Priesthood Quorums’ Table

Priesthood Quorums' Table.

Important Class Organization of Seventies. — On Wednesday evening, February 9, at 8 p. m., an important class was organized, com- posed of presidents of seventies and class teachers belonging to the quo- rums of seventy located in, and near, Salt Lake City. The class will meet every Wednesday night, at 8 p. m., in a very desirable hall, on the fourth floor of the splendid new "Bishop's Building." The hall will seat very comfortably about seventy-five persons. The object of the organi- zation is to give presidents and class teachers an opportunity of studying the lessons outlined in the Third Year Book of the Seventies Course in Theology. Elder B. H. Roberts, of the First Council of Seventy, will be in charge of the class, which is a guarantee that all who attend will ob- tain a comprehensive understanding of the lessons that are to be studied by the seventies during the present year. Visiting presidents of seventy who may be in Salt Lake City on any Wednesday night, will be made wel- come at the class meetings. Presidents of quorums within easy reach of the meeting place, are urged to see that the same splendid attendance present at the opening meeting, shall be present regularly. Constant attendance at these preparation meetings will prove of great assistance to the quorums that have representatives earnestly engaged in the class work.

Transfer Certificates. — An elder from Burtner, Utah, enquires relative to elders' transfers from one quorum to another: "Some quor- ums receive an elder after he has been duly received as a member of the ward, the elder presenting his certificate of ordination to the president of the quorum he wishes to join; while other quorums require a certificate of membership issued by the president or clerk of the quorum from which the elder came. Elders have been deprived of membership in quorums of which they should have been members, for years, by reason of not be- ing able to obtain a recommend from the quorum of which they have been members. Please give definite instruction in regard to this matter."

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We think that paragraph 89 of the Annual Instructions, 1910, by the Presiding Bishopric is full and to the point: When a person is ordained to an office in the priesthood he is en- titled to a certificate ofordination which he should carefully preserve. Whenever necessary it should be presented to the proper authority as an evidence of his ordination and accepted by the quorum having jurisdic- tion in the ward or stake where he resides and he should be permitted to ;

join that quorum without any recommendation from the quorum where he formerly resided, provided he has been accepted as a member of the ward. If he does not possess a certificate of ordination, and the recom- mend upon which he was received in the ward gives his priesthood and last ordination, it should be accepted as evidence that he holds that office, and he should be admitted to fellowship in the quorum, provided there is no evidence to the contrary.

Value of a Schedule of Meeting Topics. —The Council of the Seventy-seventh quorum of seventy, Ogden, have issued, in leaflet form, a schedule of lesson topics, embracing all the meetings to be held from January 10, to December 26, 1910. Each member of the quorum has been supplied with a copy, thus having always at hand correct informa- tion of the lesson to be considered each week. The presidents of this quorum discovered that it was not uncommon for members, through ab- sence from a meeting or from home, or for other cause, to be unable at times to take active part in the lesson discussion, since they had lost track of the lesson. The schedule enables each member, even though a break has occurred in his attendance, always to know what lesson to pre- pare for any given night. The Seventy-seventh council expect that the schedule will cause a greater proportion of members to be prepared in lesson work. It is suggested to other presidents that it might be helpful to adopt this system, or some other, to help members to keep posted on the lesson to be studied for any particular date. Following is a sample of the information contained in the leaflet

Mar. 7, Lesson 9. Special Lesson. Discourse. (Quorum meeting). The Latter-day Saints' superior grounds for faith in the existence of God. Mar. 14, Lesson 10. The Limitations of our Revelations. Mar. 21, Lesson 11. Ancient conceptions of God. Mar. 28, Lesson 12. Ancient Conceptions of God. (Continued).

In this manner the lessons are outlined for the entire year. All presidents should be equally active, with those of the Seventy- seventh quorum, contriving plans that will help bring success to their quorums President's council meetings should be held regularly. In quorums may be discussed, and such plans put in these, the needs of the motion as may be impressed upon the minds of presidents by the Spirit of the Lord.

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Priesthood Quorums the Means of Fellowship and Fra- ternity. — In this light the members of the quorums are scarcely taking advantage of the splendid opportunities offered. Think of i-t, now! Are you quite as close to the brethren of your quorum as you might be, both to your own and to their benefit in countless ways? If not, why not-

Lesson seven of the Elders' course, this year, points to the fact that there is no other one means more favorable to true development than the quo- rum. Then it explains that in the quorum we have fellowship, fraternity and progressive study; and in addition, as a guiding, uplifting influence

pervading all this, the members are entitled to the Holy Ghost. We may well ask whether the quorum members are making the most of these ad- vantages; and also call attention to the opportunity the quorums present for the exercise of the legitimate desire for companionship, and brotherly love, and for the intellectual and spiritual progress of its members. Are the members making use of these chances? Unless occasion is taken to grasp them, opportunities slip by to no purpose. It requires effort and diligent application to gain knowledge and power, so also to get the best results out of our quorum association. "Fellowship, fraternity, spiritual growth." Let us introduce habits into our lives that will foster these virtues. What habits? Cleanliness of body and mind, cheerfulness, consideration for another's feelings, harmony, thorough preparation of lessons, help- fulness, and then by doing something for the ward, not only as indi- viduals, but as a quorum. To get the best out of fellowship and fra- ternity, as out of life, and to increase spiritual growth, the individual must put forth effort to cheerfully and intellectually help and serve his ftllows.

Slogan— A Year Book in the Hands of Every Seventy— An Outline in the Hands of Every High Priest and Elder.— In some instances there appears to be a lack of appreciation for the splendid Year Book, that has been prepared for the quorums of seventy. The First Council have had ten thousand of these books published, in order that every seventy in the Church may be in possession of a copy. Occasionally presidents seem to think that if a majority of the members of a quorum purchase books, that should be satisfactory. It is the judgment of the presiding council that every seventy should purchase the work. Any member of a quorum who has not interest enough to take the Year Book, must be in a bad state spiritually, and in great need of special attention from the quorum council. In some cases members are prevented through absence from home, tnd other causes, from being in attendance at quo- rum meetings; such absence or other obstacle, should not be considered a reason for not studying the Year Book. Brethren who cannot attend

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quorum meetings should be desirous of keeping in touch with quorum work. This^can be done by giving an hour or two each week to a study of the work that has been prepared. The cost of the Year Book is so trifling that no one could advance that as a reason for not being loyal to their quorum text book. Brethren who do not have the book are entirely unacquainted with the value of the lessons that have been prepared. They need converting. A Year Book Let the slogan in every council be: in the hands of every member. Members of quorums, no matter how iso- lated, or in what employment, should be taught to keep in step with the quorum organization to which they belong. This can be done by studying the Year Book in whatever work, or place one may be. What is here said to the seventies applies with equal force to the high priests and elders. Because the bishops are not, perhaps, as per- sistent in insisting that the brethren of tlnse quorums shall be in pos- session of the outlines as in the case of priests, teachers and deacons, is

no excuse for laxity on their part, in this respect. Brethren, study the outlines with your quorums, if you have opportunity: but in all events read them and keep up with the march of progress.

Marriage of Widows. — "If a woman is sealed to a man in the temple for eternity, and the man, her husband, dies, and she marries again and has a family by a second husband, to which man do the chil- dren belong in the hereafter?

The children, according to the belief of the Latter-day Saints, go with the mother, and she, of course, belongs to the man unto whom she was originally sealed for time and eternity. Her second marriage was for time only.

Correction.— In the Seventies' third Year Book, p. 21, 4th and 5th lines from the bottom, appears an error in punctuation which entirely changes the meaning of the idea sought to be conveyed, making it con-

trary to "Mormon" doctrine: The sentence reads: "In both 'Mormon' theism and 'Mormon' philosophy, matter is eternal force, the permanent element in causation, according to the suggestion of Mr. Mill, is eternal." Place a semi-colon after the first "eternal," and the error is corrected: "In both 'Mormon' theism and 'Mormon' philosophy matter is eternal; force, '' etc.