The Bishop and His Counselors
The bishop holds the priesthood keys to lead the work of the Church in the ward (see 3.4.1). He and his counselors form a bishopric. They receive guidance from the stake presidency. They care for ward members with love, helping them become true followers of Jesus Christ (see Moroni 7:48).
The bishop and his counselors are high priests. If they are not high priests when they are called, they should be ordained high priests before they are set apart to serve.
The bishop has five principal responsibilities:
He is the presiding high priest in the ward.
He is president of the Aaronic Priesthood.
He is a common judge.
He coordinates the work of salvation and exaltation, including caring for those in need.
He oversees records, finances, and the use of the meetinghouse.
Because the bishop holds priesthood keys, he has the right to receive revelation for the ward (see Doctrine and Covenants 128:11). Therefore, some responsibilities are his alone. These are described in this chapter.
The bishop’s foremost responsibility is to the rising generation in the ward (the children, youth, and young single adults). To enable him to concentrate on this responsibility, he delegates many assignments (see 4.2.5). He may delegate to his counselors, the clerk and assistant clerks, the executive secretary, quorum and organization leaders, and others.
If the bishop is unable to perform his responsibilities, a counselor may act in his place temporarily, except as noted in this handbook. The bishop or his counselor consults with the stake president if he has questions about the counselor acting for the bishop.
7.1.1
Presiding High Priest
The bishop is the ward’s primary spiritual leader. He sets an example by serving “with holiness of heart” (Mosiah 18:12). He teaches, uplifts, and inspires (see Matthew 20:28). He follows the principles of leadership in Doctrine and Covenants 121:34–46.
A bishop is a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ. He is true to his covenants. He is loyal to his wife and family. He sets an example of righteousness for his family, the ward, and the community. (See 1 Timothy 3:2–7.) His counselors are men of similar character.
The bishop provides guidance and counsel to other leaders in the ward. He encourages them in their responsibilities.
7.1.1.1
Ward Organizations and Priesthood Quorums
The bishop has responsibility for the ward Relief Society and Young Women organizations. He assigns his counselors responsibility for the Sunday School and Primary organizations and other ward programs. (See 9.3.1, 11.3.1, 12.3.1, and 13.2.1.)
The bishop’s responsibilities for Aaronic Priesthood quorums are outlined in 7.1.2. His responsibilities for elders quorums are outlined in 8.3.1.
The bishop also guides the elders quorum and Relief Society presidents in overseeing ministering. He meets with these two presidents together at least quarterly to address the needs of individuals and families (see 21.2).
7.1.1.2
Ordinances and Blessings
The bishop directs the administration of the following ordinances and blessings in the ward:
The sacrament
Naming and blessing of children
Baptism and confirmation of 8-year-old children of record (for those with intellectual disabilities, see 38.2.8.1; for converts, see 31.2.3.2)
Conferral of the Aaronic Priesthood and ordination to the offices of deacon, teacher, and priest
For information about ordinances and blessings, see chapter 18.
7.1.1.3
Councils and Meetings
The bishop leads the ward council and the ward youth council (see 29.2.5 and 29.2.6). He uses these councils to help coordinate the work of salvation and exaltation in the ward. He delegates much of this work and follows up on assignments (see 4.2.5).
The bishop invites leaders to counsel together about how to build spiritual strength and unity in the ward. He encourages all council members to seek inspiration and participate in discussions. (See Doctrine and Covenants 88:122; see also 4.4 in this handbook.)
The bishopric plans sacrament meetings and other ward meetings listed in chapter 29. The bishop presides at ward meetings unless a member of the stake presidency, an Area Seventy in his area, or a General Authority attends. The bishop’s counselors may conduct these meetings. They also preside if the bishop is absent.
7.1.1.4
Callings and Releases
The bishop’s responsibilities for callings and releases are outlined in chapter 30. He may assign his counselors to extend callings and releases as outlined in 30.8.
7.1.2
President of the Aaronic Priesthood
“The bishopric is the presidency of [the Aaronic] priesthood, and holds the keys or authority of the same” (Doctrine and Covenants 107:15; see also verse 20). The bishop has the following responsibilities as the president of the Aaronic Priesthood in the ward. His counselors assist him.
Support parents in teaching youth. Help youth serve faithfully, make and keep sacred covenants, and prepare to receive the ordinances of the temple. Help young men prepare to be ordained to priesthood offices and to serve full-time missions. If young women desire to serve full-time missions, help them prepare. The Children and Youth program can help in these efforts (see ChildrenandYouth.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
Oversee Aaronic Priesthood quorums and Young Women classes. The bishop is president of the priests quorum (see Doctrine and Covenants 107:87–88). His first counselor has responsibility for the teachers quorum. His second counselor has responsibility for the deacons quorum. For more information about Aaronic Priesthood quorum leadership, see 10.3, 10.4, and 10.5.
Counsel with the ward Young Women president. The bishop does not delegate this assignment to a counselor. He and his counselors also regularly participate in Young Women meetings, service, and activities. (See 11.3.1.)
Meet regularly with each youth. For guidelines about these meetings, see 31.3.1.
Support families and Primary leaders and teachers in their efforts to help children make and keep covenants (see chapter 12).
7.1.3
Common Judge
The bishop is the common judge in the ward (see Doctrine and Covenants 107:71–74). He strives to follow the example of the Savior as a righteous judge (see 3 Nephi 27:27). He has the following responsibilities:
Help youth and adults qualify for and be worthy of a temple recommend.
Conduct interviews as outlined in 31.2. He may authorize his counselors to conduct certain interviews (see 31.2.2). For guidelines, see 31.1.
Meet with ward members who seek spiritual guidance, who have weighty personal problems, or who have committed serious sins, helping them draw on the healing power of Jesus Christ. The bishop may ask his counselors, elders quorum and Relief Society presidents, and others to meet with ward members about some matters. However, only the bishop meets with ward members about matters of worthiness, abuse, and approval to use fast-offering funds. For guidelines, see 31.1.
Under the direction of the stake president, hold membership councils as needed. For guidelines, see chapter 32.
7.1.4
Coordinating the Work of Salvation and Exaltation
The bishop coordinates the work of salvation and exaltation in the ward (see chapter 1). His counselors and other ward leaders assist him.
The bishop helps members live the gospel. He helps them strengthen their faith in Heavenly Father and in Jesus Christ and His Atonement (see Doctrine and Covenants 20:29). He teaches them to pray and study the scriptures. He invites them to make covenants by receiving the ordinances of salvation and exaltation. He encourages them to keep their covenants.
The bishop strengthens Church members. He encourages families to participate in regular family prayer and learn the gospel together, including in home evening. He teaches them to love and serve one another. He teaches by word and example that Church callings can be fulfilled without detracting from family responsibilities. He ensures that Church activities support parents’ efforts to raise their children in righteousness.
In addition to helping members live the gospel, the bishop has other responsibilities in the work of salvation and exaltation. For example, he:
Helps men prepare to be ordained to priesthood offices.
Leads efforts to care for those in need in the ward (see 7.1.4.1 and 22.2.1).
Guides the elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies as they lead ministering efforts in the ward (see 21.2.1).
Coordinates the work of the elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies as they lead the ward’s efforts to share the gospel and strengthen new and returning members (see 23.1).
Coordinates the efforts of the elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies as they lead temple and family history work in the ward (see 25.2).
Helps members prepare to receive a temple recommend and temple ordinances (see 27.1).
7.1.4.1
Leading Efforts to Care for Those with Temporal Needs
The bishop has a divine mandate to seek out and care for those with temporal needs (see Doctrine and Covenants 84:112). He delegates much of this work to the Relief Society and elders quorum presidencies.
Some duties are performed only by the bishop. For example, he determines the type, amount, and duration of any temporal assistance provided by the Church. In doing so, he often consults with the Relief Society and elders quorum presidents. For more information, see 22.4 and 22.5.
Members of the bishopric teach the principles of caring for those in need and building self-reliance (see 22.1). They also teach the law of the fast (see 22.2.2). They oversee the gathering of fast offerings (see 34.3.2).
The bishop instructs other ward leaders in their responsibilities to care for those in need. He also leads the ward council in these efforts.
For more information about how the bishop cares for those in need, see 22.6.1.
7.1.5
Records, Finances, and the Meetinghouse
The bishop oversees ward records, ward finances, and the meetinghouse. He may assign much of the work with records and finances to his counselors and clerks.
He may assign one of his counselors to serve as the ward building representative, or he may call another member to do so.
