The charter of the original high council in Doctrine and Covenants 102 teaches principles we can apply to family, church, work, and community councils: start with clear purpose, ensure all voices are heard, support the final decision, seek revelation, and respect boundaries of authority.
The French Farm: Action-Oriented Councils
In 1833, church councils worked to acquire a large plot of land, known as the French farm, and decide how to put it to use. Their process was a good model for councils to follow: build consensus, seek revelation, and act promptly on the decisions you make.
The Voice of the People
When the prophet Samuel was old, he tried to appoint his sons to succeed him as leaders over Israel. But the Israelites were not willing to follow his sons, and they requested that he appoint a king. Samuel was troubled. He didn't think it wise to give one person that much power, and he thought... Continue Reading →
“It Shall Be Disposed of by a Council”
If you want to increase the probability of making wise decisions, form a council. When Ammon and his fellow missionaries saw that their converts were being slaughtered by their enemies, he convened a council with government leaders to determine how to deal with the crisis. (See Alma 24:5.)When the Nephite army faced precarious circumstances, Captain... Continue Reading →
The High Council of the Church of Christ
Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.Proverbs 11:14 Alma was troubled. As the high priest over the church, he had taught church members "that there should be no contention one with another," but that they should have "their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another" (Mosiah 18:21). He taught them... Continue Reading →
That They Might Have the Voice of the People – Mosiah 22:1-4
1 And now it came to pass that Ammon and king Limhi began to consult with the people how they should deliver themselves out of bondage; and even they did cause that all the people should gather themselves together; and this they did that they might have the voice of the people concerning the matter.... Continue Reading →