STIMULATOR message for the week of December 5, 1972
Message from President Merlin W. Sant, December 5, 1972
“Let every man stand in his own office and labor in his own calling — that the system may be kept perfect.” (Doctrine and Covenants 84:109-110)
To all District Presidents, Branch Presidents, and Missionaries:
In our haste to implement the Priesthood Correlated Missionary Program, we neglected to give instruction relative to it’s basic organization. First, we should understand that the District President is responsible for the successful operation of all missionary work in the District. To assist him in supervising the program he calls a District Mission President, who presides over the District Missionaries and coordinates their work with the Zone Leader of the full time missionaries. If absolutely necessary, the Zone Leader may be asked to serve, temporarily, as the District Mission President. In either case there should be frequent meetings between the District Presidency and the Mission leader to ensure close cooperation in all missionary activities.
Next, we should understand that the Branch President is responsible for the successful operation of all missionary work in the Branch. To assist him in this responsibility, he calls a Branch Mission Leader who coordinates all branch missionary activities with the District Leader of the full time missionaries. This Branch mission leader should be a worthy Seventy, if available; otherwise, he should be a worthy Elder. He should not be the Elders Quorum President or Group Leader. If at first such an Elder is not available, a counselor in the Branch Presidency may be given this responsibility, or the District Leader of the full time missionaries may assume the Branch mission leaders’ duties until one is called. A check list of these duties is enclosed with Stimulators going to District and Branch Presidents.
The main thing, brethren, is that we start where we are with what we have and move ahead to make this program a vital, integral part of Church activity. To stimulate and promote missionary work in the Branch, the Branch Mission Leader will meet regularly with the Branch Priesthood Executive Committee and the Branch Council to discuss those items on his check list that are applicable in the finding and fellowshipping programs. Also, we are making available a quantity of check lists for fellowshipping our new members.
It is now policy in the mission to ordain mature male converts to the office of Priest in the Aaronic Priesthood immediately after baptism. Generally this will apply to a man of eighteen year and over. To accomplish this, we suggest the following procedures.
1) Interview him for Priesthood ordination when he is interviewed for baptism.
2) On the Sunday following his baptism, in Sacrament meeting, present him to the congregation to be accepted as a member of the Branch.
3) Then present him to the congregation to be sustained in the office of a Priest.
4) Meet with him and his family immediately following the Sacrament meeting and confer the Aaronic Priesthood and ordain him.
5) Forward the Record of Ordination with the Record of Baptism and Confirmation to the Mission Office.
For success already achieved in this inspired program, we are most grateful, and encourage every one engaged therein to continue with “all you heart, might, mind, and strength.”
Faithfully your brethren,
The Presidency of the New Zealand South Mission
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