--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Nelson, Lowry collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 25 number: 5 published: 1922-03 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Lowry Nelson, "A Laboratory for Leadership," *Improvement Era* 25, no. 5 (March 1922): 393–401.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2505unse 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: improvementera2505unse start_page: 393 end_page: 401 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1922-03) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2505unse publication_year: 1922 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 1922, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # A Laboratory for Leadership President Heber J. Grant and a company leaving the Brigham Young University building, "Leadership Week," Wednesday, January 25, after the general session. A Laboratory for Leadership By Lowry Nelson "I like to think of the Brigham Young University as a laboratory for leadership," said Superintendent Adam S. Ben- nion before the vast body of Church, social, and educational leaders, assembled at the leading Church educational institu- tion during the week January 23 to 27. The occasion was the Friday assembly of Leadership Week, a week devoted by the authorities of the B. Y. U. to the giving of a series of short courses designed to train and stimulate leaders for the various activities in the Church. Fully 3,500 people, in addition to the 900 regular students of the institution received instruction in one or more of the twenty-three different departments that were conducted daily throughout the week. There were forty-three different stakes represented by those who registered. Since all of those who came did not register, it is possible that this number might actually be larger. A LABORATORY FOR LEADERSHIP 395 The stakes represented were: Utah, Nebo, Alpine, Wasatch, the four Salt Lake City stakes, North Sanpete, South Sanpete, South Sevier, Juab, South Davis, North Davis, Box* Elder, Black- foot, Curlew, Jordan, Fremont, Parowan, Carbon, Lost River, Garfield, Deseret, Millard, Beaver, St. George, San Juan, St. Johns, Duchesne, Shelley, Franklin, Uintah, Weber, Juarez, Taylor, Blaine, Summit, Tooele, Woodruff, Northwestern mission. The average daily attendance was as follows: from 9 to 10 a. m., 800; from 10 to 11, 1,495; from 11 to 12, 1,640. The largest attendance during the week was on Friday, when the attendance during the third hour ran to 2,003. The general as- sembly at 1:30 each day crowded the College Hall beyond its capacity, and on Wednesday and Friday overflow meetings were held in the library. Even then, on these days, many people were unable to get into the meetings. These facts are given to indicate the interest that people are taking in the work. While the inevitable result of the convention was inspira- tion, a conscious effort was made by those in charge of the programs, to supply, first of all, information. Real meat and drink for those "hungered and athirst" was offered at the intel- lectual banquet board. In addition to the regular faculty of the University, there were over fifty special lecturers engaged during the week, comprising many of the leaders in the re- ligious, social and educational thought of the state. Included in this group were President Heber J. Grant, Presi- dent Anthony W. Ivins, nine of the members of the council of the Twelve apostles, two presidents of seventies; the two counselors of the presiding bishop; the Church school commission and superintendent, members of general boards of the various auxil- iary organizations; also the following educators in the state: Professor Henry Peterson of the Utah Agricultural College, Dr. E. E. Erickson and Professor Leroy Cowles of the University of Utah, President Guy C. Wilson of the Latter-day Saints Uni- versity, State Superintendent G. N. Child, and a number of dis- trict school superintendents and others. Original Students Present The week was unique in that it brought together again in actual school work many ex-students and alumni of the Brigham Young University and other schools. Four of the original class in the Brigham Young Academy were present the first day. They were, Dr. James E. Talmage, Dr. Geo. H. Brimhall, Joseph B. Keeler, of Provo, and S. D. Moore, of Payson. All met and recalled after forty-six years, those memorable days when they A LABORATORY FOR LEADERSHIP 397 all came thirsting up to quaff the waters of this new fountain of knowledge. Boy Scouts Encampment Boy Scout leaders came from various portions of the state and were provided cots and blankets free by the institution in the Maeser Memorial building. About fifty scoutmasters, as- sistants, and patrol leaders, were in regular attendance at the meetings and hikes during the week. Nature hikes were partici- pated in daily, and were led by botanists, geologists and other naturalists. A "Good Turn Box" wa3 installed in the hall and each scout leader was asked to drop an unsigned slip in it daily describing some good turn he had done during the day. The one doing the best good turn was awarded an orange rib- bon. In addition, there was a prize offered by Scout Executive Oscar A. Kirkham for the best scout song composed during the week. This prize, as well as one offered by the Daily Leader, was won by Mr. Claud C. Cornwall. The words to the song are as follows: The Scout Patrol (Tune: Peggy CTNeil) If vou want a group worth while, That's the Y Patrol. If you want a real scout smile, Watch the Y Patrol. Doing things with precision and snap, Put the scout program square on the map; Growing in fellowship, training for leadership; That's the Y Patrol. As originally composed the word "Iceberg" was used in- stead of "Y," to commemorate the first night the men spent in the Maeser building; when the steam was turned off on them. Subsequent nights the fireman was on the job all night. "The Daily Leader9' One of the interesting features of the convention for the visitors as well as for the local students and faculty, was the institution of the Daily Leader, a four-page mimeographed "pheet" published by the General Committee and distributed each morning. In announcing the policy of the Daily Leader, the "editorial staff" saw fit to remark in the first issue: We pledge its columns to he free from scandal, love stories, and stale jokes. It will be devoted to the recording of the daily temperature and temperament of Leadership Week. And say, folks, if you see anything you want around here, help yourselves; except the chairs, leave them. We need 'em. A regular feature of this new "daily" was the observations A LABORATORY FOR LEADERSHIP 399 of "Rube Harrison" (Professor H. R. Merrill). Interesting bits of news of the day and the daily program were also published. Social Leadership Work Popular The work in social dancing, games, folk dancing, etc., con- ducted during three periods daily, was one of the most in- teresting features of the convention. That large groups could be successfully organized in play was demonstrated when be- tween 350 and 400 people actually participated in play from 4 to 5 p. m. daily. The social dancing class was also large and some very valuable work was done in that department. Then the social hour for everyone, at 5 o'clock each day, gave the entire group the recreation they needed and made them better acquainted with one another as the days passed. Three days during the week Professor Sauer's band furnished the music for the dancers. Music and Art Much in Evidence Other things that were very much enjoyed by the people were the excellent music furnished by the music department, under Professor Jepperson, at the daily general assembly, and the art exhibits that graced the halls of the University. The exhibit of John Hafen's pictures was especially enjoyed by many of the visitors. Other exhibits included one of Samuel Jep- person, prominent Provo artist, and the group of paintings by artists in Church schools. Presidents Grant and Ivins Attend Hundreds of people flocked to hear the address of Presi- dent Heber J. Grant on Wednesday. This address: "The Fruits of 'Mormonism' " — was soul-inspiring, and many remarked that it was one of the finest that they had heard the President give. He was at his best, it seemed, and held the vast audience spell- bound for over an hour, relating faith-promoting experiences that had transpired in his eventful life. President Ivins ad- dressed the Missionary and Genealogical sections during the morning. "Deacons in Myriads" The Daily Leader accused President T. N. Taylor of using Church influence in getting the priesthood well represented and also asserted that there was something prophetic about his initials, T. N. T. "His simple word," the Leader continued, "brought the deacons in myriads and the elders in hordes. Seven hundred fourteen attended the two priesthood sections A LABORATORY FOR LEADERSHIP 401 on Tuesday." A large audience of Priests were instructed by Bishop David A. Smith on Thursday morning. Practical Needs Not Ignored While there was greater stress placed upon the training for leadership in Church activities, the every day needs of other people, not included in these classes, were given attention. For example, there was held a section for business men and one for home-makers. In the former section the lecturers included Stephen L. Richards, W. W. Armstrong, and F. C. Adams. The homemaking sections were very popular, and some ex- cellent work was accomplished. In addition to the general lec- tures which were given from 11 to 12 daily, laboratory demon- strations were conducted daily in the following divisions: mil- linery, quantity cookery, clothing problems, and two lectures were given on art in the home. In the section in millinery, ten hats were made by the women, under the direction of the in- structor. Evenings Well Provided For Each evening of the week was given over to some activ- ity at which the members of the convention were admitted free. The first night was a get-acquainted party; Tuesday night the students entertained; Wednesday night the college play, "Clarence" was presented; Thursday night the music depart- ment gave a recital, and Friday night a series of hymn illustra- tions were presented by the class in pageantry. A Need Fulfilled That such an event as Leadership Week fills a need in the life of Utah was eloquently evidenced by the overwhelming re- sponse given this year. As Superintendent Adam S. Bennion remarked, "It points the way to possibilities of which this is only the foreshadowing." President F. S. Harris, in summing up the situation, has this to say: Leadership Week stands out most prominently, not so much for what it was, but for the possibilities for greater service to mankind in the future which it suggests. It will become an annual event at the Brigham Young University, and the subject matter will be so arranged that the same people may return year after year and find a perennial freshness of information and inspiration. The response this year greatly exceeded our expectations, and has impressed us with the particular responsibility and the possibil- ities which the occasion carried with it.