The Life of a General Authority is not Easy

[TheSkepticChristian]

Dan Peterson wrote, " I’ve seen enough of the responsibilities of the Twelve, and of their daily schedules, to know that it doesn’t get any easier on their level, nor, really, much more glamorous. Can you imagine reaching the age of the three men just called to the Twelve, learning that you will spend the rest of your life in meetings, on planes, at airports, sleeping in guest rooms or hotels, living out of suitcases, dealing with weighty issues, confronted with urgent situations, facing difficult decisions, bearing enormous administrative loads?  That you will never be permitted to retire? "

It must be very tough to be a General Authority and probably very stressful. It sounds like a hard working job!

I am also impressed that all the prophets live above the life expectancy! All of them! including above life expectancy in Utah, "Twenty years ago, the overall life expectancy for a man in Utah was about 74.3 years"  What a miracle, it is God that is helping them live longer with their tough and stressful jobs! I am sure it has nothing to do with first class healthcare and healthy food. I am also sure that being a General Authority is very stressful. I am also sure that everyone else, regular LDS, have easier lives and less worries!

 

Edited February 24, 2016 by TheSkepticChristian

[VideoGameJunkie]

I'd never want to be a General Authority. Even the lowly nursery worker, if they magnify their calling can receive the same exaltation as an apostle. But I guess some people are made for higher callings in the church.

[TheSkepticChristian]

11 minutes ago, VideoGameJunkie said:

I'd never want to be a General Authority. Even the lowly nursery worker, if they magnify their calling can receive the same exaltation as an apostle. But I guess some people are made for higher callings in the church.

What about Bishop? Many want to be Bishop (the toughest church job).

Edited February 24, 2016 by TheSkepticChristian

[VideoGameJunkie]

The people who want to be Bishop may have a bit of an ego and feel they'll be powerful. I have no problem serving as the Executive Secretary doing behind the scenes work. God only cares that we have magnified our calling. It doesn't matter to him how important other people see that calling. That's all being an apostle and prophet is, a calling. The people that look for the power callings need to be humbled if they want to be exalted. He who exalteth  himself shall be abased, and he who humbleth  himself shall be exalted.

Edited February 24, 2016 by VideoGameJunkie

[Calm]

What is your point in your OP, SC?  Are you diminishing the difficulty of the job?  For what reason do you needs these men to be no more remarkable in what they accomplish than....you, for example.

[Duncan]

I know a few guys who want to be Bishop and I hope to God above they never get it. I know two people who have publicly stated they want to be a General Authority, one now is totally and completely inactive and the other was my first Mission President. Funnily enough with the MP others around him were called to be a GA but not him! Thing that I don't get is one said they want to help others come unto Christ, which is a noble goal, but why can't you do that now? why wait for some big whippy flippy calling you can stay home with your wife and kids and do it today

[TheSkepticChristian]

4 hours ago, Calm said:

 Are you diminishing the difficulty of the job? 

No, I agree it is very difficult, they obviously don't just sit there and give orders. 

4 hours ago, Calm said:

 For what reason do you needs these men to be no more remarkable in what they accomplish than....you, for example.

Yes, they accomplish a lot, and I am sure they are making the world a better place.

I am proud of the fact that Gordon B Hinckley was not against the Iraq and Vietnam Wars. I am so proud of the fact that our church donated 1.5 million dollars to an American museum, I am sure that they will do the same in other countries someday. I am proud of a lot of stuff.  

 

[will227457]

I know in the Mormon Belt people like to lobby for the Lord. There is a status associated with high level callings.

Anyone who wants to be Bishop deserves it, but they are probably the very last people who should be called.

 

[Sleeper Cell]

38 minutes ago, TheSkepticChristian said:

No, I agree it is very difficult, they obviously don't just sit there and give orders. 

Yes, they accomplish a lot, and I am sure they are making the world a better place.

I am proud of the fact that Gordon B Hinckley was not against the Iraq and Vietnam Wars. I am so proud of the fact that our church donated 1.5 million dollars to an American museum, I am sure that they will do the same in other countries someday. I am proud of a lot of stuff.  

 

Please correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t you the guy who has repeatedly proclaimed that “our church shouldn't get involved in politics?“ 

[Johnnie Cake]

I'm good friends with 2 LDS General Authorities. Yes they know I'm a non-believer. I'm familiar with their daily schedules, spent time in their offices in the CAB...and while busy...let's not blow it out of proportion.  They are hard working dedicated men who maintain a daily office schedule, have a pool of secretaries to handle their every beck and call.  These men close shop at 5PM just like in corporate America and have their personal drivers take them home for the evening.  They have their noon meals at the CAB...fully catered, They get the entire month of July off for vacation time and other perks like free university for their children and grand children at BYU, box seats to football games, gold plated health insurance, a chauffeured up scale car and while not the highly rumored incomes some critics believe they make...it is sufficient for their needs. Pretty much the same perks one would expect from any corporate officer in such a high management position. This is not a 24/7 job...but would I personally want it...heck no...no way in heck will I be working at the age

Edited February 24, 2016 by Johnnie Cake

[TheSkepticChristian]

6 minutes ago, Johnnie Cake said:

but would I personally want it...heck no...no why in heck will I be working at the age

Are you sure they are called to be General Authorities at age 67? 

https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/1960.html

[Duncan]

We had an area seventy here a few years ago and he talked about how him and Elder Bednar were lost in Missouri trying to find the stake centre in a rural area somewhere, probably just a rental car. We had Elder John Madsen of the 70 here in 2007 and his shoes could not have been more worn out and his scriptures were what I would say were extremely well used, he just didn't come across as a primped up flashy entitled man-I was very impressed with him actually, just a straight up humble man.

[Johnnie Cake]

36 minutes ago, Duncan said:

We had an area seventy here a few years ago and he talked about how him and Elder Bednar were lost in Missouri trying to find the stake centre in a rural area somewhere, probably just a rental car. We had Elder John Madsen of the 70 here in 2007 and his shoes could not have been more worn out and his scriptures were what I would say were extremely well used, he just didn't come across as a primped up flashy entitled man-I was very impressed with him actually, just a straight up humble man.

Yeah I agree...these are good well meaning men

[busybee]

9 hours ago, TheSkepticChristian said:

What about Bishop? Many want to be Bishop (the toughest church job).

Any person who wants to be a Bishop, in my opinion, deserves to be a Bishop!!!

[The Nehor]

2 hours ago, TheSkepticChristian said:

No, I agree it is very difficult, they obviously don't just sit there and give orders. 

Yes, they accomplish a lot, and I am sure they are making the world a better place.

I am proud of the fact that Gordon B Hinckley was not against the Iraq and Vietnam Wars. I am so proud of the fact that our church donated 1.5 million dollars to an American museum, I am sure that they will do the same in other countries someday. I am proud of a lot of stuff.  

 

You are abusing sarcasm at this point.

[Guest]

A few years back Elder Holland visited our Stake, he spoke of the long hours, travel, fatigue and age. It said that the worst thing is being away from wife and family, he then remarked; "why would anyone do this if they did not believe?". Then he spoke of how much more difficult the calling when others do not sustain "any" leader, and how this more than all else is needed. Recent events and some not so recent make it harder in my estimation when members (or who knows even non-members who may have attended) shout out in General Conference when sustain votes are being called for GA's especially the Apostles and Prophets. Putting aside the malcontents who might make a publick display against them, I am remind of the parable about the two sons, one who said he would obey (sustain) and di not what his father asked, and the other who said no, but repented. There will always be those who might overtly show their displeasure, but even worse (I think) are those who will not hold up the arms of the Lord's anointed and the end of very long days and very long lives of service.

[will227457]

1 hour ago, Duncan said:

We had an area seventy here a few years ago and he talked about how him and Elder Bednar were lost in Missouri trying to find the stake centre in a rural area somewhere, probably just a rental car. We had Elder John Madsen of the 70 here in 2007 and his shoes could not have been more worn out and his scriptures were what I would say were extremely well used, he just didn't come across as a primped up flashy entitled man-I was very impressed with him actually, just a straight up humble man.

This is meaningless, through my work I know very wealthy individuals. 2 stick out one worth well over 100 million USD carries around an Iphone with the screen cracked and barely visible, he could care less. Another almost as wealthy drives a beat up old jeep I mean a real piece of crap.

Shoes are just not a priority to Elder Madsen.

[Duncan]

11 minutes ago, will227457 said:

This is meaningless, through my work I know very wealthy individuals. 2 stick out one worth well over 100 million USD carries around an Iphone with the screen cracked and barely visible, he could care less. Another almost as wealthy drives a beat up old jeep I mean a real piece of crap.

Shoes are just not a priority to Elder Madsen.

to me it's not meaningless! in my extremely limited experience with the brethren, they come off as just dedicated humble "we are all in this together" type of individuals. I remember Pres. Hinckley came here in 1998 and hadn't eaten all day and all he wanted was a milkshake from McDonalds and so the guys here took him to get a milkshake from there. 

[cinepro]

12 hours ago, TheSkepticChristian said:

I am also impressed that all the prophets live above the life expectancy! All of them! including above life expectancy in Utah, "Twenty years ago, the overall life expectancy for a man in Utah was about 74.3 years"  What a miracle, it is God that is helping them live longer with their tough and stressful jobs! I am sure it has nothing to do with first class healthcare and healthy food. I am also sure that being a General Authority is very stressful. I am also sure that everyone else, regular LDS, have easier lives and less worries!

 

Be careful about that.  Remember that you are comparing a number for general life expectancy (which includes people who die at a young age) with a group that is selected of men in their 50's or 60's and are known to be of good health (people with terminal illnesses or impairments aren't called to the Apostleship). 

I'm pretty sure the valid comparison would be to compare the life expectancy of General Authorities with other LDS men who have already reached the average age of the call for an Apostle.

[Alan]

5 hours ago, Duncan said:

I know a few guys who want to be Bishop and I hope to God above they never get it. I know two people who have publicly stated they want to be a General Authority, one now is totally and completely inactive and the other was my first Mission President. Funnily enough with the MP others around him were called to be a GA but not him! Thing that I don't get is one said they want to help others come unto Christ, which is a noble goal, but why can't you do that now? why wait for some big whippy flippy calling you can stay home with your wife and kids and do it today

I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Serving as a bishop is very hard and very, very lonely.

I believe if a man aspires to a calling in the church he'll probably get it and it'll jolly well serve him right!

 

[cinepro]

12 hours ago, TheSkepticChristian said:

I am also impressed that all the prophets live above the life expectancy! All of them! including above life expectancy in Utah, "Twenty years ago, the overall life expectancy for a man in Utah was about 74.3 years"  What a miracle, it is God that is helping them live longer with their tough and stressful jobs! I am sure it has nothing to do with first class healthcare and healthy food. I am also sure that being a General Authority is very stressful. I am also sure that everyone else, regular LDS, have easier lives and less worries!

 

Be careful about that.  Remember that you are comparing a number for general life expectancy (which includes people who die at a young age) with a group that is selected of men in their 50's or 60's and are known to be of good health (people with terminal illnesses or impairments aren't called to the Apostleship). 

I'm pretty sure the valid comparison would be to compare the life expectancy of General Authorities with other LDS men who have already reached the average age of the call for an Apostle.

[TheSkepticChristian]

55 minutes ago, cinepro said:

group that is selected of men in their 50's or 60's and are known to be of good health (people with terminal illnesses or impairments aren't called to the Apostleship). 

Good point, but many of them were called to be apostles in their 40s and 50s. 
We know Presidents Hinckley and Monson were young. President Hunter at age 51. President Benson at age 34. President Kimball pretty young too. President Kimball had heart surgery. I don't see how can they detect health problem so early, they cannot predict heart problems for the distant future, especially 20 to 40 years ago. 

I know there are a lot of factors, but don't you think good healthcare and less physical work helps? 

Edited February 24, 2016 by TheSkepticChristian

[stemelbow]

gotta say it sounds like a walk in the part compared to what I gots on my plate, up until I die.

[The Nehor]

2 minutes ago, stemelbow said:

gotta say it sounds like a walk in the part compared to what I gots on my plate, up until I die.

You should eat more ice cream so life is easier.

[Calm]

4 hours ago, TheSkepticChristian said:

...less physical work helps? 

Less physical work might very well hurt.

For example, sitting for long times on the plane, office or anywhere else can kill you.  

http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dvt/travel.html

 

Edited February 25, 2016 by Calm