Mutual Work

Inter-Stake Contest, Montpelier What was termed the biggest event in the history of Montpelier, Idaho, was the M. I. A. inter-stake contest meet held there on May 21, 1927, in which six stakes took part. The town was appropriately decorated for the occasion, and was crowded to capacity with enthusiastic attendants. The fine demonstration of the Mutual workers elicited admiration and praise on every hand, and an excellent review of the affair appeared in the local press. Six stakes participated in the contest, covering a wide range of activities. Stakes winning first places were: Montpelier, in Drama, Young Men's Public Speaking and Male Chorus; Idaho, the Lancers (dance) which brought a real thrill of admiration; Portneuf, Ladies' Three-part Chorus. Young Ladies' Public Speaking and Girls' Chorus; Star Valley, Mixed Double Quartet, Beauty Contest, and Baritone Solo; Bear Lake, M Men's Quartet; Bannock, Harmonica Solo. The divisional contest was held at Preston, June 1, at which these winning stakes competed for the privilege of participating in the grand finals at Salt Lake City, June 10 and 11. Boy Scouts in Utah The council efficiency standing for April, 1927, Region Twelve, B. S. A., shows six councils in Utah, four of them in the 100-point councils, one in the 90-point council and one in the 60-point council: Total Points Membership Troops To Date Cache Valley 400 1422 63 Salt Lake 380 2 691 131 Timpanogos 380 2320 123 Zion National Park 340 482 29 Ogden Gateway . 350 1691 81 Bryce Canyon 220 758 20 Totals in Utah 9364 447 The M. I. A. Slogan 1927-28 Seasonable, appropriate, timely, and implying work and faith, is the M. I. A. slogan for 1927-28: "WE STAND FOR A FULLER KNOWLEDGE OF THE BOOK OF MORMON, AND A TESTIMONY OF ITS DIVINE ORIGIN." The Standards Committee in each association throughout the Church and in each stake of Zion should immediately set to work to place the slogan in its full meaning before the young people. The implied work lies in reading the Book of Mormon, also standard archaelogical works, to which every member of the association should direct his ambition. The faith that will bring a testimony of its divine origin may be obtained by following the admonition of Moroni: "And when ye shall receive these things I would exhort you that you would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you by the power of the Holy Ghost." The City of the Sacred Well, is a very desirable and interesting book

MUTUAL WORK 835 on Maya history and archaelogical discoveries. See the list of reading course books. The Reading Course 1927-28 The following list of books are recommended by the General Boards of the M. I. A. from which to select books: READING COURSE The Book of Mormon, a history of God's dealings with the ancient inhabitants ot America. Other Religious Works Saturday Night Thoughts, Orson F. Whitney; Deseret Book Company; $1.25. Exiles, Alfred Osmond, historical poetry, the Pioneers; Deseret Book Company; $1.50. General Reading The Mansion, Van Dyke, a moral story; Harpers; 75c. Two Years Before the Mast, Dana; McMillan; $1.25. The Peace of Solomon Valley, McCartcr, McClurg; $1. Novels A Certain Rich Man, James Allen White; $1.25. The Beauty of the Purple, William Stearns Davis, romances of Imperial Constantinople A. D. 715; McMillan; $2.50. Marching On, James Boyd, a novel of the Civil War; Scribners; $2.50. Junior Books Zac Peters, Hagedorn, a boy's ten dreams of the Constitution; J. C. Winston Com- pany; $1.00. The Trail of the Sandhill Stag, Seton; Scribners; $1. In the Temple of the Great Outdoors, Curtis, scouting; Deseret Book Company; 5 0l. Historical and Biographical The City of the Sacred Well, T. A. Willard, Maya history, archaeological discoveries, $4. George Washington, a biography by Woodrow Wilson; Harper; $3. Prices on all books subject to change. It is required that the Standards Committee of each stake and association shall aid the association officers in selecting such a number and kind of books from this list as will be most suitable and adaptable to the stake or association in which they are laboring, and that they will then obtain the books selected for the use of the association; also encourage as many as possible of the members to purchase such books as will be the most adaptable to them individually. During January, 1928, when all the officers are expected to aid the Standards Committee in boosting their activities, every member should be asked to read one book at least and report the same to the officers of the association. During that month short reviews in the association should be given by some competent person of the contents of at least three or four of the books to create an interest in them. We expect every member of the associations will read the Book of Mormon during the year, — the year in which we celebrate the 100th an- niversary of the delivery of* the plates to the Prophet Joseph Smith. It will remain on the Efficiency Report as during last year. Miama, St. Joseph Stake James A. Duke, president Miami ward Y. M. M. I. A., reports a Fathers and Sons' outing, which was decided upon at a meeting and banquet of the Apache Council of Boy Scouts of America. The Scouts took kindly

836 IMPROVEMENT ERA to the idea and gave the M. I. A. a place on their program for the National Boy Scout week in May. Camp Goodwill was designated as the place, and the day was May 7. The camp is a beautiful community home built by the citizens in the Pinal mountains, about twelve miles from Miami, and con- tributed to by the Board of Supervisors of the county. There was a fine spirit of cooperation, tending to show that we would have a large company present, but on Saturday morning, the day of the outing, it began to rain and hail, and continued bad weather until about 3 o'clock, in spite of which there were one hundred people on the grounds. It stopped storming about 3 o'clock, and the boys and their fathers got busy and cooked supper on camp fires, after which a boys' jamboree was conducted by the boys themselves, which was very enjoyable to all participating. The games planned for the afternoon were all dispensed with, except a very interesting game of horseshoe, which the boys insisted on playing in the rain. Thirty-five boys and fifteen adults were present from our ward; the others being friends, not members of our Church. The company stayed over night and cooked two meals over the camp fire. In spite of the weather, it was a very successful time and kindled a feeling that we shall have a better and bigger outing next year. Yours for better comradship, James A. Duke, president Miami Y. M. M. I. A. Monthly Joint Sunday Evening Programs JULY, 1927— PATRIOTS AND PIONEERS 1. Patriotic music (appropriate for the Sabbath). 2. Pioneer hymns. 3. Stories of early patriots — Washington, Paul Revere. Nathan Hale, or others. 4. Stories of the "Mormon" pioneers. 5. Stories of local pioneers. (For younger members of the association) . 6. Address on "Patriotism" (by an M Man) ; or, "The Pioneers" (by a Gleaner Girl) . Other suggestions: An address by an Advanced Senior on the Twelfth Article of Faith, embodying the thought in the June conference topic — "Spiritualizing Life's Work" in relation to political, or civil affairs. . If desired, separate programs may be worked out dealing with patriotic topics or pioneer history. AUGUST, 1927 — FATHERS AND SONS' OUTINGS; MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS' DAYS Appropriate music, such as "Our mountain home so dear." "The world is fall of beauty," "God is love," "Trees" (words by Joyce Kilmer, music by Oscar Rasbach) . 1. "What Fathers and Sons' Outings have Meant to me," by a father and a son who have participated in such events. See Y. M. M. I. A. booklet. 1927, for suggestions. Free for the asking. 2. "What Mothers and Daughters' Days have Meant to me," by a mother and a daughter who have participated in such events. 3. "The Great Out-of-Doors,'' by a member of the Advanced Senior Department, or other person interested in Nature. Nature poems and qtotations; such as, "The Daffodils." by Words- worth; or, "The Groves were God's First Temples," by Byrant. (See Young Woman's Journal, July, 1926, for many quotations). SEPTEMBER, 1927— THE BOOK OF MORMON Appropriate hymns and music, L. D. S. Hymns, the new volume. 1. What is the Book of Mormon? 2. How did it originate? 3. What is the given purpose of the Book?

MUTUAL WORK 83 7 4. What is its contents, language and literary value? 5. Name some of the spiritual truths contained in it? 6. Show how it has added spiritual life to the people of our day. These points may be answered in one speech of thirty minutes, or two of fifteen minutes each, or six of five minutes each. For reference see Radio speech, Deseret News, Saturday, June 1 1 ; Reynold's Dictionary of the Book of Mormon; Robert's New Witnesses for God, vol 2, "Internal and External Evidences." Assignment should be made to competent members of the association who will prepare by faith and study. New Superintendents E. J. Milne, 633 West 40th Place, Los Angeles, California; vice, J. David Larsen, released May, 1927. Chauncey Snow, Jr., Calif. Bldg., Los Angeles, California, superin- tendent Y. M. M. I. A., Hollywood stake, organized at the conference held on Saturday, Sunday, May 21 and 22. Boise Stake M. I. A. Day The beginning, or source, of Stake M. I. A. Day, when stake contesi work reaches its climax, was the wisdom of the General Board, to whom we are grateful for their many helpful suggestions. The real work, however, that of preparation, is over before the day begins. May 7, the day observed by the Boise stake for this big event, was rather cold, but enthusiasm ran high and events in rapid succession were carried out. In the Boise stake, each year, points are given for participation in any event or in department work. For example: 100 points are given if the fund in full is turned in before May Day; 75 points to each ward entering Drama or Dancing; 100 points for 100% attendance during a certain month, and nothing scoring for less than 87%, etc. And the stake board presents a silver loving cup to the ward securing the largest number of points. The silver loving cup this year was awarded to the Weiser ward, with 555 points. The ward having the next highest number of points was Boise Second, with 475. During the season 1926-27 more wards have taken an interest in contest work than ever before, and more people in each ward have participated in the endeavor to put their ward foremost in the stake. After the eliminations in the various tryouts, one hundred contestants took part at Boise, in the different events, which shows the great extent to which the work is reaching. The Boise stake comprises wards from Glenn's Ferry, on the east, to Weiser, on the west, an expanse of 160 miles, and every ward had its eight members present to contest in the Lancers, as well as contestants in the other events. Y. M. M. I. A. Fall Conventions PROGRAMS Dates of Auxiliary Croup two-day Conventions — 1927: July 9-10 — Cassia, Yellowstone. July 16-17 — Curlew, Lost River, Malad. Aug. 6-7 — Alberta. Aug. 13-14 — Emery. Lethbridge, Teton. Twin Falls. Aug. 20-21 — Bannock. Blaine, Taylor, Wayne. Aug. 2 7-2 8 — Big Horn. Beaver. Idaho, Idaho Falls. Oneida. Sept. 3-4 — Bear River, Kanab, Pocatello, Portneuf, Rigby, South Sanpete. Sept. 10-11 — Bear Lake, Garfield, Gunnison, Millard, Panguitch. Sept. 17-18 — Minidoka, Montpelier, North Sanpete. Parowan, Raft River, San Juan. Sept. 24-25 — Duchesne, Roosevelt, Star Valley, St. George, Young. Oct. 1-2 — Carbon. Deseret, Fremont, Hyrum. Morgan. Sevier, Uintah. San Luis

838 IMPROVEMENT ERA Oct. 15-16 — Nevada. Benson. North Sevier, Shelley, Tintic, Woodruff. Oct. 22-23 — Lyman, Summit. Oct. 29-30 — St. Johns. Nov. 5-6 — Burley, Snowflake. Nov. 12-13 — South Sevier, Maricopa, Hollywood. Nov. 19-20 — Juarez, Los Angeles. Nov. 2 6-2 7 — Fianklin, Moapa, St. Joseph, Wasatch. Dec. 3-4 — Boise, Juab. Dec. 10-11 — Blackfoot, Union. Saturday Morning, 10:10 to 11:25 — Y. M. M. I. A. stake executives, stake superintendency and secretary, will meet. Cooperatice Plan for Year's Work; Selection, Training, and Supervision of Ward Workers, will be dis- cussed. Saturday, 11:30 a. m. to 12:30 p. m. — Stake executives, including stake presidency and clerk and the stake superintendencies or presidencies, and secretaries of all the auxiliary organizations. Saturday, 2 to 4 p. m. — M. I. A. Joint Boards, including high council representatives. Presentation and discussion of results of questionnaire on stake problems, by the general representative. Saturday, 8 to 10:30 p. m. — Stake social, conducted by the Mutual Improvement Association. Program: 1. Group Singing — An introduction to songs of the new L. D. S. Hymn Book. (Tableaus or dramatic pictures to be presented as songs are sung.) 2. Address (6 minutes), "Some outstanding incidents in local com- munity history," by a young woman. 3. Address (6 minutes), "How we can carry on," by a young man. 4. Dramatization of instances associated with the building of the local community. 5. A one-act play. Sunday, 9 to 10 a. m. — Y. M. M. I. A. Stake Board, including high council representatives, to discuss "Outstanding Problems In Supervision." Sunday, 10:05 to 11 a. m. — M. I. A. joint stake and ward workers, when recommendations resulting from the stake questionnaire will be dis- cussed; also suggestion for putting the slogan into action: the year-round program on recreation; Advance Senior work, and the M. I. A. Leader's opportunity in helping the Mutual young men and young women. Also the new M. I. A. year-round program. Sunday, 11:05 to 12 noon — Y. M. M. I. A. stake and ward workers, including bishops and high council representatives, to discuss Finance and Publication, Senior department. Junior and scouting program, Executive leadership, and Spirituality as .requisite for success. Sunday, 7 to 9 p. m. — General session, conducted by the Mutual Im- provement Association. Program: Presentation of slogan; Dramatization of Book of Mormon scenes: (a) Records, (b) Abinadi before King Noah, (c) Moroni's farewell. If the dramatization of the Book of Mormon scenes is not feasible, two ten-minute addresses should be given by local members, as follows: 1. "How to Gain a Fuller Knowledge of the Book of Mormon." 2. "How to Obtain a Testimony of the Divine Origin of the Book of Mormon." The Winners in the final M. I. A. Contests M Men Public Speaking: 1. Raymond Peterson, Alpine stake; subject, "God, the Artist;" prize, gold medal. 2. Kennie Bagley, Cottonwood stake; subject. "The New Youth;" prize, silver medal.

MUTUAL WORK 839 M Men Quartette: 1. South Sanpete; Mrs. George Beal, director; prize, gold medals. Members: LaVar Isaacson, Evan Christensen, Maurice Nielsen. George Jackson. 2. Liberty; John Davies, director; prize, silver medals. Y. M. M. I. A. Male Chorus: 1. St. George; Jos. W. McAllister, director; prize, $50. Members: Alfred Morris, Will Lund, Fred Reber, E. J. Bleak, Wendell Robinson, D. M. Snow, Elvis B. Terry, Clark Higgins, F. B. Nelson, Nathanial Ashby, Glen Crosby, Ray Whipple. 2. Deseret; F. G. Eyre, director; prize, $25. M. I. A. Orchestra: 1. St. George; Earl J. Bleak, director; prize, $50. 2. Alpine; Florence Priday, director; prize, $25. M. I. A. Band: 1. Wasatch; Delmar Dixon, director; prize, $50., 2. Box Elder; C. C. Watkins, director; prize, $25. M. I. A. Drama: 1. Granite stake; Miss Afton Love, director; prize, gold medals. Cast: Inez Witbeck. Steve L. Love, Josephine Fisher, Geo. Q. Spencer. 2. Fremont stake; Blanche Kendell McKey, director; prize, silver medals. Cast: George Person, Eily McKey, Mrs. Ray Miller, Seth Parkinson. M. I. A. Dancing: 1. Utah stake; Anna E. Decker and Thelma Dastrup, directors; prize, $25. Dancers: Orpha Nelson, Afton Payne, Wendell Taylor, Margaret Johnson, Dorothy Decker, Joe Bentley, Francis Swan, Paul Warnick. 2. Fremont stake; Mrs. Berthea Sessions, director; prize, silver medals. Dancers: Jasmine Romney, Reed Webster, Bee Gaddie, Leon Bush, Consuela Waldran, Mark Pincock, Maurine Holman, Clyde Garner. Gleaner Girls' Public Speaking: 1. Vivian Anderson, North Sanpete stake; subject, "Why Read the Bible?" prize, gold medal. 2. Leona Draper, North Weber stake; subject. "The Value of Time;'' prize, silver medal. Y. L. M. I. A. Ladies' Chorus: 1. Mt. Ogden; Mrs. Maggie Gainbell, director; prize, $50. 2. Carbon; Mrs. Ora B. Harding, director; prize, $25. The following division entries were made in musical and literary contest work at the final tryouts: M Men Public Speaking — Alpine, Cottonwood, South Sanpete, Poca- tello, Box Elder. M Men Quartette — South Sanpete, Fremont, Liberty, Morgan. Alpine. Franklin, Los Angeles. Y. M. M. I. A. Male Chorus — Sevier, Pocatello, Granite, Morgan. Deseret, St. George, Franklin, Los Angeles. M. I. A. Orchestra — Alpine, Mt. Ogden. Ensign, St. George. M. I. A. Band— Box Elder, Wasatch. M. I. A. Drama — Utah, North Davis. Granite. Fremont, North Sevier, Montpelier, Parowan, Los Angeles. M. I. A. Dancing — North Sanpete, Fremont, Cottonwood, North Weber, Utah, Lyman, St. George, Hyrum.

Y. M. M. L A. Statistical Report, May, 1927 STAKE | so ooH •3 | S3 .2ti ■2"S s d s 10 § Is II o d a Ha 00 5 si *a o •o'S S3 O 0- © S X is sa 00 X3 S S Beaver Deseret Ensign Juab Liberty North Davis . Ogden ! Oquirrh Pioneer Roosevelt Uintah Boise Fremont Idaho Falls Montpelier Rigby Yellowstone _ Lethbridge Lyman Star Valley— Calif. Mission N. W. States 314 493 934 249 1407 462 848 469 769 321 410 365 647 577 367 521 270 223 220 359 990 500 6| 2 121101 12 40| 110|200| 861146 31 175 54 93 59 102 56 79 77 135 72 73 108 69 54 47 117 192 37 72 251 76 151 80 148 85 121 80 203 147 90 122 110 69 92 70 300 93 411. | 55 127 33] 186 226 91|280 8 7|-..-|lll 3 75 152 299 336|236 1151 15 260 109 215 28 130 81 175 91 97 84 66 57 60 112 196 54 66 91185 267 62 139 79 214 107 113 103 87 70 79 87 169 23 148 656 892 301 1373 412 869 442 766 275 469 317 762 435 373 455 341 276 278 397 887 219 6 72 71 27 118 40 64 36 70 34 52 52 87 45 41 66 44 34 31 40 130 30 22 90 72 28 150 34 100 21 43 44 73 47 152 70 51 100 65 40 61 31 150 53 23 85 107 23 153 40 111 25 98 11 70 42 76 36 39 52 55 31 42 28 122 20 120 186 65 79 382 492 143 121 5 34 1 17 22 254|796 100J219 1961505 78 135 29 79 57 117 47 58 53 41 40 38 30 85 15 161 363 140 2 74 198 454 208 189 296 207 156 172 130 493 123 Y. M. M. LA . Efficiency Report, May, 1927 STAKE g s m & a 1 8 < sr s ■5 a Q i g 1 a 8 00 § S 2 O J § g 1 •o 15 CD I] i! v. -3 it Si is 3 Beaver 5 5 5 5 4 4 4 9 9 5 55 Deseret _ . . 10 6 8 10 8 8 10 10 7 7 84 Ensign 9 6 10 10 10 9 10 8 10 10 92 Juab . 10 5 8 8 8 e 7 7 8 6 73 Liberty 10 6 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 96 North Davis . 9 5 10 10 7 6 9 9 9 10 84 Ogden . 10 6 10 10 9 8 10 10 l'O 10 ' 93 Oquirrh 9 4 -10 10 10 6 9 10 10 9 87 Pioneer .- 10 5 9 6 10 5 10 8 10 10 83 Roosevelt 9 5 6 3 6 8 10 9 6 62 Uintah ... 10 6 10 5 7 8 9 10 10 8 83 Boise ..... 9 6 10 6 10 8 9 9 10 8 85 Fremont 10 6 9 10 10 9 10 10 10 10 94 Idaho Falls 8 5 8 4 4 4 9 8 7 7 64 Montpelier 10 5 4 3 | 3 5 8 8 4 8 58 Rigby _ 9 7 10 10 | 5 3 8 9 8 2 71 Yellowstone 9 6 10 3 1 4 7 9 9 10 8 75 Lethbridge | 10 6 10 10 | 10 10 10 10 10 10 96 Lyman 10 6 6 7 I 6 2 10 10 8 4 69 Star Valley 10 3 7 2 6 5 9 10 5 6 63 Calif. Mission 9 6 8 4 4 10 10 9 5 8 73 N. W.. States .... 4 6 10 8 1 6 10 6 6 10 10 76 The following stakes attained 100% in one or more of the Y. M. M. I. A. Monthly Efficiency Reports for 1926-27: Fremont — December and January; Cassia — January; Liberty — January; Taylor — February; Lethbridge — February and March; Maricopa — March and April.