The Mutual Improvement Associations (both Y.M. and Y.W.) of the Detroit Branch published a “yearbook” for the 1929-30 Mutual season. The yearbook includes a brief history of the local organization, greetings from branch president and MIA presidents, display advertising from local sponsors, and the winning entries in a local contest to write editorials, short stories, limericks, and poetry. No portraits of members, though – how priceless would that be?

Reproduced here are some of the winning entries:

DETROIT M.I.A., 1920-1930

The Mutual work in the Detroit Branch began in 1920, when a group of Saints, who had been conducting a Book of Mormon class, organized a conjoint Mutual. The meetings were held in the G.A.R. Hall. The study of the Book of Mormon was continued, and preliminary and special programs were given. The following year the Mutual was reorganized, and the authorized courses of study for the Y.M.M.I.A. were followed. Contests in vocal and instrumental music, dancing, retold stories, and dramatics were held, with the Grand Rapids and Saginaw branches participating.

Separate organizations of the Y.M. and Y.L.M.I.A. were made in 1923. Prominent features of this year’s work were the organization of an orchestra, directed by John H. Wunderli, and the M.I.A. UP-TO-DATE, edited by Lucy Wright Snow and Dean Hart. Much credit should be given the missionaries for their assistance in the M.I.A. work, especially Elders Fred Adams, William Butler, Sisters Ethel Parkinson and Vera Nelson, who assisted in the organization. In 1924 a Branch Recreation Committee was selected to have charge of recreation, and functioned independently for two years. One of the outstanding events sponsored by this committee was an excursion to Kirtland, Ohio, where we were permitted to hold a service in the Temple – probably the first by our people since their removal from that place.

Nina B. Lambkin, the well known authority on recreation, extended he privilege of her classes to M.I.A. members, and assisted at several recreational events. Pearl Jones Petersen was one of the leaders in this work, and also in leadership training which the Mutual first sponsored in the Branch.

Meetings in 1922 and 1923 were held in homes. The Danish Brotherhood Hall was secured in 1924, and occupied until the completion of our chapel, December, 1928. Community centers and schools were used for entertainments, of which there were many.

The Mutual has endeavored to utilize as fully as possible the cultural advantages of the city. Frequent visits have been made to art exhibits, concerts and outstanding dramas. There has been no permanent organized athletic teams, but there is a friendly rivalry between the married and single men, which leads to frequent ball games. Beating the missionaries (sometimes, when they are in the city, is another favorite diversion. Water sports, tennis, and other athletics have been carried on.

Special attention has been given to dramatic work, especially in the past three years, under the direction of Ruth Perkins Lohmoelder, of the Detroit Teachers’ College.

The first recreational event in the new church was held on Thanksgiving Day, 1928. Regular M.I.A. meetings have been held in the church since January, 1929. The Mutual furnished a beautiful cyclorama set and stage furnishings for the building. A more diversified recreational program has been possible since its completion. Prominent features of the recent work are: The Boy Scout organization directed by Z.N. Skouson, assisted by Elder Philo Ellsworth, and the organization of Bee Hive classes in 1927 and again in 1929.

-oOo-

A group of young men in our state
Made a vow all women to hate,
But of that valiant crew
There remains only two.
The others can now get a date.

-oOo-

“They and We”

By Arnold Whittaker

There is no reason in the world why the Detroit branch of the Mutual Improvement Association cannot be one of the most beneficial and most popular young people’s organizations in the city. Suppose we try to make it such by substituting “Why don’t we do this or that or the other” for “Why don’t they?”

It takes the combined effort of the entire membership to insure interesting and successful classes, with a little bit of personal effort and individual talent in the contest work, recreation, and the various other activities.

The M.I.A. offers diversion from our daily routine of toil, at the same time giving us a chance to develop ourselves mentally, morally, physically, and spiritually. Are we taking advantage of all these opportunities that are afforded us?

Detroit is a fast-growing industrial center, and attracts people from all over the country – people from all walks of life. We have in this branch, therefore, an unusual array of talent. We have one great problem, however, namely: to bring this group to a point of understanding so that everyone will work individually for the mutual benefit of all. With a little more co-operation on the part of the members, and a sincere desire to see the church flourish and grow in numbers, we can have one of the largest and most active M.I.A.’s in the mission field.

Let’s set an aim for the future: from this time forward we will at all times endeavor to promote a feeling of good fellowship, and always extend a hand of welcome to visitors and strangers.

-oOo-

Our Baby

By Reva Cram

A pillow soft and white
Covered with golden curls,
Black lashes gently resting
On rose tinted cheeks.
Red lips parted,
Whispering angels hover near.
Darling, dimpled baby hands
From an eternal sphere.
We thank Thee, O our Lord,
For this, the precious gift.
That Thou hast given to us –
Our baby.

-oOo-

IS HISTORY REPEATING ITSELF?

(Unsigned)

The Book of Mormon gives a history of two Nations on this continent that prospered and reached a high state of civilization but were eventually destroyed. This was brought about, in both instances largely, by organized bands of criminals, who were permitted to set up secret organizations which became stronger than the constituted governments. Are we facing a similar situation today

Crime in America, today, is thoroughly organized and well financed. It is estimated that organized crime in one city takes a toll of $136,000,000 per year, or $45 for every man, woman, and child in the city. Conditions in our own state are alarming. The times demand able, fearless officials supported by an alert, intelligent electorate.

Primaries for selecting candidates for state and county offices will be held in the near future. Members of the Mutual Improvement Associations, remember your slogans for the past two years!

“We stand for law, for the people who live it, and the officers who enforce it.”

“We stand for the preservation of our heritage through obedience to law.”

-oOo-

ALL-SPICE

Beg Pardon: Instatooshuns.

Great American Institutions:
Liberries.
Moompitcher Shows.
Vawdavill Theayters.
Collitches.

Bright Idea

Inspector: “Got away, has he? Did you guard all the exits?”

Country Constable: “Yes, but we think he must have left by one of the entrances.”

Sure Preventive

“I am always ill the night before a journey.”

“Then why don’t you go a day earlier?”

When Neptune Has His Face Lifted

Freddy: “What is an iceberg, Daddy?”

Daddy: “Why, it’s a kind of a permanent wave, son.”

Boy Who Made Good

Null: “I started out on the theory that the world has an opening for me.”

Void: “And you found it?”

Null: “Well, rather, I’m in the hole now.”

Smart Little Clarence

Little Clarence: “Pa, that man going yonder can’t hear it thunder.”

Mr. Callipers: “Is he deaf?”

Little Clarence: “No, sir; it isn’t thundering.”

Roped and Branded

A Scotchman called up the doctor in great agitation.

“Come at once!” he said. ‘Ma wee child has swallowed a sixpence!”

“How old is it” asked the doctor.

“1894!” replied the canny Scot.

Spring Training

“Did you miss that train, sir?” asked the porter.

“No! I didn’t like the looks of it, so I chased it out of the station.”

-oOo-

TRUE LIES

LOST – My English accent between yesterday and the day before. Finder keep it. Charles Mann.

SITUATION WANTED – Can do anything but work. Lawrence Southwick, L.D.S. Box 2.

ANTIQUES FOR SALE – Several tickets given me by Grand River Ave. cops. Chris Miller.

WANTED – Someone to pay my board and room at the church and my Ford gas bills. Handsome, gallant gentlemen apply. Rebecca Snow.

AM WILLING TO TRADE my freckles, red hair, and new grown mustache for anything else. Not much, but valuable to owner. Big sacrifice. Arnold Whittaker.

LIBERAL REWARD for suggestions on how to reduce. Amber Hanson.

WANTED – A hand in good shape. Will hold it indefinitely. Apply Bryan Cram, 1540 Ridgewood Avenue.

-oOo-

MOLLY’S VIEWPOINT OF HAPPINESS

By Johanna Chavre

Molly’s life may have seemed dull to anyone else, but to her it was satisfactory. The meaning of happiness came to her through a song, and gave her a desire to taste happiness to the utmost.

She was born in a little town in Belgium, and the oldest child of parents who adhered closely to orthodox principles. Their habits were as strict as clock work. Each day a chapter was read from the Bible, which the father never once attempted to explain, as that was the work of the minister. On Sunday morning and evening everyone, attired in their Sunday clothes, would attend church. Sitting quietly through these two-hour services was indeed a trying time for the children, as clothes at that time were very tight fitting, starched collars adding no small discomfort.

Fifteen years of Molly’s life were spent in this mode of living. remarks from outsiders that she was growing very beautiful were suppressed promptly by the parents, as the knowledge of this, they were sure, would have a detrimental effect on Molly, and would, undoubtedly, lead her into the wrong path. This condition decided influenced Molly’s conception of good and bad and beauty and ugliness.

The father, who had an intricate knowledge of the weaving of Brussels rugs, at this time, received an offer form the firm he was connected with to make a trip to America. His duty there was to explain the durability and superior qualities of Brussels-made rugs, with the view of increasing the export trade of this product. So successful was he in this venture that on his return he was offered a permanent place as business manager in the American field.

After what seemed an incredibly long time of packing, traveling and unpacking, they were settled in their new surroundings, but by no means happy. It was very hard for them to get accustomed to the ways and habits of the people around the. They made very few friends and were continuously wishing that they were back in the peaceful surroundings in the place of their birth. After three years’ stay, however, a more satisfied feeling crept in. The children all managed to learn the language by this time, and Molly, now eighteen, was taking a business course. She was a very successful and brilliant student, but her social contact was very limited. Of this whole family, Molly was the only one who really suffered from this sudden change of living. The other children were too young to notice the vast difference. Even her mother did not notice it, as so much of her time was taken up with her housework, which was still done in the same rigid manner that never a minute was left for thought or recreation.

From the very first the father was all absorbed by his new surroundings and ambitions. His outside responsibilities were so many and occupied so much of his time, that the daily reading of the Bible had almost naturally diminished to a Sunday duty. They had not yet found a church like the one they had attended for so many years in their homeland. To them it seemed that the churches they had visited dealt with almost everything from moving pictures to politics and baseball to what not. The idea that we may understand God better by broadening our minds on almost any subject seemed to Molly’s mother and father wholly preposterous. The Bible, without much explanation, had been read to her parents’ great grandfathers and their followers and had served sufficiently as a connection between them and God. why should they look for more? So a chapter was read from the Bible each Sunday, and her father considered himself and his family God-loving people.

It is easy to see how hard it was for Molly to understand her new surroundings and friends, so she gave all she had to her studies and the new language. A few more years passed. At the age of twenty-two Molly married one of the few young men with whom she had kept company. The beginning of their married life was, indeed, a strain to both, as the puritanical mind of the girl, who had never been told the whys and wherefores of life, had to shape itself to this new way of living. Happily the young husband’s work took him to all parts of the country on which trips Molly nearly always accompanied him. Indeed, it was a great help to him I teaching her a broader understanding of life. As time passed their little family had increased with two very beautiful and healthy children

One afternoon when Molly was sitting all alone, and her mind was wandering from past to present, the thought came to her – What was happiness? To her it seemed no one could be any happier than she, when through the open window faintly came the strains of a song:

“Stand up on your legs
Be like two fried eggs.
Keep your sunny side up.”

Slowly she got up and walked to the window just in time to see a group of school children go by, arms linked, and singing a second verse:

“Life can be a pleasure or a pain,
Good or bad, successful, or in vain.
Happiness is just a point of view.”

She did not hear any more; the last line seemed to be the answer to her musing – happiness is just a point of view. that was why her mother was happy in her surroundings, because her version of life was just that. Molly decided to broaden her viewpoint of life and religion by studying and living more fully and that way receiving more happiness, which in turn would bring her in closer contact with God.