will yet render in lifting individuals By Elder Ronald A. Rasband and families and in establishing Zion. Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles The First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and the Presidency of the Seventy have considered these adjustments over an extended period of time. With much Behold! A Royal Army prayer, careful study of the scriptural foundations of quorums, What a joy it will be for all Melchizedek Priesthood holders to have the and confirmation that this is the Lord’s blessing of teaching, learning, and serving shoulder to shoulder. will, we are moving forward with unanimity in what is in reality one more step in the unfolding of the Restoration. The Lord’s direction is manifest, and I rejoice in it, as I bear y beloved brethren of the number of Melchizedek Priesthood witness of Him, His priesthood, and priesthood, it is with great holders could be counted on one hand, your ordinations in that priesthood, Mhumility that I stand before a new and growing in Africa in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. ◼ you on this historic occasion, under where both high priests and elders met NOTES assignment by our dear prophet and as a single body because the overall 1. Doctrine and Covenants 41:3. President, Russell M. Nelson. How I number of Melchizedek Priesthood 2. See, for example, William G. Hartley, love and sustain this wonderful man holders was low, and well-established “The Priesthood Reorganization of 1877: Brigham Young’s Last Achievement,” in of God and our new First Presidency. wards where the number of elders My Fellow Servants: Essays on the History I add my witness to that of Elder required the dividing of their quorum of the Priesthood (2010), 227–64; “To D. Todd Christofferson and my other into two quorums! the Seventies,” in James R. Clark, comp., Messages of the First Presidency of The Brethren of the Quorum of the Twelve Everywhere we have gone, we have Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Apostles that the changes announced witnessed the hand of the Lord going Saints (1965), 352–54; Hartley, “The this evening are the will of the Lord. before His servants, preparing the peo- Seventies in the 1880s: Revelations and Reorganizing,” in My Fellow Servants, As stated by President Nelson, this ple and the way ahead so that all His 265–300; Edward L. Kimball, Lengthen is a matter that has been prayerfully children might be blessed according to Your Stride: The Presidency of Spencer W. discussed and considered by the senior Kimball (2005), 254–58; Susan Easton Black, “Early Quorums of the Seventies,” Brethren of the Church for a long time. in David J. Whittaker and Arnold K. The desire was to seek the Lord’s will Garr, eds., A Firm Foundation: Church and strengthen the quorums of the Organization and Administration (2011), 139–60; Richard O. Cowan, “The Melchizedek Priesthood. Inspiration Seventies’ Role in the Worldwide Church was received, and this evening our Administration,” in A Firm Foundation, prophet made known the will of the 573–93. 3. Russell M. Nelson, “Introductory Remarks,” Lord. “Surely the Lord God will do Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 54. nothing, but he revealeth his secret 4. Boyd K. Packer, “What Every Elder unto his servants the prophets”! 1 How Should Know​—​and Every Sister as Well:​ A Primer on Principles of Priesthood blessed we are to have a living prophet Government,” Ensign, Feb. 1993, 8, 9; today! Tambuli, Nov. 1994, 17, 19. Throughout our life, Sister Rasband 5. See Handbook 2: Administering the Church (2010), 7.3.1. and I have traveled the world on var- 6. D. Todd Christofferson, “The Priesthood ious Church and professional assign- Quorum,” Ensign, Nov. 1998, 40–41; ments. I have seen nearly every type Liahona, Jan. 1999, 47; see also Vaughn J. Featherstone, “Now Abideth Faith,​ Hope,​ of unit configuration in the Church: and Charity,” Ensign, July 1973, 36–37. a small branch in Russia where the

58 GENERAL PRIESTHOOD SESSION | MARCH 31, 2018 their every need. Hasn’t He promised bishopric and ward council. And they their exceeding faith and good works that He “will go before [our] face” and allow the bishop to delegate more to teach and to minister to others.5 That “be on [our] right hand and on [our] responsibilities to the elders quorum experience is needed now perhaps left” and that His “Spirit shall be in and presidents so that the more than ever. [our] hearts, and [His] angels round bishop and his counselors can focus In many wards, we may have high about [us]”? 2 on their primary duties—particularly priests who are now going to have the Thinking about all of you, I am presiding over the young women and opportunity to be presided over by an reminded of the hymn “Behold! A the young men who bear the Aaronic elder as their quorum president. We Royal Army.” Priesthood. have a precedent of elders presiding Changes in organizations and func- over high priests: elders are currently Behold! A royal army, tions of the Church are not uncommon. serving as branch presidents in some With banner, sword, and shield, In 1883 the Lord said to President John regions of the world where high Is marching forth to conquer Taylor: “[Concerning] the management priests reside in the branch, and there On life’s great battlefield. and organization of my Church and are branches in which only an elders Its ranks are filled with soldiers, Priesthood . . . I will reveal unto you, quorum is organized and high priests United, bold, and strong, from time to time, through the channels are present. Who follow their Commander that I have appointed, everything that What a joy it will be for all And sing their joyful song.3 shall be necessary for the future devel- Melchizedek Priesthood holders to opment and perfection of my Church, have the blessing of teaching, learn- Elder Christofferson has answered for the adjustment and rolling forth of ing, and serving shoulder to shoulder several questions that are certain to my kingdom.” 4 with all the members in their ward. arise from the announcement that high Now, a few words to you brethren Wherever you are and whatever your priests groups and elders quorums, at who are high priests—know that we circumstances may be, we invite you the ward level, are being combined love you! Our Father in Heaven loves prayerfully, faithfully, and joyfully to into one unified, mighty army of breth- you! You are a great part of the royal accept new opportunities to lead or to ren of the Melchizedek Priesthood. army of the priesthood, and we cannot be led and to serve unitedly as a body These adjustments will help elders move this work forward without your of priesthood brethren. quorums and Relief Societies harmo- goodness, service, experience, and I will now address additional mat- nize their work. They will also simplify righteousness. Alma taught that men ters which may need clarification as we the quorum’s coordination with the are called to be high priests because of move forward to implement the will of

MAY 2018 59 working with families and individuals in need, and helping the missionaries to bring souls to Jesus Christ. As previous presiding leaders return to share their experience with the quorum of elders, a stronger quorum membership will result. There will be a greater diversity of gifts and capacities within the quorum. There will be more flexibility and availability to meet current and urgent the Lord regarding the organization of issue arises, such as a delicate family needs within the ward and quorum His quorums of the holy priesthood. matter or an unusual welfare challenge, and in fulfilling our various ministering What are the adjustments for a stake it could be addressed in an expanded assignments. high priests quorum? Stake high priests bishopric meeting. Other less-sensitive There will be an increase in men- quorums will continue to function. matters can be addressed in the ward toring and unity as a new elder and an Stake presidencies will continue to council. What has been known as the experienced high priest share experi- serve as the presidency of the stake stake priesthood executive committee ences, side by side, in quorum meet- high priests quorum. However, as noted meeting will now be called the “high ings and assignments. by Elder Christofferson, members of council meeting.” Bishops and branch presidents will the stake high priests quorum will now Two, the annual meeting of all hopefully be liberated to magnify their consist of high priests currently serving ordained high priests in the stake will callings to shepherd their flocks and to in the stake presidency, as members of no longer be held. However, the stake minister to those in need. a ward bishopric, as members of the presidency will continue to hold an We understand that each ward and stake high council, and the functioning annual meeting of the stake high priests stake is different. While understanding patriarch. Ward and stake clerks and quorum as has been announced today. these differences, we are hopeful that executive secretaries are not members Can a ward have more than one you will follow through with these of the stake high priests quorum. When elders quorum? The answer is yes. In changes promptly following this gen- someone who is actively serving as the spirit of Doctrine and Covenants eral conference. We have been given a high priest, patriarch, Seventy, or section 107, verse 89, when a ward has direction by a prophet of God! What a Apostle is visiting a ward and desires to an unusually large number of active tremendous blessing and responsibility. attend priesthood meeting, he will meet Melchizedek Priesthood bearers, lead- Let us fulfill it with all righteousness with the elders quorum. ers may organize more than one elders and diligence! As brethren in these callings are quorum. In such cases, each quorum I remind you: priesthood authority released in due course, they will return should have a reasonable balance in comes by way of setting apart and ordi- to their home units as members of the terms of age, experience, and priest- nation, but real priesthood power, the elders quorum. hood office and strength. power to act in the name of the Lord What is the role of the stake high I testify that as we move forward Jesus Christ, can come only through priests quorum? The stake presidency with this inspired quorum restructuring righteous living. meets with members of the high priests in our wards and stakes, we will see a The Lord declared to the Prophet quorum to counsel together, to testify, multitude of blessings. Let me cite just Joseph Smith, the prophet of the and to provide training. Stake meetings a few examples. Restoration: as outlined in our handbooks will con- Under the direction of the bishop, “Behold, and lo, I will take care of tinue with two adjustments: more priesthood resources may assist your flocks, and will raise up elders One, wards and stakes will no with the work of salvation. This would and send unto them. longer hold priesthood executive include the gathering of Israel through “Behold, I will hasten my work in committee meetings. If a special ward temple and family history work, its time.” 6

60 GENERAL PRIESTHOOD SESSION | MARCH 31, 2018 Indeed, this is a time when the By President Henry B. Eyring Lord is hastening His work. Second Counselor in the First Presidency Let us each use this opportunity to reflect and improve our lives to better align with His will so that we may deserve the many blessings He has promised to the true and faithful. Inspired Ministering Brethren, thank you for all that you are doing to be a part of this magnifi- We receive the Holy Spirit best when we are focused on serving others. cent work. May we go forward in this That is why we have the priesthood responsibility to serve for the Savior. great and honored cause.

Oh, when the war is ended, When strife and conflicts cease, When all are safely gathered y beloved brethren, I am Elder Ulisses Soares to serve as mem- Within the vale of peace, grateful for the privilege of bers of the Quorum of the Twelve Before the King eternal, Mspeaking to you in this historic Apostles. I love and sustain them. They That vast and mighty throng general conference. We have sustained will, by their ministry, bless lives across Shall praise his name forever, President Russell M. Nelson as the 17th the world and across generations. And this shall be their song: President of The Church of Jesus Christ This conference is historic for yet of Latter-day Saints. As I have had the another reason. President Nelson has Victory, victory, blessing of working with him each day, announced an inspired step forward Thru him that redeemed us! I have felt a confirmation of the Spirit in the Lord’s organized plan for His Victory, victory, that President Nelson is called of God Church. That plan includes a new Thru Jesus Christ, our Lord! to lead the Lord’s true Church. structure for priesthood quorums in Victory, victory, victory, It is also my witness that the Lord wards and stakes so that we may better Thru Jesus Christ, our Lord! 7 has called Elder Gerrit W. Gong and fulfill our priesthood responsibilities.

Today we all stand as witnesses of the Lord revealing His will through His prophet, President Russell M. Nelson. I testify that he is God’s prophet here on earth. I bear my witness of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our great Redeemer and Savior. This is His work, and this is His will, to which I bear solemn testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. ◼

NOTES 1. Amos 3:7. 2. Doctrine and Covenants 84:88. 3. “Behold! A Royal Army,” Hymns, no. 251. 4. In James R. Clark, comp., Messages of the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1965), 2:354. 5. See Alma 13. 6. Doctrine and Covenants 88:72–73. 7. “Behold! A Royal Army,” Hymns, no. 251.

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