Re: Temple Sealments information

On 4/10/06 11:56 AM, in article 123l00jhhlapf2c@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Andrew
R" <adr@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
=20
"Colleen Kay Porter" <ckpsdp@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:123koq41ohcfp85@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
=20
:
: There was never a rule. It was one person's (reactionary) opinion. In
such
: cases, one way to handle it is to look the person in the eye and say,
"Thank
: you so much for your opinion. We will carefully consider it as we
: prayerfully decide what is right for our ward."
=20
Unfortunately not everyone in the church is always active, and even if th=
ey
are, in a leadership calling.

I think this was a big enough deal, with letters read from the pulpit and a
notice in the Ensign, that rank and file membership would have been
aware--it was not an obscure change known only to leadership. At least in
the US, where a debate was raging over a proposed Equal Rights Amendment to
the US Constitution.

As a result a person may well have been in a
meeting where a "rule" was discussed, and everyone informed as to how to
enforce it.
=20
Some time later (when the person is not in such a meeting) a change is ma=
de.
=20
Later still this person finds himself once more in a postion of leadershi=
p -
and unfortunately has out-of-date procedures to lead with.

Well, yeah, but this was 21 years later. Seems like it would have sunk in
by then, and been codified into church guidelines, etc.

Which is why it is important to keep abreast of the changes that come alo=
ng.

But some people who offer such advice KNOW the changes, they just don't
agree with them. I am particularly concerned with Gene's statement that,
....We=20
had a stake visitor that day, and he got me aside later and told me that=
in
our Stake, and he believed Church Wide, we should not have a woman give =
the
closing prayer. I did not after that.

In my opinion, a stake leader functioning in their official capacity has
absolutely no business declaring what the entire church should do. They
don't have a stewardship over the church, and it smacks of ark-steadying.

Of course local units have some flexibility. It's a great strength of our
system. But the stake policies and programs should provide more detail and
local adaptation that is consistent with the churchwide policy, not be in
the exact opposite direction.

There was in fact a quite valid reason for sisters to not give the closin=
g
prayer - it is a Benediction - or blessing, and blessings are given by
priesthood holders.

While I agree with you that all blessings are given under priesthood
authority, I am not sure that all blessings must be given by priesthood
holders per se. =20

It is now (although referred to often as a Benediction) just a closing
prayer - no blessing given. So anyone (in full fellowship) may give the
closing prayer).

Do you have a reference on that? I've never heard that argument. When the=
y
announced the change, they did not say that they were changing from a
Benediction to a closing prayer. Rather, they said:
=B3The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve have determined that there
is no scriptural prohibition against sisters offering prayers in sacrament
meetings. It was therefore decided that it is permissible for sisters to
offer prayers in any meetings they attend, including sacrament meetings,
Sunday School meetings, and stake conferences.=B2

That's from a quote attributed to President Kimball in the November 1978
Ensign under the News of the Church, an article by Marvin K. Gardner
entitled "Report of the Seminar for Regional Representatives."


.

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