Single Members in the Church
Our Heavenly Father established the family as the basic unit of His kingdom on earth and in eternity. Temple marriage-the sealing of husband and wife for time and eternity by the authority of the priesthood-is a sacred privilege and obligation that every able member of the Church should have as a goal. The Church strongly counsels members, especially men, not to put off or avoid marriage.
Faithful members who do not have the opportunity of marrying in this life will have every opportunity for the blessings, exaltation, and glory that will come to those who enter into and honor the covenant of eternal marriage.
Church members who have never married or are divorced or widowed make up a significant portion of Church membership. All members, regardless of their age, circumstances, or interests, need the blessings of the gospel and a full range of Church experiences. Priesthood leaders should be aware of these needs and provide each member opportunities for growth and service.
Single members in the Church comprise two groups: young single adults (ages 18 through 30) and single adults (ages 31 and older). This section of the handbook is intended to guide Church leaders in ministering to these members. While single members may, at some times in their lives, feel a need to participate in wards or special activities for single members, all members of the Church should associate together as "fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God" (Ephesians 2:19).
Conventional Stakes and Wards
Single members are encouraged to participate in the regular activities and programs of their conventional stakes and wards. These units provide a full range of Church experience and offer opportunities to serve, teach, lead, and associate with people of all ages. They also reinforce the important role of the family and the home in the gospel plan.
Stake Leaders' Responsibilities for Single Members
The stake presidency and other stake leaders consult with single members to determine their needs and make plans to help meet them. The stake president assigns a high councilor to help oversee stake activities and programs for single members.
The stake presidency organizes a stake committee for single members, with a member of the stake presidency as chairman. For information about this committee's meetings, see page 316 in Book 2.
Where enough single members reside in a stake, one or more stake single member representatives may be called by the stake presidency or another priesthood officer under their direction. These representatives serve on the stake committee for single members.
Ward Leaders' Responsibilities for Single Members
The bishopric, other priesthood leaders, and Relief Society leaders consult with single members to determine their needs and make plans to help meet them. Ward leaders should consider the needs and interests of single members regularly in leadership meetings. Ward leaders also should include single members in meaningful callings, assignments, and activities. In addition, leaders should prayerfully assign home teachers and visiting teachers who will faithfully visit and care for single members.
If needed, the bishop may organize a ward committee for single members, with a member of the bishopric as chairman. For information about this committee's meetings, see page 319 in Book 2.
Where enough single members reside in a ward, the bishopric calls one or more ward single member representatives. These representatives serve on the stake and ward committees for single members.
Meetings and Activities
Priesthood and Relief Society Meetings
Quorum and Relief Society leaders should be sensitive to the needs of single members, particularly when lessons include topics such as marriage and children. Occasionally single members may meet in special quorum and Relief Society classes that focus on pertinent topics such as preparation for missionary service, the temple endowment, and temple marriage.
Home Evening Groups
The bishopric may organize one or more home evening groups for single members who do not have children in the home and do not live with their parents. If possible, the bishopric appoints a single priesthood holder to lead each group. If a ward has few single members, the stake presidency may authorize bishoprics to organize home evening groups that cross ward boundaries. Resources for home evening lessons include the scriptures, the Family Home Evening Resource Book, Gospel Principles, and other approved Church materials.
Page 109
Sunday School Classes
Each ward that has enough young single adults may have a separate class for them during Sunday School (see page 244 in Book 2).
institutes of Religion
Young single adults are invited to participate in institute of religion classes and activities. Some institute classes may be taught in the stake by volunteer teachers who are recommended by the stake presidency and appointed and supervised by the local Church Educational System (CES) representative. Classes are held at institutes or other Church facilities. Nominal fees may be charged to participate in institute classes. For more information, see pages 115-17.
Gospel Study Classes for Young Single Adults
The stake presidency or bishopric may organize gospel study classes for young single adults. These classes may be held at times other than Monday evening or the regular Sunday meeting schedule. They are not considered institute of religion classes.
Special Stake and Ward Activities
Single members should be offered stake and ward activities such as firesides, dances, choirs, priesthood preparation seminars, temple preparation seminars, temple excursions, cultural events, and sports.
In stakes, the stake committee for single members normally plans and conducts these activities, obtaining the stake presidency's approval for each one. In wards, the ward committee for single members normally plans and conducts these activities, obtaining the bishopric's approval for each one.
Only single members, assigned Church officers, and single nonmembers who are willing to abide by Church standards may participate in these activities. Individuals who are separated from their spouse or are seeking a divorce may not participate until their divorce decree has become final according to law.
Activities for single members are to comply with the policies and guidelines on pages 276-80 in Book 2.
Multistake Activities
With the approval of the Area Presidency, multistake activities may be held to allow single members opportunities to meet together, socialize, and serve without leaving the ecclesiastical care of their bishop. A designated priesthood leader could ask stake and ward single member representatives to help with these activities.
Funding
Normally, funding for stake and ward activities for single members comes from the local unit budget allowance. This funding should be consistent with the policies outlined on pages 137-39.
Minimal fees may be assessed for optional activities if necessary to cover costs. However, leaders should ensure that all single members have the opportunity to participate in approved activities without incurring unnecessary costs.
Single Member Wards
Creation and Membership
Most single members are best served as members of conventional wards. However, in some exceptional situations, units for single members may be organized. After prayerful consideration, priesthood leaders may recommend creating a young single adult ward or (more exceptional) a single adult ward. Guidelines and procedures for making these recommendations are provided on pages 143-46. Those pages also provide guidelines about who may be members of these wards.
Leadership
Bishops of young single adult wards and single adult wards should be married men of mature judgment who live in the stake. Their counselors should be married high priests; normally they should live in the stake. Other ward officers and teachers are called from among the single members of the ward.
Student Stakes and Wards
Creation and Membership
A stake president may recommend creating Student stakes and wards as outlined on pages 143-46.
Page 110
Those pages also provide guidelines about who may be members of these wards.
Leadership
Stake presidencies, high councilors, and bishops of student units should be married men of mature judgment who are established residents of the community. In student wards, a bishop's counselors should be mature, married students who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood. They do not need to be high priests. As an exception, brethren who are not students may be recommended to serve as counselors when necessary.
Other ward officers and teachers are called from among the students in the ward. These callings give them opportunities to develop leadership skills and give service. However, students should not be given Church responsibilities that would unduly interfere with their studies.
Policies for Young Single Adult, Single Adult, and Student Units
Church Organization and Program
Young single adult, single adult, and student units should use the regular program of the Church as much as possible.
Temple Recommends
Membership records of the following brethren and their families normally remain in the home ward:
Tenure of Service
Normally brethren serve no more than three to five years in assignments that keep them away from their home wards. This limitation includes cumulative service in different assignments.
Cooperation
Officers of conventional stakes and wards should cooperate fully when members are requested to serve in units for students and single members. The following guidelines apply:
Members of the stake presidency supervise leaders of young single adult, single adult, and student wards the same way they supervise leaders of conventional wards. Stake auxiliary leaders also work with leaders of these wards in the same way they work with leaders of conventional wards.
Welfare Assistance
Occasionally a bishop may find it necessary to meet the temporary welfare needs of single members and students in his ward. To do so he follows the principles on pages 14-17 in this book and on pages 255-58 in Book 2.
Students who face prolonged financial difficulties may need to leave school temporarily to resolve them.
Finances and Budgets
The bishopric encourages members to pay a full tithing and contribute generous fast offerings. Bishoprics should follow current financial policies and procedures as directed by the stake presidency, Area Presidency, and Church headquarters.
Page 111
Home Teaching and Visiting Teaching
Single members and students should make sure their membership records are moved to the ward where they are members. Leaders and clerks should take special care to keep records current. For additional information, see pages 123-32.
Activities
The bishopric may organize home evening groups similar to the way they are organized for single members in conventional wards (see pages 109-10).
School Breaks
If possible, student wards should function during school breaks. A student ward that has few members during school breaks may meet with an adjacent student ward. The wards keep separate records, reports of attendance, and finances.
Dating or Get-Acquainted Businesses for Single Members