Lesson 43

An Era of Correlation and Consolidation

Themes

1. In 1961 the Church announced that priesthood-directed policies would govern the planning and operation of all Church programs.

2. One of the most important thrusts of priesthood correlation was to strengthen Latter-day Saint families.

3. The early 1970s, under the direction of Presidents Joseph Fielding Smith and Harold B. Lee, were a time of consolidation in the Church.

Student Manual and Scripture Sources

• Student manual, chapter 43, pp. 562–78.

Suggested Approaches

• Describe some of the helps the Church provides for families. Help students understand the importance of strong, gospel-centered homes and families. Several programs were developed in this era to strengthen the family, including home teaching, family home evening manuals, and the Ensign, New Era, and Friend magazines. Discuss how these can be used effectively to help families.

• In 1961 the Church began to correlate manuals and other publications, activities, and organizations under the priesthood. Describe the correlation program. How does the correlation program of the Church help protect and strengthen it?

• In December 1963 storage vaults for records in Little Cottonwood Canyon were completed. They were dedicated on 22 June 1966. Discuss the importance of doing work for the dead and the reasons the Church has used so many resources to find, microfilm, and store family records. Why is this work so important? (see Malachi 4:5–6; D&C 128:15, 24).

• Show portions of the video Putting the Melchizedek Priesthood to Work (53034) to help students understand how to apply the principles of priesthood correlation to bless the lives of members.

• As more missionaries were called, changes in missionary work occurred. On 25 March 1953 the First Presidency announced that returning missionaries should no longer report directly to General Authorities but rather to their stake presidency and high council. In 1969 the Language Training Mission was organized. In 1970 the First Presidency directed that missionaries were to be set apart by their stake presidents. Have several returned missionaries describe their experiences of being set apart before their missions and reporting to their stake presidents and high councils after their missions. Encourage students to prepare themselves to be worthy and capable missionaries.

Theme Sources

• Carlos E. Asay, “‘For the Perfecting of the Saints’: A Look at Church Curriculum,” Ensign, Jan. 1986, pp. 14–19.

  Elder Asay discusses the purpose and meaning of the Church’s correlated curriculum.

• Jay M. Todd, “A Status Report on Church Magazines: A Look at How They Came to Be as They Are,” Ensign, Feb. 1976, pp. 70–74.

  A brief history of the correlation of Church magazines and the family.

• Doyle L. Green, “The Church and Its Magazines,” Ensign, Jan. 1971, pp. 12–15.

  A review of the various periodicals up to the consolidation of Church magazines in 1970.

• Albert L. Zobell, Jr., “A Modern Prophet at Ninety-Five,” Ensign, July 1971, pp. 31–34.

  A sampling of some of Joseph Fielding Smith’s activities as President of the Church with excerpts from some of his talks.

• Jay M. Todd, “A Day in the Life of President Joseph Fielding Smith,” Ensign, July 1972, pp. 2–7.

• “President Harold B. Lee Ordained Eleventh President of the Church,” Ensign, Aug. 1972, pp. 19–21.

  Briefly covers the events that led up to the ordination of Harold B. Lee as President of the Church. Includes biographical information on each member of the First Presidency.

• Bruce R. McConkie, “Joseph Fielding Smith: Apostle, Prophet, Father in Israel,” Ensign, Aug. 1972, pp. 24–31.

  Elder McConkie provides insights into President Joseph Fielding Smith in his various roles.

• N. Eldon Tanner, “A Man without Guile,” Ensign, Aug. 1972, pp. 32–34.

  A tribute to President Smith delivered at his funeral.

• Gordon Irving, “A Review of the Administration of President Joseph Fielding Smith, January 23, 1970–July 2, 1972,” Ensign, Aug. 1972, pp. 40–41.

  A chronological outline of the events of President Smith’s administration.

• Harold B. Lee, “The President-Prophet, Seer, and Revelator,” Ensign, Aug. 1972, pp. 35–39.

  A tribute to President Joseph Fielding Smith delivered at his funeral.

• “The Soul of a Prophet,” Ensign, Aug. 1972, pp. 42–46.

  Faith-promoting stories about President Joseph Fielding Smith.

• “Diary of Action: The Life and Administration of Harold B. Lee,” Ensign, Feb. 1974, pp. 11–15.

  A chronological list of events in the life of President Harold B. Lee.

• “Speaking for Himself—President Lee’s Stories,” Ensign, Feb. 1974, pp. 15–21.

  Faith-promoting stories as told by President Harold B. Lee.

• “He Touched My Life,” Ensign, Feb. 1974, pp. 26–28, 75–76.

  Stories and tributes to President Harold B. Lee by various individuals.

• “A Sure Trumpet Sound,” Ensign, Feb. 1974, pp. 77–79.

  Statements by President Harold B. Lee.

Additional Sources

• John P. Fugal, comp., A Review of Priesthood Correlation (Provo: Brigham Young University Press, 1968).

  Delineates the history of priesthood correlation.

• Jerry “J” Rose, “The Correlation Program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during the Twentieth Century,” master’s thesis, Brigham Young University, 1973.

  The rationale and history of Church correlation.

• Joseph Fielding Smith, Jr., and John J. Stewart, The Life of Joseph Fielding Smith (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1972).

• L. Brent Goates, Harold B. Lee: Prophet and Seer (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1985).