Assign Deacon as Home Teaching Companion

Discussions about the Leader and Clerk Resources on lds.org.
comptonm
New Member
Posts: 1
Joined: Wed Jul 15, 2015 10:05 pm

Assign Deacon as Home Teaching Companion

#1

Post 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.
User avatar
sbradshaw
Community Moderators
Posts: 6245
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 9:42 pm
Location: Utah
Contact:

Re: Assign Deacon as Home Teaching Companion

#2

Post 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.
Samuel Bradshaw • If you desire to serve God, you are called to the work.
drepouille
Senior Member
Posts: 2859
Joined: Sun Jul 01, 2007 6:06 pm
Location: Plattsmouth, NE

Re: Assign Deacon as Home Teaching Companion

#3

Post by drepouille »

So how is it that we can assign wives as home teaching companions?
Dana Repouille, Plattsmouth, Nebraska
User avatar
aebrown
Community Administrator
Posts: 15153
Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2007 8:48 pm
Location: Draper, Utah

Re: Assign Deacon as Home Teaching Companion

#4

Post 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.
rgjanzen
New Member
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Dec 20, 2015 9:53 pm

Re: Assign Deacon as Home Teaching Companion

#5

Post 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
User avatar
sbradshaw
Community Moderators
Posts: 6245
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 9:42 pm
Location: Utah
Contact:

Re: Assign Deacon as Home Teaching Companion

#6

Post 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! :)
Samuel Bradshaw • If you desire to serve God, you are called to the work.
khland
New Member
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun Nov 03, 2013 6:22 pm

Re: Assign Deacon as Home Teaching Companion

#7

Post 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.
skneish
New Member
Posts: 4
Joined: Sun Dec 07, 2014 4:40 pm

Re: Assign Deacon as Home Teaching Companion

#8

Post 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.
jdlessley
Community Moderators
Posts: 9858
Joined: Mon Mar 17, 2008 12:30 am
Location: USA, TX

Re: Assign Deacon as Home Teaching Companion

#9

Post 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.
JD Lessley
Have you tried finding your answer on the ChurchofJesusChrist.org Help Center or Tech Wiki?
russellhltn
Community Administrator
Posts: 34417
Joined: Sat Jan 20, 2007 2:53 pm
Location: U.S.

Re: Assign Deacon as Home Teaching Companion

#10

Post 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.
Have you searched the Help Center? Try doing a Google search and adding "site:churchofjesuschrist.org/help" to the search criteria.

So we can better help you, please edit your Profile to include your general location.
Post Reply

Return to “Leader and Clerk Resources”