M. I. A. Standards

M. I. A. STANDARDS* By Elder Sylvester Q. Cannon, Presiding Bishop of the Church T feel, my brethren and sisters, in view of the shortens9 of the time, that it would be much better to give the time to President Nibley, from whom, I am sure, you would much prefer to hear rather than me. But at the request of Superintendent George Albert Smith I would like to touch upon two or three topics that refer to the standards that are expected to be maintained by the Mutual Im- provement workers and members in the Summer time. I am sure that most, if not all, of that which I shall have occasion to say has been re- ferred to in your discussions in the conference. Is there anything new in fact under the sun? Do we not repeat a great many things? But, after all, is it not important to call our attention to those things that are vital and fundamental in their nature? It is said that a teacher cannot teach anyone, but that one must learn for himself, and the teacher can only give him the impulse which will enable him to form the resolution or to develop the habit and to determine to advance and to achieve. Simon Peter, the fisherman and apostle of Jesus Christ, was outwardly the same man after the day of Pentecost that he was before, but inwardly he was an entirely different character. Before that time he was wavering, he was uncertain, he was not positive in his nature. But on the day of Pentecost, when the power and influence of the Holy Ghost rested upon him, nothing could change his pur- pose to serve the Lord and to advance His purposes. I am sure with regard to every one of us who are officers and members of the Mutual Improvement Association that if we make up our minds with regard to the standards which should be maintained, and if we will undertake to sustain them, there is no question at all that they will be maintained. Summer Outings I would like to call your attention briefly to four different things that I think are worthy of consideration. There are, of course, many others. The first is with regard to the Summer outings of the Mutual Improvement Associations. Time will not permit of saying very much, but let me suggest this — that with all the outings that we enjoy the recreational features should be under the supervision of Mutual Improvement officers. There should be always a spirit that what we do and what we enjoy should be as Latter- *Given at the Sunday morning meeting of the M. I. A. conference, June 13, 1926.

M. I. A. STANDARDS 927 day Saints. We can enjoy life to the fullest and still be true Latter-day Saints. There is no occasion for extreme hilarity; there is no occasion for boisterousness; there is no occasion for going beyond what is proper and discreet in our actions. They should be such that any group of people, no matter who they might be, seeing us at play, would realize and appreciate the fact that we are main- taining a standard as Latter-day Saints. Those who have to do with us as chaperons or hosts should cultivate congeniality so that there is unity and harmony in all that we do, and that there is proper supervision. Sabbath Observance Again, I would like to call your attention to the importance of observance of the Sabbath day, particularly during the Summer time. What constitutes a breach of the Sabbath day? The Lord tells us in the 59th section of the Doctrine and Covenants that the purpose of the Sabbath day is that we may rest from our labors and pay our devotions to the Most High. Anything that interferes with those two things in our actions or our thoughts on the Sabbath day is contrary to the spirit of the day. Anything that interferes with the worship of the Lord, anything that interfers with our proper rest on that day, is contrary to the spirit of it. I am sure that if we have that in mind, if we as officers undertake to encourage and instruct the young people to cultivate that thought they will not go far astray in their observance of it, because anything that will dis- turb that spirit is contrary to the keeping of that day holy. We need to cultivate restraint in proper measure in this as in other things. The Word of Wisdom Third, the Word of Wisdom. I need hardly take up the time to speak of it. I am sure we are all converted to it and that you have made up your minds to observe the Word of Wisdom to the best un- derstanding that you have and in accordance with instruction given through the revelations of the Lord. There is no occasion for us to have any wavering in that matter. We can observe it with the assurance that the Lord will bless us; physically? yes; mentally? yes; spiritually? yes; and that without being in any way fanatical or abnormal. Evidences are sufficient, they are, in fact, overwhelming in regard to its benefits, recognized everywhere by every thinking person who knows the Word of Wisdom, whether inside or outside of the Church. Saving the Wayward Fourth. The bringing in of the wayward boys and girls. Every boy and girl in this Church is worth saving — is worthy of all

92 8 IMPROVEMENT ERA our efforts. How are they going to be saved? Those who are careless and indifferent, how have they been brought to that condition? Is it nagging, is it scolding, is it being started off in a certain direction and then always condemning them in what they are doing? Then surely it is worth the effort of us individually to encourage them and make them feel that they are worth saving and that they are valuable. Go to them individually, quietly, and invite them little by little to take part in various activities. Bring to them the realization that they have a purpose and a responsibility in life. May the Lord bless and prosper all of us in our efforts to ad- vance the interests of the work of God, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Your Company What is your company when you're alone? It's this, that I'm asking about. You go with this pal, and then with that, But yourself you never leave out. Your thoughts will always be with you, my lad, And no matter where you go, You will never be able to leave yourself out; You are always your pal, you know. Make your thoughts the best when you are alone, And keep them clean, through and through; You will then be able to help someone else To think as you're thinking, too. Have you ever thought of the pain, and woe, In this world in which you live, Just caused by thoughts grown into acts — Thoughts, which the Evil One gives? God never has prompted an evil thought; And if, like him you would be, You must think clean thoughts wherever you are; Make your thoughts your best company. And so, my lad, wherever you roam, O'er land or distant sea, 1 Just think clean thoughts, and virtuous be, And your thoughts and you will agree. What is your company when you're alone? Be able boldly to say: "They are pure, clean thoughts, that's my company, And they'll lead me to heaven some day." Raymond Alberta. ALMA E. HANCOCK