Tech Forum

I am trying to pin down an answer in a Handbook as to which positions should be sustained, versus which positions should simply be announced as FYI over the pulpit. My understanding is that "specialists" (those not listed in the Chart of Callings) and "committee members" are not sustained or set apart, but I can't put my finger on an authoritative source.

My understanding is that every calling should be sustained and set apart, unless it is a temporary assignment (short-term, like helping plan for an event), or as part of another calling (like a high councilor who helps somewhere, or a home teacher), or is held by someone who isn't able to hold a calling (like a nonmember). If I were to be called to any calling, I would want the blessings that come from being sustained (people know who you are and make it known that they're willing to help you in your calling) and set apart (a priesthood blessing and the right to receive revelation to help you in your calling). I wouldn't want to deny anyone those blessings, if they are expected to perform the duties associated with it.

For reference, Chapter 19 in Handbook 2 talks about callings (I'm sure you've looked through it already):
https://www.lds.org/handbook/handbook-2 ... h?lang=eng

The Chart of Callings says these are not sustained:
Stake auditors
Stake welfare specialists (including stake employment specialist)
Stake physical facilities representative (high councilor)
Stake activities committee chairman (high councilor)

drepouille wrote:I am trying to pin down an answer in a Handbook as to which positions should be sustained, versus which positions should simply be announced as FYI over the pulpit. My understanding is that "specialists" (those not listed in the Chart of Callings) and "committee members" are not sustained or set apart, but I can't put my finger on an authoritative source.

When I was clerk our bishopric had that same question. After some research we decided that based on the first line in Handbook 2 Section 19.3 we would assume that all callings should be sustained unless the chart of callings indicated otherwise or it was obviously just an assignment that was part of another calling. So, yes, we sustained RS committee members as well as scout committee members (unless, as sbradshaw said, they weren't a member) and so forth. For specialists it was sometimes a judgement call based on how the RS presidency looked at it. When possible we just called and sustained them as committee members and let the RS make (and change) assignments for specific duties. But if the RS presidency didn't really see a specialist as being part of the committee we called and sustained them as the specialist.

If a person was sustained to a calling in another meeting, we announced it over the pulpit in sacrament meeting. For example, an elders quorum president or counselor, or a high priests group leader or assistant.