Our Work: Minutes of the Annual M. I. A. Conference

OUR WORK. THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE MUTUAL IMPROVE- MENT ASSOCIATIONS. There was a large representation at the general annual conference of the Mutual Improvement Associations of Zion, which opened on Sunday, June 10, in the Tabernacle at Salt Lake City. The conference closed on Tuesday, 12th, two days having been spent in officers' meetings, at which important instructions to the representative workers were given by the general officers. Out of forty-two stakes in Zion, thirty-nine were represented. The paramount importance of the work of these associations, in the auxiliary organizations, was emphasized by President Joseph F. Smith, and President George Q. Cannon imparted valuable instruction and encouragement to the young people. Obedience to the Lord in the acceptable way, through the appointed authority; the necessity of doing good in the way God has commanded and with willing hearts, which is a distinguishing characteristic of the Church of Christ, were forcibly impressed. The desire of The Church to free its membership from entangling association with secret organizations, was strongly taught. The history of the improvement cause was fully set forth by speakers of both the young ladies and young men, and the story of the labors of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations in the past quarter century was fully illustrated, at the Sunday evening meeting, by Apostle Heber J. Grant. The business meetings were replete with valuable instructions. The permanency of the associations, the character and duty of the officers, and the necessity .of their making the improvement work their first duty,

708 IMPROVEMEN1 ERA. in the auxiliary organizations, was carefully impressed. It was decided .that whenever practicable, the associations be graded, and junior and senior classes be established; that the local missionary work be continued, and that extra effort be made to enlist all the young people in the cause; that the manual be early placed in the hands of the members, and a program prepared for the opening meeting in the second week of October, after due care has been taken to see that all the associations are thoroughly organized; that there be one permanent roll, to include the whole membership, and that it be called in such a way as to suit the local conditions, the card plan being suggested in large associations; that bishops be asked to consult with stake superintendents in the selection of suitable officers; that officers' meetings be regularly held; and that the class work be improved by the selection of the best teachers, by grading, by converting the officers to the use of the Era, the manual, and the work of missionaries. The general missionary work was left in the hands of the General Board, as far as calling a later convention of workers was concerned, etc. A good spirit prevailed in these meetings. One pleasing feature of the conference was the singing which was under the able management of Assistant-Director H. S. Ensign. There was much of it, and the quality was unsurpassed. The closing entertainment, at the home of Mrs. A. W. McCune, given by the General Boards to the visiting stake officers, was a social success, and sent the participants home with light hearts, determined to press onward with more energy in the great cause of mutual improvement. Following is a synopsis of the minutes of the conference: TABERNACLE, SUNDAY, 10 A. M. President Joseph F. Smith called the assembly to order, and the Sixteenth Ward choir sang the hymn on page 134, "High on the mountain tops a banner is unfurled." * Prayer by Elder J. Golden Kimball. Hymn, "Glorious things of thee are spoken." President Joseph F. Smith made the opening address, He said in part: I regret to announce that President Lorenzo Snow is not able to be with us this morning. His name is on the program to make the opening address of our conference, and we feel double regret at his absence; first, because we are deprived of the benefit of his counsel, and second, because it is on account of affliction that he is not able to be with us. I sincerely hope that all here, as well as all the Saints elsewhere

OUR WORK. 709 will feel a special interest, this morning, and through the day, and offer their prayers in his behalf that he may be speedily restored from his sickness. I am pleased to see so many present, and I congratulate those present upon their interest in the work. I know of no branch of work in The Church, save perhaps it may be the Sunday Schools, which is of as great importance or necessity as this work in which we are engaged for the youth of Zion; and I don't know but that it is even paramount to the Sunday Schools, for they deal with the little folks who are yet under the control of their parents, and, while this is important, it is of equal importance, if not greater, that those who are passing out of that control, should be looked after and reminded of the truths taught them in their childhood that they may become established in the Gospel. It is essential that our young people know the truth as it has been revealed in the latter days, essential that they know the difference between the Gospel as revealed to the Prophet Joseph and that which has been followed by men for generations past. It is not only necessary to do good, but it is necessary that we should do good in accordance with the will of the Almighty, that we keep the commandments in the spirit of the commandments. The Lord requires the heart and the willing mind, and the rebellious and disobedient shall be cut off from his presence. It is, therefore, necessary that we should be willing to yield up everything for truth and righteousness sake. We should learn the great lesson which Jesus taught: "Father, not my will, but thine, be done." You and I came here not to do our own wills, but the will of him that sent us, and we should express in every act of our lives the words of the Savior just referred to. This is the distinctive feature between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the churches of the world. It is said that order is Heaven's first law. Before order can be obtained, however, there must be obedience. Therefore obedience is one of the primary laws of heaven. It is so necessary that even the Son of God had to be obedient to the will of his Father in the slightest things. Even baptism had to be obeyed by him who was without sin and it could not be passed over because it was necessary for him to "fulfill all righteousness." These are the things we should learn ourselves and teach our young people that they may not be so blind that they cannot see the difference between the doctrines of the world and the Gospel of Christ as revealed from heaven in these days. Sister Elmina S. Taylor, General President of the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations, addressed the meeting. She said in

710 IMPROVEMENT ERA. part: I am pleased to be here this morning. My heart is made glad to see so many young people present, and I am glad to welcome you. We have thousands of good workers scattered throughout the length and breadth of The Church, and we are glad to welcome you as their representatives who have come to receive instructions from the servants and hand-maidens of the Lord. I trust that the influence of this conference will reach to the uttermost place, wherever there is a mutual improvement worker and that we shall have a conference inspired of the Spirit of the Lord. Elder Francis Kirkham of Utah Stake, who labored last winter as a Mutual Improvement Association missionary in Oneida Stake, addressed the conference upon the subject of "The Mutual Improvement Association Missionary Work." He referred to his own experience as one of great delight and profit and showed the great opportunity for good afforded in this work. The object of the labor was to arouse in the hearts of the young men of Israel a love for the truth, and make them active workers in the cause of Christ. Much had been accomplished in this direction, but its full fruit would be seen in the future. The possibilities were great, and if the work of the local missionaries were continued there would be raised up a mighty band of faithful workers in The Church at home, and of missionaries who should carry the message of salvation to the nations. A beautiful solo was then rendered by Elder John Robinson. Sister Meda Nelson spoke on the subject "Character-Building." The Sixteenth Ward Choir sang a selection. Sister Dora W. Pratt, President of the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations of Juarez Stake, Mexico, made a brief and instructive address to the young people. A telegram was read from Elder Milton H. Hardy, who was expected to speak of "Mutual Improvement Association Reminiscences," stating that on account of a serious accident he was unable to attend. The choir and congregation sang the hymn "Our God we raise to thee, thanks for thy blessings free," and benediction was pronounced by Sister Mary A. Freeze. SUNDAY, 2 P. M. The Tabarnacle Choir sang the hymn on page 14, "We are not ashamed to own our Lord." Prayer was offered by Apostle John Henry Smith. The hymn on page 374 was sung. Sister Maria Y. Dougall made an interesting address on the history of Young Ladies Mutual Improvement Associations, stating that on

OUR WORK. 711 November 28, 1869, President Brigham Young called his family together in the Lion House parlor and organized his daughters into a retrenchment society, desiring that they should set an example to all the people of Zion — that they should retrench in all their extravagances — in dress — in eating, etc. He also desired that his wives and children should have a testimony of the truth of the Gospel, and he was anxious that they should have a meeting of their own where they could bear this testimony to one another. This idea grew, and in the following February, similar societies were organized in several of the wards under the direction of Sisters Eliza R. Snow, Zina D. H. Young and M. Isabella Home. In 1875, the name of "Retrenchment Society" was changed to "Mutual Improvement Association." In 1878-79 organizations were formed in the stakes with stake presidents and other officers. In 1880 a general board was organized and Sister Elmina S. Taylor was called to preside over the entire organization. From time to time, changes have occurred in the work of the associations as the greater development demanded, and now the general board comprises twenty-two sisters, all actively at work in the interest of the associations. Elder Thomas S. Ashworth sang a beautiful solo. President George Q. Cannon addressed the conference, saying in part: It is a very inspiring sight to look at the audience from this stand. The organization of the sisters, which has been described this afternoon, has served a most excellent purpose in furnishing labor of an uplifting character to the sex. The men, having the priesthood, and having the authority to officiate in the offices of the priesthood and to administer in the ordinances of The Church furnished an outlet for all the energy of the young men, but until the organization of the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations the field of the young ladies was very narrow, or many thought it was too narrow for their abilities and desires. In the organization they have been given opportunities of doing a vast amount of good, and it has led to the selection of some to go on missions to the nations. It is to the credit of these associations that the ideas of the people concerning the Latter-day Saints have become enlarged and much prejudice has been allayed. A woman may do many things in guiding and teaching and not transcend the bounds of propriety, and without exceeding the authority which she holds. It has been found that in the missionary field women have been able to carry the Gospel into places where men could not go, and they have accomplished a great deal of good, and their appearance in the world has had the effect of removing many deep-seated prejudices. The organization

712 IMPROVEMENT ERA. STATISTICAL REPORT OF THE Y. M. M. L A. STAKE. MEMBERSHIP. o a) 0)0 ££ O U a a x'- ■0<5g> o sh a h etf o << to 5 o P!rt W CD O O t^h oj S Fh ra ^ . COrrj'O DO-"* U MEETINGS. 02 1 Pi 60 60 br a a +2 +j ai u fl CD CD o PI CD CD (D DO CD *tn CD O G o ►a 2 ■u CI p) CD 1 Pi o o U 6 0 a o Pi M ■»-> 00 60 o o M CD S Alberta Bannock Bear Lake . Beaver Binghani . . , Box Elder. . Cache Cassia Davis Emery Fremont . . . Granite Jordan Juab Juarez Kanab Malad Maricopa . . Millard .... Morgan Oneida Pangultch.. Parowan . . Pocatello . . St. George . St. Johns . . St. Joseph . Salt Lake.. San Juan . . San Luis . . . Sanpete . . . Sevier Snowflake . Star Valley Summit ... Tooele Uintah Utah Wasatch Wayne Weber Woodruff . . . Total, 541 342 228 788 264 509 1067 1626 441 1009 828 565 992 847 364 472 349 465 176 599 345 909 420 370 456 830 259 647 2114 195 257 1554 852 219 346 380 544 376 2599 504 271 2121 248 28747 754 5 50 21 47 15 16 17 20 62 86 104 95 10 55 115 11 24 25 47 15 55 13 2 12 34 13 37 27 17 19 25 32 21 14 42 47 82 19 20 4 15 27 62 64 12 21 36 76 98 101 23 19 42 93 35 74 7 22 16 14 21 25 25 60 8 37 10 88 125 8 4 1043 1600 156 91 374 124 242 427 693 196 400 289 253 418 237 197 199 158 232 57 340 183 326 198 162 218 377 99 282 886 75 130 1069 301 105 170 225 128 171 763 189 13 738 112 74 59 63 134 173 166 879 118 180 64 203 366 302 5 44 41 98 59 123 92 139 54 197 75 192 30 88 736 7 36 842 262 35 121 111 45 119 747 119 79 300 85 133 1 22 12 121 3 22 7 289 20 57 28 81 7 20 15 224 19 61 9 401 15 76 43 511 72 161 29 168 20 10 24 309 10 74 20 210 14 45 15 161 16 88 21 377 30 103 18 265 52 76 33 107 12 20 4 151 23 47 24 113 20 13 12 179 15 37 7 70 17 27 4 155 20 36 11 161 2 48 8 285 19 64 54 124 7 32 14 100 14 22 14 216 24 50 20 398 50 63 25 129 16 26 16 213 13 54 24 757 98 253 28 61 23 13 2 104 12 29 7 396 89 127 45 220 27 80 9 129 17 18 18 135 1 29 28 244 48 20 24 141 14 25 3 117 5 24 38 790 149 249 50 183 4 34 10 127 15 27 4 526 24 164 46 111 12 13 4 9692 1069 2459 827 62

OUR WORK. 713 FOR THE YEAR ENDING APRIL 30th, J900. Mission- EXiiLi art LIBRA TIN CISES. Labors. s "3 u ■a to 3 2> to a o CD CO to a o to Si to to a 03 •a d •6 CO u o Q o 3 00 U s co CO 3 3°r O 3 <o tn to to to CO 3 +3 83 U 3 ft a> u ■0 . 3 ai 3& 00 o So CO a! in § 0 to h CO P g 3 O y CO p 75 > a p to +j CO 3 a g 03 Pi to o o M ft 03 f* o 3 o 03 u g 3 o CO 3 CO oo 03 So 00 to Sh 3 ■D to 5 flic 3 b) 3 o CO o 3 03 +-* s as g g o CO O 3 £ o o»3 o o g W "3 a 3 to OJ&j H to CD 3 > 03 +-> O H i-3 to H 12 205 118 382 24 7 8 50 3 2 55 $ 46 05 $ 126 40 $ 104 60 $ 21 80 9 198 123 336 19 21 3 25 7 • 4 36 27 50 3 00 3 00 20 489 344 ■ 329 34 10 6 197 40 1 238 247 05 36 95 18 19 18 76 22 169 76 149 7 13 2 86 20 106 36 368 222 369 16 14 123 11 7 141 122 25 14 45 13 25 1 20 64 743 399 93 62 10 630 146 2 778 1033 15 263 25 203 35 59 90 23 971 1386 1377 103 88 16 827 174 5 1006 19 283 157 519 15 10 8 26 26 22 50 52 75 52 75 39 591 300 1823 71 55 9 1642 194 10 1S46 1085 30 701 40 636 15 65 25 4 312 281 455 19 23 8 301 62 1 364 414 55 19 25 14 25 5 00 12 387 546 278 53 13 6 85 27 7 119 113 62 70 36 65 15 5 21 25 565 757 1608 58 21 6 415 17 432 382 00 25 503 185 2127 24 18 5 327 17 344 365 00 16 45 11 22 5 23 6 171 98 294 6 8 3 130 52 182 96 50 30 75 30 75 34 310 186 528 97 966 29 12 5 5 187 39 3 229 390 00 122 05 15 15 109 45 12 60 15 1& 5 264 163 313 16 27 2 24 3 2 29 27 25 18 50 18 50 6 133 130 92 25 22 3 119 137 3 259 100 00 39 00 12 00 27 00> 2 255 173 657 30 25 7 113 35 1 151 115 00 2 60 1 10 1 50 7 271 153 436 33 14 6 79 • 8 9 96 28 00 26 00 2 00 14 600 4,79 2384 3 110 11 117 58 20 195 137 90 32 65 21 15 11 50 10 210 151 137 4 18 3 13 1 14 12 00 2 179 101 376 7 11 305 34 339 173 75 32 45 19 00 13 45 4 417 382 754 23 10 5 46 2 4 52 70 95 52 25 38 40 13 85 29 624 544 1023 132 35 9 390 113 503 540 80 177 55 141 55 36 00 10 234 131 1315 17 12 4 49 60 1 110 101 56 18 25 18 25 25 352 422 144 52 32 5 138 14 152 69 85 54 1307 660 3641 155 98 13 930 37 967 573 00 340 80 340 42 38 10 112 278 604 3 10 2 34 8 3 45 25 00 36 55 29 35 7 20 187 297 76 12 21 2 5 12 36 53 5 25 35 00 35 00 33 881 1554 3112 69 42 16 1840 368 15 2223 1724 35 362 50 348 00 14 50 37 416 202 437 19 36 9 407 265 5 677 487 00 94 35 94 35 3 198 271 576 25 7 7 37 49 6 92 30 85 56 45 46 90 9 55 5 240 267 210 39 17 5 50 3 2 63 42 50 13 00 13 00 505 1000 40 27 3 67 19 86 80 00 201 355 818 10 25 118 15 2 135 170 50 8 209 141 56 9 8 2 40 12 3 55 38 00 150 65 145 30 5 35 74 1470 1193 2077 62 120 25 1963 1256 85 3304 2087 40 917 67 641 31 276 36 18 314 321 402 18 6 5 55 112 167 38 75 37 00 1 75 194 417 545 16 4 44 15 59 38 45 23 45 20 15 3 30 46 1092 523 5156 150 88 16 1138 151 6 1295 1077 10 86 85 81 93 4 92 95 270 285 11 8 8 3 18 6 24 16 90 847 17596 15069 37364 1548 1209 262 13190 3596 251 17047 12090 83 4029 48 3355 77 673 71

714 IMPROVEMENT ERA of the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association has prepared the way for this. I consider the greatest blessing arising from the Mutual Improvement Associations is the opening up of fields for the labors of the young women. A beautiful solo was sung by Sister Luella Ferrin of Ogden. Elder Thomas Hull, General Secretary of Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations, then read the statistical reports of the Young Men's and Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations,* and presented the general authorities of both organizations, which were unanimously sustained. Sister Arvilla Clark of Provo then sang a solo. Elder Douglas M. Todd addressed the conference on "The Mutual Improvement Idea," saying: The idea of Mutual Improvement Associations has been clearly shown by the speakers who have preceded me. We are one of the helps in government. We succeed the Sunday Schools. We take up the work of training and teaching the young people where the Sunday School tends to lay it down. We take them up at one of the most important periods of their lives. One of the great purposes we have in view is to keep our young people busy, avoiding the danger that exists when young men and women are not fully and capably employed in some good work. The training in the Gospel must, for many years, be obtained, by our young people, in the Sabbath Schools and the Mutual Improvement Associations, and I need only call attention to the reports read today to show that the associations are doing their part in this training. Elder Ray Ashworth addressed the conference upon "Mutual Improvement Association periodicals." Early in the history of Mutual Improvement Associations, the need of publications became apparent, and in 1877 and 1878 the associations of Ogden published a little magazine called The Amateur. Later, in October, 1879, a much more important venture was undertaken by Elder Junius F. Wells under the auspices of the associations, and the Contributor made its appearance in the literary arena, and ran through seventeen volumes. In November 1877, the Contributor having been discontinued for over a year, the Improvement Era made its first appearance coming as the organ and property of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations. These publications have all been of a high class character and have been potent factors in * The complete report of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations will be found on pages 712 and 713 in this number of Era.

OUR WORK. 715 the education of our young people, and in the development of the work of mutual improvement. In addition to these regular publications there have been issued from time to time manuals of study for the associations which have been of great value to the young men. Sister Belle Richards addressed the conference upon the same subject, setting forth the usefulness and good of the Young Woman's Journal, and showing what an inspiration its pages had been to many young women of Israel. Sister Nellie T. Taylor addressed the congregation, bearing a strong testimony to the truth of the Gospel as revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith, and exhorting the young people to so live that they may know for themselves the truth of the teachings they receive in their associations. The choir sang the anthem, "Unfold, ye Portals Everlasting," and the benediction was pronounced by Sister Minnie J. Snow. (To be Concluded in the Era for August.) MISSIONARY LABOR. The Missionary Committee reported as follows to the General Board ; their report was accepted, and in turn presented to the officers meeting, at the general June conference. The conference referred the report to the General Board to decide the dates, and other details as to meetings, and accepted the other recommendations: Dear Brethren: — Your Committee on M. I. A. Missionaries for 1899- 1900 herewith present their report: Thirty-eight missionaries were set apart and appointed to labor in the various Stakes of Zion. No body of men ever went out so well instructed. They were called together in five days' meetings on October 12, 13, 14, 16, and 17, 1899, and every part of their work fully placed before them. We have received reports from nearly all of these missionaries, and have considered them. The general result of their work is good, the officers of stakes and wards being made better acquainted with the plans and ideas of the General Board and with their duties generally. The detail work of mutual improvement has been presented before the people in better shape than ever before, and the conditions existing in the stakes have been more thoroghly presented to this committee.

716 IMPROVEMENT ERA. As the result of our labors as your Missionary Committee we make the following suggestions for future work: Officers: — We find that in all the stakes and wards the officers of Mutual Improvement Associations are burdened with too many offices That ward officers are changed too often. That bishops select ward officers very often without any consultation with stake officers of Y. M. M. I. A., and thus many are selected who are not always fitted for the places. We therefore suggest that stake superintendents and presidents of associations be required to consider mutual improvement their first and paramount duty, in the auxiliary organizations; that officers be not changed except when the good of the associations demands it; and that the bishops be advised not to make changes without first consulting with the Stake Superintendency. Association Work: — From all information gained we conclude: That it is necessary to grade the associations. That our meetings are not sufficiently attractive and therefore literary societies and other organizations are detracting from our work, and that our stake conferences should have a uniform program, exhibiting the work of the associations before the visiting brethren and the people. Next Year's Missionary Work: — We find that sending missionaries to instruct the stake officers has a tendency to cause the superintendents to depend too much upon the missionary to do the work which they should do themselves and we therefore suggest: That the stake officers of Y. M. M. I. A. be called, just as the missionaries were last fall, to meet in Salt Lake City on a certain date to be decided upon, to receive instructions from the General Board as to their duties for the ensuing year and that they, in turn, call a similar series of meetings for their ward officers to commence on a date to be decided upon, presenting the same matters to them. In addition we suggest that ten competent brethren be selected to visit all the stakes and see that the instructions received in the above suggested meetings are being carried out. Of course, it is understood that the local missionary work be continued. Respectfully submitted, J. Golden Kimball, Frank Y. Taylor, Thomas Hull, Missionary Committee..