Here are all the rumors I’ve seen on the Internet about what changes will happen during General Conference. These are all real things I’ve seen, I didn’t make any of these up. Since I have so many relatives living in Las Vegas, I’ve added the odds for each one, using how often I’ve seen the rumor, the source, and my keen intellect to set them. You may contact me privately if you wish to wager on any of these.
1. Church Shortened to two hours. Even Money (1:1). What is not known is if Sunday School will be dropped completely, rotated every other week, or all meeting shortened.
2. Changes to missionaries. 2:1. This could be lots of different things, but its looking good that at least one will take place: Lowering age of women to 18. Raising age of men back to 19 (too many kids making a mess!). Adding different lengths of service for those with physical/emotional disabilities (6mo, 12mo, 18mo). Change length of service for everyone. Adding fuel to this rumor is that missionaries receiving calls this week have been told to check the missionary web site after conference for any changes to their calling.
3. No more weddings in Temples, only sealings. 6:1. This will take away the one year wait if you have a civil wedding. This puts North America policy in line with the rest of the world where churches are not allowed to marry people. (Note: The 6:1 odds are for this next week, I give this even odds that is will happen in the next 5 years)
4. Endowment session for the dead reduced to 60 min total. 10:1. Even the dead were falling asleep during the two hour session!
5. Women taking greater role in Ward leadership 12:1. This will come to pass, just not as quick as 60% of the membership wants.
6. Wearing garments only at the temple. 47:1. I think this is just wishful thinking by 98% of the endowed members, but it was proposed in the Q12 earlier last century. Members in hot climates would pay 12% tithing for this to come to pass!
7. Salt Lake Temple closing for a five year renovation. 4:1. It’s got to happen sometime.
8. I get called as bishop again. 874:1. Hell froze over once, not going to happen again in my lifetime!
(Late Breaking: changes to the Word of Wisdom. Some rumors have it adding things like energy drinks and weed, while other rumors have the removing of tea.
All bets must be placed before the Amen is said in the opening prayer on Saturday Morning.
Wheat & Tares 
I’ve never figured out why the endowment session requires that we receive the full set of instruction each time rather than just go report at the veil. A lot more of my family’s temple work would be done now if it was simplified.
I’m also so down with garments at the temple only, but it won’t happen, probably ever.
The only thing I am willing to be on is if there is really no changes, aint nobody gonna believe any future rumors.
Interesting. I’d never heard the wedding rumor. Wouldn’t be surprised if it happens soon.
“Not a Cougar” the issue is whether you see endowments for the dead as only about getting the dead through it or also as a kind of ritual for the living doing it. You get very difference answers depending upon what you see as primary. While I think the endowment can have more changes and primarily see it as preliminary for our eventual real heavenly ascent to meet God and be judged, I can also see them shortening it somewhat. But not to a bear minimum. If they cut something out the creation account could be dramatically shortened without losing much.
Pretty sure Sunday school is staying, since I saw the new Come follow me Sunday school manual at distibution today.
I think all those odds are too high, but close to the right order when ranked in order of likelihood. If I were a betting man, I’d bet against all of those changes, except maybe (I can’t believe I’m saying this) two hour church.
Up until now, these changes were all pie-in-the-sky things that would probably never happen. But after Nelson made actual changes at his first conference as president, and with his focus on modern revelation, it seems like things are more likely to change. Add to that rumors that two hour church has been piloted in some test wards, it now seems like a question of when, not if, can the change will happen.
By the way, the missionary age change back to 19 needs to happen. But I’d be surprised. Well, I guess the same is true for most of those predictions.
Like blacks and the priesthood and the LDS/BSA divorce, it seems church policy will only change when 95% of the membership is wondering why it hasn’t happened already.
I live in the ‘Mormon corridor’ as it is called. I am in my 50’s. I am no longer an active member. I have noticed that most of the women that are younger than me don’t wear their garments all day every day. This is true most especially if they have come from the gym, they seem to stay in their exercise clothes and work in the yard and run with their kids and etc.. I have a very TBM daughter in law and she does the same thing. She doesn’t wear them all the time. I have a friend who is the Primary President and she doesn’t wear them when it is really hot. I was told, however, to wear them all the time no matter what or all Hell would break loose. ( I don’t wear them at all anymore) I think in 20 years or so when all the current apostle are gone, that the up and coming ones will change the rules on garment wearing. Has anyone else that lives in a high Mormon environment noticed this also??
Jenny – I can’t answer your exact question as I don’t live near the Mormon corridor, but that is very true here. I live where it is hot AND MUGGY and it seems to me if the sister is in reasonable shape, they leverage that exception to the hilt. Even the RS pres seems to be seen more in her workout clothes than in anything else.
One other item that I thought of when looking at this list. I heard some comments about, “hold on for the revelation and your testimony will need to be strong!” As in the past, most of these are things most members WANT. I think the only one that would cause some doubt is if Bishop Bill was called again as a Bishop (or maybe a stake prez!)
I think the garment thing is true pretty much everywhere. Even J. Reuben Clark petitioned the first presidency for an exemption to garment wearing during the summer months (when he was living in DC during his political career).
I think much of the general church body is starving for change. I know here in our stake there are about 20-30 big changes we want to roll out in our stake. The ones we have done so far have all been very well received.
I didn’t give much credit to the 2 hour rumor until I petitioned the brethren for permission to hold an alternative Sunday schedule in our stake (our buildings are all past capacity with two many wards, which causes the later wards to continue well into the evening) until new buildings are constructed. After some initial discussion I was told to wait until after conference. But I was also told that the request to wait was not a confirmation of the 2 hour rumor. They referred explicitly to “the 2 hour rumor.” So we will see.
I think the more change the better. Disruption is good. Those who are starving for change get some kick. And those who want everything to stay just the way it is will jump on board to any changes if announced by the brethren.
“it seems church policy will only change when 95% of the membership is wondering why it hasn’t happened already.”
Other Clark, this is *brilliant*. I think we need to name this something like Other Clark’s Dictum. It certainly seems to describe the pace of change in the Church very well. On the dim side, this means women will be ordained in about 2145.
If Bishop Bill were called to Stake President, I would seriously consider moving into his area, just for the sake of sanity at church.
If they cut down church to 2 hours or less, I may consider getting a #followtheprophet bracelet like the Seattle kids had.
Clark, it’s an interesting take and one I’ve pondered as well. All I can figure is that leadership believes we’d forget about the covenants if we didn’t get the refresher training. Of course if we removed the cultural taboo about talking about the covenants (and the ceremony in general), it wouldn’t be necessary.
Ahh. Every conference for the last 40+ years there have been speculations — and everyone forgets the predictions after conference is over. The closest I every got to that was knowing part of one talk. Which I didn’t share or speculate about until after conference. 🙂
Well, color me skeptical. This list sounds too much like a disaffected person’s wish list.
The two I keep hearing that seem most likely are the 2 hour block (coupled with a home study program for scripture study), and missionary changes (although nothing specific). As to your other rumors, here’s my hot take on each:
– Temple sealings. While I personally would love for this one to happen, it seems like a weird thing to roll out at Gen Conf. But maybe. It solves some of the hand-wringing over gay marriage, and it also greatly reduces the negative press we get with part-member families. We say we are family-centric, but then we force them to sit outside while their own kids are married. Not a good look.
– Reducing the endowment length. I love this one. I’ve been saying for years that there should be an express version of this. The other great thing about this type of change is that they could eliminate a BUNCH of sexism in the same brush stroke and not have to own up to having done it. I call that a win-win.
– Women’s role expansion. This is underway and the recent changes (EQ and eliminating PEC) have already moved the needle in this direction. It could be a thing at GC. I think it’s more important to expand women’s role at COB at this point, not just in the wards, and not just with a token women and adding the word “and family” to a council. Facepalm.
– Garments only at the temple. Well, until this week when we finally got into the 80s again, we’ve been over 100 degrees every day for months here, so obviously I’m a fan of this idea. I’d be absolutely shocked if they did it, though, and I say that while I see what others have observed, that working out is an all day event, esp the higher the temp, regardless the orthodoxy level.
– Salt Lake temple closure. Is this really newsworthy? Whatevs.
I predict that we’re going to hear multiple times about Pres. Nelson waking up in the night to write down his ideas, er, revelations. Only the weekend will tell, so tune in for the General Conference cliff hanger (or just check in on Twitter which is a lot easier).
I think it’s important to remember that these rumors are being stoked by the Q15 et al themselves via Holland’s “buckle up” or Oaks’ “there’s going to be a snowstorm” to even Wendy Watson Nelson humble bragging about the vast amounts of revelation pouring onto her hubby’s yellow note pads in the middle of the night. I have never seen this amount of speculation before a conference and frankly I will find it disheartening (but not surprising) if the changes are all policy and no new teaching or doctrine. If the new changes only affect current LDS members, that is bureaucracy not “revelation”. Revelation would affect the world at large. I suspect that drumming up speculation is just for show to hopefully get members excited about 10 hours of more of the same highly correlated and highly PRed GA talks. A shell game of sorts.
Sunday School: cancel it at weekly meetings, move it to the temple. Call it Sunday School for the Dead.
I have heard speculation that the Proclamation will be presented for canonization. President Oaks has been referencing the Proclamation a lot in his visits. I’m not sure how that would work.
Warning warning warning.
I’m going to link to exmormon Reddit.
But this is on topic, and hilarious.
I’d love it if they dropped tea form the W of W. When I was young and my father was inactive and my mother was not a member of the church—both things changed, by the way—my mom used to brew iced tea in the summer, pour it into a pitcher with cut lemons, and then put in the fridge. There is nothing—I meaning nothing—that tastes better on a hot summer day than a glass of iced tea. BTW, I realize this won’t change, but your reference to dropping tea sure brought back a fond memory. For that I thank you.
I heard that young men’s presidents will be released with the Bishop taking over those duties. Makes sense to me,
Jan, good point.
I’m no Snufferite, but I do lament that the last non-administrative revelation was 100 years ago to the day (in Central Time Zone) at least. (D&C 138).
Would be amazing to get a doctrinal/theological revelation instead of just policy/admin.
Although I think Pres. Nelson’s willingness to shake up things policy-wise (ministering/BSA, etc) is great.
@Mike: would love to hear some of the changes you’ve made or would like to make in your stake.
@Rockwell: that’s amazing. Thanks for posting it! 🙂
There is always a possibility of an “announcement” in conference beyond some policy change. (Yes, I know policy changes are considered revelation by many).
But here are more realistic expectations for instruction:
1. Say your prayers
2. Read you scriptures daily especially the Book of Mormon
3. Do your family history and attend the temple
4. Pay a full tithe
5. Do missionary work, invite your friends to church
6. Sustain your priesthood leaders
7. Protect yourself against the evils of pornography
8. Some thinly veiled warning against activists such as Sam Young
9. Stay in the Old Ship Zion!
10. Importance of keeping the Sabbath day and partaking of the sacrament
11. Family Proclamation, Family home evenings, etc.
12. Miscellaneous topics such as importance of temple recommend, temple prayer roll, etc.
To expect some big announcement is to set oneself up for disappointment.
They should drop tea AND coffee from the WoW. Coffee has many health benefits.
I would love to see them discontinue temple weddings and just perform sealings. Not only does that allow more family members to attend, the most touching weddings I’ve been to have all been outside the temple. Weddings outside the temple can also bring in spiritualsnd Christ/centered elements.
If changes to garment wearing polices are not made, the church leaders are going to see a lot of faithful/active/strong/talented members not being able to renew TR–women especially, as garment-wearing for women is more logistically challenging. Maybe it will take the visual graph of TR renewals declining to prompt HQ revelation-seeking on this. I’m with Not A Cougar on removing instructions each time unless there are own-endowment patrons in the session. Also propose prayer circles with first session of the day only. Also agree with Hawkgrrl about changing the sexist slant of the endowment wording and emphasize the equal partners. Agree with Bishop Bill’s #3. Goes along with other trends that equalize the church throughout the world and not have a special North America version of the church. I’m not expecting any of this to be part of any changes mentioned at GC. I think changes to the organization of stake callings is more likely than anything listed in the OP.
Rigel, I’d go a step further and do away with ceremonial clothing in the session altogether (I guess we could keep the aprons). Whatever Gospel principle or principles the clothing was meant to emphasize has not been widely transmitted down (has it been lost?) and they serve no functional purpose in the ceremony. I understand the argument that we’re supposed to learn about the temple through personal revelation, but I’ve never received any personal revelation about the purpose of the clothing, and it just serves to make the endowment ceremony feel way more cultish than necessary.
When I talked to my last Bishop about the temple and what I saw as sexist remnants from days of polygamy, he validated my feelings and said that if he were a woman he wouldn’t find it an uplifting experience either. It was amazing pastoral care! He told me that he prays for changes to be made because he hears and feels the heartache so many of his sisters feel.
If leadership made any changes to the temple ceremony, they wouldn’t say a peep about it in conference. To my knowledge they didn’t say anything in 1990 (when substantial revisions were last made), and they definitely didn’t say anything about minor changes in the last few years. So alas, still no conference odds on this one.
Or shucks, I’ll make one: 5000:1 Pres. Nelson proposes a new VR temple endowment experience that can be completed online. New temples will only have sealing rooms and baptistries, allowing the pace of building to increase even further.
Not a Cougar,
I used to think of the symbolism of each article of clothing. I remember going to an graduate institute class with Bob Norman who mentioned the possibility of having a class trip to the temple where we could discuss the symbolism of each article of ceremonial clothing in the Celestial Room. That, unfortunately, never materialized in my class and ,well, obviously Bob Norman thinks out of the box. Now I think more like you and feel that the significance of the clothing has boiled down to unexplained tradition. When the temple clothing was both secret and sacred, the benefits of wearing it may have been favorable. In the past, the only time non-members really saw the clothing would be a funeral viewings and conference demonstrators. Now with go-cams, people could virtually have their careers ruined by someone photographing them in a session in what you accurately described as clothing that increasingly feels more cultish. One of my grandfathers, who died in the 1960s was well known in our family for his humorous take on the endowment with his quip–“I could handle all to a certain point until they said you had to take everything off and move it to the other side.” Even though this was said with humor, he dealt with bad osteoarthritis, spine problems, and prostate enlargement with bladder outlet obstruction–so the humor masked a burden for him. That burden likely kept him from going to the temple more often. So, I am with you on your recommendations as well. I don’t think God intends for his children to pay for their obedience to ceremony with loss of career related to a perceived ‘cult of strangeness’.
Often Perplexed,
I think I would minister in the same way if I were in that situation–but it looks increasingly like I won’t be in that situation.
I think the odds of a shorter block for church are a little high, thinking more like 5:1. I just don’t see it happening.
Change to missionaries, this is the one I hope for most. So many problems have resulted with the lowering of the age. Too many kids coming home early, lower effectiveness of younger missionaries, lack of real world experience before going on mission. The list goes on.
Weddings in temples will continue were it is legal, but I really hope for the removal of the one year penalty for marriage outside temple. So many problems removed from people’s lives with this change. I don’t like pushing people into the temple that are not ready to go but want to get married. Remove the stigma would be a great change. Who cares if you go to the temple to be sealed the day you are married, the next year or 10 years later. In the end it is all the same.
My dream: they decide to deemphasize work for the dead in favor of work for the living. Helping members and friends in developing countries. Soon half of Church members will reside south of the equator.
Clark and Not a Cougar: The fact that the Church recycles names should tell us something about the way they prioritize temple work. If they didn’t place a high emphasis on the instruction portion of the endowment, they would’ve adopted that suggestion a long time ago.
Rigel: the garment wearing isn’t preventing any women from getting a recommend since it’s not actually *technically* a requirement. The instruction (not covenant) in the temple is to wear them throughout your life. The statement that was introduced that is read in the interview is more specific than the instruction in the endowment. The question in the interview (after the statement is read) still references the instruction in the temple (not the statement). It’s a very interesting approach.
Happy Hubby,
One of the rumors I’ve heard that could possibly “test members faith” is a change to missions where missionaries just serve in their own country. I doubt this will happen, but I could see it being hard for many to accept if it did.
Bishop Bill, I’ll put down $100 on 2 hour church. Who’s your bookie?
Well Angela, I hope that is true because I am married to someone that will have this exact issue coming up and I am not sure what to expect given the nature of our bishopric.
The garment issue discussion fails to take into consideration the example of Joseph and the actual wording of the initiatory. On his ride to Carthage he told the brothers to follow his example and remove their garments because “ it was too hot to wear them”. in addition the actual charge in the Temple is not to wear them Day and night but to wear them “ throughout your life”. Once again our false cultural traditions place unnecessary burdens upon us
Re: the discussion on the temple, my guess also is that temple changes, if any, wouldn’t be announced in conference.
As far as the discussion on clothing/symbolism, etc., about 2 years ago I started telling my executive secretary to ensure that he sets aside a minimum of 45 minutes for interviews for those going to receive their own endowments. Now the way I do these interviews is that for the first 40 minutes we talk about the temple experience, from why temples, to what happens from the time they walk inside the door and show their recommend until they enter into the Celestial room, and also the symbolism/reasons for the clothing and garments. For youth (missionaries going out) I also invite their parents to attend these discussions (first 40 minutes). For those being sealed, I invite their spouse. It has been well received 100% of the time. The parents are grateful and every time have said “I wish someone would have done that with me.” I changed the way I do this because almost every single person was coming back and saying, “uh, uh, can we please talk about the endowment in a little more detail?”
It is a very respectful and actually nice conversation. And I DO NOT disclose the very few things I have covenanted not to disclose (names/signs of the tokens, but we do talk about “why a token”). It is a very, very, very small portion of the temple experience that we covenant not to disclose. A tiny portion. We normally don’t talk about the rest of it, but I think it is fine and necessary in the right setting (interview).
As far at the clothing, I’d miss some of the symbolism. For example, I used to get annoyed with the constant changing, and changing, and changing, and changing of the clothing. But really it is beautiful in some ways. In life (the temple is a portrayal of our journey) we enter the path. We make covenants with God and repent. And each time we do, we repent (change). We covenant (each Sunday) and repent (change). So long as we keep doing that–repenting and changing, repenting and changing, and we don’t give up and just refuse to repent and accept Christ, we are going to see God in heaven. The temple is like that. Each time we covenant in the temple we change (the clothing in some way). Covenant and change. Covenant and change. And so long as we do that (even if we have a hard time changing the clothes) we will be greeted into heaven. The only way, once we start the endowment (the path in life), we won’t make it to the Celestial Room in the temple is if we literally raise our hand and say, “nah, I’d rather not do this.” So is life.
This is the message of D&C 10:63-67. So long as we repent and come unto Him we are of His church. And so long as we “endureth of [His] church” (meaning, so long as we continue to repent and come unto Him) the gates of hell have no power over us.
Anyhow, sorry for the threadjack. I could go on and on. I love the robes as well. The stories in the scriptures of robes being given (my favorite is the Prodigal Son story of the Father giving His son his best robe). The temple shows us that if we come to Him, he will encircle us with his redemptive robes etc.
This much is sure. If they don’t announce some changes (most likely policy changes) and people are upset, the brethren have no one to blame for that. I’ve been in meetings over the past 5 months where high level GAs have said “you ain’t seen nothing yet” and “just wait until the next conference.”
I’m excited to see what comes, if anything. But I’d watch conference even if I weren’t anticipating change. I have my own wish list of things that I really, really want to change, as does everyone.
I never liked the temple ceremony myself. But I went through in the early 1980’s so that is part of it. I am no longer active as I have stated before, but maybe someone can answer my question. If the apron that is put on symbolizes the Devil and his power, why is it not discarded during the ceremony? Why are the patrons still wearing it after the robes are put on? Didn’t Adam and Eve discard their aprons and wear the skins made for them?? Always seemed a bit weird to me.
“On his ride to Carthage he told the brothers to follow his example and remove their garments because “ it was too hot to wear them”’
And Joseph and Hyrum were killed and John Taylor was severely injured. Willard Richards who did not remove his garments came out of Carthage unscathed.
Jenny Harrison, I believe the symbolism is meant to show that the devil was imitating truth, as ever, in his use of the apron. So appropriate wearing of the apron is symbolic of human procreative power, and of the apron (ephod) worn by the Israelite high priest (the other temple robes are also taken from the ancient Israelite high priest clothing).
I think this conversation about the temple is an interesting one, but I also find it disturbing that we have such different interpretations of our temple experience, which seems to me to sow confusion rather than clarity. I think this needs to change if the experience is to lead us into greater community with God and our brethren.
Other rumors online from @ldsstakeclerk:
2 hour church will happen.
Here is are the juicy details how it will break down:
– 15 min sacrament meeting (invocation, business, hymn, sacrament, hymn, benediction)
– 45 min Sunday School
– 45 min EQ/RS/YM/YW
Other changes: Stake auxiliary callings will go away. The stake will be ran by the stake presidency and high council, with no other stake callings. This will free up callings to allow those serving to be in their wards to serve.
Mutual will not be weekly any longer. So YM and YW presidencies, advisors, and bishoprics will be able to spend more time with their family. Also youth are busy with other things and don’t need to feel obligated to attend an activity every week.
I’m just wondering if there is a publicly traded company that sells underwear primarily in Utah. Anyone know?
Kristine A – I love the idea of cutting Sac Mtg to 15 mins. I’ll go out on a limb and say every bishopric would love that too!
I don’t think a 15 minute sacrament meeting even makes sense. We have baby blessings, confirmations and Ward business. The sacrament itself often takes 15 minutes to bless and pass. I want a worship service with a spiritual message–perhaps one high quality speaker.
My prediction is that they are going to rename some programs.
Doing the math on some of the more credible predictions leads me to a conclusion that nobody has yet mentioned. They’re going to significantly shrink the average ward size. That’s the only way a 15 minute sacrament meeting works. It explains why stake auxiliary officers would be needed at the ward level. With a two-hour block, buildings could accommodate more wards (maybe not ours–we’re already at 4). Except that there would not be enough weeknights for each ward’s youth–hence, the less frequent mutuals. And those gargantuan circles we have to form for our first-Sunday council sessions could shrink to a manageable size. You read it here first.
Jenny Harrison – why do you think the apron symbolizes the devil and his power? The temple ceremony clearly explains the symbolism of the apron (the only piece of clothing this is explained in the ceremony). It represents the covering of leaves Adam and Eve made for themselves and the better covering of skins that was made to replace the leaves, both of which symbolize Adam and Eve’s acquisition of knowledge of good and evil. Therefore, the apron symbolizes knowledge, or the acquisition of knowledge, which is the first step in becoming like God.
@ Jenny Harrison: I always took the wearing of the apron as a reminder of mortal imperfection. As in, “We’ve got all these awesome sacred vestments that the Lord has given us, but because we’re petty and prone to self-loathing and guilt, we’re going to cover them with the same thing we symbolically used to try and hide from Him.” My deep-doctrine pet theory is that the resurrection will see some kind of formal discarding of the apron.
@ OftenPerplexed: I’m with you there. I’ve only been to a handful of truly awful Sacrament meetings. Most have been at least comforting, and some have been incredible spiritual events. Sunday School, on the other hand? Unless I’ve been the one teaching (ha) I’ve only felt the spirit in one classroom, and it was a pair of remarkable teachers I had as a teenager.
I had a chat with a couple of friends who had stopped attending over history issues and I asked if they were curious about conference with all of these winds of change. Both told me no, and explained that they were uncomfortable with conference because it is a reflection of essentially an entrenched patriarchal hierarchy that polices and stifles its membership. It is no longer history problems keeping them away, yet they still seem to feel so much pain and anger toward the Church community. Do you think the structure of the church polices its membership? I’m trying to understand their perspective. I really want my hurting friends to feel welcomed and loved.
OftenPerplexed, I tend to agree that 15 minutes is too short, but I would be all for moving baby blessings to the family home. I blessed one of my kids in church and the other at home and found the home blessing to be much, much, much more sacred. My wife was able to actually hear what was said (I’m not trying to start a discussion over whether women should have some role in baby blessings), several family members attended who would never have felt comfortable stepping into a LDS church, and I had the opportunity to take sixty seconds and explain the ordinance to the non-members in attendance. I’m sure many will disagree with my stance on baby blessings.
As to announcements, pushing members to place the announcements in the bulletin or distributing them electronically might be a boon (and I know there are always last minutes things to announce). That leaves callings which I think would still need to be done in sacrament meeting (though I guess we could send out the announcement electronically and have people vote electronically too – not in favor of it though).
I just don’t see the two-hour block happening. Most of the General Authorities are from a different era – one which emphasized sacrifice and work as the way to secure Heavenly blessings. 3 hour church is long and hard and boring and a sacrifice. They like it like that – even subconsciously. I just don’t see it going away any time soon.
I would be sad to see sacrament talks go. I enjoy hearing how my ward family lives and views the gospel, and I like having the opportunity to organize and present my thoughts, too. I don’t think it needs to be 70 minutes, however.
Not a Cougar: I love that you used the word “boon” so casually.
Here’s one for a forgotten minority: Widows being able to be sealed to a living husband without having to cancel their sealing to their deceased husband. But I guess as long as there are old maids available for widowed apostles to marry, there won’t be much interest for that.
Just as important as substance is form (and forum): what are the odds that any one of these changes is first announced in the General Women’s Session, in parallel to the announcements in Priesthood Session last April? Come to think of it, if they are announced first in any *other* session, won’t that be a pretty glaring slap in the face?
Angela, thanks, I’m a big boon fan. Balm is pretty good too. Really, just about any slightly archaic word that starts with B is kinda my thing. Balderdash, bigamy, blasphemer, Battlestar Galactica. See? Fun!
Not a Cougar– Despite home baby blessings being “a thing,” the scriptural injunction indicates some kind of church meeting. See D&C 20:70 (“Every member of the church of Christ having children is to bring them unto the elders before the church, who are to lay their hands upon them in the name of Jesus Christ, and bless them in his name.”) Granted, there are lots of verses in the D&C that we officially ignore (e.g. sec. 132) but there is a doctrinal basis for baby blessings in Church
What are the odds ministering is emphasized in 1 out of every 3 talks given?
And we talk of ministering, we rejoice in ministering, we preach of ministering, we prophesy of ministering, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what program of the church they can look to for their obligations to minister as they grow up.
I’m guessing odds are good that ministering like Christ ministered is more likely to be talked about moreso than a much wished for 2 hour block.
Hebert13,
I hadn’t thought of that, but you’re right…there are bound to be some positive examples of how ministering has been embraced and how recipients have benefitted from the new program. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing given that ideas on how to embrace the ministering program aren’t always easy to come by. Here is how a ministering assignment went down in my ward that I am peripherally aware of:
Leader: I have given you a ministering assignment to visit someone. I know you haven’t wanted to participate (in home/visiting teaching) in the past, but this assignment is just limited to ministering to ONE person. It would be Brother/Sister X.
Member: Oh come on. You and I both know that it will not end up being just one person. I don’t want an assignment. I do not like the concept of ‘assigned friends’. I am willing to help people, but I don’t want an assignment.
Leader: But this program has come from the Prophet. He has told us to do this program. These are His words.
Member: Yes, those are his words, and these are MY words. I don’t want an assignment.
Leader: (turns and walks away in frustration)
2 hour church for the win!
I am sooo happy that I was wrong about two-hour church never happening!