What Your Bishop Wishes You Knew

Have you ever wondered what your Bishop wishes you knew? Have you ever wondered what is going through his mind when he meets with you? I surveyed about a dozen bishops (and their wives) from all over the world and compiled a list of the most popular answers to those questions. Some of the comments surprised me, most did not, and a few even made me cry. Here’s what your bishop wishes you knew.

What Your Bishop Wishes You Knew

• How much the Savior loves you. (This one was submitted the most by far!)
• Everything doesn’t have to go through the bishop.
• That he’s trying his best, but he’s only one man.
• That his wife doesn’t know the details about the ward members!
• That Christ’s atonement really works.
• If you don’t do your tithing declaration then the bishop has to guess and declare it for you.
• If members would just minister to the people they were assigned to, most of the issues bishops meet with people about would be eliminated.
• When members fulfill assignments in their callings, it takes care of a huge portion of the things that bishop’s spend extra time doing.
• The Savior’s teachings are the only true path to real happiness.
• People need less of the world than they believe.
• The bishop would switch callings with you in a heartbeat.
• He can’t make anyone do their calling.
• Let members do their calling in the way they feel inspired to and not the way you think they should do it.
• They’re very busy but they always have time for you.
• Knowing you sustain them really matters and makes a difference.
• They’re praying for you and feel your prayers for them.
• The Lord stands ready to forgive and heal you if you would just turn to Him.
• Your personal relationship with God really matters. Salvation is personal and that is the true purpose of the church/gospel is to bring you back to God.
• As bishops, we are imperfect men doing everything we can to stay close enough to the Spirit to help our brothers and sisters feel God’s love. So please give us some grace and room to grow.
• We are a normal family, we have struggles, we have kids that cause us problems and heart aches just like any other family only it’s 10 times harder because everyone is watching.
• Most of the answers to your questions can be found in the handbook.
• When a bishop is meeting with you he isn’t able to spend that time with his family.  So, it’s important to take that time seriously. Please don’t make an appointment and then no-show. Please be appreciative of his time away from family. He is happy to be there and help but it’s still a sacrifice.
• Bishops do not receive personal revelation for your choices. You need to get that for yourself.
• The real power of this church are the children and youth, teach them and love them. Help them connect with Jesus.
• Bishop is a very lonely calling. All Bishops are struggling with something, our minds never turn off, we are always worried about the youth, and we can see the toll our calling has on our families and it’s hard.
• They pray for you and your individual needs every day.

Did any of these answers surprise you? Which ones? Let me know it the comments! And if you want to learn more real-life stories and experiences from bishops all over the world, I highly recommend this book! So fascinating!