tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972661907029038524.post7078339846624169971..comments2023-10-19T05:34:26.911-06:00Comments on Serendipity: Reflection and preparationSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08765524620705643823noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972661907029038524.post-24191414230625045092010-11-24T05:56:05.700-07:002010-11-24T05:56:05.700-07:00Thanks everyone. Got the bishop's signature. B...Thanks everyone. Got the bishop's signature. But now I have to meet with the stake president, which makes me a nervous wreck. Don't know when my appointment will be--haven't heard.Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08765524620705643823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972661907029038524.post-26412579189442939852010-11-22T00:37:07.641-07:002010-11-22T00:37:07.641-07:00hope everything turns out well for you!
i'm e...hope everything turns out well for you! <br />i'm excited to come see you soon -we love you!Rebeccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05503650576921603849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972661907029038524.post-25009354102676521842010-11-20T13:46:38.146-07:002010-11-20T13:46:38.146-07:00I hesitated once on that question of association a...I hesitated once on that question of association and asked my interviewer about it - and he was just called to the bishopric so it was actually his first interview, so he had me talk to one of the stake presidency and I told him I was a part of a club :outlaw" and I asked him what the history was behind the question, and he did not know but could feel the spirit around me, so said I should be fine -I do feel though that that question is really poorly worded like you said, and really has no place and makes no sense and does not seem to be in accordance with church doctrine..recover and thrivehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17270876156041876537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972661907029038524.post-84975535141935548412010-11-18T21:38:40.758-07:002010-11-18T21:38:40.758-07:00Sarah,
Good luck. I too miss the temple, but am u...Sarah,<br />Good luck. I too miss the temple, but am unsure if I can answer those same questions honestly. I also am no sure I want to give the church that much power again.gailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11812337885775588481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972661907029038524.post-615087243946759052010-11-18T16:55:22.454-07:002010-11-18T16:55:22.454-07:00I just completed my renewal interview with the Bis...I just completed my renewal interview with the Bishop. In answering the question you noted as #1, I just remind myself that there has only been one perfect man and the men that He calls to lead his church are quite fallible. So, I sustain them and I support them whenever they are acting in accordance with what the Holy Spirit testifies to me. I firmly believe that Joseph Smith himself would agree with that sentence.<br /><br />Regarding the specific concern that was on my mind: President Packer gave no indication in his Oct GC talk that he had received a revelation on the matter. There was nothing in his talk that indicated it was anything other than his personal, fallible opinion. And, as President Smith is quoted to have said, "a prophet is only a prophet when he is acting as such." I think it's safe to insert "apostle" into that quote as well.<br /><br />I think we all agree that #2 is just too nebulous. So, I give the answer that they expect and that, I believe, satisfies what they really want to know which is: Are you apostate?<br /><br />Hmmm... maybe I should say "Not yet" and see how they react.Jeff in Coloradonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972661907029038524.post-41639352726778627362010-11-17T14:23:42.605-07:002010-11-17T14:23:42.605-07:00The second question has a history. The original ve...The second question has a history. The original version of this question was added in the 1970s to address the issue of FLDS 'infiltration.' It was more narrowly worded to target LDS splinter groups. Over the years, the scope has expanded to the point that (as you mention) if a person took it literally, he or she could never leave the house or have friendships or other relationships with nonmembers. That is, of course, absurd. Nobody takes it to that level. The problem is with the overly broad wording of the question, not with you. I wouldn't let this one be a stumbling block.<br /><br />Here's a concrete example: the planks of both the Republican and Democratic parties contain positions that are contrary to the LDS Church's position on various issues. For example, the Church now officially supports housing and employment nondiscrimination statutes that protect gays and lesbians. The new Church handbook says that we are to treat gays and lesbians with love and respect. However, the Republican party opposes nondiscrimination ordinances and in various state platforms wants to recriminalize same-sex relationships and fire gay teachers, which is absolutely against what the Church teaches. The Democrats are more liberal than the Church on various social issues such as abortion. And yet, the Church doesn't deny TRs to Democrats and Republicans. The Church has <i>repeatedly</i> said that its members are free to vote their conscience and engage in the political process without fear of punishment by the Church.<br /><br />William Bradshaw, who is a believing, TR-holding Mormon, spent a full week in 2008 making phone calls against Prop. 8. (See his recent podcast on Mormon Stories.org.)<br /><br />If you were thinking of practicing polygamy or joining another church, you might have troubles with question 2, but that's not at all your situation.<br /><br />Just my two cents, as always. :- )MoHoHawaiihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15086670779804942122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972661907029038524.post-73521084625816990322010-11-17T13:15:42.362-07:002010-11-17T13:15:42.362-07:00I think you have the first question pretty well pe...I think you have the first question pretty well pegged. <br /><br />In regard to the second question, "Do you support, affiliate with, or agree with any group or individual whose teachings or practices are contrary to or oppose those accepted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?",<br /><br />You need to take into account the history of why this question is asked in the first place. In the 60's and 70's, apostate groups were flourishing in and around and about the church, The Church of the Firstborn for instance. <br /><br />Without getting too technical, the members of this group as well as others, felt they had a higher calling than the "mainstream" church and they continued to actively and secretly maintain access to the temples. <br /><br />Originally this question was worded more generally than it is now. The wording to the recommend interview had to be broadened to cope with these apostates semi-truthful answers.<br /><br />If you pick the question apart and take it literally, such as:<br /><br />"Do you support any individual whose practices are contrary to those accepted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?"<br /><br />Most members members of the church would not measure up. I think you can answer "no" to this question with a clear conscience. You don't have to go into additional details in regard to your thought process with the Bishop. It is between you and the Lord. <br /><br />Bishops and Stake Presidents are instructed in the Recommend Book not to embellish on the interview by asking detailed questions in addition to the "scripted" interview queries. That's not to say that some won't.Adonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08782521613874488652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6972661907029038524.post-85207806743045736192010-11-17T09:31:01.932-07:002010-11-17T09:31:01.932-07:00Sarah, even if the answer to question 2 is yes, it...Sarah, even if the answer to question 2 is yes, it does not mean that keeps you from the Temple. Some time later today or tomorrow, I'll try to find a post I made over on DOT's blog about my experience answering that question.Quiet Songhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13242291365616236005noreply@blogger.com