--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 29 number: 4 published: 1926-02 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations, “Priesthood Quorums,” *Improvement Era* 29, no. 4 (February 1926): 383–386." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2904unse 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: improvementera2904unse start_page: 383 end_page: 386 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1926-02) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2904unse publication_year: 1926 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 1926, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Priesthood Quorums (Priesthood Quorums Aaronic Priesthood Roll and Record Books For this year, a departure has been made from the previous records in the new Priests' Quorum Roll and Record. This new book provides an individual record of each Priest, his attendance at meetings and his assignments, etc. Proper instructions are given for the marking of the individual records, so that they may be uniform and complete. It is expected that the calling of the roll and the marking of the as- signments may require a little more time than has been the case previously, but the record will, if carried out properly, prove much more complete and satisfactory. The roll and record books for the Teachers and the Deacons will be practically the same as for previous years. However, it is very important that assignments of activity in the performance of the duties of the Priesthood of the individual boys should be properly marked in accordance with in- structions, and that the record should be kept complete and the activities followed up, as explained above. Study for the Melchizedek Priesthood Quorums The following letter has been sent to the presidents of stakes, which will be of general interest to the Priesthood Quorums of the Church: Salt Lake City, Jan. 5, 1926. President — Dear Brother: — The book entitled Discourses of Brigham Young, to be used as the course of study for the quorums of the Melchizedek Priesthood, is now ready for distribution by the Deseret Book Company, 44 South Temple Street, Salt Lake City, Utah. The price to the general public is $2.50, but to members of the priesthood, only $2 per copy. If six or more copies are ordered, accompanied by a cash remittance, the book may be had for $1.75 per copy. Every man holding the Priesthood should own a copy of this book, 756 pages brim full of Gospel doctrine. All quorums of the Melchizedek Priesthood should begin at once the study of Discourses of Brigham Young. The book is designed as a study course for the two years, 1926 and 1927, but it is so full of interesting and important material that unless the work is undertaken at once it will be very difficult to complete it properly in the set time. Helps and suggestions for the quorum study of Discourses of Brigham Young will be published from month to month in the Improvement Era, the organ of the Priesthood quorums, and later if it appears desirable, a pamphlet outlining each lesson may be published. Will you kindly inform the quorums of the Priesthood in your stake that the Course of Study is now ready for distribution at the special prices above stated. Please also urge upon the priesthood the necessity of beginning the study of the new course at once. To make the work fully successful, quorum members should have the books in their possession from the earliest lessons; and orders for Discourses of Brigham Young should therefore be placed immediately. Praying the Lord to bless you in your labors, I am, with cordial New Year's greetings, Your brother, RUDGER CLAWSON. 384 IMPROVEMENT ERA How to Study the "Discourses of Brigham Young" A Guide to Class Teachers Discourses of Brigham Young is the title of the new course of study for the quorums of the Melchizedek Priesthood. The course is designed to continue throughout the two years 1926 and 1927. The preceding com- munication from President Rudger Clawson, makes it clear that all quorums should begin the study of the new course promptly. The book con- tains 42 chapters, the first 21 of which, covering 375 pages, should be completed during the year 1926. As a guide to the class teachers it is suggested that the assignment for the year 1926 be divided into 36 lessons, as follows : Number of Lessons Chapter Title pec Chapter 1 The Gospel Defined 2 2 The Godhead 2 3 The Communication Between God and Man 2 4 Pre-Existence, the Plan of Salvation 2 5 Free Agency 1 6 The Power of Evil 2 7 The Law of Eternal Progression 1 8 The Destiny of Man 1 9 Dispensations of the Gospel 2 10 The Last Days 2 1 1 The Scriptures 2 12 The Priesthood 2 13 The First Principles of the Gospel 2 14 The Sabbath; Meetings; The Sacrament . 2 15 Tithing; The United Order . 2 16 The Word of Wisdom 2 1 7 The Family 3 18 Some Womanly Duties 1 1 9 Obedience 1 20 Gratitude, Humility, Devotion, Liberality, Honesty 1 2 1 Happiness and Social Enjoyments 1 Total 3 6 Quorums that continue their work throughout the summer, and which therefore may meet as many as 52 times during the year, will be able to give more time to such chapters as seem most interesting, and to conduct frequent reviews of the work done. Quorums that do not meet in the summer may also complete the year's work by following the above division of the chapter into lessons. Members of the quorum should be assigned the various subheadings of the chapters for discussion. Class discussion should be invited, but it should be confined to the subject of the lesson. The teachings of President Brigham Young stimulate thought, and the quorums may be tempted to dwell too long on questions not directly connected with the lesson. The class leader is under the responsibility of directing the class work in such a manner as to hold the main subject before the class, and to complete the discussion in the available time. Class leaders should associate themselves for assistance with the teacher- training classes, and should strive to secure a systematic, intelligent treatment of the important and interesting subjects contained in this year's course of study- President Brigham Young was taught the gospel by the Prophet Joseph PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS 385 Smith. The direct, clear, and forceful presentation of gospel truth in Discourses of Brigham Young will instruct and greatly edify the quorums of the Priesthood. Stake and Ward Supervision of Aaronic Priesthood Work In all of the stakes a supervising committee of not less than six should be appointed to take charge of Aaronic Priesthood work. This committei may consist of two or three high councilors together with three or four other men who are particularly qualified and interested in boys. This body should organize to make regular visits, in groups of two or three, to the various wards every week, in order fo see that the ward work is being carried out in accordance with the standards and schedule. It is their business to work out a suitable form of monthly report of the attendance and the activities of the Aaronic Priesthood of each ward, so that they may be able to secure such report monthly from each ward com- prising the above information, for their own use and that of the stake presidency. Similar information will also be required from each ward for the Presiding Bishopric on the quarterly reports. It is expected that the monthly reports from the various wards to the Stake Aaronic Priesthood Committee will be prepared by the Ward Aaronic Priesthood Committee. As previously stated, a Ward Aaronic Priesthood Committee should be appointed by the bishopric, consisting of the class leaders of all of the Aaronic Priesthood quorums, one of whom should be appointed by the bishopric as chairman of the committee. In large wards it may be desirable to have the Ward Aaronic Priesthood Committee separate from the class leaders. It is the business of this committee, under the direction of the bishopric, to see that every member of every quorum is given regular assignments of duty, in the line of his Priesthood, at proper intervals, preferably every week. It is their responsibility, in connection with the presidency and mem- bers of each quorum, to secure the regular attendance of all members at the weekly priesthood meetings, and to develop enthusiasm and interest with those who may be careless and indifferent. They should meet as a com- mittee once each week, preferably after the weekly priesthood meeting, and examine every name on the .roll books, see that proper assignments for duty for the ensuing week have been, or are, made; check up on assignments of duty previously made, and determine whether or not they have been fulfilled, and assign to each supervisor a certain number of members of the various quorums, in order that he may personally keep in touch with them and with the bishopric so that these young men may attend to the assignments given them. At the mefting of the ward supervisors, to be held at the end of each month, the monthly report of all quorums will be prepared to be sub- mitted to the stake committee. Whether a monthly union meeting of the stake and ward supervisors, class leaders and presidencies of quorums shall be held or not, is a matter for determination for the individual stakes. It would undoubtedly prove very help- ful in promoting greater co-ordination and unity of effort and much better class work if this meeting were held. Priesthood Conventions, 1926 A program for priesthood conventions for 1926, which conventions are now being held, has been prepared and issued by the Council of the 386 IMPROVEMENT ERA Twelve. On Saturdays, between 10 and 12 a. m., six department meetings will be held as follows: A. Meeting of Stake Presidency and Clerk; High Council; Presidency High Priests Quorum; Patriarchs; Bishops and Counselors and Ward Clerks; all High Priests. Stake President presiding. B. Meeting of all Presidents and Secretaries of quorums of Seventy and all Seventies. A president of Seventy designated by the Stake Presidency will preside. C. Meeting of all Presidencies and Secretaries of quorums of Elders and all Elders. A president of Elders' Quorum designated by the Stake Presidency will preside. D. Meeting of all Presidencies and Secretaries of Priests' and Teachers' Quorums and all Priests and Teachers. ' Stake Presidency will appoint presiding officer. E. Meeting of all Presidencies and Secretaries of Deacons' Quorums and all Deacons. Stake Presidency will appoint presiding officer. F. Meeting of all Presidencies and Secretaries of Stake and Ward Relief So- cieties; Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations; Primary Asso- ciations; Women supervisors and principals of Religion Classes and all the sisters. Stake Presidency will appoint presiding officer. On Saturdays, from 2 to 4 p. m., there will be two meetings: 1. A meeting of all the priesthood of the stake, the President of the stake presid- ing; 2. A meeting of the women of the stake, the Stake Presidency to appoint presiding officer. On Sunday, from 10 to 12 a. m., a general session of conference for men and women, with Priesthood Convention program; and on Sunday, from 2 to 4 p. m., a general session of the conference. Elaborate programs of meetings, that are to be held in the departments on Saturday, from 10 to 12, have been prepared and issued for the officers, and eath stake is expected to present the programs at the conference meeting. Programs also of the meetings to be held by the women of the stake have been prepared and issued, and placed in the hands of the stake officers. On S\inday, from 10 to 12, the following Priesthood program has been prepared and will be presented: 1. Singing — Congregation. 2. Prayer. 3. Singing — Priesthood Chorus. 4. Topic, "History of Melchizedek Priesthood," by member of High Priest- hood, selected by Stake Presidency — 15 minutes. 5. Topic, "History of Aaronic Priesthood," by member of Lesser Priesthood, selected by Stake Presidency — 10 minutes. • 6. Singing — Priesthood Chorus. 7. "Testimony of the Power of the Priesthood," by a sister selected by the Stake Presidency — 10 minutes. 8. Scripture Reading, "Doctrine and Covenants, Section 121, verses 33 to 46, both inclusive," by reader selected by Stake Presidency. 9. Address — by visiting member of General Authorities. 10. Singing — Congregation or Special Priesthood Chorus. 1 1. Benediction. The meeting on Sunday, from 2 to 4 p. m., is a regular conference session for everybody to attend; and will be attended by the representative of the General Authorities.