Priesthood Quorums

(Priesthood Quorums (All matters pertaining to the Aaronic Priesthood, presented under this heading, art prepared under the direction of the Presiding Bishopric) Appointment of Priests and Teachers as Ushers In traveling through the various wards, it is noted that in relatively few instances are priests and teachers used as ushers. Yet this is a very proper appointment and labor for the members of the Aaronic priesthood. No matter how good the order may be in the gatherings of the Latter- day Saints, the appointment of ushers and door-keepers will still further promote good order. It is hardly necessary to state that the maintenance of order in all the meetings, in the Sacramental meetings par- ticularly, is of the greatest importance. Assignments of priests and teachers can well be made by the supervisors from among the members of these quorums in rotation, using the teachers as door-keepers and the priests as ushers. In order to secure the best results, it is desirable that one or two young men shall be stationed at the doors or entrances of the gathering place, and that they remain at that point and see that the doors are opened for those who enter and closed after they enter. As the members assemble, those in charge of the door can kindly advise them of the location of seats in the meeting house. Two or more competent young men should be selected to conduct the people to the seats that are available, filling the front seats first, as far as possible, and then as the congregation assemble, filling the seats farther back. In order to maintain order during the meeting, the ushers should sit at such places as will enable them to keep peace. Their attitude should be such as to induce quietness. Field Notes ; Aaronic priesthood activities, Ogden stake. Under the direction of the stake Aaronic priesthood committee, with Elder W. W. Rawson chairman, the Ogden stake holds Aaronic priesthood conventions every three months. In cooperation with them, also, the ward supervisors of the Aaronic priesthood are actively functioning. These ward committees meet every Wednesday evening. On the second Wednesday of the month they consider the report of the previous month's work. They discuss with the officers of all the quorums the plans for the ensuing month. Upon the quorum officers is placed the responsibility of making the assignments in order to secure the results desired in the performance of the duties by the members of the different quorums. At these weekly meetings they also plan the work for the ensuing week. They discuss lesson work, assignments, and other activities, as also the social activities of the quorums. The stake committee is endeavoring this year greatly to increase the activities of all members of the Aaronic priesthood. Among other duties taken care of by the Aaronic priesthood in each ward, is the responsibility for a part of the ward teaching jointly by the priests and teachers. One district only in each ward is assigned to them by the Bishopric so that they will be able to do it all in one evening, and thereby not interfere with their school studies. The results of the ward teaching in these districts for which the Aaronic priesthood are responsible have proved very satisfactory. Many of the people who have been visited by these young men declare that they have received better ward teaching than ever before.

PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS 561 Slogan and Code of Honor: The deacons of the Spanish Fork Second ward, Palmyra stake, under the direction of Elder H. Eugene Hughes of the bishopric, have adopted a slogan and a code of honor. This latter is having the effect of stimulating the boys in the development of character and the performance of their duties. The code of honor has been printed and a copy is delivered to all of the deacons as well as to other officers of the ward and of the stake. The parents of the boys have also taken an interest in the matter and suggest to the boys wherein they can improve themselves in con- nection with the various resolutions of the code. In this ward, some of the older, inactive members are becoming interested and taking part. Twenty- eight out of thirty-two deacons, or 88%, attended their meetings regularly during January. Attendance at Sacramental Meetings: The North Sevier stake has undertaken a systematic plan to increase the attendance at the Sacramental meetings. For instance, on the Saturday before Fast day, the deacons are appointed by the bishopric in each ward to visit every family, re- mind them of Fast day, invite them to be at Fast meeting and to invite them also to pay their Fast donations. On the second Sunday, the different auxiliary organizations are appointed for different months to promote the attendance of the members of the ward. On the third Sunday, the stake home mission- aries visit the ward, and, in connection therewith, the teachers' quorum of the ward is responsible for inviting every member of the ward to attend the meet- ing. On the fourth and fifth Sundays, the bishopric provide speakers, and the priests' quorum of the ward is responsible for the invitation to all the members of the ward. Teaching Tithing: During the month of February, 1927, the Grant stake has given special attention to the presentation of the principle of tith- ing to all of the members of that stake in a very thorough way. They have taken as their slogan for the month, "As for me and my house, we will pay our tithes." The subject has been presented in five-minute, original talks, each one by a different speaker, at every ward Sacrament meeting, every auxiliary association meeting, and in every department of each ward priesthood meeting during the month of February. In addition thereto, the ward teachers pre- sented this important subject to all the families of the Latter-day Saints during the past month. Jordan Stake Ward Teachers' Convention: On January 23 last, a ward teachers' convention was held in the Jordan stake, under the direction of the stake committee on ward teaching, in the Sandy First ward meeting house. The program consisted of discussion of topics on Organization and Planning; Preparation; How to Teach; Possibilities of the Work, and a Summary by the President of the stake and stake Committee members. This convention was very successful and much enthusiasm was aroused. About two hundred and thirty ward teachers were in attendance. New Superintendent for Yellowstone N. R. Humphries, box 23, Parker, Idaho, has been appointed superin- tendent of the Y. M. M. I. A. for Yellowstone stake, vice John T. Elliot, St. Anthony.