--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Wells, Junius F. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 28 number: 11 published: 1925-09 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "Junius F. Wells, “Historical Sketch of the Y. M. M. I. A.: First Period III,” *Improvement Era 28, no. 11 (September 1925)*: 1069–1074." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera28011unse 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: improvementera28011unse start_page: 1069 end_page: 1074 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1925-09) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera28011unse 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. --- # Historical Sketch of the Y. M. M. I. A.: First Period III HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE Y. M. M. I. A. FIRST PERIOD III By Junius F. Wells. Two essential requirements developed in the season of 1879-1880. If the Association was to fulfil its mission and realize its destiny, it must have a representative organ; and it must have an official head, whose authority would be recognized. Feeling keenly that our work needed these powerful factors to insure its success, and, the opportune time appearing to have arrived, I addressed the following communication to President John Taylor and the Apostles, then the presiding authority in the Church: Salt Lake City, June 4th, 1879. President John Taylor and Council of Apostles: Dear Brethren: In the interest of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations, which I have the honor to represent, I desire to submit a few facts relating to their work, and a proposition in regard to their future progress. Since the commencement of our general organization, four years ago, associa- tions have been formed very extensively, until now one is formed in nearly every settlement of the Saints. Our last report shows upwards of two hundred and thirty associations, with a membership of more than nine thousand. The associations of each stake are placed under the direction of a superintendent and assistants, all of whom have labored with so much interest that but a few wards are left without associations, and prompt reports are obtained from those in existence. The object of this extensive organization is, to introduce our young men to an order of religious and intellectual exercises that will secure to them a knowledge of the truth, and put them in possession of the evidences to advocate and defend it. How well this has been carried out, I leave the local authorities of the wards to say. It is, however, gratifying to know that the foreign and domestic missions, the vacant bishoprics and many positions of trust have been mostly filled from our ranks for the past two or three years. While the above is the first object had in view, as secondary, and leading to its attainment, we have given our attention to improvement in other respects: In our manners, our entertainments, our social gatherings, our conversations, our readings and our writings, which brings me to the subject upon which I, at present, desire to confer with you. Realizing that our thoughts gain solidity and volume from the effort to express them concisely, we have been encouraged to put them upon paper in the form of essays, compositions and contributions to manuscript and printed papers. This exercise of writing essays has grown in favor so much that I may say it prevails universally among the associations, and I suppose there are not less than fifty manuscript papers published by them. The result of this exercise already begins to be seen in the dvelopment of literary talent — artticles sometimes appearing that are not only full of edifying matter but are so well written that it is a delightful pleasure to read them. That the ability and disposition to write is growing and becoming more confident, is evidenced in the efforts made in several counties to publish periodicals and wherever they have done so, their literary success has been acknowledged, as with the Amateur, published by the associations of Weber county. The efforts, however, have been unsuccessful financially, owing to the limited circulation to be obtained in a single county. Before passing to my proposition I desire to present for your contemplation, a host of young men, marshalled under the banner of progress and improvement, devoted with all their hearts to the cause of Zion, and struggling to know how best 1070 IMPROVEMENT ERA to be of service, doing their utmost for self-culture that the society of the future may be creditable to them and reflect honor upon their fathers who have directed their footsteps. We have unwittingly adopted many customs and some ideas that must be eliminated to make us the people we aim to become. Intemperance, swearing, uncouth language, and the memory-destroying habit of reading light literature are among the evils that we have to contend with, and that we hope to overcome by cultivating "the gift that is within us," that we may be examples of the believer in word, in conversation, in spirit, in purity, etc. And we hope to supplant light literature by getting good reading matter which will be doubly attractive in owing its authorship to the inspiration of willing workers among ourselves. The encouragement I have received from those most interested in mutual improvement supports me in asking your sanction and approval of the following propositions : First. — I propose during the summer to visit the associations and canvass for contributors and subscribers to a magazine published in the interest of the young people of the Territory. Secondly. — If sufficient encouragement is given by the class to be benefited I will publish a magazine, octavo size of either twenty-four or thirty-two pages, once a month, beginning October 1st, at a price securing its financial success; which magazine will be distinctively a young people's periodical of such literary merit as their talent can make it, and whose general tone will be pure, refined, tending to improvement and elevation in thought and in all our intercourse; devoted to the culture of the youth, and the cultivation of character, and sound doctrine among them. I believe we have a distinct and legitimate field in which to operate, doing good to ourselves without infringing on the rights of any one. The advent of such an agent among our associations will be acclaimed with delight, many whose latent talent has found no expression, will be glad to contribute to a periodical they can call our own. While those of our number who have taken President Taylor's advice and are writing for current publications, will also herald a magazine with pleasure. I am sanguine in the belief that a young people's magazine will be received into the gallery of home literature as a welcome monument, occupying a vacant niche with becoming grace, that will not detract from its older associates, while it adds a charm and feature of interest to the whole array. I can present letters and testimonials from various parts of the territory that sustain the proposition I have made. I am assured of fifty contributors, twenty of whom are not without skill, as regular writers. And from two of the smallest counties, Weber and Summit, I have assurance of four hundred subscribers. As an indication of what might be done, I have named these particulars; more can be added if desired. Hoping this will receive your favorable and early consideration, I am youn respectfully in the Gospel of peace. Junius F. wells. The following extracts from the records of the Apostles indicates the favor with which the above was received. 'Letter of Elder Junius F. Wells read, in which he proposed to establish a monthly magazine, as the organ of the young people's Mutual Improvement Associa- tions. "On motion, the proposition made by Brother Wells in the above-mentioned letter, was unanimously approved of." Permission thus being given by the authorities, I became very active dur- ing the summer and autumn, soliciting subscriptions and advertisements; decid- ing upon the name, size and style of the magazine and arranging for its publication with the Deseret Neios Company. The first number was issued in October, 1879. It was the first of my proof-reading. The leading article was by Elder Moses Thatcher, entitled "Confidence." The other principal contents were as follows together with my first editorial: "Char- HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE Y. M. M. I. A. 1071 acter Sketches," Karl G. Maeser; "Bits of Travel," De Vallibus; "On the Mount of Olives," Poem by E. R. Snow; "Right and Wrong Ambition," B. F. Cummings, Jr.; "Shooting Stars, Meteors and Aerolites," J. B. Toronto; "The New Teacher," Amethyst; "Exaggeration," O. F. Whitney; "Theory of Education," O. H. Riggs; "Association Intelligence," M. H. Hardy. SALUTATION The need for a general representative publication designed expressly in the interests of the Young Men's and Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations, has been for a long time a growing one. All who are interested in the welfare of our organization realize this fact. The exercises of writing essays, and publishing manuscript papers, have been quite generally adopted throughout the territory, and have already resulted in the development of considerable literary talent among the members. In Weber county the officers of the associations, appreciating the ability so manifested, were encouraged to publish a very interesting semi-monthly paper, The Amateur, which ran through two volumes, and was a pronounced literary success. That the thoughts and expressions of the young people of the territory will be interesting to their companions, and that in writing for the press their thoughts will gain volume and solidity, seems to us reasonable, and cause sufficient for a publication devoted to them. It is for this reason and because the growth and prosperity of our organization requires it that we have undertaken to publish a periodical that will reptesent the associations, and that will foster and encourage the literary talent of their members. This is the mission of The Contributor, the name of which has been chosen that it might say to every young man and every young lady among our people, having l'terary taste and ability, write. While we expect to represent the Mutual Improvement Associations, and to furnish a publication of peculiar interest to their members and to the mature youth 'of our people, we do not expect nor desire to infringe upon the circulation of any other publication. We are sanguine that there is a wide-spread and legitimate field of usefulness for The Contributor, without encroaching upon that of any other of our home papers. But if we can supplant in any degree the thrifty growth of worthless literature that has found root in all the towns and settlements* of Utah, we shall congratulate ourselves on doing good service to the community. We do not claim high literary excellence or profundity of matter in the columns of our magazine, its merit in those respects will be whatever the talent of the young ladies and gentlemen in whose interests it is published will make it. In conclusion, we trust to meet the warm response, so universally given by the youth of Israel to every enterprise having the sanction of authority, and the seal of the Holy Spirit, whose influence they are learning to cherish, and by whose whisper- ings they hope to be guided. That we may always labor in the light of that Spirit, having the mutual friendliness and support of our associates in the cause of improve- ment is the predominant desire of our heart, under which we take up the pen to do the work that has fallen to our lot. — The Editor. With the Contributor thus established, means were provided for the promotion of all our M. I. A. interests; especially those involving the use of printers ink. I will say here that the intellectual development of the membership was stimulated in a notable degree by this periodical, which continued, under my editorial and busness management for thirteen _ years, and for four additional years under the control of the Cannon Publication Company, with Abraham H. Cannon in charge. THE GENERAL SUPERINTENDENCY (See Frontispiece) That the initiative of the General Superintendency, as continued now for more than forty-five years, might be recorded in order, I recall the efforts that were made to secure such authority to stand at the head and to 1072 IMPROVEMENT ERA be fully recognized and sufficiently respected to call conferences and carry on the work, without certain interruptions, and discouragements which we had to contend with. The first advance towards realizing this object was made at the following: SEMI-ANNUAL CONFERENCE Minutes of the third semi-annual conference of the Y. M. M. I. A., October 8, 18 79. Held in the Thirteenth Ward assembly rooms, commencing at 7 p. m. The conference had been called to convene in the Tabernacle on the previous evening, but owing to the general character that meeting had assumed, it was suggested by President Taylor that another be held, at which reports could be heard from the stake representatives, and other business be attended to. The meeting was called to order by Junius F. Wells. Apostles J. F. Smith, Moses Thatcher, and D. H. Wells were on the stand. At the conclusion of the opening exercises, President John Taylor, Apostle George Q. Cannon, and President A. M. Cannon of the Salt Lake stake, came into the meeting. Verbal reports were called for from the stake representatives present, and the following responded: H. S. Woolley, superintendent, Bear Lake; B. M. Young, counselor, Box Elder; G. L. Farrell, superintendent, Cache; John R. Murdock, repre- sentative, Beaver; Henry Lunt, representative, Parowan; J. W. Crosby, Jr., represen- tative, Panguitch; Joseph H. Felt, superintendent, Salt Lake; H. B. Haynes, superin- tendent, Tooele; and A. C. Brown, counselor, Weber. Junius F. Wells then stated that representatives from six other stakes had been in attendance on the previous evening, but were unable to remain over to attend this meeting. He also announced that as President Taylor, and others of the Twelve, were here, and had concluded to take the matter of the general organization into further consideration in council, that the election of officers and other business would be postponed. He requested the stake officers to do their utmost to visit their associations, attend to filling vacancies in offices, and to commence the regular weekly meetings of associations during the present month. President John Taylor remarked that it was the intention of the brethren to give the organization their attention, and to place it on the best possible footing, that it might be most effectual in doing good; as it was not a thing of the day, but would exert its influence in the future as well. He thought the organization had been well conducted, and was one of the helps, spoken of in the scriptures, and that it had done a great deal of good in the community. He was pleased with the spirit and energy manifested by the young men who had reported their associations, and he hoped they would continue in the same spirit, that they might be a support to the priesthood, and work in harmony with them in all things. He thought the magazine that had been started would do good in drawing out the latent talent of the young people, and was much pleased with its general appearance, though he had not yet had time to read it. The meeting was adjourned by prayer by Elder Joseph F. Smith. During the winter of 1879, I had many conversations with Elder Joseph F. Smith, and he became fully aware of the handicaps the organization was subjected to. We also found that President Taylor was considering our needs, and we were encouraged to address the following to him. Salt Lake City, March 3, 1880. President John Taylor and Council of Apostles: Dear Brethren: Previous to holding the general semi-annual meeting of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations, which is announced to be held during the approaching General Conference, we desire, by your request, to represent briefly the present status of the Organization and to submit what in our view seems necessary for its future prosperity. The general inauguration of the organization was in the summer of 18 75, from which time until December 8, 1876, about one hundred associations were formed by Elders Junius F. Wells, Milton H. Hardy, B. Morris Young and John Henry Smith. HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE Y. M. M. I. A. 1073 On December 8, 18 76, the Central Committee was organized in this city and conducted quite an extensive missionary labor among the young, during that and the following seasons, calling out about one hundred and fifty young men, many of whom then made their first effort to speak in public. Their labors resulted in forming about one hundred more Associations, and in greatly encouraging those already in existence. Until the summer of 18 78, reports from all of these Associations were received direct by the Central Committee, except from Utah county, where a stake organization had been effected, and a condensed report was prepared. In the terri- torial tour made by Junius F. Wells and Milton H. Hardy during that summer, they visited every stake in the territory and effected similar central organizations to that in Utah county, appointing a Superintendent and Secretary for each. The excellent results of this system of organization were immediately felt; for at^the general semi- annual meeting held during the April conference, 1879, there were representatives from eighteen out of twenty stake organizations present, and statistical reports were received from them all, showing that about two hundred and thirty associations were in existence with a membership of more than nine thousand. As will be seen from these figures the organization is very extensive, and from the character of its exercises exerts an influence, amounting to a power, in the com- munity. This power, consisting of the strength and vitality of the youth of Zion, requires careful direction and proper application, in order that it may result in advanc- ing the interests of the kingdom and assist in accomplishing the purposes of the Almighty on the earth. So far as we are capable of judging, the inherent disposition of the youth is to be useful in these respects, and we believe the associations, up to the present time, have encouraged and strengthened that disposition. The good they are doing in the community is generally recognized by the local authorities, who feel that the Associations are indeed a help and support to them in their ad- ministrations. That so large and important an organization requires the attention of interested officers, who are recognized as having authority to visit, counsel, advise, receive and make reports, call meetings and introduce systematic exercises requires no explanation. While the associations were being organized those directly called to the labor re- ceived every encouragement and felt great liberty in their proceedings, being recog- nized by the general authorities and greatly blessed in all their labors. Latterly, however, as no special act of the Apostles has authorized the continuation of our efforts, and we feel that the interests of the organization require the sanction and direct recognition of the Presiding Authority of the Church, we submit that it would be of great benefit to the associations if at the approaching meeting you would give the matter your attention, and place the organization upon a permanent footing that will be recognized by all, and that will insure the most satisfactory work being done among the youth. With this in view, we respectfully suggest the following plan of organization as the most complete and likely to prove most useful: First: An Advisory Committee, consisting of either three or five represen- tative, interested, influential brethren, who shall stand at the head of the organization and may be consulted singly or as a committee, on all questions of interest pertaining to it, but who cannot, from the nature of their other duties, give their attention to the details of receiving reports, organizing associations, etc. We would suggest that one or more of this Advisory Committee be chosen from the quorum of apostles. Second: A Territorial Central Committee, consisting of a president, two counselors, secretary and treasurer, and of the stake superintendents, a working committee whose duty will be to attend to the details of the organization, visiting, organizing, holding general meetings, receiving reports, etc. Third: Stake organizations, consisting of a superintendent, two counselors, secretary and treasurer. Whose duties shall be to organize in their respective stakes, visit associations, hold quarterly meetings, receive reports, etc. Fourth: Ward associations, consisting of a president, two counselors, secretary, treasurer, librarian and roll of members, who will hold regular weekly meetings, conduct and carry out systematic exercises, meet conjointly with the Young Ladies' 1074 IMPROVEMENT ERA associations once a month, and carry on the work of mutual improvement, as directed and counseled from time to time. Except the Advisory Committee, this organization is already established, but very much desires recognition, and if deemed expedient, would like to be completed, in the manner suggested, at the approaching meeting, when we think general officers should receive your nomination and be sustained, and instructions given for the future working of the associations, and who would receive the united support of all the members, as an Advisory Committee, might be named, Elders Joseph F. Smith, Moses Thatcher, Robert T. Burton, Karl G. Maeser and John R. Park. Trusting we have not wearied you and that you will give these matters your attention, we subscribe ourselves very respectfully. Your brethren in the Gospel, Junius F. Wells, Milton H. Hardy, Rodney C. Badger, President and Counselors of the Central Committee Y. M. M. I. A. MINUTES Of the Fourth Semi-annual General Conference of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations held in the Salt Lake Assembly Hall, Tuesday evening, April 6, 1880. On the stand were President John Taylor, Apostles W. Woodruff, C. C. Rich. F. D. Richards, Joseph F. Smith, Moses Thatcher and Counselor D. H. Wells. The Persidency of Salt Lake and Utah County stakes, Junius F. Wells, and Milton H. Hardy, and the stake superintendents of Box Elder, Davis, Morgan, Salt Lake, Uath and Weber counties, and representatives from Beaver, Juab, Sanpete, St. George, Sevier, Summit, Tooele and Wasatch. Meeting called to order by Junius F. Wells. After singing and prayer President Taylor addressed the meeting on the subject of mutual improvement, referring more particularly to the young men, and explained the suggestions from the Council of Apostles in relation to a more complete and permanent organization. After which Apostle Wilford Woodruff was nominated for General Superintendent, with Apostles Joseph F. Smith and Moses Thatcher as his counselors. These nominations were carried unanimously. Superintendent Woodruff then briefly addressed the meeting, expressing his interest in the work of mutual improvement among the young, and called for the statistical report, the totals of which were accordingly read, after a few remarks by Junius F. Wells as follows: Stake organizations 20; associations 240: members 9,284; attendance 5,828; quarterly conferences 43; weekly meetings 2,456; conjoint sessions 592; extra meetings 145; 'total meetings 3,171; visitors sent 1,311; visitors received 1,143; visits of county and general officers 3 84; members gone on missions 71; libraries 81; volumes 3,084; value of books $3,370,45; manuscript papers 283; financial exhibit showed cash and other property on hand $3,794.87; Scripture reading, total chapters read 76,942; subjective lectures given 3,003; testimonies borne 3,295. After the reading of the Report Superintendent Woodruff made a few remarks, and called for a vote of the people to sustain the suggestions of the Apostles in relation to the organization, which was unanimous. A preamble and resolutions respecting cruelty to animals and the killing of birds was presented and read, and the sentiments expressed therein voted upon. The meeting was dismissed by President John Taylor. (To be Continued)