Deseret News | Reader comments: LDS Church News: Conferences aid priesthood leaders

Reader comments
LDS Church News: Conferences aid priesthood leaders

What would really help | 1:00 a.m. June 27, 2009

What would really aid men, fathers who are also priesthood leaders is to have less conferences, less assignments, less meetings and let them alone to be with families and to live life.

Meetings | 6:51 a.m. June 27, 2009

I seriously crack up at the LDS agenda. While I think their intentions are good, I think meeting after meeting gets rather old.

I get the feeling the LDS is too busy running a corporation.

Paul | 7:02 a.m. June 27, 2009

If they didn't need training, they wouldn't have it. In Chili, and other parts of the world men really need a little help.

Comments continue below

A Latter-Day David | 8:55 a.m. June 27, 2009

I remember one of the last comments Elder Oaks of the Twelve said over the pulpit at a local Stake Conference was the 'Goodness of Catholics'. Fortunately, looks cant kill, for we would have lost an Apostle in a few milliseconds.
And then I realized he must have been talking about the Temporal and a rudimentary form of religion,
and not about how Catholics (or any other religion for that matter) have left the
Spiritually Higher and More Weightier Matters
of God left undone while in mortality and/or
how they were supposed to treat their
children.
Both of my parents were Catholic, and I
still turned out as a Latter-Day Saint
(30/53 years so far)
because of God's Truth and who I am,
and not because of them.
As for the comment What Would Really Help,
remember the commitment of Joseph Smith, Jr.
and how he spent his time,
and perhaps serve in a more efficient
manner.--David

Anonymous | 9:47 a.m. June 27, 2009

"We love the questions and answers" In D&C 7:1-3,"John the Beloved shall live until the Lord comes... ", If the the Apostle Peter in 2Peter 3:15-16 confirms Paul as an Apostle; Question,Where is the Apostle John?

A Latter-Day David | 10:42 a.m. June 27, 2009

About Anonymous query concerning John the Beloved:
Please read Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi Chapter 28 concerning the 3/12 of the Quorum of the Twelve at that time. My feeling is that the 3 Nephites
(out of the 12) are currently serving on the
Western Hemisphere, and John the Beloved, the
Eastern Hemisphere of God's Footstool.
The verse that means a lot to me is 3NE28:9
"And again, ye shall not have pain while ye
shall dwell in the flesh, neither SORROW save
it be for the sins of the world; and all this
will I do because of the thing which ye have
desired of me, for ye have desired that ye
might bring the souls of men unto me, while
the world shall stand."
Wow, they all must have a lot of SORROW after
all these years, whew wee !!!

kenny | 11:08 a.m. June 27, 2009

Training sessions move small groups to branches to wards to stakes in Zion where ever that may be.It would not be a good thing to call people into leadership positions and then leave them on their own.Actually we would not have the church as it is today with out the training. In theory we are all on the same page world wide.The church is not about doing your own thing. Its about becoming united and working in the same direction at the same time and for the same purpose.

kenny | 11:12 a.m. June 27, 2009

To Meetings: Meetings never get old when the topic is the Gospel of Jesus Christ.And you say "crack me up". Are you laughing?If you dont like meetings then you probably would not make a good mormon.

Re: Latter -Day David | 1:23 p.m. June 27, 2009

I hope I have mis-uderstood you.
Hebrews :1,2 God,who at sundry times and divers manners spake in times past unto the fathers by the prophets,2. Hath in these last days(latter days)spoken unto us by His Son,.... Jesus is the Latter David.

Anonymous | 2:16 p.m. June 27, 2009

I'm LDS, but I do think there are way too many meetings. I never udnerstood the point of ward conference in the modern era. Stake conferences have been reduced, which is good. I wonder if we could focus more on things that really matter rather than more meetings of marginal value. Meetings take away from family time, and we want to spend more time with family, right?

Mark | 3:55 p.m. June 27, 2009

There are way to many meetings. I do not have enough time with my family and it has caused stress on my marriage. The pressures I have from my job, church and my family are tremendous. I hope the church understands what they do to families wtith all the meetings and responcibilty.

Thomas R Olsen | 4:04 p.m. June 27, 2009

Anonymous. . . Where are the "way too many meetings"?
The average member attends a 3 hour block on Sunday. If they have youth, they attend YW/YM for 2 hours one night a week.
Monday night is "Family Night" is that a meeting you want to complain about? Where are all the meetings?
If an individual has a calling, they need to meet often so they can learn how to do their duty. If they don't meet and learn they can not magnify their callings.
There are occasional Firesides, Socials and other gatherings, Home & Visiting Teaching the members can participate in if they wish (but never required to).
It simply boils down to this. . . If an individual has thoughts that there are "way too many meetings", that individual needs to do a little soul searching and dispell the pride and selfishness that is being carried inside. I don't ever recall hearing about the Savior complaining that there were too many people to serve, heal, bless and love. I remember him asking us to "Come follow Me".
You want to be like him, right? Quit complaining about too many meeting and look for ways to serve the children of God.

Klemm | 4:45 p.m. June 27, 2009

Spending time with my family has increased my mental health and my family life. I made the choice that enough was enought and left the church. I am now Chritian, spend an hour each Sunday in church and go about my business without the culture of the mormon church violating me my every move.

To Klemm | 5:20 p.m. June 27, 2009

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is about agency, our right to choose what we do. You have exercised yours. As will we all, you will have the reward you choose.

I have served in the church a long time. I have heard the same comment about too many meetings from time to time. Those who complain the most about missing their families often are not engaged with them when they are home. Internet, hobbies or other events intervene.

The actual time asked of members is actually quite small when viewed with the amount of time allotted us each week.

I have learned there is sufficient time to take care of family, work and church, if I make the effort to balance them with the thought of serving God in mind.

kenny | 5:52 p.m. June 27, 2009

Ok. So we do away with all training meetings. I can see it now. "Dear Brother New Member, You have reciently been called to preside over all the church members living in your war-torn country. Please be advised that due to no interest,there will be no training sessions to teach and instruct you in this calling.In other words brother, just wing it!!!!!!We wish you the best because you are going to need it.Please respond with a letter of acceptance. Sincerely Your Brethern"

Dear Brothern,
Winging it was never my bag. I quit!!!!!!!!!

Sincerely Brother New Member.

To Thomas R. Olsen | 6:26 p.m. June 27, 2009

You say, "If an individual has thoughts that there are 'way too many meetings', that individual needs to do a little soul searching and dispell[sic] the pride and selfishness that is being carried inside."

So... are you suggesting that when the First Presidency approved the reduction in number of stake conferences because they thought there were 'way too many meetings,' they didn't do enough soul searching?

For me, stake priesthood meetings rarely are worth the bother. Most other meetings are spiritually nourishing. Let's lay off the guilt trips.

Paul Rozitte | 6:38 p.m. June 27, 2009

If one is well organized and had leadership skills these meetings are useless. There are far to many ill equipt people who try and take on leadership positions or any positions with authority in the church. These meetings don't cut it for them, you either have skills or you don't. I wish the church would just let it be. These meeting can be just time consuming and usless.

A simple person | 6:45 p.m. June 27, 2009

The meetings and the entire structure seems way to corporate. There have been better days. I am attend on occassion but in many ways have fallen away because of the church culture. I personally like the idea of full time clergy and those who can acutally attentively minister to people. I have investigated other churches and it works well. I think the church is bogged down by its own culture and will someday implode. I stay semi-active because of my wife but I have to tell you the time commitments and pressure are outta control.

Organized your Life | 7:00 p.m. June 27, 2009

The Savior organize His church to help you and I and prove to Him we could obey Him even the few minutes that we are away from Him. This life is like a drop of water in an ocean meaning Its a lot deeper than just meetings. You can do anything you set your mind I have serve not only MY family, church and community and friends and still have a whole bunch of time for anything else I want to do. Please don't be discourge with all the hoopler that Satan throw our way cause it will be over soon. ENJOY He died for you and I and of course we can look at it this way, If the Lord is tire of things like meeting and decided to not let sun rise, or may be He does not feel good and cut the oxygen out. Well you know the rest of the story.....carry on carry on................

A Latter-Day David | 9:48 a.m. June 28, 2009

1 Samuel 13:14 "... the Lord hath
sought him a man after his own heart, ..."
All men everywhere should strive to have
their hearts as the Lord's.
3 Nephi 27:27 "... Therefore, what manner of
men ought ye to be? Verily, I say unto you,
even as I am."
I am a man, and I live in these Latter-Days,
and my name is David, and I am a Latter-Day
Saint, and I hold the Priesthood of God, so it naturally follows that my heart belongs where
it should be, as a blueprint of the Lord's own heart. Spend your time wisely, and perhaps
more efficiently. Remember Elder Oaks talk
about 'Good, Better, Best'--David

Re: Latter-Day David | 12:43 p.m. June 28, 2009

1Samuel 13:14 N.I.V. But now yor Kingdom will not endure;the Lord has sought out a a man after his own heart and appointed him him leader of his people,because you have not kept the Lords command. In context,The prophetic words; 1. Saul will be removed as King of Isarael 2. God chose David to be King,because he could see his heart. Yet you consider yourself to fulfill this prohecy. I know some who hold the priesthood that their hearts are not a bluprint of the Lords, assuming they can love the Lord with their whole mind body and soul. I cannot. But if your are David maybe you can?

A Latter-Day David | 3:14 p.m. June 28, 2009

Not at any time did I say that I was the David
of Old, but that I am a David living in these Latter-Days, hence, A Latter-Day David.
I'm not about slaying a man named Goliath
or any other man for that matter, but rather to ponder, and promote truth.
Proclaim the Gospel, Perfect the Saints,
Redeem the Dead. Control your thoughts,
attend the Ward/Stake of Zion (The pure in
heart) in which you dwell, dont you be a
spiritual rebel too, prepare every needful thing, keep God's commandments, and endure to the end.
If you have problems in your heart, then please
drag out the Spiritual Roto-Tiller, and
let it work to help mend and heal your heart.
President Hinckley will always be good old D&RGW
to me. Denver & Rio Grande Western, Delighted
& Really Glad While, Divine & Reenforcing Good
Works, Determined & Retention Goeth Worldwide, Deceased & Reward Gained Wisely.
--David :o)

John Pack Lambert | 3:36 p.m. June 28, 2009

Hey Latter-Day David, your stealing my bit! Back off brother, this is my territory bud!

A Latter-Day David | 4:13 p.m. June 28, 2009

I can remember staring at my younger brother's
HO scale D&RGW white 'Cookie Box' boxcar sometime
early 1960's for the longest time in our bedroom.
I was alone, and I had a feeling come over me.
It wasnt until years later and well after I was a member of the Church at 23, when I saw President Hinckley in his white dress clothes outside a temple. That the same feeling I had in my youth revisited me. When Pres. Hinckley passed away,
that's when I added the last part, Deceased &
Reward Gained Wisely. I hope Pres. Monson
doesnt mind that I havent discerned anything
about him like that yet.--David :o)

Earl | 4:28 p.m. June 28, 2009

The mormon priesthood, not being authorized or legitimate has many issues. I suppose that is why there are so many meetings needed to keep the uninspired and nearly lifeless mormon priesthood in tune with what the corporate leaders ask of them.

Bill | 11:10 a.m. June 29, 2009

To Earl: Actually everything about the LDS Priesthood speaks of God. The entire priesthood comes from authority in the Bible and was restored through Joseph Smith. Full time clergy get their degree from who. Where does their authority comes from to baptize and administer in the saving ordinances of the Gospel? All of the money you pay to a particular clergy goes into his pocket to determine what has to be done. That clergy decides how and what money is needed yet disavows the text of Malachi of the Old Testament.

Meetings are not as numerous as many people think. I love how some say they have more family time since they left the Church. They probably are playing golf with friends on Sunday, fishing with friends and see less of their family than others. Most families are two partners working full time and see approximately 3 hours or less a night their own families. They really have no family time at all except maybe a little on a Saturday if not spent with friends on a Golf course.

Being LDS is a way of life and total committment to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Anonymous | 12:06 p.m. June 29, 2009

Bill,

YOu said, "Being LDS is a way of life and total committment to the Lord Jesus Christ."

Sure, and being an Islamic fundamentalist is also a "way of life and total commitment".

When are the Mormons going to start strapping the bombs to their chests?

Bill | 2:33 p.m. June 29, 2009

To Anonymous 12:06;

I love how someone with no knowledge except through anti-Mormon propaganda decides that Mormons are no different than an Islamic fundamentalist. Have you ever invited the Missionaries into your home? Have you really ever listened to their message? Just as being Mormon is a way of life, it is no different than a fully practicing Catholic, Jew, Buddist or Hindu. They are committed to their religion. Many of todays people are not committed to the beliefs because of the so called ME generation. I don't like some meetings but I go because I know I will learn something when I do. I don't like going to work but I do because I need to provide for my family.

Maybe if you really took the time to study the beliefs structures of the World religion you would see a great deal of difference exists between what an LDS believes and a Islamic Fundamentalist.

Would you be willing to die for what you believe or would you turn your head and walk in the other direction? Are you willing to take a stand for something good, or would you just turn your head?

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