Priesthood Quorums’ Table

Priesthood Quorums' Table Who Should Preside in the Absence of the Bishopric? The follow ing question is frequently asked, with others of similar import: "If the bishopric were absent from a ward meeting, and the bishop failed to appoint anyone to preside, and several high priests and elders were present, whose right would it be to preside at the meeting?" The right of presidency in a ward rests with the bishop. If he should neglect to ask or appoint anyone to preside in his absence, the body of the Priesthood present at a meeting would necessarily be the authority which would have the right to call or appoint a temporary presiding officer, in the absence of the regularly constituted authority. No man, without the consent of the Priesthood present, would have the right to assume to preside, unless he was called to do so by the Priesthood present, who generally choose the senior high priest. It would not be necessary, however, to submit the choice of a presiding officer, in a case of that kind, to the Saints for their decision or even approval, except in case of question or division. It is eminently appropriate and in order for the Priesthood present to select the senior high priest, by ordination, to preside. In fact, by practice, it has become a custom, all conditions being favorable, to call upon the senior high priest present to officiate on occasions like those in question.

— Course of Study for Priesthood Quorums, 1912. High Priests. "Principles of the Gospel," a book of 108 pages, paper cover, with chapter-sentiments, outlines, full notes, copious references, and suggestive application of the lesson. Price 20c. Elders. "The Articles of Faith Applied," a book of 72 pages, paper cover, being a practical treatment of the "Articles of Faith," with important notes, references, and questions and suggestions for practical work. Price 15c. Priests. "First Steps in Church Government," a book of 152 small pages, with introduction, treating on what Church government is and does, and containing twenty-one stories for supplementary reading, illustrating the topics in the lesson; also additional practical work and review. Price 20c. Teachers. "The Apostolic Age," a book of 44 pages, principally outlines, with short notes and references, questions and application. Price 10c. Deacons. "The Latter-day Prophet," a book of 200 pages, cloth binding, plain reading text, by George Q. Cannon, with special emphasis on faith-promoting incidents. A book of questions and sug-

PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS' TABLE 283 gestions for the class instructors only is prepared to accompany it. The text book should be in the hands of all the deacons, and the question book in the hands of the instructors. Price: Text, 40c; questions, 15c. The Course is ready for distribution. Send orders to the "Improvement Era," 20-22 Bishop's Building, Salt Lake City, Utah. By order of the committee, returned outlines and books will not be accepted for credit on account. The Art of Teaching and Studying. Teaching is an art. Studying is an art. Both take years of careful training. Among the. many students of universities and colleges, the proper method of studying is sometimes never learned. In writing on this subject, we wish, therefore, to give something that will be of use to the many thousands of Seventy, and to all others who meet in the various priesthood quorums. We propose to deal with the subject in six papers. Each paper will be short and clear, and we hope thoroughly suggestive. It will be well to compile the series, and paste them in the "Year Book," where they may be referred to, time and time again. Paper I deals with the following subject: How to Get the Spirit of a Lesson.

I.

In taking up a lesson assigned for preparation, one should read the entire topic in order to grasp the spirit of the subject, and to see it as a unit or whole. In reading the lesson, try to grasp the purpose of the article. One should always keep in mind that every good article has a problem for the reader to solve. It is the solving of this problem that makes the lesson interesting and instructive. For example, in Lesson XVII of the Fourth Year Book, the subject is "The Redemption to be the Work of God." The problem is, then, how God has redeemed mankind from the sin of Adam. In reading the lesson, our aim is the solution of the problem. We have a vitalizing thought to begin with, and this will help us keep our minds to the subject in hand. Many times our minds wander, and we say. "I don't know what I am reading half the time." The reason for this, as a rule, is that we begin to read with no aim in view. In reading a lesson, we should have an aim, an end in view. The aim is to solve the problem mentioned as the subject of every lesson. After reading once to get the aim, read the lesson again to get the large related parts. In other words, organize the subject matter in your mind, then it is easy to remember the subject matter read. There is always one great central thought. All other thoughts obtained from the reading must be unified with it. Our final preparation, then, is to get the subject of the lesson as one great comprehensive unit. This is an organized thought, and constitutes not memory, but knowledge. Let me illustrate: Take Lesson XVII again. The problem as you remember is "The Redemption Is the Work of God." In reading the lesson, one discovers v unifying principle. It is ONLY THE ONE WHO CREATES A

284. IMPROVEMENT ERA THING OR LAW CAN RECTIFY THE LAW, IF BROKEN. God ordained the law of eternal life. Only he can rectify it, if ignorant man breaks it. When we have finished the lesson, we discover that THE REDEMPTION IS THE WORK OF GOD because of the law of life, and the justice and wisdom of God.

We leave the lesson with a very vitalizing thought, and in our daily work,many things are suggested, that will cause us to see more we have learned. Only a watchclearly again the force of the lesson maker can mend a watch, because he knows how to create a watch. An engineer can mend his engine, because he is able to construct an engine with the proper material at hand. So with God. The laws and organized matter, whfch are of him and his handiwork, can be rectified and mended by him, if broken. To summarize. In reading the lesson, try to discover the aim and main thought of the subject handled. See the lesson as a unit, and have your study give you one distinctly clear thought from the subject treated.

Elder O. D. Romney, writing from Auckland, calls attention to the fact that it is seldom information relating to the New Zealand elders appears in the "Improvement Era." "It is not that we haven't some of the finest elders in this land that can be found in the world, but because of our lack of time and the distance to get word to you." This picture shows three elders laboring among the Maoris, and one laboring among the Europeans, in New Zealand Left to right: Ralph McKnight, Oliver Humphreys; front row: O. R. Johnson and O. D. Romney, Jr. These four elders form a company that have experiences regarding their missionary work that would strengthen the testimony of any one who might hear them. They do know that the Lord does sustain his servants while they preach his gospel. Elder Humphreys has been in the mission field the longest of any elder now on the Island, and Elder Romney is the youngest elder in the field. These elders sing well together, either in Maori, or the European, tongue, and often interest the Saints with their singing, as well as with their preaching.