Question for the High Priests of CUF

[Katy Lied]

Please help me prepare my RS lesson for Sunday, my question is on quorums:

From LDS.org:

Priesthood Quorums

Quorums exist at all levels of Church organization. The President of the Church and his counselors form the Quorum of the First Presidency. The Twelve Apostles also form a quorum. Seventies, both General Authorities and Area Authorities, are organized into quorums. Each stake president presides over a quorum of high priests, made up of all the high priests in the stake. Each ward or branch normally has quorums of elders, priests, teachers, and deacons. High priests are also organized in wards, serving in high priests groups.

What exactly does this Stake High Priest quorum do? Do you actually meet? Is there regularly scheduled lessons near the time of Stake Conference? It was explained to me that this is why the ward HPs are organized into a group, and not a quorum--are assignments or responsibilities ever doled out via the Stake HP Quorum (and not the ward HP group)? Is there any reason to have this body other than it is in the D&C?

[Clark Addison]

Please help me prepare my RS lesson for Sunday, my question is on quorums:

From LDS.org:


What exactly does this Stake High Priest quorum do? Do you actually meet? Is there regularly scheduled lessons near the time of Stake Conference? It was explained to me that this is why the ward HPs are organized into a group, and not a quorum--are assignments or responsibilities ever doled out via the Stake HP Quorum (and not the ward HP group)? Is there any reason to have this body other than it is in the D&C?

I have occasionally had a stake HP meeting, but it is very rare. I can only remember a couple in the decade that I have been a HP. Or maybe they happen all the time and I ignore them. We also do, on occasion, get assignments directly from the stake, but it is rare. The only ones I can recall from the last couple of years were requests from the stake to help support a couple of missionaries from a poorer ward in the stake.

Of course, my real reason for responding is to confirm that I am, in fact, a HP.

[happyone]

In my stake we have one hp quorum mgt and one hp party per year. I think every stake is alitlle different.

[byu71]

I don't have an answer. However, I feel the need to respond so people won't think I am a lowly Elder.

[PaloAltoCougar]

Please help me prepare my RS lesson for Sunday, my question is on quorums:

From LDS.org:


What exactly does this Stake High Priest quorum do? Do you actually meet? Is there regularly scheduled lessons near the time of Stake Conference? It was explained to me that this is why the ward HPs are organized into a group, and not a quorum--are assignments or responsibilities ever doled out via the Stake HP Quorum (and not the ward HP group)? Is there any reason to have this body other than it is in the D&C?

Over the years, the stakes I've been in have had an HP Quorum meeting no more than once a year. We've been much more consistent in having a stake- or quorum-wide party annually. The stake will schedule temple nights and service project, and then assign the groups to promote them at the ward level, but otherwise I can't recall much else in the way of assignments.

BTW, at the ward level, the bishop is the presiding HP, but the HP Group Leader is supposed to do all the work, leaving the bishop to his primary responsibility as the Priests Quorum president and head of the AP.

I'd be interested in learning why the HP Quorum is at the stake level, while the EQ is organized at the ward level.

[statman]

In my stake we have one hp quorum mgt and one hp party per year. I think every stake is a litlle different.

HP quorums are supposed to meet for an actual priesthood meeting at least once a year. My stake generally does it 2X - either before or after the stake's general priesthood meeting. Most have some sort of a social activity as well - but that is totally the SP's call.

[happyone]

HP quorums are supposed to meet for an actual priesthood meeting at least once a year. My stake generally does it 2X - either before or after the stake's general priesthood meeting. Most have some sort of a social activity as well - but that is totally the SP's call.

Actually I misspoke, in my stake the HP's have an annual Social, the Elders have parties

[Art Vandelay]

In my stake our annual HP meeting is actually referred to as "The Corn Feed" There may be a short spiritual message, but basically it is a dinner, that the wives and widows are all invited to. There is generally a band or several musical numbers, most of which are pre 1950 music and/or country. My wife hates attending this particular meeting.

[clackamascoug]

Please help me prepare my RS lesson for Sunday, my question is on quorums:

1. - What exactly does this Stake High Priest quorum do?
2. - Do you actually meet?
3. - Is there regularly scheduled lessons near the time of Stake Conference?]
4. - Is there any reason to have this body other than it is in the D&C?

1- High Priest is an administrative Position. Stake Pres, 1st/2nd Counselors, High Councilors, Bishop, 1st/2nd Couselors. HP Group Leader need to be High Priests. The Stake Pres and Bishop hold Keys of administration over their respective callings. Deacons and Teachers Presidents also hold Keys.

2. On the Stake Level our Stake meets quarterly. We actually do a role call. Other Stakes differ.

3. Stake Priesthood Leadership meeting which meets before the Saturday night Stake conference session, is one example, even though Elders do attend.

4. This High Priest body is Key to the Church.

[Katy Lied]

Thanks. I have follow up questions:

BTW, at the ward level, the bishop is the presiding HP, but the HP Group Leader is supposed to do all the work, leaving the bishop to his primary responsibility as the Priests Quorum president and head of the AP.

So the EQ President holds keys, but the HP Group leader does not hold keys?

basically it is a dinner, that the wives and widows are all invited to.

In my ward, the social is held on the ward level with the single women also invited, because they are under the auspices of the HP Group. Do others also invite the single adult women, or is that just an opportunity for the HPs in my ward to ogle the young 'uns?

4. This High Priest body is Key to the Church.

What do you mean by Key? Do you mean key component of the Church, foundation of the Church, or is there a specific meaning to the word key?

[creekster]

Thanks. I have follow up questions:



So the EQ President holds keys, but the HP Group leader does not hold keys?

Correct. Moreover, the bishop is only the PRESIDING high priest. The SP holds the keys for the quorum.

In my ward, the social is held on the ward level with the single women also invited, because they are under the auspices of the HP Group. Do others also invite the single adult women, or is that just an opportunity for the HPs in my ward to ogle the young 'uns?

This varies from ward to weard and year to year. No policy covers it AFAIK. Our ward has done both in the past.

[PaloAltoCougar]

So the EQ President holds keys, but the HP Group leader does not hold keys?

As creek noted, yes. Interestingly, the Deacons and Teachers Quorum Presidents hold keys and the HP Group Leader does not. No one can accuse us of being a gerontocracy.

[TripletDaddy]

Over the years, the stakes I've been in have had an HP Quorum meeting no more than once a year. We've been much more consistent in having a stake- or quorum-wide party annually. The stake will schedule temple nights and service project, and then assign the groups to promote them at the ward level, but otherwise I can't recall much else in the way of assignments.

BTW, at the ward level, the bishop is the presiding HP, but the HP Group Leader is supposed to do all the work, leaving the bishop to his primary responsibility as the Priests Quorum president and head of the AP.

I'd be interested in learning why the HP Quorum is at the stake level, while the EQ is organized at the ward level.

EQPs are not called or sustained at the ward level (in Sacrament). It is usually done within quorum and then during Stake Conference. why is that? Is this a rule across the board?

It is good to review the basics about priesthood keys so that we don't mis-post about them!

[RobinFinderson]

As creek noted, yes. Interestingly, the Deacons and Teachers Quorum Presidents hold keys and the HP Group Leader does not. No one can accuse us of being a gerontocracy.

Geesh, I wish I would have known this back in the day. I rose up through the various leadership positions in my youth, and had I known that I had keys that the HP Group Leader lacked, I would have most definitely confronted him with this fact, and in my best Cartman voice I would have demanded that he "Respect my authority!"

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[Clark Addison]

As creek noted, yes. Interestingly, the Deacons and Teachers Quorum Presidents hold keys and the HP Group Leader does not. No one can accuse us of being a gerontocracy.

When I have taught the Deacons and Teachers, I always bring this up, that there are only four people in the ward with keys, and two of them are the Deacon's and Teacher's quorum president. It always impresses them.