Below you will find Prince’s research excerpts titled, “LDS General Handbooks: Messages, 1974-76.” You can view other topics here.
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MESSAGES from the Offices of the First Presidency, Council of the Twelve, First Council of the Seventy, Presiding Bishopric, and General Departments of the Church. 1 November, 1974-19 Mar., 1976.
1974: 1 Dec.: Elders quorum presidency room.
“An office in the meetinghouse should be provided for each elders quorum presidency. A regular classroom with a filing cabinet which can be locked, telephone jack, and desk is authorized. This room is not to be used exclusively by the elders quorum presidency, but may be used for classroom purposes as well. Effective November 1, 1974, the Church will share in the cost of these furnishings on the usual Church participation basis.” (“Messages . . .” No. 3, 1 Dec., 1974)
1975: 17 Jan.: New MP handbook.
“The 1975 Melchizedek Priesthood Handbook will be mailed in the near future to all mission, stake, and district presidents, and additional copies will be available from the Distribution Center February 1, 1975, at no cost. This handbook supersedes the Melchizedek Priesthood Handbook, 1970; Suggestions for Elders Quorum Presidencies and Group Leaders (also called Presides, Counsels, and Teaches), 1972; Priesthood Home Teaching Handbook of Instructions, 1972; Conducting a Priesthood Home Teaching Evaluation, 1970; and the Priesthood Fellowshiping Handbook, 1972.” (“Messages . . .” No. 6, 17 Jan., 1975)
14 Mar.: High priests to assist in reactivation.
“High priests may be called as home teachers to assist in activating elders and prospective elders. Such home teaching assignments are to be determined by the bishop and priesthood leaders, and high priests report on these assignments to the elders quorum president.” (“Messages . . .” No. 10, 14 Mar., 1975)
18 Apr.: Elders quorum presidency room.
“In furnishing elders quorum offices, the following items are authorized for purchase on a Church-participation basis: one four-drawer, letter-size filing cabinet with lock . . .; one table . . . A telephone jack and telephone are also approved, but the cost must be borne by the local unit.” (“Messages . . .” No. 12, 18 Apr., 1975)
16 May: Who should stand in circle to perform ordinances?
“When ordinances requiring the Melchizedek Priesthood are performed, only those who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood should stand in the circle. Prior to the performing of these ordinances, parents or individuals involved should be counseled in a kindly, thoughtful manner concerning this policy so that as invitations are extended to participate, they may be extended only to those who qualify and hold the proper priesthood.
The only exception to this policy is that a father, at his request, may hold his child when a name and blessing is given.” (“Messages . . .” No. 14, 16 May, 1975)
30 May: Divorce clearance for temple recommends.
“The First Presidency has issued the following statement which supplements and supersedes instruction contained in the General Handbook of Instructions, no. 20, 1968, page 93:
If there has been a divorce or an annulment of the marriage of persons sealed to each other in the temple, clearance by the First Presidency must first be obtained before a temple recommend can be issued to such persons. This also applies to individuals who have been divorced from a civil marriage if they have been endowed and previously sealed in the temple.
Divorces from civil marriages where the individual has not been previously endowed and sealed in the temple should be cleared by the bishop and stake president or branch president and mission president.”
(“Messages . . .” No. 15, 30 May, 1975)
19 Sep.: Each ward to have high priests group.
“The following order of organization for the high priests group in each ward is directed in the new Melchizedek Priesthood Handbook, page 2:
A high priests group functions in each ward, presided over by a group leader and one or two assistants (as needed), with a secretary to assist.
The activities of the high priests are generally directed through groups rather than through the quorum. Group leadership should be established in such a way that they can ‘sit in council’ weekly, much the same as quorum presidencies.
Group leaders should be instructed at least monthly by their quorum presidency (the stake presidency), and the entire quorum should meet periodically.” (“Messages . . .” No. 22, 19 Sep., 1975)
1976: 27 Feb.: Missionary farewells.
“The following item supersedes the statement contained on page 176 of the General Handbook of Instructions, no. 20, 1968:
Missionary farewells for all full-time missionaries should be held as part of regular sacrament meetings. They should be planned and conducted by the bishopric and should maintain the high standards of music, sermon, spirituality, and worship requisite on such sacred occasions. Parents and other family members of missionaries, as appropriate, might be invited to sit on the stand. Special printed programs should not be prepared. Open houses, except for family members, should not be held on the Sabbath day. Announcements of missionary calls might be made in newspapers and otherwise.”
(“Messages . . .” No. 30, 27 Feb., 1976)
27 Feb.: Appropriate dress for the temple.
“Brethren and sisters visiting the temple should be clean and appropriately dressed to enter the House of the Lord.
Brethren should not wear soiled work clothes. Sisters should wear stockings and choes but should not wear slacks or miniskirts or other immodest dress. Hats and head scarves should be removed at the temple entrance. Hairdo, nail polish, and makeup should be conservative; loud colors are out of place in the temple. Earrings and hair clips or combs, if worn, should be small and inconspicuous.
When participating in temple ordinances, brethren and sisters should wear clean garments. In addition, brethren should wear a pair of white pants and a long-sleeved white shirt or the approved one-piece suit. Sisters should wear a long white dress with high neckline and long sleeves (not lavishly trimmed) and all white underclothing. Appropriate rental clothing is available at the temple if desired; however, those who wish to bring their own temple clothing may do so.” (“Messages . . .” No. 30, 27 Feb., 1976)
19 Mar.: Reinstatement following Church court action.
“The following statement clarifies information contained on pages 77-80 of the General Handbook of Instructions, no. 21, 1976:
No time limit should be stated or implied verbally or in writing to a member who has been disfellowshiped or excommunicated. Reinstatement or readmission into the Church should come only upon evidence of sincere repentance, full compliance with the conditions imposed by the court, and a sufficient period of time to prove worthiness. The First Presidency should be contacted in those cases requiring their approval before an excommunicated individual is baptized into the Church.”
(“Messages . . .” No. 31, 19 Mar., 1976)