1944 Handbook of Instructions

[Bernard Gui]

While helping Mrs. Gui declutter her parents' house, I came across her grandfather's copy of

the 1944 Handbook of Instructions. It has made entertaining and informative reading. Here

are some of the more interesting parts...enjoy!

Bernard

---A General Authority interviewed prospective missionaries before a call was issued

---Missionary clothing: black, dark grey, or dark blue suits; black shoes; white shirts;

solid dark color ties; black or grey full-length socks; black or grey felt hats; black or

dark grey overcoats; white or light colored trousers or thin white suits for hot climates

---Ward clerks kept minutes of sacrament and priesthood meetings

---For the sacrament, use white bread with the crust removed

---White shirts and ties are recommended but not required for Aaronic priesthood members

who administer the sacrament

---Deacons should not hold the left hand behind the back, walk stiffly, or tend toward

military precision

---Paper cups for sacrament are to be used only once

---Ushers should refrain from asking a woman to remove her hat, even if it blocks the

view of people behind her

---The best men should be selected to be ward teachers, "otherwise, it will not prosper."

---A non-member or Aaronic priesthood-holding father may hold the infant during the name and blessing

---No waders or hip boots to be worn by brethren performing baptisms

---Children should not be baptized in bath tubs

---Women should not wear bathing caps during their baptism

---Don't dedicate the baptismal water

---The bishop's wife or other family members should not have access to tithing records

---Don't issue temple recommends for the purpose of being shown through a temple

---The chapel may be used by those of other faiths for funerals

---The sample ward calendar looks very full, no activities scheduled during the summer

---People loitering, smoking, and drinking on church premises should be invited to leave

---Bishops and priesthood leaders were to make yearly "House to House" visits to all ward members

---Avoid Benevolent and Mutual Benefit Associations (pyramid schemes)

---Any member employed in any way in the trafficking of liquor should not receive stake or ward callings

---Don't believe unverified extreme statements attributed to General Authorities

---Bishops may not appropriate money from the Relief Society funds

[volgadon]

---For the sacrament, use white bread with the crust removed

The Armenian branch president in one of the cities I served in insisted on that, though he probably had never even heard of the 1944 handbook.

[BCSpace]

No waders or hip boots to be worn by brethren performing baptisms

To prevent outbreaks of fishing after the lakeside services.

Any member employed in any way in the trafficking of liquor should not receive stake or ward callings

Could've used a job like that about a year ago.

Bishops may not appropriate money from the Relief Society funds

Wasn't it their husbands' money in the first place?

[Lamanite]

---Don't believe unverified extreme statements attributed to General Authorities

Apparently he heard President Packers talk that describes the hush that will fall over the crowd in the Spirit world when some were told, *sniff* we lived... *pause to regain compusure* during the presidency of GBH!!! *waaahhhh!!!*

Weeping and sobbing heard all around

Big UP!

Lamanite

[handys003]

---Ward clerks kept minutes of sacrament and priesthood meetings

What no Exec Sec? Oh wait until I tell the Ward Clerk he has to get up at 5AM to attend meetings. I'm sleeping in!

---For the sacrament, use white bread with the crust removed

Now that's funny. I just had several brethren complain of the Bishop not cutting the crust off.

White shirts and ties are recommended but not required for Aaronic priesthood members

who administer the sacrament

See it backed up my assertion on fashion in another thread.

---Bishops and priesthood leaders were to make yearly "House to House" visits to all ward members

This needs to be revived!

---Paper cups for sacrament are to be used only once

Gee I knew we were frugal, but that was pretty extreme to reuse paper cups.

[handys003]

OH MY!!!!! This is the biggie that need to be emphasized.

---Avoid Benevolent and Mutual Benefit Associations (pyramid schemes)

No MLM's Utah!!!!

[BCSpace]

Bishops and priesthood leaders were to make yearly "House to House" visits to all ward members

This needs to be revived!

It still exists.

[handys003]

It still exists.

Unfortunately not in all wards.

[O-Brother]

---Paper cups for sacrament are to be used only once

---The best men should be selected to be ward teachers, "otherwise, it will not prosper."

---No waders or hip boots to be worn by brethren performing baptisms

---Children should not be baptized in bath tubs

---Women should not wear bathing caps during their baptism

---People loitering, smoking, and drinking on church premises should be invited to leave

---Avoid Benevolent and Mutual Benefit Associations (pyramid schemes)

---Any member employed in any way in the trafficking of liquor should not receive stake or ward callings

Interesting. How times have changed. I wonder what they meant by "the best men" and "it will not prosper"

[handys003]

Interesting. How times have changed. I wonder what they meant by "the best men" and "it will not prosper"

Probably how a Bishop would feel who would be more qualified to teach. Even today there are many not up to par for such a task.

[Senator]

This is just plain revelation;

---The sample ward calendar looks very full, no activities scheduled during the summer

[ERMD]

Apparently he heard President Packers talk that describes the hush that will fall over the crowd in the Spirit world when some were told, *sniff* we lived... *pause to regain compusure* during the presidency of GBH!!! *waaahhhh!!!*

Weeping and sobbing heard all around

Big UP!

Lamanite

I may be missing your point, but that has been officially denied many times.

[alter idem]

The Armenian branch president in one of the cities I served in insisted on that, though he probably had never even heard of the 1944 handbook.

We've got a problem with this one as well. A General Authority was attending one of our meetings and complained to the Stake Pres. that we were using brown bread, saying only white bread should be used. So our wards use only white bread--thankfully we don't have to remove the crusts.

[Jason]

I think society in general should have hats come back into fashion. There's just something sharp about a suit and a fedora.

[Lamanite]

I may be missing your point, but that has been officially denied many times.

Darn it!

Now I may have to question whether it really was BY's hearse in front of Disneyland.

Big UP!

Lamanite

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

---For the sacrament, use white bread with the crust removed

Oh the humanity!

---White shirts and ties are recommended but not required for Aaronic priesthood members

who administer the sacrament

Blasphemy!

---Paper cups for sacrament are to be used only once

I would hope

---Ushers should refrain from asking a woman to remove her hat, even if it blocks the

view of people behind her

To preserve their lives!

---The best men should be selected to be ward teachers, "otherwise, it will not prosper."

How did I get called?

---No waders or hip boots to be worn by brethren performing baptisms

Someone actually did this...

---Women should not wear bathing caps during their baptism

Bad hair day.

---People loitering, smoking, and drinking on church premises should be invited to leave

No CARM members

---Don't believe unverified extreme statements attributed to General Authorities

Where is the fun in that?

---Bishops may not appropriate money from the Relief Society funds

If he does he can expect a visit from the UMW.

[O-Brother]

Probably how a Bishop would feel who would be more qualified to teach. Even today there are many not up to par for such a task.

I can see the wisdom behind the 1944 instruction.

[volgadon]

I think society in general should have hats come back into fashion. There's just something sharp about a suit and a fedora.

[handys003]

Good one.

[Jason]

Those aren't fedoras.

[cinepro]

Does your book say anything about a waiting period between civil and Temple marriages?

[volgadon]

Those aren't fedoras.

I know, but I couldn't resist.