Our Work

OUR WORK.

SEVENTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE MUTUAL IM- PROVEMENT ASSOCIATIONS.

BA.RRATT HALL, L. D. S. UNIVERSITY, SATURDAY, MAY 31, 1902, 10 A. M. The attendance on this the third business meeting was even larger than on the day previous. After the opening exercises, prayer being offered by President W. H. Smart; the subject of Grading was discussed by Elder Nephi L. Morris. His remarks will appear hereafter. The following question was asked: Which is most preferable, to meet conjointly with the young ladies, where it would prevent grading because of lack of room, or to meet separately and grade? President Smith answered: Where grading cannot be done on ac- count of the young men and young ladies meeting together, it would be a good idea for the young men to change their night of meeting, and grade. Wherever grading can be done, it ought to be done; and if there are obstructions in the way that can be removed, remove them. A vote of those present showed that there were six or seven stakes that did not grade at all. The associations as missionary agencies among unbelievers, was the subject of a lively talk by Elder H. S. Tanner, who held that every in- dividual is subject to the influence somebody else; and the spirit of prevailing in a neighborhood is the spirit that most of the boys have there. The leading spirit should be that of the gospel, and of love for our fellows, and with such an influence, it is easy to gain the confidence of the young and to teach them how to walk in the way of life. Our associations are doing this to some extent, but many of our workers are merely passive; they can improve by cultivating an active faith and thus become more effective in doing good as missionaries. President Smith added: This subject is a very important one. It real- ly lies at the very foundation of our mutual improvement work. The sug- gestions made by Brother Tanner are certainly important, and worthy of our careful consideration. I would just add a word or two. There are, in nearly every community of ours, people who do not belong to the

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Church. Tourists and visitors frequently come into our villages and towns who have never heard anything about the gospel, and only ill re- ports about the Latter-day Saints. The question is, "Are the associa- tions doing anything to enlighten this class of people?" This is a class of missionary work that is of If there were very great importance. some systematic way of reaching the strangers within our gates, and those who come in amongst us and never go to our meetings and never hear anything only the misrepresentations that are circulated with re- gard to the Latter-day Saints, great results might be attained. This is a part of the subject that we would like you to think about, brethren. To illustrate what I have in mind, here is Salt Lake City. We have thousands and thousands of tourists come here; we have thousands of men and women living right here, many of whom do not know anything more about "Mormonism" than if they lived in Van Diemen's Land. Who of our mutual improvement officers are looking after this class of people, and trying to enlighten them, and to get them under that good spirit and influence which Brother Tanner has been speaking about? We have not done it yet. We are expecting to organize in some way by which we can reach these people and take them out of the hands of these scoundrels who go around telling them all sorts of lies and misrepresen- tations, with their mouths full of cigars all the time, and their breath stinking with whiskey. They can meet strangers and oflfer their services to them for fifty cents an hour, or something of that kind, and they get it. Is the Mutual Improvement Association doing anything in this mis-

sionary line? Is not this a subject worthy of consideration? I think it is, and I hope the brethren will consider it. Wherever you find strang- ers, see if you cannot bring something before them that will cause them

to think, and give them a chance for enlightenment with regard to "Mor- monism." Stake and Ward Council Meetings, was the subject of a talk by Elder Douglas M. Todd. The stake and ward council meetings furnish a good index to the character of the work done in the associations. In many of the stakes and wards the work is still being done in a hap-hazard way. Many of them feel that there are too many other duties to perform. I think the disposition now is to select young men for certain duties, and let them give their time to those duties. I find in many of the stakes this work is not being done. Recently one president reported to me that he and his counselors had held one meeting —that morning, on the train, as they were riding together! One main purpose of these meetings is to get the spirit of your work. Too much of our work is mechanical, and you can- not enliven it by spirit unless you meet together often and under proper

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circumstances, in prayer and humility. I urge all stake officers to desig- nate an evening for council meetings and to meet regularly and discuss the affairs of your stake. Let the ward officers do the same for their wards. Mutual improvement work should be your specialty, at the same time you may do other work, but improvement work should be first when you are specially called to that. Have an order of business in your meetings, and follow it. Class work was treated by Elder B. S. Hinckley, and a diagram of his outlines are promised for the Era when the associations shall most need the information. Prayer by President John R. Winder.

2 P. M. After singing, and prayer by Elder John V. Bluth, the Manual No. 6, 1902-3, was explained by Elder Thomas Hull, who said that it would be a continuation of last year's subject, The Principles of the Gospel. In addition to this Manual, it has been decided by the General Board to issue a new Manual for the junior class. At first we thought we would take up Manual No. 2, on The Apostolic Age, in the junior classes; but after discussing the matter and studying it carefully, the Board decided to appoint a sub-committee, of which Elder Todd is chair- man, to prepare a new Manual for the use of the junior classes; and the subject of that Manual will be The Acts of the Apostles. It will be largely narrative, taking up the history contained in the Acts of the Apostles and making twenty-three lessons, or as many as are necessary to fill up our year's work. One officer suggested that the lessons in the Manual be cut down to twenty, because very few attended meeting in the beginning of the season. Brother Roberts thought it well to give consideration to this mat- ter, but remarked that it was not easy to cut down the number of the lessons, as they were all necessary to preserve the outline of the general plan. He was of the opinion that the poor attendance should be remedied by increased effort on the part of the officers. Devotional Work was the subject of an address by Elder Edward H. Anderson, which, on motion, was ordered printed, and will appear later. Elder Willard Done set forth the uses of the preliminary programs which will also appear in this season's Manuals. Brother B. H. Roberts urged that these preliminary programs should not be ignored on account of supposed lack of time, but that they should be given their proper place and time.

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An officer asked if there was any objection to the preliminary pro- gram being given after the class work instead of before. The reply was that there was no objection to that. Apostle Rudger Clawson spoke on the Improvement Fund; his re- marks will appear in the November number of the Era. Brother G. A. Iverson expressed himself as being earnestly in favor of continuing the crusade which had been started last year against profanity and the taking of the name of the Deity in vain and he offered ;

the following motion: "That it be the sense of this convention that we make a special effort during the coming season against profanity and especially against

the taking of the name of the Deity in vain." Another brother desired to add to the motion "that we use our influence againstsmoking as well, especially the habit of using cigar- ettes." President Smith felt that not only should the brethren make an effort against the evils mentioned, but they should set their faces like flint against drunkenness and violations of the law of morality also. First make the effort to put down profanity, and then drunkenness, immor- ality, infidelity, and every other evil that so besets our young people. All these evils were then included in the motion, and in that form it was carried unanimously. It was suggested that at the conference next year reports be given

as to the results of the efforts made in this direction, and President Smith urged the brethren to bear that in mind. President Smith then made the following closing remarks: I think we have had a very profitable time: I cannot see how it can

fail of producing good in associating together, as we have done these two

days, and talking over these various subjects, so that we will become united upon them. I hope we will go from this conference with re- newed determination to fight the good fight, to keep the faith, and try to bring as many of our young people into the fold as possible, and accom- plish, to the uttermost, the important and sacred mission that has been en-

trusted to us. To us is given the care of our youth —the youth of Zion the young men upon whom great responsibilities will rest some day, provided they are now brought under proper influences, and early learn to perform their duty. I feel grateful that we have had the privilege of

being together, and I say from my heart, God bless you in all your labors through the coming year, and until we shall meet again. Adjourned till Sunday morning, June 1. Prayer by Apostle A. 0. Woodruff. (To be continued.)