Mutual Work: Policy of the Y. M. M. I. A.; Programs of Conjoint Meetings; Notes

MUTUAL WORK. THE POLICY OF THE Y. M- M. I. A. Owing to the new movement among the priesthood quorums, who are taking up the formal study of theology, some have erroneously thought that the field of usefulness for the Y. M. M. I. A. was closed. On the contrary, the legitimate and primary purpose of the organization as defined by President Brigham Young and others— viz., mutual improvement of the youth, the development of the gifts within them, obtaining testimonies of the truth and learning to express them, — will be brought more forcibly and clearly than ever before the young people. The M. I. A. will turn the attention of their membership to history, science, the arts, and literature ; and, not forgetting the gospel, will seek to improve the young men mentally, morally, religiously and physically, and teach them how to apply all true knowledge which they gain, to their daily lives, deportment and conduct. Here is a wonderfully interesting and fascinating field. To this end, the General Board recently passed the following resolution, in a general way defining the future policy of the Y. M. M. I. A.: Resolved: — That owing to the fact that the priesthood quorums have formally taken up the study of theology, the Y. M. M. I. A. take up educational, literary, and recreative studies, permeated by religious thought. That music and art be encouraged, and that social culture and refinement of manners constitute an important part of our endeavor. That the committee prepare manuals in conformity with this plan, and that athletic work be encouraged and established wherever practicable. Details of our nevv manuals and study, will be made known as the plan is further developed- In the meantime, let the officers and workers in the mutual improvement cause prove valiant and energetic in the labors now before them, and prepare to prosecute with renewed vigor the new line of work contemplated, and so in very deed become aids to the priesthood. PROGRAMS OF CONJOINT MEETINGS. On fast day evenings in the wards of the Church, once each month, the M. I. A. organizations are given the time. This is a great privilege and should be used to the best advantage in every ward. How is this time occupied in your association? Is it entirely given up to secular music? Do you engage only experienced lecturers? If so, you fail to answer the demands made of you, or to comprehend the purpose of the meeting. This is the one meeting where the young people should demonstrate the educational trend of their work; the sacred and useful

248 IMP R 0 VEMENT ERA . lessons they have learned. This is the place where the religious purpose of our organizations should manifest itself; the place where the members of the organization should be permitted to show their talents, and be given opportunity to instruct the hearers in important principles of the gospel, or bear convincing testimony to its practical effects upon their lives. It is not a place for secular music rehearsals; nor for professional lectures, altogether. These are good occasionally and in their places, but the conjoint evening is not the place for them. Music here should be sacred; here the hymns are most appropriate; and no singer is too great or good to try his voice on the beautiful Latter-day Saints' hymns. If he is, he has no place before the public on conjoint M. I. A. Sunday evening meetings. This is our evening; and as members of the associations, we demand a hearing. The time must not be given to secular singers who come long enough to sing and then flit away, often before the service is ended, and with big show of importance. Give local talent a chance. Give the young men and the young women a chance. Prepare them for it; place the responsibility on them. It will develop them; and inject "snap" into the meetings. Our associations are mutual improvement organizations; and we must do the work, if we would improve. Are you letting the young people do it in your ward, or are they set aside for borrowed singers and speakers? — singers and speakers who have often little interest or sympathy for our work, and who often feed us with anything but food for spiritual development? How say you, Mr. President? Elder G. E. Cahoon, writing from St. Louis, Mo., November 23, says: We have our Mutual in good order, and it is running the year round. Since finishing last year's manual we have been studying the Book of Mormon, and we hope to finish the present manual this winter. The work is progressing nicely in this conference. During 1908 we have almost doubled our membership, and are considering quite highly the getting of a church of our own, as the hall in which we meet at present is entirely inadequate. The Era is a welcome friend each month to all the elders in this conference. A.E. Cranney, superintendent of the Y. M. M. I. A., Cache stake, writes: Our officers, both ward and stake, are working very energetically to make this a banner year for M. I. A. work. The manuals are being studied more, and greater interest is being manifest in our class work this year than ever before. The subject matter is intensely interesting to the young people, and they are doing excellent work in the class. Our great desire is, to fill the mission that we have been sent to, not only to do good to our brethren, but to do all the good we can among the young people. James Miller, Jr., secretary of the Maricopa stake, Arizona, writes: With the exception of Pine Ward, all the associations are doing a good work. We have good, live men for presidents in all the wards, and they are working hard for the Mutual Improvement cause. In the Pine Ward they have been unable to get enough of the young men together to hold a meeting, but have supported the Era in splendid shape and nearly all of them have the manuals. We have one hundred and fifty-four subscribers in the stake and expect more in a short time.