--- 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: 30 number: 3 published: 1927-01 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* 30, no. 3 (January 1927): 286–287." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera3003unse 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: improvementera3003unse start_page: 286 end_page: 287 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1927-01) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera3003unse publication_year: 1927 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 1927, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Priesthood Quorums (All matters pertaining to the Aaronic Priesthood, presented under this heading, are prepared under direction of the Presiding Bishopric) Supervision of Absent Members of Aaronic Priesthood Quorums In a number of wards throughout the Church, some of the young men bearing the Aaronic Priesthood find it necessary to leave home not only during the Summer, but sometimes 'for longer periods to find employment or to attend school elsewhere. In all such cases it is the duty primarily of the ward supervisors of the Aaronic Priesthood to endeavor to secure the prospective addresses of the members before they leave home; or, failing in that, to get their addresses later from their parents. The supervisors should then see to it that encouraging letters' are sent these members at least every two or three months during their absence, if this is at all possible. The letters can be prepared and signed by the quorum presidency, the supervisor of the quorum or a member of the bishopric. TDr, any member of the quorum might be appointed to write such letters. Ap- pointments for this purpose should be distributed to each one in turn. They need not be lengthy and should be entirely friendly and informal. Among other things that might be mentioned in such letters are the nature of the topics that are being taken up in the class lessons, the social activities of the quorum, the duties of the priesthood which the absent member should prepare for, the qualifications to develop in order to be most influential in the spreading of the gospel, preparation for his life's work, the blessings that come through faith, prayer and the observance of the gospel principles, and the resisting of temptations. The absent members should be encouraged to reply, where practicable, even though they might be able to send by postcard only a few words of greetings and of recital of their activities. The purpose of this activity, along with all of the supervision of the Aaronic Priesthood, is to give individual attention and direction to every member in order that each one shall develop an appreciation of his part in this great work. Service Performed by Deacons Elders H. Eugene Hughes of the ward bishopric and Walter H. Moore, who have charge of the Deacons of the Spanish Fork Second ward report the following about the boys: "They believe in the words found in James 1:22: Be ye doers of the word and not hearers only. They are putting into practice the train- ing they receive in quorum meetings. They fill about ninety assignments each month. They support the sacramental meetings, auxiliary organizations, quorum meetings and Boy Scout work with their good attendance. "One of the many worthy things they have done was accomplished at Thanksgiving time. The Saturday before Thanksgiving the boys took two wagons, drove to the river bottoms, cut down some dry trees, loaded them in the wagon and brought them to town, where they spent the rest of the day in sawing, splitting and cutting the. trees into stove-wood lengths. On Thanksgiving morning the wood was distributed to the widows of the ward, the first quorum delivering wood to ten widows, and the second quorum to six. Enjoying this wonderful service were twenty-two energetic boys. PRIESTHOOD QUORUM 287 s "This goes to show what a great opportunity the Aaronic Priest- hood gives to the boy. It furnishes a channel through which he can express his desires to do good, in the betterment of himself and the happiness of others." Courses of ,Study — Aaronic Priesthood Quorums The course of study for the Priests' quorums and classes for the year 1927 will be Missionary Themes No. 3, a continuation of the lessons used during the past two years. The lessons for the Teachers' quorum and classes will be topics relating to the Discovery of Self, of Parents and of Cod. The outlines for the Deacons' quorum will be .Incidents from the Lives of Church Leaders. The prices of these books are 15c each for the Priests', and 10c each for the Teachers' and Deacons' lessons. Orders with cash should be sent to the Deseret Book Store. They will be ready for delivery shortly after the first of the year. It is very important that, as far as possible, every member of the Aaronic Priesthood throughout the Church have a copy of these lessons and that they all be encouraged to read all of the lessons carefully. Bishoprics of wards and supervisors should make special efforts to this end. SYLVESTER Q. CANNON, David A. Smith, John Wells, Presiding Bishopric. Reflections At the Close of the Year 1926 Presented to the Members of the 18th Ward, Ensign Stake By Bishop T. A. Clawson and Counselors How have I taken advantage of the great blessings given to me of the Lord, in the observance of jthe Sabbath day, in meeting at the appointed place to worship him and partake of the holy Sacrament, thereby renewing my covenants with him and being strengthened in my battle against the sins of the world? Have I allowed trivial matters to take me away from this privilege and (thereby lost a blessing? What is my status before the Lord in the observance of the law of tithing? Have \l been honest with him and paid my tenth with joy and thanksgiving, or have I sought to justify myself in thinking that I need it more than the Lord and thereby lose another blessing? Is the cry of distress of the poor going up to the ear of the Lord because of failure to do my part in giving something on Fast day to help make them glad and happy? Shall I be condemned before the Lord because I have failed to exercise the holy Priesthood which has been conferred upon me, and my neglect of duty is the cause of great sorrow among my fellowmen? Have I refused a duty imposed upon me or performed it with little spirit reluctantly? Or, do 1 love the Lord above all else 'and wish to be one with him in his great work? m Do I approach my heavenly Father through prayer, morning and night, for guidance and protection and call( my children and teach them to take part in praying in the family circle 'where we can feel the spirit of each' as they all in turn supplicate the throne of grace in behalf of all? Brethren and Sisters, let us ponder these things in our hearts, and wherein we have been remiss during the year now passing, we can make amends during the year 1927, by seeking to the best of our ability to do all in our power for the glory of our Father and his work. We wish all a joyful Christmas and a Happy New Year.