Our Work: Address to M. I. A. Officers; Notes on Organizations

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OUR WORK.

TO STAKE AND WARD OFFICERS OF THE Y. M. M. 1. A.

Dear Brethren:— At the 11th Annual M. I. A. Conference, heW in June, 1906, a resolution was adopted requiring a Committee to review the various topics treated, such review to be sent to the stake and ward officers. The Committee report follows, as approved by the General Board

Pernicious Habits.

We learn with much regret that from various causes some of our young men have fallen into evil habits, such as profanity, using tobacco, and liquor, frequenting saloons and pool rooms, and spending considerable time loafing on street corners, all of which is demoralizing. In some localities card playing is still indulged in, notwithstanding the urgent appeal of President Joseph F. Smith to the contrary, and we feel that our officers should labor energetically to correct this, and other evils. Our attention was called to the prevalence of buggy riding, base ball sports, and other diversions on the Sabbath, all of -which are to be deprecated, as they undermine the spirituality of our young people. We appeal, therefore, to our young men generally to assist in eradicating these evils, and we urge them not to countenance unprofitable, nay sinful recreation on the Sabbath day.

Amusements. Recreation and amusement are indispensable to our social and moral development, but should be under the same vigilance and control as our religious training. The best method for this control is to co*operate with the ward amusement committee for each ward, under whose direction excursions, picnics, dances, etc.,

should be given. Excursions to canyon and other resorts, should always be conducted by proper chaperones. Dancing parties, beginning and ending at reasonable hours, are proper enough, if not indulged in to excess; but we regard the public dancehall, with its promiscuous and unselected patrons, as a menace to the morals of any community. Too much dancing is not commendable. It encourages late hours, mental lethargy, and intellectual laziness. We recommend instead, more music, vocal and instrumental concerts, the drama, and uplifting literary entertainment. AH our members can engage in these better recreations and thereby gather more zeal for the more serious spiritual work outlined for our associations.

Officers and Officers' Meetings. The following remarks by Elder Douglas M. Todd are pertinent to this

subject

980 IMPROVEMENT ERA.

What it means to be an Officer. — Large numbers of our officers do not sense the responsibility of their positions. They do not realize that the welfare of the young people of.their communities is, for the time being, largely in their keeping, and that the progress made will depend on the earnest effort which they put into the service. In many instances the efficiency of our work has increased 50 per cent in a single season mainly through the efforts cf a devoted leader, while the instances are more numerous where valuable ground has been lost, and carelessness and indifference have increased among the young men because of the neglect of an important officer. No young man can afford to take the responsibility of allowing the work to depreciate under his supervision. Neglect of duty weakens his own character and injures every member of his association. Where, for any reason, a young man cannot perform faithfully the duties of his office, he should be the first to urge the selection of someone who can. The General Board understands fully and appreciates highly the splendid work being done for Improvement by a large number of our officers, but there are still too many who are not sufficiently loyal to the cause. For their own good and for the good of the associations, these should be either converted or eliminated early in the season. Each officer should be given a thorough understanding of the work assigned him, and where there is neglect in its performance, changes should be made. Where officers fail to lead out as examples in the requirements made of their members, their influence in the association must necessarily be a minus quantity. Last year's statistics show that hundreds of our officers failed to meet these re-

quirements. We have about 30,000 members enrolled, 12,418 in attendance, and about 6, 000 officers. We collected only about'one- fourth of the Improvement Fund, which shows that either the officers failed to send in the one-fifth that should have come from them, or that they collected only a small per cent from the members. The same argument applies to the Era. We ought to be getting about 5,000 subscribers from our officers alone, and more than twice that many more from our members and friends; but we are striving to make the circulation ten thousand subscribers. The officers and one subscriber each will do it. Indispensability op Meetings. — In no stake or ward has the work continued in a satisfactory condition where officers have failed to hold regular meetings. This is another requirement that should be insisted on. Where monthly reports show that these meetings are being neglected, that stake or ward should receive immediate attention or the work is sure to show the effects, if the neglect continues. Unless officers get together at least once in two weeks during the working season to discuss conditions and plans, they will fail to get either an understanding of the work or the necessary spirit for its performance. A suggestive order of business for these meetings will be found in the convention outlines. Careful attention should be given to planning conjoint work both in the ward and in the stake, that the high standard of the work done in our monthly and quarterly conjoint meetings may be mairtained and improved upon. To do this regul ar conjoint officers' meetings must be held.

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We consider the privilege of holding an Improvement igeeting on the Sunday evening of the quarterly conference of the several stakes of the highest importance, and trust that our stake officers will not fail to show appreciation of this privilege by utilizing it to the very best advantage. A few choice literary and musical selections should be provided, and the stake superintendent should always be prepared to give a brief concise report of his work. If the necessary attention is given to the monthly reports this will require no extra labor. In fact we feel that no superintendent is fully up in his work who is not prepared to do this at any time and without previous notice. More of our officers must either carry a thorough knowledge of their stakes and wards in their heads or in their vest pockets before our work will be what we hope to make it. Monthly Reports.— We frequently discover late in the season that the work in some locality has never been properly commenced or is being neglected, but the

cause is revealed too late to avoid the consequences. To avoid this, the system of having both ward and stake report progress in the several departments of the work has been instituted. It will require diligence on the part of all officers to make these reports a success, but the fact that they are required will do much to stimulate officers to diligence in getting their work in shape. Failure to send in these reports may be taken as an indication that there are failures along other lines, and the ward from which they are not received should receive special attention. • Missionary Work, etc. This subject received considerable attention , in Conference, and the general sentiment prevailed that not only the officers but the members should be active missionaries in their respective stakes and wards. The responsibility of this work rests particularly upon the stake and ward officers, but suggestions were made that energetic young men be appointed to visit, in their respective wards, such young people as are not enrolled, inducing them, if possible, to become interested in our work. The spirit of missionary work was strongly emphasized by President Francis M. Lyman, and we suggest a careful reading of the address delivered by him. (See Era, No. 9, July, 1906, p. 736.)

Co-operation of Parents. —Our Officers should strive to obtain the co-oper.

ation of parents in connection with the M. I. A. Work, since they can exercise a great influence for good, and .should be interested in the habits and the spiritual welfare of their sons. Efforts should be made to reach the parents as directly as possible, informing them of our aims and methods, as well as giving them an outline of our work, so that they may understand, and intelligently co-operate in their respective wards and stakes.

Conferences.

Officers of our associations should arrange to meet with the officers of the

Young Ladies' Associations in order to outline programs and discuss the work to be done preparatory to the holding of ward and stake conferences. Where stake conferences have been appointed, our officers should be especially energetic and aggressive, obtaining suitable brethren to treat the various topics suggested. Stake

982 IMPROVEMENT ERA. officers should determine to make the conference a success, utilizing the talents and

resources in their respective localities, so that in case members of the General Board are not present the subjects may still be well handled, and profitable meet- ings held. By so doing, the officers will develop a spirit of self-reliance, and this will also be especially beneficial. When members of the General Board are not present, prompt reports should be made of the conference to the General Secre- tary, on the blanks furnished for that purpose. Our stake and ward officers ghould solicit the support and co-operation of the authorities in their respective wards and stakes, and labor as much as possible under their direction, as the sup- port of our leading brethren is essential to the success of our work. Ward and stake officers' meetings should be held regularly, and an invitation should be accorded to bishops and stake presidents to attend, as it will bring them in closer touch with M. I. A. work.

Class Teachers.

The lessons outlined for our M. I. A. associations are calculated to be faithpromoting, but great care should be exercised in selecting competent class teachers, and the very best material available should be obtained for this special work. The ward authorities can always assist in securing the co-operation of talented brethren to act as instructors. The success of our labors devolves to a marked extent upon these class teachers, and we cannot impress too forcibly the importance of giving great consideration to these appointments. At our conventions, special instructions will be given to class teachers, and the following remarks on class work, by Dr. George H. Brimhall, are submitted for the careful consideration of our officers: Class Leader. — Who? The best man in the community. No man is too good to teach the legal heirs to the Priesthood, the covenant children. Hotv to get him: At a council meeting make choices. Meet with the bishopric and get their help if necessary. How to treat him: Appreciate him; invite him into your councils. Never get jealous of him. See that his time, or the class work time is not cut off at either end. Should he err, correct him privately with kindness and just as indirectlyas possible. Remember that men of ability can stand personal injustice, much better than they can professional humiliation. Have a special code of M. I. A. honor as a band of officers which forbids any airing of each other's faults. Never side in with a member of the class against the leader without an investigation. Commend his efforts. What he should do: Make up his mind that his is the B. W. 0. E. (best work on earth). Do his work not for the fame or glory coming from it, but fop the love of it. Get the members to work with him rather than for him. Prepare fully by deciding upon a chief aim, choosing methods for the development of that aim, and the best means of applying the aim of the lesson to life. Lessons lift

most as they are lived best. Still, an idea unapplied has its pull, and it may take years for it to reach the pivot point of power where its turning force becomes visible. Make of each recitation a "good time," a time of order, instruction, and interest. The right kind of order comes from interest in the right things.

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Have an iron fist of authority, but keep it in the velvet glove of courtesy and kindness. Guard against "souring" the members of the class. Better learn little

and love it than much and dislike it.Look upon each member of your class as yours. Let the roll call be by name and in a voice of culture indicating personal interest. Always inquire after absent members. Never grumble about those who are not there , nor at those who are there. Praise the good and pass by the poor work; in fact, praise effort even if the results be poor. Have confidence talks with the wayward and negligent members. Get help from the faithful members in securing attendance of careless ones. Remember there is a wide difference between an M. L A. class and a class in school. Be a constant inspiration as well as an instniment of instruction. Always be ready to correct your own errors, and willing to make a whole-souled apology to the least member, if you have done him an injustice. So manage that the members will love their teacher, and love the class, but more than all, love the things taught. Finally, remember, B. W, 0. E. Class Work. — The Senior Manual has been prepared by a man eminent for his scientific knowledge and ability as a teacher. It is really a study of the pro-

gressive constitution of the Church. It is especially fitted by simplicity and cleverness as a guide into the field of the greatest truth ever revealed to the human race. It is at once a manual of both doctrine and Church government and calculated to broaden the minds of men as to the inestimable value of the holy Priesthood as the delegated authority of God to man. It may fittingly be called an in.

strument whereby the student may be led to a new point from which he can see the majesty of "Mormonism" and enjoy the view. Get it, study it, follow it, and you will find it developing the best there is in you. The Junior Manual needs no introduction as it has been tested and found full '

of directive and attractive force as a guide to an acquaintance with the only perfeet earth-life — a Life that has done more for the betterment of humanity than has the combined influence of all other earth lives. We move towards models where they and we stop. Studying a God-life lived among men surely will develop the divinity in men and help them to live to serve the Lord while they are young.

M, /. A. Privileges. During our conference, attention was di-awn to the privileges accorded our associations by the First Presidency, especially in connection with the conjoint

meetings held on the first Sunday of each month. At stake conferences, the Sabbath meeting has been assigned to our M. I. A. Associations, though in evening some localities it has been found advantageous to use Saturday evening for this purpose. These quarterly stake conjoint meetings granted us by the First Presidency should be maintained, and the officers should be prepared to give accurate associations for the benefit of the visiting brethren. Suitable reports of their programs should be prepared, and we feel that the stake officers will cheerfully accord the time which the brethren have granted to the M. I. Associations. On day, the first Sunday in each month, the evening meeting in each ward has fast been set apart by the First presidency for monthly conjoint meetings of the M. L

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984 JMPROVEMENT ERA. Associations. We have observed, of late, a tendency, in certain wards, to make other appointments for this evening. This is often done without due thought, and we feel confident that ward authorities will cheerfully recognize the claim of the M. I. A. on these evenings, if proper representation respecting our rights in this matter is made to them. M. I. A. officers should firmly but respectfully claim this time and arrange suitable programs, so that the people who attend may be instructed and edified upon such topics as are allied to our work, and that will be profit, able and suitable for Sabbath evening meetings. We suggest that a joint committee of the Y. M. and Y. L. M. I. A. arrange these programs, and that the young ladies' oflJcers be invited to take places on the stand. The time should not be devoted entirely to musical selections or to lectures upon topics not in harmony with our work. We suggest, therefore, that in making programs for these monthly conjoint meetings, although a few musical numbers may be introduced, religious and ethical or intellectual instruction should predominate, and all the topics should te so treated that they reflect the work of the M. I. A.

Supplementary Reading. The subject of a supplementary course of reading to our general Manual topics received considerable attention at our conference, and will be discussad more fully at our coming conventions as you will observe from the circulars which outline the programs. The books chosen for preliminary reading are Rasselas, tiie text of which will be published in the Improvement Era, Volume X, and used in the preliminary programs; John Halifax, GewiZemaw, a splendid old English family story; and True to His Home, dealing in an instructive manner with the interesting boyhood of Benjamin Franklin. The latter two books may be obtained at the Deseret News Book Store, Salt Lake City, or at any book dealers. (See Era for September, under this head.) Prof. B. S. Hinckley expresses the sentiments of the Board on this subject, when he says: The object of introducing this course is three fold. First, to develop a taste for the beautiful in literature; secondly, to cultivate the habit of reading good books; and, lastly, to impart valuable information. The value of good books is beautifully set forth in these words of Dr. Channing: "In the best books great men talk to us, give us their most precious thoughts, pour their souls into ours. God be thanked for books. They are the voices of the distant and the dead and make us heirs of the wisdom of past ages. Books are the true levellers. They give to all who will faithfully use them, the society, the spiritual presence of the best and greatest of our race. No matter how poor I am; no matter though the prosperous of my own time will not enter my obscure dwelling; if the sacred writers will enter and take up their abode under my roof, if Milton will cross my threshhold and sing to me of paradise, and Shakespeare open to me the world of imagination and the workings of the human heart, and Franklin enrich me with his practical wisdom, I shall not pine for the want of intellectual companionship and may become a cultivated man though excluded from what is called the best society in ' the place where I live.

Rolls.

There should be two rolls kept in each association. First, Membership roll. This should contain the names of all male residents in each ward between the ages

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of fourteen and forty-five, their consent, of course, having first been obtained. This will involve gcod missionary work being done in order that all eligible persons may be induced to enroll and also attend our meetings. Second, Attendance roll. This roll should contain the names of all members who attend the first meeting, and at subsequent meetings the names of all new members should be added. This will constitute an active roll from which averages for the annual report will be made.

Improvement Era. "Ten thousand subscribers for 1906-7." This is our slogan — our watchword as to our poriodical. The reading of the Era will enrich and uplift our members spiritually and intellectually. The magazine should be in every home, and to accomplish this will require the active and early co-operation of every association in the Church.

Manuals For 1906-7. The Senior Manual has been cirefully prepared bv Dr. John A. Widtsoe under the supervision of the Manual committee appointed by t le General Board, and treats on "Modern Revelation." The members will use the Doctrine and Covenants or the History of the Church for reference. Our members will find this an important and intensely interesting study and we urge the officers to place them as early as possible in the hands of the young men. The Junior Manual on toe "Life of Christ" is the same as used by the Seniors in 1897. For further particulars respecting the Era, Manual, fund, reports, etc., consult the suggestions of Secretary' Edward H. Anderson, as given at the conference and embodied in a circular already generously distributed among the officers.

Conclusion.

We v/ere well pleased with the unanimity and good spirit that prevailed in our conference and the enthusiasm manifested we trust has been imparted to the members in the various wards and stakes. In submitting the above, we realize that difficulty will arise in some localities in carrying out our suggestions. In such cases the General Board will be pleased to hear from the stake superintendents.

NOTES. On Thursday, August 16, the Improvement Associations of Bingham stake, Idaho, enjoyed their annual Field-day at Highland Park. Six Hundred young people gathered to enjoy the program, and to take part in the reception which was conducted in a congenial, wholehearted way. Races, basket-ball con-

test, base-ball game, wheel-barrow and other races, were features of the amuse-

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9S6 IMPROVEMENT ERA. ments. The happy day closed with a social dance in the early evening, and Supt. Eobert Andrus and his co-laborers are to be congratulated upon the success of the affair.

Some time ago, Alex. Buchannan, Jr., who has for a number of years acted as superintendent of the Y. M. M. I. A. of Pioneer stake, was released, and his former first assistant, Edward H. Eardley, has been installed superintendent. President D. Heiner, of the Morgan stake, informs us that the Presidency and High Council of that stake have selected Chas. M. Croft for the position of superintendent of the Y. M. M. I. A. of that stake, to succeed Elder H. B. Crouch who was lately appointed to another position. At a district Y. M. M. I. A. conference, held in Garland, Sunday, August 26, of eight associations in Box Elder county: Garland, East Garland, Bear River City, Elwood, Beaver, Deweyville, Bothwell, and Thatcher, a district — stake board, consisting of James Jensen, superintendent, with Wilf ord Christensen, Jas. P. Jepperson, and Hyrum Harper as aids, was organized under the direction of Stake Superintendent E. P. Horsley. James Thompson was released as J.

president of the Garland assocation, and Alexander H. Archibald was chosen president instead. Elder Nephi Jensen, stake M. I. A. secretary of Granite stake, represented the General Board. At a recent quarterly conference of the Wasatch stake, Aug. 5, the following brethren were sustained as stake M. I. A. officers: John T. Roberts, susperintendent, Lawrence B. Duke and T. De Vera Smith, assistants, Alfred T. Bond, secretary, H. R, McMullin chorister and aid, and John W. Carlile and

Moroni Moulton aids. Geo. 0. Massey was sustained as president of the Daniel ward. We are informed by letter from Pima, Ariz., that Elder Wilfred T. Webb was recently sustained as superintendent of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations of the St. Joseph Stake, in place of T. S. Kimball. The work of Mutual Improvement Associations in that stake will be prosecuted vigorously in all the departments. At a conference held in Mesa, Ariz. , September 1 and 2, the Y. M. M. I. A. of that stake was reorganized, Mahonri A. Stewart being chosen and set apart as superintendent, with James W. Lesueur and James Miller assistants. These brethren are all young men having splendid experience in the M. I. A., and the work should prosper abundantly under their supervision. The tenth anniversary of the Bradford Mutual Improvement Association was held at Westgate Hall on Saturday evening, 21st of July, 1906. Brother Lamb, president of the association, occupied the chair. The attendance was too large for the room, on account of the many visiting elders. Elder Enniss gave a very instructived address on Mutual Improvement work, and the report for the last year was read. A very comprehensive program was rendered by members of the Mutual Improvement Association, including a quartette by elders of the Leeds conference, solos by Sisters Dickenson and Jeffries, a recitation by Sister Home, a duet by Brother Mellor and his sister; also an attractive quartette by Sisters May and Florence Higgins, Mr. Lawrence Higgins, and Dr. Higgins. Millennial Star.