Copyright © 1997

1. Allow each member to have a say with "free, open discussion with clear, concise communication."
2. "Have a joining of forces in a spirit of loving cooperation."
3. Have a united action producing a greater effect that the sum of the various parts.
4. Work together to produce an out-pouring of affection and interest for those under their stewardship.
5. Use the order of the church to gain help for its members.
   • Help the members help themselves
   • Get the members immediate and extended families to help the member.
   • When a and b cannot provide the help for the member then the church steps in.
6. Watch for opportunities to grow relationships between the members and investigators to lessen the dependence investigators have with the missionaries.
7. Make sure new converts are:
   • Fellowshipped
   • Have good Home Teachers and Visiting Teachers immediately
   • "They receive an appropriate calling within days of their baptism."
8. See that less actives receive a calling the assures they are needed and loved.
9. Be guided by those holding authority not by a democratic forum.
10. Run by the direction of the Holy Spirit and are never superseded by majority rule.
11. Never underestimate the power and worth of other member's input especially when guided by the Spirit.
12. Do the work not the leader alone.
13. Should run by a pre formulated plan or agenda put together by the leader and the Spirit.
    • The framework of which should include a vision or focus of where we want to go, what we want to do.
14. Work from an agenda distributed by the leader, at lease 24 hours before the meeting.
    • This time is used for council member to be able to read, ponder, and pray about the items so they may be ready to discuss these items at the meeting.
15. "Focus on ministering to people not administering programs."
    • (See the mission of the church, #27.)
16. Be motivated when they feel a sense of purpose or part of the cause, which comes from seeing the vision or being focused.
17. Be allowed to buy into the vision by free expression (agency) and a participation in the decisions (= buying into the idea) which makes each member feels responsibility for outcomes.
18. Understand that if the decisions made in the councils are made in:
    • righteousness holiness faith virtue
    • temperance godliness charity
    • knowledge
    • lowliness of heart
    • meekness
    • long suffering
    • brotherly kindness
    • patience
    • they shall not be unfruitful in the knowledge of the Lord (D&C 107:30-31).
19. ...let every man learn his duty. . .to act in . . .his office. . . in all diligence. . . to be counted worthy to stand" (D&C 107:99-100).
20. Exercise themselves in prayer.
21. Know that councils bring together the wisdom of divergent views and backgrounds, that through the Spirit a correct accord can be reached and acted upon.
22. Power is gained from drawing upon the diversity of backgrounds, abilities, and spiritual gifts of each member of the council.
23. Listen to the member's point of view.
    • Strive to create a proper climate in the meeting.
    • Be sensitive to other's thoughts.
    • Never interrupt another's conversation.
    • Don't push their own ideas, but try to determine what would be best for the kingdom.
24. Should know that " . . .every decision. . .be by . . .unanimous voice. . .every member in each quorum must agree to its decisions. . ." D&C 107: 27
25. Table all discussions that lack unanimity to convene further thought, prayer, and discussion.
    • However this is not always possible. Some decisions require a quick response.
    • It is times like these that decisions are made by the President through inspiration promised him/her through the keys and mantle of the leadership position.
    • When this happens the council should support the decision of the President as if it were an unanimous decision.
26. Be confidential about information discussed. Some information can be destructive to other's lives.
27. Make the central focus of each plan/activity be based around the mission of the church:
    • Bringing souls to Christ
    • Proclaiming the gospel
    • Perfecting the Saints
    • Redeeming the Dead
28. Will be surprised how much more focused and fruitful the work will become when examining it through the lens of saving souls through the mission of the church.
29. The greatest mission of church councils are to make a difference in peoples lives

Ballard, M. Russell (1997). Counseling with Our Councils. Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company.

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