The bishop calls and sets apart a priesthood holder to be the ward Sunday School president. The bishop or an assigned counselor calls and sets apart two priesthood holders to serve as counselors to the ward Sunday School president. A member of the bishopric also calls and sets apart Sunday School teachers and, if needed, a Sunday School secretary. The Sunday School president makes recommendations for these callings, but they are subject to the bishopric’s approval. (See Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2: Priesthood and Auxiliary Leaders [1998], 241–42.)

In prayerfully considering the names of priesthood holders to serve in the ward Sunday School presidency, bishoprics may wish to consider the counsel of Paul to "commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also" (2 Timothy 2:2). Members of ward Sunday School presidencies should be "faithful men" and they should be "able to teach others also." Among the many important responsibilities of the ward Sunday School presidency, none is more important than to improve teaching, not only in the Sunday School, but in the entire ward. The Sunday School presidency works closely with priesthood and auxiliary leaders, who continue to be responsible for teacher improvement in their organizations. The ward Sunday School presidency also has duties in administration, teacher improvement, and meetinghouse libraries (see "Changes to the Teacher Improvement Program," First Presidency letter, Nov. 17, 2006; "Additional Responsibilities for Sunday School Presidencies," President Boyd K. Packer letter, Dec. 5, 2003).

The bishop assigns one of his counselors to oversee the ward Sunday School under his direction. If you are a counselor in the bishopric assigned to oversee the ward Sunday School, you may find the following suggestions useful.

1. Regularly encourage all ward members to learn and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ. One of the most important things a leader can do is to encourage and help Church members to make scripture study a regular part of their lives. President Gordon B. Hinckley counseled:

"If I were a bishop or stake president today, what would I do? I think that I would try to put my major efforts on building the spirituality of the people. I would work as hard as I knew how to work in building their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, in God our Eternal Father, in the Prophet Joseph Smith and the Restoration of this work and what it means and what it is all about. I would encourage my people to read the scriptures, to read the Book of Mormon, to read the New Testament. I would urge them with all the capacity I have to read quietly and thoughtfully and introspectively, if you please. I would urge them to read the teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith." ["Inspirational Thoughts," Ensign, Oct. 2003, 4]

2. Establish a regular time to meet with the ward Sunday School presidency. You may find it helpful to establish regular meetings with the ward Sunday School presidency and secretary to discuss the affairs of the ward Sunday School. You may also want to consider inviting the meetinghouse librarian to join in this meeting from time to time.

3. Assist the ward Sunday School presidency in their responsibility to see that the Sunday School is "organized and functioning properly" (see Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, 242). It is especially important for the bishopric to call Sunday School leaders and teachers who can bless the lives of members of the Church. Now that the ward Sunday School presidency is responsible for teacher improvement, not just in the Sunday School, but throughout the entire ward, the bishopric should ensure that those called to serve in the Sunday School have the gifts and talents to work with teachers and leaders to improve teaching in the ward. The success of the Sunday School, to a large measure, is dependent on calling the right person to serve in the right position at the right time.

4. Keep the doctrine of the Church pure. Members of the bishopric have the responsibility of overseeing all who teach the gospel in the ward. They ensure that teaching is effective and doctrinally correct (see Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, 305). President Gordon B. Hinckley stated: "I have spoken before about the importance of keeping the doctrine of the Church pure, and seeing that it is taught in all of our meetings. I worry about this. Small aberrations in doctrinal teaching can lead to large and evil falsehoods" (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley [1997], 620).

The Lord stated in the Doctrine and Covenants that teachers should teach "none other things than that which the prophets and apostles have written, and that which is taught them by the Comforter through the prayer of faith" (D&C 52:9).

One reason bishopric members are encouraged to regularly attend Sunday School classes is to ensure that the doctrine being taught is pure and correct. If false doctrine is being taught, correction should be immediately made while avoiding criticism of the individual. Ensure that correct doctrine is being taught without giving offense to the individual, who might not have known the truth.

5. Ensure that the Teaching the Gospel course is held at least once a year (see Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 2, 305–6).

6. Ensure that all Sunday School officers and teachers are sustained and set apart. All Sunday School officers and teachers should be sustained in a timely manner and properly set apart (see Church Handbook of Instructions, Book 1: Stake Presidencies and Bishoprics [1998], 38–39, 45).

Helps for teachers: To view a collection of ideas and suggestions designed to help, inspire, and motivate gospel teachers throughout the Church to improve the quality of teaching in classrooms and at home, visit "Helps for Teachers."