Wilderland

This must be unique to that temple. I currently serve in a temple, and have served during sealings several times. Temple workers who help with sealings rotate between being proxies and witnesses in just one 1/2 hour session. Witnesses, whether sisters or brothers, are invited to sit in the chairs. I wonder if a live sealing is different.

He shared that a couple of sisters expressed to him that it didn't feel right that sisters could be witnesses.

On a semi-related topic, when the policy was changed so that sisters could be witnesses to ordinances that require them, the only complaints our Stake President received were from ... sisters.

I was released some months ago, so I'll share my perspective. Handbook 18.3: "Those who perform or participate in an ordinance must have the necessary priesthood authority and be worthy. Generally, the standard of worthiness is that associated with holding a temple recommend. However, as guided by the Spirit and the instructions in this chapter, bishops and stake presidents may allow fathers and husbands who hold the necessary priesthood office to perform or participate in some ordinances even if they are not fully temple worthy. A priesthood holder who has unresolved serious sins should not participate." 18.6.2: "Under the direction of the bishopric, Melchizedek Priesthood holders gather in a circle to name and bless a child ..." These guidelines could be interpreted as being somewhat vague to this specific circumstance. I don't read that what happened is expressly forbidden, if a little unorthodox. One could contend that the father wasn't "participating" by just holding his baby, although I might make a more literal interpretation of the cited instructions. As the voice giving the blessing, the brother usually states, "We hold/take this infant in our arms, and by virtue/authority of the Melchizedek priesthood ... ." In this circumstance it must be amended to say, "Those of us who hold the Melchizedek priesthood ..." Bluebell, I don't know your Bishop's conversation with the father, and certainly don't know what his promptings were, so I won't weigh in on the appropriateness of the blessing's circumstances. I humbly submit that the weight of this calling can, at times, be much heavier than many imagine when making some decisions, and yes, at times judgements. While serving as a Bishop there was a time or two I bent a rule rather than break a heart, but these were procedural rather than doctrinal. I also experienced push back for a couple of decisions I made. A Bishop constantly prays to be guided by the spirit, but will inevitably make some mistakes. I hope this helps.

I was released as a Bishop last month. We have no specific training on the intricacies of tithing, and you are correct that, “Are you a full tithe payer?” is about the extent of the question. We are instructed not to add to, embellish, or sermonize any of the recommend questions, but it IS necessary to help youth and new members better understand what an honest tithe is. Occasionally someone will ask about specifics, like tithing on net or gross. The handbook is purposefully vague-ish. It’s a matter of faith to pay tithing. “Prove me now, herewith…” They are counseled to pray and be honest with the Lord. In part, the recommend interview is an opportunity for members to declare to the Lord their worthiness to enter His house. To my knowledge, no member of our ward lied to me about tithing during a recommend interview. However, there were a handful of times I didn’t issue a recommend, and in every instance it was because the member was not a full tithe payer, and admitted it. Interestingly, there were a few very active members who paid little in tithing, and some who never attend church who are full tithe payers. Bishops have to submit yearly tithing reports. One of my least favorite responsibilities was, in the context of this report, having to declare for those members who never attended tithing declaration whether they were a full, part, or non-tithe payer. The non-payers were easy. However, for those who paid something, it required looking at their donation history, generously estimating (to their benefit) how much income they might make, and completing the report. It even asks if the member declared, or the Bishop is determining the information. It takes a lot of discernment and grace, and after five years of making, quite literally, judgement calls, it never got any easier. A plea: please, please attend tithing declaration!