Conjoint Session of the Seventeenth Annual M. I. A. Conference: Purpose and Method of Preliminary Programs

Conjoint Sessions of the Seventeenth Annual M. I. A. Conference [At the M. I. A. conference, Sunday morning, June 9, a model preliminary program was presented under the direction of the General Boards. It was completed within three minutes of the time allotted — a remarkable showing when the deliberation incident to speaking in a large hall and to a large congregation is considered. The outline, remarks and stories follow. — Editors.] 1. Purpose and Method (13 minutes) Edward H- Anderson 2. Faith-promoting Topics: (a) A Re-told Storv (5 minutes) Clarissa A. Beesley (b) Vocal Duet, "The Lord is My Shepherd" (Smart) (8 minutes) Margaret Summerhays and Melvin Peterson (c) Personal Experiences (7 minutes) Dr. George H. Brimhall PURPOSE AND METHOD OF PRELIMINARY PROGRAMS BY EDWARD H. ANDERSON I have been given fifteen minutes of the time in this suggestive or model preliminary program to explain the purpose and method of preliminary programs in our Mutual Improvement Associations. Our present program is intended to be a demonstration. The object or purpose of the preliminary program in our Mutual Improvement Associations is, First, To enliven the evening with matter which is of a lighter character than the regular class work, and, Second, To give the members of the association an opportunity for expression in different lines. The preliminary program is an important part of the meeting. It should be made lively, attractive, and interesting. The program should be the drawing card for new members, and a pleasant diversion for such young people as are not so easily attracted by the heavier matter of the regular lessons to follow. It should be the pleasant entrance to the association for such young people as are later to become interested in the regular class study. It should be the work of the members themselves as far as possible. Here is a chance for the prospective reader, the singer, the speaker, the writer, the musician, the orator, and the story-teller to develop talent and to give public expression to their talents — development of talent as well as practice of speech. You will notice that in todav's preliminary program which we are presenting to you, the prayer and the singing is not counted in the time. This in order to give an opportunity for this little talk to you on "The Purpose and Method of Preliminary Programs ;" but in the regular programs the singing and the prayer and the singing again, should be included in the thirty minutes allotted for preliminary programs in

CONJOINT SESSIONS M. I. A. CONFERENCE. 911 the association. And mind you, the preliminary program must not exceed thirty minutes. A word on the subject of singing. Such songs should be sung as are suitable to the general spirit of the work in hand. All who sing, and this applies as well to all others who take part in the pro-rain. should be present on the stand, with their accompanists and' their music, where the singing is not congregational; and where it is congregational, the leader should have his musical selections chosen and the titles in the hands of the presiding officer, who should also have a written outline of the program from beginning to end. Begin promptly on the minute. The organization should be ready to join in the singing with zeal. The songs should be choice, and as far as possible, in my opinion, songs that express gospel sentiments. A word on prayer, also. The bishop, high priest, or elder present, will be very glad to let the prayer be offered by one of the members of the association, either male or female. Don't request the good brother who always prays in meetings, to pray also in the Mutual. That is the place for the young man and the young woman to pray. Here is the opportunity for the president or die presiding officer to give the boy and the girl a chance to pray. Let the prayer be short and pointed. The person praying should be taught to ask for the things needed, there and then, and which are suitable under the conditions and the circumstances present. Ask the Father to grant us his Holy Spirit, to help those who take part in the exercises and to enlighten those who listen. Thank Him for the privilege of meeting, for the sweet and comfortable surroundings, for competent and enthusiastic officers, for the gospel, and the priesthood, and for all the blessings, temporal and spiritual, that we enjoy. If anyone shall suggest that the surroundings are not sweet and comfortable, in that case let us ask the Lord to help us to make them so. Take it for granted that a girl can open a meeting and that a boy can utter a prayer suitable for the occasion. Give them a chance. Teach them to try. In regard to the method of conducting the preliminary program, this is a very important matter. First, There should be joint, systematic planning by the officers of the two associations. They should meet, consult, and form their plans weeks ahead, and devote their best thought and attention to it. In case the officers themselves do not desire to form the program, let them assign the work to a joint committee, and then be careful that the committee do their work early, promptly and well. Call for reports from them, and remember, the officers are responsible for the work of the committee, and the committee for those who are assigned to do the work. Making the program is an easy task compared with the work of having it carried out. Second, Be prepared, and save time. Those who speak, or sing, or play, or read, or give any exercises whatever, should be thoroughly prepared, and the presiding officer should know they are there and ready. Then, they should begin promptly and as promptly close. Have something to say. say it, and quit in the time allotted. No long stories, orations, condensations of novels, or other exercises should be begun,

912 IMPROVEMENT ERA. unless what you have to say can be said within the allotted time to the minute. Long stories, singing and story-telling contests, orations, book reviews, debates, and other more extended exercises, should be given on the joint open nights which are specially instituted for these exercises. An example of an open night, joint program was given on Friday morning. Third, Impress yourself, your officers, and members with the value of having a system, and of living up to it, let me repeat — living up to it. Now as to the material or subject matter for preliminary programs. It should not be hap-hazard. There should be a skeleton, a framework to your study, a system and method in it. A general topic should be selected, then divided and treated in subdivisions. Topics may be taken up and finished in one, two, three, four or five meetings, as necessity may require. By so doing there will be a skeleton or backbone to work to, something definite will be accomplished. The exercises of the evening, as far as possible, sjhould all bear upon the subject under consideration. The stake officers may prepare a uniform outline for the stake, or they may leave it with the ward officers, but there must be a plan. We suggest here nine or ten general topics as follows : 1. Great musicians. 2. Manners and customs of nations. 3. Social conduct. This would include deportment on the street, in the home, in the ball-room, in the Church, in travel, in visiting, in business, in dining, in conversation, etc. 4. Stories of simple necessities. Under this head we might take up the history of such common things as matches, dishes, coal, washingmachines, knives and forks, spoons, etc. 5. Progress of electricity. Under this topic could be treated wireless telegraphy, the telephone, telegraph, street-cars, electric motors, lighting and heating, and electricity in the work of the home. 6. Faith-promoting topics. These could be stories illustrating the power of prayer, trust in God, providences of the Lord, and other topics of a similar nature, and these may be either original, being the personal experiences of the individual, or repeated. This is the topic that the singers and speakers following, today, will consider. 7. Modern songs and hymns. Their history, origin, and authors, and drills in them. 8. Current events. These, treated in the right way, may be made very interesting. The week's events of world significance, such as the political evolution of governments, the great daily political, educational, religious and scientific movements of the nations. 9. Pioneer incidents. Let me take up one or two topics and by a little more extended illustration explain my meaning. As an example let us name American Poets as the general topic to be considered for four or more evenings. The first evening we will take Longfellow. After the singing and prayer and singing, which need not occupy more than ten minutes, the first speaker will give a five-minute biography of the poet, the second recite the Psalm of Life ; the third give a five-minute talk on