--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Beal, Thomas A. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 26 number: 9 published: 1923-07 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Thomas A. Beal, "Monthly Message to the M Men: Things Worth Remembering", *Improvement Era* 26, no. 9 (July 1923): 849–854.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2609unse 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: improvementera2609unse start_page: 849 end_page: 854 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1923-07) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2609unse publication_year: 1923 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 1923, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Monthly Message to the M Men: Things Worth Remembering Monthly Message to the "M" Men IX— THINGS WORTH REMEMBERING By Thomas A. Beal, Member of the General Board The power to grow depends on vision and the power to work. If we know where we are headed, have faith in ourselves, and give our best efforts to what we are doing, there is no reason why we should not reach the predetermined goal. Knowledge of what we are doing helps us to bend our energies and our faculties toward reaching the desired object. The power to grow is based also on the power to learn. Every day in our lives we should add to our storehouse of knowledge some useful informa- tion and if we do, we will die well informed. On the other hand, if we cease studying and learning with the completion of some definite time, information will cease and we will soon be an empty vessel. In other! words, information must be constantly added to keep the fountain of knowledge from drying up. , One of the greatest blessings our Creator has given us, and he has given mankind many, is the love of work. Success will come as a rule to the person who takes pride in his work. No one ever stirred the world by half-hearted effort. They who have become notable have usually been hard workers. But not only have they given their time and energy to their task, but their love has gone with it. Do your best and never trust to luck; love your work as though it were a living thing; treat every- body fair and square, and you will achieve success in any profession or undertaking. Usually if we treat others fair we will get the same treat- ment in return; as we measure out to others it is meted back to us. Also be good listeners as well as good workers. He who talks much usually accomplishes little. In this day and age of the world it takes a great man to make a good listener. Much of the personal admiration for people comes because of their ability to keep quiet and yet keep their ear close to the surface. The world needs good listeners in the noisy clamorous age when everyone is trying to get a hearing. He who listens discriminately is a valu- able person. Only he who loves his fellow nun with sympathy, tenderness and intelligence can be a good listener. Cultivate the art of being a good listener; cultivate the love of work; cultivate the sense of fairness; and promote the spirit of good fellowship and achievement will be the reJ ward. Leadership is the Thing From H. C. Sorensen, superintendent Y. M. M. I. A. of the Hyrum stake, we learn that one hundred per cent of the fund has been collected in that stake, and that good work has been done by the ward workers during the year. He refers especially to N. H. Shaw of the Paradise ward who has earnestly labored to place that association on its feet. He organized the scouts, the "M" Men, and a dramatic association. Through the latter he replenished the funds to the amount of fifty dollars for the first three per- formances, besides later placing a new community sacrament set in the 850 IMPROVEMENT ERA ward house. By following performances they were enabled to pay all their obligations, besides leaving thirty dollars in the treasury. The meetings of the ward have become very interesting. The musical talent has been organized, and the association's attendance was raised from thirty to as high as two hundred and twenty. The "M" Men's basket ball team won the honors, and the boys are ready for the baseball games of the summer. Other wards of the stake have done good work and are primed for the summer activities. An Excellent "M" Men's Class O. M. Cahler, president Vernal Second ward, forwards this picture of the "M" Men's class of that ward, the only class of the kind in Uintah stake. He says: "It has been characterized by an excellent class spiritby regular attendance, by class participation in the lessons, by social class spirit and a willingness to help in the Y. M. M. I. A. cause. We are very proud of this class and our testimony is that all Mutual Improve- ment associations should have this organization." Standing: W. Belcher C. Hardy, E. Johnson, T. Ellingford, E. Timothy, L. Gillman, L. Remington. Sit'ing R. Aycock, 1st assistant; L. Holfeltz, E. Shelton, secretary; C. Watkins, president of class; C. Eaton, vice- president of class; M. Calder, president of the Y. M. M. I. A.; and C. Colton class leader. New Superintendents New stake superintendents of the Y. M. M. I. A.: For the new Gun- nison stake, Ernest Halverson; of South Sanpete stake, Ray Chapman, Vern O. Kuudsen was chosen superintendent of the Los Angeles stake; Asael C. Lambert, on March 9, of the Yellowstone stake, and Leonard H. Whipple, June 3, of the new Oquirrh stake. Instructive Folders The M. I. A. General board have issued Monthly Special Programs, 32 pages of matter, including, besides the monthly events for the whole year, twelve joint Sunday evening programs under the theme, "The Faith of Our Fathers;" also the twelve weekly Sunday evening outlines, under the tille, "The Book of Mormon and Some of its Contributions," for associations holding meetings weekly during the summer months. Another folder contains a program in detail on Fathers and Sons* Outings to be held during July and August. Every leader who is to MUTUAL WORK 851 take charge of one of these popular outings will find these of great value and should be provided with a copy. The very important Recreatiorud Folder of some 32 pages of instructions to leaders was distributed during conference. This document sets forth some of the objectives and standards to be attained in our recreational campaign. Then we have the Song Folder, containing devotional, recreational, and M. I. A. songs, used during the June Conference. These folders are all of great importance to leaders of Mutual Im- provement organizations. Have you a copy of each? The New Reading Course The new reading course consists of five books as follows: 1. /// Nephi, Book of Mormon, containing very important prac- tical religious instruction, including the account of the visit of our Lord Jesus Christ, and his teachings, to the people of Nephi as they were gath- ered in the land Bountiful. 2. Companionable Books, by VanDyke. A book well worth read- ing. 3. Ox Team Days on the Oregon Trail, by Meeker and Driggs, con- taining thrilling accounts of pioneer experiences in Oregon and Washing- ton during the early 50's. 4. Including Mother', by Margaret Ashman. A book treating on the subject of the title*. 5. The Dim Lantern, by Temple Bailey. A novel. The books may be obtained from the Deseret Book Company or from any dealer in your neighborhood, either in sets or single copies. Price (1) the Book of Mormon, 75c, $1.50, $2.50 and up; (2) $2.00; (3) $1.50; (4) $1.50; (5) $2.00. The whole set, cash with order, $6.50, not including the Book of Mormon; where charge and mailed, $7.30. All charges must be endorsed by the biehop of ward. Holding Our Enrollment There is a general tendency for young men, especially in rural districts to quit Mutual Improvement work when spring comes. Many of our associations hold ihe'r meetings on Sunday evening. It is very important that young men as well as young ladies should meet and receive spiritual instructions on the Sabbath day, and especially in the early evening prior to their hours of courtship, when this instruction may prove a safe-guard to them.. A special program has been circulated containing an outline of twelve lessons for associations that meet weekly and Sunday evenings. Y. M. JVi I. A, Statistical Report, May, 1923 13 i. ^ "c fe " jj-a 13 T3 S* rtT3 v o c a a ""2 £ o o l- c STAKES 2o o c a 6 a. W V £ ens t3 a .2 E <D O .2 B o Eh 111-1 £ V ^ <u V ■6 S o a H £ o a a O w fc °u <W W W ob< « < < Bear River 509 | 12 12 94 244 156 1 203 69 7 60 | 80 | "59 95 | 294 Peaver .... 287 1 6 3 27 59 46 1 82 214 19 49 1 42 70 | l.c0 Box Elder | 801 | 13 | 13 | 108 | 327 | 183 | 290 908 78 203 81 141 503 Cottonwood 789 | 12 | 8 1 68 1 84 1 162 1 266 580 40 35 58 163 1 296 Deseret . . . I 454 1 11 1 10 1 80 1 190 I 110 1 170 550 50 102 | 50 94 | 296 852 IMPROVEMENT ERA Y. M. M. I. A. Statistical Report, May, 1923 •a u ,, xi "S! •c T) M o c c a S 4i o 6 O u u a ■s a •< JJ * a * a c •2 C u C t. c v E o B o B in 8 s S rt O rt O rt n STAKES 2o o P 6 i; o) •- . u •a a CO g 81 o |8 $ c toll 1J S"0 o co fc <W w w «<«< < -< Hyrum .... 500 10 6 51 79 89 116 335 33 55 39 55 ifio Kanab .... 222 6 4 32 58 36 70 196 15 21 15 22 73 Mt. Ogden 517 6 6 46 89 118 213 466 30 31 55 145 261 No. Davis 446 8 6 63 73 90 209 435 37 42 35 120 234 No. Weber 684 17 16 97 101 213 245 656 71 29 68 88 256 Ogden .... 800 10 10 85 95 324 242 746 63 34 108 127 332 Pioneer . . . 972 13 13 113 177 225 363 878 81 79 109 221 490 Roosevelt . 336 | 11 | 11 81 95 1 81|129 386 46 50 50 75 221 Salt Lake . 1067 1 12 1 12 119 185 | 167 1 400 871 80 95 70 230 475 San Juan . . 270 4 4 27 68 1 59 65 219 13 23 22 26 84 363] 6| 6 54 | 122 | 120 | 152 448 | 30 35 30 50 145 Bingham . . 500 | 12 | 11 83 | 201 | 95|169 548 | 54 102 54 89 299 Blackfoot . 514 12 1 8 78 117 95 141 431 1 62 93 74 110 239 Burley .... 358 10 10 77 148 122 135 482 55 88 78 74 295 Curlew .... 130 10 3 23 41 14 25 10<3 18 15 7 1 16 56 Franklin . . 357 | 11 1 10 91] 121 | 160 | 175 | 547 57 33 J 67 77 234 Fremont . . 6801 13 1 13 117 | 194 | 217 I 223 751 | 79 117 108 f 127 431 Idaho .... 117 12 | 6 47 | 73 1 22 1 47 189 22 34 7 | 20 | 83 321 | 8 | 7 58 | 50 | 142 | 139 389 1 37 37 74 74 222 Pocatello . . 1 432 | 10 | 10 | 84 | 76 |125 |159 1 444 51 25 51 80 213 Portneuf . . 348 113 84 | 105 111 | 115 415 1 46 39 47 52 U'4 543 1 15 12 I 86 1 137 137 | 165 525 1 64 59 73 8* 28u Lethbridge 116 | 10 7 46 | 61 30 | 36 1 173 39 35 21 2b 123 Y. M. M. I. A. Efficiency Report, May, 1923 STAKES >B \3 rt §.•-5 a So *> 0-5w bear River . . Beaver Box Elder . . . Cottonwood . Deseret Hyrum Kanab Mt. Og-den . . North Davis North Weber Ogden Pioneer Roosevelt . . . Salt Lake . . . San Juan . . . Sevier Bingham Blackfoot Burley Curlew .... Franklin Fremont Idaho Malad Pocatello . . . Portneuf Rigby Lethb ridge 10 8 I 10 I 7 I 10 I 6 I 9 I s 9 9 I 9 I 9 I 10 I 8 8 10 10 9 10 8 10 10 10 10 f 10 I 10 9 ] 10 5 6 8 5 I 81 5| 4 l 51 71 6 I 4 I 6 I 6| 5| 6 I 4 I 5 | 8 6 I 51 4 9| 4 6 J 7, 10 10 51 10 5 10 10 3 I 10 I 5 I 10 5 I 7 I 10 I 10 10 I 10 S I 10 1 9| 7. 7| 10| 9| 8| 10 10 | 10 10 I 10 10| 8! 10 | 8 I 7 10 I 7 10 I 4 51 10 5 8 9 4 6 5 8 10 3 10 8 5 5 7 9| 8| 10 | 10 I 10, 10 I 9| 81 9| 10 10 10 I 4| 10 I 10 I 10| 5 I 6 I S I 9| 9 I 10 [ 91 8 I 1° 9 6 9 1 5 I 9 10 41 10 1 8 9. 9J 6] 7 I 7 9 ! 9| 10 I 91 10| 10 I 9 I 10 | 10| 10| 10 1 9 I 10| ! 4 10 | 9 I. 9| 61 'J I 9 5 8 10 7 I 10 I 8| 71 10 8 10 9 8 8 9 10 10 10 9 10 4 10 7 10 2 8 5| 4 10 | 7 I 10 10| 9| 10 10 | 8 9 1 10 8 9 9 8 6 10 8 9 6 10 6 8 6 5 5 6 5 10 I 4 9 I 10 7 "9T 50 90 55 76 86 P3 83 85 75 §7 88 94 89 75 88 83 77 80 73 76 96 44 85 72 69 72 69 ^MIIfHIIIIIIIIIIllilllllllltlllllllUIIIIIIIIIMIIIIIIIIIIIIlllllIIIIIIJItlllllHUlllllllllIIIIIIIIIIIMIIIIIIIIIIIl IHirHlllllIIMIirilllfllllllllllllUIIIIIIIIIIIIflllllllllflllllL^ 3 = Messages from the Church Music Committee ^71 i 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ■ 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 f , 1 1 1 r 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1! 1 1 1 1 , M 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 M 1 1 M 1 1 1 1 [ 1 1 1 1 1 1 M II 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ! M M 1 1 1 J 1 1 1 1 i 1 M M II f 1 1 1 1 [ I M 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 > 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 i ■ 1 1 ( 1 1 1^ To the Stake and Ward Music Committees: Dear Brethren and Sisters: Arrangements have been made whereby messages from the Church Music Committee will hereafter appear in the Era, which is also the priest- hood organ, so it seems a proper place for this information and instruction to appear. The music bulletin will therefore be discontinued and each issue of the Era hereafter will contain this department. Your brother, Melvin J. Ballard, Chairman, Church Music Committee. On the Care of Musical Instruments in the Ward Houses of The Church One of the most general complaints which comes to the Music Com- mittee from visitors to the services in the wards of the Church concerns the neglect of our musical instruments in chapels and amusement halls. It is self-evident that the music service, either recreational or devotional, of any ward can in the main be judged by the pianos and organs which are used in its accompaniment. Choir leaders particularly complain that it is very difficult to get any assistance from the ward authorities toward taking care of these very necessary adjuncts to our worship, and the Mu- sic Committee takes this opportunity to draw the matter to the attention of bishoprics. Aside from the disagreeableness of an out-of-tune instrument, there is a real danger in permitting people to sing constantly with an instru- ment that is out of tune. Singers unconsciously accommodate themselves to the instruments used to their accompaniment, and the continuous sing- ing with an out-of-tune instrument, means the certain destruction of the ear of the vocalist and cannot result in anything less than poor song in any group so accompanied. Particularly with young folks is the practice of using an out-of-town instrument exceedingly harmful. Usually, organs are easier to keep in condition than pianos because of the manner in which the tone is produced. The reeds in an organ do not vary and cannot be changed in pitch except by long, hard usage or abuse, but care should be taken that the entire mechanism in an organ, to say nothing of the reeds themselves, may be kept in excellent working order. No instrument should be allowed to fall to pieces. Pianos should be tuned at least every three to six months, because with usage the strings relax and the pitch is bound to change. There are enough tuners who would be glad to make tours for the purpose of looking after these in- struments if application were made to them. Many might be induced to take their vacation in this manner if enough tunings were guaranteed to make the trip profitable. The Music Committee earnestly recommends that this matter have the careful attention of bishoprics and choristers and organists, and the summer is a good time to look after these instruments. A Choir Roll Book The Music Committee has received a number of enquiries regarding a suitable record book for ward choirs. It is believed that Eilers" '''Sun- 854 IMPROVEMENT ERA day School Superintendents' Pocket Record" will serve the purpose of a choir roll very well until a roll book is published — especially arranged for choirs. This record book may be purchased at the Deseret Book Co., 44 East South Temple Street, Salt Lake City, Utah, for 50 cents a copy. It is divided into a number of sections. In one section there is space provided for an attendance record. This spacing of lines is so arranged that there is room to keep a record of each member's attendance, both at rehearsals and at services for a year, by using two lines for each name. As there is much more room in this record than any ward choir will require for its membership record it is suggested that in this same section each hymn, anthem or other selection that the choir sings be inserted and a record kept of the dates it is practiced and the dates it is sung. Such a rceord of selections will be a great aid to the chorister in giving variety to his programs and in preventing a too frequent repetition of certain pieces. There are a number of sections in the book where items of various kinds can be recorded. For example one section is headed "Special Mat- ters Requiring Attention;" another "Important Things to de and When;" another, "Hints, Suggestions, Acts, Anecdotes, Illustrations, etc.;" and one for "Announcements." It will serve the purpose of a complete record of the choirs' membership and attendance, its musical activities and practically all business conducted by the choir. A Pocket Metronome In most standard compositions nowadays the exact tempo is indicated by the Maelzel Metronome, the designation for the tempo being indicated thus: J — 69, this being found at the beginning of the piece. While this gives the exact rate of speed where a metronome is available, one is left without this certain guide if he does not have access to this little machine, which is quite expensive. To provide choristers and organists with the means of determining correct tempo the music committee recommends "The Carl Fischer Pocket Metronome," a little instrument resembling a tape measure, one and one half inches in diameter and half inch thick, which can be car- ried in the pocket. Every musician, who desires to know the correct and exact tempo as indicated by the marks, in accordance with the Maelzel standard, should have this pocket metronome if he does not have access to the standard machine. Order from Consolidated Music Co., Salt Lake City, Utah, price seventy-five cents. The music committee recommends this help- ful little instrument. Full directions for use accompany each metronome. Alpine Summer School Instruction will begin on July 23 at the Alpine Summer School con- ducted by the Brigham Young University at Aspen Grove, nearly nine thousand feet above sea level. The school is open to all students of college sianding and to post graduates. Courses in biology, geology, literature, art, and other subjects will be given. Board and lodging will be furnished by the University at reasonable rates. Besides the regular school work, there will be a number of attractive social features, according to announce- ments which have been made by the University.