Training bishops to serve effectively in their wards was the focus of President Gordon B. Hinckley's address at the annual Regional Representative Seminar.

"We have many offices in the Church, but none other, I feel, so intimately and directly affects the lives of our people as does that of the bishop," remarked President Hinckley, first counselor in the First Presidency. "It is where the authority of ecclesiastical leadership directly meets the people. He, of all officers, is the shepherd of the flock. It is my observation that almost without exception our bishops are wonderful men, dedicated to serve their people, to give excellent leadership and to extend blessings."The responsibility to select and train bishops begins with the stake president, who submits recommendations for the calling. "No other single decision will so affect the members of the Church in that ward," he observed.

President Hinckley briefly outlined some essential characteristics for a bishop. "In the first place, a bishop must be a man of unsullied integrity. He must stand as an example to the congregation over which he presides. He must stand on higher ground so that he can lift others. He must be absolutely honest, for he handles the funds of the Lord, the tithes of the people, the offerings that come of their fasting, and the contributions which they make from their own strained resources. How great is his trust as the keeper of the purse of the Lord.

"The bishop'sT goodness must be as undeviating as the polar star to his people. His morals must be impeccable. He must know that the adversary will tempt him and try to lead him down forbidden paths with the expectation that if he can be injured, the entire ward will be injured. The bishop must be wise with inspired wisdom in all his relationship. . . .

"He stands as the judge of the people. He cannot compromise his qualifications. He must determine their worthiness to hold membership in the Church, to enter the house of the Lord, to be baptized, to receive the priesthood, to receive patriarchal blessings, to teach and serve as officers in the organizations. He must be the judge of eligibility in times of distress to receive help from the fast offerings of the people and commodities from the storehouse of the Lord.

"None for whom he is responsible is to go hungry or without clothing or shelter. He must know something of all the members of the flock over whom he presides. . . .

"He is an executive, directly responsible for all of the programs of the Church in the ward over which he presides. He should know something of all aspects of those programs. This will require study - diligent and prayerful.

"He is a father to his people. He must develop the art of listening. . . . He is the one to whom people bring their problems. He is the one who must guide and direct, suggest and persuade, who must advise and restrain. . . .

"Then, whether a bishop wishes to be or not, he is an example. His life and actions will be known to the people. These will become a greater sermon than any he will give from the pulpit.

"Finally, he is the spiritual anchor of the entire ward. He must demonstrate both by example and precept his nearness to the Lord and the potential within each member to seek and live by direction of the Spirit.

"Brethren," President Hinckley concluded, "no matter how large the Church grows, no matter where its work extends, no matter how many General Authorities are put in place as leaders on a general level, when all is said and done on a day-to-day basis, the men who will most importantly and directly affect the faith and spiritual strength and activities of the members of this Church will be the bishops."