XVIII
YOUNG PEOPLE
1.
The Mormon program for young men and young women from the age of 17 to that of 25 is a powerful constructive social movement. Few people outside the Latter-day Saints church realize its extent, and most of those within the church, having grown to maturity sharing its benefits, take it for granted, without realizing how its improving civic force contrasts so sharply with a lack of such well coordinated work in many other parts of the population.
Realizing the necessity for bringing young people of the mating ages together under wholesome influences, the church provides that M Men and Gleaner Girl organizations shall hold joint meetings three nights a month and separate meetings one night a month for regular religious and organizational study. These meetings are part of the Mutual Improvement Association plan. After the opening exercises of the regular Tuesday night Mutual meeting, the M Men and Gleaner Girls go to the classroom they share. When their discussion period is finished, they return to the main chapel for closing exercises with other classes, which are Beehive Girls, Boy Scouts, and older adult groups.
The Gleaners and M Men have a separate organization, each consisting of president, vice president, secretary-treasurer, historian and committee chairmen. At joint meetings, the presidents of the men and girls alternate in conducting opening exercises. After the class transacts necessary business and hears announcements, one of the group teachers (a man and a woman also alternate) takes over for an hour of religious instruction. The separate meetings, held once a month, are devoted to specialized organizational programs.
The Mormon church does not leave to chance, nor to the whims of local teachers, the sort of programs that will be held, nor the kind of lessons that shall be taught at these meetings. A schedule is carefully laid out for the whole church and printed in manual form for every teacher and group president. Due to the habit of vigorous theological discussion that is almost second nature with every Mormon, these lesson periods rarely are dull, and the manual never serves to restrict nor limit the talks. At almost no time does it become a system of teaching by rote, nor the handing down of unchallenged religious precepts. Rather, its effect upon the minds of the young people is that of a stimulant to talk and personal philosophical exploration. Like any educational system, however, it can be warped and nullified by a narrow or pedantic teacher. Like other religious bodies, the Mormons have some teachers of this variety, too.
A young person need not be a member of the L.D.S. church to participate in this group's activities, and sometimes non-church members are elected to responsible offices. This feature is a strong proselytizing influence, especially in wards located near colleges where many non-Mormons attend. The activities of Mormon young people are so lively and interesting that they hold a natural attraction to many who are seeking a religious and social anchor.
Sunday evening fireside meetings are a regular feature of the M Men, Gleaner Girl program. These are informal gatherings held every two weeks, or weekly, at the home of a member or leader. Firesides are ward-wide, and are always scheduled following a Sunday evening sacramental meeting at the church. The handbook for young people's work advises ward leaders to make an announcement of the fireside gathering place only at the sacramental meeting, so that those who do not attend will not learn its whereabouts. Young people are encouraged to go directly from the sacramental meeting to the fireside.
Programs for firesides usually are well planned. Long-winded sermons and discussions are avoided. Sometimes an entire evening, following the opening prayer, is devoted to social games that make members better acquainted with each other. Refreshments never include tea or coffee, in keeping with the Word of Wisdom.
Goals of the Sunday fireside are listed here.
1. They aim to provide a wholesome social opportunity for young men and young women to make new friendships and improve old ones.
2. They are planned to substitute constructive social activity for attendance at movies, public dances, or less elevating entertainment.
3. They give young people an opportunity to discuss freely among themselves their philosophical adjustment problems and assist them in understanding the principles of religion.
4. They offer a chance for cultural improvement to young people, and tend to inculcate an appreciation of the finer things of life.
5. They encourage the attendance of young people at sacramental meetings.
Church-sponsored dancing looms large in the Mormon method of integrating young people into society. Nearly every ward has a recreation hall in which frequent dances are held. These halls are adjacent to the chapel. Contrary to the criticisms of many who do not believe in dancing at all, Mormons do not as a rule dance in their churches. The recreation hall is part of the ward church property and is itself often used for divine worship when the chapel is crowded, but it is designed primarily for recreation, as the chapel is set apart for religious services. While these dances are the mainstay of the M Men, Gleaner Girls social calendar, they often are attended by many boys and girls under the age of 17, and other church members over the age of 25. The bishop and his wife, or other ward leaders, attend. Each ward has its own regular means of producing dance music, such as a juke box, automatic phonograph, or dance orchestra available on call.
There is a long and interesting history behind the Mormon custom of dancing. It was one of the things that caused friction with inhabitants of Missouri and Illinois, in the early days. Many non-Mormons then believed that dancing of any sort was sinful, as many churches today teach it to be. During the Mormon migration, the pioneers danced nearly every night after they had finished their day's stint of travel and had pitched their camps.
Under the influence of strong community custom and ease of opportunity, Mormon youngsters learn to dance well, usually by the time they are ten years old. They continue this wholesome social activity until they are so advanced in years that it becomes tiring.
To many southern Baptists it will seem ironical that the bishop, spiritual leader of a church unit, is, likely as not, the most accomplished dancer in his district. An active bishop, at ward dances that are not held specifically for young people, usually dances once with the wife of each church member present, and each of the men, as a matter of courtesy, endeavors to dance once with the bishop's wife during the evening.
It must be emphasized, however, that dancing for the most part is directed toward the goal that young people of the church community shall have an opportunity to know each other so well there is a minimum chance that they will make an error in choosing a partner for marrriage. It is doubtful if any other social agency of [sic] organization in America is doing a better job than the Mormon church in this field. Marriages under violent conditions, hasty selection of mates, elopements to escape the strict codes of many religions, which are quite common in those sections of the country that are dominated by churches that forbid dancing, are almost unknown in a well-ordered Mormon community. And the dance is ended with prayer!
Realizing the necessity for bringing young people of the mating ages together under wholesome influences, the church provides that M Men and Gleaner Girl organizations shall hold joint meetings three nights a month and separate meetings one night a month for regular religious and organizational study. These meetings are part of the Mutual Improvement Association plan. After the opening exercises of the regular Tuesday night Mutual meeting, the M Men and Gleaner Girls go to the classroom they share. When their discussion period is finished, they return to the main chapel for closing exercises with other classes, which are Beehive Girls, Boy Scouts, and older adult groups.
The Gleaners and M Men have a separate organization, each consisting of president, vice president, secretary-treasurer, historian and committee chairmen. At joint meetings, the presidents of the men and girls alternate in conducting opening exercises. After the class transacts necessary business and hears announcements, one of the group teachers (a man and a woman also alternate) takes over for an hour of religious instruction. The separate meetings, held once a month, are devoted to specialized organizational programs.
The Mormon church does not leave to chance, nor to the whims of local teachers, the sort of programs that will be held, nor the kind of lessons that shall be taught at these meetings. A schedule is carefully laid out for the whole church and printed in manual form for every teacher and group president. Due to the habit of vigorous theological discussion that is almost second nature with every Mormon, these lesson periods rarely are dull, and the manual never serves to restrict nor limit the talks. At almost no time does it become a system of teaching by rote, nor the handing down of unchallenged religious precepts. Rather, its effect upon the minds of the young people is that of a stimulant to talk and personal philosophical exploration. Like any educational system, however, it can be warped and nullified by a narrow or pedantic teacher. Like other religious bodies, the Mormons have some teachers of this variety, too.
A young person need not be a member of the L.D.S. church to participate in this group's activities, and sometimes non-church members are elected to responsible offices. This feature is a strong proselytizing influence, especially in wards located near colleges where many non-Mormons attend. The activities of Mormon young people are so lively and interesting that they hold a natural attraction to many who are seeking a religious and social anchor.
Sunday evening fireside meetings are a regular feature of the M Men, Gleaner Girl program. These are informal gatherings held every two weeks, or weekly, at the home of a member or leader. Firesides are ward-wide, and are always scheduled following a Sunday evening sacramental meeting at the church. The handbook for young people's work advises ward leaders to make an announcement of the fireside gathering place only at the sacramental meeting, so that those who do not attend will not learn its whereabouts. Young people are encouraged to go directly from the sacramental meeting to the fireside.
Programs for firesides usually are well planned. Long-winded sermons and discussions are avoided. Sometimes an entire evening, following the opening prayer, is devoted to social games that make members better acquainted with each other. Refreshments never include tea or coffee, in keeping with the Word of Wisdom.
Goals of the Sunday fireside are listed here.
1. They aim to provide a wholesome social opportunity for young men and young women to make new friendships and improve old ones.
2. They are planned to substitute constructive social activity for attendance at movies, public dances, or less elevating entertainment.
3. They give young people an opportunity to discuss freely among themselves their philosophical adjustment problems and assist them in understanding the principles of religion.
4. They offer a chance for cultural improvement to young people, and tend to inculcate an appreciation of the finer things of life.
5. They encourage the attendance of young people at sacramental meetings.
Church-sponsored dancing looms large in the Mormon method of integrating young people into society. Nearly every ward has a recreation hall in which frequent dances are held. These halls are adjacent to the chapel. Contrary to the criticisms of many who do not believe in dancing at all, Mormons do not as a rule dance in their churches. The recreation hall is part of the ward church property and is itself often used for divine worship when the chapel is crowded, but it is designed primarily for recreation, as the chapel is set apart for religious services. While these dances are the mainstay of the M Men, Gleaner Girls social calendar, they often are attended by many boys and girls under the age of 17, and other church members over the age of 25. The bishop and his wife, or other ward leaders, attend. Each ward has its own regular means of producing dance music, such as a juke box, automatic phonograph, or dance orchestra available on call.
There is a long and interesting history behind the Mormon custom of dancing. It was one of the things that caused friction with inhabitants of Missouri and Illinois, in the early days. Many non-Mormons then believed that dancing of any sort was sinful, as many churches today teach it to be. During the Mormon migration, the pioneers danced nearly every night after they had finished their day's stint of travel and had pitched their camps.
Under the influence of strong community custom and ease of opportunity, Mormon youngsters learn to dance well, usually by the time they are ten years old. They continue this wholesome social activity until they are so advanced in years that it becomes tiring.
To many southern Baptists it will seem ironical that the bishop, spiritual leader of a church unit, is, likely as not, the most accomplished dancer in his district. An active bishop, at ward dances that are not held specifically for young people, usually dances once with the wife of each church member present, and each of the men, as a matter of courtesy, endeavors to dance once with the bishop's wife during the evening.
It must be emphasized, however, that dancing for the most part is directed toward the goal that young people of the church community shall have an opportunity to know each other so well there is a minimum chance that they will make an error in choosing a partner for marrriage. It is doubtful if any other social agency of [sic] organization in America is doing a better job than the Mormon church in this field. Marriages under violent conditions, hasty selection of mates, elopements to escape the strict codes of many religions, which are quite common in those sections of the country that are dominated by churches that forbid dancing, are almost unknown in a well-ordered Mormon community. And the dance is ended with prayer!
2.
The Biblical story of Ruth has been set forth as an example to be achieved in love, devotion and industry by young women of the Mormon church through the training and comradeliness of the Gleaner Girl program. Girls from the ages of 17 through 24 are eligible for membership.
Purposes are to train girls to meet present day problems with faith and courage, assist them in developing into leaders, to find the road to real happiness through love and service to others, develop a desire for eternal marriage that exists beyond this world, and to build in them testimonies of faith in the gospel.
Colors of the organization are gold and green. The girls wear a small pin in the design of which figures a sheaf of grain. On the stake level of organization, the gleaners have an adult manual supervisor and an adult stake activity sponsor, both on a parallel status with similar M men [sic] officers.
The adult gleaner leader assigned to work with the girls of the ward participates actively in stake M.I.A. leadership meetings, supervises ward gleaner work, conducts lessons, counsels gleaner officers, checks the yearly preparation calendar, attends necessary stake and ward meetings, increases and holds membership, encourages each girl to achievements in the Golden gleaner plan, and generally has a very busy lot in church work.
It ought to be noted that most adult leaders appointed to work with Gleaner Girls and M Men are usually only about ten years older than members of the classes, so that a rather close community of interests is maintained between leaders and class members.
Gleaners may attain membership in the coveted Golden Gleaner order by earning required merits. To win the Golden Gleaner award, a girl must perform all the requirements listed under the heading of spiritual training, and choose several of the possible requirements in the other fields, such as executive, cultural arts and creative achievements.
The spiritual requirements are listed as follows: she must be a member in good standing of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and make the Gleaner sheaf her code of living, keep the Word of Wisdom, pay an honest tithing, accept responsibilities in the church and always be dependable, attend sacrament meetings, strive to do unto others in action and word what she would have them do unto her, and complete at least three full years of Gleaner work.
Executive achievements, of which a girl must accomplish at least three, are: be an active officer or delegate in the ward Gleaner Girl organization for one year after being elected by the class, be an active officer in the stake Gleaner Girl organization for one year after having been elected by her ward, be an active officer or teacher in any church organization for at least one full year, complete an honorable mission for the church either at home or away, assume chairmanship of any committee functioning in M Men and Gleaner Girl conference or banquets or general chairman of any stake Gleaner project, be a director or assistant director of dancing, drama, music or speech in any church auxiliary for a season or for two or more presentations of at least thirty minutes each, be director or assistant director in a ward for Improvement Era for at least one year, or be an active chairman of a summer M.I.A. group.
There are twelve listed cultural achievements, of which the Golden Gleaner candidate must make at least nine. They follow.
1. Give two or more prepared talks in Sunday evening meeting, M-Men-Gleaner-Girl conference, M.I.A. assembly or Sunday evening fireside.
2. Review a reading course book or retell a story in a group. The time involved must be from thirty minutes to one hour.
3. Read and make a satisfactory report on any of the following books: the Old Testament, the New Testament, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Voice from the Dust (compiled by Genet Bingham Dee), Jesus the Christ by Talmage, Articles of Faith by Talmage, or Pearl of Great Price.
4. Read and make a satisfactory report to any official M.I.A. group on the Gleaner reading course books of three different years. This cannot include the same book required for achievement No. 2, given above.
5. Read twelve consecutive issues of the Improvement Era, writing a statement or two on each major article. This report is to be handed in to the ward Gleaner leader.
6. Be a toastmistress at a banquet of stake or ward M Men and Gleaners. (Credit may be given to only one toastmistress at a banquiet. The mere giving of a toast does not fill this requirement.)
7. Be in a ward or stake play of at least three acts, or take the major part in a one-act play or road show.
8. Be an active member of an M.I.A. chorus or ward choir, singing for one year, or sing a solo or in a duet, trio or quartet at least three times in one year at different M.I.A. gatherings.
9. Memorize all verses of the following songs and recite or sing them individually to the M.I.A. music director or Gleaner leader. (Group recitation work is not accepted.)
a. Gleaner Girls and M Men
b. We are the Gleaners
c. M.I.A., Our M.I.A.
d. Carry On
e. O, My Father
f. How Firm a Foundation
g. We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet
h. True to the Faith
i. I Know That My Redeemer Lives
j. Come, Come, Ye Saints
k. Angry Words! O Let Them Never
l. America the Beautiful
10. Be a member of a stake or ward orchestra for one year or play an instrumental solo, duet, or trio at least three times in one year at different M.I.A. gatherings; or be an organist or pianist in any church organization for one year.
11. Be a member of an M.I.A. opera cast.
12. Dance an M.I.A. dance at a Gold and Green ball, M Men-Gleaner dance or at a stake dance festival.
The creative achievements recognized, of which a girl must meet at least three, are:
1. Write a poem, a story, an article, a musical composition, or a skit, any of which is used in the M.I.A. or published.
2. Compile, after experimenting, two basic recipes, one for bread and one for cake, and add to these the favorite recipe of every Gleaner in teh class. (She must be sure to work out good standard recipes that may be varied in many ways.)
3. Make a "Treasure of Truth" book.
4. Paint a picture and exhibit it to the class.
5. Arrange and live according to her own budget for one year, or plan for and manage a home budget for one month.
6. Make at least six articles for her hope chest.
7. Redecorate a room by doing at least one of the two following: make drapes or curtains, make slip covers, paint or paper the walls, refinish the furniture.
When a Gleaner has met enough of these requirements, she has earned her right to wear the Golden Gleaner pin, which is presented to her at a meeting of the M.I.A. in her ward, or at some other impressive ceremony.
Purposes are to train girls to meet present day problems with faith and courage, assist them in developing into leaders, to find the road to real happiness through love and service to others, develop a desire for eternal marriage that exists beyond this world, and to build in them testimonies of faith in the gospel.
Colors of the organization are gold and green. The girls wear a small pin in the design of which figures a sheaf of grain. On the stake level of organization, the gleaners have an adult manual supervisor and an adult stake activity sponsor, both on a parallel status with similar M men [sic] officers.
The adult gleaner leader assigned to work with the girls of the ward participates actively in stake M.I.A. leadership meetings, supervises ward gleaner work, conducts lessons, counsels gleaner officers, checks the yearly preparation calendar, attends necessary stake and ward meetings, increases and holds membership, encourages each girl to achievements in the Golden gleaner plan, and generally has a very busy lot in church work.
It ought to be noted that most adult leaders appointed to work with Gleaner Girls and M Men are usually only about ten years older than members of the classes, so that a rather close community of interests is maintained between leaders and class members.
Gleaners may attain membership in the coveted Golden Gleaner order by earning required merits. To win the Golden Gleaner award, a girl must perform all the requirements listed under the heading of spiritual training, and choose several of the possible requirements in the other fields, such as executive, cultural arts and creative achievements.
The spiritual requirements are listed as follows: she must be a member in good standing of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and make the Gleaner sheaf her code of living, keep the Word of Wisdom, pay an honest tithing, accept responsibilities in the church and always be dependable, attend sacrament meetings, strive to do unto others in action and word what she would have them do unto her, and complete at least three full years of Gleaner work.
Executive achievements, of which a girl must accomplish at least three, are: be an active officer or delegate in the ward Gleaner Girl organization for one year after being elected by the class, be an active officer in the stake Gleaner Girl organization for one year after having been elected by her ward, be an active officer or teacher in any church organization for at least one full year, complete an honorable mission for the church either at home or away, assume chairmanship of any committee functioning in M Men and Gleaner Girl conference or banquets or general chairman of any stake Gleaner project, be a director or assistant director of dancing, drama, music or speech in any church auxiliary for a season or for two or more presentations of at least thirty minutes each, be director or assistant director in a ward for Improvement Era for at least one year, or be an active chairman of a summer M.I.A. group.
There are twelve listed cultural achievements, of which the Golden Gleaner candidate must make at least nine. They follow.
1. Give two or more prepared talks in Sunday evening meeting, M-Men-Gleaner-Girl conference, M.I.A. assembly or Sunday evening fireside.
2. Review a reading course book or retell a story in a group. The time involved must be from thirty minutes to one hour.
3. Read and make a satisfactory report on any of the following books: the Old Testament, the New Testament, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Voice from the Dust (compiled by Genet Bingham Dee), Jesus the Christ by Talmage, Articles of Faith by Talmage, or Pearl of Great Price.
4. Read and make a satisfactory report to any official M.I.A. group on the Gleaner reading course books of three different years. This cannot include the same book required for achievement No. 2, given above.
5. Read twelve consecutive issues of the Improvement Era, writing a statement or two on each major article. This report is to be handed in to the ward Gleaner leader.
6. Be a toastmistress at a banquet of stake or ward M Men and Gleaners. (Credit may be given to only one toastmistress at a banquiet. The mere giving of a toast does not fill this requirement.)
7. Be in a ward or stake play of at least three acts, or take the major part in a one-act play or road show.
8. Be an active member of an M.I.A. chorus or ward choir, singing for one year, or sing a solo or in a duet, trio or quartet at least three times in one year at different M.I.A. gatherings.
9. Memorize all verses of the following songs and recite or sing them individually to the M.I.A. music director or Gleaner leader. (Group recitation work is not accepted.)
a. Gleaner Girls and M Men
b. We are the Gleaners
c. M.I.A., Our M.I.A.
d. Carry On
e. O, My Father
f. How Firm a Foundation
g. We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet
h. True to the Faith
i. I Know That My Redeemer Lives
j. Come, Come, Ye Saints
k. Angry Words! O Let Them Never
l. America the Beautiful
10. Be a member of a stake or ward orchestra for one year or play an instrumental solo, duet, or trio at least three times in one year at different M.I.A. gatherings; or be an organist or pianist in any church organization for one year.
11. Be a member of an M.I.A. opera cast.
12. Dance an M.I.A. dance at a Gold and Green ball, M Men-Gleaner dance or at a stake dance festival.
The creative achievements recognized, of which a girl must meet at least three, are:
1. Write a poem, a story, an article, a musical composition, or a skit, any of which is used in the M.I.A. or published.
2. Compile, after experimenting, two basic recipes, one for bread and one for cake, and add to these the favorite recipe of every Gleaner in teh class. (She must be sure to work out good standard recipes that may be varied in many ways.)
3. Make a "Treasure of Truth" book.
4. Paint a picture and exhibit it to the class.
5. Arrange and live according to her own budget for one year, or plan for and manage a home budget for one month.
6. Make at least six articles for her hope chest.
7. Redecorate a room by doing at least one of the two following: make drapes or curtains, make slip covers, paint or paper the walls, refinish the furniture.
When a Gleaner has met enough of these requirements, she has earned her right to wear the Golden Gleaner pin, which is presented to her at a meeting of the M.I.A. in her ward, or at some other impressive ceremony.
3.
The M Men program seeks to develop young men in three fields, social, spiritual and physical.
The M Men pledge is: "In order that I might render my finest service to humanity, I pledge my best efforts to keep myself morally clean, to fearlessly defend the truth, to learn modesty and manliness, and to obey the rules of true sportsmanship."
Membership is open to all young men who have reached the age of eighten, a year more than that required by the girls for membership in their Gleaner organization. The top age limit is set at 25, although there are many exceptions to this limit, since the main interest of the individual always is the guiding influence when he selects the group with which he would associate.
There are three classes of members.
Active members must have reached their eighteenth birthday by December 31 of the Mutual year. They must have attained four full sessions of their Ward M-Men organization during a period of three months, and must submit to an examination conducted by the ward M Men leader or someone delegated by him on each of the following subjects: the plan of the organizatoin and its objectives, the M Men program for the current year, the elements of good sportsmanship, and what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. A candidate for membership must have the approving vote of the ward group that he wishes to join and the endorsement of the group's leader. Approval is secured by a majority of those present and voting at a meeting. The candidate must also memorize and repeat to the group the M Men pledge.
Any male person of good character who is interested in the M Men organization or who desires to associate himself with its members may become an associate member.
The third class of membership, that of Master M Men, is an order to which a member may be designated after having completed a set of rigid requirements that compare, for the men, with the standards set for the girls who are to become members of the Golden Gleaner group.
Requirements for being a Master M Man follow:
1. The candidate must have completed three full years of M Men work as an active M Man and be not less than twenty nor more than twenty-five years of age. (The three-year requirement may be waived for applicants who have filled a regular mission for the church away from home. The twenty-five year limit has been removed for men in the armed services away from home.)
2. He must be a member in good standing in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
3. He must have earned not less than eight approved credits in not less than four activity groups of M Men work.
4. He must have the approving vote of the ward M Men organization of which he is a member, have the recommendation of the ward M Men leader, the stake M Men supervisor, the bishop of the ward in which he resides and the M Men committee of the general board of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association.
5. He must be an observer of the Word of Wisdom.
A provision has been made for conferring recognition as an honorary master M Man upon a man who is over age for eligibility for the Master M Man group, if he has done some outstanding service over a period of time for the M Men organization, or for other young people's activities of the church.
The activity group in which young men may earn credits for achievement to the Master M Man honor are executive, athletic, forensice, dramatics, music, spiritual, dancing leadership, or special interests in which a man might be able to develop himself, the church, or community.
Detailed requirements in each group compare somewhat to those listed in anotehr section for the Golden Gleaner honor in the girls' group.
Social development is achieved through cooperative activities, such as dances, parties, fireside meetings and class assemblies, with the Gleaner girls.
Spiritual training is advanced in classes held with the Gleaners, with participation in general assembly activities of the M.I.A., and attendance at sacrament meetings. Classes, for the most part, are conducted in a Socratic manner, and lively theological discussions almost invariably take place.
Considerable emphasis is placed upon the physical development of the young men. Although several sports have been recommended, and a candidate for Master M Man honors may acquire credits in many, such as tennis, horseshoe pitching, swimming, etc., the authorities have seized upon basketball as the most nearly ideal for churchwide participation. Nearly every ward has its own basketball team, and each stake has its league.
Through aggressively pushing its basketball schedule, the church holds out immediate rewards for clean living, and makes the stand against tobacco and liquors seem entirely rational to the young man who sees the necessity for not breaking training if he is to succeed as an athlete.
Rules for participation in M Men basketball are deliberately placed on a very high level. One of the requirements, quite naturally, is observance of the Word of Wisdom.
Many wards have their own gymnasiums, for the Mormons do not leave the physical growth and development of their young men in the hands of such limited facilities as the average Y.M.C.A. might have to offer. In Salt Lake City, every gymnasium of any description is booked solidly throughout the basketball season, so heavy is the demand imposed by the many stake leagues. Even so, the city probably could well use twice as many gymnasiums as it now possesses.
The M Men sports program, especially basketball, extends throughout the church, with thousands of teams playing in many parts of the world, under the same set of rules. It is difficult for a non-Mormon to grasp the significance of such activity on so vast a scale. Its most beneficial social effects seem to be the raising of physical standards for a great segment of the population, and the natural growth of teamwork that has come to be one of the outstanding characteristics of Mormon people wherever they may be found.
Next: The Temple
The M Men pledge is: "In order that I might render my finest service to humanity, I pledge my best efforts to keep myself morally clean, to fearlessly defend the truth, to learn modesty and manliness, and to obey the rules of true sportsmanship."
Membership is open to all young men who have reached the age of eighten, a year more than that required by the girls for membership in their Gleaner organization. The top age limit is set at 25, although there are many exceptions to this limit, since the main interest of the individual always is the guiding influence when he selects the group with which he would associate.
There are three classes of members.
Active members must have reached their eighteenth birthday by December 31 of the Mutual year. They must have attained four full sessions of their Ward M-Men organization during a period of three months, and must submit to an examination conducted by the ward M Men leader or someone delegated by him on each of the following subjects: the plan of the organizatoin and its objectives, the M Men program for the current year, the elements of good sportsmanship, and what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. A candidate for membership must have the approving vote of the ward group that he wishes to join and the endorsement of the group's leader. Approval is secured by a majority of those present and voting at a meeting. The candidate must also memorize and repeat to the group the M Men pledge.
Any male person of good character who is interested in the M Men organization or who desires to associate himself with its members may become an associate member.
The third class of membership, that of Master M Men, is an order to which a member may be designated after having completed a set of rigid requirements that compare, for the men, with the standards set for the girls who are to become members of the Golden Gleaner group.
Requirements for being a Master M Man follow:
1. The candidate must have completed three full years of M Men work as an active M Man and be not less than twenty nor more than twenty-five years of age. (The three-year requirement may be waived for applicants who have filled a regular mission for the church away from home. The twenty-five year limit has been removed for men in the armed services away from home.)
2. He must be a member in good standing in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
3. He must have earned not less than eight approved credits in not less than four activity groups of M Men work.
4. He must have the approving vote of the ward M Men organization of which he is a member, have the recommendation of the ward M Men leader, the stake M Men supervisor, the bishop of the ward in which he resides and the M Men committee of the general board of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association.
5. He must be an observer of the Word of Wisdom.
A provision has been made for conferring recognition as an honorary master M Man upon a man who is over age for eligibility for the Master M Man group, if he has done some outstanding service over a period of time for the M Men organization, or for other young people's activities of the church.
The activity group in which young men may earn credits for achievement to the Master M Man honor are executive, athletic, forensice, dramatics, music, spiritual, dancing leadership, or special interests in which a man might be able to develop himself, the church, or community.
Detailed requirements in each group compare somewhat to those listed in anotehr section for the Golden Gleaner honor in the girls' group.
Social development is achieved through cooperative activities, such as dances, parties, fireside meetings and class assemblies, with the Gleaner girls.
Spiritual training is advanced in classes held with the Gleaners, with participation in general assembly activities of the M.I.A., and attendance at sacrament meetings. Classes, for the most part, are conducted in a Socratic manner, and lively theological discussions almost invariably take place.
Considerable emphasis is placed upon the physical development of the young men. Although several sports have been recommended, and a candidate for Master M Man honors may acquire credits in many, such as tennis, horseshoe pitching, swimming, etc., the authorities have seized upon basketball as the most nearly ideal for churchwide participation. Nearly every ward has its own basketball team, and each stake has its league.
Through aggressively pushing its basketball schedule, the church holds out immediate rewards for clean living, and makes the stand against tobacco and liquors seem entirely rational to the young man who sees the necessity for not breaking training if he is to succeed as an athlete.
Rules for participation in M Men basketball are deliberately placed on a very high level. One of the requirements, quite naturally, is observance of the Word of Wisdom.
Many wards have their own gymnasiums, for the Mormons do not leave the physical growth and development of their young men in the hands of such limited facilities as the average Y.M.C.A. might have to offer. In Salt Lake City, every gymnasium of any description is booked solidly throughout the basketball season, so heavy is the demand imposed by the many stake leagues. Even so, the city probably could well use twice as many gymnasiums as it now possesses.
The M Men sports program, especially basketball, extends throughout the church, with thousands of teams playing in many parts of the world, under the same set of rules. It is difficult for a non-Mormon to grasp the significance of such activity on so vast a scale. Its most beneficial social effects seem to be the raising of physical standards for a great segment of the population, and the natural growth of teamwork that has come to be one of the outstanding characteristics of Mormon people wherever they may be found.
Next: The Temple
