--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Unknown collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 27 number: 9 published: 1924-07 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "Unknown, “The M. I. A. June Conference,” *Improvement Era 27, no. 9 (July 1924)*: 873–878." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2709unse 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: improvementera2709unse start_page: 873 end_page: 878 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1924-07) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2709unse publication_year: 1924 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 1924, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # The M. I. A. June Conference The M. I. A. June Conference The annual June Conference of the M. I. A. held in Salt Lake City, June 6, 7, and 8, 1924, was the largest in attendance ever held by the organizations. Over twelve hundred officers were regis- tered for the first meeting on Friday, there being 91 out of 92 stakes of the Church represented. For the outing at Saltair on Friday after- noon, there were 1,566 officers and representatives of the M. I. A. present. The general meetings throughout the Conference were especially well attended in the Assembly Hall and in the Tabernacle. At the Sunday evening meeting in the Tabernacle, the building was packed in both the body of the hall and in the galleries, and many were standing in the aisles. The department meetings were very well attended. In the two meetings of the Advanced Senior Class, officers from 3 7 and 39 stakes respectively, were present with some 60 to 70 persons present. A survey of other departments indicated that live interest was taken in each one, — the Junior and Scouts, the Senior and M Men, Finance and Publication, Standards and Recreation. The program was enlivened by many excellent speeches, coun- sels, demonstrations and exhortations, bearing upon the subjects under consideration, and treating questions of live interest to both officers and members. Two outstanding features were the addresses by Dr. Emmett D. Angell of Yale and Harvard Universities on "Recreation", and "Liesure Time — Our Great Opportunity;" and Dr. David Snedden, Columbia University, on "The Educational Needs of Our Times." The address of Superintendent Melvin J. Ballard, at 10:30 o'clock Sunday Morning, on "The Mission of the M. I. A.," went directly to fundamentals, and was of an encouraging and inspiring character for the young people pointing towards greater and higher things, not only through lesson work, but through recreation and other activities. Superintendent George Albert Smith was especially happy in his introductory speech at th'e first meeting in the Assembly Hall, and inspired the congregation of officers which completely filled that structure, with a spirit of enthusiasm which lasted during the whole conference. Other speakers, including President Martha H. Tingey, of the Y. L. M. I. A., followed with rich instructions to the officers that filled them with religious zeal and enthusiasm for their work. The very commendable public speaking and quartette singing contests are mentioned elsewhere in this number of the Era. Three days were taken up, practically every hour by meetings, 8 74 IMPROVEMENT ERA in departments and general sessions. Many excellent instructions were given in speeches and counsel by members of the General Board on topics of practical value to the organizations. Especially must be mentioned the speech — "Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord," by Dr. Adam S. Bennion; and "Scouting in the Y. M. M. I. A." by Oscar A. Kirkham; "Leadership and Membership in the Y. M. M. I. A." by Charles H. Hart; "Section in Adult Recreation" by Heber C. Iverson; "Adolescent Recreation" by Charlotte Stewart; "Mental Health" by Dr. E. G. Gowans; "Play Activities" by James R. Griffith and Ann Nebeker; "The Boy — Our Greatest Asset" by Bryant S. Hinckley; "Looking Forward in M Men's Work" by Dr. John A. Widtsoe; "Annual Fathers and Sons' and Y. M. M. I. A. Leaders' Outings," by Superintendent Richard R. Lyman; "An Ac- count of the National Scout Conference" by President Anthony W. Ivins; "The Y. M. M. I. A. Leader," by Thomas H. Burton and Don Carlos Wood; "Completing the Organization Prior to Fall Con- ventions," Ernest P. Horsley; "Cooperating with the Priesthood in Early Selection of Officers," by Hyrum G. Smith; and "Real Teach- ing— A Challenge" by Dr. Adam S. Bennion. To these must be added the inspirational exercises and speeches under the direction of the First Presidency of the Church given at 2 o'clock on Sunday, the music being furnished by the Tabernacle choir, A. C. Lund, director; and at which meeting Presidents Heber J. Grant, Charles W. Penrose and Anthony W. Ivins spoke, the latter directing his remarks to the M. I. A. Slogans. A luncheon at noon on Saturday was given by the General Board Y. M. M. I. A. to the stake superintendents practically all of the stakes being represented. It was a very congenial and pleasant affair. Among the items presented to the superintendents and ac- cepted by them was the matter of an increase in the general fund from 25c to 35c a member. This matter was laid before the meeting by Superintendent Melvin J. Ballard and enthusiastically and unanim- ously accepted, the object being, among other things, to increase the field activity, by the employment of an additional field secretary, and also under certain conditions, explained in the Y . M. M. I. A. Hand Book, a new edition of which is ready for circulation, by which the stakes are to receive a certain percent refund when 100% of the fund is paid. It was unanimously resolved that the Era subscriptions be placed on a cash basis; that is, that no credit be given hereafter. This was done to save expenses and losses incurred in keeping so many accounts, and to avoid so much clerical work in the general office arising from the credit system. The proposition was made by Superintendent Melvin J. Ballard of the Finance and Publications Committee, in behalf of the Superintendency and General Board, and met with hearty response, and we trust will meet the favor of our subscribers as good THE M. I. A. JUNE CONFERENCE 875 naturedly and as heartily as it was met by the superintendents. Be- ginning now and for the next volume, we ask that our subscribers pay in advance for the magazine, to save expenses, errors, losses, and misunderstandings that naturally arise where credit is extended. Cash down, we believe, will be more agreeable, both to the subscribers and the general office, and we are sure it will save much annoyance and labor. The singing and the choruses at the various general meetings and at Saltair were especially excellent, among the singers being the Cottonwood men's chorus, Wm. F. Robinson, conductor, the Y. L. M. I. A. chorus, Evangeline T. Beesley, conductor; the Pioneer stake ladies' chorus, Inez Preece conductor; the Swanee Singers, who fur- nished music for the Saturday evening program in the Assembly Hall, Gerrett DeJong, conductor; the Boy Scout band, John Held, con- ductor; and the Y. L. M. I. A. band, Parley Young, conductor. Practical demonstrations of music were given in the Music department by B. Cecil Gates; and "Community Singing in the M. I. A.," was treated by Claude C. Cornwall. On Sunday morning, at 8:30, over 2,000 officers attended the testimony meeting, held in the Assembly Hall, at which 33 stakes were represented in the testimonies, and a veritable spiritual feast was enjoyed. President Heber J. Grant and the General Superin- tendency of the Young Men's and the Presidency of the Young Ladies' organizations, with the boards, were practically all present. The in- spiration there received continued with the members during the day in their various meetings, and we trust will long live with them in their local work throughout the wards and stakes of Zion. Perhaps the most interesting, because the most popular for the whole membership, was the closing meeting in the Tabernacle, at 7:30, Sunday, in which the slogan for 19Z4-25 was featured in eight living pictures. The slogan reads: "We Stand for the Commandment: Honor thy Father and thy Mother." A banner, stretched across the tabernacle, contained the slogan. Eight living pictures illustrating it were shown and explained under the headings: Appreciation, Obedience, Service, Good behavior, Con- duct which builds for character, Achievement, Faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ, and Honor. These pictures were given under the direction of the M. I. A. Committee on Standards in cooperation with the Primary Association, assisted by Erma Felt Bitner. The closing addresses were given by Superintendent George Albert Smith and President Heber J. Grant, the latter expressing his appreciation of the splendid work that the M. I. A. are engaged in, and particularly dwelling on the importance and value of the slogan that had been illustrated to the immense congregation during the evening. On the whole, while there were many things that could be itt\- 876 IMPROVEMENT ERA proved, the Conference was the most successful that has ever been held, both in point of numbers and attendance, and in instruction imparted. It is true that there being so many departmental meetings, where the representation was small from any stake, the representatives were un- able to get all the information, and some complaint was uttered on that account, for the attending officers desired to take advantage if everything that was said and done. The Y. M. M. I. A. is now preparing for the jubilee year (1925) of its organization (10th of June, 1875), begun by the inspiration of President Brigham Young, and his counsel and assignment to Elder Junius F. Wells the first or- ganizer, who is the oldest member in point of seniority, in the Gen- eral Board and who is still active in the cause. — A. Brigham Young University Tennis Team, champions of the state and singles champions of the Rocky Mountain Conference. Left to right: Lee Buttle, Reed Gardner, Hunter Manson, Prof. T. Earl Pardoe, coach; Knight Allen, Monte Groesbeck. Fred ("Buck") Dixon. (^Mutual Work Auxiliary Group Conventions, 1924 The Auxiliary Group convention season, with the Relief Societies, Sunday Schools, Young Men's and Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations, and Primary Associations cooperating, will open in July, 1924. and will extend through the months of August, September, October, and November; the last convention being scheduled for December. 1924. The plan heretofore adopted of holding these conventions in connection with the regular quarterly conferences of the stakes will be followed. The whole of the first day of the conference, usually Saturday, and the forenoon of the second day, usually Sunday, will be devoted to meetings of the auxiliaries. A regular quarterly conference session will be held at 2 p. m. of the second day, usually Sunday. The schedule of meetings has been simplified, fewer meetings are pro- gramed, but the work is none the less intensive and thorough. The general plan contemplates a joint meeting of the members of all auxiliary stake board. Separate meetings of the stake boards of each auxi- liary, with stake and ward officers, a public meeting giving each auxiliary opportunity to present its message and appeal to the people, and an interview of the general representatives with their respective stake superintendences or presidencies and secretaries. The stake and ward music committees and M. I. A. committee on recreation will also meet. The attendance contest among auxiliary associations is planned. The stake and ward organizations will vie with one another for first honors for attendance of their workers at convention meetings. One hundred percent attendance of all stake board members, and a full representation from each ward will be sought. Programs of the meetings will be distributed to stake and ward presiding authorities. Other necessary, general and special instruc- tions will be sent out from the office of the General Board Y. M. M. I. A. The success of the convention in each stake and for each organization depends upon the full cooperation, support, and attendance of stake board and ward workers, and the conventions are planned with no other thought acceptable than that every convention will be thoroughly successful. Reading Course, 1924-25 i The reading course books for the Mutual Improvement Associations for the coming season are as follows: Book of Mosiah — (Book of Mormon). $.50. The teachings of King Benjamin and the rule of Mosiah, recommending the first representative form of govern- ment in America. The Founding of Utah — Levi Edgar Young, $1.75; by mail. $1.85. A book dealing with the origins of western history. Benefits Forgot — Honore Willsie, $1.00; by mail, $1.10. A story of Lincoln and mother love. The Dear Pretender — Alice Ross Colver, $2.00; by mail. $2.10. A charming love story, told with simplicity, humor and understanding. pull sef, four bpoks, delivered anywhere if remittance in full accompanies order, 8 78 IMPROVEMENT ERA $5.00. If charged to ward or organization, $5.40. Books may be obtained at Deseret Book Company, 44 E. So. Temple St., Salt Lake City, Utah. The reading course books for the year 1923-24 are: The Dim Lantern — Temple Bailey. Ox-Team Days on the Oregon Trail — Mecker-Driggs. Including Mother — Mary Ashman. Worthwhile Books — Henry Van Dyke. Third Nephi — (Book of Mormon) The M. I. A. Slogans "In the name of our God we will set up our banners." Ps. 20:5. We stand for — A Sacred Sabbath and a Weekly Half Holiday. A Weekly Home Evening. State- and Nation-Wide Prohibition. Thrift and Economy. Service to God and Country. Spiritual Growth Through Attendance at Sacrament Meetings. The Non-Use and Non-Sale of Tobacco. Loyal Citizenship. A Pure Life Through Clean Thought and Action. Divine Guidance Through Individual and Family Prayer. The Commandment: Honor thy Father and thy Mother. Public Speaking and Quartette Singing Contests The public speaking and quartet singing contests of the M Men of the Y. M. M. I. A., for the season of 1923-24, engaged a large number of ward units in the stakes. There were seven stakes which brought contestants for the district finals in Salt Lake City, at the June conference. Tryouts of the district representatives in public speaking and quartet singing were held at 3 :45 p. m. on Friday, and the winners in public speaking were M. Douglas Wood, Salt Lake stake; and Clarence W. Brown, Mt. Ogden stake. The winners in the quartet singing were Logan stake, Rulon Johnson, Frank Kennard, Carvel Johnson and Gleason Kennard; and Salt Lake stake, John T. Sorensen, Elmer Poulton, M. Douglas Wood and Joel Bowen. The grand finals in M Men public speaking and singing in which these four units contested for first place, were held in the Tabernacle on Saturday at 2 o'clock before a large congregation in the Y. M. M. I. A. general session. In singing, the quartet from Salt Lake stake won. The contest number was, "Praying for You." The winner in public speaking in the finals was M. Douglas Wood of the 24th ward, Salt Lake stake, whose speech was entitled, "The Divinity of Christ." Clarence W. Brown, Mt. Ogden stake, who contested, spoke on "Mormonism as an Educational Institution." His speech will be printed later in the Improvement Era. Regarding the winner, M. Douglas Wood, we are informed that, "The common opinion is that the newer the stake or ward, the more life it con- tains." But in this case the Salt Lake stake, which is the oldest stake in the Church, feels that they have upset that thought. The 24th ward association from which the winner comes, we are told, faithfully participate., in every contest that makes, for the w?lfare and advancement of the yoxing