Women'S Opinions For New Stake Presidents

[Duncan]

When the Brethren go into a Stake to call a new Stake President do you think they should consult some of the sisters for their opinion as to who the new Stake President should be?

[bluebell]

I don't know.

I thought coming up with names for that calling was supposed to be a matter of prayer. If it is, then the sex of the person doing it doesn't really matter. It seems like it would just be a matter of who has the authority, per their calling, to request that information from the Lord.

[LDSToronto]

I don't know.

I thought coming up with names for that calling was supposed to be a matter of prayer. If it is, then the sex of the person doing it doesn't really matter. It seems like it would just be a matter of who has the authority, per their calling, to request that information from the Lord.

The visiting authority usually interviews the current stake president's counselors, the clerk, the executive secretary, all current bishops, the high council, and anyone else the stake president has identified. Each interviewee is supposed to identify 3 men who he feels would make a good stake president.

The stake president also gives his recommendations. Though there are some exceptions, the new stake president is usually chosen from amongst the men who are interviewed, or, if a recommendation arises with some frequency and the man is not on the interview roster, that brother will also be interviewed.

The authority interviewing keeps track of who is recommended and how often they are recommended.

H.

Edited December 23, 2011 by LDSToronto

[LDSToronto]

When the Brethren go into a Stake to call a new Stake President do you think they should consult some of the sisters for their opinion as to who the new Stake President should be?

I can't see why not - no special priesthood authority is required when making recommendations.

H.

[Grundelwalken]

Several years ago I had the opportunity to participate in one of these changes. I was interviewed (I think I was the third in line) by a member of the 70 and was asked for one or two names I thought would be appropriate. Then one name was offered to me and I was asked how I felt about that brother. He was eventually the one chosen and has been wonderful.

As to sisters, I don't see that happening soon because this is a priesthood responsibility. Not that it would be out of line, but "tradition" seems to be that only brethren are interviewed.

I have often thought that it might be better if the leaders interviewed the wives of men they considered as possible Bishops and SP and make the choice from which wife was best qualified. I do know that wives are a BIG part of the decision in each of these assignments as without a good wife, a man cannot serve in either calling with effectiveness. MW

[Duncan]

Several years ago I had the opportunity to participate in one of these changes. I was interviewed (I think I was the third in line) by a member of the 70 and was asked for one or two names I thought would be appropriate. Then one name was offered to me and I was asked how I felt about that brother. He was eventually the one chosen and has been wonderful.

As to sisters, I don't see that happening soon because this is a priesthood responsibility. Not that it would be out of line, but "tradition" seems to be that only brethren are interviewed.

I have often thought that it might be better if the leaders interviewed the wives of men they considered as possible Bishops and SP and make the choice from which wife was best qualified. I do know that wives are a BIG part of the decision in each of these assignments as without a good wife, a man cannot serve in either calling with effectiveness. MW

true and the wives can share stuff that the brethren wouldn't know, like if he is abusive, swears, or a skinflint or whatnot

[Duncan]

I don't know.

I thought coming up with names for that calling was supposed to be a matter of prayer. If it is, then the sex of the person doing it doesn't really matter. It seems like it would just be a matter of who has the authority, per their calling, to request that information from the Lord.

I guess but women know the stake too and the local needs and whatnot and I think they would be an invaluable resource to get the right name and to show the Lord that the presiding officer did their homework-not that now they are sloppy and ineffective I am just throwing it out there!

Edited December 23, 2011 by Duncan

[rpn]

Just why would it be a priesthood duty to give such counsel? I think not including the stake auxiliary presidents in the inquiry is a major gaff. And I have a hard time squaring it with the enhance role and inclusion of women's thoughts in councils that was taught a year ago in the worldwide training meeting.

[Storm Rider]

There is very little "searching" or seeking of recommendations for these type of callings. In some instances there is none. Often times these types of questions are asked for another purpose than really seeking an opinion. Often it is asked to see how a brother thinks and feels about certain individuals; it is more revealing about him than anyone else.

[LDSToronto]

There is very little "searching" or seeking of recommendations for these type of callings. In some instances there is none. Often times these types of questions are asked for another purpose than really seeking an opinion. Often it is asked to see how a brother thinks and feels about certain individuals; it is more revealing about him than anyone else.

I've participated in a number of stake presidency 'searches'. It is done the way I described. In fact, the outgoing stake president has a fairly heavy influence in the matter.

H.

[Stargazer]

The visiting authority usually interviews the current stake president's counselors, the clerk, the executive secretary, all current bishops, the high council, and anyone else the stake president has identified. Each interviewee is supposed to identify 3 men who he feels would make a good stake president.

The stake president also gives his recommendations. Though there are some exceptions, the new stake president is usually chosen from amongst the men who are interviewed, or, if a recommendation arises with some frequency and the man is not on the interview roster, that brother will also be interviewed.

The authority interviewing keeps track of who is recommended and how often they are recommended.

H.

That's similar to my experience.

In that one event, in which I participated by virtue of being one of the branch presidents in the stake, I was asked for my thoughts on who might make a good Stake president, though I wasn't asked for three names. In the event I recommended one man, who, as it happened, was one of the other branch presidents in the stake, and whom I had served with on our missions several years previously. Interestingly enough, this individual is now a General Authority, though he wasn't called to lead the stake that time.

I don't think it would be wrong to ask the stake RS president what she thought, but I don't think that this is done.

[Duncan]

That's similar to my experience.

In that one event, in which I participated by virtue of being one of the branch presidents in the stake, I was asked for my thoughts on who might make a good Stake president, though I wasn't asked for three names. In the event I recommended one man, who, as it happened, was one of the other branch presidents in the stake, and whom I had served with on our missions several years previously. Interestingly enough, this individual is now a General Authority, though he wasn't called to lead the stake that time.

I don't think it would be wrong to ask the stake RS president what she thought, but I don't think that this is done.

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTT??? you knew a GA when he was a young buck?! That is so cool! what was he like then?

[bluebell]

The visiting authority usually interviews the current stake president's counselors, the clerk, the executive secretary, all current bishops, the high council, and anyone else the stake president has identified. Each interviewee is supposed to identify 3 men who he feels would make a good stake president.

The stake president also gives his recommendations. Though there are some exceptions, the new stake president is usually chosen from amongst the men who are interviewed, or, if a recommendation arises with some frequency and the man is not on the interview roster, that brother will also be interviewed.

The authority interviewing keeps track of who is recommended and how often they are recommended.

H.

If that's the way it's done then i can't see any reason that women can't also be asked for their opinions. Since the culture and tradition of the event doesn't included them though, i'm guessing there won't be a change in that regard any time soon.

[Storm Rider]

I've participated in a number of stake presidency 'searches'. It is done the way I described. In fact, the outgoing stake president has a fairly heavy influence in the matter.

H.

I stand by my statements based upon experience.

[Peppermint Patty]

Duncan,

FWIW, I think the majority of LDS women are likely so busy with their families, careers and Church duties that they do not think about their limited access to organizational power, or really even care.

Just look at how efficiently women run the Relief Society. Could you imagine if these women ran the church? The men would be totally out of a job. Just remember this well-known fact the next time you find yourself not thanking a sister for helping the ward out.

[mfbukowski]

Several years ago I had the opportunity to participate in one of these changes. I was interviewed (I think I was the third in line) by a member of the 70 and was asked for one or two names I thought would be appropriate. Then one name was offered to me and I was asked how I felt about that brother. He was eventually the one chosen and has been wonderful.

As to sisters, I don't see that happening soon because this is a priesthood responsibility. Not that it would be out of line, but "tradition" seems to be that only brethren are interviewed.

I have often thought that it might be better if the leaders interviewed the wives of men they considered as possible Bishops and SP and make the choice from which wife was best qualified. I do know that wives are a BIG part of the decision in each of these assignments as without a good wife, a man cannot serve in either calling with effectiveness. MW

Wives ARE interviewed.

[Duncan]

Duncan,

FWIW, I think the majority of LDS women are likely so busy with their families, careers and Church duties that they do not think about their limited access to organizational power, or really even care.

Just look at how efficiently women run the Relief Society. Could you imagine if these women ran the church? The men would be totally out of a job. Just remember this well-known fact the next time you find yourself not thanking a sister for helping the ward out.

hey! I thank women all the time! I don't discriminate when it comes to my thank you's and I mean them too!

[Stargazer]

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTT??? you knew a GA when he was a young buck?! That is so cool! what was he like then?

Like I said, I knew him on his mission, and he was humble, reverent, dedicated, knowledgeable, able and willing to lead, and impressive beyond his years. I also knew him several years later when he was the president of a serviceman's branch (though not himself in the military), and he was even more impressive then than before. When I heard he had been called to the Seventy, it was no real surprise. It would be utterly no surprise if he were ever called to the Twelve.

His name? Bruce D. Porter.

[Duncan]

Like I said, I knew him on his mission, and he was humble, reverent, dedicated, knowledgeable, able and willing to lead, and impressive beyond his years. I also knew him several years later when he was the president of a serviceman's branch (though not himself in the military), and he was even more impressive then than before. When I heard he had been called to the Seventy, it was no real surprise. It would be utterly no surprise if he were ever called to the Twelve.

His name? Bruce D. Porter.

Holy Goalie that's so cool! a friend of mine knows his son who is teaching I think...in CES or something (I could be wrong on the details) I would be extremely surprised if any of the elders I knew were called into any type of leadership beyond a bishop! One has but he has the personality of a 2 day old pancake so I feel sorry for his ward!

[cinepro]

There is very little "searching" or seeking of recommendations for these type of callings. In some instances there is none. Often times these types of questions are asked for another purpose than really seeking an opinion. Often it is asked to see how a brother thinks and feels about certain individuals; it is more revealing about him than anyone else.

Elder Packer presided over a change in Stake Presidencies in my former stake, and his talk at that conference detailed the process almost exactly as LDS Toronto described. He also told of an experience he had in Germany when he had been strongly inspired that a younger Bishop in the stake should be the new SP but none of the other people were "recommending" him, and when he inquired he was told that their culture would not accept such a young man as their SP, but Elder Packer knew he was inspired and called him anyway, and things turned out great. (The new SP that was being called at the time he told the story was also relatively young, so I suspect Elder Packer was telling the story in case some of the members there were concerned, but the man that was being called was well liked and respected by everyone so it wasn't a problem).

So there are obviously inspired factors in the process, but the soliciting of names from respected Stake members is pretty standard. It is a well accepted principle in the Church that the Lord expects us to do our homework before seeking revelation, and the calling of Stake Presidents would be no exception.

Edited December 24, 2011 by cinepro

[Bernard Gui]

Several years ago I had the opportunity to participate in one of these changes. I was interviewed (I think I was the third in line) by a member of the 70 and was asked for one or two names I thought would be appropriate. Then one name was offered to me and I was asked how I felt about that brother. He was eventually the one chosen and has been wonderful.

As to sisters, I don't see that happening soon because this is a priesthood responsibility. Not that it would be out of line, but "tradition" seems to be that only brethren are interviewed.

I have often thought that it might be better if the leaders interviewed the wives of men they considered as possible Bishops and SP and make the choice from which wife was best qualified. I do know that wives are a BIG part of the decision in each of these assignments as without a good wife, a man cannot serve in either calling with effectiveness. MW

My wife was interviewed when I was ordained a bishop.

Bernard

[cinepro]

Wives ARE interviewed.

Wives are part of the interview process as far as their husbands are concerned, but I think the OP is referring to a system where, for example, the Stake Relief Society President would be asked to also recommend 2 or 3 men whom she would consider qualified for consideration.

[Duncan]

Wives are part of the interview process as far as their husbands are concerned, but I think the OP is referring to a system where, for example, the Stake Relief Society President would be asked to also recommend 2 or 3 men whom she would consider qualified for consideration.

exactley, I don't see why her opinion would be considered less then say a high councilor or a Bishop

[cinepro]

exactley, I don't see why her opinion would be considered less then say a high councilor or a Bishop

Well, I think a lot of the criteria that would feed into such a recommendation would be from casual interactions that the men have over the years through service in different activities and quorums, and men typically wouldn't have that kind of interaction with other women in the stake.

[mfbukowski]

Wives are part of the interview process as far as their husbands are concerned, but I think the OP is referring to a system where, for example, the Stake Relief Society President would be asked to also recommend 2 or 3 men whom she would consider qualified for consideration.

Yes I know but I was responding to this:

I have often thought that it might be better if the leaders interviewed the wives of men they considered as possible Bishops and SP and make the choice from which wife was best qualified. I do know that wives are a BIG part of the decision in each of these assignments as without a good wife, a man cannot serve in either calling with effectiveness. MW