Study with brethren
Stand with them
Work in service
To illustrate the unity that should prevail in a priesthood quorum, Elder D. Todd Christofferson used a 1918 incident in which an elders quorum helped a man harvest his sugar beets after the man had experienced the sudden deaths of a son and three grandchildren.
Speaking at the priesthood session Saturday evening, Elder Christofferson of the Presidency of the Seventy quoted a statement made 60 years ago by Elder Stephen L Richards, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, that a quorum is three things: a class, a fraternity and a service unit.
Enlarging on Elder Richards' statement, Elder Christofferson said, "When a priesthood quorum or group meets as a class, its members can learn together, be `nourished by the good word of God' (Moro. 6: 4), and grow spiritually. We study so that we may better teach."
To illustrate that a quorum is also a fraternity, Elder Christofferson said: "When I became a member of a quorum of the Seventy, I assumed that I might be accepted by my brethren in the course of time if I were able to prove myself worthy of their association. . . . I was surprised to find myself immediately welcomed and from the outset treated as a brother, as an equal by men much more talented and accomplished than I. I have been supported and encouraged, loved and tutored in my quorum from my very first day of membership in it. Consequently, I feel a deep desire to contribute to the work of the quorum and to assist my brethren as much as I can."
He added that nowhere is the fraternity of quorums more crucial than in the case of newly baptized brethren and their families. "Quorum and group leaders should provide the leading voice and laboring oar in every ward and branch council regarding retention of converts."
Speaking of the quorum as a service unit, Elder Christofferson said: "Both Melchizedek and Aaronic Priesthood quorums will find their soul in service. Our great presiding High Priest and exemplar is Jesus Christ, who declared: `Whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be the servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.' " (Mark 10:43-45.)
Elder Christofferson admonished: "Resolve now to do all within your power to make of your priesthood quorum one worthy of the name, one faithful to its mission. Study with your brethren in the quorum class. Stand with them in the quorum fraternity. Work with them in quorum service."