Priesthood Quorums

^Priesthood Quorums "Thorough Lesson Preparation and Interesting Presentation:" — Topic presented by Bishop Paul C. Child of Poplar Grove ward, Pioneer stake, at Bishops' Meeting, April 5, 1927, during General Conference. Material presented in the text must be fully in the teacher's possession; and, moreover, the teacher must ' go into other fields to secure reinforcing material. A definite objective decided upon, the teacher must then plan his methods of attack. The capacity of the class, individually and as a whole, must be measured, and as the teacher sees the ebbing of attention he must systematically release such thoughts as will cause the minds of the listeners to return to the discussion. He may present the subject in a new or greater light, thus demanding the renewed consideration of the class. Nor can the teacher always use the same methods of attack. Much depends upon the nature of the subject. There are many factors in education which may be utilized by the teacher in his lesson presentation. One of the greatest of these factors, I think, is the question, — par- ticularly the challenging question. Every lesson must in some way challenge the individual to secure his attention. Blessed indeed is the gospel teacher who has acquired the art of formulating questions adapted to the expe- rience of his pupils, which will cause them to reflect and to give expression to well rounded answers. Several such questions rightly put and properly discussed provide a most excellent method of presentation. As illustrative of other methods, may I mention some experiences in handling the priests' quorum lessons. Lesson No. 5, in the present manual No. 3, "How to Conduct a Meeting:" We could think of no better way of impressing this lesson upon our Priests than to allow them to conduct a Sacramental meeting. An entire evening was given to them. Assignments were made for pre- siding officers; priests were assigned for prayers and for administering the Sacrament; five speakers were appointed: one was appointed to give the Sacramental thought and four to deliver discourses. Ushers and other officers were then appointed, and much care was taken to assign such topics to the speakers as would require a re-study of several of the lessons in the manual used during 1925. Each member, of necessity, not only read, but studied, lesson 5, to make sure that he was doing the right thing. With one or two exceptions, the result was all that could be desired. As another example, lesson 6, "The Cultivation of Faith." Here this proposition was placed before the class: If there should be discovered a key-stone whereby the writings on ancient American ruins could be trans- lated, and such translations absolutely verified the truth of the Book of Mormon, would it be a good thing for the people generally? The challenge before them, the class, was divided. A lively discussion followed, during which one member who had steadfastly refused to answer questions in class for two years so far forgot himself that he gave expression to his con- viction. At the proper time, the class was led to consider the element of faith and its value. The objective of the lesson was thus obtained. In another class it was desired to show that only a fit person, — one possessing a clean tabernacle, — can have the Holy Ghost with him. The Sunday School organist was a member of that class. The teacher, in in- troducing the lesson, called attention to the wonderful music produced on the chapel organ and called upon the organist to produce the same music on an old organ in the class-room. It was impossible because of the con- dition of the organ. The comparisons were then drawn : God is the Master, even as the organist, but can produce no good results on the individual if that individual is unfit, as the organist can produce no good music

83 2 IMPROVEMENT ERA if the organ is unfit. A demonstration of this kind would also be very effective in putting over lesson 10 in the priests' manual — "The Word of Wisdom." So I might multiply methods of presentation. People think what they are stimulated to think. Therefore, may I state that in lesson presentation an effort should always be made to corre- late one lesson with another. Consistently to review, bringing up old truths in new lights, and also consistently to preview, causing the class to look forward with interest to the presentation of future lessons. By so doing the class is stimulated to consider repeatedly the lessons which have been presented. Inasmuch as knowledge is acquired by linking up facts, already in one's possession, with new ideas, the review and preview form an im- portant part of lesson presentation. Field Notes Spanish Fork Second Ward, Palmyra Stake. The social activities of the deacons for the season were begun by a deacons' social held on April 27, 1927, at Spanish Fork, at which Elder H. Eugene Hughes, second coun- selor in the bishopric, was master of ceremonies. Practically the entire program was rendered by officers and members of the three quorums of deacons. On the morning of June 3, a sightseeing trip was undertaken to Salt Lake City. Twenty-six of the deacons, out of a possible thirty-nine^ were in attendance at this outing. They were conducted by the supervisors of the Aaronic Priesthood. Their sightseeing consisted of a visit to the Presiding Bishop's Office and some explanation of the work done in that office. A visit to the Church Office Building, attendance at the noon Tabernacle organ recital, a visit around temple grounds, the grave of Brigham Young, St. Mary's cathedral, state penitentiary, the University of Utah and museum, the state capitol, the printing plant of the Deseret News, a swim in the Deseret Gymnasium pool, and a visit to Liberty Park, where songs and stories were heard and a banana and peanut "bust" was enjoyed. The next outing jof the boys, as planned, is to attend the Manti) temple and have baptisms performed for the dead. The boys are already looking forward to this important event. Participation in all of these activities is subject to certain conditions being fulfilled in the way of duties, attendance at meetings, etc., by the young men. In connection with the activities of the deacons' quorms, each quorum of deacons in this ward has been assigned to look after a certain number of widows and sick people. The boys accept responsibility for these assignments and take care of the cleaning of paths in snowy weather and supplying them with wood. The average attendance of deacons at weekly priesthood meetings is at least thirty out of a total of thirty-nine. Aaronic Priesthood Work in German- Austrian mission. President H. W. Valentine of the German-Austrian mission, former bishop of the Brigham City Third ward, Box Elder stake, writes to the Presiding Bishopric relative to Aaronic Priesthood outlines forwarded to him as follows: "I thank you very much for forwarding us the current outlines for the Aaronic Priesthood and we shall make use of them. I am also happy to see the graphic outline of responsibility for Aaronic Priesthood, and realize that the impressions which thrilled me as a bishop in the home ward are fully justified by the outline. Upon the bishops and counselors indeed rest the responsibilities for looking after the Aaronic Priesthood. "It is singular that this material should come at a time when it is more needed than ever before. For we had just held a week's convention with President Hugh J. Cannon of the Swiss-German mission, to counsel together concerning the matters of mutual concern to our missions and I had accepted the responsibility of supervising the priesthood department for

PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS 833 both missions. I am, therefore, especially pleased with this material and its illustration as well as copies of the outlines for the year. "I feel that the great burden of our work at present is one of stabilizing and making permanent. We have a great membership and of various ages and temperaments, and it is becoming necessary for us to do some careful work for our members as well as for the spread of the gospel to those whom we are especially seeking." Kolob Stake Attendance Contest. A banquet was served at the expense of the members of the Melchizedek Priesthood, to five hundred members of the priesthood in the Sprihgville high school auditorium, on the evening of May 23. , The occasion was the result of an attendance contest at weekly priesthood meetings during the month of April, and was won by the latter. An interesting program was also rendered. Priesthood Convention, Teton Stake. Under the direction of Elder Joseph Fielding Smith, of the Council of Twelve, Priesthood convention, in connection with stake conference, was held in Teton stake at D.riggs, Idaho, Saturday, April 29, 1927. A special feature of the convention was a challenge by the lesser priest- hood, made on the higher priesthood for attendance at the convention. The contest had a good effect as there were within eight as many members of the priesthood present Saturday afternoon as has been known for total attendance at any previous Saturday meeting of stake conference in this stake. The sisters met separately during the convention. Thirty per cent of all the priesthood of the stake were in attendance. Jackson Hole branches are included in this stake and the nearest one of these branches lies about thirty miles from stake headquarters. To reach Driggs from there one has to ascend the famous Teton Pass, rising in elevation to eight thousand four hundred feet and at this time of year there is about twelve feet of snow and ice on the pass, which makes traveling very difficult. !lfci"3^^^«3fcs^S^E^^£5ifc>5^MK^lJ&^p:^u^i^^,£3^''v*& - -'-• itt~ -» . ^m:^ » • j v v -^ v^ '''■ 1 :w S^^^^ 'ftaia&SS-i&t^i^L&5&£ ■f - * ■ |S$ * <* MS * at T7 3 at/* ' .> Top: Aaronic Priesthood Group. — First row standing — center — left to right: Elder Joseph Fielding Smith, of the Council of the Twelve; President Albert Choules; Ralph R. Cordon, 1st counselor; Alma Hanson, 2nd counselor. Bottom: Melchizedek Priesthood Group — Winners. First row standing — center — left to right: Alma Hanson, 1st counselor; Ralph R. Cordon, 2nd counselor; Albert Choules, president, Teton stake: Elder Joseph Field- ing Smith, of the Council of the Twelve.