Priesthood Quorums’ Table

Priesthood Quorums' Table.

Priesthood Quorums Studies.— In reply to a number of questions, the Committee on Priesthood Quorums Study announce that the following subjects will be taken up for the year 1910: Seventies, "The Doctrine of Deity;'' High Priests, "History of the Gospel:" Elders, "Duties and Principles from the Doctrine and Covenants and Modern Revelation; 1 '

Priests, "Divine Mission of the Savior;" Teachers, "Life of Christ;'' Deacons, "Book of Mormon." The manuals, it is believed, will be ready early in January for distribution. They were placed in the hands of the printers December 15, and orders may be sent now to the Improvement Era, 20-22 Bishop's Building, Salt Lake City, and will re- ceive prompt attention and as soon as outlines are ready, in the order in which received.

Meetings of Seventies at each Stake Conference. —The First Council feel constrained to offer the following items of instruction, to the local councils of the various quorums of Seventy:

The work of the Lord is constantly expanding, and necessarily de- mands more and more of the time of the presiding authorities, to regu- late, and set in order its various departments. In order to meet the re- quirements made upon them, the leading brethren are compelled to crowd their many labors into as small a period of time as is consistent with the importance of the various matters that come under their jurisdiction. There are sixty organized stakes in Zion, each holding four stake confer- ences yearly, making two hundred and forty conferences every year. When the weeks are eliminated during which the general conferences of the Church are held, and during which some of the most general, and im- portant holdings occur, every other week throughout the year has some six stake conference appointments, nearly all of which the Council of the Twelve undertake to atttend. This great demand made upon the time of the Twelve, in addition to their many other important labors, has made itnecessary for them to call upon the First Council of Seventy to assist them in attending stake conferences. The First Council has been instructed to refrain as much as is con- sistent with the welfare of the quorums of Seventy, from making appoint- ments with the quorums, that would prevent them from responding to the calls that are made upon them by the Twelve, to attend stake confer-

ences. There are one hundred and fifty-six quorums of Seventy in the Church at the present time; very little thought is necessary on the part of those

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who have the management of the various quorums in hand, to make plain to them the utter impossibility of the First Council making special visits to each quorum, every time that changes occur and attention becomes necessary. The work required can be accomplished, if the presidents of quorums of Seventy in each stake will be on the alert to bring all essen-

tial business before the members of the First Council as they visit the stakes in attendance upon quartery conferences. The councils of quorums throughout the Church are urged to give careful attention to the needs of the quorums, and always be ready to aid the First Council in the accomplishment of the work that is required of them. If local councils will be prepared to bring to the attention of

visiting members of the First Council, matters that affect the welfare of the quorums, much good work can be performed in the interest of the

Seventies, during the time of holding stake conferences. Whenever there is business of more than ordinary importance to be attended to, such as increasing the membership of a quorum by ordaining new members, installing new presidents, etc., the First Council should be notified at least two weeks prior to the holding of the conference at which such matters are to receive attention. The giving of a timely notice will enable the presiding council to make such appointments as will insure attention to all important matters, expedite business, and avoid disappointments. Presidents of quorums are expected to have all the members under- stand that a meeting of the seventies will be held in connection with each stake conference. Every seventy should be made to feel the necessity of attending these special meetings, also the advantage and blessing of being present at all stake conferences. Special appointments will be made in the interest of the quorums of Seventy as often as circumstances will permit, or the necessities of the quorums may demand. In addition to these appointments, much work must be attended to during the time of holding the various conferences, in order to keep the quorums in good working condition.

"Wherefore now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office to which he is appointed, in all diligence. "He that is slothful shall not be counted worthy to stand, and he that learns not his duty and shows himself not approved, shall not be counted worthy to stand."

The New Course of Study.— The Committee on Course of Study make the following statements and suggestions in the Preface of the Outlines for 1910, in which class teachers as well as members will be deeply interested: "In sending out the second series of outlines for the quorums of

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the Priesthood, we desire to express gratification' at the impetus the Priesthood movement took upon itself last year. It was not only a step

towards the destined prominence of the quorums in the Church — was a it

bound. "Expressions of appreciation of the interest manifested in Priest- hood meetings came from every stake, and the increased activity among individuals and quorums is indeed commendable. "But favorable as the general improvement was, after all, it was only a beginning, and inconveniences and were met that difficulties

tended to slacken interest and retard progress. One of these was the length of the lessons. The purpose of Part Two in the course last year was not accomplished. Many spent so much time of the class reci- tation considering Part One that no opportunity was left to give suffi-

cient thought to the assignment of duties. Others failed to consider at all the practical suggestions in Part Two. "In these lessons, greater care has heen taken to emphasize a thought in each lesson that will be applicable to the members of the class, and the presidents of quorums and class instructors are urged to make the application. Some suggestions appear at the end of every les- son, but they are, of course, only suggestive; and it is expected that quorums everywhere will introduce into their daily lives the suggestions and truths developed in these courses of study. " 'To him who knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin.' 'Not every one that sayeth Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

"Give members something to do every week. Let them work; all

have them work; help them work. "Another difficulty was met in keeping up the attendance and inter- est during the summer months. Some of the stakes succeeded in carry- ing out the course just as it was recommended one year ago, and some of the wards did excellent work, even during the busiest season of the year. But many adjourned, some for one reason, and some for another. Now there are thirty-six lessons this year, as there were last ; and it is again suggested that those who continue for twelve months take up three les- sons each month, one day each month being occupied with special instruc- tions to ward teachers and other matters arranged by the local and stake officers. Others who feel that they are compelled to adjourn, must arrange as best they can to complete the course of thirty-six lessons, and have their local monthly priesthood meetings as well. "Perhaps the greatest difficulty in the way of success was the lack of preparation on the part of class instructors. None-preparation is inex- cusable. To aid president and teacher Wilful non-preparation is sinful. in the preparing of their lessons, each quorum should receive help from

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stake authorities specially appointed to give instructions to the represen- tatives of the various quorums and classes in the stake priesthood meet- ing. After the general instructions from the stake presidency and high council are given, quorums could adjourn to different rooms or parts in the same room, and there receive suggestions on lessons and duties for the next month. "Now, hrethren, may the Lord bless you with the spirit of this great work! May every man feel a desire to do his part in making the quo- rums of Priesthood in very deed the power of the Church, the strength of Zion. Let the movement so well begun last year be accelerated in this, and so continue until the purposes of the Almighty are accomplished.'' The General Committee.

ELDERS OF THE SOUTH TEXAS CONFERENCE.

Left to right: Niels Christiansen, J. C. Qualman, G. M. Smith, J. F. Mitchell, W. A. Lougy, J. S. Martin. Middle row: W. A. Bishop, J. D. Pratt, S.O. Bennion, (Mission President) ; M. F. Hixson (Conference President); P. D. McArthur. Bottom row: W. B. Stoddard, M. A, Niel- son. R. W. Seaman, A. H. West.