Priesthood Quorums’ Table

PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS' TABLE.

Punctuality and Dispatch. — Complaints have been frequent that some presiding officers are not punctual in opening the meetings; and particularly that they take too much time for unimportant remarks, thus hampering class work and tiring the members. Presiding officers should be well informed on the mode of procedure in the general assembly, and on the general topit-b and notices which they have to present, so that punctuality all along the line may be prac- ticed, and that every item of business may be promptly dispatched without dry sermons, or the repetition of hackneyed and tiresome remarks.

Resume Work. — The time is at hand when those quorums that have had a vacation for the summer should take up their labors with renewed energy. It

will need considerable zeal to finish the first year's course before the time (Jan. uary, 1910) when the second year's course of study should be taken up for con- sideration. The bishops and their faithful helps, together with the class leaders, should consult together and devise plans for beginning their class work, for obtaining full attendance by proper notification of the members, and for con- sidering such other questions and obstacles as will perhaps arise on resuming meetings. Get at the work right, and the difficulties will vanish.

Prayer. — "When a man prays he communes with his source; he rests from

the flux of the world in the beneficent calm of the eternal; he restores and puri- fies himself; and perhaps he will never realize more clearly that he is not alone than in this solitude. Prayer is the sanctified retreat of the soul, the peaceful and elevated fortress which nothing can attack, where he leaves behind him all his sufferings, all his struggles and dangers', where he takes refuge in absolute secur- ity. Prayer, what source of strength can be compared to thee, and how can a soldier mount guard with greater courage than when he feels himself guarded by Him who watches always." Charles Wagner in Courage.

Reference Books. — A large number of the quorums are asking for com- plete text in the course of study instead of references, notes and mere outlines. The arguments are used (1) that many are without the books; (2) that even when they have the books, they are not familiar with the method of study, or have no time to look up the references; and (3) a complete text saves time. The argu- ments, of course, against these complaints are: (1) that the books should be in

PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS' TABLE. 919

their possession. How can we be happy, or make home pleasant, or thrive spiritu- ally without books? (2) That if they are not familiar with methods of study, to make an effort is way to learn. We learn to do by doing, not by having the some one tlse do for us. As to time, there is time for all things; and if a thing is worth doing at all, it is worth doing well, and worth our best efforts. (3) While a complete text may save time, we do not understand that the object of getting lessons is to save time. It is to learn. If you appear to save time, but do not learn as much, have you accomplished your purpose? Work counts.

Value of Seventies Year Book.— It has been thought advisable to call the attention of the Seventies to the excellence of the matter contained in ''The Seventies Course in Theology." The 'First Year Book" gives in a concise, yet comprehensive manner a most interesting history of the Seventy in the Mosaic, Christian, and Last Dispensations. Every Seventy should become thoroughly ac- quainted with the three lessons devoted to this topic. These lessons convey to the student a more comprehensive knowledge of the organization and duties of the members of the quorums of Seventy than any other treatise that has ever been presented on the subject. There is, and will always be, a stream of new men coming into the quorums who have not given special attention to this particular calling in the Priesthood. These new members will often have questions to pro- pound regarding the history and responsibility of their calling; if the "First Year Book" is at hand such questions can be readily answered. This book also gives, in a nutshell form, a history of the books of scripture believed in by the Latter-day Saints. This information, like the lessons devoted to the Seventy, is

of such a character that it will always be important, and in demand, consequently well worth being preserved. Seventies will always be called upon in the perform- ance of their special labors to refresh their memories regarding the interesting and important items that are presented in this splendid work. The "Second Year Book" gives an "Outline History of the Dispensations of the Gospel." This

leading topic is preceded by six intensely interesting and important lessons under the heading, "Prelude to the Dispensations." A knowledge of the contents of this work can scarcely be said to be of less importance than a knowledge of the matter in the "First Year Book." The First Council of Seventy feel that a fund of very valuable information has been brought together in these books. They also feel that very many of the brethren have been unable to master the lessons

presented, owing to the rather hurried manner in which they have been forced to consider them. Many of the questions discussed will recur again and again to the minds of the brethren in the future. In order to encourage future study on

these various topics, has been decided to bind the First and Second Year Book it

together, making of the two one volume. The book is well and strongly bound in cloth and can be sold at Beventy-five cents per copy. A limited number of these books are on hand. The brethren of the Seventy, who find pleasure in the study of the Lord's wonderful purposes, are urged to purchase the work in this form, the number on hand will soon be exhausted. Those who purchase them will find their value multiplying in the future. The work is worthy of a plac« in the library of any Seventy.