--- 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: 11 published: 1926-09 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations, “Mutual Work,” *Improvement Era* 29, no. 11 (September 1926): 1107–1119." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera29011unse 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: improvementera29011unse start_page: 1107 end_page: 1119 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1926-09) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera29011unse 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. --- # Mutual Work oJYLutual Work One-Day Conventions One-day conventions of the Y. M. and Y. L. M. I. A. will be held on the following dates in the stakes named: Aug. 2 8 and 29 — Box Elder, Tooele, Cottonwood, Jordan. September 11 and 12 — Cache, Logan, Salt Lake. September 18 and 19 — Ogden, Mt. Ogden, Weber, North Weber. September 25 and 2 6 — South Davis, Utah, North Davis. October 9 and 10 — Alpine, Kolob, Nebo, Palmyra, Ensign. Liberty, Pioneer. Grant, Granite, Oquirrh. These conventions will not be held in conjunction with the quarterly conferences. Stakes meeting on the same date may hold joint group conventions if desired. If joint conventions are held, please notify the General Office. The opening session will be held on Saturday evening, a special pro- gram being provided by the General Board for this event, under the di- rection of the M. I. A. stake committee on recreation. Consult with the stake presidency in regard to the date of the convention, and make an- nouncements in all public gatherings and in the local press. Provide music for the respective sessions. Plan to obtain 100% attendance. Every association in the stake should be completely organized and fully rep- resented. All Sunday School officers are excused from Sunday School to attend the convention. The stak£ presidency, high councilmen and the ward bishoprics are especially invited to be present. On Saturday, 7 to |8 p. m., a meeting of the M. I. A. stake and ward officers and stake and (ward Priesthood authorities will be held, and the theme will be recreation. From 8 to 8:30, an informal visiting; and from 8:30 to 10:30, there will be an entertainment under the direction of the stake committee on recreation. On Sunday, 9:30 to '10:30 a. m.- separate stake board meetings will be held of the Y. M. and the Y. L. M. I. A. From 10:30 to 12 a. m., a joint meeting of the stake and ward officers will be held; and at 12 noon, a joint luncheon, if convenient, where sociability and friendship may be developed. > On Sunday, 2 to 3 p. m.. a joint meeting of stake and ward, officers will be held. How to make gospel teaching more effective, and the reading course and how to get it read will be considered. From 3 to 4 p. m., separate meetings of stake and ward officers, at which the following program for the Y. M. M. I. A. will be carried out: 1. How I organize and put over the Y. M. M. I. A. program — a ward presi- dent, 10 minutes. 2. Our plans for the M Men — stake supervisor, 10 minutes. 3. The Advanced Junior Department, its place in the Y. M. M. I. A. pro- gram— General Board representative, 10 minutes. 4. How we propose to make every boy of the Junior Department an active Scout — stake commissioner, 10 minutes. 5. How we made our 100% record in Era and fund — a ward president. 6. General discussion and summary — led by General Board member. 1108 IMPROVEMENT ERA On Sunday evening, from 7:30 to 9, a joint meeting to which the public is especially invited will be held, the program being the same as in the two-day convention, the theme being the slogan: "We stand for a testimony of the divine mission of Joseph Smith." This slogan should be nicely illuminated and placed where all the congregation can see. For complete program, see July Era. Sunday Evening Convention Session The Sunday evening session of the M. I. A. Stake Conventions should be an occasion of great spiritual uplift. It should be impressive with the sacred import of our new slogan. We hope that many young people will be present. The references in the Doctrine and Covenants to be memorized and given as number 4 on the program are in the hands of stake super- intendents. The talks called for in number 6 and 7 should not be longer than the 7 minutes specified. Fast Sunday Evening Joint Programs THEME: THE PROPHET JOSEPH SMITH Part II. Evidences of the Divinity of his Mission I — A Restorer (October) "Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: "That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him." Ephesians 1:9, 10. Through Joseph Smith were restored: 1. The correct understanding of the personality of Deity, originally po sessed by the ancients, but for long periods lost to men. (History of the Church, Vol. 1, p. 5.) 2. The power to act in the name of Deity — Ministrations of John the Baptist and of Peter, James and John. (History of the Church, Vol. 1, pp. 3 9-41, 175, 176; D. B C. 128:20.) 3. The original pattern of Church organization. (D. £S C. 107.) 4. The power and authority to gather Israel from the nations of the earth — Ministrations of Moses. (D. 8 C. 10:65; 29:2; 110:11.) 5. The knowledge of redemption for the dead — rMinistration of Elijah. (See Outlines of Ecclesiastical History, by Roberts, Part IV, Sections 1, 2, 5, 6. 7; Articles of Faith by Talmage; Church History, Vol. II, pp. 3 80,43 5; D. 8 C. 2:1; 110:13-16; Rational Theology, Chap. 2 8. II — An Organizer. (November) Through Joseph Smith were organized: 1. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (D. « C. 20; History of the Church, Vol. 1, pp. 60-80; Outlines of Eccle- siastical History, by Roberts, Part IV, Sec. 2; Essentials in Church History, by Joseph Fielding Smith, p. 91.) 2. The Quorums of the Priesthood. a. High Priests. b. The First Presidency. MUTUAL MESSAGES 1109 c. The Patriarchal Priesthood. (History of the Church, Vol. II, p. 2 34.) d. The High Council. e. The Twelve Apostles. f. The Seventy. (History of the Church, Vol. I, pp. 77-80; 2 8 7-2 89; Essentials in Church History, by Joseph Fielding Smith, pp. 126, 148. 168, 169, 180, 182; D. « C. 107.) 3. The Presiding Bishopric. (D. BC. 41:9; 42:10; 68:15-24; 107:15-17.) 4. The Stakes of Zion. (D. & C. 82:13, 14 and references; History of the Church, Vol. I, p. 3 3 5. 5. The Relief Society. (Essentials in Church History, p. 645.) Ill — A Translator (December) • Through Joseph Smith Were Translated: 1. The Book of Mormon. a. Received through divine agency. (History of the Church, Vol. I, pp. 18-31; D. « C. y.) 2. The Book of Abraham. (Pearl of Great Price. History of the Church, Vol. II, pp. 235-236. See Vol. I, pp. 98-101, for account of Book of Moses, first part of Pearl of Great Price.) IV — A Revelator ' (January) "Where there is no vision the people peri; h." (Proverbs 29:18.) "Surely the Lord God will do nothing but he revealeth his secrets unto his servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7; I Nephi 22:2.) Important revelations given to the Church of Jesus Christ through the Prophet Joseph Smith: 1. Call to MLsionary Service. (D. « C. 4.) 2. Duties of Parents to Children. (D. B C. 68:25-28.) 3. The Word of Wisdom. (D. 8 C. 8 9.) 4. Tithing. (D. 8 C. 119.) 5. A Vision of the Glories. (D. 8 C. 76.) 6. The Everlasting Marriage Covenant. (D. &f C. 13 2.) (One or two of these revelations or any others desired may be selected for the meeting.) Note: For an account of the compilation of the Doctrine and Covenants, see History of Church, Vol. II, chapter 18. Why Mormonism? Studies for Associations Meeting Weekly During June, July, August and September Three Lessons for September X — Because of Its Provision foe Recreation 1. The early leaders of the Church recognized the need for recreation. 2. Pioneer standards. Simplicity, moderation, modesty, spiritual atmosphere. Incidents of the plains. 3. Present objectives in recreation. (Page 8, Official Recreation Guide, published by General Boards of M. I. A.) Special Problem: How does recreation build Latter-day Saints? Questions and contributions from the audience. 11 10 IMPROVEMENT ERA XI — Because of Its Doctrine of Individual Salvation. Doctrinal basis — 1. Second Article of Faith: "We believe that a man will be punished for his own sins, and not for Adam's transgression." 2. "Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto -in this life it will rise with us in the resurrection." Doc. and Cov. 130:18. 3. Manifold opportunities are afforded by the Church of Jesus Christ for the development of intelligence and the exercise of individual gifts. Special Problem: Show how "knowledge is power" a. applied to the individual. Questions and contributions from the audience. XII — Because of Its Promised Destine. 1 . Its destiny foretold by the prophets. (a) Prophecies fulfilled. Micah 4:1, 2; Isaiah z:2, 3; Rev. 18:4; Eph. 1:10. (b) Prophecies to be fulfilled. Isaiah 11; 60:12-22; Daniel 2:25-45. I 2. Events incident to the final triumph of the Church of Christ. (a) The gathering of Israel. (b) The redemption of the dead, (a) The millennial reign. (d) The establishment of the Kingdom of God. (See "Articles of Faith," by Talmage, chapter 20.) Special Problem: What present signs of the times indicate this destiny? ^Questions and contributions from the audience. What to Do in September Work up interest in stake conventions still unheld. What ^are you doing to get the Book of Mormon read? Credits will be given on the efficiency report. This is the month for stake and ward officers to get together in their respective groups, in a semi-social, semi-business way, to dicuss the coming season's work and to warm up for the Winter's program. The General Boards urge continuation of this custom. Officers get acquainted and arouse enthusiasm when they thus meet in such a friendly and informal manner. A definite program should be planned, a part of which should be devoted to well-organized discussion of the season's work, and part to social affairs. The executives should have a definite project in mind; the high points of the year's M. I. A. work should be pointed out. Especial atten- tion should be given to the business pertaining to the opening of the season's work, and particularly to the checking on stake and ward organ- ization. Arrangements for the October membership social should be made. Department heads and class leaders should be given an opportunity to present their plans and their programs, so that all may be brought into a sympathetic appreciation of the stake and ward organization as a whole. The social division of this meeting offers an excellent opportunity for the Committee on Recreation to present some of the recreation projects for the coming year, and to obtain some real experience in working out activities that they may desire to present later; so, also, with the Stand- ards Committee, and the Committee on Organization. Material may be obtained from Recreational Bulletin No. 5, Fathers and Sons' Outing. MUTUAL MESSAGES 1111 Summer Camp, and from Recreation Organization and Leadership, the official recreation guide which is a new edition of No. 5. See that the games, the songs, the dance-mixers, and the dramatizations shall take on the M. I. A. spirit and color. Extend invitations to the presidency of the stake to attend, and to the bishopric of the ward. In short, this is the place, and the month, and the time, to get the M. I. A. machinery oiled up and put into operation for the regular Fall program. , ; An important part of the work is the checking of manuals, roll books, report blanks, the Reading Course, so ,far accomplished; in short, the stake board, ward officers, the department heads, and the class leaders should be selected and the complete distribution of responsibility made. Make the evening social an educational and business success. Note that the five manuals will be ready early in September as follows: For the Advanced Senior class year, choice between: Heroes of Science and Rational Theology. For the Senior Class: The Young Man and Religion. For the Junior class, Stones of Courage and Devotion; the Advanced Junior Class, Religion a Vital Factor in Character Building. The Y. M. M. I. A. has never offered a more interesting and attractive study than this year. See the colored insert in this issue of the Era. A Short-Play Contest The judges on Short-Play Contest, for which the Improvement Era received some eighteen different plays, have reported on the one best suited for the purpose of the M. I. A., and the prize, $35, is awarded to the. author of the play, entitled The Rescue, written by Annie G. Palmer, 320 Wall Street, Salt Lake City. The play, entitled It's Me received favorable mention; also the following two plays, especially adapted to scouts; Lift Up Thine Eyes Unto the Hills; and The Honor of a Scout. We appreciate our correspondents' labor, made in this contest, and are encouraged by their splen- did efforts. Thank you. Hope you will try again. A Thriving Branch in Kelsey, Texas The Y. M. M. I. A. annual report of the Kelsey, Texas, Y. M. M. I. A. shows a membership of officers and class leaders, eight; members enrolled, sixty-five; total number enrolled, seventy-three. The average at- tendance of members is sixty. There have been seven joint 'meetings on Sunday evenings. The officers are: President, Braxton Futrell; Paul Wade and Heber Jones, counselors; music director, Myrtle Jones; "organist, Cornelia Hamberlin; scout masters. Taylor Smith, Johnnie Futrell, Heber Jones. The General Office hopes to get in closer touch with the Mutual Improvement Association of Texas and the Central States mission through monthly reports that are promised by the mission president. We wish our friends abundant success during the coming season, for which the Y. M. M. I. A. general officers has provided some splendid manuals of a religious character. German Scouts Members of the Pfadfinder (Boy Scouts) of Stettin. First group of uniformed scouts in Germany. We hav; about 40 scout organizations in the German-Austrian mission. Much interest is being created among our Church members. These snap shots give some idea of th; scout work being done in Germany .-^-Ernest D. $chettter, German- Austrian mission. (See p. 1 1 12 for photo.) 1 1 12 IMPROVEMENT ERA GERMAN SCOUT ORGANIZATIONS IN ACTION. (See page 1111.) MUTUAL MESSAGES 1111 "Heroes of Science" "Great men, taken up in any way, are profitable company. We cannot look, however imperfectly, upon a great man, without gaining something by him. He is, the living light-fountain which it is good and pleasant to be near. The light which en- lightens, which has enlightened the darkness of the world; and thij not as a kindled lamp only, but rather as a natural luminary shining by the gift of heaven. * * * On any term: whatsoever, you will not grudge to wander in such neighborhood for a while." — Heroes and Hero Worship, by Carlyle. Heroes of Science. A Study for trie Advanced Senior class, written by Dr. John A. Widtsoe. Dr. Franklin S. Harris and N. I. Butt, is a book dealing with great men who have conferred lasting benefit upon mankind. It is an obligation. to know from what darkness, at what cost, and to what glorious light these heroes have brought mankind. It will be of lasting value to become acquainted with them and to wander for awhile in their company. Among the galaxy of" great ones here treated are Aristotle, Copernicus, Galileo, Newton, Priestly, Lavoisier, Henry, Goodyear, Scheele. The writers concisely, clearly and with deep appreciation introduce these men to the reader and show how great is the debt of gratitude due them for their contributions. The M. I. A. in the Central States Mission President S. O. Bennion reports that during the next year detailed information concerning the activities of the Mutual Improvement Associa- tions will be furnished monthly from that mission. Elder J. B. Summer- hays has been appointed to look after the matter, and he will be out in the field supervising Mutual work in connection with the Sunday School labors. Down in the Jozye branch in Texas there were, during three months of the last season, more than one hundred young people in attendance at the M. I. A. These meetings were held jointly with the Young Ladies, on account of there being members and non-members who were investigating. We shall be pleased to receive the report from the Central States mission monthly, showing the efficiency and statistics of the M. I. A., and trust that other missions in the United States will follow their example, where we are not already getting this information. A Wonderful Line-up of Fathers and Sons A remarkable Fathers and Sons' outing of the Curlew stake was held on the east fork of Rock Creek, near Rockland, Idaho, about fifty miles from Snowville, June 25 and 26, 1926. The outing was a complete success. There are only about 1,242 members in the whole stake of ten wards, but at the outing about one-fifth of the entire population of the stake was present. "To be exact," we are told by Superintendent D. G. Nelson, Jr., "we had fifty-two car and truck loads, and two hundred sixteen fathers and sons on the outing. We believe that a good deal of our suc- cess was due to the splendid support and cooperation received from the stake presidency and the bishoprics of the wards. This is our fourth successive outing put over in the Curlew stake. We all agree that a great deal of good has come out of it. There were nine fathers present with five to eight sons." The pictures accompanying tell the story. One of them shows seven fathers, out of the nine, with their sons. It is a thrilling picture. (See next page for photograph.) nJfc?FJtoa * pt!v r ' ^* 51 #J Hjsi* mnmMHMMMMK EMMHHhHSMHBBBMBHHSSMMHBHBI^HHHBEBE CURLEW STAKE FATHERS' AND SONS' OUTING Top: Seven of the nine fathers in line with five or more sons. Center: Twenty of our oldest fathers playing indoor baseball. Bottom: Just after the flag ceremony, June 26, 1116 IMPROVEMENT ERA Los Angeles LIST OF OFFICERS AND STAKE BOARD MEMBERS OF LOS ANGELES M. I. A., MEMBERS OF M. I. A. CHORUS AND CONTESTANTS, PRESENT AT JUNE CONFERENCE SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH. JUNE 11, 12, 13, 1926 Y. M. M. I. A. — Edwin M. LeBaron, 1st asst. supt.; Blaine Steed, secy.; Lyman Redd, senior supervisor; Basil Kerr, advance cen.; Wm. C. Salt, music director, Cecil Blackhurst, pres. M assn.; Jack H. West, vice-prcs. M A.sn. Y. L. M. I. A. — Veda Savage, president; Laura Hotaling, 1st counselor; Vivian Kerr, 2nd counselor; Jocephine Stewart, secy.; Luella Rasmussen. sen. supervisor; Eliza Packard, Beehive Dept. ; Rhea Preece, Beehive Dept. ; Artel Funk, president Gleaner Girls; Rose Broderson, vice-pres. Gleaner Girls. Contestants. — Male Quartette: 1. Edwin Rogers; 2. Grant M. Price; 3. Albert McCune; 4. Wallace Burton; Harold Anderon, director; Mrs. Harold Anderson, accompanist. Ladies' Chorus: (Winners in Church Finals) 1. Frances Stevens; 2. Frecda Potts; 3. Zella Hance; 4. Nellie Tyler; 5. LaRue Garrison; 6. Hazel Carmen Garrison; 7. Elvera Oben; 8. Marie Youkstetter; 9. Doris Youkstetter; 10. Edna Sant; 11. Venice West; 12. Mary Schermeister; Hortense Steed, director. Public Speaking: Rulon F. Molen, Nell Jackson. Los Angeles Stake M. I. A. Chorus. — Edwin M. LeBaron, executive chairman; Vivian Kerr, asst. executive chairman; Wm. C. Salt, director; Hortense Gordon Steed, accompanLt. Loraine T. Crawley, chairman M division: M Men: Cecil Blackhurst, Edwin Booth, Kenneth Cole, Percy Burrell, Loraine T. Crawley, O. J. Davis, Walter Daniels, Zhauncey H. Fish, Joseph Gibby, Geo. R. Gygi, Oliver Perry Hancock, Al. Harris, Frank R. Jen:en, Fred F. Jenson, V. J. Later, Earl A. Mortensen, Verdie Nielson, Henry Olsen, Clarence Ord, Lynn Osborn, Paul M. Pack, H. Don Preece, Frank Riggs, Joel S. Sedgwick, Ivan G. Stay, Theodore M. Sorensen, David Stewart, Merlin Wilson Sant, Clifford Thomson, Orson Tyler, Roy Ucenbach, Jack West, Glen G. Williams. Karl Treu, John Treu, Carl A. Jonsson, Allen G. Brockbank, Varus A. Keeler, Chauncy Harmon. Ro;e Broderson, chairman Gleaner division: Gleaner Girls: Adeline Anderson, Eva Anderton, Lucile Anderson, LaPriel Bell, Ruth Bowman, Rose Broderson, Ilah Castile, Wilma Cheney, Ella Fleming, Edna Forsey, Artel Funk, Vcspa Gough, Zola Gough, Louise Gallacher, Anna LaRue Garrison, Katheryn Groesbeck, Zella Hance, Doris Hawks, Ruby T. Hertzog, Clara Hobbs, Erma Jackson, Mildred Jen en, Lcona Jenkins, Freda Kolliker, Theo Larson, Lora Hancock, Hattie McLeod, Eivera Olson, Eliza Packard, Margie Pape, Odette Patten, Margaret PederLen, Freeda Potts, Rhea May Preece, Etta Prickett, Afton Little Reggs, Minnie Kate Robin. on. Alta Peggy Rollins, Blanche Ross, Edna Sant, Mary Schirmeister, Lucille Sevey, Josephine Stewart, Frances Stevens, Ruby Stevens, Alma Summervold, Edna Tuttle, Nellie Tyler, Wand^ Tremelling, Ruth Trenam, Ruth Ursenbach, Dorb Youkstetter, Marie S. Youkstetter, Virginia Kofard, Ruth Hoglund, Hazel Carmen Garrison. . Advanced Senior Classes One of the subjects for study in the Advanced Senior classe.s this year is "Current Events." Those classes which select this subject will neces- sarily make special preparation. Current topics should be outlined and developed carefully by each teacher. The General Board Committee cannot give lesson outlines and detailed help, as done in other courses, for events are happening so rapidly that only the alert teacher in the field can keep up with the latest happenings and present them to his class ere they have been supplanted by events of later interest. Each teacher should cultivate a sense of values so that the class period will be spent most profit- MUTUAL MESSAGES 1117 ably. At the opening sessions brief reviews of the big events of the past few months might be profitably considered as an introduction, and preparation for more detailed study later; as an example, the Mexican situa- tion, (see Tribune Aug. 8 and Aug 15 for discussion by Monsignor Hunt and President Ivins; also Passing Events in this number), world dislike for the United States, faimer relief program, progress in aviation, prohibition, etc. Not every field may be entered each lesson, neither do all fields offer equally rich material at all times, but the eyes of the. class should be kept on the most important happenings in science and invention, art and literature, exploration and discovery, religion, ethics and sociology, politics and in- dustry. Committees may be appointed to keep their eyes open for material in specific fields. ' A Pleasing Feature of the June Conference One of the big features of the M. I. A. June conference, 1926, was the "invasion" of three hundred Mutual Improvement workers from the Los Angeles stake, California — stake and ward officers, M Men and Gleaner Girls and general members — who came in a body, by special train, and set a new standard of attendance for the M. I. A. workers throughout the Church. Despite the fact that they had traveled more than 800 miles, they attended the first meeting, and were early, and took part in the various gatherings throughout the conference. Their M. I. A. "Thrift" Chorus.' composed of ninety-five voices, thirty-nine M Men and fifty-six Gleaner Girls, with Wm. C. Salt as director, and Hortense Gordon Steed as accompanist, furnished the entire music for two sessions, adding to the interest and delight of those in attendance. Their presence was a stimulus to M. I. A. workers from other stakes, and elicited praise and commenda- tion from the General Officers of the M. I. A. organizations. Aside, however, from the general feeling of inspiration which their splendid efforts occasioned, they did something definitely beneficial in their own behalf, when their Ladies' Chorus won first place in the finals' of the contest, taking the $50 prize. They were also represented in the Male Quartette and both the Young Men's and Young Ladies' Public Speaking contests. Though the principal object of their trip was to make their contri- bution of talents to the success of the June conference, other aims and activities were also on their program. After the conference was over, about ninety members of their company did temple work for themselves or their dead in the Salt Lake temple; and many enjoyed the scenic beauty of southern Utah1 on their return trip home. Much credit for the splendid success of the trip as a whole is due to the fine conduct and cooperation of all members of the party, and also to the efficient leadership of those who had the matter in charge. The M. I. A. officers and board members of the Los Angeles stake, as well as all the general members of the M. I. A., especially the members of the chorus and those who contested in the various activities of the conference, are all to be commended for their foresight, courage and effort in so great an undertaking, which, no doubt, has resulted in marked spiritual growth, and the development of greater love and loyalty for the Church and its institutions. It is an example of the value and possibilities of unselfish cooperation of a large group of ward and stake workers, which may be applied to any worthy endeavor with like results. Perhaps one of the most important benefits of the undertaking was the favorable opportunity it gave the young people, from all parts of that large stake, for whole- some social contact; and the enthusiasm which it has created and developed for Mutual Improvement work, through meeting the recreational urge, ■a 43 43 ^3 * 9 O MUTUAL MESSAGES 1119 has been amply manifested. Two members of the party, an M Man and a Gleaner Girl, were recent converts to the Church. Their endeavors were also successful from a financial point of view, since they had instituted a thrift campaign several weeks before making the trip, by which a fund was created to help defray their expenses. Hence the name "Thrift Chorus." And then by an arrangement with the Rail- road Company, which gave them a commission on tickets sold more than a certain number, they not only returned home free from debt, but with a considerable sum of money for their treasury. These workers from the Los Angeles stake are also appreciative of the praise given them for their efforts, and also of the kind treatment they received while in Salt Lake City and other parts of Utah. "The young people who made this trip," writes Edwin M. LeBaron, their chief executive, "are a unit in voting it the best time of their lives, and all seem to have a deeper and firmer faith in God and an added appreciation for the Church as a means to a constructive, active and happy life. We hear many ex- pressions of love and loyalty from our young people for our presiding authorities since our return, which makes us doubly grateful for our service and association with them." They have set a precedent, the high standard of which they will strive to maintain, which means, no doubt, that they will come again next year, with even greater strength and power, both in numbers and influence. And their worthy example will be a sufficient incentive, perhaps, to cause other outlying stakes to attend our next M. I. A. conference enmasse, and make their contributions, by their presence and activities, to the enthusiasm and great spiritual uplift which result from so many intelligent, active persons coming together for a common, righteous purpose. Flowers Is death so bad, When falling back to sleep We rest from toil and strife? Our smiles Are planted in earth's bosom thence to sprout, And bring forth flowers To fringe the dusty way. Today I walked The winding pathway through, And heard the rippling brook Tell tales Of sprightly spirits — smiles of other days, That romp in glades And play in blythsome May. Is death so bad, When each good act lives on In the mind of child or man, To bring, In God's own time, fulfilment of our love? Flowers on the hills Are smiles of yesterdays. Oxford, Idaho. WlLFORD LEE.