8.

Elders Quorum

8.1

Purpose and Organization

The Melchizedek Priesthood helps God’s children prepare to return to His presence. It holds “the keys of all the spiritual blessings of the church” (Doctrine and Covenants 107:18).

The offices in the Melchizedek Priesthood are elder, high priest, patriarch, Seventy, and Apostle. This chapter contains information about elders and elders quorums.

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).

Each elder is part of an organized group of priesthood holders called an elders quorum. Members of the elders quorum work together to help accomplish God’s work of salvation and exaltation. They serve others, fulfill priesthood duties, build unity, and learn and live doctrine.

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. These leaders are members of the stake high priests quorum. For information about the stake high priests quorum, see 6.2.1.1.

A young man may begin attending elders quorum meetings when he turns 18, even if he has not yet been ordained an elder. He counsels with his parents and bishop to make this decision. 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. See 10.6.

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

For information about unwed parents under age 18, see 38.1.5.

8.1.3

Adapting to Local Needs

Some wards have a very large number of active Melchizedek Priesthood holders. For these wards, the stake presidency may organize an additional elders quorum (see Doctrine and Covenants 107:89). Each quorum has its own presidency. If possible, each quorum should have members with a variety of ages and experience.

8.2

Participating in God’s Work of Salvation and Exaltation

God invites all to come unto Christ and participate in His work of salvation and exaltation by:

• Living the gospel of Jesus Christ.

• Caring for those in need.

• Inviting all to receive the gospel.

• Uniting families for eternity.

Elders quorum leaders plan Sunday meetings, activities, ministering, service, and other interactions to help brethren participate in God’s work of salvation and exaltation. Members of the elders quorum and Relief Society work in unity to help accomplish this work.

For more information about God’s work of salvation and exaltation, study chapter 1.

8.2.1

Living the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Elders quorum leaders support members in living the gospel of Jesus Christ. They emphasize exercising faith, repenting, increasing in self-reliance, and making covenants with God by receiving ordinances. Such ordinances include the temple endowment. See 1.2.1.

8.2.1.1

Gospel Learning at Home

When members learn and live the gospel at home, their conversion to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ deepens. Elders quorum leaders encourage brethren to study the scriptures and the words of living prophets, individually and with their families. Come, Follow Me and other resources can supplement their study.

Home evenings are an important way to learn the gospel at home. They are usually held weekly on Sunday, on Monday evening, or at another time. They could include prayers, gospel study, testimonies, singing, and fun activities.

8.2.1.2

Gospel Learning in Quorum Meetings

Elders quorums meet on Sundays for the following purposes:

• Strengthen faith.

• Build unity.

• Strengthen families and homes.

• Coordinate efforts to assist God in His work of salvation and exaltation in the ward.

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.

The meeting begins with prayer. Then a member of the presidency leads the quorum members in counseling together for five to ten minutes about relevant challenges, needs, and opportunities. Focusing on the Savior in this counseling will help quorum members build testimonies, receive temple ordinances, keep covenants, and increase discipleship. The elders quorum presidency selects topics to counsel about based on the needs of the quorum members.

Sufficient time should then be given to meaningful gospel instruction and discussion. The focus should be on topics in one or more talks from the most recent general conference. The elders quorum presidency prayerfully selects conference messages for quorum members to discuss. They make these selections based on members’ needs.

Hymns may be sung to enhance a lesson.

Meetings should end with a prayer.

The elders quorum and Relief Society may occasionally combine for a Sunday lesson. These meetings are coordinated by the bishopric and the elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies.

For more information, see “To Sit in Council.”

8.2.1.3

Activities

Elders quorum presidencies may plan activities. The president oversees activities. He may ask a counselor or another quorum member to take the lead in planning and carrying them out (see 8.3.5). Presidencies discuss activities with the bishop as part of their planning.

Activities should strengthen quorum members’ desires to make and keep covenants and give them opportunities to gather and serve together. Activities should help accomplish the purposes of elders quorums (see 8.1 and 8.1.1).

8.2.2

Caring for Those in Need

As followers of Jesus Christ, elders quorum members have a responsibility to reach out in love to those in need. Individually and as a quorum, they seek ways to serve others in the ward and community. Where it is available, JustServe.org suggests community service opportunities.

For more information about how members of the elders quorum and Relief Society care for those in need, see 22.6.2.

8.2.2.1

Ministering

Ministering is caring for others as the Savior would. 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. With the bishop’s approval, the presidency may call a service coordinator to organize these efforts (see 8.3.5).

The elders quorum and Relief Society coordinate efforts to address short-term needs (see 22.3.2). The bishop may provide fast-offering assistance if needed.

In some locations, bishops have the option to provide members in need with a bishop’s order for food and other basic goods. The bishop generally assigns the Relief Society president to meet with the members and fill out the order form. However, he may also assign the elders quorum president. A counselor in the Relief Society or elders quorum presidency may be assigned if the president is unavailable. The assigned leader submits the completed form to the bishop for his approval.

For more information, see 22.6.2 and “Welfare Resources” in Leader and Clerk Resources.

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. They teach principles of temporal and spiritual self-reliance. See chapter 22 and “Self-Reliance” in the Gospel Library app.

If a person or family needs assistance, the elders quorum and Relief Society presidents counsel together, as coordinated by the bishop, about how to help (see 22.4).

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. Often, other members of the elders quorum or Relief Society have skills or experience that can help. All who assist treat information with confidentiality. For more information, see 22.3.3 and 22.8.

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.

If possible, deceased members who were endowed are buried or cremated in temple clothing. The body of a man may be dressed by his wife or by an endowed male family member. If a family member is not available or would prefer not to do the dressing, the bishop may ask the elders quorum president to invite an endowed man to dress the body or oversee the dressing. For more information, see 38.5.10.

Elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies, ministering brothers and sisters, and others continue to offer comfort and assistance after the funeral.

8.2.3

Inviting All to Receive the Gospel

Melchizedek Priesthood holders have a duty to invite all to receive the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ (see Doctrine and Covenants 53:3). They do this by sharing the gospel, strengthening new members, and reaching out to those who are less active. See 23.2 and 23.3.

In presidency and quorum meetings, the elders quorum presidency discusses ways the brethren can invite all to receive the blessings of the gospel. See 23.1.1, 23.1.2, and 23.1.3.

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).

This member of the elders quorum presidency may fulfill the role of the ward mission leader. If the bishopric has called a ward mission leader, this presidency member oversees his work. See 23.6.1 and 23.6.3.

The ward mission leader, who may be a member of the elders quorum presidency, leads weekly coordination meetings. The purpose of these meetings is to coordinate inviting all to receive the blessings of the gospel. These meetings include assigned members of the Relief Society and elders quorum presidencies, ward missionaries, an assistant in the priests quorum, a presidency member of the oldest Young Women class, and full-time missionaries. See 23.4.

8.2.4

Uniting Families for Eternity

Melchizedek Priesthood holders support members in uniting families for eternity. This includes:

• Making covenants with God by receiving ordinances, including the temple endowment.

• Doing temple and family history work (see 1.2.4).

In presidency and quorum meetings, the elders quorum presidency discusses ways the brethren can participate in these efforts.

Presidency members also plan ways to help members increase their understanding of and desire to receive sacred ordinances and make covenants with God in the temple. They encourage brethren to worship in the temple regularly where possible.

The presidency encourages quorum members to learn about their family history. They help new and returning members, recently ordained elders, and newly called missionaries find and prepare ancestors’ names for temple ordinances.

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.

This member of the elders quorum presidency may fulfill the role of the ward temple and family history leader. If the bishopric has called a temple and family history leader, this presidency member oversees his work. See 25.2.2.

The ward temple and family history leader, who may be a member of the elders quorum presidency, leads temple and family history coordination meetings (see 25.2.7). These meetings are held regularly. They also include the assigned member of the Relief Society presidency, an assistant in the priests quorum, a presidency member of the oldest Young Women class, and temple and family history consultants.

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. They discuss their efforts in God’s work of salvation and exaltation, including the service of ministering brothers. They also discuss (1) the progress and needs of ward members and (2) elders quorum meetings, instruction, and activities.

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. He does this in consultation with the bishop. The stake presidency considers the recommendations. A member of the stake presidency or high council extends the calls.

All recommendations for calling members of elders quorum presidencies require the approval of the stake presidency and high council.

A member of the stake presidency presents members of the elders quorum presidency in a sacrament meeting for sustaining. The stake presidency may also assign a high councilor to do this.

A member of the elders quorum presidency presents brethren who are called to other quorum callings for sustaining in a quorum meeting (see 8.3.4 and 8.3.5).

The stake president sets apart the elders quorum president and confers on him the keys of his calling. For more information about priesthood keys, see 3.4.1. A member of the stake presidency or high council sets apart the counselors.

8.3.3.2

Responsibilities

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

• Serve on the ward council. He serves as (1) a member of the council who helps address needs in the ward and find solutions and (2) a representative of the elders quorum (see 29.2.5).

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

• Organize and oversee the service of ministering brothers. Coordinate ministering assignments with the Relief Society presidency, meeting at least quarterly. Seek the bishop’s approval for ministering assignments. Hold ministering interviews at least quarterly. See chapter 21.

• Under the bishop’s guidance, counsel with adult members of the ward (see 31.1 and 31.3). Only the bishop counsels ward members about matters of worthiness, abuse, and approval to use fast-offering funds. See Counseling Resources. For information about abuse, see 38.6.2.

• With the Relief Society presidency, help lead efforts in the ward to invite all to receive the blessings of the gospel (see 8.2.3 and 9.2.3). Oversee the ward mission leader if one is called.

• With the Relief Society presidency, help lead temple and family history work in the ward (see 8.2.4 and 9.2.4). Oversee the ward temple and family history leader if one is called.

• Coordinate the elders quorum’s efforts to strengthen young adult brethren, both single and married. One counselor may be assigned to serve with young single adults (see 14.1.2.2).

• Meet with each quorum member individually at least once a year. Discuss priesthood duties and the well-being of the member and his family.

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

• Help quorum members understand the power, protection, direction, joy, and peace that come from developing a covenant relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

• Oversee and help improve teaching in the quorum (see chapter 17).

• Plan and conduct quorum meetings.

• Oversee elders quorum activities (see 8.2.1.3).

• Help young men and prospective elders prepare to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood (see 8.4).

• Oversee quorum records, reports, and finances (see LCR.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). A secretary may help (see 8.3.4).

The stake presidency and assigned members of the high council teach the elders quorum presidency about these responsibilities. They may do this during stake priesthood leadership meetings, quorum presidency meetings, and personal visits with elders quorum presidents (see 29.3.3).

Through his service, the elders quorum president supports the bishop in focusing on the youth and on the bishop’s unique responsibilities.

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.

• Plan how to help accomplish God’s work of salvation and exaltation.

• Coordinate missionary work and temple and family history work.

• Respond to counsel and assignments from the bishop and stake leaders.

• Respond to assignments from ward council meetings.

• Prayerfully consider ministering assignments.

• Review information from ministering interviews. Plan ways to identify strengths and help meet needs. (See chapter 21.)

• 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. He presents him for sustaining in a quorum meeting and sets him apart.

The secretary’s responsibilities could include the following:

• Prepare agendas for presidency meetings and quorum meetings.

• Take notes in meetings and keep track of assignments.

• Schedule ministering interviews (see 21.3).

• Prepare and submit quarterly reports of attendance and the number of ministering interviews held.

• Help prepare an annual budget and keep track of expenses.

8.3.5

Additional Callings

The following additional callings may be helpful. The bishop and elders quorum president discuss whether they are needed.

• Elders quorum teachers to teach in Sunday quorum meetings

• A service coordinator to help plan and carry out service to people in need (see 8.2.2.2). Assistants and committee members may also be called.

• An activity coordinator to help plan and carry out elders quorum activities (see 8.2.1.3). Assistants and committee members may also be called.

• Assistant secretaries to help the elders quorum secretary

• Ministering secretaries to organize ministering interviews and help prepare quarterly reports

If these or other callings are needed, the elders quorum presidency recommends brethren to serve. They make these recommendations to the bishopric. If the bishopric approves, a member of the quorum presidency calls them. He presents them for sustaining in a quorum meeting and sets them apart.

As needed, the elders quorum presidency may assign brethren to help with elders quorum efforts in other ways. Brethren with short-term assignments do not need to be called and set apart.

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. The presidency gives prospective elders opportunities to serve and share their strengths. Dedicated ministering brothers should be assigned to prospective elders.

The quorum presidency and ministering brothers teach prospective elders about:

• The oath and covenant of the priesthood (see Doctrine and Covenants 84:33–44).

• The duties of an elder, including the duty to minister (see Doctrine and Covenants 20:38–45; 42:44; 107:11–12). Prospective elders who are teachers or priests can serve as ministering brothers.

• The purposes of priesthood ordinances and blessings and how to perform them (see chapter 18).

• How men and women work together to accomplish God’s work.

For information about these topics, see “Melchizedek Priesthood,” “Priesthood,” and “Women in the Church” (Topics and Questions, topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

This instruction may occur individually or in a class held outside of regular Sunday meetings.

As soon as the bishop and stake president determine that a prospective elder is prepared and worthy, he may be ordained an elder in the Melchizedek Priesthood.

8.5

Members with Disabilities

The elders quorum presidency gives particular care to members with disabilities. For information about helping these members, see disability.ChurchofJesusChrist.org; see also 38.8.27 in this handbook.