Counsel regarding the emphasis that other leaders besides the bishop conduct counseling interviews

FROM BISHOP TRUJILLO:

Another question that came to mind is for interviews with adult ward members, should the elders Qourum and RS.  I often try am trying to have Cale ask what the request is concerning but I have yet to really push members to meet with EQ or RS. When is that appropriate to do and how to I do so to not hurt members feelings or expectations?


Thank you for asking. Unfortunately, there’s no easy answer. I’m confident the Spirit will help you know when to explain to adults that you’ll need to have them turn to their EQ or RS president.

In the meantime, I suggest you use the YM transition as a way of “teaching” the ward in sacrament meeting and in EQ and RS meetings how the Brethren have eliminated the YM program at the ward level so the bishopric can focus on the youth (Aaronic Priesthood) over which they preside, as directed in the D&C. That means the bishop will ask members to counsel more with EQ and RS presidents. And on occasion the YW president may be asked to counsel with the YW.

Thanks again for the good question. Let’s continue to discuss it when we meet together with other bishops. We look forward to learning from you.

Gratefully,

PrL

P.S. We are blessed to have a professional counselor in President Christiansen. We are hopeful, in time, he can help us put together a training module to more adults, beyond bishops, on how to counsel with youth and adults and thus feel confident they can help those who in the past went to the bishop.