Mutual Work

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT Give Our Magazines a Hearing The custom of quoting or reading extracts from our magazines, in public, is a worthy and effective method of awakening and keeping up interest in the Era and the Journal. Giving places on the preliminary programs for a competitive two-minute presentation of a gem from each of the magazines will meet with unusual approval and give our magazines a merited hearing. New Contest Event Essay on M. I. A. Slogan It has been decided to introduce as an additional contest event for this year the writing of essays on the M. I. A. Slogan — We Stand for Law: for the People Who Live it, and the Officers Who Enforce It. Regulations: This contest is open to all M. I. A. members except those of the Adult De- partment. A separate contest will be held for Y. M. M.I. A. and Y. L. M. I. A. Essays must be original. They must not exceed 1,500 words in length. Quotations not exceeding 150 words will be allowed. Judges will be provided by Stake Boards to select the two best essays in the stake Cone for the young men and one for the young ladies) . It is recom- mended that High School teachers be asked to serve as judges. The two best essays from each stake will not be sent to the district but to the General Boards, not later than May 1, 1929. The General Board will appoint judges to select winning essays from each district; another group of judges to select winning essays from each di- vision, and a final group of judges to select the two winning essays for th" Church. After selection by the judges in each case, winning essays will be returned to be read in district and division meets, respectively. Gold medals will be awarded at the June Conference for the two winning essays. Contests Proper We may confidently expect that the enthusiasm manifested during the mass participation contest will carry over into the regular contests. From the beginning of March on, these will oc- cupy an important place on the M. I. A. program. In order to insure harmonious re- lationships and effective results among all participants, there should be com- plete understanding of details. All leaders are urged to read carefully the regulations in the Hand Book, pp. 91- 103.

Mar., 1919 MUTUAL WORK 425 Note the following: 1. All Church-wide events are on ward basis, except the dance orchestra, which may be made up of members from different wards within the stake to represent the stake. 2. Stake officers are barred from par- ticipating in contests. 3. Professionals, that is, persons whose major income is derived from a particular field, are barred from enter- ing a contest in that field. 4. All other enrolled members of the M. I. A. including ward officers, are eligible to participate within their special group and age limitations. 5. The Ladies Double Trio is open to all members of Gleaner and Junior groups. (See note following on Music.) The age for M Men and Gleaner Girls Public Speaking and for M Men Quartet is 17-23, inclusive. All who have reached their 1 7th or 24th birth- days during the year (June 1, 1928- June 1, 1929) are eligible. It is advised that only unmarried girls enter this contest. 6. Where M. I. A. members are working or attending school in other wards than their home wards, they may choose as to which ward they will represent in the contests. This choice should be made at the beginning of the season and not changed. 7. The stake and ward executive of- ficers are responsible for the general management of all of the contests, but the immediate direction of the different events may be assigned to the respective committees: musical events to the Music Directors; drama and dancing to the Community Activity Committee; pub- lic speaking to M Men and Gleaner Committees. 8. In each district the stake desig- nated by a star is asked to take the initiative in calling the stakes together. but all executive officers of all the stakes in the district should have equal voice in making arrangements for the con- tests. Five Qualifications By Dr. George H. Brimhall Name five outstanding qualifications needed in M. I. A. leadership. This request was made at a meeting of the M. I. A. officers during the Lead- ership Week of the Brigham Young University. I had written, 1. Ability to or- ganize. 2. Enthusiasm. 3. Attention to details. At this point Director Oscar A. Kirkham supplemented the question by saying, "These are to be M. I. A. qualifications, not qualifica- tions common to all leadership." I therefore amended No. 2 as follows: Subscribe for and read the M. I. A. magazines. No. 3 was changed to read, Owning and using an M. I. A. Hand Book. 4. Heeding M. I. A. Of- ficial correspondence. 5. Working in harmony with the Priesthood. This group may not be the major five, but it is an indispensable five in M. I. A. Leadership. Fellowship Social By Ernest P. Horsley The purpose of this social is to press into action the spirit of true fellowship. To do this each person must be actu- ated by the spirit of doing to another as though he were the other. Social sportsmanship insists on a square deal. It is the elevation of sac- rifice rather than the manifestation of selfishness. It causes one to acknowl- edge efficiency wherever manifested.

426 IMPROVEMENT ERA Mar., 1929 whether by colleague or opponent. It makes men sympathetic, by causing them to see things from the other fel- low's point of view; honest, by stimu- lating the ability to give proper credit to everything deserving; and optimistic, for it encourages them to look for good, and people will always find what they look for. Real fellowship fills one with a desire to soften sorrows, sweeten joys and give hope and courage through a manifestation of fair play. To put into practice the principle of true social sportsmanship let the class divide into sides and put on an indoor track meet of the events described be- low: Indoor Track Meet Divide the guests in two teams and pin a band of colored paper on each person's arm. Have yellow for one team and red for the other. Let each group practice yells and when the con- test is on "root" for their team. Use Shot Put a milk bottle and have said player hold the arm even with the waist and drop five navy beans one at a time into the bottle. The side hav- ing most beans in the bottle wins this event. Twenty Yard Dash Stretch a string in the middle of the carpet. Have the player try to walk exactly on it first with one foot then the other while looking through a pair of opera glasses which are reversed. Foot Race Line all members of each side up with feet one behind the other. Meas- ure length of foot-line. Hammer Throw Blow up a paper sack. Tie with string and see how far player can throw it. Standing Broad Jump Have guests grin and measure each smile with a tape measure. Obstacle Race Place obstacles in the path for a race. Blindfold the player, then let him try to step over obstacles which have all been removed. One player does this at a time. There are judges for all contests and players must abide by their decisions. Music Easter is the time for beautiful sacred music, and the spirit of the season has inspired a wealth of it. Many lovely Easter cantatas have been written, as well as solo and quartet pieces, and many of these are just what we need to make the Easter program the im- pressive occasion it should be. The Risen King, by Schnecker (Oliver Ditson Co., publisher) , is a particularly lovely cantata which re- quires 45 minutes for presentation. It could be used with a short program of addresses. For He is Risen, by Joseph Clokey (C. C. Birchard, publisher) , is another cantata which might be put into a longer program, as the time of presen- tation is only 20 minutes. Solos and quartets which are espe- cially recommended are: Hosanna, by Granier (John A. Parks, publisher) . Resurrection Morn, by Vincent (White- Smith) . Into the Woods my Master Went, by Geo. Nevin (Oliver Ditson) . The Lord is Risen Indeed, by Stults (Harold Flammer) . The Easter Message, by Chaffin (Flam- mer) . Christ is Risen, John Trindle Scott (Flammer). The quartet arrangement of the above is in octavo form, and not very expensive. All are beautiful and add immeasurably to the spirit of an Easter program.

Mar.. 1929 MUTUAL WORK 427 Sunday Evening Conjoint Meetings April, 1929 Repeat slogan. Topic: April, the month of Easter. Introductory statement: This is the month when we commemor- ate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and it is universally regarded as the chief of Christian festivals. It was the Venerable Bede who lived in the seventh century who used the name EASTER, which is the Anglo Saxon word for the goddess of spring. The month EOSTUR, corresponding to our month April, was al- ways a sacred month. In the early Chris- tian times, a dispute arose as to the proper date of celebrating the resurrection of our Lord. With the adoption of the Gregorian calendar, a uniformity gradually came in, and now Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon which follows the vernal equinox. The feasts in the church calendar are reckoned from the date on which Easter falls each year. Lent is the forty days of fasting and prayer pre- ceding Easter. Then there is Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday and ending with Easter. The old Germans and North- men celebrated the return of the goddess of spring, which meant the rebirth of na- ture. From the Norse people have come the idea of Easter eggs, as well as the Easter rabbit legends and customs. It may be safely said that all peoples have believed in the life to come. To the Egyptian, immortality was an axiom of life. He looked upon death as going into a lovely garden. The American Indian looks forward to his happy hunting grounds, and the Mohammedan to his para- dise. The Hindoo Vedic scriptures de- scribe the life in heaven and it is regarded as one of indefinite duration. Some of the most beautiful funeral hymns glorifying the future life that have come down to us are those of the Rigveda, the greatest writ- ing of Hindoo scriptures. The mourning customs of old Israel prove that the people, like all early peoples, believed in the con- tinued existence of the spirit after death. The Jew also believed in the resurrection of the body. Since the kingdom of God was to be on earth, the dead must be brought back in bodily form, in order that they might take part in it. The resurrec- tion will be a glorified human life through the power of God. Job, in chapter 19: 26, shows us that he has become conscious of a life with God. It not only implies immortality, but resurrection. One of Plato's great teachings was that God can- not will to destroy his own handiwork. The teachings of Jesus Christ our Lord convey definite and true knowledge of im- mortality and the resurrection. This is one of the fundamental beliefs of the Lat- ter-day Saints. References: St. John, chapter 20. Book of Mormon, Alma, chapter 40 Browning: Rabbi Ben Ezra. Quote: Wordsworth, "Ode to Im- mortality." "Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting; The soul that rises with us, our life's Star, Hath had elsewhere its setting And cometh from afar; Not in entire forgetfulness, And not in utter nakedness, But trailing clouds of glory do we come From God, who is our home:" Many poems may be suggested giving a beautiful philosophy of life. Longfellow's "Psalm of Life," "The Builders." Holmes' "Chambered Nautilus." Holland's "Gradatim." From the "Chambered Nautilus": "Build thee more stately mansions, O my soul, As the swift seasons roll! Leave thy low-vaulted past! Let each new temple, nobler than the last, Shut thee from heaven with a dome more vast, Till thou at length art free, Leaving thine outgrown shell by life's unresting sea!"

428 IMPROVEMENT ERA Mar., 1929 Read Longfellow's "The Builders" 'All are architects of Fate, Working in these walls of Time; Some with massive deeds and great. Some with ornaments of rhyme. 'Nothing useless, is, or low; Each thing in its place is best; And what seems but idle show Strengthens and supports the rest. 'For the structure that we raise, Time is with materials filled; Our todays and yesterdays Are the blocks with which we build. 'Truly shape and fashion these; Leave no yawning gaps between; Think not, because no man sees, Such things will remain unseen. 'In the elder days of Art, Builders wrought with greatest care Each minute and unseen part; For the gods see everywhere. "Let us do our work as well, Both the unseen and the seen; Make the house where gods may dwell Beautiful, entire, and clean. "Else our lives are incomplete, Standing in these walls of Time, Broken stairways, where the feet Stumble, as they seek to climb. "Build today, then, strong and sure, With a firm and ample base, And ascending and secure Shall tomorrow find its place. "Thus alone can we attain To those turrets, where the eye Sees the world as one vast plain, And one boundless reach of sky." ADULT DEPARTMENT Our Radio Project Era readers have undoubtedly learned something ere this of the rather unique project which the Adult Com- mittee of the General Boards is con- ducting over the radio. Beginning Sunday, January 20, a 12-week experiment began in adult education. The radio is a new instru- ment of our modern life and fortu- nately or unfortunately has been exploited up to the present largely for business purposes. Like the moving picture, it has tremendous power in modifying human behavior. The programs which the Adult Committee has arranged and projected comprise not so much music as short, intelligent addresses on current items of importance. Music, of course, is employed as a means to this end. The program consists of three 1 2-minute addresses each Sunday; one address dealing with current scientific events in the various fields of science; a second series of addresses attempts to review a few of the recent books of outstanding literary merit, and the third feature is, we believe, quite unique in the entire field of broadcasting; namely, a clinic in Child Hygiene. The Adult Committee, which is directly responsible for these programs, is very anxious to have the programs reach as large an audience as possible. We ask our representatives and M. I. A. officers in general to give a wide publicity to this series of radio pro- grams, which we think set a pattern and a high standard in radio broad- casting. Not only do we want you and the local members of the M. I. A. to listen in on the programs, but we solicit your comments and suggestions which may be addressed to us directly or in care of KSL at Salt Lake City.

Mar., 1929 MUTUAL WORK 429 The Autobiography of Mussolini Published by Charles Scribner's Sons, 1928, ($3.50), Reviewed by Dr. Christen Jensen, B. Y. U. A book on Benito Mussolini always holds forth some interest but more especially is this so when such a book is written by the Duce himself. Rich- ard Washburn Child, a former Amer- ican ambassador to Italy, persuaded Mussolini to write a series of articles for the Saturday Evening Post and in 1928 these articles were published in book form. For the purpose of em- phasis, a statement by Mussolini ap- pears on the cover that "There is no other autobiography by me." In the book is traced in a rather hurried and sketchy manner his life and career. Of his early youth we learn little but one is impressed with his love for his mother and his picture of his father as a strong and stern ad- vocate of socialism. His schooling is portrayed as opening a new vista in his life, and then he is revealed as a young dissatisfied school teacher. After a short experience in the schoolroom he crossed the border into Switzerland, where he soon found himself in the environment of some of those radicals who were later responsi- ble for the Russian revolution. He was soon persona non grata in Switzer- land and was expelled from that coun- try. Back again in Italy he performed compulsory military service after which he went to Austria for a brief period but only to be deported from that country. Home in Italy once more, he plunged into politics and at the age of twenty- nine he was made the director of the only daily socialist newspaper pub- lished in Milan. Two years later Europe was catapulted into the World War and Mussolini successfully used his influence to bring Italy into the struggle on the side of the western allies. For this he was expelled from the socialist party. Soon he was a private in the Italian army, served through the war with distinction, and was severely wounded. With the close of the war came a period of depression, disorder, and con- fusion for Italy. "The lovely struc- ture of concord and harmony that we combatants and the wounded had dreamed that we would build after the luminous victory of October, 1918, was falling to pieces. The leaves were falling from our tree of idealism. * * * * I felt that we were left without any cohesive force, any suggestive heroism, any remembrance, any polit- ical philosophy, sufficient to overcome and stop the factors of dissolution." Here was the opportunity which Mussolini sought. In the "ashes and embers" of a "worn-out democracy" might flourish "the garden of fascism." This involved a violent struggle with socialism and communism. Next came the historic march on Rome in 1922 culminating in the interview in the Quirinal between the king and Mus- solini, and a request from his sovereign that he assume control of the govern- ment. The remainder of the book deals with the problems of government dur- ing the succeeding five years. In it he discusses the political situation, Italy's foreign policy, the colonies, finances, social welfare, education, public works, and the church. The style of the Autobiography is vigorous, crisp, terse, but disconnected. It reveals one of the dominant char- acters in world politics today, a man of pronounced nationalistic tendencies, who confesses that he is "desperately Italian" and believes in the "function of Latinity," but who has more or less contempt for "sickly international- ism." One is impressed with the tremend- ous energy of the man. In spite of the continued strain under which he

430 IMPROVEMENT ERA Mar., 191) labors we are interested in learning that Mussolini drives a motor car with confidence and at great speed; that he loves the airplane, holds a pilot's license, and has flown countless times; that he is a devoted horseman; is skilled in fencing; is an accomplished violin- ist; and is a student of the great poets and philosophers. He neither smokes nor drinks and his meals are "as frugal as those of a pauper." He is not interested in cards or games and pities "those who lose time, money, and sometimes all of life itself in the frenzy of the games." But when we come to examine his relations to the fundamental problems of Italy, we soon realize that Mus- solini has presented the evidence on one side of the case only. He is an advocate, not a judge; a partisan, not a neutral. His lack of judicial tempera- ment and his unrestrained contempt for his opponents and enemies is ex- pressed by such words as "jackals," "blockheads," "soft-brained cowards," "rabble," "parasites," "swelled frogs," "minds of crickets," "Italy's imps," full of "confirmed idiocy." We may also be pardoned for as- suming that Mussolini is a confirmed egotist when we find such expressions as the following: "I faced the Social- ists in our convention. I was expelled. I held public gatherings. I created the Fascisti — I was their leader." Again he says, "Never, so much as then, (during his illness) did I understand that I was indispensable to my men, to my devoted people, to all the great masses of the Italian people." Another illustration — "Nobody has ever denied that I am possessed of these three quali- ties: a discreet intelligence, a lot of courage and an utter contempt for the lure of money." One could well wish that the author had furnished more information con- cerning a number of vital questions. How did he become the leader of his party? Fuller details in regard to the Matteotti affair would be welcome. What about censorship in Italy? All travelers who have been in that coun- try in recent times know that Italians dare not speak nor write in derogatory terms of the dictator. These and other explanations would be enlightening. The absence of detail and the partisan viewpoint exhibited may be due in part to the fact that Mussolini assumes that his readers are generally familiar with the contemporary history of Italy. His contribution on fascism is not a description but a defense. Yet his book is well worth reading. Con- cerning it the New York World says. "Only one other man could have written it * * * and he is dead. His name was Napoleon Bonaparte." Questions 1. What impressions of Mussolini have you formed from the reading of periodicals and newspapers? 2. What is fascism? 3. Compare fascism and bolshevism. 4. Name other European dictators that have arisen since the World War. 5. In your opinion is Mussolini a benefactor to Italy? Why? 6. What are the essentials of a good autobiography? Outstanding Magazine Articles for January Selected by a Council of Librarians "The Catholic Church Faces America," E. Boyd Barrett, in The Amer- ican Mercury. Mr. Barrett, formerly Jesuit, finds in the American branch of the Roman Catholic Church an independent spirit hardly to the liking of the Mother Church. There is a tendency toward liberalism which may cause a rift in the serenity of the Church.

Mar.. 1929 MUTUAL WORK 431 "Lincoln, the Lover — The Court- ship," Wilma Frances Minor, in Atlantic Monthly. The story of Lincoln and Ann Rutledge, based upon recently discov- ered letters, diaries, books, traced further by Miss Minor in her second Atlantic paper. Her collection has aroused intense discussion among Lin- coln scholars and the public. "Justice Holmes Dissents," Joseph Percival Pollard, in Scribner's. Mr. Pollard discusses the principles and human qualities behind the dis- sents of Holmes. The author points out how the Justice's views have been later accepted by the Supreme Court. "Bigger and Better Armaments," Charles A. Beard, in Harper's Magazine. What are the dangers of another war in Europe, even with the Kellogg treaty? Dr. Beard, out of his histor- ical knowledge and his recent study of European conditions, contributes a thorough analysis of the danger points. "The Christian Ministry," Harry Emerson Fosdick, in Atlantic Monthly. A new age brings new problems to the ministry. A distinguished, liberal churchman, Harry Emerson Fosdick, describes new ways of applying and organizing the energies of ministers to the better service of the church and of religion. "Has Democracy Broken Down?" Will Durant vs. the Mayors of America, in Forum. Will Durant, philosopher of the masses, indicts the nation's rulers on grounds of incompetence; and a group of prominent city mayors form a vigorous party in opposition. "The Pacific Era Begins," Nicholas Roosevelt, in Review of Reviews. Westward the course of the Empire still takes its way, for the Pacific ocean is becoming the center of gravity of the world. Nicholas Roosevelt, far East- ern expert of the New York Times, shows America's place in this new sit- uation. "George Sand," Gamaliel Bradford, in Harper's Magazine. A portrait of one of the greatest women of all time, in which Mr. Bradford studies her love affairs and her achievements and shows what were the real springs of her character. "Afoot and Awing in the Great Smokies," Horace Kephard, in Field and Stream. How part of America's last remain- ing virgin wilderness has been saved from destruction, and will be preserved for all time to come as the Smoky Mountain National Park, by the wis- dom and generosity of nature lovers. Copyright 1929, by Harper ft Brothers. Our Radio Hour Are you "listening in" to the radio programs each Sunday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock? As an experiment in adult education, this venture is proving highly successful if we may judge by the messages of commendation received. Three lines are followed in each pro- gram— a discussion of an interesting feature of modern science, a review of a worthwhile current book, and prob- lems in child hygiene; these being in- terspersed with musical selection. While the speakers are not always members of the M. I. A. and the topics not those under immediate considera- tion in the Adult Department, they are in keeping with the field of en- deavor for this group, touching as they do upon the widespread interests of our adult membership.

432 IMPROVEMENT ERA Mar.. 1920 Drama for Adults In the Salt Lake stake the stake leaders are featuring drama as a spring activity for the Adult Department. Each ward group is to feature one one-act play during March. Many of our adult people who did not get all they desired in the way of "acting" in their "teen" age may now develop into real stars. Dancing for Adults Remember that the contests in both Drama and the Gold and Green Cotillion are open to all members. How many adults will take advantage of this? If you do not care to contest, why not learn the dance just for the fun and relaxation? M MEN DEPARTMENT Inter-Division M Men Basketball 1928-1929 1. The tournament shall be under the direction of an Athletic Committee, consisting of Homer Warner, chair- man; Herbert Maw, Irwin Clawson, L. H. Florence, W. L. Warner, C. S. Boyle, E. N. Larsen. 2. All disputes and protests shall be filed in writing with the Athletic Committee, which will have full power of decision. 3. Amendments and additions to these rules may be made by two-thirds vote of the Athletic Committee. Three members shall be necessary to consti- tute a quorum. 4. Each Division will draw up and conduct its own schedule of games, but the last game must be played on or before March 2, 1929. 5. An Inter-Division Tournament will be held during the 2nd week in March. 6. No team shall be coached by a coach paid for that service. 7. Stake supervisors will be respon- sible for the appointment of officials within their own stake. The Athletic Committee will select tournament of- ficials. 8. Each stake will select its own team in any manner that it may choose. 9. The Division M Men supervisor of each Division shall leave by March 4, 1929, c/o H. C. Warner, 406 Church Office Bldg., Salt Lake City, the following information: fa) The name of the members of the winning team and substitutes. (b) The date of birth of each mem- ber of the winning team, together with the substitutes. (c) The ward in which each contest- ant resides and the ward in which he has his recommend. (d) The ward that he represents. (e) The address of each contestant. (f) The dates of attendance at M. T. A. meetings this season. 10. Eligibility. Men between the ages of 1 7 and those who have not reached the age

Mar., 1929 MUTUAL WORK 433 of 24 by October 1, 1928, are eligible if they fulfill the following require- ments: (a) Attend at least two M. I. A. meetings prior to Jan. 1, 1929, to be ascertained from the M. I. A. record in the ward in which they are enrolled. (b) Attend at least two lesson nights per month following enrollment, or present a doctor's certificate as an excuse for sickness. (c) Not have played four quarters or the equivalent in competitions on first teams of High School, Junior College, College Freshmen Class or College, or be a candidate for the first teams squad on any of the above institutions after Jan. 15, 1929. (d) Live within the boundaries of the ward for which he plays and have bis recommend in the possession of that ward; provided, that a non-"Mormon" may represent only the ward in which he re- sides. (e) The Executive Committee has the power to modify these rules when they see that particular cases war- rant such modification. (f) The 17-year minimum age will not be varied and will date as of the first Inter-Stake Tournament game the contestant plays in. 11. Protests: On the 5th day of March, 1929, there will be available at the above office, upon call, a list of all the players with the data set forth in No. 9. All protests on eligi- bility of particular players or other- wise concerning the teams shall be fi'ed in writing in the Y. M. M. I. A. Office on or before 5:30 p. m., March 6, 1929, or such protests will not be con- sidered. All players and teams not protested by that date shall not be sub- ject to protest thereafter. "It is the activity that counts and not the were winning of games." General Board Recommendations January 23, 1929 Recommendations Relating to the Teachers' and Deacons' Quorums of the aaronic priesthood work and the y. m. m. i. a. program of the Latter-day Saint Church 1 . That the supervisors of the Teachers' and Deacons' quorums will take charge of the Vanguard and Scouting programs of these quorums. In any modification of this plan, both leaders are to attend both programs on Tuesday evenings and activities on other occasions. All leaders are to be commisisoned scout officials. 2. That a member of each stake presidency be invited to become a mem- ber of the local council under which the boys of the stake are receiving scout supervision. 3. That one of the stake superin- tendency of the Y. M. M. I. A. become a member of the District Committee or the local council Executive Board. 4. That every stake have one or more carefully selected district scout commissioners. 5. That every ward have a regis- tered Scout troop. 6. That the aim be to have every Scout Master a trained Scout Leader. 7. That every bishopric be repre- sented on the Troop Committee of their ward, either personally or by

434 IMPROVEMENT ERA Mar.. 1929 someone specially appointed by them. 8. That every Troop Committee meet at least once a month and check with the Scout Master on the progress of his work, lending assistance in mak- ing the program successful. 9. That the men who supervise the Aaronic Priesthood in the stake be as- sociated also in the general supervision of Scouting, and become registered of- ficers in the Boy Scout movement. 10. That all Scout Executives who are members of the Latter-day Saint Church become ex-officio members of the stake boards in the territory cov- ered by their councils; that they be furnished with a schedule of board meetings and that they assist in every way possible in the promotion of this work. 11. That, in local councils, there be established a uniform date for re- registration of Latter-day Saint troops: that this date be January 1, of each year. We feel sure that the Y. M. M. I. A. machinery could then more effectively help in the registration. Recommendations on Vanguard Programs 1 . It is recommended that the monthly program of the Vanguards be as follows: First Tuesday: Merit badge work. (All patrols of Vanguards meeting to- gether as one group) . These merit badge subjects are to be selected be- cause of seasonable interest and left for definite local choice for weekly instruc- tion according to the local interest and leadership. We hope that each ward may be able to purchase a complete set of merit badge pamphlets. Second and Fourth Tuesdays: On these Tuesday evenings, it is recom- mended that the Vanguards build their own programs which may include so- cial and recreational events. Season- able sports and activities may be chosen to supplement this general program. Third Tuesday: (All Vanguard patrols meeting separately for study and later for inter-patrol contests.) It is recommended that the tenderfoot, the second-class, and the first-class Scout requirements be presented through the play method. Fifth Tuesday: Program the same as for the first Tuesday. 2. Aaronic Priesthood quorums are to meet as separate quorums; at the conclusion of their work, the Scouting program will go forward. However, where Scout troops are now in a good running condition, the separating of the older boys from the younger boys in their Scouting should be made with great care. Scout leaders are to give special at- tention to the non-Scout and get him to register as a Scout at the earliest op- portunity. 3. Young men who are members of the Teachers' Quorum may wear the Vanguard Badge under the two fol- lowing conditions: 1. That he be an enrolled mem- ber of the Teachers' quorum. 2. That he be a registered Scout. The young man who is not a Teacher may wear the Vanguard Badge under the two following conditions: 1. That he be a registered Scout of fifteen years of age or older. 2. That he be enrolled and meet- ing regularly with the Vanguard group. 4. The supervisors of the Aaronic Priesthood, being also the leaders of the Vanguard and Scout groups, should hold weekly conferences and be united and helpful on the entire program of the Aaronic Priesthood and Scouting. The monthly meetings of the Troop Committee also give opportunity for the development of this work. 5. These leaders should make a real effort to win and hold every boy in the ward in his Priesthood work, and in his Vanguard and Scouting pro- gram. Recommending Two Boy Scout Troops in a Ward On account of a number of prob- lems which have arisen in our larger wards in relation to leadership and the

Mar., 1929 MUTUAL WORK 435 grouping of Scouts for fellowship ac- cording to their quorum identity, wards are permitted to organize two troops under the general supervision of their Troop Committee — one for the Deacons' quorums and one for the Teachers' quorum — but such organiza- tion is permitted only when — 1 . The number of boys in the Deacons' and Teachers' quorums is suf- ficient to justify such action. 2. Where the leadership has been carefully selected, and signifies its willingness seriously to undertake this work. 3. Only where the leadership has been first trained in this method of handling this special program. This additional troop will be created largely with a desire to take care of the older Scouts — the Vanguards. The organi- zation of these extra troops is to be approved by the local council. The following reasons have stimu- lated the proposed action for two troops in a ward: 1. Our desire to keep the boys in groups affiliated with their quorum work. 2. It meets the approval of all Scout leaders who have been consulted. 3. The older Scouts appreciate the opportunity of being by themselves. 4. Each Scout Master is placed on a national and local mailing list and re- ceives additional literature and helps in the management of his troop. 5. Each Scout Master has greater opportunity to qualify in the five-year training plan offered by the National Council. 6. Small troops provide additional opportunity for leadership and for per- sonal work with members of the troop. 7. The nature and needs of the boy and his development are met best where he has an opportunity to work out his problem along with boys of his own age and group. 8. This recommendation carries the approval of the Scout Executives of the state of Utah. They have been in conference with our committee and have given valuable aid in the develop- ment of these recommendations. Stake Supervision The members of the stake Aaronic Priesthood Committee, and the stake superintendency of the Y. M. M. I. A. are to become members of the stake (district) Scout Committee. This District Committee is to select and sup- port District Commissioners to super- vise the Vanguard and Scouting groups of Latter-day Saint boys. This action will correlate the work and eliminate certain problems now arising because of dual leadership. Recommendation on the Selection and Training of Leaders We renew with added emphasis the request that serious consideration be given by bishops of wards and Y. M. M. I. A. executive officers to the selec- tion of competent men to lead these groups. National Permission Permission to use the national pro- gram of the Boy Scouts of America by religious organizations such as our own has been granted. The following extract is taken from the eighteenth annual report of the Boy Scouts of America, 1927, United States Government Printing Office, Washington, 1928: "The Boy Scouts of America main- tain that no boy can grow into the best kind of citizenship without recog- nizing his obligation to God. The recognition of God as the ruling and leading power in the universe and the grateful acknowledgment of his favors and blessings are necessary to the best type of citizenship, and are wholesome things in the education of the growing boy. No matter what the boy may be — Catholic or Protestant or Jew — this fundamental need of good citizen- ship should be kept before him. "The Boy Scouts of America as an organized body, therefore, recognizes the religious element in the training of

436 IMPROVEMENT ERA Mar., 1929 a boy, but it is absolutely non-sectarian in its attitude toward that religious training. Its policy is that the religious organization or institution with which the Boy Scout is connected shall give definite attention to this religious life. If he be a Roman Catholic Boy Scout, the church of which he is a member is the best channel for his training. If he be a Hebrew boy, then the synagogue will train him in the faith of his fathers. If he be a Protestant, no matter to what denomination of Protestantism he may belong, the church of which he is an adherent or a member should be the proper organization to give him an education in the things that pertain to his allegiance to God." At a meeting of the General Board of the Y. M. M. I. A. held Wednes- day, January 23, 1929, it was moved and carried that the foregoing recom- mendations be approved. Our L. D. S. Boy Scouts in Germany By Arthur Gaeth, General Superintendent of Auxiliary Organizations of the German- Austrian Mission The year 1928 will never be for- gotten in the history of the L. D. S. Boy Scout Organization of Germany. It was a year of hard work, a year of excitement and worry, as well as of much patient waiting. But neverthe- less it was a year of accomplishment, for although the organization cele- brated its first birthday on the 6th of September, 1928, it already numbered more than 500 scouts and 65 troops. Through untiring effort, not only here in Germany, but also on the part of the leaders at home, the standards of the L. D. S. Boy Scouts were brought to the knowledge of Mr. Hubert S. Martin, International Director of Scouting, London, and the German L. D. S. Scout Organization was in- vited to join with the Spaherbund to form the official Scout Federation of Germany. Germany was the only major nation which up to the time herein mentioned had no internation- ally recognized Scouts, and although frequent efforts had been made by the International to effect an organization in the Fatherland it was always a failure. Ninety-three applications have been sent to London from German organizations for recognition; but it was considered that they were not working on sound Scout principles. It was only after extensive correspond- ence on the part of our missions with the International Bureau and the good words of our Church Scout Executive, Oscar A. Kirkham, in his interview with Mr. Martin when the latter visited America last September, that the pinnacle upon which Scouting is now resting in Germany was attained. On the ,6th of November, 1928, the authorities of the German-Austrian and the Swiss-German missions and the leader of the German Spaherbund met in Leipzig to discuss the possi- bilities of an organization; and on that evening the foundation for the Federation was laid. The minutes of the meeting were sent to the Interna- tional and Dr. Lucas was sent from England to Germany to meet all or- ganizations interested in the Federa- tion. At the meeting which was held in Hamburg on the 1st and 2nd of December, two other organizations were admitted to the Federation, now known as the "Deutscher Scoutver- band," and as it at present stands there are four organizations in Ger- many banded together and working on international Scout principles, with a membership of a few over 1000, the L. D. S. Boy Scouts furnishing ap- proximately 600 of that number. The office of the German-Austrian mission in Dresden, Germany, was selected as

Mar., 1919 MUTUAL WORK 437 the forming of the "deutscher scoutverband" (german scout federation). in Leipzig. Germany, November 6. 1928. Left to right: George Albert Smith. Jr.. general superintendent of auxiliary organizations of the Swiss-German mission; A. Smith Pond, president of the Leipziger district; Otto Stollberg, leader of German Spaherbund; Hyrum W. Valentine, president of the German-Austrian mission; Arthur Gaeth, general superintendent auxiliary organizations of the German-Austrian mission. the place of business for the "Deutscher Scoutverband," and of the working committee, consisting of five members, all of whom must be German, two are "Mormons." Brother Helmuth Plath. editor of the mission publication, the Stern, was selected as secretary and Brother Willi Rossberg was selected as advertising manager. This organization has already been invited to send representatives to the International Boy Scout Jamboree which will be held at Arrowe Park. England, from the 30th of July to the 13th of August, and the German L. D. S. Boy Scouts hope to send a rep- resentative body of boys, not only to visit the Jamboree, but also to meet on this side of the ocean their brother Scouts from the valleys of the Rockies. Oh, how the youth of Germany re- joices in these activities, now that it has been permitted to partake of the spirit of Scouting! What a help it has been in developing missionary work among the young people here! What untold joy has come to missionaries who were instrumental in founding the work and who are now engaged in directing it, through seeing the won- derful fruits their efforts have brought! Other names, as a matter of history, should be written into this record, names of the missionaries who de- veloped the present Scout program for these fields. At the head perhaps should be placed the name of the brother who did so much towards creating the love for Scouting among the German boys and who laid a foundation better than he will ever realize. Elder M. Elmer Christensen.

438 IMPROVEMENT ERA Mar., 1919 of Murray, Utah, former general su- perintendent of auxiliary organizations in the German-Austrian mission. Closely associated with him, the two working in perfect harmony, was El- der J. Hamilton Calder, of Vernal, Utah, who held the same position in the Swiss-German mission, also Broth- er Calder's successor in that position. Elder George Albert Smith, Jr. These enthusiastic and capable young men were constantly supported by their mission presidents, Hyrum W. Valen- tine and Fred Tadge. I just returned from a trip through Austria. Hungaria and Roumania, where I visited Scout organizations. I was royally entertained and think a sort of a brotherhood was formed be- tween these organizations and that in Germany. Our American Scouts cer- tainly ranked high in Europe. The International Scout Commissioners of these countries entertained me so pleas- antly that a longer stay would have been enjoyed. Those Hungarians especially have a wonderful organiza- tion and I was able to do a little English proof reading for them on some material they were getting out in English for the Jamboree. They in- tend to be well represented. Their organization is supported by the gov- ernment, and they have a large build- ing of their own. To promote brotherhood among the different na- tions, they are issuing printed matter on Hungaria and Scouting in the dif- ferent languages so that readers can have the material in their own lan- guage. SCOUT LEADERSHIP TRAINING AT DIXIE COLLEGE During leadership week at Dixie College, January 8 to 12. this group of men went to school daily in scout leadership training. At the end of the week 11 men passed the minimum course. 16 the approved course, 6 the advanced course, and 4 men received, the Scout Master's key. a special award presented to men of long experience and training with scouts. B. Glen Smith, the man kneeling in the center of the group, has been a scout master for 12 years. He was the first man jn the state of Utah to receive this special award.

Mar., 1929 MUTUAL WORK 439 Vanguard Scouts. Mt. Ogden Stake This group of Vanguard Scouts of the 5th ward, Mt. Ogden stake, under the leadership of Dr. Douglas F. Pincock, is one of the first organized groups of Vanguards in the Church. Dr. Pincock says, "The fellows are enjoying the program a hundred per cent, and they are all active in their Teachers' quorum." In November, after the first snows, they began making a schooner, working on it at Vanguard meetings, after Priesthood meetings, and at different Scouts' homes. They completed it in January, and since then have had several fine rides on it. One evening, they made a party of it, and invited their young lady friends, Dr. and Mrs. Pincock acting as chaperons. The boys report to us that never before have they enjoyed Scout work as they have this winter with the Vanguard group. Y. M. M. I. A. Efficiency Report for January, 1929 STAKE H bo G 5 c o N "5 ra 00 hi o pa V XI B 2 V u a rt •a c CJ < oo > < to a* > < at a 00 c '5 c •> o n'l c.S 3 O ■ u O c S Q U c S S o u 0. •a c 3 V) '5 a, m O • h Alpine - 12 20 5 13 13 10 10 14 10 9 116 Bear River . 8 11 7 14 9 6 4 15 8 6 88 Box Elder 20 18 12 14 20 10 19 12 12 137 Carbon - - 14 14 12 18 15 15 18 11 10 14 10 9 10 5 25 27 2 7 5 9 121 Deseret - - — 129 Emery - 15 15 11 17 10 8 5 28 7 4 120 Ensign .. - . 20 19 11 13 19 10 10 28 9 6 145 Gunni?on 17 14 20 16 11 2 12 3 15 6 10 8 16 9 25 16 10 4 12 14 148 Kolcb 92 Lehi 10 14 17 15 14 13 12 12 8 12 6 8 3 7 12 18 9 8 15 7 106 Logan 114 Millaid 15 12 10 10 8 8 7 17 7 6 100

440 IMPROVEMENT ERA Mar., 192" (J c BO C M O 2 STAKE a _o a a Ql ■4-J > < W 8 W3 bo 4-) a CJ c s E M £3 C 0 00 CJ CJ s N "3 DO o £ CJ 5 < bo > < c/5 c .5 3 O CO i—i to o rt g rt a CJ n o a E ■a c 3 a. a. rt O h Nebo 17 15 13 10 12 9 7 24 6 1 10 123 North Davis 11 16 16 20 12 10 10 13 13 15 7 8 3 10 26 29 7 8 11 8 1 16 North Sanpete 133 North Weber 11 10 8 14 5 7 5 13 10 16 99 Ogcien 8 10 6 14 11 6 9 19 3 2 88 Oquirrh ___ 12 13 8 8 13 7 7 17 3 8 96 Palmyra 16 16 13 6 7 8 7 21 10 9 113 Salt Lake 17 18 10 13 16 9 11 24 8 9 135 Sevier " 22 21 14 16 20 10 10 32 7 8 160 South Davis __ 22 20 14 14 20 10 20 36 7 20 183 South Sanpete 20 20 14 12 18 10 10 24 8 10 146 South Sevier ... 12 11 9 8 7 6 4 13 4 8 82 Timpanogos 13 18 17 11 8 10 14 21 15 9 136 Tooele _. 7 15 11 12 8 9 13 15 8 10 5 8 4 6 10 20 7 8 8 10 81 Uintah 113 Utah 8 14 9 17 6 9 12 12 7 13 4 9 8 9 24 4 7 4 9 71 Weber 114 Bear Lake 4 3 6 2 5 9 13 7 5 2 4 3 — 7 3 5 3 5 4 54 Blaine 36 Boise .. 13 10 9 6 12 6 5 24 8 6 99 Cassia 7 16 19 9 15 18 8 14 15 12 10 13 8 11 17 5 8 10 5 12 7 21 27 5 19 13 6 17 10 67 Franklin 136 Fremont 154 Idaho _ .. 17 15 12 17 14 10 20 10 10 125 Minidoka ... 8 9 7 7 8 4 4 16 6 - 7 76 Oneida 6 21 10 21 7 10 15 11 8 20 5 10 3 10 11 24 9 2 8 20 8? Pocatello . 149 Portneuf . 9 9 9 10 9 5 2 9 11 10 83 Rigby 3 7 5 9 3 4 3 9 4 4 51 Shelley 9 14 8 12 4 7 2 12 4 3 75 Teton . 8 14 7 10 10 10 7 10 5 10 9 12 10 5 5 7 8 5 2 8 5 15 8 10 6 6 13 9 3 77 Yellowstone 94 Big Horn 66 Hollywood 14 13 13 13 14 8 8 13 5 9 110 Los Angeles 16 16 11 11 14 8 13 28 1 1 15 143 San Francisco 16 13 10 14 17 9 16 22 20 13 150 Star Valley 9 14 8 13 9 5 4 10 4 9 85 Taylor 16 19 16 11 18 8 5 29 25 12 159 Woodruff _ _ 15 18 8 11 10 10 15 10 8 105 Calif. Mission 18 14 12 18 17 9 5 18 14 19 146 Central States Mission.... 5 5 23 20 3 9 1 4 1 15 86 Northwestern States Mis. 19 16 16 14 15 10 10 19 9 19 147