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Everyone needs a buddy

However, with Barak Obama looking out for us, who needs home teachers any more? In fact, why even have religion any more since the government is now so compassionate. It worked for the soviets and china.

(end sarcasm)

With all due respect to Mr. Card's POV, I just have to ask the question: How did he know that the family paid to have a Protestant minister say a few words at the funeral? Why must clergy from other religious denominations be seen as being "paid" clergy in all that they do? Why can't they just be seen as being men (or women) of the Lord and leave it at that? I enjoy reading Orson's column every week but I just have a difficult time with the whole idea of putting out there that these religious leaders of other denominations aren't as "worthy" purely because they are getting paid, even if their salaries are a pittance compared to what they could be making in the business world. Tell me where I am wrong on this one.

"Hired a Proptestant Minister" You should have read (D&C 42:73) "And the Bishop,also,shall receive his support,or a just remuneration for all his services in the church."

I went to my grandfather funeral at a "protestant" church. it was very clear from what he said and didn't say that the minister didn't know gus. it happens, funerals are for the living and maybe the minister gave the family the comfort they needed. for our part we waited till the rest of the family left and then with just those were from the church there consecrated the grave.

I hate having home and visiting teachers. They come into my home - my private, sacred sanctuary - and they ACT like they are my friends, but when the calling ends, I NEVER SEE THEM AGAIN! I had a home teacher spread lies about my family. I had a visiting teacher tell the Bishop things that were not true. I finally got tired of it and asked that we not have home or visiting teachers anymore. They did more harm than good.

To becky,

You have no right to consecrate a grave without the permission of the deceased or the closest relative.

As for me, I have made it explicitly clear in my will that no Mormons are to mumble their celestial curses over my burial plot!

I don't WANT to come forth in the morning of ANY resurrection, least of all the FIRST one with all the sanctimonious, self-righteous Mormons!

When I have had home teachers they are only there because they have to be and not because they want to be. Most of the time they don't even come to me anymore, which at times is nice but other times I would really like them, since I am not a really active member and my husband isn't a member at all.

JLP, Anchorage, AK

Hey Eddie, if you don't believe anything about Mormons and you are dead, why care what anybody says over your plot? Since you don't want to come forth, but you will, do you really care who is there waiting?

To EdM:

To answer where you are wrong on your post.
Your not!

Sounds like your the one being "sanctimonious, self-righteous"

One of the greatest programs the Church has are visiting and home teachers when done correctly. This is a perfect program performed by imperfect beings. Some of my best friends have been my home teachers. I know who they are and whether they are released from being my home teacher or not I remain good friends.

IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE ATTITUDE OF THE PERSON BEING HOME TAUGHT OR VISITING TAUGHT and OF COURSE THE HOME/VISTING TEACHERS AS WELL.

Again they are not perfect and they make mistakes. The home teacher is called by the Lord to bless that family. That is a calling just like any other. They represent the Bishop when they come into your home. I have always loved my home teachers and those sisters who have treated my wife well showing the pure love of Christ as her visiting teachers.

Bill,

Are you married to one of the Stepford wives?

LOL!

I agree with Anonymous at @1:30. I had a home teacher once that the only reason he actually showed up to home teach me was to prove to his GF what a good Mormon boy he was. (This was in a Single's ward)

Every home teacher I have personally had does not want to be there and only seem to be is because the the EQ pres has harrassed them about their numbers.

Some of the aboe comments might be true of a small minority of HTs and VTs. Yes, I've had a few over the past 35 years some who gave you the feeling that they were insincere. However, most of them were great, and many became dear friends! And if they hadn't been assigned to visit, our paths might never have crossed. To those who complain, maybe you should consider how often YOU would take the time out of your busy week to make an appointment and come by to say hello, or to babysit someone's kids when there's an emergency, or to mow someone's lawn when they've just had surgery.