Reserved Parking

[juliann]

I would park there every sunday.

I had a simular experience in stake confrence, but I showed up early (1.5 hours ) and had the whole chapel to my self, this was going to be a good one since an apostle was coming, then the stake clerk started to put up reserved tape on the pews also the one I was in then told me to move back 5 rows I said ok, it's must be for the investigators or the new converts right. And as I was getting up he said no it's for the family's of the stake presidency. Then I sat my big butt right back down and said this pew is reserved for my family, I got here on time. He made a big deal about it, and told the stake prez who came to ask me to move, but when he saw me, ( we go way back, I don't let things slide, and call bull when it needs to be said) he shaked my hand and said enjoy the meeting, then went back to the office.

 

 

You would have been sitting by yourself in our stake.  We don't allow seat saving unless it is for someone with a disability. But they have to be there 15 min. before start time or seats are given away.

[guerreiro9]

My question is how do you more righteous saints justify selective judgment, whereby apostles are free from ALL critique and judgment while local leaders can be lambasted for even the most trivial of missteps?

It's pretty easy. I see nothing wrong with the priesthood ban for those of African descent, not ordaining women, or the Church's teachings on homosexuality.

(Those are your pet issues right?)

-guerreiro9

Edited July 22, 2014 by guerreiro9

[Storm Rider]

I am so very ashamed of all of you "ark steadiers."  How dare you criticize the parking habits of those that the Lord chose to put in charge of stake center parking?  If the Lord didn't want separate but unequal parking, He would have changed it a long time ago!  After all, isn't it the Lord's parking lot?

 

Once again, perhaps someone can explain to me how many faithful members are more than happy to publicly criticize (and even flat out defy) stake leadership but would consider questioning the wisdom of an apostle as being the sin next to porn.  At stake here (no pun intended) is whether one of us needs to walk an extra 50 feet to get to a meeting.  Yet, decisions that kept the blessings of the temple from blacks, and keep the blessings of the priesthood from women, and any hope of a decent life for gays and lesbians are not even be questioned, right?

 

It seems to me that if we have deference for apostles under the theory that they were chosen by HF to fulfill those callings, then that same deference should extend all the way down the line.  What am I missing here?

 

As I have stated I don't have a problem with the stake presidencies having reserved parking.  I think their schedule merits having small conveniences to facilitate their calling.

 

I have often recognized in myself a rather high degree of irreverence. I enjoy slaying golden calves; it keeps people guessing. Though I find some of this in you, I find that I am often at odds with your POV.  It is as if you fight with yourself knowing that you are wrong in the fight.  You demean and vilify rather than strengthen; you strive to offend for the sake of offense; constructive criticism has long since taken wing from your position.  Is this the person you want to be or is it an unwholesome game you play?

Edited July 24, 2014 by Storm Rider

[Guest]

What lesson would you be taking upon yourself to teach the stake president?

well he is a close friend and I served with him while he was a Bishop. One to make fun and the other to teach humility.

[mormonnewb]

As I have stated I don't have a problem with the stake presidencies having reserved parking. I think their schedule demands merits having small conveniences to facilitate their calling.

I have often recognized in myself a rather high degree of irreverence. I enjoy slaying golden calves; it keeps people guessing. Though I find some of this in you, I find that I am often at odds with your POV. It is as if you fight with yourself knowing that you are wrong in the fight. You demean and vilify rather than strengthen; you strive to offend for the sake of offense; constructive criticism has long since taken wing from your position. Is this the person you want to be or is it an unwholesome game you play?

So there was NOTHING constructive in my criticism that we should not harshly judge those whom God has called to serve in His church? Isn't this a position that you agree with? Is my flippancy such that it makes a correct opinion somehow wrong?

[Stargazer]

I am also from Washington State, and I swear the Stake I grew up in had a spot for the SP.

 

Also a Washingtonian, and have never seen this.

[sethpayne]

If Pope Francis can carry his own luggage, then my SP can search for parking just like the rest of us.

 

And as someone has already pointed out, the SP is probably the first person there every Sunday anyway.  So I suspect that it is not the SP who occupies the space but perhaps his family.  Which, of course, is absurd.

 

No calling in this Church should grant anyone special position or privilege.  I think Jesus had a few things to say about religious leaders occupying positions with certain perks and honor.  As I recall, he didn't view these types of things very favorably.

[bluebell]

So there was NOTHING constructive in my criticism that we should not harshly judge those whom God has called to serve in His church? Isn't this a position that you agree with? Is my flippancy such that it makes a correct opinion somehow wrong?

 

How we react to those things we disagree with can often make the difference between whether our complaints are seen as legitimate or illegitimate.  

 

Every person remembers what it's like growing up and saying something to your parent that is, in meaning, completely acceptable, but in tone and words, ends up getting you grounded.  

[bluebell]

Without knowing why stake presidents sometimes have a reserved parking space, i don't think it's possible for me to suggest it's either a good or bad thing.

[ERayR]

So there was NOTHING constructive in my criticism that we should not harshly judge those whom God has called to serve in His church? Isn't this a position that you agree with? Is my flippancy such that it makes a correct opinion somehow wrong?

 

Of course there is.  The problem is you say this in the midst of criticizing those whom God has called to serve in His church about their stand on your pet issues.  It is also dangerous to criticize Church leaders at any level because if continued it begins to canker the soul and builds into dissatisfaction with the Church and eventually apostasy.  In a word one eventually criticizes themselves out of belief in the gospel and the saving ordinances.

[wenglund]

uh oh . . . elitistism creeping into the chruch . . . time for some house cleaning . . .

 

Doesn't it depend on the vehicle parked in the space?

 

My former Stake President drove a beat up old truck. Elitism would be the last thing that would cross my mind were this found in reserved parking:

 

 

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[ksfisher]

If Pope Francis can carry his own luggage, then my SP can search for parking just like the rest of us.

 

And as someone has already pointed out, the SP is probably the first person there every Sunday anyway.  So I suspect that it is not the SP who occupies the space but perhaps his family.  Which, of course, is absurd.

 

No calling in this Church should grant anyone special position or privilege.  I think Jesus had a few things to say about religious leaders occupying positions with certain perks and honor.  As I recall, he didn't view these types of things very favorably.

 

If this stake president is anything like mine, he's probably in and out of his office all day Sunday, rushing between meetings and visiting with members of the stake  Lots of people want to say hello to the stake president.  If having to look for a parking space causes him to be late to meet with someone, the person whom he is meeting with would be kept waiting.

 

I suggest that it's out of consideration for the members of the stake and their valuable time that the parking space is reserved.

Edited July 22, 2014 by ksfisher

[ERayR]

If this stake president is anything like mine, he's probably in and out of his office all day Sunday, rushing between meetings and visiting with members of the stake  Lots of people want to say hello to the stake president.  If having to look for a parking space causes him to be late to meet with someone, the person whom he is meeting with would be kept waiting.

 

I suggest that it's out of consideration for the members of the stake and their valuable time that the parking space is reserved.

 

I too suspect there is a practical reason behind the practice.

[sethpayne]

If this stake president is anything like mine, he's probably in and out of his office all day Sunday, rushing between meetings and visiting with members of the stake  Lots of people want to say hello to the stake president.  If having to look for a parking space causes him to be late to meet with someone, the person whom he is meeting with would be kept waiting.

 

I suggest that it's out of consideration for the members of the stake and their valuable time that the parking space is reserved.

 

That is a very fair point.

 

I suppose my experience with my SPs has been they are generally in meetings most of Sunday and so their visits etc... throughout the week.

 

But if an SP is actively out and back at the Stake Center then I can certainly see how such an arrangement makes sense.

[ksfisher]

 

But if an SP is actively out and back at the Stake Center then I can certainly see how such an arrangement makes sense.

 

I know that my stake president is always running behind time.  Everywhere he goes someone wants to talk to him.  He stops and talks because he doesn't want anyone to feel like he doesn't have time to listen.

[cinepro]

 

(2) It seems unnecessary, given the fact that the Stake Presidency is likely to show up plenty early for any meeting at which parking is at a premium.

 

That was my initial thought as well.  My Stake Center has three wards meeting at it, and I've never had trouble getting a spot, but I might have to walk 50 yards.

 

That being said, there is an obvious "solution" to the problem in light of the good reasons that such spots might be needed.  Simply reserve three spots that aren't in the very front of the parking lot.  Go back a few rows and reserve them there.  Then there is no "elitism" in that the people who arrive first get the best spots, but the Stake Presidency will always park relatively close to the building.  It may even be seen as a sign of humility by people who worry about such things.

 

That being said, I would donate $100 to the missionary fund for a picture of someone's car getting towed from one of those spots.

Edited July 22, 2014 by cinepro

[ksfisher]

That was my initial thought as well.  My Stake Center has three wards meeting at it, and I've never had trouble getting a spot, but I might have to walk 50 yards.

 

That being said, there is an obvious "solution" to the problem in light of the good reasons that such spots might be needed.  Simply reserve three spots that aren't in the very front of the parking lot.  Go back a few rows and reserve them there.  Then there is no "elitism" in that the people who arrive first get the best spots, but the Stake Presidency will always park relatively close to the building.  It may even be seen as a sign of humility by people who worry about such things.

 

That being said, I would donate $100 to the missionary fund for a picture of someone's car getting towed from one of those spots.

 

How many steps does a stake president need to take from his car to his office to demonstrate "humility" to the members of his stake?

[VideoGameJunkie]

Temples have reserved parking spots, but that's it.

[wenglund]

Temples have reserved parking spots, but that's it.

 

If I recall correctly, the Church Office Building also has reserved parking for certain Church leaders, though it helps that there is a walking tunnel leading to the office bldg from apartments across the street where several GA's live. Some people may think it elitist not having tunnels running to the office building from apartments of general members and workers from all across town, and perhaps even tie in some racial or sexist or sexual orientation component thereto, though I don't share such views. I agree with others that there is likely a practical and reasonable explanation for the reserved parking wherever it may exist throughout the Church.

 

Certainly, there are more worthy issues facing the world which ought to occupy our thoughts and minds instead.

 

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[VideoGameJunkie]

I agree with wenglund, it's not that big of a deal.

[longview]

Doesn't it depend on the vehicle parked in the space?

 

My former Stake President drove a beat up old truck. Elitism would be the last thing that would cross my mind were this found in reserved parking:

 

 

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

did he park it on the lee ward side of the Stake Center?

[wenglund]

did he park it on the lee ward side of the Stake Center?

 

Only during fertilizing season.

 

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[readstoomuch]

I would like to know what the SP would say, but my reaction is that it is an excess. Temple President parking seems different for some reason.

[Tacenda]

To me I think anyone that can go five years as bishop and then 5 years or more as SP (currently my SP and former bishop's situation) deserves a flipping spot, especially if parking is difficult. But I doubt there are very many SP's that would like it, they would be like so many on here have been.