Church to Release Handbook, Available to All Members

[smac97]

Here:

Quote

 In a move to make policies more accessible to the general membership of the church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is releasing a new handbook in February.

The handbook, “General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” will be released digitally on Feb. 19, and will replace both handbooks, Handbook 1 and Handbook 2. The previous two handbooks were intended for different leaders, with Handbook 1 only being accessible to stake presidents and bishops.

The announcement, which was made Thursday by the church’s general authorities and general officers, comes after the church has made several policy changes over the last couple years, including the operating structure of several organizations within the church and the length of church service.

The new handbook is expected to provide more “flexibility” in how the church is able to update its handbook regularly. With it being open to all leaders, it will also provide more accessibility to the policies and procedures of the church.
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The digital handbook, which will be available on ChurchofJesusChrist.org and on the church’s Gospel Library app on Feb. 19, will have 38 chapters, with nine chapters being updated to “reflect the new tone and approach.” The church added that 80% of the content from the previous handbooks will be included in the new handbook, but will be in a “new organizing structure.”

The church said it will update its remaining 29 chapters throughout 2020 and into 2021. Details about what is being carried over from the previous handbooks and what will be added have not been released.

A print-on-demand option for the handbook will also be available, according to the church.

Thanks,

-Smac

[bluebell]

"Fastest-poster-in-the-north" Duncan has beat you to it.

[Duncan]

9 minutes ago, bluebell said:

"Fastest-poster-in-the-north" Duncan has beat you to it.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[HappyJackWagon]

One handbook for all members is a good idea. Not only will the average member have access to information but leaders will be a little more accountable to the members. It doesn't always happen, but it sometimes has, that leaders will make a decision and cite the handbook as the reason and the member has very little option except to trust the leader's understanding of the handbook. I don't think leaders lord the handbook over people maliciously, but there is almost a tacit agreement that leaders know more because they have access to more information. It requires more trust than is necessary.

Yes- I understand that members could ask to look at a leaders handbook with them present, but that isn't really the same thing as having equal access to information.

Also, I think it should be expected that the "one" handbook won't contain all church policies. For example, I can't imagine that the handbook will contain all instructions given to temple and mission presidents, etc.