--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - The General Auxiliary Boards collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 20 number: 6 published: 1917-04 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'The General Auxiliary Boards, "Instructions on Social Work," *Improvement Era* 20, no. 6 (April 1917): 548–554.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2006unse 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: improvementera2006unse start_page: 548 end_page: 554 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1917-04) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2006unse publication_year: 1917 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 1917, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Instructions on Social Work INSTRUCTIONS ON SOCIAL WORK 549 always be understood that no plan of action can be successful unless supported by public sentiment. Therefore, opportunity must be sought to present the work of the committee in the public gatherings with a view to enlisting support. Instructions on Dancing and Ballroom Management 1. The Hall. The committee shall see that the hall is , clean, comfortable, well lighted and ventilated. Where possible, separate cloak rooms for ladies and gentlemen should be provided. 2. Time of Opening and Closing. All parties should begin not later than 8:30 and close not later than 11:30 p. m. The frequent practice of playing the "Home, Sweet Home" medley should be dispensed with. 3. Prayers. All parties should be opened and closed by brief, appropriate prayers. 4. Director of the Dance. A competent man, who is tactful, and has influence among the young people, shall be selected by the committee as director of the dance ; if not already a member of the committee, he shall be made a member. During the dance the director shall have supervision of the hall, orchestra and program, and shall be the constituted judge as to what is proper and improper in dancing and deportment. When deemed advisable, he may be compensated for his service, such compensation to be charged as part of the expense of the dance. Where conditions require, the director of the dance should have such assistants as may be necessary. It is suggested that these assistants be young men congenial with the young people, and familiar with dances and dancing. 5. Duties of Director. Among the duties of the director are these: (a) To consult with the musicians prior to the evening of the dance upon the fitness of the music for the dances determined upon, and arrange that only proper music shall be played High class music is conducive to good deportment and refined dancing. Great care should be exercised in the choice of music for the dance, and the orchestra should not be permitted to play objectionable selections. (b) To be on hand promptly in order that the dance may begin at the appointed time; also to see that the musicians and reception committee are present on time. (c) To follow the program, preserving the identity of the dance. Dances should be announced by placard, program, or otherwise. Allowance should be made for some variety in methods of dancing, provided the different interpretations are similar enough not to be objectionable. (d) To insist upon correct position. 550 IMPROVEMENT ERA (e) To exclude, tactfully but courageously, undesirable persons, and to see that the use of tobacco, liquor, and bad language is not permitted in or about the building. (f) To see that all present receive proper introductions. Great care should be exercised in introducing young people to strangers. No young man or young woman should be introduced unless the person making the introduction can stand sponsor for his or her worthiness. Much harm has resulted from indiscriminate introductions. 6. Patrons and Chaperones. Patrons and chaperones lend "tone" and an atmosphere of conservatism much to be desired, and also add an element of real safety. Young people should be instructed that chaperonage is rather for protection than for restraint. Social committees should make it their special duty to see that bishops and other leading members of the Priesthood, as well as parents, receive personal invitations to, and are encouraged to attend, the dances of the young people. Arrangements should be made to insure the attendance at each dance of at — No. 1. Showing good position for lady's arm. — No. 2. Showing good position for gentleman's arm. INSTRUCTIONS ON SOCIAL WORK 551 least three parent couples, free of charge. Frequent changes in the personnel of patrons are desirable. Attention to these details will solve many of the problems connected with social life. 7. Children Under Age. Boys and girls under fourteen years of age, unaccompanied by parents, should be discouraged from attending evening parties. 8. Escorts. Young ladies may attend without gentlemen escorts, if properly chaperoned, but should not accept company home other than that with which they came. 9. Partners. Young men should bring partners, and their coming without should be strongly discouraged if not forbidden. 10. Position. Dancers should take such free and open position as will permit them to execute the dance gracefully, presenting a pleasing appearance. Most of the recent criticism of dancing is occasioned by the improper positions assumed in the modern dance. Any position which encroaches in the slightest degree upon modesty and refinement should not be permitted. The accompanying cuts illustrate good position. Nos. 3 and 4 — Showing good position. Miss Edith Barlow, head of Department of Dancing, Deseret GymAssonasium; Fred A. Jackson, President of the Utah Dancing Masters* ciation. 552 IMPROVEMENT EIIA 11. Square Dances. Square and line dances give variety and develop the spirit of sociability. Many have the idea that these dances are to be engaged in with much noise and stamping and at a whirlwind rate. This is not so. As much grace and dignity are required in square as in round dances. 12. No Special Dances Approved. The Church Authorities do not express approval of any particular dance. They expect all dances to be characterized by modesty and refinement. 13. Special Attention. In putting the foregoing instructions into effect, special emphasis should be laid upon the following : (a) Organization of committees. (b) Appointment of director of the dance. (c) Chaperonage. (d) Proper position. Contiguous stakes may unite in formulating plans for carrying out these regulations, and for perfecting other details to suit local conditions. The General Board of Relief Society. The General Board Deseret Sunday School Union. The General Board Y. M. M.I. A. The General Board Y. L. M. I. A. The General Board Primary Associations. The General Board Religion Classes. The General Church Board of Education. Approved by the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Dress The following letter has been sent to all women officers and teachers in the Church: Dear Sisters: Some months ago the Presidency of the Church addressed a letter to the General Boards of the Relief Society, Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations, and Primary Associations, calling attention to present conditions of immodesty in dress and social conduct, and asking that these organizations take up the matter with the women of the Church. The communication of the Presidency on these subjects was published in the editorials of the January (1917) issues of the Relief Society Magazine, the Young Woman's Journal, and The Children's Friend. We trust that if you have not already done so, you will give these editorials careful consideration. We call your attention, also, to the editorial on this subject, by President Joseph F. Smith, in the Improvement Era for December, 1916. Acting in accordance with the instructions therein given, INSTRUCTIONS ON SOCIAL WORK 553 the General Boards of the three women's organizations prepared and adopted a resolution on dress. This resolution was sent to the Priesthood authorities in each stake, and to all women stake officers. The latter have signified their willingness to adopt the same. The first part of the resolution applies to our sisters who have been through the Temple. These sisters have received special instructions from those in authority; therefore, they know their duty in regard to the proper wearing of their clothing. The last clause of the resolution applies to those of our girls and women who have not been through the Temple, many of whom feel that they are under no restrictions in the matter of dress. They thoughtlessly follow the "fads" of fashion. Manv of them wear sleeveless gowns and such extremely low-cut bodices and short skirts at evening parties as to bring the blush of embarrassment to the cheek of the truly modest man or woman. While the custom of wearing such gowns mav be thought proper in some circles, it is unfitting that the daughters of the Latterday Saints should be thus attired. An evening dress may be beautiful and becoming to the wearer and yet be free from objectionable features. The dress should be made to cover the shoulder and upper arm: the round or V neck should not be extreme: and the skirt not immodestlv short. Verv sheer material, while beautiful in itself, is not in good taste unless worn with underclothing which properly covers the body. Inanpropriate street and afternoon costumes are freauentlv worn. Extremelv short skirts and blouses with low-cut V's are manifestations of poor taste and indicate a lack of modestv on the part of the wearer. Blouses made of georgette crepe or other transparent materials are not considered in good form bv the best authorities on dress unless worn with a suitable underslip. Tt is pleasing to note that manv of the latest under bodices are made with a prettilv designed short sleeve. The desired result in these matters will be difficult to accomplish without the co-oneration of the dress-maker and home th^ stvles steamstress who have much influence in determining to be worn in anv communitv. Their assistance should therefore be souffht in bringing about these necessarv improvements. It is surprising that manv voting women adopt extreme methods of dressing under the mistaken imnression that such will add to their attractiveness. Good men th° world over admire the decentlv dressed girl or woman. At the oncers' meeting of the Y- T,. M. T. A- Tune Conference. 191* President Joseph made the following statement: "I do nnt think there F. Smith is a decent man in this citv nor in the w«rld who would not his decision unqualifiedly in favor of the lady who was aive — 554 IMPROVEMENT ERA modestly and neatly dressed in apparel designed to shield rather than to expose herself to public gaze, as against those who go about the streets half clad. I give that as my belief. I judge men by myself, to some extent, at least." Thinking men and women everywhere are giving the matter of dress serious consideration. Ideals of true modesty are being revived. At a recent gathering of women in New York City, dress was one of the principal topics treated. Among others, these sentiments were expressed: "Are you a woman — willing to go before your Maker and be judged in the clothes you have on? Do the fathomless V of your blouse, and that little girl skirt, most important symbol in the shorthand fashions of the hour, express your character? Do the gown and the hat you wear at this moment indicate your thoughtful intelligence? * * * Good women should have fashions of their own. (We) don't believe in appearing dowdy or queer, but (we) do insist that a woman's clothes should express her character not her — lack of character." Latter-day Saint women should be leaders in this movement. Officers, especially, should set the example. Upon each officer and teacher rests an individual responsibility to manifest her willingness to dress according to proper ideals. Each one should a«k herself: Am I measuring up, in this respect, to the highest standards of modesty and to my professions as a member of the Church of Christ? Baptisms in War Outnumber those in Peace Eben J. Robinson, president of the Leeds conference, Bradford, England, writes, January 10: "The year 1916 was the first year since the beginning of the war that the number of baptisms held has outnumbered those of a previous year in peace time. Last year sitxy-four were baptized into the fold. Mr. Henry Peel of the Anti-'Mormon' Society of Liverpool recently declared that 'more convert to 'Mormonism' are baptized in Bradford than in any other city or town in England.' This statement was sent to the British press for the purpose of arousing opposition. When it reached one of the prominent papers of Bradford, however, a correspondent communicated with Dr. Higgins of our faith and as a result there appeared a short but favorable advertisement of what the 'Mormons' believe. Thus- we find that where a blow was most intended a blessing has resulted instead. "Owing to the fact that we have but five elders now where in peace times thirty or more were to be found, practically all the branch work has been placed into the hands of the local brethren and sisters. We now have one hundred thirty-three local members holding office in branch presidencies, auxiliary organizations, or as teachers or special lady missionaries. We have thirty-six of the latter, all chosen from the local sisters. They are accomplishing much in spreading a knowledge of the gospel and making friends for the Church." f Hot Drinks are Not for the Body' A Testimony from Science By James E. Talmage, of the Council of the Twelve In the Divine revelation known generally among the Latterday Saints, and already extensively among non-members of the Church, as the Word of Wisdom, the Lord definitely declares: "Hot drinks are not for the body or belly** The real significance of "hot drinks" as here expressed is a matter of interest and importance. It is reasonable to say that the expression employed when the revelation was given to the Church in 1833 had the meaning common to the usage of that time. Such conception as to the meaning of scriptural terms is held by Bible commentators and critical interpreters of the Holy Scriptures, and it appeals to the unscholarly but earnest lay reader. Thus, the wording of the specific commandment that one should not covet his neighbor's ox or ass was a comprehensive inhibition against coveting another's property; for among the Israelites to whom the Decalog was first proclaimed cattle and beasts of burden represented wealth in a general sense. To the modern dwellers in cities, who perhaps seldom see an ox or a donkey, the commandment is almost without point except as interpreted in the sense of the early meaning. It is evident from a studious reading of the Word of Wisdom and other early revelations in the present dispensation, that the Lord used the language common to the time, such as would be understood without auestion by the people directly addressed. In the revelation under consideration we read: "Strong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies"; and the plain meaning is that alcohol in any combination or mixture is injurious to the body when taken internally but may be good for external application. Alcohol in an unmixed state was in that early day no common commodity, and in fact was scarcely known except to the chemist. The ordinary name for liquids containing alcohol was "strong drinks", and a plainer designation would have been hard to find. Again, in the quotations already given the word "bellv" occurs; and it is used with the signification current in that day, meaning the stomach or per-