Handbooks and Callings
30. Callings in the Church


“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

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

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

  1. Active sealers in a temple should not be called to serve in bishoprics. Sealers are called under the direction of the President of the Church.

30.8.2

Branch Callings

Calling

Recommended by

Approved by

Sustained by

Called and set apart by

Calling

Branch president

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 presidency

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.

  1. Active sealers in a temple should not be called to serve in branch presidencies. Sealers are called under the direction of the President of the Church.