--- 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: 26 number: 2 published: 1922-12 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* 26, no. 2 (December 1922): 207–214.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2602unse 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: improvementera2602unse start_page: 207 end_page: 214 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1922-12) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2602unse 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. --- # Mutual Work A Great Convention About 480 boy scout executives devoted eight days to the serious study of the problems of America, recently, at Blue Ridge, North Carolina. There were representatives from England, France, Canada, and from every state in the Union, all of which gave emphasis to the local and international character of Scouting. There were, besides representatives of many organ- izations such as the American Red Cross, the American Legion, Inter- national 5f. M. C. A., National Catholic Welfare Council, International Sun- day School Association, Community Center and Playground Movements, which assured the conference of their hearty cooperation in the extension of the movement. Each day was divided into ten distinct program sections. half of which were for the whole conference, and half for group meetings. This provided oppor- tunity for the study and discus- sion of practically every phase of scout executives' work. Organiza- tion, recreations, exhibits of local council methods, camping, and other parts of the scout program, constituted an elaborate means of study between sessions. There were also motion pictures of scout activities, nature study hikes into the mountains, and rest periods, fit- ting the delegates for the strenu- ous work of the conference. There was a training school for scout executives, under the leadership of Chief Scout Executive James E. Wlest, and other leaders. "Ser- James Wilder, head of Sea-Scouting, vice," the battle cry of the scout Boy Scouts of America; Oscar A. Kirk- movement, was here discussed. Re< ham, Executive Director Y. M. M. I. ports on the principle phases of A., Salt Lake Council, Boy Scouts of the scout executives' job were dis- America, and Daniel Beard, National triLuted in printed form in ad- Scout Commissioner, Boy Scouts of vance of the conference so that the America, who sent the following greet- executives came together to prepare ing to the Boy Scouts of the inter- to discuss these reports and take mountain region: "Boys, you live on action upon the recommendations. the backbone of our land; therefore, I Problems, such as, how to reach expect you to become the backbone the "under boy"; men must set of our Scout organization." — the example, exemplified by Prof- (Signed) Dan Beard, Chief, essor Herman H. Home, of the New York University in the words : "Men, be what you want your boys to become;" business efficiency, and moral qualities, were also stressed. The chief scout executive demanded that executives face facts, discuss them, deal only with facts of the Boy 208 IMPROVEMENT ERA Scout movement: its membership, its methods, its right to public confi- dence and support. There were special delegates from England, France, and Canada. — Captain Francis Gidney, camp director of the British Boy Scouts; M. J. Guerin-Des Jardins, who represented three scout organiza- tions in France, and John Stiles, from the Canadian Boy Scouts, whose words concerning practical experience in scouting in their own countries, received deep attention. The singing of the conference at the "fellowship hour"' was noteworthy as a definite expression of the under-current of spiritual life which charac- terizes the successful scout executive. The special "fellowship hour" on Sunday, on the mountain top, brought all the delegates together, who list- ened to representatives of the three great religious bodies in this country, Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish, speak on scouting and religion. The speakers agreed that scouting with its fine code of practical service, is a tangible expression in every boy's life of the faith in which he is trained. As a matter of fact, the churches of America have furnished over ninety per cent of the scout leaders, including scout masters. The conference went on record in support of the National Council's recommendation that no scout- ing activity should take place on Sunday, which is not in harmony with the religious conviction and customs of the church people. The conference was strong for more expert training of our scout lead- ers, for wider expansion of sea scouting, for a renewed emphasis on the romance and adventure bound up in the Boy Scout program, and for an aggressive measure to secure volunteer leadership essential to meet the de- mands of the boyhood of America for this form of training. The National Council reported that the affairs of the Boy Scouts of America as an or- ganization were never in better shape. The membership today is well over the half million mark, some 120,000 of whom are volunteer leaders, scout- masters, members of local councils and others. This second bi-ennial con- ference of men who are giving their full time to leadership in this movement was regarded by the officers and friends of the Boy Scouts of America as bringing this important work for boys to a point of departure in its his- tory, from which it is certain a great expansion of the movement will take place. Hundreds of thousands of boys are waiting to join the movement. The measures adopted at the conferences were all for more effective ad- ministrative leadership. Through the cooperation of many national organ- izations, including churches and schools, the volunteer leadership in scout- ing, so indispensable for the maintenance and increase of boy membership, will doubtless be received. Scout executives George A. Goates, Ogden; Victor Lindblad, Logan, and A. A. Anderson, Provo; and Dr. George R. Hill, Logan, were in attendance. Scout Executive Oscar A. Kirkham had the privilege and pleasure of taking part in the program, and he presided at one of the general services, at which he had the honor of being introduced to the French delegate of the conference. Later, through the courtesy of this delegate, M. J. Guerin- Des Jardins, he was made an honorary member of the Boy Scouts of France. As a general summary of the conference, this might be of interest, taken from The Scout Executive: This conference reiterated its loyalty to church, home and school; This conference has solemnized us, America expects so much of us. This conference has humbled us; We have made such little progress. This conference has heartened us, It has given us new hopes and aspirations and new tools to work with. MUTUAL WORK 209 This conference has challenged us, It has given us the vision of great and glorious conquest. Suggestive Method for Securing Members The Y. M. M. I. A. of the Church has a membership of 42,000 at present. In order to obtain the desired 50,000, it means that our number must increase to the extent of slightly more than 20 per cent. The mem- bership committee of each ward should provide a list of non-members and divide the names among their members and additional workers. The com- mittee and workers should make a special study of the people to be ap- proached. It is of the utmost importance that methods of approach be given most thorough consideration as well. Organize thoroughly the forces to be applied in this campaign and provide for a system of regular reporting and systematic checking. It is urged that the membershipi committe eof eacb stake and ward read carefully the various methods of securing new mem- bers as given in the Handbook, and that they seek the Lord for inspiration and ability to reach the heart of prospective members. Stimulate the workers with the thought, "He can who thinks he can." The Association itself can aid in the work: (1) By proper example by its officers. (2) By having officers who understand tbeir business, and will apply themselves. (3) By good class preparation on the part of the officers and present members. (4) By a first class social and activity pro- gram. Leadership Week At the Brigham Young University has been announced for the week commencing January 22. The program for this year will follow some- what the general plan as established last year and which was so very suc- cessful. New features and lecturers will be included on the program of the various departments so that not only new subject matter but also new method of attack will be introduced. It is hoped by authorities of the insti- tution that the attendance will be even more representative than was the case last year, although over half of the stakes had someone in attendance last year. Leadership Week is conducted under the auspices of the B. Y. U. Extension Division. Have an Objective Thomas A. Beal. Member- of the General Board In order to develope faith and initiative one must carry some responsi- bility. Only by doing things for ourselves do we come to realize fully the importance of them. Things foreign to us are not as interesting by any means as those to which we have contributed. That is, that which is part jof our making, which we have added to, is the thing in which we are most interested. Those on the bleachers watching a football game are interested in their team's winning, but they cannot possibly be as interested as those who are actually in the game. In other words, we want to be in the game. The thrill of success is worth all the effort. But no one ever succeeded without work. Things do not come simply with the asking. Effort must be put forth on our part. By work and faith we may accomplish almost any human task. Did you ever read of any great man having succeeded without work. I think not. If you will read the lives of any of our great men, you will find that they not only put in the customary eight hours a day, but often twice that amount. But more than work and faith is necessary in order to succeed. One must, in addi- tion to these, have an objective. Too many of our young men are going through school and through life without an objective. They are like a boat 210 IMPROVEMENT ERA upon the sea without a rudder and are^iossed hither and thither with each wind that blows. They do not know where they are going. What young men need today is a goal toward which to constantly direct their efforts. Often it has become my duty to help young men find themselves. To get them thinking as to what they want to be in life. As to where they are going. I frequently ask my students what their objective is. After a young man, by careful analysis, has determined what his objective in life is, then he has half won the race. By diligent work and faith he is then sure to succeed. Fidelity to work coupled with an objective, is, then, the principal problem. Whatever one undertakes he should do so with the idea of mak< ing it the best. Efficiency should be his motto. Fidelity to work not only makes for success but for efficiency, too. Let me explain. In 1911, or thereabouts, Princeton and Yale were rivals for the football championship. On Friday, preceding the game at Princeton on Saturday, the English pro- fessor assigned a theme to his class to be handed in on the following Mon- day week bence. The game came off Saturday as scheduled, and Princeton won. The following Saturday a return game was played on the Yale cam- pus. Again the Princeton team was successful. The next Monday when the English class convened and the teacher called for the papers, one after another of the students answered unprepared, giving as their reason that they were so interested in the two games that they couldn't think of any- thing else. When the teacher was about to give up in despair, the last man on the roll, Sam White, handed in his paper. Not only did he have time to captain the Princeton team, and not only did he win the two games as the star player, but he also had time to prepare his theme for his English in- structor. This illustrates fidelity to work. Sam White was faithful to every trust placed in him. In your "M" work, young man, first have an objective, determine what you want to get out of the "M" work, have your eye upon the mark, then put your faith and best efforts into it and success shall be your reward. Bremerton Mutual The M. I. A. work is prospering greatly in the Bremerton branch, West Washington conference. Brother Emil Lundstrom, as president of the young men, and Sister Sydney Minnette, as president of the young ladies, are both putting forth every effort to make this year a greater success than any preceding year. These two are aided materially by the other officers and branch members, all of whom appear to take a great deal of interest in the M. I. A. work. In a recent drive, 100 per cent of the members paid their fund. But this is not the only line in which they are succeeding. In all other points, tending for 100 per cent efficient, they are showing marked success, and as the officers say, will not be satisfied with less than 100 per cent efficient for 1922-23.— Abrctm H. Cannon. What is the Hour of Fate in a Persons Life? — 7 p. m. Why? This is the answer: A person's waking hours are divided between industry and leisure; to a majority of mankind, seven p. m. marks the end of work and the beginning of leisure. It is the hour a person makes a choice of the kind of leisure he is to have. If you turn to leisure which means improvement of your mind and body and soul, you tvin; if otherwise, you lose. MUTUAL WORK 211 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? What shall a man give in exchange for his soul? The M. I. A. stands for a pure life through clean thought and) action. Ten Reasons why you should attend the M. I. A. 1. It places the boy and girl in companionship with the best elements in the community. 2. It gives unusual social advantages, and provides wholesome recrea- tion under proper leadership. 3. It affords them an opportunity to express themselves before the public, which in itself is a valuable training for the duties of life. 4. It enables them to discover their possibilities and to render actual service to others. 5. It satisfies every condition and want usually supplied by social societies, literary organizations and private clubs; and it teaches young men and young women proper conduct at dances and socials. 6. It develops the young man and boy in athletics, helpful games and scout-craft, and teaches the girl the essentials of home-making. 7. It affords them training in music, public speaking and story- telling, and helps them to find) their life's work. 8. It gives them something good to do; it keeps alive in them the ideals of their noble ancestors, and holds them in harmony with the spirit of the gospel. 9. It offers opportunity for the study of religious, ethical, social and industrial questions of the day fcsm a "Mormon" point of view, and under the influence of the spirit of the gospel. 10. It gives them pride to know that they are members of an organiza- tion of a hundred thousand active young people working for the spiritual, social, and intellectual advancement of its membership. The presidency and "officers of the 7th ward Mutual Improvement Association, Logan, Utah cordially invite you to become an active member through attendance at our regular services, every Tuesday evening at 7:30 p. m. On the Summit of Mt. Putnam, 9000 Feet Above Sea Level In the early morning of August 17, 1922, fourteen boy scouts of Troop 5, Hatch ward, Idaho stake, left for a two days' hike to the mountains. George M. Gooch, now deputy commissioner of Idaho stake, planned and 212 IMPROVEMENT ERA supervised the hike. They reached camp about 2 o'clock, which was situ- ated some 15 miles away at the foot of the glorious Mt. Putman. The greater part of their time was spent in hiking to various points of interest, and they had wrestling matches in the afternoon, and songs, games, and stories at the evening campfires. The outing was keenly enjoyed by all the scouts, and they experienced a few adventures in break-downs, loss of lunch and lack of water, which proved that they were real scouts. The Spirit of Scouting By President James H. Robinson, of the South Davis stake Scouting as the stake presidency sees it is a wonderful developer. It holds up to young men ideals of noble character, it illustrates the qualities essential to lofty achievement, it stimulates, encourages, and inspires our boys to be and to do something in the world. It teaches them how to acquire practical power and how to succeed in life. It also teaches them how to be cheerful and happy and to look on the bright side of life, and if there be no bright side, to polish up the dark side and make it worth while. It gives to boys healthy bodies through exercise and proper living. Good bones are better than gold; and tough muscles, than silver; and nerves that carry energy to every function are better than houses and lands. Heart-life, soul-life, hope, joy, and love, are true riches. Franklin said money never made a man happy yet; there is nothing in its nature to produce happiness. The more a man has the more he wants. Instead of filling a vacuum it makes one. A great bank account can never make a man rich. It is the mind that makes the body rich. No man is rich, however much money or land he may possess, who has a poor heart. Boy Scout work makes the heart rich and the life full, as we view it. If a man's heart is poor, that man is poor indeed, though he own and rule kingdoms. He is rich or poor according to what he is, and not according to what he has. Some men are rich in health, in constant happiness and cheerfulness, in that fine temperament which floats them over troubles and trials enough to sink a ship load of ordinary men. Others are rich in disposition, family, and friends. Boys, be so amiable that everyone loves you, so cheerful that you carry an atmosphere of jollity constantly around with you. And, of course, we have the right to expect that the good Boy Scout has learned all these lessons that he may turn out to be a good man. Now we all know that the chances are strong that he won't be much of a man unless he is a good deal of a boy. He must not be a coward or a weakling, a bully, a shirk or a prig. He must work hard and play hard. He must be clean-minded and clean-lived, and able to hold his own against all comers and under all circumstances. It is only on these conditions that he will grow to be the kind of man of whom we can all well be proud. Let him set his aim high, not forgetting to put his shoulder low, de- termined that through cheerfulness and hard work he shall accomplish something in the world. A Healthy People The annual death rate in Utah is only 8.2 persons per thousand popu- lation, as compared with 16.5 persons per thousand population in the United States at large. Dr. W. A. Evans, of Chicago, a noted hygienist, in an article published in the Chicago Tribune, October, 1920 said: "Of all the states, Utah has the highest birth rate, the lowest death rate and the least sickness among babies." MUTUAL WORK Y. M. M. I. A. Statistical Report, October, 1922 213 en U U T3 CO G 13 bo a l-J c eu CO cu 1-1 a o C V CO B ^j en STAKES u a u O a CU 04 0 u a c s 1 a u J a 0 a < cu u G a V o a a •a W T3 o "o •V C B V CO w «C u o u a u V cu x> a) u cs cu — .a 3 'c W co a 'S < < 3 £ £ C/3 u "c3 "1 .cj C cu in Ih o u "c3 o s 'c >£ H "a 'S J3 6 6 «« a "V . 1» o <4H ■!-> •V cu o Wi £ fc ow < tfl l-> H o< < Ui 1— > H Bear River . . 509 13 5 43 116 46 48 253 45 43 19 29 136 Box Elder . . 801 13 13 109 268 141 208 723 70 198 88 139 495 Carbon 360 10 j 4 71 32 52 ■155 54 20 35 109 Cottonwood 782 12 9 u 67 91 181 420 '63 40 65 130 298 1750 16 16 165 173 201 405 944 142 114 155 289 698 210 6 1 8 10 8 26 4 7 7 18 1148 | 11 11 91 158 181 279 709 76 107 '94 /•97 474 608 11 10 90 76 71 169 406 82 57 54 128 321 338 7 4 27 43 26 33 129 20 21 28 28 93 Mt. O'gden . . . 378 6 6 43 79 74 143 339 43 55 50 124 272 North Davis . 423 8 8 73 59 86 95 313 54 30 50 54 188 North Sanpete 800 13 8 153 65 82 123 423 4 6 5 8 23 North Sevier . 270 6 6 39 50 55 144 36 40 37 113 North Weber 644 17 10 '56 21 104 90 271 '46 17 73 60 196 Ogden 750 10 10 79 71 166 214 530 71 63 107 165 406 890 13 | 10 72 103 10'5 201 481 64 69 86 143 362 Roosevelt .... 325 10' | 10 I 77 104 55 101 337 44 49 27 58 178 San Juan .... 226 4 4 27 50 44 61 182 14 40 25 37 116 363 6 6 53 | 79 80 105 317 52 61 38 88 239 South Davis 497 8 8 62 77 125 176 440 49 44 62 117 272 South Sanpete 543 10 6 46 61 59 62 288 42 51 60 49 202 South Sevier 300 7 4 41 21 51 1 32 145 41 21 51 32 145 380 12 7 39 10 76 54 179 32 4 51 34 121 409 8 5 33 39 79 64 215 27 28 52 55 162 375 9 6 42 62 75 76 255 33 40 51 53 177 Maricopa .... 368 8 8 55 132 82 99 360 45 73 69 71 258 St. Joseph . . . 510 13 | 7 36 44 48 87 215 26 22 34 60 142 Bingham .... 500 12 11 80 184 172 156 592 69 107 88 96 360 Blackfoot 514 13 10 81 98 78 118 375 56 57 46 52 211 330 8 6 46 67 66 62 241 29 46 44 43 162 181 6 6 41 62 29 64 196 35 37 24 50 146 Franklin .... 339 11 8 61 66 85 | 70 282 42 54 41 33 170 665 13 12 114 | 153 185 217 669 83 114 115 165 477 370 11 6 48 49 40 65 202 42 32 36 47 157 Portneuf .... 340 15 7 48 1 24 66 68 206 32 22 35 50 139 Raft River . . 160 9 6 33 | 57 35 39 164 17 36 20 25 98 Shelley 349 8 8 67 99 79 109 354 53 52 52 72 229 Big Horn .... 298 6 6 118 132 86 336 74 74 61 209 | 190 7 5 '36 45 28 59 168 San Luis .... 210 4 4 41 42 62 56 201 37 37 50 23 147 Star Valley . . 334 11 9 77 76 102 95 350 57 46 59 56 218 325 6 5 33 64 59 66 222 Union 158 6 6 38 76 27 28 169 33 43 23 20 119 99 5 3 21 19 20 19 79 15 12 17 15 59 Lethbridge . . 247 10 7 46| 78 56 71 | 251 40 38 26 36 140 Note. — The forty-five stakes reporting make a very good showing for October. Stake officers will please stir up the ward secretaries to report promptly. There is no excuse. It is their part in the associa- tion game to be dependable. 214 IMPROVEMENT ERA Y. M. M. I. A. Efficiency Report, October, 1922 STAKES in IS 0.C4 h O <fl CO bo u 8 O i IH w c Eg 0.2 B u 11 T3V u «H ^) * £h Bear River Box Elder Carbon Cottonwood Granite Kanab Liberty . Logan Millard Mt. Ogden North Davis North Sanpete . . . North Sevier North Weber .... Ogden Pioneer Roosevelt San Juan Sevier South Davis .... South Sanpete I South Sevier | Summit I Uintah Wasatch I Maricopa I St. Joseph Bingham Blackf oot Boise Cassia Franklin Fremont Oneida Portneuf Raft River Shelley Big Horn Moapa San Luis Star Valley Taylor Union Young Lethb ridge 5 9 6 5 5 1 7 7 3 9 7 5 5 4 7 4 10| 4 10 6 10 10 10 1 5 10 10 6 9 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 6 10 3 8 10' 10 10 10 10 10 10 8, X 10 9 10 10 10 5 7 9 10 10 10 3 10 9 9 10 I 5.1 | 9 | 10 I 10| 3 I 5 5 5 10 7 10 4 10 7 7 10 8 10 6 6 10 10 10 10 9 10 7 10 6 10 10 8 61 10 10 10 10 - 10 4 10 10 ... 10 4 6 10 10 5 10 10 4 9 9 8 8 10 6 10 10 8 10 10 9 6 8 3 10 10 9 6 3 7 10 8 4 9 7 1 9 10 8 9 10 9 10 10 5 10 10 2 6 8 3 8 7 8 10 8 3 6 6 6 10 10 5 9 10 7 9 10| 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 4 10 8 10 10 10 10 10 10 4 10 6 10 10 10 9 6 8 6 10 8 10 8 9 10 10 10 7 8 10 5! 5 I 5 I 41 9 I 81 6 6 5 6 6 5 10 II 7 5 9 7 8 6 7 10| 8 5 9 10 6 9 I 10| 9 I 8 I 10 1 10 10 i 10 10 51 10 7 10 10 9 10 8 10 10 8 5 10 10 9 9 3 10 7 9 10 10 8 9 9 10 10 8 8 10 6 10 10| 10| 10 6 9 10 10 10 7 9 10 10 8 10 10 10 8 4 10 3 3 5 9 10 5 2 4 7 10 4 10 9 | 5 6 | 6 10 | 8 10| ... 10 | 10 10 5 I 10| 10|