Mantle of ResponsibilityPublished: Saturday, May 3, 1997
Photo; A "bishops mantle" from the 16th century
Every Sunday in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a miracle occurs - the miracle of rotating responsibilities.
Each week in the wards and branches, stakes and districts throughout the world, someone is released from a Church calling and another is sustained to that position. With very few exceptions, that transfer of responsibility occurs without creating a ripple of any kind in the work of the kingdom.At the end of 1996, there were more than 25,000 local units in the Church. Those 23,528 wards and branches and 2,967 stakes and districts require a lot of willing people - tens of thousands of them - to serve in all the positions necessary to keep the work of the Church running smoothly on the local level.
But in every case, those holding those positions today - from the president of the stake to the nursery leader in the ward - will be released at some point in time, and the mantle of responsibility will pass on to another.
In the April 1984 general conference, President Gordon B. Hinckley said: "There is a principle followed in the Church of rotating responsibilities. Inherent in a call to serve is a release, to be expected and welcomed after service well performed."
None of us should ever think we "own" a Church calling. We are the stewards of that calling for a time, and, then we will be released from it. Obviously, while we are in a calling, we need to do all we can to magnify that calling.
President Ezra Taft Benson, also at the April 1984 general conference, said: "We counsel you to accept callings in the Church and to serve faithfully in the positions to which you are called. Serve one another. Magnify your callings. As you do so, you will be the means of blessing others and you will increase in spirituality."
Later, at the October 1987 general conference, President Benson said, "Callings in the Church, as important as they are, by their very nature are only for a period of time, and then an appropriate release takes place."
Some years ago, a young man was called as a bishop. Shortly after he was sustained in his new responsibility, he received a letter from a wise associate who said: "You didn't ask for advice, but if you did, I would offer just this: From the day you begin, prepare to be released. You will be some day." The new bishop thought it strange that he received counsel to prepare for his release only days after he was called. Then his friend explained: "The greatest blessing you can have is to look back on the years as bishop without regret for things done or left undone."
The message was received by the new bishop. He knew that after a period of time he would be released, but until then he needed to serve to the best of his abilities so there would be no regrets. That same message applies to all of us in any calling we may receive.
With few exceptions, releases from Church callings are done in an orderly manner; they are effected with respect and consideration for all concerned.
And the genius of it all is that the work continues to grow and expand. When new people are called, they have opportunities for growth and development. They come in, not with the idea of turning everything around, but with the idea of building on what their predecessors accomplished. And the work goes on and on!
It is the Lord's way for continual leadership and development in His Church.
Legion are the experiences of members who have grown in the gospel because the mantle of responsibility has been passed their way. Their abilities grow to meet the challenges and demands of the calling. Most members feel quite inadequate when they accept a new calling, but we are called not necessarily for what we are, but for what we can become. The Lord makes us equal to the task. President Thomas S. Monson has often said, "Whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies."
And it matters little where we serve, but how!
Some years ago, a stake president in England, upon his release, said: "I was happy to accept the call to serve as stake president, and I am equally happy to accept my release. I did not serve just because I was under call. I served because I am under covenant. And I can keep my covenants quite as well as a home teacher as I can serving as stake president." (Reported by Elder Boyd K. Packer in the April 1987 general conference.)
Calls are extended. Releases are extended. And the process is repeated over and over again. Untold numbers have opportunities for growth and development. It is marvelous to witness how the Lord brings to pass His work and His glory among His children on earth.
Such is the miracle that occurs in the Church every week.
Each week in the wards and branches, stakes and districts throughout the world, someone is released from a Church calling and another is sustained to that position. With very few exceptions, that transfer of responsibility occurs without creating a ripple of any kind in the work of the kingdom.At the end of 1996, there were more than 25,000 local units in the Church. Those 23,528 wards and branches and 2,967 stakes and districts require a lot of willing people - tens of thousands of them - to serve in all the positions necessary to keep the work of the Church running smoothly on the local level.
But in every case, those holding those positions today - from the president of the stake to the nursery leader in the ward - will be released at some point in time, and the mantle of responsibility will pass on to another.
In the April 1984 general conference, President Gordon B. Hinckley said: "There is a principle followed in the Church of rotating responsibilities. Inherent in a call to serve is a release, to be expected and welcomed after service well performed."
None of us should ever think we "own" a Church calling. We are the stewards of that calling for a time, and, then we will be released from it. Obviously, while we are in a calling, we need to do all we can to magnify that calling.
President Ezra Taft Benson, also at the April 1984 general conference, said: "We counsel you to accept callings in the Church and to serve faithfully in the positions to which you are called. Serve one another. Magnify your callings. As you do so, you will be the means of blessing others and you will increase in spirituality."
Later, at the October 1987 general conference, President Benson said, "Callings in the Church, as important as they are, by their very nature are only for a period of time, and then an appropriate release takes place."
Some years ago, a young man was called as a bishop. Shortly after he was sustained in his new responsibility, he received a letter from a wise associate who said: "You didn't ask for advice, but if you did, I would offer just this: From the day you begin, prepare to be released. You will be some day." The new bishop thought it strange that he received counsel to prepare for his release only days after he was called. Then his friend explained: "The greatest blessing you can have is to look back on the years as bishop without regret for things done or left undone."
The message was received by the new bishop. He knew that after a period of time he would be released, but until then he needed to serve to the best of his abilities so there would be no regrets. That same message applies to all of us in any calling we may receive.
With few exceptions, releases from Church callings are done in an orderly manner; they are effected with respect and consideration for all concerned.
And the genius of it all is that the work continues to grow and expand. When new people are called, they have opportunities for growth and development. They come in, not with the idea of turning everything around, but with the idea of building on what their predecessors accomplished. And the work goes on and on!
It is the Lord's way for continual leadership and development in His Church.
Legion are the experiences of members who have grown in the gospel because the mantle of responsibility has been passed their way. Their abilities grow to meet the challenges and demands of the calling. Most members feel quite inadequate when they accept a new calling, but we are called not necessarily for what we are, but for what we can become. The Lord makes us equal to the task. President Thomas S. Monson has often said, "Whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies."
And it matters little where we serve, but how!
Some years ago, a stake president in England, upon his release, said: "I was happy to accept the call to serve as stake president, and I am equally happy to accept my release. I did not serve just because I was under call. I served because I am under covenant. And I can keep my covenants quite as well as a home teacher as I can serving as stake president." (Reported by Elder Boyd K. Packer in the April 1987 general conference.)
Calls are extended. Releases are extended. And the process is repeated over and over again. Untold numbers have opportunities for growth and development. It is marvelous to witness how the Lord brings to pass His work and His glory among His children on earth.
Such is the miracle that occurs in the Church every week.
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