Policies and Announcements

The following item is from the December 1983 Bulletin.

Curriculum. The curriculum of the Church has been revised in recent years to center on the scriptures. A major purpose of teachers’ manuals or student supplements should be to lead the members of the Church into the scriptures. Priesthood leaders, auxiliary presidencies, and teachers should encourage all Latter-day Saints to bring their scriptures with them to church and to use them both in the classroom and in their personal study at home.

The following items are from the January 1984 Bulletin.

Home Teaching Interviews. Effective 1 January 1984, the frequency of interviews between home teachers and Melchizedek Priesthood quorum and group leaders and between quorum leaders and the bishop may be monthly rather than quarterly. Interviews should be brief so that priesthood leaders and home teachers are not unduly separated from their own families.

Youth Conferences and Encampments. Conferences and encampments for young men and young women should not be planned on a multiregional basis where extensive travel and unreasonable expense are required. Activities are generally more effective if they are held on a local basis and if unusually large numbers of young people are not involved. Local activities, well planned and administered, meet the needs of youth better than activities carried out on an occasional basis on a larger scale.

Reduction of Time and Money Required for Church Programs. “We are very anxious that the cost of participation in Church activities not become unduly burdensome to our members. There is some concern lest some who are not able to meet these costs may withdraw themselves from full participation in the Church. Particularly the youth programs of the Church should be so managed that all of our young people may enjoy full participation.

“Local leaders in stakes and missions are … asked to carefully review their budgets together with those things not included in the budget that require donations of time or money from our members. Determine if some reduction in these costs may be made. Some less essential activities of the Church may have to be curtailed somewhat. These may include those activities that require extensive travel, or frequent contributions from members.

“It is a time of great opportunity. We are anxious that we not falter in expanding the great missionary program of the Church, and in providing the needed buildings, including temples. In order to keep up with the costs of the essential activities of the Church, it will require wise and prudent management on the part of the local priesthood leaders. …

“Our members face increasing costs in providing food, clothing, shelter, and the other necessities of life for themselves and for their families. It is a time that will require very wise and prudent budgeting on the part of local leaders so that the cost of Church membership will not be burdensome to them” (First Presidency letter, 2 May 1978).

Distribution of Non-Church Publications on Church Premises. Distribution of private publications, including newspapers, should not be permitted in Church buildings or on Church premises.

The New Editions of the Scriptures for All Members. To make the new editions of the scriptures easily available to members of the Church, the Salt Lake Distribution Center continues to sell the scriptures bound in imitation leather (Style C) at reasonable prices.

Description	Stock No.	Price
Bible: Regular print, black Regular print, brown Large print, black Large print, brown	. PBCS0073 PBCS0084 PBCS0051 PBCS0062	. $8.50 $8.50 $13.50 $13.50
Triple Combination: Regular print, black Regular print, brown Large print, black Large print, brown	. PBCS0186 PBCS0197 PBCS0164 PBCS0175	. $5.50 $5.50 $8.25 $8.25

These scriptures may be ordered from the Salt Lake Distribution Center, 1999 West 1700 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84104. A check made payable to “Corporation of the President” should accompany all personal orders, or orders may be charged to Church units when signed by the presiding officer. All orders will be sent postage paid.