May 2007 1

New York New York Stake

                            

       

                                                  

May 2007 2

Recent Statements on Missionary Work First Presidency Letter, “Helping New Members,” First Presidency Letter, “Helping New Members,”

15 May 199715 May 1997

Implementation of remarks by President Hinckley Implementation of remarks by President Hinckley at April 1997 General Conference concerning the at April 1997 General Conference concerning the three things every new convert needs: a friend, a three things every new convert needs: a friend, a responsibility, and nurturing with “the good word responsibility, and nurturing with “the good word of God”. “Stake presidencies and bishoprics are of God”. “Stake presidencies and bishoprics are responsible for all stake and ward efforts to help responsible for all stake and ward efforts to help new members and ‘keep them in the right way’ new members and ‘keep them in the right way’ (Moroni 6:4).”(Moroni 6:4).”

May 2007 3

Recent Statements on Missionary Work First Presidency Letter, “Member-Missionary First Presidency Letter, “Member-Missionary

Coordinating Council,” 13 Jun 1997 (with follow-Coordinating Council,” 13 Jun 1997 (with follow-up letters from President Packer, dated 14 Aug up letters from President Packer, dated 14 Aug 1997 and 1 Jun 1998)1997 and 1 Jun 1998)

Creation of a “coordination meeting” where stake Creation of a “coordination meeting” where stake presidents and mission presidents can jointly presidents and mission presidents can jointly resolve missionary matters.resolve missionary matters.

May 2007 4

Recent Statements on Missionary Work First Presidency Letter, “Confirming, Teaching First Presidency Letter, “Confirming, Teaching

and Fellowshipping of Converts,” 23 Jan 1998and Fellowshipping of Converts,” 23 Jan 1998

““[T]he confirmation of new convert members will [T]he confirmation of new convert members will no longer occur at the time of baptism but will be no longer occur at the time of baptism but will be performed in a subsequent sacrament meeting of performed in a subsequent sacrament meeting of the ward or branch in which the new member the ward or branch in which the new member resides.” (Implements instructions from D&C resides.” (Implements instructions from D&C 20:68.)20:68.)

May 2007 5

Recent Statements on Missionary Work President Boyd K. Packer Letter, “Confirming, President Boyd K. Packer Letter, “Confirming,

Teaching and Fellowshipping of Converts,” 5 Teaching and Fellowshipping of Converts,” 5 Mar 1998Mar 1998

““[P]rovides additional information for the [P]rovides additional information for the implementation of the policy regarding baptism implementation of the policy regarding baptism and confirmation” communicated on 23 Jan 1998. and confirmation” communicated on 23 Jan 1998. “The bishop is responsible to see that “The bishop is responsible to see that confirmation occurs in sacrament meeting as soon confirmation occurs in sacrament meeting as soon as reasonable after baptism.”as reasonable after baptism.”

May 2007 6

Recent Statements on Missionary Work First Presidency Letter, “Proclaiming the Gospel First Presidency Letter, “Proclaiming the Gospel

and Establishing the Church,” 19 Jun 1998and Establishing the Church,” 19 Jun 1998

““[T]he foundation for a continuing Church-wide [T]he foundation for a continuing Church-wide balanced emphasis on conversion, retention and balanced emphasis on conversion, retention and activation.” (Replaces 17 Jun 1991 letter on the activation.” (Replaces 17 Jun 1991 letter on the same subject.)same subject.)

May 2007 7

Recent Statements on Missionary Work First Presidency Letter, “Full-time Missionary First Presidency Letter, “Full-time Missionary

Servce,” 19 Jun 1998Servce,” 19 Jun 1998

““Full-time missionary service is a privilege, not a Full-time missionary service is a privilege, not a right.” Reemphasizes and clarifies long-right.” Reemphasizes and clarifies long-established principles to assist priesthood leaders established principles to assist priesthood leaders in their responsibility “to recommend worthy and in their responsibility “to recommend worthy and qualified individuals for full-time missionary qualified individuals for full-time missionary service.”service.”

May 2007 8

Recent Statements on Missionary Work First Presidency Letter, “Watching Over and First Presidency Letter, “Watching Over and

Strengthening Members,” 10 Dec 2001Strengthening Members,” 10 Dec 2001

““Bishops, assisted by quorum leaders and home Bishops, assisted by quorum leaders and home teachers, have the responsibility to help members teachers, have the responsibility to help members of the ward strengthen their faith, prepare to of the ward strengthen their faith, prepare to receive temple ordinances, and live worthy of the receive temple ordinances, and live worthy of the blessings of the gospel.” Offers guidelines on blessings of the gospel.” Offers guidelines on “perfecting” home teaching.“perfecting” home teaching.

May 2007 9

Recent Statements on Missionary Work First Presidency Letter, “The Bishop’s First Presidency Letter, “The Bishop’s

Responsibility for Ward Missionary Work,” 28 Responsibility for Ward Missionary Work,” 28 Feb 2002Feb 2002

““As the presiding high priest, the bishop is As the presiding high priest, the bishop is responsible for the work of sharing the gospel, responsible for the work of sharing the gospel, retention, and reactivation within the ward.” retention, and reactivation within the ward.” Stake mission presidencies released; stake Stake mission presidencies released; stake members renamed “ward missionaries”; ward members renamed “ward missionaries”; ward mission leaders called under the direction of the mission leaders called under the direction of the bishop.bishop.

May 2007 10

Recent Statements on Missionary Work First Presidency Letter, “Implementing the First Presidency Letter, “Implementing the

Bishop’s Responsibility for Ward Missionary Bishop’s Responsibility for Ward Missionary Work,” 28 Mar 2002Work,” 28 Mar 2002

Provides detailed instructions in attachment Provides detailed instructions in attachment entitled, “Centering Missionary Work in the Wardentitled, “Centering Missionary Work in the Ward—Implementation”. “Efforts to share the gospel —Implementation”. “Efforts to share the gospel are most effective when they are ward-centered are most effective when they are ward-centered and ward-directed.”and ward-directed.”

May 2007 11

Recent Statements on Missionary Work First Presidency Letter, “Baptismal Interview First Presidency Letter, “Baptismal Interview

Questions,” 30 Apr 2002Questions,” 30 Apr 2002

Provides revised baptismal interview questions Provides revised baptismal interview questions that apply to “all baptismal candidates but should that apply to “all baptismal candidates but should be adapted to the age and maturity of the person be adapted to the age and maturity of the person being interviewed.”being interviewed.”

May 2007 12

Recent Statements on Missionary Work Elder M. Russell Ballard, “The Greatest Elder M. Russell Ballard, “The Greatest

Generation of Missionaries,” General Generation of Missionaries,” General Conference, Oct 2002Conference, Oct 2002

Landmark address: “What we need now is the Landmark address: “What we need now is the greatest generation of missionaries in the history greatest generation of missionaries in the history of the Church. . . . [T]he bar that is the standard of the Church. . . . [T]he bar that is the standard for missionary service is being raised.”for missionary service is being raised.”

May 2007 13

Recent Statements on Missionary Work First Presidency Letter and Quorum of the First Presidency Letter and Quorum of the

Twelve Letter, “Statement on Missionary Work,” Twelve Letter, “Statement on Missionary Work,” 11 Dec 200211 Dec 2002

Statement of principles on “eligibility for full-Statement of principles on “eligibility for full-time missionary service; on finding, teaching and time missionary service; on finding, teaching and baptizing worthy investigators; and on baptizing worthy investigators; and on strengthening new and less-active members.”strengthening new and less-active members.”

May 2007 14

Recent Statements on Missionary Work Human Resources Department, Human Resources Department,

“Recommendation for Part-Time Church-Service “Recommendation for Part-Time Church-Service Missionary Form,” 1 Sep 2003Missionary Form,” 1 Sep 2003

New form for “prospective Church-service New form for “prospective Church-service missionary couples and individuals who want to missionary couples and individuals who want to serve fewer than 32 hours per week in local serve fewer than 32 hours per week in local assignments and live at home.”assignments and live at home.”

May 2007 15

Recent Statements on Missionary Work Missionary Department, “Weight Guidelines for Missionary Department, “Weight Guidelines for

Prospective Missionaries,” 15 Dec 2003Prospective Missionaries,” 15 Dec 2003

““Young missionaries who are significantly Young missionaries who are significantly overweight experience difficulties dealing with overweight experience difficulties dealing with the rigorous physical demands of a full-time the rigorous physical demands of a full-time mission.” Provides maximum weight guidelines.mission.” Provides maximum weight guidelines.

May 2007 16

Recent Statements on Missionary Work Missionary Department, “Missionaries Missionary Department, “Missionaries

Recommended from Away-from-Home Wards,” Recommended from Away-from-Home Wards,” 21 Jan 200421 Jan 2004

Requires obtaining permission from the bishop of Requires obtaining permission from the bishop of the home ward and a letter from the home ward the home ward and a letter from the home ward bishop endorsing the recommendation.bishop endorsing the recommendation.

May 2007 17

Recent Statements on Missionary Work First Presidency Letter, “Individuals Not Able to First Presidency Letter, “Individuals Not Able to

Serve Full-Time Missions,” 30 Jan 2004Serve Full-Time Missions,” 30 Jan 2004

Guidance regarding individuals who do not meet Guidance regarding individuals who do not meet the physical, mental or emotional challenges of a the physical, mental or emotional challenges of a mission. Offers suggestions for alternative mission. Offers suggestions for alternative Church or community service opportunities.Church or community service opportunities.

May 2007 18

Recent Statements on Missionary Work First Presidency Letter, “First Presidency Letter, “Preach My GospelPreach My Gospel,” 1 ,” 1

Nov 2004Nov 2004

New materials to assist in missionary training, New materials to assist in missionary training, planning, and proselyting efforts. “Stake planning, and proselyting efforts. “Stake presidents should ensure that bishops, ward presidents should ensure that bishops, ward mission leaders, and ward missionaries receive mission leaders, and ward missionaries receive copies of these materials and become familiar copies of these materials and become familiar with them.” Most effective “where there is close with them.” Most effective “where there is close cooperation between full-time missionaries and cooperation between full-time missionaries and Church leaders and members.”Church leaders and members.”

May 2007 19

Recent Statements on Missionary Work First Presidency Letter, “High Priests’ First Presidency Letter, “High Priests’

Responsibility for Prospective Elders,” 3 Nov Responsibility for Prospective Elders,” 3 Nov 20042004

Transfers responsibility for the progress of Transfers responsibility for the progress of prospective elders to the high priests. Purpose: prospective elders to the high priests. Purpose: “ensure that each prospective elder has a friend to “ensure that each prospective elder has a friend to fellowship him into the brotherhood of the fellowship him into the brotherhood of the priesthood” and “balance workloads better priesthood” and “balance workloads better between elders quorums and high priest groups.”between elders quorums and high priest groups.”

May 2007 20

Recent Statements on Missionary Work First Presidency Letter, “Helping New Members,” First Presidency Letter, “Helping New Members,”

22 Dec 200422 Dec 2004

““Fellowship should be extended by all in the Fellowship should be extended by all in the ward. The bishop and his counselors should ward. The bishop and his counselors should prayerfully consider ways to help a new member prayerfully consider ways to help a new member feel welcome. Home teachers . . . can play a feel welcome. Home teachers . . . can play a valuable role in providing fellowshipping valuable role in providing fellowshipping contacts.”contacts.”

May 2007 21

Recent Statements on Missionary Work Missionary Department, “Pass-Along Card Missionary Department, “Pass-Along Card

Displays,” 9 Feb 2005Displays,” 9 Feb 2005

Approval of holders and displays for pass-along Approval of holders and displays for pass-along cards to be placed in meetinghouses.cards to be placed in meetinghouses.

May 2007 22

Recent Statements on Missionary Work Missionary Department, “Missionaries Sitting on Missionary Department, “Missionaries Sitting on

the Stand in Meetings,” 9 Feb 2005the Stand in Meetings,” 9 Feb 2005

““[F]ull-time missionaries should sit in the [F]ull-time missionaries should sit in the congregation with members and investigators. congregation with members and investigators. They should get to know the members and build They should get to know the members and build friendships between investigators and members. friendships between investigators and members. They normally do not sit on the stand unless they They normally do not sit on the stand unless they are participating in the program.”are participating in the program.”

May 2007 23

Recent Statements on Missionary Work First Presidency Letter, “Progress of New First Presidency Letter, “Progress of New

Members,” 11 Feb 2005Members,” 11 Feb 2005

In reminding priesthood leaders of their In reminding priesthood leaders of their responsibility to strengthen and support new responsibility to strengthen and support new members in the Church, identifies selected items members in the Church, identifies selected items on the Member Progress Report “to track short- on the Member Progress Report “to track short- and long-term progress of new members.”and long-term progress of new members.”

May 2007 24

Recent Statements on Missionary Work First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve

Instructions, “Missionary Work in the Ward,” Feb Instructions, “Missionary Work in the Ward,” Feb 20052005Replaces portions of the “Stake and Member Missionary Replaces portions of the “Stake and Member Missionary Work” section in the Work” section in the Church Handbook of Instructions, Book Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 22. Requires a “ward mission plan” to “encourage and . Requires a “ward mission plan” to “encourage and organize missionary activities and to strengthen members in organize missionary activities and to strengthen members in their missionary efforts” on inviting people to be taught; their missionary efforts” on inviting people to be taught; teaching, baptizing, and confirming investigators; befriending teaching, baptizing, and confirming investigators; befriending and strengthening new members; and supporting priesthood and strengthening new members; and supporting priesthood leaders in the activation of less-active members.leaders in the activation of less-active members.

May 2007 25

Recent Statements on Missionary Work Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 1Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 1 , Aug , Aug

20062006““Extensive revision” to Section 9 of Extensive revision” to Section 9 of CHI, Book 1CHI, Book 1, , regarding “Missionary Service.” Previous regarding “Missionary Service.” Previous statements retained:statements retained:

First Presidency Letter, “Watching Over and Strengthening Members,” 10 Dec 2001First Presidency Letter, “Watching Over and Strengthening Members,” 10 Dec 2001 First Presidency Letter, “The Bishop’s Responsibility for Ward Missionary Work,” 28 Feb 2002First Presidency Letter, “The Bishop’s Responsibility for Ward Missionary Work,” 28 Feb 2002 First Presidency Letter, “Implementing the Bishop’s Responsibility for Ward Missionary Work,” 28 Mar 2002First Presidency Letter, “Implementing the Bishop’s Responsibility for Ward Missionary Work,” 28 Mar 2002 First Presidency Letter and Quorum of the Twelve Letter, “Statement on Missionary Work,” 11 Dec 2002First Presidency Letter and Quorum of the Twelve Letter, “Statement on Missionary Work,” 11 Dec 2002 First Presidency Letter, “First Presidency Letter, “Preach My GospelPreach My Gospel,” 1 Nov 2004,” 1 Nov 2004 First Presidency Letter, “High Priests’ Responsibility for Prospective Elders,” 3 Nov 2004First Presidency Letter, “High Priests’ Responsibility for Prospective Elders,” 3 Nov 2004 First Presidency Letter, “Helping New Members,” 22 Dec 2004First Presidency Letter, “Helping New Members,” 22 Dec 2004 First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Instructions, “Missionary Work in the Ward,” Feb 2005First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Instructions, “Missionary Work in the Ward,” Feb 2005