Dylan becomes a Teacher

February 8th, 2009
Even though it has been a few months since Dylan turned 14, today was the first time that we had the opportunity to have Dylan ordained a Teacher in the Aaronic Priesthood. He was also called as Secretary in the Teacher's Quorom Presidency. Jonathan ordained Dylan, with Bishop Benner, Morgan Ethington, Harvey Miller, Jeffrey Lake, and Michael Richter in the ordination circle. (I had misplaced my camera...so I was unable to get pictures)

I thought I would include what a Teacher in the Aaronic Priesthood means in our religion...The teacher is a standing minister appointed to “watch over the Church” in the ward “and be with and strengthen them” (D&C 20:53; 84:111). He does this by performing certain duties under proper priesthood direction. A teacher has all of the duties of a deacon and some additional duties. The duties of a teacher include the following responsibilities:

a. Follow the counsel and instruction of priesthood leaders.

b. Prepare the sacrament.

c. “Warn, expound, exhort, and teach, and invite all to come unto Christ” (D&C 20:59) and “see that the church meet together often, and … that all the members do their duty” (D&C 20:55) by doing such things as—

1) Performing home teaching.

2) Notifying members of meetings.

3) Speaking in Church meetings.

d. “See that there is no iniquity in the church, neither hardness with each other, neither lying, backbiting, nor evil speaking” (D&C 20:54) by doing such things as—

1) Being an example of moral integrity and uprightness.

2) Being a peacemaker and a calming influence.

e. Edify and be edified by fellow priesthood holders by participating in priesthood instruction (see D&C 50:22).

f. Assist the bishop in “administering … temporal things” (D&C 107:68) by doing such things as—

1) Helping the poor and needy.

2) Caring for the meetinghouse and grounds.

g. Perform priesthood work, such as assisting in fellowshipping and reactivating young men of priesthood age, and serving on priesthood committees.

h. Usher reverently in stake conferences and ward meetings.

i. Assist the bishopric in other ways consistent with the teacher’s authority.