35.

Care and Use of Meetinghouses

35.1

Purpose

The Church provides meetinghouses so that all who enter can:

• Make and renew covenants through sacred ordinances (see Doctrine and Covenants 20:75; 59:9–12).

• Meet together (see 3 Nephi 18:22–23).

• Worship and pray together (see Mosiah 18:25; Moroni 6:9).

• Teach and minister to one another (see Moroni 6:4–5).

• Participate in other approved uses as described in this chapter.

35.2

Roles and Responsibilities

35.2.2

Church Facilities Manager

A Church-employed facilities manager helps each stake operate meetinghouses. He or she arranges major repairs, deep cleaning, and routine building maintenance.

As needed, the facilities manager helps instruct stake and ward building representatives on how to clean the building and perform other local tasks. He or she provides instructions, materials, and equipment.

He or she may also review building expenses with bishoprics.

35.2.7

Bishopric

The bishopric (or the ward building representative) teaches members how to use, care for, and secure the building. The bishopric also distributes building keys to ward leaders.

They make sure that activities in the building and on the grounds are conducted safely (see 20.7).

They communicate with the Church facilities manager about maintenance and operational needs. They may also review related expenses with the facilities manager.

35.2.9

Ward Building Representative

The bishopric determines whether to call a ward building representative. If they decide to extend this calling, the bishopric may call an adult male or female member. If a ward building representative is not called, the bishop may assign this responsibility to one of his counselors, the ward clerk or an assistant ward clerk, or the executive secretary.

The ward building representative organizes members and volunteers to clean and maintain the building.

35.3

Providing Meetinghouses

Meetinghouses vary in size and type based on local needs and conditions. A meetinghouse may be a Church-constructed or purchased space, a member’s home, a local school or community center, a leased space, or another approved option.

Area and local leaders strive to fully use existing meetinghouses and be wise in recommending additional space.

35.4

Maintaining Meetinghouses

35.4.1

Cleaning and Maintaining Meetinghouses

Local leaders and members, including youth, have a responsibility to help keep each building clean and in good condition.

The cleaning schedule should not be a burden on the members. For example, if travel to the building is challenging, members might clean as part of weekly events when they are already at the building.

35.4.2

Requesting Repairs

Members of ward and stake councils can report needs for building repairs. This can be done by using the Facility Issue Reporting (FIR) tool.

35.4.5

Safety and Security

Leaders and members should:

• Keep hallways, stairs, exits, and utility rooms clear for safe entry and exit.

• Not use or store hazardous or flammable materials in buildings.

• Establish and follow building lockup procedures.

• Secure Church-owned equipment from theft.

• Know how to shut off utilities such as water, electricity, and gas or fuel.

As needed, the facilities manager can provide a map showing fire extinguishers, first aid kits, and locations to shut off utilities. More information about safety is available in “Security and Lockup Procedures” in “Maintaining Meetinghouses” (Meetinghouse Facilities Guide). See also 20.7.

35.5

Policies on Using Church Meetinghouses

35.5.1

Basic Principles and Requirements for Using Church Meetinghouses

All uses of Church meetinghouses must meet the following basic requirements:

• Be consistent with the doctrine, policies, and practices of the Church, including the sacred nature and purposes of Church meetinghouses.

• Be within the bounds of the law.

• Be consistent with the Church’s tax-exempt status where applicable.

• Take appropriate steps to avoid, mitigate, and manage safety risks, including Church guidelines and policies safeguarding children and youth (see 12.5.1 and 20.7.1)

• Comply with other conditions and limitations provided by the stake president or bishop.

35.5.2

Church Use of Meetinghouses

Church meetings, programs, and activities have priority over other meetinghouse uses if there is a conflict.

Wards and stakes may also offer other Church programs that benefit members and the community. These include:

• Self-reliance courses.

• Addiction recovery courses.

• EnglishConnect.

• BYU–Pathway Worldwide.

35.5.3

Member Use of Meetinghouses—Personal and Family

Members may request to use a meetinghouse within their stake for personal or family activities. To seek approval, they contact a member of the bishopric of a ward that meets in that meetinghouse (or someone he designates). The following conditions apply:

• The use must be supervised in person by a responsible adult member of a ward that meets in the meetinghouse.

• Users have full responsibility for any damage to the facilities or any injury or liability in connection with such use.

• Users must clean up and fully restore the facilities to pre-use condition.

• Users must comply with direction and requests from local leaders, including requests by leaders to monitor the use.

• Church leaders may ask any individual or group to stop using the property if they are not complying with guidelines.

• For approved activities, ward and stake leaders should make arrangements for meetinghouse access. Keys to the building should be given only to designated ward or stake members.

See 38.3.4 for use of meetinghouses for weddings and wedding receptions.

See 29.5 for use of meetinghouses for funerals and other services for the deceased.

35.5.4

Use of Church Meetinghouses by Nonprofit Organizations or by Other Groups or Individuals

Area leadership may permit nonprofit organizations, community and other groups (such as sports teams), or individuals not described in 35.5.3 to use Church meetinghouses for wholesome activities or service. The conditions listed in 35.5.3 apply.

To seek area leadership approvals for such use, the stake president contacts the facilities manager.

35.5.5

Emergencies

Church meetinghouses may be used for essential community service during an emergency. For example, a stake president may allow meetinghouses in his stake to be used by disaster-relief agencies and others in associated efforts (see 35.5.4).

35.5.6

Meetinghouse Uses That Are Not Allowed

35.5.6.1

Commercial Uses

Church property may not be used for commercial purposes. Such use does not align with the purposes of Church properties. It could also conflict with local or national laws that may allow tax exemption of Church property.

35.5.6.3

Political Purposes

The Church is politically neutral. Church property may not be used for political or advocacy purposes. Prohibited activities include political meetings and use by political campaigns and advocacy groups.

However, using properties for voter registration or voting may be allowed as an exception (see 38.8.30). The stake president may obtain such an exception through the facilities manager (see 35.5.4).