Mutual Work

The Improvement Era For November, 1929 65 MUTUAL WORK Executive Department (3F-*a 1ST. *5ST. tuiiSUT. GREETINGS i MELVIW ^ QALLAF rO you, our subscribers of the past, to the thou- sands who have taken out new subscriptions, and to the many others who have, with en- thusiastic loyalty, given encouragement to the new Improvement Era, we send greetings — greetings of joy and gladness in presenting to you so fine a pub- lication as the combination of the former Era and the Young Woman's Journal promises to be. The new Improvement Era will come to you as a harbinger of good-will, of harmony, of oneness of purpose of the two great Mutual Improvement organ- izations. Each month it will bring to you who are leaders of the youth of Zion, messages of vital im- port and it will inspire you who are members of the association to high endeavor. Within its covers will also appear communications on Priesthood work for the various quorums. This co-operation shows how closely the auxiliary work is associated with the higher orders of the Church. As heretofore, articles, stories, and poems from the pens of our ablest writers will continue to brighten and enrich your lives. It is significant that the first issue should come to you in the month when all hearts are turned in praise and gratitude toward the Father of all good gifts. May the inspiration and blessing of this new mag- azine bring intensified joy, and thanksgiving into the homes of all our people. George Albert Smith, Richard R. Lyman, Melvin J. Ballard, General Superintendency, Y. M, M. I. A. Ruth May Fox, Lucy G. Cannon, Clarissa A. Beesley, General Presidency, Y, L. M. I. A.

66 The Improvement Era For November, 1929 A New Era Resolution Which Should Not Be Put Off Until January 1 r) ESOLVED : That I will read ^*\ and will induce all of my fel- low-workers to read each month the Mutual messages. They will be helpful to me as an executive, in the general conduct of the associa- tion and in giving me more intelli- gent understanding of the needs of each department; they will be help- ful to the leaders in each depart- ment as they bring practical infor- mation for the carrying forward of the M. I. A. program. Mass Participation Contest AS stated in the magazines last and select the events in which the month, this contest will be wards are to participate. This is a contest of numbers but the quality of work should also receive atten- tion. Last season splendid results M. /. A. Hand Book, page 99, for were achieved in many stakes and general directions. Each stake they were enthusiastic as to its should make definite regulations benefit. S stated in the magazines last month, this contest will be carried on during the months of November, December, January. See M. I. A. Monthly Reports WE believe that our new form of monthly report has been well received by all of our stake and ward officers. The report pro- vides for checking off each month a few definite accomplishments, so that each local organization may feel the satisfaction which comes from reaching a specified goal in a given time and steadily progressing toward the completion of a year's program. There are no figures to give, no percentages to compute. The report may be quickly filled out immediately after the last meet- ing of each month, and should be forwarded at once to the stake sec- retary. No credit is to be taken ex- cept for complete accomplishment. Particular attention should be given to the items of average at- tendance and week by week pro- gram, so that they may be reported accurately. The Stake Report calls for the number of wards completing the designated work. In the general offices the percentages for each stake will be computed and the reports published in the Era. Genealogy in the M. I. A. IN the July number of the Im- provement Era, 1928, copy of the following letter sent to all stake presidents appeared: "Dear Brother: — "We were appointed by President Clawson to answer your letter relative to the proposed genealogical work to be given in connection with the Mutual Im- provement Association under the new plan. "This is to advise you that we have concluded that so far as the course is concerned, it is to be furnished by the Genealogical Society of Utah, and the ex- ecution of the work will devolve upon the stake and ward committees of Gen- ealogical Society; though, the time al- lowed is a portion of the M, I. A. and the work is to be given as one of the optional courses for the Adult group in this association. The Mutual Improve- ment Association will be entitled to take credit for attendance for those members who are taking the genealogical work, but the presentation of the lessons will be left entirely in the hands of the local committee of the Genealogical Society. There must be, therefore, close coopera- tion and harmony existing between the genealogical workers and the Mutual Im- provement people, so that the desirable purposes may be accomplished in giving to those who wish to study genealogy in the wards the opportunity to do so during this M. I. A. period. "Trusting this will be satisfactory and that we will have good results come from this new opportunity, we are "Sincerely your brethren, "Joseph Fielding Smith, "Melvin J. Ballard, "Special Committee." It should be noted that this let- ter points out the fact that gene- alogy is considered one of the op- tional courses of the M. I. A.; that is, all adult members of the ward should be allowed to make their own choice as to whether they' will study the course provided by the M. I. A. (this year, "A Cen- tury of Progress") or whether they will study genealogy. On the M. I. A. Monthly Re- port, both groups are to be con- sidered in recording accomplish- ments. The thought should be empha- sized that all persons studying genealogy are considered members of the M. I. A. with all the priv- ileges and obligations of regular members and the leaders of this group are to meet with and co-op- erate with the class leaders and of- ficers of the M. I. A. in the general management of the organization. Executives. After a year's experience in com- bining genealogical work with that of the M. I. A., both organ- izations should have a clearer un- derstanding of each other's aims and should be able, at the begin- ning of the second season, to make whatever adjustments may be nec- essary. In many instances the combination has proved success- ful; in some there have been diffi- culties. Our observation has been that the most successful groups have been those in which the at- titude of the leaders has been right, where the genealogical workers have appreciated the splendid pro- gram for adult education offered in the M. I. A. and the Mutual workers have not undervalued the great importance of the study of genealogy. In these instances there has been complete co-opera- tion, each working for the other's interests. At the commencement of each season, all of the adult people in the ward should be invited to at- tend the opening session of the M. I. A. The leaders of both groups should explain the objec- tives and point out the attractive features of both lines of work and the members should be allowed to make their own choice. In the great majority of wards, there are sufficient numbers of persons to carry on two sections, one in the course of study offered in the M. I. A. and one in genealogy, and this is the plan we recommend. This year on the first Tuesday of each month both groups are expected to meet together to consider the M. I. A. project — a project which is vital to all adults in the community and which will make not only for bet- ter citizenship, but for more intel-

The Improvement Era For November, 1929 67 Higent and loyal Church member- ship. If in some small wards it is not possible to hold two groups on the second, third and fourth evenings, the M. L A. course and the gen- ealogical course may be alternated, or some other adjustment made, after conference with the bishopric, the Genealogical Society, and the M. I. A. officers. All members of the genealogical group are considered members of the Mutual Improvement Associa- tion with all the privileges and obligations of regular members. The class leaders of both groups are to meet with and co-operate with the M. I. A. officers in the general management of the organ- ization. On the M. I. A. Monthly Re- port, in recording work accom- plished in the Adult Department, the genealogical group should be considered as well as those study- ing "A Century of Progress." i 1 i Sunday Evening Monthly M. I. A. Joint Sessions THE following suggestions are made hoping that they may be helpful to our Executive Officers in compiling their programs for this important occasion. 1. This is our opportunity for M. I, A. religious expression before the general public in our respective communities. 2. A committee of our General Board has prepared seven sugges- tive programs — the materials grouped around the seven presi- dents of the Church. 3. Our work should be carefully planned in advance, making out the programs in detail, the assign- ments to be made and accepted, and a careful follow-up made to assure a worthy presentation. 4. M. I. A. members should be used as far as possible in the presen- tation of this work. However, when the subject matter requires the thoughtful and efficient presen- tation of outstanding speakers of the community, they should be in- vited to assist us. 5. The M. I. A. directors of music should be handed a program sufficiently early in order that they may build upon it appropriate and well prepared music. 6. The general public always appreciates the thoughtfulness of our officers when they make the building attractive with beautiful flowers, etc., and have someone to greet them at the entrance of the chapel. 7. Prior to the announcement of the general theme of the evening and in many cases before the sing- ing of the second number, our an- nual slogan is presented and the au- dience requested to stand and repeat the same. These presentations are most effective when they are pre- ceded by a brief comment which will produce the proper atmos- phere, or the quotation of some appropriate scripture such as the following from the 86th section of the Doctrine and Covenants, ver. 8 to 11: "Therefore, thus saith the Lord unto you, with whom the Priest- hood hath continued through the lineage of your fathers. "For ye are lawful heirs, accord- ing to the flesh, and have been hid from the world with Christ in God. "Therefore your life and the Priesthood have remained, and must needs remain through you and your lineage until the restora- tion of all things spoke by the mouths of all the holy prophets since the world began. "Therefore, blessed are ye if ye continue in my goodness, a light unto the Gentiles, and through this Priesthood, a savior unto my peo- ple Israel. The Lord hath said it." * f i M. I. A. Sunday Evening Pro- grams of Stake Quarterly Conferences THIS occasion presents another opportunity for our stake offi- cers to prepare and present to the public appropriate programs illus- trative of our work and of such a nature as to make a high spiritual appeal to the youth of our stakes. The program should be carefully thought out and presented to the stake presidency for their approval. In some instances on account of the lack of understanding or the in- difference on the part of our local leaders, this opportunity for M. I. A. expression has been neglected. We trust that our Stake Executive Officers will look forward to these opportunities, watch for the dates and plan carefully to bring before the public such programs as will be both instructive and inspiration- al to our young people. Program for Sunday Evening, Joint Meeting, Suggestions and Material for the Program of the Monthly Joint Session, December 1, 1929 General Theme: President John Taylor 1. Singing, "Go Ye Messengers of Glory," preferably by one or more returned missionaries; at all events have the hymn and the author of it introduced. 2. Invocation, preferably by some one who was personally acquainted with President John Taylor. 3. Music. 4. Announcements. 5. The M. I. A. Slogan. (a) Introduction. "We will contend for our constitutional rights inch by inch," President John Taylor. (b) Presentation of Slogan. 6. Presentation of the life of John Taylor, preferably by M. I. A. members who have made thorough preparation for the ef- fort, Y. M. and Y. L. 7. Brief address by someone who was personally acquainted with John Taylor, and there are such to be found in most of our wards. 8. Singing, "True to the Faith." 9. Benediction. JOHN TAYLOR (Taken mainly from the "Life of John Taylor" hy Roberts) I. Some of His Outstanding Characteristics. 1 . Spiritual Strength. John Taylor possessed a portion of the spirit of God and was very happy. Manifestations of its presence were frequent, not only in the expansion of his mind to un- derstand doctrines and principles, but also in dreams and visions. "Of- ten when alone," he writes, "and sometimes in company, I heard

68 The Improvement Era For November, 1929 sweet, soft melodious music, as if performed by angelic or superna- tural beings." When but a small boy he saw in vision an angel in the heavens, holding a trumpet to his mouth, sounding a message to the nations. The import of this vision he did not understand until later in life. While crossing the British Chan- nel the ship he sailed in encoun- tered severe storms, which lasted a number of days. He saw several ships wrecked in that storm, and the captain and officers of his own ship expected hourly that she would go down. But not so with our young emigrant. The voice of the Spirit was still saying within him, "You must yet go to America and preach the Gospel." "So confi- dent was I of my destiny," he re- marks, "that I went on deck at midnight, and amidst the raging el- ements felt as calm as though I was sitting in a parlor at home. I be- lieved I should reach America and perform my work." 2. Courage. "Defiance of Mob in Ohio:" A little before meeting time a num- ber of the brethren came running to the house where he was stopping with the information that the whole town was gathering and that a number of men had pro- posed tar and feathers, and boasted they would dress him with them if he undertook to preach. The breth- ren advised him not to attempt it as they were not strong enough to protect him. After a moment's reflection, however, he decided to go and preach. The brethren remonstrated; they knew the tar and feathers were prepared and that he could not escape. He replied that he had made up his mind to go; they could go with him if they chose, if not, he would go alone. A very large concourse of people assembled to listen to him. He told them that he was from Canada, a land of monarchial rule, and elo- quently depicted the glory of American freedom, then he said: "But, bv the by, I have been in- formed that you propose to tar and feather me, for my religious opin- ions. Is this the boon you have inherited from your fathers? Is this the blessing they purchased with their dearest hearts' blood — this your liberty? If so, you now have a victim, and we will have an offering to the goddess of liberty." Here he tore open his vest and said: "Gentlemen come on with your tar and feathers, your victim is ready; and ye shades of the venerable pa- triots, gaze upon the deeds of your degenerate sons! Come on, gen- tlemen! Come on, I say, I am ready!" No one moved, no one spoke. He stood there drawn to his full height, calm but defiant — the mas- ter of the situation. So outstanding was his courage that at his funeral services a shield, on which was written "Champion of liberty" was made a part of the decorations. On one occasion he wrote: "I was not born a slave! I cannot, will not be a slave. I would not be a slave to God! I'd be His servant, friend, his son. I'd go at his behest; but would not be' his slave. I'd rather be extinct than be a slave. His friend I feel I am, and he is mine. A slave! The manacles would pierce my very bones — the clanking chains would grate upon my soul — a poor, lost, servile, crawling wretch to lick the dust and fawn and smile upon the thing who gave the lash! Myself — perchance my wives, my chil- dren— to dig the mud, to mould and tell the tale of brick and fur- nish our own straw! But stop! I'm God's free man: I will not, can- not be a slave! Living, I'll be free here, or free in life above — free with the Gods, for they are free: and if I'm in the way on earth, I'll ask my God to take me to my friends above!" 3. Honesty and Caution. During a period that he was in straitened circumstances, a mem- ber of his family was out of fuel, and without the means to purchase any. She sent word of the situa- tion to him; having no money, and not wishing to go in debt as long as he saw no prospect of repaying it, he sent to her his new overcoat as that was the only thing he had at hand which could be turned into money. It was accompanied with a kind note that directed one of his sons to dispose of it, and deplored the rather close circumstances in which they were placed. "I can get along very nicely with my old coat this winter," he wrote: "It is a little faded, but then I prefer ia faded coat to a faded reputation; and I do not propose to ask for ac- commodations that I am not pre- pared to meet." 4. Thoroughness, He had adopted in practice some most excellent maxims which would have insured him success in any business he might have chosen. What they were may be seen in this: If he plowed a field it must be done well. He was not content to skim over the ground merely. If the ground was hard or rocky in places, someone must ride on the beam and the plow made to do its work. Moreover, the furrows must be straight. If he planted trees the holes must be made large; in setting them in, the fibres of the roots must be spread out and the soil placed round them carefully and then be well watered that they might have every chance to live. 5. Loftiness of Purpose. During his stay in Paris he visit- ed the Palace Vendome, and with a number of friends ascended Na- poleon's Column of Victory. His companions scratched their names on the column as thousands had done before them. Seeing that El- der Taylor had not written his name, they asked him to write it with theirs. "No," he replied, "I will not write my name there, but I will yet write it in living, im- perishable characters!" 6. Personality. President Taylor was nearly six feet in height and of fine propor- tion, that combination which gives activity and strength. His head was large, the face oval and the features large, strong, and finely chiseled. The forehead was high and massive, the eyes gray, deepset, and of a mild, kindly expression, except when aroused, and then they were capable of reflecting all the feelings that moved his soul, whether of indignation, scorn or contempt. The nose was aquiline, the mouth well formed and ex- pressive of firmness, the chin pow- erful and well rounded. In his manner he was ever affable and polite, easy and gracious, yet princely in dignity. In his inter- course with others he was familiar but never vulgar. "His eloquence was a majestic river full to the point of overflowing its banks." His voice was clear, strong, reson- ant, and of wonderful compass. II. His Contributions. He proclaimed the Gospel in many lands; and as a champion of truth, stood ready to meet all who assailed it; and whether he met his opponents in the forum, before a multitude steeped full of preju-