Priesthood Quorums’ Table

ePRIESTIIOOD QUO JLfl -RUMS' TAB Practical Duties for Members of the Lesser Priesthood

Recently the bishops of the Church were asked, through letters sent out by the Presiding Bishopric, what activities were engaged in by members of the Lesser Priesthood, in the different wards. The answers with a number added by the committee were compiled, from which the Priesthood committee makes the following suggestions, hoping they will be of service to bishops throughout the Church, many of whom have found difficulty in providing activities for mem- bers of the Aaronic Priesthood quorums. We urge the bishops to select such activities for the members, as shall be most suitable to their local conditions, with a view to interesting the youth of Israel in the work that shall promote the growth of Zion:

ACTIVITIES OF PRIESTS Administer the sacrament, pass the sacrament, including taking it to the infirm who are not able to attend meeting; assist in ward teach- ing, act as Sunday school officers and teachers, act as Mutual officers and teachers, perform the ordinance of baptism, serve as ward chor- isters, act as messengers for bishopric, hold cottage meetings, assist the elders, do missionary work in the ward, read the scriptures at ward meetings, supervise the collection of fast offerings, help bishop to take care of tithes, help the bishop with wayward boys, take part in meetings, haul gravel, and make cement walks about meeting house; help with teams to level public squares, make special visits to delin- quents of Lesser Priesthood, be active in guiding amusements.

ACTIVITIES OF TEACHERS Assist in ward teaching; assist with the sacrament, and seeing that the service is in order; become instructors for boy scouts; collect ward funds; take charge of meetings now and again and furnish speakers, singing, etc.; assist in renovating meeting house; take care of meeting house grounds; cut wood for the poor; act as officers in Sunday school; help clerk of branch; become officers in auxiliary or- ganizations; notify priesthood quorums of their meetings; serve as choir members; serve as ushers in gatherings, and as order monitors.

ACTIVITIES OF DEACONS

Collect the fast offerings, assist in passing sacrament, assist in providing and preparing fuel for widows and old people, act as mes- sengers for bishop, keep meeting house grounds free from weeds, look after the poor, keep order in meeting house; deacons should be given a closer study of the lives of the leaders of the Church, and singing should be part of quorum meetings; assist in Primary and Religion Class work, act as ushers, engage in M. I. A. Scout work, give out notices, assist in caring for cemetery grounds, pump organ at meetings, prepare meeting house, attend^ the doors, keep Church property in good condition, distribute special notices.

848 IMPROVEMENT ERA

Helps for Instructors of Deacons by p. joseph jensen Lesson 19 (Note. By mistake lesson nineteen was placed out of its chrono- logical order in the text. If the instructor cares to observe that order, study lesson 21.) Aim: (For the instructor Only.) To impress upon the minds of the boys the principles stated by our Savior, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). Help the boys to understand that President Taylor with his own life courageously defended the lives of the Prophet and Patriarch. Problem: What can we do that will show our greatest love for our friends? Have the boys answer this question. If some answer, "by giving them money," "working for them," "helping them when sick," "telling the truth about them," commend them for such answers. Then have them judge which is the best answer. If none give the answer you aim at, you may say: for example, now let us see how President John Taylor showed his love for the prophet Joseph Smith. Study the lesson. Why did John Taylor have reason to fear that the governor would not protect the prophet? How did he think the prophet was going to escape the mob? Why do you think President Taylor did not get angry and say he would not go with Joseph to Carthage, when the latter suddenly changed his mind? What did President Taylor do to protect the lives of the prophet and patriarch? What predictions had the prophet made concerning himself? (See last year's book.) Answer the problem. Give the quotation in the aim as a memory gem. Lesson 20. Aim: (For the instructor only.) To get clearly before the minds of the boys that whenever the Lord calls a person to do something, he will provide a way to accomplish it. This thought is very beauti- fully and forcefully put in 3 Nephi 13:25-34. (Note that the Savior is speaking to the Twelve.) Problem: When called to do work in the Church of Jesus Christ, in whom should we trust that it may be successful? Encourage thoughtful answers. Study the lesson. What office did John Taylor hold in 1839? (See Doc. and Cov. 18.) What call was he filling on this journey? How did he pay for his transportation? What were his financial circumstances at home? Read to the boys the passage referred to in the aim. Show how it was literally fulfilled in President Taylor's case.

Lesson 21. Aim: (For the instructor only.) To make plain to the deacons that the Lord delivered modern Israel from their enemies by divine power as he did ancient Israel from the Egyptians. Problem: How was modern Israel delivered from their enemies of Missouri and Illinois? (Commend thoughtful answers.) Now let us see how a large body of Saints under the leadership of John Taylor reached the land of peace. Study the lesson.' How long did it take them to make their journey? What dangers threatened them, that were very serious? Why did they dare face those dangers? How did they find recreation in their long, weary journey? Answer the problem of the lesson.