Priesthood Correlation Program
Encyclopedia
In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Priesthood Correlation Program (also called the Correlation Program or simply Correlation) is a program designed to provide a systematic approach to maintain consistency in its ordinances, doctrines, organizations, meetings, materials, and other programs and activities. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is organized according to priesthood
function, and correlation provides support to the priesthood quorums
, thereby improving communication and leadership, and keeping unorthodox information, doctrines and other undesired concepts from being introduced.
Before the correlation movement, the various organizations and auxiliaries
of the church, including the Relief Society
, the Primary, Sunday School, the welfare program, genealogy programs and the Young Men and Young Women Organizations were largely under the direction of the stake or ward, and curriculum could vary from ward to ward. Formal organization of a Correlation Committee occurred in 1908. As part of the correlation program, these organizations were elevated to a general church level, under the direction of the First Presidency
and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Further reorganization occurred during the early 1960s, and in 1972 the Correlation Department was established, adding responsibility for all printed materials and programs.
Another result is the block program, which standardized Sunday as the official day to hold most public church meetings
. Prior to the 1980s, meetings were held throughout the week. For example, in a local ward, the Relief Society may have met on Monday mornings, Primary and choir practice on Tuesdays, Young Women and Young Men on Thursdays, ward activities and events on Fridays, and service projects on Saturdays. Because of the church's focus on families, the Correlation Committee recommended a three-hour block of meetings on Sundays that would include a sacrament meeting, Sunday School, priesthood meetings, Relief Society and children's classes. This would allow families to spend more time together, and for parents and children to be more involved with their communities.
In addition, due to a more centralized structure, local building funds and ward budgets were centralized by the Church, easing the contributions of local members for such funds, and allowing for a more equitable distribution of funds. Prior to this, wealthier church areas tended to have better-funded buildings and activities than poorer areas.
, Kenya
and Utah
all study the same lessons and attend the same type of meetings in any given week.
Currently there are two curriculum tracks for members; one for areas where the church is fully established in wards and stakes, and another for areas where the church is growing and in small numbers. The doctrines taught are the same; however, the emphasis on principles, church structure and church culture is more emphasized in fledgling areas, while emphasis in established areas focuses more on application of the principles taught.
Priesthood (Mormonism)
In the Latter Day Saint movement, priesthood is considered to be the power and authority of God, including the authority to act as a leader in the church and to perform ordinances, and the power to perform miracles. A body of priesthood holders is referred to as a quorum.Priesthood denotes elements...
function, and correlation provides support to the priesthood quorums
Quorum (Mormonism)
In the Latter Day Saint movement, a quorum is a group of people ordained or endowed with priesthood authority, and organized to act together as a body. The idea of a quorum was established by Joseph Smith, Jr...
, thereby improving communication and leadership, and keeping unorthodox information, doctrines and other undesired concepts from being introduced.
Background and history
In the LDS Church, all organizations and activities are intended to complement the mission of the church and are considered subject to the priesthood, helping to complete its responsibilities.Before the correlation movement, the various organizations and auxiliaries
Auxiliary organization (LDS Church)
An auxiliary organization is a secondary body of church government within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that is "established for moral, educational, and benevolent purposes." As their name suggests, LDS Church auxiliary organizations are ancillary to the governing power of the...
of the church, including the Relief Society
Relief Society
The Relief Society is a philanthropic and educational women's organization and an official auxiliary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . It was founded in 1842 in Nauvoo, Illinois, USA and has approximately 6 million members in over 170 countries and territories...
, the Primary, Sunday School, the welfare program, genealogy programs and the Young Men and Young Women Organizations were largely under the direction of the stake or ward, and curriculum could vary from ward to ward. Formal organization of a Correlation Committee occurred in 1908. As part of the correlation program, these organizations were elevated to a general church level, under the direction of the First Presidency
First Presidency (LDS Church)
The First Presidency is the presiding or governing body of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . It is composed of the President of the Church and his counselors. The First Presidency currently consists of President Thomas S. Monson and his two counselors, Henry B...
and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Further reorganization occurred during the early 1960s, and in 1972 the Correlation Department was established, adding responsibility for all printed materials and programs.
Doctrines and structure
Between the 1920s and early 1960s, there was an increase in printed material available to LDS Church members, much of which contained opinions or quotes of church leaders that contradicted the official positions and doctrines of the church. In addition, historical documents surfaced, were made available or printed from early members diaries which did not support the official church history. To counter this, the Correlation Committee, under the direction of the First Presidency, began to print materials and other curriculum to clarify and standardize what the church hierarchy considered to be official doctrine and history.Another result is the block program, which standardized Sunday as the official day to hold most public church meetings
Worship services of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
In Mormonism, worship services include weekly services, held on Sundays , in neighborhood based religious units...
. Prior to the 1980s, meetings were held throughout the week. For example, in a local ward, the Relief Society may have met on Monday mornings, Primary and choir practice on Tuesdays, Young Women and Young Men on Thursdays, ward activities and events on Fridays, and service projects on Saturdays. Because of the church's focus on families, the Correlation Committee recommended a three-hour block of meetings on Sundays that would include a sacrament meeting, Sunday School, priesthood meetings, Relief Society and children's classes. This would allow families to spend more time together, and for parents and children to be more involved with their communities.
In addition, due to a more centralized structure, local building funds and ward budgets were centralized by the Church, easing the contributions of local members for such funds, and allowing for a more equitable distribution of funds. Prior to this, wealthier church areas tended to have better-funded buildings and activities than poorer areas.
Results and curriculum
Because of the correlation program, the church generally operates the same in structure, practice and doctrine globally. For example, members in GermanyGermany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
and Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
all study the same lessons and attend the same type of meetings in any given week.
Currently there are two curriculum tracks for members; one for areas where the church is fully established in wards and stakes, and another for areas where the church is growing and in small numbers. The doctrines taught are the same; however, the emphasis on principles, church structure and church culture is more emphasized in fledgling areas, while emphasis in established areas focuses more on application of the principles taught.
See also
- History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsHistory of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsThe history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is typically divided into three broad time periods: the early history during the lifetime of Joseph Smith, Jr...
- Strengthening Church Members CommitteeStrengthening Church Members CommitteeThe Strengthening Church Members Committee is a committee of general authorities of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who monitor the publications of church members for possible criticism of local and general leaders of the church...
- Women and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints