“The General Conference takes the general supervision of the work in all its branches, including State conferences. The State conference takes the supervision of all branches of the work in the State, including the churches in the State. And the church is a body of Christians associated together with the simple covenant to keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. COOD 125.2
“The officers of a local church are servants of that church, and not lords, to rule over it with church force. ‘He that is greatest among you shall be your servant.’ Matthew 23:11. These officers should set examples of patience, watchfulness, prayer, kindness, and liberality, to the members of the church, and should manifest a good degree of that love to those they serve, exhibited in the life and teachings of our Lord.” COOD 125.3