Tech Forum

Is it possible or is there a way to retrieve a Branch "Charter" documentation or if there are such records during the formation of a Branch? I'm looking to see if the Branch was created as a language, ethnic, etc. Branch. The Branch has been in existence for about 28 years and was looking to see if there are such records documenting the formation of a Branch.

I think the Church Directory of Organizations and Leaders (cdol.lds.org) shows what type of ward or branch a given unit is.
Does your branch overlap the boundaries of any other branches? If it doesn't, then you have a regular branch. Special language units always overlap the boundaries of regular units.

The cdol would also show the unit history.

CDOL does show that your unit is a Hmong language unit.

jonesrk wrote:CDOL does show that your unit is a Hmong language unit.

Thanks, I was able to find that information on CDOL. What does it mean to be a language unit? Are there different types of Branches and what are they besides language?

cchang wrote:What does it mean to be a language unit?

A language unit may be created when there are a significant number of members who speak a language other than the predominant language of the unit they live in and the conventional unit cannot adequately meet their needs. Handbook 1 9.1.5 gives additional information about language units.

cchang wrote:Are there different types of Branches and what are they besides language?

Besides language units, the most common other types are young single adult, single adult, and married student units. Handbook 1 9.1 covers all of these circumstances.

The main difference between a "normal" unit and a "specialty" unit is that for any place you live, you are covered by only one "normal" unit and that is your ward or branch.

"Specialty" units exist to cover special needs - in this case, language. If you are not reasonably proficient in the local language, then you can attend a ward that does speak your language. So in your case, your unit is for members who don't speak English very well and needs to attend a ward where services are held in Hmong. As such, your ward boundaries overlay over top of multiple "normal" wards.

It should be stressed there is no basis for creating/maintaining units based on ethnicity or cultural identity - it's all based on the language spoken. This creates challenges as later generations blend into the local community. What was created for the needs of the original immigrants does not fulfill the needs of the third generation. The unit tends to shift from language to cultural identity - and falls out of compliance with Handbook 1.