Splendid Organizations: Annual Field Day Committee

SPLENDID ORGANIZATIONS. On Tuesday, October 10, a large number of the Mutual Improvement Associa- tions of the Church held their opening meetings for the season, and others followed, some days later, so that now the whole number (628) are in the midst of their busy work. In this connection we have to thank the Deseret News for the follow- ing kind notice which we heartily endorse, and commend to our membership, to the stake and ward authorities, to fathers and mothers, and to the Saints generally:

The Mutual Improvement associations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Lat- ter-day Saints have commenced their fall and winter work. Theirs is a great and splendid cause in which to be engaged. They are organized for mutual benefit, moral, intellectual and spiritual. They have not at present facilities for fashion- able physical improvement, but most of them can find plenty of opportunities for the development of muscle in useful channels, if not in those performances that ' come under the head of 'physical culture. ' There are ways and means by which '

our young men may become sufficiently athletic for the affairs of life, both in amusements and vocations, which bring into play the forces and activities of grow- ing manhood. The societies that have been organized for the advancement of young men, and those for the young ladies, deserve the encouragement of the older members of our community. Their influence should be exerted to render these societies all that they are intended to be. Our young people should be urged to attend the meet- ings that are held regularly and to take part in the exercises. Opportunities are there afforded to bring out the latent abilities and talents of all the members, in all their variety and mutual interests. These associations combine instruction and entertainment. Music, oratory, dramatic talent, literary ability and devotional feeling and expression, are culti- vated, moral precepts are presented, intellectual thought is developed, and spiritual doctrine is imparted, all tending to improve and advance the members and fit them

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74 IMPROVEMENT ERA. to become noble, useful, intelligent and devoted men and women, loyal citizens of their country, and faithful servants and handmaidens of the Most High. The men and women who are engaged in promoting this great work among the youth of Zion deserve the highest praise for that which they have achieved, and the aid of the good and the wise in that which they expect to accomplish. They are banded together in the service of the Lord and of humanity. They will have joy in their labors and will reap a sure reward. We congratulate the associations in the commencement of their work for 1905-6. They should profit by the past and prepare for the future. Every mem- ber should be willing to do something to enlighten, instruct or amuse his or her associates, and the meetings appointed should be kept up with strict regularity, punctuality and hearty interest. We say, God bless them in their efforts to pro- mote and develop all that is good and great in human character and bring mankind nearer to the Divine.

ANNUAL FIELD DAY. Those officers who were present at the Saturday afternoon conference meet- ing, June 10, will remember the reference made to the need and value of a ' 'field-

day," in connection with our annual conferences, made by Elder B. S. Hinckley in ' his remarks on ' 'M. I. A. Machinery. ' At the close of the discussion on the sub- ject. Elder Benjamin Goddard offered the following resolution, which was unani- mously adopted: Resolved, That an annual Field-day be arranged in connection with the Gen- eral Conference of the Y. M. M. I. A. At the meeting of the General Board, on Wednesday, October 18, the follow- ing general committee was named and sustained to carry the resolution into effect Bryant S. Hinckley, Nephi L. Morris, Brigham F. Grant.