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The Unfolding of Priesthood Correlation
As Church programs expanded during the twentieth century, the General Authorities have felt keenly the responsibility to be certain that all Church programs were effectively pursuing the objective of perfecting the Saints. This concern became particularly acute during the decades of rapid international expansion of Church membership following the end of World War II. Because each organization planned its own program and was anxious to do all possible to bless those it served, some unnecessary duplication had inevitably resulted. At the same time, other key areas may not have been receiving enough emphasis. As has been seen, Church leaders during the twentieth century repeatedly gave attention to these concerns and made adjustments in Church activities and programs as needed.
The most thorough correlation effort began in 1960 when the First Presidency directed the Priesthood Committee of the Twelve under Elder Harold B. Lee to conduct "an exhaustive prayerful study" of all programs in the light of the Church's ultimate objectives, "so that the Church might reap the maximum harvest from the devotion of the faith, intelligence, skill, and knowledge of our various auxiliary organizations and priesthood committees." 1
Correlation At the Churchwide Level
Elder Lee and his committee recognized that more was needed than simply ensuring that all gospel topics were being treated adequately in the Church's curriculum. They realized that an organization was needed at the all-Church level to bring about the desired correlation of its varied programs and activities. Elder Lee announced the results of the study at the fall general conference in 1961 and stressed basic principles that would guide priesthood correlation. He quoted Paul's comparison of the Church to a perfectly functioning body (see 1 Cor. 12:14-28). He then explained that a similar passage in latter-day scripture had served as the text for his committee's work: