The Importance of Councils

During the November training, Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained that "the Church is governed through councils at the general, area, stake, and ward levels" and that "the new handbooks significantly enhance the role of councils in the Church."

Elder Cook discussed three fundamental councils at the ward level essential for the bishop to conduct the affairs of the Church and how these councils are affected by information in the new handbooks. These include the bishopric, the priesthood executive committee, and the ward council.

The bishopric will function mostly as it has in the past. While the PEC will continue to meet regularly and will handle some of the items previously handled by the ward welfare committee, Elder Cook suggested that PEC meetings will probably decrease in length because of a likely increase in the meeting frequency of the ward council.

The new handbook "elevates the role of the ward council in administering the ward under the keys of the bishop," said Elder Cook.