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The bishop's calling is one of spiritual power. A bishop is ordained with an everlasting endowment, and it is lost only through unworthiness which brings Church discipline, even to excommunication. He is set apart as bishop of a ward to provide it leadership. He becomes the judge, spiritual advisor, inspirer, counselor, discipliner. He becomes by ordination and setting apart the father of his people and should know them individually by name and nature and weakness and strength. He should foresee and forestall possible problems and, if some develop, be able and ready to help in their solution. His ward family should be his enlarged family and receive the same general interest as his own flesh and blood children. ...
Source: Edward L. Kimball, ed. The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1982. 474.