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The basic ecclesiastical district or church unit in and through which the programs of the Church are administered is the ward. Several wards form a stake of Zion. A bishop is the presiding ward officer; all Aaronic Priesthood quorums are ward quorums; and substantially all of the actual operation of all the programs of the Church takes place in the ward rather than in some larger or higher unit.
Members of a ward form a congregation of the saints. They meet together frequently for spiritual and social purposes. It is by faithfulness and service in ward organizations (in the main) that the Lord's saints work out their salvation.
Source: McConkie, Bruce R., Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1966. 827.
A ward is the unit that deals directly with the membership of the Church residing within ward boundaries and is presided over by a bishop and two counselors, with a clerk or clerks to assist them. The bishopric directs the work of the Aaronic Priesthood quorums, keeps all quorums and auxiliaries fully organized, and sees that all the members are given an opportunity to labor in whatever capacity they are best qualified for, according to their special gifts and talents. The bishopric in the ward has the responsibility of the buildings and grounds and all temporal affairs, including the care of the poor and the underprivileged.
Source: Richards, Le Grand. A Marvelous Work and a Wonder, 2nd ed. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1950. 163.