The ward officers consist of a quorum of priests, of teachers and of deacons. Their powers and duties have already been explained.[137] They labor under the direction of the bishop, and are the standing ministers within the ward, to be with and watch over the church to see that each member thereof does his duty and that no iniquity is allowed to creep into the church, to corrupt it. At present in many wards there are not enough men to fill up the quorums of the lesser priesthood, and members of the high priesthood are frequently found officiating as teachers, etc. {351} Each ward is divided up into teachers' districts, and two teachers appointed to take charge of each district, and visit every family and member within it, to see that all are doing their duty; that they live, so far as may be, in peace with all men; that they are prayerful; diligent in attending public worship; and that they are honest, sober and hold no hardness against their neighbors. _III. Branches_.--Branches are organizations established chiefly out in the world where there are no regularly organized stakes. The elders while abroad on missions in order to preserve in the faith those who receive the gospel, organize branches, set apart elders or priests to preside, and also ordain as many other elders, priests, teachers and deacons to assist the president of the branch as may be deemed necessary. These officers discharge the same duties in a branch that they would in a fully organized ward. Branches are also sometimes organized in outlying districts of large wards where there are not enough people to justify a complete ward organization, and yet the district is too far removed from the ward to permit the members living there to enjoy the advantages of the adjacent ward organization. In such an event the branch is usually placed under the care of the neighboring ward. 18. Helps in Government.--In addition to these regular and direct means of ecclesiastical government in the church, there are also "helps in government," or appendages to the church organization. The chief of these are: _I. Female Relief Societies_.--A woman's association organized in each ward to relieve the poor in their distress, and visit the sick and afflicted. _II. Sunday Schools_.--In every ward also is a Sunday School, in which the young are taught in the gospel and educated in church discipline. _III. Y. M. and Y. L. M. I. A._--In nearly all wards also are Young Men's and Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Associations {352} for the instruction of the young in theology, science, history and literature; and, in fact, in all things that tend to the development and refinement of the mind of man; but the main object of these organizations is to establish the young of both sexes in a knowledge of the truth of the gospel.