March 28, 2002

To: General Authorities; Area Authority Seventies; Stake, Mission, and District Presidents; Bishops and Branch Presidents

Dear Brethren:

Implementing the Bishop's Responsibility for Ward Missionary Work

The attached document, "Centering Missionary Work in the Ward—Implementation," outlines principles for implementing the directions in the First Presidency's letter of February 28, 2002.

We invite your careful attention to these principles for implementing a modified approach which we are confident, as we have said, "will advance the effectiveness of conversion and retention efforts."

Sincerely yours,

Gordon B. Hinckley
Thomas S. Monson
James E. Faust

The First Presidency

Centering Missionary Work in the Ward—Implementation

Stake presidencies and bishoprics should prayerfully follow the directions in the First Presidency letter of 28 February 2002 on "The Bishop's Responsibility for Ward Missionary Work." This document outlines principles for implementing those directions.

President Gordon B. Hinckley: "I request each stake and district president to accept full responsibility and accountability for the finding and friendshipping of investigators within your stake or district. I request each bishop and branch president to accept the same responsibility within your ward or branch. You brethren have a sacred obligation before the Lord for this effort. You set the example for what others may do under your inspired leadership. . . . It is our responsibility, the responsibility of each of us, of the stake presidency, of the high council, of the bishopric, . . . to see that every one who is baptized is encouraged and made to feel the wondrous warmth of this gospel of our Lord" (Ensign, May 1999, pp. 104, 110).

Stake President

The stake president is responsible for overseeing the bishops in their missionary and retention responsibilities. In monthly interviews with bishops he should discuss missionary and retention goals, plans, and progress, including specific investigators and recent converts. He should release from their stake callings the stake mis­sion presidency and all stake missionaries, including ward mission leaders. The stake president is also responsible for coordination with the full-time mission president.

High Councilor

The high councilor should assist the stake presidency on all missionary and retention activities in the stake. He should propose agenda items for stake meetings, including meetings with bishoprics; follow up on plans and assignments made in meetings; and carry out assignments from the stake presidency, including training of missionaries.

Bishop

Efforts to share the gospel are most effective when they are ward-centered and ward-directed. The bishop will need to consider how he can delegate other duties to his counselors, as well as to members of the priesthood executive committee and the ward council, to enable him to devote time and attention to his responsibilities for conversion and retention.

The bishop should call a Melchizedek Priesthood holder as ward mission leader. The bishop and ward mission leader should determine how many ward missionaries are needed. The number should be sufficient to meet the needs in the ward for supporting members in sharing the gospel, including finding, fellowshipping, retention, and working with the full-time missionaries. The ward mis­sion leader and ward missionaries who are called may or may not have been serving as stake missionaries.

The bishop should use the priesthood executive committee and ward council as resources to:

• Encourage and support the members in sharing the gospel, especially in preparing people to be taught.
• Discuss the teaching and fellowshipping of investigators.
• Coordinate the retention of new members.
• Coordinate reactivation efforts.

Ward Mission Leader

Under the direction of the bishop, the ward mission leader, who is a Melchizedek Priesthood holder, coordinates the work of the ward missionaries with priesthood leaders, auxiliary leaders, and members. He also coordinates with the full-time missionaries, including arranging for members to be present, whenever possible, when investigators are taught, especially the last few lessons. He also organizes convert baptismal services in the ward, in cooperation with the full-time missionaries. A member of the bishopric or the ward mission leader usually conducts these services.

The ward mission leader proposes agenda items on missionary work and retention for priesthood executive committee and ward council meetings, including discussion of specific individuals. He ensures that new converts receive the attention they need, including being taught the discussions for new members by ward missionaries (or the full-time missionaries, where needed) and the home teachers.

Ward Missionary

Ward missionaries may be priesthood holders, sisters, or married couples. They serve until released by the bishopric, without a specified term of service. The time they devote to this calling depends on the needs in the ward; there is no specified number of hours per week. Ward missionaries need not have assigned companions but should not go alone when visiting people in their homes. They do not wear name tags.

Mission President

Cooperation between full-time missions and stakes is essential. The mission president consults with the stake president to determine how his missionaries can best assist the bishoprics and members in their missionary and retention responsibilities.