Priesthood Quorums’ Table

QUORUMS' TABLE Meeting of Bishops at the April Conference Converting Members to Tithe-Paying At the semi-annual meeting of the ward bishoprics and counselors with the Presiding Bishopric of the Church, held in the Assembly Hall, Saturday, April 7, there were 464 present on invitation, representing bishops and counselors, stake presidencies, and stake and ward clerks. Presiding Bishop Charles W. Nibley stated that excellent results had been achieved in the payment of tithing through the slogan, "Every member a tithe payer." Bishop McConkie of Monticello, San Juan stake, had sub- mitted a report which had interested the Presiding Bishopric very much. Bishop McConkie's ward, with four independent brandies,] embraced 1,500 square miles of small farming communities. In January, 1922, the bishopric determined to ask the people to pay 100%* tithing, in the season thereof, and in cash. The bishopric began work with the teacher- training class, to instruct the officers of the Priesthood and the auxiliary organizations to pay tithing. They then prepared a list of names of all the members of the ward, dividing it among the bishopric who appeared before the Priesthood classes urging quorums to adopt the now method of tithing payment, and instructing them that the presidency of the quorums and organizations would be held responsible for the success of this move- ment in their quorums and classes. They also urged fathers to see that their own families of earners were on the tithing list. The result was that, while there was a serious crop failure through the ward, more tim- ing was paid in 1922 than when the people were more prosperous. The interest in tithing has not been allowed to decrease, although at the close of the year there was still a number who had not paid tithing. These were visited in person by the bishopric and labored with until every neglectful person is on the tithing record. The bishop bore testimony that through the payment of tithing, there was a better feeling in the ward and a better spirit prevailed with a marked improvement in spirituality, and in the temporal affairs of the people as well, all of which he attributed to the observance of the law of tithing. Charity and Priesthood Work in the Eighth Ward, Ogden Bishop Wilford W. Rawson reports that his ward has a relief com- mittee consisting of three sisters of the Relief Society and two brethren of the Priesthood. All people who are in need are referred to them. They make a thorough investigation, and where possible to find work for any of the family, they do so, even if it is only such work as will help somebody else in need. They check carefully charities from other organizations. The arrangement has woiked out splendidly during the past winter. The Relief Society is helping financially and they can always be depended upon. The Aaronic Priesthood is as active as any other quorum in the Church. The bishop supervises and teaches the priests; they act as messengers, and are also doing ward teaching; also with the teachers' quorums, who are taken care of by the first counselor of the bishopric assisted by a class leader. The deacons are taught and supervised by the secona counselor in the bishopric, with an assistant, and are doing splendid work. Last year there was a contest by the boys and their fathers for the best attendance at priesthood and sacrament meetings. The boys won by 2% and the fathers gave them a splendid party. A similar contest is on this year,

PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS' TABLE 753 and the result has been an increased attendance at priesthood and sacra- mental meetings. The bishop reports that 38 boys were taken to Logan temple one Saturday, and baptisms for 1,054 souls were made. The Eighth ward was among the first to take members of the Aaronic priesthood in the temple three years ago and has continued the visits every year since. Sixty-two brethren were promoted one Sunday on the first of this year. , Activities for Priests Bishop John Q. Adams, of the Sixth ward, Logan, with his counselors, ihas taken special interest in the priests' quorums, and he reports that priests always take charge of the administration of the sacrament. One Sunday evening of each year, the Priesthood quorums' evening, they take charge of the whole proceedings. During the past two years no priest in that ward, no teacher, and no deacon has been ordained except by one of the members of the priests' quorum, under direction of the bishop. Priests always perform the baptisms in the ward. The bishopric confirms those who are baptized and take part in all the activities of the priests, who are frequently called to assist in baptisms for the dead at the Logan temple. All priests respond to the call, and 90% of them are on the tithing record. They are being prepared for the mission field under the personal super- intendency of the bishop. Teachers Bishop Hyrum W. Valentine, of Brigham City, Third ward, reported that his ward had a membership of 1,233 souls and has five quorums of deacons, two quorums of teachers and one full quorum of priests. All the boys who are ordained to the office of teacher are taught their duties, in accepting this resppnsibility, by the bishopric. One way to keep the teacher interested is to keep him busy, and ward teaching is one of the best methods of preparing the young man for the mission field. Every ordained teacher is active in the ward in the various duties, and particularly in ward teaching. Deacons Bishop Ernest Madson, of Manti South ward, stated that once a month the president of each deacons' quorum takes six of his mcmVrs to the bishop's home where they are privately instructed concerning their duties. The deacons visit the poor once or twice a month, also cut wood for them. A canyon trip is planned for this purpose, when the boys and the older brelhren, take teams into the mountains, thus keeping the poor fam- ilies supplied with fire wood. The quorum making the best record for attendance at meeting is entertained by the quorum that did not make so good a; record. In this way deep interest is created. In the neighbor- hood off 90% of the deacons regularly attend the sacramental, auxiliary, and priesthood meetings. Primary Home Whenever it is necessary to send a child to the Primary Convalescent Hospital the ward president of the Primary Association should consult with the bishopric, and then write the General Board of the Primary Associa- tion explaining the case. If the case is one that can be treated in the Primary Home, I forms will be sent upon which they report the child. This form should i be accompanied by a diagnosis signed by a doctor, if available. Notice : should then be sent stating when the child will arrive in Salt Lake City. The application sliould be brought with the child. Feeble-minded or incurable children should not be sent, neither should a child under the age of 4, nor over the age of 12 for boys, and 14 for girls.

Scene at the Quarterly Conference, Star Valley, March 4, 1923 Ray L. Alston, instructor in the Smith-Hughes department of the Star Valley High School, Afton, Wyoming, forwards a picture of the Star Valley stake house, with transportation facilities in the foreground, as used by the people in getting to quarterly conference, held March 4. "Sleighs are the only means of travel for four or five months out of the year, and the people gather quite enthusiastically from the farthest ends of the valley on such occasions. The valley consists of the upper and the lower, each approximately thirty miles in length. Hence, it is a good day's travel for some of the people to come to Afton. Notice the covered sleigh between the back of the two horses to the left and the chimney emerg- ing from the cover. The stove on the inside keeps the passengers quite comfortable, even in the coldest weather. On the day of the conference the temperature went down to about 10 degrees below zero at night and hovered around zero in the day time. Clarence Gardner is president of the stake, Arthur F. Burton and Albert Barrus, counselors." New Presidency North Sanpete Stake The presidency of the North Sanpete stake was reorganized on April

PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS' TABLE 755 1 at the quarterly conference of that stake, attended by President Rudger Clawson and Elder Joseph Fielding Smith. Elder Soren M. Nielson, 36 years of age, and former superintendent of the Y. M. M. I. A., was chosen president of the stake. His counselors are Daniel Rasmussen and Louis A. Peterson, represented in the picture, left to right, Daniel Rasmussen, first counselor; Soren M. Nielson, president; Louis A. Peterson, second coun- selor. John F. Mower formerly assistant superintendent of the Y. M. M. L A., was chosen superintendent of that organization, with headquarters at Mt. Pleasant, Utah. Elder Nielson has served in the Mutual superintend- ency for one and one-half years and has given splendid satisfaction to the organization. Canadian Scouts Full of Good Works William Redd, member of the Y. M. M. I. A. Stake Board, Taylor, Raymond, Alberta, Canada, sends the Era a copy of the report of Riley Weaver, Scout commissioner of that district; also some snap shots of scouts and an invalid chair presented to a Mrs. Audenart who is helpless from rheumatism. We are informed that scouting in that stake has made very good progress the past year. Mr. Weaver, who is the district scout com- missioner, is also a member of the stake Y. M. M. I. A. board and has charge of the scouts in Taylor stake. The picture shows the Boy Scouts of Troops 1 and 2, Raymond, and the chair presented to Mrs. Audenart. The work done during the year includes the building of a $500 swimming pool, 50x100 feet, from 3 to 8 feet deep; taking charge of the activities on Dominion day; raising funds for an invalid chair as above; helping widows to kindling wood, which they left at their homes in secret; a big rally including a potato roast and an apple bust; securing a building plot for a scout home, and adopting the slogan for this year; "A scout home."'