Most of the text of Handbook 1: Stake Presidents and Bishops remains unchanged from the 2006 update to the Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 1. Instructions contained in the most recent First Presidency letters have been incorporated, chapters on the duties of the stake president and bishop have been shortened and clarified, and some material has been reorganized for easier reference.
Changes to Handbook 2: Administering the Church are more extensive. A principle-based approach is meant to reduce the complexity of Church programs and allow some local adaptation where necessary without sacrificing the uniformity of policies, procedures, and programs.
Other changes of note include reduction of the bishop's workload by enhancing the role of the ward council and its members, the possible increase in the frequency of ward council meetings, a clarification of the mission of the Church, folding the work of the ward welfare committee into the discussions of the priesthood executive committee (to which the Relief Society president may be invited as necessary) and ward councils, eliminating a standing ward activities committee and handling activities through the ward council, and other changes.