--- 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: 5 number: 9 published: 1902-07 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* 5, no. 9 (July 1902): 721–731.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0509unse 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: improvementera0509unse start_page: 721 end_page: 731 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1902-07) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0509unse publication_year: 1902 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 1902, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Our Work 720 IMPROVEMENT ERA. half of the tribe of Manasseh. (See Joshua 13:8; Numbers 32 33). : The other nine and a half tribes were distributed at the same time, on the west side of the river, from Dan on the north to Simeon of the extreme south. Simeon was afterwards subjected to the per- sistent attacks of the hostile hordes of the southern desert, and was broken up and scattered among the other tribes, in accordance, with the prophecy of Jacob in Genesis 49: 7. This left the tribe of Judah in possession of the extreme south, and Jerusalem be- came the chief city of Judah, and was subsequently the capital of the entire Israelitish nation, during the reigns of David and Solo- mon. (2 Samuel, 5: 5). When Solomon died, the ten and one-half tribes occupying the north revolted against his son Rehoboam, and established an inde- pendent kingdom under Jeroboam. (I Kings, 12). These were the tribes, constituting the Kingdom of Israel, with headquarters at Samaria, that were taken captive by Shalmanesar, king of As- syria,and were afterward known as the "ten lost tribes." They were Ephraim, Manasseh, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Dan, Zebulun, Simeon, Naphtali, Reuben, half of the tribe of Benjamin, and such Levites as were then located in the northern kingdom. (II Kings 17: 5-41). The southern kingdom, Judah, was composed of but one and a- half tribes, viz. : all of Judah and half of Benjamin, together with such Levites and scattered members of the other tribes as lived in the region of Judea. These were carried into captivity by Ne- buchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and subsequently returned to Palestine. (See II Kings 25; and the books of Ezra and Nehe- miah). It will therefore be seen that the tribes that settled originally on the east side of the Jordan were among the ten lost tribes, and were not identical with the two tribes that formed the later Jewish nation. OUR WORK. SEVENTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OP THE MUTUAL IMPROVE- MENT ASSOCIATIONS. The business meetings were held first this year, the opening meeting being in the new Barratt Hall of the L. D. S. University, on Friday, May 30. There was a large representation of active workers at all the meetings, bright and earnest young men, who manifested an eager desire to receive counsel in matters pertaining to the literary, social and re- ligious work of the associations. A good spirit prevailed in all the gatherings, and the business was accomplished with dispatch and in a spirit of union that bodes well for continued progress in the cause. The social and reception at the home of President Joseph F. Smith was largely attended, and greatly enjoyed by the officers of both the Y. L. and Y. M. M. I. A., and the General Boards. There were music, danc- ing on the lawn under electric lights, songs, recitations, speeches, hand- shaking, refreshments, and general good cheer. President Smith received the throng, and had a word of cheer and encouragement for all. The proceedings, in brief, are here given. Every officer should care- fully read them that he may be informed concerning his work and duties: may 30, 1902, 10 A. M. Hymn, "Come, Come ye Saints." Prayer, Elder Douglas M. Todd. Hymn, "Our God we raise to thee." Roll was called showing thirty-eight stakes represented and twenty members of the General Board present. President Joseph F. Smith introduced Elder B. H. Roberts, who spoke upon the subject, CONFERENCES, CONVENTIONS AND QUARTERLY MEETINGS. Elder Roberts prefaced his remarks by saying that in behalf of President Joseph F. Smith and the General Board, he heartily congratu- 722 IMPROVEMENT ERA. lated the officers and the general improvement cause on the large at- tendance at this the opening meeting of the conference. He also made remarks complimentary to the late Samuel M. Barratt and his mother Mrs. Matilda Barratt, calling attention to the fact that the magnificent hall in which the meeting was held was the gift of Mrs. Barrett to the Latter-day Saints' University, as a monument to the name of her beloved son. He then referred to the large number of conferences which were now being held in the Church. General conferences of the entire Church, quarterly conferences in each stake, and conferences of Mutual Improvement Associations, Sabbath Schools, Primary Associations, and in the near future probably Religion Classes, which were multiplying meetings to such an extent that there seemed to be necessity for relief in this regard. He said that now the Young Men's and Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations had been granted the privilege, by the president of the Church, to use the Sunday evening of every quarterly conference for a conjoint meeting of the young people of the stake, at which matters pertaining to the well-being of the young people and the interest of their association could be presented before the people. He urged that special effort should be made to make these quarterly con- joint meetings a permanent success, that the stake officers of Young Men's and Young Ladies' Associations should meet together, or appoint a joint standing committee, to prepare a suitable and interesting program for these occasions, and make it a point to bring Mutual Improvement prominently before the Saints at that meeting. For two years past, we had held in every stake, meetings known as conventions of the officers of Y. M. M. I. A. These conventions have been held in September, and all officers have been required to be present thereat. All matters pertaining to Mutual Improvement have been presented, and instructions given for the carrying on of the work during the season. Reports from all the stakes show that great good has resulted from these annual gatherings of the officers, in each stake, and it is now urged by the General Board that special effort be made the coming season to make these conventions even more successful than heretofore. Full opportunity to take part in the work of the convention should be given to every officer and member, and all should be earnestly invited to attend. In the past, it has been the custom to hold conjoint conferences of the Mutual Improvement Associations during the summer and a confer- ence of Young Men's Associations, alone, during the winter season. It isnow thought advisable, on account of the many meetings being held in the various stakes, that after this summer we discontinue the conjoint OUR WORK. 723 summer conferences and hold one conference during the winter, or work- ing season of the associations, conjoint with the Young Ladies' Associa- tions, making our conventions in September and the conjoint conference during the winter, the only general gatherings in the stakes held by the Young Men's Associations. Elder Roberts further suggested that the ward officers be urged to maintain the monthly conjoint sessions during the entire year. On motion of Elder John Henry Smith, it was decided to adopt the recommendation to discontinue the summer conferences of Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations after this year. The appointments made for conferences during the summer of 1902, to remain in force. On motion of Elder Edward H. Anderson, the chair appointed Elder Willard Done to wait upon the Young Ladies, in conference assembled, and inform them of the action of the Young Men's conference in regard to the conferences, and ask them to take such action thereon as they deemed proper. Elder Frank Y. Taylor then addressed the meeting on the subject of CONJOINT SESSIONS. He said: First of all, it was necessary to remember that it was the strong recommendation of the General Board that these conjoint meetings should be held every month in the year. The program should be at- tractive —not dry, but at the same time Avoid elevating, clean, pure. too many lectures at these meetings; have them occasionally, but make the program representative of the work of the associations, making it a special point to invite the parents, and also the careless and indifferent boys, and see to it that when they come, you make it pleasant for them. Have short programs, crisp and pointed. Where the associations meet regularly on Sunday evenings, the conjoint meeting should be held, if possible, on some other night. Elder David P. Felt, president of the association of the Twenty- third ward, Salt Lake Stake, asked the following question: "In conjoint sessions, is it proper for the presidency of the Young Men's and Young Ladies' Associations to alternate in presiding in the meetings, the one acting one month and the other the next?" President Joseph F. Smith, in answering the question reiterated the statements upon this subject which he had made on several previous oc- casions. He said in part: At all meetings of the Church where the brethren take part, such as the conjoint meetings of the Mutual Improve- ment Associations, the priesthood preside; in other words, the priesthood is at the head. There must be a head in all things, and in all matters 724 IMPROVEMENT ERA. pertaining to the Church, the priesthood is at the head. This does not, however, mean that the Young Ladies' should not be treated with every possible and proper courtesy; they should be given due consideration in the matter of conducting the meetings, and while the elder presides, there is no reason why the meeting should not be turned over into the hands of the sisters to conduct the exercises and direct the proceedings. Young Men's officers should see to it that the Young Ladies' are given a fair show in all these matters. It is not advisable, however, to give over the entire control to them on these occasions. There is a principle running through all this, a principle of government which we cannot ignore, and that is, that the priesthood must stand at the head. The authority of the presiding officer is to preside in all meetings when he is present. He may delegate this authority, but he still presides through this appointed delegate. He must maintain his right to preside in — humility, in kindness, and in love, but still firmly maintaining his posi- tion. Benediction by Elder Edward H. Anderson. 2 p. M. Singing, "We thank thee God for a Prophet." Prayer by Elder J. Golden Kimball. Singing, "Come all ye Sons of Zion." Roll call showed forty stakes represented and nineteen members of the Board present. Elder J. Golden Kimball addressed the meeting on GENERAL AND LOCAL MISSIONARY WORK. He reviewed the work undertaken by the General Board in sending missionaries to all the stakes of Zion, stating that some five years ago, a body of about eighty elders were called and sent out into the stakes to labor as missionaries amongst the wayward and indifferent young men. The following year, a larger number were sent out upon a similar mis- sion. The third year, brethren were sent to each stake as representatives of the General Board to instruct and advise the officers of Mutual Im- provement Associations. The fourth year a system of local missionary work was inaugurated, and no general missionaries were sent out. During the season of 1901-2, fifty-nine elders were called and sent out to the vari- ous stakes. In sending these elders out, the Board has endeavored to send the strongest men to the outlying districts, favoring those who are deprived, to some extent, of frequent visits from the members of the General Board. Elder Kimball stated that the question of continuing this work in OUR WORK. 725 our stakes had been considered by the Board, and letters of inquiry had been sent to all the stakes asking the superintendents for their opinion upon this matter and they had almost unanimously urged that the work be continued. The Board had, therefore, decided that this work should go on. It is necessary that special attention be given by the superin- tendents to the class of men selected for these missions when the call is made for names. The letter sent by the committee has always asked for especially strong men, and while it is perhaps not possible to get the almost perfect men asked for, the committee desire that the ones se- lected, shall come as near to the requirements as it is possible. There has been great lack of promptness on the part of the young men called, from the President of the Church. in replying to the letters sent them It is very necessary that this missionary work should continue. The mission of the Mutual Improvement Associations is to help the weak and wayward, those who are sometimes called the bad boys. No one has a greater claim on the Improvement Associations than this class of young men. Elder Kimball urged that everyone should enter into the spirit of this missionary labor. Elder B. F. Grant continued the subject. He said: I desire to im- press this body of workers with the determination to go home and make the season of 1902-3 the greatest Mutual Improvement success ever had. It has been decided by the General Board that the local missionary work should be carried out in every association. Every stake and ward officer is a M. I. A. missionary. The Board has also decided to make a great — change that all the local missionaries that have been called shall be honorably released, and that then every association shall call, not to ex- ceed four of the best and most active and capable young men in their wards to act with the officers as missionaries among the young men, and have those four set apart to labor in this direction. Elder Grant urged the officers to see to it that these missionaries were called and set to work. It is demoralizing for men to be called and set apart by the priesthood and then to give them nothing to do and allow them to ignore the great responsibility placed upon them. He therefore urged that as soon as they were called, they be given their work to do, and that the officers see that it is done, and that every young man in the ward who needs such labor shall be visited and encouraged to take part in the work of the Lord. On motion of Elder B. H. Roberts, the conference ratified the action of the General Board in releasing all the brethren called as local mis- sionaries in the various wards. Elder J. Golden Kimball presented the following motion, which was 726 IMPROVEMENT ERA. duly seconded and carried: That the stake officers approve and adopt the recommendations of the General Board in regard to general and local missionary work, and that they, together with the members of the Board, will aid and assist in that work. Elder Joseph W. McMurrin then addressed the meeting on the sub- ject of THE ASSOCIATIONS AS A MORAL FORCE. He said: I suppose there is but one feeling in regard to the work of the Mutual Improvement Associations, and that is that they have been a strong feature in uplifting the morals of the young people. We are aware that many young men have found their first spiritual awakening in the Mutual Improvement Association, and many missionaries in the world had their attention first drawn towards the gospel through Mutual Improvement work. There are still many, however, who have not yet been reached, and our chief mission lies with them, that they may be reached and impressed with the importance of an active life in the gos- pel. The labor of the mutual improvement missionary, therefore, is a serious matter. Many would like to escape the missionaries, but they must be reached after, and some method adopted by which we may gain the ear and confidence of such. As one means to this end, Elder Mc- Murrin suggested social intercourse. He referred to the entertainment to be given to the stake officers in the evening, and stated that everyone from afar would be present and join with their brethren and sisters in a few hours of social pleasure, in friendly handshake and pleasant reunion- The effect of this gathering will be to draw the workers in Mutual Im- provement closer together, and make them more zealous in the work and active in the performance of their duties, If such gatherings have this effect upon those who are already industriously engaged in the work, how much greater will the effect be on those who have not had experi- ence; therefore, introduce more amusements of a refined and elevating character among our young people. The officers who have the welfare of the young people at heart should be interested in their pleasures in the various wards. The superintendents should draw their Boards around them, and consider what can be done to interest the indifferent; what can be done in the way of festivals, etc. Some few years ago, in many wards, block meetings were intro- duced, and much good was done by bringing the people together in meet- ing, who lived on the same block, and were neighbors to one another. They were drawn together and made to feel an interest in one another's welfare, and I believe that if block socials were given, many would be drawn thereby into mutual improvement work. These things should be OUR WORK, 727 done with the object of drawing in those who have hitherto taken no interest with us. What are we doing for the unconverted? We should make our amusements and socials of such a character that they will at- tract those who do not take part in the serious work of the gospel, and inspire them with the desire to unite with us, and associate with the people of the Lord. Many of these will avoid a religious meeting, but they will not try to escape from a party, an excursion, or a social; therefore, we should seek to attract them by these things, and surround them with the influence of the Church and priesthood. Many would come first to the entertainment and afterwards to the association. Re- member the whole need no physician, but they that are sick. Elder McMurrin moved that it be the sense of these officers, in con- ference assembled, that during the coming season special effort would be made, by all officers of stakes and wards to give entertainments and draw the young men into the associations by such means. Elder Douglas M. Todd suggested that in addition to social gather- ings, we encourage athletics, baseball, etc., among our young men, which suggestion was accepted and incorporated into the original motion, which was then unanimously carried. Elder B. H. Roberts called attention to the matter which was made a special feature at our late conventions, viz.: that inasmuch as the study which we were then about to take up was largely upon the sub- ject of the Deity, that we should make a special effort during the season of 1901-2 against blasphemy in every form; and he asked how many had kept this matter in view, and what results had accrued. He then called upon those who had carried out this war against the evil of blasphemy, to arise, and a large number of the brethren present stood upon their feet. Elder Guy C. Wilson, of Colonia Juarez, told how they had en- deavored to suppress blasphemy in their ward. He said they had or- ganized an athletic club with baseball nines, etc. They had passed a resolution in the club that profanity should not be allowed, and it should be an offense against the club, which should subject the offender to be handled and expelled. The effect was that those who were addicted to small swearing, quit, and assisted in the labor of suppressing the evil. One who was convicted was suspended by a unanimous vote. After about a month, he came back and promised to reform if permitted to re- join the club. Elder Edward H. Anderson then addressed the conference on the subject of COMPLETING AND PERFECTING THE ROLLS. Many questions have reached the General Board regarding the un- 728 IMPROVEMENT ERA. satisfactory condition of the rolls, in the associations. Several years ago when the general missionaries succeeded in obtaining such a large membership in nearly all the'stakes of Zion, the rolls were encumbered by many that have since proved to be inactive members. Some came once or twice, others oftener, while quite a number never came to the meetings at all. But instructions went out from the Board that all were to be kept on the rolls, and only in case of death or removal, or some other reason quite as great, was it proper to eliminate a name from the records. The great lists, to which with diligence other names were to be added, were not to be renewed annually as heretofore, but were to be made permanent, and were to be, figuratively speaking, the fields upon which the missionaries were to direct their efforts and glean converts to the cause. Some associations followed instructions; others did not; and the re- sult has been confusion in the reports, and a great lack of uniformity. There is a general demand from the presidents to know what shall be done to complete, correct^and perfect the rolls. The subject was con- sidered in all its phases by the General Board, and it was finally decided that it is always best to follow, as nearly as possible, the order of the Church, and that when members whose names were enrolled were neg- lectful, failed to attend, or failed in their duty, they should be diligently labored with, and everything possible done to bring them into active work in the associations. The missionaries, the president, and the officers, should visit with them, and invite them to attend and take part in the meetings. No stone should be left unturned in clearing their way. It is a serious thing to drop a member from our rolls, for it may be the only thread that binds the person to the influence of the Church; and it is better to carry and have trouble with a very large and cumbersome roll of members who are inactive, than it is to drop one person that might be saved and awakened, if his name is still re- tained on the roll. There should be only one roll, and that should carry all the mem- bership. It is left with the associations to devise plans for most effectually, but most simply and in the shortest possible way, to call that roll, so that all who attend may get proper credit. Several methods have heretofore been suggested which it is not now necessary to name. Now I hear many saying, "Well, how then shall we ever get any name off the roll? Our lists are now a farce, and it is discouraging, not to say demoralizing to visitors and attendants, to call a list of eighty names with only about twenty attending. The method of completing, correcting and perfecting the perma- OUR WORK. 729 nent roll decided upon by the Board is this: If, after everything has been done by the officers to interest the neglectful persons, the officers are convinced in their own hearts that there is no prospect of succeeding in awakening interest in the delinquents, then they are first to decide in their officers' meeting that it is necessary that the names of such neg- lectful persons should be stricken from the rolls, and then such action should be presented to the association for the action of the members. If the association shall confirm the action of the officers, then the names so presented shall be stricken from the rolls. In view of these facts: I move that it be the sense of this conference that one general, permanent roll be kept in each local association, to be called as per ar- rangement by each association presidency; that when necessary to per- fect or correct said roll, action be taken to drop the name, first by the officers, secondly, by the members of the association; and that the method of striking a name from the association roll be the recording of the reason for such action opposite the name, thus preserving the roll as a complete record of the association members. I move further that as we pledge ourselves to use all effort and persuasion to retain our officers, present enrollment, and all diligence to add many new names to our lists, during the coming season. The motion was carried unanimously. Elder Heber J. Grant addressed the meeting, briefly, upon the sub- ject of THE ERA. He read a comparative statement showing the steady growth of the magazine, and stated that all the stakes showed a great increase this year. He said that in the Era, as in everything else, work is the keynote of success. He had always been proud to present the Era to English-speaking friends in Japan, and the Era, Young Woman's Journal, and Juvenile Instructor, had made a great impression upon the minds of all who had read them. He called attention to the fact that the Era was going free to every missionary, and said to the officers present, "You are doing this; that is, those of you who are working, not those who are not working." He urged everyone present to push the Era in the future, and continue to make it the grand success that it had been hitherto. Elder Willard Done reported that he had presented the matter of the change in the manner of holding conferences to the conference of the Young Ladies' and they had stated that they would take it under ad- visement and report at a later time. Elder Heber J. Grant stated that he had been informed informally, that the officers of the Young Ladies' 730 IMPROVEMENT ERA. Associations had considered this matter, and had endorsed the action of the Young Men's conference. The hymn, "Now let us Rejoice in the Day of Salvation," was sung, and the conference adjourned until 10 a. m. May 31. (To be continued.) IMPORTANCE AND GROWTH OF M. I. ASSOCIATIONS. In the monthly joint meeting of the General Boards of Young Men's and Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations, held on Wednesday evening June 11, at the residence of Apostle Heber J. Grant, President Joseph F. Smith gave the following address, which is deemed of interest to all our workers: President Smith said in part: "I feel grateful to all for the privi- lege of being here on this occasion, and in the association of these brethren and sisters to whom is intrusted the great responsibility of conducting and managing the great cause of the Mutual Improvement Associations. Here are the two heads, the General Superintendency of Young Men's and Young Women's Mutual Improvement Associations, who have the watch-care of all the associations throughout all the stakes of Zion, and in all the world. This does not alone mean the narrow limits of Utah, nor of the inter-mountain states, but this great work has gone out into the north and into the south, beyond the confines of the United States, and has reached into the Dominion of Canada, our neighbor on the north, and into Mexico, our sister republic on the south. Not only this, but our great organization now extends to the Islands of the sea, in Australia, New Zealand, and in many of the countries'of Europe. So has grown this great proselyting, ministerial organization, an association of prayer and thought among the young people of Zion. It is a matter of which I feel extremely proud and grateful to my Heavenly Father that I have been given the privilege of association with this organization. You are called to preside over and direct the energies of the young men and women of Zion, and I congratulate you upon this great mission, and that you are faithful in this duty; and I pray God to bless you, one and all, and strengthen you in your determination, and in your faithfulness, and in your unity in this glorious work. To Brother Heber J. Grant I say, we are pleased to think that to you has been intrusted the great labor of opening the door of the gospel of Jesus Christ to one of the foremost nations of the earth today. They are the children of God, and have souls