Priesthood Quorums

All matters pertaining to the Aaronic Priesthood, presented under this heading, are prepared under the direction of the "Presiding Bishopric. Social and Fraternal Activities by Quorums Topic discussed by W. W. Malmstrom, ^Supervisor, West Jordan Ward, Jordan Stake, at Bishops' Meeting, General Conference, April 5 , 19 27 I have been asked to report on the social and fraternal activities of the Quorum. We must (first consider the individual with whom we are dealing. In the quorums of the Lesser Priesthood are boys from twelve to twenty years of age. These boys have just entered, or have completed, the age of puberty. The boy of this age is very susceptible to motor-activity. He likes to do things full of action. For this reason, he is impressed with anything re- quiring action. He is very fond of fishing, hunting, swimming, skating, and other activities that require action. He is also very religiously inclined. At no time during his life will there be greater religious instincts than those he now experiences. It seems to me that these two points are very fundamental in the direction of our boys. First, give them certain activities that will develop their bodies (and that their bodies are craving. We will thus get the boy's good-will and will get him in a proper frame of mind to receive the gospel. Second, we should take advantage of the natural religious inclination. The boy should be given definite duties to perform in a definite way. Is it possible for Deacons to enjoy passing the Sacrament or gathering fast offerings? That depends upon their attitudes. Is it ;a game? Why can't this be as much a game as anything else? It caji be systematized so that each boy knows just what he is to do, and it becomes a very desirable task. Our Deacons have enjoyed these duties and have been happy in doing any work which the bishopric had for them to do. Our ordained Teachers are responsible for the ward teaching. Each Teacher has an older brother as a companion. At report meeting, the lesson for the next visit is outlined by the group. Suggestive lessons for each month have been prepared by the ward teachers' committee of the High Council. Then these suggested lessons are outlined by the teachers. For the first time in the history of our ward we have had 100% in ward teaching. The people are delighted with the system. This splendid attitude on the part of the boys has been produced by appealing to their desire for motor-activity. The first experience was brought about through the boys taking a trip. They were all enthusiastic. If the ward would provide such an outing, what would the Deacons do? Should we decide upon some plan to make a member eligible for an outing, and what should the restrictions be? The boys decided upon them. Attendance of 100% was required at Sunday School; 100% was first suggested for attendance at Sacrament meetings, but there was some opposition to this, for it was felt that they should have one Sunday afternoon off if they wished it, so attendance of three Sundays a month was finally required; 100% at quorum meetings; and the gathering of fast offerings. This completed the requirements. Since then, the Word

PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS 651 of Wisdom has been added. The boys appointed two of their members to give credit for work done. Thirty out of thirty-six were reported eligible. We met at the ward house at daylight. The bishop was the first one there. Thirty eligible boys were present, as well as two who were not eligible. These two begged so hard and promised so faithfully that Bishop Leak consented to let them go. We had four touring cars and one truck, and more were available. We drove to Provo Canyon and stayed for breakfast. After breakfast, we went up to Midway, where we had a wonderful swim in the Hotpots. We visited Heber City and had dinner. We then visited Kamas and Park City and had a fine ride down Parley's Canyon. A swimming party to Beck's Hot Springs, a visit to the Church Office Building and to the Presiding Bishop's Office, a picture show, and light lunch was another party. The next trip was one to Timpanogos, with a swim on the way home. These are samples of summer and winter trips. We have a very good fraternal spirit, help people in need, visit the sick, and labor with delinquent members. We are always at the service of the bishopric. Our boys are thoroughly converted that we have the best bishopric in the Church. What we must get is the proper vision of our work. I read an article as follows: An artist was sitting in his studio, his eyes fixed in steadfast gaze upon a vision which was rising before him. It was a form of rare beauty, one so wonderful in its loveliness as to transport his whole attention. His soul thrilled with ecstasy as he continued to gaze upon it, and there came upon him a desire to make it live forever; and, while his fingers were yet trembling under his inspiration, he began to mould. He moulded firmly, tenderly, day after day. When the clay hardened, he moistened it, and moulded again. Day by day there grew from his hands a form so beautiful that the world heard the fame of it and came and looked upon it, and said, "Well done." I believe that we can have a vision of our work and the wonderful opportunities that are ours; and, if we have that vision, we will work more faithfully and more diligently than we ever have done before. Field Notes Good Attendance at Aaronic Priesthood Meetings, Alberta Stake President Edward J. Wood, Alberta stake, reports as follows: "One reason for our good attendance at Lesser Priesthood meetings in the various wards, we think, can be traced to the good feeling the boys receive through their June visits to our Temple to do baptismal proxy work for the dead. We have had these excursions from all of the wards at various times during the month, taking so many girls and so many boys, and holding a special meeting with them in our prayer circle room. "A short prayer service is held. If there are any sick or afflicted in the wards where the boys or girls come from, we make special mention of this in the prayer while kneeling in the circle. If any of the boys or girls present feel the need of a special blessing, we administer to them from the circle. We have a few testimonies by the young people and some of the attendants, and then go into the baptistry for the baptismal work. We ask the boys and girls, while in the prayer room, to pledge themselves to more faithful observance of the requirements of the gospel, according to the position and Priesthood they hold, asking them specially to keep the Word of Wisdom, pay their tithes and offerings, even as young people, and attend their Sacramental and Priesthood meetings. "We find that where boys and girls take part in this activity the bishops

652 IMPROVEMENT ERA report an increased and more regular attendance, not only among the young people but also on the part of the older people." Encouraging Thrift Among Aaronic Priesthood Members Elder Adolph M. Reeder of the Corinne ward bishopric, Box Elder stake, reports that he is trying to persuade the Deacons' quorum members to build up individual savings or building society accounts. In this con- nection he calls attention to the fact that this practice will develop in these young men greater self-reliance and responsibility. Aaronic Priesthood Day — On May 15, 1927, it is ninety-eight years since Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were ordained under the hands of John the Baptist to the Aaronic Priesthood. The First Presidency of the Church have ordered that this anniversary shall be suitably commemorated in all the wards and branches of the Church, at the Sacramental meetings on that day, by an appropriate program to be given by members of the Aaronic Priesthood. A form of the program may be obtained from the Presiding Bishop's office. Thirty Baptisms in North Texas Conference During the year 1926 the missionary work of the conference proved more successful than in any preceding year. Out of thirty baptisms that we have performed, twenty-six of these were converts, the others being children of members of the Church. We feel that during 1927 we shall accomplish more even than in the past year. Many investigators have already expressed their desires for baptism. We have obtained permission to conduct street services in several of the cities which before were closed to us for this work. We have met very little opposition, though considerable indifference still exists. We have nine missionaries in the conference, and are privileged in many homes to hold cottage meetings, for which we feel that we are greatly blessed. The Improvement Era is of much value to our work. — J. Reed Lance, conference president North Texas. MISSIONARIES NORTH TEXAS CONFERENCE Standing, left to right: Eliza Stark, East Texas conference; Charles H. Willis, released; Orval F. Jeffery; Edith Summers; Casper W. Merrill, president East Texas conference; Ardella Laird; Horace B. Rawlings; Arthur C. Dye; Kirtland G. Woolley; Blaine W. Johnson. Sitting: Sister Bennion; S. O. Bennion, mission president; J. Reed Lance, conference president; Ethel Smith. East Texas conference; Ezra T. Hatch