--- 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: 21 number: 4 published: 1918-02 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* 21, no. 4 (February 1918): 365–370." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2104unse 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: improvementera2104unse start_page: 365 end_page: 370 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1918-02) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2104unse publication_year: 1918 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 1918, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Mutual Work MUTUAL, WORK M. M. I. A. Bean and Corn Contests There were 715 entries in the M. I. A. Corn and Bean Contest; about 500 boys entered the Bean Contest, their work resulting in an estimated yield of 125,000 pounds. There were 215 entries in the Corn Contest and the yield is estimated at 43,000 pounds. About thirty stakes were repre- sented in this work. Most of the entries were in stakes lying between Pres- ton, Idaho, and Richfield, Utah. Field Secretary Oscar A. Kirkham had per- Field Secretary Kirkham with Boys in the Field sonal supervision of the work, delivering seed, and giving instructions to the boys on how to grow, care for, and harvest the crop. Richard W. Sloan, son of Mr. R. W. Sloan, accompanied Field Secretary Kirkham, furnishing an auto for this purpose, for which the General Board Y. M. M. I. A express their thanks and appreciation. The winners in the contests are as follows: Winners in M. I. A. Bean Contest Amt. Beans Produced Name per % acre. Prize. Address. Chas. A. Brown 447.6 lbs $25.00. .Springville 4th Wd., Utah stake Vernal Facer -412 lbs 20.00 Brigham, Box Elder stake Walter Toggant 400 lbs 15.00 .. Lewiston, Benson stake Hyrum Leavitt 385 lbs lO-OJ-^wiston, Benson stake Jesse Meldrum 325 lbs 5.00 ...Provo, 5th Wd Utah stake Leonard Hall 308 lbs 2.50 .Paradise Utah, Hyrum stake Llovd Forsgreen .285 lbs 2.50. ..Preston, Idaho Oneida stake P elley TimoAy L_ 284% lbs 2.50... Roosevelt Utah, Duchesne stake TrTM Will 284 lbs. 2.50. Payson, Utah, Nebo stake ReynoHsHarmer::::!?* Ibs.l 2.50. .Springville, WW Utah stake Olhello Bird 274 lbs 2.50 Springville, Ulan slake 366 IMPROVEMENT ERA Jos. Peery Peart 266 lbs 2.50. ...Richmond, Utah, Benson stake Glen Walter 262 lbs... 2.50. ..Richmond, Utah, Benson stake Richard A. Madsen 260 lbs... 2.50. Dewey, Utah, Box Elder stake Lola Stephenson 260 lbs. .... 2.50. ...Lewiston, Utah, Benson stake Winners in Corn Contest Amt. Corn Produced on Cob Name. per Vs acre. Prize. Address. Morris Gottfredson .1080 lbs $25.00.. Manti, N. Wd., So. Sanpete stake Dean Baum 930 lbs 20.00... Timpanogos Wd., Utah stake Gilbert G. Heaton 862 lbs 15.00. ..Moccasin Wd., Kanab stake Bryant Tingey 838 lbs... 10.00... Brigham Wd., Box Elder stake Harlow Boyer 770 lbs 5.00 ...Springville, 1st Wd., Utah stake Oakley Noakes 615 lbs 2.50. ..Springville, 2nd Wd., Utah stake Leonard Heaten 600 lbs 2.50.. ..Moccasin Wd., Kanab stake Thalmah Hasler 540 lbs 2.50....Provo, 6th Wd., Utah stake Mariner Cox 496% lbs 2.50....Bunkerville Wd., Moapa stake Clarence Durrant 496 lbs 2.50.. ..Pioneer Wd., Utah stake Albert Anderson 182 lbs 2.50....Provo, Utah stake Walter Mann 100 doz 2.50. ..Brigham, Box Elder stake Efficiency Reports for December We call attention of Stake Superintendents and Ward Presidents to the efficiency report for December published in this number. Study it over a little, and see how your stake stands in comparison with others. Note also the stakes that have not reported. These efficiency reports are not only use- ful guides for the stake officers, as to how their wards stand in our various activities, but they are a sure indication to the General Board of how the stakes stand. They are being studied very carefully. There is evident need in many of the stakes of greater energy, more push, promptness and effort, to make our associations efficient in many divisions of our work. A study of the report will show where this is needed. We regret that a number of slakes have not reported at all, and hope that for January we may receive a complete report from every stake of Zion. There appears to be difficulty in many stakes in getting the reports from the wards. This ought not to be the case. Secretary Lloyd O. Ivie, of Taylor stake, writes, as many others have done, that the reason the stake report fails or is delayed is, that the ward officers are neglectful in reporting to the stake. He says on this matter, however: "We are going to hit the affair harder than ever, until they want their reports in promptly on time." We trust that this resolution will be adopted as a slogan by every secretary in every stake of Zion, so jhat we may have a complete report for January, by the 10th of February. No re- port will be carried over. War Savings Stamps and Certificates The General Board of the Y. M. M. I. A. recently passed a resolution pledging the support of all Mutual workers to the sale of thrift stamps and war savings certificates. In a recent circular sent by Supt. Heber J. Grant, all M. I. A. officers are asked to do service for this movement. All officers are urged also to purchase, and to lend their best endeavors to sell, thrift stamps and war savings cretificates. This movement of savings and thrift has been highly commended to presidents of stakes and bishops of wards by the First Presidency. In carrying out the campaign, officers are asked to co-operate with their county committee in charge of this work, who have all MUTUAL WORK 367 the necessary government circulars explaining the wisdom and purpose of the movement which is to encourage thrift and at the same time help the government in the war. Work is the word, constant work counts. Read poem on "WORK" found in January Era, page 273. Blanks are promised to be sent to officer* for making monthly reports to be published in the Era, showing number of Y. M. M. I. A. purchasers and the amount purchased in each stake. The campaign is now on. Let our slogan be, "Work, Work, Work. Every Mutual Member to Purchase a War Savings Certificate." Associations are requested to this end to set aside the regular progra'n for the monthly joint meeting evening in February, and devote the time to carrying out the following suggestive program for Sunday evening Feb. 3 on Patriotism and Thrift 1. Singing "America." 2. Prayer. 3. "Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean." (Quartet or Mixed Double Quartet.) 4. Talk: "Why We Are At War" (15 minutes). References: Addresses to Congress, by President Woodrow Wilson {Era, May, 1917, p. 639, and February, 1918). 5. Solo: "Keep the Home Fires Burning." 6. Talk: "War Savings Stamps and Certificates; What They Are and Why We Should Buy Them" (See Government circular, "War Savings Stamps and Certificates.") (15 minutes). 7. Solo: "Sons of America;" or, "Meaning of the U. S. A.;" or, "My Dream of the U. S. A." 8. Talk: "How to Save to Buy War Savings Stamps" (15 minutes). 9. Singing: "Star Spangled Banner." 10. Prayer. How to Make a Better Mutual Bulletin No. 3 of the Salt Lake Stake Y. M. M. I. A. comes to hand showing excellent progress in the season's work up to the close of last year, the efficiency report showing special activities, attendance at stake and ward officers' meetings, and social work well in hand, with scout work, vocations, fund and Era, coming close up. The big problem for January was the in- crease in membership and attendance. The report gives some suggestions on how to make a better ward mutual: "Adopt system and an order ot business, use discipline, have reverence, pray and work for success. Open and close on time, adopt high ideals, use social and vocational work to help win members. Have better programs at regular and Sunday night sessions. Advertise, give your work publicity, keep a strict record of everything, see that a second invitation reaches every young man in your ward this month to attend mutual." Ethics of the Doctrine and Covenants Lesson Thirteen— Temperance in Various Things While a consideration of temperance is usually limited to a discussion of the control of the appetites, in a broad sense it would include restrain- ing and refraining from and exercising discretion in both physical ami men- tal activities. The book of Doctrine and Covenants is very specifi. and elaborate in pointing out rules of conduct in various lines ot lite. Avoid excess, section 59:20. 368 IMPROVEMENT ERA Be temperate in work, 10:4. Be temperate in sleep, 88:124. No question but that the lack of sleep is responsible for the existence of much disease, and the habit of night prowling and day sleeping is found by criminologists to be clearly related to crime. Late sleeping in the morn- ing is a very bad habit for young people. Obedience to the commandments found in the Doctrine and Covenants 88:124 would emancipate society from these evils. The venerable teacher, Dr. Karl G. Maeser, emphasized the thought of this paragraph, by saying to his students, "One hour of sleep be- fore midnight is worth any two hours after that time." Be temperate in speech. Avoid railing and boasting. Section 50:31-33. Let slanderers cease perverseness, 112:9. Avoid contentions, 136:23. The poet Charles W. Penrose preaches a most eloquent sermon on this theme in his inspired song, School Thy Feelings. See L. D. S. Hymn Book, page 405. Be temperate in recreation. Avoid much laughter. Sections 15: 88:69,121. We are here reminded of Oliver Goldsmith's famous line, "And the loud laugh bespeaks the vacant mind," and ignorance is sin? Be temperate in desire, 19:25; 63:16; 63:12. Problems and Review Questions. Justify the injunction against loud laughter on the grounds that all ex- cesses are evil. What conclusion might be drawn from these two statements: "The loud laugh bespeaks the vacant mind," and ignorance is sin? Show that covetousness is mental theft. General Review Questions. Wherein is it unethical for one who professes to believe in Christ to seek a sign, on which to base faith? Wherein does the book of Doctrine and Covenants provide for carrying duty of children to parents further than any code of human ethics can do? See Era article, September, 1917, page 1002. How does the great world war now on give evidence of the inadequacy of ethics? What part of the first article of faith provides for an acceptance of all the ethical teachings of Jesus? If no end to a punishment can be seen by the one punished, what kind of punishment is it to him? What state of mind may be called mental or psychic eternal life? Wherein is it unethical to unnecessarily destroy life of any kind? Quote the book of Doctrine and Covenants on this subject. Lesson Fourteen — Individual Fortitude Fortitude is courage plus patience, plus forbearance. It is first, the habit of standing courageously and patiently at one's post of duty; second, the habit of bearing affliction uncomplainingly ; third, the habit of forbearing from imposing unnecessary penalties. These three habits constitute in ful- ness the virtue — fortitude. Fortitude is not only temperance, but it is something more, in that it not only restrains but holds on and propels. It is perfect self-mastery. There is much of fortitude depicted in the poem in our last lesson. Kip- ling's "IP' is strikingly illustrative of fortitude. MUTUAL WORK 369 It would seem that the fates have declared that in every individual, forti- tude must be developed either through doing his duty or forbearing to do evil, or in the bearing of consequences. The youth who unflinchingly faced an unbelieving world with a illu- sion, and who as a man unfalteringly, in obedience to divine command, established the Kingdom of God on earth, and then gave his life in testi- mony of his loyalty to the cause of truth, was fortitude exemplified. The fortitude of Lincoln, it is said, saved the Union. That princely character, still our leader, who for years, without retali- ation, suffered the merciless, unjust ignominy of being daily cartooned by a press that later eulogized him, is a world example of fortitude. Towering above all other examples of fortitude is He who said, "Put up thy sword; thinkest thou that I can not now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?" To have the power of deliverance at hand and suffer on for duty's sake is fortitude in its highest form. The chief of all sources of fortitude is found in a reliance in something superhuman. Every character to which reference as a type of courage, patience, and forbearance has been made, was possessed not only with a belief in the triumph of right for right's sake, . but this belief was rein- forced by an unfaltering trust in a conscious power that would not permit a sparrow to fall unnoticed. Our divine text furnishes guidance for both the development and en- joyment of this great virtue — fortitude, for the cultivation of courage and patience. (Doc. and Cov. 11:18, 21.) Continuity of a virtuous life is set forth in Sees. 46:33 and 67:13. Forgiveness, a high form of forbearance, commanded, as enjoined in Sec. 64:9,10. Patience, here and now, an element of soul possession — Sec. 101:38. Divine presence promised through personal fortitude — Sec. 24:8. Joseph the Prophet in prison, a special lesson in fortitude — Sec. 121. Adversity accelerates the fortitude of courage — Sec. 127:4. Some sayings for the development of fortitude: "Don't give up the ship." "Sail on." "Do the best you can, and leave the rest with the Lord." — Joseph F. Smith. "The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but to him that endureth to the end." (See Eccl. 9:11.) "A soft answer turneth away wrath." — Solomon. "Danger lurks in rash judgment." "Overcome evil with good." — Jesus. "Beware of entrance to a quarrel, but once being in, bear it." Some day I hope that, without thought, I'll do the very thing I ought, In keeping on with duty's work, Without the tendency to shirk. I'll hold my tongue and stay my hand, Without the need of Will's command, And automatically incline To others' welfare as to mine. Froblems: (See Doc. and Cov. Sec. 98.) 1. On what conditions is divine aid promised in warfare." (Uoc. and Cov. 98:22.) , „ , „ „ • 099 2. What is meant by the words "revile" and "revenge in verse 23." Illustrate. 370 IMPROVEMENT ERA 3. Show the justice of the Lord's withdrawal from the contest as pro- vided for in verse 24. 4. Where is the hundred fold to come from as mentioned in verse 25? 5. How many hundred fold of compensation for loss is promised in verse 26? Wherein are the provisions of verse 27 good? 6. Why would it be a good thing for the unrepentant enemy to be pro- vided for in verse 27? 7. What is meant by escaping the vengeance of the Lord? 8. Correlate America's peace policy with the Germans, with verses 28 to 38, and also 41-48, and 43, 44. 9. What is the mental condition of a person entitled to forgiveness under the provisions of verses 39 and 40? See also Matthew 3:7-9. 10. What is the penalty pronounced upon an invader who repudiates indemnity obligations? Verses 4446. 11. To what extent is the estate and the heirs of the invaders held respon- sible for the payment of the indemnities? Verse 47. 12. Show the unrighteousness of the social grudge holding. Verse 48. 13. Note the special inducement to leave vengeance to the Lord (verse 45), and show wherein social fortitude is especially provided for by this doctrine. 14. What is there in this revelation that would form a good basis for a world peace conference program? Lesson Fifteen — Social Fortitude In this: lesson we deal with fortitude as a virtue of the family as a social unit, and the people as a social unit. The absence of fortitude in the family group as a social unit results in family feuds. The absence of forti- tude in the larger groups, nations and peoples, inevitably terminates in the terrors of unnecessary war. The problem of the ages has been peace, and it is still unsolved. This vexatious question once disposed of, productiveness will take care of itself. Evidently human wisdom has found no solution of this problem. Hu- man conduct has gone away from, rather than towards, the desired goal. Today the human family is looking in vain for a remedy for the direst calamity that ever befell mankind. The cry, war — war — war — reverberates around the earth. Civilization seems to stand on the brink of self-destruction. Let us turn to the word of God and consider the ethics of warfare from the standpoint of social fortitude, recorded in Doctrine and Covenants, Section 98:23,48. Problems: 1. Show that it takes fortitude to be loyal. 2 Wherein is fortitude more than temperance? 3. In which division are you strongest? 4. Give illustrations of the value of adversity in the cultivating of fortitude. 5. W at is the difference between habitual forbearance and willed forbearance? Illustrate. Which of these forms of forbearance is prefer- able? Why? 6. Illustrate the value of music in developing fortitude. 7. From your point of view, where does the word of the Lord to the Prophet Joseph reach its climax in Section 122? 8. Bear your testimony as to how the reading of this revelation affects you. 9. Compare the spiritual sublimity of the lesson on fortitude in Sec- tion 121:7-8, with the ethical strength of Kipling's "If." 10. What is meant by the expression, Many are called but few are chosen?