Priesthood Quorums

PRIESTHOOD QUORUMS All Melchizedek Priesthood material is prepared under the direction of the Council of the Twelve; and all Aaronic Priesthood material is prepared under the direction of the Presiding Bishopric. THIS is a continuation of the lesson suggestions which be- gan in the October number of the Improvement Era: Week of December 1 1. Prayer. 2. Roll Call. (Each member should receive credit for attendance at meet- ings and for service rendered during the past week.) 3. Reports of Committees. a. Special. (Call for specific reports from (1) committee ap- pointed at previous meet- ing to visit quorum mem- bers, (2) committee on so- cial, (3) committee or in- dividuals assigned to ward teaching, etc. b. Standing. (Receive- report from one of the four standing commit- tees: viz., Personal Welfare, Class Instruction, Church Service, Miscellaneous. Re- port should be in writing and signed by members of committee. 4. Assignments. 5. Consideration of Principles of Conduct. Topic: Duty of the Teacher in Times of Sickness and Death. 1. In sickness. a. Interest manifested in visits and administration. b. Ascertain by observation and inquiry if aid is needed. 1 . Financial. 2. Medical. 3. Special nursing. c. Report to bishopric. 2. In case of death. a. Report to bishopric. b. Report to quorum president. 1 . Consultation regarding needs of bereaved. c. Assist as directed by bish- opric in funeral arrange- ments. Week of December 8 1. Prayer. 2. Roll Call. (Each member should receive credit for attendance at meetings and for service rendered during the past week.) 3. Reports of Committees. a. Special. (Call for specific reports from (1) committee ap- pointed at a previous meet- ing to visit quorum mem- bers, (2) committee on so- cial, (3) committee or in- dividuals assigned to ward teaching, etc. b. Standing. (Receive report from one of the four standing commit- tees; viz., Personal Welfare, Class Instruction, Church Service, Miscellaneous. Re- port should be in writing and signed by members of committee. 4. Assignments. 5. Consideration of Principles of Conduct. Topic Outlined: Quorum Mem- bers, Gospel Ordinances and Ceremonies, Baptism. 1. Essentiality and significance. a. Command of God. b. Entrance to Kingdom. c. Its symbolic significance. Week of December 15 1 . Prayer. 2. Roll Call. (Each member should receive credit for attendance at meet- ings and for service rendered during the past week.) 3. Reports of Committees. a. Special. (Call for specific reports from (1) committee ap- pointed at a previous meet- ing to visit quorum mem- bers, (2) committee on so- cial, (3) committee or in- dividuals assigned to ward teaching, etc. b. Standing. (Receive report from one of the four standing com- mittees; viz., Personal Wel- fare, Class Instruction, Church Service, Miscellane- ous. Report should be in writing and signed by mem- bers of committee. 4. Assignments. 5. Consideration of Principles of Conduct. Topic: Baptism Continued: 1. Proper Mode, a. Immersion. (Sprinkling — ■ pouring — have little or no signifi- cance.) 2. Proper Preparation. a. Of one officiating. b. Of applicant. c. At water's edge. 1. Essential features. 2. Non-essential features. d. In water. 1. Position of elder. 2. Position of applicant. Week of December 22 1. Prayer. 2. Roll Call. (Each member should receive credit for attendance at meet- ings and for service rendered during the past week.) 3. Reports of Committees. a. Special. (Call for specific reports from (1) committee ap- pointed at a previous meet- ing to visit quorum mem- bers, (2) commitee on so- cial (3) committee or indi- viduals assigned to ward teaching, etc. b. Standing. (Receive report from one of the four standing commit- tees; viz., Personal Welfare, Class Instruction, Church Service, Miscellaneous. Re- port should be in writing and signed by members of committee. 4. Assignments. 5. Consideration of Principles of Conduct. Topic: Baptism Continued: 1. The Prayer. a. Prescribed by the Lord. (Doc. andCov. 20:72-74.) b. Analysis of. 1 . Baptism administered by authority. 2. One officiating must be commissioned.

The Improvement Era For November, 1929 63 Note: A man may have the authority to baptize, but not the right to exercise that authority. He must be appointed by proper pre- siding authority in the Church be- fore he can officiate authoritatively. For example, a high priest, a sev- enty, an elder, a priest, though holding authority by ordination, must not exercise that authority without first being duly appointed (commissioned) by a regularly presiding officer of an organized branch of the Church. 3. Important historical incidents. a. Christ's baptism. Matt. 3:16. Mark 1:10-11. b. King Lamoni and his peo- ple. Alma 19:35. c. At waters of Mormon. Mormon 7:8-10. d. Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. Pearl of Great Price — p. 56. A universal requirement. Week of December 29. — Open. Aaronic Pries thood 100 per cent Attendance ON Saturday, October 5, at 4:00 p. m., 461 men met in the Assembly Hall, Temple Square, Salt Lake City, for the purpose of discussing matters per- taining to the Aaronic Priesthood. With the showing made, and the interest and enthusiasm, it was quite evident that those charged with this responsibility, are anx- ious fully to organize their forces, finish the year in the spirit of en- thusiasm, and be prepared to be- gin 1930 with all organizations ready to make of it, the anniversary year, the banner year of Aaronic Priesthood activities. For the benefit of fathers and others who were unable to attend this meeting, we feel that the plan presented should be put tn the hands of all those who are or should be interested in this work. In the first place, the responsi- bility of keeping a boy active in his Priesthood work rests with the parents of that boy. The stake presidency, high council, and ward bishopric are directly responsible for the results attained through quorum activities in the several wards. It is 'important that a Priesthood meeting be held in each ward each week for these young men, and that this work continue through the year, the quorum year being the calendar year. To have a successful Aaronic Priesthood quorum or class, it is necessary that this work have proper supervision. The person selected as supervisor should act as an aid or advisor to the quorum presidency. This presidency should perform the duties required of a presidency. They should have a secretary, whose duty it is to keep an accurate record of the proceed- ings of the meeting. The bishop and his counselors are in charge, and should keep in close touch with this work to aid the quorum presidencies to function properly and to give such advice from time to time as may be necessary. During the activity period the following program should be fol- lowed: First, prayer, calling the boys in turn, making a record so that in time all may have this priv- ilege. There should be a roll-call, audible, that all may know who are and who are not there. This will enable the active ones to do missionary work where it is most needed; and assignments should be made to secure attendance of those who do not attend. This should be followed with a review of the previous assignments and duties performed, and new assignments should be made for work to be done during the following week. Ordination of new members may be performed at this time, and a discussion held of social or frater- nal matters or any other matters of interest to the young men of the quorum. For the lesson period a course of study has been prepared adapted to each grade of the Priesthood. As this course of study is in booklet form and can be had from the Pre- siding Bishop's Office at a cost of 10c each, it is desired that every supervisor, every quorum member, and everyone interested in the Aaronic Priesthood work, obtain one of these booklets. To be suc- cessful in the quorum work, it is necessary that each individual study carefully the lesson assigned during the week immediately pre- ceding his class period, that he may have clearly in mind the sub- ject matter, or perhaps questions written out on matters which are not clear to him. The manner of conducting the lesson periods should be left to the supervisor, who should always keep in mind the interest of every member of the class. A general discussion of these lessons is always advisable, and it should be the aim of the leader to encourage every boy to participate actively. At the close of this les- son period the class session should be closed by singing and bene- diction. It is desired that a general mis- sionary work be taken up among the members of the Aaronic Priest- hood quorums to secure, if pos- sible, a one-hundred per cent en- rollment of all members of the Aaronic Priesthood before the be- ginning of the year. And what a wonderful thing it would be if we could enter into the anniversary year with one-hundred per cent at- tendance at our meetings! May we suggest that all interested in this work or engaged in it, fix that as their aim during the balance of this year. Something Over Which to Ponder T2 UT as a high priest of the Mel- chizedek Priesthood has au- thority to officiate in all the lesser offices, he may officiate in the office of bishop when no literal descend- ant of Aaron can be found, pro- vided he is called and set apart and ordained unto this power by the hands of the Presidency of the Mel- chizedek Priesthood. The power and authority of the higher, or Melchizedek Priesthood, is to hold the keys of all the spirit- ual blessings of the church. To have the privilege of re- ceiving the mysteries of the king- dom of heaven, to have the heavens opened unto them, to commune with the general assem- bly and Church of the Firstborn, and to enjoy the communion and presence of God the Father, and Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant." — Doc. 8 Cov. 107: 17-19.