Priesthood Quorums

(Priesthood Quorums PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS All matters pertaining to the Aaronic Priesthood, presented under this heading, are prepared under the direction of the Presiding Bishopric. Renew Your Activities "Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are laborers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's build- ing."— I Cor. 3:8, 9. We feel that the above passage is one we may profitably reflect upon at this time. We are now approaching the close of the harvest season. In many of the stakes Church activities have been materially reduced during the summer months, both in the auxiliaries and priesthood quorum work. The excuse has been that vacations, intensive farm work, and recreational periods have taken so much time that we are justified in laying aside the duties and responsibilities that come with the priesthood. At the same time other stakes, similarly situated, have continued their weekly priesthood meetings and accompanying activities with success and satisfaction. The Presiding Bishopric are desirous of impressing upon all stake and ward authorities, if possible, the importance of Lesser Priesthood work, for it is with this department we have to do. We feel that we are not complying with the law when we neglect our duties in the priesthood; and failure to hold meetings regularly and to perform priesthood activities during all seasons of the year is failure to comply with the law. In the beginning of the year 1927, a course of study was provided for each of the Lesser Priesthood quorums, and ward officers were instructed to see that every quorum member should be provided with this course of study, in order to keep in close touch with the quorum work. Although these outlines are sold to quorum members for less than the actual cost of publication, our records show that there are a large number who are not yet provided with this course of study. This work has been arranged in a progressive course. To lay a proper foundation, young men should follow step by step from one course to another. The lessons should be followed in order, and there should be no break. This requires careful, patient effort on the part of priesthood committees, quorum officers, and the parents. We have found that when we break into the season's work by allowing a summer vacation, much time is lost in picking up the work where left off and getting underway again. We firmly urge all priesthood committees and quorum officers to make a canvass immediately of the member- ship of their quorums arid see that proper arrangements are made to continue the Lesser Priesthood activities as outlined, keeping in mind always that those who have received the Priesthood have received a commission to labor in God's vineyard. "Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence. He that is slothful shall not be counted worthy to stand, and he that learns not his duty and shows him-

PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS 1141 i self not approved shall not be counted worthy to stand. Even so, Amen." — Doc. and Cov. 107:99, 100. Aaronic Priesthood Department Work In practically every ward and branch of the Church there should be a sufficient number of deacons to form at least one quorum, and enough teachers and priests to form separate classes for these grades of the Priesthood. The average proportion of deacons throughout the Church is 6.3 per cent, of teachers 3.8 per cent, and of priests 3.6 per cent of the total membership. Taking this as a basis in a ward of 200 members and children, there should be about 1 2 deacons, 7 teachers and 7 priests. Under such circum- stances, it should be possible to organize a deacons' quorum, and a teachers' and a priests' class. The bishop should have direction of the priests' class, one counselor, of the teachers' class, and the other of the deacons' quorum. If possible, a supervisor should also be appointed for each grade. However, in the instance of such a small ward, if the members of the bishopric can give the individual attention necessary to the members of each grade, and carry out systematically the program provided, the same results can be obtained. In larger wards, where there are two or three quorums of any grade, the same arrangement of separate departments should be provided. The Lord has revealed the number of members that form each quorum; and it is for a wise purpose. It should be our business, then, to see to it that each quorum or fraction thereof shall maintain its identity by holding its own gathering. Wherever there are more than one-half the number required to form a quorum of any grade of the Priesthood in a ward or branch, the quorum should be organized with a presidency. Very wisely it is intended that from the age of twelve years up, members of the Priesthood shall receive training in presiding and conducting exercises, as well as other duties. This is. therefore, another reason why each quorum should meet separately in department work — that the presidency, at least, may secure the training in the proper methods of conducting meetings. In order to do this work efficiently and wisely, however, they need the advice and supervision of more experienced men. Therefore, a member of the bishopric or a supervisor should sit by the presidency and quietly advise them, being helpful in promoting dispatch and order. It is an excellent plan to have the various members of the presidency follow up a systematic order of business in each meeting. This should be in written or typewritten form. It will aid materially in developing system and promptness in the exercises. In connection with the department work of each quorum a very important part is that of accurate keeping of records. Accounting for the presence, excuse or absence of every member on the roll is only one phase of this work. The recording of assignments of duty made and whether they have been performed or not is also vital. Keeping note of the dates of birth of the various members, in order that they may be properly prepared for advancement in the priesthood, is likewise necessary. Then, at the end of each month the records should be summarized for submission to the bishop- ric and the stake committee. To do this work properly requires neatness and care. It should be done by the supervisor unless there is a member who is qualified. In all of the work connected with the quorums of the Aaronic Priest- hood, it should be kept in mind that this is a training school in spirtual

1142 IMPROVEMENT ERA development, that, if properly done, will stimulate every member in faith, initiative and continuity of purpose for his life work. Field Notes Fast Offerings, Waterloo ward, Grant stake. The bishopric of Waterloo ward instituted the system of envelope donations with excellent results. The practice is to invite all members of the ward to observe the fast and to attend fast meeting. Donations for the poor are received at that meeting. A card is provided for each family, which contains four columns, one showing the twelve months of the year, the next the amount donated each month, the third for the signature of the head of the family, and the fourth for check marks by the ward clerk. On the second Sunday of each month deacons and teachers are sent out from priesthood meeting to visit the families who have not previously donated at fast meeting. They carry envelopes containing the names and addresses of the heads of families, and in which the corresponding cards are enclosed. Any donations made as a result of these visits are noted on the cards by the members who make them, and the money placed with the cards in the envelopes. They are then taken back immediately to the bishopric by the deacons and teachers. This system has more than doubled the fast offerings. Commemoration Exercises A number of the members of the General Boards of the Y. M- and Y. L. M. I. A., at the regular meeting hour on Wednesday evening, September 21, celebrated with a program of speeches, songs and testimonies the one hundredth anniversary of the delivery of the plates, September 22, of the Book of Mormon to the Prophet Joseph Smith. Speeches were made by Elders George Albert Smith, Melvin J. Ballard and Richard R. Lyman of the Council of the Twelve, and superintendency of the Y. M. M. I. A. Also by Sisters Martha H. Tingey, Ruth May Fox, Lucy Grant Cannon, superintendency of the Young Ladies' Association. Elder Junius F. Wells, who had asked the members of the Board to read the Book of Mormon between August 7 and this date, read a goodly number of testi- monies of those who had finished reading the sacred record. Testimonies followed by members of both boards present, showing how reading the Book had given them new vision and knowledge of its contents heretofore not understood; and that the gospel spirit of the Book had given them a testimony of its divine origin. It was announced by Superintendent Ballard that arrangements had been made to broacast the M. I. A. Slogan and a short explanation of the anniversary over KSL and the Associated Press: "We Stand for a Fuller Knowledge of the Book of Mormon and a Testimony of its Divine Origin." A telegram, it was announced, was also sent to President Heber J. Grant at Palmyra, where he and a large number of elders and others were to celebrate the occasion. It was announced that thousands of the young people were reading the Book of Mormon as a consequence of the efforts made by the General Boards last year, and in response to the slogan of the young people this year. All stake and ward boards may well arrange to have a similar plan adopted for the reading of the Book of Mormon before the close of the year.