The New General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

On February 19, 2020, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints received a priceless gift.

That’s when the First Presidency released the new General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

This Handbook is a gift for all Heavenly Father’s children who want to answer personal questions regarding membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

This new handbook replaced two volumes of content previously available only to Stake Presidents, Bishops, and other leaders.

Here is the cool part: 

Inspired leaders have made the content of the new handbook available to everyone.

Yes, EVERYONE.

That was quite a change! Now anyone has access to the same information previously reserved for Stake Presidents and Bishops when it comes to serving or clarifying points of Church administration, 

A curious nonmember may also study the Handbook.

There is nothing to hide. 

The truth always stands on its own.

The new handbook sets the “Doctrinal Foundation” for administering the affairs of the Church.

It is written right in the “Contents”  at the beginning of the handbook in giant print: “Doctrinal Foundation.”

That makes sense. A declaration that everything from that point on in the Handbook, all that takes place in the Church, is based on the foundation of correct doctrine.

“I teach them correct principles and they govern themselves.”

  Joseph Smith, Jr.

The First Presidency is Quick to Edit the Completed Revised Handbook 

The following extracts are from the 15 December 2021 news release  announcing the completion of the General handbook:

• “The purpose behind this . . . revision is to help every member serve in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in a more Christlike way,” said Elder Anthony D. Perkins, executive director of the Church’s Correlation Department. “In a variety of ways, we’ve tried to make this book very accessible to every member of the Church, whether they’re a new member or a longtime member, whether they live in the United States or the most far-flung place on the planet.”

• “The First Presidency is not shy about making edits,” Elder Perkins said. “And for me, that has been very inspiring — to do the very best work we can, . . . and yet there are things that we miss — very important things that Quorum of the Twelve and the First Presidency see and are added into the handbook. I can say to members with full confidence that the handbook, as written, reflects the desires and the input and direction from the people we sustain as prophets, seers and revelators.”

• The General Handbook will continue to be, in Elder Perkins’ words, “a living, breathing digital document” for the global faith.

• “The Church will release updates three times a year: March, July and November or December.”

A Significant Revision Before Completion

A big change was made in the customary “Four-fold Mission of the Church” while the Handbook was being rewritten.

I was apparently “asleep at the switch” and completely missed the transition to the revised purpose of the Church: “The Work of Salvation and Exaltation.” 

There are still four parts:

1. Living the gospel of Jesus Christ.

2. Caring for those in need.

3. Inviting all to receive the gospel.

4. Uniting families for eternity.”

If you look closely, the four points of the original mission are still implied in the updated statement.

But the change offers even more substance and meaning.

It represents the natural flow of change necessary as we approach the second coming.

The very beginning of the carefully crafted December 18, 2020, press release explains the reason for the change:

“Updates emphasize the work of salvation and exaltation, as well as principles of flexibility, agency, and personal revelation.”

You can read the post I wrote about the change here.

Why the Changes?

For one thing, this is a subtle reminder of a basic principle:

Each of us is primarily responsible for working out our salvation. 

It’s not up to the Prophet, our Bishop or Stake President, or our parents and friends to guarantee our eternal personal success. 

Of course, we can help, teach, and encourage each other.

But in the end, it is up to each of us as individuals.

The revised General Handbook is the perfect user manual for approaching life in the Church and perhaps even for living life in general.

One line in the “Dress and Appearance” section, 38.8.14, caught my eye and resonated with me:

“Disciples of Jesus Christ will know how best to dress and groom themselves.”

That says it all! It is the responsibility of each of us to determine how we dress.

We can figure these things out for ourselves, not only in our dress but in all our behavior.

We have been blessed with increased personal latitude.

However, there is no free lunch. We must be aware that enhanced duties and responsibilities accompany increased rights.

That means owning the temporal and spiritual consequences of our decisions. 

The Handbook provides a safe space for healthy discussion.

It can be a fabulous discussion starter! 

I have a hunch that was one purpose for the change. 

To get us to have constructive discussions amongst ourselves and in our councils. 

Like we did in the pre-existence.

The Handbook offers a safe and comfortable way to provide a clarifying alternative to a proposed point of doctrine or administration that doesn’t seem correct.

We have all been in council meetings when a procedure or point of doctrine doesn't seem right.

For example, when considering appropriate swimwear for an upcoming youth water activity.

Or when it becomes known the missionaries are teaching a transgender person and what is appropriate when the investigator attends church, including the second hour.

The Handbook provides a resource to cover these and many more topics safely and open-mindedly.

A council member can alleviate a potentially tense situation by suggesting, “How about we look up what the Handbook says about that?” 

Then find and discuss the doctrinal content provided together.

There will still be “Yabut Monkees.” 

Years ago, a wise Stake President described the content in the two Handbooks available in those days as the “distilled wisdom of leaders of the restoration from the Prophet Joseph to the current day.”

He was right. Today’s Handbook is distilled wisdom based on doctrine, experience, and revelation.

This contemporary resource is openly available to all so we can govern ourselves based on the foundation of solid doctrine.

Almost every circumstance is covered.

Still, I bet an occasional “Yabut Monkey” will surface to dig in their heels in opposition to the direction found in the manual.

You know the type. The conversation goes something like this:

“YEAH, that’s what it says, BUT my way still works better.”

Or, “The way we do this has worked for decades in our stake, so we will continue to do this that way.”

Make up your mind now to stick to the written doctrine.

Any Yabut Monkeys will reveal themselves and open the door to personal change through persuasion, meekness, longsuffering, and love. (D&C 121:41-43)

See How This Self-governing Works Now?

Take a look at the current Handbook for yourself. 

We can learn correct principles, reason together to tap the group's wisdom, and govern ourselves.

Thanks for reading and pondering with me! 

Russell Anderson

P.S. If you like this post, you may enjoy even more content on my website. So go ahead, snoop around.