Worldwide leadership broadcast: Elder Oaks explains 'inspired effort' in handbook preparation
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Related articles from the worldwide training broadcast:
Pres. Monson emphasizes importance of reading, understanding and following handbook guidance
New Church handbook introduced
Pres. Packer teaches 'spiritual work must be guided by the Spirit'
Elder Cook discusses selected principles from new Church handbooks
Panel discusses how ward councils meet member needs
While Church handbooks do not have the same standing as the scriptures, they do represent the most current interpretations and procedural directions of the Church’s highest authorities, said Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve on Nov. 13 during a worldwide leadership training meeting.
“Under the direction of the First Presidency, individual chapters were written, read and approved by the Presiding Bishopric, by the general auxiliary officers, and by General Authorities assigned to the various Church departments,” said Elder Oaks. “The proposed text was then reviewed and approved by the Quorum of the Twelve, assisted by the Presidency of the Seventy. Finally, the total text was read, modified, and approved by the First Presidency. Throughout this work we have been guided by a sweet spirit of inspiration.”
Elder Oaks, along with Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve and Elder Bruce D. Porter of the Seventy, coordinated the work of the new Church handbook. During a worldwide training satellite broadcast, he presented an overview of the “inspired effort.”
Speaking to the worldwide leadership of the Church, Elder Oaks counseled each of them to accept President Thomas S. Monson's challenge to read, understand and follow the handbooks to maintain the integrity of the policies, procedures and programs of the Church. “In doing so, we will fulfill his inspired declaration that these new handbooks will be a treasure and a blessing to each of us.”
(Please see report on President Monson's remarks.)
Elder Oaks said that everyone attending the broadcast should have a copy of the handbook in their own language.
“These new handbooks are primarily focused on wards and branches,” he said. “Stakes and districts are secondary, and there is no information on area or general Church organizations or functions.”
He said Handbook 2, titled "Administering the Church," contains all of the chapters necessary to administer the Church in the bishoprics, branch presidencies, quorums and auxiliary organizations in the wards and branches. Copies of Handbook 2 are given to all members of the ward council.
“Thus, the Melchizedek Priesthood quorum leaders and the presidents of Relief Society, Young Women, Primary and Sunday School and their counselors will now have all of the chapters that pertain to administering the Church in the wards and branches,” he explained. “In this way, each member of the ward council — women as well as men — stand together in knowing what each of the other members of the council is responsible to do in their organizations.”
Elder Oaks noted that the First Presidency directed that the contents of Handbook 2 should “facilitate the desired balance between uniformity on doctrine and principles and flexibility to allow limited adaptation where required on some subjects”.
Following that direction, he added, Handbook 2 is principle-based.
“It seeks to reduce the complexity of Church programs.”
Elder Oaks said another major theme in the handbooks is to reduce the workload of the bishop.
“Handbook 2 seeks to reduce the workload of the bishop by enhancing the role of the ward council and its members,” he said. “They are to act not just as representatives of their quorums and auxiliary organizations, but, with their counselors and organizations, to receive delegation to assist the bishop on matters of importance to the whole ward. Quorum and auxiliary leaders will also assist the bishop by helping in the rescue role of activation and retention of their members.”
The roles of the elders quorum presidents and high priest group leaders are significantly enhanced in the new handbooks. “These leaders and their counselors have increased responsibilities to help individual quorum or group members, both spiritually and temporally,” he said.
In order to accomplish these vital ecclesiastical responsibilities, he added, “these priesthood leaders will have to delegate extensively, and may need to reduce some temporal service demands, such as helping members move.”
Elder Oaks said Handbook 2 begins with three short chapters that provide the doctrinal framework for administering the Church: Families and the Church in God’s Plan, Priesthood Principles, and Leadership in the Church of Jesus Christ.
He said that “in fulfilling its purpose to help individuals and families qualify for exaltation, the Church focuses on divinely appointed responsibilities.” Those responsibilities include the following:
• Helping members live the gospel of Jesus Christ.
• Gathering Israel through missionary work.
• Caring for the poor and needy.
• Enabling the salvation of the dead by building temples and performing vicarious ordinances.
“We suggest that in issuing callings, bishops and branch presidents remember that their native urge to have all positions filled and all programs carried out is less important than the well-being of the families involved,” Elder Oaks said. “We consider it desirable that members have no more than one major calling, especially where both parents of minor children have a major calling.”
Elder Oaks concluded by reminding local leaders that the only authority authorized to make changes in Church policy is the First Presidency. “We need to remember that policy directions are approved and announced only by the First Presidency. They are not introduced through rumor from one leader or member to another.”
