---
title: Improvement Era
description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930.
authors:
  - Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations
collections:
  - periodicals
tags:
  - magazine
  - improvement-era
periodical: Improvement Era
volume: 19
number: 11
published: 1916-09
publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations
publisher_place: Salt Lake City
language: en
type: magazine
reference: "Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations, \"Mutual Work,\" *Improvement Era* 19, no. 11 (September 1916): 1031–1038."
source:
  url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera19011unse
  transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers.
  identifier: improvementera19011unse
start_page: 1031
end_page: 1038
rights:
  status: public-domain
  basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1916-09)
  source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera19011unse
  publication_year: 1916
  note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1916, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright.
---

# Mutual Work

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///MUTUAL WORK If Athletics and Scout Work Day and Over-night "Hikes" BY J. KARL WOODS If I interpret the "hike" correctly, it is one of the greatest educational periods of the scout's life. It is a time when an instinct as deep as life itself is springing into activity and is satisfying a craving that lias been gnawing at the boy since he came into scout age. At this time of life the body is undergoing a great change. The muscles are — growing rapidly sometimes the larger ones faster than the smaller ones, and his body lacks co-ordination. Like a young animal, he must have activity as a preparation for complete bodily development. He must walk, run, climb, play, and do those things that will develop his bodily powers at the same rate. If we put a block in his way his natural instincts do not have full play, and as a result he will be afflicted with nervous troubles and other bodily defects that will handicap his spirit in its onward progress while on its earthly mission. At this time of life, when his soul is longing for the light of this world and a knowledge of his Maker, there should be planted in him a love for God's creations. He can appreciate at this time more than any other the beauties of nature and can feel more the Infinite. Nature study and observation should be placed before him as an aim. What better place can this be accomplished than on a hike in the woods or mountains, with nature surrounding him and a kind, sympathetic scoutmaster as a teacher? Scouting is composed of physical development, pioneering, cooking, camping, health of body and mind, observation and many other practical subjects. To acquire ability in scoutcraft is to develop into true manhood. The efficient man in this world is the one who can do things and is resourceful enough to meet all conditions. The value of short hikes is inestimable. During every minute of the time the boy's attention is, by his intense interest, held steadily on the things he is doing. In the long hike he grows tired, and his interest wavers, his attention ebbs low, and the value of the stay in the solitude is lost. For the scoutmaster, half the trouble, worry and work is done in the preparation. No place in scouting should the motto, "Be prepared" be followed more religiously than by the scoutmaster in preparing for a hike. He should have it mapped out before him as if it were past history, every minute of the time being accounted for before the hike is commenced. Not only the route, the pace, the stopping places and the time of starting and stopping, should be planned out beforehand, but also the camping program should be the most efficient for the short time at hand. Organization is a prime factor. The best plan that I have seen in handling boys on this sort of hike and still accomplish the most is to divide the troop into groups of two boys each. This is done, owing
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1032 IMPROVEMENT ERA to the style of tents used, and also to obtain the best results in cooking. Two boys can cook over one fire and sleep in one bed, carry their own water and wash their own dishes. In this way all the boys are doing what one or two did in the larger groups. The scoutmaster can thus be relieved of the cooking and spend his time supervising his boys. As part of the equipment of every troop there should be enough tents in which the boys may sleep. The most successful scout tent I have seen is the one used by the foresters. The Boy's Handbook, p. 197, outlines a plan for making this tent. It can be made of 13 yards of eight-ounce duck canvas by the boys themselves for a little over two dollars. It has enough room for two or three boys and the food. Tf the weather is the least bit threatening the tents should be taken — along one to each pair of boys. If the tent is not used for the day or overnight hikes a leanto should be constructed for the protection of the boys from the dew and cold. This will also develop the boys in pioneering and resourcefulness. The scoutmaster should see to it that he camps where material can be secured for its construction. It adds to the novelty and fun of the thing if the tents are taken along, however, as the boy's nature calls for just such things. The best kind of bedding that can be used is the blanket. It — should be rather heavy about the kind furnished by the National Boy Scout Supply Department. A bed should be made of about two p-iirs. That means that there will be two pairs of blankets and a tent to be carried by two boys. This can easily be done if one boy carries one blanket and the tent, and the other the balance of the bedding. On the day and overnight hike, boys should do their own cooking. This will necessitate some utensils. Between the two boys should be a small stew-pan and a fry-pan, and a large spoon. Each boy should have a tin or gray enameled plate, knife, fork and spoon. The following are the supplies for each boy. Two boys going together, however, could divide the material so that one boy furnishes all of one thing and the other boy all of another. This is suggested on the assumption that the hike started in the morning and lasted until the afternoon of the following day. — — 4 sandwiches double, 1 doz. radishes or onions, 1 pt. can fruit peaches or fruit with plenty of juice, l 1^ to 2 lbs. potatoes, 1 pt. can pork and beans, 1 glass jelly or preserves, 1 pkg. Aunt Jemima's pancake flour, y2 pt. syrup, 1 pt. flour, x/2 doz. eggs, 4 slices bacon, 4 teaspoons baking powder, salt, ax, ropes, canteen, haversack, pocketknife, scout whistle, staff, dish cloth and towel. The scoutmaster should supply himself with the same materials and in addition: 2 triangular bandages, 2 or more roller bandages, 2 oz. bottle aromatic spirits of ammonia, bichloride or other disinfectant tablets, tube of Johnson's first aid dressing, carbolized vaseline, potassium permanganate for snake bites, United States flag, troop flag, a kodak if possible, matches. In our mountains we should start in the morning and take plenty of time to get to our destination. Sometimes we underestimate the ability of boys to hike. They should be given enough, but not too much, to give them a good appetite for their sandwiches. When the camp is reached, which should be predetermined by the scout master, the first duty should be the flag raising ceremony. If a camp is among trees — — which is generally the case a pully can be fastened near the top of one of the trees and the flag drawn part way up. The other end of the rope can then be tied to another tree, thus allowing the flag to hang over the center of the camp. The flag salute should be as impressive as possible, and the pledge repeated with all seriousness. The tents should be pitched or the leantos built in a semi-circle, with the scout master's tent in the middle and a patrol leader or as-
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MUTUAL WORK 1033 sistant scout master on each side. The troop flag is hoisted on the scoutmaster's tent and the patrol flags on patrol leaders' tents. While the tents are being pitched and the beds made some scouts may be put to work on a laterine, tables, carrying wood, water, etc. It will take about an hour to put all things in order about the camp, at the end of which the scoutmaster should call the boys together for instructions. We must remember that discipline will either make or ruin our trip. Not one breach should occur in the camp rules, and if it should, it is the scout master's duty to correct it without delay. Some may think that this strict discipline will have a bad effect on the camp. I don't mean that kind of discipline. We will put it as one author has, "It is better to be sternly kind and kindly stern than sternly stern." In this council the scout master should outline all the program of the trip. Every minute should be filled with some good active work or quiet rest. The scout master must make his scouts feel that he is leader and should be obeyed. They must not go off alone under any consideration. If water is abundant, no group of boys should swim without the scoutmaster present. The afternoon may then be spent in exploring the new territory or resting from the tramp. The time is short, and boys should get out of the time all they possibly can. At about 5:30 p. m. scouts should begin supper. Here they have a real opportunity to learn camp life. The scout master should have an eye on all, to see that they are doing Mieir best work. — Don't hurry they have plenty of time in which to eat. The camp clean-up and dish-washing should follow supper. I say aqain that discipline should strictly be maintained, nothing being left undone. A few lively games should follow, and then the camp-fire council. This is the most important part of the whole trip. Here in the campfire light in the solitude, the scoutmaster can get closest to his boys. Here he can see what they are in secret and can help to correct their faults if they have any. There should be a general chat, the scout master saying little at first, but gradually getting into the conversation more and more until he is teaching them what he wants. Here he can teach them morals, religion, nature, or anything the occasion demands. He should tell some good stories and have the boys tell some. The work of tomorrow may now be outlined definitely. The council should close about nine o'clock with prayer. Let the boys pray. I have been on two weeks' camping trips and have had prayer every night and morning, and not had one boy refuse to lead in prayer. What can be more impressive than to see a crowd of boys standing in a circle around a camp fire in the clear night, with bowed heads in prayer and thanksgiving? Oh, it makes one feel like there is some good in the world after all! When all have gone to bed it should be strictly understood that no noise shall be heard from boys until five-thirty in the morning. Tt is the first night together, the first night out in the open and oh, the temptation is great to throw the covers off some boy for fun and start something. Strict order must therefore be maintained, and the scout master should always have the upper hand. Turn out at five-thirty or six o'clock and have a good drill of setting tip exercises just as the boys get out of bed. Tim should be followed by a good cold wash. Breakfast should begin and the same routine followed as for supper. The morning may be spent in hiking, studying nature, passing tests, games or other activities. The dinner should be the most primitive in style. Ordinarily boys get little practice in being up against the "real thing." T sometimes wonder if our second class and first class cooking tests are applicable
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1034 IMPROVEMENT ERA in life under the present system of instruction. For this meal all utensils except a pocket knife should be prohibited. Roys should be taught that pioneers, scouts, and trappers are sometimes left without utensils to cook with, and have only the native materials. If boys are already familiar with primitive cooking, they may use this time to pass the test. The scout master can devise many ways for cooking if he will learn to do it himself. The following menus are suggested for an over-night hike: Rreakfast— At home. — Dinner Boiled ham snadwiches and radishes or onions. — Supper Pork and beans, roast potatoes, pickles. — Breakfast Hot cakes and syrup or fried potatoes, broiled or fried fish or boiled eggs, jelly or preserves. Dinner — Twist baked on a stick, eggs baked in a roll of mud or clay, roast potatoes or fried on a flat rock, bacon broiled or fried on a rock. Supper — At home. Eor this last dinner it will be necessary for the scout master to insist on absolute cleanliness. Roys become careless at times if they go unchecked. The rock used for frying meat and potatoes can be suspended by two or three others with the fire built under it, or it may simply be a large rock with a flat or hollow top with fire built around it. It should be thoroughly clean before heating, and wiped off after it is hot. The mud or clay used for cooking eggs should be sticky enough to hold the eggs firmly. The egg should be rolled in the mud until it is the size of a baseball or larger. Care should be exercised not to get the egg too hot while cooking or it will explode, due to the steam pressure within. It is best to dig a small hole and rake hot coals into it, put in the ball and cover it with hot coals. When the clay is comparatively hard and dry the egg is cooked. Complete instructions for cooking bacon and twist may be found in the "Hand Rook for Roys" and the "Scout Master's Manual." I hope that this will give a fair idea of the preparations to be made and the method of carrying out a day or over-night hike. Longer hikes will require other preparations, but it is my firm belief that we get more good out of this length of hike. What has been said is based on practical experience, and if instructions are followed the hike will be successful. Wemust be sure we accomplish the aim we have in going on a hike, the boys see a bigger and better world; that they are better boys, both in body and mind and the work of their hands. Special Activities Special Contest in Dramas, Stories and Poems In order to encourage local talent and to present Latter-day Saint and western ideals in the form of art, the Eairbanks Art Studio offer, through the General Roards of M. I. A., certain works of art as prizes for the best creations in drama, short stories, and poems. This offer has met hearty approval. The products submitted in this competition should treat on western life as it affects or is affected by the ideals of Latter-day Saints. They should portray beautiful ideals or sentiments from history, from life or from fantasy and should bear on the development of human lives. The contest will be conducted under the auspices of the editors of the Era and Journal and a Joint Committee of the General Roards who will appoint competent judges to award the prizes.
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: MUTUAL WORK 1035 DRAMA 1st prize— A $50 painting by J. B. Fairbanks, entitled "The Pioneers Entering the Valley." — 2nd prize A plaster relief of "A Pioneer," by Avard Fairbanks. 3rd prize— A plaster relief of Joseph Smith, by Avard Fairbanks. Dramas must consist of two or more acts, and be adaptable to production in local ward amusement halls. The prize dramas will be published with a view to having them produced by the M. 1. A. throughout the Church. STORIES 1st prize— A ,$25 painting of "The Hill Cumorah," by J. Leo Fairbanks. 2nd prize — A plaster relief of Joseph Smith, by Avard Fairbanks. 3rd prize — A plaster relief of Hyrum Smith, by Avard Fairbanks. Theprize stories will be published in the Era or Journal and will be used in preliminary exercises of the associations. The length of the stories should be between 2500 and 3000 words. — A plaster relief of "A Pioneer," by Avard Fairbanks. 1st .prize 2nd prize — A plaster relief of Joseph Smith, by Avard Fairbanks. 3rd prize — A plaster relief of Hyrum Smith, by Avard Fairbanks. The prize poems will be published in the M. 1. A. magazines, and alsomay be used in the preliminary exercises of the associations. Poems should consist of no more than about 50 lines. This contest is open to all, extending from September 1, 1916, to January 1, 1917. The dramas, stories and poems must be strictly original and must not have been published or in contests prior to this announcement. The subjects of the dramas, stories and poems must be based upon "Mormon" ideals. The dramas, stories and poems that win in these contests shall become the property of the Y. Mand Y. L. M. I. A. General Boards. Class Study Schedule of Y. M. M. I. A. Meetings The following schedule of meetings for 1916-17 has been prepared, and it is requested by the Committee on Class Study that officers of the various associations throughout the Church conform as nearly as possible to the schedule in their studies for the coming season, so that there may be uniformity in the associations. For associations meeting Tuesday evenings: October: December: 10 — Opening social. — Lesson 5 6. 17 —Lesson 1. — Lesson 12 7. 24 31 — Lesson — Special 2. activity. — Lesson 19 26 — Special 8. activity. January November: 2 — Lesson 9. 7 — Lesson 3. 9 — Lesson 10. 14 — Lesson 4. 16 — Lesson 11. 21 — Lesson 5. 23— Lesson 12. 28 — Special activity. 30 —Special activity.
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1036 IMPROVEMENT ERA February: March: 6 — Lesson 13. 6 — Lesson 16. Review Junior. 13 — Lesson 14. 13 — Lesson 17. Review Junior. — 20 Lesson 15. 20 — Lesson 18. Review Junior. 27 — Special activity. 27 — Closing special activity. For associations meeting Sunday evenings: October: Tanuary: 10 — Opening social. 7—Joint. IS—Joint. 14 — Lesson 10. 22— Lesson 1. 21 — Lesson 11. 29 — Lesson 2. 28— Lesson 12. November: February: 12—— Joint. 5 Lesson 4—Joint. 11 — Lesson 13. 19 — Lesson 26 — Lesson 18 — Lesson 14. 25 — Lesson 15. December: March: 1 —3 Joint. — Lesson 6. 4 11 —— Lesson Joint. 16. Review Junior. 17 — Lesson 7. 18 — Lesson 17.Review Junior. 24 — Lesson 8. 25 — Lesson 18.Review Tunior. 31 — Lesson 9. 27 — Closing special activity. The Committee suggests that one Tuesday evening each month be devoted to joint special activities, where associations meet on Sunday evenings. Suggestive Programs for Sunday Evening Joint Meetings The General Boards present the following suggestive programs with the hope that they will be helpful to officers in conducting Sunday evening joint meetings. If they cannot be used entirely they may be modified to suit local conditions, or they may suggest other subjects. For example, if the material for the Grieg program is not available, another musician might be chosen and his life and works treated similarly to the plan here given: 1. AN EVENING WITH OUR ASSOCIATIONS Opening exercises. Sketch of the Organization and Development of the Y. M. M. I. A. — See Y. M. M. I. A. hand Book, 1915, and Improvement Era, Vol. 1. Music. Sketch of the Organization and Development of the Y. L. M. I. A. — See Y. L. M. I. A. History and Young Woman's Journal. Music. Remarks on advantages of active membership in the Associations. Closing exercises. (For the vocal musical exercises, selections by the chorister or choir leader can be made from the Y. M. and Y. L. M. I. A. song books and other available publications.) 2. AN EVENING WITH THE SEASON'S SPECIAL WORK Opening exercises. Preview of the work of the regular sessions of 1916-17, as outlined by the Y. L. M. I. A. General Board. Music. Preview of the work of the regular sessions of 1916-17 as outlined by the Y. M. M. I.A. General Board. (Consult Guide Work and Manuals for 1916-17.) Music. . Suggestions on how the members assigned to lessons may get results from the Guide and Manual work. Closing exercises. (For the vocal musical exercises, selections from the Y. L. M. I. A. Song Book and similar publications would be appropriate.)
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MUTUAL WORK 1037 3. AN EVENING WITH ONE OF ZION'S HYMN WRITERS Singing, "The Morning Breaks the Shadows Flee"— L. D. S Hymn Book ' d *" S Prayer. — Singing, "Come, O Thou King of Kings" Hymn Book, p. 209 Brief sketch of the life of Apostle Parley P. Pratt.— see Church History, Biographical Encyclopedia, Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, Y. M. M. I. A. Manuals, 1908-9, Singing, "Lo, the Gentile Chain is Broken" — Hymn Book, Comment on leading lines of thought in three hymns named. p. 102. Singing, "Hark! Ye Mortals, Hist! Be Still"— Hymn Book, p. 35. Closing prayer. (If desired, others hymns by Elder Pratt, in the Hymn Book, may be sung.) 4. AN EVENING WITH AN EARLY CHURCH MARTYR — Singing, "O Say what is Truth" Hymn Book, p. 71. Prayer. Singing, "How Great the Wisdom and the Love" — Hymn Book, p. 401. Sketch of the life of Elder David VV. Patten, killed in Crooked River battle. (Consult Church History, Vol. Ill, pp. 4-8, 49-54, 170-175; Historical Record, pp. 19-24. 54-56.) Singing, "Shall the Youth of Zion Falter?" — D. S. S. U. Song Book, No. 179. Comment on conditions surrounding the Saints at the time of Elder Patten.'s martyrdom, and lessons drawn therefrom for the present generation. (Same references as above.) Singing, "Do What is Right" — Hymn Book, p. 165. 5. AN EVENING WITH HOLIDAYS Opening exercises. New Year or Christmas story. Musical numbers. Inspirational New Year talk. Singing, "All Hail the New-born Prayer. Year" — Hymn Book, p. 346. 6. AN EVENING WITH LOWELL Opening exercises. Brief biographical sketch of Lowell. (Consult any standard work on American literature.) Reading, "The Present Crisis." Music. Recitation, "The First Snowfall." Reading, "Rhoecus." Music. Story, "The Vision of Sir Launfal." (Quote the most impressive passages.) — (Note Four poems of Lowell, "The Fountain," "June," "Longing," and '•True Freedom," have been set to music. If any members have them, they will add mucb to the program.) 7. AN EVENING WITH "AUNT EM" WELLS Singing, "Our Mountain Home so Dear." Prayer. Singing, "Sing the Sweet and Touching Story"- — L. D. S. Hymn, Psalmody, No. 346. Biographical sketch of Sister Wells. (Consult Young Woman's Journal, Vol. 19, p. 178; Vol. 26, p. 139; Y. L. M. I. A. History, p. 45; Whitney's History of Utah, Vol. IV, p. 586.) Instrumental music Readings from Musings and Memories, by E. B. Wells, vis., "My Hear Old Garden," "Somewhere," "Mizpah," "At Last," "October." Reto.- story, "Some Old Love Letters," see Young Woman's Journal, October, 1916. Closing exercises. 8. AN EVENING WITH AN EARLY CHURCH MARTYR. Singing, "Let — Us Pray, Gladly Pray" Hymn Book, p. 194. Opening exercises. Singing, "Come, Come, Ye Saints" — Hymn Book, p. 58. Sketch of the life of Elder Warren Smith, killed at Hauu's Mill. (See Church History, Vol. Ill, pp. 323-325; Historical Record, pp. 83-88, and 671-684. Singing, "When First the Glorious Light of Truth" — Hymn Book, p. 390. Reading, "The Trials of the Present Day"—Hymn Book, p. 138. — Singing, "Redeemer of Israel"- Hymn Book, p. 212.
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— 1038 IMPROVEMENT ERA Comment on conditions surrounding the Saints at tue time of Elder Smith's martyrdom, and lessons to be drawn therefrom for the present generation. (Consult same references.) Singing, "Softly Beams the Sacred Dawning"— Hymn Book, p. 33. Prayer. 9. AN EVENING WITH GRIEG Singing. Prayer. Violin selection, "Berceuse," by Grieg. Biographical sketch of Grieg. (Consult Young Woman's Journal, Vol. 20, p. 547.) — (Note An evening of unusual interest may be provided if the one giving the sketch is a lover of this great musician, and can find others to assist who understand and love his music. The one giving the sketch will dilate on the different phases of his work, and when mentioning some of his marked characteristics will have them illustrated- by vocal or piano selections. For example: During his early life he composed under German influence. The tender beauty and passionate intensity of this is best illustrated in "Ich Liebe Dich." Again: When Grieg played the music for Ibsen's wonderful drama, "Per Gynt," the latter was delighted that his words had been understood by the musician. Illustrate by having played "Morning," "Ametra's Dance," "Asa's Death," and let "Solrijg's Lied" be sung. In the Journal sketch will be founc'. references to many of his choice compositions from which selections for illustration may be made. Other piano selections which show his love for the Norwegian folk music with its abrupt changes and minors are "Solitary Wanderer," "Norwegian Bridal Procession," or any of the "Northern Dances." Well-known piano selections are "The Butterfly," "To Spring." Appropriate songs typically Norwegian or Griegian are "A Swan," "The Old Mother," "Hidden Love." Other well-known songs are "Two Brown Eyes" and "The First Primrose." For some of the above see Grieg Album, Vols. I and II, Shirmer edition. 10. AN EVENING WITH ONE OF ZION'S HYMN WRITERS Singing, "Now Let Us Rejoice in the Day of Salvation" — Hymn Book, p: 198. Prayer. Singing, "Wake, O Wake the World from Sleeping — Hymn Book, p. 332. ' Sketch of the life of W. W. Phelps Historical Record, Biographical Encyclopedia. Singing, "The Spirit of God Like a Fire is Burning" — Hymn Book, p. 268. Comment on leading lines of thought of the three hymns named. Singing, "Praise to the Man who Communed with Jehovah" — Hymn Book, p. 325. Prayer. (If desired, still other hymns by Elder Phelps, in the Hymn Book, may be sung.) 11. AN EVENING WITH THE PATRIOTS. Singing, "The Star-spangled Banner" — Hymn Jiook, p. 456. Prayer. Singing, "Hail Columbia," by M. I. A. Chorus. Sketch of the attainment of American independence. — Singing, "O Saints, Have You Seen" Hymn Book, p. 70. Comment on divine prophecy of the establishment of the United States government. (See Book of Mormon, p. 26, verses 10-20; p. 84, verses 10-14.) Singing, "My Country, 'tis of Thee" — Hymn Book, p. 455. Remarks on the Constitution divinely inspired. (See Doctrine and Covenants, p. 357, verses 79, 80.) Singing, "Our God, WeRaise to Thee," Hymn Book, p. 46. Prayer. 12. AN EVENING WITH ZION'S HYMN WRITERS Singing, "Truth Reflects Upon Our Senses" — Hymn Book, p. 297. Prayer. — Singing, "How Great the Wisdom and the Love" Hymn Book, p. 401. Sketch of the life of Eliza R. Snow. (See Church History, Historical Record, Biographical Encyclopedia, Y. L. M. I. A. History.) Singing, "I'll Serve the Lord while I am Young" — Hymn Book, p. 367. Reading, "Evening Thoughts," or "What it is to be a Saint," poems by E. R. Snow, Vol. I, p. 3. Or, "Let those who would be Saints Indeed" — Hymn Book, p. 182. Singing, "The Tide of Time is Ebbing Low" — D. S. S. U. Song Book, No. 96. Lesson, The spirit of the hymns written by Sister Snow. — Singing, "O My Father" Hymn Book, p. 143. Prayer. (If desired, still other hymns by Sister Snow may be sung.)