Priesthood Quorums’ Table

Priesthood Quorums' Table. A Suggestion for Priesthood Conventions.—The following encouraging letter and excellent suggestion relating to Priesthood work of the Church was addressed to Elder David 0. McKay, Chairman of the Priesthood Committee, and comes from the President of the Juab stake of Zion, under date of Nephi, April 17, 1911: Dear Brother McKay:—I felt to glory and praise the Lord when the report of your Committee was read in the priesthood meeting of the Church, and I sincerely hope that there will be a mighty revival in the quorums of the priesthood, and that ere long they will occupy the place the Lord has designed for them. While much work has been done, and great good accomplished, during the past two years, the thought presented itself to me that the movement would be given much zest if the committee could visit the various stakes and hold conventions similar to those held with the auxiliary organizations. I have this to suggest: that once a year, (during summer and fall) at the time quarterly conferences are held in the stakes, conventions be held on Friday evening with the stake authorities and bishops, and the officers and class leaders of the quorums, so that various topics may be discussed with members of the quorum of apostles and your committee. Then a general meeting of the priesthood on Saturday morning could be held, so that all the brethren might be informed of the importance of this movement, and thus a closer harmony and brotherhood may be made to prevail. Don't you think a labor similar to this would accomplish as much as a large corps of missionaries? lam sure that the stake, ward and quorum officers would all appreciate it, and go to the work with much better heart. The prospects for good in this movement is worth a strong effort, and I feel that the priesthood generally would be very much benefited if the supervision of the general committee could be taken more directly into the classes. The priesthood quorums afford the very best means for the very highest spiritual educat ion, which is the very thing most needed for the advancement of the Church, at least as far as my personal observation goes. If the suggestion strikes you favorably, I would like to hear from you, and have it acted upon in the Juab stake before next winter. We could arrange the Friday night meeting all right; and if we may have

750 IMPROVEMENT ERA. Saturday morning too, we would make an effort to get the majority of the brethren out. Then, I think the spirit of it should be imparted to the general meetings of the Saints at the conference, and thus give this worthy movement such a strong boost that it would put the priesthood work away ahead. Wishing you success, sincerely your brother in the cause of truth, James W. Paxman. The matter will receive careful consideration by the Committee. Roll and Minute Book and Records.—Elder Thomas W. Lerwill, clerk of the Nebo Stake of Zion, directs some inquiries to the authorities concerning the method of keeping the ward Priesthood roll and minute book, and class records. The following will serve as a reply for his questions, and will perhaps give needed information to other clerks similarly situated: There should be entered in the index of each roll book the name of every person holding the priesthood, in the ward, whether such person attends regular priesthood meeting or not. If enrolled, put a check mark in the column indicated. By this means the bishop of the ward will know those who are not, and those who are enrolled, in the priesthood class of his ward. In the class roll book there should be entered in one place the names of those who attend the regular quorum or class meeting; and in another part of the book, there should be entered the names of those who do. not attend. The list of those holding the priesthood who are not attending the regular meetings should have the attention of the presiding officers of the quorum or class, who should labor with the delinquent ones. Official Action Taken Against Matthias F. Cowley. At a meeting of the Twelve Apostles held in the Temple, Thursday afternoon, May 11, 1911, the following action was taken: This day, by unanimous vote of the Council of the Twelve Apostles, it was decided that Matthias F. Cowley, for insubordination to the government and discipline of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, be and is hereby deprived of the right and authority to exercise any of the functions of the Priesthood. Francis M. Lyman, in behalf of the Council.