who do I go to in the LDS church if the Bishop is not helping me?

Question

The bishop in my church, the 2nd ward to be exact, is where I belong, in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, well he's just letting me fail, fall actually. I don't seem to be important to him, more like a problem. I need help

Answer 1

You can always call the stake president or call you visiting teachers or home teachers. Without knowing what is going on it can be hard to tell you where to go. If you are having issues with doctrine there are other you can ask for help with, it if is physical needs also talk to the elders quorum president. The members are there for each other, but because it is a lay ministry please remember he does have his own employment and family also he needs to attend to so don't be afraid to ask others for help in your ward.

If you need a help with depression or other mental health needs please ask for a referral to LDS social services and if you don't have insurance and can't afford to pay he will help with the fees. If you need medical help please see a Dr. in your community.

Please provide more information to me directly if you would like so you can keep it from being posted here for everyone to read. I would be happy to give you some recommendations.

Answer 2

(EDIT) Given that you used the word "fall," which would indicate to most that you are experiencing a spiritual problem...

What is it you expect from the bishop?

You might inform the bishop that you feel ignored and what you expect as help from him. It may be that he does not realize just what type of solution you are searching for.

brandonlee91 also had some good suggestions (and La Chacha mentioned Visiting/Home Teachers which are assigned to teach and help you). But remember that with some spiritual matters, only the priesthood leadership (bishops, presidents, stake presidents, etc) have been given the most instruction on how to deal with those matters within their membership. And Cheese and Rice pointed out solutions that might be worth paying attention to if your problem is not spiritual but secular (though your diction indicates otherwise). Also, you might ask your family (if your family is within the Church) for some help.

P.S. If you could be more specific, or rather, if you feel comfortable being more specific, we might be able to give you better advice.

Answer 3

First off, do you know how many "2nd wards" there are in the world? Most cities with multiple wards are numbered (Campinas 2nd Ward, Laie 2nd Ward, Payson 2nd Ward, etc). Saying it's the 2nd ward adds nothing of value.

Secondly, I believe you belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (based out of SLC, Utah) and not The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (called Strangites, based out of Michigan).

Thirdly, since we have a lay clergy, most of our bishops have zero real world experience in counseling. They are supposed to have a list of accredited profesionals.

Fourthly, without knowing what kind of help you need, we can't provide any assistance.

Finally, work through the proper channels. Let your home teachers and / or visiting teachers know of the problem. Contact the Executive Secretary to schedule an appointment with the Bishop.

Answer 4

This is a big disadvantage of having lay clergy over vocational pastors. Pastors are trained to deal with a variety of issues, from spiritual to emotional and financial. Pastors have dedicated their entire lives to shepherding their flock and being available to them at all hours of the day and night. Your Bishop can only be available during his free time.

I know Mormons will say that they only do this because they are paid, but this is not the case. My pastor makes poverty level wages and has to support a family. He works on average 70 hours a week counseling, preparing sermons and Sunday school lessons, having Bible studies with individuals, administering church and helping in the community. I have never seen him be unavailable to anyone who needed help, whether they were a church member or not.

Answer 5

Relief Society President, Elders Quorum President, a good friend in church, or even go higher than the bishop, the stake president. There aer always channels. If it's extreme, sometimes a letter to the 12 or the first Presidency, will help. Best of luck!

Answer 6

i would go to a leader.


If u r 18 and older and a women talk to the Relif Socity Presdient if u r 18 and older and a man go to the Elders Qurem president



for 12-18 girls see the Young Women president for 12-18 guys see the Young Men president.


maybe he's just busy If he seems to be ignoring him go to him and say " i need help, why are you letting me fall from christ, i need help" be BLUNT some dudes just are dumb...


another thing




some one said that Bishops r not paid. They have a job. they always have time for others but may have to schelde it in adavance.

Answer 7

For some reason, Mormons think that the Bishop can solve all their problems. In reality, they are probably the least qualified. I can't count how many times I saw arguments and disputes get taken to the bishop to be resolved. Domestic disputes, land issues. It's crazy. Why should he care? And why do mormons think he can solve everything?

You should take your issues to the proper channel..

-- Domestic violence, criminal activity, etc - go to the police
-- Medical probs - go to the doctor
-- Physical or sexual abuse - go to the police or child protective service - or school counselor (as long as they aren't mormon too).
-- depressed or anxiety - go see a Psychologist.

People that trust these types of problems to the bishop - it's no wonder they never get resolved.

EDIT: Unlike what someone said below, you should NOT go to other ward members. Do you like being the center of a new gossip line? Do you need everybody else to know your problems? Go to someone that can help, and that person should be a professional that deals with whatever problem you are having.

Answer 8

I don't know what sort of issues you are experiencing, but if the Bishop doesn't seem to be helping, you should go to the Stake President.
Make an appointment to see him as soon as you can to talk about whatever is on your mind.

Do you have visiting teachers? Home teachers? Are they doing anything to help you? Is it something that you could let other people know about or is this meant to be in private?

Bishops aren't perfect, they do get burnt out some days. Other days they're right on the ball. I've had some awkward moments with my Bishop were I've felt totally rushed or uncared for, but in my last interview with him, even though he was a half-hour behind, he and I had a good heart-to-heart talk. He really does care, but he's just a man and can have other issues, family issues on his mind preventing him from feeling the spirit and really being in tune with you.

Email me if you'd like a listening ear.

But, consider seeing your stake president ASAP.

Answer 9

If this is a church related problem, Cheese and Rice expressed exactly what I would advise. The Bishop, however well intentioned, has a full time job and family too, and is usually neither informed, equipped, nor qualified to advise on psychological, physical or legal problems, and has no 'magic pill' to give you.

If the problem is a matter of church doctrine or faith and you are a woman, the bisphoric is NOT obliged to advise or be sympathetic to your concerns.

If you are a male with the above problems, well, no problem.

Answer 10

You have a bishop in your church? We have a branch(yeah not even a full ward) in my town, and we just have a president, no bishop....

P.S. I'm not Mormon...

I would just go to someone else in the church. He is just one person, there are others you can lean on for strength...talk to the missionaries(if you have any)....

If no one else helps, go to a different church and see how that one works out. Maybe one in another town, or even another stake(steak??...anyway).