“31. Interviews and Other Meetings with Members,” Selections from the General Handbook (2023).
“31. Interviews and Other Meetings with Members,” Selections from the General Handbook
31.
Interviews and Other Meetings with Members
31.0
Introduction
Jesus Christ often ministered to others one by one (see, for example, John 4:5–26; 3 Nephi 17:21). He loves each of God’s children. He helps them individually.
This chapter can help all leaders who have opportunities to meet with individual members.
31.1
Guiding Principles
31.1.1
Prepare Spiritually
Prepare yourself spiritually through prayer, scripture study, and righteous living. Listen to the whisperings of the Holy Ghost.
31.1.2
Help the Member Feel God’s Love
When members come to you for an interview or for help with a personal challenge, often what they need most is to know that Heavenly Father loves them.
The scriptures and the words of latter-day prophets invite the Spirit and teach pure doctrine. Use them to inspire and encourage, not to condemn, coerce, or cause fear (see Luke 9:56).
31.1.3
Help the Member Draw upon the Savior’s Power
Encourage members to turn to Him. Help them draw upon His power to strengthen, comfort, and redeem.
31.1.4
Help the Member Feel Comfortable and Safe
Always give the member the option of having someone else be present during an interview or meeting. When meeting with a member of the opposite sex, a child, or a youth, ensure that a parent or another adult is present. He or she may join the meeting or wait outside the room, depending on the preferences of the member with whom you are meeting.
Do not share confidential information with anyone—including your spouse or other Church leaders—unless the member gives permission.
31.1.5
Ask Inspired Questions and Listen Carefully
When meeting with a member, ask questions that help you understand his or her situation.
While the member is talking, listen carefully and attentively.
31.1.6
Encourage Self-Reliance
Because of your love for the members, you may want to immediately offer solutions to their problems. However, you will bless them more by helping them find their own solutions and make their own decisions (see Doctrine and Covenants 9:8).
31.1.7
Support Efforts to Repent
Only the bishop or stake president can help a person resolve serious sins. Some of these are listed in 32.6. If the member has committed any of these sins, he or she should meet with the bishop or stake president right away.
31.1.8
Respond Appropriately to Abuse
Abuse cannot be tolerated in any form. Take reports of abuse seriously. If you become aware that someone has been abused, report the abuse to civil authorities and counsel with the bishop. Guidelines for reporting and responding to abuse are provided in 38.6.2.
31.2
Interviews
31.2.1
Purposes of Interviews
In general, Church leaders interview members to determine whether they:
-
Are prepared to receive or participate in an ordinance.
-
Should be called to a position in the Church.
31.2.2
Types of Interviews
|
Who can conduct the interview |
Purpose of the interview |
|---|---|
Who can conduct the interview Bishop only | Purpose of the interview
|
Who can conduct the interview Bishop or a counselor he assigns | Purpose of the interview
|
31.2.3
Baptism and Confirmation Interviews
31.2.3.1
Children Who Are Members of Record
The bishop holds the priesthood keys for baptizing 8-year-old members of record in his ward. For this reason, he or an assigned counselor interviews the following persons for baptism:
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Children age 8 who are members of record.
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Children age 8 who are not members of record but have a member parent or guardian.
-
Members of record ages 9 and older whose baptism was delayed due to intellectual disabilities.
In the interview, the bishopric member ensures that the child understands the purposes of baptism (see 2 Nephi 31:5–20). He also ensures that the child understands the baptismal covenant and is committed to live by it (see Mosiah 18:8–10). He does not need to use a specified list of questions. This is not an interview to determine worthiness, since “little children need no repentance” (Moroni 8:11).
31.2.3.2
Converts
The mission president holds the priesthood keys for baptizing converts. For this reason, a full-time missionary interviews:
-
Persons ages 9 and older who have never been baptized and confirmed. See 31.2.3.1 for an exception for those with intellectual disabilities.
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Children ages 8 and older whose parents are not members of the Church.
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Children ages 8 and older who have a parent who is also being baptized and confirmed.
31.2.4
Interviews for Ordination to an Office in the Aaronic Priesthood
For more information, see 18.10.2.
31.2.5
Temple Recommend Interviews
The temple is the house of the Lord. Entering the temple and participating in ordinances there is a sacred privilege. This privilege is reserved for those who are spiritually prepared and striving to live the Lord’s standards, as determined by authorized priesthood leaders.
To make this determination, priesthood leaders interview the member using the questions in LCR (see also the guidelines in 26.3).
31.2.6
Interviews for Ordination to an Office in the Melchizedek Priesthood
The stake president holds the priesthood keys for conferring the Melchizedek Priesthood. He also holds the keys for ordaining to the offices of elder and high priest.
With the approval of the stake presidency, the bishop interviews the member using the questions provided on the Melchizedek Priesthood Ordination Record.
31.3
Other Opportunities for Leaders to Meet with Members
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Members may ask to meet with a Church leader when they need spiritual guidance or have weighty personal problems.
-
The bishop or someone he assigns meets with members who have temporal needs (see 22.6).
-
A member of the bishopric meets with each 11-year-old as he or she moves from Primary to the deacons quorum or a Young Women class.
31.3.1
Meeting with Youth
The bishop or one of his counselors meets with each youth twice a year. At least one of these meetings each year should be with the bishop. Beginning the year the youth turns 16, both meetings during the year should be with the bishop if possible.
The Young Women president also has a responsibility to minister to individual young women. She can do this by meeting with young women one on one (or with another adult present).
31.3.1.2
Topics to Discuss
The main purpose of meetings with youth is to build faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and help the youth follow Them. These meetings should be uplifting spiritual experiences.
31.3.2
Meeting with Young Single Adults
The bishop places high priority on the spiritual progress of young single adults in his ward. He or an assigned counselor meets with each young single adult at least once a year.
31.3.3
Meeting with Members to Discuss Their Callings and Responsibilities
Stake presidencies, bishoprics, and other leaders meet individually with members who report to them about their callings.
The leader expresses gratitude for the member’s service and offers encouragement.
31.3.6
Professional Counseling and Therapy
Church leaders are not called to be professional counselors or to provide therapy. The assistance they give is spiritual, focusing on the strengthening, comforting, redeeming power of Jesus Christ. In addition to this important and inspired help, some members may benefit from professional counseling where it is available.
31.4
Meeting with Members Virtually
Usually, leaders meet with members in person for interviews and to provide spiritual help and ministering. However, as an exception, they can meet virtually when meeting in person is not practical.