In his talk “A Priesthood Quorum” Elder Henry B. Eyring speaks about the importance of having unity in quorums. He begins by describing his first quorum. He was in a very small branch, and he was the only deacon in his branch. He learned more about quorums when he moved to a new area. He realized that size does not really matter. Elder Eyring said,
“I have learned over the years that the strength in a quorum doesn’t come from the number of priesthood holders in it. Nor does it come automatically from the age and maturity of the members. Rather, the strength of a quorum comes in large measure from how completely its members are united in righteousness. That unity in a strong quorum of the priesthood is not like anything I have experienced in an athletic team or club or any other organization in the world.”
Elder Eyring goes on to speak about the time that he taught deacons’ quorum. He speaks of the responsibility that the president of the deacons’ quorum has to make sure that the quorum members are learning the lessons. He would ask the president if he was teaching the right material. He knows that the president understood his responsibility because he tape-recorded the lesson when he knew a member of the quorum would be absent.
Elder Eyring also spoke about the president’s responsibility to delegate tasks and the importance of fellowshipping the quorum members. He shares the story of one president who asked a class member to invite a less active member to attend Priesthood activities with him. The class member complied, and the boy came out a few times before he moved. Twenty years later Elder Eyring ran into the boy’s grandfather. The grandfather spoke of how that had made such a difference in the boy’s life.
This is a wonderful talk that really explains the way that quorums work. I found it interesting, since I really do not understand the structure of the quorums or their specific purpose (having grown up going to Young Women). I was impressed with the responsibilities that each quorum has. I was also impressed with the responsibilities that each president takes on as he leads his quorum. I hope that you will take the time to read this talk.
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