Priesthood Quorums’ Table

Lesson 5. — Events in Missouri — Return to Ohio— Charges Agains the Prophet in Kirtland. Chapters 9 and 10. Lesson 6. — Temporary Peace. Chapter 11. Seventies' Study Plan. — The new Year Book for the Seven- ties is on "The Atonement." Lesson-subject: Intelligence, Intelligences. Note: — Every teacher should go before his class well prepared. That is, he should have read and studied the matter in the Year Book, with as much outside collateral reading as possible. In teaching, he should bring out one distinct thought pertaining to all the lesson. He should question, not haphazardly, but logically, and the questions should be clear and definite. Elder Roberts' analysis as an introduction to each lesson forms a good plan or outline for drawing out the most important points in every lesson. The analysis should be the basis of all individual outlines. Every member of the class should carefully read the lesson during the week, and try, at least, to remember some of the principal points. If the members will keep this in mind, then the teacher is greatly aided in giving a good and profitable lesson. It is well for the teacher to remember to keep close to the subject while discussing matters, and not let the class wander off into new realms of thought apart from the subject. Lesson 1 deals with Intelligence and Intelligences. It is our object now to have each student obtain a good definition of the term. He must get a clear thought, and be encouraged to couch it in his own language. The instructor begins by asking as simple questions as possible: 1. In what way do men show intelligence? 2. What types of men are the most intelligent? 3. Whom do we say is the "Supreme Intelligence?" 4. How does Milton use the term Intelligence? 5. Do you remember what Fiske says about intelligence? 6. Can you recall what some of the qualities of intelligence are? If the student has forgotten what the author of the Year Book has said, he can easily be brought to the different ideas of the author by the above questions. 7. When we first awake in the morning we become what of things? (Conscious). 8. What is meant by perceiving things a priori? The view of James, the psychologist, on perceiving things a priori? 9. Give examples from your own experience of imagination. What example does the author give? 10. What then is meant when we will a thing? What then is "volition?" The class members have been discussing the qualities and powers of nfce!li^3i3e3; they then correlate these points with the first state

PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS' TABLE. 463 ment of the author, and are ready to give again No. 1 of the lesson, together with the Recapitulation. I. — Intelligence Defined. The sense in which the term "Intelli- gence" is to be used in this discussion is that of a mind, or an intelligent being. Milton makes such use of the term as the latter, when he represents Adam as saying to the angel Raphael, who has given him a lesson on human limitations: "How fully hast thou satisfied me, pure Intelligence of heaven, angel serene!" And so Alfred Tennyson : "The great Intelligences fair, That range above our mortal state." God is also sometimes referred to as the "Supreme Intelligence." It is in this sense, then, that I use the term Intelligence; a being that is intelligent, capable of apprehending facts or ideas; possessed of power to think. Lesson II. — Eternity of Intelligences. The former lesson should be carefully reviewed. The term intelligence and intelligences should be dwelt on for a few minutes, and some of the main points brought out in the previous meeting again brought before the class for consideration. It is well to spend from eight to ten minutes in review work. " The new lesson should be correlated with the former one. We remember by making relations. The main point in Lesson II, is the eternal existence of intelligence and all intelligences. All thought should be brought by careful questioning. Our first plan was a system of questions to bring out the main points. This outline is somewhat on a different plan. It, with the first, is only suggestive. Were I dealing with Lesson II, I should begin by having some member read the Preface of St. John's Gospel, then discuss its meaning, bringing out clearly the word "co-eternal." We want to learn both what "eternity" and "co-eternity" are. Then, by a system of question- ing and discussions, bring out the fact that all intelligences are co-eternal. Questions: 1. What proofs can you give of the co-eternity of intelligences? 2. What were the Prophet Joseph Smith's ideas on this subject? 3. What ideas were given in the Book of Abraham? The student should go from the clas3 with one distinct point in mind — that all intelligence is co-eternal and eternal. In discussing question 1, allow the class to have freedom to express their own opinions and ideas. The discussion will be brought to a definite point by ques- tions 2 and 3.— Levi Edgar Young.

Mutual Work. Work of the Stake Superintendent. It is the business of a stake superintendent of the Y. M. M. I. A. to instruct his officers in all their duties: this implies, first, imparting to them all the instructions he has received about our work from the Gen- eral Board ; and then, secondly, instructions in such local lines of work as have been decided upon by the Stake Board. Having thoroughly done this work, he has a right to expect results —obedience to his instructions. But his obligations are not at an end. It is further his duty to direct the work and, by systematic efforts, assisted by his aids, check up deficiencies, and correct errors and ineffi- cient work, until what is desired shall be accomplished. A superintendent is, then, to instruct, to expect results, and to direct and correct his officers until the results sought for are obtained. In doing his official duty he has a right to expect the ward officers in his charge to answer his inquiries, in three ways at least, as to What is being done, and what is undone that should be done, and then to dis- cuss with them and direct them to adopt the best means that will most effectually bring to pass what is wanted. Are Your Records Well Kept? One of the needs in the stake organization of the Mutual Improve- ment Associations is better records in the matter of minutes of meetings, and particularly in regard to the financial condition of the association and the general condition of the organizations in the stake. Whenever a change is made, the succeeding officers, from the records kept by the one retiring, should be able to obtain a clear understanding of the con- dition of the associations in every ward, and in every particular relating to our work. But they often complain that this information cannot be obtained from the old officers. The superintendents of the stakes and their assistants should devise means immediately to remedy this neglect, which is quite prominent in many of the stakes, as the complaints from officers who are taking charge constantly testify. Are your records in order so that you can give your annual reports promptly by May 1?

Passing Events. Dr. E. G. Cannon, for many years one of the most prom- inent citizens of Nome, Alaska, and who has acted there as a mis- sionary in connection with H. K. Winnie, rendering good service in the cause of the Church, died last winter, age ninety years. Word only recently reached Utah of his death. Peary reached the north pole within a mile and three-fifths, according to the government report made by an expert who examined his observations. It thus appears that the exact spot was not reached, but it is evident that it was near enough for all practical purposes, and no one else is likely to attempt the feat in the near future. Wireless telegraphy has achieved a new triumph. The telegrams announced, a few days ago, that a physician on an ocean liner prescribed for and cured a case of ptomain-poisoning on a ship, eight hundred miles from the physician; and likewise the announcement has been made, through the telegrams, that a ship on the coast of Japan communicated with San Francisco, over five thousand four hundred miles away. The British Parliament, which was dissolved on the 28th of November last, met January 31, 1911. The dissolved parliament was the shortest in duration, in a century, having been elected January, a year ago, assembled February 15, 1910, and dissolved, as stated, November 28. It had 275 liberals, 40 labor members, 71 nationalists, 11 independent nationalists, and 273 unionists. The chief issue involved was the veto power of the House of Lords. The new parliament opened Feb. 6, when King George used the new form for the Declaration of Faith which is not offensive to Catholics. "Cities of the Sun" is the title of a story-book issued by Eliza- beth R. Cannon, and illustrated from paintings by George M. Ottinger, and photographs by the author. It contains five excellent stories of ancient America, founded on historical incidents in the Book of Mormon, and is made attractive by nineteen illustrations. The stories are intended