The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has promoted two Auburn residents to positions of pastoral and administrative responsibility. Mark Clay is the new president of the Syracuse Stake, which includes Auburn, and Dr. Daniel Larson is the new bishop of the Auburn Ward.

Stake in this case is similar to a diocese or district; the president is the equivalent of bishop or district superintendent, and the bishop is the pastor of the local church. More people refer to this denomination as Mormons, because one of their sacred texts is called “The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ.”

The clergy are all unpaid lay members of the congregation.

“There is no political campaigning within the Mormon church,” Clay said. “You're given a calling or a responsibility by someone in a higher position in the church. Teaching a Sunday School class is the most fun thing to do, but you do what you're asked to do.”

Before being promoted to president, Clay was the bishop of the Auburn Ward on Kearney Avenue.

“We moved to Auburn in July 2004, and I became bishop in January 2005,” Clay said. “My responsibilities have changed from ministering to about 300 people in the Auburn Ward to 2,500 people and eight congregations from Cortland to Pulaski. My new calling is much more administrative. I was involved in Dr. Larson's selection. Part of my job is supporting and choosing bishops.”

Larson has only been the bishop for a few weeks, but he has been working in the Auburn area as the president of Cayuga Community College since August 2007.

His background, in addition to working in important positions in academic leadership, encompasses training in singing and conducting music and many hours of volunteer work in various community organizations.

“In the church these positions are extended to church members as a 'calling,'” Larson said. “When the calling comes, you pray and do what the Lord tells you to do. Two other men serve as councilors, so I'm not doing this entirely on my own. The church has a very organized structure. We have a men's group, a women's group and groups for teens and children. The church wants as many people as possible working to keep the programs going. There's nothing more rewarding than serving your fellow man.”

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was founded by Joseph Smith in 1830 after he had a vision of an angel named Moroni who showed him where to find gold tablets that contained writings about ancient inhabitants of North America. Smith, inspired by the angel, translated the text and compiled it into a book, which became the Book of Mormon, named after the prophet who Smith believed was the author of the text.

The Mormon Church is now one of the largest Christian churches in the world, with close to 13 million members.

The headquarters is in Salt Lake City, Utah. In addition to the Book of Mormon, Latter Day Saints use the Bible and two other sacred books, “The Doctrine and Covenants” and “The Pearl of Great Price.” Setting this denomination aside from other Christian churches is their belief that Jesus visited and preached in the Americas after his resurrection.

Although summarizing the faith of a particular denomination is not an easy task, Clay said, “We believe Jesus Christ is the head of the Church and the savior of each of its members.”