Mormon Church announces release of updated handbook of instructions for leaders

SALT LAKE CITY — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has completed revisions to the Church Handbook of Instructions and will provide new volumes to lay leaders around the world on Saturday.

An announcement today on the church's LDS Newsroom website said the handbooks will be introduced during a training meeting originating in Salt Lake City that will subsequently be broadcast throughout the world Saturday.

"Church leaders say that one of the major aims of the new handbook is to reduce the administrative workload on the Church's bishops," the press release states. "… In relieving pressure on its (bishops), other lay leaders will take on additional assignments. Extra responsibilities will be passed to 'ward councils,' which include both men and women whose primary duty is to provide for the spiritual needs of individuals and families."

The Church Handbook of Instructions is divided into two volumes — one primarily intended for bishops and stake presidents, and another that will receive significantly wider distribution to ward auxiliary leaders.

The latter volume will be posted on lds.org on Saturday, where it will be available for anyone to see.

The worldwide training session will be available for viewing on the Internet by late Saturday. The handbook volume for bishops and stake presidents also will be available for use online by those leaders.

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