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 XX— HOME MORTGAGES I. The Lecture: 1. A mortgage is security for the payment of money or the performance of some other act, the interest passing to the mortgagee being regarded as a lien upon the real estate. It passes no interest or estate in the land except the lien, and the lien is an incident to the debt or the obligation which is thereby secured. If the obligation is not met, then under foreclosure proceedings the property mortgaged may be sold and the proceeds applied on the indebtedness. 2. The aim of every family should be to own a home free and clear from mortgage or other incumbrance. Society has recognized this fact and has, by law, thrown a. protecting cloak about the homestead by exempting it from practically all claims. The general law exempting the homestead from execution is very similar in all of the states of the union. The Utah law furnishes a good example. Section 2898 — Laws of Utah, 1917, reads as follows: "A homestead consisting of lands and appurtenances, which lands may be in one or more localities, not exceeding the value with the appurtenances and improvements thereon the sum of one thousand five hundred dollars for the head of the family and the further sum of five hundred dollars for his wife, and two hundred fifty dollars for each other member of the family, shall be exempt from judgment, lien and from execution or forced sale, except as herein- after provided." The homestead, however, is subject to execution in satisfaction of the following claims when judgment has been secured. Section 2907 — Laws of Utah, 1917: A. On debts secured by mechanics' or laborers' liens for work or labor done or material furnished exclusively for the improvement of the same. B. On debts secured by lawful mortgage on the premises. C. On debts created for the purchase thereof and for taxes accruing and levied thereon. It can be seen, therefore, that the law has protected the homestead against all claims except for materials and work furnished in the construction of the home, on debts created for the purchase of the home and for taxes, and for a mortgage placed thereon. The general law in practically all of the states grants to the wife a one-third interest in all property possessed by the husband during the mar- riage, and therefore a mortgage to be valid must be signed by the wife as well as the husband where the property is in the name of the husband. Section 6406 — Laws of Utah, 1917: "One-third in value of all the legal or equitable estates in real property possessed by the husband at any time during the marriage, and to which the wife has made no relinquish- ment of her rights, shall be set apart as her property in fee simple." 3. Where a Mortgage is Advisable. It is seldom that a family starting out to secure a home has sufficient funds saved to pay for same out-right. Under such circumstances, where the payment for the home can be made in monthly installments^ it is not objectionable to give a mortgage on the property to secure the deferred pay-

568 IMPROVEMENT ERA ments. In most instances the_same money used to pay rent would make monthly payments on the purchase price of the home and in the course of a few years would completely liquidate both principal and interest owed thereon. 4. Where Mortgage is not Advisable. One of the worst evils of modern life is the mortgaging of the home to raise money to satisfy passing fancies. Thousands of homes have been lost and the happiness of family life ruined through the mortgaging of the homestead to raise money to purchase automobiles, pianos, or to defray the expenses of trips to California or Florida. The home is a sacred institu- tion; it is where we live and love and gain the sweetest joys of life. It's existence should not be threatened for any purpose other than its own creation and protection. II. Thought Exchange. 1. Explain the homestead exemption law. 2. What is the wife's claim on real estate owned by the husband and not signed away by her? 3. Under what circumstance is mortgaging a home commendable? 4. Discuss the dangers of mortgaging a home for speculation. 5. Discuss mortgaging a home for luxuries: a. As to conditions of recklessness that permit it. b. The certain disastrous results. III. Social Period: Debate, by two persons — man and woman — Resolved that it is better to own a home and rent an automobile, than it is to rent a home and own an automobile. IV. Assignments and Announcements: LESSON XXI— HOME CELEBRATIONS I. The Lecture: A. Suggestive Outline: 1. Why celebrations (a) National? (b) Church? (c) Home? 2. Events deserving home celebrations: (a) Those of general interest, (Christmas, Thanksgiving.) (b) Those of special family interest, (Weddings, births, special achievements, homecomings.) 3. The program for home celebrations: (a) Simple or elaborate provisions. (b) Some essentials. B. Some suggestive material: 1. Celebrations are outward evidence of inward appreciation. The man who would rather work than celebrate the Fourth of July is un- appreciative of American Liberty and, just to the extent that one fails to appreciate his country, just so far is he on the way to join the "man without a country." Joseph and Mary who took Jesus to the temple to be blessed took him also to the Feast of the Passover or the celebration of the event of the deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage. 2. Celebration is history in action. _ Celebration is a psychic pageant of. national history, church history and family history.

THE HOME 569 3 . The first family celebration of record on earth was held in the family of the Father of the faithful. See Genesis 21:8. 4. The creation of our earth was celebrated in heaven by the children of God and the universe itself shared in the enjoyment of the occasion, "When the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy." Job 38:7. Home celebrations will be a part of the home before it becomes as heaven is or even as heaven was when we were there. 5. Christmas leads. Of all events the birth of Jesus has first claim to worthiness for home celebration. This event was celebrated in heaven and by the universe. An angel choir, of no doubt mixed voices, extended heavenly music to earth and stars and stood forth with a brightness that kept night at bay over half a world. 6. Thanksgiving Day. Thanksgiving day has become one of joyous expectancy. It awakens thoughts of home. It spells plentitude and calls for gratitude. It is a time for the unusual singing of this one sentence, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow." No Thanksgiving day celebration fills the mission for which it was inaugurated without some exercise in which the home is linked to heaven. 7. The Wedding Day — The birth of a kingdom. Once in a decade is as often as society suggests its celebration, but it may with propriety claim annual recognition in the home by some especially thoughtful con- sideration. f "Remembrance of the wedding day Holds wrinkles and old age at bay." Wedding celebrations are of record as events of no small importance. He who has moved the world as no other has was a prominent participant — Jesus was there; his mother was there. A latter-day Saint wedding is the beginning of a kingdom. It is more than an experiment as some weddings are. 8 . Birthday celebrations. The rule is that the more celebrated the greater the celebration. Every member of the family is more or less celebrated in the home, none are zero in celebrating. There is domestic deficiency where the birthday of any member of the family passes by without family notice. Special remembrance of birthdays in a family fosters family loyalty, encouraging family pride and makes for the development of self-respect in the individual members of the family. Home birthday celebrations, be they ever so simple, are comforting to parents and encouraging to children. A birthday gift carries with it the essence of a celebration and especially so when it is the gift of the group. 9. Family Achievements. Family achievements may profitably be celebrated. The return of a missionary with an honorable release is no small event in a family circle. Graduation from college by a member of a family is an achievement reflecting high credit on the entire family. It will pay the home to make the occasion one of special rejoicing. The day on which the final payment for a home or the lifting of a mortgage is a Jubilee occasion. 10. Family Homecomings. This is a rally of relatives to enjoy, to organize, to generously give and graciously receive confidence, kindness, courtesy. To rejoice over their ancestry and the family ties that make them one. To plan for the progress of the group.

5 70 IMPROVEMENT ERA Family home comings date back to the first family. See Doctrine arid Covenants 107:53-56. We should have more home comings that are not responses to funeral calls. 1 1 . Home Celebration Program. Home celebrations may be simple or elaborate, ranging all the way in this re- gard from the birthday dinner to the diamond wedding celebration. Provisions should be made for a stream of family reminiscence. The display of family souvenirs. A room may be decorated with pictoral family history. Song should find place on the program and a sketch of family history is always in order. Family pageants are of great value to any family group. Make celebration programs a part of written family history, a matter for the family historian's special care. II. The Thought Exchange: A. Suggested Questions and Problems: 1. What advantage has a boy or girl whose birthday is celebrated over one whose birthday passes by unnoticed in the family? 2. Discuss the effect of wedding day remembrances: (a) On the husband and wife. (b) On the young people of the home. 3. Discuss the probable good and possible bad effects of a family custom of cooperative or joint birthday gifts to members of the family. 4. How about producing and adopting a family song? 5. Describe the first home coming of record on the earth. B. Questions and problems presented by class members. III. Sociability Exercises. ' A. Wedding day reminiscences. B. Childrens' sayings. IV. Assignments and Announcements. Benediction. LESSON XXII— HOME CONFIDENCES I. The Lecture: 1. Definition. a. According to the dictionary definition, confidence implies trust, reliance, belief, faith. b. Lord Chatham declared: "Confidence is a plant of slow growth." c. Jeremiah exclaims, in one of his expostulations on the instability of Judah: "Why gadd:st thou about so much to change thy ways? * * * for the Lord hath rejected thy confidences, and thou shall not prosper in them." 2.37. d. Isaiah: "In quietness and confidence shall be your strength." 30:15. "The Lord shall be thy confidence." 3:2-6. "In the fear of the Lord is strong confidence." 14:26. e. Paul: "Having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all." 2 Cor. 2:3. f. First Epistle of John, 3:18-24, also 5:14. There is no better way to create confidence in a home, and among home people, than the way here pointed out by the wise men who have given the subject thought. In addition: Always tell the truth and keep your word. 2. In the home, above all, implicit confidence should be placed in sayings and doings of its inmates. Children should have confidence in parents; and parents in children. There the heart and its inmost secrets may be

THE HOME 5 71 safely deposited in trust, with perfect faith that no infringement or violation shall ever invade or humiliate, destroy, embarrass or ridicule. To this end home life should be made beautiful, without and within. There should be implanted in the hearts of children kindness, sincere honesty in word and deed, and fidelity and loyalty to duty and obliga- tions, and adherence to right. 3. Home is the center of joy. Confidence of the inmates in one another is the seed from which all will reap a rich harvest of happiness and virtue, a constant inspiration for good and a constant restraint from evil. Wife, tell your husband. Husband, tell your wife the problems of your joys and troubles. What each craves and most desires is con- fidence. Without it love is never free from shadow. Children, coun- sel with your parents, whether you are in ignorance, doubt, trouble or joy. It will calm your troubled hear:s, and bring you peace. Light will come to your darkness. Here the father presides in love and manly dignity. 4. Home is the place for the child to ask questions on sacred thoughts, and to be told what it wants to know in love and sympathy. Home should have its sacred Sabbath, and its family altar of prayer; of services and confidences, around which one's most sacred memories may cling. 5. Here the wife and mother may lay bare her heart's desire to father, son and daughter, and be sure that no confidence will be revealed to ears without the circle. Here children are quick to perform little courtesies and acts of attention to their elders, and where they are as quick to show appreciation. They place the arm chair for mother; the footstool for grandma, and are apt to show a score of little kindly deeds, indi- cating true tenderness and love in their hearts for their parents and elders, and their acts are met by smiles and appreciation. All of which tends to growth of confidence so strong that no untoward act may break it. 6. Here children are shown by precept to speak kindly to one another; to acknowledge favors with courtesy and grace; to be gentle and unselfish; thoughtful and considerate of all the inmates. The boys,_jmitating the father's courteous demeanor, will be chivalrous and helpful to their sisters. The girls, imitating the mother, will be patient and gentle, even when big bro:hers are noisy and he2dless. There ar^ no angry voices, no sullen children, but a delightful, unmistakable atmosphere pervades the home. It is such a home th.u the Master spoke of when he said: "And inio wha soever house ye enter, first say: Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it." Luke 10:5. . The Thought Exchange. 1. Suggested questions and problems: a. Select from the quotations given the best definition of confidence. b. Discuss the meaning of the statement, (I John 3:21): "Beloved, if our hearts condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God." Apply that to the family. c. In your opinion, how docs home life, made beautiful within and without, engender confidence? d. What is your idea of telling your wife or your husband about your troubles and joys, and confiding your financial difficulties and successes to each other? e. Discuss this sentence from Washington Irving: "No man knows what the wife of his bosom is; no man knows what a ministering angel she is, until he has gone with her through the fiery trials of this world." f. How does courtesy to one another in the family create confidence? g. Discuss this statement: "Parents should be careful to talk with their chil- dren; to enter into their life, and to share their trifles, assist in their studies, and meet them in their thoughts and feelings of childhood."

572 IMPROVEMENT ERA h. Discuss conversation — the talking over of the events of the day in bright and quick display of wit and fancy, as one of the best of home amusements, i. What do you think of setting apart one evening a week for meeting with your family to discuss home affairs, gospel themes, and engaging in games and conversation? j. What is the inner meaning of the Master's words: "Peace be to this house?" 2. Suggested questions by the class. III. Sociability Exercises. Come prepared to give a sentiment on confidence in the home. Give an original sentiment. IV. Assignments and Announcements. NOTICE: The 23rd lesson will be a requirement of the members of the class to write a prize set of Ten Home Rules, by each member; and the 24th lesson will be a grand "At Home Program," prepared by the class, or by any committee that may be selected by the class. Mother is Praying For You Wherever your lot may be cast, my dear boy, There is one thing I wish you to know ; You must live a good life that is clean and true, For we reap all the sorrow we sow. And when you are gone from the nest, my dear boy, Be honorable, manly and true; Though troubles beset you they'll vanish again, For your mother is praying for you. Chorus: You've a home, sweet home, so remember it, lad, Though your feet may oft wander afar; Remember the counsel you got in the home, And obey it wherever you are. And whether you're out where the billows may roar, ' Or seriously sick with the flu, Just keep up your courage, though dark seems the day, For your mother is praying for you. Every act of your life that is pure and true Will delight your dear mother at home. The world is a net of deception and sin, So be careful wherever you roam. Be humble and prayerful yourself, my dear lad, And be guarded in all that you do; And you are sure to come out on top, my boy, For your mother is praying for you. Menan, Idaho. ELSIE M. LARSEN.