“30. Callings in the Church,” Selections from the General Handbook (2023).

“30. Callings in the Church,” Selections from the General Handbook

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30.

Callings in the Church

30.0

Introduction

Callings give members opportunities to feel the joy of serving God by serving His children (see Mosiah 2:17). Callings also help members increase their faith and draw closer to the Lord.

It is not appropriate to aspire to specific callings in the Church (see Mark 10:42–45; Doctrine and Covenants 121:34–37). Nor do Church members “advance” from one calling to another. Serving faithfully in a calling is more important than what the calling is. The Lord honors the dedication of all who serve in His Church.

30.1

Determining Whom to Call

30.1.1

General Guidelines

Those who serve in the Church are called of God (see Hebrews 5:4; Articles of Faith 1:5). Leaders seek the guidance of the Spirit in determining whom to call (see also 4.2.6). They also consider:

The member’s worthiness (as determined in an interview).
Gifts and abilities the member has, or could develop, to bless others.
The member’s personal circumstances, including his or her health and work.
The impact the calling may have on the member’s marriage and family.

Members are blessed for sacrifices they make to serve in the Church. However, a calling should not place undue burdens on individuals and families. Nor should callings make it difficult for members to fulfill their employment responsibilities.

Generally, each member is called to serve in only one calling at a time, in addition to being a ministering brother or sister.

When extending a calling to a married member, leaders ensure that the spouse is aware and supportive of the calling. Before extending a calling to a young man or young woman, leaders obtain approval from a parent or guardian.

Before a calling is extended, the bishop carefully reviews the person’s membership record to verify that it does not include an annotation or formal membership restrictions.

30.1.2

Callings for New Members

Opportunities to serve help members grow spiritually.

Ward leaders give new members opportunities to serve soon after they are baptized and confirmed.

30.1.3

Callings for Those Who Are Not Members

People who are not members of the Church may be called to some positions, such as organist, music director, or a calling to help plan activities. However, they should not be called as teachers, as quorum or organization presidency members, or as Primary music leaders.

30.1.4

Confidentiality

Callings and releases are sacred. Because of this, leaders keep information about proposed callings and releases confidential.

30.1.5

Recommendations and Approvals for Callings

The Chart of Callings indicates who may make recommendations for each calling and who gives approval (see 30.8).

Bishops and stake presidents carefully consider each recommendation, recognizing that it has been prayerfully made. The bishopric or stake presidency has final responsibility to receive inspiration about whom to call.

30.2

Extending a Calling

Receiving a call to serve should be a meaningful spiritual experience for a member.

When a leader extends a calling, he explains that it has come from the Lord.

The leader may also:

Explain the purpose, importance, and responsibilities of the calling.
Encourage the member to seek the Spirit of the Lord in fulfilling the calling.
Testify that the Lord will help the member and will bless him or her for serving faithfully.
Tell the member who will provide training and support for the calling.
Inform the member of any meetings he or she should attend and any resources that are available.

30.3

Sustaining Members in Callings

Those who are called to most Church positions should be presented for sustaining before they begin serving (see Doctrine and Covenants 28:13; 42:11).

The person who conducts the sustaining first announces who was released from the position (if applicable). He invites members to give an expression of thanks for the person’s service (see 30.6).

When presenting a person for sustaining, an authorized priesthood leader invites him or her to stand. The leader may use wording like the following:

“[Name] has been called as [position]. Those in favor of sustaining [him or her] may show it by the uplifted hand. [Pause briefly.] Those opposed, if any, may also show it. [Pause briefly.]”

If a member in good standing opposes the calling, the presiding leader or another assigned priesthood leader meets with him or her in private after the meeting.

30.4

Setting Apart Members to Serve in Callings

For more information, see 18.11.

30.6

Releasing Members from Callings

When a president or bishop is released, his or her counselors are released automatically.

Extending a release is an important opportunity for a leader to express gratitude and to acknowledge God’s hand in the member’s service. The leader meets with the member personally to inform him or her of the release before it is announced publicly. Only those who need to know are informed of a release before it is announced.

An authorized priesthood leader announces the release in the same setting where the person was sustained. The leader may use words like the following:

“[Name] has been released as [position]. Those who would like to express thanks for [his or her] service may show it by the uplifted hand.”

The leader does not ask if anyone opposes.

30.8

Chart of Callings

30.8.1

Ward Callings

Calling	Recommended by	Approved by	Sustained by	Called and set apart by
Calling Bishop ²	Recommended by Stake presidency, using LCR	Approved by First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve	Sustained by Ward members	Called and set apart by Stake president after receiving approval from the First Presidency
Calling Counselors in the bishopric ²	Recommended by Bishop	Approved by Stake presidency and high council	Sustained by Ward members	Called and set apart by Stake president or an assigned counselor
Calling Ward clerk	Recommended by Bishopric	Approved by Stake presidency and high council	Sustained by Ward members	Called and set apart by Stake president or an assigned counselor or high councilor
Calling Ward executive secretary	Recommended by Bishopric	Approved by Stake presidency and high council	Sustained by Ward members	Called and set apart by Stake president or an assigned counselor or high councilor
Calling Elders quorum president	Recommended by Stake presidency (in consultation with the bishop)	Approved by Stake presidency and high council	Sustained by Ward members	Called and set apart by Stake president
Calling Counselors in the elders quorum presidency	Recommended by Quorum president (in consultation with the bishop)	Approved by Stake presidency and high council	Sustained by Ward members	Called and set apart by Stake president or an assigned counselor or high councilor
Calling Other elders quorum callings	Recommended by Quorum presidency	Approved by Bishopric	Sustained by Quorum members	Called and set apart by Quorum president or an assigned counselor
Calling Ward organization presidents	Recommended by Bishopric	Approved by Bishopric	Sustained by Ward members	Called and set apart by Bishop
Calling Counselors in ward organization presidencies	Recommended by Organization president	Approved by Bishopric	Sustained by Ward members	Called and set apart by Bishop or an assigned counselor
Calling Other ward Relief Society, Young Women, Primary, and Sunday School callings	Recommended by Organization presidency	Approved by Bishopric	Sustained by Ward members	Called and set apart by Bishop or an assigned counselor
Calling Ward mission leader (a member of the elders quorum presidency may fill this role; if so, he does not need to be called, sustained, or set apart separately)	Recommended by Bishopric (in consultation with the elders quorum and Relief Society presidents)	Approved by Bishopric	Sustained by Ward members	Called and set apart by Bishop or an assigned counselor
Calling Ward missionaries	Recommended by Bishopric or elders quorum and Relief Society presidents	Approved by Bishopric	Sustained by Ward members	Called and set apart by Bishop or an assigned counselor
Calling Ward temple and family history leader (a member of the elders quorum presidency may fill this role; if so, he does not need to be called, sustained, or set apart separately)	Recommended by Bishopric (in consultation with the elders quorum and Relief Society presidents)	Approved by Bishopric	Sustained by Ward members	Called and set apart by Bishop or an assigned counselor
Calling Assistants to the priests quorum president	Recommended by Bishop (as the priests quorum president)	Approved by Bishopric	Sustained by Quorum members	Called and set apart by Bishop
Calling Teachers and deacons quorum presidents	Recommended by Bishopric	Approved by Bishopric	Sustained by Quorum members	Called and set apart by Called by the bishop or an assigned counselor; set apart by the bishop
Calling Counselors in the teachers and deacons quorum presidencies and quorum secretaries	Recommended by Quorum president	Approved by Bishopric	Sustained by Quorum members	Called and set apart by Bishop or an assigned counselor
Calling Young Women class presidents	Recommended by Bishopric (in consultation with the Young Women presidency)	Approved by Bishopric	Sustained by Class members	Called and set apart by Bishop or an assigned counselor
Calling Counselors in Young Women class presidencies and class secretaries	Recommended by Class president	Approved by Bishopric	Sustained by Class members	Called and set apart by Bishop or an assigned counselor
Calling Interpreters if needed	Recommended by Bishopric	Approved by Bishopric	Sustained by Ward members	Called and set apart by Bishop or an assigned counselor
Calling Other ward callings	Recommended by Bishopric	Approved by Bishopric	Sustained by Ward members	Called and set apart by Bishop or an assigned counselor

30.8.2

Branch Callings

Calling	Recommended by	Approved by	Sustained by	Called and set apart by
Calling Branch president¹	Recommended by Stake, mission, or district presidency	Approved by Stake presidency and high council or mission presidency	Sustained by Branch members	Called and set apart by Stake or mission president (or the district president if assigned)
Calling Counselors in the branch presidency¹	Recommended by Branch president	Approved by Stake presidency and high council or mission presidency (or, when authorized by the mission president, the district presidency)	Sustained by Branch members	Called and set apart by Stake, mission, or district president or an assigned counselor
Calling Branch clerk, assistant clerks, and executive secretary	Recommended by Branch presidency	Approved by Stake presidency and high council or mission presidency (or, when authorized by the mission president, the district presidency)	Sustained by Branch members	Called and set apart by Stake president or an assigned counselor or high councilor (for branches in stakes); district president or a priesthood leader he assigns (for branches in missions)
Calling Elders quorum president	Recommended by Stake, district, or mission presidency (in consultation with the branch president)	Approved by Stake presidency and high council or mission presidency (or, when authorized by the mission president, the district presidency)	Sustained by Branch members	Called and set apart by Stake or mission president (or the district president if assigned)
Calling Counselors in the elders quorum presidency	Recommended by Quorum president (in consultation with the branch president)	Approved by Stake presidency and high council or mission presidency (or, when authorized by the mission president, the district presidency)	Sustained by Branch members	Called and set apart by Stake or mission president or an assigned counselor or high councilor (or the district president or another priesthood leader if assigned)
Calling Other branch callings	Recommended by See 30.8.1, substituting branch president for bishop and branch for ward.				Approved by See 30.8.1, substituting branch president for bishop and branch for ward.	Sustained by See 30.8.1, substituting branch president for bishop and branch for ward.	Called and set apart by See 30.8.1, substituting branch president for bishop and branch for ward.