High Council Basics
This is the process by which high council members are chosen or "appointed."
Hint: See D&C 102:2. It is also something that President Nelson says we should work at personally.
What is revelation?
D&C 82:10 I, the Lord am _________ when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.
(ring the bell to be served eternal blessings)
What is bound?
This is how the high council decides what order they speak in.
Hint: See D&C 102:12, 34
What is they "cast lots" or draw numbers 1-12 and speak in the order they drew.
D&C 29
10 For the hour is nigh, and that which was spoken by mine apostles must be fulfilled; for as they spoke so shall it come to pass;
11 For I will reveal myself from heaven with power and great glory, with all the hosts thereof, and dwell in righteousness with men on earth a thousand years, and the wicked shall not stand.
What is the second coming of Jesus Christ?
According to D&C 102:23. If a case needs clarity on doctrine or principle and not enough is written to make it clear, they can know the "mind of the Lord by" this.
What is revelation?
This many people make up a high council.
hint: It's not 12. See D&C 102:1.
What is 15? (13-15 acceptable)
Back then one high council presided over Kirtland and the surrounding area and was presided over by the first presidency.
Today each stake has a high council presided over by the stake presidency.
D&C 58:42-43
Behold, he who has repented of his sins the same is ________ and I the Lord, __________ them no more.
By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins--behold he will confess them and forsake them.
What is forgiven / remember?
According to D&C 102:27, if something cannot be solved by a council, they can appeal to this group.
What is the first presidency?
According to D&C 42:11, they must be ordained by some one who has __________.
In God's kingdom there is order.
11 Again I say unto you, that it shall not be given to any one to go forth to preach my gospel, or to build up my church, except he be ordained by some one who has authority, and it is known to the church that he has authority and has been regularly ordained by the heads of the church.
According to D&C 102:19, this is what the high council does AFTER the president makes a decision.
What is "sanction" it?
Note: vs. 20-22 give instructions about what to do if there is any uncertainty about the decision.
This is the PURPOSE high councils were appointed.
Hint: See D&C 102:2.
What is to settle important difficulties which might arise in the church that could not be settle by the church or the bishop's council to the satisfaction of all parties.
D&C 84
20 Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of _________ is manifest.
21 And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of _(same word)_ is not manifest unto men in the flesh;
22 For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.
What is Godliness?
20 Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.
21 And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;
22 For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.
According to D&C 102:16, what principles need to guide disciplinary cases?
Truth, equity and justice.
According to D&C 135, this man has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in the world, than any other man that ever lived in it.
Who is Joseph Smith?
Listen to the following clip:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2010-07-0088-disciplinary-councils?lang=eng
According to President Hinckley, THIS is what always takes place before a disciplinary decision is made.
What is prayer? Or what is council?
One of the heavy responsibilities of the high council is to serve as a disciplinary council. Give an example of a transgression that might require disciplinary action.
What is spouse or child abuse, adultery, fornication, rape, incest or serious violations of civil law?
D&C 88:118 And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by _____ and also by _____.
What is STUDY and also by FAITH?
Councilors who draw even numbers have this responsibility.
Hint: See D&C 102:15-17
In D&C 62:9-11
When others may offend we need to let go and ___________.
What is forgive
9 Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin.
10 I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men.
11 And ye ought to say in your hearts—let God judge between me and thee, and reward thee according to thy deeds.
According to D&C 102: 18, the accuser and the accused get to speak for themselves. Councilors also speak in behalf of both sides. Why would this be helpful to a stake president before he makes a decision?
He can be just knowing both sides of the story.
One of the heavy responsibilities of the high council is to serve as a disciplinary council. Why do you think the church needs to have a council to 'discipline' (ie by restricting privileges of church membership or potentially excommunicate) someone who has committed a serious transgression?
Possible answers:
1. to save the souls of the transgressors
2. to protect the innocent
3. to safeguard the purity, integrtiy, and good name of the church
In verses 18-21 of this section, we learn the blessings of obeying the word of wisdom.
What is section 89?
He has great compassion for them.
This great testimony of the living Christ and that He is the creator of all things is found in verses 22-24 of Section _____?
22 And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!
23 For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—
24 That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.
What is 76?
Read the following by President Harold B. Lee and answer the question after. “Some years ago … I served as a stake president. We had a very grievous case that had to come before the high council and the stake presidency that resulted in the excommunication of a man who had harmed a lovely young girl. After a nearly all-night session that resulted in that action, I went to my office rather weary the next morning and was confronted by a brother of this man whom we [met with in council] the night before. This man said, ‘I want to tell you that my brother wasn’t guilty of what you charged him with.’
“‘How do you know he wasn’t guilty?’ I asked.
“‘Because I prayed, and the Lord told me he was innocent,’ the man answered” (Teachings of Harold B. Lee, ed. Clyde J. Williams [1996], 420–21).
What principles in D&C 102 could help you to feel confident in the stake presidency and high council's decision?
Listening to all sides
Defense of both sides
Seeking revelation
Council among many people
Run on principles of truth, equity and justice
Here's the end of the story:
“I asked him to come into the office and we sat down, and I asked, ‘Would you mind if I ask you a few personal questions?’
“He said, ‘Certainly not.’ …
“‘How old are you?’
“‘Forty-seven.’
“‘What priesthood do you hold?’
“He said he thought he was a teacher.
“‘Do you keep the Word of Wisdom?’
“‘Well, no.’ …
“‘Do you pay your tithing?’
“He said, ‘No’—and he didn’t intend to as long as that … man was the bishop of the Thirty-Second Ward.
“I said, ‘Do you attend your priesthood meetings?’
“He replied, ‘No, sir!’ …
“‘You don’t attend your sacrament meetings either?’
“‘No, sir.’
“‘Do you have your family prayers?’ and he said no.
“‘Do you study the scriptures?’ He said well, his eyes were bad, and he couldn’t read very much. …
“‘Now, then,’ I said, ‘fifteen of the best-living men in the Pioneer Stake prayed last night. … and every man was united. … Now you, who do none of these things, you say you prayed and got an opposite answer. How would you explain that?’
“Then this man gave an answer that I think was a classic. He said, ‘Well, President Lee, I think I must have gotten my answer from the wrong source’” (Teachings of Harold B. Lee, 421–22).