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BULLETIN, Aug., 1980-Oct., 1983.
1981: Apr.: Youth interviews by bishopric.
“A member of the bishopric should interview Aaronic Priesthood-age young men and young women of corresponding ages at least every six months. Bishops should interview every young man or young woman on their birthday, and priest-age young men and young women of corresponding ages at least every six months. Bishops’ counselors should interview teachers, deacons, and young women of corresponding ages six months after their birthday.
During these interviews, the bishopric members should determine, among other things, that young men and young women are being taught the gospel and are developing a close, personal relationship with the Savior. Only the bishop should discuss moral cleanliness, including chastity. All members of the bishopric should emphasize Christian service, missionary preparation, preparation for temple endowment and marriage, and attendance at meetings.” (“Bulletin,” No. 10, Apr., 1981)
Jul.: Priesthood leader may know tithing status.
“Bishops and branch presidents occasionally are asked for information on the membership or financial contributions of members living in their units. Such information from Church records is confidential. A bishop or branch president is not to release it except in the following cases:
. . . .
Tithing and Contribution Information
a. A member asking for information from his own record.
b. A priesthood leader asking for the tithing status (that is, full, part, or exempt) of a member within his jurisdiction (see General Handbook of Instructions, no. 21, p. 93.)”
(“Bulletin,” No. 13, Jul., 1981)
Aug.: Monthly home teaching messages.
“A letter from President Ezra Taft Benson dated 1 December 1980 stated the following:
We suggest that the First Presidency Message carried in the Ensign magazine be considered for use as a monthly home teaching message.
Home teachers may present a First Presidency message to their families at any appropriate time after it appears in the Ensign, as instructed by their priesthood leaders. These messages need not be presented throughout the Church in the same month as they are printed in the Ensign. They are not out of date if presented later.” (“Bulletin,” No. 14, Aug., 1981)
Sep.: Training for MP quorum leaders.
“Stake presidencies and high councilors serving on the stake Melchizedek Priesthood committee are responsible to train Melchizedek Priesthood quorum and group leaders. New quorum leaders should be trained carefully at the time they are called, and all quorum leaders should receive regular in-service training throughout their term of service. Stake presidencies and high councilors assigned to quorums should also provide individual guidance and encouragement through regular personal priesthood interviews and personal visits.
Initial training should include instruction in selecting counselors, secretaries, instructors, and committee chairmen; preparing for quorum and presidency meetings; basic duties and principles of quorum leadership and administration; and dealing with other immediate demands of the first two to four weeks.
In-service training should be part of stake priesthood leadership meetings and meetings of the stake Melchizedek Priesthood committee when quorum leaders are invited. It should include counsel regarding home teaching, quorum administration and instruction, activation, and single adults, and the missionary, genealogy, and welfare programs. Personal priesthood interviews and personal visits to quorum or presidency meetings also provide valuable in-service training opportunities.
The basic training resources include the Melchizedek Priesthood Handbook and other approved guidelines and manuals.” (“Bulletin,” No. 15, Sep., 1981)
Oct.: Appropriate attire to enter temples.
“The conduct, clothing, and grooming of temple patrons should show their reverence for the temple and its ordinances. Members should dress to enter the temple the same as they should dress to attend sacrament meeting. However, brethren should wear clean white shirts and ties when they enter the temple to witness a marriage. A suit jacket is encouraged but is optional in hot climates.” (“Bulletin,” No. 16, Oct., 1981)
Dec.: Temple garment for military personnel.
“The First Presidency has approved a crew-neck top for the two piece temple garment for men serving in the military forces. This top meets military requirements to wear crew-neck T-shirts. The new top is 100 percent cotton. It is available through the Beehive Clothing distribution center only and may be purcahsed in person or by mail order as a special order item at Beehive Clothing. . . . At present, these tops will be sold only to members serving in the military forces, including active duty, reserve, and National Guard components, due to limited quantities available. Proof of military status will be required at the time of purchase. . . . As soon as production permits, the top will be available in all Beehive Clothing distribution centers for all members.” (“Bulletin,” No. 18, Dec., 1981)
1982: Feb.: Counseling RMs concerning marriage.
“Priesthood leaders should counsel returning missionaries on the importance of continuing to live standards that will lead to celestial marriage. However, leaders should not recommend or imply that a missionary should marry within a specified time following his release. Although the returned missionary should keep himself worthy and moving toward marriage, the decision to marry is so important that he should make it only after the most prayerful and careful consideration. The postmission period is one of social, emotional, and physical readjustment, with differing individual demands of employment and education. The returned missionary should not feel the additional pressure of time limits to make this very personal, sacred, and significant decision.” (“Bulletin,” No. 20, Feb., 1982)
1983: May: Use of HP and 70 to assist elders with HT.
“The Guidelines for Priesthood Home Teaching published in May 1908 include the folloing important instructions:
Each inactive Melchizedek Priesthood bearer and prospective elder and their families should be assigned to the quorum or group that can provide the most effective fellowshipping and teaching. Where there is a need, high priests and seventies may be assigned to teach prospective and inactive elders. In such instances fellowshipping may occur for these brethren in the priesthood quorum or group to which they are assigned for home teaching purposes. Home teachers will report to their own quorum presidencies or group leaders.
Where the bishopric assigns such brethren to a quiorum or group other than the one that correlates with the priesthood they hold, the new quorum or group should–
a. Take responsibility for home teaching the brother and his family. Home teachers report their activities to the leadership of their own quorum or group.
b. Invite the brother and his family to the socials and other fellowshipping activities of the new quorum or group.
c. Invite the brother to attend the meetings of the new quorum or group.”
(“Bulletin,” No. 35, May, 1983)
Aug.: PPIs with home teachers.
“The personal priesthood interview is a private interview conducted between the Melchizedek Priesthood quorum leader and the home teacher. The purposes of this interview are to:
1. Report the activities of the home teachers with their assigned families, including the visits made to the families.
2. Consider the needs of assigned families, set goals, and plan activities or contacts to provide needed encouragement and assistance.
3. Motivate, inspire, and train home teachers.
When properly conducted, the personal priesthood interview can be a powerful tool for accomplishing the Lord’s work. Quorum leaders can strengthen their interviews and home teaching in general by:
1. Conducting interviews regularly.
2. Conducting interviews in a private setting where the needs of families can be discussed and prayer can be offered.
3. Teaching home teachers the importance of having the Ensign in their home and using it to present the First Presidency messsage to their families. Special messages from the quorum leader or bishop or one requested by the father or head of household are also appropriate.
4. Teaching home teachers to work through and consult with the father or head of household regarding family needs and ways in which they can be most helpful.
5. Using the interview to obtain information that will enable the quorum presidency to organize the resources of the quorum to meet needs of families.
6. Using the suggested report forms in the interview.”
(“Bulletin,” No. 38, Aug., 1983)
Oct.: Helping disfellowshipped/excommunicated members.
“Stake presidents and bishops should review section 8, ‘The Church Judicial System,’ of the General Handbook of Instructions, 1983. The subsection titled ‘Fellowshipping’ contains instructions on helping disfellowshippped members and excommunicants. A review of this instruction will remind local leaders that the objective of Church courts is not to keep anyone out of the church, but to help the disciplined repent and return to full fellowship.
The time just after an individual has been disfellowshipped or excommunicated is critical and difficult for him or her and, equally important, for members of his or her family. During this time, leaders as well as Church members should be especially patient and sensitive to the needs of those involved. Leaders as well as members should seek constant guidance from the Holy Spirit in assisting and encouraging those who have been disciplined, their companions, and their families. They may have a greater need for sustained love and considerate attention than at any other time. Such genuine concern can give them hope, a great incentive to repentance, and can assure them that they have not been abandoned.
Stake presidents and bishops are to consider the status regularly of those who have been disciplined and be sure everything possible is being done to help them regain the full blessings of the gospel.” (“Bulletin,” No. 40, Oct., 1983)