For they were of the choicest heads of families61 — whom they represented,62 and to whom they frequently spoke and/or reported.63 Furthermore, they governed covenantally as a united Council — rather than individualistically as independent persons.64
While indeed teaching or giving general instruction to God's people,65 the Ruling Elders did not (like the Prophets or the Teaching Elders) "preach" in the technical sense of the word.66 And although often helping the Prophet or Preaching Elder in the distribution of the Sacrament which he initiated — the Ruling Elders themselves never initiated the administration of the Sacraments.67
