Mutual Work

CyWutual Work Program of M. I. A. Conventions, 1926 Held in Connection With Regular Quarterly Conferences July 24-25 — Curlew, Lethbridge, Lost River. July 27-28 — Alberta. July 31-Aug. 1 — Taylor, Twin Falls. Aug. 7-8 — Big Horn, Blaine, Wayne, Teton. Aug. 14-15 — Bannock, Blackfoot, Idaho Falls, Oneida. Aug. 21-22 — Bear River, Idaho, Kanab, Portneuf, So. Sanpete. Aug. 28-29 — Bear Lake, Garfield, Gunnison, Millard, Panguitch. Sept. 11-12 — Boise, Juab, Minidoka, Montpelier, Parowan, Raft River, North Sanpete, San Juan. Sept. 15-16 — Young. Sept. 18-19 — Duchesne, Roosevelt, San Luis, Star Valley, Union, St. George. Sept. 25-26 — Carbon, Deseret, Fremont, Hyrum, Morgan, Sevier, Uintah. Oct. 16-17 — Benson, Cassia, North Sevier, Shelley, Tintic, Woodruff, Yellowstone. Oct. 23-24 — South Sevier, Summit, Snowflake. Oct. 30-31 — Beaver, Emery, Malad, St. Johns. Nov. 6-7 — Burley, Maricopa. Nov. 13-14 — Juarez. Nov. 20-21 — Pocatello, Rigby, St. Joseph, Moapa. Nov. 2 7-2 8 — Franklin, Wasatch, Los Angeles. Schedule of Meetings Saturday 10:00 a. m. to 11:30 a. m. — General Session. 10:45 a. m. to 12:30 p. m. — Y. M. M. I, A, Stake Executive Officers' Meeting, 2:00 p. m. to 3:15 p. m. — General Session. 3:15 p. m. to 5:00 p. m. — Joint and Separate M. I. A. Stake Board Meetings, 7:00 p. m. to 8:3 0 p. m. — M. I. A. Stake and Ward Committees on Recreation, 8:40 p. m. to 10:30 p. m. — Entertainment for the entire stake membership. Sunday 10:00 a. m. to 12:00 noon — Y. M. M. I. A. Stake and Ward Officers and Teachers' Meeting. 2:00 to 4:00 p. m. General Quarterly Conference Session. 7:30 p. m. to 9:00 p. m. — M. I. A. Public Meeting, Instructions and Suggestions The Auxiliary Group Conventions are held in connection with the regu- larly scheduled quarterly conferences of the stakes holding two-day confer- ences as provided for by the General Authorities of the Church. The heads of all auxiliary organizations, both stake and ward, should examine carefully the entire program as provided, and make whatever prepa- ration is necessary or contemplated by the program and as instructed by the General Boards. They should endeavor to have present at the convention as many of their workers as can possibly attend. The general sessions are intended for all members of the stake. It is hoped that these will be well attended. One-day conventions will be named later.

89 6 IMPROVEMENT ERA SATURDAY MORNING 10:00 a. m. to 11:30 a. m. General Session 10:45 a. m. to 12:30 p. m. Y. M. M. I. A. Stake Executive Officers' Meeting SATURDAY AFTERNOON 2:00 p. m. to 3:15 p. m. General Session 3:15 p. m. to 5:00 p. m. M. I. A. Stake Board Meetings Joint M. 1. A. Stake Board Meeting 1. Advanced Seniors. a. Our Best Advanced Senior Class and Why. It Succeeded — Stake Board Representative. b. The Leader — The Members — The Program — The Method — General Board Representative. 2. Cooperative Plans for Winning and Holding Members — Stake Board Repre- sentative. 3.' Proper Administration of the M. I. A. Joint Work, Associate Members — General Board Representative. V. M. M. I. A. Stake Board Meeting 1. The Year Round Program of the Stake Board — General Board Representative. 2. Discussion. SATURDAY EVENING 7:00 p. m. to 8:30 p. m. M. I. A. Stake and Ward Executive Officers and Committees on Recreation Program for meeting of M. I. A. Committee on Recreation of Fall Conventions on Saturday, at 7 p.m.: 1. General Statement of Organization- — Condition of the Stake in the Field of Recreation at the Present Time — Stake Board Representative. 2. Explanation of New Official Guide on Recreation — General Board Repre- sentative. 3. A Brief Presentation of the M. I. A. Year Round Program on Recreation — General Board Representative. 4. Outlining and Working Plan for Stake and Ward Committees on Recreation: Organization, Finance, Types of Activities — Stake Board Representative. 5. Discussion. 8:40 p. m. to 10:30 p. m. Entertainment for the Stake Membership Under the Direction of the M. I. A. Stake Committees on Recreation SUNDAY MORNING 10:00 a. m. to 12 noon Y. M. M. I. A. Stake and Ward Officers' and Teachers' Meeting 1. The Value of Good Books; the New Reading Course and How to Get It Read, ten minutes — Stake Board Representative. 2. The Success of the Era and Fund, ten minutes — A Ward President.

MUTUAL WORK 897 3. Membership Survey and Follow-up, ten minutes — General Board Represen- tative. 4. The New Courses of Study; Plans for M Men and Scouting, ten minutes — Stake Board Representative. 5. The Young Married Man's Opportunity in the M. I. A., ten minutes — Stake Board Representative. 6. Systematizing the Work of the Ward Presidency Covering the Year Round Program, ten minutes — A Ward President. 7. General Summary and Instructions — General Board Representative. SUNDAY 2 p. m. General Conference Session SUNDAY EVENING 7:30 p. m. to 9:00 p. m. M. I. A. Public Meeting Theme: The Slogan — "We stand for a testimony of the divine mission of Joseph Smith." 1. Song. "We thank thee, O God, for a prophet" — Congregation. 2. Prayer. 3. Song, "Praise to the man who communed with Jehovah" Congregation. 4. Short Sayings from the Revelations of Joseph Smith, ,2 minutes each — Three Young Men and Three Young Ladies. (Selections will be furnished by Stake Superintendent and President.) 5. Male Solo, "The Seer, the Seer, Joseph, the Seer." 6. The Value of a Living Testimony of the Divine Mission of Joseph Smith, seven minutes — A Gleaner Girl. 7. A Testimony of the Divine Mission of Joseph Smith, seven minutes — An M Man. 8. Repetition of the Slogan- — Congregation. 9. Special music bearing on the theme. 10. Remarks — General Board Representatives. 11. Song, "True to the Faith" — Congregation. 12. Benediction. Musical and Literary Contests at M. I. A. Conference One of the leading activities in the M. I. A. conference was the literary and musical contest. Thousands had taken part in the various wards and stakes. The interest was now centered in the Church try-outs and finals. The following district entries were made in musical and literary contest work: M Men Public Speaking — Young, Montpelier, Cache, Los Angeles, Deseret, Granite, Fremont, Maricopa, Utah, Ogden, Sevier, Parowan, Burley, Big Horn, These districts comprise 83 stakes. M Men Quartette- — Montpelier, Cache, Los Angeles, Deseret, Fremont, Maricopa, Utah, Ogden, Granite, Sevier. These districts comprise 66 stakes. Y. M. M. I. A. Male Chorus — Montpelier, Cache, Los Angeles, Deseret, Fremont. Maricopa, Utah, Ogden, Granite, Sevier. These districts comprise 67 stakes. Instrumental Trio— Cache, Fremont, Maricopa, Utah, Ogden, Granite. These districts comprise 50 stakes. M. I. A. Orchestra- — Cache, Fremont, Maricopa, Ogden, Granite, Sevier. These districts comprise 4 7 stakes. Y. L. M. I. A. Senior Public Speaking — Cache, Deseret, Fremont, Maricopa.

89 8 IMPROVEMENT ERA Ogden, Utah, Sevier, Granite, Uintah, Los Angeles, Boise, Big Horn, Burley, Mont- pelier, Parowan, Young. These districts comprise 88 stakes. Y. L. M. I. A, Ladies' Chorus — Cache, Deseret, Fremont, Maricopa, Utah, Ogden, Granite, Montpelier, Parowan, Los Angeles, Burley, Sevier. These districts comprise 79 stakes. The Winners Following were the winners in the final contests: M Men Public Speaking: 1. Donald Lloyd, Utah stake; subject, "Divinity of Jesus Christ;" gold medal prize. 2. Garff Wilson, Weber stake; subject, "The Keys to Peace;" gold medal prize. M Men Quartette: 1. St. George stake, gold medal prize. 2. Morgan stake, gold medal prize. Members: Scott Taggart, Philo Peterson, Joseph Francis and Lester Francis. y. L. M. J. A. Chorus: 1. Los Angeles stake, $50 prize. 2. Cottonwood stake, $25 prize. Y. M. M. I. A. Male Chorus: 1. Bear River stake, George O. Nye, conductor 5 Mrs. Pearl Peck, accompanist; $50 prize. Members: W. W. Richards, Ariel Bradshaw, Spencer Brown, Lawrence Wortley, J. J. Shumway, Clifton Kerr, Eddie Kerr, Wendell Grover, F. L. Nye, Alma King, Chas. H. Last, Lyman T. Thorpe, P. W, Christensen, Lee Nebeker, H. M. Williams, J. H. Kirkham, J. Delos Thompson, Oscar Koford, Henry Bronn, Roy K. Haws, James Walton, Marion Summers. 2. Franklin stake, Mark Nichols, conductor; $25 prize. Eighteen members. Instrumental Trio: 1. Granite stake, gold medal prize. Members: Johanna Lee, violin; Clifton Jacobson, cello; Norma Bryan, piano. 2. Mt. Ogden stake, gold medal prize Members: Melba Hyde, violin; Marjorie Perrins, piano; Phyllis Proudfit, cello. M. J. A. Orchestra: 1. Ensign stake, $50 prize. Members: Marion Lyon, piano; Edmer Reynolds, violin; Gwen Bitner, violin; Ireta Roylance, cello; Geo. J. Ross, clarinet; Richard Bennett, flute. 2. Morgan stake, $25 prize. Members: Horace Ross, bass horn; Ada Waldron, soprano saxophone; E. H. Anderson, III, E flat saxophone; Owen Kearns, E flat saxophone; Jack Francis, cornet; Scott Taggart, trombone; Philo Peterson, drums; Doyle Tucker, clarinet; Wesley Porter, violin; Richard Rawle, violin; Glen Hanson, piano. V. L. M. I. A. Senior Public Speaking: 1. Margaret Pierpont, Ensign stake; subject, "Ingratitude;" gold medal prize. 2. Mae Balls, Box Elder stake; subject, "M. I. A. Slogan;" gold medal. The following stakes received 100% in the efficiency report Y. M. M. I. A. for 1925-26: January: Fremont, Taylor. February. Liberty, Lethbridge. March: Cassia, Lethbridge, Maricopa, Taylor. April: Lethbridge. The result of the reading contest in the Four Gospels will be reported later; also statistical and other reports. Some of the leading speeches will also appear later in the Era. New Stake Superintendents Mark King has been appointed superintendent of the Y. M. M. I. A. of the Lost River stake, and he takes the place of former superintendent, Charles G. Johnson, Jr., Moore, Idaho. Orville H. Stanfield of Gannett, Idaho, has been appointed supervisor of the M. I. A. of the Northwestern States Mission to succeed Abram W.

MUTUAL WORK 899 Conover, released, under whose supervision growth and interest has largely increased until there are now 23 associations in the mission. On Sunday, April 18, Elder James W. Bodily was released from acting as stake superintendent of the Y. M. M. I. A., and in his place Elder Loren Lewis was sustained in that position in the Burley stake of Zion, Idaho. R. Alvin Moss of Bountiful has been appointed superintendent of the Y. M. M. T. A. of South Davis stake vice Grant S. Clark, Farmington, Utah. Thomas Gordon Smith has been appointed superintendent of the Parowan stake Y. M. M. I. A. vice M. J. Urie, Cedar City, Utah. A College Seminary Class Andrew M. Anderson, principal of the Cedar L. D. S. Seminary, informs us that this class is the first college seminary class graduated in the Church. The class has an enrollment of forty-two students in the branch agricultural college, and tha course of study followed has b:en "New Testament Ethics," CEDAR CITY SEMINARY CLASS the major part of the course having been taken from outlines prepared by Dean Milton Bennion of the University of Utah. As this is the pioneer class of what will likely become an extensive movement in our seminaries in the future, it is an interesting picture to put on record. The information coming from Principal Andrew M. Anderson is dated May 17, 1926. M. I. A. Reading Course 1926-27 There are four books on the M. I. A. Reading Course this season. The list follows: The Book of Mormon, 50c; by mail, 60c. Prophecies of Joseph Smith and Their Fulfilment, by Nephi L. Morris, $1.50; by mail, $1.50.

900 IMPROVEMENT ERA Hugh Wynne, a novel, by S. Weir Mitchell, $1.25; by mail, $1.35. Wild Life in the Rockies, Enos A. Mills, $2.50; by mail, $2.60. Full set of four books, delivered, $5.50. Remittance must accompany orders. The Deseret Book Company, 44 East South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah, P. O. Box 1793, are handling the course. The standards com- mittees in cooperation with the M. I. A. officers should immediately set to work to provide the books and have the reading proceed. Manuals for General Class Study and Home Reading 1926-27' The Joint Advance Senior Class. — This class has heretofore used the Era and Journal for their texts. This year they will have two manuals, so that a choice may be made by any Advance Senior class as to which they will study: 1. Heroes of Science, by Dr. F. S. Harris and N. I. Butt. 2. Rational Theology, by Dr. Jojhn A. Widtsoe. A course in Current Topics will also be provided to appear in the maga- zines, and not in manual form. The outline is prepared by the Committee on Advance Senior Class Study. Senior Class. — The Young Man and Religion. This is the fifth man- ual of the Achievement Series, and perhaps the most important. It should be widely adopted by every M Men class in the Church. Junior Department. — This department has two manuals: Junior Class — Stories of Courage and Devotion. (Book three of Story Series.) Advance Junior Class — Religion, A Vital Factor in Character Building. (Book three of Character Series.) The price of the Advanced Senior manuals will be made known later. The price for the others will be 25c each. The Improvement Era will contain the outlines of the Committee's lessons on current topics. Information for the Officers of the Y. M. M. I. A. The following pamphlets, bulletins and publications may be obtained at the office of the Y. M. M. I. A., 47 East South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah, upon application: Fathers and Sons' Annual Outing, Summer of 19 26, free. M. I. A. Year Round Recreation Program and Contests for 1926-27, containing the M. I. A. year round programs in recreation and contest work, monthly recreational programs for the whole season, 1926-27, also the details of the contests for the coming season for the ward, stake and Church, includ- ing all the joint work, and the contests in orchestra, band, drama, dancing, with prizes for each. This contains also the stake and district contests and all the various numbers and activities in the stakes, together with rules and regulations and points for judgment. Distributed free on application. Recreation Bulletin No. 6. This tells how to study local recreation problems; a pamphlet brimming full of information in the twenty-eight pages which it contains, price 5c. Recreation Organization and Leadership, a new edition of the official recreation guide. A book of 180 pages; price, 35c. The Y. M. M. I. A. Hand Book, a guide for stake and ward officers of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, containing information for the guidance of offi- cers in every department of Y. M. M. I. A. work, and of joint work with the Y. L. M. I. A. A book of 208 pages; price, 35c.

MUTUAL WORK 901 Curlew Stake Champions In the Curlew stake during the past Winter, they had a Mutual basket- ball team, which was a success from every standpoint, according to Superin- tendent D. G. Nelson, Jr., who states that on the day set every game was played without a miss. He believes that they have lifted the standard of basketball at least one hundred per cent by making it an M. I. A. proposition. The winning team from Stone ward, who won the championship in basketball are highly recommended by the Superintendent. He says they are clean sports, "not a member of the team uses tobacco, or dissipates otherwise, to STONE WARD CHAMPIONS, CURLEW STAKE my knowledge." The names of the champions are as follow: (left to right) Walter Williams, Clifford Neal, Ronald Harris, Howard Neal and Merle Neal, with Fred Neal and Ray Roe acting as managers holding the pennant. He says further: "On May 12 we held our Field Day, a great success, a splendid program in the afternoon with the house overflowing. At least 350 people attended. We brought the two ends of the stake together in baseball, and finished with a dancing party in the evening." Benson Stake Banquet In a report from Ernest P. Horsley, of the General Board Y. M. M. I. A., he calls attention to a banquet of the Y. M. M. I. A. at Benson stake. It was given in honor of the Advanced Senior class with the best attendance for the class period just closing, at Richmond Social Hall, Tuesday, May 25. The banquet was very praiseworthy. One hundred fifty people were seated at the table laden with the choicest of the land. A program of humor and life- giving pastime was indulged in. At the close of the banquet, they presented a pageant, reflecting the study in the Advanced Senior program, and which emphasized the home circle in A-l style. The pageant represented Play, Study, Friendship, Parental Love, etc., and was just what Brother Geo. H. Brimhall, chairman of the General Board Advanced Senior Committee, should have witnessed.

902 i IMPROVEMENT ERA What to Do in July Many stakes have pleasure resorts located within their borders, or rela- tively near them. The M. I. A. should take advantage of these recreation centers and organize, supervise and direct a stake-wide excursion to one of them. Care should be taken in the social and recreation events, that high standards shall be maintained throughout the day and evening. Suggestive program for the day's proceedings: Morning — Patriotic program. Noon — Picnic luncheon. Afternoon — Games, bathing and dancing. Evening — Social dancing. If the program for the patriotic meeting be arranged on the theme "Great Leaders in Church and State," the idea of a Fourth of July celebra- tion and a Pioneer Day celebration may be combined. Important scenes in National and Church life should be depicted. Pan- tomime, pageantry, drama, music and speeches, all combine in making a worth-while celebration. The following material may be of service in helping to plan such a program: The Continental Congress. A one-act drama in four scenes, depicting the sessions of the historic body which developed the Declaration of Independence. This would be particularly appropriate on this anniversary year of the adoption and signing of that great document. The drama could be freely cut and make a very interesting feature. Published by Denver Chapter, Colorado Society Sons of the American Revolution. No price given. Flag of the Free — Festival of Freedom. Pageants which revive the nations pat- riotic songs in tableau and story. These pageants are available from Community Service, 315 Fourth Avenue, New York, N. Y. 15c each. The Eldridge Entertain- ment House of Denver, Colorado, and E. S. Warner, New York, publish patriotic pageants, flag drills, etc., suitable for such a program. Pioneer Scenes Short scenes depicting pioneer life could be presented, such as: Entrance of the pioneers into the valley, grasshopper war, Brigham Young and the Indians, etc. The Desert Shall Blossom as the Rose — An Allegory: "Desert" enters to the accompaniment of gray, doleful music, is dressed in loose, gray robes with a cowl over her head. She walks sadly about — a lonesome spirit. After a few pathetic attitudes and gestures, she sinks to the floor. Enter trumpeters of "Progress" and "Development" to accompaniment of brilliant music. These are followed by the spirits of "Flowers," "Fruits," "Grains," "Vegetables," "Manufacturing," "Mining," dressed in appropriate costume. They frolic and dance in abandoned glee at the prospect of their growth and development in this new land. They appeal to the sky to give moisture, they kiss the soil to make it fertile and they importune the "Desert" to cast off her barrenness. "Labor" enters. With his magic touch, he loosens the dreary garb that clothes "Desert." The gray robes fall to her feet and she stands revealed as a blossoming rose. She dances joyously about, she calls to her many spirits of "Fruits" and "Flowers," who join her in the dance. All is brought to a happy climax as "Desert" and "Labor" stand hand in hand receiving the joyful homage of their children while the trumpeters "Progress" and "Development" blow their triumphant blasts. The noon luncheon should be accompanied with toasts, stories,' community

MUTUAL WORK 903 singing, etc. Games in the afternoon may be competitive between wards with prizes offered. The whole day and evening should be well supervised, placed under the personal direction of the stake committee on recreation with a corps of able leaders to plan all details as to transportation, meeting, picnic, games, bathing, dancing, etc. Why "Mormonism?" Studies for Associations Meeting Weekly During June, July, August and September Three Lessons for July IV — Because of Its Free Agency Emphasis 1. Man as an intelligence co-existent with God. Compendium Gems, p. 287; Doc. and Cov. 93:29. 2. Man as a free agent co-responsible with God. 3. Things are done by common consent. 4. The frequent referendum in sustaining officers. (a) As a test of membership loyalty. (b) As a stimulation to faithfulness in office. (c) As a guard against official auto- cracy. Special Problem: Distinguish between the righteous exercise of author- ity and official oppression. Questions and contributions from the audience. V — Because of Its Philosophy of Eternal Progress 1. From Ignorance to Knowledge. 2. From knowledge to wisdom. 3. From bondage to freedom. 4. From death to life. 5. From the human to the divine. Compendium Gems, p. 283. Special Problem : How are the doctrine of eternal progress and the theory of perpetual change related to each other? Compendium Gems p. 292. Doctrine and Covenants 63-51. Questions and contributions from the audience. VI — Because of Its Perpetual Youth Aspect 1. The prophetic possibilities for eternal youth. Corinthians 15:52; Doctrine and Covenants 63:51; Isaiah 65:22. 2. The youthfulness of its ideality, (a) Hope, (b) Helpfulness. (c) Joyful anticipation. (d) High hopes. (e) Implicit confidence. (f) Dauntless helpfulness. 3. The practical provision through Temple Ordinance. (a) Welding mortal love links for eternity. (b) Causing wedding bells to ring in the spirit world. (c) Heroic release of prisoners. Special Problem: Describe youthful spirit in an aged body. Discuss: No Latter-day Saint ever grows old enough to feel like ex- claiming "All is vanity, vanity, vanity!" Questions and contributions from the audience. Substance of the Tobacco Laws as They Relate to Minors in Utah, Idaho, and Arizona Utah — 1925 Unlawful to barter, sell or offer for sale cigarettes, cigarette paper without first obtaining a permit and giving a $500.00 bond. Body granting permit shall revoke same after notice and hearing for violation of law, and permit cannot be re-issued for two years after revocation. Unlawful to sell, or furnish to minor any cigarette, cigarette paper, cigar, or tobacco in any form, or to keep for sale with intention of selling in violation of law, any cigarette, cigarette paper, cigars or tobacco.

904 IMPROVEMENT ERA Unlawful for proprietor of any place of business to allow a minor to smoke there. Unlawful to advertise cigarettes, or cigarette paper in any manner. Idaho — 1921 Unlawful for minor to buy, accept or have in his possession any cigarette, cigar or tobacco in any form, or cigarette paper or wrapper in- tended for wrapping tobacco in the form of cigarette. Unlawful for any person to give, sell or furnish, directly or indirectly, any cigarettes, cigars, or tobacco in any form to a minor, or permit a minor to frequent any premises owned, held or managed by him for the purpose of indulging in use of tobacco in any form. Arizona — 1921 Unlawful for any person to give, sell or furnish to minor any cigar, cigarette, cigarette paper, smoking or chewing tobacco of any kind and unlaw- ful for any minor to buy, or have in his possession, or accept or receive from any person any such article. What About Our Tobacco Slogan? "We Stand for the Non-use and Non-sale of Tobacco" "Tobacco * * * is not good far man." Doc. and Cov. Sec. 98. Why? — Because — 1. It lowers and stunts mental and physical ,growth and efficiency. 2. It blights and dwarfs spirituality. 3. It undermines respect for both God and man and their laws. 4. It creates an appetite for other drugs including alcohol. 5. It undermines politeness, courtesy and respect for others. 6. It is destroying our boys and girls. Listen to Herbert Hoover: "There is no agency in the world today that is more seriously affecting the health, education, the efficiency and character of our boys and girls than the cigarette habit. * * * Cigarettes are a source of crime." Is the Cigarette Evil Increasing? In 1917 forty billion cigarettes were sold in the United States. In 1924 sixty-nine billion cigarettes were sold in the United States including about eight or nine billion sold to women, at a total cost of over a billion two hundred million dollars. Who Are the New Smokers of Cigarettes? "New smokers, boys and girls, begin with cigarettes and generally stick to it." Tobacco Record, March 2 6, 1924. Few take up smoking after they leave their teens and the Tobacco Trust knows that recruits must come from boys, girls and women, and their advertising is designed to reach such. Why is the use of Cigarettes1 Increasing? 1. Because it is fashionable. 2. Because of drug craving. The craving of users is progressive. 3. But principally because of the millions of dollars spent annually in ad- vertising. What Can we do to Stem the Tide? 1. Rigidly enforce the present laws both as to minors buying and merchants selling. 2. See that officers enforce the laws; co-operate with them. If they refuse to enforce the laws, see that they are replaced at the earliest moment with officers who will.

MUTUAL WORK 905 3. Co-operate with schools, churches, parent- teachers associations and all other 'associations interested in protecting and conserving our youth. 4. Co-operate with home, home evening programs, ward teachers. Use M Men's organizations and Boy Scouts to accomplish your ends, at least amongst boys and men of their age and even with officers and mcrch. nts. 5. Appoint a committee on law and order to carry the responsibility of the work and have them report frequently. 6. Impress upon our people in every way possible the sacredness and importance of the Lord's advice to us in the Word of Wisdom — "Tobacco is not good for man," and our Article of Faith, "We believe in honoring, upholding and sustaining the law." The Aged Juniper Victor Lindblad, Scout Executive, Logan, Utah, sends these two pictures taken at the visit of Secretary of Agriculture J. W. Jardine to Logan recently. They were taken at the base of the Old Juniper Tree up the left-hand fork of Logan Canyon. This is the oldest living Juniper tree in the world, age 3,500 years. It is estimated that this tree was 1,500 years old when the Savior was on the earth. The actual bore for age was made by Doctor Cowles of the Chicago University. In picture No. 1, the Eagle Scouts guarding the tree are, Wilburn Wilson. Marinus Fonnesbeck, and Harold Peterson. The picture No. 2, includes Secretary Jardine and the three boys mentioned above, and Scout Executive, Victor Lindblad. V 1 " i 1 .• '< MkM " \6r\ mtim ''' ii" 'vJm IwF^ljl EjB / |1k-j ■JjBte W» p;- 'T^fj mi ■ t£ V if ■»-- ^- " \ if % 5^ ■-•♦'••• .'■ ■■lit*- '^ m OW Juniper Tree, Logan Canyon

906 IMPROVEMENT ERA This tree was named "Juniper Jardine," on this hike, in honor of Secretary Jardine. Pageant, "Saul of Tarsus" The Joint M. I. A. of Nampa, Idaho, recently produced a pageant, entitled "Saul of Tarsus." It was done in order to portray more clearly the meaning and significance of the slogan to the boys and girls of the Mutual Improvement Association, as well as to the people of the city. The ^^^S^B Hjjg - n W^j B 1 i '*< m M ' m u >tE jH / I '»— **.*-"" L?"fl ^LV.!'- ."'' ■^ SAUL OF TARSUS PAGEANT, NAMPA, IDAHO, M. I. A. plot was written, and the] costumes, scenery, lighting, etc., arranged entirely by our own talent. The production made a very favorable impression on the large audience that witnessed it. The picture represents the characters who took part. — Arnold E. Johnson, president Y. M. M. I. A.

MUTUAL WORK 907 Y. M. M. I . A. Efficiency Rep ort, May, 1926 a „ o. •a M a ta STAKES ' § bfl 2 < 1 1 © |3 s h i fa da S 11 Ward Offic Meetings "3 o Deseret 10 5 7 7 7 8 10 10 8 6 78 Ensign .. 9 6 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 95 North Weber _. 9 6 6 10 5 9 10 10 9 10 84 Oquirrh 9 4 10 10 6 10 10 8 10 10 87 Salt Lake ___ _ 9 5 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 92 So. Sevier 10 5 10 10 8 10 7 7 10 8 85 Blackfoot 10 10 9 6 8 10 10 8 9 9 89 Boise 9 8 9 10 7 8 10 8 7 7 83 Curlew 5 5 2 5 10 10 3 3 43 Fremont 10 5 8 6 5 8 10 10 7 7 76 Idaho 9 4 7 8 7- 8 9 10 7 5 74 Malad 9 5 10 10 7 10 10 10 9 10 90 Rigby 7 4 7 3 5 6 9 9 7 3 60 Yellowstone . 9 5 9 4 6 10 10 10 10 6 79 Lethbridge 10 5 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 95 Calif. Mission _. 10 10 10 4 10 10 8 10 10 10 92 N. W. States. 10 10 10 10 10 10 8 8 10 8 94 Y. M. M. I. A. Statistical Report, May, 1926 STAKES "3s Deseret Ensign North Weber Oquirrh Salt Lake So. Sevier Blackfoot Curlew Fremont Idaho Malad Rigby Yellowstone . Lethbridge — Calif. Mission N. W. States | g © -3 471 934 640 462 1067| 200 514 125 657 203 331 520 370 232 1046 310 12110 106 85 98 51 136 60 94 18 103 41 64 78 50 71 204 83 187 160 158 276 92 94 157 51 120 14 189 76 61 89 100 95 382 171 146 112 204 31 135 12 162 26 80 78 94 63 224 55 . £ 3 c 22 147 283 233 149 405 87 151 25 149 24 85 81 93 67 165 36 617 53 87 70 10 70 874 68 74 109 35 211 599 74 31 63 18 156 433 41 21 38 9 80 953 91 69 75 23 253 229 28 42 27 28 518 70 81 87 14 90 69 10 4 6 13 635 63 91 61 18 78 183 16 43 5 2 8 290 36 41 30 35 348 49 25 28 6 32 337 31 55 36 42 324 42 34 34 12 38 1046 163 243 148 58 108 372 66 134 39 24 27 290 497 342 189 511 125 342 33 311 74 142 140 164 160 720 290 Fourteen stakes held out to the end this year, and two missions; twenty-one, last year and one mission. "The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong," "but he that endureth to the end shall be saved." The Four Gospels A report on the reading of the Four Gospels has been compiled and the result will be given in the Era as soon as the report has been passed on by the General Board Y. M. M. I. A. Also the testaments and certificates will be distributed and signed by the General Superintendency.