--- 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: 32 number: 2 published: 1928-12 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* 32, no. 2 (December 1928): 157–172." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera322unse 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: improvementera322unse start_page: 157 end_page: 172 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1928-12) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera322unse publication_year: 1928 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 1928, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Mutual Work MUTUAL WO EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT Suggestions for Joint Meetings Sunday Evening, January 6 Theme: "We Will Serve the Lord." Suggested Music: "Praise God from whom all bless- ings flow." "Who's on the Lord's side, Who?" "I'll go where you want me to go, dear Lord." "I'll serve the Lord, while I am young." Text: "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amor- ites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15.) Ancient Israel sometimes lost faith in God. There is no more piercing satire in all literature than that of the prophet's description of the making of a god. (Read Isaiah 44:9-20.) Read: "The basis for moral law in home and in society is a firm faith in the true and living God. Faith in one God was needed in the ancient days of Israel before consistency in the moral life of man was possible. The world is indebted to the Jews for the moral law, not merely the Ten Commandments, but the idea of law." The old prophets of Israel believed in a God of righteousness, whose first demand of his worshipers was pure hearts and upright lives. Direct from God came the commands that were taught in the homes of Israel. They were truthfulness, mercy, honesty, and purity. Consequently there could be no separation between morality and religion. In the homes of Israel, absolute obedience to parents was regarded as the cardinal virtue of childhood, and was presented daily at the table, where the children prayed and listened to the teachings of the parents. "Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long in the land which the Lord, thy God, giveth thee." From the Holy Bible, we learn that the fol- lowing moral virtues were always en- joined upon the youth: Obedience, Reverence, Charity, Brotherly Love, Chastity, Truthfulness, Industry, Thrift, Meekness, Patience, Loyalty. Mercy. A question for self: Wherein have we failed to live up to these moral precepts? Can you give examples of the result of keeping these moral pre- cepts? The home is the center and unit of all self-government. Self-government means the living up to one's best self. It is the fulfilling of every duty. It is the dedicating of our lives to God in daily service. How can we serve in the home? What is meant by service? Wordsworth in his sonnet on Mil- ton expressed his idea of a noble life and service. Have some one of the members recite the following part of the sonnet: "Thy soul was like a star and dwelt apart: Thou hads't a voice whose sound was like the sea: Pure as the naked heavens, majestic, free. So dids't thou travel on life's common way, 158 IMPROVEMENT ERA In cheerful godliness: And yet thy heart The lowliest duties on herself did lay." A home dedicated to God, and the family serving him, is the best and surest foundation for the growth and welfare of society. A nation whose homes are homes of religious influence, can never fall; but, on the contrary, will lead the world in culture and the higher things of the spirit. Nicholas Murray Butler has written: "The typical American is he who, whether rich or poor, whether dwelling in the North, South, East, or West, whether scholar, professional man, merchant, manu- facturer, farmer, or skilled worker for wages, lives the life of a good citizen and a good neighbor; who believes loyally and with all his heart in his country's in- stitutions, and in the underlying principles on which these institutions are built; who directs both his private and his public life by sound principles; who cherishes high ideals; and who aims to train his children for a useful life, and for their country's service." It is in service that we find the happy life. Service begins at home. It is service that makes happiness in the home. Motto for every home: "Whoe'er thou art that entereth here, Forget the struggling world And every trembling fear. "Take from thy heart each evil thought, And all that selfishness Within thy life has wrought. "For once inside this place thou' It find No barter, servant's fear, Nor master's voice unkind. "Here all are kin of God above — Thou, too, dear heart: and here The rule of life is love." Closing Hymn: "I'll serve the Lord while I am young." ADULT DEPARTMENT The Scope of the Work As the year advances we come to a deeper realization of the magnitude of the field of Adult Education in the M. I. A. It has been estimated that in the not-distant future this depart- ment will probably include nearly one- half of the Church membership. This is a dream, the realization of which we may all anticipate. Great oppor- tunities are offered to the leadership of our Adult groups to keep alive or re- awaken in those who have reached maturity the ambitions of youth and to continue the development of their mental and spiritual powers. Origin- ality in presentation of lessons and initiative in introducing new features that will appeal to adults are to be encouraged. Those leaders and mem- bers who are open-minded and are willing to admit new ideas and new interests into their lives will receive the greatest benefit and enjoyment in the work. Some groups may find pleasure in setting aside the last fifteen minutes of the second period for informal chat- ting. Mrs. A. may have a matter of intense interest which she has been pre- vented during the week from com- municating to Mrs. B.; or Mr. C. may desire some important information MUTUAL WORK 159 from Mr. D.; and this period of a few moments during the class time may af- ford exactly the opportunity needed. From reports received thus far, "Captains of Industry" and Moral Teachings of the New Testament ap- pear to be the popular themes selected for study by the Adult Department. They both afford opportunity for ex- cellent discussion and are creating much interest. The other course, "Current Litera- ture," should not be neglected. Read- ing is always one of the most delight- ful forms of adult leisure-time activity, and the leader who keeps his members constantly in touch with good current literature is rendering them real service. If the books reviewed in the Era and Journal are found difficult to obtain, it is recommended that class leaders and members select others of their fa- vorites for review. The list of out- standing magazine articles published each month should also furnish ample material for this course in "Current Literature." Ten Outstanding Magazine Articles Selected by a Committee of Librarians October, 1928 "The Balance Sheet of Bolshevism," William Henry Chamberlin, in Review of Reviews. The author lived in Russia six years as an American newspaper correspond- ent, trained observer, writer, traveling 20,000 miles. He sums up the achievements and failures of the Soviet. "Of Actors," Max Reinhardt, in Yale Review. One of the greatest theatrical pro- ducers of modern times discusses brief- ly the relation of the actor to the theater, playright and audience, and in- cidentally pleads for less repression of the emotions in modern life. "Are Our Colleges Playing Poor?" William B. Munro, in Atlantic Monthly. The charge that the bad practices so often attributed to Wall Street are paralleled item for item in the financial statements of our colleges is made in a surprising fashion by William B. Munro, a college teacher and trustee of long experience. "Tennessee's New Silkworm," Frank Bohn in Review of Reviews. A German chemist discovered how to make synthetic silk and is erecting a large plant in America. Pure water in large quantities was necessary, which explains why this large enterprise de- scended upon the town of Elizabeth- ton in Tennessee. "Man's Place in the Universe," Arthur S. Eddington, F. R. S., in Har- per's Magazine. What are the chances of life on other planets, in other parts of the universe? Are there perhaps thousands of other worlds with inhabitants superior to man? A great English astronomer answers these questions. "Extra Ladies," Margaret Culkin Banning, in Harper's Magazine. Suppose marriage becomes a mere transitory relationship? It seems to be tending that way. What will become of the left-over women deserted by men? Mrs. Banning shows what their plight is likely to be. "A Challenge to Patriots," Dumas Malone, in Virginia Quarterly Review. For almost three generations South- ern patriots have complained that his- tory has been unfair to their section. The author challenges them to provide facilities and students for a compre- hensive study of Southern history so that the truth may be learned. "The Penny and the Gingerbread," Anonymous, in Harper's Mag- azine. 160 IMPROVEMENT ERA To save or not to save — that is the question. A man who did not save — who forgot money and concentrated instead upon his work — shows how his plan gave him both satisfaction and money. "Rabelais," by Anatole France, trans- lated by Ernest Boyd, in Forum. This biography is the last manu- script to come from the pen of Anatole France, and was discovered by his liter- ary executor, M. Caiman Levy. It begins serially in the October Forum. "Is Prohibition a National Benefit?" W. Russell Bowie, in Good Housekeeping. Are American life and conditions on the whole better for the present and more hopeful for the future because prohibition has been enacted? The rector of Grace Episcopal Church, of New York, frankly discusses condi- tions as they are and were. Copyright 1928, by Harper 8 Bros. Here is Vision ! Being a review of H. G. Wells' latest book, The Open Conspiracy, (Doubleday, Doran, 1928, 200 pp., $2.00). By Dr. Arthur L. Beeley From time immemorial religious and social leaders everywhere have either proposed or actually undertaken to improve society, to usher in the millennium, so to speak. The quest of the good life is a never-ending pursuit and sooner or later every great leader and every society takes up the search. The unfinished nature of the world and man on the one hand, and the con- sciousness of much-needed change on the other, are the two foundation facts which explain man's perennial effort to lift himself by his boot straps. Two great Englishmen in our day have devoted themselves for years to the education of the masses to the need of a progressive change in human af- fairs. Bernard Shaw, the playwright, and H. G. Wells, the essayist, — both Fabian socialists by the way — have repeatedly pointed out the anomalies in our present system of living together. More than that, they have offered con- structive suggestions as to the way out. In The Open Conspiracy. Wells gives us the essential ideas of his life, the perspective of his world. In these "Blue Prints for a World Revolution" (the book's subtitle1) one finds the re- ligion of this modern prophet. "Here are my distinctive aims," says he, "and the criteria of all I do." His vision and his zeal are apparent when he says: "I am discussing here the possibility of an immense and hopeful revolution in human affairs and an enlivening and ennobling change in our lives. I am discussing whether our species, he (the reader) and I, with it and part of it, is to live or die." In this small but stimulating vol- ume, written in the characteristic Wellsian style, the author shows the necessity of religion in human life and the need for a re-statement of religion. "The time has come to strip religion right down, to strip it for greater tasks than it has ever faced before. The histories and symbols that served our fathers encumber and divide us. Sac- raments and rituals harbor disputes and waste our scanty emotions. The ex- planation of why things are is an un- necessary effort in religion. The es- sential fact in religion is the desire for religion and not how it came about." The author then discusses the frame of the task before mankind and the broad characteristics of the World Commonweal which is the core of his idea. "The reasonable desire of all of us is that we should have the collec- MUTUAL WORK 161 tive affairs of the world managed by suitably equipped groups of the most interested, intelligent and devoted peo- ple and that their activities should be subjected to a free, open, watchful criticism, restrained from making spas- modic interruptions, but powerful enough to modify or supersede with- out haste or delay whatever is weak- ening or unsatisfactory in the general direction." He repudiates the "rigmarole" of Marx and his disciples in regard to property as the fundamental basis of social life. The primary issues of hu- man association, he believes, are bio- logical and psychological. He defends the system of private property when properly classified according to the na- ture of its exercisable rights, "and the range of ownership involved" as the basis of any system of social justice. As one would expect, however, Wells is a pacifist, yet he thinks it neces- sary that "the Open Conspiracy should contain within itself the competence to resist military coercion and combat and destroy armies that stand in the way of its emergency." In discussing obstacles to the World Commonweal, he concludes that "Our antagonists are confusion of mind, want of courage, want of curiosity and want of imagination, indolence and spendthrift egotism. These are the enemies against which the Open Conspiracy arrays itself; these are the jailers of human freedom and achieve- ment." In a chapter which the reviewer re- gards as a masterpiece of vision and literary style, the author discusses the creative home, the school, and the social group. His belief is that the Open Conspiracy must, of necessity, remain a minority movement of intelligent converts until the group develops its own reproductive methods. Wells' elaboration of this point reads like the history of "Mormonism!" Here is a sample: "The Open Conspiracy will not be in health until he has segregated its home life and much of its social life from the general confusions of today, until its adherents marry and associate preferentially within the movement and keep themselves essentially aloof from the prevalent methods of wasting time and interest. They must evolve a new social atmosphere. It will be a minor aspect of the world revolution to live down the contemporary theatre, contemporary 'amusements,' the sen- timental booms and imitative chatter, the ovine congregating to gape at this or that, the dull pursuit of sports and 'games' and quasi-innocent vices, the fashions and industrious futilities of current life so soon as it escapes from poverty. The whole drift of the con- temporary world is to tempt and en- snare and waste our children. It has a diabolical disposition to make life altogether trivial and ineffective." Mr. Wells takes the reader into his confidence when he says that his fa- mous Outline of History, and its two companion volumes now in prepara- tion, The Science of Life, and The Conquest of Power, constitute his "three-fold basis for a modern idea- ology, — historical, biological, and eco- nomic." The world awaits these newest volumes in this great series. What is finer than a book teeming with vision and noble thoughts, in- cisive in its analysis of contemporary life, concrete in its proposals for social change, and sparkling in its literary brilliance? Problems 1. Who is H. G. Wells? What other things has he written? What has been and what is his influence upon our day and time? 2. Who are the Fabian socialists? How do their ideas differ from any other brand of socialism? 3. What outstanding Utopias have been proposed at different times and by dif- ferent persons in the history of the world? 4. How does Wells' The Open Con- spiracy plan for the world's salvation differ from the plan of the Latter-day Saints? In what respects are they alike? 162 IMPROVEMENT ERA M MEN DEPARTMENT Delivery of Speech Lessons for December NOTE: Proposed Text, Public Speak ing for Beginners, by Herbert B. Maw, Deseret Book Store, Salt Lake City, Utah Only during recent years have peo- ple generally awakened to the import- ance of a systematic study of the subject of public speaking. In our schools much more time has been spent in teaching written language than oral, regardless of the fact that in actual life we talk ten times as much as we write. People have been misled with the idea that to make a good speech all one needs to do is to have something to say and then say it. As a result few men or worn- men speak well in public. A study of public speaking may be divided into two general divisions, namely: delivery and composition. Many volumes have been written on each of them. This lesson will deal with delivery and must be considered very briefly. The purpose of all speech should be to communicate thoughts to lis- teners. Consequently, anything which aids in thought conveyance is good. Whatever interferes with it is bad. Be- fore considering the various points which make for effective delivery, let us direct our attention to the problems a speaker faces. In the first place, he is the center of attention. He stands apart from all the rest and the gaze and atten- tion of all are placed on him. If he is to succeed he must have enough self-control to be master of the situa- tion and to be able to think clearly on his feet. The great obstacle to this condition is stage-fright or fear. Until this is controlled, not very ef- fective work can be accomplished. I do not mean by this that fear must be entirely overcome. It should not be. Some fear is a good thing. It enlivens the speaker, and increases his mental alertness. But it should be controlled so that it does not in- terfere with his thinking. This con- trol comes largely through experi- ence. Everyone is afraid when he faces his first audience and everyone controls that fear by repeated effort. However, a beginner can do much to control his feelings by observing a few minor details. Fear and muscular tension always go together. Where one is present the other always ap- pears. When a person is afraid, his muscles become tense. This tension sometimes makes him run, sometimes affects him so that he cannot move. Now, knowing this, what should be done? The answer is obvious. When the speaker becomes afraid, let him relax the muscles of his body, par- ticularly the larger ones of his arms, legs, back and torso, and he will bring himself under control. Let him who is troubled with stage-fright practice the following simple exercise and he will obtain relief. 1 . While waiting for your turn to speak, relax your body— lounge in your seat if necessary. 2. Breathe deeply — fill your lungs to capacity, then exhale slowly. Do this several times. 3. As you approach the platform avoid haste. Take your time and continue deep breathing and relaxed muscles. MUTUAL WORK 163 4. Keep body relaxed (not loungy) while speaking. Having brought his stage-fright un- der control, the speaker's next prob- lem is to develop an ability to use all of his powers to put over his message and to eliminate those ele- ments which interfere with thought conveyance. He knows that he can appeal through two senses of his au- dience— the sense of sight and of hearing. Of these two the sense of sight is much keener. It functions faster. Often one glance will reveal what the ear could never appreciate. Much of our information comes through our sense of sight. For in- stance, how often do we acquire a dislike for newly made acquaintances even before they have uttered a word? This is because their bodies speak to us through our eyes. Just so does a speaker talk to his audience with his body as well as his voice. If the speaker is frightened, he need not say that he is, for his body speaks it be- fore his voice begins to function. An audience can likewise tell at a glance if the speaker is egotistical, or lacks self-confidence. The manner of his standing, the way he holds his body, the expression of his face, all expose his feelings and convey information. It is impossible to prevent the human body from giving forth information whenever it is seen. There is there- fore a physical as well as a mental aspect of delivery. There is no space to say more on this than that every speaker should try to train himself so that his whole body will respond spontaneously to the thoughts being uttered. The speak- er should free himself from muscular restraint, and permit his face, eyes, head, chest, arms, torso, etc., to re- spond spontaneously to the thought being spoken from a public platform, just as they do in ordinary conver- sation. He should never consciously and mechanically assume posture or make gestures while addressing an au- dience. What he does should be spon- taneous, the result of correct speech habits. These habits should be formed in private practice. So much for bodily action. Let us now point out in a general way a few of the elements of effective de- livery. In doing so let the purpose of speech — the communication of ideas — be remembered. Before the audience can receive any thoughts from the speaker it must be attentive to what is being spoken. The moment attention is directed to anything else than the speaker's message, there is a cessation in communication. When this hap- pens the speaker might just as well stop talking for all the good he is doing. Yet the average speaker often forces the attention away from his message by his speech manner. For example, some talk in a monotone and by so doing create such a sameness in their speech manner that it is impos- sible to listen to them. Others will repeat one particular gesture until it becomes noticeable and as soon as it becomes noticeable it attracts atten- tion. Some are slouchy in their pos- ture, to the extent of attracting at- tention, while a few are so polished and finished in what they do that their grace stands out too prominently, and it, instead of the message, becomes the center of attention. Often it is the voice, or vocabulary, or language, or appearance of the speaker, which, for some reason, whether too finished or unduly crude attracts attention. What- ever comes in to more prominence than the message being spoken is bad. There are a number of general modes of delivery which do not lend effec- tiveness. These should be avoided for the obvious reason that they interfere with an effective communication of ideas. They are as follows: Ministerial Mode. This mode of speaking was quite common among the clergy of a generation ago — hence its name. Fortunately the tendency of modern-day preachers seems to be away from it, so its name is not en- tirely applicable. It fits that type of 164 IMPROVEMENT ERA speaker who has the misconceived no- tion that to be effective he must raise the pitch of his voice and cause it to sound high and lofty, giving it a note of artificiality and unnaturalness. He prolongs his vowels, rolls his conson- ants and introduces many meaningless inflections. His tendency is to make his sounds musical and harmonious — pleasing to the ear. It seems to be an attempt to add solemnity and sin- cerity to the speech manner, by round- ing out of the vocal quality and play- ing with the sounds as they are emitted. In other words, it is an introduction of song notes into speaking and a fit- ting of the spoken word into a rythmical swing. Such speaking has, to a degree, an effect similar to that of a mellow song. If it is well done, it pleases the ears of many. I recall asking a devout Christian woman why she persisted in attending the weekly sermon of a particular minister, while she claimed membership in a church of a different denomination. Her answer was: "I love to hear him. His voice is so smooth and musical." In other words, she attended his sermon to hear his voice, not to get his message. That is the outstanding objection to this mode of speaking. The speaker's voice is placed on display. The listen- er becomes conscious of it and as long as the voice is attractive, either pleas- antly or unpleasantly, the attention is taken from the message and applied to it, thereby diminishing and sometimes blocking communication of thoughts. One cannot successfully direct at- tention to both the voice and the mes- sage. For this primary reason, the ministerial mode of delivery should be frowned down. Exhibitory Mode. Though the ministerial mode is undesirable, and is not without a great amount of fault, there is usually a ring of sincerity and solemnity associated with it which often leaves a beneficial impression. Now, if you take away from it the sincerity and add an unlimited supply of bombast and spectacular gestures, you have the exhibitory mode. The exhibitory speaker departs from the realms of naturalness into the sphere of showiness. He puts his voice, ges- tures, vocabulary, posture — often his whole body — on display, and seems to be more anxious to exhibit the grace of his bodily movements, or the ele- ments of his voice, or the charm of his personality, than to give his au- dience a worthwhile thought. In other words, he exhibits himself. He brings the mechanism of speaking to the fore- ground and pushes the message, if he has one, to the background. He is, as a rule, self-centered, egotistical or af- fected. Such a mode of speaking should of course be avoided. It appeals to a very, very few unthinking people, breeding disgust in the minds of the large majority. Its place is not on the public speaking platform. It should be con- signed to the vaudeville circuit, where people go to be entertained and not instructed. Academic Mode. The other extreme from the exhibitory mode is the acade- mic. It gets its name because it is characteristic of the classroom speaking of many college professors. Here the speaker's whole attention is on the subject matter, with no atten- tion paid to delivery. In a calm, judi- cial, unemotional manner, devoid of any variations or emphasis, he speaks his thoughts. As he talks, he is total- ly unconscious of anything except what he is saying. Usually he speaks in almost a monotone, devoid of all feeling, and breaks his thoughts into purposeless divisions. One session with such a speaker is enough to convince anyone of the in- effectiveness of this mode. The mono- tony of the voice, because of a lack of variation and emphasis, soon soothes the patient hearers into peaceful slum- ber. It fails even in the classroom, where the students are trained to fol- MUTUAL WORK 165 low closely the instructor. In a certain university of high standing the chair in Political Science is held by a professor who is a recognized author- ity in his field. High-class magazines pay dearly for his articles, and are ready to publish most anything he writes within his field. In his class- rooms he gives his authoritative ma- terial in lecture form. He is so judiciously devoid of any sign of em- phasis, that his students have little interest in what he says. Only the most skillful students are able to fol- low the trend of his thoughts. His delivery defeats his purpose. Preacher Mode. It is employed by those who believe that loudness is ef- fectiveness. Here the speaker uses a high and strained voice, and, in an almost unvarying monotone, shouts out his message. He seldom lowers his pitch or diminishes his force. He em- phasizes— or at least tries to empha- size— everything he says. It is com- mon among enthusiasts and ardent re- formers. This mode is bad for one obvious reason — the message cannot be heard for the shout. It violates the funda- mental principle that if you empha- size everything you emphasize noth- ing. Give equal stress to all you say, and you reduce everything to the same level, to the end that there is no em- phasis at all. It is also bad because of its discomforting effects on the hear- ers. One cannot be at ease with such speaking. The high pitch of the voice, the sameness of the delivery and the strain on the ears due to the loudness, invariably irritate the listener. We may state here, as a general rule, that the four modes here discussed do not produce the best results. They all have a tendency to defeat the gen- eral purpose of speaking — the convey- ance of thoughts. The ministerial, preacher and exhibitory detract the at- tention from what is being spoken to the way it is being said; while the academic makes it too difficult for the average audience to apply its attention to what is being said. The conversa- tional mode, however, produces good results. Let us devote a little attention to it. Conversational Mode. This mode is a result of the notion that public speaking is a perfectly normal act — a natural outgrowth of having some- thing to say and desiring to say it. It calls for no artificiality, no show nor display. When an individual has something he wants to say, he tells it to a friend without the least indication of unnaturalness. If he should tell the same thought to a group of five hun- dred people, why must he assume a fundamentally different speech manner than when he spoke to a friend? The answer is that he should not. Let us illustrate by following the pattern set down by Professor Winin in his chapter entitled, "Conversing With An Audience." Suppose that when Brown completes his service in the World War, he returns to his home town and meets a friend on the street. The friend stops him and asks him to relate his experiences in the trenches, so Brown responds and begins his narrative. In a moment a second friend comes, greets him, and listens in. Later a third and fourth listen in. After a while a dozen gather around him, all listening to his ad- ventures at the front. Finally curio- sity stops others and a crowd begins to gather. Someone shouts out asking him to speak a little louder, so he raises his voice so that all may hear. Then another interrupts to suggest that he stand on the running board of an automobile so that he may be seen. Brown does so, and continues. Eventually five hundred people gather to hear him speak, so that we have a common conversation between two friends gradually changing into a public address. Yet when did the change take place? When two, or five, or ten, or twenty-five people stop- ped to listen? Was it when he raised 166 IMPROVEMENT ERA his voice, or stood on the auto? What changes a conversation into a public speech — numbers of people or speech manner? As a matter of fact, why should there be any change? Was there any necessity for Brown's speaking man- ner being essentially different while speaking to the five hundred from when he addressed his friend? It is our purpose to show that there is none, that, as a matter of fact, effective public speaking is no more nor less than con- versation enlarged and modified to fit the conventional differences in au- diences. Yet essentially it is conversa- tion with a few differences in tech- nique. For example, in order that he might be heard, the public speaker must talk louder than in conversation. The formality of the occasion usually requires him to add more dignity to his bearing and speech manner. Refer- ring to our example again, when Brown became conscious of the fact that a crowd was gathering, he would probably button his coat, stand with a little more alertness and speak with added positiveness. Because of the dif- ficulty for a large group to understand, a good speaker clarifies his enuncia- tion and adds distinction to his dic- tion. He furthermore discovers that to hold attention he must inject vari- ations into his vocal qualities, his gestures and speech manner, as well as flavor what he says with more il- lustrative material and vivid figures of speech. In other words, he must ad- just his public speaking manner to fit the ever changing condition a public speaking occasion presents. He must vary from ideal conversation only to the extent that the situation demands. Aside from this he shall strive to main- tain the natural freedom, purposeful communication and other essential elements of good conversation. What are these basic elements of conversation which should form the basis of effective public speaking? Briefly they are these: 1st — Com- munication. In ideal conversation one talks with a purpose. One speaks to convey thoughts. Watch two peo- ple engaged in intelligent conversation. See how much the speaker is concerned about the effect of what he says. He does not talk merely to be talking, but instead he speaks to communicate ideas. His attention is directed forward to his listener. He is objective. His efforts are purposeful. He wants his hearer to believe what he says, or to under- stand his point of view, or to buy something, or to appreciate his posi- tion, or to get the thrill of an expe- rience, or hear a scandal, or what not. Whatever his purpose, it is centered in the hearer. He talks to accomplish something through what he says. So that if his hearer ceases to listen, he stops talking. To do this, he has a communicative attitude. This brings us to a second element — directness. In order to accomplish his purpose, he talks to his hearers and not merely at them or aloud within their hearing. His speech manner is directed to them. He looks them in the eyes, not over their heads, or at the floor or away from them. He reaches them over the shortest route — eyes to eyes. Then again, in conversation there is free, spontaneous and co-ordinated bodily action. The movements of hands, arms, face, torso, etc., are the results of inward impulses aroused by the thoughts being uttered. The whole body, as well as the voice, takes an active part in the conveyance of the thoughts. In good conversation one never sees a motionless body, an ex- pressionless face, or a non-communi- cative physical attitude. A third basic element of good conversation is varia- tion. The gestures vary, the posture shifts, the voice has its lifts and drops, its inflections and climaxes. In other words, the whole speech manner con- stantly varies with the thoughts and emotions being expressed. Then again, in good conversation there is usually an element of sincerity and conviction MUTUAL WORK 167 — a characteristic which should be made a part of the speech manner of everyone. Furthermore, in effective conversation there is a complete ab- sence of show, physical or otherwise. The speaker is unconscious of himself while speaking. Thus we see that the fundamental characteristics of good conversation are conducive to effective thought conveyance. For that reason the conversational mode of delivery in public address is most effective. It should, therefore, be the student's pur- pose to acquire a communicative atti- tude, directness, co-ordinated bodily action, variations in speech manner, and sincerity and earnestness. He should, furthermore, try to eliminate all forms of display and exhibition. Let him remember that real art is the art which conceals art. A word of caution should be added. There is a wide difference between con- versational mode and conversational style. The former, as we have seen, refers to those basic elements of con- versation— for example, a communica- tive attitude, directness, co-ordinated and spontaneous bodily action, varia- tions in speech manner and sincerity — which are conducive to purposeful speaking. It is desirable. Conversa- tional style, however, designates those mannerisms common in colloquial dis- course, many of which are ineffective in public speaking. For example, a quiet voice, rapid rate, indistinct dic- tion, slovenly posture, use of a con- siderable amount of slang, and absence of illustrative material, an interjection of laughter by the speaker, and many other characteristics which seem to be a part of conversation, would block effectiveness in public speaking. So whatever references are made herein to conversational speaking do not refer to a "daily-talk" style, but rather to a public-speaking style, which is based upon those underlying basic elements of conversation here discussed. Having acquired a good conversa- tional mode of delivery, let the speaker develop desirable platform etiquette and he is on the way to success. An effective etiquette embodies the follow- ing elements: 1 . His posture should be one which (a) is comfortable, (b) is pleasing to look at, (c) will facilitate free, spon- taneous bodily action. 2. He should appear to be self-con- fident and have alertness, congenial- ity, and sincerity in speech manner. 3. He should develop the faculty of appearing to mean what he is saying. Audiences do not like an indifferent attitude. Many speakers are deeply sincere, but they do not appear to be. 4. His language should be distinctly understood and his voice easily heard. 5. There should be an element of force and strength in speech manner ■ — an element that gives one man con- fidence in another. In addition to all this, he must have a worth-while message. Members should prepare and deliver speeches to the class and attempt to put these principles into practice. Conjoint Sessions The conjoint sessions of the M Men and Gleaner Girls on the first Tues- day of each month are part of this year's work. By reason of its being a new arrangement of our program, this period should be well planned in advance. In wards where this is now being done, success is being assured and our young people are greatly enjoying the hour together. However, in some places the work is not definitely scheduled ahead of time and adequate preparation is not made for this period. The natural result is confusion. The presidents of both groups (M Men and Gleaner Girls) are responsible. Com- 168 IMPROVEMENT ERA mittees could be appointed by them to assist in working out plans for the carrying forth of the program, and also getting a large attendance at each session. By proper attention to these details, the meeting can be made one of the most interesting and uplifting of all in our Church today. M Men-Gleaner Project "We shall promote the cultural and aesthetic value of the dance." Down through the ages the art of dancing comes. It is older than poetry. Properly executed, it is the personi- fication of refinement, grace and modesty. It is a rejuvenator of health and spirits, preserving youth, prolong- ing life, acquiring grace and beauty. The ancient Greeks and Romans had this art in a state of perfection as they did the other arts. Other civilizations have had dancing as a beautiful art. It is mentioned a number of times in the Bible. David danced before the Ark of the Covenant. In II Samuel 6:14, we read, "And David danced before the Lord with all his might." This was an expression of joy and thanksgiving and praise because of the Lord's blessing unto David's people. "Praise the Lord with timbrel and dance; praise him with stringed instru- ments and organs." (Psalms 150.) Dancing is an art that has touched life at many points — in song, in story, in holy writ, in painting. Poetry is the language of the soul, music the language of the heart, and dancing may be called the language of the body. In fact it might well be called a combination of several arts — music, poetry of motion and a beautiful pic- ture. Some critics of the dance have said that it appeals to the senses only. But so does every art. To be aesthetic, to love what is beautiful, is to perceive through the senses. "As a man think- eth so is he." If there be a latent grace the dance visualizes it. If there be a latent vulgarity the dance exposes it. In striving for efficiency in the dance we are moving toward higher and finer ideals. The M Men and Gleaner Com- mittees of the General Boards of the M. I. A. have chosen as a joint pro- ject for the coming year, "We shall promote the cultural and aesthetic value of the dance." With 12,000 M Men and 10,000 Gleaners, together with the 2,000 leaders of this depart- ment in stakes of Zion and missions, what a power we have for promoting this project. We can place the dance on a higher plane and make it what it is intended to be, a thing of beauty and an uplifting element in the lives of the young people of our com- munities. Young people love to dance. They want pleasure and excitement, and will take it as it comes to them — if not in a refined manner, then in some other way. Our mission is to eliminate the bad and encourage the good in dancing. Dancing is a healthful exercise, a pleasure, an art that brings to the front courtesy, ease of manners, grace of body, and happiness of mind. It is graceful, charming, artistic and refined. It produces mental poise, reduces avoirdupois, and has a refining in- fluence on manners. Three words, or possibly four, will express just wherein our duty lies: viz: Music, Floor, Supervision, Per- sonnel. Some of the music in our fine recreation halls hasn't been of a char- acter that would tend to promote either the artistic or cultural phases of the dance. The extreme jazzy type and distorted forms of music which are so commonly used in our dances should not be tolerated, and those who fur- nish the music for our dancing should be emphatically made to understand that such music is not acceptable to us. Supervision and personnel are closely MUTUAL WORK 169 linked together. If our dances are properly supervised, there will be little danger of the wrong kind of people coming in. The M Men and Gleaners are to meet on the second Tuesday in Janu- ary to study their project and to de- velop a program for its furtherance. The following program is suggested for this evening: 1 . Study the objectives and standards of dancing as enumerated in the Hand Book (p. 166, and pp. 369-376) dealing with the psychology of danc- ing: "Dance Atmosphere," "Patrons," "Music," "Posture," and other details of etiquette of the ballroom. 2. Make a brief survey of the dance situa- tion as it exists locally. 3. Study articles 5 and 6 dealing with the social situation and physical conditions of dance halls (p. 167). 4. Demonstrate the following: (a) A gentleman should ask the hostess or a mutual friend to introduce him to the lady with whom he wishes to dance. (b) A gentleman is always presented to a lady. (c) If a lady wishes to refuse a dance she should sit out that par- ticular dance with this or another partner. (d) A gentleman should ask a lady in a definite and polite manner for the pleasure of a dance. (e) Good dancing demands good posi- tion (p. 3 74). (f) When leaving the floor young peo- ple of today walk side by side rather than arm in arm. (g) At the close of the dance the gentleman takes the lady to the place she indicates, courteously expresses his pleasure in the dance and the lady responds. It is suggested that the session might be prolonged beyond the regular les- son period, that instructions might be given in dancing. The "Gold and Green Cotillion," the contest dance for this year (described in Hand Book, p. 95) could be practised, the "Gold and Green Waltz" of last year (p. 388) reviewed or some of the group and couple dances (described on p. 376) worked out. The following waltz contains all the steps of the modern waltz — the canter, the trot, hesitation, the waltz, — and could be made a very interesting study. Waltz — "The Miacia" Canter — 4 steps (2 measures). Waltz — one left turn (2 measures). Canter — 4 steps (2 measures). Hesitate — 1 step (1 measure). Hesitation walk — 1 step to a measure (2 measures) . Twinkle trot — 6 steps (2 measures). Waltz — right side (1 measure). Waltz — one right turn (2 measures). Hesitate ( 1 measure) . Notes on the Dance The Canter is executed by making 2 walk- ing steps to the measure; that is, 2 steps divided equally between 2 counts. The Waltz is a 3 -step movement executed with a step, reach, close, for each meas- ure. The waltz step can be rehearsed in the following manner: Step forward with the left foot ( 1 count), reach sideways with the right foot (1 count), bring the left foot over to the right foot in a closed position (1 count) — 3 counts in all. Step forward with the right foot ( 1 count) , reach sideways with the left foot ( 1 count) , bring the right foot over to the left foot in a closed position ( 1 count) ■ — 3 counts in all. Repeat with the left foot leading, and then with the right again, thus continuing around the room. When familiar with the movement, take partner. The lady's steps and movements will be in reverse to the above description. When the steps become easy, make an effort to turn, still using the same movements, step-reach- 170 IMPROVEMENT ERA close. Turns are made to the right and to the left, half way around and reversed, suiting the pleasure and convenience of the dancers. The foot that comes into the closed position takes the weight of the body thus releasing the opposite foot to take the lead. The Trot is made with 3 soft-running steps. The feet must pass each other as in running. The Twinkle Trot included in this dance is executed by taking 3 steps forward and 3 steps backward. The Hesitation is made by resting the weight of the body on the forward foot (lady's backward foot) for one meas- ure (3 counts) . Our Book One feature of the M Men-Gleaner Department is the promotion of the reading-course book, So Big, by Edna Ferber. It is to be hoped that this book is receiving due consideration in this class and that leaders are doing what they can to have the members read it. It would make an attractive, ap- propriate and inexpensive Christmas gift for young people of this group. "Mormon" Scouts By Frank C. Steele The Boy Scouts of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are carving out for themselves a distinctive and distinguished place in scoutcraft the world over. Recently in Canada an unusual 'MORMON" BOY SCOUT PARADE REVIEWED BY LORD WILLINGDON, WHO IS SHAKING HANDS WITH SCOUTMASTER EARL STEVENS MUTUAL WORK 171 honor was accorded the mounted troop of Boy Scouts of the Barnwell ward, Lethbridge stake. This troop has the distinction of being the only mounted unit of Scouts in Canada and one of the very few in the British Empire. Their scoutmaster is Earl Stevens, and Scoutmaster Stevens for the past few years has been doing wonders with his boys. So well known and appreciated were they that when Viscount Will- ingdon, governor-general of Canada and the personal representative of the king in the dominion, visited Leth- bridge, this summer, the "Mormon" farm boys were sent a special invita- tion to be present at the celebration, to be inspected and reviewed by Lord Willingdon. They were there "with bells on" — buttons polished, boots shining and spurs glistening. More- over, their horses and equipment were in immaculate order for the critical eye of the king's envoy. And what a smart appearance they made! Viscount and Lady Willing- don both reviewed the Scouts and later Lethbcidgej Canada chatted freely with Scoutmaster Stevens and each of the boys as they passed along the line. The troop then galloped past the reviewing stand, re- turning the salute of his Excellency. "A finer lot of Scouts I have never seen in the empire," said Lord Will- ingdon after the review, and this is a compliment indeed, for he has been on official missions in all parts of the British Empire. It was no surprise to Lord Willing- don to learn that the troop were all "Mormon" Mutual Improvement As- sociation boys, for he had already learned of the splendid achievements of the Latter-day Saints in Alberta and other parts of Canada. Their Excellencies were deeply im- pressed by the conduct and appearance of the boys, as they were also with the magnificent reception tendered them later in the tabernacle. Some weeks after the Cardston visit, Lord Willing- don sent a personal letter of apprecia- tion to President Edward J. Wood, also an autographed photograph, a recognition rarely given. M. I. A. -Genealogical Project Salt Lake City, Utah. Officers of the M. I. A. and Genealogical Society of Utah, Dear Brethren and Sisters: In the development of our Priest- hod-M. I. A. plan at a recent meeting of the General Superintendency of the Y. M. M. I. A. and the Genealogical Committee, it was agreed that on the first Tuesday of each month all classes including Genealogical classes in the Adult Department of the M. I. A. would meet during the 8:30 to 9:30 period under the leadership of the Y. M. M. I. A. Chairman of the Adult Department, and study the Adult De- partment project, and any other joint Adult problems which may come up from time to time for their general con- sideration, instructions for which will appear in the Improvement Era, the Young Woman's Journal and the Gen- ealogical Magazine. We feel confident that these arrange- ments will give an opportunity for. better cooperation and general under- standing in this department of our work. Sincerely yours, George Albert Smith, In behalf of the General Boards of M. I. A. Joseph Fielding Smith. In behalf of the Genea- logical Society of Utah. Y. M. M. I. A. Efficiency Report, October, 1928 u c CO 0) t>0 C M o 2 U4 STAKE a o a, rt -a a CU 4-> .6 < W S3 B0 Ojl c i 2 c '5 a "S M M o 01 £ 2 < > < n "o a e .H 3 o 00 T> Vi tit n E n rt P. tu Q 5 o a 1 •a c 3 [i, O h Bear River . 6 8 1 5 1 13 9 4 3 9 7 8 4 68 Beaver 10 Cottonwood 20 15 11 14 19 10 15 24 1 12 141 Emery 2 7 6 14 3 4 16 2 2 56 Ensign 22 20 10 16 10 10 15 26 6 2 137 Granite 11 12 4 15 8 6 8 16 1 1 82 Gunnison 17 20 11 12 20 10 10 40 8 10 158 Kolob 2 6 4 10 5 3 4 6 2 2 44 Lchi 3 15 14 10 2 10 10 5 3 13 85 Liberty 22 19 9 14 20 10 15 34 4 8 155 Mount Ogden 19 21 9 10 20 TO 20 40 14 163 North Sanpete 13 13 5 17 12 7 7 15 3 2 94 Ogden 16 15 7 12 16 7 12 14 5 4 108 Oquirrh 14 14 12 10 12 8 8 15 4 8 105 Pioneer 14 15 9 13 14 9 9 21 2 4 110 Roosevelt 5 8 5 13 1 3 2 5 3 5 50 Salt Lake .. _ _. . 17 15 7 14 14 9 11 7,1 7 4 119 Sevier 5 21 12 17 20 10 10 32 5 5 137 South Davis 25 19 12 14 20 10 25 33 4 5 167 South Sanpete 9 15 10 8 12 8 6 17 5 12 102 Sooth Sevier 10 8 4 7 9 5 3 14 2 4 66 Timpanogos 16 16 13 12 8 8 7 15 11 13 119 Tooele 11 9 5 15 8 5 5 10 4 6 78 Uintah 5 5 9 6 4 4 3 11 47 Weber - 13 15 7 14 13 10 20 3 4 99 Bear Lake - 6 5 4 13 5 5 3 5 3 ? 51 Blaine 2 3 9 2 3 2 3 1 2 27 Franklin 14 14 12 12 9 8 6 19 10 7 111 Idaho 13 15 20 10 10 10 10 5 4 97 Lost River 4 2 3 10 4 23 Minidoka 10 10 5 7 9 5 6 14 8 9 83 Pocatello - 13 10 7 7 9 6 6 16 5 5 84 Portneuf 7 7 4 10 7 5 1 6 3 4 54 Shelley 10 4 9 10 7 7 8 12 2 4 83 Yellowstone 5 9 7 6 3 5 2 5 3 1 46 Alberta 6 7 6 15 6 3 7 3 3 56 Big Horn 9 7 1 ?n 8 5 5 1 9 65 Hollywood 17 12 12 14 12 8 14 13 ' 9 7 118 Los Angeles 16 15 9 10 14 8 16 ?? 11 11 132 San Francisco 15 11 9 16 14 7 9 16 16 12 125 Star Valley 5 6 4 13 3 4 2 5 3 1 46 Young 6 13 9 18 10 6 1 13 4 2 82 California Mission 19 14 14 13 16 9 1 19 10 14 129 N. W. States Mission.... 17 15 22 15 17 9 11 16 8 17 147 Central States Mission _ | 6 1 2 4 4 2 3 1 4 1 10 | 37