Priesthood Quorums

(Priesthood Quorums Program Priesthood Conventions, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Comprising Presidents of Stakes and their Counselors, Bishops and their Counselors, and the Presidencies, Class Teachers and Members of all Priest- hood Quorums. Held in Connection with the Regular Quarterly Conferences During the First Quarter of 1925. Issued by the Council of the Twelve. OFFICIAL NOTICE OF THE FIRST PRESIDENCY CALLING PRIESTHOOD CONVENTIONS Salt Lake City. Utah, December 13, 1924. We desire that Priesthood Quorums and Priesthood activities shall receive especial attention during the stake quarterly conference, to be held in the first quarter of 1925. We recommend, therefore, that the presidencies of stakes set aside the first day of the quarterly conferences, also the morning of the second day, for the consideration of work pertaining to the Melchiz- edek and the Aaronic Priesthoods; and in the case of stakes holding a one- day conference only, that arrangements be made to carry out the Priest- hood convention program in special meetings appointed for that purpose, if necessary, before or after the conference day. Where deemed advisable, arrangements may be made for separate meet- ings for the sisters to be held while the priesthood convention meetings are in session. The program of procedure for the priesthood conventions has been prepared by the Council of the Twelve, with our full concurrence. Heber J. Grant, Charles W. Penrose. Anthony W. Ivins, Fr'rsf Presidency, Church of Jesus Chivst of Latter-day Saints. Instructions It is the especial duty of every stake and ward officer concerned to be in attendance at the meeting appointed for Saturday forenoon; and all such officers are expected to attend the general meetings and the quorum sessions to which they belong, or to which they may be appointed by the stake president throughout the convention. The president of the stake is to preside in all general meetings, under the direction of the visiting member of the General Authorities, and is in charge of the arrangements for meeting places of the quorums, for appoint- ments of presiding officers in the quorum sessions, and for the carrying out of the convention program in all particulars. He is requested to have a competent chorister or director of music in charge at each of the general meetings. Persons appointed to take part in the programs should be notified in ample time to enable them to adequately prepare for the work assigned. Suggestions It is suggested that stakes holding one-day conferences may arrange the Saturday schedule of meetings provided for the priesthood convention as follows :

PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS 393 Saturday 6:3 0 to 8 p. m. — Meeting of visiting member of general authorities with president of the stake and his counselors, high council, including alternate members, stake clerk, patriarchs, ward bishops and their counselors, ward clerks, and the presidents and their counselors, secretaries and class leaders of all priesthood quorums within the stake. Saturday 8 p. m. — Meeting of all the Priesthood of the Stake in quorum depart- ments. Reassembly at 9:10 p. m. Program of Meetings Saturday 10 a. m.- — Meeting of visiting members of general authorities with president of the stake and his counselors, high council, including alternate members, stake clerk, patriarchs, ward bishops and their counselors, ward clerk, and the presi- dents and their counselors, secretaries and class leaders of all priesthood quorums within the stake. 1. Singing. 2. Prayer. 3. Topic, "Organization of the Priesthood for Service" (10 minutes) Stake President 4. Topic, "Utilization of the Lesser Priesthood in Ward Work" (10 min- utes) A Bishop 5. Topic. "Specific Benefits Derived from Patriarchal Blessings" (10 minutes) A Patriarch 6. Topic, "Enumeration and Explanation in Detail of the Duties and Opportunities of a Presidency of a Priesthood Quorum" (15 minutes) A President of a Quorum 7. Topic, "Priesthood Class Work" (15 minutes)—. A Priesthood Class Leader 8. Instruction Visiting Member of General Authorities 9. Singing. 10. Benediction. Saturday 2:00 p. m. — Meeting of all the Priesthood of the Stake. 1. Singing. 2. Prayer. Separation into the Following Departments: HIGH PRIESTS 1. Topic, "The Rights, Obligations, and Opportunities of Presidency" (20 minutes) A High Priest 2. Discussion led by a Member Previously Appointed SEVENTIES Subject: The Calling of the Seventy and the Order of His Priesthood 1. Topic, "Organization of the Seventy (10 minutes) ... A Quorum President 2. Topic, "Duties of the Seventies" (10 minutes) A Seventy 3. Topic, "Preparation for and Rendering Service as a Seventy" (10 minutes) Member of Committee of High Council 4. Discussion (20 minutes) led by a Quroum President ELDERS 1. Topic, "How May the Elder's Quorum Function to a. Better Prepare Young Men for Missions? (10 minutes) An Elder b. Better Prepare Young Men for Marriage in the Temple (10 minutes) An Elder 2. Discussion led by Member Previously Appointed PRIESTS 1. Topic, "Quorum Organization, Ward Duties and Training for the Ministry" A Priest 2. Discussion Led by One Previously Appointed TEACHERS 1. Topic, "Quorum Organization, Ward Duties and Local Ministry" A Teacher

394 IMPROVEMENT ERA 2. Discussion led by One Previously Appointed DEACONS 1. Topic, "Quorum Organization, Ward Duties and Field of Service" 2. Discussion led by One Previously Appointed Reassembly at 3:10 p. m. 3. Instructions Visiting Member of tbe General Authorities 4. Singing. 5. Benediction. Sunday 10:00 a. m. — Stake Conference Session, Devoted to Priesthood Pro- gram. 1. Singing, A Priesthood Chorus. 2. Prayer. 3. Singing, A Priesthood Chorus. 4. Topic, "Faith Promoting Incidents Illustrative of the Power of the Priesthood Exercised Both in Individual and Quorum Capacity:" a. (7 minutes), A High Priest, b. (7 minutes), A Deacon, c. (7 minutes), A Seventy, d. (7 minutes), A Teacher, e. (7 minutes). An Elder, f. (7 minutes), A Priest. 5. Singing, A Priesthood Chorus. 6. Remarks, Visiting Member of Gen- eral Authorities. 7. Singing. 8. Benediction. NOTE: The music for this session of the Convention is to be furnished by the Priesthood quorums of the stake. It is desired that a musical number, pref- erably a male chorus, shall be rendered by a group of singers, a full quorum if possible, from each of the six divisions of the Priesthood (High Priests, Seventies, Elders, Priests, Teachers, Deacons) ; Priests and Teachers in one group if necessary. If Priesthood choruses are available, selections may be rendered between responses "c" and "d" and between "d" and "e" as outlined. Where choruses cannot be pre- pared, quartets may be substituted. Group singing by Priesthood organizations is to be encouraged. Of course, the selections of songs should be such as to be suitable and to prevent duplication. The Melchizedek Priesthood Study Subject: Doctrines of the Church. Text: A Study of the Articles of Faith. LESSON 9: BAPTISM Text: Chapter 6. Main topics: Purpose of baptism; fitness of the individual to receive the ordinance; and the great fact that baptism is essential to salvation. LESSON 10: BAPTISM, (Continued) Text: Chapter 7, pages 137-145. Note the importance of observing the prescribed manner or mode of administering the ordinance. Specify the requisite authority. Memorize the words to be used in baptizing. LESSON 11: BAPTISM FOR THE DEAD Text: Chapter 7, pages 145-155. Emphasize the fact that as baptism is essential to salvation it is required of the unbaptized dead as well as of the living. Consider carefully the ministry of Jesus Christ among the dead. Cite scriptural support of the doctrine of vicarious service by the living for the dead. Consider the pur- pose of temples in this connection.