Boys in the Office of Deacon

452 IMPROVEMENT ERA expenses usually a man receives 75 cents, and a woman 50 cents, ;

for such services. Arrangements are already made whereby faithful members of the Church who have died in various missions or who may die therein hereafter, without having received Temple ordinances in life, will have those ordinances attended to in their behalf. The names and genealogies of all such worthy individuals are now being sent to the St. George Temple, by the mission Presidents. The editors of our Church publications, in various missions, are requested to insert a copy of the foregoing in their respective periodicals, to be followed, when convenient, with instructions concerning Temple work, copies of which can be turnished them by the mission Presidents. Joseph F. Smith, Anthon H. Lund, Charles W. Penrose, The First Presidency.

Boys in the Office of Deacon

A correspondent writes "Please explain I Tim. 3:8-13. When and by what authority was this portion of the priesthood taken from men of mature years and given to boys of twelve and thirteen years of age?" It was customary in Paul's days to ordain mature men to the office of deacons, because the conditions of the Saints were such that only elderly people could be used to advantage. The Church was new, and adults were converted perhaps only few, if any, ;

were born and educated in the Church. But even in our day, there has been no departure from the counsel of Paul to Timothy, say in the missions and at home also, where similar conditions prevail. His counsel and advice are good, and should be followed. This priesthood has not "been taken from men," though it has "been given to boys." There are many men holding the office of Deacon, and rnany more who hold the Higher Priesthood who act in the office of Deacon. It is true the Priesthood is conferred on boys of twelve and thirteen who are found faithful and worthy. But that is no sign that such action is not acceptable to God, as some have argued nor is it an indication that the Latter-day Saints make ;

light of the Priesthood, conferring it upon those who cannot un- derstand the importance of it. In this Priesthood dispensation, when children are born in the covenant, and trained under the guidance of the gospel, much may be done that could not be done in times such as Paul experienced when he wrote to his friend Timothy. We believe in the guidance and inspiration of living oracles who are authorized to conduct the affairs of the Church