Mutual Improvement Association manuscript newsletters of Hyrum, Utah, 1884-1893

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association.
Title
Mutual Improvement Association manuscript newsletters of Hyrum, Utah
Dates
1884-1893 (inclusive)
Quantity
2 boxes, (1 linear ft. )
Collection Number
UUS_COLL MSS 67
Summary
Handwritten newsletters of the Young Men's and Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations of Hyrum, Utah. Content is primarily oriented toward religion and self improvement. Most of the issues also contain a local happenings section, which provides information on such items as music, dancing, and courtship.
Repository
Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections and Archives Division
Special Collections & Archives
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
Logan, UT
84322-3000
Telephone: 4357978248
Fax: 4357972880
scweb@usu.edu
Access Restrictions
Restrictions

Open to public research.

Languages
English.
Sponsor
Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant, 2007-2008

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Under the direction of Brigham Young and Eliza R. Snow, the LDS Church organized the Young Ladies Retrenchment Society on November 28, 1869, for young women ages 12-25. First organized within the family of President Brigham Young, the group sought to improve "order, thrift, industry, and charity," and to "retrench from extravagance in dress, in eating, and in speech." Ella Young Empey presided over the first chapter, directing activities among Brigham Young's daughters. The organization subsequently was extended into the larger Utah Mormon population in the 1880s. Eliza R. Snow organized the first stake board in Salt Lake City on September 14, 1878 which lead to the development of associations within several local wards and stakes throughout Utah, eventually becoming a general feature of the Church's organization.

With the formation of a general M.I.A. board in June 1880, activity rapidly increased. Weekly events were organized which centered on arts, literature, and entertainment. In 1889, Susan Young Gates issued the Young Women's Journal which focused on literary development, health, hygiene, and home management. Sales of the journal raised funds which contributed to book acquisitions for the M.I.A library located in the Church's headquarters. These funds helped to cover the expense of sending a representative from the Y.L.M.I.A to the National Women's Council meeting held March 25, 1888, in Washington, D.C. Even further, monies from the journal sales and general Church funds provided for the printing of study manuals which were distributed annually and focused on theology, history, human physiology, and hygiene.

The Young Men's Improvement Association was formed in 1878 after President Young counseled that a group similar to the Young Ladies Retrenchment Society be formed among the young men. The group, with Junius F. Wells as president, was involved in activities similar to the women's group. After the formation of the young men's group, the name of the young ladies' group was officially changed to Y.L.M.I.A The focus of the M.I.A. encouraged members to learn about cultural and intellectual issues within the context of the Church's organization. The group still exists within the Church under the name of Young Women's and Young Men's program.

Sources: Gates, Susan Young. History of the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, from November 1869 to June 1910. Deseret News: Salt Lake City, 1911.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

This collection contains several handwritten newspapers from the Young Men's and Young Women's Mutual Improvement Association in Hyrum, Utah. There are five uniquely titled journals: The Evening Star, The Knowledge Seeker, The Educator, The Young Ladies Thoughts, and The Mutual Guide. While the collection as a whole covers the years 1884 to 1897, the different newspapers span various time periods. Primarily their content is oriented toward religion and self improvement. Most of the issues also contain a local happenings section, which provides information on such items as music, dancing, and courtship.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Copyright

It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Utah State University Libraries, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright.

Permission to publish material from the Mutual Improvement Association manuscript newsletters of Hyrum, Utah must be obtained from the Special Collections Manuscript Curator and/or the Special Collections Department Head.

Preferred Citation

Mutual Improvement Association manuscript newsletters of Hyrum, Utah, 1884-1893. (COLL MSS 67). Utah State University. Special Collections and Archives Department.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Arranged chronologically by title.

Acquisition Information

Deposit of Cache Valley Historical Society.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 1 The Evening Star, vol. 1. This folder also includes letters written to the editor of the Star (1885?)
1 2 The Eveninq Star, vol. 2 1886
1 3 The Eveninq Star, vol. 3 1887
1 4 The Eveninq Star, vol. 4 1888
1 5 The Eveninq Star, vol. 5 1889
1 6 The Knowledge Seeker, vol. 4 1883
1 7 The Knowledge Seeker, vol. 5 1885
1 8 The Knowledge Seeker, vol. 7 1887
1 9 The Knowledge Seeker, vol. 8 1888
1 10 The Knowledge Seeker, vol. 9 1889
1 11 The Knowledge Seeker, vol. 10 1989
1 12 The Knowledge Seeker, vol. 11 1889-1890
1 13 The Educator, vols. 6 and 8 1890, 1891
1 14 The Young Ladies Thoughts, vol. 1 1884
1 15 The Young Ladies Thoughts, vol. 2 1885
1 16 The Young Ladies Thoughts, vol. 3 1885
1 17 The Young Ladies Thoughts, vol. 4 1887
1 18 The Young Ladies Thoughts, vol. 5 1887
1 19 The Young Ladies Thoughts, vol. 6 1888
1 20 The Young Ladies Thoughts, vol. 7 1888
1 21 The Young Ladies Thoughts, vol. 8 1890
1 22 The Young Ladies Thoughts, vol. 9 1891
1 23 The Young Ladies Thoughts, vol. 10 1892
1 24 The Young Ladies Thoughts, vol. 11 1893
1 25 The Mutual Guide 1886-1897

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Conduct of life--Early works to 1900.
  • Courtship--Utah--Hyrum.
  • Men--Utah--Hyrum--Conduct of life.
  • Men--Utah--Hyrum--Societies and clubs--Periodicals.
  • Mormon women--Utah--Hyrum--Conduct of life.
  • Mormon women--Utah--Hyrum--Societies and clubs--Periodicals.
  • Mormons--Utah--Hyrum--Conduct of life.
  • Mormons--Utah--Hyrum--Societies, etc.--Periodicals.
  • Women--Utah--Hyrum--Conduct of life.
  • Women--Utah--Hyrum--Societies and clubs--Periodicals.

Corporate Names

  • Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association--Periodicals.
  • Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association--Periodicals.
  • Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association. (contributor)
  • Young Women (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)--History.

Geographical Names

  • Hyrum (Utah)--Social life and customs--19th century.