--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 17 number: 6 published: 1914-04 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations, \"Priesthood Quorums' Table,\" *Improvement Era* 17, no. 6 (April 1914): 601–603." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera176unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera176unse start_page: 601 end_page: 603 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1914-04) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera176unse publication_year: 1914 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1914, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Priesthood Quorums' Table Priesthood Quorums' Table The Lesser Priesthood Conferred by John the Baptist. — Question: "What is meant by the words of John the Baptist in conferring the Lesser Priesthood: 'And this shall never be taken again from the earth, until the sons of Levi do offer again an offering unto the Lord in righteousness'"? — D. & C. sec. 13. It simply means that the Priesthood of Aaron, "which holds the keys of the ministering of angels, and of the gospel of repentance, and of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins," shall surely remain upon the earth, until the time that the sons of Levi do offer an offering unto the Lord in righteousness. And, since the gospel of the ministering of angels, repentance and baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, is necessary for the salvation of mankind, it is quite probable that after the sons of Levi are purified so that they may make such an offering, that the Church will still be in such a condition of growth and development, and will have advanced to such a degree in the knowledge of the things of the Lord, that this priesthood will still remain and be found among us.- Furthermore, the Aaronic priesthood, like the offices of the priesthood, is an appendage to the Higher, or Melchizedek priesthood, and will always be connected with it. (See section 107 of the Doctrine and Covenants.) The Temple in Jackson County. — Question: Please explain verses 2, 3, 4 and 5 of section 84 of the Doctrine and Covenants. These verses are as follows: "Yea, the word of the Lord concerning his Church, established in the last days for the restoration of his people, as he has spoken by the mouth of his prophets, and for the gathering of his saints to stand upon Mount Zion, which shall be the city of New Jerusalem, "Which city shall be built, beginning at the temple lot, which is appointed by the finger of the Lord, in the western boundaries of the state of Missouri, and dedicated by the hand of Joseph Smith, jun., and others with whom the Lord was well pleased. "Verily this is the word of the Lord, that the city New Jerusalem shall be built by the gathering of the saints beginning at this place, even the place of the temple, which temple shall be reared in this generation; "For verily, this generation shall not all pass away until an house shall be built unto the Lord, and a cloud shall rest upon it, which cloud shall be even the glory of the Lord, which shall veil the house." The Lord has made these verses just as plain as it is possible to make them, without further additions or explanations. The place appointed in the revelation is in Independence, Jackson County, Missouri Doubtless the query arises in the mind of the questioner as to how this can be fulfilled before all this generation passes away; moreover the Saints were driven by their enemies from that land and their inheritances shortly after the revelation was given. 1 he Lord has said in another revelation that when he gives a commandment to any ot the sons of men to do a work," and their enemies come upon them and prevent them from doing it, if they have labored with due diligence and with "all their might" to perform the labor he will require that work "no more at the hands of those sons of men but to accept of their offerings" (Sec. 124:49.) However, the Lord will cause that the iniquity, and the transgression of his "holy laws and commandments, shall be visited upon the heads of those who hinder his work unto the third and fourth generation, unless they repent. There fore for -this cause " said the Lord, "have I accepted the offerings of those whom 1 602 IMPROVEMENT ERA commanded to build up a city and a house unto my name, in Jackson county, Missouri, and were hindered by their enemies" (verse 51). Nevertheless, the Lord will accomplish his work, as he has said, in his own due time; of this we need have no fear, and it is quite possible for the Lord to lengthen out the days of any of that generation if he so desires, just as easily as it was possible for him to grant unto John and others that they should remain upon the earth until his second coming. Bishop Joseph C. Bentley, of Colonia Juarez, reported to the Presiding Bishopric, on Feb. 15, 1914, explaining the situation of the Latter-day Saints colonies in Mexico, and the condition of ward property, as follows: In July, 1912, all the Latter-day Saints residing in the Juarez stake of Zion were instructed by the President of the stake to leave for the United States, on account of the revolution then prevailing in Mexico. In Colonia Chuichupa, the homes and property of the colonists were not seriously molested until some time after the people had left, when finally Mexican people began coming in and occupying the vacant homes and farms and many household effects were carried away and other property stolen. There are no colonists living in the colony at present. In Colonia Diaz, the homes and property were not seriously molested until some time after the colonists left, when finally Mexican people began carrying away household goods and occupying some of the vacant homes, and finally, in February, 1913, a band of "Red Flaggers" came into the colony and burned about forty of the principal homes, mostly along the Main street, including the meeting house; and since that time the natives have been carrying off the doors, windows and other lumber parts of homes except those occupied by the natives. The natives have also pastured the gardens and farms with cattle, horses and goats. There are no colonists living in Colonia Diaz at present. In Colonia Dublan, a few of the Saints returned to their homes, and while some household effects, wagons and farming implements have been stolen, the homes and farms of the colony have not been otherwise injured. Those who returned have raised good crops and done well. There are about sixty colonists now living in Dublan. In Colonia Garcia, soon after the colonists left their homes, native people and soldiers came into the colony and carried off and destroyed a great deal of property, and did much damage to the homes of the colony. There are no colonists living there at present. In Colonia Juarez, before leaving, some of the people of the colony arranged with the Mexican president and other natives living there, to take care of the colony and look after the homes and property of the people during their absence, which was faithfully done, the president calling the Mexican people together and putting families in charge of homes, and men in charge of different portions of the colony. Orchards and farms were cared for, so that when the colonists returned a month or so later they found the homes and entire colony in excellent condition. In some cases fruit and other products were sold and the money turned over to the owners on their return. There are about 200 colonists now living in Colonia Juarez. In Colonia Morelos and San Jose, I do not know the condition. In Colonia Pacheco, after the people left, the entire "Red Flag Army," under Jose Inez Salazar (over one thousand men) went into the mountains and camped at Pacheco for several days. They destroyed a great deal of property, and used the meetinghouse and homes of the people for the soldiers. Some homes were entirely destroyed. There are no colonists living in Pacheco at present. PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS' TABLE 603 "Gospel Themes." — Questions and suggestions for teachers and students: PART III — THE WAY OF SALVATION (CONTINUED) Lessons 13-14 — Chapter VII — Mode and Meaning of Baptism. 1. Define "symbolism." 2. Explain this statement: "Symbols are already in existence, awaiting recognition." 3. To whom do all things "bear record of God"? 4. Explain the symbolic meaning of baptism. 5. Name a reason for Jesus' being baptized. 6. Quote three scriptural passages pointing to immersion as the proper mode of baptism. 7. Explain how the proper mode of baptism became changed. 8. Define "clinic" baptism. 9. What was the "Council of Ravenna"? 10. Give Calvin's testimony to immersion's being the proper mode. 11. Name different methods of baptizing now being practiced in various churches. 12. Explain in detail the proper method and the ceremony of baptism as revealed to the Latter-day Saints. 13. Prove the necessity of divine authority in baptism. 14. What is the responsibility of parents regarding this principle? 15. How is baptism by the spirit administered? 16. Give the historical significance of the ordinance of the laying on of hands. 17. What is the symbolical relation between baptism and creation? 18. Explain how baptism symbolizes birth. 19. With this thought in view, prove the necessity of divine authority. PART IV — PRIESTHOOD AND CHURCH GOVERNMENT Lesson 15 — Chapter 1 — -Divine Authority. 1. Explain in detail the meaning of the word "Priest." 2. What does Priesthood mean? 3. What two significances has Priesthood to Latter-day Saints? 4. Show the necessity of the Lord's having representatives. 5. Define "plenary," "valid," "prerogative," "admonition." 6. Memorize Doctrine and Covenants 121:40-46. 7. Explain the significance of the parable, Matt. 25:4-46. 8. What two things are named by the Prophet Joseph as being among the grossest of sins? 9. What kind of men ought to constitute the Priesthood of God? Lesson 16— Chapter 11— Divine Authority (Continued). 1. Define the difference between the Melchizedek and the Aaronic Priesthood. 2. Explain the significance of the statement that God gives no temporal commandments. 3. What is the jurisdiction of the Melchizedek Priesthood? 4. Give the substance of Doctrine and Covenants 107:8-20. 5. Show the need and benefits of a church organization. 6. When was the Priesthood instituted? Quote the passage. 7. Prove from scripture the antiquity of the Priesthood. 8. Give an account of the restoration of the Priesthood in this dispensation. 9. In the light of Doctrine and Covenants 84:19-22, how was it possible for Joseph Smith to have looked upon God and live?