GENERAL HANDBOOK: SERVING IN THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS • JULY 2020 2020 SAINTS • JULY GENERAL HANDBOOK: SERVING IN THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST LATTER-DAY GENERAL HANDBOOK Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints JULY 2020 JULY 2020 General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Published by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Salt Lake City, Utah © 2020 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Version: 7/20 PD60010241 000 Printed in the United States of America Contents 0. Introductory Overview . xiv 0.0. Introduction . xiv 0.1. This Handbook . .xiv 0.2. Adaptation and Optional Resources . .xiv 0.3. Updates . xv 0.4. Questions about Instructions . xv 0.5. Terminology . .xv 0.6. Contacting Church Headquarters or the Area Office . xv Doctrinal Foundation 1. God’s Plan and Your Role in the Work of Salvation and Exaltation . .1 1.0. Introduction . 1 1.1. God’s Plan of Happiness . .2 1.2. The Work of Salvation and Exaltation . 2 1.3. The Purpose of the Church . .4 1.4. Your Role in God’s Work . .5 2. Supporting Individuals and Families in the Work of Salvation and Exaltation . .6 2.0. Introduction . 6 2.1. The Role of the Family in God’s Plan . .6 2.2. The Work of Salvation and Exaltation in the Home . 9 2.3. The Relationship between the Home and the Church . 11 3. Priesthood Principles . 13 3.0. Introduction . 13 3.1. Restoration of the Priesthood . 13 3.2. Blessings of the Priesthood . 14 3.3. Melchizedek Priesthood and Aaronic Priesthood . 15 3.4. Priesthood Authority . 15 3.5. Priesthood Power . 18 3.6. The Priesthood and the Home . 20 4. Leadership in the Church of Jesus Christ . 21 4.0. Introduction . 21 4.1. The Purpose of Leadership in the Church . 21 4.2. Principles of Leadership in the Church . 22 4.3. Evaluation of Progress . 26 iii JULY 2020 Church Organization 5. Stake Leadership . 27 5.0. Introduction . 27 5.1. Stake Presidency . 27 5.2. Stake Clerk, Assistant Stake Clerks, and Stake Executive Secretary . 31 5.3. High Council . 31 5.4. Stake Organizations . 32 5.5. Stake Specialists . 34 5.6. Adapting to Local Needs . 34 6. Ward Leadership . 35 6.0. Introduction . 35 6.1. Presiding High Priest . 35 6.2. President of the Aaronic Priesthood . 37 6.3. Common Judge . 37 6.4. Welfare . 37 6.5. Records, Finances, and the Meetinghouse . 38 7. Councils in the Church . 39 7.1. Councils in the Church . 39 7.2. Bishopric . 39 7.3. Priesthood Executive Committee . 39 7.4. Ward Council . 39 7.5. The Work of the Ward Council . 40 7.6. Ward Council Meetings . 40 7.7. Preventing and Responding to Abuse . 43 8. Elders Quorum . 44 8.1. Purpose and Organization . 44 8.2. Participating in the Work of Salvation and Exaltation . 44 8.3. Elders Quorum Leaders . 48 8.4. Helping Prospective Elders Prepare to Receive the Melchizedek Priesthood . 50 8.5. Additional Guidelines and Policies . 51 9. Relief Society . 52 9.1. Purpose and Organization . 52 9.2. Participating in the Work of Salvation and Exaltation . 52 9.3. Relief Society Leaders . 55 9.4. Helping Young Women Prepare to Participate in Relief Society . 58 9.5. Stake Relief Society Leaders . 58 9.6. Additional Guidelines and Policies . 58 iv General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 10. Aaronic Priesthood Quorums . 59 10.1. Purpose and Organization . 59 10.2. Participating in the Work of Salvation and Exaltation . 61 10.3. Bishopric . 65 10.4. Youth Quorum Leaders . 66 10.5. Advisers and Specialists . 68 10.6. Helping Young Men Prepare to Receive the Melchizedek Priesthood . 68 10.7. Stake Young Men Leaders . 69 10.8. Additional Guidelines and Policies . 69 11. Young Women . 71 11.1. Purpose and Organization . 71 11.2. Participating in the Work of Salvation and Exaltation . 73 11.3. Ward Young Women Leadership . 77 11.4. Helping Young Women Prepare to Join Relief Society . 81 11.5. Stake Young Women Leaders . 81 11.6. Additional Guidelines and Policies . 82 12. Primary . 83 12.1. Purpose and Organization . 83 12.2. Participating in the Work of Salvation and Exaltation . 85 12.3. Ward Primary Leadership . 89 12.4. Stake Primary Leaders . 92 12.5. Additional Guidelines and Policies . ..