A request for information

[Atheist Mormon]

I have a question for you, I have a good friend in SL, I know his address how can I find his ward and call his bishop? He could use help this time of Christmas, not financially but spiritually & emotionally. This guy has been one of the most faithful LDS you can imagine, I wonder talking to his bishop could be any help. I don't live in SL unfortunately. Answer if feel like, if not it's fine.....

[rongo]

Go to lds.org.

Go down to about mid page, and click on "Meetinghouse locator" under Quick Links.

Type in his address. It will show which ward he is assigned to, and should give contact info for the bishop. It will also show other wards near there, but you want the assigned ward.

It is possible that his ward doesn't have his records, in which case the bishop will have to order them before he does anything. 

Good luck!

[smac97]

2 hours ago, Atheist Mormon said:

I have a question for you, I have a good friend in SL, I know his address how can I find his ward and call his bishop? He could use help this time of Christmas, not financially but spiritually & emotionally. This guy has been one of the most faithful LDS you can imagine, I wonder talking to his bishop could be any help. I don't live in SL unfortunately. Answer if feel like, if not it's fine.....

Our ward's bishop received a call just like this two nights ago.  A lady called him and notified him that there is a family living in our ward who really needs help.  We were unaware she was living in our ward boundaries.  

Last night the bishop and his wife went over and paid a visit and began making arrangements to help out.  Food order (from the Bishops' Storehouse).  Commodities order (from DI).  Paying for furnace repairs (replacement part).  Setting up counseling for the mother (through LDS Family Services).  Locating a lawyer (perhaps someone within the stake) to do some pro bono probate work and sorting out the arrears on the house payments.  Some help with Christmas presents for the children.  Contacting the RS president to set up Visiting Teachers, and (possibly) working with the HPGL for Home Teachers (not sure about that one).  The Bishop's wife will also be inviting the family's mother over for tea and visits.  Other sisters in the ward will likely be making visits as well, for playdates and things like that.  

This family has not reached out at all.  In fact they've sort of hidden themselves (they had moved in with a lady in the ward who refuses any visits).  Our ward usually does a pretty good job and helping out where help is A) needed, B) available, C) proportional, and D) willingly accepted.  The "willingly accepted" part appears to be a common problem, both as to active members, less active, and nonmembers.  Our bishop went to a training a few weeks ago with Elder Andersen (12 or so stakes in Provo were involved), during which Elder Andersen emphatically instructed the bishops to proactively seek out people who may need help.

Thanks,

-Smac

Edited December 20, 2017 by smac97

[Guest]

2 hours ago, Atheist Mormon said:

I have a question for you, I have a good friend in SL, I know his address how can I find his ward and call his bishop? He could use help this time of Christmas, not financially but spiritually & emotionally. This guy has been one of the most faithful LDS you can imagine, I wonder talking to his bishop could be any help. I don't live in SL unfortunately. Answer if feel like, if not it's fine.....

An answer was given below your question and above my response Just wanted to say, what a great friend you are, and how blessed he is to have someone so caring as a friend. Bravo my brother. 

[Robert F. Smith]

2 hours ago, rongo said:

..............................................

It is possible that his ward doesn't have his records, in which case the bishop will have to order them before he does anything. 

...........................

Bishops can act immediately on behalf of members and non-members living in their bailiwick, and some will make Xmas gifts to people regardless of status (a $50 check was commonly given to the needy in my last ward).

[rongo]

19 minutes ago, Robert F. Smith said:

Bishops can act immediately on behalf of members and non-members living in their bailiwick, and some will make Xmas gifts to people regardless of status (a $50 check was commonly given to the needy in my last ward).

Sure, and I've done that before.

It's a good thing to pull the records, if they aren't there yet, if the people are supposed to be members. I've had it where there are annotations that I need to be aware of, for instance. Or people who claim to be members, but who aren't.  As you say, help can be offered regardless of whether people are members or not. The Address Unknown file in Salt Lake appreciates it whenever any of the millions in it can be found.  

Stakes are supposed to have a designated "transient bishop" for people not connected to a ward, and it is a good idea for welfare needs to go through him (i.e., nonmembers seeking help, time allowing). This helps combat fraud and abuse (e.g., people going from bishop to bishop, trying to amass as much aid as possible). Not saying that this is the case here, and it is good that Atheist Mormon is looking out for his friend. 

Edited December 20, 2017 by rongo

[pogi]

3 hours ago, Atheist Mormon said:

I have a question for you, I have a good friend in SL, I know his address how can I find his ward and call his bishop? He could use help this time of Christmas, not financially but spiritually & emotionally. This guy has been one of the most faithful LDS you can imagine, I wonder talking to his bishop could be any help. I don't live in SL unfortunately. Answer if feel like, if not it's fine.....

Good on you for being sensitive to the spiritual needs of believers, being a nonbeliever yourself.  

[Atheist Mormon]

Quote

A request for information

Thank you for your kind answers and willingness to help. The worst feeling is the loneliness, when you need the most help there's nobody to turn to. I cannot picture a better prototype of an LDS guy than this, if you were to ask he'd give you the jacket on his back or the most money in his valet...... He is in an abusive relationship where his partner takes the pills and demands his loyalty...It is an horrible relationship that I could not face it for nobody...

I'm hoping to call his bishop and explain the situation. He never misses a Sunday worship services and people would have no clue what is going on in his life. When I look at my life I feel genuinely embarrassed with a caring wife...Even if she were the most selfish I probably could survive but how would someone get rid of abuse part every hour of the day. 

Anyway i will follow your advice and get in touch with the Church, Here he stands with need...Thanks for the advices....

[clarkgoble]

Here's the ward locator page.

[Kenngo1969]

Smac97:

Quote

The Bishop's wife will also be inviting the family's mother over for tea and visits.  Other sisters in the ward will likely be making visits as well, for playdates and things like that.  

Tea's against the Word of Wisdom!   Heretic!!!

 

[mfbukowski]

6 hours ago, smac97 said:

Our ward's bishop received a call just like this two nights ago.  A lady called him and notified him that there is a family living in our ward who really needs help.  We were unaware she was living in our ward boundaries.  

Last night the bishop and his wife went over and paid a visit and began making arrangements to help out.  Food order (from the Bishops' Storehouse).  Commodities order (from DI).  Paying for furnace repairs (replacement part).  Setting up counseling for the mother (through LDS Family Services).  Locating a lawyer (perhaps someone within the stake) to do some pro bono probate work and sorting out the arrears on the house payments.  Some help with Christmas presents for the children.  Contacting the RS president to set up Visiting Teachers, and (possibly) working with the HPGL for Home Teachers (not sure about that one).  The Bishop's wife will also be inviting the family's mother over for tea and visits.  Other sisters in the ward will likely be making visits as well, for playdates and things like that.  

This family has not reached out at all.  In fact they've sort of hidden themselves (they had moved in with a lady in the ward who refuses any visits).  Our ward usually does a pretty good job and helping out where help is A) needed, B) available, C) proportional, and D) willingly accepted.  The "willingly accepted" part appears to be a common problem, both as to active members, less active, and nonmembers.  Our bishop went to a training a few weeks ago with Elder Andersen (12 or so stakes in Provo were involved), during which Elder Andersen emphatically instructed the bishops to proactively seek out people who may need help.

Thanks,

-Smac

Is that all? 

 

[Robert F. Smith]

4 hours ago, Atheist Mormon said:

........................ I cannot picture a better prototype of an LDS guy than this, if you were to ask he'd give you the jacket on his back or the most money in his valet...... ..................

I love the story of Pres Monson returning to SLC in a commercial flight with only socks on his feet and no coat, because he gave his shoes and coat to someone needy.  I had a bishop in San Francisco long ago who immediately gave his coat away in similar circumstances.

[Atheist Mormon]

On 12/20/2017 at 7:48 AM, rongo said:

Go to lds.org.

Go down to about mid page, and click on "Meetinghouse locator" under Quick Links.

Type in his address. It will show which ward he is assigned to, and should give contact info for the bishop. It will also show other wards near there, but you want the assigned ward.

It is possible that his ward doesn't have his records, in which case the bishop will have to order them before he does anything. 

Good luck!

Thank you Rongo, It was so easy, took me less than five minutes to find the ward & phone number. It is probably too early to call, I'll give few hours at least.

[Atheist Mormon]

Quote

A request for information

Well.....The story ends in a whimper.... After 3-4 phone calls I was able to talk to the bishop.....His response was "Sure I know him, we talk every week" since he has an important responsibility in Sunday School. I tried......At least it should alert Bishop and keep closer eye on my friend. I feel a little deflated.... 

[Bernard Gui]

16 minutes ago, Atheist Mormon said:

Well.....The story ends in a whimper.... After 3-4 phone calls I was able to talk to the bishop.....His response was "Sure I know him, we talk every week" since he has an important responsibility in Sunday School. I tried......At least it should alert Bishop and keep closer eye on my friend. I feel a little deflated.... 

Not at all. You absolutely did the right thing. We all need more friends like you. 

[Atheist Mormon]

13 hours ago, Bernard Gui said:

Not at all. You absolutely did the right thing. We all need more friends like you. 

Thank you Bernard...I'm sure we all have situations that feel out of reach, this was one of them.....