Is it appropriate to host an online Come, Follow Me discussion?

Question

 

Gramps,

I created a group chat on Messenger, and we discuss Come, Follow Me weekly. We do a live discussion online. I am not a set-apart teacher of the ward. Is this prohibited? My bishop says it is prohibited. I did not use the Church’s name in our group’s name, and no one is forced to join.

Danilo

 

Answer

 

Danilo,

While I am not here to override any counsel that may have come from your own Bishop due to his stewardship, I can only offer my own personal opinion regarding your question. I would encourage you to continue to follow the guidance from your Bishop.

There is no Church doctrine that prohibits members from voluntarily studying the gospel together outside of official Church meetings. At the same time, local priesthood leaders have stewardship over what is presented as an official Church activity. Understanding the difference between a private study group and an official Church class is the key.

The Church has always encouraged members to study the gospel together. The Lord declared:

“Seek learning, even by study and also by faith.” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:118)

The Come, Follow Me program itself was designed to encourage gospel learning not only in Sunday meetings but, more importantly, in the home. President Russell M. Nelson has repeatedly taught that the home should be the center of gospel learning and gospel living. The purpose of Come, Follow Me is to help individuals and families take greater responsibility for their own spiritual growth rather than relying solely on Church meetings.

Because of that emphasis, many families, friends, and even neighbors naturally gather to discuss the scriptures. Some do so over dinner, some through video calls, and others through online discussion groups. There is nothing in LDS doctrine that says members may only discuss the gospel if they have been officially set apart.

Being “set apart” applies to official Church callings. For example, a Sunday School teacher, Relief Society teacher, or elders quorum instructor teaches because they have been called by priesthood authority to represent the Church in that assignment. Those teachers are expected to teach approved doctrine and follow the direction of local leaders.

A private discussion group is different.

If several members decide to meet at someone’s home each week to discuss the scriptures, they do not need to be set apart. Likewise, if they choose to meet via Messenger, Zoom, or another online platform, that alone does not make it an official Church class.

The important distinction is whether the group is presented as an official activity of the Church.

The Church’s General Handbook teaches that the Church’s name, resources, and activities should not be represented without proper authorization. Likewise, members should avoid giving the impression that they are speaking officially for the Church when they are simply sharing their own understanding of the gospel.

From what you described, it sounds like you have tried to avoid that confusion. You did not use the Church’s name in the group’s title; participation is completely voluntary, and you are simply discussing the weekly Come, Follow Me lesson together.

That would generally place the group in the category of a private gospel study rather than an official Church class.

However, there is another principle that deserves consideration.

Latter-day Saints believe strongly in the priesthood order. The Lord has organized His Church with bishops and other leaders who have stewardship over their wards. Doctrine and Covenants 28:13 teaches that people should not direct the affairs of the Church unless they are appointed to do so. Likewise, the twelfth Article of Faith reminds us that we believe in being “subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates” and, within the Church, members sustain those whom the Lord has called to preside.

If a bishop feels that a particular activity is creating confusion within the ward, unintentionally competing with ward instruction, or causing members to believe it is an official Church-sponsored class, he may counsel members differently. Even if no written policy specifically prohibits the activity, bishops often make decisions based on their responsibility to care for the ward’s spiritual welfare.

That does not necessarily mean your group violates Church doctrine. Rather, it may reflect your bishop’s judgment about what is best within his stewardship.

In situations like this, it is often helpful to have a respectful conversation with the bishop. You might explain that your intent is simply to encourage personal scripture study and fellowship, not to replace Sunday School or teach on behalf of the Church. You could ask whether he has specific concerns and whether adjustments would help address them.

For example, he may be worried that members might misunderstand the group’s purpose. If so, a simple disclaimer stating that the group is an informal discussion among friends and is not an official Church activity could help avoid confusion.

It’s also worth remembering that faithful members can respectfully disagree about how best to apply principles in situations that are not specifically addressed by Church policy. Unless the Church has published a clear policy on a subject, there may be room for different opinions.

Ultimately, your desire appears to be a good one—to study the scriptures and help others deepen their understanding of the Savior through Come, Follow Me. That desire is certainly consistent with the Church’s emphasis on home-centered gospel learning.

At the same time, Latter-day Saints also place great value on sustaining local priesthood leaders. Even when we do not fully understand a bishop’s reasoning, approaching the matter with humility and respect can preserve unity within the ward.

In the end, nothing in LDS doctrine says that members cannot voluntarily study the scriptures together outside of official Church meetings. Friends have always gathered to discuss the gospel, and modern technology simply provides another way to do so. The key is ensuring that such groups remain clearly private, do not represent themselves as official Church classes, teach true doctrine, and avoid creating confusion about priesthood authority or Church sponsorship.

If those principles are followed, an informal online Come, Follow Me discussion group is generally very different from an official Church class taught under a calling. As with many matters of Church administration, however, local leaders have stewardship within their wards, and members should thoughtfully consider their counsel as they seek to maintain both personal gospel study and the unity the Savior desires among His disciples.

 

Gramps