Policies and Announcements

The following letter, signed by the First Presidency, was sent to Church leaders with instructions for it to be read in sacrament meetings and stake conferences:

“Members of the Church continue to place telephone calls and write letters to Church headquarters about doctrinal issues and personal matters. With the ever-increasing membership, the ability to respond personally to these inquiries presents an almost insurmountable task.

The Lord in His wisdom so organized His Church that there is accessible to every member—man, woman and child—a bishop or branch president and a stake or mission president who serve as spiritual advisers and as temporal counselors. By reason of their ordination, these priesthood leaders are entitled to the spirit of discernment and inspiration to enable them to counsel members within their jurisdiction. Such leaders who have need for further clarification about doctrinal issues may write in behalf of their members to the First Presidency.

“In expressing our love and appreciation for the faith and devotion of members of this Church everywhere, we are confident that both members and local leaders will be blessed as they pray and counsel together to resolve issues of concern to them.”