Priesthood Quorums’ Table: Report of the Committee on Priesthood Outlines

Priesthood Quorums' Table Report of the Committee on Priesthood Outlines Read at the Annual Conference Priesthood Meeting, April, 1913. Dear Brethren: The present arrangement for the improvement of the Priesthood Quorums has been in operation for about four years, since 1908. Looking back over this period we have only cause for congratulation in observing the growth and development of the work. A few moments may well be spent by this great body in the contemplation of some of the points in which we have advanced during the period named. Therefore, let us devote a little time in emphasizing the successes that have been accomplished, and in contemplating others that are being worked out at present. i. priests' quorums. Taking as a keynote the 87th and 88th verses of the 107th Section of the Doctrine and Covenants, this committee and the Presiding Bishopric urged that the bishops throughout the Church, who are the presidents of the Priests' Quorums, should carry these instructions into effect: "Also, the duty of the president over the Priesthood of Aaron is to preside over 48 priests, and sit in council with them to teach them the duties of their office as given in the covenants. This president is to be a bishop; for this is one of the duties of this Priesthood." One year ago, when Bishop Nibley's circular letter went forth to the bishops of the Church, not over 30 bishops had paid attention to these instructions. According to the latest report received, it is learned that out of the bishops of 715 wards there are now in the neighborhood of 500 who preside over and instruct the Priests' Quorums or classes of their respective wards, following the instructions given last April, that whenever there were enough Priests they should be organized into quorums, the bishops set to work, and as a result we have now 258 organized quorums of 25 Priests or more in each, presided over by the bishops. The advantages of this arrangement are, first, that the bishops come in personal contact with the Priests — young men of impressionable age, — at a critical period of their lives; and second, that they are thus able to teach and instruct them at a time when they most need it. This movement has resulted in an increase in the number of Priests. There are at the present time 7,578 Priests in the Church, which is an increase for the past year or more than 1,000. In passing, it should be stated here, that in the organization of Priests' Quorums, and this applies also to the organization of any

PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS' TABLE 735 other quorums in the Church, when there are not sufficient numbers to form a full quorum there should always be a majority before a quorum is organized. Thus no quorum of Priests should be organized with fewer than 25 members. This, however, does not prevent the bishop from following the instructions previously given, that where the number is too small for a quorum to be organized, he should still preside over the Priests, since that is his special duty and calling, and see that they are instructed properly in their duties at the weekly Priesthood meetings. II. WARD TEACHING. Here is another very important division of work that has been emphasized in the past year with excellent results, and which is being urged at the present time upon the authorities throughout the Church. There is an unusual interest aroused in this great work of ward teaching, which cannot fail to result in great good to the people, and in growth to the Church of Christ. In the 64 stakes of Zion, there are 12,500 brethren engaged in this noble cause. They are laboring in 6,250 districts, with an average to each two teachers of 11 families. In some of the wards the average number of families to each teacher very largely exceeds 11, but it has been observed that the best results were obtained where fewer than 8 families were assigned to a pair of teachers. The bishops of the various wards are, therefore, urged to cut up their wards into smaller districts, thus setting more people at work, and at the same time obtaining better results. It has been urged by some bishops that they have not the material in their wards, but it has been proved by experience by those who have followed instructions that there is more slumbering material in the wards suitable for this work than some bishops ever dreamed of. The object should be to set everybody to work, including especially the ordained teacher and the priest who should be set to. work with the more experienced brethren, thus interesting them in the cause and creating life and activity in the ward. It appears from the reports sent to the Bishop's Office, that every month of the past year over 20,000 families were visited by the teachers. One of the interesting facts in connection with the report is, that in a number of the country districts the most successful work of the teachers was done by day-time visits, a day being set apart for this work, and the people as well as the officers and teachers, being notified and urged to prepare for the visits. Another admirable fact in connection with the visit of the teachers in the wards where the teaching is now being done, is, that the work is specific. The teachers go with a message, or with instructions, or with a view to some specific doctrinal teaching, thus making their trips and their efforts profitable not only to the people whom they visit, but also to themselves. One splendid idea that has contributed largely to the spiritual improvement in ward teaching is that the bishops have met with their teachers

736 IMPROVEMENT ERA each month and have given the teachers messages suitable for that month and time to deliver in their teachings to the people. In this way, the bishop is informed of the condition of the people, and the people are taught the instructions and messages which the bishop desires shall be borne to them. In this connection it is interesting to observe from the statistics obtained that in the following stakes over 50 per cent of the families were visited each month by the acting teachers during the year 1912: Ogden, 85 per cent Bear River, 70 per cent; Liberty, 68 per cent; Box Elder, 64 per cent; North Weber, 63 per cent; Ensign 53 per cent; and Oneida 51 per cent. In the following wards 100 per cent of the families are reported visited by the acting teachers each month during 1912. These wards are entitled to be entered on the roll of honor, in the matter of teaching: Elwood, Bear River Stake; Penrose, Bear River Stake; Clearfield, Davis Sake, 33rd Ward, Liberty Stake; Eden, Odgen Stake; Twin Groves, Yellowstone Stake; Redmesa, Young Stake. It will be observed that these stakes and wards are largely scattered throughout the Church; that is, they are not in any one particular district, but extend from the north to the extreme south; and it might be suggested here, that what these wards and stakes are able to do may be done by every ward and stake in the Church, and we hope will be done, as the splendid work shall grow, and the officers of the Church shall take it up with the enthusiasm manifested in the wards and stakes that have been named. Let it be observed, too, that in these wards, under the instructions of the bishops, the teaching has not been mere calling, but the ward districts asigned to two teachers are so small, and so many are engaged in the work that it has not been difficult for the two teachers assigned to the district to visit an evening and do real teaching with every family assigned to them. Other wards in the Church have come close to the figure of the wards named above in their visits, and have had almost 100 per cent of the families each month, visited by the teachers, during 1912. These are reported as follows: Knightsville, Nebo Stake, 98 per cent; Huntsville, Odgen Stake, 96 per cent; Ogden 4th Ward, Ogden Stake, 96 per cent; Lynne, North Weber Stake 94 per cent; Brighton, Pioneer Stake 94 per cent; Middleton, Odgen Stake, 93 per cent. III. WEEKLY PRIESTHOOD MEETINGS. In the attendance at the weekly quorum study meetings there is marked improvement generally throughout the Church, and a few statistics on this matter will not be out of place, as an encouragement to the wards that are still lacking in the necessary enthusiasm characteristic of those who have succeeded.

PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS' TABLE 737 There are 10,735 officers enrolled in the weekly Priesthood meetings. The average number attending, or present at each meeting, is 5,908, or 52 per cent, which shows that 4,758 is the average absence, or 48 per cent. There are 79,681 members enrolled altogether in the Priesthood, of which 60,702 are enrolled in the classes, and the average number present at the meetings is 17,294. There are 1,656 on mis sions, which leaves the number not enrolled at 19,388, a body of men among whom it is the duty of the various officers of the quorums and the bishops to do effective work. Let us impress it upon you that nearly 18,000 men meeting weekly for study and contemplation must inevitably result in general good in the Church. It has often been said that the High Priests are the least active in the Church, but the records show that 34 per cent of the High Priests attend the weekly priesthood meetings, 26 per cent of the Seventies, 23 per cent of the Deacons, 17 per cent of the Priests, 15 per cent of the Elders, and 14 per cent of the Teachers. Here also is a pointer to the authorities of the quorums that need missionary work. IV. RESPONSIBILITY OF QUORUM OFFICERS With the organization that we have, it should not be necessary for too great a burden to be placed upon the bishoprics of the wards in keeping the members of the various priesthood quorums in the line of their duty. The work is so fairly distributed among the quorums that no one person need be overworked. It is the duty of the President and counselors of the quorums of the priesthood to keep in touch with every member of their quorums, by personal visit, by teaching, by instruction, and by that sympathy and interest that should characterize an official in the Church. Let the officers of the quorums remember that they are responsible for the numbers of their respective quorums. To this end they should have some system of keeping in contact with them. The officers of a certain Seventies' quorum in one of the Northern stakes, have set a good example by personally communicating by letter with members of their quorum.. For example, last November they called the attention of each member to these facts that needed consideration at that time; the study of the year book; the payment of tithing, so that there should be no list of non-tithepayers in that quorum; the payment of the local funds; an invitation to attend the quarterly conference on the Sunday following, at which time the secretary would be prepared to furnish year books and receive funds, which it was stated could also be paid to any member of the presidency of the quorum. This is only one means of keeping before the members of the quorum the duties required of them from week to week and from month to month. But the point is, that the officers of the quorums, not only of the Seventies, High Priests and Elders, but also the presidencies of the quorums of the Lesser Priesthood are responsible for

738 IMPROVEMENT ERA each member of their respective quorums. In this way they not only urge them to their duties, but they become closely associated, and that fraternalism that should characterize the quorums of the Priesthood is encouraged and made to grow to the advantage of the individuals and the development of spiritual growth in all concerned. Every person belonging to the Priesthood should feel it his duty to be actively engaged in the work, either in the ward or stake, and officers should make it a point to see that encouragement is rendered to the brethren to this end. V. ACTIVITIES OF THE MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD From information in the hands of the Presiding Bishopric very interesting facts ma}' be gleaned concerning the activities, not only of the Melchizedek but of the Aaronic Priesthood. It appears that the High Priests, Seventies and Elders, who are engaged in quorum duties, such as officers and instructors in the quorums of the Higher and Lesser Priesthood, have largely increased during the year 1912: Whereas, in 1911, 5,243 were then engaged as instructors, for the year 1912, 6,288 were thus engaged. It appears also that of the High Priests, Seventies and Elders engaged in ward duties for 1911, there were 18,086, but for the year 1912, 20,495 were thus engaged. Also that, whereas, in 1911, 10,644 High Priests, Seventies and Elders were engaged in the auxiliary organizations as teachers and officers, 10,728 were thus engaged in the year 1912. Similar increase is shown also in quorum enrollment in the Priesthood classes, in missionary duties, in stake duties, and in other activities of the Higher Priesthood. Speaking of the Lesser Priesthood in this respect, there also is a commendable increase in quorum or class duties, in ward duties, and in auxiliary organization duties. And thus, while there are many items that can be largely improved in the various wards and stakes of Zion, reports show a strong indication of growth. While the activities of the Priesthood in a general way could be very largely improved, and made more effective, the fact remains that we are moving upward, and that the year 1912 shows marked improvement over the activities of the previous year. We urge stake officers, the bishops and quorum officers to check up the work of the various quorums in their stakes and wards, with a view to encouraging the officers to increased effort in their duties and activities for the year 1913. As an example of some of the reports which the authorities now and then hear in the quarterly conferences from presidents of quorums who are trying to do effective work among the members of their respective quorums, we take two stakes who report the activities of their High Priests: Maricopa Stake: High Priests enrolled 72. Doing active service in the Stake 64. Number excused from service because of infirmity, 6. Number idle, 2. Granite Stake: Number of high priests enrolled 429. Number

PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS' TABLE 739 doing active service in the stake and wards 350, leaving only 79 not engaged in ward or Priesthood duties; notwithstanding the fact that in the total number there are 112 who are 70 years and over. Thus, brethren, we have cause to be encouraged over the splendid showing, and while it may not be so good as it should be, we are assured from the figures we have received, from the general interest manifested, and from the new life permeating the Priesthood generally throughout the Church, that there is a strong, active movement upward. The purpose of this information, as well as of all reports rendered, is not the information and reports as an end, or for the personal benefit of the Presiding Bishop's Office, but to create an awakening among the officers of the Church; and a desire among the Priesthood generally to improve conditions as they exist in the various wards of the Church. We, therefore, urge the bishops and the authorities carefully to consider their reports. Where they show weakness, strengthen that weakness, so that each succeednig year may show improvement over the past, and thus the Church be made to grow and to prosper, and the Spirit of the Lord be made manifest among the people to their own salvation and development, and to the glory of our Father in Heaven. The General Priesthood Committee. By David O. McKay, Chairman. Improving Ward Teaching is one of the important labors devolving upon the teachers and the officers of stakes and wards, who are being urged to take hold of this work with vigor. From reports for 1912, it is ascertained that the average number of families visited monthly in the Church is 30 per cent. The per cent of families visited by the acting teachers each month for the year 1912, in each of the stakes of Zion. follows: Alberta, 21; Alpine, 24; Bannock, 40; Bear Lake, 89; Bear River, 70; Beaver, 10; Benson, 32; Big Horn, 47; Bingham, 19; Blackfoot, 35 Box Elder, 64; Cache, 38; California Mission, 1; Carbon, 25; Cassia, 22 Davis, 45; Deseret, 11; Duchesne, 29; Emery, 25; Ensign, 53; Fremont 16; Granite, 34; Hyrum, 18; Jordan, 28; Juab, 5; Kanab, 14; Liberty, 68 Malad, 15; Maricopa, 43; Millard, 14; Moapa, 15; Morgan, 35; Nebo 39.8; North Sanpete, 21; North Weber, 63; Ogden, 85; Oneida, 51 Panguitch, 4; Parowan, 7-; Pioneer, 37; Pocatello, 17; Rigby, 13; St George, 24; St. Johns, 20; St. Joseph, 27; Salt Lake, 28; San Juan, 34 San Luis, 22; Sevier, 10; Snowflake, 25; South Sanpete, 33; Star Valley 19; Summit, 30; Taylor, 30; Teton, 9; Tooele, 30; Uintah, 43; Union, 30 Utah, 28; Wasatch, 30; Wayne, 34; Weber, 47; Woodruff, 1; Yellowstone, 31; Young, 42; average for the whole Church 30 per cent.