... There are in the Church today thousands of men holding the Melchizedek Priesthood who are inactive. Many of these men never understood the full significance of the meaning of Priesthood and what the obligation is upon them to magnify their callings when ordained. ...
This laxness has resulted in many men who have received the Priesthood, and who are not really worthy, returning to their evil habits and indifference, if these were ever forsaken. ... these presiding officers should faithfully impress upon all candidates for ordination the seriousness and responsibility which ordination to the Priesthood entails, and the dreadful consequences of disobedience or the violation of the covenants which are received when offices in the Priesthood are accepted. ... The new "Recommendation for ordination in the Priesthood" is to replace all other forms and each candidate is required to answer all the questions in person and sign the recommendation as indicated on its back.
Very sincerely your brethren, HEBER J. GRANT, J. REUBEN CLARK, JR., DAVID O. MCKAY, First Presidency.
[Source: 1941-August 21-Original circular letter, L.D.S. Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah; also Improvement Era 44:616, October, 1941, in Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
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