“19. Callings in the Church,” Handbook 2: Administering the Church (2019)

“19. Callings in the Church,” Handbook 2

Callings in the Church

This chapter provides information about calling and releasing members to serve in the Church. The Chart of Callings, 19.7, lists selected callings and specifies who recommends a person, who approves the recommendation, who sustains the person, and who calls and sets apart the person. Callings on the chart are filled according to need and as members are available.

19.1

Determining Whom to Call

19.1.1

General Guidelines

A person must be called of God to serve in the Church (see Articles of Faith 1:5). Leaders seek the guidance of the Spirit in determining whom to call. They consider the worthiness that may be required for the calling. They also consider the member’s personal or family circumstances. Each calling should benefit the people who are served, the member, and the member’s family.

Although service in Church callings requires sacrifice, it should not compromise a member’s ability to fulfill family and employment responsibilities (see 17.2.1). Before calling a married person to an assignment that requires a significant time commitment, Church leaders consider the effect of the calling on the marriage and family.

If possible, a member is called to serve in only one calling, in addition to serving as a ministering brother or sister.

Leaders keep information about proposed callings and releases confidential. Only those who need to know, such as an organization president who has responsibility for the person, are informed before the person is presented for a sustaining vote. A person who is being considered for a calling is not notified until the calling is issued.

When a calling will be extended by or under the direction of the stake president, the bishop should be consulted to determine the member’s worthiness and the family, employment, and Church service circumstances. The stake presidency then asks the high council to sustain the decision to call the person, if necessary according to the Chart of Callings.

When a young man or young woman will be called to a Church position, a member of the bishopric obtains approval from the parents or guardians before issuing the calling.

Leaders may extend a Church calling only after (1) a person’s membership record is on file in the ward and has been carefully reviewed by the bishop or (2) the bishop has contacted the member’s previous bishop to determine that the member is worthy for the calling and to verify that his or her membership record does not include an annotation or a comment about unresolved Church discipline.

New converts should be given an appropriate calling or another responsibility to serve as soon as possible. Some new members may be ready for callings as soon as they are baptized and confirmed. Others may need to receive simple assignments that would help them prepare to receive callings. A member of the bishopric interviews new converts before calling them to teach children or youth.

People who are not members of the Church may be called to some positions, such as organist, music director, and assistant Scout leader. However, they should not be called to teaching or administrative positions or as Primary music leaders. The allowance to call nonmembers to some positions does not apply to excommunicated members, who may not have any callings.

19.1.2

Recommendations and Approvals for Callings

The Chart of Callings indicates who may make recommendations for each calling and who gives approval. In some cases, priesthood and organization leaders are asked to make recommendations to their stake presidency or bishopric. They should approach this responsibility prayerfully, knowing that they can receive guidance from the Lord about whom to recommend. However, they should remember that final responsibility to receive inspiration on whom to call rests with the stake presidency or the bishopric.

Stake presidents and bishops should carefully evaluate each recommendation, recognizing that it has been prayerfully considered. As needed, they may request another recommendation.

Brethren who are actively serving as sealers in a temple have been called to that responsibility under the direction of the President of the Church. For this reason, active sealers should not be called to serve in any of the following callings: Area Seventy; stake, mission, district, or branch president or bishop; or as a counselor to any of these.

19.1.3

Stake Callings

The stake president oversees the calling of members who serve in most stake positions, as shown in the Chart of Callings.

19.1.4

Ward Callings

The stake presidency recommends brethren to be called or released as bishops (see 19.6). The stake president also oversees the calling of counselors in the bishopric, ward clerks, assistant ward clerks, and ward executive secretaries. The bishop oversees other callings in the ward, as shown in the Chart of Callings.

19.1.5

Elders Quorum Callings

The stake president oversees the calling of elders quorum presidents and their counselors, as shown in the Chart of Callings.

The elders quorum president oversees the calling of quorum secretaries and those who serve in other elders quorum callings. The bishop’s approval is required before brethren may be called to these positions.

19.2

Extending a Calling

The Chart of Callings outlines who may extend each calling. After receiving the necessary approvals, an authorized leader conducts a personal interview to determine the member’s faithfulness and willingness to serve. If the member is willing, the leader extends the calling. The leader may invite the spouse of a married person to be present and give support when the calling is extended.

A leader who extends a Church calling explains its purpose, importance, and responsibilities. He encourages the member to seek the Spirit of the Lord in fulfilling the calling. He tells the member the name of the person to whom he or she is directly accountable and emphasizes the need to support leaders. As needed, he outlines the meetings the person should attend and describes any resource materials that are available. He may identify special concerns or challenges of the calling and invite the member to ask questions about it.

If the calling is to a position that includes working with children or youth, he explains that the member will need to complete children and youth protection training (protectingchildren.ChurchofJesusChrist.org) within one month of being sustained and every three years thereafter.

Leaders ensure that the manner in which they extend a calling is consistent with its sacred nature. Callings should be extended in a dignified, formal manner, not in a casual setting or manner.

19.3

Sustaining Members in Church Callings

Members who are called to most Church positions should receive a sustaining vote before they begin serving. The Chart of Callings indicates whether a sustaining vote is needed and what congregation should give it. The leader who oversaw the calling, or a priesthood officer he authorizes, presents a person to the congregation for a sustaining vote.

The person who conducts the sustaining first announces who was released from the position and asks members to give an expression of thanks for the person’s service (see 19.5 for suggested language).

When presenting a person for a sustaining vote, an authorized priesthood officer asks him or her to stand. The officer may say:

“[Name] has been called as [position], and we propose that he [or she] be sustained. Those in favor may manifest it by the uplifted hand. [Pause briefly for the sustaining vote.] Those opposed, if any, may manifest it. [Pause briefly to allow for a dissenting vote, if any.]”

The person who is being presented should participate in the sustaining vote. If more than one person is being presented, they may usually be sustained as a group.

If a member in good standing gives a dissenting vote when someone is presented to be sustained, the presiding officer or another assigned priesthood officer confers with the dissenting member in private after the meeting. The officer determines whether the dissenting vote was based on knowledge that the person who was presented is guilty of conduct that should disqualify him or her from serving in the position. Dissenting votes from nonmembers need not be considered.

When, as an exception, new stake officers need to begin their service before the next stake conference or stake general priesthood meeting in which they would normally be sustained, they should be sustained in the sacrament meetings of the wards and branches of the stake. These sustainings should be kept to a minimum. Members of the stake presidency or high council present the sustainings.

19.4

Setting Apart Officers and Teachers

Members who are called to most Church positions should be set apart before they begin serving. The Chart of Callings indicates who is authorized to perform a setting apart. Presidents are set apart before their counselors.

Under the direction of the presiding authority, one or more Melchizedek Priesthood holders may participate in a setting apart, including a worthy father or husband (see 20.1.2). These brethren place their hands lightly on the person’s head. Then the priesthood holder who acts as voice:

Calls the person by his or her full name.
States that he is acting by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
Sets the person apart to the appropriate office in the stake, ward, quorum, or class.
Confers keys if the person is entitled to receive them. (In stakes and wards, only stake presidents, bishops, and quorum presidents receive keys of presidency when they are set apart. The word keys should not be used when setting apart counselors, high councilors, presidents of organizations, the bishop’s priests quorum assistants, or teachers in an organization.)
Gives words of blessing as the Spirit directs.
Closes in the name of Jesus Christ.

A setting apart is an opportunity to give a blessing. Detailed counsel and instruction are normally provided when a person is taught his or her duties rather than during the setting apart.

A setting apart should not be expanded into a formal meeting. It is not necessary to have prayers, testimonies, or instruction when someone is set apart.

19.5

Releasing Members from Church Callings

Releases from Church callings should come by inspiration, except when a person’s change of residence necessitates a release or when a calling is for a specific time period, such as full-time missionary service.

Releases from Church callings are made by the same level of authority that extended the callings. To issue a release, an authorized leader meets with the member personally, informs him or her of the release, and expresses appreciation for the service. The leader also asks the person to return any current, usable materials so they can be given to the successor. Only those who need to know are informed of a release before it is announced publicly.

The same congregation that sustained a person gives a vote of thanks when the person is released. An authorized priesthood officer may say:

“[Name] has been released as [position], and we propose that he [or she] be given a vote of thanks for his [or her] service. Those who wish to express their appreciation may manifest it by the uplifted hand.” No dissenting vote is called for.

When a president or bishop is released, the counselors are released automatically. Others who hold positions in the organization, such as clerks, secretaries, and teachers, are not released automatically.

19.6

Calling, Ordaining, and Setting Apart Bishops

The stake presidency recommends brethren to be called or released as bishops. Instructions are on the Recommendation for New Bishop form. This form is available electronically in units that use Church record-keeping software. In other units it is available from the assigned administrative office.

When recommending a person to serve as bishop, the stake presidency carefully observes the principles set forth in 1 Timothy 3:2–7. It is not appropriate to solicit recommendations or to conduct surveys among ward members with respect to who might be considered for a call to serve as bishop.

Before a new bishop may be interviewed, called, ordained, or set apart, his recommendation must be approved by the First Presidency. The stake president may extend the calling after he receives written approval from the First Presidency. With this approval, the stake president may also ordain and set apart a bishop after ward members have given a sustaining vote. The approval of the First Presidency is also required before a stake president may release a bishop. The stake president may not assign these responsibilities to a counselor.

If a man who is called as bishop is not a high priest, the stake president ensures that he is ordained a high priest before ordaining him a bishop. If the man was ordained a bishop previously, he needs only to be set apart as bishop of the ward.

After the First Presidency has approved the recommendation of a man to serve as bishop, they authorize a stake president, Area Seventy, or General Authority to ordain him and set him apart. The authorized priesthood officer:

Calls the man by his full name.
States that he is acting by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
Ordains the man a bishop (unless he was previously ordained).
Sets him apart to preside over the ward and to be the president of the Aaronic Priesthood and the priests quorum, emphasizing his responsibilities for the Aaronic Priesthood and for young women in the ward.
Confers on him all the keys, rights, powers, and authority of the office of bishop, referring specifically to the bishop’s duties as a common judge in Israel and as the presiding high priest in the ward.
Gives words of blessing as the Spirit directs.
Closes in the name of Jesus Christ.

19.7

Chart of Callings

19.7.1

Stake Callings

The following chart includes a list of selected stake callings. For other callings and service opportunities, see individual chapters in this handbook. Callings are filled according to need and as members are available.

Office	Recommended By	Approved By	Sustained By¹	Called and Set Apart By
Office Stake president	Recommended By An assigned General Authority or Area Seventy	Approved By An assigned General Authority or Area Seventy	Sustained By¹ Members in stake conference	Called and Set Apart By An assigned General Authority or Area Seventy
Office Counselors in the stake presidency	Recommended By Stake president	Approved By An assigned General Authority or Area Seventy, or written notification from the First Presidency	Sustained By¹ Members in stake conference or stake general priesthood meeting	Called and Set Apart By An assigned General Authority or Area Seventy, or the stake president with written approval from the First Presidency
Office Stake clerk	Recommended By Stake presidency	Approved By Stake presidency and high council	Sustained By¹ Members in stake conference or stake general priesthood meeting	Called and Set Apart By Stake president
Office Assistant stake clerks	Recommended By Stake presidency	Approved By Stake presidency and high council	Sustained By¹ Members in stake conference or stake general priesthood meeting	Called and Set Apart By Stake president or an assigned counselor
Office Stake executive secretary	Recommended By Stake presidency	Approved By Stake presidency and high council	Sustained By¹ Members in stake conference or stake general priesthood meeting	Called and Set Apart By Stake president or an assigned counselor
Office High councilors	Recommended By Stake presidency	Approved By Stake presidency and high council	Sustained By¹ Members in stake conference or stake general priesthood meeting	Called and Set Apart By Stake president or an assigned counselor
Office Stake patriarch	Recommended By Stake presidency	Approved By Quorum of the Twelve	Sustained By¹ Members in stake conference or stake general priesthood meeting	Called and Set Apart By A member of the First Presidency or Twelve, or the stake president with approval from the Quorum of the Twelve
Office Stake patriarch who is already ordained but has moved to another stake	Recommended By Presidency of the stake into which he has moved	Approved By Quorum of the Twelve	Sustained By¹ Members in stake conference or stake general priesthood meeting	Called and Set Apart By Not ordained but set apart to begin service in a new stake
Office Stake organization presidents (Young Men, Relief Society, Young Women, Primary, and Sunday School)	Recommended By Stake presidency (high councilors are called as the stake Young Men president and the stake Sunday School president)	Approved By Stake presidency and high council	Sustained By¹ Members in stake conference	Called and Set Apart By Stake president or an assigned counselor
Office Counselors in stake organization presidencies, secretaries, and other organization leaders	Recommended By President of the stake organization (in consultation with the assigned high councilor)	Approved By Stake presidency and high council	Sustained By¹ Members in stake conference	Called and Set Apart By Stake president or an assigned counselor or high councilor
Office Stake physical facilities representative (high councilor)	Recommended By Assigned by the stake presidency; not called, sustained, or set apart.				Approved By Assigned by the stake presidency; not called, sustained, or set apart.	Sustained By¹ Assigned by the stake presidency; not called, sustained, or set apart.	Called and Set Apart By Assigned by the stake presidency; not called, sustained, or set apart.
Office Stake activities committee chairman (high councilor)	Recommended By Assigned by the stake presidency; not called, sustained, or set apart.				Approved By Assigned by the stake presidency; not called, sustained, or set apart.	Sustained By¹ Assigned by the stake presidency; not called, sustained, or set apart.	Called and Set Apart By Assigned by the stake presidency; not called, sustained, or set apart.
Office Temple and family history consultant(s)	Recommended By Stake presidency	Approved By Stake presidency and high council	Sustained By¹ Members in stake conference	Called and Set Apart By Stake president or an assigned counselor or high councilor
Office Stake music chairman	Recommended By Stake music adviser (high councilor)	Approved By Stake presidency and high council	Sustained By¹ Members in stake conference	Called and Set Apart By Stake president or an assigned counselor or high councilor
Office Stake auditors	Recommended By Chairman of the stake audit committee (counselor in the stake presidency)	Approved By Stake presidency and high council	Sustained By¹ Not sustained	Called and Set Apart By Stake president or an assigned counselor²
Office Stake welfare specialists (including stake employment specialist)	Recommended By Stake presidency	Approved By Stake presidency and high council	Sustained By¹ Not sustained	Called and Set Apart By Stake president or an assigned counselor or high councilor²
Office Stake seminary and institute teachers and supervisors	Recommended By Bishop (may consult with seminary and institute personnel)	Approved By Stake presidency and high council	Sustained By¹ Members in stake conference	Called and Set Apart By Stake president or an assigned counselor or high councilor

19.7.2

Melchizedek Priesthood Callings

Office	Recommended By	Approved By	Sustained By	Called and Set Apart By
Office Presidency of the stake high priests quorum (stake presidency)	Recommended By See 19.7.1.				Approved By See 19.7.1.	Sustained By See 19.7.1.	Called and Set Apart By See 19.7.1.
Office 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
Office 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
Office Elders quorum secretaries, teachers, and other callings	Recommended By Quorum president (in consultation with the bishop and the counselors to the elders quorum president)	Approved By Bishop	Sustained By Quorum members	Called and Set Apart By Quorum president or an assigned counselor
Office Ministering brothers	Recommended By Serving as a ministering brother is a priesthood responsibility of high priests and elders. Accordingly, these brethren are assigned as ministering brothers by the elders quorum presidency, under the direction of the bishop. They are not called, sustained, or set apart.				Approved By Serving as a ministering brother is a priesthood responsibility of high priests and elders. Accordingly, these brethren are assigned as ministering brothers by the elders quorum presidency, under the direction of the bishop. They are not called, sustained, or set apart.	Sustained By Serving as a ministering brother is a priesthood responsibility of high priests and elders. Accordingly, these brethren are assigned as ministering brothers by the elders quorum presidency, under the direction of the bishop. They are not called, sustained, or set apart.	Called and Set Apart By Serving as a ministering brother is a priesthood responsibility of high priests and elders. Accordingly, these brethren are assigned as ministering brothers by the elders quorum presidency, under the direction of the bishop. They are not called, sustained, or set apart.

19.7.3

Aaronic Priesthood Callings in Wards

Office	Recommended By	Approved By	Sustained By	Called and Set Apart By
Office Priests quorum president (bishop)	Recommended By See 19.7.5.				Approved By See 19.7.5.	Sustained By See 19.7.5.	Called and Set Apart By See 19.7.5.
Office Assistants to the priests quorum president	Recommended By Bishop (priests quorum president)	Approved By Bishopric	Sustained By Quorum members	Called and Set Apart By Bishop
Office 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
Office Counselors in the teachers and deacons quorum presidencies and quorum secretaries	Recommended By Quorum presidents	Approved By Bishopric	Sustained By Quorum members	Called and Set Apart By Bishop or an assigned counselor
Office Priests, teachers, and deacons quorum advisers and specialists	Recommended By Bishopric	Approved By Bishopric	Sustained By Ward members	Called and Set Apart By Bishop or an assigned counselor
Office Ministering brothers	Recommended By Serving as a ministering brother is a priesthood responsibility of teachers and priests. Accordingly, these brethren are assigned as ministering brothers by the elders quorum presidency, under the direction of the bishopric. They are not called, sustained, or set apart.				Approved By Serving as a ministering brother is a priesthood responsibility of teachers and priests. Accordingly, these brethren are assigned as ministering brothers by the elders quorum presidency, under the direction of the bishopric. They are not called, sustained, or set apart.	Sustained By Serving as a ministering brother is a priesthood responsibility of teachers and priests. Accordingly, these brethren are assigned as ministering brothers by the elders quorum presidency, under the direction of the bishopric. They are not called, sustained, or set apart.	Called and Set Apart By Serving as a ministering brother is a priesthood responsibility of teachers and priests. Accordingly, these brethren are assigned as ministering brothers by the elders quorum presidency, under the direction of the bishopric. They are not called, sustained, or set apart.

19.7.4

Aaronic Priesthood Callings in Branches in Stakes

Office	Recommended By	Approved By	Sustained By	Called and Set Apart By
Office Priests quorum president (branch president, who acts as the priests quorum president)	Recommended By Stake presidency	Approved By Stake presidency and high council	Sustained By Branch members	Called and Set Apart By Stake president
Office Other Aaronic Priesthood callings	Recommended By See 19.7.3, substituting branch president for bishop and branch for ward.				Approved By See 19.7.3, substituting branch president for bishop and branch for ward.				Sustained By See 19.7.3, substituting branch president for bishop and branch for ward.				Called and Set Apart By See 19.7.3, substituting branch president for bishop and branch for ward.

19.7.5

Ward Callings

The following chart includes a list of selected ward callings. For other callings and service opportunities, see individual chapters in this handbook. Callings are filled according to need and as members are available.

Office	Recommended By	Approved By	Sustained By	Called and Set Apart By
Office Bishop	Recommended By Stake presidency	Approved By First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve	Sustained By Ward members	Called and Set Apart By A General Authority or Area Seventy, or the stake president with written approval from the First Presidency
Office 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
Office 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
Office Assistant ward clerks	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
Office 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
Office Ward mission leader (a counselor in the elders quorum presidency may fill this calling)	Recommended By Bishopric (in consultation with the elders quorum president)	Approved By Bishopric	Sustained By Ward members	Called and Set Apart By Bishop
Office Ward missionaries	Recommended By Bishopric	Approved By Bishopric	Sustained By Ward members	Called and Set Apart By Bishop or an assigned counselor
Office Ward temple and family history leader (a member of the elders quorum presidency may fill this role)	Recommended By Bishopric (in consultation with the elders quorum president)	Approved By Bishopric	Sustained By Ward members	Called and Set Apart By Bishop or an assigned counselor
Office Ward organization presidents (Relief Society, Young Women, Primary, and Sunday School)	Recommended By Bishopric	Approved By Bishopric	Sustained By Ward members	Called and Set Apart By Bishop
Office Counselors in ward organizations	Recommended By Organization president	Approved By Bishopric	Sustained By Ward members	Called and Set Apart By Bishop or an assigned counselor
Office Secretaries in ward organizations (except Relief Society)	Recommended By Organization president	Approved By Bishopric	Sustained By Ward members	Called and Set Apart By Bishop or an assigned counselor
Office Advisers, teachers, specialists, music directors, and other callings in ward organizations (except Relief Society)	Recommended By Organization presidency	Approved By Bishopric	Sustained By Ward members	Called and Set Apart By Bishop or an assigned counselor
Office Secretaries in the ward Relief Society presidency; teachers and other callings in the ward Relief Society	Recommended By Relief Society presidency	Approved By Bishopric	Sustained By Relief Society members (presented in a Relief Society meeting by the bishop or an assigned counselor)	Called and Set Apart By Bishop or an assigned counselor
Office Ministering sisters	Recommended By Relief Society sisters are assigned as ministering sisters by the Relief Society presidency, under the direction of the bishop. After consulting with parents and leaders, the Relief Society presidency may assign young women (beginning in January of the year they turn 14) as companions to adult sisters. Ministering sisters are not called, sustained, or set apart.				Approved By Relief Society sisters are assigned as ministering sisters by the Relief Society presidency, under the direction of the bishop. After consulting with parents and leaders, the Relief Society presidency may assign young women (beginning in January of the year they turn 14) as companions to adult sisters. Ministering sisters are not called, sustained, or set apart.	Sustained By Relief Society sisters are assigned as ministering sisters by the Relief Society presidency, under the direction of the bishop. After consulting with parents and leaders, the Relief Society presidency may assign young women (beginning in January of the year they turn 14) as companions to adult sisters. Ministering sisters are not called, sustained, or set apart.	Called and Set Apart By Relief Society sisters are assigned as ministering sisters by the Relief Society presidency, under the direction of the bishop. After consulting with parents and leaders, the Relief Society presidency may assign young women (beginning in January of the year they turn 14) as companions to adult sisters. Ministering sisters are not called, sustained, or set apart.
Office Temple preparation seminar teacher(s)	Recommended By Bishopric	Approved By Bishopric	Sustained By Ward members	Called and Set Apart By Bishop or an assigned counselor
Office 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
Office 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
Office Ward music chairman	Recommended By Ward music adviser (member of the bishopric)	Approved By Bishopric	Sustained By Ward members	Called and Set Apart By Bishop or an assigned counselor
Office Ward music director, ward organist or pianist, ward choir director and accompanist, and ward choir president	Recommended By Ward music chairman	Approved By Bishopric	Sustained By Ward members	Called and Set Apart By Bishop or an assigned counselor
Office Ward librarian	Recommended By Sunday School president	Approved By Bishopric	Sustained By Ward members	Called and Set Apart By Bishop or an assigned counselor
Office Assistant ward librarians	Recommended By Sunday School president	Approved By Bishopric	Sustained By Ward members	Called and Set Apart By Bishop or an assigned counselor
Office Ward temple and family history consultant(s)	Recommended By Bishopric (in consultation with the elders quorum president)	Approved By Bishopric	Sustained By Ward members	Called and Set Apart By Bishop or an assigned counselor
Office Ward young single adult leader(s)	Recommended By Bishopric	Approved By Bishopric	Sustained By Ward members	Called and Set Apart By Bishop or an assigned counselor
Office Ward magazine representative	Recommended By Bishopric	Approved By Bishopric	Sustained By Ward members	Called and Set Apart By Bishop or an assigned counselor¹
Office Ward welfare specialists (including ward employment specialist)	Recommended By Bishopric	Approved By Bishopric	Sustained By Ward members	Called and Set Apart By Bishop or an assigned counselor¹

19.7.6

Branch Callings in Stakes

Office	Recommended By	Approved By	Sustained By	Called and Set Apart By
Office Branch president	Recommended By Stake presidency	Approved By Stake presidency and high council	Sustained By Branch members	Called and Set Apart By Stake president
Office Other branch callings	Recommended By See 19.7.5, substituting branch president for bishop and branch for ward.				Approved By See 19.7.5, substituting branch president for bishop and branch for ward.				Sustained By See 19.7.5, substituting branch president for bishop and branch for ward.				Called and Set Apart By See 19.7.5, substituting branch president for bishop and branch for ward.

19.7.7

Mission Callings

Office	Recommended By	Approved By	Sustained By	Called and Set Apart By
Office Mission president	Recommended By General Authority or Area Seventy	Approved By First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve	Sustained By Not sustained	Called and Set Apart By Member of the First Presidency or Quorum of the Twelve
Office Counselors in the mission presidency	Recommended By Mission president	Approved By Area Presidency	Sustained By Ratified in district conference in all districts	Called and Set Apart By Member of the Area Presidency, or the mission president under their direction
Office Mission clerk and mission executive secretary	Recommended By Mission president	Approved By Mission presidency	Sustained By Ratified in district conference in all districts	Called and Set Apart By Mission president
Office Organization presidencies	Recommended By Organization presidencies are not recommended at the mission level. If the mission president feels that branch organization leaders need training from more experienced organization leaders, he may assign individuals to provide it.				Approved By Organization presidencies are not recommended at the mission level. If the mission president feels that branch organization leaders need training from more experienced organization leaders, he may assign individuals to provide it.	Sustained By Organization presidencies are not recommended at the mission level. If the mission president feels that branch organization leaders need training from more experienced organization leaders, he may assign individuals to provide it.	Called and Set Apart By Organization presidencies are not recommended at the mission level. If the mission president feels that branch organization leaders need training from more experienced organization leaders, he may assign individuals to provide it.

19.7.8

District Callings

Office	Recommended By	Approved By	Sustained By	Called and Set Apart By
Office District president	Recommended By Mission president	Approved By Area Presidency	Sustained By Members in district conference	Called and Set Apart By Mission president
Office Counselors in the district presidency	Recommended By District president	Approved By Mission presidency	Sustained By Members in district conference or district general priesthood meeting	Called and Set Apart By Mission president or an assigned counselor
Office District councilors and district clerk, assistant clerks, executive secretary, and organization leaders	Recommended By See 19.7.1, substituting district president for stake president and district for stake.				Approved By See 19.7.1, substituting district president for stake president and district for stake.	Sustained By See 19.7.1, substituting district president for stake president and district for stake.	Called and Set Apart By See 19.7.1, substituting district president for stake president and district for stake.

19.7.9

Elders Quorum Callings in Branches in Missions

Office	Recommended By	Approved By	Sustained By	Called and Set Apart By
Office Elders quorum president	Recommended By Mission presidency or district presidency	Approved By Mission presidency or, when authorized by the mission president, the district presidency	Sustained By Branch members	Called and Set Apart By Mission president or, if assigned, the district president
Office Counselors in the elders quorum presidency	Recommended By Quorum president (in consultation with the branch president)	Approved By Mission presidency or, when authorized by the mission president, the district presidency	Sustained By Branch members	Called and Set Apart By Mission president or, if assigned, the district president or another priesthood officer
Office Elders quorum secretary, teacher(s), and other callings	Recommended By Quorum president (in consultation with the branch president and counselors to the quorum president)	Approved By Branch president and quorum presidency	Sustained By Quorum members	Called and Set Apart By Quorum president or an assigned counselor
Office Ministering brothers	Recommended By Serving as a ministering brother is a priesthood responsibility of Melchizedek Priesthood holders. Accordingly, these brethren are assigned as ministering brothers by the elders quorum presidency, under the direction of the branch president. They are not called, sustained, or set apart.				Approved By Serving as a ministering brother is a priesthood responsibility of Melchizedek Priesthood holders. Accordingly, these brethren are assigned as ministering brothers by the elders quorum presidency, under the direction of the branch president. They are not called, sustained, or set apart.	Sustained By Serving as a ministering brother is a priesthood responsibility of Melchizedek Priesthood holders. Accordingly, these brethren are assigned as ministering brothers by the elders quorum presidency, under the direction of the branch president. They are not called, sustained, or set apart.	Called and Set Apart By Serving as a ministering brother is a priesthood responsibility of Melchizedek Priesthood holders. Accordingly, these brethren are assigned as ministering brothers by the elders quorum presidency, under the direction of the branch president. They are not called, sustained, or set apart.

19.7.10

Aaronic Priesthood Callings in Branches in Missions

Office	Recommended By	Approved By	Sustained By	Called and Set Apart By
Office Priests quorum president (branch president, who acts as the priests quorum president)	Recommended By Mission presidency or district presidency	Approved By Mission presidency	Sustained By Branch members	Called and Set Apart By Mission president or, if assigned, the district president
Office Other Aaronic Priesthood callings	Recommended By See 19.7.3, substituting branch president for bishop and branch for ward.				Approved By See 19.7.3, substituting branch president for bishop and branch for ward.				Sustained By See 19.7.3, substituting branch president for bishop and branch for ward.				Called and Set Apart By See 19.7.3, substituting branch president for bishop and branch for ward.

19.7.11

Branch Callings in Missions

Office	Recommended By	Approved By	Sustained By	Called and Set Apart By
Office Branch president	Recommended By Mission presidency or district presidency	Approved By Mission presidency	Sustained By Branch members	Called and Set Apart By Mission president or, if assigned, the district president
Office Counselors in the branch presidency	Recommended By Branch president	Approved By Mission presidency or, when authorized by the mission president, the district presidency	Sustained By Branch members	Called and Set Apart By Mission president or, if assigned, one of his counselors, the district president, or one of the district president’s counselors
Office Branch clerk, assistant clerk, and executive secretary	Recommended By Branch presidency	Approved By Mission presidency or, when authorized by the mission president, the district presidency	Sustained By Branch members	Called and Set Apart By District president or a priesthood officer he assigns
Office Branch organization leaders and other callings	Recommended By See 19.7.5, substituting branch president for bishop and branch for ward.				Approved By See 19.7.5, substituting branch president for bishop and branch for ward.	Sustained By See 19.7.5, substituting branch president for bishop and branch for ward.	Called and Set Apart By See 19.7.5, substituting branch president for bishop and branch for ward.

19.7.12

Military Service Member Group Callings

Office	Recommended By	Approved By	Sustained By	Called and Set Apart By
Office Service member group leader	Recommended By Stake presidency or mission president	Approved By Stake presidency and high council or mission presidency	Sustained By Group members	Called and Set Apart By Stake president or mission president, where possible¹
Office Assistants to the service member group leader	Recommended By Group leader	Approved By Stake presidency and high council or mission presidency	Sustained By Group members	Called and Set Apart By Stake president or mission president or a priesthood leader either of them assigns¹