Priesthood Quorums’ Table

Priesthood Quorums' Table.

The Course of Study. — All the outlines for the course of study for 1910 were ready for delivery, January 18; orders sent in now will be promptly filled as long as the editions last. The price for each of the outlines this year is 15 cents. The five books are of uniform size and each contains about 100 pages. Orders should be sent to Improvement Em, 20-22 Bishop's Building, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Respect for the Holy Priesthood. — Who can estimate the value of the Holy priesthood, who can comprehend its meaning; who can ap- preciate its power and magnitude? Who would sell his priesthood for worldly wealth or fame, or for any earthly titles or kingdoms? Who would sell his birthright for a mess of pottage? Do we properly re- vere this divine pewer of God bestowed upon man, or do we lightly value it and trample it under our feet? Can the princes of the earth drive out the destroyer? Are the great men of the earth secure from destruc- tion? Can the kings of the earth bring salvation and exaltation in the celestial kingdom of God? Can worldly accumulations bring peace and happiness, or can money purchase the gifts of the gospel? The holy priesthood is the authority of God to act in his name. Can a man have power with God and at the same time blaspheme his holy name? Or can men speak evil of his servants and retain the Holy Spirit? "Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen? Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson — that the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be con- trolled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness." Thus we see what great benefit and blessing can be obtained through the wise and legitimate use of that power. It is said in the Book of Mormon that the priesthood became so united that the very trees obeyed them. I once heard a man who had been called to present a copy of the Book of Mor- mon to one of earth's dignitaries. Now this man held the priesthood,

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yet I heard him say that he feared and trembled in his majesty's pres-

ence. We read that Jacob blessed the ancient King Pharaoh by that power, and he became abundantly prospered. Oh, that every deacon, teacher, priest, elder, seventy and high priest could realize the great gift bestowed upon him, and seek to honor his holy calling, and to magnify it before the Lord by seeking to fulfil all the requirements in that priest- hood, by keeping the commandments of God, and by seeking to uphold and sustain the brethren in their different positions and callings in the Church, thus becoming united in defending the cause of Christ. Our Church has been fittingly compared, in the completeness of its organiza- tion, to the German army, having all grades of officers from captain down to private soldiers. Now, if every command of Christ, our Cap- tain, were to be as strictly obeyed, and as harmoniously carried out; if

each one could pay as much attention on first signal, if each man would show as much respect to his superior officers, if each were as loyal to the cause and as determined for its successful outcome, as are the sol- diers of the German army, what a splendid and triumphant victory would be ours!— A. G. L.

The Elders and Their Study.— A brother, an active elder, com- plains that much is found in the Era on the special work of the seventies, but nothing bearing directly on the work of the elders. The same writer says: "We feel very much in need of a work devoted to the duties of elders." The elders are perhaps the largest body of priesthood in the Church, and the Committee will be glad to say or do any good thing to promote their welfare. They are especially under the direction of the Stake

Presidencies, and this department is open for instruction and explana tions, from them or any of the elders, tending to the enlightenment and advantage of the elders. To begin with, dear brother, read carefully these words, from the introduction to the 1910 elders' course of study which, it may be said in passing, treats of just what our correspondent is anxious to have them learn — the duties of elders. We believe it meets

many of the wants of the brethren, in this respect, and will besides sug- gest a vast field yet to be found in the Doctrine and Covenants, the best work in the world from which the elder may learn his duties:

The Elders' Course for 1910 does not purport to be a study of the Doctrine and Covenants as a book, nor even to name, not to say explain, all the principles revealed in that work. The course is just what the title implies, viz., "Duties and Principles from the Doctrine and Cove- nants and Modern Revelation." The first two lessons are devoted to inspiration and revelation as

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fundamental principles of Christianity; in fact as principles at the very- heart of the Christian religion. Notice especially the thought empha- sized in lesson two, that "Harmony is a necessary condition to inspira- tion." In lesson three, note that the Prophet Joseph Smith conformed to the conditions of harmony. It is not unreasonable, then, to accept what follows as truths revealed to the boy prophet through the gift of inspiration. Hundreds of thousands have testified that they know that the revelations are from God. Every elder should be convinced of the same truth. With this end in view, take up this short course of study, apply the principles taught therein, live a prayerful, virtuous life, per- forming faithfully your duties, and you shall have a testimony of the divinity of the gospel of Jesus Christ. But, brethren, to know this, you must study; you must serve. Part One comprises twelve lessons on duties pertaining to the indi- vidual life and acts of the elder. Part Two comprises twelve lessons pertaining to duties and princi- ples that may be applied not only as individuals, but as quorums as well. Part Three comprises eleven lessons, on general principles of the gos- pel. The last lesson is one on the Prophet Joseph Smith, and should be a kind of comprehensive summary of his life and work. Only a few references to the Doctrine and Covenants are printed in the outline; so each member should provide himself with a copy of this book, and also with the first two volumes of Church History. Now, fellow workers, the success of this year depends upon our- selves; each one must do something. Remember We must study; we must serve.

Important Instructions on Filling up Quorums of Seventy. — There are at present one hundred and fifty-six quorums of seventy in the

Church. If all these quorums were complete, with seventy men in each quorum, there would be a company of ten thousand nine hundred and twenty men. The statistics of the Church indicate that the quorums of seventy are not complete. At the close of the year 1908 the records in the office of the Presiding Bishopric gave the total number of seventies as eight thousand eight hundred and fifty-five; thus showing that many of the quorums do not have the seventy men necessary to a complete quorum. The First Council of Seventy are anxious to make all the quorums conform to the word of the Lord regarding the number required to make a full quorum. Wherever suitable men can be found, proper steps should be taken to fill up all vacancies existing in the quorums of the seventy. The welfare of other quorums from which men are drawn to fill up the ranks of the seventies must be considered, and such requisitions be made as the quorums can meet, without doing them serious injury. It has been repeatedly impressed upon the presiding seventies, that many of the brethren who are sent out as missionaries, are the very class

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of men to satisfactorily fill the vacancies existing in the various quorums of seventy. The propriety of filling up these quorums is set forth in the following forceful manner by President Joseph F. Smith:

"I feel like blessing the quorums of the priesthood, every one of them, from the high priests to the deacons. I pray God, my heavenly

Father, to remember them in their organizations, to help them, that they may magnify the priesthood they hold, and do the will of the Father; that the seventies may be minute men, instant in season and out of sea- son, ready and willing to respond to the calls that are made upon them to go and preach the gospel to the world. Gather in from the elders' quorums those who have proven themselves worthy, and who have gained experience, and make seventies of them, so that the quorums of the seventies may be replenished; and the aged ones, whose physical condition will not permit them any longer to do missionary duty in the world, let them be ordained high priests and patriarchs, to bless the people and to minister at home. Gather in the strong, the vigorous, the young, the able-bodied, who have the spirit of the gospel in their hearts, to fill up the ranks of the seventies, that we may have ministers to preach the gospel to the world. They are needed. We cannot now meet the de- mand.''* The instructions given above were imparted under a most remarkable outpouring of the Spirit of God, those who heard President Smith were impressed with the feeling that the word of God had been spoken. The presidents of the various quorums are instructed to increase the member- ship of the quorums by making requisitions, as heretofore, and also in the following manner:Whenever selections of young men for missionary work are made by the bishoprics in a quorum district, presidents should consult together over their qualifications and their worthiness for ad- vancement. Whenever their character, and ability, are such as is set forth in the quotation from the remarks made by President Smith, let the necessary steps be taken to have them come to Salt Lake recommended for ordination to the office of seventy. This can be accomplished by respectfully calling the attention of bishops to the natural qualifications of those who fill the requirements. Then ask that they be recommended to stake presidents, in time to have their names come before the High Council, and stake priesthood meeting, for endorsement, before they leave home enroute to the mission field. All elders who have been thus approved according to the rules obtaining in the Church, and who bring a written recommend certifying to the fact that they have been properly endorsed, can be ordained under the hands of members of the First Coun- cil when they arrive in Salt Lake City. The presidents of seventy throughout the Church will give careful

• Conference Report October, 1905, page 95.

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attention to the instructions herein outlined, co-operating in the spirit of the gospel, with bishops and other local authorities, in selecting from proposed missionaries, such as give evidence of being worthy of advance- ment to the quorums of seventy, a constant stream of men can be brought into our ranks, eminently qualified for the special work of the seventy, without injury being done to any other priesthood organization. Presidents of quorums should not only be anxious to fill up the quo- rums, but they should also teach the member to understand the character of the responsibility that rests upon them, and the necessity of cultivat- ing a spirit of willingness to respond to the calls that may be made upon them for the carrying of the go3pel abroad among the nations. President Joseph F. Smith in speaking of the calling of the seventy, at a general conference of the Church, said:

"They are minute men. It is expected that they will be ready, whenever they are called, to go out in the world, or to go out to the various organizations of the Church to fulfil missions and to perform such duties as shall be required of them, in order that the word of the Lord and the work of the ministry may be upheld and sustained and carried on in the Church and throughout the world. * * * * They are called to an apostolic calling. They are required to be especial witnesses of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is expected of this body of men that they will have burning in their souls the testimony of Jesus Christ, which is the spirit of prophecy; that they will be full of light and of the knowledge of the truth; that they will be enthusiastic in their calling, and in the cause of Zion, and that they will be ready at any moment, when required, to go out into the world, or anywhere throughout the Church and bear testimony of the truth, preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, and set ex- amples before the world of purity, love, honesty, uprightness and integri- ty to the truth."*

Once again presidents are earnestly instructed to be watchful and prayerful, in seeking to fill up the quorums, that men may be secured who will respond to the calls made upon them with the promptness and faith outlined in the above quotation. There are numbers of young men in every stake of the caliber named, seek them out, and bring them into the quorums that "the gifts and call- ings of God unto them" indicate as their proper place.

• General Conference Report, October, 6, 1904, page 3.