Priesthood Quorums

(Priesthood Quorums Alt matters pertaining to the Aaronic Priesthood, presented under this heading, are prepared under the direction of the Presiding Bishopric. It Can Be Done On Sunday, January 30, members of the Presiding Bishopric visited the monthly meeting of the Aaronic Priesthood of the Granite stake, held at the Richards ward. No special effort had been made to increase the attendance, for it had not been announced that the Bishopric would be there. The records of this stake, which are submitted to the Presiding Bishop's office quarterly, indicate that unusual interest is taken in the work of the Aaronic Priesthood. The Presiding Bishopric, desiring to study this work in its natural environ- ment, took this occasion to visit unannounced. Roll call showed nearly 400 young men in attendance. The music for the occasion was furnished by quartettes and other groups selected from quorum members of the various wards. Special topics, interest- ing to the Priesthood quorums, were treated by deacons, teachers and priests. Ward supervisors were in attendance, and the exercises were under the direction of the Aaronic Priesthood Supervisory Committee of the High Council. The boys were so much interested in their work that there was no shifting about or uneasiness manifest during the whole of the meeting. At the con- clusion of the program, which lasted for an hour and a half, the boys voted to remain longer to hear a few words from their visitors. Assignments are made to quorums and individual members in each ward to perform certain labors in the ward, such as are outlined by the Aaronic Priesthood Committee, under the direction of the bishopric of the ward. At the next meeting a record is made of the fulfilment of all previous assign- ments. The annual report for the year 1926 shows that 89% of the assignments made during that year were fulfilled. The Presiding Bishopric were very much pleased with this demonstra- tion and feel that this success in one stake should be the means of serving notice on the other stakes of the Church that young men are willing to work, and can become enthusiastic in the performance of duties assigned, if they are properly directed and encouraged. Comments and Suggestions Invited We are very much interested in the work of the Aaronic Priesthood quorums throughout the Church. In order to stimulate interest in the work and to gather information and suggestions that will be helpful to these organizations throughout the Church, we invite suggestions and comments. We also suggest that stake supervisory committees, who desire to know more concerning the activities of the Granite stake, may communicate with President Frank Y. Taylor, 50 East South Temple Street, Salt Lake City, Utah. — The Presiding Bishopric, by David A. Smith. Field Notes Union Ward Teachers Banquet. — In appreciation of the good work done by the ward teachers of Union ward, Jordan stake, during 1926, the bish- opric tendered them and their wives or companions a chicken dinner and

468 IMPROVEMENT ERA social on the evening of January 14, 1927. After an interesting program, all present sat down to a hearty dinner. Various toasts were given. In the course of his remarks, Bishop Heber J. Burgon stated that all ward teachers had visited all the families under their charge every month during the past year. The spirit evidenced by the teachers would indicate that they have been concerned not only with the number of visits, but also with the effectiveness of the same. Two of the teachers are over 84 years of age, but manifested a fine, alert spirit. One of the brethren nearly 80 years of age reported covering the four miles required to make his visits on foot every month. The youngest teacher — about 1 7 years of age — also spoke briefly. The secret of the success obtained in this ward appears to be in the spirit of the work possessed by the bishopric and the ward teachers, and the kindly instructions and systematic .encouragement given by those in charge. Presiding Bishop Sylvester Q. Cannon, and President Soren Rasmussen and counselors of the Jordan stake, were present at the gathering. Promoting Attendance of Aaronic Priesthood. — At the stake Leader- ship meeting of the Grant stake, December last, the Aaronic priesthood of Central Park ward challenged all of the other wards of Grant stake to an attendance contest during the month of January. The only ward that accepted the challenge was the Hillcrest ward. The results of this attendance contest for the month of January shows that the Hillcrest ward won. This contest was based on the average attendance each week during the month as compared with the enrollment of all Aaronic Priesthood quorums in each ward. The result shows that the average attendance of the Hillcrest ward during the month of January was 74%, and the Central Park ward, 69%. As a result of this activity, four members of the Aaronic priest- hood of the Hillcrest ward, previously inactive, have become active and are prepared for ordination to a higher office; and three members of the Central Park ward, formerly inactive, are now taking an active interest in the work. The Central Park ward Aaronic priesthood, who lost the contest, gave a banquet to the Hillcrest ward, the winners, on the evening of February 7, at which about 150 young men were present. The supervision of the Central Park ward, under direction of the bishop, is as follows: Jay S. Worthington, chairman of the supervisors. With him are associated two priests as assistants. This committee exercises detailed supervision over the activities of the members. Associated with them are also the class supervisors of each quorum. Immediately after the weekly meeting, a meeting is held of all the supervisors and the presidencies of the various quorums, at which all the work for the ensuing week is outlined, and a check made on the activities of the preceding week. The results obtained in the attendance of the members are due to the interest and enthusiasm of the quorum members themselves. Activity Report, Highland Park Ward. — An enviable record was made by the Aaronic Prieshood of Highland Park ward, Granite stake, for the past year. The results of the activities for the year, as reported by Bishop Stayner Richards, are as follows: Assignments Fulfilments Percentage Priests 517 443 85% Teachers 398 35 7 90% Deacons 13 50 1313 9 7% The assignments given to the priests consisted of baptizing, adminis- tering the Sacrament, ward teaching, seminary training class, opening and closing meetings with prayer, speaking in Sacramental meetings. Teachers assisted in ward teaching, speaking in Sacramental meetings, opening and closing meeting with prayer, praying in Sunday school, taking special messages for the bishopric, and collecting ward maintenance and fast offerings.

PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS 469 The deacons' activities consisted of opening and closing meetings with prayer, speaking in Sacramental meetings, taking special messages for the bishopric, passing the Sacrament, and assisting in maintaining order in Sunday school. Frequently deacons are appointed to sit with children in the Kinder- garten department each Sunday morning for the purpose of maintaining order and assisting them with the Sacrament. It is interesting to note how this general response was obtained. A general supervisor is appointed with assistant supervisors, one for each grade of the Lesser Priesthood. They are held accountable for the keeping of all records and the making out of reports. One of their most important activities, however, is to labor with those who are inactive, and also be guard- ians or supervisors over the boys, not only in meetings, but at all times. These brethren interest themselves in the work, play, and Church duties of the members. The manner in which the activities are assigned and the assignments followed up, is explained as follows: The boys receive a written assignment by mail, one week before the duty is to be performed, and occasion- ally this is followed up by a telephone call from the supervisor to make sure the boy will fill the appointment. On the day the work is to be accomplished, the supervisor makes record of the fulfilment or non-fulfilment of the as- signment. In addition to these activities, a number of special outings were arranged, also parties and contests enjoyed among the quorums, which created a better spirit and more interest in the activities. The brethren in charge of the Aaronic priesthood of the ward are to be congratulated on the creditable showing made by the members of the different quorums, and it is to be hoped that, the same interest on the part of the boys and supervisors will manifest itself during the year 1927. The Little Things Lord, help me watch the little things — The careless word that burns and stings, The unkind thought, which sorrow brings — Help me, each day, To do "unto the least of these" The little things that cheer and please. That laughter bring and wrath appease — For this I pray. I do not fear the greater ills — The urge to steal, the hate that kills, The bitter heart that conscience stills — But this prayer wings Up from my troubled heart alway, That, with thy help, dear Lord, I may Watch, and take heed of, every day, The little things. Durango, Col. MINERVA PlNKERTON TROY.