“There is an old adage which reads: ‘Be not the first by whom the new is tried, nor yet the last to lay the old aside.’ During the last year many of us have seemingly found it difficult to let go of the old and take on the new in Priesthood activities, or rather that which seems to be new, for the Gospel plan and Priesthood requirements have been the same from the very beginning, differing only in the method of operation during the different stages of development of man.
“In our day, with the law clearly stated, with experiences of a generation to build upon, our improvement is only slight. It is true that a great effort is put forth through the Sabbath School to teach us the fundamentals of the Gospel principles. Our Priesthood periods have been mainly lecture periods, our seminary work drill periods. Theoretically all good and very necessary – but have we not neglected the laboratory as a necessary part of our training — that carefully planned training offered through the Priesthood quorums when functioning in the true meaning and purpose of Priesthood work.”
– Presiding Bishopric, May 1929
Do you know the context for this? Is it a matter of urging quorums to be more independent and initiate their own activities and leadership, or is it the same time period when boys began to be ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood?
I don’t remember, charlene! I’ll have to dig out what I was working on a few weeks ago when I scheduled some of these posts. It could have been an adjustment in ordination ages, or a switch of priesthood meetings from a weeknight to Sunday morning, or some other change that would probably seem minor to us but would have rocked the world of 1929. I don’t remember — just thought the principle of adaptability, of focusing on the ends to be achieved rather than the outward form, was good advice.
I like your interpretation. Thanks for letting me lurk and occasionally pop in with a question. Your posts are consistently interesting and unique.
Thank you, charlene. Whenever I see your name in the comments box, I know it will be a good one.
Very timely!