Bishop

• “I have come to the belief that when you and I die, the Lord will be interested in what we achieved while we were in this life. But he will be more interested in those souls that we brought to him through repentance.” M. Russel Ballard Training program for Stake Missionaries. From President Albert Farnsworth, Mission President of Ecuador Quito from 1993 to 1996.
• “PRIESTHOOD MISSIONARY WORK IN THE CHURCH. 1^st Presidency Letter- Oct 29, 1976… 1) Missionary work is: (1)Church Directed. (2) Stake Organized (3) Ward Operated (4) Family & Individually Performed.” From President Albert Farnsworth, Mission President of Ecuador Quito from 1993 to 1996.
• QUALIFICATIONS OF A WARD MISSIONARY. Suggested considerations only – the Spirit should be the guiding light. (1) Has the desire to serve in missionary work. (2) Is willing to work and pay the price to “bring souls unto Jesus Christ” (3) teachable and has the quest to be enlightened further in the gospel of Jesus Christ and the plan of Salvation. (4) Understands the responsibility () and blessing () of sharing the messages of the gospel of Jesus Christ. (5) Is worthy to receive this high and holy calling. (6) Willingness to maintain the same high standards as the full-time missionaries. From President Albert Farnsworth, Mission President of Ecuador Quito from 1993 to 1996.
• AVAILABILITY OF A WARD MISSIONARY. This should be a “calling of sacrifice” and not a “yoke of burden”. (1)Family’s current situation. Situations that would impede or limit serving, such as a single parent with small children at home, the work schedule of the breadwinner, married and going to school, work requiring one parent to be gone or consistently out of town most of the time, etc. These should be just a few of the considerations in extending the call. The confirmation by the Spirit should be the determining factor. Example: The calling of a member who is: a) married; b) going to school; c) working full-time; d) is called as a ward missionary, has been given a call to fail in at least one of his/her responsibilities. See Elder Packer’s CR Oct 98 “Parents in Zion” (2) Health of the family should be generally good with no terminal illness or heavy medical responsibility “of care” for another member of the family. (3) Family plans. No immediate plans that would limit serving in the call such as: getting married and going to school, change of work schedules, moving, etc. From President Albert Farnsworth, Mission President of Ecuador Quito from 1993 to 1996.
• Fellowshipping Family: “…and that your fruit should remain…” John 15: 16. What is a “fellowshipping family”?A fellowshipping family is a ‘member family’ of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that befriends a ‘non-member family’ that is investigating the Church… Your friendly companionship and introduction to other members of the Church will help them to become better acquainted and fellowshipped by the ward. As a Fellowshipping Family, you can help strengthen them spiritually and assist them to make the great social transition to new friends and patterns of life. You can accompany them to Church activities, invite them to your house for a Family Home Evening, and assist them in being successful in their callings. You can also help them in receiving the Church magazines and other materials that can assist them to better understand the Lord’s Gospel and His great Plan of Happiness. We cannot overemphasize the importance of the Fellowshipping Family in orienting, guiding, and assisting the investigators in the acquiring of a testimony and their social adjustments. Before and after baptism you should follow closely the spiritual growth of the new member family as they prepare to obtain the temple ordinances and become an Eternal Family. From President Albert Farnsworth, Mission President of Ecuador Quito from 1993 to 1996.
• WEEKLY GOALS OF WARD MISSIONARIES: (1) Work at least ten (10) hours weekly.(may vary-depending on-call) (2) Attend weekly correlation meetings & fulfill assignments from WML (3) Obtain references through own initiative. (4) Help members learn how to find and give references. (5) Encourage investigators to strengthen their testimonies & be baptized. (6) Fellowship new converts as they adjust to gospel truths & social lives. (7) Splits with FTM as they support Stake and Ward goals. From President Albert Farnsworth, Mission President of Ecuador Quito from 1993 to 1996.
• Spencer W. Kimball, “We hope our bishoprics, who have special stewardship in this regard, will see to it that they have effective quorum activities and active youth committees. As our young men learn quorum management, they are not only blessing other Aaronic Priesthood youth in those quorums, but they are also preparing themselves as future fathers and future leaders for the Melchizedek Priesthood quorums. They need experience in leadership, experience in service projects, experience in speaking, experience in conducting meetings, and experience in how to build proper relationships with young women.” From the Book “Priesthood” printed in 1981
• The Priesthood Allows the young men to respond until someone points out that a man cannot just assume on his own that he will act as a bishop. Explain that even though the bishop’s brother had the priesthood, he had not been given the keys nor had he been set apart to perform the duties of a bishop in his brother’s ward. He must be given these keys and be ordained in order to have this authority. Aaronic Priesthood Manual 1, Lesson 1
• “President Joseph F. Smith taught: “Men cannot forgive their own sins; they cannot cleanse themselves from the consequences of their sins. Men can stop sinning and can do right in the future, and so far [as] their acts are acceptable before the Lord [become] worthy of consideration. But who shall repair the wrongs they have done to themselves and to others, which it seems impossible for them to repair themselves? By the atonement of Jesus Christ the sins of the repentant shall be washed away; though they be crimson they shall be made white as wool [see Isaiah 1:18]. This is the promise given to you.” 2012 October General Conference, The Atonement, Sun. Morning Session – By Boyd K. Packer
  
• “No longer can any one leader, either man or woman- or for that matter, any parent- attempt to provide what is so desperately needed in the lives of our families and Church members. If we are to succeed in leading our Heavenly Father’s children toward eternal life, we must counsel together and help each other.” Counseling with Our Councils M. Russell Ballard, Page viii
• “Many of our bishops and stake presidents are burdened with the personal problems of the Church members for whom they have stewardship. Every resource available must be enlisted to win the battle for the souls of our Father’s children. I feel strongly that the best way to help life the burden is to invite stake and ward council members to assist in finding the answers and implementing the solutions that the gospel of Jesus Christ provides.” Counseling with Our Councils M. Russell Ballard, Page ix
• “It would be well in appropriate instances to include auxiliary leaders in the discussions aimed at finding wise solutions to our many challenges. Sister leaders are members of stake and ward councils as well as stake and ward welfare committees. Priesthood leaders cannot afford to overlook the experience, wisdom, sensitivity, and insight women bring to such deliberations.” Counseling with Our Councils M. Russell Ballard, Page ix
• “President Howard W. Hunger: “It seems to me that there is a great need to rally the women of the Church to stand with and for the Brethren in stemming the tide of evil that surrounds us and in moving forward the work of our Savior…Obedient to him we are a majority. But only together can we accomplish the work he has given us to do and be prepared for the day when we shall see him” Counseling with Our Councils M. Russell Ballard, Page ix
• “The Brethren have worried for years about the heavy load our bishops and branch presidents carry. To me, the very best way for them to ease some of their burdens is to counsel with their councils.” Counseling with Our Councils M. Russell Ballard, Page 7
• “In speaking of mothers generally, I especially wish to praise and encourage young mothers. The work of a mother is hard, too often unheralded work. The young years are often those when either husband or wife—or both—may still be in school or in those earliest and leanest stages of developing the husband’s bread-winning capacities. Finances fluctuate daily between low and nonexistent. The apartment is usually decorated in one of two smart designs: Deseret Industries provincial or early Mother Hubbard. The car, if there is one, runs on smooth tires and an empty tank. But with night feedings and night teethings, often the greatest challenge of all for a young mother is simply fatigue. Through these years, mothers go longer on less sleep and give more to others with less personal renewal for themselves than any other group I know at any other time in life. It is not surprising when the shadows under their eyes sometimes vaguely resemble the state of Rhode Island. Of course, the irony is that this is often the sister we want to call—or need to call—to service in the ward and stake auxiliaries. That’s understandable. Who wouldn’t want the exemplary influence of these young Loises- and Eunices-in-the-making? It would be well for leaders to be wise, to remember that families are the highest priority of all, especially in those formative years. Even so, young mothers will still find magnificent ways to serve faithfully in the Church, even as others serve and strengthen them—and their families—in like manner. Do the best you can through these years, but whatever else you do, cherish that role that is so uniquely yours and for which heaven itself sends angels to watch over you and your little ones. Husbands—especially husbands—as well as Church leaders and friends in every direction, be helpful and sensitive and wise. Remember, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” ().” Broken Things to Mend (Jeffrey R. Holland) Kindle Loc. 221-35
• “President Spencer W. Kimball once pled: “Stake presidents, bishops, and branch presidents, please take a particular interest in improving the quality of teaching in the Church. . . . I fear,” he said, “that all too often many of our members come to church, sit through a class or a meeting, and . . . then return home having been largely [uninspired]. It is especially unfortunate when this happens at a time . . . of stress, temptation, or crisis [in their life]. We all need to be touched and nurtured by the Spirit,” he said, “and effective teaching is one of the most important ways this can happen. We often do vigorous work,” President Kimball concluded, “to get members to come to Church but then do not adequately watch over what they receive when they do come.”” Broken Things to Mend (Jeffrey R. Holland) Kindle Loc. 528-34
• “President Ezra Taft Benson once said: There is a principle cited in the Doctrine and Covenants which, though directed specifically to the leading quorums of the Church, applies to all councils in Church government. I quote from section 107:…. “The decisions of these quorums (or councils)…are to be made in all righteousness, in holiness, and lowliness of heart, meekness and long-suffering, and in faith, and virtue, and knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and charity” ()….This seems to me to be the pattern by which the Lord would have us operate through priesthood councils at all levels of Church government. We must be one in all aspects of this work…for all things are spiritual to Him whom we acknowledge as Master. (“Church Government through Councils”, 88-89) Counseling with Our Councils M. Russell Ballard, Page 13-14
• “One important way to increase the unity and effectiveness of our ward and stake councils is to remember that all council members have dual responsibility: not only do they represent the needs and perspectives of the individual organizations they have been called to lead, but each one also serves as a member of the council, sharing equally with the others a sense of stewardship for the success of the Lord’s work in that area. Thus when a subject that pertains to all ward or stake members is discussed, full consideration should be given to the views and recommendations of all council members, both the brethren and the sisters. Such an approach will result in wiser decisions and will generate greater commitment as these decisions are carried out.” Counseling with Our Councils M. Russell Ballard, Page 14
• “When Church leaders allow those whom the Lord has called to serve with them to become part of a problem-solving team, wonderful things begin to happen. We broaden our base of experience and understanding, which can’t help but expose us to better and more insightful solutions. We energize individuals by giving them a chance to have input and to be heard. We prepare future leaders by allowing them to participate and learn. And when more people feel ownership of the problem, more people are willing to become part of the solution, which greatly enhances the possibility of success.” Counseling with Our Councils M. Russell Ballard, Page 14-15
• “Once the appropriate council are in place and energized, leaders can begin to look beyond maintenance and meeting the needs of individuals and can find ways to make the world a better place in which to live. There’s no reason why ward council agendas could not include such subjects as gang violence, urban blight, unemployment, or abuse of any kind. Bishops could ask ward councils, “How can we make a difference in our community and in our families in these important areas?” Such broad thinking and involvement in our communities would not only be exciting and fulfilling, it would also have the benefit of being the right thing for us to do as Latter-day Saints and as Christians. In other words, one of the great strengths of the council system is the flexibility it provides to develop and implement local solutions to local problems. And as the needs and circumstances of individuals, families, and communities change over time, ward and stake councils- operating under priesthood direction and established Church guidelines- can focus their collective wisdom and the inspiration of heaven on such needs, thus blessing and lifting all who come within their influence.” Counseling with Our Councils M. Russell Ballard, Page 15
• “The hard doctrines…insist that we ask some hard questions.” Neal A. Maxwell, Ensign, May 1994, 89
• A Story of Councils Helping in Welfare
• Luke 15: 3-7… And he spake this parable unto them, saying,4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
• Mosiah 26:13-15…How to judge people
• 3 Nephi 18:29…Bishops decides who is worthy to partake of sacrament
• Moroni 6: 7-8…How to treat sinners
• “Priesthood and auxiliary leaders must endeavor to strengthen the sacredness of the home by ensuring that all Church activities support the lives of individuals and families. Church leaders need to be careful not to overwhelm families with too many Church responsibilities. Parents and Church leaders work together to help individuals and families return to our Father in Heaven by following Jesus Christ.”  Families and the Church in God’s Plan Handbook 2: Administering the Church
• Ezekial 33: 6…. But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword comes, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.
• Mosiah 5:1 -5…1  And now, it came to pass that when king Benjamin had thus spoken to his people, he sent among them, desiring to know of his people if they believed the words which he had spoken unto them. 2  And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually. 3  And we, ourselves, also, through the infinite goodness of God, and the manifestations of his Spirit, have great views of that which is to come; and were it expedient, we could prophesy of all things. 4 And it is the faith which we have had on the things which our king has spoken unto us that has brought us to this great knowledge, whereby we do rejoice with such exceedingly great joy. 5  And we are willing to enter into a covenant with our God to do his will, and to be obedient to his commandments in all things that he shall command us, all the remainder of our days, that we may not bring upon ourselves a never-ending torment, as has been spoken by the angel, that we may not drink out of the cup of the wrath of God.
• “President Spencer W. Kimball once pled: “Stake presidents, bishops, and branch presidents, please take a particular interest in improving the quality of teaching in the Church. . . . I fear,” he said, “that all too often many of our members come to church, sit through a class or a meeting, and . . . then return home having been largely [uninspired]. It is especially unfortunate when this happens at a time . . . of stress, temptation, or crisis [in their life]. We all need to be touched and nurtured by the Spirit,” he said, “and effective teaching is one of the most important ways this can happen. We often do vigorous work,” President Kimball concluded, “to get members to come to Church but then do not adequately watch over what they receive when they do come.””  Broken Things to Mend (Jeffrey R. Holland) Kindle Loc. 528-34
• Words of Mormon 1:17 -18 …17  For behold, king Benjamin was a holy man, and he did reign over his people in righteousness; and there were many holy men in the land, and they did speak the word of God with power and with authority; and they did use much sharpness because of the stiffneckedness of the people— 18  Wherefore, with the help of these, king Benjamin, by laboring with all the might of his body and the faculty of his whole soul, and also the prophets, did once more establish peace in the land.
• Jacob 1: 19… And we did magnify our office unto the Lord, taking upon us the responsibility, answering the sins of the people upon our own heads if we did not teach them the word of God with all diligence; wherefore, by laboring with our might their blood might not come upon our garments; otherwise, their blood would come upon our garments, and we would not be found spotless at the last day.
• Jacob 4: 41… And it came to pass that the Lord of the vineyard wept, and said unto the servant: What could I have done more for my vineyard?
• … ”the first years of Church correlation were concerned largely with organization, with programs, with procedures, with committees, and councils and boards. It centered on planning.   Now with perilous days upon us, we must implement those plans.  Providentially, we are prepared at least to a degree, to energize the consummate power of the holy priesthood to protect and perfect the saints and bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.   The announcement of the mission of the Church with its three dimensions moved us toward another kind of correlation beyond the correlation of programs and procedures. It has more to do with implementation than with planning. This is a correlation of spirit, of attitude. This correlation is in the mind, in the heart, in the very soul.  It is in this spirit of correlation and unity that we now pray that you will adopt. We urge you now to concentrate on the mission of the Church rather than to merely manage organizations and programs.”  Elder Boyd K Packer  Regional Representatives Conf April 3, 1987, From President Albert Farnsworth, Mission President of Ecuador Quito from 1993 to 1996.
• Ephesians 4: 11-13…The Lord organized his church with apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers to perfect the saints, work of the ministry, and edifying of the body of Christ so that members can come in the unity of faith, knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
• January 4, 1996 – Thursday – Quito Ecuador… “This morning Elder Abril & I took off to President Farnsworth’s house.  We had a meeting with him to organize the mission, and talk about it’s 3 programs:  Activate, Proselyte, Coordinate.  President helped me to understand how Missionary work functions.  1st of all, the Stake President is in charge of all Missionary Work.  He needs to establish a program in how to find investigators or the chosen in his stake boundaries.  His program is the Stake Mission program:  Stake Missionary President, Ward Mission Leaders, Stake Missionaries.  The Bishop’s in their ward are in charge of fellowshipping and returning the new converts.  He should plan activities and assign Home TEachers, give collings and priesthood, etc.  The Regular Missionaries are there to just teach.  Nothing else.  They’re there to support the wards and the Stake Mission.  After eating a great breakfast (by Sister Farnsworth) and finishing up the papers to send to the Area Presidency and Apostles, I waited in the office for Herrera.  He got me and we took off to our citas.  He taught 8 charlas in the morning. Sweet.  We had a pretty successful day.  Satan is getting all over me.  I’m tired of him, his tricks, and his way of getting us.” – Clinton Brown Missionary Journal
  
• “The transition to Church membership is challenging for most people. It often involves embracing new religious teachings and a new way of life. All members of the Church, particularly new members, need three things to help them stay active in the Church: friendship, opportunities to mature and serve in the Church, and nourishing by the word of God (see Moroni 6:4). Under the bishoprice’s direction, leaders help new members in these areas.” Manual Handbook 2: Administering the Church, The Work of Salvation in the Ward and Stake