Auxiliary organization (LDS Church)

Auxiliary organization (LDS Church)

An auxiliary organization is a secondary body of church government within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) that is "established for moral, educational, and benevolent purposes." [James E. Talmage (1984). "Articles of Faith". (rev. ed.) Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, p. 193.] As their name suggests, LDS Church auxiliary organizations are ancillary to the governing power of the priesthood in the church. The five auxiliary organizations of the LDS Church are Primary, Relief Society, Sunday School, Young Men, and Young Women.

The existence of church auxiliary organizations as a means of assisting the priesthood is based the Apostle Paul's statement that God has established "helps" and "governments" in the church to assist the apostles and prophets who lead the church. [ [http://scriptures.lds.org/en/1_cor/12/28#28 1 Corinthians 12:28] .] Apostle Harold B. Lee taught that "an auxiliary is to be an aid to the priesthood in watching over the Church and also an aid to the home, under the direction and … cooperation [of] the priesthood." [Harold B. Lee, Clyde J. Williams (ed.) (1996). "Teachings of Harold B. Lee, Eleventh President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints". Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, p. 263.] The purpose of the auxiliary organizations is to help “plant and make grow … a testimony of Christ and of the Gospel." [First Presidency, “Memorandum of Suggestions,” Mar. 29, 1940, p. 2, quoted in Richard G. Scott, “ [http://www.lds.org/portal/site/LDSOrg/menuitem.b12f9d18fae655bb69095bd3e44916a0/?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=d8bd2ee01e31c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1#footnote2 The Doctrinal Foundation of the Auxiliaries”] , "Ensign", Aug. 2005, pp. 62–67.]

According to Joseph F. Smith, church auxiliary organizations are temporary organizations which may be created and discontinued as the needs of the church and the priesthood hierarchy change. [Joseph F. Smith, "Juvenile Instructor", vol. 39, Jan. 1, 1904, pp. 17-18.] As President of the Church, Smith further stated:

We expect to see the day, if we live long enough ... when every council of the Priesthood in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will understand its duty; will assume its own responsibility, will magnify its calling, and fill its place in the Church, to the uttermost, according to the intelligence and ability possessed by it. When that day shall come, there will not be so much necessity for work that is now being done by the auxiliary organizations, because it will be done by the regular quorums of the Priesthood. [Joseph F. Smith, "April 1906 Conference Report", p. 3 in Joseph F. Smith (1977). "Gospel Doctrine" (rev. ed.) Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, p. 159.]

In the LDS Church today, each auxiliary organization is headed by a "general president" and two counselors; the three individuals together form the "general presidency" of the auxiliary. These individuals are not general authorities of the church, but are referred to as "general auxiliary officers" or "general officers" of the church. Like general authorities, general officers are accepted and sustained by the members of the church as leaders in their respective areas of jurisdiction, which are set out by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Additionally, each auxiliary organization exists at a local ward and stake level, with presidencies formed to direct the work of the auxiliary in that particular region. Auxiliary presidencies work under the direction of the local priesthood leaders, which in most cases are the bishop and the stake president.

ee also

*List of general officers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
*Genesis Group

References


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Sunday School (LDS Church) — Sunday School Formation 11 November 1867 Type Non profit Purpose/focus religious instruction Headquarters Salt Lake City, Utah, USA Membership …   Wikipedia

  • Handbook (LDS Church) — The Handbook (formerly the Church Handbook of Instructions and earlier the General Handbook of Instructions) is a two volume book of instructions and policies for leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints (LDS Church). The books… …   Wikipedia

  • Primary (LDS Church) — Primary Motto Faith and Service. Formation 11 August 1878 Type Non profit Purpose/focus religious instruction; personal standards and development; child/family support Headquarters …   Wikipedia

  • Beehive (LDS Church) — A Beehive is a 12 13 year old participant in the Young Women organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints (LDS Church).The name beehive was first used in the LDS Church s organization for young women in 1913, when a Beehive… …   Wikipedia

  • Laurel (LDS Church) — A Laurel is a 16 17 year old participant in the Young Women organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints (LDS Church). The symbol of the Laurels is the spires of the temple, which are intended to remind participants of… …   Wikipedia

  • The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — Classification Latter Day Saint movement Theology Nontrinitarian, Mormonism Governance …   Wikipedia

  • Beliefs and practices of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — Mormon doctrine redirects here. For the book by Bruce R. McConkie, see Mormon Doctrine (book). For more details on the study of Latter day Saint beliefs and practices as an academic field, see Mormon studies. Joseph Smith, Jr. said that he saw… …   Wikipedia

  • Church Handbook of Instructions — (formerly the General Handbook of Instructions ) is a two volume book of instructions and policies for leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints (LDS Church). The books are prepared by the First Presidency and Quorum of the… …   Wikipedia

  • History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — For the book series on the LDS Church s early history, see History of the Church. The history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints (LDS Church) is typically divided into three broad time periods: (1) the early history during the… …   Wikipedia

  • Young Men (organization) — Young Men Formation 1875 Type Non profit Purpose/focus religious instruction; personal standards and development; adolescent male support; Scouting Headquarters Salt Lake City, Utah, USA …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”