Changes

==Wards==

==Wards==

[[Image:DCTemple.jpg|right|Washington DC Temple]]

[[Image:DCTemple.jpg|right|Washington DC Temple]]

Wards are geographically-defined congregations of the church. The Bishop is the spiritual leader of the ward and he serves with two counselors, all three chosen from among the body of the Ward.  Bishops are usually called to serve for a period of five years and do so on a volunteer and unpaid basis, without formal ecclesiastical training, and while maintaining their secular professions.

Wards are the lowest level of the LDS hierarchy.  They are equivalent to congregations or parishes, and are organized primarily on geography (LDS members are expected to attend the ward in their geographic area).  However, wards may also be formed for special purposes (such as to reach specific groups of people who speak a language other than the prevailing one).  If the area is too small to form a ward (usually 150 members are required to do so), a branch may be formed instead.

 

It is not uncommon, and in fact it is frequent, for several wards to meet at the same physical location, either meeting at different times of the Sunday or with having several portions of the meeting overlap.

 

The Bishop is the spiritual leader of the ward and he serves with two counselors, all three chosen from among the body of the Ward.  Bishops are usually called to serve for a period of five years and do so on a volunteer and unpaid basis, without formal ecclesiastical training, and while maintaining their secular professions.

The entire ward meets every week on Sunday to worship the Lord Jesus Christ and to receive counsel. The meetings are divided into three different hours:

The entire ward meets every week on Sunday to worship the Lord Jesus Christ and to receive counsel. The meetings are divided into three different hours: