As computer technology has become increasingly pervasive, it has impacted the way the Church fulfils the Lord's commandment in Doctrine and Covenants 21:1 to keep records.
For this purpose, the Church has developed a record-keeping training course that can be accessed through the Church's Web site, www.lds.org, in the "Melchizedek Priesthood" section of "Serving in the Church."
The training lessons include a recorded introduction from Presiding Bishop H. David Burton, who instructs: "This training is one way to learn your duty concerning Church record keeping. While this training may not answer every question you have about Church record keeping, it will provide a solid foundation of understanding that you can build on."
Topics of the lessons are listed in a box accompanying this article.
Each lesson is 15 to 20 minutes long and explains record-keeping policy and procedure in a clear and understandable fashion.
The training comes at a time when many units of the Church are beginning to use the new Church record-keeping software called Member and Leader Services, or MLS. While the training contains more than just information on how to use the software, clerks and leaders are aided in making the transition to the new system.
The lessons are being translated into multiple languages; translations will be posted on the Web site as they become available.
Lessons are directed to stake presidencies, stake clerks and assistants, stake auditors and audit committees, bishoprics, ward clerks and assistants. The lessons may be used in group-training sessions (with the aid of a computer, projector, screen and Internet connection or CD-ROM version of the lessons) or taken individually.
The introductory lesson notes that the lessons do not replace the need for stake clerks and audit committees to provide detailed, personalized instruction for ward clerks, assistant clerks and stake auditors as outlined in the Church Handbook of Instructions.
Lessons posted for use in English:
A Message from the Presiding Bishop
How to Get the Most from This Training
Stake President's Responsibilities for Record Keeping
Bishop's Responsibilities for Record Keeping
The Role of the Stake Clerk
The Role of the Ward Clerk
Introduction to the MLS Software
Stake Audit Committee
Stake Auditor
Processing Weekly Donations
Handling Expenses
Tithing Settlement
Reconciling the Church Unit Financial Statement
Receiving and Using Membership Records
Updating Membership Records
Correcting Membership Records
Preparing Stake and Ward Histories
Lessons being developed for release later this year or early next year:
MLS Lesson for Stake Presidents
What to Expect from Your Clerk
Boundary Realignments
Creating and Tracking Budgets
The "Other" Category
