Mormon Callings

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving in the Church is voluntary. A position of service is referred to as a calling, because they are appointed to that position through revelation and by whisperings of the Spirit.

Essentially, the idea is that it is th Lord that has called, or asked, a person to perform a specific duty in the Church. This doctrine can be found in the fifth LDS Article of Faith,

We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

For a calling to be seen as legitimate, it must be given by a person that has the authority to give it. For example if a calling is at the ward level such as a teacher, the leader, the bishop, of the ward calls that person. However, if the calling is on a stake level someone who has authority over the stake, such as a stake president, must give the calling.

Receiving a calling is not like getting a promotion at work. There is no calling that is above another, they are all needed and are an important part of Christ’s Church. Some callings may come with more responsibility, for example, a bishop is responsible for the welfare of his entire ward (congregation), while a Relief Society President is responsible for only the women in the ward. However, both of the positions are equally important because they help to further Christ’s kingdom. Romans 12:3-5 is an example of this idea found in the scriptures, For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

Some of the callings in a ward include: Bishopric (bishop and two counselors), Elder’s quorum presidency (all presidencies include a president and two counselors), Relief Society Presidency, Young Women’s Presidency, Primary Presidency, Young Men’s Presidency, Sunday School Presidency, High Priest Group Leader, Visiting Teacher, Home Teacher, Ward Clerk, Activities Board, Teachers, Ward Librarian, Ward Organist, and many others.