--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Stephens, Evan collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 7 number: 11 published: 1904-09 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Evan Stephens, "Our Work," *Improvement Era* 7, no. 11 (September 1904): 885–888.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0711unse 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: improvementera0711unse start_page: 885 end_page: 888 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1904-09) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera0711unse publication_year: 1904 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 1904, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Our Work work, I have strongly advised that the organist and leader always rehearse before going before the school; perhaps the same advice is good for the mutuals. Do not let your musicians be carried away with the desire to sing beautiful pieces, fine quartets, etc. The tendency is too much for display rather than for practical results in our work. Have them take up simple, sweet pieces, in keeping with our belief, rather than the seventyfive cent quartets that they will wade through; and you will be very much delighted when they have got through, and think they have accomplished a great deal to sing the piece through. Encourage them to get down to something more practical, and to get the association, if possible, to sing as one choir. That is the way, the simplest way! Teach them to sing the lead first, and add the bass, counter-tenor, etc., as you can. I think it would be well, sometimes — know I I will be permitted — to give some instructions through the Era to the leaders, as to how they can do this work, and not take your time today. I would also advise that the musical sections of your programs be watched carefully. Musicians are a little sensitive about being interfered with. If they want to sing a certain song, they want to sing it, no matter how foreign to the spirit of the occasion. Try to keep frivolous songs out of your programs. There are some songs, of course, that are the reverse of frivolous, but so foreign to our ideas of religious things that they would sound perfectly ridiculous, if sung in our meetings. We have sacred concerts on Sunday, in Salt Lake City, and most of the sacred pieces are selected from — worse than rag-time — from the most frivolous and lewdest of comic operas. There is not a serious thought, say nothing of a sacred one, in the entire program, sometimes. They are sacred concerts because the law demands that they be called such, I suppose. Our programs, sometimes, are liable to get into this way, if you let the singers choose the popular songs. Tell them kindly that you would like them to select something that would be as near appropriate to the occasion as possible— not a long-faced one, nor anything frivolous, but something healthy and to the point. I remember well that this matter was brought strongly to my attention at a Sunday school convention here, by Brother Karl G. Maeser deceased. The brethren and sisters had taken some pains to get up a musical program for the convention, and solos and instrumental pieces were interspersed, here and there, between the topics discuscjed. Brother 888 IMPROVEMENT ERA. Maeser had stood it as long as he could, as he realized that this beautiful program was continually taking the attention of the people from the work. He got up, and, turning around to me, said: "Brother Stephens, can't you stop this thing, and have the singers sing something in keeping with what we are here for, if they must sing? We have a subject discussed here, and then as soon as the brother sits down some one gives us some grand music, and takes our minds from the instructions given. I would much rather not have the music, if they cannot sing something more in keeping with the occasion." I remember that Brother Ensign was on the program to sing a fine solo that afternoon, and 1 took him to one side and asked him not to sing that number, but to select something in keeping with the work.He asked what he should sing, and I suggested that he sing, "Let us oft speak kind words to each other," etc., which he did, and with effect, and everybody felt the better for it. A musical number is not necessary, neither edifying, nor in place, in such meetings, unless it be to the point. Then, I would advise you to take up the time in drilling, and let the drilling be as I said, that is, have a definite object in view, and select material for the use of your members that will be of use to them in the missionary field and elsewhere. ABOUT THE ERA- Writing from Kansas Cit}^ May 12, Elder Daniel 0. Larson says: "The May number of the Era is one of the most interesting issues yet published. It proves that the General Board have well succeeded in making it the essential magazine for young men of the Church. The entire present volume contains so much that is valuable in understanding and explaining some of the principles and phases of our religion, in a philosophical way, that I consider it indispensable to all who are interested in the teachings and mission of the Prophet Joseph Smith. The Era is a source of great encouragement to missionaries, and is read with pleasure and satisfaction." When canvassing for the next volume, the above will serve ofiicers of associations as a splendid campaign document. We have many more. September is a good month to get into the field, and we invite subscribers to send in their subscriptions early, before the rush. EVENTS OF THE MONTH, Local—July, 1904. New Farm Paper. — On the 14th, the Deseret Fanner issued a prospectus in Provo. Dr. John A. Widtsoe, well known to readers of the Era, and as director of the Experiment Station, State Agricultural College, is general manager, and Lewis A. Merrill, editor. The first number appeared on xlugust 18th, and gives evidence of proficient management and editorial care. The Deserefc Parmer Publishing Co. is responsible for the publication, and $1 is the subscription price, which should be sent to Logan, Utah. If the farmers give the support to the enterprize which it deserves, it will become the peer of any farm paper in America, Success to the venture. Old Folks' Excursions. — On the 15th, eighteen car loads (1,070) of old folks, and their friends, of Salt Lake and vicinity, over seventy years of age, went for a day's outing to Spanish Fork, over the Rio Grande Western. There were 845 who wore red badges, denoting the wearer to be 70 years of age and over; 111 blue badges for those over 80, and four white badges for those who had passed the 90th year. Benjamin J. Beer of Salt Lake was 92. A Mrs. demons of Santaquin was born August 28, 1809, and was therefore in her 95th year. Thomas P. Cloward of Payson, an original pioneer of 1847, was present; he was born in 1823, and is hale and hearty. Apostles Francis M. Lyman and Charles W. Penrose and Elder Angus M. Cannon were present. There was a program, lunch, and social chat, then a return home after a happy out. The idea of giving the old folks an outing is a Utah custom which originated with C. R. Savage, in 1875, when the first outing was given, on the Utah & Nevada, by John W. Young, to Clinton's place. Lake Point. The first committee was C. R. Savage, Edward Hunter, and George Goddard. Weber, Cache, and several other Utah counties had similar outings in July for the old folks, and the custom in Utah among the Latter-day Saints is as popular as it is beautiful. 890 IMPROVEMENT ERA. — Scandinavian Reunion. This gathering was held in Manti this year, Sunday, 17th. About 2,000 people from other parts of the state were present. Among the noted Scandinavians present were President Anthon H. Lund, Andrew Jenson, A. C. Nelson, of Salt Lake, and others . from Cache, Weber,'.Utah, Juab and Sevier counties. Besides the re- ligious services, there was a program of song and story, and an elabor- ate luncheon the day following. Richmond Tabernacle Corner Stone Laid. — The corner stone of the new Benson Stake Tabernacle, at Richmond, Cache county, was laid on the 24th, by Apostle M. W. Merrill. It bore the inscription: "Corner stone, laid July 23, 1904, by Apostle M. W. Merrill." The dedicatory prayer was offered by President Joseph F. Smith, and appropriate re- marks were made by Stake President William H. Lewis and others, in- cluding Architect Joseph Monson. The building, when finished, will seat 1,400 in the main auditorium, and will have rooms for the Priest- hood and for the auxiliary organizations; will be of brick, and modern architecture, costing in all about $40,000. In a tin box, a copy of the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, the Pearl of Great Price, a copy of the Deserei News of July 22, 1904, and photo- graphs of President Smith and Apostle Merrill, were deposited in the corner stone. — Feasting on Crickets. An echo of early times is reported from Rush Valley. It appears that millions of black crickets have appeared, coming from Death Canyon and Skull Valley. Near Barker's canyon the mountains for miles about have been denuded of every vestige of green. The pests are headed towards Vernon. The Indians are gather- ing them to eat, preserving them for winter use, while the coyotes have stopped killing sheep and are feasting on crickets upon which, like the prairie chickens, they are growing sleek and fat. — Celebrated the 24th. For the first time in seven years, there was a public celebration of Pioneer day in Salt Lake City. The move- ment was begun by the Sunday schools of the Salt Lake Stake, and was generally seconded by the people. Thousands attended the exercises in Liberty Park, and witnessed the parade, which was a creditable showing of pioneer days, and present time progress. Judge 0. W. Powers was one of the speakers who, with Apostle John Henry Smith, gave praise to the founders of the state. It was an ideal day, and over 100 sur- vivors of the settlers of 1847, were present, together with two of the original pioneers: Isaac Perry Decker and William C. A. Smoot. Presi- dent John R. Winder gave up his seat to a veteran of the Nauvoo