Recently I ran across a thread that discussed some potential Ensign articles that would help address some common criticisms or answer questions. That seemed to make a great concept for a post and a place to invite reader input.
I’d invite your posting/commenting what you would like to see addressed in the “I have a question” section that comes and goes or otherwise covered in the Ensign.
While waiting for your suggestions, here are some of the suggestions I have seen that people would like to see addressed in the Ensign. I’m sure that our readers have better suggestions, but just use these to get the idea going. The real meat of this conversation will be in the comment section.
- The Church has been accused of running on Nepotism rather than Inspiration. It would be great to see a rebuttal that lists all the general authorities who are not related by blood or marriage to other general authorities. It is time to lay that rumor to rest.
- There are a number of unsubstantiated rumors that the stipends provided to general authorities have gone beyond the (last disclosed) value of up to $90,000.00 a year (including medical and other benefits, and reduced by a lack of need) to outrageous sums, every rumor with a greater number than the last. It would be great to see an accurate summary of what general authorities now receive and how they calculate their tithing. I’m tired of all the speculation and this would put an answer to all of that.
- The Church is often accused of only spending a minuscule amount of those amounts donated for disaster and other relief on the needy. It would be great to see an analysis of the real numbers of funds in, funds spent and a comment on the fast offerings disbursed as well (that always seem to not show up in the criticism.
- (One of our readers gave some great examples of some projects the Church was behind) — what are some projects and charitable giving that have not been in the news but that would be good to know about.
- The Family, A Proclamation to the World is the topic for a year of visiting teaching lessons. The Ensign articles are interesting, but who wrote them? How was the topic picked and how were the authors of the essays for the visiting teaching lessons selected?
- We talk a lot about cleaning the chapels. Everyone from top to bottom in the church now is supposed to get their turn. I’d love to hear from the members of the quorum of the twelve about their experiences cleaning chapels and how it has affected them in the last year. I think it would create a great sense of commonality to know that Elder Nelson or Elder Oaks are out there once a year or more cleaning their chapel just as we clean ours. It would make an inspiring article.
- What about more discussions about mental illness? Or is the current number of discussions the right amount?
- What about more discussions of the 1-800 line for reporting abuse and a reminder of the clear policy the Church has about not covering abuse up and putting victims first (as a reminder for anyone who might think of taking another approach. Would it be useful to make that clearer in a public forum so everyone knows the rules and the contact information?
What rumor or criticism that you’ve heard would you like addressed and rebutted in the Ensign? What article would you like?
Who would you like to know more about?
What topics would you like to see addressed?
What authors would you like more of?
What are your suggestions?
Wheat & Tares 
I’d like to see a transcript of the decision making process/discussion of the 15 when faced with a difficult problem, situation, doctrine.
Could we please have a justification from the Prophet of our treatment of Gays? Is there some revelation that gay marriage/relations are a sin. Or is it just an assertion?
As far as I can tell the saviour lived in a sexualised society (Greeks and Romans worshipped a god of love with sex) but said nothing.
Where has this doctrine come from, or is it just a policy?
Publishing the topics essays in the Ensign would improve their visibility.
Additionally, I’d like to see some serious up-to-date scholarship on the Bible and Church History running concurrently with the Sunday School curriculum.
Neither of these would fit “I have a question” though.
I’d like to see articles particularly on the topics you suggest, difficult to see how they might create any difficulties for leadership, other than seeing these elderly chaps cleaning the chapel-I’ll take their rota.
To the contrary, Hedgehog, such scholarship would make great Ensign articles. One solid scholarly article per issue would make a great addition to the Ensign’s devotional focus.
And, in fairness, there are occasional scholarly (or near scholarly) articles. But more, and perhaps more diversity. It would be great to have some that explored scholarship and showed the uncertainty and learning aspect – i.e. showed scholarship pointing to the things we don’t know and are exploring.
I’d like to see someone ask a question about women’s role in the temple, what hearkening means, and what it means to be priestesses and queens to their husbands.
More articles about the dangers of pornography, please. At least 3 or 4 per issue.
An article that would remind both the stake and ward leaders…
Having served in the past in many bishoprics (as a counselor and as a clerk), I am concerned about the lack of training/knowledge/common sense among all my ward bishoprics lately. Many, what I consider “basic” practices are not being practiced:
-They don’t “read in”/welcome the new move-ins,
-They don’t hold (some EVER, others not regularly) one-on-one sessions with the auxiliary presidents/presidencies
– and more such details of good administration
– Almost all adult speakers in sacrament meeting are assigned to regurgitate a recent GA conference talk
They may be fasting and praying like saints, but a lot of very good and useful practices are non-existent.
Interesting thoughts.
Thanks for reflecting ideas beyond those in the original conversation.
fbisti brings up a good point about adult speakers in sacrament meeting. Not only how bishoprics should/could assign talks and content associated with the talks but how a talk should/could be developed and then presented.
I’m not usually wild about bishops putting boundaries on talks, but we’ve had some doozies in our new ward. I agree with Mark about needing some general suggestions for talks (a la Preach My Gospel). Something a bishop could have on hand to give out with the topic. I’m not keen on hearing specifics about who was involved in adultery, blackmail, or hit lists. Even admitting you have a hard time being honest on taxes falls under TMI.
It could also apply in F&T Meetings.
I second the gospel topic essays – they’d help a lot of people – priesthood ban, polygamy, Heavenly Mother. Maybe ward leaders then wouldn’t be in such a huff if teachers used them. They’ve done articles on seer stones and Mountain Meadows Massacre – not like they’ve always shied away from tough topics in the last decade.
I’d like them to cover why we bother asking for opposing votes for upper echelon church leaders when stake presidents have no power to act on anyone’s concerns.
Mary Ann and Mark — those are excellent points.
There is so much to cover and so little time. Approaching it in the Ensign would help keep it from being lost.
I’ve often thought that the on-line version of the Ensign would make a great place for extra material that wouldn’t fit in the print edition.
I wonder if we need a pastoral training handbook and weekend seminar for new bishops. ??
I would also like to see the compensation the apostles get since they seem to be living pretty darn good. I know mission presidents get compensated very well and I would bet the apostles have them beat.To only dream, since it will never happen!
To the stipend disclosure I would add disclosure of what apostles are paid (if anything) for their positions on the boards of church-owned companies, also income made through books etc. published and promoted through church-owned businesses. I have no idea if there is anything of concern there but that would be the most transparent way of reporting church-related income for our leaders. Such disclosure would go a long to way to dispelling rumors and limiting the potential for priestcraft which clearly we are very firmly against.
For serious, note the guidelines here- https://www.lds.org/bc/content/ldsorg/content/english/service/volunteer-and-contribute/create/submission/pdf/How%20to%20Contribute%20to%20the%20Ensign%20Mar%20%2028%202013.pdf
and this article- http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705385269/Writing-for-the-Ensign.html?pg=all
From talking to a sub-sub-jr-assistant-temp-editorial worker, they have about a year lead time.
test. Comment in spam queue?
We flat out reject certain scriptures subordinating women (e.g., women shall be silent in church) as cultural artifacts of a less enlightened time. Some in authority have suggested positive interpretations of other similar scriptures (e.g., Adam ruling over Eve should be translated as ruling with, or help meet means equal for, suitable for, etc.). Yet why do we use another scripture subordinating women to justify men presiding over their wives and not think that this scripture is also a sexist cultural artifact? The scripture I’m referring to is Ephesians 5:23 comparing men to Jesus and women to mortals. This scripture is in the new institute manual and is used to jutify a man’s role as the presiding authority in his home.
having written an ensign article once upon a time, it’s a process i wouldn’t want to repeat. it went through so many editorial adjustments to say what they wanted it to that i was almost embarrassed to have my name on it by the end.
i get that this is a snarky post and comments, but in all honesty i would like articles on the following:
I’m concerned about the disconnect between leadership and lay members, between generations, the tensions between policy and doctrine and revelation, and what we’re going to do about Donald Trump. How do we unify as a people without any -ites when there seem to be such camps now re The Exclusion Policy (as it’s being termed)?
What besides Sabbath and temple worship can we better do to prepare for the Second Coming? What about all these emergency preppers/doomsdayers?
There is a new LDS book out (Understanding Your Endowment by Cory Jensen) that encourages us all to receive the Second Anointing/Comforter, have our calling/election assured, and see Christ personally in the temple. This feels like a wonderful goal but dauntingly out of reach. How can we get there?
How can we focus more on the Savior as the center of the gospel instead of worshipping The Family as we seem to do sometimes? The Family is elevated on an ideal pedestal and so out of reach to many, but really that’s not what Christ was entirely about (if any of you leave father, mother… to follow me)
We are losing a lot of formerly faithful saints right now. What can we do?
So according to Ben’s link, the “I Have a Question” section has been discontinued and doctrinal quesions are supposed to be directed to stake presidents. Okay, dissenting voters go to stake presidents. According to the post-Supreme Court ruling letter, anyone who disagrees with the church’s official position is supposed to go to ward and stake leaders to receive better education on doctrine. I know this is a big church, but is there a special training process for stake presidents to become PR experts, church admin experts, and theologians extraordinaire?
Anita, I know receiving the Second Comforter has been a major focus of the Denver Snuffer breakaways. I doubt church admin wants to go there at all.
anita — thanks for the perspective.
Mary Ann — I’m curious if they have added additional training. That would be a good essay, on how your Stake President is trained to be able to answer questions. I don’t know the answer.
All — the proposed articles were not meant to be snarks. Some are real issues that just keep coming up and that I don’t see answers to anywhere. Even FAIR’s material is dated and they don’t have any new information.
Others are things that would be inspiring. I still remember https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob_de_Jager and his talking about his assignment to pick up hymn books after services. His daughter was delightful as was his son. Good people who would pitch in and help out with simple things like cleaning up or helping pick up the trash.
That sort of thing inspires me a great deal.
His daughter married a friend of mine. I dated a girl briefly and suggested that she would like his on a lot more than she liked me.
Articles I would like to see in the Ensign:
A series of articles covering different sections of Handbook 1.
An article on the different church-owned businesses and/or more in-depth article on the various church affiliated business enterprise/organizations participating in/contributing to charitable activities.
I would like to read an article about what to do when it feels like priesthood leaders are exercising unrighteous dominion over me, my calling or my family.
I would like to see an article announcing that, at all future stake conference, the “priesthood leadership training meeting” has been modified to invite all auxiliary presidencies. Why is it vital for the YM president to attend, but not the YW president? Why do we hound EQ presidents to attend with their counselors and secretary, but we don’t invite the RS presidency? Are we not all equal voices on the ward council?
Also, the 12 don’t clean chapels but they do have to clean the conference center twice a year. 😉
1. Educate the saints about preventing child abuse and recognizing predators in congregations
2. Stop lds political fanaticism and address the Oregon debacle
3. heavenly mother (really, not “we don’t know, or babies in perpetuity)
4. Carol Lynn Pearson on lgbt families
5. Culture vs doctrine
6. Disclose financials
Bonjo,
I totally agree, but they’d probably rename the meeting ‘Priesthood Leadership and Family Training Meeting.’
I would like to see John Gustav-Wrathall and Mitch Mayne write articles to include their life journeys.
What happened in Oregon?
Stephen, wasn’t that the Ammon Bundy et al stand off at the wildlife refuge?
Did not connect that with the church. But that may be what they meant. Thanks.
I’d like to see an article explaining the rationale behind assigning three Sacrament Meeting speakers the same topic. I’d also appreciate knowing why, if we believe in eternal progression, we’re still using the same Primary manuals from at least 10 years ago.