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Assign Deacon as Home Teaching Companion

Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2015 10:10 pm
by comptonm
I need to assign a deacon as a home teaching companion to his father. Is this possible in LCR? Searched the forum for "Deacon" and got nothing.

Re: Assign Deacon as Home Teaching Companion

Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2015 10:40 pm
by sbradshaw
Leader and Clerk Resources is pretty strict about enforcing Handbook policies. Section 8.4 of the Handbook says that home teaching is "a priesthood responsibility of teachers, priests, and Melchizedek Priesthood holders," so unfortunately Leader and Clerk Resources doesn't allow deacons to be assigned as home teachers. If your bishopric still feels that this should be done, you can keep track of the assignment outside of the system.

Re: Assign Deacon as Home Teaching Companion

Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2015 6:12 am
by drepouille
So how is it that we can assign wives as home teaching companions?

Re: Assign Deacon as Home Teaching Companion

Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2015 6:41 am
by aebrown
drepouille wrote:So how is it that we can assign wives as home teaching companions?
Because assigning a wife as a home teacher IS an approved option in the Handbook (HB2, 7.4.2, last paragraph), whereas having a deacon be a home teacher is not.

Re: Assign Deacon as Home Teaching Companion

Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2015 9:58 pm
by rgjanzen
https://www.lds.org/new-era/1974/05/the ... n?lang=eng
There is an article by Bishop Featherstone that indicates Deacons can Home Teach:

A deacon’s duties include passing the sacrament, visiting homes of members and receiving fast offerings, providing messenger service for the bishop and his counselors, and home teaching as a junior companion when there are not sufficient priests and teachers. These responsibilities are commonly known by almost every deacon.

But you're right I don't see this in the handbook, but I don't see it forbidden. Any guidance or policy clarification?
Thanks

Re: Assign Deacon as Home Teaching Companion

Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2015 11:39 pm
by sbradshaw
That statement by Bishop Featherstone was given 40 years ago. Additionally, not being an apostle, his statement can't be taken as policy. So, if I were responsible for making those decisions in my ward, I would err on the side of interpreting 8.4 of the current Handbook more strictly. Good find, though! :)

Re: Assign Deacon as Home Teaching Companion

Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2016 6:33 pm
by khland
It appears that if a Deacon was assigned to a High Priest as a junior companion in MLS prior to the Ward's conversion to L&CR the assignment was converted successfully in L&CR as we have several Deacons assigned to HT at Junior Companions in L&CR.

It appears that any attempts to make new assignments for Deacons as junior HT companions in L&CR are not allowed.

Re: Assign Deacon as Home Teaching Companion

Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2017 3:26 pm
by skneish
FWIW, Doctrine and Covenants section 20:57, 58 states that with the exception of baptizing, administering the sacrament etc (see vs 58), that a Priest is to be assisted always, in all his duties in the church, by the deacons, if occasion requires. It is also the case, that (at least years ago) there were wards where Deacons were known to be home teachers. So that may help explain why at least the question is asked.

Re: Assign Deacon as Home Teaching Companion

Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2017 6:37 pm
by jdlessley
skneish wrote:FWIW, Doctrine and Covenants section 20:57, 58 states that with the exception of baptizing, adinistering the sacrament etc (see vs 58), that a Priest is to be assisted always, in all his duties in the church, by the deacons, if occasion requires.
Home teaching companionships must have a Melchizedek priesthood holder as the senior companion. It is not possible to have two Aaronic priesthood holders as a companionship. This would preclude a deacon from assisting a priest in those duties, at least as his companion that is.

Re: Assign Deacon as Home Teaching Companion

Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2017 7:57 pm
by russellhltn
jdlessley wrote:Home teaching companionships must have a Melchizedek priesthood holder as the senior companion. It is not possible to have two Aaronic priesthood holders as a companionship. This would preclude a deacon from assisting a priest in those duties, at least as his companion that is.
It's not stated that way in the Handbook, but it does seem to be the conclusion. I don't know as there's anything to preclude a deacon from going along - just not assigned or in place of a Melchizedek companion.