Our Work: Annual Conference; Stake Conventions; M. I. A. in England; A Farewell Reception

OUR WORK.

THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE MUTUAL IMPROVE- MENT ASSOCIATIONS.

SUNDAY, JUNE 2, 1901, 7:30 P. M.

The choir sang the hymn, "Lord thou wilt hear me when I pray." Prayer was offered by Apostle A. 0. Woodruff. Sister Lottie Owen sang the soprano solo: "My Redeemer and my Lord." Sister Teenie S. Taylor addressed the conference on the subject: "What the Gospel Teaches." Apostle Heber J. Grant then addressed the meeting. He began by referring to the life of Elder George Goddard, and his own desire to read the hymns Elder Goddard had sung to the children in the Sunday Schools. He had never hoped to sing those songs, but by the blessing of the Lord, he had learned to sing. Brother Grant then sang the songs, "Who's on the Lord's Side, Who?" and "The Holy City." He followed with a strong testimony of the divinity of the mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith, reading copiously from Josiah Quincy's Figures of the Past. In clos- ing, he left his testimony with the young people and blessed them. The choir and congregation sang the hymn, "Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah," and the benediction was pronounced by Sister Minnie J. Snow. MONDAY, JUNE 3, 10 A. M.

The officers of Y. M. M. I. A. met in the assembly hall of the Latter-day Saints' Business College. President Joseph F. Smith presiding. The Hymn, "Now let us rejoice in the day of salvation," was sung and prayer offered by Elder Frank Y. Taylor. Singing: "Guide us, oh thou great Jehovah." At roll call, twenty-one members of the General Board answered present, and forty-one of the forty-six organized stakes of Zion were rep- resented, by presidents and other officers and by members present.

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General secretary and treasurer, Thomas Hull, presented the finan- cial statement for the year ending May 31, 1901, which was referred to the auditing committee of the General Board. Elder Geo. H. Brimhall spoke upon "Class Methods" making some excellent, practical suggestions to the assembled officers. His remarks were followed by questions and discussion of methods. Elder E. H. Anderson called the attention of those present to the matter of grading the associations. He said the General Board had considered the question, and had deemed it proper to recommend that the grading of the associations be continued. He therefore moved that we continue to grade the associations where practicable, and that where the associations are graded, the senior class shall take up the new manual on the "Principles of the Gospel," and the junior class shall take up the first manual, the "Life of Christ." The second part of the motion was suggested by Brother Roberts and accepted by Brother Anderson as a part of the motion. After some discussion, the motion was carried unanimously. Elder E. H. Anderson said: "There is another question which the Board has acted upon, and that is in regard to stake conventions. The General Board believe that the holding of stake conventions, such as were held last fall, is good and beneficial to the associations. I move, therefore, that it be the sense of this conference that we hold stake con- ventions in every stake of Zion prior to the opening of the season 1901-2." This was seconded, and carried unanimously without discussion. The General Board, on Wednesday, 5th of June, appointed the following brethren a committee to arrange for these conventions. Their report, which officers are requested to carefully note, will be presented to the Board, and printed in the Era: Geo. H. Brimhall, J. G. Kimball, E. H. Anderson, Thomas Hull, B. S. Hinckley. Superintendent Richard R. Lyman of the Salt Lake Stake suggested, on behalf of a number of officers, that the General Board appoint a com- mittee to consider the question of a suitable badge and colors for the associations. Singing: "Come all ye sons of God." Closing prayer by Elder J. Golden Kimball.

2 P. M.

Singing: "High on the mountain tops." Prayer by Elder J. W. McMurrin. Singing; "Oh say, what is truth?" Apostle Heber J. Grant addressed the officers on the Era and stated

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that the General Board had decided to submit the question of reducing the price of the subscription from $2.00 to $1.50. A lengthy discussion followed upon this question, and finally re- sulted, upon the motion of Superintendent G. A. Iverson, of South San- pete stake, in the decision to maintain the price at $2.00. Singing: "God Speed the Right." Benediction by Apostle Abraham 0. Woodruff.

TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 10 A. M.

Singing; "What was witnessed in the heavens?" Prayer by Elder Eulon S. Wells. Singing: "We thank thee, God, for a prophet." Elder J. Golden Kimball presented the subject of Mutual Improve- ment Association missionary work for the coming season. He called attention to the work of past seasons, and stated that it had been decided to return to the method of calling about fifty elders to labor in the various stakes. He spoke of the importance of the work and the class of young men needed. Elders Jos, W. McMurrin, B. F. Grant and Thos. Hull also spoke on the subject. Elder B. H. Roberts said: There is one idea concerning missionary work among the members of our associations that I wish to express. I

am in hearty accord with the calling of these missionaries to go out into the stakes and assist in whatever way they can in furthering the inter- ests of mutual improvement; but I think that the officers of the associa- tions should make it a point to impress upon every young man in their associations the great truth that each one of them possesses more or and that we should solicit each active less influence with his fellows, member of the associations to become a missionary with his fellows. That does not interfere with these appointments and arrangements that are going on; but the point is to get our individual members sufficiently interested in the work of mutual improvement that they will talk it to some person of the ward who is not interested in the work, and that we make every man who is active in mutual improvement work a mission- ary; imbue him, so far as we can, with the missionary spirit, and get him in his personal intercourse with his fellows to make it a point to in- terest them in this work of mutual improvement. I believe that that is

a phase of missionary work that we do not pay sufficient attention to. If we could only get the young men who are interested in mutual im- provement to talk it and urge it, at proper seasons and in a proper spirit, upon those who are not interested in it, I believe that each man

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almost could bring another man into the association and interest him in this work. I wanted to make that suggestion to the stake officers present, and I think it would be a good thing to call the attention of the ward officers

to it also. Let us create an interest in the work by each man now in- terested in it taking hold of some other man who is not, and bringing him into the association, and creating an interest in his heart for the work. President Joseph F. Smith said: I want to emphasize the remarks that have been made in relation to the attention that stake and ward officers should give to the missionaries. I do not think it is a proper thing to turn the missionaries loose to do the best they can. Wherever a missionary presents himself, the local officers should take a deep interest in him, and see that every facility is afforded him to per- form his duty and fulfill his mission. The missionary should not inter- fere with the superintendent in his work, and the superintendent should assist the missionary in all his labors. Elder J. G. Kimball suggested that the missionaries should labor, this year, solely as missionaries, and not as instructors of the stake offi- cers. Elder Rudger Clawson referred to the action of the conference on Monday afternoon in deciding to maintain the price of the Era at $2.00, and said that although some were in favor of $1.50, the majority decided in favor of $2.00, and he hoped that all would work for the success of the magazine at that price. He therefore moved that the action of the conference on Monday afternoon be made unanimous. The motion was seconded and carried unanimously. The hymn, "Redeemer of Israel" was sung, and prayer was offered by Elder Moses W. Taylor. 2 P. M.

Singing, "Do what is right." Prayer by Elder John. V. Bluth. Singing: "How firm a foundation." Elder B. H. Roberts presented the subject of the New Manual for 1901-2. He stated that it would be upon the first principles of the gos- pel, treating the subjects of the Godhead, The Plan of Salvation, Faith,

Repentance, and possibly Baptism by water. He said that an effort was being made by the Manual committee to treat the subject in as new and attractive a manner as possible, and that he felt that the Manual, when completed, would meet with the universal approval of the young men. He referred to the action of the conference in adopting the Manual on

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the "Life of Jesus" as the guide for the junior classes, and stated that in the preparation of the new Manual, the committee had this in view, and that, therefore, the work would be of a character more suitable for the senior classes. He also stated that, in connection with the regular lessons, the committee were having prepared suggestive programs in lighter and entertaining work, for each evening. Elder Willard Done also spoke upon the Manual. Elder Frank Y. Taylor addressed the conference, speaking chiefly on the importance of the missionary work, the great good to be accom- plished thereby, and the value of the souls of the young men of Zion. President Smith made the closing remarks. I wish to say just a few words at the conclusion of this conference. I do not know that we have anything more of importance to take into consideration, and closing time is drawing near. I have been very much pleased with the spirit and interest that have been manifested on the part of the brethren during this conference, and I sincerely hope that the good promises that have been made by them may be fully realized during the coming season. We hope that Brother Moses Taylor, for instance, will double the subscriptions to the Era for this year in the Summit stake. We believe if anybody can do it in that part of the country, he can, and we know he will make the effort. We are delighted to see a strong representation from the Summit stake of Zion in this conference. I will also refer to the Wasatch stake of Zion. We find there has been a marvelous change for the better in these two stakes; and we hope that where the same necessity exists, in the near future, some changes of a similar character, may take place in other stakes of Zion, to improve the condition, not only of the youth, but of the parents. I hope, my brethren, that we will not flag in the performance of any of our duties; that we will look after the general fund, and after the subscriptions for the Era, and that we will, above all other things, look after the welfare and salvation of the souls of our young men who are wandering in darkness, being left by their parents to grow up like weeds. We have more work to do right here in Zion, in the way of in. structing the youth of Zion, and in preaching the gospel to our own children, than out in the world. It is we go out into the true that world to thousands and millions of people who know nothing about the gospel, neither parents nor children; and if an elder can baptize four souls during a mission of two years, he is accomplishing, on an average an excellent work. Right here at home, under the very droppings of the sanctuary, where we ought to see eye to eye, and where our children

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ought to be growing up true to the covenants of the gospel and inter- ested with the people of God, we find them by the hundreds in the dif- ferent stakes of Zion associated with the elements that are of the world. We see them smoking their cigars, their pipes, their cigarettes, and chewing their tobacco; we see them loitering around the whiskey saloons and places of amusement. Inquire who they are, and you will find that they are children of parents who have joined The Church in the old world, perhaps, or in different parts of the United States, and have gathered to Zion for the love of the gospel, and yet their children are growing up in this way. To my mind it is terrible. If you see that kind of actions in the world, it does not surprise you so much; but to see that here in Zion, and to see the interests of these young men arrayed against the principles which their parents espoused, and which brought them into this land, and against the principles that are essential for the building up of Zion and for the salvation of the souls of men, is some- thing that strikes me with feelings of fear and dread; because I can see that in this element, we will have to meet, by and by, the most power- ful opposition, and the most inveterate enemies that we will have to cope with in the land of Zion; for where our children become saturated with the spirit and wickedness of the world, and steeped in the damna- ble influences thereof^ they are fit instruments for the adversary of souls to work through for the destruction of the kingdom of God, so far as it is possible for mortal man to do it. I dread that, and I would to God that we had no such conditions existing amongst us. What a field there isfor us right here at home, and how necessary it is for us to do some- thing to reclaim these young men, and bring them to a realization of their condition! Not long ago, I visited a settlement not far from here on the Sab- bath day, and as I was going to meeting there were crowds of boys

standing around the drug store and around the whiskey saloon. Of course, the doors were closed, ostensibly; but I do not know how many back doors there were into those places. There these boys stood in the street, looking at the people and at the girls as they went to meeting, or as they came from meeting, smoking their tobacco into the faces of their parents and others who were at the worship of the Lord. If you should ask these children where their parents were, perhaps they would tell youthat they were fools enough to go to meeting wasting their — time going to meeting, while they were standing around the street corners smoking, telling indecent stories, and laughing and jeering at that which is sacred and holy. This spirit is among our young men, whose parents embraced the

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gospel in their youth, and have traversed these plains, perhaps in hand- carts or with ox teams, and would have suffered death for the gospel's sake; yet their children are growing up under their very noses with this evil spirit in their hearts, if you only happen to just rub the fur a little the wrong way. It is all wrong; and I tell you that here is a field of work for this body of men in the stakes of Zion that is of vaster im- portance to us, and to the welfare of Zion, than the fields of labor that are open to us in the nations of the earth. Let us see to it that there is not fostered a power right in our own midst that will put to death the servants of the Lord, if they happen to speak the truth and it does not suit this power. That is just the spirit that is manifested among the young men who are being neglected by us, and who are left to asso- ciate with the saloon element, and to smoke, chew, drink whiskey, curse and swear, violate the Sabbath day, and hold nothing sacred, right here in the land of Zion, where not a man should be wicked enough to dese- crate the Sabbath day; for men ought to be devoted enough to the truth and to their religion to honor the Sabbath day and keep it holy; but some do not do that even, and what is more, do not honor the Priesthood, do not always honor their fathers and mothers. Many do not honor virtue, nor anything that is good —these youths of ours that are grow- ing up without care, and are going astray. It is our business to look after them, and save them if it is possible, in the spirit in which Brother Frank Y. Taylor has been speaking this afternoon. We do not want to talk to them like am talking now. I am talking to you, who are I

leaders, that you may get my views in relation to the condition of too many of our young men. If I were talking to them, I would try to talk to them kindly, to show them their errors and follies, and try my best to induce them to forsake them. I would not call them harsh names, but I would show them the spirit of the gospel. If we can only get this class of young men to read the Era and to attend our association meetings, so that they will get under the proper influence, we will make good citizens of them. Now, my brethren, we love the work that we are engaged in. It is the work of the Lord. God bless you. I feel in my heart to say, God bless this body of men. Great responsibilities rest upon you, and great honor awaits you. If you will but discharge your duty acceptably before the Lord, God will honor you and magnify you before the world; he will sustain and bless you, and generations shall rise up after you and call you blessed. Let us take hold of this work with all our might, and put it on a firm basis, so that there will be power and force in it, to reach out in every direction and grasp those that are in error

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and darkness with a kindly hand and bring them into the fold of Christ. That is our labor —the salvation of the souls of men. May the Lord bless you all, is my humble prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen. The hymn "Come, come, ye Saints" was sung, and the benediction was offered by Apostle Brigham Young.

STAKE CONVENTIONS.

The committee on conventions presented the following suggestions, to the Board, on June 12, and the Board approved the same: We recommend that a convention for the General Board, and such brethren as may be invited by them to assist in visiting the stakes, be held on Wednesday, September 4, at 2 and 7 p. m. That conventions in the stakes he held on the three Sundays —Sep- tember 8, 15, and 22. That all stake and ward Y. M. M. I. A. officers be requested to at- tend the conventions. That all Presidencies of stakes and Bishoprics of wards be invited to attend them. That at least two meetings be held at each convention. That the following subjects be presented at each of these conven- tions: 1 Preparation for Opening of Season; 2 Grading of Associations; 3 Manual; 4 Class Work; 5. Supplemental Exercises; 6 Conjoint Ses- sions; 7 Missionary Work; 8 Fund; 9 Era; 10 Records; 11 Miscellaneous. Your committee will continue its labors, and prepare and mail a circular letter to stake officers of Young Men's Mutual Improvement As- sociations to be published in the Improvement Era, calling the conven- tions.and containing careful instructions upon all the topics named above, and will present same to the Board as soon as prepared. Very respectfully, George H. Brimhall, J. G. Kimball, Thomas Hull, Edward H. Anderson, Bryant S. Hinckley. Committee. In this connection, all officers of stakes should notice that it is nec- essary to have every organization completed before the conventions are

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held, so that every officer who is to labor during the season may be pres- ent to receive the instructions given. This is very important.

MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATIONS IN ENGLAND.

The following from Elder Platte D. Lyman,late President of the Euro- pean mission, dated, 42 Islington, Liverpool, May 30, 1901, addressed to General Secretary Thomas Hull, gives an encouraging account of M. I. A. work in England for the past season:

Dear Brother: Complying with your request of a month ago, I have pleasure in submitting the following compilation of reports, of Mutual Improvement Associations in the British Mission: In the Nottingham Conference, there are three associations — Nott- ingham, Derby and Hucknall. In Nottingham there are nineteen mem- bers enrolled, with an average attendance of seven. Twenty meeting* have been held during the year, and the subjects are of a miscellaneous character. The Derby association has an enrollment of twenty-three, an average attendance of twelve, and has held forty-seven meetings. The '97-'9S Manual is used. Hucknall has a membership of twenty-four, an average attendance of fifteen, and has held nineteen meetings. Here the first principles of the gospel are discussed. — The Grimsby Conference has two associations Grimsby and Hull. The former has a membership of fifty-six, and an average attend- ance of twenty-eight. Here lectures are given, and miscellaneous exer- cises are carried out. Francis Thompson is president, Joseph Ririe, first counselor, and James Monclair, second counselor. In Hull, there are thirty-five members, with an average attendance of twenty-eight. The program consists of lectures and miscellaneous exercises. Elder George Badger is president, and George Jackson and Harry Ramm, counselors. The Sheffield Conference has an association at Higham. This has a membership of thirty-three, and an average attendance of twenty-three* Miscellaneous subjects are treated. Elder Cyrus W. Gold is superin- tendent, and his assistants are John Hall and James Brook. Birmingham has an association at Lye, with a membership of four- teen. The president is Arthur Foxall, and his counselors Edwin Poole and Robert Webster. Newcastle has an association at Pelton. This has twenty-six mem- bers and an average attendance of fifteen. The Manual and Church

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works are their text books, and John Wakefield is president, Joseph A. White, first counselor, and Thomas Smith, second counselor. In Wales there are three associations, each with a membership of thirty-five, and an average attendance of seventeen. Meetings are held conjointly every Wednesday night and Conference-President Aagard re- ports them, "highly instructive and profitable gatherings." This is as much of a report as we have at the present time, and per- haps it is not as full as you would like. But our associations are for the most part rather crudely organized, and not in as good shape as we hope to make them as time advances. That the Lord may bless the efforts of mutual improvement workers everywhere, is the prayer of Your brother, Platte D. Lyman.

A FAREWELL RECEPTION.

On Wednesday, June 26, a reception was given to Apostle Heber J. Grant and his fellow-missionaries to Japan, at the Bee Hive House, by the General Board of Y, M. M. I. A., President Snow, the general super- The following program was carried out: intendent, presiding. Hymn, "Come, come, ye Saints," the company; prayer, Apostle Brigham Young; violin solo, W. C. Clive; solo, "Out in the Deep," A. C. Lund; solo, "There is Sunshine in my Soul," George D. Pyper; solo, "Rock-a-bye Baby," Lutie Grant; hymn, "Do What is Right," Japanese Quartette, (Heber J. Grant, L. A. Kelsch, H. S. Ensign and Alma 0. Taylor); solo, "For Time and all Eternity," Mrs. Maggie C. Hull; dona- tion speech, Edward H. Anderson; donation speech, Mrs. Augusta W.- Grant; hymn, "There is a Place in Utah," Louis A. Kelsch. One minute sentiments were given by each of the following mem- bers of the Board, all of them being present: B. H. Roberts, J. Golden Kimball, Rodney C. Badger, Edward H. Anderson, Nephi L. Morris, Le Roi C. Snow, Frank Y. Taylor, Rudger Clawson, Rulon S. Wells, Joseph W. McMurrin, Reed Smoot, B. S. Hinckley, Moses W. Taylor, Henry S. Tanner, Thomas Hull and John Henry Smith. Sentiments were read from the following absent members of the Board: Milton H. Hardy, George H. Brimhall and Willard Done. A sentiment was given also by Presi- dent Joseph E. Taylor. At this point President Snow arose and made brief remarks, saying in substance: When the Lord first sent forth his elders in this generation, very

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little was known as to what their labors would be and what they could accomplish. They failed in some respects, but they did not fail in one thing: they did their duty. Apostle Orson Pratt and others were sent to Austria to open a mission there, but, by reason of the rejection of their testimony, they did not succeed.! Nevertheless, they did their duty and were blessed. Noah preached one hundred and twenty years; he was a grand man; he did his duty, but failed, and it was because the people rejected him. However, by doing his duty, he secured to himself exaltation and glory, while those who rejected his testimony were held in prison for two thousand five hundred years. Moses in leading the children of Israel to the promised land, failed to accomplish what the Lord wanted by reason of the disobedience of the Israelites. Moses him- self, through faithfulness, has attained to the Godhead. There is no doubt of this. As to these brethren who will shortly leave for Japan, the Lord has not revealed to me that they will succeed, but he has shown me positively that it is their duty to go. They need not — worry concerning the results only they should be careful to search the Spirit of the Lord, and understand its language to see what it indicates to them. Do not be governed by your own wisdom but by the wisdom of God. When you return, we will come together, perhaps as we are together today, and will rejoice in your faithfulness. God bless you, and may our Holy Father in heaven open the way before you, and may you succeed in converting many of the Japanese people. Apostle Brigham Young said that the Spirit had borne testimony to him that these brethren had been called of the Lord to take this mission to Japan, and predicted that the angel of the Lord would go before them, and that they should be blessed in their labors. All present then sat down to the tables, spread with good things which were thoroughly enjoyed by all. After the repast, another hour was spent in songs and speeches as follows: Song, "Who's on the Lord's Side, Who?" Heber J. Grant; song, "Since Thou art Mine," Horace S, Ensign. Apostle Heber J. Grant then said, in part, that he very much ap- preciated the honor conferred upon himself and companion missionaries by this reception of the General Board of Y. M. M. I. A. He felt humble and desirous of doing his duty. Some years ago, at a time when he was brought low, near unto death, upon a bed of sickness, he promised the Lord, that in the event of his recovery and restoration to health that he might have an opportunity to pay off his personal indebted- ness, which at that time was very great, he would be willing to

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journey to the ends of the earth and preach the gospel. The Lord had now brought him to the test. When President Snow announced that he had been called to take a mission to Japan, it came, of course, as a great surprise, and he felt that, had he made a statement of his financial con- dition, the brethren of the First Presidency would have released him. He did not feel to do this, but responded without hesitation or reserva- tion; he accepted the call feeling that the Lord was abundantly able to relieve him of every embarrassment. He had now to relate that God, in a marvelous way, had blessed and prospered him to that degree that within the past few months he had been enabled to cancel one hundred thousand dollars of his indebtedness, and was, at this moment, practically free from financial embarrassment and distress. He rejoiced in this manifestation of God's over-ruling providence, and now desired to go forth and do his duty. He knew that his companions were selected by the Lord, and was glad to be confirmed in this feeling by the remarks of Apostle Brigham Young. As to whether many of the Japanese would be converted to the truth through the labors of himself and companions, or whether the Japanese nation would open their doors to the gospel, he could not say, but he felt to give assurance that he and his associates would do their duty. Elder Kelsch then addressed the gathering. He said that he felt greatly honored in being associated with his brethren in the mission to Japan. Many years ago he covenanted with the Lord to serve him, and go to the ends of the earth, if needs be, to preach the gospel. The de- sire to serve God had never departed from him, and he was ready to

take this mission. He felt happy and sorrowful: happy to go, and sor- rowful to part with loved ones and friends. He would strive to do his duty, and would hail the day of his return with pleasure and joy. Elder Horace S. Ensign said: That he greatly rejoiced in his call to Japan, but felt humble in spirit. He had desired and prayed for the gift of tongues,that he might be able to preach the gospel to the Japanese in their own language. As Elder Ensign was about to take his seat, President Snow, grasp- ing him by the hand, said: "May God grant that gift." Elder Alma 0- Taylor said that he felt greatly honored upon this occasion, and especially in being associated, under such pleasing circum- stances, with the prophet, seer and revelator of The Church, and the apostles, and others present. He referred to his youth and inexperience, and said that he felt humble and desirous of performing his duty. The company then sang the Doxology, and prayer was offered by President Joseph E. Taylor.