New Church Handbook of Instructions 2010?

I keep hearing that there will be a new version of the Church Handbook of Instructions this year, but have yet to hear anything official. Does anyone know if and when this will happen. Will it be both book 1 and book 2, or just 1 of them?

We are short some copies, and before we go through the hassle of getting them I would like to know if new ones are coming out in a few months.

Thanks in advance

sean.whittier wrote:I keep hearing that there will be a new version of the Church Handbook of Instructions this year, but have yet to hear anything official. Does anyone know if and when this will happen. Will it be both book 1 and book 2, or just 1 of them?

We are short some copies, and before we go through the hassle of getting them I would like to know if new ones are coming out in a few months.

Yes, it's official that there will be new handbooks (both Book 1 and Book 2) this year. We will receive training at a Worldwide Leadership Training Broadcast on November 13, 2010 (see details). That broadcast was announced in an official letter dated 5 May 2010.

The meeting you cite brings up a point that has confused me for awhile.

Are "Assistant Ward Clerks for Finance" "Clerks" for the purpose of general HQ announcements of requested attendance at various meetings? Or not?

My understanding has always been that each local unit has but a single "Clerk", perhaps with some noteworthy exceptions, but I have been known to be confused on many issues.

Surely the truth is not hidden on this subject, just slightly obscure for some of us of limited insight. Thanks.

jameslanderson wrote:The meeting you cite brings up a point that has confused me for awhile.

Are "Assistant Ward Clerks for Finance" "Clerks" for the purpose of general HQ announcements of requested attendance at various meetings? Or not?

My understanding has always been that each local unit has but a single "Clerk", perhaps with some noteworthy exceptions, but I have been known to be confused on many issues.

Surely the truth is not hidden on this subject, just slightly obscure for some of us of limited insight. Thanks.

I can't say authoritatively, but I interpret an Assistant Clerk as a Clerk "for the purpose of general HQ announcements of requested attendance at various meetings." It seems as though the collective body of assistant clerks needs to know about as much from the Handbook as the official clerk needs to know. Just a personal guess though.

Anyone here have an authoritative answer that can be cited? If not, then perhaps local leadership can make that decision.

mkmurray wrote:I can't say authoritatively, but I interpret an Assistant Clerk as a Clerk "for the purpose of general HQ announcements of requested attendance at various meetings." It seems as though the collective body of assistant clerks needs to know about as much from the Handbook as the official clerk needs to know. Just a personal guess though.

Anyone here have an authoritative answer that can be cited? If not, then perhaps local leadership can make that decision.

Our stake always invites both Clerks and their assistants to all stake meetings where a clerk would be invited. However, I would agree that it's a local decision as to who would be invited to ANY meeting.

jameslanderson wrote:Are "Assistant Ward Clerks for Finance" "Clerks" for the purpose of general HQ announcements of requested attendance at various meetings? Or not?

I don't have a definitive answer, but I would note two points from the Handbook:

• In the handbook, there are references to the "ward clerk" or "stake clerk" as well as references to "assistant ward clerk" and "assistant stake clerk". But beyond that, in many cases throughout the book, the term "clerk" or "clerks" is used to refer to all these callings collectively. So there is certainly justification for thinking "clerks" refers to assistants as well.
• For the semi-annual stake priesthood leadership meeting, among the assigned attendees both stake clerks and ward clerks are explicitly mentioned, followed by a parenthetical comment "(and assistant clerks as needed)". Although this Worldwide Leadership Training meeting is somewhat different, that is probably a good guideline.

The bottom line is that the stake president will make the decision for his stake; hopefully it will be announced in a way in each stake that will leave no doubt as to who is to attend.

This is a slight "fork" from the thread subject...

jameslanderson wrote:The meeting you cite brings up a point that has confused me for awhile.

Are "Assistant Ward Clerks for Finance" "Clerks" for the purpose of general HQ announcements of requested attendance at various meetings? Or not?

My understanding has always been that each local unit has but a single "Clerk", perhaps with some noteworthy exceptions, but I have been known to be confused on many issues.

Surely the truth is not hidden on this subject, just slightly obscure for some of us of limited insight. Thanks.

I'm pretty sure that the "boss" of any assistant clerks is the bishop, and not the Ward Clerk, but I think it's pretty clear that the actual WARD CLERK is responsible for the collective work of the "clerks office," including finances and membership.

Should the assistant clerks attend training meetings? That probably is a local leadership decision.

The following is Quoted in part from a very official looking PDF file on LDS.org, found here, and also summarized on LDSTech here.

Ward Clerk areas of responsibility.

Administrator

• The ward clerk should: Provide membership and financial reports directly to the bishop.
• Analyze trends, strengths, and weaknesses within the ward.
• Supervise the work of assistant clerks and secretaries.

Trainer
The ward clerk should: Respond to record-keeping questions and requests for help.
Make sure that assistant clerks and secretaries understand:

• o Their record-keeping responsibilities.
• o How to use the Church record-keeping software.
• o The value and importance of their work.
• o The confidentiality of records.

jameslanderson wrote: Surely the truth is not hidden on this subject...

Does this help?

Thanks for all the interesting responses. That's about where I thought we were. I think I will attempt to get my Stake President to give some direction for "compliance" in our units. There should be plenty of time before the November meeting for clarity to become established.

Just one final note from the Handbook: "Assistant ward clerks also work under the direction of the ward clerk."

just got the new handbooks this week!! Going to give them a good read tonight, and see what's changed…

dannykos wrote:just got the new handbooks this week!! Going to give them a good read tonight, and see what's changed…

Everyone should note that the Church sent out an original notice on 1 Sep 2010 saying that handbooks should not be distributed until the November 13 Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting. Then the Presidency of the Seventy sent a followup notice on 30 Sep 2010 saying "[font=&quot]Please remind your bishops and branch presidents that the handbooks are not to be distributed to anyone prior to November 13, nor should they be used in any leadership training before then.[/font]"

So no one should even think about posting even any hints about what might have changed.

i know…i know

While I'm sure it will be discussed in the Worldwide Leadership Training some
of the changes the new CHI enacts, can anyone tell me if someone at the
church is working on a document of some kind that lists general changes ?

For example a list that might go chapter-by-chapter and say something like:

Chapter 82 - Policies regarding the use of candy to get Primary-aged children
to obey in church have changed, please see page 837.
Chapter 83 - No Change.
Chapter 84 - New Policies regarding tin-foil hats.

-or- perhaps even a more simple list

Chapter 82-Change
Chapter 83-No Change
Chapter 84-New policies

Such a list will be invaluable to the training of leaders, and if the church
isn't working on one; perhaps the Community can put together such a
list (although probably would have to be in the more simple format listed
above to follow forum guidelines), once the training has taken place. By
identifying which parts of the CHI have changed, the list would help leaders
focus their study on the new policies and procedures.

- Atticus

As I was reading through both books last night - I did wonder why they didn't mark up paragraphs/sections that had changed… but then it occurred to me - that it's probably to encourage everyone to re-read the entire book.

atticusewig wrote:While I'm sure it will be discussed in the Worldwide Leadership Training some of the changes the new CHI enacts, can anyone tell me if someone at the church is working on a document of some kind that lists general changes ? . . .

By identifying which parts of the CHI have changed, the list would help leaders focus their study on the new policies and procedures.

When the last handbook was released, this same request was made. The answer was that a document showing what changed would be almost as large as the Handbook.

At the satellite training meeting where training was provided on the current Handbook, we were instructed to read every page of the then new Handbook as if it had been rewritten entirely. As we carefully did so, we discovered that, indeed, there were changes on almost every page.

I am looking forward to the broadcast on November 13th (unless I am released this Sunday -- that would be ok, too).

Until then, as instructed, our handbooks are still in the box and none of us have cracked the cover(s). We are following the instructions of the First Presidency.

We were very surprised and disappointed that the Presidency of the Seventy needed to send additional instructions.

lajackson wrote:When the last handbook was released, this same request was made. The answer was that a document showing what changed would be almost as large as the Handbook.

Many of the technical documents I use simply mark changed portions with a vertical bar in the margin. It adds nothing to the size of the document and makes it easy to know what to review carefully.

rpyne wrote:Many of the technical documents I use simply mark changed portions with a vertical bar in the margin. It adds nothing to the size of the document and makes it easy to know what to review carefully.

Trouble is - people tend to take the path of least resistance, and would just read the paragraphs marked.

This way they have a choice. Either read it all, or read none.

Has anyone heard if Sections of Book 2 will be produced like they were in the
past ? For example, a section for Music, a section for Primary, a section for
Scouting - that sort of thing ? Or is the new policy going to be full copies of
Book 2 for each auxilllary presidency from now on ?

- Atticus

well all I know is that the box I got sent has nothing but book 1 and book 2 in - and that everyone invited to the meeting will receive a copy, so that seems fairly conclusive to me.

I would think there would be sections printed separately, for those that don't need the full book 2, I'm in a calling where that is what I use now.

I think the printed separate sections will come a little later, if they do, simply because of the logistics involved in printing out the separate sections and getting them distributed, while it is normally not that hard, it does take some effort to get a large number of different items like this ready on the printing and distribution end.

Rather than speculate either way, I think we should just drop all expectations until the books are distributed and the training is held. My guess (ironic that I'd speculate this after calling to end speculation) is that the handbooks themselves and the accompanying training will tell us what, if any, sections are to be printed and distributed.

What is reasoning behind no open access to volume 1 of the CHI? I think all members would benefit from being able to consult the policies/doctrines of the Church found in the 1st volume. I'm happy to see that volume 2 will be made available on LDS.org following the broadcast.

http://beta-newsroom.lds.org/article/Ch ... structions

todd.d.robbins wrote:What is reasoning behind no open access to volume 1 of the CHI? I think all members would benefit from being able to consult the policies/doctrines of the Church found in the 1st volume. I'm happy to see that volume 2 will be made available on LDS.org following the broadcast.

http://beta-newsroom.lds.org/article/Ch ... structions

No one on this forum knows the reasoning. I think we should be grateful that Book 2 will now be searchable online, and trust the wisdom of our leaders who have decided how Book 1 can be accessed. There is no point in speculation.

Cool. Thanks Alan, you make a wonderful point.

Caught the early edition of the broadcast:

Some notable changes of interest to clerks mentioned in the training
include:

- YSA attendance in Priesthood and Relief Society Meetings will
now be tracked as part of the quarterly report

- There is no more Welfare Meetings. With permission from the
Fast Offering Assistance Receipent, these needs will be discussed
during Ward Councils.

- No more standing Activities Committee. The Bishop may assign
people to help plan a party, but there will be no callings.

- Ward Councils will meet more frequently as they assume more
responsibilities traditionally bourne mostly by the Bishop.
Consequently, P.E.C. will meet less.

- As more spiritual needs are met by the organizations there
should be less emphasis on temporal matters such as "helping
people move"

- Further instruction will be provided in Feb 2011 in another broadcast.

I really enjoyed the first hour of this broadcast.

- Atticus Ewig

Alan_Brown wrote:No one on this forum knows the reasoning. I think we should be grateful that Book 2 will now be searchable online, and trust the wisdom of our leaders who have decided how Book 1 can be accessed. There is no point in speculation.

I can't wait for the broadcast. Having received the handbooks, i'm really enthused to use them in a way that will bless lives and see what the Brethren have to say.

atticusewig wrote: - No more standing Activities Committee. The Bishop may assign
people to help plan a party, but there will be no callings.

This makes me chuckle. Our Activities Chairman has recently been asking for assistance in adding people to the committee, so we just finished calling four individuals to that calling. We can't win. :p

Just noticed the handbook is now up on new.lds.org. Not on the front page, but I searched for handbook 2 and it came up in the results. No downloadable PDF - understandable but unfortunate.

Yes, found it in the new 'Serving in the Church' site, the one that's only partially up, it was a slightly convoluted path, but that had more to do with the fact that the site wasn't all the way there yet. Once there though, it's easy to navigate given they have arranged things in outline form.

Found something that might have been left off when posting to the website, likely by mistake though, look at 18.1, there is a chart of ward meetings. A later outline point in that section indicates there is a listing of scheduling options for the Sunday 3-hour block of meetings, however, I did not see that for whatever reason. That information should be on page 153 of the printed version, but I can't seem to find this in the online one.

In the index you'll also come across code like this:

<page Break pageNum="203" />

And the index doesn't hyperlink to the topics.

Probably the decision to post it to the website came
late in that three-year process it took to release it, they
talked about during the training. I'm sure we'll see
refinements in the weeks ahead.

Somewhat suprised it is posted online after the training
mentioned that Section 21 of selected policies should
not be copied and distributed. Book 2 isn't even behind
authentication, so anyone on the web can see and copy it.
Just a little confusing, I'd thought I would at least have to
use my LDSAccount to access it.
Perhaps I misheard during the training.

- Atticus

The training is now there too
November 2010 Worldwide Leadership Training

and the handbook 2
Handbook 2: Administering the Church

Found a technical snarl already on the page for the audio/video. The audio link for 'Ward Council Model' does not work. Returns an error if clicked on to listen, won't download if you try to do that either due to the same reason.

JamesAnderson wrote:Found a technical snarl already on the page for the audio/video. The audio link for 'Ward Council Model' does not work. Returns an error if clicked on to listen, won't download if you try to do that either due to the same reason.

This has been fixed. Thanks for pointing it out.

russelljd wrote:This has been fixed. Thanks for pointing it out.

While we're talking about errors, the contents page for handbook 2 that was linked above is titled: "Church Adminstation Handbook"

Turned up another technical glitch, this time on the handbook itself.

The page for 17.2 when the link for it is clicked returns the content from the page for 17.1. However, the link and page for 17.1 is linked and showing properly.

Section 21.1.22 seems interesting to me. It references a "LDS Site Development Guide" that can be accessed by performing a search on lds.org. However, neither a search on lds.org nor on new.lds.org returned any relevant results....

Edit: Also "Internet Usage Helps for Members". These both appear in the "Recommended Results" box but link to the home page with a (placeholder?) url of lds.org/pages/internet-usage-helps or lds.org/pages/lds-site-development-guide and reference the handbook below the link.

Has anyone manged to find a pdf version of HB2?

thanks.

I would also be pleased to see Handbook 2 available through the Gospel Library App. I am living a paper-free life as much as possible when I go to church.

What a great leadership conference and very inspired new handbooks.

I love the new (emphasised) focus and I keep noticing small wonderful changes.

You can rarely go wrong if you study it, apply it and follow it spiritually.

I really enjoyed the training and am getting into the books - love the focus on family and individuals. And using the councils that are established.

While I was watching the broadcast I kept thinking many of these messages would be great for every member to see. And..... there they are for every member to see on the web. Fantastic!

I also enjoyed seeing a little bit different side of the participants in the panel discussion - inspired, no doubt, but not quite as formal and polished as General Conference.

The broadcast is something I will return to many times as I seek more understanding. Can't wait for more in February!

I too would like to see a mobile version of Book 2.

ryan jones wrote:The training is now there too
November 2010 Worldwide Leadership Training

and the handbook 2
Handbook 2: Administering the Church

Fantastic to have Handbook 2 available. Will Handbook 1 be available online to those authorized to have it?

nimebe wrote:Fantastic to have Handbook 2 available. Will Handbook 1 be available online to those authorized to have it?

Yes. Handbook 1 is already available online to authorized individuals -- I know my stake presidency can access it on new.lds.org when they are logged in. I'm not sure what the exact list of those with access is; I would hope that it includes the same people who were given hard copies of Handbook 1.

Alan_Brown wrote:Yes. Handbook 1 is already available online to authorized individuals -- I know my stake presidency can access it on new.lds.org when they are logged in. I'm not sure what the exact list of those with access is; I would hope that it includes the same people who were given hard copies of Handbook 1.

I'm assuming that ward clerks don't have access right now because I can't find it anywhere. Of course, I'm not sure where it's supposed to show up. I've looked in the Tools menu and everywhere in the Leader and Clerk resources section.

If that's the case it's unfortunate because it makes it harder for me to research policy questions for the bishopric.

eblood66 wrote:I'm assuming that ward clerks don't have access right now because I can't find it anywhere. Of course, I'm not sure where it's supposed to show up. I've looked in the Tools menu and everywhere in the Leader and Clerk resources section.

If that's the case it's unfortunate because it makes it harder for me to research policy questions for the bishopric.

While logged in, you might try going to a section in Handbook 2 that references Handbook 1 (e.g., 4.6.4) and see if you can follow the link into Handbook 1. If you aren't logged in or have no access, you will just go to the first page of Handbook 2. If you do have the right permissions, I assume you would go to the appropriate section in Handbook 1.

Alan_Brown wrote:While logged in, you might try going to a section in Handbook 2 that references Handbook 1 (e.g., 4.6.4) and see if you can follow the link into Handbook 1. If you aren't logged in or have no access, you will just go to the first page of Handbook 2. If you do have the right permissions, I assume you would go to the appropriate section in Handbook 1.

Good idea. I tried that and it just puts me back to the first page of Handbook 2. I was logged in and my calling is setup correctly (I can access the Leader and Clerk resources section and it shows a title of Ward Clerk's Experience) so it looks like ward clerks don't have access.

Sryland wrote:No downloadable PDF - understandable but unfortunate.

I would settle for a mobile friendly version of what is already there.

Stake clerks don't have access either. I did notice that the distribution only includes 4 copies for Book 1. The Stake President and councilors. The 4th copy is the 'file copy', and although says clerk, I would assume that it is a shared copy between the clerk and executive secretary (at least our executive secretary did have a copy of the old book 1).

I'm a Bishop - and if I paste:

https://new.lds.org/handbook/handbook-1 ... s?lang=eng

into the address bar - while signed in, it brings Book 1 up.

Based on this thread, I would now guess that stake presidents and their counselors have access to Handbook 1, along with bishops and their counselors.

lajackson wrote:Based on this thread, I would now guess that stake presidents and their counselors have access to Handbook 1, along with bishops and their counselors.

And ward clerks do not

lajackson wrote:Based on this thread, I would now guess that stake presidents and their counselors have access to Handbook 1, along with bishops and their counselors.

I can confirm that 2nd Counselors in the Bishopric should be able to access Book 1. This is fantastic!

dannykos wrote:I'm a Bishop - and if I paste:

https://new.lds.org/handbook/handbook-1 ... s?lang=eng

into the address bar - while signed in, it brings Book 1 up.

I am a Ward Clerk, and using this link (when logged in) I am able to access Book 1.

https://new.lds.org/handbook/handbook-2 ... s?lang=eng

Section 21: Selected Policies and Guidelines does not seem to be working; even when I am logged in.

nbllds wrote:I am a Ward Clerk, and using this link (when logged in) I am able to access Book 1.

I can confirm that I, as a ward clerk, have access to Handbook 1 online.

Is there a way for the clerks to get to Book 1 without having a direct link?

How are bishops and their counselors getting to it?

nimebe wrote:https://new.lds.org/handbook/handbook-2 ... s?lang=eng

Section 21: Selected Policies and Guidelines does not seem to be working; even when I am logged in.

I noticed that as well. It depends on what link you use. Remove the "and-guidelines" from the URL and it works fine. Even when logged out.

I don't know why it works that way.

I can confirm that the link to Book 1 works for a Ward Executive Secretary. At least it works for me. Thanks.

nbllds wrote:I am a Ward Clerk, and using this link (when logged in) I am able to access Book 1.

Something must have changed since this morning because it works for me now (even the direct link didn't work for me earlier today). This is good news.

Just a statement, not a question, since it can't be answered here, nor is this a complaint.

CHI book 1 distribution does not include branch presidency councilors. Also no access on web site (at least so far).

I'm not sure why this is the case, and I'm a bit confused, since as a new branch presidency 2nd councilor (recently demoted from clerk), I am responible for all the same things a bishop's councilor is, including temple recomend and other interviews, etc. along with being backup clerk(no assistants). These things are especially important in our branch, since the president is from the stake and doesn't live within the branch boundaries (lives about 90 miles away). My goal is to serve to the best of my abilities. The more resouces I have availble, the better.

subtlecoolness wrote:I can confirm that I, as a ward clerk, have access to Handbook 1 online.

mwchesley wrote:I can confirm that the link to Book 1 works for a Ward Executive Secretary.

And this makes sense. Even though clerks and executive secretaries share a "file" copy, they are authorized access to Handbook 1, and it appears now that the online site agrees.

nutterb wrote:Is there a way for the clerks to get to Book 1 without having a direct link?

How are bishops and their counselors getting to it?

Well, I went to Handbook 2, found a link to Handbook 1, clicked on it, then went to the Handbook 1 front page.

At that point, I bookmarked it and put it in my browser favorites. (I do have to remember to be logged in at new.lds.org for it to work, though, or I wind up at the Handbook 2 front page.

I also bookmarked the Handbook 2 front page.

As a ward clerk, I can access Handbook 1 by signing in at new.lds.org/leader, opening the Resources menu, and then selecting Church Handbooks.

iamrkh wrote:As a ward clerk, I can access Handbook 1 by signing in at new.lds.org/leader, opening the Resources menu, and then selecting Church Handbooks.

Same here now but it wasn't there this morning.

I would hope that eventually I would be able to access H1 online since my duties as an assistant ward clerk are found in 13.4.3.:rolleyes:

In our stake, we have a Spanish Branch and we didn't get the new Handbooks in Spanish. Can these be ordered on ldscatalog? I haven't been able to find them. Any help would be great.

sbryan wrote:In our stake, we have a Spanish Branch and we didn't get the new Handbooks in Spanish. Can these be ordered on ldscatalog? I haven't been able to find them. Any help would be great.

In the past, and I'm sure it hasn't changed, the Stake President had to order additional copies of the handbooks. He may be able to go into store.lds.org using his LDS Account to order, or he may need to call Distribution Services to place the order.

sbryan wrote:In our stake, we have a Spanish Branch and we didn't get the new Handbooks in Spanish.

They should have gone to the branch president. Each of the Spanish speaking branches in our stake received them before the broadcast.

Is it possible that your branch is not coded as Spanish in CDOL and the branch president received English copies?

And if you did not receive them, it will probably take a phone call from the branch president or the stake president to the distribution center to get them sent.

kgthunder wrote:I would hope that eventually I would be able to access H1 online since my duties as an assistant ward clerk are found in 13.4.3.:rolleyes:

I hope (and believe) this will be resolved when assistant clerks are finally added to the Leader application. It is apparent from the documentation that was the intent. See here.

oregonmatt wrote:

kgthunder wrote:I would hope that eventually I would be able to access H1 online since my duties as an assistant ward clerk are found in 13.4.3.:rolleyes:

I hope (and believe) this will be resolved when assistant clerks are finally added to the Leader application. It is apparent from the documentation that was the intent. See here.

Assistant clerks have been added to the Leader application, unless your a finance clerk (not included because the finance section isn't online) or a STS that got left out as was discovered here

Why is it that sometimes when I click on the handbook, I only get the frames and no text?

I've had no problems with Book 2, it's loaded perfectly every time. Using Firefox 3.6.12 or later.

Huh. It must be me. I'm using Firefox 3.6.3, but it also is doing it on occasion in Explorer 8.

Off to reboot...

For me the main table of contents page will come up (only if url doesn't have the trailing /) but none of the sections work when I click on them. I tried both Firefox 3.6.8 and IE 7.

This problem is being reported in another thread. No real solution has been proposed.

Perhaps something has changed at the server?

Thanks. Migrating over there...

No problem here. Firefox 3.6.12