Purpose of the Military Relations Program
The military relations program helps make the blessings of Church participation available to members who serve in the military. The program consists of (1) Church orientation for members who enter military service, (2) support from stakes and wards, and (3) the organization of service member groups when members in military service are unable to attend local wards. Leaders in some areas may need to adapt the instructions in this section. Any adaptations should be consistent with the general principles of these instructions.
Church Orientation
Preservice Church Orientation
Members who enter military service should attend a preservice Church orientation meeting before leaving their home wards. Where resource materials are available for conducting this orientation, a member of the stake presidency may order them from the distribution center that serves the stake.
Inservice Church Orientation
All members who enter military service should attend an inservice Church orientation meeting at their basic training stations. This meeting includes a more detailed discussion of the topics covered in the preservice orientation. If members have not received a military scripture set and an LDS identification tag, they should receive them during this orientation.
Stake Military Relations Leadership
Stake Presidency
A member of the stake presidency oversees preservice Church orientation in the stake. He makes sure it is offered to all members who are entering military service. He orders any available resource materials from the distribution center and makes them available to ward orientation instructors. The stake executive secretary may help coordinate this orientation.
If a military installation is located in the stake, the stake presidency calls a person with military experience to conduct the inservice Church orientation. A member of the stake presidency oversees this orientation and ensures that it is offered to all Church members at the installation.
A member of the stake presidency should develop a working relationship with the senior chaplain at each military installation in the stake. The chaplain should be given the names and telephone numbers of stake leaders so he can provide this information to newly arriving members and use it if there is an emergency, such as illness or death of a member at the installation.
A member of the stake presidency conducts an annual interview with LDS chaplains and spouses who are assigned to military installations in the stake or who consider the stake to be their home stake. One purpose of this interview is to determine their well-being. The chaplain also may be invited to report on the activities of Church units at the military installation.
If necessary, members of the stake presidency organize and oversee service member groups at military installations in the stake (see page 120). They call, set apart, and instruct group leaders and their assistants. They also give each group leader a Certificate of Appointment and a letter that outlines his responsibilities and authorizes him to preside over the group and conduct meetings.
If members or military installations are in a mission rather than a stake, the mission president fulfills the responsibilities that are outlined in this section for stake presidencies. As needed, he may delegate these responsibilities to his counselors and to district presidents.
Stake Executive Secretary
Bishopric
The bishop or an assigned counselor interviews ward members before they leave for military service. He counsels them to obey the commandments of God and participate actively in the Church wherever they are stationed. He also gives them a military scripture set and an LDS identification tag. If appropriate, he may invite them to speak in sacrament meeting.
The bishopric encourages each member who is entering military service to attend a preservice Church orientation meeting. A member of the bishopric calls an instructor, preferably someone with military experience, to provide this orientation. Where resource materials are available for conducting this orientation, the instructor may obtain them from the stake presidency.
Page 119
When a member enters military service or is transferred to a new location, a member of the bishopric helps him or her identify the Church unit nearest the new duty station. The Church's Directory of General Authorities and Officers lists the Church unit that is responsible for members at United States military installations throughout the world. In some cases this information may be acquired from a telephone book or the installation chaplain.
Members of the home-ward bishopric should correspond frequently with each ward member in military service. They also encourage families to ensure that family members in the military receive the Ensign and Church News.
Each bishop is responsible for Church members who are assigned to a military installation within the boundaries of his ward. He notifies the senior chaplain of the ward's meeting schedule, meeting location, and contact person so the chaplain can give this information to Church members at the installation.
Ward Executive Secretary
Members in military service should participate in the wards or branches at or near their military installations. When that is not feasible, the president of the stake or mission where the military installation is located organizes a Latter-day Saint service member group for military personnel and their families at the installation. He may organize these groups in any of the following circumstances:
The stake president oversees service member groups at military installations in the stake. He may designate a ward to support each group.
The mission president oversees service member groups at military installations that are not in a stake. He may delegate responsibilities to the district president in whose district the installation is located.
Service Member Group Leadership
Calling Service Member Group Leaders and Assistants
Where a service member group is organized, the stake or mission president calls and sets apart a worthy Melchizedek Priesthood holder to be the group leader. The stake or mission president also oversees the calling of two worthy Melchizedek Priesthood holders to be the group leader's assistants. If a stake or mission president is not available to organize a service member group or extend these callings, a representative of Church members at the installation should request guidance from the Church's Military Relations Division (see the address on page 122).
In some cases, a person who will be called as a service member group leader or assistant may not be a member of the stake or mission where the military installation is located. For example, he may be a member of a Reserve or National Guard unit. When this occurs, the stake or mission president confers with the bishop of the person's home ward to determine the person's worthiness and the appropriateness of the call.
When more than one military unit with an organized service member group is deployed in the same area and the groups meet together, the stake or mission president or the senior LDS chaplain in the area appoints one leader to preside over the combined group.
Responsibilities of Group Leaders and Assistants
The service member group leader presides over the group. He and his assistants seek out Church members at the installation and invite them to participate in group meetings and activities. They conduct a sacrament service, weekly when possible, to give group members the opportunity to partake of the Sacrament.
Page 120
The group leader and his assistants organize and oversee home teaching in the group. Guidelines are provided on pages 168-70 in Book 2.
The group leader and his assistants ensure that quality gospel teaching and learning occur in group meetings. They obtain any necessary materials and supplies from the Church unit that supports the military installation.
Each month the group leader gives the bishop or the stake or mission president a report on the welfare of group members, activities held by the group, and attendance at group meetings.
When authorized by the stake or mission president, the group leader may interview baptismal candidates and oversee their baptism. The group leader also may recommend brethren for priesthood ordination and, if authorized, conduct interviews and oversee ordinations to Aaronic Priesthood offices (see page 33).
In the rare case that it is not feasible for a worthy member to meet with the bishop for a temple recommend interview, the group leader writes a letter of recommendation for the member to take to the stake, mission, or temple president who conducts the interview.
The group leader does not collect tithing or other Church contributions. These contributions should be made to each member's ward.
The group leader is the group's representative with local military authorities, and he should develop a working relationship with them. He presents to the chaplain or commander his Certificate of Appointment and a letter from the stake or mission president that outlines his responsibilities and authorizes him to preside over the group and conduct meetings. If necessary, this letter may be obtained from the Church's Military Relations Division (see the address on page 122).
When meeting with the chaplain or commander, the group leader receives their permission and guidance concerning holding Church meetings. If necessary, he also inquires about possible locations for these meetings.
Church Responsibilities of LDS Chaplains
Active-Duty Chaplain
An active-duty LDS chaplain serves as a high councilor or in another appropriate calling in the stake or ward in which he is stationed. If he is not
called as a high councilor, the stake president should invite him to attend stake priesthood executive committee meetings. Stake presidents should not call chaplains to preside over service member groups, branches, or wards if such callings would conflict with the chaplains' military duties. Chaplains should not be called to positions that require proselyting.
Active-duty LDS chaplains observe Church units at their military installations and report on the activities of the units to the stake or mission president. They may act as liaisons between military leaders and the stake or mission president. When stationed in a stake, they may advise the stake presidency on military relations. When stationed in a mission, they may advise the mission president on military relations.
Active-duty LDS chaplains help local Church leaders locate members in the military and direct them to the appropriate Church unit. Chaplains also may help stake and mission presidents identify members in the military to call as service member group leaders. Under the direction of the stake or mission president, a chaplain may call and set apart assistants to group leaders.
When authorized by the bishop or the stake or mission president, chaplains may conduct interviews for priesthood ordination and oversee ordinations (see page 33).
Active-duty LDS chaplains may perform civil marriages as outlined on pages 71-72.
Reserve or National Guard Chaplain
When they are performing their Reserve or National Guard duties, Reserve or National Guard LDS chaplains have most of the same responsibilities as active-duty chaplains. However, their Church callings are determined by their home ward and stake priesthood authorities. Another difference is that they must receive permission from the Church's Military Relations Division each time they perform a marriage.
Records of Members in Military Service
Ordaining Servicemen in Isolated Areas
If members who enter military service have been endowed, bishops should make sure they understand the guidelines on page 69 and in the following paragraphs.
When possible, endowed members in the military should wear the garment the same as any other member. However, members should avoid exposing the garment to the view of those who do not understand its significance. When conditions make this unavoidable, members should seek the guidance of the Spirit and use tact, discretion, and wisdom. It may be best to lay the garment aside temporarily and put it on again when conditions permit. However, mere inconvenience in wearing the garment does not justify laying it aside.
When military regulations prevent a member from wearing the garment, the member's religious status is not affected, provided that he or she remains worthy If members in military service are unable to wear the garment because of military regulations or circumstances beyond their control, it is their privilege, right, and duty to wear it again as soon as circumstances permit.
Ordering Special Garments
Members in the military should consult with their individual services on requirements that garments must meet (such as one-piece or two-piece, color, or neckline style). To place special orders or receive assistance in selecting garments for special circumstances, members may call Beehive Clothing in Salt Lake City at 1-800-521-1203.
A two-piece brown cotton garment with a crew neck and T-shirt top that meets the specifications of the Church and the United States Army is available at clothing distribution centers or may be ordered from Beehive Clothing. This special military garment should be worn with the battle dress uniform when required by military regulations. A two-piece white cotton garment with a crew neck is also available.
Marine service members who require green garment tops should purchase the military green T-shirts and send them to Beehive Clothing to be marked individually. Brown garment bottoms may be worn with the green tops.
Certain synthetic fibers worn next to the skin may create serious hazards for airmen and others who may be exposed to fire. AR nylon and polyester blend materials fall into this category. Military authorities have indicated that cotton is a much safer fabric for these individuals to wear. A 100 percent cotton crewneck garment is available for these members.
Questions about Wearing the Garment
If members in the military have questions about wearing the garment, they may write or call: