---
title: Improvement Era
description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930.
authors:
  - Walker, Robert Sparks
collections:
  - periodicals
tags:
  - magazine
  - improvement-era
periodical: Improvement Era
volume: 23
number: 11
published: 1920-09
publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations
publisher_place: Salt Lake City
language: en
type: magazine
reference: 'Walker, Robert Sparks, "The Way I Go," *Improvement Era* 23, no. 11 (September 1920): 1007.'
source:
  url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera23011unse
  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: improvementera23011unse
start_page: 1007
end_page: 1007
rights:
  status: public-domain
  basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1920-09)
  source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera23011unse
  publication_year: 1920
  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 1920, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright.
---

# The Way I Go

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SOCIAL LEADERSHIP                             1011

public can and should supply the support. The Church has
taken up the problem of training social leaders. One representative from each stake has been called and given an intensive
course in community leadership. They will form the nucleus
around which may be built an effective leadership in social affairs.  These leaders, if they receive the unqualified support of
iheir community, will eliminate the greater social problems.*
      What the dances need is the influence of the mature members of the community, not only in rules and regulations, but
in actual presence. Furthermore, the participation of the old
with the young will develop an understanding between them;
the old will not grow so old in mind.
      Several of our communities have eliminated the worst of the
evils of the picture shows by requiring the films, or a large proportion of them, to pass the municipal board of censors. The
penalty for non-compliance is the revocation of the license. This
control has proved effective where it has been tried.
      The reading of better books can be stimulated through our
auxiliary organizations. The Mutual Improvement Association's
reading courses are an important step in that direction. And
there is a broad field of activity for literary associations, under
the direction of our auxiliary organizations, during the winter
especially. Something can be done to reduce the available supply of undesirable reading material.
    Athletics almost invariably provide wholesome amusements.
In the summer, baseball for the boys and volleyball for the
girls can be provided, and in the winter indoor sports, as basketball and volleyball, should be encouraged.
     The old-time community sociables might be revived and
perpetuated.   "Old folks days," ward reunions, fathers and
                                           I. A. field days, and
sons' outings, Sunday School outings, M.
many others   which  all help to maintain  a  mighty community
                  In the winter, picnics and  outings may be re-
 social standard.
 placed by indoor social activities.
      Social leaders are necessary, but it must
                                                 be remembered
                         direct.  Their achievements are in pro-
 that leaders can only
 portion to  the support they  receive.
 Pravo, Utah

     ^Arrangements   are being   made   for holding a one-week convention
                               for the   leaders to train three leaders from
 in each stake of the Church
                                  work, charities and teacher-trammg help.
 each ward of the stake in social
 - Editors.