Below you will find Prince’s research excerpts titled, “Priesthood, 1961.” You can view other years here.
Search the content below for specific dates, names, and keywords using the keyboard shortcut Command + F on a Mac or Control + F on Windows.
PRIESTHOOD, 1961
1961: 15 Mar.: Report of Correlation Research Committee.
“The following summary is a report of the activities of the Research Committee for the Melchizedek Priesthood Education Committee during the last half of 1960 and January and February of 1961. It was presented March 15, 1961 to the Education Committee of the Melchizedek Priesthood in the office of Elder Marion G. Romney.
DETERMINING JURISDICTION
On Tuesday, June 28, 1960, Antone K. Romney met with Elder Marion G. Romney and his subcommittee. We met in Brother Lee’s office and presented a report. Those present at this meeting were: Elder Harold B. Lee, Elder Marion G. Romney, Elder Richard L. Evans, Elder George Q. Morris, Elder Gordon B. Hinckley, Elder Sterling W. Seill, Elder ElRay L. Christiansen, and Antone K. Romney.
At this meeting the proposed plan for study was approved, and Brother Antone K. Romney was authorized to move ahead with the study. He was also authorized to invite Daniel Ludlow, B. West Belhap, and Vaughn Hansen to assist in the study. During the next month or so we four brethren met and worked on the problem of clarification of jurisdiction. It was decided that the history of each auxiliary would be examined very carefully. It was thought that it would be possible to study the assignments made by the First Presidency to each auxiliary organization and to arrive at a conclusion as to the specific problem for which the organization was organized. It was hoped that we might thus clarify the assignment or the goals outlined and assigned by the First Presidency for each auxiliary. It might then be possible to chart the limits of the jurisdiction of each auxiliary.
It was next decided to make a careful study of the objectives of each auxiliary as stated by the General Boards during the past 60 years. These two studies were made and their results charted in two columns. One column indicates the assignments made by the First Presidency, and the other column indicates the interpretation and goals as stated by the General Boards. As we compared these two areas on the Relief Society chart, we discovered that the original assignments made by the First Presidency and all other subsequent assignments seemed to fall into two categories: the category of compassionate service and the category of improvement of morals and home development. We found, however, that the General Board had organized courses of study beginning in 1902 and had moved into the field of teaching in various areas, including the gospel.
By 1913 the Relief Society had developed a unified course of study including five areas: theological lessons, visiting teacher lessons, work meeting lessons, literature lessons, and social lessons. We examined the course of study for each year since 1914 and found that much material which has been covered in their theological lessons has been covered in Sunday School, MIA, and other auxiliaries. At this point we began to think that it might be possible to limit the Relief Society and other auxiliaries to the specific assignments given them by the First Presidency. Our study thus far looked encouraging.
We then studied the history of the development of course work in the YWMIA. We carefully compared the assignments made by the First Presidency with the general objectives as stated by the General Board and we discovered that the First Presidency gave the following assignments to the MIA.:
When the Mutual Improvement Associations were organized under the direction of Brigham Young, it was with the definite understanding that the purposes which prompted their organization was to provide a means by which the doctrines of the gospel could be more effectively taught to the young men and women, that testimony of the truth of these doctrines and the divinity of the mission of Joseph Smith might be gained and also that the literary tastes of the young might be developed and their social activities be brought under better management and control.
This statement and others made by President Heber J. Grant and his counselors in 1922 extended the jurisdiction of the auxiliaries to cover the whole curriculum as far as we could determine. Our committee, therefore, felt that it was impossible to limit the jurisdiction of these auxiliaries unless new assignments were made and clarified which would supersede the old.
We further discovered in the writings of modern Church leaders many references which led us to believe that the Priesthood Quorums should become more active in the supervision and teaching of all things pertaining to the gospel. Many statements have been made by the First Presidency of the Church which directed our attention to the study of a means whereby Priesthood Quorums might become more active in carrying on this vital work to the members of the Church. President Joseph F. Smith said:
We expect to see the day when every council of the Priesthood in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will understand its duty, will assume its own responsibility, will magnify its calling, and fill its place in the Church, to the uttermost, according to the intelligence and ability possessed by it. When that day shall come, there will not be so much necessity for work that is now being done by the auxiliary organizations, because it will be done by the regular quorums of the Priesthood. The Lord designed and comprehended it from the beginning, and He has made provision in the Church whereby every need may be met and satisfied through the regular organizations of the Priesthood.
This and like instructions brought the committee to an analysis of the present organization of the Church and its auxiliaries. We began to consider the basic organization as it is covered in Chart No. III indicating the presiding authorities, the auxiliary organizations, and the Priesthood organizations. We think it is clear that certain instructions have been given by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve to the general superintendencies of the auxiliary boards, and through them to the stakes, the wards, and to the membership of the Church. We also believe it is clear that the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve and general authorities have given instructions through the stake presidencies, Melchizedek Priesthood quorums, ward bishoprics, and Aaronic Priesthood quorums to carry out like teaching and other activities. We believe that through this double line of instruction we have developed what we might call a double-wired organization which results in a great many lines of pressure emerging and centering themselves upon the membership of the Church in a given ward. These pressures show themselves in duplication and overlap of activities.
The boy or girl or man or woman of any given age may find themselves attempting to fill the requirements of the curriculum presented by the MIA, the Sunday School, the Priesthood, the Scouts, the Genealogy, the Relief Society, and so forth on the one hand, and at the same time attempting to respond to the calls made by the several Priesthood Quorums and the Bishops and other committees of the Church.
For example, a boy 14 years of age already is a member of the home group which carries on activities. He is also a member of the public school system where some social activities are sponsored. He should belong to a seminary class where certain social activity and curriculum is offered. A fourth group to which he belongs if he is active in the Church is the Explorer group–ages 14 to 16. He also attends Sunday School, where his activities are carried on in the Church history program with boys and girls ages 13 and 14, and again as a member of the priesthood quorum where he is a teacher and associates with boys who are 14 and 15. Thus this one boy belongs to six different groups. (See chart No. IV)
This situation has been recognized by the General Church Authorities since the turn of the century. A committee was organized prior to 1921 and called the correlation and social advisory committee. Its report was made to the First Presidency April 12, 1921. This report recommends a correlation among the many activities required of Church members. The First Presidency at that time felt that the time was not right for such correlation. Others have met from time to time on the same type of problem attempting to correlate these activities, making reports at different times from 1920 to 1960. All of these reports so far as our committee could discern were efforts to set up a correlation committee which would attempt to control, limit, and prevent overlap and unnecessary duplication in courses of study and activities of the Church.
This present committee unanimously felt that this problem should be recognized and that steps should be taken to correct the double-wired organization, and at the same time protect the functions which are carried on by the many auxiliaries which we now have.
In October, 1960, Brother Antone K. Romney met with Elder Marion G. Romney, Elder Harold B. Lee, Elder Gordon B. Hinckley, Elder ElRay L. Christiansen, and Elder Sterling W. Sill, and ponited out the conclusions of the committee at that time and asked the following question which had been raised by the new committee, ‘Is it your desire that this committee proceed in this line of thinking and attempt to bring suggestions forward which might point to a reorganization of the auxiliaries in such a way as to preserve their functions but to have activities administered through the Priesthood quorums of the Church?’ An affirmative answer was given and Brother Romney was instructed to have the committee move forward under the above instructions. (See chart No. V)
Again our committee began work and worked through November and December. On January 24, 1961, Elder Romney, Elder Lee, and Elder Petersen called Brother Romney to Salt Lake to make a progress report of the committee. At that time the committee activities were reviewed and a suggested ward organizational chart was presented. It was again suggested that all functions of all auxiliaries be placed under the operation of Priesthood Quorums. The committee proposed that the general auxiliary boards of the Church be reorganized into age groups rather than under auxiliary names. The same specialists who work on the general boards would be organized according to their specialties in age groups and would write the curricula for the several age groups. This curricula would be carried by the General Authorities to the stake presidents during the quarterly conferences. These curriculas would be accepted by the stake and ward officers who themselves would be organized in age groups corresponding to priesthood groups. In this way we would assure ourselves of new curriculum for each person, adapted according to his age age and passed down from the General Authorities through the stake and ward organizations. A copy of this chart of a ward organization is here presented. Also copies of charts as to how each function of each organization would fit into the proposed organization follow.
Chart VI is the proposed ward organization showing the basic proposed family ward council made up of members of the Children’s Council, Youth Council, and Parent’s Council. The children are supervised by the Children’s Council, the youth by the Youth Council, and adults by the Adult Council. From this chart it is observed that the priesthood organization of the Church might be used as a pattern of operation to organize the youth and adults including the daughters and the mothers who are members of the Church. It is thought that the entire program of activity and instruction in the Church could be organized in age groups in each ward under the direction of the proper stake and church authority. The entire program could be administered through the priesthood quorums of the Church. It is further proposed that the meetings of the auxiliaries of the Church be arranged so that Sunday morning has a period devoted to instruction and activity under the direction of the Bishop. All members of the ward might come to Church together Sunday morning. The children would go into a general session, and all others would go into a general session under the direction of the Bishop. This period could be like the opening services of the present Sunday School–general instructions, devotional services, the sacrament, and so forth during the opening session, or first half hour. The young boys would then go into priesthood activity and the young girls would be organized similar to the priesthood groups with a president and advisor to correspond with the age grouping of Deacons, Teachers, and Priests. The second half hour of the Sunday morning session would consist of separate meetings for the men and for the women. Business activities of the week would be planned and implemented at this time.
The boys would continue their priesthood activities where they would be taught the ordinances and practices necessary to carry out their responsibilities as priesthood bearers. The girls would receive instructions unique for women in preparation for motherhood. The second half hour on Sunday morning would also be the planning meeting for the activities of the week by age groups. Such a program would allow flexibility for the program to meet the needs of the specific age groups.
The second hour of the Sunday morning session would be reserved for joint instruction and activity: men and women would meet together in groups according to interests: boys and girls of the same ages would also meet together for instruction. The Sunday morning meeting would eliminate the necessity of other auxiliary meetings during the week unless specific needs arose which would be considered by the curriculum planner. The regular sacrament meeting would be held in the afternoon or evening. This proposed ward organization would permit the teaching of Church courses of study by age groups. Courses would be planned by experts, and would prevent overlap in activity and subject matter material. This proposed ward organization chart was presented, along with chart VIIA and VIIB.
Chart VII shows the proposed basic Church organization wherein the First Presidency and Quorum of Twelve plan, provide, coordinate, and supervise the entire program. The general boards of the auxiliaries would be re-organized into twelve committees supervised by the general authorities. These committees would write and prepare the Church curriculum for the age group levels. The general authorities would carry this program and organization to the stake. The High Council would be grouped in like committees. The stake officers would instruct the wards to carry on the curriculum as prepared by the Church leadership.
Chart VIII gives a further breakdown of the proposed all-church council organization and its responsibilities for the development of curriculum and activity in the Church. It will be seen from Chart VIII that the children’s leadership committee would be directed by a member of the Quorum of the Twelve and would supervise all committees responsible for planning, providing, and supervising children’s activities for the Church. The youth leadership committee would be directed by a member of the Quorum of the Twelve and would supervise all committees responsible for planning, providing, and supervising the youth program; while the adult leadership committee under the direction of a member of the Quorum of the Twelve would plan, provide, and supervise a program for adults. The right-hand side of the chart indicates that the coordination of the entire program of instruction, activity, Church service, family or personal welfare, fact finding, and research and statistics are to be coordinated by members of the Quorum of Twelve.
The entire proposed basic Church organization is shown in Charts IX A, IX B, and IX C. Chart IX A is the proposed basic all-church organization, and further defines the personnel and responsibilities of the children leadership committee, the youth leadership committee, and the adult leadership committee. It also defines the membership and responsibilities of the correlation committee. Chart IX B indicates the proposed stake organization through which the program would be administered, and Chart IX C indicates the basic ward organization. Chart X A gives a more detailed account of the proposal for the all-church council including children, youth, and adults. This chart shows the personnel of each committee plus the proposed function for 15 different sub-committees for correlation of Church activity and programs as it is planned by the most capable people in the Church. Following is the detail showing the personnel and function of the leadership and subcommittees of children, youth and adults, for the all church council.
Sub-committee on Instruction (children)
Personnel
A. Chairman–full-time. (Selected from present Primary general presidency.)
B. Part-time members. (Selected members of present Primary general board.)
C. Part-time members. (Selected members of present Sunday School general board and others.)
D. Special Assistants.
E. Secretary.
Function
A. Correlate the courses of study for children’s groups.
B. Plan and supervise the preparation of courses of study for children’s groups.
C. Plan and provide lesson aids and enrichment materials for children’s groups.
Sub-committee on Activity and Church Service (children)
Personnel
A. Chairman–full-time. (Selected from the present Primary general presidency.)
B. Part-time members. (Selected from present Primary general board.)
C. Part-time members. (Selected from present Sunday School general board.)
D. Special assistants in children’s social and recreational matters in special areas, etc.
E. Secretary.
Function
A. Coordinate social and recreational activities for all children’s groups.
B. Plan and provide social and recreational activities for all children’s groups.
C. Stimulate interest and activity for each child in some Church service.
Sub-Committee on Family and Personal Welfare (children)
Personnel
A. Committee members as needed to carry out any programs developed.
Function
A. Implement and carry out any programs developed.
Sub-committee on Financial, Fact-finding & Reporting
(children)
Personnel
A. Chairman–full-time (Selected from present Primary general presidency.)
B. Special Assistants (Selected from Primary and Sunday School groups.)
C. Secretary.
D. Statisticians.
E. Researchers.
Function
A. Correlate all statistical and financial matters pertaining to children.
B. Plan, formulate and approve all report forms for the collection of personal, statistical and financial information for children groups.
Sub-committee on Special Services (children)
Sub-committee on Instruction (youth)
Personnel
A. Chairman–selected from present members of Sunday School general superintendency.
B. Executive secretary (full-time).
C. Part-time members. (Selected members of Sunday School general board and others.)
D. Part-time members. (Selected members of YMMIA.)
E. Part-time members. (Selected members of YWMIA.)
F. Special assistants and lesson writers.
G. Secretary.
Function
A. Correlate, plan and provide courses of study for Aaronic Priesthood groups and girls of similar ages.
B. Plan and provide lesson aids and enrichment materials for all youth groups.
Sub-committee on Activity and Church Service (Youth)
Personnel
A. Chairman – (Selected from present general superintendency of YMMIA.)
B. Executive assistant – (Selected from general presidency of YWMIA.)
C. Part-time members – (Selected from YMMIA general board and others.)
D. Part-time members – (Selected from YWMIA general boards and others.)
E. Special assistants – recreational, cultural and etc.
F. Secretary.
Function
A. Correlate social, recreational and cultural activities for all youth groups.
B. Provide a program of social, recreation and cultural activities for all youth groups.
C. Stimulate interest and activity in all members of youth groups in some Church service.
Sub-committee on Family and Personal Welfare (Youth)
Personnel
A. Committee members as needed to carry out any programs developed.
Function
A. Implement and carry out programs developed.
Sub-committee on Special Services (Youth)
Sub-committee on Financial, Fact-finding & Reporting
(Youth)
Personnel
A. Chairman – full-time (Member of the Presiding Bishopric.)
B. Part-time assistants – (Selected from youth groups in present Sunday School and MIA.)
C. Secretary.
D. Statisticians.
E. Researchers.
Function
A. Correlate all statistical and financial matters pertaining to youth.
B. Plan, formuolate and approve all report forms for the collection of personal, statistical and financial information for youth groups.
Sub-committee on Instruction (Adults)
Personnel
A. Chairman – member of Twelve.
B. Executive secretary – full-time assistant to the Twelve.
C. Representative of First Council of Seventy.
D. Elder or part-time members. (Selected members of present Sunday School general board and others.)
E. Women members. (Selected members of present general Relief Society board and others.)
F. Special assistants, lesson writers, headers and critics.
G. Secretary.
Function
A. Correlate the courses of study to be provided for all Church adult classes of instruction.
B. Supervise the preparation of courses of study for Melchizedek Priesthood and women groups.
C. Plan and provide lesson aids and enrichment materials for instruction of adults.
D. Provide teacher training for all teachers.
E. Provide in-service training for teachers.
Sub-committee on Activity and Church Service (Adults)
Personnel
A. Chairman – full-time assistant to the Twelve.
B. Representative from the First Council of Seventy.
C. Elder or part-time members. (Selected members of present YMMIA general board and others.)
D. Part-time members. (Selected from present YWMIA general board and others.)
E. Special assistants, recreational directors, cultural directors and others.
F. Secretary.
Function
A. Correlate social and recreational activities for all adult groups.
B. Provide social and recreational activities for all adult members.
C. Stimulate and support stake and foreign missionary work.
D. Stimulate interest and activity of every Melchizedek Priesthood bearer in some Church activity.
E. Stimulate interest and activity of every adult woman in some Church activity.
Sub-committee on Family and Personal Welfare (Adult)
Personnel
A. Chairman – full-time assistant to the Twelve.
B. One or more members of the First Council of Seventy.
C. Part-time members of the general welfare committee. (Elders.)
D. Part-time members. (Selected from present Relief Society members.)
E. Special assistants.
F. Secretaries.
G. Accountants.
H. Legal advisors.
I. Field representatives.
Function
A. Production of welfare commodities in cooperation with Bishops.
B. Rehabilitation of quorum members, spiritually and temporally.
C. Correlation with Bishop and Relief Society.
D. Plan and provide for the welfare of all Church members from birth until death.
Sub-committee on Financial, Fact-finding and Reporting
(Adults)
Personnel
A. Chairman. (Member of Presiding Bishopric.)
B. Representatives of the First Council of Seventy.
C. Special assistants.
D. Secretaries.
E. Statisticians.
F. Researchers.
Function
A. Provide statistical data in useable form compiled from Church general, auxiliary, and quorum reports for youth in promoting all priesthood and non-priesthood activity.
B. Correlate and approve all report forms before adoption by all organizations of the Church.
C. Formulate all report forms used by adult members and groups.
D. Make special studies, do necessary research in order to provide factual and financial information to all authorities.
E. This committee is responsible for all statistical and financial matters.
Sub-committee on Special Services (Adults)
Chart X B illustrates the complete stake organization as it was proposed to the Education Committee of the Melchizedek Priesthood Committee on March 15. This chart also indicates the personnel and functions of each sub-committee as they might operate under the proposed program. Following is the detail showing the personnel and function of the sub-committees of children, youth, and adults for the stake council.
Children Leadership
Personnel
A. One additional member of high council to work with the program for young boys.
B. Three women. (present Primary presidency.)
C. Secretary. (could be stake Primary secretary.)
Function
A. Implement and carry out the entire program for children developed on the all-church level.
B. Assist and encourage the leadership of the ward children groups.
C. Train new leadership of children groups on the ward level.
Sub-committee on Instruction (Children)
Personnel
A. Committee members as needed to carry out the program developed on the all-church level (selected from present leadership in the Stake Sunday School, Primary, YWMIA, YMMIA.)
Function
A. Implement and carry out the instructional program for children as planned and prepared on the all-church level.
B. Provide lesson aids and enrichment materials for children groups in the stake and in the wards.
C. Train leadership and instructional personnel on the ward level.
Sub-committee on Activity and Church Service (Children)
Personnel
A. Committee members as needed to carry out the program developed on the all-church level. (Selected from present stake Primary, YWMIA and YMMIA leadership.)
Function
A. Plan and provide social and recreational activity for the children’s groups in the stake, as assigned and outlined by the all-church group.
B. Stimulate interest and activity for each child in some Church service.
C. Train leadership on the ward level in Church activity and Church service.
Sub-committee on Family and Personal Welfare (Children)
Personnel
A. Committee members as needed to carry out programs developed on the all-church level.
Function
A. Implement and carry out any programs developed on the all-church level.
Sub-committee on Financial, Fact-finding and Reporting
(Children)
Personnel
A. Secretary.
Function
A. Collect reports and records from children groups in the wards.
B. Compile and send in reports and records to all-church groups.
C. Provide training for new secretaries of children groups on the ward level.
Sub-committee on Special Services (Children)
Personnel
A. Committee members as needed to carry out any programs developed on the all-church level.
Function
A. Implement and carry out any programs developed on the all-church level pertaining to special services for children.
Youth Leadership
Personnel
A. Four additional members of High Council (from present Aaronic Priesthood committee and present advisor to the MIA.)
B. Three women representing the daughter’s group (present YWMIA presidency.)
C. Secretary from the daughter’s group.
Function
A. Implement and carry out the entire program for youth developed on the all-church level.
B. Assist and encourage the leadership of the ward youth groups.
C. Train new leadership of youth groups on the ward level.
Sub-committee on Instruction (Youth)
Personnel
A. Committee members as needed to carry out the program developed on the all-church level (selected from the present leadership in the stake Sunday School, YWMIA, YMMIA, and Aaronic Priesthood committee.)
Function
A. Implement and carry out the instructional program for youth as planned and prepared on the all-church level.
B. Provide lesson aids and enrichment materials for youth groups in the stake and in the wards.
C. Train leadership and instructional personnel on the ward level.
Sub-committee on Activity and Church Service (Youth)
Personnel
A. Committee members as needed to carry out the program developed on the all-church level (selected from present leadership in the Sunday School, YWMIA, YMMIA, and Aaronic Priesthood committee.)
Function
A. Plan and provide social and recreational activity for the youth groups in the stake as assigned and outlined by the all-church group.
B. Stimulate interest and activity for each young person in some Church service.
C. Train leadership on the ward level in Church activity and Church service for young people.
Sub-committee on Family and Personal Welfare (Youth)
Personnel
A. Committee members as needed to carry out any programs developed on the all-church level.
Function
A. Implement and carry out any programs developed on all-church level.
Sub-committee on Financial, Fact-finding and Reporting
(Youth)
Personnel
A. General stake secretary.
B. Assistant stake secretary.
Function
A. Collect reports and records from youth groups in the wards.
B. Compile and send in reports and records to all-church groups.
C. Provide training for new secretaries of youth groups on the ward level.
Sub-committee on Special Services (Youth)
Personnel
A. Committee members as needed to carry out any programs developed on the all-church level.
Function
A. Implement and carry out any programs developed on the all-church level pertaining to special services for youth.
Adult Leadership
Personnel
A. Four additional members of High Council (from present Melchizedek Priesthood committee and present advisor to Relief Society.)
B. Three women representing the mother’s group (present Relief Society presidency.)
C. Secretary from the mother’s group.
Function
A. Implement and carry out the entire program for adults developed on the all-church level.
B. Assist and encourage the leadership of the ward adult groups.
C. Train new leadership of adult groups on the ward level.
Sub-committee on Instruction (Adult)
Personnel
A. Representatives from each of the Melchizedek Priesthood quorums in the stake.
B. Representatives from each of the ward mother groups.
C. Additional members and specialists as needed (selected from the present stake Sunday School, YWMIA, and YMMIA leadership.)
D. Secretary.
Function
A. Implement and carry out the instructional program for adults as planned and prepared on the all-church level.
B. Provide lesson aids and enrichment materials for adult groups in the stake and in the wards.
C. Provide pre-service and in-service training for teaching on the ward level.
D. Train leadership on the ward level.
Sub-committee on Activity and Church Service (Adults)
Personnel
A. Representatives from each of the Melchizedek Priesthood quorums in the stake.
B. Representatives from each of the ward mother groups.
C. Secretary.
Function
A. Plan and provide social and recreational activities for the families and married couples in the stake, as outlined by the all-church group.
B. Stimulate interest and activity for every adult member in some Church service.
C. Train leadership on the ward level in Church activity and Church service for adults.
Sub-committee on Family and Personal Welfare (Adults)
Personnel
A. Welfare representatives from each of the Melchizedek Priesthood quorums in the stake.
B. Welfare representatives from each of the ward mother groups.
C. Chairman of Bishop’s Council.
D. Secretary.
Function
A. Plan and provide for the welfare of all members of the stake.
B. Rehabilitation of members, spiritually and temporally.
C. Production of welfare commodities as assigned by the all-church group.
D. Correlation with the Bishops and ward groups to meet specific welfare needs.
Sub-committee on Financial, Fact-finding and Reporting
(Adults)
Personnel
A. General Stake secretary.
B. Assistant stake secretary.
Function
A. Collect reports and records from adult groups in the wards.
B. Compile and send in reports and records to all-church groups.
C. Provide training for new secretaries of adult groups on the ward level.
D. Audit ward and stake financial records.
Sub-committee on Special Services (Adults)
Personnel
A. Stake mission presidency.
B. Committee members as needed to carry out any program developed on the all-church level.
Function
A. Promote and stimulate interest in stake missionary work.
B. Implement and carry out any programs developed on the all-church level pertaining to special services for adults.
The research committee for the Melchizedek Priesthood Education Committee believes that the adoption of some such plan by the Church would prevent such unnecessary overlap as:
A. Social activities for Sunday School membership, Scouts, Explorers, etc., Deacons, Teachers, Priests, etc., and general MIA activities.
B. Social activities of wife and husband as they associate together in MIA, Sunday School, Priesthood, Relief Society, and other social activities.
C. Teaching of the same material by several organizations such as Theology lessons in Relief Society, Sunday School lessons, MIA lessons, Priesthood lessons, etc.
D. Athletic activites conducted by Priesthood, MIA and ward programs such as softball, basketball, etc.
E. Field days, outside activities which overlap in Aaronic Priesthood, Scouting, and MIA.
F. Genealogy as it is stressed by the personal Welfare Committee in the Priesthood and in the Sunday School, and special assignments to groups of people.
G. A great series of meetings called by auxiliary officers, Priesthood officers, ward officers, and stake officers.
If all of these activities could be correlated under the Priesthood quorums, more time could be left for fathers and mothers to care for children and homes. There could then be more time spent in the home, more teaching of the Gospel to children. The above program seems to be in harmony with the teachings of the Doctrine and Covenants and the advice of Church leaders as revealed in such instructions as the following.
PRIESTHOOD
The government of the Kingdom of God on earth is committed to the Church of Christ. That means that upon the Church is placed the responsibility of working out the Lord’s plan for human salvation. Clearly and definitely the order of government of the Lord’s latter-day earthly kingdom has been set forth and the different degrees of authority to be conferred upon those who are called into the official positions of the Church. By the spirit of revelation, the Priesthood governs the Church of Christ. Under this government, the Priesthood has power to instruct, rebuke and bless, as needed for the welfare of individuals, but only as authorized by the officers of the Church. And the government so obtained is perfect. It is freed from the dross of personal desire, and the uncertainty of self-assumed authority. The path is clear for all who care to travel it, and those who live under its government are made happy and prosperous in their lives. It is a perfect order and system of government, and this alone can deliver the human family from all the evils which now afflict its members, and insure them happiness and felicity hereafter. (Discourses of Brigham Young, p. 201.)
To bring about the closer understanding of the different offices of the Priesthood, it might be well for them to have occasional joint social programs, to exchange programs, and in other ways to achieve a mroe cordial association of purpose and plans. (Priesthood Manual 1933, p. 64)
The organizations of the Church are but helps to the Priesthood. That places the Priesthood quorums in the position of leadership. They should be so ably conducted, so faithfully attended, so thoroughly serviceable, as to set an example to all other Church organizations. Necessarily, if a man must choose between loyalty to his priesthood quorum and some other Church organization, however good, his duty is to the quorum. (Improvement Era, 1937, p. 760)
We expect to see the day . . . (Gospel Doctrine, p. 189)
Do not feel that the upbuilding of quorum spirit and consciousness is an attempt to set the Priesthood quorums aside as independent, separate, distinct entities in the Church. The quorums with their members are parts of the body of the Church, and as one part of the body cannot function well unless it is in harmony and co-ordination with every other part, the quorums must be in full co-ordination with ward and stake organizations. (Improvement Era, 1938, p. 360)
One main purpose of a quorum of the Priesthood is to help every individual member of the quorum, and his family, to attain a condition of thorough well-being in body, mind, and spirit. Every need of a man holding the Priesthood should be the concern of the quorum to which he belongs.
Another important purpose of a quorum of the Priesthood, closely connected with the personal welfare of the members, is to help the Church itself in the accomplishment of the divine duties imposed upon the organized body of Latter-day Saints. The members of the quorums should be trained and developed to understand and to perform the work in which the Church in engaged. (A guide for Quorums of the Melchizedek Priesthood, p. 24)
Four great objectives have long been set up for the quorums of the Priesthood:
1. To become better acquainted, through careful study, with the doctrines of the Gospel and their applications to life.
2. To render regularly some service to the Church.
3. To care for the personal welfare of every quorum member, temporally, intellectually, and spiritually.
4. To engage in miscellaneous activities, socials, outings, etc., etc., by which the quorum members may find outlets for their normal social needs, give employment to their families, and extend their companionship with other quorums and groups within the Church. (Improvement Era, 1938, pp. 203-205)
All foregoing excerpts were taken from Priesthood and Church Government, pp. 48, 95-96, 135, 136, 137, 151-152, 152 respectively.
The following excerpt is from L.D.S. Church History, Vol. III, pp. 269-270.
There is a certain channel by and through which the Lord intends to exalt his sons and daughters, to remove wickedness from the earth and to establish righteousness, and that channel is the priesthood, which God has established and shown clearly the nature and character of the various offices and duties thereof. The apostles and the seventies–it is their business, by the appointment of the Almighty, to look after the interests of the world. The Seventies and the twelve apostles are special witnesses unto the nations of the earth. The business of the high priests, the elders and the bishops, is to look after the interests of these various organizations that I have mentioned. You presiding officers of the various stakes of Zion, the time is coming when you will not have to call and depend so much upon the twelve apostles and upon the seventies.
I want to say this, and to speak it with energy in a way that you will not forget it, that you cannot forget it. It is a wonderful responsibilityi, and the Lord expects it of you. (Comprehensive History of the Church, Vol. VI, pp. 376-379.)
After several hours of presentation to the Education Committee by the research committee, the Education Committee made numerous suggestions, and indicated that it would not be desirable for them to recommend such a complete reorganization of auxiliary work in the Church. It was thought that it would be wise for the research committee to make further study relating to correlation, maintaining the separate functions of the auxiliary organizations in their present form. The Research Committee returned to Provo and began anew on the coordination of the present basic Church organization as shown in Chart III which is presented here.” (“History of the Correlation of L.D.S. Church Auxiliaries,” Prepared by Antone K. Romney for the Research Committee of the Melchizedek Priesthood Education Committee, August, 1961)
Jul.: What is the Priesthood Reactivation Program?
[“What Is the Priesthood Reactivation Program?” (“Melchizedek Priesthood,” IE 64(7):539, Jul., 1961: Essentially a restatement of the article in IE 63(9):675, 687, Sep., 1960.]
10 Jul.: Revised recommendations of Research Committee.
“REPORT OF RESEARCH COMMITTEE
Made orally by A. K. Romney to Elder Marion G. Romney, July 10, 1961.
Following the meeting of March 15, 1961, the research committee on Church Correlation proceeded to carry out the instructions given by the Education Committee of the Melchizedek Priesthood Committee. A series of meetings were held beginning at that day and extending to July 10 of 1961. The committee began with a consideration of the present basic Church organization as shown in Chart XI. The new purpose of the committee was to preserve the present organization as shown in the chart, but to suggest a system of correlation which would permit the reorganization of Church curriculum on age group levels, and which would coordinate the curriculum and activities and program of instruction offered to the several age groups. Again we reviewed the overlap and the expectations of the Church membership as it is illustrated for age 14 boys on chart XII. From this chart it will again be seen that a boy of 14 is trying to fulfill a program planned by the Junior High School, another planned by the home; he tries to keep up with his Explorer group and his Church history group in the Sunday School; another program is provided by the Seminary and another by the Aaronic Priesthood under his teachers quorum. It is felt by the committee that a correlation program to be effective on the ward level will have to originate on the all-Church level and be operative through the stake leven and then to the ward level. The first question is how to obtain correlation in the planning, writing, and administration of the curriculum and activites on the all-church level. The question as to how to encourage correlation by the auxiliaries is our main concern. We felt that a general all-church coordinating council should be formed. This organization is suggested in Chart XIII. It will be seen here that the coordinating council would be under the direction of the General Authorities. It would be made up of the following:
Personnel
Chairman: General Authority.
Members: Three General Authorities representing children, youth and adults.
Three committee secretaries, Presiding Bishop, Superintendent or President of each Church auxiliary organization, (Primary, Sunday School, YWMIA and Relief Society), representative of Church Educational System.
Function
Formulate policy which will govern the coordination, planning, writing and implementation of the entire Church curriculum. (See chart XIV.)
It is suggested that three coordinating committees be formed which might work directly under the coordinating council. These committees would be made up of people best qualified to plan and administer the Church curriculum for children, for youth, and for adults. (See chart XIII.) The children’s coordinating committee would be made up of:
Personnel
Chairman: General Authority representing children. Committee Secretary.
Members: Best qualified people in the Church representing children (could be selected from the General Boards of Primary and Sunday School).
Function
Plan, coordinate and provide curriculum for children in age groups which do not overlap, including courses of study, activities and materials. (See chart XV.)
The youth coordinating committee would be made up of:
Personnel
Chairman: General Authority representing youth. Committee Secretary.
Members: Best qualified people in the Church representing youth (could be selected from presiding bishopric and the general boards of YMMIA, YWMIA and the Sunday School).
Function
Plan, coordinate and provide curriculum for youth in age groups (using Aaronic priesthood age groups as a guide,) including courses of study, activities and materials. (See chart XVI.)
And the adult committee would be made up of:
Personnel
Chairman: General Authority representing adults, Committee Secretary.
Members: Best qualified people in the Church representing adults (could be selected from Melchizedek Priesthood Groups and General Boards of Relief Society, Sunday School, etc.)
Function
Plan, coordinate and provide curriculum for adults, including instruction, activities, Church service, personal and family welfare, etc. (See chart XVII.)
If such a program were adopted, the proposed organization for correlation would appear as shown in chart XVIIIA, XVIIIB, and XIX. Here it is seen that the coordinating council, made up of the chairman or president of each auxiliary supervised by General Authorities would form the policy governing curriculum planning and writing, and that the three coordinating committees would write and provide the curriculum, activity, and so forth (on age group levels); and that the auxiliaries as they now exist would implement the program on the all-church level, on the stake level and on the local, ward level. Considerable discussion was had relative to a problem which might arise between the several committees on the all-church level, but it was felt that the general authorities along with the coordinating council, which is made up of all the auxiliary heads, would formulate the policies for the program which sometimes now are formulated by the several auxiliaries. It was further felt that the three committees writing the curriculum should take their instructions from the General Authorities through the coordinating council and should determine the curriculum and activity which should be carried on in the several age groups, and that the present auxiliary organizations of the Church would implement the program as they see fit in harmony with the policy and instructions received from the coordinating council.
It appears to the committee that the objectives as stated by the First Presidency in their letter of March 30, 1960, would be best obtained by some such correlation program. It is, therefore, recommended by the research committee that this program be given serious consideration by those concerned. If this program were approved, the next step might be to appoint the council members and the committee members who would implement the formulation of policy, plan and write the course of study, and carry out the program.
The above written report of Research Committee, and all charts XI to XIX were given to Elder Marion G. Romney August 6, 1961 by Antone K. Romney for the Research Committee.
[Signed] Antone K. Romney.”
(“History of the Correlation of L.D.S. Church Auxiliaries,” Prepared by Antone K. Romney for the Research Committee of the Melchizedek Priesthood Education Committee, August, 1961)
Aug.: History of LDS Correlation–Romney Report.
Shift from personal ministry to classroom orientation.
“By 1913 the Relief Society introduced an uniform course of study and this course was standardized and has been conducted from then until the present. This means that so far as the Relief Society was concerned, by 1914 they were heavily involved in classes of study, whereas in 1900 they were not stressing teaching but were involved in their original assignments. The histories of other auxiliaries in the Church are somewhat similar. They at first give their major emphasis to one or two objectives, but gradually as the years passed, these objectives were broadened out by both the First Presidency’s assignments and the General Board interpretations.” (Section A)
30 Sep.: Public unveiling of Correlation.
“We unite in saying God bless you all, and particularly we pray that the message given you this night by Elder Harold B. Lee and Elder Richard L. Evans regarding the correlating of our studies, Melchizedek, Aaronic, and auxiliary, may be understood and taken to heart. It is one of the greatest undertakings that have yet been presented to the Priesthood. It has been under consideration for many years and we hope and pray that it will be presented tonight so that all presidencies of stakes, bishoprics of wards, presidents of quorums, and presidencies of the auxiliary organizations thoughout the Church will glimpse its significance and its magnitude.
Our first speaker will be Elder Harold B. Lee of the Council of the Twelve, and Chairman of the Melchizedek Priesthood Committee.” (David O. McKay, 30 Sep., 1961; CR Oct., 1961, pp. 76-77)
“I have a tremendous feeling of inadequacy as I respond to the assignment of President McKay and seek for the strength of the prayers of the priesthood of the Church to the end that this few minutes might be informative and give you something of the plans which are now to go forward on this most vital subject.
I should like to introduce the thoughts which I shall express by reading a text that to me has particular significance. I quote from the words of the Apostle Paul, speaking of the different organizations of the Church within what he called ‘the body of Christ,’ by which he meant the Church:
For the body is not one member, but many.
If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? . . .
But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. . . .
But now are they many members, yet but one body.
And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. . . .
. . . but God hath tempered the body together, . . .
That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. . . .
Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, . . . then . . . helps (and) governments. . . . (See I Cor. 12:14-28.)
In the great, modern-day revelation on Church government, the Lord concludes with this statement:
Behold, this is the way that mine apostles, in ancient days, built up my church unto me.
Therefore, let every man stand in his own office, and labor in his own calling; and let not the head say unto the feet it hath no need of the feet; for without the feet how shall the body be able to stand?
Also the body hath need of every member, that all may be edified together, that the system may be kept perfect. (D&C 84:108-110.)
Obviously, as you think about those scriptures, they were given to impress the need for the constant and continued consultations and correlations of the various subdivisions, the priesthood quorums and the auxiliaries and all other units within the kingdom of God for at least four reasons:
First, that each organization was to have its specific function, and it was not to usurp the field of the other, which would be like the eye saying to the hand, ‘I have no need of thee.’
Second, that each sub-division is of equal importance in the work of salvation, just as each part of the physical body is essential to a complete human being.
Third, that all may be edified or educated together; and
Fourth, that the system may be kept perfect, or in other words, that within the framework of the Lord’s plan of organization for the salvation of his children, the Church will perform as a perfectly organized human body, with every member functioning as it was intended.
Throughout the scriptures there runs a phrase, again and again repeated to remind us of the whole purpose of the Lord’s plan. As he told his prophet, his purpose was ‘to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man,’ (Moses 1:39) or to be more specific and, putting it into the language of our present leaders as they have counseled us, ‘to plant and to make grow in every member of the Church a testimony of Christ and of the gospel and of the divinity of the mission of Joseph Smith and the Church and to bring the people to order their lives in accordance with the laws and principles of the restored gospel and priesthood.’
The repeated necessity for re-examination of the programs, the activities, and the prescribed courses of study has been apparent over the years to make certain that the original concepts relative to each organization were being adhered to, that each in its field was functioning up to its capacity, that one was not usurping the field of activity designed for the other, and that duplications and overlappings were reduced to a minimum.
I found an apt illustration which illustrates the importance of this periodical re-examination and re-appraisal. In history there is found recorded the account of a famed debate known as the Webster-Hayne Debate in Congress in which Daniel Webster made this statement that seems to apply to the point I want to make. Said Daniel Webster:
Mr. President, when the mariner has been tossed about for many days in thick weather on an unknown sea, he naturally avails himself of the first pause in the storm, the earliest glance to the sun to take his latitude and ascertain how far the elements have driven him from his true course. Let us imitate this prudence and before we float on the waves of this debate refer to the point from which we departed, that we may at least be able to conjecture where we now are.
There are several illustrations as we have studied the history of these surveys of the past, to illustrate why this is necessary. We found, for example, that some years ago a responsible head of one of the organizations asked the question as to whether or not a committee of the Council of the Twelve was not to be limited to the sole function of passing only on the doctrinal content of proposed manuals rather than to have anything to say on matters of policy in selecting the subject matter for the manual.
Paraphrasing the words of Webster:
We are to again see how far we have departed from the true course, that we may at least conjecture where we now are.
This whole problem of correlation becomes more acute as the Church grows and develops, if you will just stop to think for a moment what the rapid expansion and growth of the Church entails. Within each year by conversion or convert baptisms and natural increase, there are enough people being added to the Church to make from seventeen to twenty stakes each year. Since I came to be a member of the Council of the Twelve, twenty years and six months ago, we have grown from 138 stakes to now 335 or 336, whatever it be, in just that twenty year period.
There is an increasing need for buildings, but with that an impressed need for using every economy possible to have nothing unnecessary in those buildings, which economies can come about by proper correlation. We have increased temple work, increased need for genealogical work with increased numbers of temples. We have an increase in welfare activities. We have an increase in tithes and offerings. And so we might go on to determine the great expansion of the Church.
Within the memories of many of the present General Authorities, there have been surveys of this kind, or re-examinations about twenty years apart. One of the first comprehensive studies was undertaken under the general chairmanship of President David O. McKay, who was then the chairman of the general priesthood committee of the Church, and this was about forty years ago. To me it is a significant thing that this problem of proper correlation seems to have been in President McKay’s mind through all of this time and perhaps as long as he has been one of the General Authorities.
In 1920, the first such study was made, again in 1938, and after calling attention to the continued expansion of the fields of activity and increasing overlapping of the several Church organizations, President McKay, who by this time was now a member of the First Presidency, called attention to this, and I quote from a working copy that he has left with us:
The necessity to provide a course of study and of activities that shall bring the young people of missionary age to a substantial and rounded knowledge of the principles of the gospel all require that the work of the auxiliary organizations and of our educational institutions should be coordinated and as among the various organizations de-limited as well as unified and standardized to avoid duplication and overlapping and to provide the training which is required by the young people.
In March of last year, 1960, the First Presidency wrote to the general priesthood committee and called our attention to the need for better correlation between and among the courses of study put out by the general priesthood committee and other responsible heads of other committees of the General Authorities for the instruction of the priesthood of the Church and an urgent need of correlation of studies among the auxiliaries of the Church, to avoid the necessity for new courses of study every year, having the ultimate objective of building up a knowledge of the gospel, a power to promulgate the same, a promotion of the growth, faith, and stronger testimony of the principles of the gospel among the members of the Church, and expressed the view in that letter to the general priesthood committee that if the whole church curriculum were viewed from the vantage point of what might be termed the total purpose of each and all these organizations, it would bring about such a collation and limitation of subjects and subject-matter elaborated in the various auxiliary courses as would tend to the building of efficiency in the auxiliaries themselves in the matter of carrying out the purposes lying behind their creation and function.
That study, commenced early last year, has continued on for this last year and a half, going on now two years, under the direction of the educational committee, which is a sub-committee of the general priesthood committee, and we were authorized to select and set to work a survey committee to go back over all the history of each Church unit and to aid the educational committee in that study to determine the aims and objectives in the beginning of each organization and to review the expansions and changes which have taken place and to study all previous recommendations on the subject of correlation. May I say as well, that the key to what now we have to propose and which I will explain to you in a few minutes, and a guide to the educational committee and the research staff, was a communication from the First Presidency in one of these studies some while back when they called attention to the fact that
the home was the basis of a righteous life and that no other instrumentality can take its place nor fulfil its essential functions and that the utmost the auxiliaries can do is to aid the home in its problems, giving special aid and succor where such is necessary, that in aiding the home the auxiliaries may well consider thinking of home-life of the people as having three periods, the first, from birth to twelve years of age or the childhood period; then the youth period from twelve years up to the early twenties; and then adulthood, from the early twenties on to the end of life.
With that as the key and the letter given from the First Presidency as the blueprint, it is the feeling now of the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve, after reviewing these studies, that there should be presently more coordination and correlation between the activities and programs of the various priesthood quorums and auxiliary organizations and the educational system of the Church. They have decided, therefore, that there should be established an all-Church co-ordinating council and three co-ordinating committees: one for the children, one for the youth, and one for adults. This council and the three committees will correlate and co-ordinate the total instructional and activity programs of all auxiliaries and priesthood quorums which the brethren have now suggested should include missionary instructions and activities for the entire Church.
This council and committees will be composed of representatives of the General Authorities, the executive heads of the auxiliary boards, and representatives of various agencies and auxiliaries of the Church.
I will now indicate just what that personnal will look like, as it now gets into action: The all-Church co-ordinating council will be composed of a chairman, who will be one of the Council of the twelve, and three General Authorities, all of whom will be members of the twelve: one representing the children, one representing youth, and one representing the adults, and a secretary. The three General Authorities will be the chairmen of their respective committees. There will be a secretary and secretaries from each of the co-ordinating committees, the Presiding Bishop, a member of the Melchizedek Priesthood committee, an executive of the Church educational system, the president or superintendent of the following auxiliaries: Relief Society, Sunday School, YMMIA, YWMIA, and the Primary Association.
The function of the all-Church co-ordinating council is to formulate policy which will govern the planning, the writing, co-ordination, and implementation of the entire Church curriculum. In addition to the organization of the co-ordinating council, three co-ordinating committees will be formed under the direction and policies of that council as I have said. The personnel of the children’s co-ordinating committee, for example, will be made up of a chairman, one of the twelve; there will be a committee secretary, and the best-qualified people in the Church representing children, most of whom will be selected from the general boards of the Primary and the Sunday School. The function of this committee will be to plan, provide, write, and co-ordinate curricula and activities for children in age groups which do not overlap, including courses of study, activities, and materials for children to twelve years of age, and then these functions will be carried out under the co-ordinating council.
The youth co-ordinating committee will be made up of a chairman, none of the twelve, a committee secretary, and the best-qualified people in the Church, representing youth, mainly selected from the Presiding Bishopric, general boards of the YMMIA and YWMIA, Sunday School, and the general church school system. The function of this committee will be to plan, write, provide, and co-ordinate curricula and activities for youth in age groups, using the Aaronic Priesthood age groups as a guide, including courses of study, activities, and materials.
And the adult committee will be composed of a chairman, one of the twelve, a secretary, and the best-qualified people in the Church representing adults and should be selected from the Melchizedek Priesthood committee, the general boards of Relief Society, MIA’s, Sunday School, church school system, etc., and it will be their function to plan and write and provide and co-ordinate the curriculum for adults.
These heads of the various groups affected have been notified by the First Presidency of their appointment to this council, and they are now standing ready for the call to this important service. The auxiliary organizations of the Church in their present form will continue to implement the program on the Church level, on the stake level, and on the ward level. The co-ordinating committees will work under the direction of the co-ordinating council and will work in line with policies formed by that council.
The auxiliary boards will carry out the program which is formulated by the co-ordinating committee. Now, you must bear in mind that the co-ordinating committees will be composed mainly of general board members who are already writing plans and programs for the Church. Such a program will make it possible better to correlate and co-ordinate the program of the Church and will prevent overlapping, thus making it possible to teach the gospel in a more efficient and effective way in harmony with the instructions of the First Presidency.
In the adoption of such a program, we may possibly and hopefully look forward to the consolidation and simplification of church curricula, church publications, church buildings, church meetings, and many other important aspects of the Lord’s work.
With that brief statement may I conclude with just this one thought. Perhaps one of the most oft-asked questions, as we go about the Church, is ‘How, with the Church growing to the size that it is, can we hope for the present General Authorities to supervise and to keep in contact with the growing Church?’ My answer has always been, ‘I am sure that by the time we arrive at the place where we need more revelations that the Lord will give that light and knowledge to the prophet whom he has put upon the earth for that purpose.’
Recently, Presidency McKay, acting under the inspiration of his calling, moved to enlarge the activities of the seventies, by ordaining some of the presidents of seventies to the office of high priests, with the explanation that it would make them more serviceable and more effective in their work. I was in one of the Arizona stakes, and I had one of the brethren ask, ‘Was it not true that the Prophet Joseph had said that it was contrary to the order of heaven that a high priest should be in that position?’ I merely said to him, ‘Had you ever thought that what might have been contrary to the order of heaven in the early 1830’s might not be contrary to the order of heaven in 1960?’
Sometimes we forget that today, here and now, we have a prophet to whom the Lord is giving instruction for our good. We say, ‘We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.’
Almost imperceptibly we see the hand of the Lord moving to do things, and this I construe to be a consolidation of the forces of the Lord under the direction of the prophet, just as in any army, in order to meet a superior force of the enemy in numbers, the forces of our opposition to the forces of evil must be consolidated in order to give them the most effective possible defense.
We are in a program of defense. The Church of Jesus Christ was set upon this earth in this day ‘for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it should be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth.’ (D&C 115:6.) This is a move, which, as I say, has lain close to President McKay’s mind and now as the President of the Church he is instructing us to move forward, that we consolidate to make more efficient, and more effective the work of the priesthood, the auxiliaries, and the other units in order that we may conserve our time, our energy, and our efforts toward the prime purpose for which the Church itself has been organized. We must not forget what the Lord said, that he had given a parable to teach us a great lesson, and concluded the parable by saying, ‘I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine.’ (D&C 38:27.)
When I remembered that, I remembered a revelation that President John Taylor received when the leaders were wondering about the relationship of the seventies to the high priests, and in a very pertinent, significant statement, the Lord gave this revelation to President John Taylor:
What ye have written is my will and is acceptable unto me and furthermore, thus saith the Lord unto the First Presidency and unto the Twelve, unto the Seventies and unto all my Holy Priesthood, let not your hearts be troubled, neither be ye concerned about the management and the organizations of my Church and Priesthood and the accomplishment of my work. Fear not and observe my laws, and I will reveal unto you from time to time, through the channels that I have appointed everything that shall be necessary for the future development and the rolling forth of my Kingdom and for the building up and the establishment of my Zion, for ye are my Priesthood and I am your God.’ (B. H. Roberts, Seventy’s Course in Theology, Vol. I, p. 10.)”
(Harold B. Lee, 30 Sep., 1961; CR Oct., 1961, pp. 77-81)
30 Sep.: Change in policy of Pres. of 70s being HPs.
“Recently, Presidency McKay, acting under the inspiration of his calling, moved to enlarge the activities of the seventies, by ordaining some of the presidents of seventies to the office of high priests, with the explanation that it would make them more serviceable and more effective in their work. I was in one of the Arizona stakes, and I had one of the brethren ask, ‘Was it not true that the Prophet Joseph had said that it was contrary to the order of heaven that a high priest should be in that position?’ I merely said to him, ‘Had you ever thought that what might have been contrary to the order of heaven in the early 1830’s might not be contrary to the order of heaven in 1960?’
Sometimes we forget that today, here and now, we have a prophet to whom the Lord is giving instruction for our good. We say, ‘We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.'” (Harold B. Lee, 30 Sep., 1961; CR Oct., 1961, p. 81)
“I am glad that Elder Lee referred to the ordaining of members of the First Council of the Seventy as high priests. There seem to be a number of men of the priesthood in the Church who are wondering about it, because they know that the Prophet said that what was going on in the early days of making high priests of seventies, was not in accordance with the will of God.
Do you know what they were doing? Before a man was ordained a member of the First Council of the Seventy he was ordained a high priest. This practice, the Prophet said, was not in accordance with the will of the Lord. It should be sufficient for you who have the Spirit of the Lord to know that the work today is required of the First Council of the Seventy which needs the High Priesthood. They do not join the high priests’ quorum, but they are sent out by the Council of the Twelve Apostles to set in order the Church in the stakes and missions, and they should be given authority to set apart a president of a stake, a high councilman, a bishop of a ward, which requires the High Priesthood.
The Lord has never said, nor has the Prophet Joseph, that that is against the will of the Lord. These men are sent out now to take care of 300 and some odd stakes, and they are given the authority as members of the First Council of the Seventy to attend to anything necessary in order to set in order the affairs of the stake and the ward, and that is in accordance with the will of the Lord.
The members of the First Council of the Seventy are now given the authority of high priests to set in order all things pertaining to the stake and the wards, under the direction of the Twelve Apostles.” (David O. McKay, 30 Sep., 1961; CR Oct., 1961, p. 90)
Dec.: 2nd Sun. combined AP mtg. to be discontinued.
“During 1962, on the second Sunday of each month, the combined Aaronic Priesthood meeting will be discontinued, and each Aaronic Priesthood quorum, both over and under twenty-one, is to meet separately in its individual quorum meeting.
In the October issue of The Messenger, it was announced that the second Sunday quorum meetings of Aaronic Priesthood under 21 would be devoted to the study of the new missionary plan used by stake and foreign missionaries, entitled ‘Uniform System for Teaching the Investigator.’ This missionary plan will not be used for the lesson material as it was announced in the last Messenger, but there will be a continuation of the regular lesson manuals until October 13, 1962. From October 13 until the end of the year, the lesson will be taken from a special manual that will be sent to every ward prior to October 13.
As announced in October general conference, a new all-church co-ordinating council was established to correlate the total instructional and activity program for all age groups in the Church. This committee, after carefully analyzing the instructional plan for the organizations affecting the Aaronic Priesthood under 21, decided it would be inadvisable to embark on the previously announced program of having the boys memorize the dialogue in the missionary teaching plan. Hence, during 1962, the second Sunday will be devoted to the regular quorum lesson.
The special lesson manual that will be sent to you prior to October will involve 12 lessons that will parallel in doctrine the message outlined in the ‘Uniform System for Teaching the Investigator.’ These, however, are to be taught by the quorum adviser.
With the elimination of the combined Aaronic Priesthood meeting on the second Sunday, it should be understood that the bishop has the prerogative, and indeed the responsibility, to call a combined meeting of the Aaronic Priesthood occasionally as specific circumstances may warrant. Otherwise, it is suggested that each member of the bishopric will devote his entire time to the attendance of quorum meetings in the Aaronic Priesthood, both over and under twenty-one.
Undoubtedly, with our earlier announcement many stakes and wards have already commenced training their quorum advisers to teach these missionary lessons used in the uniform plan. We are sorry for any inconvenience you may have been caused. Also, we recognize that these advisers will profit from the effort you have taken in that direction, even though they will not be called upon actually to make the presentation next year.” (“The Presiding Bishopric’s Page,” IE 64(12):993, Dec., 1961)