Wkikleaks: Mormon Church Handbook of Instructions, 2006

[Joanne98]

Thought you guys might be interested. It's the new version!

January 3, 2009
File

mormon-handbook-of-instructions-2006-small.pdf
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Summary

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS, or "Mormon") Handbook of Instructions, Book 1, 2006.

The work is confidential to the mid and upper level leaders (male) of the Church hierarchy. It reveals the procedures for handling sensitive matters related to tithing payment, excommunication, baptism, and doctrine teaching (indoctrination). The book is not generally available to normal members or women. After the 1999 copy was leaked, the LDS Church published a new edition in 2006. That new version has not been leaked before now.

The confidentiality of these basic administrative and doctrinal laws has the effect of disenfranchising the majority of Mormon men and essentially all Mormon women from their system of governance.

Book 1 is subtitled Stake Presidencies and Bishoprics. It contains information that is primarily relevant to the functions and duties of stake presidents, bishops, mission presidents, district presidents, branch presidents, and their counselors. Other individuals who receive a copy of Book 1 are members of a stake high council, temple presidents and their counselors, general authorities, area seventies, and church clerks and executive secretaries.

The topics in Book 1 include guidelines involving general, area, and regional administration; stake administration; ward administration; interviewing and counseling; performance of ordinances; callings and releases; church meetings and worship services; temples and marriage; missionary service; church discipline; single adults and students; the Church Educational System; Perpetual Education Fund; military relations; records and reports; church finances; physical church facilities; creating and changing church congregations and other units; and general church policies on administrative, health, and moral issues.

The document will be of interest to those studying the bureaucratic and doctrinal laws of the LDS Church, including Mormons, ex-Mormons and comparative religion scholars, students and historians, as well as persons or organizations involved in civil proceedings relating to the LDS.

The 1999 Handbook has been a valuable source for those interested in the workings of the LDS Church, but that value has been lessened due to the existence, but not revelation of the 2006 edition. Quotes from the 1999 Handbook had to be accompanied with a disclaimer stating that it is unknown whether this policy has been changed. With access to this new 2006 edition, actual current policy can be determined.

It should be noted that there are two books bearing the title "Church Handbook of Instructions". Journalists should take care not to confuse the two books. Book "1" is the confidential material described here. Book "2", while also restricted, has fewer restrictions. Once there was only one book, the "Church General Handbook of Instructions". LDS, probably in order to reduce the chance of leaks, split the original work into two books as of the 1998 edition.

See also:

Mormon Church Handbook of Instructions (1999)
Mormon Church General Handbook of Instructions (1968)
Church Handbook of Instructions - Wikipedia page describing the history of the book

http://wikileaks.org/wiki/Mormon_Church_Handbook_of_Instructions%2C_2006

[bluedawg12]

1. Thank you for your research!

:hi: