Sunday, August 05, 2007

The Office of Bishop

The office of Bishop was restored in our dispensation in a brief revelation give to the Prophet Joseph Smith on February 4, 1831. This revelation, known today as D&C 41 has the portion dealing with the call of Edward Partridge in verse 9.

In the beginning of the dispensation, there was only one kind of bishop, today we would call that bishop the Presiding Bishop. The local bishop was not given a ward over which to preside until August 20, 1842 at Nauvoo.

The Handbook of Instructions outlines five areas in which the local bishop has primary responsibilities.

1. President of the Aaronic Priesthood (D&C 107:15 (13-15), 87-88).
2. Presiding High Priest (D&C 68:19; 107:69; 84:29).
  • He is to oversee the teaching of the gospel in the ward
  • Oversee the three missions of the Church in the ward
  • Preside over the ordinances that occur at the ward level
  • Conduct all ward business
3. Common Judge (D&C 107:72-72)
4. Looks after the poor and needy ((D&C 84:112; 107:68)
5. Oversees finances, records, and the use and security of the meetinghouse (Moroni 6:4)
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