The Priesthood as Teachers

The Priesthood as Teachers.* BY CHARLES C. RICHARDS, FIRST COUNSELOR IN THE PRESIDENCY OF THE OGDEN STAKE OF ZION. I have been requested to present to you a paper upon the top- ic, "The Priesthood as Teachers;" and while the subject is a com- prehensive one, the period alotted me is necessarily so brief that I can but touch a few of the important features of it. As we understand the word priesthood, it means the power and authority to represent God; hence the topic may be defined as "Those who have the power and authority to represent God as teachers." A teacher is said to be one who educates, instructs, communicates knowledge, counsels. And it might be added, that the teacher can only impart to his fellows intelligence previously acquired and retained by him. History, both sacred and profane, teems with evidence of this fact. For it is recorded that A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh (Luke 6: 45). The necessity of man's being taught has existed in all ages of the world's history. It is recorded that as far back as in the great counsel in heaven, where the creation of this world was determined upon, several vital principles were taught:

1. That the agency of man, which the Lord has given him, cannot be destroyed. 2. That the will of our Heavenly Father *A paper read at the tri-stake Priesthood Convention, Ogden, July 10, 1910.

16 IMPROVEMENT ERA. should be done. 3. That rebellion against God and his purposes will be punished. 4. That greed for power and authority is not Godlike, nor approved of God. In that great gathering, our Heavenly Father was the chief Teacher. He rejected the offer of Satan to force salvation upon all mankind, and to compensate himself for so doing by taking from the Father his honor and power. Later, in the Garden of Eden, God taught Adam and Eve that they should multiply and replenish the earth; that they could eat of the fruit of every tree in the garden, except the tree of knowl- edge of good and evil, and if they chose to eat of that tree, they might do so, but that in the day they should eat thereof that they should surely die. And again, after their banishment from the Garden of Eden, God taught them that they should worship him, and should offer the firstlings of their flocks for an offering unto him. In the days of Moses, the Lord promised him that he would teach him what he should say to the children of Israel (Ex. 4: 12). Centuries later, Jesus Christ, our blessed Redeemer, taught his disciples, as one having authority, (Matt. 7: 29) how to pray, (Luke 11: 2-4) how to live, (Matt. 22: 35-40) and how to teach, (Matt, 28: 19, 20) commanding them to teach all nations, baptiz- ing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; and to observe all things whatsoever he had com- manded them (Matt. 28: 19, 20). He also taught them that the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father would send in his name, would teach them all things and bring all things to their remembrance, whatsoever he had said unto them (John 14: 26). Daily, in the temple and in every house, after the death of the Master, the apostles taught and preached Jesus Christ (Acts 5: 42). The Apostle Paul, in his second epistle to Timothy, said, "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many wit- nesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also" (II Tim. 2: 2). Upon the issuance of the gospel into this dispensation, we find the Father and the Son instructing and teaching the boy, Joseph Smith — who afterward became known as the prophet of God — that none of the religions of the world were pure, and that he

THE PHIESTHOOU A^ TEACHERS. 17 must not unite with any of them. The Angel Moroni, John the Baptist, Peter, James and John, Moses, Elias and Elijah, each appeared to him, and taught him the gospel plan of salvation. The Holy Ghost also was his frequent companion, and gave unto him revelations and instruction concerning the purposes of the Lord. The same teachings and commandments that were given to the prophets of old in the earlier dispensations, were given to the Prophet Joseph Smith, and through him to the Church in this dispensation. As early as the 27th of December, 1832, by revelation to the prophet, (Doc. and Cov. Sec. 88) the Lord said: And I give unto you a commandment, that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom; teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to under- stand; of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land, and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms. That ye may be prepared in all things when I shall send you again to magnify the calling whereunto I have called you, and the mission with which I have commissioned you. Behold I sent you out t j testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned, to warn his neighbor. Therefore, they are left without excuse, and their sins are upon their own heads. Therefore, tarry ye, and labor diligently, that you may be perfected in your ministry to go forth among the Gentiles for the last time, as many as the mouth of the Lord shall name, to bind up the law and seal up the testimony, and to prepare the Saints for the hour of judgment which is to come. Therefore, verily I say unto you, my friends, call your solemn assembly, as I have commanded you; and as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom: seek learning even by study, and also by faith. Organize yourselves, prepare every needful thing, and estab- lish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God. Appoint among yourselves a teacher, and let not all be spokesmen

18 IMPROVEMENT ERA. at once; but let one speak at a time, and let all listen unto his sayings, that when all have spoken, that all may be edified of all, and that every man may have an equal privilege. And again, the order of the house prepared for the presidency of the school of the prophets, established for their instruction in all things that are expedient for them, even for all the officers of the Church, or in other words, those who are called to the ministry in the Church, begin- ning at the high priest, even down to the deacons. Acting upon these divine instructions, in January, 1833, (History of the Church, Vol. I, pp. 321, 322) and in the fall of 1834 and 1835, schools of the prophets, or elders — all holding the Melchizedek Priesthood— were established at Kirtland, Ohio, wherein the brethren might be more perfectly instructed in the glorious things of God, during the winter season {History of the Church, Vol. 11, p. 169). Before these schools, in the fall of 1834, the prophet delivered "Lectures on Theology," which were afterwards published in the Doctrine and Covenants, and called "Lectures on Faith" (History of the Church, Vol. II, p. 176). The members of the classes were mostly elders, and gave the most studious attention to the all-important object of qualifying them- selves as messengers of Jesus Christ, to be ready to do his will in carrying glad tidings to all who would open their eyes, ears and hearts. In the latter part of the summer and autumn of 1833, a school of elders was organized in Jackson county, Missouri, over which Apostle Parley P. Pratt was called to preside. The class, to the number of sixty, met for instructions once a week. The place of meeting was in the open air, under some tall trees in a retired place in the wilderness, where they prayed, preached, prophesied and exercised themselves in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. There great blessings were poured out, and many great and marvelous things were manifested and taught The Lord gave him great wisdom, and enabled him to teach and edify the elders, and comfort and encourage them in their preparation for the great work which lay before them. Parley was also much edi- fied and strengthened. To attend the school he had to travel on foot— and sometimes barefooted at that — about six miles {Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt, p. 100). While engaged in that

THE PRIESTHOOD AS TEACHERS. 19 service, Elder Pratt was in correspondence with the prophet, and in answer thereto he received from the Lord, on August 2, 1833, and transmitted to Parley, a revelation showing that the Lord was pleased with the work. 1 quote from the revelation as follows: Behold, I say unto you concerning the school in Zion, I, the Lord, am well pleased that there should be a school in Zion, and also with my servant, Parley P. Pratt, for he abideth in me; and inasmuch as he con- tinueth to abide in me, he shall continue to preside over the school in the land of Zion, until I shall give unto him other commandments. And I will bless hia with a multiplicity of blessings in expounding all scrip- tures and mysteries to the edification of the school, and of the Church in Zion. Verily, I say unto you, that it is my will that an house should be built unto me in the land of Zion, like unto the pattern v;hich I have given you. For a place of thanksgiving for all Saints, and for a place of instruction for all those who are called to the work of the ministry in all their several callings and offices, that they may be perfected in the understanding of their ministry — in theory, in principle and in doctrine — in all things pertaining to the kingdom of God on the earth, the keys of which kingdom have been conferred upon you. In the fall of 1835, a portion of the Kirtland temple was finished, and schools were opened in several apartments. The presidency of the Church, the twelve, and many others, were organized into a school for the purpose of studying the Hebrew language. This study, and the meetings of the several quorums for instruction and endowment, occupied most of the winter. In November, 1835, the prophet was attending school. The History of the Church records that, on November 3, he attended and assisted in organizing the Elders' School, called it to order, and spoke upon the object of the school, and the great necessity of the members rightly improving their time and reining up their minds to a sense of the great object that lay before them. The following day he again attended school, during the usual school hours, and it is recorded that they made rapid progress in their studies. In the evening, at his home, he lectured on grammar; and on the following day he also attended school. The prophet seemed to realize that the glory of God is intelli- gence; that man cannot be saved in ignorance; that his mission was

20 IMPROVEMENT ERA. to educate and elevate his people as (juickly as possible; and that he must work while the day lasted, for the night would come when no man could work. The object of teaching is to educate, instruct and qualify our fellows and ourselves to live, in the most pleasing and acceptable manner, lives that are noble, upright and unselfish; full of faith, virtue, hope, charity, brotherly love, kindness, self-denial and long-suffering. And how can such teaching be successfully accomplished? Only by those whose lives of purity and self-denial entitle them to the companionship of the Holy Spirit, who have it in rich abundance, and who, by their patient study and constant devotion, evidence that they are ever following in the footsteps and service of the Master. Then can the teacher most successfully render his service of love and good fellowship:

1. By wholesome example on his own part; for the eye is keen to observe and the brain long to retain its impressions.
2. By precept; for the advice of a friend and brother, free from guile, and inspired of the Lord to teach the way to immor- tality and eternal life, will never be forgotten.
3. By constant attention t3 duty and supervision of the work undertaken; that in every day and hour of the week he should greet his neighbor as a friend and brother, and ever be ready to magnify his calling as a teacher of Christ.
4. By consistency in his life; that his example may harmon- ize, not conflict with and destroy his precepts. For what does it profit a Saint to be taught in his home the word of wisdom, by one of his fellows, if the next day he meets the same brother on the street and sees him smoking tobacco, or drinking intoxicating beverages? Or, if a man teach his neigh- bor to observe the Sabbath day and keep it holy, while he himself attends theatres, pleasure resorts, cuts or hauls his hay or grain, works at his shop or trade, or otherwise desecrates the day? Or if a man teaches his brother honesty, and himself has a well- deserved reputation for untruthfulness and trickery? It is a mockery in the sight of God and true Saints for a man to teach what he does not and will not practice. Far better off are we without than with such teaching. Again, a brother who

THE PRIESTHOOD AS TEACHERS. 21 violates part of the commandments is not eligible to teach a righteous observance of the others. F.r it has been said, "Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye" (Matt. 7: 5). As we have seen, the Lord desires his people to be well informed in regard to all matters relating to the past, present and future of their existence; of the heavens and the earth; things at home and abroad, temporal as well as spiritual; and ail things per- taining to the C'hurch and kingdom of God. Surely there is much yet to be learned and taught to the people. We have scarcely begun the conquest. The range and opportunities are limitless as the eternities of space, and the Lord desires us to explore and acquire all the knowledge that can be secured in mortality. What brother, then, whether he be old or young, elder, seventy, high priest or member, can truly say that he has no need to be further taught of God, and the plan of eternal life? For the Lord said to Moses, "Behold, this is my work and my glory, to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" (Pearl of Great Price 1: 39). But there are brethren among us who feel that it is unneces- sary for them to take time to study the scriptures, and other good books, to thoroughly acquaint themselves with the principles of the gospel, and other precious truths the Lord has commanded us to learn. They feel that it is exacting too much of their time, and discounting the promises of the Lord as well, to ask them to study, under a competent teacher, the gospel principles and the best manner of presenting them, before they go to the pulpit, or the homes of the people, to teach them. The 12th, 13th and 14th verses of section 42 of the Doctrine and Covenants are some- times relied upon to sustain the views of these brethren. They are as follows: And again, the elders, priests, and teachers of this Church shall teach the principles of my gospel, which are in the Bible and the Book of Mormon, inthe which is the fulness of the gospel; and they shall observe the covenants and the Church articles to do them, -and these shall be their teachings, as they shall be directed by the Spirit. And the Spirit

22 IMPROVEMENT ERA. shall be given unto you by the prayer of faith, and if ye receive not the Spirit, ye shall not teach. But nowhere in these paragraphs is the thought advanced that study is unnecessary. It is merely promised that by the prayer of faith the Spirit will direct what shall be taught, not necessarily how it shall be presented, while the 118th paragraph of section 88 of the Doctrine and ('ovenants clearly requires study and self- preparation. It is as follows: And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom J seek learning even by study, and also by faith. And this latter interpretation was the one placed upon these provisions by the Prophet Joseph and the twelve, immediately after he received them by revelation from the Lord. For they forth- with organized the Elders' schools, at Jackson county, Missouri, and at Kirtland, Ohio, a class in which the Hebrew language was taught to the first presidency, twelve, and other leading men — also grammar and other classes. And in the midst of it all, Joseph the prophet stood forth as the organizer, teacher, lecturer and member. The schools were in session daily in the winter season, teaching the elders how to preach and expound the gospel. Is it possible that the prophet of God, and the men who com- muned with him with great frequency, needed such schools of instruction, but that we have no need for them at the present timp>? No, it is not. It cannot be so. We have great need for preparation classes, and probably no greater need ever existed than at the present time. Classes where the preachers who occupy the pulpits, and the teachers at the fireside alike, can learn the beauties of the gospel truths, and how and when to present them to the people in the most effective manner. In conclusion, let me say that our motto should be, "Once a teacher, always a teacher." Though we may be called infrequently, either to teach from the pulpit, or even as a ward teacher at the fireside, let our daily lives, and each hour of the day, be exam- ples of truthfulness, sincerity, sobriety, virtue, charity, faith, hope and confidence in God and our fellowman. Remember we are always seen of God, angels and our fellows. Let no one of them ever feel ashamed of us or of our conduct. Ogubn, Utah