Back to Being Bishop

On September 8th, 2019 Jason was called to be the bishop of the 27th East Ward in the Emigration Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  For those not familiar with the LDS faith, it can be hard to explain the role of a bishop.  The term doesn't quite correlate with the prestige of a Catholic bishop.  As the leader of our local congregation, his service corresponds more closely to that of a pastor or minister.  However, unlike many ecclesiastical leaders, Jason is not paid.

In pondering the term "bishop," my understanding felt a little foggy, despite growing up in the LDS faith and being married to one for the past three years.  (Now there's a marked difference between Mormon and Catholic bishops...)  So I looked up the "job description" in the Church Handbook available online.  I'm copying and pasting the text below, not that anyone needs to read it, but just to give an idea as to how extensive the calling is.

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.

As you might imagine, this is not a job that many sign up for.  The process of calling a new bishop generally involves a lot of prayer, not only from leaders praying for inspiration about who God would have serve, but also from the poor bloke who suddenly finds himself asked to take on such a daunting responsibility.  The bishop is "the ward's primary spiritual leader" who should "teach, lift, and inspire."  He has a "divine mandate to seek out and care for those with temporal needs."  He's the one asked to "meet with ward members who seek spiritual guidance, who have weighty personal problems, or who have committed serious sins."  Oh, and let's not forget that "the bishop coordinates the work of salvation and exaltation in the ward," all while balancing family life and working a day job.

The truth is, the calling is far more encompassing than any one person can manage.  Perhaps that's the point.  The bishop really has to rely on other members of the congregation to minister to one another.  It's pretty much guaranteed that at some point, he will fall short and even fail.  So when a bishop meets with ward members who are struggling, he really understands what it's like to need the grace of our Savior and the atonement to make up the difference.

In decades past, bishops might serve for twenty or thirty years, but these days bishops generally serve for five.  A little over three years in, and I thought our family was over the hump and on the easy slide out.  Nope!  On October 23rd, Jason was released as bishop as the 27th East Ward.  About 30 seconds later, he was called again, this time as bishop of the new 27th ward that was created by combining the legacy 27th and 27th East wards.

And so, the calling of bishop has expanded significantly for my sweet husband.  He now has twice the number of people under his stewardship and an entire ward to reorganize.  Instead of considering the change to be hard, I think we should just be grateful that we had three years of "easy".  As much as I wish I could lighten Jason's load, my heart recognizes that he is the right man for the job.  Prior to moving to our Virginia Street home, we attended the congregation that merged with ours.  We love and feel connected to both legacy wards and are really excited about their unification.

Perhaps best of all, "the bishop's foremost responsibility is to the rising generation in the ward."  This adjustment happened in October 2019,  just a month into Jason's tenure as bishop.   In that moment, I understood why Jason needed to be bishop (he's so good with the youth) and felt peace that our children would be okay.  The truth is that much of the time Jason is gone "bishoping," he's actually spending quality time with his teens and building lasting relationships.  Church service may not pay well, but there really are uncounted blessings.

So...may I bring you fun photos of some youth activities, all taken from Jason's camera roll.  He may not be in many of these pictures, but that's because he's behind the lens.  I guess they need to add "Photographer" to the bishop's job description.

Hanging out at a stake young men's activity.

Eli appears to be clarifying the rules of nine square.

As the bishop's daughter, Annika often gets a free pass to participate.

Next up, a swim party and s'mores at the Shepherds.

Talia thought this midweek Ultimate activity at Popperton was great.  She even got Janet Sirstins tossing a disc.

Treats at the Blackham's home.

This next activity was super awesome.  The youth got a private tour of West High, courtesy of Jared Wright, current West High Principal and former bishop of the legacy 27th ward.

The school may be big, but Eli is loving West.  Go Panthers!

The youth even got to explore some spaces that are typically off limits to students.  

I guess there are perks when your Dad is the principal.

West High's room with a view--much prettier on the outside!

Salt Lake City gal.

I love our youth program!  Combining wards has been so natural for these teens since our youth programs have been bookended for years, with both legacy wards meeting together.  These guys are just glad that their parents finally caught up.

West High is celebrating a hundred years this year, but instead of giving the school a clean-up, it looks like they will be tearing it down.  I know the school needs work, but I still feel a bit gutted.  I was hoping the school would last a century more.  Why?  Because West High rocks!

More hidden spaces.  Oh the secrets a custodian knows...

Watch your head and mind the dirt!

Last but not least, Talia and Eli admire the Krakens display case.  Moments of glory!

Next activity: a haunted corn maze.  See, bishoping is fun!

Continuing on, a combined ward barbecue at the top of City Creek Canyon.  Little did we know that soon we would  be a single ward.  (Well, actually Jason and I knew, but it wasn't appropriate to share that information yet.)

Jason's counselor Mark Harmon made the most delicious street tacos.  Thank you!

Mark's wife Aubri and their new baby Judd, followed by a pic of their daughter Rose.

Sonja grills some tortillas.

Good food always brings people together.

The Moultons.

Jared and Cynthia Gandy.

A pioneer visitor who looks remarkably like Richard Macfarlane.

Bet you all wish Peter Breinholt were in your ward.

Inaugural use of my new firepit.  Love it!

Youth and ward activities are great, but perhaps the most important thing that happens within a congregation is caring for each other day to day.  Our sweet friend Amy Jo has been in the hospital way too much lately.  While we can't fix all her problems, I'm glad we could bring a card and a song.

Brooklyn and Talia, both your Mom and your bishop thank you for bringing a bit of music to the hospital.  And Amy Jo, we were so glad to see you back in church again today.  The 27th ward needs your smile!