Antoni Posted August 24, 2013 Posted August 24, 2013 Hi, I just wondered what you good folks thought about whether someone should go to their local ward or another? I'm considering going to one that is more local to my work as I can then be more actively involved in it during the week. I seldom get home before 8pm and the local ward is a good 20 minute drive away. Whereas I can get to one near work easily for 7pm. ( I go to their ARP for thisvery reason) Getting there on Sunday will be a bit of a discipline as it'll mean an early start but that's ok. Having attended it I do feel it is more like my "home" than my local ward. I just wondered if that's something any of you folks do?
bluebell Posted August 24, 2013 Posted August 24, 2013 Usually, it's not up to the member to decide which ward you belong to. I mean, you certainly have the freedom to attend whatever ward you want but if you want to be a member of the ward (ie. hold a calling, have home teachers, be a home teacher, pay your tithing and fast offerings to that ward, etc.) you either go to the ward you live in or get permission from leadership to be a member of a different one. At least, that's how I've always seen in work in the dozen or so wards that I have been a member of. So you might want to talk this issue over with your bishop before moving forward. 2
Antoni Posted August 24, 2013 Author Posted August 24, 2013 Thanks Bluebell, I'm yet to become a member I am discussing my baptism date with missionaries and bishop and just wanted to see what the protocol was. As I actually will be spending more time in work ward than where I live ward, it's a tough one. I also don't want it to come across as a put down to local ward! thanks 1
rpn Posted August 24, 2013 Posted August 24, 2013 (edited) Can you move into your work ward? If you plan to do that in the near future, the respective bishops might agree you can begin doing so. In the church, people are assigned to congregations geographically. This is for many reasons, one of which is stewardship and accountability. It is designed to prevent people from getting lost, and inspiring people to get testimonies of the gospel, not of the social life or the building or other things. Even after you are baptized, you can attend any congregation you wish to. But at some point your testimony will grow to a place where you want to be obedient. When you get there you will either get your bishop's permission to go to the ward in which you don't live, or you will make all the sacrifices required to go to the ward in which you live. (Another option is to go to your own church services, but attend activities in the other ward.) ETA: Your local bishop is the one who is given priesthood authority to act on your behalf. That authority is important. Edited August 24, 2013 by rpn
Antoni Posted August 24, 2013 Author Posted August 24, 2013 Thanks rpn. I think it'll have to be attend Sunday service in home ward and then see what mid week activities I can do at work ward.
Bill “Papa” Lee Posted August 24, 2013 Posted August 24, 2013 Hi, I just wondered what you good folks thought about whether someone should go to their local ward or another? I'm considering going to one that is more local to my work as I can then be more actively involved in it during the week. I seldom get home before 8pm and the local ward is a good 20 minute drive away. Whereas I can get to one near work easily for 7pm. ( I go to their ARP for thisvery reason) Getting there on Sunday will be a bit of a discipline as it'll mean an early start but that's ok. Having attended it I do feel it is more like my "home" than my local ward. I just wondered if that's something any of you folks do?Better to be somewhere than nowhere.
Duncan Posted August 24, 2013 Posted August 24, 2013 (edited) There needs to be social conversion as well as per Elder Richard G. Scott. We lost a girl who lived in our ward boundaries but the authorities decided she needed to attend her ward where she knew no one and suprise suprise she was lost. Policing ward boundaires is less important then someone's salvation IMO Edited August 24, 2013 by Duncan 1
bluebell Posted August 24, 2013 Posted August 24, 2013 There needs to be social conversion as well as per Elder Richard G. Scott. We lost a girl who lived in our ward boundaries but the authorities decided she needed to attend her ward where she knew no one and suprise suprise she was lost. Policing ward boundaires is less important then someone's salvation IMOIf she lived in your ward boundaries, why did they make her go to a different ward?
Duncan Posted August 24, 2013 Posted August 24, 2013 (edited) If she lived in your ward boundaries, why did they make her go to a different ward? she was an older YSA, well "older" as in 29...but it had stupid written all over it, she knew people in our ward, could get here and so like what was the problem. One of the Bishopric members said that to attend our ward she needed 1st Pres. approval. This happened a few times and we are headed to another one as well. 14 yr old girl lives in our ward boundaries but lives closer to another ward has friends over there and wants to get baptized. I told the elders don't say anything to anyone about it because we don't want someone getting involved and well they did say something so who knows what will happen now but I told them yestarday prepare for a Royal Rumble at ward council mtg. Luckily or unluckily I won't be there because I have to give a talk in another ward Edited August 24, 2013 by Duncan
Bernard Gui Posted August 24, 2013 Posted August 24, 2013 You cannot be given a calling in a ward unless your membership records are in that ward, ditto temple recommend and priesthood ordinations.
Duncan Posted August 24, 2013 Posted August 24, 2013 You cannot be given a calling in a ward unless your membership records are in that ward, ditto temple recommend and priesthood ordinations. so that's the secret!!!!! hoo boy! but the First Pres.approval thing sounds untrue
rongo Posted August 24, 2013 Posted August 24, 2013 For what it's worth, I have *never* seen boundary exceptions be a positive thing. *Never.* Even when there are very good and compelling reasons for them, reasons that on paper seem logical and common sense. And I've dealt with very good reasons where a boundary exceptions seemed to be a no-brainer. It is my belief and experience that you will be blessed in ways you cannot imagine for being a member of and attending the proper ward. I'm sure I speak for many here in being excited about your impending baptism! 3
rongo Posted August 24, 2013 Posted August 24, 2013 so that's the secret!!!!! hoo boy! but the First Pres.approval thing sounds untrueThe stake president can authorize one, but again, I've never seen one turn out well, even when it seemed like it couldn't help but turn out for the best.
ERMD Posted August 24, 2013 Posted August 24, 2013 Stake President can give approval, but there usually needs to be a compelling reason.
Duncan Posted August 24, 2013 Posted August 24, 2013 Stake President can give approval, but there usually needs to be a compelling reason. as per the 14yr old girl -social conversion is in place and she can get there vs. she knows no one and I dunno about the ride situation but this is why I told the elders the key to disobedience is don't volunteer information because as soon as it gets out its out and so now I hope things go well for her and still wants to join the Church and attend and continue, we'll see I guess!
ChristKnight Posted August 24, 2013 Posted August 24, 2013 so that's the secret!!!!! hoo boy! but the First Pres.approval thing sounds untrue Well, I was told the same thing by a counselor in the stake presidency. Basically, if your assigned ward and the ward you want to attend are in the same stake, the Stake President can approve it. If they are in different stakes, then you need FP approval. And yes, either way, you should have some sort of reasoning (in my case, I mentioned that it was more convenient since I was always in the area for work and school, plus it's a YSA ward and there was no YSA near where I live, and the assigned ward is a branch anyway). All I did was talk to the bishop when I was baptized about it, and he said sure no problem, they'd love to have me (not sure if he actually talked to the SP, let alone get FP approval). Best thing to do is just talk to the bishop. Maybe it's easier for men, since the wards, at least in my area, are 2/3 women, so they're all like "YES PLEASE, we need more priesthood holders, the missionaries have been blessing the Sacrament every week!" .
CV75 Posted August 24, 2013 Posted August 24, 2013 Hi, I just wondered what you good folks thought about whether someone should go to their local ward or another? I'm considering going to one that is more local to my work as I can then be more actively involved in it during the week. I seldom get home before 8pm and the local ward is a good 20 minute drive away. Whereas I can get to one near work easily for 7pm. ( I go to their ARP for thisvery reason) Getting there on Sunday will be a bit of a discipline as it'll mean an early start but that's ok. Having attended it I do feel it is more like my "home" than my local ward. I just wondered if that's something any of you folks do?I attend my assigned ward. I think you should attend your local ward, and if you have friends in another ward, particpate as much as they invite you to, which should be quite a bit. Also, once you have the Gift of the Holy Ghost, some of the dynamics in your life may change for the better.
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