Beginning with the 1914-15 school year (the MIA year started in September then, rather than in January), the Mutual Improvement Association for the Church’s teens and young adults adopted a yearly theme (called a “slogan” until 1936). The young people stood and recited the theme during routine MIA meetings, there were articles in the Improvement Era centering on the theme, and sometimes special programs were organized to advance the year’s theme. I remember that at least one of those used during my years in MIA was set to music, and I can hardly recite that verse today without falling into the rhythm of that music.

(more…)

From a series of 1959 ads featuring then-famous (now mostly forgotten) Mormons/Utahns –

(more…)

As part of Keepa’s ongoing campaign – did you know it had become a campaign? – to improve Sacrament Meeting talks, I thought it might be useful to print short, successful talks from time to time, for us to consider how and why they work. If you don’t like to read long embedded quotations, consider skipping to the discussion of why the talk works, and then perhaps returning to that part of the talk if some point interests you.

This one was given at the October conference, 1909. Remember that at that date, men were called on to speak without notice. Some may have prepared some rough ideas for speaking “just in case,” but the ideal was for them to speak as the spirit directed them.

(more…)

These jokes are from the Woman’s Exponent – who knew editors Lula Greene Richards and Emmeline B. Wells had it in ’em?

–ooo0ooo–

In the case of a man who died from having all his teeth knocked out with a hatchet, an Alabama jury rendered a verdict of death from ax-dental causes.

–ooo0ooo–

An impossible quantity. – Too much money.
(more…)

This address (its author is not named) appeared in the forerunner to the Relief Society Magazine. I am fascinated to see that many of the same questions or frustrations that plague some women today were stumbling blocks to women nearly a century ago, and to see how those women counseled each other in their rights and duties.

Would some be surprised to know that ours is hardly the first generation to feel a sting of disparity, or the need to tackle the issue head-on when they teach young women? Would it shake some firmly held opinions to discover that the 1971 correlation of the Relief Society did not disrupt some mythically independent women’s organization, and that the Relief Society always acknowledged the presidency of local priesthood authority? And notice how the Relief Society claims the “rightful jurisdiction,” even while submitting to priesthood authority, to settle questions (not just ask them) concerning the washing and anointing of the sick, among other matters. (more…)

While other blogs are marking the end of the year by choosing the most significant LDS news stories of 2008 or nominating a Mormon of the Year, Keepa chooses to gaze at its own navel and write its autobiography for 2008. Read on at your own peril.

You have been warned.

(more…)

Magnify the Lord to-day,
Cast all doubt and fear away,
Hear glad Angels singing;
Raising high their holy mirth,
O’er the Saviour’s wondrous Birth;
Joy to all men bringing!

On the Shepherd’s vigil lone
Sudden blaze of glory shone,
Sudden light from Heaven:
As, while watching o’er their fold;
Angels’ voices sweetly told,
How a Son was given.

Myriads of the Heavenly throng
Joined in that triumphant song,
High their voices raising:
“Joy to men, goodwill and peace,”
So they sang, and ne’er shall cease,
God in Glory praising.

Then the Shepherds ran with speed,
To the place where Christ indeed,
As a Babe, lay sleeping;
Left their flocks without a fear,
In the meadows lone and drear,
To the Angels’ keeping. (more…)

As promised when the Joseph Smith Papers, Journals, Vol. 1: 1832-1839 was published last month, additional online reference materials and a printed index have been made available.

The official site for the Papers project tells how purchasers of Vol. 1 can order (by email) a copy of the printed index, and announces the availability of a timeline, a chronology, and a pedigree chart, all documented. It also promises additional reference materials in the next few months.

So those of you lucky enough to have your copies in hand, enjoy. The rest of us will envy you, and will know to get our orders in earlier for the next volume.

Have you ever collected sets of things? A new state quarter from every state in the U.S.? An autograph from every member of your graduating class?

In Mormon circles, those collectible sets might be a Book of Mormon in every language in which it has been published, or photographs of you shaking hands with each member of the Quorum of the Twelve in a given year.

Or a set of documents containing the signatures of every First Presidency throughout the span of the Restoration?

(more…)

Listen, Lordings, unto me, a tale I will you tell;
Which, as on this night of glee, in David’s town befel.
Joseph came from Nazareth, with Mary that sweet maid:
Weary they were, nigh to death; and for a lodging prayed.

Sing high, sing high, sing low, sing low.
Sing high, sing low, sing to and fro,
Go tell it out with speed,
Cry out and shout all round about,
That Christ is born indeed.

In the inn they found no room; a scanty bed they made:
Soon a Babe from Mary’s womb was in the manger laid.
Forth He came as light through glass:
He came to save us all.
In the stable ox and ass before their Maker fall.

Sing high, sing high, sing low, sing low.
Sing high, sing low, sing to and fro,
Go tell it out with speed,
Cry out and shout all round about,
That Christ is born indeed.

Shepherds lay afield that night, to keep the silly sheep,
Hosts of angels in their sight came down from Heav’n’s high steep.
Tidings! Tidings! unto you: to you a Child is born,
Purer than the drops of dew, and brighter than the morn. (more…)