Purpose and Organization of a Ward
During His mortal ministry, the Savior organized His Church and established congregations of believers. Members of His Church met together to worship, learn the gospel, and serve and strengthen each other.
As in the ancient Church, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are organized into congregations. Large congregations are called wards. Small congregations are called branches. The purpose of these congregations is to help a people .come unto Christ, and be perfected in him" (Moroni 10:32).
Bishopric
The bishop holds the priesthood keys to preside over a ward and direct the work of the Church in the ward. He and his counselors minister to ward members in love, helping "bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" (Moses 1:39).
The bishop has five principal responsibilities in presiding over a ward:
The bishop should delegate many assignments to his counselors, the ward executive secretary, the ward clerk, assistant ward clerks, and quorum and auxiliary leaders. This allows him to concentrate on duties that he alone should ordinarily do.
If the bishop is absent, ill, or otherwise unable to perform his duties, a counselor may act in his place temporarily except as noted in this handbook. The counselor is to consult with the stake president if he has questions about acting for the bishop.
Presidency of the Aaronic Priesthood
The bishopric is the presidency of the Aaronic Priesthood in the ward (D&C 107:15). The bishop is also president of the priests quorum in the ward (see D&C 107:87-88). The bishopric should study passages in the scriptures and instructions in the handbooks that pertain to the Aaronic Priesthood. The bishop and his counselors have similar responsibilities for young women in the ward as they have for Aaronic Priesthood holders.
Members of the bishopric watch over and nurture young men and young women in the ward. They help Aaronic Priesthood holders accomplish the purposes of the Aaronic Priesthood (see pages 177-78 in Book 2). They help young women live the Young Women values and standards of personal worthiness (see pages 211-12 in Book 2).
The bishopric oversees Aaronic Priesthood quorums and Young Women classes. The bishopric also oversees the ward Young Men and Young Women organizations. The bishop presides over the ward Aaronic Priesthood committee and bishopric youth committee.
For more information, see pages 180-81 and 216-17 in Book 2.
Presiding High Priest
The bishop has the following responsibilities as the presiding high priest in the ward. His counselors assist him.
Teach the Gospel
Members of the bishopric are teachers. They teach the gospel in meetings, classes, and interviews. They also bear their testimonies often.
Members of the bishopric base their teaching on the scriptures and the words of the latter-day prophets (see D&C 42:12; 52:9). They teach with power and by the Spirit, strengthening members' faith in the Savior and their commitment to obey His commandments (see D&C 42:14; 43:15).
The bishop and his counselors oversee and support others who teach the gospel in the ward. They ensure that teaching is effective and doctrinally correct. They also encourage members to study, teach, and live the gospel in the home.
For more information about teaching, see pages 300-306 in Book 2.
Instruct Leaders
Members of the bishopric instruct leaders in doctrines, responsibilities, policies, and procedures. This
instruction should inspire leaders to grow spiritually and seek the Lord's guidance in fulfilling their callings.
Resources for instructing leaders include the scriptures, teachings of the latter-day prophets, Church handbooks, and other Church-produced training materials.
Oversee Efforts to Accomplish the Mission of the
Church
Missionary Work (Proclaiming the Gospel). Members of the bishopric have the following responsibilities for missionary work:
They set an example by finding and preparing people for the missionaries to teach and by fellowshipping new members. They also encourage members to participate in these efforts.
They ensure that the doctrines, principles, and blessings relating to missionary work are taught regularly in ward meetings and classes.
They help prospective full-time missionaries prepare to serve missions, particularly young men. The bishop interviews and recommends worthy ward members to serve as full-time missionaries (see pages 79-89).
They direct the efforts of the ward mission leader as a member of the priesthood executive committee (see page 247 in Book 2). They receive regular reports from him on efforts to find and prepare people to be taught the gospel. They also receive reports on the teaching, fellowshipping, retention, and activation efforts of stake missionaries and full-time missionaries serving in the ward.
They oversee the assistance that full-time missionaries give in activation efforts.
They meet investigators who are being taught and keep informed of their progress. A member of the bishopric should attend each baptism.
They oversee efforts to minister to new members in the ward. These responsibilities are outlined on pages 307-10 in Book 2.
Spiritual and Temporal Welfare (Perfecting the Saints). Each member of the bishopric should set an example in spiritual welfare by praying, serving, keeping covenants, and striving for virtue and holiness in his own life (see D&C 38:24; Moroni 10:32-33). The bishopric sets the spiritual tone in the ward.
One of the bishopric's most important responsibilities is helping members build spiritual strength. The bishopric should pray continually to know how to do this. Suggestions include teaching and testifying of the gospel, teaching members to pray and study the scriptures, emphasizing the importance of the family, helping members prepare to receive all essential ordinances and keep the associated covenants, providing opportunities to serve, making meetings edifying, and showing love by ministering to members individually.
Members of the bishopric set an example in temporal welfare by striving to become self-reliant and by caring for the poor and needy. They also encourage members in these efforts.
Members of the bishopric teach priesthood and auxiliary leaders their welfare responsibilities. They also ensure that the doctrines, principles, and blessings relating to welfare are taught regularly in ward meetings. For information about these doctrines and principles, see pages 255-60 in Book 2. For information about the bishopric's responsibilities to administer the Church welfare program, see pages 14-17 in this book. This information is also available in Providing in the Lord's Way: A Leader's Guide to Welfare.
Temple and Family History Work (Redeeming the Dead). Members of the bishopric oversee temple and family history work in the ward. They also set an example in doing this work, including regular temple attendance where circumstances allow.
They help members prepare to receive their own temple ordinances. They also encourage members to identify their kindred dead and provide temple ordinances for them.
They ensure that the doctrines, principles, and blessings relating to temple and family history work are taught regularly in ward meetings and classes.
They interview ward members for temple recommends. They also help new members, less-active members, and endowed members who have not renewed their recommends for an extended time prepare to go to a temple. The bishop organizes regular temple preparation seminars for these members.
For more information, see pages 65-77 in this book and pages 261-70 in Book 2.
Coordinate the Work of the Melchizedek Priesthood
The bishop and his counselors work closely with the elders quorum president and high priests group leader in watching over quorum and group members, building strength in the quorum and group, and ensuring that the work of the priesthood is accomplished.
Members of the bishopric oversee home teaching in the ward (see pages 168-70 in Book 2).
They oversee efforts to minister to new members and less-active members (see pages 307-10 in Book 2).
At least quarterly the bishop holds priesthood interviews with the elders quorum president and high priests group leader (see page 19).
Preside over Ward Committees and Councils
The bishop presides over the ward priesthood executive committee, ward council, ward welfare committee, ward Aaronic Priesthood committee, and bishopric youth committee. The bishop usually assigns one of his counselors to preside over the ward committee for single members. For information about these committees and councils, see pages 317-19 in Book 2.
Conduct Ward Business
The bishop conducts ward business with the stake presidency and receives counsel and instructions from presiding authorities. He also oversees the goals and plans for each part of ward activity.
Oversee Callings and Releases
The bishop oversees the administration of the sacrament, blessing of children, baptism of eight-year-old members of record, confirmation, and ordination to Aaronic Priesthood offices.
The bishop usually initiates recommendations to the stake presidency for brethren to be ordained elders or high priests (see page 31). These ordinations are performed under the direction of the stake president.
Instructions for performing ordinances and blessings are outlined on pages 23-35.
Oversee Ward Auxiliaries and Programs
The bishopric oversees the ward auxiliary organizations:
The bishopric ensures that the following Church programs are implemented in the ward and, if necessary, adapted to local circumstances. The bishop usually assigns primary responsibility for each program to one of his counselors:
The bishopric plans the ward meetings listed on pages 54-57 in this book and pages 317-19 in Book 2. The bishop presides at these meetings unless a member of the stake presidency, a General Authority, or an Area Authority Seventy attends. The bishop's counselors may conduct these meetings and may preside if the bishop is absent.
Perform Civil Marriages
The bishop may perform civil marriages where legally authorized by local government authority (see pages 71-72). He may not assign this to a counselor.
Conduct Funeral and Burial Services
The bishop, or an assigned counselor in his absence, conducts funeral and burial services for ward members and for others as requested (see pages 57-59).
Respond to Accidents and Other Serious Situations
The bishop should be notified promptly of any injuries, illnesses, accidents, and property damage that occur on Church property or are the result of something that happened during a Church-sponsored
activity in the ward. The bishop should notify the stake president. Additional instructions are provided on pages 276-77 in Book 2.
Refer Legal Matters
See page 151.
Common judge
"[The bishop is] to be a judge in Israel, to do the business of the church, to sit in judgment upon transgressors upon testimony as it shall be laid before him according to the laws, by the assistance of his counselors, whom he has chosen or will choose among the elders of the church.
"This is the duty of a bishop....
"Thus shall he be a judge, even a common judge among the inhabitants of Zion" (D&C 107:72-74).
As a common judge, the bishop conducts worthiness interviews (see pages 19-21), counsels ward members (see pages 21-22), and administers Church discipline (see pages 91-107). He also may be asked to certify the worthiness of Church employees (see page 148).
Administer the Church Welfare Program
The office of bishop carries with it a special mandate to care for the poor and needy (see D&C 84:112; 107:68). The bishop is assisted by Melchizedek Priesthood and Relief Society leaders, as well as home teachers and visiting teachers.
Seek Out the Needy
The bishop should know the temporal circumstances of ward members and ensure that needy members receive proper care. It is not enough to respond only when asked for help. To serve effectively, the bishop should seek out the poor, the needy, the single parent, the aged, the disabled, the fatherless, the widowed, and others who have special needs.
There are many ways for the bishop to identify needy ward members. One way is through promptings of the Spirit. The bishop should listen for the Spirit to prompt him to inquire about members well-being and to reveal undisclosed needs.
The bishop may also identify welfare needs during meetings of the ward priesthood executive committee, ward council, and ward welfare committee. Interviews with the elders quorum president, high priests group leader, and Relief Society president also help him identify welfare needs.
Home teachers and visiting teachers can also help identify welfare needs. they should inquire about the well-being of those whom they visit. When possible, they help meet these members' needs. They also report these needs to their priesthood or Relief Society leader, who reports them to the bishop.
Determine What Assistance to Render
Through the Church, the Lord has established a way to care for the poor and needy and help them regain their self-reliance. When Church members are doing all they can to provide for themselves but still cannot meet their basic needs, they first should turn to their families for help. When this is not sufficient, the Church stands ready to help.
To determine what welfare assistance to render, the bishop considers the causes of members' needs. He also evaluates what members have done and may do to provide for themselves and their families. If he feels that assistance is justified, he completes a Needs and Resources Analysis form. He then determines how much assistance to provide as Church welfare and when and how to provide it. Individual circumstances vary, so the bishop should seek guidance from the Lord for each situation.
When appropriate and without breaking confidences, the bishop may include the Relief Society president in determining what assistance to provide. He may assign her to visit members to assess their needs and suggest how to respond to them. This may include preparing an itemized fist of basic food and clothing needs. It also may include preparing a Bishop's Order for Commodities form for the bishop to review. The bishop's signature on this form authorizes service at a bishops' storehouse or purchases from a local vendor. The Relief Society president's role in making family needs visits is explained more fully on pages 208-9 in Book 2.
Render Assistance
The bishop is entrusted with the sacred responsibility of using Church funds and commodities to care for the poor and needy members of the ward. He provides welfare assistance to accomplish the following objectives:
The following guidelines will help the bishop provide appropriate welfare "assistance.
Draw upon the Lord's Storehouse. The Lord's storehouse includes the time, talents, skills, compassion, consecrated materials, and financial resources of faithful Church members. The bishop is the Lord's agent in using these resources to assist the poor and needy (see D&C 42:34). As he uses these resources to care for the needy in the Lord's way, both givers and receivers are blessed (see D&C 104:16; Acts 20:35).
Assist with Necessities. The Church helps needy members by providing the goods and services they need to sustain life. The Church does not provide the means to maintain an affluent standard of living. Members who are temporarily unable to provide for themselves may need to alter their standard of living until they are self-reliant. They should not rely on Church welfare to insure them against temporary hardship or to allow them to continue their present standard of living without interruption.
Use Appropriate Resources in the Community. Members may use appropriate services in the community to meet their basic needs. These services may include hospitals, physicians, and other sources of medical care; job training and placement services; services for disabled persons; professional counselors or social workers; domestic violence centers; and alcohol or drug treatment services. The bishop should become familiar with the resources that are available in the community and teach members to maintain gospel standards while using such services.
When deciding what welfare assistance to give, the bishop determines whether members are receiving assistance from government or other sources. Bishops should be careful not to duplicate welfare assistance.
Help Needy Members Obtain Health Care. The bishop may arrange and pay for health care for needy ward members. In deciding whether the Church should
pay for health care, he determines whether the car( is necessary based on sound medical advice (se( "Medical and Health Practices" and "Self-Awareness Groups" on pages 156-57 for two restrictions on using fast-offering funds). He also determines whether family members are able and willing to assist. He also determines whether the member is fully using insurance, government, or other available benefits.
If the bishop feels that the Church should assist the needy member, he asks the health care providers if they will reduce their fees. He ensures that the Church promptly pays the medical expenses it has agreed to pay.
If a member's medical expenses that will be paid by the Church are likely to exceed $1,000, the bishop should follow the instructions on page 7.
Give Work Assignments to Members Who Receive Assistance
Work is a spiritual and temporal necessity. When members receive Church welfare assistance, the bishop gives them opportunities to work to the extent of their ability for the assistance they receive. When they work for assistance, they remain industrious, maintain self-respect, and increase their ability to be self-reliant.
The bishop strives to give work assignments that are meaningful. Ideally, needy members are given assignments that allow them to serve others. The bishop ensures that members are given the instruction they need to fulfill their assignments.
When giving a work assignment, the bishop asks the members to commit themselves to fulfilling it. if they are reluctant or refuse to work, he should help them understand that work assignments are given to bless them.
There are many creative ways to provide work opportunities. Bishops may include the ward welfare committee in compiling a list of such opportunities. Where local Church welfare operations exist, they may provide work opportunities and training for people who need Church assistance.
Administer Fast Offerings
Encourage Members to Live the Law of the Fast. The bishopric encourages ward members to fast each fast Sunday for two consecutive meals and to contribute a fast offering at least equal to the value of the food they would have eaten. If possible, members should give much more than the value of two meals. The bishopric teaches members that fasting and contributing fast offerings will bless their lives and the lives of the needy. These principles should be taught in priesthood quorum meetings, Relief Society and other auxiliary meetings, home visits, and sacrament meetings. The bishop teaches, these principles in temple recommend interviews and tithing settlement interviews.
Oversee the gathering and Accounting of Fast Offerings. See pages 134-35.
Use Fast Offerings to Render Assistance. See page 15.
Consult with the Stake President in Special Circumstances
The stake president assigns the bishop who is chairman of the stake bishops' welfare council to serve on the stake welfare committee. A suggested agenda for this committee's meetings is provided on pages 315-16 in Book 2.
Prepare for and Respond to Emergencies
The bishopric directs the ward welfare committee in preparing a ward emergency response plan. This plan should be coordinated with similar plans in the stake and community.
When emergencies arise, home teachers contact the families and individuals assigned to them, assessing their condition and needs. Home teachers report to the elders quorum presidency and high priests group leadership, who report to the bishop. The bishop then reports to the stake presidency the condition of members and Church property. This system may also be used to communicate messages from the stake presidency or bishopric.
During an emergency, Church leaders should make the services of the Church available to civil authorities. Church leaders also should take independent action in behalf of Church members as needed.
Assist Transients
The bishop may assist members and others who are transients, but he should be discerning about the type and amount of assistance he gives. When possible, he contacts the bishop of the person's home ward before providing assistance. Where there are two or more wards in the vicinity, the stake president may appoint one bishop to handle all requests from transients. This helps avoid duplication and confusion.
Keep Needs and Assistance Confidential
The bishop should keep confidential the needs of members and the help that is provided. He should be careful not to embarrass members who need assistance. If he asks the Relief Society president or others to help, he shares only the information they need to fulfill their welfare duties. He also instructs them to maintain confidentiality. This helps safeguard the privacy and dignity of members who are being assisted.
Oversee Finances, Records, and the Use and
Security of the Meetinghouse
The bishop recommends and a member of the stake presidency or an assigned high councilor calls and sets apart a ward executive secretary. He should hold the Melchizedek Priesthood and be worthy to have a temple recommend.
The executive secretary is an assistant to the bishopric. He meets with the bishopric and prepares meeting agendas as instructed. He also attends meetings of the ward priesthood executive committee, ward council, and ward welfare committee.
He coordinates ward business between the bishopric and other leaders. He also schedules appointments for the bishopric. He distributes copies of the Bulletin and other Church publications and correspondence promptly.
He reviews the status of home teaching in the ward with the bishopric.
He coordinates the Church magazine subscription efforts in the ward (see page 284 in Book 2).
He assists with Church education matters, such as seminary and institute registration.
He keeps and circulates to the ward welfare committee a current list of the names and addresses of ward members who are in the military. He also informs the stake executive secretary when members plan to enter the military.
Ward Clerk
The bishop recommends and a member of the stake presidency or an assigned high councilor calls and sets apart a ward clerk. The ward clerk should hold the Melchizedek Priesthood and be worthy to have a temple recommend. He should be an honest and careful record keeper. He also should be qualified to handle financial matters.
The tenure of ward clerks should be sufficient for them to learn their duties and magnify their callings. Ward clerks do not need to be released when a bishopric is reorganized.
The ward clerk's responsibilities are outlined on pages 125 and 134.
Assistant Ward Clerks
The bishop may recommend and a member of the stake presidency or an assigned high councilor may call and set apart one or more assistant ward clerks. These clerks should hold the priesthood and be worthy to have a temple recommend. The bishopric may assign them to each part of ward record keeping, such as financial and membership records. Assistant ward clerks who are assigned to financial records should hold the Melchizedek Priesthood and be qualified to handle financial matters.
The responsibilities of assistant ward clerks are outlined on pages 125 and 134.