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PRIESTHOOD, 1944.
1944: Jan.: Excommunications.
[7 listed, no causes.] (IE 47(1):30, Jan., 1944)
Feb.: Excommunications.
[7 listed, no causes.] (IE 47(2):95, Feb., 1944)
Mar.: Excommunications.
[13 listed, no causes.] (IE 47(3):159, Mar., 1944)
Jun.: Program for Adult AP.
“PROGRAM FOR ADULT MEMBERS OF THE AARONIC PRIESTHOOD
Immediately following the announcement in the special bishops’ meeting of April 8, 1944, handbooks, covering the details of the new program of the adult members of the Aaronic priesthood, were mailed to stake and ward leaders. These should now be in the hands of those concerned with this program.
To avoid any further delay, it is suggested that the stake and ward committee organizations be effected immediately, and that handbooks be placed at their disposal for their information and guidance. If instructions are followed closely, the new program will, undoubtedly, be effective in this activity.
NEW ROLL BOOKS
An entirely new roll and record book is now being prepared for use in this program. Special features in the new roll include the tabulation of activities in priesthood meeting, cottage meeting, and other church activities. There are also provided adequate space for the listing of assignments of committee-men and active members to visit the inactive, and spaces for recording the number of visits made during the month. Those living away from home for any reason will be noted in the new roll.
Individual record cards for adult members of the Aaronic priesthood will not be used in the new program. The roll book will contain a provision for the listing of each member’s wife’s name, number of children in his family, hobbies, profession or business, special talents, and other pertinent information.” (“Aaronic Priesthood,” IE 47(6):394, Jun., 1944)
Jun.: Excommunications.
[29 listed, no causes.] (IE 47(6):395, Jun., 1944)
Sep.: Excommunications listed.
[9 listed, no causes given. Joel and Ervil LeBaron were among those listed.] (IE 47(9):551, Sep., 1944)
Sep.: New Standard Quorum Award.
“An entirely new and strikingly different Standard Quorum Award is announced by the Presiding Bishopric.
Beginning with the awards for 1944, the name of each quorum or group member will be professionally written on the face of the Standard Quorum Award. This new feature will be very attractive to young men. It should be emphasized by stake and ward workers during the remainder of the year.
The design of the Standard Quorum Award will also be entirely new. It is attractive in every detail.
The Presiding Bishopric will continue to frame the awards as in the past.
With these new features, the award will be very much worth while. Every boy belonging to a quorum or group receiving this recognition will be pleased to have his name appear thereon as one who assisted in earning this recognition. This will be valuable to young men as the years go by. They can look back over their records and take pride and joy in their activities. It may also inspire them with the thought that what they accomplished once they can do again.
Stake and ward committees should check quorum records now. Many a quorum has been assisted to success by checking its record before it became too late. Many quorums have failed, too, because no check up was made until the year’s end.” (“Aaronic Priesthood,” IE 47(9):561, Sep., 1944)
Oct.: Pronunciation of “Melchizedek.”
“The name of the higher priesthood has long been mispronounced. Mel is pronounced with the e as in met; chiz, as kiz, i as in it,–and this is an i, not an e as commonly pronounced; e as in silent; dek, e as in met. If all who are privileged to hold this priesthood would pronounce the word correctly, soon all Church members would be doing the same–and here it is spelled as it should be said mel kiz’e dek. Try it over and over again until it rolls off the tongue correctly and easily.” (“Melchizedek Priesthood,” IE 47(10):614, Oct., 1944)
Nov.: Tithing information to quorum leaders.
“In the new Confidential Annual Report now being required of all quorums of the Melchizedek Priesthood, the tithing record of each quorum member is called for. The amount of tithing is not asked, but it is desired to know whether each member is a full tithepayer, part tithepayer, or exempt from the payment of tithing.
Quorum presidencies have been advised to procure this information from each respective bishop. It is urged, therefore, that each bishop cooperate in supplying this information to quorum presidencies when approached. The amount of tithing paid by each quorum member should not be disclosed. This is confidential between the bishop and the member.” (“Aaronic Priesthood,” IE 47(11):682, Nov., 1944)
Dec.: New Confidential Annual Reports.
“The new Confidential Annual reports will be used by quorums to report the calendar year 1944. These new reports replace the old L, M, and N reports for elders, seventy, and high priests. The only names recorded in the new reports are the quorum officers. The balance of the report gives total and percentage data based on personal interview of quorum members by presidencies of quorums.
The personal, confidential interview should be made by quorum presidencies. It is suggested that only one member of the presidency interview any quorum member. It is believed that if the work is divided between members of the presidency it can be done without undue burden to anyone. However, in the case of high priests, where quorum membership is unusually large, the quorum presidency may, for this year only, call on tactful and wise group leaders to assist with personal interviews under the direction of the presidency.” (“Melchizedek Priesthood,” IE 47(776, 784, Dec., 1944)
Dec.: Excommunications.
[33 listed, no causes.] (IE 47(12):790-791, Dec., 1944)
Not an official statement of Church doctrine.
“This Handbook is issued for the help and guidance of Church officers in the performance of their duties and in carrying forward the approved procedure of the Church.
Though it covers many items, yet it does not purport to comprehend all matters of Church government, nor is it an official statement of Church doctrine.” (Handbook of Instructions for Stake Presidents and Counselors, Bishops and Counselors, Stake and Ward Clerks and Other Church Officers, No. 17, 1944–1949 Reprint, p. 3)
Assistants to 12 may ordain bishops.
“Bishops are to be ordained and set apart by members of the First Presidency, Council of the Twelve, and Assistants to the Council of the Twelve.” (Handbook of Instructions for Stake Presidents and Counselors, Bishops and Counselors, Stake and Ward Clerks and Other Church Officers, No. 17, 1944–1949 Reprint, p. 18)
Priests may be called to stake missions.
“Since the preaching of the gospel is the duty of the Church, strong and capable men with the missionary spirit should be called to this labor [stake missions]. These men should preverably be seventies, but high priests, elders, and priests may be called. Women who are qualified to serve may likewise be called to this labor. It is desired that prospective foreign missionaries serve and gain experience in the stake missions before going into the foreign mission fields.” (Handbook of Instructions for Stake Presidents and Counselors, Bishops and Counselors, Stake and Ward Clerks and Other Church Officers, No. 17, 1944–1949 Reprint, p. 25)
Bishopric EXPECTED to greet congregation at door.
“Bhe bishopric should be at the meetinghouse sufficiently early on the Sabbath day to personally greet and shake hands with the saints who come to attend the sacrament meeting. This practice creates a good impression; enables the bishopric to become acquainted with the members of the ward; and to inquire of strangers whether they have moved into the ward and, if so, where they reside. All should be welcomed and made to feel at home.” [Note the stronger suggestion than earlier editions of GHI.] (Handbook of Instructions for Stake Presidents and Counselors, Bishops and Counselors, Stake and Ward Clerks and Other Church Officers, No. 17, 1944–1949 Reprint, p. 38)
Bishops to encourage fathers to bless own children.
“A father who holds the Melchizedek Priesthood, if he so desires, may, with the consent of the bishop, bless his child, buit he should then return to his seat in the congregation, unless he is requested to remain and assist in the blessing of other children. Bishops should encourage fathers who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood and are worthy, to come forward and bless their children.” (Handbook of Instructions for Stake Presidents and Counselors, Bishops and Counselors, Stake and Ward Clerks and Other Church Officers, No. 17, 1944–1949 Reprint, p. 52)
Non-member father may hold child during blessing.
“A non-member, or a member who holds only the Aaronic Priesthood or no priesthood at all, who asks permission to do so, may hold his child while it is being blessed by those having proper authority, but he should return to his seat in the congregation after the blessing has been given.” (Handbook of Instructions for Stake Presidents and Counselors, Bishops and Counselors, Stake and Ward Clerks and Other Church Officers, No. 17, 1944–1949 Reprint, p. 52)
Should surname of child be mentioned in blessing?
“In the blessing of children it makes no difference whether the surnames or only the given names are mentioned. However, when only the given names are mentioned a statement, ‘in connection with the family name of the parents,’ could appropriately be added to give completeness to the blessing.” (Handbook of Instructions for Stake Presidents and Counselors, Bishops and Counselors, Stake and Ward Clerks and Other Church Officers, No. 17, 1944–1949 Reprint, p. 52)
MP holder should dedicate graves.
“Graveside Prayer: This should be a simple, earnest prayer. There is no set form and the person appointed to offer it may ask for such blessings as the Spirit of the Lord directs. Usually in such a prayer, expressions are used seeking the protection of the body from molestation until the time of the resurrection when it will again be reanimated by the immortal spirit and come forth in a glorious resurrection to associate with relatives and friends in the life that never ends. The person appointed to offer the prayer should be a worthy brother holding the Melchizedek Priesthood.” (Handbook of Instructions for Stake Presidents and Counselors, Bishops and Counselors, Stake and Ward Clerks and Other Church Officers, No. 17, 1944–1949 Reprint, p. 77)
Judicial procedures for plural marriages.
“The illegal practice of polygamous or plural marriage is still being taught and encouraged by a group comprised of avowed or virtual apostates, excommunicated persons, and a few misguided members. This group is in no way connected with the Church. Its activities are illegal and void and contrary to the order of the Church and the will of the Lord as revealed to President Woodruff and adopted by the Church. The marriages performed by its leaders are false and mock marriages and in violation of the laws of the land.
Any Church member belonging to this group or adopting or advocating its doctrines and practices, is not to be considered in good fellowship with the Church, is not entitled to and should not be granted any of the rights and privileges accorded Church members–such as admittance to the temples, the payment of tithing, participation in the activities of the priesthood quorums and auxiliary organizations or any other ward, stake or Church movements–and should, unless he truly repents, be immediately and formally excommunicated, as directed in the Official Statement.
The great law-abiding, faithful Church membership cannot and must not be brought into disrepute, nor their honor and good faith challenged, by a small group of recalcitrant and evilly-led persons in rebellion.
Each president of stake and each bishop will proceed immediately to correct any situation of the kind described existing within his jurisdiction. There must be no condoning of or trifling with this rebellious condition. It must be brought to an end at once. This is imperative.” (Handbook of Instructions for Stake Presidents and Counselors, Bishops and Counselors, Stake and Ward Clerks and Other Church Officers, No. 17, 1944–1949 Reprint, p. 106)
Ward teachers to try to resolve disputes.
“Members of the ward should attempt to settle their own difficulties or personal grievances instead of bringing them before the Church. If this cannot be done, the ward teachers who officiate under the direction of the bishopric should exercise their brotherly ministrations in trying to bring about a reconciliation between the contending parties. It is only when these means fail that disputes should be brought before the officers of the Church for examination and judgment.” (Handbook of Instructions for Stake Presidents and Counselors, Bishops and Counselors, Stake and Ward Clerks and Other Church Officers, No. 17, 1944–1949 Reprint, pp. 109-110)
Church president must rule on ALL cases of restoration.
“Applications for the restoration of former blessings to men and women who have been excommunicated and who have been returned to the Church by baptism and confirmation should be submitted to the President of the Church. These blessings may be restored only upon his authority. When such applications are approved, members of the Council of the Twelve, upon receiving authority from the President of the Church, will restore the former blessings.” [Note that this is a change from GHI 1940, which mandated action by the Church President only in the case of men.] (Handbook of Instructions for Stake Presidents and Counselors, Bishops and Counselors, Stake and Ward Clerks and Other Church Officers, No. 17, 1944–1949 Reprint, p. 116)
Annual house to house visit.
“It is recommended that each family in the ward be visited annually by the bishopric, or by members of the Melchizedek Priesthood especially appointed to represent them. These visits should be made toward the end of the year, allowing as much time as may be required considering the number of families in the ward.
During these visits, instructions relating to the observance of gospel principles may be given and, where necessary, topics adapted to the families’ individual needs discussed. Suggestions might well be solicited as to how ward activities and policies could be improved or made more effective. Members will appreciate a visit by the bishopric.” (Handbook of Instructions for Stake Presidents and Counselors, Bishops and Counselors, Stake and Ward Clerks and Other Church Officers, No. 17, 1944–1949 Reprint, p. 119)
Membership in secret organizations.
“Members of the Church are strongly advised not to become identified as members with any organization established for the benefit of any group which is antagonistic to the Church, oath-bound, or of such character as would cause members of the Church to lose interest in Church activities or interfere with the performance of their duties. This does not apply to any association that is free from the conditions mentioned and that is organized for the commercial or general welfare of its members. See Gospel Doctrine, pages 109-111.
Whether Church members who belong to secret oath-bound organizations shall be ordained to or advanced in the priesthood, or given the privileges of the temple, depends upon their standing in the Church and compliance with the regulations governing these privileges.” (Handbook of Instructions for Stake Presidents and Counselors, Bishops and Counselors, Stake and Ward Clerks and Other Church Officers, No. 17, 1944–1949 Reprint, pap. 121-122)