99 replies to this topic

[The Nehor]

blackstrap, on 18 June 2013 - 09:36 PM, said:

Nehor,  in case you missed it, the well digging was an oblique reference to Joseph and his seer stone.

Yeah, I caught it and then ran sideways. If God wanted me to have a seerstone I think he would just let me know....and provide permits for underground excavation.

[Buckeye]

I had another thought that leads me to believe that maybe some significant change(s) will be announced at the training meeting.  In Lee Donaldson's recent address he mentioned that the speakers will include President Monson, President Packer, Elder Perry, Elder Nelson, and one other member of the Q12 (http://svu.edu/speec...3/lee-donaldson; start watching at 8:00).  I didn't notice until this morning the significance of that line-up.  Those are the most senior apostles.  Now, maybe the most senior apostles always address new mission presidents.  I've never been to one of these meetings so I don't know.  But I doubt it.  More likely is that something significant will be announced, each of these apostles will bear witness of it, and the brethren wanted these specific apostles to do the speaking so there is no doubt this comes from the head of the church.  In all likelihood, the President(s) of the Church for the next 10-15 years will be from amongst these four.  If the "other apostle" happens to be Elder Oaks - the next in line - then the timeline goes even further.

[DH]

Stone holm, on 18 June 2013 - 06:13 AM, said:

The uniform is part of our "normalcy" defined as White Middle-Class Businessmen from the 1950's -- can't risk blowing that image.

Yeah, we wouldn't want to be perceived as 'normal' in the 2010's.

Edited by DH, 8 hours ago.

[Judd]

Elders and sisters serving together as companions (actually happened to my grandma during WWII).

[Stone holm]

Judd, on 19 June 2013 - 06:38 AM, said:

Elders and sisters serving together as companions (actually happened to my grandma during WWII).

Well that would certainly relieve some of the concern about young men with SSA serving on missions!

[phaedrus ut]

I suspect that the program is a followup to the Letter from the First Presidency asking for members to contribute more to the missionary fund.  From what I've heard church is experiences a drop in revenue do to rising inactivity. Couple that with large outflows for City Creek, 600 million to cover losses at Beneficial Life, Deseret News is a cash hole, the Bonneville radio and TV stations are losing money and the other Deseret Management companies aren't spinning off cash like they used to.  Couple that with large upfront expenses for the missionary expansion and you can see how this has become a perfect storm to deplete the normally reliable cash flow of the church.  

For what ever reason the membership didn't respond well to the recent call for donations and I suspect this will emphasize the need for more contributions.

[Sleeper Cell]

Judd, on 19 June 2013 - 06:38 AM, said:

Elders and sisters serving together as companions.

You guessed it. But there is a little more. After a few rounds of speed dating in the MTC, the single elders and sisters will be paired off as eternal companions. This would solve many of the typical post-mission social problems, help give returning elders a clear sense of direction in their lives, and create a new missionary surge by attracting many single former-missionary brethren back for second missions.

[Buzzard]

phaedrus ut, on 19 June 2013 - 10:07 AM, said:

I suspect that the program is a followup to the Letter from the First Presidency asking for members to contribute more to the missionary fund.  From what I've heard church is experiences a drop in revenue do to rising inactivity. Couple that with large outflows for City Creek, 600 million to cover losses at Beneficial Life, Deseret News is a cash hole, the Bonneville radio and TV stations are losing money and the other Deseret Management companies aren't spinning off cash like they used to.  Couple that with large upfront expenses for the missionary expansion and you can see how this has become a perfect storm to deplete the normally reliable cash flow of the church.  

For what ever reason the membership didn't respond well to the recent call for donations and I suspect this will emphasize the need for more contributions.

"From what I've heard"? What you claim is a pretty big statement based on innuendo.

[Pa Pa]

Stone holm, on 18 June 2013 - 05:56 PM, said:

Big todo coming, may involve us all being called back to Missouri...you never know..

I hope not, I need to care for my mother and I fear for my soul if I don't?

[BookofMormonLuvr]

Buckeye, on 19 June 2013 - 05:46 AM, said:

I had another thought that leads me to believe that maybe some significant change(s) will be announced at the training meeting.  In Lee Donaldson's recent address he mentioned that the speakers will include President Monson, President Packer, Elder Perry, Elder Nelson, and one other member of the Q12 (http://svu.edu/speec...3/lee-donaldson; start watching at 8:00).  I didn't notice until this morning the significance of that line-up.  Those are the most senior apostles.  Now, maybe the most senior apostles always address new mission presidents.  I've never been to one of these meetings so I don't know.  But I doubt it.  More likely is that something significant will be announced, each of these apostles will bear witness of it, and the brethren wanted these specific apostles to do the speaking so there is no doubt this comes from the head of the church.  In all likelihood, the President(s) of the Church for the next 10-15 years will be from amongst these four.  If the "other apostle" happens to be Elder Oaks - the next in line - then the timeline goes even further.

Huh? Next in line to whom? Packard is next in line to Monson.

[Stone holm]

BookofMormonLuvr, on 19 June 2013 - 10:56 AM, said:

Huh? Next in line to whom? Packard is next in line to Monson.

That's Packer not the car.

[Stone holm]

Pa Pa, on 19 June 2013 - 10:37 AM, said:

I hope not, I need to care for my mother and I fear for my soul if I don't?

Well, that line didn't work out so well for Emma

[Buckeye]

BookofMormonLuvr, on 19 June 2013 - 10:56 AM, said:

Huh? Next in line to whom? Packard is next in line to Monson.

Read the paragraph again.  We have already been told that Packer (not Packard) is speaking, along with Perry and Nelson.  The current seniority is Monson, Packer, Perry, Nelson, Oaks, Ballard, Scott .... so forth.  My point was that, if the additional "apostle" mentioned by Brother Donaldson turns out to be Elder Oaks, then we would have the top 5 apostles by seniority, not just the currently-known top 4.

Whoever else speaks is really a small issue.  My point was that, by having (at least) the top 4 apostles in seniority speak, the meeting is set up to have person witnesses born of whatever change(s) will be instituted by the men who will likely be prophet for the next decade or two.  Such a personal witness is important for big changes.  Therefore, the fact that these senior apostles are all speaking, leads me to conclude that it is more likely that a significant change could be announced in the June 23 meeting.  That is all.

[Stone holm]

Buckeye, on 19 June 2013 - 11:30 AM, said:

Read the paragraph again.  We have already been told that Packer (not Packard) is speaking, along with Perry and Nelson.  The current seniority is Monson, Packer, Perry, Nelson, Oaks, Ballard, Scott .... so forth.  My point was that, if the additional "apostle" mentioned by Brother Donaldson turns out to be Elder Oaks, then we would have the top 5 apostles by seniority, not just the currently-known top 4.

Whoever else speaks is really a small issue.  My point was that, by having (at least) the top 4 apostles in seniority speak, the meeting is set up to have person witnesses born of whatever change(s) will be instituted by the men who will likely be prophet for the next decade or two.  Such a personal witness is important for big changes.  Therefore, the fact that these senior apostles are all speaking, leads me to conclude that it is more likely that a significant change could be announced in the June 23 meeting.  That is all.

Sounds like a hit parade.  Shall we start a pool to bet on the topic.  Although I personally love some of the suggestions, have this ugly feeling that Phaedru Ut might possibly be right even if stated in revolting innuendos...sigh.

phaedrus ut, on 19 June 2013 - 10:07 AM, said:

I suspect that the program is a followup to the Letter from the First Presidency asking for members to contribute more to the missionary fund.  From what I've heard church is experiences a drop in revenue do to rising inactivity. Couple that with large outflows for City Creek, 600 million to cover losses at Beneficial Life, Deseret News is a cash hole, the Bonneville radio and TV stations are losing money and the other Deseret Management companies aren't spinning off cash like they used to.  Couple that with large upfront expenses for the missionary expansion and you can see how this has become a perfect storm to deplete the normally reliable cash flow of the church.  

For what ever reason the membership didn't respond well to the recent call for donations and I suspect this will emphasize the need for more contributions.

[Buckeye]

Stone holm, on 19 June 2013 - 11:40 AM, said:

Sounds like a hit parade.  Shall we start a pool to bet on the topic.  Although I personally love some of the suggestions, have this ugly feeling that Phaedru Ut might possibly be right even if stated in revolting innuendos...sigh.

I will be surprised if the meeting does not include a discussion of the need for financial assistance.  But I will also be surprised if that part of the discussion takes more than 3-5 minutes.  Something much bigger is afoot.

[Kenngo1969]

phaedrus ut, on 19 June 2013 - 10:07 AM, said:

I suspect that the program is a followup to the Letter from the First Presidency asking for members to contribute more to the missionary fund.  From what I've heard church is experiences a drop in revenue do to rising inactivity. Couple that with large outflows for City Creek, 600 million to cover losses at Beneficial Life, Deseret News is a cash hole, the Bonneville radio and TV stations are losing money and the other Deseret Management companies aren't spinning off cash like they used to.  Couple that with large upfront expenses for the missionary expansion and you can see how this has become a perfect storm to deplete the normally reliable cash flow of the church.  

For what ever reason the membership didn't respond well to the recent call for donations and I suspect this will emphasize the need for more contributions.

I'd like to follow up on this.  Do you have a link to a reliable source?  Thanks in advance!

[Pa Pa]

Stone holm, on 19 June 2013 - 11:17 AM, said:

Well, that line didn't work out so well for Emma

Don't see the connection, but I love her...so whatever God's judgement, so be it. Now if he could heal her to make the trip, I'll go. But keep in mind one must be called to go to Zion, even then few will answer. I just hope I would do so, "if" called". What I do think is we will be called to be more active in serving with the missionaries...again I hope I will answer that call.

Edited by Pa Pa, Today, 02:02 PM.

[phaedrus ut]

Kenngo1969, on 19 June 2013 - 12:25 PM, said:

I'd like to follow up on this.  Do you have a link to a reliable source?  Thanks in advance!

The costs of City Creek, losses at Beneficial Life, troubles at DesNews, KSL(TV&Radio) are all items that have been in the news in recent years and can be found with some simple searching.  Other things are from my own personal conversations with people who work for the church in various capacities.

It's my speculation that the business losses along with declining revenue and a large cost jump for thousands of new missionaries means the church is going to ask for donations to support the missionary program.

[rockpond]

I wanna go on record with my guess that it's gonna be regular proselyting missionaries allowed to do unlimited service during daylight hours.  My understanding is that this has already been piloted in at least one mission.

It could be something to do with technology (social media) but that kinda stuff has been underway for quite some time.  And tablet computers for missionaries are in the works with a 2014 deployment (last I heard).  Plus, I'm not sure why that would need to be announced in a special broadcast to ward/stake councils.

Increased reactivation work by missionaries also seems possible.  But, again, I was heavily involved in reactivation work as a missionary two decades ago.  The missionaries in my ward are already happy to help us with less active members.  Doesn't really seem "broadcast worthy".

The leadership positions for sister missionaries were announced just prior to the last Gen Con.  Not sure why that would require this special meeting.

A plea for missionary funding doesn't sound like a good fit... that would come Gen Con addresses.  The opposite of that -- tithing paying for all missions -- seems unlikely given that we've been asked to increase donations to the missionary fund.

So... given all that, given the audience (mission pres, ward/stake council members), and given the Church's recent roll out of JustServe.org... I think we're gonna see our full time missionaries doing more service.

[Tacenda]

Rockpond, I can't think of a better way to attract converts than with service.  I'd love to see us go in many of the places that need it, we just aren't doing enough yet, though I know we're trying.  I think that's all our HF wants is to feed and love his sheep, literally besides spiritually!  As soon as my last child is out the door I'm gonna sign up!  I won't proselyte though.  Not that there's something wrong with it, just don't think I can change someone's mind when my mind isn't made up.