Handbook 2: Administering the Church - The Church of Jesus Christ

225 Pages·2010·1.08 MB·English

Handbook 2
Administering the Church
2010
Handbook 2
Administering the Church
2010
Published by
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Salt Lake City, Utah
© 2010 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
All rights reserved
Printed in the United States of America
English approval: 8/09
Contents
Introduction ......................... v 12. Sunday School ...................... 95
1. Families and the Church in God’s Plan .. 1 13. Activities .......................... 101
2. Priesthood Principles ................. 7 14. Music ............................. 113
3. Leadership in the Church 15. Stake Organization ................. 119
of Jesus Christ ...................... 11
16. Single Members .................... 123
4. The Ward Council ................... 15
17. Uniformity and Adaptation ........... 131
5. The Work of Salvation in the
18. Meetings in the Church ............. 137
Ward and Stake ..................... 21
19. Callings in the Church .............. 155
6. Welfare Principles and Leadership ..... 33
20. Priesthood Ordinances and
7. Melchizedek Priesthood .............. 39
Blessings ......................... 167
8. Aaronic Priesthood .................. 49
21. Selected Church Policies and
9. Relief Society ....................... 63 Guidelines ........................ 179
10. Young Women ...................... 75 Appendix: List of Items Referenced ... 199
11. Primary ............................ 87 Index ............................. 201

Introduction
In
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The Lord admonished, “Let every man learn number 1 refers to a section of the chapter, and tio
his duty, and to act in the office in which he is the number 2 refers to a subsection. n
appointed, in all diligence” (D&C 107:99).
Chapter Section Subsection
Church leaders seek personal revelation to
Thee bbishop and his counselors help prospec-
help them learn and fulfill the duties of their
tivee ffuull-time missionaries, including sisters and
callings.
ccoouuples, prepare to serve missions.
Studying the scriptures and the teachings of
latter-day prophets will help leaders understand 5.1.2 Ward Council
and fulfill their duties. The Lord has admonished
Member missionary work is most effec-
leaders to treasure up in their minds continually
tive when ward council members are fully en-
the words of God so they will be receptive to the
gaged in the missionary effort. In quorums and
influence of the Spirit (see D&C 84:85).
auxiliaries
Leaders also learn their duties by studying
the instructions in Church handbooks. These Updates and Supplements
instructions can facilitate revelation if they are to Instructions
used to provide an understanding of principles,
Occasionally the information in these hand-
policies, and procedures to apply while seeking
books will be updated or supplemented through
the guidance of the Spirit.
letters, notices, and other communication from
the First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve, and
Handbooks for Church Leaders Presiding Bishopric. When this occurs, leaders
should note the changes in their copies of the
The Church provides two handbooks for lead-
handbooks. Leaders should keep handbooks and
ers:
these supplementary materials together.
Handbook 1: Stake Presidents and Bishops. This
handbook outlines the general responsibilities
Questions about Instructions
of stake presidents and bishops and provides
detailed information about policies and proce- Leaders who have questions about informa-
dures. tion in the handbooks or about issues that are not
addressed should direct the questions to their
Handbook 2: Administering the Church. This
immediate presiding authority.
handbook is a guide for members of ward and
stake councils. The first two chapters present the
doctrinal foundation of the work of the Church:
Application in Branches, Districts,
the salvation of individuals and the sealing and
and Missions
exaltation of families through the power of the
priesthood. The other chapters provide instruc- For administrative purposes, the terms bishop
tions for administering priesthood quorums and bishopric in the handbooks refer also to
and auxiliaries. They also present principles and branch presidents and branch presidencies. The
guidelines that apply to multiple organizations terms stake president and stake presidency refer also
in the ward. to district presidents and district presidencies.
However, the offices of bishop and branch presi-
The headings and subheadings in these
dent are not equivalent in authority and respon-
handbooks are numbered to make topics easy to
sibility. Nor are the offices of stake president and
locate or reference. Rather than refer to a page
district president. The bishop is an office in the
or group of pages, leaders may refer to a topic by
priesthood, and ordination is authorized only by
its number. For example, in a discussion about
the First Presidency. Stake presidents are called
member missionary work, a bishop might ask
by General Authorities and Area Seventies.
ward council members to turn to 5.1.2 in Hand-
book 2. The number 5 refers to the chapter, the References to wards and stakes usually apply
also to branches, districts, and missions.
v
Introduction
Contacting Church Headquarters or ◼ Stake Young Men, Relief Society, Young Women,
Primary, and Sunday School presidencies
the Assigned Administrative Office
(3 copies each)
Some chapters in this handbook include
◼ Bishopric or branch presidency (3 copies)
instructions to contact Church headquarters or
the assigned administrative office. The instruc- ◼ Ward or branch clerk (1 file copy)
tion to contact Church headquarters applies ◼ Ward or branch executive secretary (1 copy)
to priesthood leaders and clerks in the United
◼ High priests group leadership (3 copies)
States and Canada. The instruction to contact the
assigned administrative office applies to priest- ◼ Elders quorum presidency (3 copies)
hood leaders and clerks outside the United States ◼ Ward Young Men, Relief Society, Young Women,
and Canada. Primary, and Sunday School presidencies
(3 copies each)
Distribution ◼ Ward mission leader (1 copy)
This handbook has been prepared solely for
Handbook 2: Administering the Church should
use by general and local Church officers to ad-
be distributed as follows:
minister the affairs of the Church. It should not
◼ General Authorities, Area Seventies, members
be duplicated or given to any other persons. The
of general auxiliary presidencies, Church de-
distribution list includes a file copy to be kept in
partment heads, directors of temporal affairs
a secure place by each stake and ward clerk. He
(1 copy each)
may refer to it for information on finances and
◼ Mission presidency (3 copies) records and for information on supporting the
stake president or bishop.
◼ Stake or district presidency (3 copies)
When Church officers who have a copy of
◼ Stake or district clerk (1 file copy)
this handbook are released, they give the copy
◼ Stake or district executive secretary (1 copy)
promptly to their successors or to their presid-
◼ High council (12 copies) ing authority.
vi
1. Families and the Church in God’s Plan
1.1 God the Father’s Plan for His Eternal Family ... 2 1.3 Establishing Eternal Families ................ 3
1.1.1 The Premortal Family of God .............. 2 1.3.1 Husband and Wife ....................... 3
1.1.2 The Purpose of Mortality .................. 2 1.3.2 Parents and Children ..................... 4
1.1.3 The Atonement of Jesus Christ ............. 2 1.3.3 Unmarried Members of the Church ......... 4
1.1.4 The Role of Families in God’s Plan .......... 2
1.1.5 The Role of the Church .................... 2 1.4 The Home and the Church .................. 4
1.4.1 Strengthening the Home .................. 4 1
1.2 Returning to the Father ..................... 2 1.4.2 Family Home Evening .................... 5 . F
1.2.1 The Gospel of Jesus Christ ................. 2 1.4.3 Strengthening Individuals ................. 5 am
1.2.2 The Role of Church Leaders and Teachers ... 3 in Gilies
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1
1. Families and the Church in God’s Plan
1.1.4 The Role of Families in God’s Plan
1.1 God the Father’s Plan for His
As part of our Heavenly Father’s plan, we
Eternal Family
were born into families. He established families
1.1.1 The Premortal Family of God to bring us happiness, to help us learn correct
The family is ordained of God. It is the most principles in a loving atmosphere, and to prepare
important unit in time and in eternity. Even be- us for eternal life.
fore we were born on the earth, we were part of Parents have the vital responsibility to help
a family. Each of us “is a beloved spirit son or their children prepare to return to Heavenly
daughter of heavenly parents” with “a divine na- Father. Parents fulfill this responsibility by teach-
ture and destiny” (“The Family: A Proclamation ing their children to follow Jesus Christ and live
to the World,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102). God is our His gospel.
Heavenly Father, and we lived in His presence
as part of His family in the premortal life. There 1.1.5 The Role of the Church
we learned our first lessons and were prepared
The Church provides the organization and
for mortality (see D&C 138:56).
means for teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to
all of God’s children. It provides the priesthood
1.1.2 The Purpose of Mortality
authority to administer the ordinances of salva-
Because of God’s love for us, He prepared a tion and exaltation to all who are worthy and
plan that included our coming to the earth, where willing to accept them.
we would receive bodies and be tested so that
we could progress and become more like Him.
This plan is called “the plan of salvation” (Alma 1.2 Returning to the Father
24:14), “the great plan of happiness” (Alma 42:8), 1.2.1 The Gospel of Jesus Christ
and “the plan of redemption” (Alma 12:25; see
The plan of salvation is the fulness of the gos-
also verses 26–33).
pel. It includes the Creation, the Fall, the Atone-
The purpose of God’s plan is to lead us to
ment of Jesus Christ, and all the laws, ordinances,
eternal life. God declared, “This is my work and
and doctrines of the gospel. It provides the way
my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and
for us to experience joy in mortality (see 2 Nephi
eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39). Eternal life is
2:25) as well as the blessing of eternal life.
God’s greatest gift to His children (see D&C 14:7).
Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we
It is exaltation in the highest degree of the celes-
can be cleansed and sanctified from sin and
tial kingdom. Through the plan of salvation, we
prepare to enter again into the presence of our
can receive this blessing of returning to God’s
Eternal Father. To receive this blessing, we must
presence and receiving a fulness of joy.
follow the principles and ordinances of the gos-
1.1.3 The Atonement of Jesus Christ pel (see Articles of Faith 1:3). We must:
1. Exercise faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the
In order to gain exaltation in the kingdom of
Only Begotten Son of God.
God, we must overcome two obstacles of mortal-
ity: death and sin. Because we cannot overcome 2. Turn to God through sincere repentance, hav-
either obstacle by ourselves, Heavenly Father ing a change of heart and confessing and for-
sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Savior and saking sins.
Redeemer. The Savior’s atoning sacrifice made
3. Receive the saving ordinance of baptism for
it possible for all of God’s children to overcome
the remission of sins.
physical death, be resurrected, and gain im-
4. Be confirmed a member of the Church and re-
mortality. The Atonement also made it possible
ceive the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying
for those who repent and follow Him to over-
on of hands.
come spiritual death, return to God’s presence
to dwell with Him, and obtain eternal life (see 5. Endure to the end by keeping sacred cov-
D&C 45:3–5). enants.
2
1. Families and the Church in God’s Plan
These principles have been taught since the
1.3 Establishing Eternal Families
days of Adam. As we come to understand and
believe these truths and gain a firm testimony Families are central to God’s plan, which pro-
of Jesus Christ, we strive to obey His command- vides a way for family relationships to extend
ments and want to share our blessings with our beyond the grave. Sacred temple ordinances
family and others (see 1 Nephi 8:9–37). With this and covenants, faithfully kept, help us return to
secure foundation of testimony, other elements the presence of God, united eternally with our
of Church activity follow naturally. families.
Personal spiritual growth takes place as we
1.3.1 Husband and Wife
draw close to God through prayer, scripture
1
study, pondering, and obedience. Nephi taught: Exaltation in the highest degree of the celes- . 
F
tial kingdom can be attained only by those who a
“After ye have gotten into this strait and nar- m
rsoayw u pnatoth y, oIu w, Noualyd; faosrk y ief haalvl eis n doot ncoem? Be ethhuosld f,a rI hanadve a rfae istheafuleldly a lsi veetedr nthael cgoomsppealn oiof nJess. us Christ in Gilies
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save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken The sealing of husband and wife for time and dn
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faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of eternity by the authority of the priesthood—also P t
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him who is mighty to save. known as temple marriage—is a sacred privi- lae
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lege and obligation that all should strive to re-
“Wherefore, ye must press forward with a h
ceive. It is the foundation of an eternal family. u
steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect bright- rc
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ness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. The nature of male and female spirits is such
Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting that they complete each other. Men and women
upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, are intended to progress together toward exal-
behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eter- tation.
nal life” (2 Nephi 31:19–20).
The Lord has commanded husbands and
Each of us is accountable before God to learn wives to cleave to each other (see Genesis 2:24;
and keep His commandments and to live the D&C 42:22). In this commandment, the word
gospel. We will be judged according to our ac- cleave means to be completely devoted and faith-
tions, the desires of our hearts, and the kind of ful to someone. Married couples cleave to God
people we have become. As we become true fol- and one another by serving and loving each other
lowers of Jesus Christ, we experience a mighty and by keeping covenants in complete fidelity
change of heart and “have no more disposition to one another and to God (see D&C 25:13).
to do evil” (Mosiah 5:2; see also Alma 5:12–15;
A couple is to become one in establishing
Moroni 10:32–33). As we live the gospel of Jesus
their family as the basis of a righteous life. Lat-
Christ, we grow line upon line, becoming more
ter-day Saint husbands and wives leave behind
like the Savior in loving and serving others.
their single life and establish their marriage as
the first priority in their lives. They allow no
1.2.2 The Role of Church Leaders and Teachers
other person or interest to have greater priority
Priesthood and auxiliary leaders and teach- in their lives than keeping the covenants they
ers strive to help others become true followers have made with God and each other. None-
of Jesus Christ (see Mosiah 18:18–30). To assist theless, married couples continue to love and
individuals and families in this effort, they: support their parents and siblings while focus-
ing on their own families. Similarly, wise par-
1. Teach and testify of the pure doctrines of the
ents realize that their family responsibilities
gospel of Jesus Christ.
continue throughout life in a spirit of love and
2. Strengthen individuals and families in their
encouragement.
efforts to keep their sacred covenants.
Being one in marriage requires a full part-
3. Provide counsel, support, and opportunities
nership. For example, Adam and Eve worked
for service.
together, prayed and worshipped together, sac-
In addition, certain priesthood leaders have rificed together, taught their children the gospel
the authority to oversee the performance of the together, and mourned over wayward children
saving priesthood ordinances. together (see Moses 5:1, 4, 12, 27). They were
united with each other and with God.
3