--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Lemon, Melvin collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 28 number: 10 published: 1925-08 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "Melvin Lemon, “How Hyrum Second Ward Built Its Recreation Hall,” *Improvement Era 28, no. 10 (August 1925)*: 976–980." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera28010unse 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: improvementera28010unse start_page: 976 end_page: 980 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1925-08) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera28010unse publication_year: 1925 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 1925, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # How Hyrum Second Ward Built Its Recreation Hall HOW HYRUM SECOND WARD BUILT ITS RECREATION HALL By Melvin Lemon. If you wish the people of your ward to become intensely in- terested in Church affairs, and if you want to do away with all dis- sensions, and foster a spirit of unity, just undertake some community project as the one recently accomplished by the Hyrum Second Ward, when it built a $12,500 recreation Hall. In the short period of five and one-half months the people built and paid for their hall, nor was there a single unfavorable opinion given regarding the undertaking. Labor to the value of $5,000 was donated by the men, $1080 in cash was raised by a three-day "round up" and the balance was freely given by the people. Nothing was allotted to any of the Church organizations. The people, as members of the ward, unitedly did the work, and the result is shown in in- creased interest in Church duties and affairs. Thanks to the project, the people now have a modern recreation hall where they can have dramas, dances, and other socials, free from the evils of privately conducted halls. To the many communities who have no such building, the story of how Hyrum secured its hall will be most valuable and instructive. Late in the fall of 1924, the committee appoinced by the bishop- ric decided the time was at hand for building. A very favorable site next to the Church house was bought for $400. An old stone school building yet remained on the grounds, and the committee decided it could be used for part of the new building. Next came the drive for funds. The feature of the drive was the three-day "round up." During these days, programs, dramas and dances were given. Booths were built by the different Church organi- zations, and refreshments and goods were offered for sale. On the second day of the round up an auction was held where livestock, goods, and other contributions from the people, were auctioned off, netting $660. In the third night a drama was presented by the ward dramatic company. The round up proved to be a very profitable venture, netting $1,080. The remaining $7,000 of the cost of the building was raised by cash allotments, amounting from $18 to $60 per family, but the members were allowed to work out 20% of the amount, where they cared to do so. The allotment was based on number of members in the family and their financial condition. That the judgment of the committee was sound is attested by the fact that there wasn't one single complaint from any family, regarding the amount of its allot- ment. HOW HYRUM SECOND WARD BUILT ITS RECREATION HALL 977 The plans were drawn up by A. J. Peterson, a member of the ward, and were approved by the L. D. S. Church architect. The old school house with one wall torn away proved to make an admirable stage for the building. The dance floor is 60 feet long and 38 feet wide. There is a full basement with ample rooms for the Boy Scouts and Bee-Hive girls. A kitchen with modern equipment has been installed. Rest rooms, dressing rooms and lavatories have been provided. Hyrum, Utah. The Singer A woman, tired and weary, plodded along the path so dreary — She came to the crossroad and rested a moment from her heavy load; One road was rocky and rugged and rough, The other, as smooth as a neatly ironed cuff. No one cared what she did, nor where she went, And her body was weary and her back was bent; She hesitated a moment and then stepped To go on the easy road, while she swept Her hand across her fevered brow, Nearby a boy was singing as he followed a plow. The woman stopped and listened. And on her cheeks two teardrops glistened, She trembled and a sob escaped her lips As she brushed her eyes with her finger tips. A man plodded along and stood At the cross road as if he, too, would Turn and go on the easy road; But the man carried no visible load, For he had money and wealth and ease, But to him, what were these? His heart was filled with anger and hatred, For his fellow men; but ere he tread Upon the path he stopped and listened, And for the first time in years his eyes were moistentd. The singer passed on. All unconscious of what he had done, The woman trembled and sank with a sob; The man who had come to rob Some man of love and peace, choked and cried, "Oh, is it too late? Kind God, I've been tried, But help me to o'ercome, to go back and start again, To love and to serve my fellow men." Ah, little singer, sing! And may God to you his blessings bring, Were it not for you and your little song, Two of God's precious souls might have gone wrong. Moab. Utah. Faun McCoNKiE. WHAT THEY SAY A Collection of Sentiments on the Value of the Y. M. M. I. A. The figures indicate the number of years a member; h. p.. high priest; and h. c, high counselor. These testimonials are very interesting. Any young man who desires to aspire to leadership in character and excellence will find opportunity for development in this respect in the Y. M. M. I. A., and we hope, will find inspiration in what these people say to join us and to work. — Editors. A wonderful training in my life. — F. G. Mills, bishop, St. George, 3 3. I shall become a life member. — F- W. Boehme, h. c, Montpelier, 30. It has been a great help and blessing. — A. G. Bowman, patriarch, Salt Lake, 47. For public development the M. I. A. is unequaled. — Elmer W. Smith, h. c, 20. I received training so valuable that it cannot be estimated. — E. W. Marchant, 23. A great benefit for educational and spiritual uplift. — J. E. Cutler, h. c, Alpine, 25. It has been a great aid to my manly development. — Wm. S. Johnson, h. c, Lethbridge, 48. It was very profitable and has helped me in rearing my family. — Joseph J. Taylor, h. c, Rigby, 40. It is a fine organization — one of the best on earth. — Carl Cook, stake clerk. Star Valley, 32. I overcame stage- fright enough to be able to talk to an audience. — Martin Cox, h. c. Blaine, 30. It has been a great help to me in my efforts to live the gospel. — H. L. Baker, h. c, Minidoka, 1 7. I have received great benefit from my connection with it. — Hyrum Welch, patri- arch, St. Joseph, 18. It has been a source of pleasure and comfort to me. — William H. Gibbs, stake presidency, Malad, 49. I have gained part of my education In the Y. M. M. I. A. — Bishop James H. Yancey, Blackfoot, 24. It was through the Mutual that I became interested in Church work. — Ernest E. Pritchett, stake clerk, 5. It has helped me wonderfully in learning the law of the Lord. — Joseph H. Ellison, h. c, Alberta, 4 7. It has helped me in leadership and a testimany of the gospel. — David E. Man- ning, h. c. Bear River, 40. I considered the value received beyond expression. — Bishop J. Melvin Toone, Croydon ward, Morgan, 10. A school of education and practical use and of great value to me. — W liter E. Hanks, patriarch, Wayne, 41. It has been very valuable in helping me to gain a testimony of the gospel. — Bishop George Paice, Beaver, 35. The teachings received and experience gained are invaluable to me today. — Clyde Marsden, h. c, Cottonwood, 10. It has been the means of stimulating me to greater activity in the C.iurch. — J. M. Redd. h. c, San Juan, 50. WHAT THEY SAY 979 It is the one place where I learned to give a reason for the hope within me. — John W. Wilde, h. c. Union, 3 5. The Y. M. M. I. A. has surely been a great aid to me in my labors. — Clifford C. Flynn, bishop, Buhl, Twin Falls. Its benefits were inspirational, a source of knowledge and practice of expression. Walter B. Scoville, h. c, Ogden, 18. It has taught me many principles of life and given me opportunities in life. — Thomas Preston, h. c, Franklin, 40. A faithful friend urging me upward and onward to better and nobler deeds. — William N. Davis, h. c, Liberty, 35. I have only to say the M. I. A. is one of the best schools of religious instruction. — James O. Bullock, h. c, Alpine, 46. There is no organization superior in preparing the adolescent for future useful- ness.— J. A. Olsen, h. c, Roosevelt, 14. It has been to me the hour and a half of the week's cream for twenty-seven years. — Abinadi Tolman, h. c, Box Elder, 2 7. It inspired me to seek after and obtain the highest and noblest ideals of life. — Thomas C. Callister, patriarch. Liberty, 25. I have learned many valuable lessons pertaining to the gospel in the Y. M. M. I. A. — Moroni Ward, h. c. Bear River, 43. I value greatly the helpful instructions and experience obtained from M. I. A. work. — Neils E. Winters, h. c. Big Horn, 3 7. I know of no organization which permits of real service to such a degree at this. — Charles W. Goodiffe, h. c. Curlew, 3 3. It has increased my faith and knowledge of the gospel and my ability to explain the same. — James F. Carroll, h. c, San Juan, 3 8. A testimony of the truth of the gospel has been attained and stimulated from year to year. — T. R. Cope, h. c, Duchesne, 30. It was in the Y. M. M. I. A. meetings that I learned to behave myself in public meetings.- — James B. Murray, h. c, Duchesne, 30. The lessons learned in M. I. A. have helped to make me better throughout my life. — Bishop George W. LeBaron, Santaquin, 3 7. It is a wonderful organization, a great faith builder. Its worth cannot bt estimated. — James G. Smith, h. c, Franklin, 3 5. As training for mission work it was very beneficial. It helped me to appreciate the gospel. — Junius C. Jensen, h. c, Franklin, 3 5. I owe much of my success in the Church to the Y. M. M. I. A. I have been magnified by it. — Joseph R. Price, h. c, Cassia, 50. Through its spirit and influence, I see while a member it has always been a power of strength.- — Josiah Call, stake presidency, Rigby, 45. I understand the gospel better because of the M. I. A. lessons. The manuals are splendid text books. — B. F. Lamb, h. c, Alberta, 20. The instruction and the training of M. I. A. has been a great help in the mission field and at home.- — Lafayette C. Lee, h. c, Deseret, 9. One of the grandest and best means of education, knowledge and experience of my life. — Thomas Duce, stake presidency. Alberta, 4 7. It first taught me the fundamentals of civil government and the necessity of mental activity. — Edward Southwick, h. c, Alpine, 39. It has been a pillar of strength to me, a guide to me in my youth and a store- house of knowledge. — Lehi Jensen, h. c, Lethbridge, 42. It was the means of getting me started in active work which has continued through the years. — William T. Harper, stake presidency, Cassia, 43. 980 IMPROVEMENT ERA I am better informed, broader minded, have a firm testimony of the gospel and try to live my religion. — Dirnond M. Loosli, h. c, Yellowstone, 3 2. It was through the Y. M. M. I. A. mostly that I became a member of the Church. — Bishop Leonard Ball, Ammon ward. Bingham stake,21. I have gained more experience in the M. I. A. than in any organization that 1 have been connected with. — Thomas B. Barton, h. c, Oquirrh, 3 0. It has been one of the chief sources of my education. I was permitted to attend when I was only ten years old. — Enoch Jorgensen, h. c, Jordan, 46. The high ideals of the M. I. A. have influenced and helped secure for me my present position in the Church. — William King, h. c, Bear River, 40. Most of my activity in the Church has been in M. I. A. work. I appreciate it beyond my ability to express. — Albert Choules, stake presidency, Teton, 3 2. It has given me a sound course of study and a thorough knowledge of many principles of inestimable worth. — Orrin H. Snow, stake presidency, Taylor, 4 3. I surely appreciate my early training in the Y. M. M. I. A. It has been of bene- fit to me ever since. — Mathoni W. Pratt, first territorial treasurer Y. M. M. I. A., 50. While acting as stake officer for ten years in Weber stake, I learned mainly what I know of public speaking and writing, — Zechariah Ballantyne, h. c, Rigby, 49. The training I received in M. I. A. cannot be overestimated. It has helped me so much in my office as bishop. — Bishop Henry L. Peterson, Chandler ward, Mari- copa, 3 2. It has benefited me in every walk of life, especially in my missionary labors. Every man or boy who will attend will receive great benefit. — Albert Brandley, h. c, Taylor, 2 3. The training I got in my youth in M. I. A. has greatly benefited me in my religious duties as well as in a social way. I certainly am thankful for it. — A. W. Croft, h. c, Morgan, 25. Faith in and a knowledge of the gospel has been made easier for me, so that my testimony today and my fidelity to the work are the result of M. I. A. work in a large measure. — C. C. Steffensen, h. c, Cottonwood. 42. It gave me an opportunity for service and expression which has been an inspira- tion and encouragement to me. I joined in Brigham City when it was first organized, and now in my 90th year am still interested in the work. — O. N. Stohl, patriarch. Box Elder, 50. In my youth I found the best boys in the wards at M. I. A. Since I have grown older I find much faith among its members. It means the M. I. A. has strengthened my faith from boyhood until now. — Mission President Samuel O. Ben- nion, Central States, 35. It has brought to me many wonderful evidences of the Divine mission of the Savior and of the restoration of the gospel. The enthusiasm and earnestness of George Albert Smith as a Board member visiting our little class, made a lasting inv pression upon my young mind. — Clarence L. Gardner, h. c, Granite, 2 5. Bits of Philosophy The less we are the more we strive to make others think we are more than we are. It is hard to forgive the man who does the thing you do best, better than you do it. Teaching, in the higher sense, is the art of training others to learn, to love and live the good, the true, and the beautiful. Courtesy is the art of granting favors in such a way that those who receive them will feel that they are bestowing a favor upon you by receiving yours. Nephi Jensen.