Essentials in Church History / A History of the Church from the Birth of Joseph Smith to the Present Time (1922), with Introductory Chapters on the Antiquity of the Gospel and the "Falling Away"

by Joseph Fielding Smith

The Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were begun in the year 1875, the first organization having been effected in the Thirteenth ward, Salt Lake City, on the 10th day of June, that year, by Junius F. Wells, under the immediate instruction and direction of President Brigham Young. In 1921 there were 796 associations in the 871 wards and 86 stakes of the Church, with an active membership of 43,562 and a force of officers of 6,116. In 22 missions of the Church there are a large number of associations, with an encouraging membership; and much good is being accomplished for and by the young people. The organization is supervised by a general board under the direction of the general authorities of the Church. A central organization consisting of a superintendent, two assistants, the secretary, treasurer, and several aids, has charge in each stake. Each ward is officered by a president, two counselors, secretary, treasurer, class leaders, scoutmaster, and other assistants for special work in music, recreation, athletics, leisure-time activities, etc. Standing committees in all the organizations look after the details of the work. The Y. M. M. I. A. as an auxiliary organization, while independent in its actions, studies, recreation and general activity, is under the controlling influence of the general stake and ward officers of the Church. At the organization, President Brigham Young stated the keynote of the work of these organizations to be “the establishment in the youth of individual testimony of the truth and magnitude of the great latter-day work; the development of the gifts within them that have been bestowed upon them by the laying on of hands of the servants of God; cultivating a knowledge and an application of the eternal principles of the great science of life.” This great body of young men appeals for place and opportunity to work, to offer a helping hand in building up the Church of Christ, and to lend effective service to their fellowmen and in the cause of God. They stand for the mutual improvement of the youth of Zion. Their souls are thrilled with the grand vision of the future, and their hearts with the testimony of the glorious destiny of God’s “marvelous work and a wonder” of the latter days. The aim of their organization is, first, to impress them and all the youth of Israel with a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as restored through Joseph the Prophet, and to this end they seek all useful knowledge by which they may be helpful in its establishment. They desire to learn to preside over public assemblies, to express themselves before the public, to study and to practice religious, civil, vocational, social and recreational, scientific and educational affairs, and to be trained in all that pertains to religious, moral, physical and intellectual advancement. The further object of the organization is to answer every desire of the young men of our community for excellence and enjoyment, and to provide for the gratification of every legitimate ambition and impulse to excel in these fields of endeavor without having to seek opportunity elsewhere. In a word, the aim of the Y. M. M. I. A. is to assist every young man to “complete living on the foundation of faith in God and his great latter-day work;” or, in other words, to live in perfect harmony with the established standards of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

The activities of the organization consists in the adoption of many interesting and attractive details for work and service, including advanced senior, senior, and junior studies, in new and attractive manuals; scout work; recreational programs; leisure-time activities, and other features of marked interest to young people. Their organization presents to them fascinating programs to hold their attention in the wonderful business of building characters in their own lives, and in establishing faith in God and his great latter-day work.

For a general heading for some of the declarations that this organization has made, and for which the young men stand, it is fitting to use the words of the Psalmist: “In the name of our God we will set up our banners.” To this end they present the following slogans: “We stand for a sacred Sabbath and a weekly half holiday; for a weekly home evening; for state and nation-wide prohibition; for thrift and economy; for service to God and country; for spiritual growth through attendance at sacrament meetings; for the non-use and non-sale of tobacco; and for loyal citizenship.”

Some trust in the wealth of mines, some in the riches of the earth, others gather houses and lands, or lean upon the learning and wisdom of men; but even as David, God’s servant of old, the Y. M. M. I. A. declare: “We will remember the name of the Lord our God. He will hear us from his holy heaven, hear and fulfil our petitions and redeem us with the saving strength of his right hand.” Setting up these slogans and ideals and, adding thereto, as the years go by, all helpful and useful knowledge and service, we will not only remember the name of the Lord our God, but will rejoice in his salvation, and in his name will seek to conquer evil and establish righteousness. —Edward H. Anderson, Editor of the Improvement Era.

The Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Association

The Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Association had its origin in the Retrenchment Association, organized by President Brigham Young in the Lion House on November 28, 1869. Its membership consisted entirely of his own daughters, Ella Young being president, with Emily, Zina, Maria, Carlie, Phebe, and Dora Young as associate officers. The purpose of this Retrenchment Association, as President Young expressed it, was “to retrench in dress, in speech, in everything that is bad and worthless, and to improve in everything that is good and beautiful.” He also stated that he wished his daughters and the girls of the Church generally to gain for themselves a knowledge and testimony of the Gospel.

Associations of other young women were soon patterned after the original one and later the name was changed to Mutual Improvement Association to harmonize with a similar organization which had been formed among the young men. In 1880 the general board was organized with Elmina S. Taylor, president; Margaret Y. Taylor, and Martha Home Tingey as counselors.

The fundamental aim has always been to give religious and moral instruction and in addition such other lines of work as will help to prepare girls for their true position in the home and community life. Courses in the study of the standard works of the Church, and in literature, home economics, ethics, history, etc., have been provided.

In connection with the Young Men’s Association, a line of work designated as “special activities” is conducted. This comprises music, public speaking, story-telling, declamation, drama, debating, etc. Much of the social work of the Church is under the direction of the two associations.

The official organ of the Young Ladies’ Mutual Improvement Association is the Young Woman’s Journal , a monthly magazine. This reflects the spirit of the organization and is the medium through which the general board reaches the stake and ward officers and members of the association. It has a subscription of about 18,000.