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Editors’ Table

Improvement Era, vol. 23, no. 10, August 1920, pp. 940 to 944

Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations

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Theory and Practice

During the National Education Association session in this city in the early part of July, the people who were privileged to meet in the various meetings of the organization were delighted with the excellent thoughts and ideas that were set forth by the speakers, many of whom were of national repute. It must be noticed that one of the leading ideas of the speakers, and one that was practically referred to by all, was the necessity of impressing childhood with belief in God and, furthermore, with a love of one's neighbor: in other words, faith in God and service to man. One of the speakers in the Tabernacle, at one of the meetings, particularly referred to the passage: "Thou shalt love the Lord, thy God, with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind," and "thy neighbor as thyself," the great commandments which the Savior named the first and the second. He then dwelt upon the necessity of faith in God and righteous living, and upon visualizing the people of the nations before the children so that they might know their customs, habits, and ideas, thus learning to love their neighbor? through knowing them, for it was set forth that only by knowing our neighbors and becoming familiar with them, were we able acceptably to render service in their behalf. The question of loving God and having faith in him was received with great approbation apparently by the large congregation of teachers who were present and whose business it is to mold the faith and character of the rising generation

throughout the land. It was noticed, however, that on adjourning the meeting, not a word of prayer or thanks was offered to God, and this was the case, with perhaps one exception, we believe, in department and general meetings throughout the whole session of the rplendid and up-lifting gathering in this city. If we learn to know our neighbors, far and near, by having them visualized in picture, becoming acquainted with them, and so learning to render service to them, shall we not then learn God through becoming acquainted with him? And how can we become acquainted with him more effectively than by ap-

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EDITORS' TABLE 941

proaching him through the first step that is given whereby he may be approached, namely, prayer? Why not, then, let the example be set by those who stand at the head of the schools throughout the nation, of approaching him in prayer, so that the children, seeing the way, may learn to walk therein, love God, and render appropriate service unto him? A.

Program One-day Conventions Y. M. and Y. L. M. I. Y. A. and Religion Classes, 1920 Held Separate from the Regular Quarterly Conferences Dates Sept. 5. Bingham, Hyrum, North Davis, South Davis. Sept. 12. Benson, Fremont, Liberty, Logan, Salt Lake, South Sanpete, Shelley, Yellowstone. Sept. 19. Alpine, Box Elder, Cottonwood, Ensign, Jordan, Rigby. Sept. 26. Blackfoot, Cache, Granite, Nebo, North Sanpete, Utah. Oct. 10. Bear River, Ogden, North "Weber, Pioneer, Weber. Instructions

In twenty-nine stakes only, this year, will separate, one-day conventions be held. These will be for the M. I. A. and the Religion Classes. In order that these conventions may be successful, please note the following instructions: 1. Advertise your convention. Distribute the circulars; make an- nouncements in all public gatherings and in the local press. 2. Become familiar with the outlined work. Convention subjects should be thoroughly discussed with stake officers and those ap- pointed on the program. 3. Plan to secure 100 per cent attendance. Every association in the stake should be completely organized and fully represented. All M. I. A. and Religion Class officers and class leaders are excused from Sunday school to attend this convention. 4. Attend to details. Provide separate rooms for the M. I. A. and Religion Class Meetings. Notify the General Secretaries at least ten days prior to the con- vention that all arrangements have been made. Program —Sunday, 9 a. m. Joint Meeting of Stake Boards, with General Board Representatives

  1. M. I. A. work for 1920-21, month by month —Member Stake Board. This should be a brief statement as to general condition of the stake and of plans for carrying on each month's work.
  2.                           —
    
    M. I. A. Activities Member General Board.
  3.                                    —
    
    Pulling Together for Success Member General Board. Sunday, 11 a. m. —Joint Meeting M. I. A. Stake and Ward Officers
  4. Singing. a. Community singing. b. M. I. A. stake song.
  5. Organization of Social Forces in the Church— Member General Board.
  6. Discussion of Ward Problems— Conducted by Stake Board Member.
  7. Two-minute Talks by Ward officers on their attitude towards the M. I. A.

942 IMPROVEMENT ERA S'lnday, 2 P. M.—Y. M. M. I. A. Stake and Ward Officers' Separate Meeting

  1.                         —
    
    Teacher-Training Member Stake Board.
  2. The Efficiency Report, 1920-21— Member General Board.
  3. Helping the Young Man to Find His Better Self Member — Stake Board. Y. L. M. I. A. Stake and Ward Officers' Meeting
  1.                         —
    
    Teacher-Training Member Stake Board.
  2. The Efficiency Report, 1920-21— Member General Board.
  3. Helping the Young Woman to be Her Better Self Member Stake — Board. A brief, spirited talk is desired rather than a paper. Sunday Evening, "Church Patriots and Church Patriotism." Tho M. I. A. Slogan: "We stand for the non-use and non-sale of tobacco." This meeting to be under the direction of the stake officers of the joint M. I. A. organizations.

Religion Class Program Sunday Morning, 9 till 10:30 Meeting with Stake Board. Representatives of Stake Presidency. High Council and Ward Bishopric are cordially invited. 1. Address: Origin and management: a. Religionship of Stake Board to General Board and to Stake Presidency. b. Relationship of ward workers to the bishopric and to public school faculties. c. — Executive leadership and team work Representative of General Board. 2. Discussion.

Sunday morning, 10:30 till 12 Meeting with stake and ward workers, representatives of stake presidency high council and ward bishopric. 1. Class demonstration. Application of Teacher-Training work to — the six steps by representative of General Board. 2. Discussion. Sunday Afternoon, 2 till 4 Meeting with stake and ward workers, representatives of stake presidency, high council and ward bishopric. Program of teacher-training work for first, second and third sessions. 2. — How to develop a Religion Class lesson Representative of Gen- eral Board. Sunday Evening Address <20 minutes). The relation of Religion Class work to present so-

cial and moral problems — Representative of General Board.

Program of Auxuliary Group Conventions, for 1920 Held in Connection with the Regular Quarterly Conferences Dates July 31 and Aug. 1 —Taylor, Boise, Curlew, Raft River. Summit. \vavne. Aug. 7 and 8 — Emery. Millard, Alberta, Juab.

EDITORS' TABLE 943

— Aug. 14 and 15 San Juan, Bannock, Big Horn, Teton, Blaine, Malad. — Aug. 21 and 22 Portneuf, Pocatello, Young, Bear Lake, Burley. — Aug. 28 and 29 Panguitch, Idaho, San Luis. Sept. 4 and 5 — Kanab, Morgan, Lost River, Twin Falls, Oneida. Sept. 18 and 19 — St. George, Uintah, Star Valley, Union, Montpelier. — Sept. 25 and 26 Sevier, Deseret, Duchesne, Carbon, Parowan. Following the October General Conference: Beaver, Tooele, Tintic, St. Johns, Wasatch, Woodruff, Cassia, Snowflake, Maricopa, St. Joseph, Moapa, Franklin not set, Roosevelt not set.

Instructions With the approval of the General Authorities of the Church, arrangements have been made for the holding of stake group conventions during 1920, with the six auxiliaries of each stake participating. These group conventions will be held on dates as indicated, during the period of quarterly conferences, and will take the place of the former auxiliary conferences, in these stakes. All stakes are not included in this list, conventions hiving been held in them for the Relief Society, Sunday Schools and Primary Associations. Special dates will be arranged for by M. I. A. and Religion Classes, and said stakes notified. The program for group conventions contemplates that there slnll be in attendance, all stake and ward workers of six auxiliary organizations; that presiding authorities, the priesthood of stakes and wards and the general public shall be invited to attend and so participate as to increase their understanding and interest in all auxiliary endeavor; that representatives of each general board be in attendance to further the interests of their respective organizations. Itarranged to hold meetings that will offer practical and definite is assistance to each association, such as: General sessions where subjects of equal interest to all may be presented. Separate meetings of stake boards. Departmental meetings where definile and practical help is to be given to ward workers. This does not mean that the quarterly conferences will be supplanted by auxiliary conventions, but it does mean that one of these conferences will be devoted to the consideration of the duties and purpose of the various auxiliary associations. The presidency of the stake will have charge, and all necessary official business of the stake receive attention. The stake choir will provide music for all general sessions as usual. Inasmuch as the program of these group conventions contemplates the attendance of all stake and ward workers of six auxiliary organizations, it will be necessary to make special arrangements to accommodate the groups who must assemble at the same time in various meetings. All presiding authorities and priesthood of stake and wards are invited to attend. Programs Saturday, 10 — m. Regular Quarterly Conference Session. a.

— Address: "The Tobacco Evil By General Board Representative. 1. The enforcement of the law. 2. Encouraging our people not to sell. 3. Educating the people. 4. Proper legislation. Slogan: "We stand for the non-use and non-sale of tobacco." — Saturday, 11 a. m. Joint Meeting M. I. A. Boards. 1. M. I. A. Work for 1920-21, month by month— Member Stake Board. A statement of general condition of the stake, and of plans fot carrying on each month's work from October to May inclusive. 2. M. I. A. Activities — Member General Board. 3. — Pulling Together for Success Member General Board.

944 IMPROVEMENT ERA — Saturday, 2 P. M. Regular Quarterly Conference Session. 1. Address: "Organization of the Social Forces in the Church" by General Board representative. — Saturday, 3 P. M. Joint meeting M. I. A. Stake and Ward Officers. 1. Singing (a) Contest in Community Singing (b) M. I. A. Stake Song. 2. Discussion of ward problems, conducted by stake officer. ?. Two-minute talks of ward officers on their attitude toward the M. A. I. — Saturday, 4 p. m. Department Meetings of Organizations. —Superintendents and Presidencies of all Organizations. 1. Art of Presiding. a. Preparation.— 1. Council meeting, 2. Assignments, 3. Physical condition. b. Conduct of Exercises. 1. Attitude, — 2. Dispatch, 3. Order of Business, 4. Ushers. 2. Co-ordination and Co-operation of Auxiliaries. a. Distinctive. 1. — Duplication. -. b. — Co-operation. 1. Subjects, 2. Methods. Secretaries and Treasurers of all Organizations. 1. Minutes, 2. Rolls, 3. Reports, 4. Correspondence. Clvoristers and Organists of all Organizations. 1. Inspirational Topic: "Our Songs as a Moral and Spiritual Development." a. What songs to use. —b. Appropriateness of songs necessary.— c. preparation. "The Technicalities and Essentials of a Song." 2. a. — — Time. b. Rythmn. c. Attack and release. d. Tone quality. e. — — — Enunciation and pronunciation. f. Thought development and expression. (Song vs. Prayer.) 3. Duties of the Organist. a. As soloist. (Preliminary music, marches, etc.) Preparation. b. As accompanist (Announcement of the songs, interludes, chords for rising.) c. Piano vs. organ. 4.Co-operation of Chorister and Organist. a. Chorister and organist should meet to plan work. 1. Choosing — of songs to suit topics, seasons and special occasions. 2. Harmony of opinion relating to tempo and expression. Saturday Evening Social (Optional). A stake social, to be programmed and given under direction of the Stake Social Committee. Note: It is suggested that the Committee avail itself of the services of the representative of the stake at the summer course recently given at Provo. Sunday, 9 a. m.—Y. M. M. I. A. Stake and Ward Officers' Separate Meeting. 1. Efficiency report, 1920-21— Member General Board. 2. Helping the Young Man to Find his Better Self— Member of Stake Board. Y. L. M. I. A. Stake and Ward Officers' Separate Meeting. 1. Efficiency Report, 1920-21— Member General Board. 2. Helping the Young Woman to be Her Better Self— Member Stake Board. This should be a brief, spirited talk rather than a paper. Su-day, 10:30 a. m.— Regular Quarterly Conference Session. Address: Teacher-training. — Sunday; 2 p. m. Regular Quarterly Conference Session. Sutuiay, 7 p. m.~ (Optional). General Remarks.