Our Work

OUR WORK. EIGHTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE M. I. A.,

Saturday, May 30, 10 a. m., Conjoint Meeting.

The eighth general conference of the Mutual Improvement Associ- ations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began on Sat- urday morning, May 30, at 10 o'clock, with a conjoint officers' meeting. The meeting opened by singing the hymn, "We Thank Thee God for a Prophet." Prayer was offered by Sister Alice K. Smith. Singing, "0 Ye Mountains High." A large and enthusiastic congregation of officers attended this first conference conjoint officers' meeting ever held. Sister Maria Y. Dougall in behalf of Sister Elmina S. Taylor, who on account of illness was not present, made a few remarks of welcome to th« officers assembled. At the close of Sister DougalPs remarks, President Joseph F. Smith, having arrived in the meantime, addressed the meeting. He said in part: "I have not yet reached the point where I am my own master. I have not yet complete control over my time. We are public servants, and it will not do for public servants to ignore their masters, the dear people. We have to yield often our time, feelings, and sometimes our better judgment, to avoid giving offense to our associates and brethren and sis- ters, and do the best we can to comfort and control and counsel those who are seeking it. I make these remarks by way of apology for not being here at the commencement of the meeting. I extend to you as members and officers of the Young Men's and

Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement associations a most hearty, cordial welcome. We are glad to see you. We hope we shall enjoy the spirit of our calling and the spirit of the great work we are engaged in; the work of redeeming and reclaiming the young people from the powers of darkness, ignorance, and carelessness which lure them unto by-paths. Our mission is to save, to redeem, to awaken an interest in the minds of men and women in that which is good and calculated to ennoble them and enlarge their understanding and instil an earnest and lively desire for their own welfare, happiness and advancement; so that the whole people

716 IMPROVEMENT ERA.

may be made that much the better because of our improvement. It is

an important work, and one worthy of the energy and devotion of all who are assisting in the cause of mutual redemption and mutual im- provement. May God bless us all and qualify us for the duties of our offices. I bless you all and pray for your success." President Smith then spoke on the subject of government with special reference to the conduct of associations in conjoint meetings. The general principle that the Priesthood presides should be remembered, but all should be given their rights and privileges. Sister Best sang a very beautiful song. Sister Aggie Campbell spoke upon the subject of opening and closing devotional exercises, and said that the General Boards had decided to in- dorse the holding of these exercises conjointly in all cases where the associations met on the same evening and at the same place. She urged that all officers should be at the meeting at least ten or fifteen minutes before the time for opening, ready to welcome the members as they come, and five minutes before the time,for commencing, they should be in their places on the stand with all the other officers. The choir leaders above all should be punctual. Elder Douglas M. Todd addressed the meeting upon the subject of preliminary programs, stating that the General Boards had conjointly adopted the plan of having an entertaining program either at the com- mencement or close of the exercises. As to whether the program should be given at the beginning or the end, the Boards had decided that it

should be left to the decision of the associations. Sister Ann M. Cannon stated that the Young Ladies' Board had de- cided to hold conventions in every stake at the same time and in the same settlement as the Young Men's Conventions were held, and she announced the dates set for these conventions which will be printed later in the Era and Journal. Sister Cannon also stated that theannouncements of dates for the M. I. A. conferences would be made during the month of October. Elder Frank Y. Taylor addressed the meeting on the subject of offi- cers' meetings, and urged that each month there should be a conjoint meeting of the officers, both of the wards and of the stakes, for the pur- pose of preparing conjoint programs, and to discuss matters of interest to the associations. At these meetings also, the preliminary programs should be arranged. In a stake capacity, it was necessary that at one of these meetings, each quarter, the program and arrangements should be made for the quarterly conjoint meeting, and special effort should be ex- tended to make these meetings interesting and successful.

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Elder Nephi L. Morris spoke upon the subject of amusements, and advised social gatherings other than dances. He urged that special ef- fort should be made to promote sociability in the stakes and wards. Elder B. H. Roberts emphasized some of the items mentioned by the previous speakers. First, in relation to the conjoint meetings at the regular quarterly stake conferences. The young people had been allowed the privilege, under the auspices of the Y. M. and Y. L. officers, of using the Sabbath evening at those conferences. There has been quite a gen- eral neglect on the part of the Young Men to extend the proper invita- tion to the Young Ladies' officers to participate in these meetings, and in the preparing of the programs for them, and he urged that greater attention be given to this matter, and that together the officers of the Young Men's and Young Ladies' associations arrange an interesting pro- gram for these occasions. He next emphasized the fact that there is no excuse for the young people in the Church going outside of Church in- fluence, and Church spirit, and the associations of their own faith, for amusements. He considered this one of the most ridiculous things in the world. There is no other Church in the world that gives such latitude and freedom for the seeking of innocent amusement as does the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Amongst many of the sects, the playing of the violin was once considered one of the cardinal sins, the ball room, the vestibule of hell, and the theatre goers were regarded as lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. Under the preaching of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, in all that is innocent in amusement, the widest latitude is allowed. The question was asked whether it was necessary for a young man holding the office of an elder to be set apart to preside over an associ- ation. President Smith replied that it was. The following questions were handed in: If at the time for commencing the conjoint meeting there are none of the officers of the Y. M. M. I. A. present, and some of the Young Ladies' officers are present, would it be proper for the Young Ladies' offi- cers to take the initiative, and call the meeting to order, or should they call upon some young man, who might be present, but who is not an offi- cer, to take the lead? President Smith replied that under such circumstances, the Young Ladies' officers should take charge and go ahead with the meeting. Roll was called, showing forty-eight stakes represented. The hymn, "Lord Dismiss Us With Thy Blessing," was sung, and benediction was pronounced by Apostle Reed Smoot. (To be continued in August number.)