Members of the Young Men general presidency shared their insights on ministering as an Aaronic Priesthood holder or an adult adviser in a May 2 interview with the Church News. The presidency includes Elder Jack H Goaslind, president, and Elders LeGrand R. Curtis and Robert K. Dellenbach, first and second counselors, respectively.
Here are some highlights of the interview:Church News: How can young men and their leaders most effectively minister to members of their quorums?
Elder Goaslind: An emphasis should be placed on the responsibilities of Aaronic Priesthood quorum presidencies, particularly in ministering to those who are less active. The influence of a quorum presidency can have a great impact in the lives of other quorum members.
When an enthusiastic presidency visits a young man - possibly with their adult adviser accompanying them - and invites him to quorum meetings and activities, it can reap tremendous results. There's a great need for that, and much more of this could be done in Aaronic Priesthood quorums throughout the Church. Under the prayerful, careful guidance of adult leaders, the presidency should be directing the affairs of the quorum.
Elder Curtis: I remember when one of my sons turned 14 and was ordained to the office of teacher. The quorum adviser and presidency visited our home. The adviser had trained the young men well in their responsibilities as quorum leaders, and they led the discussion.
Watching those 14- and 15-year-old young men teach my boy about preparing the sacrament and about what else was expected of him as a teacher was a great experience. It had a very positive impact on my son.
Elder Dellenbach: Quorum advisers and bishoprics should train their presidencies, and then go with them a few times as they regularly visit all of the members of the quorum, especially those who are less active.
One quorum president I know would call a less-active friend on Sunday mornings and ask him if he was coming to priesthood. If the friend said he was still in bed, the president would tell him to hurry and get ready, and that he would be by to pick him up. The recipient of that effort is serving faithfully in the Church today as a married returned missionary because somebody cared and reached out. That kind of thing needs to happen more often.
Church News: What are the responsibilities of Aaronic Priesthood quorum presidencies, and how can they best be accomplished?
Elder Goaslind: Their responsibilities are comparable to those given to an elders quorum presidency to minister to quorum members and others, and to administer quorum affairs. I think we need to rely more on Aaronic Priesthood quorum presidencies and train them so they can be more effective in their callings. Quorum presidencies should learn their responsibilities and then have opportunities to conduct quorum meetings, make assignments and occasionally teach quorum lessons. They should assume active leadership of the quorum and not leave these duties to the adviser.
The presidency should have a keen interest in every member of the quorum and minister to their needs. As they do this, they grow tremendously in the process and are preparing to accept the responsibilities of the higher or Melchizedek Priesthood.
Church News: What are the primary duties of Aaronic Priesthood quorum advisers?
Elder Dellenbach: As has been mentioned, training presidencies should be given top priority. Along with that, they need to make certain that every time the quorum meets on Sunday, young men come away having had a spiritual experience. Testimonies need to be nurtured and strengthened, built and borne, and teaching needs to be done that touches hearts. Bishopric members should meet with the youth on Sundays, and participate in their weekly activities.
Leaders should also be sure that young men have the opportunities to be engaged in meaningful service activities, gather fast offerings, home teach, serve as bishops' messengers and otherwise participate in experiences that prepare them to hold the Melchizedek Priesthood.
Church News: The Aaronic Priesthood is often referred to as the "Preparatory Priesthood." For what should young men in the Church be prepared?
Elder Goaslind: When we ask that question of a congregation, the answer usually comes back, "To go on a mission." It is that, but also much more. We're preparing them to be worthy recipients of the Melchizedek Priesthood, which opens the doors to the highest ordinances of the gospel, administered in the temple.
That is part of missionary preparation, but the overall goal is the temple - making sure young men are worthy of the covenants they enter into within those sacred walls - and preparing them to be righteous husbands and fathers.
Elder Curtis: That preparation is perhaps best summarized in the Aaronic Priesthood/Young Men mission statement. We want to help each young man come unto Christ in five ways:
- Become converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
- Magnify his priesthood calling.
- Give meaningful service.
- Prepare to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood.
- Live worthy to receive temple covenants, serve a full-time mission and prepare to become a worthy husband and father.
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Savior showed the way for priesthood to serve
It was 162 years ago this month that priesthood power was restored to earth after years of spiritual darkness. The Aaronic Priesthood, or the preparatory priesthood, was restored to the Prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery by John the Baptist on May 15, 1829. The Melchizedek Priesthood was restored by apostles Peter, James and John shortly thereafter.
In a 1986 general conference address, President Ezra Taft Benson said, "The privilege of holding the priesthood, which is the power and authority to act in God's name, is a great blessing and privilege and one that carries with it equally great obligations and responsibilities."
One of the responsibilities is to follow the Savior's example of service and leadership as shown by articles and photos on this page.