Changes in the Presidency of the Y. L. M. I. A.

Changes in the Presidency of the Y. L. M. I. A. By Elsie Talmage Brandley Martha H. Tingey, Retiring President FORTY-NINE years in the presidency and twenty-four years as president — that is the record of Sister Martha H. Tingey in the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association. Chosen at the age of 22 to act as counselor to Elmina S. Taylor, she has ever magnified the appointment, and her wisdom, discern- ment and judgment have been unfailing. Being a daughter of Joseph and Isabella Home, both staunch pioneers who had suffered the tribulations and persecutions incident to early pioneer life, it was natural that Martha should be possessed of a valiant spirit. Not strong physically, her indomitable spiritual strength and uplifting faith have given her power to carry on the work given her to do. Devoted to the cause of Mutual Improvement work, zealous to accomplish good among the daughters of Zion, and confident that her call would be followed by the ability and strength necessary to its fulfillment, she has worked with the modest dignity, sincerity and earnestness which are characteristic of her. A promise made by her mother, and repeated by President Joseph F. Smith when she was set apart as president of the Y. L. M. I. A., to the effect that she would be made equal to the requirements made of her, gave her a blessed assurance which helped to carry her over seemingly insurmountable obstacles. In spite of the delicate health which has been hers for many years, she has unflinchingly gone forward to ac- complish her mission, and has fulfilled its demands gloriously. Al- ways gentle, but never weak; firm, but never harsh; wise, but utterly without guile, she has enlisted the love and admiration of all who have had the privilege of associating with her. A woman equally successful at home and in public, she has set for the young women of the Church an example worthy of thought- ful and prayerful emulation. Her sincere desire is that a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ may find lodging in the hearts of all Latter-day Saint girls, that their lives may be sweetened and en- riched by the beauty and truth therein. To look upon the face of Sister Tingey is to realize that her frail little body has been the dwelling place of a glorious spirit. May the organization of which she has long been an able and fearless leader ever grow in righteousness, and every girl in Zion remember

554 IMPROVEMENT ERA May, 19Z9 that the strength of Sister Tingey's leadership was the strength of purity and faith. After almost a quarter of a century of splendid and effective leadership, the Presidency of the Y. L. M. I. A. has been reorganized. On March 28, 1929, it was announced that President Martha H. Tingey had been given honorable release, and as her successor, Ruth May Fox had been appointed. A day or so thereafter President Fox announced that Lucy Grant Cannon had been selected as first coun- selor, and Clarissa A. Beesley as second — a noble triumvirate. The new presidency is made up of women widely and lovingly known by M. I. A. officers and members, for all of them have de- voted themselves to the work for many years and have traveled into many of the stakes of the Church in the interests of their organ- ization. Ruth May Fox, President Ruth May Fox was born in England, and left motherless at the age of sixteen months. For several years following the death of her mother, she lived at the homes of various relatives and friends, always, if possible, with a Latter-day Saint family, for her father, who, with his wife had embraced the Gospel some years before, felt it important that the child should grow up with a knowledge of the truths contained in the new religion. Circumstances made it impos- sible for the little girl to be with her parent much of the time, and in spite of his interest in her welfare conditions threw her into un- wholesome contacts, where she learned many things of which little girls should remain ignorant. When finally it became possible for her father to be with her more of the time, he conscientiously set about to teach her the principles of the Gospel, which have since become so dear to her. Those who have not had the privilege of close association with Sister Fox cannot know the honesty, tolerance and humility which are among her outstanding characteristics. While a keen sense of humor, a flashing vein of wit and a decided opinion of her own are outward traits which sometimes veil the more delicate qualities, her friends know that each part of her nature is important in rounding out the pleasing whole. It is the combination of these which make her so delightfully human, yet withal so exceptionally strong and true. Ruth was twelve years of age before she came to America, fol- lowing her father who had preceded her by some months, and had been working as an expert carder in Philadelphia. The girl had crossed the ocean with an English widow and her daughter, who were to become step-mother and step-sister to her soon thereafter.

May. \9i9 CHANGES IN Y. L. M. I. A. PRESIDENCY 555 The family were congenial, and toiled with indefatigable determina- tion in their zeal to make enough money to go to Utah. Finally their ambition was realized, and they set out on their long journey. In 1867, they reached the valleys of the mountains, after many months of travel by ox team and on foot. In 1872 the girl was married to Jesse W. Fox, Jr. She is the mother of twelve children, ten of whom are living, and rearing families of their own. Who shall say how many staunch Latter- day Saints will be born in the line of descent of the humble, un- known little English girl? In 1898, after spending about twenty years as a worker in the auxiliary organizations of the 14th ward, Salt Lake, she became a member of the General Board of Young Ladies' Mutual Improve- ment Association. One of her early contributions to the work was the idea of the Traveling Library, which for many years was an important feature of the program, and has since evolved into the Reading Course. Sister Fox realized that reading of a high standard is an education in itself, for having been handicapped in her own schooling she gained from books a deep fund of knowledge. Her literary achievements are well-known. Ruth May Fox is a woman devoted to the principle which she believes to be right. The many calls of home, children, public and Church work have been adequately answered, and through them, and the associations made in them, she has developed and expanded into a personality of rare charm. In response to a declaration she made to the effect that she hoped nobody would ever describe her as being "sweet" when sweetness was not one of her characteristics, a reply came immediately from one of her friends: "Why should the salt of the earth be sweet?" There, in one descriptive phrase, is the word portrait of President Ruth May Fox — the salt of the earth. Lucy Grant Cannon, First Counselor Sister Lucy Grant Cannon needs no introduction to the young women of the Church, for she has occupied positions of trust in ward, stake and general organizations for many years. She has found much joy in Mutual Improvement work, and part of that joy she has passed on to those who have been her associates. At the age of eighteen she was ward president of the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association, and since that time she has been class leader, counselor in the Ensign Stake Y. L. M. I. A. presidency, mem- ber of the General Board, second counselor to President Martha H. Tingey and now, fittingly, first counselor to President Ruth May Fox. Deeply religious, unselfish and obedient, she carries about with

556 IMPROVEMENT ERA u«v. 1929 her no atmosphere of sanctimony, but transmutes the abundant faith which is hers into beautiful living, and demonstrates every day the loveliness of true and vital spirituality. Her goodness engenders in others a desire to be good. Lutie, as she is lovingly known to friends and relatives, is the second daughter of President Heber J. and Lucy Stringham Grant. At the age of twelve she met sorrow, for the mother to whom she was devotedly attached was taken in death, and Lutie, herself in delicate health, was left to help comfort the younger chil- dren. The mother's place was in a measure filled by "Aunt Gusta" — Augusta Winters Grant, — whose loving care for the bereaved chil- dren has been sincerely appreciated by them. The spirit of harmony and sympathy existing between the girls and their foster-mother is indicative of the nobility of their characters. Calm, serene, untroubled- — such adjectives must have been coined to describe Lucy G. Cannon. A girl was once heard to say that she never was very good at spelling after she knew Lutie, for she invariably spelled "tranquility" — "tranquilutie," for that is the effect she produced. Lucy Grant, as a girl, had the blessed opportunity of partaking of a beautiful home influence. Her father and mother, Aunt Gusta, and Grandma Grant were all individuals of the highest type, and her association with them instilled in her heart ideals to which she is attaining. Knowing full well that the only adequate recompense possible to offer parents and loved ones for their devotion and sac- rifice is a good life, happily lived, Lutie has done all in her power toward the payment of her debt. In 1902 she was married to George J. Cannon, a son of Abram H. and Sarah Cannon. Eight fine children have come to share the home they have made, and two grandchildren have ushered in the third generation, and will have the privilege of participating in the graciousness and peace which characterize the home life of this family. Music, books, kindness, laughter, hospitality, sympathy and prayer all go into the creating of the sweet influence of their home, but they are too definite to catch the indefinable charm therein; and without question much of the charm emanates from the lovable woman who presides at the side of her husband over it. To many of the girls in the M. I. A. both now and in the years gone by, Sister Lucy Cannon stands as a light, illuminating the path that leads toward salvation. She is very good, very lovable, and very happy, harboring within her heart a love for all humanity, and unwavering assurance of the divinity of the Gospel of Jesus

May, 1929 CHANGES IN Y. L. M. I. A. PRESIDENCY 557 Christ. Life has no greater gifts than these to offer, and they are given only to those who prove their worthiness. Clarissa A. Beesley, Second Counselor Exceptionally well fitted for her new position as counselor to the president of the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associa- tion is Clarissa A. Beesley, who from the age of 1 7 has been engaged in the work of this organization. For eight years she was president of the 16th ward, Salt Lake stake; for four years she was a most efficient secretary in that stake, and for nearly two years was Y. L. M. I. A. president of it. Following a mission to the Central States, she was selected as a member of the General Board and two years later was made general secretary, which position she has held until her appointment as counselor in the presidency, in March, 1929, from 1923 to 1929, holding also the position of editor of the Young Woman's Journal. From this record it is obvious that she is well acquainted with every phase of the work of the association. The many hundreds who have been assisted by her intelligent and helpful suggestions and cheered by her kind encouragement feel that she carries into the presidency the constantly increasing powers of mind and spirit which are hers. To the casual observer, Sister Clarissa appears to be modest and unassuming, but to the careful one she is that and much more. As a secretary she is accurate, dependable and conscientious, feel- ing more of a responsibility for the careful handling of affairs than if they were her own; as a member of the General Board she is ca- pable and efficient, studying the problems of the organization and giving thoughtful attention to the details of the programs she helps to outline; as a friend she is true and loyal, appreciative of the affec- tion bestowed upon her, and sincere in returning it; as a woman she is charmingly serious, and running all through her nature is a little thread of fun which ties the other qualities into a neat little package; as a Latter-day Saint she is what that name implies — spiritual, high-minded and true. As she has honored Sister Tingey as president, she will honor Sister Fox in the same capacity. As the girls and women of the M. I. A. have recognized and appreciated her ability as secretary, they will recognize and appreciate her ability as counselor. As she has intelligently and cheerfully accepted counsel in the past, she will, in her new position have the opportunity to give counsel. May the Latter-day Saint girls realize that in Clarissa A. Beesley they will find the qualities for which the M. I. A. stands, and follow her example. By so doing, they will find a rich portion of the iov for which all were created.