Public Access to the Church Handbook of Instructions

[MarginOfError]

Church Leaders to Release New Handbook of Instructions

Some interesting things that I hadn't heard before

The handbook includes two volumes, one of which will be provided to hundreds of thousands of men and women who shoulder significant responsibilities in administering local Church programs and congregations. It contains the vast majority of revisions and will be posted online Saturday at lds.org, the Church’s website for members, where anyone can view it. Complete video of the worldwide leadership training broadcast will also be posted online late Saturday evening, Mountain Time.

I also liked this one

Church leaders have emphasized that while the handbook is an essential guide in a large church with a lay ministry, it is not scripture, and that individual leaders are expected to seek inspiration and use judgment when administering their church duties.

[pam]

I think it's interesting that they are releasing a version online for members. That's something they haven't done before.

[MarginOfError]

I appreciate that both books are going to be online. I won't have to carry around the hard copies anymore, or wait for someone to scan a searchable file and load it to Wikileaks.

It'll be really nice to have access from the places I spend most of my time.

[MarginOfError]

But I do agree with you Pam. It's interesting that they'll put it on the web. And I'm glad. A little more transparency is going to go a long way. We'll still get lots of complaints about Book 1 not being publicly available, but having read it, I don't know why anyone would want to have it on their bookshelf. It's pretty boring

Book 2, on the other hand, is a huge improvement over the previous edition. I hope people will review it. Especially the first few chapters. If we all caught the vision of what the first few chapters are telling us, the strength of the membership would sky rocket.

[pam]

I look forward to reading it then.

[miztrniceguy]

It would probably cut down on posts here....much less "what does the church say about...."

[Dravin]

I can see this sparking more than one "But the Handbook says X Bishop!" conversation.

[Honor]

Forget racing other lds.net members to find the best answer to a question via a google search, now it'll be via the handbook. I'm thinking we should organize the first ever Church Handbook Chase (like a Scripture Chase). Moe, you're not allowed to participate, but you can be a judge and double check our speed and accuracy.

[martybess]

Originally Posted by MarginOfError

But I do agree with you Pam. It's interesting that they'll put it on the web. And I'm glad. A little more transparency is going to go a long way. We'll still get lots of complaints about Book 1 not being publicly available, but having read it, I don't know why anyone would want to have it on their bookshelf. It's pretty boring

Book 2, on the other hand, is a huge improvement over the previous edition. I hope people will review it. Especially the first few chapters. If we all caught the vision of what the first few chapters are telling us, the strength of the membership would sky rocket.

Sounds like you have already read it. We received a letter along with our that said don't review until the broadcast. Did you not get this letter?

[martybess]

Originally Posted by Honor

Forget racing other lds.net members to find the best answer to a question via a google search, now it'll be via the handbook. I'm thinking we should organize the first ever Church Handbook Chase (like a Scripture Chase). Moe, you're not allowed to participate, but you can be a judge and double check our speed and accuracy.

This is really a good idea as it does help with general questions greatly. So does the boring book 1 as well. To bad they are not going to put portions that are known policies from it online where folks could read it too. That would cut down on question such as...."I'm going to send out my wedding dates to get a jump on the big day even though I have seen the bishop yet for a recommend" type posts here.