The Work of Salvation in the Ward and Stake

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ are sent forth "to labor in his vineyard for the salvation of the souls of men" (D&C 138:56). This work of salvation includes member missionary work, convert retention, activation of less-active members, temple and family history work, and teaching the gospel. The bishopric directs this work in the ward, assisted by other members of the ward council.

 

 

Although the bishop retains ultimate responsibility in these areas, the ward mission leader coordinates member missionary work, the high priests group leader coordinates temple and family history work, and the Sunday School president assists other ward leaders in improving gospel learning and teaching. The bishop may assign one of his counselors to coordinate convert retention and the other to coordinate activation. Each priesthood or auxiliary leader assists in furthering the work of salvation in his or her organization.

 

 

5.1 Member Missionary Work

 

5.1.1

 

Bishop and His Counselors

 

 

The bishop directs the ward council in preparing and following a ward mission plan, as described in 5.1.8.

 

 

The bishop calls and sets apart a Melchizedek Priesthood holder to serve as the ward mission leader. The bishop and his counselors may call and set apart other members to serve as ward missionaries.

 

 

The bishop and his counselors give priority to member missionary work. They teach the doctrines of missionary work regularly. They encourage ward members to work with full-time missionaries to find, teach, and baptize investigators. They set an example by finding and preparing individuals and families for the missionaries to teach.

 

 

The bishop and his counselors help prospective full-time missionaries, including sisters and couples, prepare to serve missions.

 

5.1.2

 

Ward Council

 

 

Member missionary work is most effective when ward council members are fully engaged in the missionary effort. In quorums and auxiliaries, they encourage members to participate in missionary work in the following ways:

 

 

1. 1.

 

 

Find and prepare people to be taught.

 

2.

 

 

Assist the missionaries when they teach (in members' homes, if possible).

 

3.

 

Fellowship investigators.

 

4. Prepare themselves and their children to serve as full-time missionaries.

 

 

In ward council meetings, members of the council develop and review the ward mission plan (see 5.1.8). They review baptismal candidates, other investigators, and other matters from the Progress Record prepared by the full-time missionaries. They make plans to help each investigator progress. They offer counsel about possible home teachers and visiting teachers for investigators who are preparing to be baptized and confirmed.

 

 

As recommended by the ward mission leader, the bishop may occasionally invite full-time missionaries to meet with the ward council.

 

5.1.3

 

Ward Mission Leader

 

 

Under the bishop's direction, the ward mission leader has the following responsibilities:

 

 

He coordinates the ward's efforts to find, teach, and baptize investigators. He coordinates this work with the work of the full-time missionaries and ward missionaries. In ward council meetings, the bishop may ask him to lead discussions on missionary work.

 

 

He conducts missionary coordination meetings and directs the work of ward missionaries.

 

 

He arranges as many teaching opportunities for the full-time missionaries as possible each week.

 

 

He organizes convert baptismal services, assisted by the full-time missionaries (see 20.3.4).

 

 

He helps coordinate the confirmations of new members in sacrament meetings.

 

 

He participates with full-time missionaries in teaching and fellowshipping investigators.

 

 

He attends the Gospel Principles class, and he may teach the class when assigned by the bishopric.

 

 

A Melchizedek Priesthood holder may be called as an assistant ward mission leader.

 

5.1.4

 

Ward Missionaries

 

 

The bishopric and the ward mission leader determine how many ward missionaries are needed in the ward. Ward missionaries serve under their direction. Priesthood holders, sisters, and married couples may serve as ward missionaries. They need not have assigned companions, but they should not go alone when visiting in homes. A man and a woman do not make visits together as ward missionaries unless they are husband and wife.

 

 

Ward missionaries are called to a specified term of service, such as two years. They normally do not have other Church responsibilities, except for assignments as home teachers or visiting teachers, preferably to part-member or less-active families. They do not wear name tags.

 

 

Ward missionaries find and prepare people for the full-time missionaries to teach. They also assist in fellowshipping and teaching investigators.

 

 

Ward missionaries visit members' homes to encourage members to seek missionary experiences, identify people the missionaries could teach, and prepare people to be taught.

 

5.1.5

 

Missionary Coordination Meeting

 

 

The ward mission leader conducts a missionary coordination meeting with the ward missionaries and the full-time missionaries. The meeting is held regularly. If full-time missionaries serve in several wards, they attend as often as circumstances allow.

 

 

In this meeting, the ward mission leader coordinates the work of the full-time missionaries and the ward members. The ward mission leader may also lead discussions on implementing the ward mission plan, scheduling as many teaching appointments for the missionaries as possible, and arranging to have members present as often as possible when investigators are taught.

 

5.1.6

 

Members and Full-Time Missionaries Working Together

 

 

The mission president holds the keys for baptizing and confirming converts. Under his direction, full-time missionaries have the primary responsibility for teaching investigators. Full-time missionaries also conduct baptism and confirmation interviews for each candidate and authorize the ordinances to take place.

 

 

The bishop becomes acquainted with all investigators and follows their progress. Although he does not interview baptismal candidates, he meets with them personally before they are baptized. He also oversees ward members' efforts to fellowship them. Investigators are more likely to be baptized and confirmed and remain active when they have close friendships with Church members.

 

 

Normally, full-time missionary companionships are not separated to work with ward members. However, they may be separated to work with members when necessary to fill a large number of teaching appointments. In such cases, the ward mission leader ensures that those who work as companions to full-time missionaries understand and accept mission rules. He instructs them that they must never leave a full-time missionary without an authorized companion.

 

5.1.7

 

Baptismal Services and Confirmations

 

 

Baptismal services should be scheduled as soon as an investigator has committed to be baptized. The services should not normally be delayed past this date unless a person is not prepared. Baptisms of family members should not be delayed so the father can receive the priesthood and perform the baptisms himself.

 

 

A baptismal service offers the opportunity to find and encourage other investigators. Converts should be encouraged to invite their family members, other relatives, and friends. Church leaders and missionaries may also invite other investigators who are being taught, potential investigators, and leaders and members who will be working with the new members. Other ward members may also attend.

 

 

Converts are confirmed in a sacrament meeting in the ward where they live, preferably on the Sunday following their baptism.

 

 

Guidelines for baptismal services and confirmations, including guidelines for baptisms and confirmations of 8-year-olds, are found in 20.3.

 

5.1.8

 

Ward Mission Plan

 

 

Under the direction of the bishop, the ward council develops a ward mission plan. The plan should be brief and simple. It should include specific goals and activities to help members of ward priesthood and auxiliary organizations participate in member missionary work, retention, and activation. The ward council coordinates the ward mission plan with the plans of the full-time missionaries assigned to the ward. The following steps may be helpful in this planning process:

 

 

1. 1.

 

 

Consider the needs and resources of the ward in member missionary work, retention, and activation, including the availability of full-time missionaries.

 

2.

 

 

Set specific goals for member missionary work, retention, and activation to be accomplished within the next year.

 

3.

 

Determine how to accomplish the goals. Leaders could plan ways to lift the ward's overall vision and attitude about missionary work. They could develop ideas for activities to help the full-time missionaries find, teach, and baptize more investigators. They could also plan ways to befriend and strengthen new members and improve the activation of less-active members.

 

 

The ward council reviews the ward mission plan regularly and revises it as needed.

 

5.1.9

 

Stake Leaders

 

Stake President and His Counselors

 

 

The stake president and his counselors give priority to missionary work. They teach the doctrines of missionary work regularly and encourage stake members to work with full-time missionaries to find, teach, and baptize investigators. They set an example by finding and preparing individuals and families for the missionaries to teach.

 

 

In his regular interview with each bishop, the stake president asks for a report on the progress of investigators in the bishop's ward.

 

 

The stake president meets regularly with the mission president to coordinate the work of full-time missionaries in the stake. Matters to discuss include the number and location of missionaries, the role of members in missionary work, the assistance of missionaries in retention and activation efforts, the assistance of missionaries in training local members, and meals, housing, and transportation for missionaries.

 

High Councilor Assigned to Missionary Work

 

 

The stake presidency assigns a missionary-oriented high councilor to assist them in overseeing the stake's efforts to find, teach, baptize, and confirm investigators. This high councilor may lead discussions on these topics in stake priesthood executive committee meetings, stake council meetings, stake priesthood leadership meetings, and other stake meetings.

 

 

The high councilor assigned to missionary work orients newly called ward mission leaders. He also provides ongoing instruction and encouragement to all ward mission leaders, both individually and as a group. With the stake president's approval, he may train ward leaders and ward missionaries.

 

 

5.2 Convert Retention

 

 

New Church members need the support and friendship of Church leaders, home teachers, visiting teachers, and other members. This support helps new members become firmly "converted unto the Lord" (Alma 23:6).

 

5.2.1

 

Needs of New Members

 

 

The transition to Church membership is challenging for most people. It often involves embracing new religious teachings and a new way of life. All members of the Church, particularly new members, need three things to help them stay active in the Church: friendship, opportunities to mature and serve in the Church, and nourishing by the word of God (see Moroni 6:4). Under the bishopric's direction, priesthood and auxiliary leaders help new members in these areas.

 

5.2.2

 

Bishop and His Counselors

 

 

The bishop has overall responsibility for convert retention. To help new members remain active in the Church, the bishop and his counselors have the following responsibilities. The bishop may assign one of his counselors to coordinate these efforts.

 

 

They oversee efforts to ensure that each new member receives fellowship.

 

 

They ensure that each new adult member receives a calling or other opportunities to serve.

 

 

They ensure that brethren ages 12 and older are ordained to the appropriate Aaronic Priesthood office soon after their confirmation, normally within a week. They also see that these brethren receive opportunities to exercise the priesthood. Brethren who are worthy to be baptized and confirmed are also worthy to receive the Aaronic Priesthood.

 

 

The bishop and his counselors oversee the work of the high priests group leader and the elders quorum president in helping brethren ages 18 and older prepare to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood. Recently baptized brethren ages 18 and older are ordained elders after they have served as priests, developed sufficient understanding of the gospel, and demonstrated their worthiness. No specific time as a member is required.

 

5.2.3

 

Ward Council

 

 

In ward council meetings, members of the council review their goals for convert retention as outlined in the ward mission plan (see 5.1.8). They discuss the progress of each new member and identify areas where he or she may need more support. They may use the New and Returning Member Progress form as a guide for this discussion. They counsel about ways to help new members feel the love of other members, the joy of serving in the Lord's kingdom, and the peace that comes through living gospel principles.

 

 

The ward council may discuss ways the ward mission leader can work with other priesthood and auxiliary leaders to strengthen new converts. Ward council members may also suggest possible opportunities for service that could be extended to new members, such as temple and family history work.

 

5.2.4

 

Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders

 

 

As directed by the bishopric, priesthood and auxiliary leaders provide opportunities that help new members mature spiritually and remain active in the Church. For example, the Relief Society president is responsible to assist adult female converts. Because an adult male convert is a prospective elder, either the elders quorum president or the high priests group leader is responsible to assist in his progress, as determined by the bishopric. When more than one family member joins the Church, priesthood and auxiliary leaders coordinate their efforts in ward council meetings.

 

 

Priesthood and auxiliary leaders may help new members in the following ways:

 

 

They help new members understand and apply the doctrines and principles in the missionary lessons.

 

 

They ensure that new members learn basic Church practices, such as how to bear testimony, pay tithing and other offerings, live the law of the fast, give a talk, perform priesthood ordinances, participate in family history work, perform baptisms and confirmations for the dead (where possible), and serve as a home teacher or visiting teacher.

 

 

They ensure that new members have access to the scriptures, the Church magazines, and any manuals they may need for the Church classes they attend.

 

 

If new members are eligible for seminary or institute, priesthood and auxiliary leaders help them enroll.

 

 

When new members become eligible to receive temple ordinances, priesthood and auxiliary leaders help them prepare, either in a temple preparation seminar or in some other way.

 

 

Priesthood and auxiliary leaders may assign experienced members to help fellowship new members. Leaders might consider assigning members who relate well with the new members because of similar interests or because they have faced similar challenges.

 

 

Priesthood and auxiliary leaders (or members they assign) note each week whether recently baptized members who belong to their quorum or auxiliary are present in sacrament meeting. They make assignments to visit those who are not attending and invite them to attend the following week.

 

5.2.5

 

Home Teachers and Visiting Teachers

 

 

Home teachers and visiting teachers have important responsibilities to establish friendships with new members. In consultation with the bishop, Melchizedek Priesthood and Relief Society leaders give high priority to assigning dedicated home teachers and visiting teachers to new members.

 

 

When authorized by the mission president, full-time missionaries may assist in home teaching or visiting teaching new members.

 

5.2.6

 

Ward Missionaries and Full-Time Missionaries

 

 

While retention is primarily the responsibility of ward priesthood and auxiliary leaders, ward missionaries and full-time missionaries assist in this work. Ward missionaries teach the first four missionary lessons again to all new members (see Preach My Gospel, chapter 3). They also teach lesson 5. Ward missionaries may be assisted by the full-time missionaries as needed.

 

5.2.7

 

Influence of Other Ward Members

 

 

Priesthood and auxiliary leaders encourage ward members to strengthen new members by showing love and establishing friendships. Leaders may encourage ward members to invite recent converts to attend family home evenings, Church meetings, classes, and activities with them, providing transportation if needed.

 

5.2.8

 

Gospel Principles Class

 

 

New members ages 18 and older attend the Gospel Principles class during Sunday School, along with investigators. New members usually attend the Gospel Principles class for a few months. When they are ready, they attend the Gospel Doctrine class.

 

 

The ward mission leader attends the Gospel Principles class. He coordinates the class with other retention efforts in the ward. A member of the bishopric may assign him to teach it. Other ward missionaries may also attend.

 

 

Home teachers, visiting teachers, and other members may attend the class to provide fellowship. Occasionally the teacher may invite other ward members to attend and share experiences and testimony. For example, the teacher may invite ward members to share their testimonies of the blessings of tithing, their experiences in overcoming challenges, or the blessings they have received as they have served in Church callings.

 

 

The teachers of this course have the following responsibilities:

 

 

They select and teach lessons from Gospel Principles. As they teach, they use the scriptures often, especially the Book of Mormon. They adapt lessons to class members' needs and invite class members to share their thoughts and experiences.

 

 

They create an atmosphere that invites the Spirit, frequently bearing testimony.

 

 

They encourage class members to read the Book of Mormon regularly and to share impressions from their reading.

 

5.2.9

 

Stake Leaders

 

Stake President and His Counselors

 

 

Members of the stake presidency oversee efforts to strengthen new members in the stake. They instruct and encourage other leaders in these efforts. They meet new members when they visit wards. They may occasionally hold a meeting for new members in connection with a stake conference.

 

 

In his regular interview with each bishop, the stake president asks for a report on the progress of new members in the bishop's ward.

 

 

In his regular meeting with the mission president, the stake president may give a report on the progress of new members in the stake.

 

High Councilors

 

 

High councilors who work with ward Melchizedek Priesthood leaders and high councilors who work with ward mission leaders may help teach and fellowship new members. They may also participate in efforts to help prospective elders prepare to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood.

 

Stake Auxiliary Presidencies

 

 

Stake auxiliary presidencies may occasionally work with ward auxiliary leaders in teaching and fellowshipping new members.

 

 

5.3 Activation

 

 

Ward priesthood and auxiliary leaders strive continually to help less-active members return to Church activity. The Savior said, "Unto such shall ye continue to minister; for ye know not but what they will return and repent, and come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I shall heal them; and ye shall be the means of bringing salvation unto them" (3 Nephi 18:32).

 

 

Less-active members usually still believe in the gospel, but they may be experiencing difficult trials that make them feel uncomfortable attending church. They also tend to have fewer friendships in the Church, so they are less likely to feel they are among friends when they go to ward meetings. Those who return to activity often do so when they see that something is missing from their lives. As a result, they realize that they need to make changes in the way they live. At such times, they need the love and friendship of caring, active Church members who accept them as they are and show genuine personal interest in them.

 

5.3.1

 

Bishop and His Counselors

 

 

The bishop and his counselors have the overall responsibility for activation. They direct the efforts of priesthood quorums and auxiliaries to help less-active members rekindle faith and to ensure that returning members receive fellowship and support. They help returning brethren advance in the priesthood, and they help brethren and sisters receive temple ordinances or become worthy to enter the temple again.

 

 

The bishop may assign one of his counselors to coordinate activation.

 

5.3.2

 

Ward Council

 

 

Under the bishopric's direction, members of the ward council review their goals for activation as outlined in the ward mission plan (see 5.1.8). They share recommendations for ministering to less-active members in their organizations. By being continually aware of the needs and circumstances of less-active members, ward council members can discern when families and individuals might be ready to respond to an invitation to receive Church visitors, attend a Church activity, or participate in a temple preparation seminar.

 

 

The ward council prayerfully identifies the less-active members who are the most likely to return to activity. They also decide which leaders and members could best strengthen less-active members and build personal relationships with them. When more than one family member is less active, leaders coordinate their efforts in ward council meetings.

 

 

Ward council meetings regularly include reports on the progress of these members. As some members return to activity or decline invitations to return, the ward council identifies others who may be receptive. Leaders may use the New and Returning Member Progress form to keep track of these efforts.

 

5.3.3

 

Home Teachers and Visiting Teachers

 

 

In consultation with the bishop, Melchizedek Priesthood and Relief Society leaders assign dedicated home teachers and visiting teachers to less-active members. These leaders focus their efforts on the less-active members who are most likely to respond to invitations to return to activity.

 

5.3.4

 

Full-Time Missionaries and Ward Missionaries

 

 

The ward mission leader, full-time missionaries, and ward missionaries may assist with activation efforts when appropriate, especially when their teaching of less-active members will create opportunities for the missionaries to teach these members' nonmember friends or relatives.

 

5.3.5

 

Gospel Principles Class

 

 

Less-active members ages 18 and older may attend the Gospel Principles class during Sunday School (see 5.2.8).

 

5.3.6

 

Stake Leaders

 

Stake President and His Counselors

 

 

In his regular interview with each bishop, the stake president asks for a report on the progress of less-active members in the bishop's ward. The stake president and the bishop discuss the plans and goals prepared by the ward council for these members.

 

 

When the stake president and mission president meet to discuss missionary work, they may also discuss the assistance full-time missionaries can give in working with less-active members.

 

High Councilors

 

 

High councilors who work with ward Melchizedek Priesthood leaders may help teach and fellowship less-active members. They may also participate in efforts to help prospective elders prepare to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood.

 

Stake Auxiliary Presidencies

 

 

Stake auxiliary presidencies may occasionally work with ward auxiliary leaders in teaching and fellowshipping less-active members.

 

 

5.4 Temple and Family History Work

 

 

In temples, Church members receive ordinances and make sacred covenants that are essential for exaltation. Church members also go to temples to perform ordinances in behalf of deceased persons who have not received the ordinances.

 

 

Priesthood and auxiliary leaders teach ward members about basic responsibilities in temple and family history work, as outlined in the following paragraphs:

 

 

They encourage members to receive their own temple ordinances and help immediate family members receive theirs. Leaders teach members that the purpose of the endowment is to prepare for exaltation, not merely to prepare for marriage or a mission.

 

 

Leaders encourage each endowed member to hold a current temple recommend and go to the temple as often as circumstances and family needs allow. Leaders also encourage unendowed adults and youth ages 12 and older, including new members, to have limited-use temple recommends and go to the temple often to be baptized and confirmed for the dead. Leaders do not establish quotas or reporting systems for temple attendance. Each member determines his or her own level of participation in temple work.

 

 

Priesthood and auxiliary leaders teach members to participate in family history work by identifying their ancestral family members, requesting temple ordinances for them if needed, and providing these ordinances in the temple themselves if possible.

 

 

Leaders help members understand that they should not request that temple ordinances be performed for any unrelated person without the approval of the person's closest living relative. Leaders also help members understand that they should not make such requests for famous people who are not related to them or for people whose information has been gathered from unapproved indexing projects.

 

5.4.1

 

Bishop and His Counselors

 

 

The bishop and his counselors oversee temple and family history work in the ward. They ensure that the doctrines and blessings of temple and family history work are taught regularly in ward meetings.

 

 

As the bishop meets with members, he helps them prepare to receive the ordinances of the temple and qualify to continue going to the temple as often as circumstances allow.

 

 

The bishop and his counselors encourage members to identify their ancestral family members and provide temple ordinances for them.

 

 

Other responsibilities of the bishopric related to temple work are outlined in Handbook 1, chapter 3.

 

5.4.2

 

Ward Council

 

 

At least quarterly in a ward council meeting, leaders consider matters relating to temple and family history work, as follows:

 

 

They discuss ways to help individuals and families receive the ordinances of the temple and go to the temple as often as circumstances allow.

 

 

They prayerfully consider ward members who may be invited to participate in temple preparation seminars or work with family history consultants.

 

 

They discuss ways to help members participate in family history work.

 

 

They may discuss ways to use family history work to find people for the full-time missionaries to teach and to reach out to new members and less-active members.

 

5.4.3

 

High Priests Group Leader

 

 

The high priests group leader coordinates the ward council's efforts to encourage temple and family history work in the ward.

 

 

The high priests group leader also coordinates the work of family history consultants. If the stake has a family history center, he assigns consultants to serve as staff members there as requested by the family history center director. If the stake participates in FamilySearch indexing, he recommends individuals to serve as FamilySearch indexing workers.

 

 

If a ward does not have a high priests group leader, the elders quorum president or another assigned Melchizedek Priesthood holder fills this role.

 

5.4.4

 

Family History Consultants

 

 

Under the direction of the high priests group leader, family history consultants have the following responsibilities. They use the Member's Guide to Temple and Family History Work as a resource.

 

 

They help members identify ancestral family members. They help members prepare information so that temple ordinances may be performed for their ancestral family members. They help members who do not have access to computers or who are uncomfortable using computers. Where possible, they provide this assistance in members' homes.

 

 

They serve regularly as staff members in a local family history center, as assigned. They may also be assigned to teach family history classes in the ward.

 

 

For additional information on the responsibilities of family history consultants, see the Family History Consultant's Guide to Temple and Family History Work, which is available on LDS.org.

 

5.4.5

 

Temple and Family History Classes and Resources

 

Temple Preparation Seminars

 

 

Temple preparation seminars help members prepare to receive the ordinances and blessings of the temple. These seminars are planned under the bishop's direction. They are taught at the meetinghouse or in a home as often as needed.

 

 

Temple preparation seminars are especially helpful for new members, less-active members returning to Church activity, and endowed members who have not renewed their recommends for an extended time. The seminars may also be helpful for active members who are preparing to receive the endowment.

 

 

Under the bishop's direction, ward council members prayerfully select members to invite to each seminar.

 

 

The bishopric calls one or more teachers, who may be a husband and wife. Lessons and instructions for organizing the course are in Endowed from on High: Temple Preparation Seminar Teacher's Manual. Participants in the seminar should receive their own copies of the booklet Preparing to Enter the Holy Temple.

 

Family History Course

 

 

A family history course may be taught during Sunday School or at another time that is more convenient for members. This course is organized under the direction of the bishopric rather than the Sunday School president. The teacher uses the Instructor's Guide to Temple and Family History Work to teach the lessons. The teacher is usually a family history consultant assigned by the bishopric. Lessons are generally conducted as workshops in which members actually complete family history work.

 

Access to Online Family History Resources

 

 

The Church's online family history resources help members identify their ancestral family members, organize ancestral information, and submit requests for temple ordinances to be performed for these family members. The majority of these resources are available through the Church's family history Internet site, FamilySearch.org.

 

 

Where a stake or ward meetinghouse has computers with Internet access, or where family history programs are installed on stake or ward computers, the stake presidency and bishopric ensure that these computers are available for members to use at reasonable times. Family history consultants can help schedule the computers and teach members how to use them.

 

 

Members who use Church administrative computers for family history work should not have access to membership or financial information.

 

5.4.6

 

Stake Leaders

 

Stake President and His Counselors

 

 

The stake president and his counselors oversee temple and family history work in the stake. They ensure that the doctrines and blessings of this work are taught regularly in stake meetings.

 

 

As the stake president meets with members, he helps them prepare to receive the ordinances of the temple and qualify to continue going to the temple as often as circumstances allow.

 

 

The stake president and his counselors encourage members to identify their ancestral family members and provide temple ordinances for them.

 

 

Other responsibilities of the stake presidency related to temple work are outlined in Handbook 1, chapter 3.

 

High Councilor(s) Assigned to Temple and Family History Work

 

 

The stake presidency may assign one or more high councilors to instruct high priests group and elders quorum leaders in their temple and family history responsibilities. As needed, these high councilors also coordinate the stake's efforts in FamilySearch indexing and at family history centers.

 

5.4.7

 

Temple and Family History Resources in the Stake

 

FamilySearch Indexing Program in the Stake

 

 

In FamilySearch indexing, participants use their computers to access images of documents such as census records, church registers, and vital records. From these images, they create automated indexes that are then made accessible through FamilySearch.org.

 

 

Individuals, including those who are not members of the Church, can do FamilySearch indexing on their own. However, the stake presidency may determine that it would be beneficial for stake members to work together in an indexing program. Such an effort can provide service opportunities for members who are less active or homebound. Youth may also participate.

 

 

For information on establishing a FamilySearch indexing program, see the Administrative Guide for Family History, which is available on LDS.org.

 

Family History Centers

 

 

Some stakes have family history centers, which exist primarily to help Church members identify their ancestral family members and provide temple ordinances for them. Community patrons are also welcome to use the resources at family history centers.

 

 

These centers provide access to the Church's microfilmed family history records, to family history computer and Internet resources such as FamilySearch, and to training on how to do family history work.

 

 

For more information about family history centers, see the Administrative Guide for Family History, which is available on LDS.org

 

 

5.5 Teaching the Gospel

 

 

Effective gospel teaching helps people grow in their testimonies and their faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. It strengthens members in their efforts to live according to gospel principles. When God's word is taught with spiritual power, it has a "more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than … anything else" (Alma 31:5). Priesthood and auxiliary leaders encourage effective teaching in their organizations. They remember that Church members attend meetings seeking the power, peace, and inspiration provided by the word of God.

 

5.5.1

 

Bishop and His Counselors

 

 

The bishop and his counselors teach the gospel by the power of the Spirit and by personal example. They direct the ward council's efforts to ensure that teaching in the ward is edifying and doctrinally correct.

 

5.5.2

 

Ward Council

 

 

Under the direction of the bishopric, members of the ward council regularly counsel together about how to improve gospel learning and teaching in the ward. The bishop may invite the Sunday School president to lead these discussions and provide instruction.

 

5.5.3

 

Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders

 

 

Priesthood and auxiliary leaders strive to teach the gospel effectively. They are also responsible for efforts to improve learning and teaching in their organizations. In these efforts, they may counsel with the ward Sunday School presidency.

 

Recommending Members to Serve as Teachers

 

 

Priesthood and auxiliary leaders submit recommendations to the bishopric for ward members to be called to serve as teachers in their organizations. Leaders should recommend teachers who will strive to prepare lessons that will inspire class members to live according to gospel principles. In doing so, they follow the principles in 19.1.1 and 19.1.2.

 

Orienting Newly Called Teachers

 

 

Priesthood and auxiliary leaders meet individually with newly called teachers in their organizations, preferably before each teacher's first lesson. In these meetings, leaders orient teachers as follows:

 

 

They help teachers begin to become acquainted with class members, if needed. They give teachers a list of the class members and encourage teachers to learn class members' names. They also encourage teachers to build caring relationships with class members.

 

 

They help teachers understand how to use Teaching, No Greater Call. They give each teacher a copy of the book and share a brief overview of its contents.

 

 

As needed, they help teachers understand how to prepare a lesson. They give teachers the approved curriculum materials for their classes and explain how to use them. They also review the article titled "Preparing Lessons" on pages 98–99 in Teaching, No Greater Call. (For a list of approved curriculum materials and instructions on how to order them, see the current Instructions for Curriculum.)

 

Providing Ongoing Support for Teachers

 

 

Priesthood and auxiliary leaders develop a supportive and caring relationship with teachers. After their initial orientation meeting, leaders regularly meet with individual teachers to learn of the teachers' needs, discuss the needs of those they teach, and review the principles outlined in this section. They encourage teachers to set goals according to the article titled "Making a Plan to Improve Your Teaching" on pages 24–27 in Teaching, No Greater Call.

 

Ensuring That Teaching Is Edifying and Doctrinally Correct

 

 

Priesthood and auxiliary leaders carefully observe the learning and teaching during Sunday classes and other lessons. Leaders who do not regularly attend each class, such as members of the Sunday School and Primary presidencies, arrange with teachers to attend the classes occasionally. Based on their observations, leaders counsel with teachers on how to improve the learning in the classes.

 

 

Leaders ensure that teachers use the scriptures, the teachings of latter-day prophets, and the approved curriculum materials as outlined in the current Instructions for Curriculum. They help teachers understand how to supplement the curriculum with Church magazines, particularly the general conference issues of the Ensign and Liahona.

 

5.5.4

 

Teachers and Leaders

 

 

As teachers and leaders teach the gospel, they are guided by the following principles.

 

Love Those You Teach

 

 

Teachers and leaders show love and sincere concern for those they teach. They learn class members' names. They review attendance information so they can be aware of class members who are not attending regularly. They may contact these members outside of class to encourage them in their participation.

 

Teach by the Spirit

 

 

Teachers and leaders seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost in preparing and teaching lessons. They seek this guidance by praying and humbly recognizing their dependence on the Lord. During lessons, they invite the Spirit by bearing testimony of the doctrines they teach.

 

Teach the Doctrine

 

 

Teachers and leaders use the scriptures, the teachings of latter-day prophets, and approved curriculum materials to teach and testify of the doctrines of the gospel. Approved curriculum materials for each class or quorum are listed in the current Instructions for Curriculum. As needed, teachers and leaders supplement curriculum materials with Church magazines, particularly the general conference issues of the Ensign and Liahona.

 

Invite Diligent Learning

 

 

Teachers and leaders encourage class members to be responsible for their own gospel learning as individuals, in their families, and during class instruction. They encourage class members to bring their own copies of the scriptures to class where possible. Teachers and leaders provide opportunities for class members to actively participate in discussions, and they invite class members to live the gospel and receive the promised blessings.

 

5.5.5

 

Ward Sunday School President and His Counselors

 

 

Members of the ward Sunday School presidency serve as resources to help other leaders with efforts to strengthen gospel learning and teaching. They may be invited to assist leaders in orienting, instructing, and providing ongoing support for teachers.

 

5.5.6

 

Printed and Online Resources for Learning and Teaching

 

 

To help members improve in learning and teaching the gospel, the Church provides two publications: Teaching, No Greater Call and the Teaching Guidebook. These resources are available in print and on LDS.org. Other resources are also available on LDS.org.

 

5.5.7

 

Course on Teaching the Gospel

 

 

The bishopric and the ward council may periodically decide to hold the Teaching the Gospel course in the ward. This course can benefit current teachers and help prepare future teachers. The course is usually held during Sunday School. The lessons for the course are found on pages 186–239 of Teaching, No Greater Call. The bishopric assigns the Sunday School presidency to teach the course or calls another member to do so.

 

5.5.8

 

Stake President and His Counselors

 

 

The stake president and his counselors teach the gospel by the power of the Spirit and by personal example. They direct efforts to ensure that teaching in the stake is edifying and doctrinally correct.