Improvement you our mode of procedure, and tell you of our success that we write of

success. Should you feel that our plan is a good one, it may be beneficial to you as a suggestion for other towns and cities in Zion.

Two returned missionaries conducted the services. The vast audi- the preachers. ences were treated as though they were entire strangers to The Elders did their own singing and praying, presiding alternately at Gospel; answered the meetings. They discussed the first principles of the handed by the people; distributed their any questions that might be in

the Articles of Faith upon them; called upon those who were cards with interested in their doctrine to investigate it more fully. In fact the

entire series of meetings was conducted as though they, the preachers,

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were out in the world preaching the Gospel to the unbelievers, their audiences. A lively interest was manifested both by those not of our faith and the "Mormons" themselves. The luke-warm Latter-day Saints seemed aroused from their lethargy and appeared to be desirous of "stirring up the gift within them." Those professing other faiths than ours came to listen to the "Mor- mon" Elders argue their doctrine. Those belonging in no religion at all seemed struck with the sim- plicity of the doctrine, and the strict conformity of it to the scriptures. Those actively engaged in our Church listened with satisfaction as the Elders advanced their own faith with earnestness and sincerity. Many questions were handed in and answered. Many "Voice of Warnings" were sold, and some Books of Mormon disposed of. People professing "Mormonism" who for many years had not graced our Church with their presence attended regularly. The last series began February 12, Sunday, and concluded February 19, Sunday. At the close last evening the Elders thanked the "Mormon" people for so liberally donating the use of the meeting house, and had so kindly attended to the fires and kept the house nice and warm. Also thanked the audience for their liberal patronage, and invited them to study this strange (?) doctrine though simple. In fact on the street corners and in the stores the lectures seem the topic of conversation. While the meetings were conducted by the Elders, they were gotten up under the supervision of the Improvement Associations, that is we secured the house, attended to the janitor work, advertised the meetings and postponed our own to attend them. The success is so gratifying to us and the Bishop that we may continue another series. If this plan

meets your approval we would suggest that it be introduced in other cities and towns.

Trusting that the cause of mutual improvement will advance in the future as it has during the last two years.

Our chief objection to the plan proposed in the above, which, by the way, has been tried in a number of wards, is that it looks too much like playing at preaching the Gospel, and we prefer seeing the Gospel preached unconnected with circumstances that would carry with it any such impression The conditions existing in the midst of the organized Stakes of Zion

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are different from those conditions that obtain in the world, and there is no necessity of introducing the methods that are followed in the world in our work where the Church is regularly organized. There is great necessity for preaching the first principles of the Gospel to the youth of our people, but it should be done directly and in

harmony with the circumstances by which we are surrounded and with great earnestness of purpose. The success which attended the methods described in the foregoing communication arose chiefly from the novelty of the proceedings, which would soon pass away and be without interest; but if the Gospel is preached in the spirit and manner we have suggested above, we feel satisfied that permanent interest would be created in such work, and it would be free from every suspicion of playing at a thing concerning which we ought to be in dead earnest.

SEPTEMBER WORK.

Superintendents of Stakes who are alive to their duties, will find that much profitable work can be done preliminary to the opening meet- ing in October. Every ward should be visited; organizations completed, and the officers instructed; arrangements made for the distribution of the Manual, for obtaining subscribers for the Era, for the opening program. There is great advantage, also, in becoming acquainted with the Bishops, and the ward officers. Set your Boards to work.