General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Contents
Title Page
Summary of Recent Updates
0. Introductory Overview
Doctrinal Foundation
- 1. God’s Plan and Your Role in His Work of Salvation and Exaltation
- 2. Supporting Individuals and Families in God’s Work of Salvation and Exaltation
- 3. Priesthood Principles
- 4. Leadership and Councils in the Church of Jesus Christ
Church Organization
- 5. General and Area Leadership
- 6. Stake Leadership
- 7. The Bishopric
- 8. Elders Quorum
- 9. Relief Society
- 10. Aaronic Priesthood Quorums
- 11. Young Women
- 12. Primary
- 13. Sunday School
- 14. Single Members
- 15. Seminaries and Institutes of Religion
God’s Work of Salvation and Exaltation
- Living the Gospel of Jesus Christ
  - 16. Living the Gospel of Jesus Christ
  - 17. Teaching the Gospel
  - 18. Performing Priesthood Ordinances and Blessings
  - 19. Music
  - 20. Activities
- Caring for Those in Need
  - 21. Ministering
  - 22. Providing for Temporal Needs and Building Self-Reliance
- Inviting All to Receive the Gospel
  - 23. Sharing the Gospel and Strengthening New and Returning Members
  - 24. Missionary Recommendations and Service
- Uniting Families for Eternity
  - 25. Temple and Family History Work in the Ward and Stake
  - 26. Temple Recommends
  - 27. Temple Ordinances for the Living
  - 28. Temple Ordinances for the Deceased
Church Administration
- 29. Meetings in the Church
- 30. Callings in the Church
- 31. Interviews and Other Meetings with Members
- 32. Repentance and Church Membership Councils
- 33. Records and Reports
- 34. Finances and Audits
- 35. Care and Use of Meetinghouses
- 36. Creating, Changing, and Naming New Units
- 37. Specialized Stakes, Wards, and Branches
  - 37.0. Introduction
  - 37.1. Language Wards and Branches
  - 37.2. Young Single Adult Wards and Branches in a Geographic Stake
  - 37.3. Young Single Adult Stakes and Their Wards and Branches
  - 37.4. Married Student Stakes and Wards
  - 37.5. Single Adult Wards
  - 37.6. Wards and Branches for Members in Special Circumstances
  - 37.7. Groups in Stakes, Missions, and Areas
  - 37.8. Church Units at Military Installations
- 38. Church Policies and Guidelines

37. Specialized Stakes, Wards, and Branches

“37. Specialized Stakes, Wards, and Branches,” General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (2024).

“37. Specialized Stakes, Wards, and Branches,” General Handbook.

37.

Specialized Stakes, Wards, and Branches

37.0

Introduction

A stake president may propose creating specialized stakes, wards, and branches to serve members as outlined in this chapter. For information about creating specialized units in a mission, see 36.3.

A stake president starts a new proposal at Boundary and Leadership Proposals. If he cannot use the online system, he can download paper forms by clicking on the link. Only the First Presidency can approve the proposal.

For support in the United States and Canada, call 1-801-240-1007. Outside the United States and Canada, call the area office.

37.1

Language Wards and Branches

A stake president may propose creating a language ward or branch for stake members who:

Speak a language other than the language of their unit.
Use sign language.

Where there are not enough members in one of these circumstances to create a separate branch, a stake president may propose creating a group (see 37.7).

A stake president may also propose creating a language ward or branch that includes members from one or more neighboring stakes. The stake presidents involved plan and coordinate the recommendation. One of the participating stakes will be responsible for the ward or branch.

A mission president may propose creating a language branch or group to address these same circumstances (see 36.3 and 37.7).

Minimum Requirements to Create a Language Ward or Branch in a Stake

	Ward	Branch
Number of members (active and less active)	Ward 125	Branch No minimum
Number of active, full-tithe-paying Melchizedek Priesthood holders capable of serving in leadership positions	Ward 15	Branch 4

Boundaries for language units generally follow the boundaries of geographic wards, branches, and stakes.

The children and youth of a language unit may combine classes with a geographic unit if desired (see 29.2.8).

See 36.3 for language branches in a mission. See 36.4.2 for ward and branch naming guidelines.

37.1.1

Membership in a Language Ward or Branch

Members must live within the boundaries of the language ward or branch.
Members may choose to be members of the language unit or their geographic unit.
Each person’s membership record should be in the unit he or she is attending.

37.1.2

Leadership in a Language Ward or Branch

Generally, the bishop or branch president and his counselors are called from within the boundaries of the language unit. Exceptions may be made for leaders who do not live within the unit’s boundaries if they live within the stake that is responsible for it.
First Presidency approval is required before calling a bishop.
Generally, other leaders and teachers are called from among the membership of the ward or branch.

37.2

Young Single Adult Wards and Branches in a Geographic Stake

A stake president may propose creating a young single adult ward or branch (for members ages 18–35) if the stake has enough active young single adults who would like to attend. The following should be considered:

The effect on the personal progress and spiritual development of the young single adults. This includes their ability to participate in all aspects of God’s work of salvation and exaltation (see 1.2).
The effect on the geographic units from which the young single adult unit will draw members.
The travel time and expense required of young single adults and leaders.

In areas where it can be supported, stake presidents may request creating two young single adult units for members of the following ages:

18–25
26–35

Generally, the two young single adult units for members in these age ranges will serve the same geographic area. The units will overlay each other on the map.

Stake presidents may also propose creating a ward or branch that includes members from one or more neighboring stakes. Stake presidents should consider whether multistake activities would meet the needs of young single adults better than creating a ward or branch. One of the participating stakes will be responsible for the ward or branch.

A geographic stake with boundaries that overlap those of a young single adult stake should not have its own young single adult unit.

Minimum Requirements to Create a Young Single Adult Unit in a Stake

	Ward	Branch
Number of active members	Ward 125	Branch 50
Number of active, full-tithe-paying Melchizedek Priesthood holders capable of serving in leadership positions	Ward 15	Branch 4

A young single adult ward usually should not have more than 225 active members.

See 36.4.2 for ward and branch naming guidelines.

37.2.1

Membership in a Young Single Adult Ward or Branch in a Geographic Stake

Members must be young single adults (ages 18–35) who live within the boundaries of the young single adult ward or branch.
Young single adults may choose to be members of the young single adult unit or their geographic unit.
Each person’s membership record should be in the unit he or she is attending.
If the stake president feels that it would help a less-active young single adult in his stake, he may approve transferring the membership record from the geographic unit to the young single adult unit. When the less-active member becomes active, he or she may choose to attend the young single adult unit or the geographic unit.
Young single adult parents (ages 18–35) who have children at home remain in their geographic unit. The parents may attend the activities of the young single adult unit.
Members do not attend a young single adult unit when they marry or reach age 36. See 37.5 for single adult members ages 36–45.
Young single adults who attend a unit for those ages 18–25 would move to a unit for those ages 26–35 when they reach age 26.

37.2.2

Leadership in a Young Single Adult Ward or Branch in a Geographic Stake

The bishop or branch president should be a married man of mature judgment and experience. First Presidency approval is required before calling a bishop. Generally, the bishop or branch president lives within the boundaries of the young single adult unit. Exceptions may be made for young single adult units that serve universities and colleges.
The bishop’s counselors may be members of the unit. Or they may be other single or married men who live within the unit boundaries. They must be high priests. If a man called as a counselor in a bishopric is not a high priest, the stake president ensures that he is ordained a high priest before setting him apart.
A branch president and his counselors may be high priests or elders.
Other leaders and teachers are called from among the young single adults who are members of the unit.

37.3

Young Single Adult Stakes and Their Wards and Branches

Where large numbers of young single adults live in one area, usually near universities or colleges, one or more young single adult stakes may be organized.

In areas where it can be supported, stake presidents may request creating two young single adult units for members of the following ages:

18–25
26–35

Generally, the two young single adult units for members in these age ranges will serve the same geographic area. The units will overlay each other on the map.

Minimum Requirements to Create a Young Single Adult Stake, Ward, or Branch

Young single adult stake	1,500 members (active and less active) 5 wards
Young single adult ward in a young single adult stake	125 members (active) 15 active, full-tithe-paying Melchizedek Priesthood holders who are capable of serving in leadership positions
Young single adult branch in a young single adult stake	50 members (active) 4 active, full-tithe-paying Melchizedek Priesthood holders who are capable of serving in leadership positions

A geographic stake with boundaries that overlap those of a young single adult stake should not have its own young single adult unit.

A young single adult unit that is in a geographic stake may be transferred to a young single adult stake only when:

Its boundaries are adjacent to the young single adult stake.
The presidents of both stakes recommend the transfer.

See 36.4.1 and 36.4.2 for stake and ward naming guidelines.

37.3.1

Membership in a Young Single Adult Stake and Its Wards or Branches

Members must be young single adults (ages 18–35) who live within the boundaries of the young single adult ward or branch.
All active and less-active young single adults within the stake boundaries who are not living at home with their parents are members of the young single adult stake unless they choose to attend their geographic unit.
Young single adults who live at home with their parents may choose to be members of the young single adult unit or their geographic unit.
Each person’s membership record should be in the unit he or she is attending.
Young single adult parents (ages 18–35) who have children at home remain in their geographic unit. The parents may attend the activities of the young single adult unit.
Members do not attend a young single adult unit when they marry or reach age 36. See 37.5 for single adult members (ages 36–45).
Young single adults who attend a unit for those ages 18–25 would move to a unit for those ages 26–35 when they reach age 26.

37.3.2

Leadership in a Young Single Adult Stake and Its Wards or Branches

The stake president, stake patriarch, bishops, and branch presidents should be married men of mature judgment and experience. First Presidency approval is required before calling a bishop. They may be called from outside the boundaries of the stake as determined by the Area Presidency. Those who extend such callings first consult with the person’s stake president to obtain approval. For guidelines, see chapter 30.
The stake president’s counselors, high councilors, bishopric counselors, and branch presidency counselors may be single or married men. Stake Relief Society presidents and counselors may be single or married women. Stake Sunday School presidents and counselors may be single or married men. These leaders may be members of the stake. Or they may be called from outside the boundaries of the stake as determined by the Area Presidency.
A bishop’s counselors must be high priests. If a man called as a counselor in a bishopric is not a high priest, the stake president ensures that he is ordained a high priest before setting him apart. A branch president and his counselors may be high priests or elders.
Quorum of the Twelve approval is required before calling a patriarch.
In wards and branches, other leaders and teachers are called from among the young single adults who are members of the unit.

37.4

Married Student Stakes and Wards

Married student stakes and wards may be created to serve the married student members who live close to a university or college.

Minimum Requirements to Create a Married Student Stake or Ward

Married student stake	1,500 members (active and less active) 5 wards
Married student ward	125 members (active and less active) 15 active, full-tithe-paying Melchizedek Priesthood holders who are capable of serving in leadership positions

See 36.4.1 and 36.4.2 for stake and ward naming guidelines.

37.4.1

Membership in Married Student Stakes and Wards

Members must be married students who live within the boundaries of the married student ward.
Married students may choose to be members of the married student ward or their geographic unit.
Membership records should be in the unit the family is attending.

37.4.2

Leadership in Married Student Stakes and Wards

See 37.3.2 and apply the same guidelines.

37.5

Single Adult Wards

Generally, single adult members (ages 36–45) are best served in geographic units. As an exception, a stake president may suggest creating a single adult ward.

A stake president may also suggest creating a single adult ward with members from one or more neighboring stakes. The stake presidents involved plan and coordinate the recommendation. One of the participating stakes will be responsible for the ward.

Minimum Requirements to Create a Single Adult Ward in a Stake

Number of members (active and less active)	125
Number of active, full-tithe-paying Melchizedek Priesthood holders capable of serving in leadership positions	15

See 36.4.2 for ward naming guidelines.

37.5.1

Membership in a Single Adult Ward

Members must be single adults (ages 36–45) who live within the boundaries of the single adult ward.
Single adults may choose to be members of the single adult ward or their geographic unit.
Each person’s membership record should be in the unit he or she is attending.
Single adult parents (ages 36–45) who have children at home remain in their geographic unit. The parents may attend the activities of the single adult ward.
Members do not attend a single adult ward when they marry or reach age 46.

37.5.2

Leadership in a Single Adult Ward

The bishop should be a married high priest of mature judgment and experience. First Presidency approval is required before calling a bishop.
A bishop’s counselors may be members of the unit. Or they may be other single or married men who live within the unit boundaries. They must be high priests. If a man called as a counselor in a bishopric is not a high priest, the stake president ensures that he is ordained a high priest before setting him apart.
Other leaders and teachers are called from among the single adults who are members of the ward.

37.6

Wards and Branches for Members in Special Circumstances

A stake president may suggest creating wards or branches for members in special circumstances, such as those who are in care centers, treatment programs, or prisons.

Generally, leaders who are called to serve in these units should live within the stake that is responsible for the unit.

See 36.3 for information about branches in a mission for young single adults or single adults; members who do not speak the local native language; members who are in care centers, treatment programs, or prisons; or members in the military.

See 36.4.2 for ward and branch naming guidelines.

37.7

Groups in Stakes, Missions, and Areas

Groups are small authorized gatherings of members overseen by a bishop, branch president, or mission president. The stake or mission president may recommend creating a group in the following circumstances:

Travel for its potential members to meet with a ward or branch is difficult.
A small number of members speak a language other than the language of their unit, including sign language.
Members in the military are best served by being in a group (see 38.9.4).

To propose creating a group, the stake or mission president submits a request to the Area Presidency. Only the Area Presidency can approve the request.

A group must have at least two members. One must be a worthy priest in the Aaronic Priesthood or a worthy Melchizedek Priesthood holder.

In stakes, the stake president assigns a bishop or branch president to organize and supervise the group. In missions, the mission president assigns a branch president to organize and supervise it.

Generally, a group can be created to serve members who live in one or more units within a stake or district. Group membership is limited to those who live within the boundaries of the participating unit or units. Groups do not cross stake or district boundaries.

The stake president, mission president, bishop, or branch president calls a group leader and sets him apart. The group leader organizes and conducts group meetings, which include the administration of the sacrament.

A group leader does not hold priesthood keys, and he is not authorized to:

Receive tithes and offerings.
Counsel members about serious sin.
Give informal or formal membership restrictions.
Perform other duties that require priesthood keys.

Typically, groups use the Basic Unit Program (see 36.6).

Membership records of group members are kept in the ward or branch that supervises the group.

Church headquarters does not assign a unit number to groups.

When a group qualifies, the stake or mission president may propose for it to become a branch.

37.8

Church Units at Military Installations

For instructions on creating wards, branches, and service member groups that meet on military installations, see 38.9.4.