New Member
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.
Assign Deacon as Home Teaching Companion
Community Moderators
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.
Senior Member
So how is it that we can assign wives as home teaching companions?
Dana Repouille, Plattsmouth, Nebraska
Community Administrator
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.drepouille wrote:So how is it that we can assign wives as home teaching companions?
Questions that can benefit the larger community should be asked in a public forum, not a private message.
New Member
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
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
Community Moderators
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.
New Member
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.
It appears that any attempts to make new assignments for Deacons as junior HT companions in L&CR are not allowed.
New Member
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.
Community Moderators
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.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.
JD Lessley
Have you tried finding your answer on the ChurchofJesusChrist.org Help Center or Tech Wiki?
Have you tried finding your answer on the ChurchofJesusChrist.org Help Center or Tech Wiki?
Community Administrator
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.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.
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Senior Member
This is an interesting discussion. From reading the scriptures, I, too, have wondered why deacons are not called as home teachers.
I think MLS didn't have many "business rules" in it, so you could do a lot of things. With LCR, they are trying to include those "business rules" in the system so you can only do what the handbook says, so it's not a surprise that MLS let you do something that LCR doesn't.
This seems like an interesting question for a stake president to take up with his area authority. The apostles do review scripture and try to get the church running as dictated in scripture. From time to time, that means changes. The practices of the past, along with the scriptures and Bishop Featherstone's talk seem to provide an interesting contradiction that might generate a response from the church leaders. Even though Bishop Featherstone wasn't speaking as an apostle, he was speaking as a member of the Presiding Bishopric, which has priesthood authority over the Aaronic Priesthood. Yes, an apostle's authority would be greater, so there could be additional revelation that was given to the apostles concerning this matter when the handbooks were updated. On the other hand, asking a question and pointing to the scriptures could lead to new revelation and a change in policy.
I think MLS didn't have many "business rules" in it, so you could do a lot of things. With LCR, they are trying to include those "business rules" in the system so you can only do what the handbook says, so it's not a surprise that MLS let you do something that LCR doesn't.
This seems like an interesting question for a stake president to take up with his area authority. The apostles do review scripture and try to get the church running as dictated in scripture. From time to time, that means changes. The practices of the past, along with the scriptures and Bishop Featherstone's talk seem to provide an interesting contradiction that might generate a response from the church leaders. Even though Bishop Featherstone wasn't speaking as an apostle, he was speaking as a member of the Presiding Bishopric, which has priesthood authority over the Aaronic Priesthood. Yes, an apostle's authority would be greater, so there could be additional revelation that was given to the apostles concerning this matter when the handbooks were updated. On the other hand, asking a question and pointing to the scriptures could lead to new revelation and a change in policy.