Show historical DATA OF L D S CHURCH by J wesley norton continued from last week there are three offices in the priesthood of cf ascending authority when the mormon boy is ta tace e years old if he js is willing willin 91 J worthy he is ordained to the vi vf fice of a deacon deacons deacon are primarily assistants to the teachers priests and those of the chi zedek priesthood in ther duties A quorum of deacons consists of twelve members of which three form the presidency during their three years of experience in this office it is their opportunity to learn of the duties and authority of the higher offices of the priesthood the next office in line is that of a teacher teachers are charged with one great responsibility that of watching over oven the church always being with and strengthening them encouraging them to avoid evil speaking scandal and iniquity by teaching 4 setting a good example in 11 absence of higher authority they are to take lead of meetings but neither teachers nor deacons have authority to baptize administer to the sacrament nor lay on hands they can of course assist others of higher authority in certain of these ordinances twenty four teachers form a complete quorum with three of cf the members forming the presidency when a boy becomes 17 years of age if he has been diligent in previous offices he is worthy to be ordained to the office of a priest priests receive practically the full authority of the priesthood they may under the direction of the bishopric be appointed to perform baptisms ad adv v minister to the sacrament and lay on hands and ordain other priests teachers and deacons priests are authorized to conduct meetings in the absence of those of higher authority A complete quorum of priests consists of 48 members presided over by the bishop the bishop is the presiding officer of the priesthood A bishop with two counselors is appointed to preside over each ward of the church bishops may be appointed over larger districts and a presiding bishop with two counselors ordained to be bishops is appointed to preside over the priesthood of the church and to administer to the temporal affairs of the church under the direction of the first presidency the office of bishop is very important in the church of jesu christ since it deals with the daily temporal necessities of humanity and also because the bishop is appointed a common judge in israel to hear difficulties that may arise among members and to preserve peace in the chuch the office of bishop like that of elder is a necessary appendage belonging to the high priesthood the bishop presides over the priesthood and has to doo do with the temporal things of the church he has two counselors who are high priests they together form the bishopric the bishop is called the father of the ward and as such he presides over all of the members in his ward regardless of the priesthood which they may hold let us bear in mind in bakic i these studies that as a person office vances no priesthood or office therein is taken from h him in these offices are added to and as long as a man lives in accordance to the teachings thereof he will retain these offices and receive worthy promotions most of this weeks discussion is taken from program of the church by john A widtsoe soe to be continued |