--- 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: 4 number: 1 published: 1900-11 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* 4, no. 1 (November 1900): 64–76.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0401unse 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: improvementera0401unse start_page: 64 end_page: 76 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1900-11) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0401unse publication_year: 1900 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 1900, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Our Work OUR WORK. MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT REVIVALS IN SANPETE. Anew and very successful plan for creating a general interest in mutual improvement work, was adopted in the Sanpete stake of Zion just prior to the opening of the regular meetings this season, Superintend- ent George Christensen has given the Era a brief accout of the scheme, which will be read with interest by other leaders in the cause. A notice- able feature, in the work, is the enlistment of the best talent in the stake in the labor performed. School teachers, men holding high civil and religious positions, as well as young men of first-class business stand- ing, took part and became deeply interested in the cause. We take pleasure in presenting Superintendent Christensen's report to our read- ers: During the past summer the stake officers of the Y. M. M. I. A. of Sanpete were much concerned, when discussing plans and preparation for the coming mutual improvement season, over the lethargy mani- fested by the young men. This was particularly so with that more advanced and elder class which it was especially desirable to enlist in mutual work; hence some means were sought whereby to secure their attendance and interest. While contemplating this subject, the inspiration came to some of the brethren that it would be a good thing to hold a series of consecu- tive meetings, in the larger wards, under the auspices of the associa- tions, and thus endeavor to interest and enthuse both young and old in the mutual improvement cause. While some were a little fearful that the matter could not be carried out successfully, the idea obtained with the officers, and, after receiving the sanction of several members of the General Board, was presented to the ward officers assembled in confer- ence at Mt. Pleasant, July 8, and sustained by a unanimous vote. The stake superintendency thereupon proceeded to perfect the plan. It was decided to hold meetings simultaneously in Manti, Ephraim, and OUR WORK. 65 Mt. Pleasant, for a period of eight evenings,beginning Sunday, Sept. 23, and closing Sunday, Sept. 30, and to enlist so many of the officers and other competent workers in the stake, that no speaker would be heard twice inthe same ward, nor would the same subject be discussed more than once during the meetings. It was further decided that the same subjects should be treated upon in each ward, on the same evening, that there might be perfect harmony in the work. The subjects were chosen as follows: Sunday, Sept. 23, Purposes of the Meetings-Faith; Mon- day, Sept. 24, Repentance-Baptism; Tuesday, Sept. 25, The Holy Ghost -TheApostasy; Wednesday, Sept. 26, The Restoration-Object (Pur- poses) of the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times; Thursday, Sept. 27, Our Duties in this Dispensation (Spirits reserved, etc.)-M. I. A. a Fac- tor of Preparation; Friday, Sept 28, M. I. A. a School for Acquiring Knowledge of, and Training in, the Gospel-Missionary Work; Saturday, Sept. 29, Manual-General Programme of Songs, Music, etc.; Sunday, Sept. 30, General Instructions by Members of the General Board and Others. The lectures were each evening supplemented by testimonies, musical exercises, etc. Although the meetings began with a fair attendance, the size of the audiences grew with each succeeding meeting, and the interest increased until, as expressed by President J. G. Kimball, when, at the meeting held in Mt. Pleasant, Sunday evening, Sept. 30, he beheld the meeting house crowded to its utmost capacity, with great numbers on theoutside, unable to secure entrance, and felt the Spirit which prevailed in the meeting, he exclaimed: "You have the people nearly on the run," and he added the following excellent counsel: "Now that they are thoroughly aroused, be careful that the young men are put to work, in order to keep the spirit of mutual improvement growing within them." What is said of Mt. Pleasant is equally true of the closing meet- ings at Manti and Ephraim, where Elder Junius F. Wells added his tes- timony and counsel to those already given. The meetings were without question a great success, not only for the time being, but we believe that the good results will be permanent in that the M. I. work was brought thoroughly before the people both old and young, and will thereby become better understood and more popular. A number of young men, not hitherto identified with the asso- ciations, enrolled their names, and will no doubt add much to the suc- cess of the work this season. Twenty-three young men, lifting up their voices for this great cause during that week, gave evidence to the peo- ple that the very best talent in the stake is engaged in making this work a success. 66 IMPROVEMENT ERA. The assistance of the Almighty was also made manifest in a remarkable degree; his Spirit seemed to lay hold upon the people during that time, insomuch that inclement weather, bad roads, or even polit- ical rallies were unable to keep them from the meetings. Trusting in our Heavenly Father to add his divine blessings to the work of that week, that the seed sown in the hearts of our young peo- ple may germinate, grow, and produce glorious fruit to his holy name's honor and glory, and for the salvation of his children, we dedicate our services to his holy cause. WEEKLY OFFICERS' MEETINGS AND PREPARATION CLASSES . BY SUPERINTENDENT W. O. LEE, OF THE DAVIS STAKE OF ZION. "And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning even by study, and also by faith." We believe that Christ's saying to his disciples, "Take no thought what ye shall say," etc., has many times been used as an excuse for in- difference by those who plainly ignore the other part of the same com- mandment, "but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion thatshall be meted unto every man." Preparation is the secret of success in the mutual improvement work: and not only is this true of our particular work, but of almost everything else in this life, and it has a most important bearing on sal- vation and exaltation in the hereafter. In all of our past manuals, much has been said in regard to the necessity of frequent officers' meetings and home study, yet in many cases the ward officers transact their business during the weekly meetings, while the program is being rendered, there- by offending the members who are rendering their parts, and making it impossible for the officers to properly watch the proceedings of the meet- ings. As a result, they do not have sufficient time or opportunity to con- sult freely with each other, or weigh the matters of business necessary for the next meeting, and future welfare of the association. Almost as bad as this is the other custom of one officer presiding OUR WORK. 67 while another assigns the program for the ensuing evening, because it is impossible, in either case, to examine with sufficient care, and to assign to the right one the particular sub-division of the lesson that will bring forth the best results. Another sadly neglected point is that of keep- ing a record of eachmember put upon the program, so that a certain same number will not get all the subjects. This is not mutual, and yet, how often the case. Thanks to our copious review questions, we are not troubled with this fault as much of late years as we were formerly; and yet, watch your association and note how a few do the work, night after night, that would be more mutual if done by many. There should be no such thing as preparing lessons or making out programs, or any similar work by the officers, during the time of the regular meeting. Such things are out of place and most detrimental to improvement work. All this should be done beforehand, and every officer alert and prepared to supply any missing link necessary to make the chain of the evening's program complete, and as nearly perfect as possible. This can only bedoneby devoting two nights a week instead of one, to themutual improvement work. One night for preparation, and another, (the regular meeting night) for recitation. The trouble is that we have too long considered the mutual improvement as ofbut little importance, only requiring two hours of our time, one night a week, and we seem to have taken it for granted that that is all the time necessary to spend onit. Wehave no objections to home preparations, the only difficulty be- ing that there are so few of them, and they are so often forgotten, as generallyproved in each meeting by the lack of information on the sub- jects discussed in open class; especially is this noticable when the sub- ject is not generally understood, and requires special reading in the reference books. We believe that every live member of a Mutual Improvement Associa- tionshouldnot feel satisfied withhimself unless he masters every lesson,and cananswereveryreview question, whether he is assigned a part on the pro- gramornot. There is always plenty for prepared members to do,because of the failure to either be present, prepared, or to properly cover the subjects onthe part of others. In fact, the life of most associations depends on the fewmembers who are always prepared; and if it were not for them, what sadly mutilated programs we would have! We want to do some- thing that will increase the number of always-prepared members. We want to stop this procrastination of preparation. We go home from our weekly meeting with the desire and firm intention of thoroughly reading up on the next lesson, sometime during the coming week, that we may 68 IMPROVEMENT ERA. be well prepared to participate in the full benefits of the lesson. And we cannot get the full benefits without participation on our part. But the trouble is, we have no definite time for our preparation, and the week passes away with its opportunities neglected. Tuesday night arrives, and we hastily gather our manual and such reference books as are handy, and off we rush to Mutual, stealing a little time during the opening ex- ercise to brush up a bit on the lesson. Is it necessary for us to say that these things are all wrong-bad habits that should be overcome ? And yet, how common they are in every association-let each observant worker judge. Now for the remedy. We have tried it, and know of a surety that it will work successfully, and that wherever adopted, will place that as- sociation at least "forty per cent ahead" of its fellows in thoroughness and actual good work done, regardless of all other ordinary considera- tions, such as numbers, location, brilliancy, etc. It is simply this: a time for preparation, set and fixed regularly one night a week, to become a custom among us, and considered by us just as necessary as the other night of reciting that which we have pre- pared. Officers need it, members need it, Sunday School classes need it, quorums need it, to prepare their religious studies. But not singly and alone, every man for himself as in the past; but "united we stand, divided we fall" into the old "I forgot" rut of the past. For convenience, we would suggest that the weekly officers' meet- ing and members' preparation class be combined and held at the same time and place. Time and place also is a matter of local convenience. The class can be held in the public library, the vestry of the meeting- house, turn-about at each other's home, thus cultivating an improvement in sociability; or, in case of widely scattered homes in country wards, it is sometimes convenient to divide into two or even three preparation classes, or senior and junior classes, but in every case it is necessary for the ward officers and class leaders to see that the necessary reference books are either furnished or brought by the members to the place of meeting, and it is a good thing for the officers to hold their meeting a half hour before the class, make out their program to be read in the next meeting, transact all other necessary business, and be ready to take part with, aid, and assist the members when they arrive. We suggest the following mode of procedure in preparation classes. Try it, and then make such changes as wisdom and your own local con- ditions suggest : First.-Form in class, each with manual, and readaloud in turn the lesson and all the notes. OUR WORK. 69 Second.-Circulate the reference books among all present,and spend at least a half hour in quiet reading, not aloud, until every reference has beenread by all the members present. Third. Then let the presiding officer call the attention of all pres- ent and ask the review questions. You will find that all get the benefit of each others' reading, and while it is impossible for anyone to read in a single evening eight or ten chapters out of that many different books of reference, yet, when you get through with the review questions,you can go home with a feeling ofsatisfaction, andyou are prepared to answer intelligently all questions concerning the next lesson. We suggest that our preparation classes be conducted on social not formal lines, ever keeping in mind the object of the gathering and being careful to avoid two things, viz: useless discussion and gossip. These preparation classes can be made invaluable to mutual improvement mis- sionaries, in their work of encouraging others to attend our regular meetings. Do not get discouraged if the attendance is not what it ought to be, at the first few classes. Our most successful class started with two, and, in a few weeks, increased to forty members who remained to the end of the season. If you desire to hold your preparation class conjointly with theyoung ladies, the same rules will apply with modifications in case of manual and guide. Improve on these suggestions as much as you can, but for the work's sake and our own sake, let us devote at least one regularly appointed evening to preparation in our mutual improvement work; then, as offi- cers, we will be leaders in very deed, and as members, we will be alive and active, mutually benefiting each other. SPECIAL CONFERENCE MEETING . On Sunday, October 7, 1900, a special meeting of the officers of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations, was held, at noon, in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, the purpose being to have a word with the presidents of stakes and bishops, on mutual improvement affairs, and to 70 IMPROVEMENT ERA. encourage M. I. A. officers to diligent effort in matters already presented at the late stake conventions. The meeting was short but spirited, and the feeling manifested gave promise of earnest effort in the cause by the army of workers who responded to the call. Twenty-one of the members of the General Board and about five hundred brethren were present, many of them being presidents of stakes and bishops. President Joseph F. Smith addressed the meeting and said: Brethren, we have called you together, not that we have anything new to present to you, for you have been fully instructed, recently, but to meet you and to encourage you to diligent effort. We hope that every officer willfeel the spirit ofhis calling, and will not flag, nor neg- lect his duty, nor become indifferent to his responsibilities, but energet- ically, earnestly, and prayerfully strive to carry out the plans laid out and adopted, and accomplish as much good for the youth of Zion as it is pos- sible. This can only be done effectively when every officer feels deep and abiding interest in his work. We would like you to feel that this work is not a trifling matter; it is a work for the salvation of our youth, designed for the redemption of those who have gone astray, and for the elevation of all, and especially of those born in the household of faith. We cannot afford to sit down and see our own sons grow up in infidelity, recreant to the work of God. God bless this army of young men this army of soldiers who have been called to perform this glorious work for the redemption and salvation of the sons of Zion. May you be endowed richly with the Spirit of God, with earnestness of heart and honesty ofpurpose. Remember we are called to labor now-to work while it is day, for night cometh when no man can work. It is now we should feel the weight of the mission that rests upon us, and the object of that mission is to save the young people and make them heirs ofGod and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. Elder Francis M. Lyman said : We found last year that in our local missionary work in many places only a few young men were called when there should have been many. As many as are willing, and have the ability, should be called into these local missionary corps, and they should be inspired with the idea that they are to become saviors of the youth of Israel, and their work should be done thoroughly. Every man should be given an oppor- tunity to be original in his methods and develop the missionary instinct within him. Do not stop at one dozen, but call two or three dozen. Have OUR WORK. 71 everymanoccupied, and give him a chance to become a savior among his fellows. This will be a most useful training for our young men who go out into the world as missionaries. This local missionary corps is now to be made permanent to continue until every young man who bears the priesthood shall become a converter-until every man has his sickle and has thrust it in. Elder John Henry Smith said: We desire the officers of the Y. M. M. I. A. to be in harmony with their bishops, and subject to the advice and counsel of the presidencies of the stakes; as agencies for the accomplishment of this great work among our young people, we anticipate that the presidents of stakes and bish- ops of wards will help you in the discharge of your duties. To the young men, however, we say: Under no circumstances run ahead of your superior officers. You, of all men, should be the most earnest and consistent in supporting and sustaining the authorities of The Church in the stakes and wards where you reside. Elder Heber J. Grant said: I rejoice in the interest awakened in the hearts of the leading men to the work of reclaiming our youth, and in reaching out after them. I believe that some of the most faithful and useful men will yet come from the ranks of our young men who are now indifferent and careless like Alma of old. There have been ten thousand young men added to our Mutual Improvement Associations, but they are not all active, and they need to be aroused to take an interest in the work. We want the bish- ops and presidents of stakes to take an interest with us in converting them, and we want them also to help us in sustaining the IMPROVEMENT ERA, which we are not publishing to make money, but to help in the work of reforming our boys, and spreading the truth at home and abroad. President Joseph F. Smith said: Iwant to say to the presidents of stakes and bishops of wards that wewould like harmony and mutual understanding to exist between the officers of the Y. M. M. I. A. and the presiding officers of The Church in the stakes and wards. We don't want the bishops to make changes in the officers of associations without consulting with the stake officers of the Y. M. M. I. A., and we don't expect the officers of the Y. M. M. I. A. to make changes, or do anything in these lines, without consulting with the presiding officers of The Church in their stakes. We want union, and a perfect understanding between them. We would like to have the presidents of stakes and bishops of wards understand that we would like to have these local missionaries set apart 72 IMPROVEMENT ERA. and blessed by the proper authorities, that they may go out with their blessing upon them, and feeling the importance of the duty required of them. Elder Frank Y. Taylor said: The most important thing is to get the spirit of the work. Don't let "can't" come into your category. Whatever is required of you go to work and do it. Do not ask the boys to do anything which you are not willing to do yourselves. In this missionary work, every officer should take some young man and labor with him for his conversion. The suc- cessful mutual improvement superintendent or president is the one who is willing to do whatever he asks others to do. Benediction was pronounced by Elder Abraham O. Woodruff. A SYSTEMATIC CANVASS FOR SUBSCRIBERS. Here is a suggestion from the Weber stake. All the association presidents have received a letter from the stake agent, who has this part of our work in hand, urging them to a systematic canvass for sub- scribers. The letter reads as follows : DEAR BROTHER : As you are no doubt aware, the October number completes Volume 3 of the ERA. Having in charge this department of our work, I take pleasure in enclosing you a prospectus of Volume 4, and will kindly ask you to make your ward canvassers acquainted with the great work that will be done, and the valuable information in store for the readers of Volume 4 of the ERA. President Smith and Apostle Grant have addressed a letter to all subscribers soliciting a renewal of their subscriptions, and the thought is suggested that now would be an opportune time to follow up the letter from the ERA office with a systematic canvass of your ward, which I think will result in securing all of the old subscribers and many new ones. The young men have had a prosperous season, they have plenty of funds, and, if approached early, will respond willingly, and rally to the support of the Y. M. M. I. A. organ, which they cannot do as well later, perhaps, when all of their ready cash is expended. Do you OUR WORK. 73 not think the above suggestion a good one and worthy of immediate con- sideration? I suggest that you keep a record of the names of your sub- scribers for future reference, so that visitors from the Central Board maysee and report on this feature ofyour work. This record might be kept at the end of your roll book, the names of the officers heading the list. Wishing you much success in behalf of the ERA, I remain your brother in the work of mutual improvement, HEBER SCOWCROFT, Stake Agent for the ERA. WHY THE ERA SHOULD BE SUSTAINED . The officers of the M. I. A. in the Granite stake of Zion, have pre- pared ten reasons why the IMPROVEMENT ERA should be sustained by all Latter-day Saints. It is needless to say that we modestly agree with them, and commend their reasons to the perusal of all who are inter- ested inhome literature and in the cause of mutual improvement. Here theyare: 1. Because the members of the General M. I. Board, presided over by President Lorenzo Snow, request us to do so. 2. Because the ERA is our magazine-let us be loyal to our own interests. 3. Because no M. I. officer (or member) who is not a careful reader of the ERA, can hope to succeed in his association labors. 4. Because the ERA is a faith promoter, and as such should be in thehome, at least, of every Latter-day Saint. Its articles are contrib- uted by our best and most able writers-men and women, thoroughly devoted to the Gospel, whose efforts carry with them the spirit of the writer, which is the Spirit of God. 5. Because the ERA is being furnished to our missionaries free, and is itself a missionary of incalculable value, as testified to by numer- ous experienced Elders; we should assist in this free distribution, by our subscriptions. 6. Because knowledge is power, and our aim being to acquire power 74 IMPROVEMENT ERA. by spiritual and intellectual advancement, the ERA is just the magazine to assist in this great development. 7. Because the Era is the only magazine inviting correspondence from mutual improvement workers. We are requested to contribute our best thoughts and literary efforts for publication, a practice essen- tially important to all Latter-day Saints. 8. Because we are a library-building people, and the ERA, when bound, makes a splendid library volume. 9. Because of the low subscription price of the ERA.* 10. Because we want the ERA to live forever let our efforts for its success be a living resolution that it shall. SUGGESTIONS ON CLASS WORK. There are two things a teacher should do: direct to (a) what to learn, (b) best way of doing it. In the manual lesson, what to learn in the senior class will be different from that in the junior class. In the latter, the story, interwoven with incident, should be the leading idea; in the former the heavier matters of doctrine may be kept uppermost. Two things, also, there are, which the teachershould guard against: doing too much; doing too little. He does too much when he, himself, speaks the greater part of the exercise, or occupies the time with lectur- ing the class, with a view to informing them of the contents of the les- son. This knowledge should be gained by the student in self-prepara- tion at home. The class is not aplace where the pupil comes to learn the story of the lesson. He comes there to tell the teacher what he knows; to recite, not to study; to ask questions on difficult points, and * Following is a partial list of leading magazines with prices. Notice them carefully. The ERA is only $1.75 per year, to all who pur- chasemanuals; North American Review, $5.00 per annum; Atlantic Monthly, $4.00; The Forum, $3.00; Harper's Monthly, $4.00; Metropoli- Lippi tan , $2.75; ncott's , $2.50. OUR WORK. 75 to be led to comprehend them through the leadership of the teacher, or through the expressed ideas of his classmates. The teacher does too little when he fails to inspire enough enthu- siasminhisstudents to insure interest in the lesson and its preparation,- whenhe fails to point out a way in which this may be done. He is there as a guide. The function of a guide is to point out the way, but the traveler, the student, must himself walk in it. The additional task de- volves upon the teacher to see that when the road is opened, the student shall walk in it. He should have the tact to inspire the student with will power to do the work. If he only points out the way, he does too little; he must say: This is the way; walk ye in it; he must be sure, too, that the latter injunction is lived up to, is carried out. Theaim of class work is to inform and to inspire the mind. The latter is of more importance than the former. Inspiration is the father of information. To cause others to know, is not as important as to in- spire others to search, that they themselves may know. The teacher should inspire the student with the feeling: I want to do it. I can do it. The ability to so inspire distinguishes the successful teacher from the teacher that fails. How may this ability be acquired? The teacher must himself feel in every fibre of his soul what he desires to impress upon his students. Inspiration, feeling, must first permeate his own beingbefore he can inspire others and make them feel. The ability to inspire others is acquired by (a) loving them, (b) by right living, (c) by right action, (d) by assiduous application to, and faithful, prayerful study of, the subject. Tell me how greatly a teacher loves his pupils, andhow much faithful study he devotes upon the subject to be taught, and I can tell you how much interest is manifested by the students, and how much inspiration is awakened in their minds. The improvement of the individual character should be kept in mind by the teacher. In all that goes to form a full and rounded character, the teacher should be an example, so that he may be an inspirer for proper character-building in others. Himself able and full of informa- tion, he cannot fail to inspire others to action. Like a missionary, he should be full of sociability, with a friendship permanent and sparkling, having the power to ingratiate himself into the confidence and favor of others. He should study to learn the tendencies of his students, get acquainted with them, and make them feel that his only desire is to do them good and to bless them. Take the student by the hand, call him by name, make him feel your personal influence. He thus becomes ready to be taught; his mind is ready for impressions. These are all means of 76 IMPROVEMENT ERA inspiring him. There are other means. Institute contests, and recite occasionally in concert. All this requires work, continuity, persistence, and above all right- living, and faithfulness. There is no excellence without labor. The teacher must be a persistent worker, undaunted, full of resources. But above all he must get down to work. There was a gardener once who found that notwithstanding all his care, he had a tree whose leaves began to turn yellow. He gave it special attention. He sprayed it, loosened and enriched the earth about its roots, watered it, trimmed its branches, and in every way sought to prevent its decay. He tried one thing after another, with commendable persistence, but the tree still continued to shed its leaves and show signs of approaching death. Then he said, "I must get at the cause." And so he began to dig and search among the roots. He soon discovered that there was a hole in one of them, and further effort laid bare the worm which was eating into the vitals of his tree. The worm was plucked out; the earth was carefully returned about the roots; not many days, and the tree began to show signs of returning life, and soon excelled in leafy grandeur, in bloom and fruit, all the trees of his garden. Like the gardener, the teacher must be fullof resource, energetic in works, persistent; and withal, he must get at the root of evil, thus removing the cause of decay and death.