Below you will find Prince’s research excerpts titled, “LDS General Handbooks: Bulletin, 1987-Present.” You can view other topics here.
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BULLETIN, 1987-present.
1987: Appropriate dress for temple attendance.
“Bishops and stake presidents are asked to remind those who attend the temple about the importance of dressing appropriately. Brethren and sisters should wear clothing that is appropriate for sacrament meeting when they go to the temple. This instruction may be emphasized during the temple recommend interview.”
(“Bulletin,” No. 1987-1)
Brown two-piece garments for military.
“Be advised that a two-piece temple garment, dyed and specially treated, for endowed members entering or serving in the U. S. Army is available through garment distribution outlets. The brown garment should be worn only with the battle dress uniform as required. A white two-piece, crew-neck, T-shirt type garment is also available.” (“Bulletin,” No. 1987-1)
New instructions for clothing the dead.
“A new booklet containing instructions for clothing the dead is available at the Church distribution centers. Distribution of this booklet, titled Instructions for Clothing the Dead Who Have Received Their Endowments (PERS0135; no charge), should be limited to stake presidents, mission presidents, temple presidents, bishops, and Relief Society presidents.” (“Bulletin,” No. 1987-1)
Discontinuance of language aptitude test.
“Prospective missionaries will no longer take the Modern Language Aptitude Test. The space on the current Missionary Recommendation form for the language test score should now be left blank. A revised Missionary Recommendation form is available from the Salt Distribution Center. This revised form contains alternative methods to determine a missionary’s interest in and aptitude for learning another language. Bishops are encouraged to obtain and use the revised form as soon as possible.” (“Bulletin,” No. 1987-2)
Emphasis on temple and genealogical service.
“Priesthood leaders should prepare now for a churchwide emphasis on temple and genealogical service beginning the last half of 1987. Stake conferences will emphasize temple service during the second half of 1987 and genealogical service during the first half of 1988.
A substantial effort is under way to simplify genealogical work–to make it easier for the average member of the Church to do. Members are encouraged to begin by identifying at least one ancestor for whom they can receive temple ordinances. Priesthood leaders should assure members that they do not need to be trained genealogists to perform this service. Just as members receive help from called workers in the temple, they will receive help from called workers as they seek to identify their ancestors.
Priesthood leaders should call and train key temple and genealogical leaders for this emphasis. These positions and their resonsibilities are outlined in the single sheet of instructions ‘Temple and Genealogical Service: Instructions for Leaders.’ This one-sheet guide helps priesthood leaders prepare for the churchwide emphasis on temple and genealogical service by stating what they should emphasize and teach, whom they should call and train, and what the new resources are available to assist them. The guide lists the duties of–
1. The stake president and bishop.
2. The assigned high councilor who serves as stake temple and genealogical adviser.
3. The high priests group leaders (ward temple and genealogical advisers).
4. The ward temple and genealogical consultants.
The guide is included in the booklet Come unto Christ through Temple Ordinances and Covenants, listed below.
Other important new materials have also been prepared to encourage and help simplify member involvement in temple and genealogical service. These materials (listed below) will soon be available in all Church distribution centers.” (“Bulletin,” No. 1987-5)
Simplified procedure for names submission.
“Names submission is a key part of the 1987-88 churchwide emphasis on temple and genealogical service. To facilitate this effort, the process of submitting names for temple ordinances has been simplified in five major ways.
Details will be provided in Submitting Names for Temple Ordinances: Instructions for Genealogical Leaders.” (“Bulletin,” No. 1987-5)
Terms of service for missionary couples.
“Missionary couples may serve for either eighteen months or twelve months. Only those serving for eighteen months will be considered for assignments outside their native lands. A six-month term of service will be considered only for those in vocations such as agriculture, where opportunities to serve are limited by seasonal requirements.” (“Bulletin,” No. 1987-7)
Counselors to stk. pres. may set apart full-time mission.
“Stake presidents should ensure that all full-time missionaries are set apart before they depart for the Missionary Training Center. Either the stake president or one of his counselors designated by him should serve as the voice in the setting apart. Other worthy Melchizedek Priesthood bearers, including the missionary’s father, may be invited to stand in the circle.” (“Bulletin,” No. 1987-7)