A Rational Theology, as Taught by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day SaintsWidtsoe, John Andreas
Religion
A Rational Theology, as Taught by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Widtsoe, John Andreas
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- Doctrines; Latter Day Saint churches -- Doctrines; Theology
**The Priesthood in Stakes and Wards.** In every ward, if there be
enough members, are organized quorums of deacons, teachers, priests,
elders and seventies. If there are not enough in one ward to form a
quorum, then a quorum is organized from two or more wards. The high
priests in a stake are usually assembled into one quorum for the
stake. All of the Priesthood meets regularly in the ward to which they
belong, for the discussion of their duties and for studying the
outlines and books provided by the general Church authorities.
**Auxiliary Organizations.** In addition to the regular Priesthood,
there are helps in government known as auxiliary organizations. These
are the Relief Society, for women, the Deseret Sunday School Union,
the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association, the Young Ladies'
Mutual Improvement Association, the Primary Association, the Religion
Class, the Boards of Education, and others that may be organized from
time to time. Each of these is represented by a general board, under
the direction of the First Presidency. In each stake there are also
stake boards of these auxiliary organizations, under the direction of
the stake presidency. Moreover, in each ward of the Church, if large
enough, is an organization of each of the auxiliary activities of the
Church.
**All Must Work.** So complete an organization, ramifying throughout
the Church, shows that all members of the Church should or may be at
work. There is no place for the idler. Every man or woman, who is not
averse to working in behalf of the Church, will find some duty that
will fill his life.
**The Tenure of Office.** The officers of the Priesthood have no
definite tenure of office. Since all hold the Priesthood, there is
always a supply of ready material to fill any vacancies that may
occur. The general authorities in the Church have generally held life
positions, but a number of these, for various reasons, chiefly
insubordination or error of doctrine, have been released before death.
According to doctrine, no office in the Priesthood, is absolutely
certain of life tenure. Failure to perform properly the work of the
office constitutes full cause for removal.
**An Unpaid Ministry.** The rewards of life should be and are only in
part material. To assist, officially, in carrying out the Great Plan,
brings its own distinct reward. The Priesthood of the Church,
therefore, is largely unpaid. A man's duty in the Priesthood seldom
takes all of his time, thus leaving him partly free to earn a
livelihood by the use of his profession. When a man's whole time is
taken by the Church, he gets his support from the Church. There is no
Priesthood class, especially trained for the work, and striving for
positions carrying with them high material remuneration. All should
know the Gospel and be prepared to carry on the work.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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