Ministering Supervisor

The LDS Church has just recently made some very significant  improvements to its mission by refocusing on ministering. During the last General Conference, President Nelson did away with the old Home Teaching (HT) and Visiting Teaching (VT) programs to focus more on ministering.   This transition had been in the works for several years beginning with training that instructed HT/VT to prioritize the people and families we were assigned to minister to.  And then just before General  Conference (GC), it was announced that the Ensign/Liahona would no longer feature the usual monthy “First Presidency Message”. The internet was abuzz with anticipation of changes just prior to GC. 

As a newly called Ministering Coordinator, I am excited to be on the front lines during this transition and excited to be a part of the calculus involved in its implementation.  Having been involved in numerous discussions with other ward and stake leaders on this new “non-program”, I do have some observations about the old HT/VT vs. the new simplified and inspired focus on ministering.

First, the LDS Church does not have a professional clergy.  Our local bishops/pastors and other leaders are not paid, and must balance church responsibilities and callings with career and family. Our bishops simply cannot do all the required  ministering themselves. The LDS Church has always delegated ministering responsibilities out to individual members and families. The LDS members have always had a wonderful Christian tradition and culture of ministering to each other. 

The old HT/VT program assigned 2 male and 2 female members a list of between 5-10 other individuals or families to minister to. HT, for example, was counted when the assigned companionship sat down with their assigned families in their home and taught the “First Presidency Message”.   As society has evolved, these proscribed visits have become increasingly difficult and compliance has been poor. I know my home ward/congregation sometimes reported monthly HT compliance in the 15-20% range.

15% compliance is just awful.  I  continually carried a nagging burden of guilt and frustration at not being able to consistently 100% comply with the proscribed monthly visit and message. But while HT/VT numbers were poor, the real work of ministering was happening all along. The HT/VT program just wasn’t measuring it.  Blessings were being given, hospitals visited, meals were prepared and delivered, fallen trees were cleared, firewood was cut, and families were moved in and out.   The HT/VT lesson was proscribed as a way for members to get into the homes and as a means to get to know one another so as to create opportunities to be involved in each others lives and to minister.  The ministering was happening, even though the monthly sit-down lessons were not.

I think our social culture has changed considerably in the last 20 years. With the advent of the internet and social media, people are much more open with what’s going on in their lives, even if they may not always physically visit each other’s homes.  LDS Church leadership recognized this culture shift and simplified  and refocused the HT/VT programs onto pure ministering.

As part of this simplification and refocusing, LDS congregations have combined their men’s organizations. In the past, the men were divided up into generally younger Elders and older High Priests. HT responsibilities were divided between these quorums. However, this division sometimes made it difficult to efficiently carry out the HT program.  High Priests are generally very enthusiastic, and experienced ministers.  Instead of pairing 2 seasoned High Priests together, it’s much more efficient to pair someone strong with someone weaker.  In this way, the most consistent ministers are maximally spread out among the membership.  Also, strong High Priests are more likely to mentor weaker Elders into becoming excellent future ministers.

The new LDS focus on ministering  (not a program) will greatly increase the efficiency and effectively of LDS ministering efforts. With the old HT/VT program consider that the most active LDS families were much more than just double-covered. 

1. Assigned HT Companionship (2)

2. Assigned VT Companionship (2)

3. Husband’s HT Companion (1)

4. Wife’s VT Companion (1)

5. Husband’s HT Assigned Families (#)

6. Wife’s VT Assigned Families (#)

7. Bishop and Church Leadership (#)

8. Church Calling Associates (#)

9. Church Friends (#)

Strong active LDS Families have a huge extensive ministering network. For these active families, ministering support can  come from any of these 9 sources.  While less-active or new members often have a much smaller network and pool of potential assistance and ministering support. A new or returning member may not have many friends, they are less likely to have a calling or be assigned as a HT/VT. New members may join the Church only knowing the missionaries.  However, these missionaries are routinely transferred out of the area after only a couple of months.  New and returning member are lucky to be assigned  good HT/VT’s who consistently visit.  However, Ward Councils usually do a good job of making these assignments. With this new focus on ministering, I am hopeful the highest priority members will be set up with the larger and better ministering networks. 

For maximal efficiency, in addition to being covered by priesthood ministering district leader (Captain of 10), the strongest members could simply be assigned to mutually minister to their ministering companions, friends or close associations via their callings.  This strategy would better prevent the unnecessary duplication of effort for those who least need it.

True Christianity and Inward Obedience

Romans 2:23 Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?

I just now realized that Paul’s issue with the Gentiles and Jews in Rome is similar to what Abinadi was dealing with with the wicked King Noah and his corrupt priests in the Book of Mormon.  

Mosiah 12:29 If ye teach the law of Moses why do ye not keep it? Why do ye set your hearts upon riches? Why do ye commit whoredoms.

Paul was writing to Christians in Rome discussing some of the attitudes and behavior of the Gentiles and Jews.  Many Jews in Rome as well as those in the ancient City of Nephi believed that if they observed the Law of Moses that God would justify them in breaking other commandments involving honesty, fidelity, and sobriety.

2 Nephi 28:8 he will justify in committing a little sin; yea, lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm in this;

Paul is teaching that that it dishonors God to observe the outward commandments of the Law of Moses, and teach there is no longer need to keep the inner commandments of honesty, integrity, sobriety, fidelity, and love of God and our neighbor.  When Paul says: 

Rom 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law (ie circumcision).

Eph. 2:8-9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

The “works” Paul is referring to are the outward observances of the Law of Moses like circumcision, new moon, and sabbath day observances.  Paul taught that Christ’s sacrifice abolished the ourward ordinances of the Law of Moses, but not the inward commandments.  Remember that Paul makes many long lists in his letters as he encourages the Saints in their inward obedience and repentance.

Rom. 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances;

Christ’s sacrifice didn't abolish the requirement to be “honest, true, chaste, benevolent, and in doing good to all men” (Phil 4:8). 

Rom 2: 28-28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

The inward circumcision of the heart is manifest by our acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior and desire to love one another and keep God’s 10 commandments.  Our inward and outward obedience is empowered by Christ’s love and His Spirit within us. 

Christ has given His believers a new system of outward ordinances and observances such as baptism and the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.  However, if we believe that going through these motions alone, absolves us from needing to keep the inward commandments, then we are just as misguided as the ancient Jews. Evangelical Christians, like the ancient Jews, may likewise dishonor God by teaching that we are saved by our confession of Christ alone without also encouraging repentance, and obedience to the inward commandments.   True Christians should always encourage each other in being sober, honest, true, and chaste. 

False doctrine carries grave consequences. Glenn Beck recently discussed the 4 Pillars of American Exceptionalism. There is much about American history that is not at all exceptional and downright deplorable.  But apart from our terrible mistakes, the 4 things that made America special came from our:  1. Families/Marriages, 2. Religiosity, 3. Industry/Innovation, 4. Honesty.  As family, faith, and virtue erode away, so will this nation.  A return to virtue is the only thing that will make America great again.   

The failure of America comes down to the failure of America’s religions.  Pure religion according to James is about welfare and virtue (James 1:27).  Today, religion has turned more into Sunday Morning entertainment. Government has ursurped the Church’s business/duty of providing individual welfare and many religion’s grace-focused doctrine doesn’t speak enough about repentance, or obedience. But Paul had no problem preaching repentance and obedience. 

1 Cor 5:11-13  if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

2 Tim 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these (iniquity), he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

LDS General Conference April 2018

April Conference 2018 was an eventful one.  It started out with a Solemn Assembly where President Russell M. Nelson was sustained as the new President and prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A sustaining vote by common consent is not an election but an opportunity for leaders and members alike to commit to sustain, support and follow the Lord’s chosen leader by covenant.  

Why is a covenant necessary?  Covenants are necessary in the same way and purposes physicians take the Hippocratic Oath or politicians make an Oath of Office.  If making oaths and covenants find their origins in Judeo-christian religion, it shouldn’t he a surprise that the true Church of Jesus Christ makes full use of this principle.  The world inevitably gives us excuses to break our promises, covenants give us a sacred reason to keep them. 

In addition to sustaining a new President and prophet, the LDS Church made some administrative changes.  The Church combined its men’s organizations (Elders and High Priests) and made adjustments to its Home and Visiting Teaching programs.  These changes will simplify, expand, empower, and refocus these programs on ministering.  They also better take advantage of social media technologies.  More information on this ministering program can be seen at the followimg link:

https://www.lds.org/church/news/ministering-to-replace-home-and-visiting-teaching?lang=eng

In this conference we heard many inspirational stories and received excellent counsel. 

President Ballard taught us to never become discouraged, to be Christ-centered, and that Sacrament and Sabbath Day observance is a sign unto God that we remember Him and His Son.  Elder Hawk invited us to be forgiving even when others do not deserve it. Elder Robbins taught that mistakes are stepping stones to success but instead of going from failure to failure, we should grow from failure to failure. 

Elder Renlund taught that temple work and family history can heal family rifts and that the temple will bless anyone it touches like a river. Elder Holmes uncouraged wards to give young men more responsibilities and to not give the Aaronic Priesthood “children’s chairs to sit on”. Elder Christofferson taught that combining Elder and High Priests will unify our efforts, provide mentoring and more effective ministering.  He illustrated the kind of service wards can perform by telling the story of a ward that helped a man harvest his crop of Sugar Beets while he was attending funerals of several if his adult children.  

Elder Wilson told the story of Ensign Frank Blaire who was asked to serve as an acting chaplain for a troop transport ship during the Korean War. The ship was caught in a terrible typhoon and the captain asked Ensign Blaire to pray for the ship. Ensign Blaire didn’t just pray but asked what he could do to be part of the solution. In the end, Ensign Blaire provided spiritual impressions to the captain that saved the crew and the ship. Elder Wilson taught that these spiritual impressions were made possible because Ensign Blaire was 1. living a clean and virtuous life and had confidence to approach God. 2. Asked what he could do to be part of the solution. 3. Committing to act. 4. He practiced in calm waters so he was ready during the storm. Elder Wilson taught that we should be spiritually self reliant, “counsel with the Lord in all thy doings”, and live a guided life. 

Sister Aburto encouraged members to act with one accord, agreement and unity like a kaleidoscope of monarch butterflies. Elder De Feo taught that true disciples love one another, are peacemakers, stand in holy places and make the places they stand holy, listen to prophets voice and love to obey the Lord’s commandments.  President Oaks taught that great things are brought about by small means like how we spend our time and that spiritual fabric (rope) is woven by many small threads. 

Finally, President Russel M. Nelson told us the story of growing up in a less-active home and, as a child, breaking all his parents liqueur bottles wishing them to obey the Word of Wisdom.  He taught that we can be guided in matters large and small, that good revelation is based on good information and that members must increase our spiritual capacity to receive revelation.  President Nelson then announced the construction of seven new temples.

• Salta, Argentina
• Bengaluru, India
• Managua, Nicaragua
• Cagayan de Oro, Philippines
• Layton, Utah
• Richmond, Virginia
• and a major city yet to be determined in Russia

President Nelson said, “My dear brothers and sisters, construction of these temples may not change your life, but your time in the temple surely will.”