--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 29 number: 4 published: 1926-02 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations, “The Home: A Study for the Advanced Senior Class, M. I. A., 1925–26,” *Improvement Era* 29, no. 4 (February 1926): 355–362." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2904unse 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: improvementera2904unse start_page: 355 end_page: 362 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1926-02) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2904unse publication_year: 1926 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 1926, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # The Home: A Study for the Advanced Senior Class, M. I. A., 1925–26 THE HOME A Study for the Advanced Senior Class, M. I. A., 1925-26 LESSON XIII— HOME DEVOTION I. The Lecture: I. Central or General Thought: Prayer. Definition of devotion: Feelings toward God expressed in worship; or, prayer, which is an act of worship: a. Morn- ing prayer, (at the family altar; the breakfast table.) b. Evening prayer, (supper table.) c. Table prayer., "grace." d. Secret prayer, e. The Lord's prayer. II. Respect or Regard for Each Member of the Home. a. The spirit of help- fulness, b. "Honor thy father and thy mother," etc. c. Story of the Prodigal Son. Luke 15:11-32. III. Fireside or Hearthstone Stories: Home Evening: (Bring back the good old days when the family bell was rung for the family to gather and present themselves before father and mother to receive their advice and counsel, and engage in prayer.) IV. Home Songs and Music. 1. Prayer is the soul's sincere desire. 2. Our moun- tain home so dear. 3. Love at home. 4. Home, sweet home. 5. Sweet hour of prayer. 6. Did you think to pray? This earth was made for the home of man both for time and for eternity. D. 8 C. 88:20. All the different races and tribes of people that inhabit the earth have some form of home devotion: the Indian in his tepee; the Savage in his hut; — a place in which to hide or rest — a place of refuge or safety from enemies; — the palace for the wealthy and the well-to-do, and the cottage for the common people of whom Abraham Lincoln said: "The Lord must have loved them, for he made so many of them." The home should be a place of residence for father, mother, and children; and a wholesome custom once practiced by our people was to prepare the home free from debt or incumbrance and, in sacred prayer, dedicate the home to the purpose for which it was erected and builded — that of home de- votion— a place where parents and children could live together in sweet com- munion in keeping with their most sacred feelings, fulfiling the law of the gospel, which requires all parents in Zion to teach their children to pray and to practice other fundamental principles of home devotion, which is the worship of God in the home. D. & C. 68:25-28. In manv well regulated homes family prayer is offered up as the family kneels around the breakfast table, or some family altar, where the Lord is thanked for the blessings of the past and future favors asked for, and then, before the food is partaken of, grace is said — thanks and acknowl- edgements are given for the food prepared. The senior member of the family present always takes charge and directs and. each eligible member takes his turn when called upon. At the close of the day, either at the evening meal or just before retiring for the night, the family again turn their hearts in prayer to the Giver of all blessings, both great and small. For the Lord is displeased with none except those who fail to acknowledge has hand in all things. D. 8 C. 59:21: 68:33; 10:5. To engage in secret prayer is the privilege of each member of the family old enough to know its purpose and value. Personal Communion With God: Daniel of old prayed to the living God and was spared from death by lions, etc. 356 IMPROVEMENT ERA Elijah prayed to the God of Abraham. Isaac and Jacob — the God of Israel — and fire came down from heaven and consumed his offering. Joseph Smith, the boy prophet, prayed for knowledge and wisdom in response to the admonition of the Apostle James, and the heavens were opened and our eternal Father and his Son Jesus Christ revealed themselves as living and personal beings. Ncphi was heard and answered in his prayers, because he prayed with faith. We should pray for what we need, rather than for what we want. A wise parent does not give a hammer and a looking glass to a child because it cries for them; neither does a child get the moon by crying for it. The result of praying with faith is much like the result obtained from driving a car with dean spark plugs, and all other parts working in unison to obey all the motor laws that govern the machine; and the reverse is like one praying when the soul is unfit to receive an answer. Mosiah 11:24-25; Alma 9:26. The Lord's prayer is a type, or example prayer. Many have developed the praying habit by repeating in early life the example which the Lord gave his disciples in answer to the request, "Lord, teach us how to pray." Long Life in Usefulness is Promised Those who Honor Their Parents "Cast your bread upon the waters and after many days it will return to you." Parents may expect a direct reflection of their teachings in the lives of their children, and the children will receive in return for their respect for father and mother, the same in kind and measure as they give their parents. John Wanamaker's mother was a womanly woman in the best sense. She was an excellent housekeeper and the house in which they lived, with its neat walk, picket fence, and flowers, was one of the bright, attractive homes of the suburban district. Her love of flowers was a strong trait. All through her life at the various homes in which she lived, there was always a beautiful garden, and this early little home was no exception to the rule. She did what she could to train up her family in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. She taught them out of his holy book; she gave them precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little and there a little. She taught them frugality, industry and sound Christian morality, and herself led the way. I think I may safely say that I have seldom known a mother more devotedly attached to her children. The flock of children whom she loved and trained with such devotion were six — John, the eldest, named for his grandfather; William; Elizabeth, the "Silver Heels" of her father's fancy, soft-spoken, with blue grey eyes; Mary Ellen, brown-eyed, quick of speech; Samuel: Francis Marion; and Bell. Such a household meant, in their modest circumstances, work, rigid economy, sacrifice on the part of all. But it also meant joy, development, comradeship. The home life was happy and cheerful. The mother was of a hopeful, buoyant disposition: the father was cheery and lively. Despite bis necessarily continuous hard work, he was often seen romping with the children and chasing them while they fled in screaming delight. He gathered them about him in the evenings, while the mother was finishing the day's tasks, and read to them or told them stories. Sometimes they all sang hymns or songs. It was an active, jolly family group. Mr. Wanamaker wrote of his father: "A father's love in some respects outshines all but the mother's. He is a busy father, much absent, hard pressed with laborious work and unending cares, but never forgets the true son, for whom he would at any time give up his life. "The softness, gentleness, and sweetness of mother i« ever a full alabaster box. THE HOME 357 but the boy remembers that his father's strong, steady arm always seemed to him as mighty as that of Samson in his first years. "The home was noted for its warm hospitality. It was a popular meeting place for relatives and friends, and seldom did any one leave the house without Mr. Wanamaker's remarking to his wife, 'Elizabeth, haven't we something to give them;' or, Mrs. Wanamaker's quietly gathering a bouquet of flowers or selecting from their pantry some jelly, cake, or other delicacy for the visitors. "The routine of the home life was undoubtedly much the same as that in thousands of homes all over the land both then and now. But it produced results little dreamed of by the actors in that simple life drama. The hard, daily task in the brickyard, performed with such clock-like regularity by the father, the loving discipline of the mother, that compelled obedience yet won love and loyalty that lasted through years, were factors in forming the character of John's religious and moral stability." In reply to the questions once asked him, "Where did you get the inspiration to achieve so mightily? Where did you get that something that has spurred you onward to new endeavors? He replied: "From my parents." At another time he wrote: "By precept and by example, the best mother a boy ever had taught me the lesson of diligence, without which no man need ever hope to succeed in business or any other legitimate profession." — From The Romantic Rise of a Great American. Home Evenings One of President Young's daughters gives this brief account of their early home evenings: 'At six o'clock every morning father punctually took the bell, and walking up and down the big, long hall of our home (The Lion House), vigorously rung what we often termed our 'death knell' to play, but it was only a summons to evening paryer. How we restlessly awaited the 'Amen,' when we could again be at our liberty. Now, I recall his many words of advice and wonderful counsel, his de- votional talks on spiritual things so unheeded by fun-loving, careless children. "Often our uncles, John, Joseph, Phinneas, and Lorenzo, joined father at eve- ning prayer and then we listened to what I know now, was most inspirational singing. All were rarely gifted in true tone production, especially father and uncle Joseph — their voices so full of expression, that even now, when I hear 'Come, come ye Saints,' and a 'Poor wayfaring man of grief,' I recall every note of their musical interpretation vividly; they were natural musicians of the old sing-song style, true to tone production, without study or special training. "I do not remember father calling on any member of his immediate household for family prayer, only occasionally Uncle Joseph or Uncle John who were present, and at times were asked to pray. But no matter who prayed, father always gave spiritual advice and counsel to all present." II. Thought Exchange. III. Problems: 1. What is meant by the saying: "Pray unceasingly"? 2. What value do you place upon prayer in the home? 3. What essentials make a home fit for prayer? 4. Does the fact that many pray at the same time affect your prayers? 5. Have the discoveries in Radio increased or decreased your faith in prayer? 6. What difference may result in prayer offered in doubt and one offered with the complete surrender of human will and desire to the will of the Lord? 7. Should father do all the praying? IV. Social Period. V. Announcements and Assignments. 3 58 IMPROVEMENT ERA LESSON XIV— CULTURE IN THE HOME I. The Lecture: The Home is the progenitor of civilization; the author of all the higher arts of man. So often have these ideas been expressed that their meaning is becoming almost trite, and yet the profound truth of the vital importance of the home in the work of civilization should never for one moment be forgotten. A glance into the history of any nation reveals the fact, and the more exhaustive the study of the life of all nations, the more astounding becomes the knowledge that the family unit has been the most powerful agent for good or for bad throughout the ages. The value of a civilization depends upon the value of its homes. The golden ages in all nations have been contemporaneous with the golden epoch in the homes. On the other hand, wherever the sanctity of the home has been despised, where life has been over elaborate, profligate, that nation and that civilization have crumbled away. If religion, the fine arts, and the higher virtues are to live they must be cherished in the home. The home was established first because of dire need. Man, to exist, had to fight arduously against all nature and his fellow man. But in our day more subtle, and in many ways, more dangerous, enemies beset the home. To survive, it must conquer these. It must not merely be a home with people in it, but a "Home" with true culture in it. In order to hope to attain the ideal, the persons wishing to make a home must start right. They must build their new hopes in the firm rock of religion, for no stable family life has ever existed for any length of time that was not founded in religion. As making a real home is the most important task of young married people, it is also the most difficult. If the home is to possess that peculiar quality which differentiates it from a mere public institution, there must be a loving interest, cooperation, and loyalty between each member and every other. These qualities will develop largely through the proper attitude of the parents to each other. The children will then automatically acquire the correct attitude. To the father falls the lot not only of possessing the right mental attitude toward his wife and family, but of supplying the necessary physical environment. He must give to his family those necessities of life which inspire a decent standard of living. The mother must create largely the spiritual tone of the home. She should understand "good taste" in the arrangement of the home so that it will be attractive. She should be able to execute or to supervise good housekeeping, cooking, serving, nursing. For children and husbands are hopelessly handicapped unless the machinery of their homes is running smoothly. All members of the family should feel responsible for and should aim to contribute at least some of those elements which help to develop cultured citizens. Important among these are music, art and social entertainments. II. Thought Exchange: What is the home? Why is a home not a home without children? What is "culture"? Why did family life of necessity develop? Give the history of family life: I. Primitive beginnings. 2. Early Greek. 3. Late Greek. 4. Early Roman. 5. Late Roman. 6. The English Home. 7. The American Home. Factors developing culture in the Home: THE HOME 359 Importance of religious basis: What standards should the Church demand of persons wishing to marry? Cooperation and loyalty: a. Between parents, b. Between parents and children, c. What is the essential element which differentiates the home from a mere public institution? Duties of the father toward the home: a. Spirit of interest and cooperation, b. Ability to provide the minimum physical requirements: 1. Due house space of occupants. 2. Food. 3. Shelter. 4. Clothing. 5. Medical care. 6. Necessary recreation. Duties of the mother toward the home: a. Subtle home spirit, b. Interest in problems and worries of children and husband. c. Good, neat housekeeping. d. Nursing, e. Good cooking. Results of bad cooking? Duties of children toward the home. Cultural Agencies: 1. Good physical environment. 2. Artistic taste in the home arrangement. 3. Music. 4. Art. 5. Home entertainments. III. Suggested Questions by Class. IV. Social Period: Demonstrate Cultural Music for the home. V. Announcements and Assignments. LESSON XV— HOME HOSPITALITY I. The Lecture: 1. Meaning of hospitality. A real welcome vs. outward show. For- mality as an aid and as an obstruction to hospitality. Type of hospitality usually extended and expected by different classes, e. g., the sheep herder, the cowboy, the southern farmer, the city merchant, etc. 2. Those to whom hospitality should be extended and circumstances under which each should have consideration. a. The family: Making children feel at home by having the home the place where they like to be. Consideration of children, of rights of each other and of parents. The bond that brings the married children back to the parental home. b. Relatives: Consideration of visiting relatives for their hosts. Frequent imposition on relatives who are well located. The country-cousin idea. c. Friends: The real basis of hospitality is friendship. Congenial spirits. Entertainment in home as a means of extending circle of friends, d. Special guests: Those who are entertained for professional and business reasons. Entertainment of public and Church officials. The importance of being able to make strangers feel at ease as guests. 3. Those to whom hospitality should not be extended, a. Persons of low character. Danger of such individuals in associating with the family. Value of the formal conventions in protecting people from this type of person. Persons who force their unwelcome attention on others, b. Persons having disease and other conditions that would be a menace to the family. Sentiment may urge to bring persons with contageous diseases into the home. but wisdom usually directs that they should go to hospitals and other special places having facilities to give the special care they need. c. Persons who would give false ideas and ideals or who would sow discontent among members of the family. 4. What should be the real basis of hospitality? a. A true welcome. Giving the guest a real place in the household. Sailing under no false colors. Frankness, b. False, trying to show off. Being inconsistent in spending too much to make a show in entertaining. Living above one's means to impress guests. Not being one's true self in presence of guests. 5. Special consideration that guests should receive, a. They should be given the best one has: food, favorable place at the table, comfortable 360 IMPROVEMENT ERA chairs, good bed. The guest should be given constant consideration by having the favorable situations, b. Reception should be cordial. The meeting of guests important. If cold, they have difficulty in feeling themselves welcome, c. Entertainment should not be overdone. Comfort of the guest should be looked after, but he should not be hounded every minute. He may want some time to himself and should be given an opportunity to do as he chooses at least part of the time. d. The spirit in which guests are received more important than that they be given luxuries. Apologies unnecessary so long as the best one can afford is given. 6. Unity in family regarding guests. If either husband or wife is less cordial than the other toward guests, great embarrassment may result. Each member of the family should take special interest in guests of the other. Husband should show consideration for wife in guests he brings. If possible she should know about them in advance, but in any case, she should make welcome those who are brought home, and if a mistake has been made, the score may be settled later in private without making the guest ill at ease. Guests of the children should be welcomed by parents, and children should be considerate and polite to all visitors in the home. 7. Items to aid hospitality, a. Comfortable sleeping quarters. If possible supply type of bed guest is used to, with ample covering. Avoid assigning undesirable bed fellows. Ventilation, b. Catering to special food desires of guests. Those who are on a special diet. Cooking to taste. Seasoning. c. Music. Instruments. Having the children practice their music lessons on guests. Imposing ragtime on those with classical tastes and vice versa. Good music an easy means of entertaining guests. Almost universal appeal, d. Books. Most guests like to read and would often rather be left quietly to read a book than required to hear all of everyone's experiences. Cultural value of good books in the home. e. Turn conversa- tion toward interests of guests, f. Avoid spending too much time showing off children's talents and possessions to guests. g. In conversation avoid gossip and the recounting of personal misfortune. Books, music, art, travel, education, and public affairs are much safer topics of conversation, h. Be agreeable but do not obtrude too much on guest's privacy. Children are often allowed to wear out the guests by mauling them. 8. Duties of guest to the host. Courtesies should be received in the spirit in which they are given. Guest should not take advantage of his position and demand special consideration. He should insist on causing as little trouble as possible. Expression of appreciation on leaving. Later letters and cards of thanks. II. Thought Exchange: 1. What are some of the fundamental principles underlying hospitality? 2. Discuss the situation of the person who would spend a large sum elaborately entertaining a wealthy friend and who would treat shabbily a relative or friend who happened to be poor. 3. Enumerate some of the complications which might arise out of the fact that the husband or wife might be hostile to the guests of the other. ■4. Compare the home and the hotel or other public houses as desirable places in which to entertain guests. 5. What kinds of individuals should not be given the hospitality of the home? 6. What are some of the obligations of a guest to his host? 7. Discuss the problems of guests being annoyed by children's undue familiarity. III. Problems Suggested by the Class. IV. Social Period. V. Announcements and Assignments. THE HOME 361 LESSON XVI— HOBBIES I. The Lecture: The hurried nervous pace set by industrial civilization forces us to such fast modes of travel that they leave us neither time to relax and realize what we are passing, or to anticipate what may be just before us. It is very well to fly when the cause is justifiable, but there are occasions when hobby riding will be found a far more delightful mode of travel, and one which will afford us the opportunity to see, feel and express joy in living. Are we going to allow this healthful, invigorating yet relaxing mode of travel to become extinct? In the fields of leisure may be found the freedom of the out of doors, with all the beauties and wonders of nature: the opportunity to read and study the books that best suit our taste: time for self examination and ex- perimenting; and time for friends who are most congenial. Consequently should not leisure bring forth the best that is in us? And should it not find expression in purposeful hobbies — hobbies that will strengthen and make our personalities distinctive, and which will influence every under- taking and experience in life? It will be found surprisingly easy to out distance over indulged, matter of fact, fad ridden hobbies, by first making our hobby a favorite diversion: second, it should be given creative fodder, and plenty of it, mixed with ambition; third, it should be groomed with a purpose; and fourth, it must be ridden with determination to its goal. Have we ever thought what would happen to us or what we would do if love and interest were taken from what we are doing? With a hobby we may have something to fall back on, something (in our old age to keep and maintain for us an interest in life. From among our friends we may find the following hobbies which have made permanent impressions on their personalities, such as: keeping young, love of nature, art, music, dressing up common things and making them attractive, being orderly, loving work, saving and accumulating something for future use, bringing sunshine into the lives of those less fortunate, or helping others to help themselves, as has been the hobby of many. Henry Ford, John Wanamaker, and Andrew Carnegie are praiseworthy examples. Cultivating the play spirit has great personal and social benefits and is a hobby we need in order to keep young. Another necessary hobby for renewing youth is to keep actively interested in the young people. The following are a few of the many hobbies which may be made purposeful: book reviewing, writing poetry, social service work (which may be fur- nished through the organization of the Relief Society) , camping, hiking, and using the camera with a purpose, for example, to collect beautiful trees, birds, or animals. There is a widow in our community whose hobby has been the remem- bering of the birth dates of the members of each household in which she has served as a nurse. After many years the accumulation of dates has come to out number the days of the year, but instead of becoming a burden to her, has become a source of deep pleasure, and has broadened her contact and strengthened her personal interest in life. Every Sunday morning for years we have had a beautiful basket of flowers brought to the church by a sister who has made a hobby of flower culture, and who shares and inspires us with her love for the beautiful. Nothing will more effectively develop concentration and creative ability than for our children to be allowed to have hobbies of their own, something in which they are deeply interested, for they are then eager to give it their best thought and attention. Let us give our boys freedom enough to allow 362 IMPROVEMENT ERA their natural bent to discover itself. Perhaps it is not always wise for us to insist that our children stick to one thing against their inclination, for if the interest cease to exist, the mind can not react effectively. May we not expect the yearnings of a boy's mind to jump from one thing to another? The adoption of a positive mental attitude is essential in making home hobbies successful; for example, families may make themselves distinctive and strong by maintaining the hobby of exemplifying the virtues — integrity, thrift, generosity, hospitality, and so we might continue to enumerate family characteristics which show mental and moral strength. While hobbyists usually do their riding alone, should we not also revive the almost forgotten style of tandom riding for mother and father, hoping they may again renew the spirit of play and find together new changes of interest which will bring them rest and a new zest for living. II. Thought Exchange. III. Problems: Is it more beneficial for a child to have a variety of hobbies of his own choosing, or to be required to concentrate on one? Why is hobby-riding a healthful exercise? Give examples? How may we direct our individuality and make ourselves distinctive? Give examples. What are some of the hobbies in which both father land mother may enjoyably participate? IV. Social Period: Give examples of hobbies that have proved remunerative. Tell humor- ous stories of entertaining guests. — Mother Mason, Chapter III. V. Announcements and Assignments. Note: The Gleaners are soliciting the cooperation of parents in helping to make this sheaf a success — "In appreciation I will endeavor to make possible one hour of daily diversion for my mother." A five-minute dialogue delivering the message of this sheaf was published in the August number of the Young Woman's Journal. It would be fitting to have Gleaners present this beautiful dramatization in connection with this lesson. Suitable Sacred Solos Suggestions from the Church Music Committee The following list of Sacred Solos has been selected and classified by the Church Music Committee from the catalogue of Novello & Co. It is hoped the songs here listed will be valuable additions to the repertoires of singers throughout the Church. Order through local music dealers or direct from H. W. Gray Co., 159 E. 48th St.. New York, N. Y. Title Composer Grade How Long Wilt Thou Forget Wm. A. Oetling Dif. Me, O Lord D, For A Closer Mod. Walk With God Myles B. Foster Sim. Vocal Range Length Occasion Remarks Low Long Gen. Organ Accom. High Violin Obliga- Metzo to. Arrange- Low Long Gen. ment for Or- gan Accom.