Ministering with Strengthened Melchizedek Priesthood Quorums and Relief Societies
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Office of the First Presidency
47 East South Temple Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150-1200
April 2, 2018
To: General Authorities; General Auxiliary Presidencies; Area Seventies; Stake, Mission, and District Presidents; Bishops and Branch Presidents; Stake and Ward Councils
(To be read in sacrament meeting)
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
Ministering with Strengthened Melchizedek Priesthood Quorums and Relief Societies
The Savior’s ministry exemplifies the two great commandments: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” and “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:37, 39). In that spirit, Jesus also taught, “Ye are they whom I have chosen to minister unto this people” (3 Nephi 13:25).
To focus the efforts of Melchizedek Priesthood quorums and Relief Societies on ministering as the Savior taught, we announce the following adjustments:
- At the ward level, one Melchizedek Priesthood quorum. Members of elders quorums and high priests groups are now combined into one quorum with one presidency. The quorum is designated the “elders quorum,” and ward high priests groups are discontinued.
- At the stake level, one high priests quorum. The stake presidency continues to serve as the presidency of the high priests quorum. Members of that quorum are only those high priests currently serving in the stake presidency, in bishoprics, on the high council, and as functioning patriarchs.
- Ministering replaces home teaching and visiting teaching. The separate programs of home teaching and visiting teaching are now a coordinated effort referred to as “ministering,” overseen by the elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies under the direction of the bishop. Ministering is Christlike caring for others and helping meet their spiritual and temporal needs.
- Including youth in ministering. Ministering may include Laurels and Mia Maids as companions to Relief Society sisters, and priests and teachers continue as companions to Melchizedek Priesthood holders.
The quorum adjustments should be implemented promptly. The ministering adjustments may take some time but should be in place as soon as possible. Additional information is available at ministering.lds.org.
Sincerely yours,
The First Presidency