Monthly Message to the M Men: Faith

Monthly Message to the M Men By Thomas A. Beal, Member of the General Board V— Faith Probably two-thirds of the troubles of the world are caused by want of faith. At least a good part of the trouble now in the world, and in the more civilized countries, too, is due to lack of faith, not alone in God, but in mankind. If France and Germany could obliterate their doubt and mis- trust of each other and substitute for them faith, the political troubles between the two countries would soon disappear. Most of the troubles be- tween nations could be settled easily if more faith were exercised. Con- flicts between individuals, between capital and labor, and between countries would immediately vanish if the right spiritual insight could be obtained. What the world, then, probably needs today more than anything else is faith, more of the Christian spirit, faith in God and in humanity. Only by the cultivation of these can the great problems of the day be solved. If we would follow the admonition of the great Master and put his Spirit into cur hearts, all would be well. There is also another side to faith; it is truly the cause of all action. Because of his great faith, Columbus discovered this continent; Newton, the laws of gravitation; Marconi, wireless telegraphy; the Curtis brothers, the aeroplane, etc. Because of their faith the Pilgrims came to this country; the Pioneers, to the valleys of the mountains and built up this great common- wealth. Faith is, indeed, that which raises us from a state of brute selfishness and brute ignorance, and, leading us gradually on, from one high object to another, helps us to become familiar to the Sanctifier. When faith is once awakened and steadily kept alive, there is no limit of good to which it cannot lead us. All of us need to join in the prayer of the disciple9 of Christ, and say to him as they did, "Lord, increase our faith." God's help is promised only to those who help themselves. That is, he always lets us take the initiative in our actions. We must work out our own salvation according to our faith. We must believe in ourselves, believe that we can accomplish the task set before us. In other words, we must have confidence in the talents that God gave us, and magnify them to the best of our ability. Nothing was ever accomplished worth while by those that had little faith. "There are three kinds of people in this world," says a recent writer, "the wills, the won'ts, and the can'ts. The first accomplish everything; the second oppose everything; the third fail in everything." The shores of fortune are covered with stranded wrecks of men of ability, but who wanted courage, faith and decision. Many a person is said to be lucky or favored who succeeds in life. Little do they who remark that "chance aids them at every turn" realize the trials and failures and struggles which men who succeed have to en- counter in order to gain their experience. They who make such remarks have no knowledge of the sacrifices these men have made, or of the un-

484 IMPROVEMENT ERA daunted efforts they have put forth, of the faith they have exercised that the3 might overcome the apparently insurmountable and realize the vision of their hearts. Look around you, "M" men, and see who have succeeded, in the true sense of the term, and you will find that success has come to those only who were willing to work and to wait, believing that the reward would be obtained at last. In other words, only those who had faith in themselves, faith in their fellow men, and faith in God. Only that becomes real and helpful in life that is earned. "There is no Christliness without endeavor." We must earn our faith, and what is earned is helpful. The Scouts and the Y. M. M. I. A. . It may be well to read again a circular sent to stake superintendents last spring: We appreciate the splendid work which is being accomplished by most of our stake and ward officers in the interest of our boys, but it has been brought to our attention by our Junior committee, that in a few cases there is a tendency on the part of some of our scout troops to draw away from the Y. M. M. I. A. organization. In view of this, we earnestly request that, Men selected to act as scout commissioners and ward scout-masters be men of faith, integrity, and ability ; At least one member of each ward presidency should be an active member of the Troop committee; The Junior Manual should be made a prominent part of the Scout programs; The Stake Superintendency should meet at frequent intervals with scout leaders, and see that the spirit and atmosphere of the gospel be maintained in scout work. Knowing fully the responsibility that rests upon us, we request that you call the scout men together and impress upon them that scouting is but an aid to the Y. M. M. I. A., in which we are striving to teach the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. W]e are depending upon you to carry this message to the men in your stake who are interested in our Junior boys. We are very proud of the fine record which is being made by our scouts, and we wish to encourage them in their work. All scout leaders are, of course, Y. M. M. I. A. officers, and should be brought into conference with the other association officers at all times. Very sincerely yours, George Albert Smith, In behalf of the General Superintendency. New Superintendents Stake clerk Amos L. Fuller of the Curlew stake, reports that Elder Leo Cottam, stake superintendent of the Y. M. M. I. A. in the Curlew stake, having removed from the stake, has been released from the work, together with his counselors. Elder Bealy S. Cutler of Snowville, has been appointed stake superintendent Y. M. M. I. A. to succeed him. Fred W. Dalton, former superintendent of the Y. M. M. I. A. of Boise stake, was released to take the position of Church stake secretary and was also appointed to be secretary of the Y. M. M. I. A. of the stake. Elder Howard B. Anderson was chosen his successor, at the stake conference held in Weiser in November, 1922. Vern O. Knudsen was chosen superintendent Y. M. M. I. A. of the Los Angeles stake at the organization Jan. 21, 1923.

MUTUAL WORK 485 Fifty Thousand Membership Have you reached your quota? Is ten per cent or more of your ward population enrolled in the M. I. A.? Has each member of your committee brought in his boy? Have you used any or all of the suggestions in the Handbook for increased membership? Sixty -f we stakes have reported; Twenty-three stakes have not; In which list do you appear? Remember, that the salvation of souls is the greatest mission given to men. Mutual Improvement is our aim. Organization and Membership Committee, General Board, Y. M. M. I. A. An Appeal to Men and Women Over 23 Years of Age Every M. I. A. in the Church may well adopt the following appeal coming from the Seventh ward, Logan, Utah: Right Here and Now — Just How and When to Start Things The place to take hold is here. — Right here. And the time to begin is now. — Right now. If you don't know how to go at it right, go at it wrong, but go at it. All worth while things in this life are difficult. "Doing Common Things in an Uncommon Way" is the general heading of our lessons, following closely in line of our last year's course, "Sources of Joy and Factors of Happiness." This subject offers unequaled opportunity for enlarging your under- standing of your daily problems of life. "He profits most who serves best," and you learn by trying. We are here to serve you with every convenience for your good. We want you to come— Come now. If you have the stay>away habit that is throttling you, take hold now. You must conquer it sometime and every day you delay your fight, your enemy, grows stronger. What you are going to do some day may be a lofty dream. It's what you do today that means something. The only creed that will save your soul is the one that flushes your neart and thought and speech and deed now. The place to take hold is in the Advanced Senior Class of the Seventh ward M. I. A., every Tuesday night at 7:30. The M. I. A. Presidency cordially invites you to attend.

486 IMPROVEMENT ERA Y. M. M. I. A. Statistical Report, January, 1923 ■eg* , •*-> *■> +j «£ <o l. ® <o <v StJ -a ,2 to V c a &c oS a c cSo 3c V o .a <u d-a J 2 ® f-2 u% d-d C * 5 u e ^H A3 d d-M co o3 £ eg og 5S cj to ai ^ C ci O dj O ai ci STAKES O C .cm 6 o <0 «-3 Mo 4) O e cS H O Z wo --h IB ^.j <*J IB *j co a c c < SI < O Alpine .... 891 18 18 146 222 203 324 895 114 125 128 218 585 Bear River 509 13 13 100 259 151 193 703 81 135 77 113 406 Beaver . . . 287 6 3 26 50 39 66 181 23 44 31 51 149 Benson . . . 841 13 13 113 128 245 328 814 103 71 157 226 557 Box Elder 801 13 13 104 317 181 295 897 85 252 128 189 654 Cache 520 8 8 88 83 154 231 556 68 43 95 164 370 Carbon . . . 360 9 6 37 133 78 78 326 35 51 27 44 157 Cottonwd. 789 12 12 104 141 237 339 821 77 72 152 267 568 Deseret . . . 454 11 11 84 196 119 176 575 57 113 56 107 333 Emery .... 555 9 9 66 94 182 232 574 55 64 124 180 423 Ensign . . . 959 7 7 58 148 203 267 676 51 58 89 195 393 Garfield . . 250 8 6 37 104 100 241 28 72 75 175 Granite . . . 1869 16 16 169 227 357 621 1374 135 iii 223 436 911 Hyrum 500 10 9 83 100 134 158 475 64 68 80 86 298 Jordan .... 850 15 7 65 72 137 147 421 47 39 83 108 277 Juab 352 5 5 46 96 112 153 407 37 71 81 112 301 Kanab .... 213 6 6 40 63 31 ) 83 217 29 39 28 58 154 Liberty . . . 1183 11 11 102 315 320 1 442 1179 81 170 2'0'3 312 766 Logan .... 608 11 11 117 109 146 257 629 87 ' 72 107 183 449 Millard . . . 338 7 7 50 108 93 f 93 344 44 69 53 76 242 Morgan . . . 210 9 9 63 66 91 | 122 342 48 36 65 81 230 Nebo 946 15 12 112 180 225 | 320 837 83 80 125 210 498 No. Davis 446 8 8 65 78 99 1 193 435 42 34 44 129 249 No. Sanpete 802 10 9 90 120 233 I 316 759 70 67 135 218 490 No. Sevier 156 6 6 46 92 78 113 329 45 i 60 49 62 216 No. Weber 644 17 15 104 91 194 209 598 72 1 27 106 123 328 Ogden .... 750 10 10 79 76 223 1 241 619 63 1 33 121 146 363 Pan gu itch 283 6 3 23 57 60 1 79 219 18 1 39 46 59 162 Parowan . . 490 9 7 105 83 1 69 257 1 65 57 46 168 Pioneer . . . 960 13 13 "l03 190 228 1 360 881 73 1 97 119 216 505 Roosevelt 340 11 11 84 113 90 122 409 60 | 62 56 80 258 St. George 651 14 14 112 167 316 1 265 860 81 1 132 132 185 530 Salt Lake 1067 12 12 125 190 166 350 831 102 i 106 90 222 520 San Juan . 270 4 4 33 82 68 1 95 278 26 33 38 55 152 Sevier .... 363 6 6 52 99 104 1 142 397 41 66 60 91 258 So. Davis . 494 8 8 66 102 168 1 216 552 53 63 112 161 389 So. Sanpete 734 10 10 76 112 225 | 188 601 60 54 137 98 349 Summit . . . 359 11 11 78 60 145 | 167 450 58 42 79 91 270 Tooele .... 455 111 < 59 113 80] 83 335 37 56 33 35 161 Uintah 409 8 7 57 52 145 1 126 370 44 26 76 71 211 Utah 1399 20 13 115 140 254 1 257 866 100 110 215 270 695 Wasatch 375 9 9 60 95 137 | 112 404 46 49 71 73 | 239 Wayne .... 180 6 5 33 14 86 | 67 200 23 6 47 39 | 115 Weber .... 581 8 6 48 74 160 | 151 433 38 44 78 111 1 271 Mt. Ogden 407 6 6 47 81 111 | 196 435 39 51 69 174 1 333 1 :;innock . . 257 9 4 33 61 24 | 54 172 22 39 12 31 I 104 Bear Lake 395 11 11 76 97 130 I 189 492 66 60 45 123 1 294 Bingham 500 12 11 83 107 114 156 460 68 107 63 95 333 Blackfoot . 514 12 10 85 122 95 151 453 57 72 56 74 1 259 Blaine .... 460 330 12 8 9 8 54 113 94 99 360 36 61 55 62 | 214 Burley .... 339 10 8 55 109 98 95 357 36 68 56 63 223 Cassia 208 6 6 41 77 62 77 257 29 51 29 50 1 159 Curlew . . . 130 10 5 41 55 29 59 184 25 23 11 34 93 Franklin . . 357 11 10 80 86 165 172 503 72 71 97 110 | 350 Fremont . . 680 13 13 117 188 216 228 749 94 111 139 153 497 217 12 11 76 68 63 66 273 55 31 37 35 158 Lost River 127 5 5 60 80 49 75 264 36 46 43 36 161 Malad .... 317 8 8 62 67 200 116 445 49 41 126 82 1 298 Montpelier 392 12 12 85 133 120 178 516 61 64 55 98 | 278 Oneida .... 370 11 10 81 121 75 104 381 51 49 32 60 192 Pocatello . 420 10 9 69 74 105 29 277 56 48 65 88 | 257 Portneuf . 348 | 13 | 8 87 82 109 118 396 65 52 61 61 | 239

MUTUAL WORK 487 Y. M. M. I. A. Statistical Report, January, 1923 (Continued) S"3 in %? S3S 5 • ■»-> a > c •age ecu u • u c e •o <u u u •- e Bj'° u? u> cfO c t. c bfl -OS d °r eh oh o H d ID «i °2 00 c . Oi ft! «3 o «S o * tf STAKES 32 •Cm CO1 6 . c o a C<H CO • •3 V o 02 U G H cS 32 E o ■M CO -|_i CO * < 3 <-> o Raft River 160 9 9 52 121 48 | 52 273 37 62 32 35 166 Rigby .... 576 14 14 99 166 105 1 199 569 64 81 57 114 316 231 Shelley . . . 348 8 8 64 94 1 105 | 112 375 44 61 54 72 Teton 300 8 7 32 45 99 1 34 210 25 34 94 25 178 Twin Falls 204 6 6 35 73 14 64 186 35 35 13 40 123 Yellowstone 435 9 9 56 124 1 76 121 377 48 62 73 79 262 Alberta . . . 345 11 11 79 147 1 167 177 i 570 60 73 96 107 336 Lethbridge 216 10 10 58 137 85 96 376 51 79 53 74 257 Big Horn . 340 7 7 30 102 1 120 90 342 25 69 82 58 234 Juarez .... 120 5 5 30 45 1 30 52 157 28 40 25 40 133 Maricopa 368 9 9 68 151 1 121 148 488 55 84 75 90 304 Moapa .... 187 7 47 64 [ 61 90 262 35 37 44 64 150 St. Joseph 430 13 13 73 62 | 202 246 583 51 51 132 206 440 San Luis . 210 5 5 37 61 | 72 61 231 29 43 50 45 167 Snowflake 258 9 7 40 85 | 63 88 276 22 50 15 52 139 Star Valley 334 11 11 94 88 | 150 135 467 59 44 68 64 235 Taylor .... 328 6 6 51 150 111 145 457 54 36 70 96 256 Union .... 160 6 6 44 68 39 50 20-1 33 30 23 21 107 Woodruff 425 8 7 60 80 68 95 303 45 65 50 75 235 Young: .... 99 5| 5 30 | 30 | 57 56 | 173 25 23 32 37 | 117 Y. M. M . I. A. Efficiency Report , January, 1923 a X 5 d a O j « CO u CO u u n « o g STAKES CO u c i O * CO SB 3g — u o 3 c d be c u w •o a 3 «= o be cSiO « .2 to « •o CO . "3 *-> o d O O CO 02- O o TO to *** 10 10 10 10' 8 10 8 8 8 10 6 9 8 7 9 10 9 10 7 8 83 92 6 10 10 5 10 10 5 10 10 5 9 9 5 10 10 5 9 8 5 7 6 5 10 9 4 8 9 5 7 9 50 90 Box Elder 90 10 9 10 10 9 7 10 10 9 9 2 8 10 6 8 9 6 8 5 8 8 9 10 9 10 6 9 8 5 5 90 67 Cottonwood 81 Deseret 10 10 8 10 7 9 8 5 10 8 8 8 8 3 10 10 5 6 5 9 79 78 7 10 6 10 10 10 10 3 10 10 7 8 10 3 10 10 10 3 7 9 87 76 7 9 5 8 9 6 9 9 5 10 8 2 10 10 3 10 8 5 5 8 4 10 9 4 10 10 5 10 8 2 S9 88 41 10 10 10 10 10 10 9 9 10 10 9 10 10 10 9 6 10 7 10 10 7 9 8 10 10 2 10 10 3 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 9 8 10 10 10 9 10 9 8 8 6 9 10 9 10 7 4 5 4 8 10 9 10 10 10 10 9 10 10 10 10 10 10 8 10 8 10 7 10 8 7 3 5 8 100 S3 99 94 78 «1 80 North Davis .... 88 North Sanpete . . 9 8 9 8 9 9 9 10 8 8 87 North Sevier 10 10 10 10 10 10 3 10 6 2 81 N'orth Weber . . . 9 8 5 4 8 8 b 8 10 7 72 8 8 6 10 9 3 8 1 10 5 9 3 10 10 5 10 2 10 2 90 39 8 8 6 6 10 ■ 5 9 8 6 5 71 9 6 1 io 10 10 8 7 10 9 8 87

488 IMPROVEMENT ERA Y. M. M. I. A. Eff] ciency Repo rt, J anuary, 1923 (Continued) STAKES p. 3 03 U (0 s u o w -a o 3 CI S bo o u W S 3 O i» ake and 1 Officers' eetings "to U U Ul goS .2 ra to 2^5 o 5 O to cc.t! o o w 02 85 3* Kuosev eit 10 10 9 10 10 10 10 10 10 9 98 St. George 10 10 7 5 8 8 7 9 2 5 71 Salt Lake a 8 10 9 io 8 8 10 9 9 89 10 6 10 10 10 10 5 10 10 9 90 1 10 9 10 1 io 10 1 8 10 1 10 10 10 10 10 9 10 10 10 10 1 v 10 94 South Davis .... 99 South Sanpete . . 9 9 8 5 10 9 5 9 5 8 77 10 2 9 6 10 9 4 6 10 9 9 5 7 10 10 6 | 10 4 | 10 2 1 9 7 1 10 5 I 10 8 4 8 9 10 9 7 4 " 10 10 9 9 10 10 10 7 8 10 9 6 3 5 8 8 87 46 Uintah 67 Utah 87 Wasatch 91 10 8 10 6 10 10 7 10 10 2 10 10 7 10 10 4 10 9 5 6 10 8 10 10 2 10 8 3 9 7 54 Wei er 93 Mt. Ogden 94 Bannock 7 6 3 3 3 3 2 3 9 O 36 10 6 i 5 10 9 9 10 7 5 78 9 6 t 9 10 9 9 10 8 8 85 Blackfoot 8 fi 10 6 10 9 8 10 8 7 82 10 10 8 10 10 10 1 8 6 7 8 5 10 8 9 8 10 10 10 5 3 3 8 10 5 7 10 8 10 8 10 1 7 6 7 10 8 10 I 8 5 6 10 7 10 10 10 7 10 10 10 7 8 7 8 2 6 9 6 5 8 3 5 79 73 66 92 73 Franklin 86 10 | 10 10 9 10 8 1 9 10 10 8 94 10 10 6 10 8 6 4 5 9 10 6 10 6 8 9 10 4 10 5 4 67 Lost River 83 Malad 10 10 10 5 8 8 8 6 9 10 10 9 7 8 10 9 10 7 6 5 88 77 10 1 9 5| 10 ! 8 4 10 9 8| 6 7 6 9 9 7 8 5 7 78 77 Portneuf 10 9 10 2 10 9 5 10 5 4 74 Raft River 10 6 7 1 8 10 8 9 3 4 66 10 10 6 10 9 10 6 7 8 10 7 8 5 6 9 10 7 8 4 7 71 Shelley 86 Teton 9 9 8 10 6 7 3 5 10 10 6 1 7 7 8 9 10 5 7 8 8 71 Twin Falls 81 Yellowstone .... 10 10 10 5 7 6 6 9 9 6 78 Alberta 10 8 10 10 10 9 8 10 8 8 91 10 10 9 10 10 10 7 10 10 10 96 10 | 10 10 8 9 6 1 8 10 9 10 90 10 | 10 10 9 10| 10 8 10 10 10 10 10 7 8 10 10 6 10 10 10 91 9 7 Moapa | 10 | 10 10 | 7 10 6 4 9 10 8 7 10 6 10 10 6 9 8 10 84 83 10 10 6 4 10 10 6 10 4 70 10 7 6 5 10 9 9 10 5 5 76 Star Valley io I 5 10 5 9 8 8 9 9 4 77 10| 10 1 7 8 1 10 10 10 10 10 5 1 10 10 10 9 97 7 10 10 10 5 4 10 10 8 4 10 10 10 6 86 60 10 1 10 8 2 8 8 1 1 10 4 4 65 For January 83 stakes out <of the\ 88 organized, reported. The Du- chesne, South Sevier and Tintic stakes of Utah, and St. Johns of Arizona, failed to report. Los Angeles, heing organized on the 21st of January no report was expected. The showing is most excellent. A comparative report between January, 1922, and January, 1923, should show a sub- stantial increase in both statistics and efficiency. We thank the stake and ward secretaries for the reports. We trust they will fellow them up monthly for the remainder of the season. If we can report one month, why not every month?