Introductory Overview

0.0

Introduction

The Lord taught, “Let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence” (Doctrine and Covenants 107:99). As a leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you should seek personal revelation to help you learn and fulfill the duties of your calling.

Studying the scriptures and the teachings of latter-day prophets will help you understand and fulfill your duties. As you study the words of God, you will be more receptive to the influence of the Spirit (see Doctrine and Covenants 84:85).

You also learn your duties by studying the instructions in this handbook. These instructions can invite revelation if they are used to provide an understanding of principles, policies, and procedures to apply while seeking the guidance of the Spirit.

0.1

The Handbook

General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provides guidance for general and local Church leaders.

The headings and subheadings in this handbook are numbered to make topics easy to find and reference. For example, instruction about who may be sealed in a temple is provided in 27.3.1. The number 27 refers to the chapter, the number 3 refers to a section in that chapter, and the number 1 refers to a subsection.

0.2

Adaptation and Optional Resources

Not all stakes and wards have the same needs.

Leaders seek inspiration about which guidelines and optional resources to use to meet members’ needs.

0.4

Questions about Instructions

When questions arise that are not addressed in the scriptures, the words of the living prophets, or this handbook, Church members should rely on their covenants with God, the counsel of their local leaders, and the inspiration of the Spirit for guidance.

If leaders have questions about information in this handbook or about issues it does not address, they counsel with their immediate presiding authority.

0.5

Terminology

Except where indicated otherwise:

The terms bishop and bishopric in this handbook refer also to branch presidents and branch presidencies. The terms stake president and stake presidency refer also to district presidents and district presidencies. For a summary of how the authority of district presidents differs from that of stake presidents, see 6.3.
References to wards and stakes generally also apply to branches, districts, and missions.
References to Sunday apply to whichever day the Sabbath is observed locally.
The term unit refers to wards and branches.
References to parents generally also apply to legal guardians.

The callings of bishop and branch president are not equivalent in authority and responsibility, nor are the callings of stake president and district president. The bishop is an office in the priesthood, and ordination is authorized only by the First Presidency. Stake presidents are called by General Authorities and Area Seventies.

0.6

Contacting Church Headquarters or the Area Office

Some chapters in this handbook include instructions to contact Church headquarters or the area office. The instruction to contact Church headquarters applies to those in the United States and Canada. The instruction to contact the area office applies to those outside the United States and Canada.