--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 14 number: 4 published: 1911-02 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations, "Priesthood Quorums’ Table," *Improvement Era* 14, no. 4 (February 1911): 360–366.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1404unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera1404unse start_page: 360 end_page: 366 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1911-02) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1404unse publication_year: 1911 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1911, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Priesthood Quorums’ Table ffi2 83 et- -S) 3 2 Q^ g 2 a- 3 3 v> o ct- E , . a cd o cd • a- n P, W en P I f S?" g- S O cT • 2,-e g 5T^ o 2 2 a o crej S a a. 5- H M b- X" a 5 . -a 2 m O 5 CO o ^^ |3 5l " 0Q * h-32 a ® a 3 CD g CD hd sHtv £ 5. 3 a^ o (^ td 5 =2.crq co o CD 3 - B'fD i-j o ^ hH 3 3 o> 3"" i3S^* HogJg§ * 5^5 sir £ S" Q oo » o ,_ hj 2- £ s? 2. ® ot s » I S «- g o (-,- - to r1 -8 lief " _„ CD* « M r o M 2J O r a o o w H O w <1 Priesthood Quorums' Table. Concerning the Course of Study in 1911.— To the Presidents of Stakes and Bishops of Wards: Dear Brethren.— Recent inquiry of the presidencies of the stakes disclosed the fact that a large number of quorums in the Church have not yet completed the courses of study already published, and which have been the basis of work during the last two years. Even those who have completed the work, and who have followed the suggestions of the General Committee on Priesthood Out- lines, in holding weekly meetings from January to December, express a desire to review some of the most important lessons. It is, therefore, suggested that the quorums that have not completed their outlines go ahead and complete them, that that those who have completed them prepare to review. It is found, too, that more time can be profitably devoted to the strengthening of the quorums in brotherhood and fraternity, and in assigning members to active service in the Church. For example, let each quorum ascertain how many of its members are on missions, how many are sick, how many are discouraged and disheartened, how many are actively engaged in stake and ward duties, how many more might be so engaged, etc. Let the quorum help the missionaries by letters and with means. Let the quorum, by committee, encourage the discouraged, and so on. In short, let the quorums work together as quorums in sus- taining and helping each other, and in building up the Church in their respective wards and stakes. Now it is, therefore, deemed advisable not to issue the third series of outlines until later in the season, in order that the quorums may have ample opportunity to complete the work already in hand, and to devote especial attention during this year to review and to the faithful perform- ance of duty. All the quorums may then be prepared to take up the study of the new Manuals promptly in the first week of January, 1912. Those quorums who are ready to review may choose, under the direction of their presiding officers, their own lessons, or may adopt the suggestions for review and study which will be given by the General Committee on Outlines in the Improvement Era. Let us urge this idea of application, in another way. Priesthood means service — power to officiate among men in the things of God. Every PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS' TABLE. 363 member of a quorum, from the deacons to the high priests, ought to have, every week, some definite thing to do in the interest of the Church; and quorum officers ought to know that each member is doing some- thing, cr the reason why he isn't. To this end class instructors and presiding officers ought to be taught. Some of the stakes furnish an opportunity for such instruction at a monthly priesthood meeting, and it would be well for all the stakes to provide means for such instruction. The General Committee believes, on information received from stake authorities, that this plan for the present year will prove acceptable to all concerned, give greater impetus to the work, and create more inter- est in the cause than any other course. They are hopeful, too, that the authorities of the stakes and wards will take hold of the work with spirit, and be better ready than ever to go on with the new outlines when published. The General Committee on Priesthood Outlines, David 0. McKay, Chairman. David A. Smith, Secretary. High Priests' Study.— "The Principles of the Gospel," is the title of the third Manual, which is written, but will not be distributed until later in the year. In the meantime, it is thought best to review the chief lessons of the past two years, for 1911, and in addition study Vol. II of the History of the Church. Brief outlines for the lessons will appear in the March number of the Era. Hints to Seventies on Class Work.— The greatest fault in our class instruction, in the various quorum classes, is the lack of bringing out in each lesson some main and definite thought. Subjects are taken up during the evening, and when the lesson is all over with, there is, as a rule, a mass of thoughts, but nothing right clear and to the point to carry home to the members of the quorums. Then, again, much time is often wasted in useless and profitless discussion of subjects that lead from the main text of the lesson, and as a result, the students are again confused. To conduct a lesson well requires two things: First, the instructor must have the subject well in hand; and secondly, the members should be ready to respond to questions that are asked by the instructor or class leader. The successful teacher gets all the members to answer and ask questions during the evening, and sees to it that all questions bear on the subject in hand. There is no wandering away from the main centre of thought. For a lesson to be well learned, it means that there is some definite thought around which all other thoughts are grouped. If a member of a quorum learns but one generalization every week, he is 364 IMPRO VEMENT ERA . doing well. It is not the few conventional facts that we get from our lessons that count, it is the broad generalizations that we make and press into our minds, that they may be kept to make us intellectually stronger. A learning of a few facts in religion or history does not constitute knowledge. It is the obtaining of great fundamental and essential principles of a subject that adds to our store of knowledge. We must, then, in each lesson, be definite. We must stay with the subject in all questions and discussions; and at the end of the lesson we must be able to grasp one fundamental generalization to take home with us. Then we will note progress all along the line. In a future article we will discuss the method of taking up a lesson in a quorum meeting, bringing out somewhat in detail, the essential ele- ments that make up a good lesson and class recitation. We will take a subject from the Year Book and show, as briefly and clearly as possible, how to conduct a good lesson. — Levi Edgar Young. Elders' Course of Study. — The elders' course of study for 1911 is one in application. Part Two, in the First Year's Outline, contains sug- gestions that are vital at all times, either in quorum work or in the indi- vidual life of the elder. These lessons were not thoroughly considered during 1908, princi- pally because of the abundance of subject matter in Part One, which many class leaders took up in detail during the recitation period. Con- suming all the alotted time in this discussion, they had, in many instances, to omit Part Two altogether. Now, the principles of the gospel save us only as we apply them to our daily lives; and elders' duties become blessings to them and helpful to others, only so far as they perform those duties with energy and sin- cerity. "To him who knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin." It is the opinion, among the presiding officers in the stakes and wards, that this year might be spent most profitably in considering the application of the principles and suggestions contained in the outlines already published. The third outline is ready for the printer, but will not be distributed until later in the season. In the meantime, it is earnestly desired that diligent efforts be put forth to make the quorums living quorums; and to have every elder a useful man in some phase of this great latter-day work. With this end in view, it is suggested that the following lessons be studied, and the suggestions carefully and continually applied. It is further suggested that the following books be read as supple- mentary work by every elder in the Church. They may b3 had at the Deseret Sunday School Union Book Store: The Strength oj Being Clean, PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS' TABLE. 365 David Starr Jordan ; Character the Greatest Thing in the World, O..S. Marden — thirty-five cents each; discount when ordered in quorum lots. The "open lessons" in the course may be used in considering the important chapters of these works, or as special lecture nights. Presi- dents of quorums and class leaders should prepare carefully to make every lesson so interesting and instructive that all participating will desire to come again. FEBRUARY. Lesson 1. — The Elders' Special Place. Part Two, Lesson 4 (First Year Outline). Lesson 2. — The Elders' Special Place. Part Two, Lesson 4 (First Year Outline). Lesson 3. — Privileges and Duties of the Elder. Part Two, Lesson 10 and Lesson 15 (First Year Outline and Second Year Outline). MARCH. Lesson 4.— Ward Duties of the Elder. Part Two, Lesson 17 (First Year Outline). Lesson 5.— The Elder in Auxiliary Associations. Part Two, Lesson 18 (First Year Outline). Lesson 6.— Stake Duties of the Elder. Part Two, Lesson 19 (First Year Outline). APRIL. Lesson 7.— Organization of Elders' Quorums. Qualifications of Members of Elders' Quorums. Part Two, Lesson 5 (First Year Outline). Elders should be observers of the Sabbath day, men who sustain authority, tithe-payers, observers of the Word of Wisdom, and willing to serve the Church. Qualifications of Officers— See Part Two, Lessons 6, 7, 8, 9 (First Year Outline). Lesson 8.— Ordination. Part Two, Lesson 12 (First Year Out- line). In considering this lesson, give thorough instructions, and as much practice as possible in the essentials of ordinations. Lesson 9.— Consecrating Oil. Let a member give a talk on the uses and virtues of olive oil. Give practice in consecrating. Part Two, Lesson 15 (First Year Outline). MAY. Lesson 10.— The Administration of the Sick. Part Two, Lesson 14 (First Year Outline). Lesson 11— The Administration of the Sick. Part Two, Lesson 16 (First Year Outline). Lesson 12. Open Night. 366 IMPRO VEMENT ERA . JUNE. Lesson 13. — The Blessing of Children. Give a talk on the Savior's example, (see reference in Bible and Book of Mormon, Mark 18: 13-16; Moroni 8: 2, 3). Lesson 14. — Responsibility of Fatherhood. Part Two, Lesson 20, 21 (First Year Outline). Lesson 15.— Family Prayer. Part Two, Lesson 23 (First Year Outline). JULY. Lesson 16. — Obligations to Parents and Family. Part Two, Lesson 26 (First Year Outline). Lesson 17.— Personal Purity. Part Two, Lesson 28 (First Year Outline). Lesson 18.— Tithing Part Two, Lesson 29 (First Year Outline). AUGUST. Lesson 19.— Baptism. Part Two, Lesson 3 (First Year Outline; Lesson 30, Second Year Outline; See also Lesson 24, Second Year Outline). Lesson 20. — Confirmations. How to confirm members— how to con- fer the Holy Ghost. Part Two, Lesson 13, Lesson 31 (First and Second Year Outlines). Lesson 21.— Marriage. Part Two, Lesson 33 (First Year Outline). SEPTEMBER. Lesson 22.— Marriage. Part Two, Lesson 33-36 (First Year Outline). Lesson 23.— Open night. Lesson 24.— How to Use Sacred Things. Lesson 20 (Second Year Outline). OCTOBER. Lesson 25.— The Sabbath Day. Lesson 33 (Second Year Outline). Lesson 26.— The Administration of the Sacrament. Lesson 32 (Second Year Outline — memorize both blessings). Lesson 27.— Open night. NOVEMBER. Lesson 28.— The Word of Wisdom. Part Two, Lesson 30 (First Year Outline— memorize section 89, Doctrine and Covenants.) Lesson 29.— Testimony of the Three Witnesses (Second Year Outline— memorize). Lesson 30.— Open Night. PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS' TABLE. 367 DECEMBER. Lesson 31.— The Article? of Faith (Memorize the first five). Lesson 32.— The Articles of Faith (Memorize Nos. 6, 7, 8, 9). Lesson 33.— The Articles of Faith (Memorize Nos. 10, 11, 12, 13). Teachers' Quorums,— It is suggested that the teachers' quorums take up the "History of the Priesthood," as outlined in the first years' course prepared for the teachers, using Keeler's Lesser Priesthood as a text book. Nine lessons are outlined on priesthood, each of which may be sub-divided as the instructor may decide; and it is thought that the first half of the present year may be profitably devoted to this study. The last half-year can be spent in lessons selected from Part Two of the first years' course. The class instructor may find it profitable to give the lessons on "Easter," "Arbor day," "Memorial day," etc., as out- lined in Part Two, on the Monday nights closest to these several days, displacing the regular priesthood lessons, if thought best. Deacons' Study.— In order that the deacons' quorums that have taken up and finished the outlines for the past two years may not be at a loss for work for the present year, it is suggested that they take up the following courses of study: The Story oj the Book of Mormon, by Elder George Reynolds, which can be purchased from the Deseret News, or the Deseret Sunday School Union Book Store, or the Bureau of Information. Such reference should be made to the Book of Mormon itself as is necessary to make the lessons most interesting and instructive. Lessons should be assigned, and all the members of the quorum should come to class prepared, and every effort be made to inspire the deacons to form the habit of living the virtues. The instructor is urged to fit one of the following subjects to each of the lessons, or choose other subjects equally important: Quorum meetings; passing of the sacrament; ushering; gathering the fast offerings; aid in caring for the meetinghouse and grounds; aiding the poor, infirm and widow; honor thy father and thy mother; playing fair; keeping our minds and bodies clean; power of prayer; the strength of faith; being an exemplary missionary; the value of money; the peacemaker; be guided by the Holy Spirit; repentance and forgiveness; to be exemplary; part of your time belongs to the Lord; overcoming obstacles; choice of lan- guage- gaining a testimony; shunning the use of tobacco, liquor, etc.; obedience; disobedience; true friendship; loyalty to those in authority; the word of wisdom; sacrificing temporal comfort for the love of the Lord; how should we maintain power and influence by virtue of the priesthood ? character-assassination : pleasure.