“The Place of the Y. M. M. I. A. in the Church”

THE PLACE OF THE Y. M. M. I. A. IN THE CHURCH." He spoke of why the Y. M. M. I. A. should exist, and answered by saying, in part, because : 1st. It was organized by the inspirati< in of President Young. 2nd. It gives the young men some organization they can call their own, — a thing young people much desire. 3rd. It teaches them to preside and conduct themselves properly in public assemblies, and gives them practice to express themselves in public. 4th. It gives opportunity for study along religious, social, scientific, intellectual and physical lines. 5th. It prevents the general organization of clubs, social organizations, select educational societies, and meets the desires and the wants of young people in these activities under Church influence and direction. What is the field of Y. M. M. I. A. ? It is 1st : As a center where the religious thought and activity of the young may find expression. The key-note of our work is to establish in the hearts of the young an individual testimony of the truth and divinity, magnitude, necessity, and value of the gospel, the Church and its institutions. The Y. M. M. I. A. opens a field in which to express this testimony. 2nd. As a rallying place in which the youth may learn from study and experience to develop all noble gifts within them. This implies class work, in conduct, application of religious doctrine, literature, science, history, biography, art, government. 3rd. As a forum where those who have special talents may be encouraged to cultivate them by public expression — where the young may take part in debates, orations, music, story-telling, lectures, writing essays, reading and speaking. 4th. As a social center in which public and private amusements may be carried on, and proper conduct inculcated and made popular. Here the young may engage in musical, dramatic, and other like entertainments, and festivals. Scouting, field-sports, athletic tournaments, excursions, dances, and other social gatherings are here encouraged, giving the young people an opening under proper tutelage and supervision for the pent up energy that might otherwise display itself in wrong actions. Why this field for the Mutuals ? Because, 1st : It is the leading organization in the Church which undertakes to provide these necessary activities for the young people. 2nd. And the field, if not occupied by this Church organization, will be held by private companies and associations not always desirable and clean, but formed for money-making. 3rd. It is the most appropriate organization in the Church for

840 IMPROVEMENT ERA. these activities because (a) its membership is composed of many young men and women whom it is difficult at that age to interest in theological study only, and (b) being broader in scope than any other, it may give full latitude to every legitimate mental, social or physical excellence and enjoyment which the Church desires to foster and promote among the young men and women and to provide every legitimate ambition and impulse to excel in any of these broader fields, without having to seek opportunity in outside organizations. Why should the Priesthood support the Y. M. M. I. A.? Because, 1st : It is a feeder to the Priesthood quorums. 2nd. It is a vital force for good in the community, and a help to the Priesthood. 3rd. In this field the active Priesthood may find good opportunity to do effective missionary work. No better place for doing good can be found than working with the men and women of the M. I. A. The best workers in the land should be called, if necsesary, to do missionary work among the young people in their association activities. Often more practical good and genuine religion can be impressed by a word in the right place, in the games, parties, entertainments, classes and festivals of the young than in much preaching and exhortation. 4th. We therefore ask the co-operation of the Priesthood — particularly the presiding authorities — in this work. Give, we pray you, the boys and girls, your men and women of ability, suitable, lovable and specially fitted, to associate with them and to teach and direct them in their studies, plays, and intellectual and physical activities. Call them on missions to do so if necessary. Another reason he gave for the need of the Y. M. M. I. A., was: Neither the Priesthood quorums nor the Sunday Schools, nor any of the other organizations of the Church are taking care of a certain great lot of our young people. There may be as high as thirty per cent of them between the ages of say fourteen and seventeen who are not attending any of our organizations. You will notice that we have three strong and splendid organizations, the Sunday School, the Primary, and the Religion Class, with three strong boards working to get the children in line ; but many children leave as soon as they get to the dangerous, or adolescent age, and we have only one board and one organization working for the boys between those ages. The little children naturally run to their organizations ; at this age they incline to run away from our organization. We need the Y. M. M. I. A., with more effort and greater zeal and enthusiasm, to hold our young people at this age. The Mutual Improvement Association is specially fitted and adapted to do this work effectively, and to interest young men and young women in the great cause of the Lord. The Granite stake male choruses sang "March Onward," and the benediction was pronounced by President Martha H. Tingey of the Y. L. M. I. A., and the conference adjourned for one year.