Priesthood Session Of General Conference

[Messenger]

As a non-member male, I found it interesting that I was invited to go with my LDS uncle and cousin to the Priesthood meeting during GC and my LDS wife, of course, was not. While I always understood, it's still just weird. This is in the same category as the issue with HTs. They were there more to support me (the non-member husband) than my LDS wife. While I understood, it was still weird. I'm glad I don't need to deal with that issue any more.

The best home teacher I ever had simply came over, He shared his thoughts on scriptures in his lessons, asked me for my thoughts, and we had a wonderful spiritual experience. Eventually he understood my knowledge of church doctrine and scripture. Eventually I opened up to him and told him how much of a challenge it was to be in elders quorum because the lessons seemed so basic - it was boring! He passed that on, he gave me tips on how to make it more interesting, and eventually he recommended me to the high priest group. So, I try to do the same when I home teach. But to be honest, I have some work to do when it comes to having faith in the Home Teaching program. I read the Handbook 2, and what home teaching is from the church perspective, its hardly ever what it is in reality. Perhaps I'm too picky, maybe I don't have enough tolerance. But when someone is in my home, they should act as if its my home, with respect. To me, that's a minimum requirement for anybody that enters my home, home teacher or not. I somehow don't see that, or haven't seen that for years and years. And, its not like I am harboring hate or ill feelings for any particular home teacher in the past. I have a perfect hope that I'm going to have at least the same respect as I have in a church meeting. But instead they enter they start looking on my bookshelves messing with my antiques, and asking really personal questions, and one even started looking through my cupboards. Every time that happens, "I wonder what are they thinking ?". In my opinion, the whole principle behind home teaching is to gain trust so that when there is a need, they can be trusted enough to be asked for help. Seems to me that we are missing the boat on that concept, perhaps we haven't even found the harbor.

Speaking of weird, I am the 2nd assistant in the high priest group, and I don't believe in our home teaching program as its practiced by our wards. I believe in the one that is outlined in the Handbook, but that's not how its practiced. And I know the people who home teach, they are great guys, and I have awesome conversations with them on Sundays at church, even outside of church. I help them with their projects, wiring their basement for electricity, go shooting for target practice, and yes, even visit them when one of their family is in the hospital and support hem. But sometimes I wonder what happened to the universe when they walk in my door that they could remove all respect they had before and toss it out the window and call it a home teaching visit.

So, consequently, I've learned to avoid any home teacher at all cost. But I wish it wasn't that way. And yes, it is weird. I suppose its about trust, and the lack of it. But, on the bright side, its not the end of the world, and there is a lot we get right in the church. Perhaps this is one of those areas where we need to be an example to others on what home teaching should be like. One thing is for sure, I am thankful for the two home teachers I have had in the past 30 years that have been awesome. And, maybe I am doing it wrong when I home teach too. If so, I have some work to do myself, and I am down with that!

[bluebell]

Bluebell,

I don't believe I quoted you in my post.

It's a good thing i didn't claim that you did then.

I asked who you were talking about and then explained my own motives.

[Messenger]

It's a good thing i didn't claim that you did then.

I asked who you were talking about and then explained my own motives.

Don't worry, be happy. Be happy that people are responding to your posts. Don't worry about those that you might not agree with. Because in the end, they aren't trying to offend you, they are just commenting on the topic. If you don't like it, don't worry, and of course be happy!

Just because your post has brought up things that a lot of people have recognized out there, doesn't mean that they are being directed to you, the OP. Actually, that's a good thing that people respond to your post in different ways, because it helps everyone understand what they are thinking. And yes, I am not saying that anybody else on this thread including you is upset, I'm just pointing out that there are those in the world that are. I'm sorry that we cant see eye to eye, but that doesn't bother me in the slightest. I'm having a great day, I hope that you will too.

Edited April 4, 2012 by Messenger

[bluebell]

Don't worry, be happy. Be happy that people are responding to your posts. Don't worry about those that you might not agree with. Because in the end, they aren't trying to offend you, they are just commenting on the topic. If you don't like it, don't worry, and of course be happy!

Just because your post has brought up things that a lot of people have recognized out there, doesn't mean that they are being directed to you, the OP. Actually, that's a good thing that people respond to your post in different ways, because it helps everyone understand what they are thinking. And yes, I am not saying that anybody else on this thread including you is upset, I'm just pointing out that there are those in the world that are. I'm sorry that we cant see eye to eye, but that doesn't bother me in the slightest. I'm having a great day, I hope that you will too.

I'm very happy that people are responding to my posts. It never occurred to me that asking for clarification would be interpreted as me being unhappy.

It really has nothing to do with not being able to see eye to eye. Glad you are having a great day though and hope that it continues!

[Messenger]

.... Glad you are having a great day though and hope that it continues!

I'm going to take the big 4X4, with the big wheels, and head to the dunes with some friends! Wanna come?

[blueadept]

The best home teacher I ever had simply came over, He shared his thoughts on scriptures in his lessons, asked me for my thoughts, and we had a wonderful spiritual experience. Eventually he understood my knowledge of church doctrine and scripture. Eventually I opened up to him and told him how much of a challenge it was to be in elders quorum because the lessons seemed so basic - it was boring! He passed that on, he gave me tips on how to make it more interesting, and eventually he recommended me to the high priest group. So, I try to do the same when I home teach. But to be honest, I have some work to do when it comes to having faith in the Home Teaching program. I read the Handbook 2, and what home teaching is from the church perspective, its hardly ever what it is in reality. Perhaps I'm too picky, maybe I don't have enough tolerance. But when someone is in my home, they should act as if its my home, with respect. To me, that's a minimum requirement for anybody that enters my home, home teacher or not. I somehow don't see that, or haven't seen that for years and years. And, its not like I am harboring hate or ill feelings for any particular home teacher in the past. I have a perfect hope that I'm going to have at least the same respect as I have in a church meeting. But instead they enter they start looking on my bookshelves messing with my antiques, and asking really personal questions, and one even started looking through my cupboards. Every time that happens, "I wonder what are they thinking ?". In my opinion, the whole principle behind home teaching is to gain trust so that when there is a need, they can be trusted enough to be asked for help. Seems to me that we are missing the boat on that concept, perhaps we haven't even found the harbor.

Speaking of weird, I am the 2nd assistant in the high priest group, and I don't believe in our home teaching program as its practiced by our wards. I believe in the one that is outlined in the Handbook, but that's not how its practiced. And I know the people who home teach, they are great guys, and I have awesome conversations with them on Sundays at church, even outside of church. I help them with their projects, wiring their basement for electricity, go shooting for target practice, and yes, even visit them when one of their family is in the hospital and support hem. But sometimes I wonder what happened to the universe when they walk in my door that they could remove all respect they had before and toss it out the window and call it a home teaching visit.

So, consequently, I've learned to avoid any home teacher at all cost. But I wish it wasn't that way. And yes, it is weird. I suppose its about trust, and the lack of it. But, on the bright side, its not the end of the world, and there is a lot we get right in the church. Perhaps this is one of those areas where we need to be an example to others on what home teaching should be like. One thing is for sure, I am thankful for the two home teachers I have had in the past 30 years that have been awesome. And, maybe I am doing it wrong when I home teach too. If so, I have some work to do myself, and I am down with that!

Nice post

I'm thankful I no longer need to deal with the dual-faith household issues.

What's an oxymoron is that I'm the president of our local Legion of Mary (LoM) who gives out weekly 2 hr assignments to our small group and one of those assignments is home visitations. In the LDS system, it seems to be more obligatory in doing the HT assignment each month for everyone. In the LoM system, it's more about reaching the shut-ins of the parish so that the priest can be kept in contact with this group and we've been requested to be there.

It's just a different atmosphere IMHO.