An assignment to prepare adult classes and quorums for the new First Sunday council meetings

8 December 2017

Sister Anderson and President Hansen…

Last night I met with two High Priest Group Leaders in our stake. I came away a little concerned that they may not have received the email below sent to bishops earlier and as a consequence they’re feeling a little nervous about how to effectively conduct a council meeting with their class or quorum members on Jan. 7.

Will you please accept the following assignment:

• Sister Anderson, personally contact all of the ward RS presidents, and President Hansen, personally contact all of the HP Group Leaders and EQ presidents…by Wednesday, Dec 27. Personally means you can contact them by phone, face-to-face or email. 

• Please ask them the following questions:

1. Have they introduced to their respective organization the concept of the class or quorum/group becoming a council on the First Sunday? If not, when do they plan to do so?

2. Have they selected a topic for their first council meeting on Jan. 7? If not, do they need help in formulating a question they can share with their organization’s members the week before the council meeting? (point them to the list of questions on the backside of the attached document or to the list found on page 140 of the November Ensign)

3. Would they like training on how to facilitate a council discussion? If so, have they reviewed the instructions in the November Ensign magazine and the attached document sent to bishops and branch presidents last month?

4. Are they aware of the following keys to conducting an effective council meeting?

• Put the class or quorum/group in a circle or semi-circle so everyone is facing each other (you may want to set up a mock classroom a week or more in advance to see how you can do this logistically so everyone can be involved).

• Have you reviewed some of the videos found on the 23 Teaching Tips below? Have you ever invited a class to "pair-share" as the ideal way to help everyone participate in the discussion or to prevent one or two vocal persons from dominating the discussion? Can we help teach you how to conduct a pair-share?

• Have you discussed with your organization’s leadership how to help the class or quorum/group arrive at solutions or ideas to the challenge presented at the beginning so all in attendance can be invited to act upon guidance from the Holy Ghost in their personal life?

5. Do they have any concerns about the 4th Sunday discussion to be conducted on observing the Sabbath Day until April or May, as explained on page 144 of the November Ensign?

I know this is asking a lot during a very busy time. You may use counselors or high councilors to conduct this survey. Please report back by Wednesday, Dec. 27, on the status of each ward or branch's Relief Society and Melchizedek Priesthood quorums and their plans and preparation for their first council meeting on Jan 7.

Gratefully,

President Lewis

P.S. I am also copying this to President Malan so he can also solicit the assistance of ward/branch Sunday School presidents to follow up with the leadership of the three adult classes in each ward or branch and offer their assistance and training in this wonderful effort to teach members how to use a council to problem solve and respond to the Spirit’s guidance in our personal lives.