Priesthood Duties

January Week 1

Counseling Together to Do God’s Work

Leader Training

Our quorum meetings are more than classes.

In our meetings, we learn our duties, counsel together, and teach one another. We report on our efforts to do God’s work, seek His will, and plan to serve His children. As we do His work, His power is in us.

Share Experiences

Presidency member, group leader, or an assistant (5–10 minutes)

As disciples of Jesus Christ and priesthood holders, we can strengthen each other by sharing how the gospel has blessed us and our families during the week. Sharing these experiences is one way to invite the Spirit into our meetings. For example, when have we or someone we know done the following? How did we feel? What did we learn?

• Served someone in need

• Learned and applied gospel truths

• Sought the Lord’s help in strengthening family members

• Acted on what we learned in last week’s meeting

• Followed the impressions of the Spirit and used the priesthood to minister to others

• Received divine help

My Experiences

Counsel Together

Presidency member, group leader, or an assistant (20–25 minutes)

The Savior taught that quorum presidents are to “sit in council” with quorum members (see D&C 107:85–89). First-Sunday quorum meetings are designated for this purpose—to counsel together about the work of the priesthood and make specific plans to act on our impressions. As a presidency, prayerfully consider what the quorum should counsel about. Below are some ideas. As you counsel, be sure to avoid sensitive topics that deal with specific individuals. In future meetings, quorum members will be invited to share how they are acting on their plans.

• What assignments have we received from our quorum, ward, or stake leaders? When and how can we fulfill them?

• What can we do to strengthen our homes? What challenges do we face?

• What has the Spirit prompted us to do to strengthen our quorum members, families, or others?

• What can we do to improve our community? What plans will we make to accomplish this?

• What direction did we receive in the priesthood session of the most recent general conference? How can we act on this direction?

• As priesthood holders we have been asked to invite all to come unto Christ. How can we do this outside of church?

• How can we improve our efforts to administer and receive priesthood ordinances, including temple ordinances? How can we better prepare ourselves for these opportunities?

• How can we better serve those we home teach?

What other topics do quorum members feel they should counsel together about?

My Assignments

Learn Priesthood Duties and Principles

Presidency member, group leader, or an assistant (5 minutes)

What does it mean to magnify my priesthood office and calling?

As time permits, spend a few minutes studying and discussing a principle of priesthood service: As part of the oath and covenant of the priesthood, we promise to magnify our calling (see D&C 84:33). To magnify is to enlarge, to make clearer, and to strengthen. In a priesthood context, it also includes participating in priesthood ordinances. Invite quorum members to think about a priesthood duty they have and share what they could do to magnify it.

My Impressions