Is the Handbook of Instructions Scripture?

[pellegrino]

a recent conversation elsewhere has caused me to ponder this question. I'd like you to explain your answer, especially if you fall into one of the definite categories.

I'm particularly interested in hearing from those who, because of their calling, have or have had access to Book 1.


My opinion is no, most definitely not. If it were scripture then it would be important for everyone to read it and have access to it. It would also be presented to the general body of the church and officially entered into the canon as a standard work.

[creekster]

Unambiguously, and by its own terms, no.

[pellegrino]

Unambiguously, and by its own terms, no.

please expound.

[Maximus]

Has it been voted on by the entire church congregation?

[pellegrino]

Has it been voted on by the entire church congregation?

not to my knowledge.

[Maximus]

not to my knowledge.

Then it is not scripture.

But what do you mean by scripture anyways? Inspired? Doctrine?

[pellegrino]

Then it is not scripture.

But what do you mean by scripture anyways? Inspired? Doctrine?

I guess that's another good question. I guess anything that is advanced by the Elders (FP/Q12) of the church could be interpreted as scripture, but I don't think the HOI is anything more than a compilation of corporate administrative regulations and policies designed to ensure uniformity in the workplace church on a local level. If it's doctrine then it sure does change a lot.

We have a couple yes answers thus far, care to share?

[Indy Coug]

Most of the CHOI is in suggestion/guidance form. There are relatively few things that are set in stone. For the things that are set in stone, they still aren't "scripture".

[Sleeping in EQ]

The CHOI is a corporate handbook designed to keep Intellectual Reserve Inc.'s retail outlets (wards and stakes) from being sued and to ensure a certain consistency of policy and procedure.

[Moliere]

The CHOI is not scripture (IMO) but some of it is based on scripture. You'll see references to the D&C all throughout Book #1 (yes they actually put the D&C reference in the book).

The parts not based on scripture are general policies that promote uniformity among church operations. It is typical of entities with multiple operating units to have general policies that are distributed to the operating units to guide them in their operations. Those policies obviously change over time as dictated by different needs, which is also very common when dealing with policies.

I will say that the CHOI is very corporate, but that is not unusual given that teh majority of the leadership in this church worked in and came from corporate-type cultures. Many of the leadership in just my stake come from S&P 100 companies and the corporate culture is what they know so naturally they apply that knowledge to their church callings and administration. You'd probably find a different style of leadership in a church that has professional clergy that are trained in a setting outside of business.

[creekster]

To elaborate:

The introduction to eh HOI says something like they are used to be used as guidelines (this is from memory; I haven't had a chance to check it). Moreover, anything that is presented as a rule is supported by scriptural citations.

I find the notion that the HOI is somehow evil or evidence of the corporate (and therefore non-spiritual) nature of the church to be very unfair. Ask anyone who has ever been called as a bishop for the first time and they will tell you it is a daunting and overwhelming experience and it is a great comfort to have some aid to assist you and other ward/stake leaders in trying to handle issues properly and consistently. It is a lay ministry and they need the help.

[creekster]

The CHOI is not scripture (IMO) but some of it is based on scripture. You'll see references to the D&C all throughout Book #1 (yes they actually put the D&C reference in the book).

The parts not based on scripture are general policies that promote uniformity among church operations. It is typical of entities with multiple operating units to have general policies that are distributed to the operating units to guide them in their operations. Those policies obviously change over time as dictated by different needs, which is also very common when dealing with policies.

I will say that the CHOI is very corporate, but that is not unusual given that teh majority of the leadership in this church worked in and came from corporate-type cultures. Many of the leadership in just my stake come from S&P 100 companies and the corporate culture is what they know so naturally they apply that knowledge to their church callings and administration. You'd probably find a different style of leadership in a church that has professional clergy that are trained in a setting outside of business.

If I had seen this first I wouldnt have gone second.

[statman]

The Handbook I'd really like to get my hands on for an hour or two is the one that Temple Presidents get. Until recently, My BiL was involved in running the Boston Temple - are there assistants to Temple Presidents? If so, that was probably his calling. If not - if the Temple President wasn't there and he was there, he was in charge. He made the 3-hour drive over to the Temple twice a month for the Friday evening and all the Saturday sessions.

Anyway, he said that he got to look at the Temple President's Handbook a few times, and said it was fascinating - a lot of doctrine explained. Things that we don't usually talk about much, because we just don't know from the scriptures. My BiL tells me that the Church's stand on much of that hazy doctrine is actually spelled out pretty plainly in that Handbook. It is to be shared by the Temple President with members in the temple at the Temple President's discretion.

[Indy Coug]

The Handbook I'd really like to get my hands on for an hour or two is the one that Temple Presidents get. Until recently, My BiL was involved in running the Boston Temple - are there assistants to Temple Presidents? If so, that was probably his calling. If not - if the Temple President wasn't there and he was there, he was in charge. He made the 3-hour drive over to the Temple twice a month for the Friday evening and all the Saturday sessions.

Anyway, he said that he got to look at the Temple President's Handbook a few times, and said it was fascinating - a lot of doctrine explained. Things that we don't usually talk about much, because we just don't know from the scriptures. My BiL tells me that the Church's stand on much of that hazy doctrine is actually spelled out pretty plainly in that Handbook. It is to be shared by the Temple President with members in the temple at the Temple President's discretion.

The person that provides that one to WikiLeaks will burn with a fervent heat.

[DapperDan]

The Handbook I'd really like to get my hands on for an hour or two is the one that Temple Presidents get. Until recently, My BiL was involved in running the Boston Temple - are there assistants to Temple Presidents? If so, that was probably his calling. If not - if the Temple President wasn't there and he was there, he was in charge. He made the 3-hour drive over to the Temple twice a month for the Friday evening and all the Saturday sessions.

Anyway, he said that he got to look at the Temple President's Handbook a few times, and said it was fascinating - a lot of doctrine explained. Things that we don't usually talk about much, because we just don't know from the scriptures. My BiL tells me that the Church's stand on much of that hazy doctrine is actually spelled out pretty plainly in that Handbook. It is to be shared by the Temple President with members in the temple at the Temple President's discretion.

There's something hilarious to me about keeping doctrine safe from the members.