Address by the General Superintendency Y. M. M. I. A.

ADDRESS BY THE GENERAL SUPERINTEND- ENCY Y. M. M. A, I.

[This important Declaration of the Place and Privileges of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association was read and adopted at the Annual Conference, June 5, 1909.— Editors.]

The systematic work now being done by the quorums of the priesthood provides our young men with the necessary teachings in formal theology and trains them in the duties that pertain to their callings in the priesthood. There is, however, a strong need among the young men of the Church to have an organization and meetings which they themselves conduct; in which they may learn to preside over public assemblies; to obtain a practice necessary to express them- selves before the public; and to enjoy themselves in studying and practicing civil, social, scientific, religious and educational affairs. The Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations therefore should be strengthened and their efficiency increased in order to offset and counteract the tendency now so prevalent to establish private clubs, secret and social organizations, and select educa- tional societies. They may be made to cover all these requirements and it will be a wise policy to grant them the fullest liberty, consistent with the order and policy of the Church, in the selection of their offi- cers, management and conduct of their associations. importance that not only the young men of our It is of vi f,al

Church, but also the regularly constituted stake and ward officers thereof shall have a clear understanding as to the place and privileges which the Mutual Improvement Associations hold among the Latter-day Saints, in order to promote harmony, union of pur- pose, and the best interests of all concerned.

To define this field and to give an understanding to our young people and all concerned, we deem it expedient that a declaration should be made at this our June conference, that there is as great opportunity now as ever before for these organizations, and that increased activity in other departments should cause no abatement of effort or efficiency in our associations; but rather that renewed effort should be put forth by the Improvement workers, and that every facility should be afforded them by stake and ward author- ities to accomplish their glorious mission among the youth of Zion. The field to be occupied is religious, social and educational. The religious work is not to be formally theological in its nature, but rather to be confined to the limits outlined by President Brig- ham Young, when the organizations were first established: "Let the keynote of your work be the establishment in the youth of an individual testimony of the truth and magnitude of the great Lat- ter-day work; and the development of the gifts within them." In other words, to obtain a testimony of the truth and to learn to declare and express that testimony; and to develop all noble gifts within them. The social includes control of various public and private amuse- ments; musical, dramatic and other entertainments and festivals; field sports, athletic tournaments, excursions and other varieties

of social gatherings. The educational should include regular class work in ethics and practical religion, literature, science, history, biography, art, music, civil government— supplemented by debates, oratorical and musical contests, lectures, essays, writing for publication, reading and speaking unier the auspices of the organization, and if necessary carried on in departments under instructors capable of specializing in their particular lines. We have directed -the General Board to appoint committees to have in charge, under the direction of the whole Board, these various divisions of our work, with chairmen who are expert in the various lines, who have a thorough knowledge of the work, and who are in sympathy with our young men. These committees are as follows: 1. A Committee on Class Study.

ADDRESS, GENERAL SUPERINTENDENCY Y. M. M. 1. A. 821

2. A Committee on Athletics and Field Sports.

3.    A Committee on Music and Drama.
 4.   A Committee on Social Affairs.
 5.   A Committee on Library and Reading Course.
 6.   A Committee on Conferences and Conventions.
 7.   A Missionary Committee.
 8.   A Committee on Debates, Contests and Lectures.
These committees may be sub-divided or added to as the wis-

dom of the Board or the exigencies of the work may demand; and like organizations may be instituted in the various stakes and wards,

as far as practicable or necessary. At the meetings of the Boari reports from these committees will be asked for and given as a regular order of business. We believe that this course will promote the welfare of all and a good feeling among our young people, and prevent their seek- ing other organizations and interests to which to devote their time and attention. There is no mental, social or physical excellence or enjoyment that the Church does not foster and desire to promote among the young men of our community, and its purpose in sustaining the Mutual Improvement Associations and charging them with the care of our young men is to answer every desire of this nature, and to provide among ourselves the gratification of every legiti- mate ambition and impulse to excel in these fields without having to seek opportunity elsewhere. From the presiding priesthood of the Church in the stakes of Zion, and in the wards and missions, we therefore ask, in behalf of our young men, sympathy and support, to sustain and uphold of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations in the field places usefulness herein briefly outlined, and to provide them with of meeting and amusement. We ask that the associations be permitted to select men of education and ability for class and special teachers, who are suit-

the young able, agreeable and capable and who are in love with people and in full sympathy with them and their views. order Granting them the fullest liberty consistent with the and and policy of the Church will encourage them in the faith,

they will be not a whit less amenable to the Church authorities,