Quoted from the ministering.lds.org:
“As a priesthood leader, you have a divine mandate to counsel members who seek temporal and spiritual guidance, who have difficult personal problems, or who have committed serious transgressions. You have received priesthood keys to direct the work among those over whom you preside, and you are entitled to the power of God to assist you in your responsibilities. The Holy Ghost plays a crucial role in helping you discern members’ needs and circumstances and in guiding you with impressions, thoughts, and feelings.
The spiritual resolve and healing that members need will come through the enabling and redeeming power of Christ’s Atonement. The enabling power of His Atonement will strengthen them in their moment of need as they exercise faith in Him, and His redeeming power will sanctify them as they “[put] off the natural man” (Mosiah 3:19). Additionally, His power will bring hope into their lives as they understand that He is willing to help and save, even when they experience recurring human weakness. The Lord taught “My grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them” (Ether 12:27).
In many situations, members can solve their own problems by personally seeking the help of the Lord and employing their own resources. They are entitled to the power of God in their lives as they receive saving ordinances and live righteously. Family members can often provide vital support as well. Teach members to ponder and pray about their problems. Help them find counsel in the scriptures and in the words of living prophets. As those you counsel follow the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, they will have increased power to face their challenges.
Beyond the spiritual assistance you provide, other tools and resources are also available to help members become self-reliant spiritually, emotionally and temporally. Prayerfully consider asking your counselors, priesthood and auxiliary leaders, and others to counsel members in situations that do not involve serious transgressions. The ministering resources listed below have been created to assist you as you respond to the specific challenges members often face. These resources provide easy access to gospel teachings, the counsel of Church leaders, scripture references, assessment tools and other Church resources.
The First Presidency”
Elder Holland made the following comments during LDS General Conference
We will continue to visit homes as possible, but local circumstances such as large numbers, long distances, personal safety, other challenging conditions. This may preclude a visit to every home every month.
With this newer, more gospel-based concept of ministering, I feel you starting to panic about what counts on the report. Well, relax … the only report that will be made is the number of interviews leaders had with the ministering companionships in the ward that quarter.
We will continue to update this article as more information is made available.
