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. Pamphlet for the Melchizedek Priesthood rT7 HERE has just been issued from the -*- press a pamphlet of one hundred and nine pages giving suggestions rel- ative to the order of procedure in the Activity Weekly Meeting of the Mel- chizedek Priesthood Quorums of the Church. Some of these suggestions have already appeared in the Era, but these need not now be printed as the entire year's course is given in this pamphlet. The topics given for consideration under the heading "Principles of Per- sonal Conduct" aim principally to- ward the improvement of the individ- ual members. The following principal headings indicate the line of thought that will be emphasized at this par- ticular stage of each meeting: 1. In the Field of Teaching. 2. In the Field of Gospel Ordi- nances and Ceremonies. 3. Quorum Membership and the Sacrament. 4. Quorum Membership and Tith- ing. 5. The Quorum and Fast Day Duties. 6. Principles of Personal Conduct. 7. _ In the Field of Home and Fam- ily Life. 8. Quorum Activities and Duties. 9. Relation of Quorum to Ecclesi- astical Groups. In the foreword of the pamphlet we find the following: "In those quorums and groups in which the four principal committees are func- tioning properly, and, therefore, submit- ting regular written reports, there may be little or no time to devote to the con- sideration of these 'principles of personal conduct.' In such cases it is suggested that the committees incorporate in their sug- gested assignments such topics in the list herewith submitted as may be most suit- able to the duties and projects they have in hand. "Other quorums may find it advisable to devote fifteen or twenty minutes to the consideration of personal welfare topics and to quorum efficiency, as herein listed. "In -all cases the formal presentation of the 'principles of conduct' should follow the roll call, reports and assignments. "It should ever be borne in mind that the consideration of lessons on 'principles of conduct' in no sense supersedes the study of the Gospel Doctrine lessons on Sunday morning, which constitute the of- ficial course of study for the Priesthood." A small percentage of copies needed for the quorums have been mailed di- rectly to the stake presidencies who are having their stake clerks make distri- bution to the quorum members. When other copies are needed application should be made to the Deseret Book Company. East Jordan Stake Efficiency Convention HP HE first Efficiency Convention of -^ the Elders' Quorums of the East Jordan stake was held Saturday and Sunday, December 8 and 9, in the beautiful new Crescent ward chapel under the direction of the Stake Ad- visory Committee, consisting of Elders Stanley Rasmussen, Chairman; Dr. C. C. Jensen, and Albert E. Burgon. The purpose of this convention was to arouse a greater interest in Priest- hood work and encourage better at- tendance at quorum meetings. The opening social Saturday even- ing was in charge of the Elders' Recre- ation Committee, consisting of Alma Fairbourn, Chairman; George Beck- stead, and John L. Smith. During the evening a large crowd of elders and their friends enjoyed games and danc- ing in the handsome new recreation hall. Refreshments were served to 350 in the banquet hall by the Crescent ward gleaner girls under the direction of Vida Jensen. A good feeling en- livened the dances and games and all enjoyed themselves in great measure. Those in charge were enthused by the spirit of optimism and good fellow- ship which prevailed. Two meetings were held Sunday be- ginning at 9:30 and 12:00. Between sessions refreshments were served by the Crescent ward gleaner girls. Very interesting miscellaneous pro- grams consisting of musical numbers, missionary experiences, some of them very humorous, and instructive talks on the work of the Priesthood were given. President Heber J. Burgon, of East Jordan stake, stressed the im- portance of living in harmony with the Gospel, and of developing a spirit of brotherhood and fraternalism in all the Priesthood quorums from the deacons up. Among the reasons advanced for poor attendance at quorum meetings were the following, given by Elder Melvin Strong of the Sandy First ward: (1) Elders' meetings are often unin- teresting because the teacher is either ab- sent or unprepared. (2) Many members who take an active part are old fashioned and intolerant, and resent having progressive ideas discussed in the meetings. (3) Too many donations are asked for. (4) Not enough social parties and dances are associated with Priesthood work. To offset these, Elder Strong recom- mended the following: (1) Better quorum teaching. (2) A spirit of toleration and broad- mindedness in quorum meetings. (3) More social parties and fraternal- ism. (4) The necessary donations should be asked for but once in the meeting. Then those who do not pay should be solicited personally. Seventy-six elders were in attend- ance at the Sunday meetings. The Sandy Third ward won the attendance banner presented to the ward having highest percentage of members present at the three sessions. The convention proved a great success from every standpoint, and those present were heartily in favor of having more Ef- ficiency Conventions in the future. A ND again, be patient in tribulation ** until I come; and, behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, and they who have sought me early shall find rest to their souls." Doc. and Cov. 54:10.

282 The Improvement Era for February, 1930 Success in Aaronic Priesthood Work ON the quarterly stake comparisons of Aaronic Priesthood work a rating basis has been established to indicate the relative activity of the various stakes. According to this re- port for the three months ending Sep- tember 30, last, the four stakes show- ing the highest rating were: South Davis — 68; Liberty — 67; Oquirrh — 63, and Franklin — 62. These ratings were based upon the average attendance at weekly Priest- hood meetings, the number of mem- bers who performed assignments of duty, the average attendance at Sun- day School classes, the number who observe the Word of Wisdom, the proportion of actual to possible quo- rums, the number of wards having supervisors, the average attendance of supervisors, the number of members on the stake committee, the average number of visits to the wards by this committee, and the average number of class or quorum meetings held per ward. Elder George A. B. Mclntyre, Stake Chairman of the Aaronic Priesthood Committee, and President James H. Robinson of South Davis stake report some of the reasons for their success as follows: "The matter of leadership and organization has had the careful attention of all our bishoprics. The Word of Wisdom is taught and ex- emplified in most of our homes. Bishoprics have maintained close contacts with the quorums, and have taught the Word of Wisdom. Careful leadership has been given the leisure activities of these members. Priesthood meetings were held weekly during the summer in the various wards. The fine personnel of the Stake Priesthood Committee has been very helpful. Especially, the fine leadership and pro- viding for the systematic performance of duties by the members, have pro- duced the results." President Barton of Franklin stake reports as follows: "It is highly im- portant that the members of the Stake Aaronic Priesthood Committee be posted on all phases of Aaronic Priest- hood work; and that visits be made regularly to the various wards, to help the ward workers in their labors. A consistent checking-up brings good results. The selection of good super- visors is very important. Our wards are all fairly well organized for this work. We realize that the real respon- sibility of Aaronic Priesthood work rests upon the bishopric of the ward; and any degree of succses is due to a very great extent to the activity of these brethren." Field Notes "THHE following suggestions for the * ward Aaronic Priesthood Super- visors in the promotion of Priesthood activities have been prepared by the Stake Aaronic Priesthood Committee of Liberty stake: The aim of the program is, first, to train the boys; and, second, to render actual assistance and relief to the bishopric in the work of the ward. I. Find your membership. a. With the assistance of the ward clerk, make lists of those holding the Aaronic Priesthood, classifying them as priests, teachers, and dea- cons. b. Opposite each name, write the age and address, and any special information pertain- ing to activity, employment, experience, and so on, that will serve a useful purpose in the work to follow. c. Indicate on each list the members who will probably be recommended for promo- tion during the year. d. Prepare a list of boys about twelve years of age or older, who hold no Priesthood, but who will probably be con- sidered during the year for ordination as deacons. e. Make a special list of those in the three grades who have passed the promotion age but who for any reason have not been advanced. II. Provide interesting and worth- while quorum meetings. Quo- rum meetings are held during the Sunday School class period. Quorum officers preside at these meetings. An order of business should be worked out so that the meetings will go off prompt- ly and smoothly. The follow- ing suggestive order indicates the nature of the meeting. The activity period should not last longer than fifteen minutes. a. Prayer by a member. b. Roll. c. Activity assignments for the week. d. Report on activities for the activity record. e. Instructions and demonstra- tions on Priesthood work. f. Social, fraternal, and other activities. III. Keep the boys active in the ward and community. a. Opportunity and encourage- ment should be given the boys to officiate in . their Priesthood callings. The record of activities will en- able you to see that all have a chance. Failure to respond should be followed up in the proper way. The boys should officiate as follows: 1. Deacons should pass the Sacrament. 2. Teachers (or deacons) should gather fast offer- ings. 3. Priests and teachers should do ward teaching. 4. Priests should administer at the Sacrament table. 5. Priests should be given experience in baptizing. 6. Priests and teachers may serve as ushers. 7. All should do missionary work within their own quorums. 8. Deacons can give effective assistance in special mes- senger service, such as re- minding ward members of missionary farewells and other gatherings. b. The boys should have expe- rience in social and fraternal service in activities in which their Priesthood is not ne- cessarily a prerequisite. These activities, which may be car- ried on in connection with other ward organizations, will include: 1. Social affairs and enter- tainments. 2. Choruses, glee clubs, or- chestras, dramatics, liter- ary clubs. 3. Athletic contests, hikes, swimming parties. 4. Visiting and otherwise comforting associates who are ill or crippled, or oth- erwise in trouble. c. Priesthood promotions should receive special attention. By visits, letters, or other means, the boys should be impressed with the sacredness of Priest- hood ordinations, and should be invited to express them- selves with respect to pro- posed advancements. This will serve as a check on their worthiness. IV. Be Missionaries. In addition to the missionary work assigned to the boys, the committee will need to take special assignments, as: a. Work with delinquent mem- bers of quorum age, whom the boys have not been able to bring out. b. Such work as the bishopric may direct with those who are over age and probably in- active. This work must be planned with great care. The objective will be to make them active and worthy of promotion.