The following is excerpted from the Church Newsroom. To read the full report, CLICK HERE.

The latest round of updates to the English version of the General Handbook: Serving in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was published August 4, 2021. It includes one new chapter, two rewritten chapters, one expanded chapter, and many updated administrative policies. It also includes smaller revisions in other chapters.

These updates have been published in English on ChurchofJesusChrist.org and on the Gospel Library app. They will be translated into other languages in the coming months. Translated portions of previous handbook updates were published in October and November 2020 and in January 2021 The entire handbook is expected to be updated in English by the end of this year.

This handbook revision, which began in February 2020, is being done under the direction of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The text guides leaders around the world to better serve with Christlike care. It also helps them implement and adapt the Church’s programs, policies and procedures to their circumstances.

The content has been simplified, reduced and made more adaptable for congregations of all sizes worldwide. The most substantial revisions are listed below.

  • Chapter 4: “Leadership and Councils in the Church of Jesus Christ.” The title has changed to include “and Councils.” The chapter has been expanded to include general information about councils, including some that was previously in chapter 7.
  • Chapter 5: “General and Area Leadership.” This new chapter describes the work and responsibilities of general and area Church leaders and councils. It also explains the responsibility of the new calling of area organization advisers. Note: With the addition of a new chapter 5, the previous chapter 5 (“Stake Leadership”) is now chapter 6. The previous chapter 6 (“The Bishopric”) is now chapter 7. Content from chapter 7 (“Councils in the Church”) is now in chapters 4 and 29.
  • Chapter 20: “Activities.” This rewritten chapter includes an option to organize a ward activities committee in large wards, clarifies instructions about single adult units holding activities on Monday night, updates instructions about multistake and area activities, and updates policies about For the Strength of Youth (FSY) conferences.

To read the full report, CLICK HERE.