Ward Leadership Council
A practical map of who does what in the ward for temple and family history work — and how leaders coordinate to bless members' lives.
The Ward Team
Temple and family history work in the ward isn't one person's job — it belongs to a coordinated team. General Handbook Chapter 25 defines each role clearly so leaders can work together without overlap or gaps.
◯ Bishopric
The bishopric oversees the entire effort at the ward level.
- Review and approve the ward temple & family history plan.
- Issue temple recommends and approve temple preparation courses.
- Coordinate with elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies.
- Call a Ward Temple & Family History Leader if needed.
👥 Elders Quorum & Relief Society Presidencies
These two presidencies lead the day-to-day efforts for their members.
- Develop the ward plan in coordination with each other.
- Identify and recommend ward consultants to the bishopric.
- Ensure coordination meetings happen regularly.
- Focus on the needs of specific individuals and families.
📋 Ward Temple & Family History Leader
If called by the bishopric, this Melchizedek Priesthood holder coordinates the ward's overall effort.
- Supports both the elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies.
- Conducts regular coordination meetings.
- Ensures the ward plan is implemented and updated.
💌 Ward Temple & Family History Consultants
Consultants do the direct work with members. Adults and youth may both serve in this calling.
- Teach members how to do family history and temple work.
- Give special focus to new members, returning members, and youth.
- Help members use Family Name Assist and Ordinances Ready.
- Work one-on-one in members' homes when helpful.
The Ward Temple & Family History Plan
Each ward is encouraged to develop a simple annual plan that addresses local needs and resources. The plan is not a quota system — it's a roadmap for helping specific individuals experience the blessings of this work.
Important: The General Handbook is explicit — the ward plan "should not establish quotas or reporting systems." The goal is blessing individuals, not tracking numbers.
A ward plan might include actions such as:
- Helping new members add their first family names using Family Name Assist.
- Organizing a group temple trip using names prepared through Ordinances Ready.
- Holding a Primary or youth activity introducing children to their ancestors.
- Offering a temple preparation course for new or returning members.
- Identifying members with temple recommends who haven't attended recently and personally inviting them.
Ward Coordination Meetings
These brief, informal meetings bring adult and youth leaders together as equal participants to discuss how individuals can be blessed through this work. They can be held in person or remotely.
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Focus on individualsIdentify specific members — especially new converts, returning members, and youth — who could be helped this week or month.
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Review the planCheck progress on the ward plan. Adjust based on what's working and what members actually need.
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Prepare ordinance namesDiscuss members who are preparing names for temple ordinances and how consultants can support them. -
Involve youthYouth leaders participate as equals. Youth consultants can share experiences, report on members they've helped, and suggest activities.
Priority: New & Returning Members
The General Handbook specifically names new members, returning members, and those who have not been endowed as priority groups for this work. Ward councils should actively look for ways to invite these individuals in — gently, personally, and without pressure.
Family Name Assist was designed specifically to make entry easy for these members. A consultant can sit with a new convert and help them print family name cards for proxy baptisms in a single visit — no genealogy experience required.
Stake Support
Ward leaders don't work alone. The stake provides:
- High Councilors who instruct and support elders quorum presidencies and ward consultants.
- Stake Temple & Family History Consultants who help train ward-level consultants and support the stake president's vision for this work.
- Stake Relief Society Presidency which supports ward Relief Society presidencies under the stake president's direction.
The Key Principle
This work succeeds when it focuses on people — not programs. A ward that identifies one individual each month and personally helps them connect with their ancestors will do more lasting good than one that tracks attendance numbers and submission totals.
Sources & Citations
- General Handbook, Chapter 25: "Uniting Families for Eternity through Temple and Family History Work" — churchofjesuschrist.org
- General Handbook Selections, §25: "Temple and Family History Work in the Ward and Stake" — churchofjesuschrist.org
- "My Calling as a Temple and Family History Leader: Responsibilities" — churchofjesuschrist.org
- "Ward Temple and Family History Leadership Patterns, Coordination Meetings, and Plans" — Elder Dale G. Renlund, churchofjesuschrist.org
Content drawn from official Church handbook and leadership instruction materials. Refer to your bishopric and stake leaders for specific direction in your ward.
