Mutual Work

not interfere with the regular Mutual class work. Arrange

for the best time available. Suggestions: An hour immedi-

ately preceding regular sessions of Mutual. Start these

groups at once and see that each boy obtains a book as soon

as possible. Cover the ground thoroughly, making sure that

every boy gets the message of every chapter. Part IV, ex-

cepting possibly the last chapter, "Characteristics of a Good

Vocation," may be omitted with th3 sub-junior boys. Report

to the Committee on Vocations and Industries.

4. Do Active Work with the Seniors.

For the Ward Vocational Counselor to do. The vocation coun-

selor should see that every young man of proper age in his

ward attends the Senior class. This is a splendid oppor-

tunity for the Senior boys to receive a course in vocational

guidance. The counselor also should be in attendance and

co-operate with the class leader.

The Man of Tomorrow, price $1.00 net, postpaid $1.10, was ready

for distribution about December 15, 1917. Send your orders to the Im-

provement Era, Bishop's Building, Salt Lake City.

The M. I. A. stands for opportunity — First, to officers; second, to boys.

The doors are open wide, but unless the officers lead the way, the boys

cannot enter. We must do our part.

May the Lord bless you. We are glad to be your co-workers,

The Committee on Vocations and Industries.

Moroni, Snow, General Secretary,

272 IMPROVEMENT ERA

M. I. A. Activities

Scoring in Small Associations

A readjustment has been thought advisable in M. I. A. Scoring activities

since small associations in many cases appear to be unable to score the num-

ber of points required for the three colors. Hereafter there will be two classes

of wards: one class having a Church population under 500 members, and

the other, a population of 500 and over.

Wards having a Church population under 500 may win the colors, as

provided, by scoring 100 points for the Red color, 300 points for the red

and white colors, and 500 points for the red, white and blue colors, instead

of 300, 500 and 700 points as heretofore.

Wards having a Church population of 500 and over, win the colors as

heretofore — 300 points for the red color, 500 points for the red and white

colors; and 700 points for the red, white and blue colors. Population of

wards for the year 1917 will govern, and may be obtained from ward clerks.

All other rules remain the same as published in the Convention cir-

cular.

Social Work

The General Secretary of the Y. M. M. I. A. has sent the following ques-

tions to stake superintendents, calling attention to a circular, "Instructions

on Social Work," which was sent to all priesthood and auxiliary authori-

ties last spring, under the direction of the First Presidency:

The General Board now desire to know concerning the effects which

the adoption of its instructions has had in the various stakes in the matter

of social work, and ask the superintendents to answer the following ques-

tions :

First. Are the general social committees representing the priesthood

and all the auxiliary organizations, complete in your stake and in each

ward thereof?

Second. What is the M. I. A. organization doing in co-operating with

the Stake Presidency, the ward bishops, and the social committees, in carry-

ing out the circular instructions?

Third. What improvements are noticeable in the stake and wards from

putting into effect the plan outlined in the circular?

Superintenednts are asked to forward promptly the answers, in cases

where this has not already been done.

Ensign Stake Activities

The Speedometer, organ of the Mutual Improvement Associations of

Ensign stake, comes to the Era again, brim full of information concern-

ing the activities in that stake — among them a calendar for the month, the

preliminary program, and an announcement of the grand "Social Military

Encampment," held on the 5th of December, in Whitney Hall. The stake

pennant for October was won by the Eleventh ward. In the rtake activities

contest, the highest award was given to the Eleventh and the Twenty-first

wards, the red and white to the Twentieth ward, and the red to the Twenty-

seventh, Twelfth-Thirteenth, Ensign and Eighteenth wards.

At Camp Lewis, Washington, several Y. M. M. I. Associations were

recently organized by Melvin J. Ballard, president of the Northwestern

states mission. Some ten associations were officered with a membership of

from 150 to 250 there being 2,500 "Mormon" boys in camp from Utah and

Idaho. The classes are studying Dr. Widtsoe's Rational Theology.

MUTUAL WORK 273

Ethics of the Doctrine and Covenants

Lesson 10 — Ethics of Industry (Physical)

The habit of industry is one of the ethical virtues. An ethical virtue

is ethics transmuted by application into character. One's character is the

sum total of his habits.

A person who works only when compelled is lacking the virtue of in-

dustry. He has the habit of never doing today what can be put off until to-

morrow. He is automatic in deferring duty; any other course with him is

the exception. The one in whom industry has become a virtue is automatic

in aimful efforts. Any other course with him is the exception; putting off

is accidental. When industry becomes a virtue man enjoys his work.

Work — A Song of Triumph.

"Work!

Thank God for the might of it,

The ;.rdor, the urge, the delight of it —

Work that springs from the heart's desire,

Setting the soul and the brain on fire.

Oh, what is so good as the heat of it,

And what is so glad as the beat of it,

And what is so kind as the stern command

Challenging brain and heart and hand?

"Work!

Thank God for the pride of it,

For the beautiful conquering tide of it,

Sweeping the life in its furious flood,

Thrilling the arteries, cleansing the blood,

Mastering stupor and dull despair,

Moving the dreamer to do and dare.

Oh, what is so good as the urge of it,

And what is so glad as the surge of it,

And what is so strong as the summons deep,

Rousing the torpid soul from sleep?

"Work!

Thank God for the peace of it,

For the terrible, keen, swift race of it;

Fiery steeds in full control,

Nostrils aquiver to greet the goal,

Work, the power that drives behind,

Guiding the purposes, taming the mind,

Holding the runaway wishes back,

Reining the will to one steady track,

Speeding the energies faster, faster,

Triumphing over disaster.

Oh, what is so good as the pain of it,

And what is so great as the gain of it,

And what is so kind as the cruel goad,

Forcing us on through the rugged road?

"Work!

Thank God for the swing of it,

For the clamoring, hammering ring of it,

Passion of labor daily hurled

On the mighty anvils of the world.

274 IMPROVEMENT ERA

Oh, what is so fierce as the flame of it,

And what is so huge as the aim of it,

Thundering on through death and doubt,

Calling the plan of the Maker out;

Work, the Titan; Work, the Friend,

Shaping the earth to a glorious end;

Drawing the swamps and blasting the hills,

Doing whatever the spirit wills;

Rending a continent apart

To answer the dream of the master heart.

Thank God for a world where none may shirk,

Thank God for the splendor of work!"

Angela Morgan.

Procrastination.

"Be wise today; 'tis madness to defer;

Next day, the fatal precedent will plead;

Thus on till wisdom is pushed out of life.

Procrastination is the thief of time;

Year after year it steals till all are fled."

Rules of conduct leading to the formation of this work habit constitute

the ethics of industry. For a broad, sweeping but definite statement, cover-

ing physical industry, and providing for the elimination of the idler from

the group, see Doctrine and Covenants 75:29.

In the first sentence every individual is drafted into the ranks of indus-

try; the second sentence demands of the individual either divorcement from

idleness or a separation from the group.

Conservation of time is made a duty in section 60:13.

Provisions are made in section 42:42 for the placing of charity beyond

the reach of solthfulness.

The duty of full, free, and initiative service is set forth in section 58:

26-29.

In section 31:5 we discover an ethical principle providing for an equit-

able balance between service and compensation.

From a careful consideration of this text one is led to conclude that it

would be unethical to accept the promised wage unless faithful labor is per-

formed; and in the light of such a conclusion we can scarcely escape the

thought that for over-service provision should be made for more than the

stipulated compensation.

A rule against even a near approach to slothfulness is given in section

90:18.

Review Questions and Problems.

1. What part of the hymn "Do what is right" can be accepted by a

man who has no religion^ or does not believe in God?

2. What is the difference between activity and industry?

3. What is the difference between business and "buzzyness"? Illustrate.

4. Explain what is meant by a confirmed procrastinator.

5. At which door of duty does the thief of time find most easy entrance

into your individual life? Discuss the excessive holiday problem.

6. The habit of industry being a virtue, how can a sacred Sabbath day

be prevented from interfering with the joy-giving function of this virtue or

work habit? (See Doc. and Cov. 59:9-19.)

7. If ethics requires full service before agreed upon compensation can

be accepted, what would be the natural conclusion concerning both over-

time and extra achievement?

8. Dr. Carver, in his The Religion Worth Having, claims that the non-

productive become the rejected of God. What verification of this statement

do we find in Doctrine and Covenants 75:29?

MUTUAL WORK 275

Lesson Eleven — Ethics of Industry (Intellectual)

"With all thy getting, get understanding." Thus spake the Hebrew sage.

The relative value of physical and intellectual industry is indicated in

section 11:7.

The rule of conduct requiring one to study his duty is set forth in

section 107:99,100.

In the meridian of time the Savior voiced this great rule of life, "And

ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." Through

Joseph the prophet the Lord revealed what he refused to reveal to Pilate,

namely, what truth is. See Doctrine and Covenants 93:24. What a field for

study!

The here and now value of intellectual industry is emphasized by rec-

ognizing it as a basis for position and power in the hereafter. See sections

130:18,19; 90:31.

The duty of the widest intellectual effort is set forth in Doctrine and

Covenants 93:53, and not only the acquisition of knowledge, from a broad

field of information, but the delight of discrimination of the truth is em-

phatically proclaimed. (Doc. and Cov. 88:78,79.)

Sir Francis Bacon said that he had taken all knowledge for his prov-

ince. Impossible though it is for finite man to encompass such an ideal, yet

God has commanded that his children should seek for knowledge concern-

ing all things; without limitation as to place, time, or substance.

That the right to leadership is based upon the ability to see clearly the

way is most tersely set forth in Doctrine and Covenants 93:36.

Diligence is indispensable to victory. (See section 103:36.)

A study of section 9:7-10 reveals to us how closely intellectual industry

and inspiration are related.

Problems.

1. Quote from the Doctrine and Covenants in support of the rule of

conduct, "Shun the contamination of slothfulness."

2. Illustrate the difference between seeking wisdom and picking up

ideas.

3. Quote a parallel from the Doctrine and Covenants of this ethical

aphorism: "No permanent success without preparedness."

4. Give the Prophet Joseph's inspired definition of truth.

5. Psychology defines truth as a state of mental certitude; with this

definition, what difference may exist between knowledge and truth?

6. When is ignorance more than a misfortune, and what is the natural

penalty provided for the sin of not knowing what you have had the oppor-

tunity to learn?

7. Under what circumstances is it unethical to be ignorant?

8. Among the causes of failure in life looseness of mind is said to be

one of the greatest. Show how intellectual industry would remove this

cause.

9. Connect up the thirteenth article of faith with that great ethical rule:

"Overcome evil with good."

10. Discuss this problem from an ethical or human duty point of view:

Intellectual laziness is an unpardonable sin.

General Review Questions.

If religion has persisted for good with the race, and if the individual

and social life is fuller with religion than it is without it, is it ethical or

unethical to teach atheism? Why?

If the yearnings for immortality are accepted as among the good things

here and now, why is it unethical to deny immortality?

Why is it an ethical duty to try to be religious?

276 IMPROVEMENT ERA

Lesson Twelve — Ethics of Temperance

Stimulants, Narcotics, Foods.

He who is habitually temperate is possessed of one of the cardinal vir-

tues.

Temperance means abstainting from the use of bad things, and from

the excessive use of good things. As to what is good and what is bad, ethics

is dependent on the experience of man and the revelations of God; and

once again we are confronted with the inadequacy of ethics as to what is

immediately and remotely the best for the human race.

Even at this stage of development, when divinity, through the prophet,

and science, through nature, has proclaimed against narcotics and stimu-

lants, we find a majority of mankind thinking and speaking of good tea,

and good coffee, and good tobacco, and in some localities, good brandy.

The revelation recorded in the book of Doctrine and Covenants, under

the caption ot the "Word of Wisdom," furnishes material for a more than

up-to-date set of rules on temperance in eating and drinking.

Avoid strong drink. Doc. and Cov. 89:5-7.

The internal use of tobacco limited to the brute, and even then accom-

panied with danger. Doc. and Cov. 89:8.

Tobacco for external use only, 89:8.

Tobacco dangerous for external use without skill, 89:8.

Avoid hot drinks, 89:9.

Suit diet to the season of the year, 89:11.

Eat meat sparingly, 89:12.

Grateful cheerfulness should accompany eating, 89:12.

Limit the use of meat to necessity, 89:13, 14, 15.

Aim at variety in diet,. 89:16. Food selection should be based upon

suitability rather than upon economics and appetite, 89:17.

Health and strength centers are preserved by simple living, 89:18.

Frugal fare is essential to the highest intellectual achievements, 89:19.

Judicious control of appetite enhances and ensures physical endurance,

89:20.

Fortify against disease and death by consistent living, 89:21.

Problems.

1. In what respect has the Word of Wisdom been proved to be pre-

scientific in furnishing the race with the rules of health?

2. In what particulars has science and experience fairly caught up with

the prescientific announcement made in revelation?

3. In what particulars is evolved ethics still far behind the revealed

ethics of this document?

4. Perform this experiment in the class. Let a smoker draw his mouth

full of smoke, and then breathe it out on a white silk handkerchief. Note

how the handkerchief is colored. Let him now inhale a whif of smoke and

emit it through his nostrils on another clean white handkerchief. Note the

absence of color on the handkerchief. What's the conclusion?

5. Mr. McKeever, of Kansas, who is known for his reform work among

boys, and his activity in the "Swat the Cigarette" campaign, asserts that

nicotine may be extracted from the socks of the boy who smokes cigarettes.

What about the marrow in his bones? What about the hidden treasures

of knowledge for him?

6. Why should every young man and every young woman read The Lit-

tle Wrhite Slaver?

Note to the Teacher. Appoint two persons, one from the young men's

section of the class, and one from the young women's section, to answer this

question, and allow each ten minutes of the next session.

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