Councils and Counseling

The power of counseling in council is revelation.

In worldly or secular organizations, much is made about participative decision-making. This is not a secular pattern. Counseling in councils is about inviting, receiving and recognizing revelation.

So, for example, in the Temple and Family History Executive Council, revelation is scattered among the various members of the council. Each contributes in a distinctive way. All of the revelation doesn’t come through the one person who may hold the keys.

So, whether it’s in a family setting, a family council is a revelatory setting. In a ward council, it’s not about planning activities, although that’s done. It’s a revelatory experience. And in the presiding councils of the Church, the councils are settings for receiving revelation that will affect the members of the Church all over the earth.

What it’s like is indescribable. No one is trying to figure out: “Well, what’s the agenda here? What’s the hidden message?” You can say what needs to be said for the benefit of the work. The only objective is to try to discern and apply the Lord’s will and His timing in the things that are discussed and the things that are decided. It’s the most remarkable communication that anyone can imagine.

(Church News, “Counsel in council,” November 17, 2021)

4.3 - Councils in the Church

4.4 - Principles of Effective Councils

4.4.1 - Purposes of Councils

• The Grantsville Duo

4.4.2 - Preparation for Council Meetings

• The Basketball Ballers

4.4.3 - Discussion and Decisions

• Everyone (we'll read this section all together)

4.4.4 - Unity

• The Volunteers (really....2 of the 3 Nephites)

4.4.5 - Action and Accountability

• The Wonder Women

4.4.6 - Confidentiality

• The Benevolent B's

Q1: What are one or two key points taught in your section?

Q2: How do these points relate to what we do in Correlation?