8.

Elders Quorum

8.1

Purpose and Organization

8.1.1

Purpose

Worthy men 18 and older may receive the Melchizedek Priesthood and be ordained to the office of elder. A man ordained to that office enters into a sacred covenant to assist God in accomplishing His work (see Doctrine and Covenants 84:33–44).

8.1.2

Membership in the Elders Quorum

Each ward has an elders quorum. It includes the following brethren:

• All elders in the ward.

• All prospective elders in the ward (see 8.4).

• All high priests in the ward, except those who are currently serving in a stake presidency, in a bishopric, on a high council, or as a patriarch.

A young man may begin attending elders quorum meetings when he turns 18, even if he has not yet been ordained an elder. By age 19 or when moving from home, such as to attend a university or serve a mission, he should be ordained an elder if he is worthy.

Married men under 18 are prospective elders and are also members of the elders quorum.

8.2

Participating in God’s Work of Salvation and Exaltation

8.2.1

Living the Gospel of Jesus Christ

8.2.1.2

Gospel Learning in Quorum Meetings

Meetings are held on the second and fourth Sundays of the month. They last 50 minutes. The elders quorum presidency plans these meetings. A member of the presidency conducts.

Quorum meetings focus on topics in one or more talks from the most recent general conference.

8.2.1.3

Activities

Elders quorum presidencies may plan activities. Most activities are held at times other than on Sundays or Monday evenings.

8.2.2

Caring for Those in Need

8.2.2.1

Ministering

Members of the elders quorum receive ministering assignments from the quorum presidency. For more information, see chapter 21.

8.2.2.2

Short-Term Needs

Ministering brothers seek to understand and respond to the needs of those they serve. Members may need short-term assistance at times of illness, births, deaths, job loss, and other circumstances.

When needed, ministering brothers ask the elders quorum presidency for help.

8.2.2.3

Long-Term Needs and Self-Reliance

As coordinated by the bishop, the elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies help members with long-term needs and self-reliance.

The elders quorum president, Relief Society president, or another leader helps the person or family develop a Self-Reliance Plan. Ministering brothers or sisters can also help with the plan.

8.2.2.4

When a Ward Member Dies

When a ward member dies, elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies offer comfort and assistance. Under the bishop’s guidance, they can help with the funeral.

For more information, see 38.5.8.

8.2.3

Inviting All to Receive the Gospel

The elders quorum president assigns a member of the presidency to help lead efforts to share the gospel in the ward. He works with the assigned member of the Relief Society presidency to coordinate these efforts (see 23.6.2).

8.2.4

Uniting Families for Eternity

The elders quorum president assigns a member of the presidency to help lead temple and family history work in the ward. He works with the assigned member of the Relief Society presidency to coordinate these efforts.

See 25.2.2.

8.3

Elders Quorum Leaders

8.3.1

Stake Presidency and Bishop

The elders quorum president is directly responsible to the stake presidency. He meets regularly with a member of the presidency to receive direction and report on his responsibilities.

The elders quorum president also receives guidance from the bishop, who is the presiding officer in the ward. They meet regularly.

8.3.2

High Councilor

The stake presidency assigns a high councilor to represent them in each elders quorum. His responsibilities are outlined in 6.5.

8.3.3

Elders Quorum Presidency

8.3.3.1

Calling an Elders Quorum Presidency

After consulting with the bishop, the stake president calls an elder or high priest to serve as the elders quorum president.

If the unit is large enough, the elders quorum president recommends to the stake president one or two elders or high priests to serve as his counselors.

8.3.3.2

Responsibilities

The elders quorum president has the following responsibilities. His counselors assist him.

• Serve on the ward council.

• Lead the quorum’s efforts to participate in the work of salvation and exaltation (see chapter 1).

• Organize and oversee the service of ministering brothers.

• Under the bishop’s guidance, counsel with adult members of the ward.

• Coordinate the elders quorum’s efforts to strengthen young adult brethren, both single and married.

• Meet with each quorum member individually at least once a year.

• Teach quorum members their priesthood duties (see Doctrine and Covenants 107:89). This includes teaching them how to exercise their priesthood in performing ordinances and blessings.

• Oversee quorum records, reports, and finances (see LCR.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

8.3.3.3

Presidency Meeting

The elders quorum presidency and secretary meet regularly. The president conducts these meetings. The high councilor assigned to the quorum periodically attends.

The agenda could include the following items:

• Plan how to strengthen quorum members (including prospective elders) and their families.

• Coordinate missionary work and temple and family history work.

• Respond to assignments from ward council meetings.

• Review information from ministering interviews.

• Consider brethren to serve in callings and assignments.

• Plan quorum meetings and activities.

8.3.4

Secretary

With the bishop’s approval, a member of the elders quorum presidency may call a quorum member to be the quorum secretary.

8.4

Helping Prospective Elders Prepare to Receive the Melchizedek Priesthood

A prospective elder is a male Church member who has not received the Melchizedek Priesthood and (1) is 19 or older or (2) is younger than 19 and married.

Helping prospective elders prepare to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood is one of the quorum presidency’s highest priorities.