[SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE] [MUSIC PLAYING] Leaders in the Savior's Church meet regularly in councils to discuss the needs of individuals and families and to make plans to serve them. [SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE] As they counsel together, they listen carefully to one another, ask questions, invite each other's ideas, and teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom.

The presiding authority in the council presents items for discussion, listens carefully, and makes decisions about how to proceed.

[SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE] In council meetings, the administrative work of the council is organized. Appropriate planning, evaluation, making of assignments, and record keeping are all important.

In the Lord's plan for leadership, councils are also meant to be opportunities to receive revelation, as taught by Elder David A. Bednar.

If I had the wish of my heart, I would remove from the vocabulary of the Latter-day Saints the word "meeting." We have not been talking about a ward council meeting. We've been talking about a revelatory experience with the members of the ward council. When guided by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, councils become powerful opportunities for Church leaders to learn and understand the will of the Lord for them and for those they serve. [SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE] Principles of counseling can be found in the Savior's ministry. Shortly after His Resurrection, two of His disciples had a powerful experience. And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus. And it came to pass that while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus Himself drew near.

As the Savior spoke with His disciples, He asked them questions, invited their ideas, and taught them true principles. He exemplified powerful principles of counseling.

Church leaders also recognize another important truth from this account. It was as the disciples counseled together that the Lord visited them and taught them. When leaders in the Savior's Church counsel together today, He visits them with the guidance of the Holy Ghost. [MUSIC PLAYING] Throughout the Leadership Training Library, you will find many examples of leaders who participate in councils together as they oversee the Lord's work and seek revelation to accomplish it.

Why is it important for you to participate in councils?

How do you prepare yourself to seek the Lord's will as you counsel with other leaders?

What experiences in your life have helped you understand why councils are important in the Lord's work? [MUSIC PLAYING]