--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Snow, LeRoi C. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 25 number: 9 published: 1922-07 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Snow LeRoi C., "How They Celebrated the Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood", *Improvement Era* 25, no. 9 (July 1922): 847–848.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2509unse 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: improvementera2509unse start_page: 847 end_page: 848 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1922-07) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2509unse publication_year: 1922 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 1922, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # How They Celebrated the Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS' TABLE How They Celebrated the Restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood Referring again to the celebration of the 93rd anniversary of the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood, notice of which appeared in the June number of the Improvement Era, page 747, we are favored with a compilation by LeRoi C. Snow of a number of the reports gathered from various parts covering this celebration. Some of the features embraced in a large majority of these programs are here named: The people were received and welcomed at the door by members of the Aaronic Priesthood. Deacon ushers conducted the people to seats and looked after their comfort. All the officers of the Aaaronic Priesthood quorums were seated on the stand, and in small wards other quorum members were thus seated. Many programs were arranged under the direction of class leaders of Aaronic Priesthood supervisors. The exercises were conducted by a Priest under the bishop's direction. Appropriate opening singing such as, "Come all ye sons of God," "Israel, Israel, God is calling," "The First Vision," "What was witnessed in the Heavens?" Prayer by a member of the Aaronic Priesthood. Announcement by a deacon or teacher. Appropriate song, such as, "Praise to the man," "How great the wis- dom," "An angel from on high." In many instances these opening songs were rendered by quartets or choruses made up entirely of Lesser Presthood members, and during the program there were solos or duets by boys, such as, "I am a Mormon boy," "Who's on the Lord's side, who?." "Shall the youth of Zion falter?" Usually a deacon or teacher led the concert recitation, the words of John the Baptist in conferring the Aaronic Priesthood: Doc. and Cov., Section 13. In some wards this was recited only by the Lesser Priesthood quorums, in others by the congregation ; while there were instances where it was first given by the Aaronic Priesthood and then repeated by the entire congregation. Many beautiful instrumental selections were rendered by deacons, teachers and priests, and there were some fine boys' orchestras. The sacrament was administered by two priests and passed by the dea- cons. Priests treated such topics as: "The Priesthood and its Divisions," "History of the Priesthood," "Meaning of the Priesthood," or a general treat- ment of "The Aaronic Priesthood" only. A deacon gave a talk on the duties of deacons. A teacher explained the work of his office and calling. A priest told of the responsibilities and activities of priests. In addition to this general outline of Lesser Priesthood work, in many wards explanation was made of the present courses of study of the three priesthood orders; while other programs included a somewhat detailed report of local conditions of quorum activity. Many beautiful accounts were given of the mission of John the Baptist, and of his visit to the Prophet and Oliver Cowdery and of the importance of this event to the Church. In fact, the entire program, its preparation and rendition, all was a great surprise to hundreds of congregations be- 848 IMPROVEMENT ERA cause of the excellent intelligence and ability which was exhibited by the young men, many of whom made their first public appearance at these meetings. Some of the programs provided for closing remarks by the bishopric, or other presiding brethren, who, as far as reports show, were greatly pleased with the success of the programs. The closing songs were such as: "We thank Thee, 0 God, for a Prophet," "Joseph Smith's first prayer," "True to the faith," "Hope of Israel." The benediction was pronounced by a deacon or teacher. Besides these, there were many unique and interesting features intro- duced into some of the celebrations. Miller and Wandamere wards in Granite stake united in publishing the Home Circle, which was devoted to the Aaronic Priesthood Restoration celebration. One thousand copies were distributed among ward members. One ward acted out in impressive dramatization the story of the visit of John the Baptist. One dealt with the important subject entirely from the standpoint of prophecy, citing predictions foretelling the coming of John to prepare the way for Jesus; the apostasy, the taking away of the Priesthood and its restoration in the latter days. In one ward a feature was the ordination of several young men to the office of deacon, and the advancement of others from this office to that of teacher or priest. They were accepted by the vote of the people and publicly expressed their willingness and desire to magnify the positions. One ward made the Articles of Faith its principal subject, each article being presented, explained and discussed by a different member of the Lesser Priesthood. In another, the first principles of the gospel were delivered in a master- ful way. In Provo First ward a chorus of 34 voices was organized, especially for this celebration. The group of boys furnished most of the music for the services and did so well that the bishop requested that they form a permanent organization in the ward. At Brigham City, Monday, June 15, the exact date of the celebration was commemorated. On the afternoon a Priesthood Field Day was carried out, including games and field sports followed by a lawn picnic. The regular Priesthood program was given during the evening. A similar celebration will probably be carried out each year hereafter, leading up to a great centennial celebration, May 15, 1929. The Weber stake was divided into two stakes, May 21, as announced in a meeting at which President Heber J. Grant and Elder David O. McKay were present. Elder George E. Browning was appointed president of the Weber stake, with Bishop Nathan A. Tanner of the Eleventh ward as first counselor, and Brigham H. Goddard, superintendent of the stake Sunday Schools, as second counselor. Joseph H. Stimson of Riverdale was named stake clerk, Elder Robert T. Burton was selected as president of the new Mount-Ogden stake with Joseph Ririe as first counselor and Joseph C. McFarlane as second counselor. Thomas A. Shreeve was named stake clerk.