Mutual Work

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT Important Notice At a meeting of the General Boards follow our printed instructions, as of the M. I. A., held October 10, it found in our new Hand Book and in was decided that in the matter of details "Suggestions for Quorums of Priest- of administration under the new plan hood and M. I. A." The one-hour — time of beginning meetings, length period assigned to M. I. A. work of periods, time of closing, etc., — -it be should not be curtailed, our policy to encourage all officers to M. I. A. Institutes Following is the itinerary for Spe- cial Institutes for stake M. I. A. executive officers and stake boards. Letters covering detailed instructions are being forwarded from the general offices. The following schedule gives the date of each institute, where it is to be held, and the stakes whose Boards are to attend: Saturday, Sunday, October 20 and 21 — Blackfoot — Blackfoot, Pocatello, Shelley, Idaho Falls. Monday, October 22 — Lost River — Lost River. Wednesday, Thursday, October 24 and 25 — Barratt Hall — Salt Lake, Pio- neer, Ensign, Liberty, Granite, Grant, So. Davis, Oquirrh, Cotton- wood, East Jordan, West Jordan, Tooele. Saturday, Sunday, October 27 and 28 — Juab — Juab, Tintic, Nebo, Pal- myra, Millard, Deseret. Wednesday, Thursday, October 31, November 1 — L o g a n — Oneida, Franklin, Cache, Logan, Hyrum, Benson. Saturday, Sunday, November 3 and 4 — Richfield — Wayne, North Sevier, Sevier, South Sevier. Garfield. Panguitch. Wednesday, Thursday, November 7 and 8 — Ogden — Ogden, Mt. Og- den, Weber, No. Weber, No. Davis. Morgan. Saturday, Sunday, November 10 and 1 1 — Montpelier — Star Valley, Bear Lake, Bannock, Idaho, Montpelier. Monday, November 1 2 — Portneuf — Portneuf. Wednesday, Thursday, November 14 and 15 — Provo — Alpine, Lehi. Timpanogos, Utah, Wasatch, Ko- lob, Palmyra. Saturdav, Sunday, November 1 7 and 18 — Garland — Malad, Box Elder, Bear River, Curlew. Tuesday, November 20 — Emery — Emery. Wednesday, November 21 — Carbon — Carbon. Thursday, Friday, November 22 and 2 3 — Roosevelt — Roosevelt. Saturday, Sunday. November 24 and 25 — Uintah — Uintah. Monday, November 26 — Duchesne — Duchesne. Wednesday, December 5 — Lyman — Lyman. Thursday, December 6 — Woodruff — Woodruff. Friday, December 7 — Summit — Sum- mit. Monday to Saturday, December 10 to 15, inclusive — Canada — Canada.

70 IMPROVEMENT ERA Stakes in the following districts will meet in connection with leadership weeks at the different Church schools. District No. 6. at Dixie College; District No. 20, at Snow College: District No. 10, at Ricks College; District No. 18, at Brigham Young University; District No. 12, at Burley Leadership Institute; stakes in District No. 3 and No. 4 will be visited later. To Stake Superintendents and Presidents M. I. A. Dear Brethren and Sisters: On page 99 of the new Hand Book you will find an outline of our sugges- tions on mass participation in contest work. This form of contest, where it has been tried, has proved most suc- cessful. We hope that you are using this excellent idea, as we feel confi- dent that it will help you in the de- velopment of the Church-wide con- tests, which come later in the year and will stimulate the entire program of the M. I. A. The date for closing this mass par- ticipation is extended to February 1, 1929. In developing the program we sug- gest the following steps: 1 . A joint meeting with both boards, at which time careful outline of de- tail procedure should be made. (a) Division of the stake into groups of larger and smaller wards. (b) Listing of events in which the wards may participate. These should include the same fields (but not the same selections") of literary and musical work as our contest, both Church- wide and stake, as suggested on pages 94 and 95 in the new Hand Book. Listing of time and place where these events may score. (c) 2. 3. This problem depends largely on the local development of your program. Please note the suggestions made on page 99 of the Hand Book. The major objective is to get the largest possible number in each ward to participate. (d) Deciding on some form of rec- ognition for winning wards. If a pennant is used, or any other inexpensive recognition, we suggest a first, second, and third place. (e) Deciding upon methods of monthly report and time and place when final awards will be given. This entire plan will vary in dif- ferent stakes of the Church. It should be worked out with ward presidents, but the preparation of a suggested plan by stake officers will be helpful and save much time in discussion. When final decisions are made, thev should be in written form and each ward president provided with a copy. Kindly send copy to Gen- eral Offices of M. I. A. Yours sincerely, Oscar A. Kirkham, Executive Director Y. M. M. I. A. Clarissa A. Beesley, General Secretary Y. L. M. I. A. Efficiency Reports The new efficiency report, we be- lieve, is meeting with general approval. There is renewed interest, due to the fact that no limit of one hundred per cent is set; each ward may now score according to its achievement. The fol-

MUTUAL WORK 71 lowing suggestions may be helpful: Item No. 1. It is expected that the weekly executive officers' meeting re- ferred to shall be joint. (See new Hand Book, p. 56.) The hour must be decided upon locally. Item No. 2. Take credit for either 3 points or nothing for organization in each group. Item No. 3. To find points, divide total enrollment by Church popula- tion. Item No. 4. To find points, divide total average attendance by total en- rollment, and then divide that result by 5. Take no credit if the average attendance is lower than 50%. Item No. 5. The first part refers to the administrative group as a whole. If intelligent study is given each month to the general needs of the association and the community as a whole, and if (after consultation with bishops, stake boards, and a study of recommenda- tions of the General Board in the Hand Book) the year-round program has been carefully planned, and the events are being carried forward regularly, then ten points may be scored. In addition, 10 points may be scored each month if one or more of the events recommended by the General Board (see Hand Book, pages 57, 190, 339) have been given. It is understood that most of these events will be held on Friday evening, although occasionally it will be necessary to feature them at some other time; for example, the opening social, held on Tuesday evening. Item No. 8. The scoring on this item will depend largely on the judg- ment of officers "and leaders. If all concerned feel that the weekly program as outlined by the General Board is being carried forward with regularity and reasonable success, four points of credit may be allowed. If the department projects and slo- gan projects are receiving some active and enthusiastic attention, at least on one night a month, two points may be scored on each. (In the Adult De partment the citizenship project may be counted as both the department and slogan projects; it is hoped that studies and surveys may be made of conditions and some really educational work ac- complished) . In order to score on the reading course book some attention should be given to it several times during the month. Brief discussion of certain chapters or the reading of special par- agraphs or reports on special chapters may be given; frequently a check also should be made to ascertain how many are reading the book. By the end of the season every member in each de- partment should have read the book for the department and at least the older departments should have read in addition the Pearl of Great Price and What Ails our Youth. Special Note to Stake Secretaries Hereafter, in items 3 and 4, please give (on inside lines) totals of ward Membership and Average Attendance, in the various departments; in all other items (on inside lines) give totals of ward points; on the outside lines, un- der "Points," give average of ward points in the various items. Please eliminate all fractions from report. If one-half or more, write next higher figure; if less than one-half, write next lower figure; for example, if 5 y2 , write 6 ; if 5 1/4 write 5 . If, in some instances, there is noth- ing to report, indicate with a cipher. Following is an example of a stake report properly filled out: STAKE EFFICIENCY REPORT Y. M. M. I. A. (1928-1929) Stake — Granite Month — September Stake Membership — 11,669. No. of Wards in Stake — 9. No. of Wards reporting — 4.

72 IMPROVEMENT ERA 1 . Meetings — Pts. (a) Administrative Mtg. 40 (b) Exec. Officers' Mtg. 27 7 2. Organization — Executive Officers 1 2 Music Director 1 2 Community Activ. Com. 1 2 Adults 12 M Men 1 2 Vanguards 1 2 Boy Scouts 12 9 3. Membership — Officers and Class Lead. 39 Adults 85 M Men 83 Vanguards 18 Boy Scouts 145 Total Erollment 370 3 4. Average Attendance — Officers and Class Lead. 44 Adults 77 M Men 58 Vanguards 20 Boy Scouts 1 1 2 Total avg. attendance 311 5. Special Activities — (a) Year-Round Program 20 (b) Fri. Eve. Program 30 6. Sunday Eve. Joint Session 7. Leadership Training (Union) Meeting 8. Departmental Work — Adult Dept: Weekly Pro- gram 12, Dept. Project 8, Slogan Project 4, Reading C. Bk. 2. 17 M Men Dept: Weekly Pro- gram 12, Dept. Project 8, Slogan Project 4, Reading C. Bk. 2. Vanguard Dept: Weekly Pro- gram 8, Dept. Project 6, Slogan Project 6, Reading C. Bk. 2. Scout Dept: Weekly Pro- gram 12, Dept. Project 8, Slogan Project 4, Reading C. Bk. 2. 9. Improvement Era 10. Fund 3 0 1 Total Points 65 Owing to the fact that so many of the Stake Efficiency Reports sent in for September were incorrectly and incom- pletely filled out, we are unable to pub- lish the regular comparative Statistical and Efficiency reports in this number of the Era. However, we hope that the reports for October will be up to standard, in which case the compara- tive reports will be published in the December number of the magazine. We urge the stake secretaries to do their utmost to have their reports correct and complete, and to get them in on time, — by November 1 0. Ward sec- retaries should be urged to furnish the necessary details of all items of the re- port. Music for Sunday Evening Conjoint Session It is advised that, beginning this executives to give proper announce- month, the names of special musical ments of the numbers. We feel that numbers and their composers be sub- those participating will be glad to co- mitted to the M. I. A. ward music operate in this, and, if necessary, change directors very early, in order that ample their selections to those more appropri- consideration may be given as to their ate. appropriateness. This will also enable Suggestions for Program Sunday Evening, December 2, 1928 Theme: The Lord's Part. 2. Invocation. 1. Hymn: "Cast Thy Bread Upon 3. Hymn: the Waters." Blessings." Count Your Manv

MUTUAL WORK 73 4. Sermonette, Young Man: Text: Genesis 28:18-22; to be read well or effectively recited. Comments: Prove that Jacob went out an emp- ty-handed youth and returned a man of wealth, a patriarch with a new name meaning a prince. 5. Reading, Young Lady (two minutes) : Not mine to keep, not mine to spend, Not mine to give, not mine to lend — ■ 'Tis the Lord's part, 'tis the Lord's part — A tenth of all I gain. 'Tis his to have, 'tis his to use, As he, not I, may think or choose, 'Tis the Lord's part, 'tis the L part, A tenth of all I gain tis the Lord's God gives me all and asks this part To test the trueness of my heart — 'Tis the Lord's part, 'tis the Lord's part, A tenth of all I gain. His part shall be the first and best Of all the ten with which I'm blessed — 'Tis the Lord's part, tis the Lord's part, A tenth of all I gain. 6. Sermonette, Member of Adult Department (10 minutes). Text, Malachi 3:8-12, to be clearly and ef- fectively read. Comment: Prove that the prophecies of the Old Testament are binding on believers in the New Testament. See II Peter. 1 : 20-21. 7. Solo or Duet: "The Lord is My Shepherd." 8. Reading of official utterances by M. I. A. Officer: "There is the law — pay one tenth. * * * If we neglect our tithes and offerings we will feel the chastening hand of the Lord. We may just as well count on this first as last. If we neglect our tithes and offerings we will neglect other things and this will grow upon us until the spirit of the Gospel is entirely gone from us and we are in the dark and know not whither we are going. * * * If the rich would pay their tithing we would have plenty. * * * If we love our re- ligion we will be willing to pay our tithing. "A poor woman ought to pay her tenth chicken if she has to draw out ten times as much for her support." — President Brigham Young. See Dis- courses of Brigham Young, pp. 269, 270-276. "By this principle (tithing) the loy- alty of the people of this Church shall be put to the test. "By this principle shall be known who is for the Kingdom and who is against it. "The law of tithing is a test by which the people as individuals shall be proved; every man who fails to observe this principle shall be known as a man who is indifferent to the wel- fare of Zion. * * * " Presi- dent Joseph F. Smith, Gospel Doc- trines, pp. 282-283. 9. Two four-minute testimonies concerning the paying of tithing. 10. Some questions: Is not tithing a debt of honor to every Church member? Which should be paid first, debts of honor or those otherwise secured? Are tithe payers as a rule more thrifty than their non-tithe paying neighbors? Why are tithing receipts good rec- ommendations for credit? 11. Violin solo: (Something in keeping with the occasion.) 12. Remarks, one of the bishopric of the ward: "Why settle our tith- ing?" 13. Hymn: "High On the Moun- tain Top." 14. Benediction.

74 IMPROVEMENT ERA ADULT DEPARTMENT Great Books A great book is always an inspira tion. Great characters produce great books. To read them is to know life, and to appreciate them is to drink at the fountain of eternal truth. This is true of all great books and this de- partment has selected a great book for its members this year. From Immi- grant to Inventor is an autobiography of Michael Pupin. The author is a man now over seventy years of age. Being of a spiritual nature, he ever manifested a love of God and of re- ligious things. His mother was always his inspiration and his great love and loyalty for her is beautifully shown. To him America, his adopted country, is indeed the land of opportunity and advancement, and he values his citizen- ship beyond price. All these things, together with an account of his prog- ress from humble immigrant to one of the foremost citizens of our country, are told with fascinating interest in the story of his life. The Slogan We stand for Law: for the People who live it and the Officers who enforce it. There never was a more timely slo- gan for the Mutual organizations than this one. If ever there was need for the enforcement of law it is now. "The paramount issue before every state, county and village is the enforcement of law and the suppression of crime," says the editorial of the Saturday Even- ing Post of May 12, 1928. This same article points out that no single na- tional issue compares in vital import- ance to these local issues and that few vigorous whole-hearted attempts have been made to stamp out lawlessness. "Obedience to law is not inherent but an outcome of social achievement and education." Our slogan brings home to us the importance of knowing the law and observing it. If there were not violations of law and neglect of enforcement of law, there would be no need for such an exhortation. The fact that people everywhere are be- coming alarmed at the increase of crime is evidence that something is wrong. Legislators are not entirely to blame. They merely reflect the apathy of vo- ters. The first step towards bettering conditions must be taken in the pri- maries or conventions, and the second at the ballot box. If we cannot always select the best men at the conventions, we can at least vote for the best men at the polls. Real reform is certain to come. It will come, though, only by a change of heart by the rank and file of voters. When law-abiding citizens do their duty in the selection of men who will not only live up to the law themselves, but will also execute the law when necessary; and when they will stand behind officers who enforce the law instead of against them, then and only then will reform come. President Grant, in the Era of April, 1928, says: "Every man and woman who has arrived at the years of political accountability and has the right to vote should never sell himself or herself or pledge himself or herself to vote for men regardless of who they may be, provided they are nominated by their party." Unfortunately, be- cause of laxity, indifference, or par- tisanship, too often that is the case. The party man is too frequently sup-

MUTUAL WORK 75 ported simply because he is a party man, regardless of his abilities or repu- tation. It is the duty of all voters to scan the lists of candidates from top tc bottom and determine as best they can who are the best men. Party affilia- tions should not prevent one from standing for good men — men who are law-abiding, who are honest, who can and will command respect for law and government. In local affairs it mat- ters little to which party the candidates belong just so they are competent, trustworthy, and stand for sound prin- ciples. Candidates should be meas- ured by their moral and social fitness and not by their politics. Government needs dependable citizens to run it. — T. A. Beal. Ten Outstanding Magazine Articles Selected by a Council of "Let us Confess our Errors," Lewis F. Carr, in Century. A trained farmer, with a wide, prac- tical and executive experience, here dis- cusses the possibilities for progress and profit in agriculture, which he says remains one of our most difficult problems. "America's Second Peace Adventure," Frank H. Simond, in Review of Reviews. The united and secure America de- sires peace through denunciation of war. Europe, where many nations are neither free, united, nor secure, hesitates to renounce it. Mr. Simond analyzes the Kellogg treaty against these con- flicting back grounds. "Flying Freight," Robert E. M. Cowis, in Magazine of Business. Is it possible to fly 20,000 pounds of freight? Will it be practicable to build planes to accommodate such loads now? In brief, what is the future of aviation? The president of the Amer- ican Railway Express Company an- swers. "Religion Faces A New World," James Harvey Robinson, in Harper's Magazine. A historian reveals the utterly changed position of religion in the world today. Not only has the intel- lectual climate changed, but religion itself has been transformed accordingly Librarians September, 1928 — and he shows what has happened to it. "Marriage and Money," G. V. Hamil- ton, M. D., and Kenneth Mac- gowen, in Harper's Magazine. What effect do the money relations between husband and wife have on their happiness or unhappiness in mar- riage? The evidence in this article is based on a scientific study of the ex- periences of two hundred married people. "Murderous Mothers," Dr. Joseph Collins, in Cosmopolitan. Misdirected mother-love is cruelty. Mothers who pamper their children, shielding them too much from contact with hard reality actually murder them mentally and spiritually, says the author of "A Doctor Looks at Life and Love." "The Trading Post," Hilda Wetherell, in Atlantic Monthly. This article contains letters from the wife of a trader on the Navajo Indian Reservation to a friend, letters which reveal the astonishingly primitive conditions which still prevail a stone's throw from civilization. "Is Capital Punishment Right?" R. L. Collins, vs. Clarence Darrow, in Forum. Is the state justified in doing what

76 IMPROVEMENT ERA citizens are forbidden to do — in taking human life? America's greatest crim- inal lawyer argues the case with a lead- ing Canadian barrister. "Capeadores In Wall Street," Ralph West Robey, in Atlantic Monthly. The author attributes, in a large measure, the unprecedented rise in stocks during the past several years to unjustified utterances concerning pros- perity by President Coolidge and Sec- retary Mellon. "Obregon, Bulwark of the Mexican Revolution," Earnest Gruening. in Current History. The bulwark of the Mexican revo- lution and the hope of Mexican recon- struction, President-elect Obregon, was brutally murdered on the eve of taking office. Earnest Gruening tells the story of his turbulent career. Brother Saul (A Historical Novel, by Donn Byrne) By Lewis Telle Cannon The Apostle Paul was a heroic fig- ure. He has been justly designated the chief exponent of Christianity — the greatest after Christ himself. Certain it is that after his wonderful and mi- raculous conversion, he displayed more zeal and expended more energy in spreading the New Gospel abroad than any other. That the Lord himself held him in high esteem is evidenced in his own words to Ananias, one of the early Christians, in Damascus. In a vision to Ananias at the time Saul was led thither after being struck with blind- ness ("Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?"), the Lord commanded Ananias to go to Saul and heal him. Ananias protested on account of the evil Saul had done to the Saints; but the Lord replied, "Go the way I have sent thee, for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel." At least one-half of the "Acts of the Apostles" deals with Paul (or Saul as he was originally called) and his tremendous and effective activity. Not only that, but a very considerable part of the New Testament after the "Acts of the Apostles" is of Paul's author- ship, as witness the following epistles, to the Romans, (first and second) , to the Corinthians, to the Galatians, to the Ephesians, to the Phillipians, to the Collossians, to the Thessalonians (first and second), to Timothy (first and second) , to Titus, to Philemon and to the Hebrews. These New Testament epistles contain the very fundamentals of Christianity and are immeasurably precious because they were written al- most contemporaneously with Christ himself. To read of Saul (or Paul as we now know him best) in the "Acts of the Apostles" is to whet one's appetite for more. What is there given is so sketchy. so fragmentary. In his numerous epistles, we learn much of his philos- ophy of life after he ceased to be the persecutor and became the persecuted. But the official record is all but silent as to his early life. Saul of Tarsus. Saul the tentmaker. Saul the Roman citizen. So much is given. But what of his early life, his education and training? He certainly must have been carefully educated, because no one without thorough training in the best thought of his time could have written as wonderfully as he wrote. Was he ever married and did he have children? His own saying, "I would that all men were even as I myself," might lead to the conclusion that he was never married: but the novelist has it otherwise.

MUTUAL WORK 77 Comes now the author, Donn Byrne, and gives us in his novel. Brother Saul, a wonderful insight into the life of this great Christian soldier. It is an entrancing, an intensely read- able book. It is a book that, after you have read it, you have an unquench- able desire to read again and again all that pertains to Paul in the New Tes- tament. It is a book that gives you new light on the Gospel and the Scriptures and makes plain many things which are so briefly summarized in the New Testament. Novels, as a rule, deal with love of the kind that leads to marriage; this particular novel is no exception to the rule even though such love is not the chief theme of it. Regarding love and marriage, the novelist leads Paul through the expe- rience of it. This should give added interest, particularly, though not neces- sarily solely, to young people. In the novel his first mating instincts were manifested toward Anna, clever and beautiful daughter of Caiaphas, the High Priest, and her's were toward him. She had ambition for place and power. She saw in Saul, the son of a rich merchant and a youth whose ad- vancement to high Jewish honors seemed assured, the means of realizing her ambition. But on witnessing him one day as the victim of dizziness and a fainting spell, she fled from him, fearful that he would disappoint her. Later he married Nossis, a Gentile girl, part Greek, part Jew. She bore him a child — Saul — who lived but a few weeks; and shortly be- fore the next child was to be born, she herself died. The novelist makes of Saul an in- tellectual in his early life. He was cold and austere; his thoughts were of the law and not of mundane things. His wife while she lived was not able to touch his heart. "So I have decided, Saul, when I go down into the darkness for our little child, I myself will not come back. For you have no need of me. and without a smile, a little love, I can no more live than a flower without the sun. Shall I stay, Saul? Will you give me a little sun?" Her voice, appealing, rang across the starlight like the cry of a startled bird. * * * Saul awoke from his reverie. "Were you saying something Nos- sis?" he asked. "I am sorry. I was not listening. I was thinking." After she was laid away at Tarsus, she and her unborn child, the High Priest at Jerusalem sent for Saul; "be- cause you, Saul, are the youngest of the Sanhedrin — the youngest by nearly a score of years; you alone have the youth and vitality for stamping out the foul sect of the Nazarene." "But he is dead, the Nazarene." "The messenger smiled. 'Every day his sect increases. All of John's followers have joined. The Treasury of the Temple is in danger. There have been young priests of the Temple who have sold their property to turn it over to the Nazarene's common purse.' * * * Saul turned and looked at the mes- senger. The messenger grew cold. In some way the grave young Rabbi, Saul, had changed. His grey eyes were cold and threatening as steel. "Caiaphas," the messenger reflected in terror, "Caiaphas sent me for a hunting dog and I bring him a savage wolf of the plains." Contrast the above brief pen pictures of Saul — the one showing his lack of tenderness toward his wife, and the other forecasting his savage persecu- tions of the Nazarenes — with Saul the author of the wonderful tribute to Charity (Love) as it is contained in the 13th chapter of First Corinthians, and you have something to show the wonderful power of the Gospel to change men's hearts. How could one who wrote those immortal words, "Charity (i. e. Love) never faileth,"

78 IMPROVEMENT BRA have been the same person who perse- cuted the early Christians with such intensity, even holding the clothes of those who stoned Stephen to death. That's the miracle of it; and the Gospel annals are full of such miracles. The New Testament "Acts of the Apostles" tells, oh so briefly, of Saul's activities against the early Christians, of his miraculous conversion, of his later travels and labors to spread the new Gospel. Tradition has it (or is it established history?) that he finally died in Rome. The novelist weaves into an entranc- ing novel all the brief facts regarding Saul (or Paul as he is immortalized) ; he gives us, whether imaginary or real, Saul's life history in much detail, his early training and education, his fam- ily, his friends, his thoughts and as- pirations both before and after his conversion, his struggles, his extended travels, his journey to Rome and later death there. The above references to Saul and quotations from the novel are only brief samples of the multitude of fascinating incidents with which it is filled. Did time and space permit, this review might be expanded with other quotations of almost breathless interest. But of course a review is only a review. One should read the book itself and get it all. The work is skilfully, wonderfully done; whether it all happened exactly that way, certain it is that it might have so happened. It is plausible and extremely able. We see the polyglot life of the times unfolded in great de- tail before our eyes. We learn what men were thinking in those times; and all this makes more real and under- standable the tremendous drama which ushered in a new era in the history of the world. COMMUNITY ACTIVITY DEPARTMENT The Project — "A Reunion in Every Family" The general scheme of the M. I. A. program for this year provides that each department shall follow the same skeleton outline; namely: (1) Afield of study for leisure-time guidance. (2) A week-by-week program. (3) A reading course book. (4) A project. (5) Slogan cooperation. Following this general scheme, the project which the Community Activ- ity Committee will sponsor is "A Re- union in Every Family." This does not necessarily mean that every indi- vidual family shall have a reunion, but that the various branches shall be brought together. Inasmuch as the Community Activ- ity Committee does not have a definite department within the association with which to work, but must deal with the entire group enmass, it becomes neces- sary for them to plan a way whereby information and instruction can be im- parted. The clearing house for any idea that the Community Activity Committee desires to carry forward (or any other committee for that matter) is the Ad- ministrative Committee. This com- mittee, composed of the entire person- nel of M. I. A. officers and teachers, opens a possible avenue through every department of M. I. A. With this thought in mind, let us see how the Committee might proceed to carry forward its project. First. It desires to give out informa- tion concerning the fact that the M. I. A. program contemplates that a family reunion will be held in every family.

MUTUAL WORK 79 Second. The Committee, being re- sponsible for getting the thing accom- plished, desires to create interest and en- thusiasm for the event. Third. The Committee, being pre- pared to give some practical suggestions for conducting a family reunion, must find a way to do so. In view of the above, the first thing to be done is to bring the matter up for special consideration at a meeting of the Administrative Committee, at which time the Community Activity Com- mittee should be prepared with a de- tailed plan and make an appeal for co- operative support in carrying the plan forward. In the matter of imparting general information, and creating enthusiasm, the bishop will no doubt be pleased to grant to the Committee an opportu- nity to appear in the sacramental meet- ing and talk on the importance of the event. The speakers could stress: (a) "The family unit as the stabilizing medium of society." (b) "The hearth stone should be the lode stone in the life of every child." (c) "The place of the family organization in the Gos- pel plan, both in time and eternity." (d) "The need of a renewal of family spirit, through the medium of a family reunion." (e) "The family that plays together stays together." Finally, the Committee should pre- sent at some suitable time and place a demonstration of a successful family reunion (see Hand Book, page 218) or they could prepare and send out to each family, in mimeographed form, a letter of information and suggestions. Now is the time for the Committee to organize, to make their plans and get the machinery going so that when the season is over it can be said that the project was a success, and that in every family there has been held a happy, joyful reunion. (For further details see Hand Book.) The Harvest Ball The first annual event for the M Men and Gleaner Girls is to be in the nature of a Harvest Ball. This should be held, either on a ward or stake basis, in every M. I. A. of the Church, on a Friday evening during the latter part of November. The M Men and Gleaners should aim to put over their joint project during this evening by injecting into the dance real cultural and aesthetic values. Everything about the dance should be beautiful and wholesome. Music of the finest na- ture, harmonious decorations, refined surroundings, exemplary behavior, dancers attending in couples and not in groups, an absence of questionable characters; and anything else which represents the finer side of manhood and womanhood should be brought into the evening's entertainment. The Social Committee of the M Men, together with a similar committee of Gleaner Girls, should obtain a date from the Community Activity Com- mittee and then work jointly to make this first annual event a huge success. They should prove that there is beauty and refinement as well as jazz in mod- ern-day dancing. The joint meeting in November should be used for dis- cussing and planning this ball. See page 240 of the M. I. A. Hand Book for more definite suggestions. "Conventions of courtesy not only tend to make the wheels of life run Etiquette more smoothly, but also act as safe- guards in human relationship."

80 IMPROVEMENT ERA Behavior at all times should be such that it will not hurt the feelings of the most sensitive. Charm does not de- pend on youth, looks, social position or money. The most fascinating per- son is always the one of most winning manners, not the one of greatest phys- ical beauty. Introductions. Uncertainty about correct forms to use when making introductions often causes a person to appear awkward when attempting to present one person to another. A lady who is seated does not need to rise or shake hands when responding to an ordinary introduction. A gentleman who is seated rises im- mediately for an introduction. A gentleman is always presented to a lady. No lady is ever presented to a man. Exceptions to this would be in the case of a president of the United States, a reigning sovereign, or a high church dignitary. An unmarried woman is presented to a married one, unless the married one is much younger. Proper forms for introductions'. "Mrs. Brown, may I present Mr. Jones? Mrs. Carter may I present Miss Hollis?" Other form permissible: Mrs. Brown, do you know Mr. Jones? Do not say, "Mr. Jones meet Mrs. Brown." Best form of acknowledgment of in- troduction is to bow head slightly and say, "How do you do!" Bad form to say, "charmed" or "pleased to meet you." However, when leaving after an in- troduction it is right to say, "Goodbye. I am very glad to have met you." When gentlemen are introduced they always shake hands. A lady may offer her hand or not to a gentleman. Dress. Dress is a department of etiquette and good form, and should be given thoughtful and careful consideration. No young person who is lacking in neatness, tidiness, and cleanliness in person and dress can hope for recogni- tion or welcome in refined and cultured society. Care of teeth, hair, and finger nails may seem trifles but they are really the outward expression of an inward grace. The first and essential element of refined and beautiful dress is unobtru- siveness. No costume that is designed too much for effect can possess this highest quality of good taste in dress. Women's and girls' clothes lend themselves more readily to obtrusive- ness than men's; although men often offend good taste by their conspicuous style of dress. It is desirable that young people wear their clothes without being con- scious of them. Self-consciousness is always painful, and is detrimental to poise, but consciousness of clothes is destructive of repose. Repose and free- dom from self-consciousness are the things that attract and delight. Fashions change, and what is prop- er now may be queer next year. But there is one unchanging principle which must be followed by all if they desire to be well dressed, and that is suita- bility. This means not only appro priate clothes for particular occasions, but clothes appropriate to one's income. A person with taste and ingenuity can dress suitably on a small income. There is one rule that is fairly safe to follow. When in doubt, wear plainer clothes. On the street never wear anything that is exaggerated. If limited in means, choose dark, inconspicuous clothes. Dinner. "Eat at your own table as you would at the table of a king." — Con- fucius. Invitations to dinner should receive a prompt reply and the engagement should never be broken except from unavoidable causes, such as illness, bereavement, etc. Guests should arrive punctually, ten or fifteen minutes before the stated

MUTUAL WORK 81 hour rather than ten or fifteen minutes after. A man should always wait until his hostess is seated, whether she is his mother, sister, wife or friend. One of the greatest sins of the age is the lack of deference paid by the average man to the women of his household. This courtesy should be observed at home, at the family dinner and it will then fol- low naturally, when one is out in company. Each gentleman sits on left of his partner and his conversation should be mainly with her, although it is proper to exchange remarks with his neighbor on the other side. One should sit erect at the table; never have elbows on table, nor toy with forks, spoon or knife, but keep hands in lap when not eating. Napkins are laid across the lap, never tucked under chin. If in doubt as to which knives, spoons, and forks are intended for the various courses, remember that the cutlery and silver are laid in the order in which they are to be used, taking them one after the other from the out- side. Soup is taken from side of spoon. Bread or crackers must not be broken into soup but small pieces broken off and eaten with soup. When, through with knife and fork they should be placed side by side across plate, knife blade in and fork tines up, never left on table cloth. Leave spoon on saucer, not in cup, and cocktail spoon on plate, not in glass. Some things that are not done which may form a basis for a demon- stration of the wrong way to do things: Never break bread into plate to soak up surplus gravy or sauce. Never bite or cut roll or slice of bread, but break into convenient-sized pieces. Never drink when you have food in your mouth. Never push your plate away upon finishing a course. Never collect condiments, butter, relishes, etc., around your own plate but after helping yourself, put them where they can be reached by others. Never eat sticky, fancy cakes and pastries with the fingers when a fork is provided. Never let nervousness make you ap- pear awkward, but be quietly self-pos- sessed and others may not notice your mistakes. Business. Good manners often prove a fortune in business. "Why did our friend Jones never succeed in business?" asked a man re- turning to his home town after years of absence; "He had sufficient capital, a thorough knowledge of his business, and exceptional shrewdness and sa- gacity." "He was sour and morose," was the reply. "He always suspected his em- ployees of cheating him, and was dis- courteous to his customers. Hence, no man ever put good-will or energy into work done for him, and his patrons went to shops where they were sure of civility." Next in importance to habits of order and personal neatness, comes the habit of promptness. The person who loiters and is late in keeping appoint- ments and keeps people waiting, or is late at work is a trial to those who are brought into contact with him or her. Ball Room. A ball is larger and more pretentious than a dance and rather formal in its character. A smaller affair is called a dance or dancing party. Social dancing is always popular with young people and it offers a fine opportunity for the development of culture, poise, grace and good manners. In order to promote these things in the dance it is necessary to have music of a high order, not the common jazz. The guests should always greet the host and hostess before taking part in

82 IMPROVEMENT ERA the dance. Ladies always enter the ball room first, followed by gentlemen. Young men should always ask their hostess for a dance. At the end of a dance number a gentleman takes his partner to a seat and stays with her until she is claimed by her next partner. A young man at ja dancing party must put aside his personal preferences and dance with any partner whom his hostess may select for him. The habit which some have of dancing the whole evening with the same partner is selfish and is not conducive of so- ciability. An excellent demonstration of the subjects treated here may be found in the drama which is printed in the No- vember number of the Young Wom- an's Journal. Questions for Discussion in the Class 1. Appoint members of the class to put on a demonstration of proper and improper forms in introductions, and have remainder of class point out mis- takes. 2. The same sort of demonstration might be shown in "table etiquette." 3. Have one or two couples come dressed for some special occasion, hav- ing something on that might offend good taste and have the class point out the faults. 4. Have a couple demonstrate some impoliteness in the ball room and have the class tell the polite way of doing it. 5. How would you introduce Mrs. Al Smith to President Coolidge? 6. Discuss proper dress for street, for dinner, for business, for ball room. What is obtrusiveness? Are sleeveless dresses permissible on street or at one's work? 7. Give reasons why coming late to dinner is wrong. 8. Is it safe always to imitate the hostess at dinner? 9. Give demonstrations of proper and improper posture or position in dancing. (See Hand Book, p. 374.) M. I. A. Athletics By Homer C. Warner, Church M Men Basketball Arbitrator Standards Lesson for November 13 There is born in every boy the desire to play. From the rattle of the infant to the last putt of the aged golfer, there is a thrill experienced by him. He likes it. Athletics, properly conducted, offer the boy the greatest outlet for this in- born desire. At no previous time has there been such a need for clean athlet- ics as there is in America today. The easy life of the average boy calls for athletics. He seldom works. He must be entertained. He rides in fine automobiles. He eats rich food and rarely does he deny himself any- thing. As we all say, he has it "prettv soft." Athletics supply that rugged expe- rience that the average American boy does not get, that experience from which the early American pioneers derived so much good in the moulding of their characters. First the boy is taught that to sweat is not vulgar, and that a young body will function better if the blood is forced to circulate a little faster occa- sionally, that the excess energy that is pent up within can best be dissipated through athletic endeavor rather than in some less legitimate way. He is taught to take care of his body. To compete on an athletic team there are some things he cannot do. He is taught to say "no" to excesses of eat- ing. He knows he cannot smoke, and that he cannot drink. He knows he cannot stay out late at night, and that his body will not function at its best if he abuses it. Nobodv tells him. but he learns it. This self-denial, which is one of the greatest developers of character, is very good for him. His

MUTUAL WORK 83 athletic coach can exact more self-de- nial from him than can his own parents. He is taught that there are rules in the game. Again there are things he can do and things he cannot do. This respect for law, if early inculcated in the lives of our young boys, would do much toward the remedy for the neg- lect of law that is now prevalent in America. He is taught to be loyal to himself, and loyal to his team, loyal to his school, and loyal to his church. This will carry over into his life and inspire loyalty to his home, his wife, his fam- ily and his country. He is taught never to quit. "Yel- low" is the worst name one can call an athlete. This test of character he will carry on into the battle of life. He is taught "team play" or "coop- eration," a wonderful trait to develop. And best he is taught good sports- manship: 1. To play hard and fairly. 2. To play to win. 3. Not to whimper when he loses nor to brag when he wins; but to con- gratulate the winner with a smile, and modestly to enjoy victory. If all were good sports, what a fine place the world would be to live in. The athletic standards that he sets for himself will be the standard for his later life. He knows that only as he works, takes care of his body, exercises self- denial, loyalty, cooperation and good sportsmanship, will he succeed in the game of life. How to Train for an Athletic Event Lesson for November 20 In order to compete in any athletic event you must be in proper condition. First: proper mental condition. Sec- ond: proper physical condition. Mental Condition. Make up your mind to go into the event with all the determination that is in you. Have courage. Never quit whether you arc winning or losing. Make up your mind that you can, and you will. Stick to it! Inspiration plus perspira- tion will mean success. Play fair. The rules were written to be obeyed. Don't stoop to take an unfair advantage of an opponent. If you win, smile, but don't brag; and if you lose, smile and congratulate the winner. Let your effort and not your results determine whether you de- serve praise. Remember, no boy can long succeed in athletics without the proper mental condition. Physical Condition. First of all, have a good physical examination by a good doctor. If you have any phys- ical defects have them corrected at once, else you cannot long succeed. Then get and keep your whole body in condition by being regular in your habits. There are four habits that are very necessary for the athlete and for any one else, for that matter. The first of these is Regularity of Eating. Eat good, wholesome food at regular intervals. Your body is de- pendent upon fuel to provide energy, and without regularity it cannot run ?c its highest efficiency. The second of these is Regularity of Sleeping. Get plenty of sleep in a well ventilated room. Nature is kind in allowing us to go into unconscious- ness so that the body can rebuild its worn-out tissues. Take advantage of this and get at least eight hours of rest at regular intervals. The third habit is Regularity of Elimination. Get the waste products out of the system. Have the bowels move at least once a day. and better twice a day, at regular intervals. Un used food stagnates in the body, form- ing a poison that causes a distinct harm that weakens the resistance of the bodv The fourth habit is Regularity of Exercise. Do some definite work, so that the whole body is built up, using everv muscle. Every part of the bodv should be in condition before you at- tempt to tak? part in strenuous games

84 IMPROVEMENT ERA as football, basketball, track, etc. Then when the body is in good con dition, start to specialize. The pro- cedure is different now for every branch of sport. You would not do the same things to prepare for footbi" that you would for basketball. It would be impossible in this short ar- ticle to prescribe what would be best for the many different sports. But this much may be said, learn the rules of the activity that you choose. Get the proper form. Ask someone who knows, und then work! work! work! Don't expect to succeed if you do not work. Look into the lives of great athletes. You will find that it has been the religious determination to work that has made them successful. Success in athletics, as in all things, does not come easy. The habits you form in athletics will carry over into your after-life and will prove very ben- eficial. See that they are good habit*. The Code of a Sportsman Lesson for November 27 If you really want to know a man. play with him. In other words, un der the stress of the game he will r' his real worth. Where all the sham of formality is forgotten: where his decision must be a reflex: then can you tell what is really in n man's heart. Are your standards high? Are you a good sport? Are you a gentleman? Use the yardstick and measure your- self. 1 . Do you play the game hard and fairly? 2. Do you play to win? 3. Do vou whimper if you lose and brag if you win, or do you smile and congratulate the winner if you lose, and do you smile and modestly enjoy victorv if you win? Let's analyze these things a little further. In all games there are certain rules. Yes, even in the game of life. Thev were written to be followed. No true sportsman will deliberately violate one of them. Some players and a few coaches will tell you that it is all right to violate the rules if you do not get caught. This is the code of a thief. It is a crime only if he is caught. The good sportsman's code is dif- ferent. He knows that intentionally to violate the rules, whether he is penal- ized or not. he is bringing discredit unon himself and upon the good name of the team for which he is playing. Do you plav to win? All the world loves a winner. No- bodv likes to fail. Think success. Fight to win. If you think you can. vou can! "Intestinal fortitude." a<- Rocknc calls it, is a great asset. Th" determination to go. when the flesh savs "no" but the spirit savs "fiebt." when the score is against you. to k^" going. Above all. don't nuit. Th^c is nn disgrace if vou lose fighting. Tr's nn' fhp rmestion. "Did vou win?" b"t. "How did vou plav?" A man who nuits in an athlete n1m" i« b'kelv to be the man who will on't in life. How easv it is when vou win. Evervbodv is for vou. The world <s bricrhf. The fickle niihlic will con- gratulate vou. but bow dn vo" fakp it' Do von *mi1e and modestlv eniov vo"r virtorv? And now comes the real te't-. How do vou lose? Anvone can win but it takps a real man to lose. Don't whim- oer. Congratulate the winner and smile. Tt- mav be hard but don't belittle vonr- self bv deoreciatinq the victor" of the other fellow. He must have been good or he wouldn't have beaten von. Don't alibi. Chances are be wasn't Inckv. or that vou were out of condi- tion or that the official robbed you. He won. Smile and be a man. Tf athletics ?rp to last and to have a nlace in American life, they should brina out the best in a man. It is the d"tv of pverv M Man to help keep the standards no. and he can best do this bv following the code of a true sports- man.