Priesthood Quorums’ Table

Priesthood Quorums' Table

— How to Take Up a Lesson. Part II. In this lesson, I wish to say a word to the class teachers of our quorums. You must remember that a successful lesson, one full of thought and interest, depends pretty much upon your own preparation and appearance before the class. One can not teach what one does not know. This is always true. So, for you to be successful in your teaching, you must study your lessons well, and get hold of some important thoughts to give those who are under your direction. These thoughts must be clothed in as simple language as possible. Speak your way. Do not imitato any author or speaker, but give your thoughts in the language and expression that are characteristic of your own very selves. Many teachers make a mistake in trying to follow some one else's plan, and even using another's words and phraseology. In using the "Year Book," remember it is a text book, but no good teacher becomes the slave of the text, but he makes the text his servant and help. The teacher must begin his preparation with an interest in the subject. He must remember that the best teachers never reach a point where preparation is unnecessary. He studies his lesson, for he is the directive force which is going to give life and vitality to the lesson. Just as he understands the lesson, so can he stimulate the brethren of the class to thought and careful study. In taking up a lesson, keep close to the subject. Do not allow the members to wander into untrodden paths and subjects, far from the lesson in hand. Question the class closely, but do not give too much detail on any one point. In listening to the answers given by the members, respect what each brother says, and keep always in mind that he has a view point, though he may not always be able to make himself clear. Your thought should simply be added to what is given by the other brethren, and at the close of the lesson you should be able to make some broad and sweeping generalization, so that the members of the class may go home with some definite thought. This becomes a part of their knowledge; in other words, a part of their very spiritual and intellectual make-up. Should a member ask you a question about which you know little or nothing, frankly say so. Never try to answer a question about which you have given no thought or study. No teacher is able to answer all the questions asked him by those whom he is directing. Always stand before your class, and keep up the interest by all kinds of devices that will keep the minds of the members upon the subject. Be simple, be humble. Never be bombastic. Remember that a good teacher leads and directs, but also gives his students the feeling that he is one with them in obtaining knowledge.— Levi Edgar Young.

PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS' TABLE 377 A Deacon with a Good Record. Bishop A. D. Miller, Jr., of Parker, Idaho, Yellowstone stake, calls attention to Joseph Housley, a young man who was the second counsellor in the third quorum of deacons of his ward, but on January 8, 1912, was made president of the first quorum. He states that the attendance of this young man at Priesthood meetings, for the year 1911, was perfect, he having attended every evening for the year, with the exception of the 11th of December, when he was confined to his bed with la grippe. Not only has his attendance at priesthood meetings been unusually excellent, but he has likewise faithfully attended his sacrament meetings, where he has taken part in the duiies of a deacon in the passing of the sacrament, in attendance at the door, seating the people, and doing other duties. The bishop adds: "As a bishopric, we are proud of his record, and feel that he is entitled to worthy mention. He was born at Paradise, Cache county, October 9, 1896, and is the son of Joseph B. and Lydia Housley, who have Joseph Housley lived in Parker for the past eight years. Young Joseph is in the seventh grade. This summer his father, who generally works at the saw mill, handled the town herd, and trusted most of the work to Joseph, who worked during the fall at threshing, topping beets, and general farm work. I venture he has gone to his meeting at different times without supper." There are doubtless thousands of other lads in the stakes of Zion who can show a similar record, and who, with him, get their reward in the joy of their labors.

Local Missionary Work. The fact that we need missionary work performed in the stakes and wards of the Church, as well as in the nations of the earth, is dawning upon the authorities of the Church in a number of stakes. Early in September the presidency of the Granite stake called sixty-one seventies, and on October 26, ordained them to labor in the various wards of the stake, among the people who were not members of the Church, as they would with people in the mission fields. Other stakes, notably Cassia, Duchesne, and Cache, "have moved in the same direction. Good results have come from this in many ways. On the 31st of December last, the presidency of the Utah stake of Zion addressed the following communication to the First Presidency of the Church, relating to similar work: Dear Brethren: It has occurred to the presidency of this stake that it would be a good thing to appoint some special missionaries to operate in the Utah stake of Zion, exclusively among the population not belonging to our Church. In Provo, there are about two outsiders to every five Latter-day Saints; and outside of Provo there is about are one outsider to every five Later-day Saints; and the prospects the very near future we shall have even a larger populathat within tion of non-"Mormons" within our stake. Already we have emphasized this feature with our ward teachers;

378 IMPROVEMENT ERA but we fear they will not be as successful in placing the gospel before the outside population as would special missionaries called for this purpose. It seems to us that here is an excellent opportunity for the seventies to do a good work. Very few seventies are now in the mission field. Last year there were only five representatives from the five quorums of seventy in the stake. Our foreign mission work is carried on almost exclusively by the elders and high priests. Webelieve that we could select brethren from the seventies quorums who are capable, and who are willing to work exclusively, say for six months, putting in all their time; at any rate, we could find brethren who would put in part of their time, and no doubt would accomplish much. We have a great many people in our stake who have recently come among us from the various states of the Union, and who are wholly unacquainted with the principles of the gospel, and doubtless they are as good people as the elders find when they go abroad; and should missionaries not succeed in converting many to the gospel, it would at least do one thing, and that is, it would create a friendly feeling among the "Mormons" and non-"Mormons," which, of course, is desirable. We wish to know if a move in this direction would be approved by you. We do not intend to slack our efforts in this direction with our teachers, but we thought that more good might be done if some brethren were specially called for this purpose. Very truly, your brethren, JOSEPH B. KEELER, J. WILLIAM KNIGHT, AMOS N. MERRILL. The Presidency of the Church, as in the case of the Granite stake authorities and others, approve of the suggestion to have men act as missionaries to labor among the non-members of the Church within the boundaries of Utah stake, and doubtless the subject will be taken up in other stakes of Zion.

Commendable Resolutions. The following resolution, approved by unanimous vote of the 143rd quorum of seventies, at La Grande, Oregon, Dec. 17, 1911, is one of great interest. It exhales tbe true and progressive spirit of the seventy, and we recommend its close consideration. The 143rd quorum has had many difficulties to overcome, as all good quorums have had, but the difficulties have been met and conquered, and now, at the beginning of the year 1912, we have the members resolving to perfect themselves in the work of the seventy: Realizing the great necessity for a greater activity among the seventies of our quorum, both for our individual welfare and the harmonious growth and development of our stake, we resolve as follows: That we will take upon ourselves literally the name of Christ, and go forth in the power and office of our calling for the followingspecific purposes: To create, by our example and precept, a stronger desire among the members of our quorum to be energetic, faithful seventies, as our calling contemplates. To perform faithfully every duty required of us by our stake presidency and bishops.

PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS' TABLE 379

To render obedience to the laws of the Church relative to tithing, and the word of wisdom. fasting, fast offerings, To be sober, industrious, law abiding, and charitable representa tives of our country. And remember ever, that to be a seventy means intellectual de velopment, spiritual growth, and the attainment of spiritual power.