PNMarkW2 wrote:Just a side note, the Melchizedek Priesthood Ordination form as printed from MLS (at least the one I've been printing) indicates that the Ward should be printing the certificate, not the Stake.
There is a discrepancy with the instructions on the MP form and the more recent MLS instructions (see MLS message from 17 Apr 2009, "Melchizidek Priesthood Ordination Record") which notes that the stake clerk prints the certificate, which is then sent back to the ward with the high councilor.
From an "order of things" standpoint, the ward recording the ordination and the stake printing the certificate sits right with me. The membership record resides in the ward and the ward clerk has stewardship over those changes (CHI, Book 1, p. 148). The stake president holds the keys of the Melchizedek Priesthood in the stake and supervises all ordinations (CHI, Book 1, 39, 148). Having the stake print the certificate is the last "control" on the process to ensure that it is done properly. (Remember, the certificate can be printed "free-form" from any unit's MLS regardless of whether the ordination has actually been recorded.)
Similar to an earlier post in this thread, I distribute a ward copy (I keep a copy as a placeholder in the files) of the MP ordination record with the assigned stake representative. Once completed, they copy the form, give the ward copy to the ward clerk (or bishop) and bring the copy back to me. I also attach a half-sheet of brief reminders to the MP ordination record for the stake representative to refer to. (This helps when there's a new ward clerk or asst ward clerk.)
I keep all completed records in a folder titled "Awaiting verification of ordination." Once I verify the ordinance is recorded in MLS, the certificate is printed and signatures obtained at the next presidency or PEC meeting. Our stake president now knows with certainty that, if he's signing the certificate, the ordinance has been recorded. I handwrite "Ordination Verified in MLS mm/dd/yy" and "Certificate printed mm/dd/yy" on the ordination record and then file it in the archive binder. Without this process going through the stake, it is difficult for the stake president to ensure that all authorized ordinations were completed and recorded. (It also provides consistency in the paper stock used to print certificates, but now we're just splitting hairs...)
From the perspective of managing this at the ward or stake level for the past 11 years, in both MIS and MLS, and with 3 different stake clerks, I have found this to be the best practice. Since I'm now the stake clerk, I get to pick how we do it -- always subject to the stake president's approval, of course.