6 November 1984
Let us imagine together the following scenario:
1. The focus of priesthood activity in the LDS Church is doing, not just knowing: acting, not speaking.
2. Persons holding the Melchizedek Priesthood participate in quorum meetings according to their activities:
- a. Some focus on perfecting the saints (home teaching). This effort to strengthen every member of the Church and to establish Zion would replace what is now called the Elder’s Quorum meeting. Instead of having a doctrinal lesson each week, emphasis would be placed on learning how to do superb home teaching. Practice sessions on various skills would be appropriate. This group’s part in ward social and welfare activities would be planned, and previous performance would be reviewed. Care and nurturing of junior (Aaronic Priesthood) companions in home teaching would be stressed. High Priests, Seventy, and Elders whose calling and interest is in this labor attend and participate in this weekly priesthood session.
- b. Others focus on teaching the Restored Gospel to non-members (missionary work) as the weekly meeting of the Seventies group in each ward. The meeting activity is preparing prospective full-time and part-time missionaries, organizing proselyting activities in the ward and stake. It may include studying the language, customs and beliefs of some far people of the world (as preparation of both young missionaries and older couples to reside in and do missionary labor in that area of the world. High Priests, Seventy and Elders whose calling and interest is in this labor attend and participate in this weekly priesthood session.
- c. Others focus on redemption of the dead in a meeting which replaces the weekly meeting of the High Priests group in each ward. Practical instruction in genealogical research, the organizing of research projects, the implementation of the extraction program, and concern for meaningful participation in temple ordinances are the focus of attention. The conducting of temple preparation sequences for persons anticipating going to the temple for the first time is a responsibility of this group. High Priests, Seventy and Elders whose calling and interest is in this labor should attend and participate in this weekly priesthood session.
3. Ordination to the Melchizedek Priesthood is contingent upon both the worthiness of the individual and upon an expressed and affirmed pledge to be fully active and devoted to these three priesthood activities for the remainder of his mortal life.
4. In annual interviews with his Bishop, each holder of the Melchizedek Priesthood negotiates with the Bishop his calling in the ward or stake as related to the priesthood group with which he will associate and labor with his heart, might, mind and strength for the coming year.
5. In subsequent annual interviews (after ordination and assignment of labor) temple recommends are issued only to those persons who, in addition to other worthiness, had been found to be active, diligent and faithful both in fulfilling their formal callings and in fulfilling their agreed upon participation in one of the three priesthood functions.
6. It is anticipated that every faithful bearer of the Melchizedek Priesthood would move through each of the three activities of the priesthood in the normal course of events. Young elders might first be assigned to meet with the Seventy in preparation for their missions. Upon returning home from their missions, their assignment might be to the Elders, to prepare for their marriages and in participating in the work of converting and strengthening the members of the ward through home teaching. When appropriate, each would be assigned to the High Priests to first work out his own four-generation program, then to participate with others of his own family or group on research and temple work. As appropriate, reassignment to the Elders or Seventy after serving with the High Priests is ordinary.
7. The solid foundation upon which this work of the Melchizedek Priesthood is based is the accomplishments of each young man in his experience as a bearer of the Aaronic Priesthood. In addition to learning to perform his part in the ordinances of the Aaronic Priesthood, each young man works in the program jointly drawn up and agreed upon by the young man himself, his parents, and the Aaronic Priesthood leadership of the ward. The focus of this program is to assure that by the time he is of age to be considered for receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood, he has (a) learned to perform faithfully and well in the work and ordinances of the Aaronic Priesthood; (b) has learned to work hard, skillfully and well in some aspect of the physical subduing of the earth (to the point that he could earn a livelihood by this skill, if necessary); and (c) that he is preparing adequately and intelligently for his life’s work (which may or may not be the same as (b) above). Being ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood is contingent upon worthiness and upon a willingness to learn to be a person who works hard, intelligently and skillfully. Being then ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood is then predicated upon worthiness which includes demonstrated ability to work hard, intelligently and skillfully.
8. The Sunday School activity in each ward is changed from a program in which the students were more or less passive observers and consumers to a program in which each student is assigned to make preparations outside of the class to become responsible for a working knowledge of the scriptures and basic doctrines of the Church. Because this Sunday School program is effective, priesthood meeting time need no longer be used as a second Sunday School session. Thus the work of the priesthood can be the focus of priesthood meeting time.