rongo Posted January 31, 2018 Posted January 31, 2018 Our elders told me that Church-wide, missionaries have to stay together and cannot split up and go with different priesthood holders to double their access. I asked them if they were sure this wasn't a mission policy, and they said, no, this is worldwide now because of "things that have happened." I was trying to set up splits for them. Any WMLs or other priesthood leaders who have been told this? I have a really hard time believing this, and will be stunned if it's true, but for now, our missionaries tell me that they can only have a chaperone come with both of them. Thanks!
HappyJackWagon Posted January 31, 2018 Posted January 31, 2018 (edited) Yes, this is a thing. They've had this policy in our area for a long time. They now call them "team ups" so the companionship is teamed up with a member...instead of splitting. I think it's based on the assumption that companionships will teach better as a team and the member is there, not as a chaperone exactly, but to add the personal, local flavor and spirit of the church and to build a bridge for the investigators between the missionaries and the local congregation Edited January 31, 2018 by HappyJackWagon
Judd Posted January 31, 2018 Posted January 31, 2018 We did splits in Utah before I left on my mission. Did no such thing on my mission. I think that was probably done (at the time) in heavily LDS missions.
rongo Posted January 31, 2018 Author Posted January 31, 2018 2 minutes ago, HappyJackWagon said: Yes, this is a thing. They've had this policy in our area for a long time. They now call them "team ups" so the companionship is teamed up with a member...instead of splitting. I think it's based on the assumption that companionships will teach better as a team and the member is there, not as a chaperone exactly, but to add the personal, local flavor and spirit of the church. With three men in suits. <sigh> Once again, efficient missionary work is not the goal --- keeping them chaperoned and guarded is. No more making two appointments at the same time. Oh, well. It's easier to schedule and coordinate. I wonder how long this policy will last? I think missionary work more than any other program suffers from whiplash change in directions and policy. 1
Gray Posted January 31, 2018 Posted January 31, 2018 2 minutes ago, rongo said: I wonder how long this policy will last? I think missionary work more than any other program suffers from whiplash change in directions and policy. It certainly seems to.
HappyJackWagon Posted January 31, 2018 Posted January 31, 2018 1 minute ago, rongo said: With three men in suits. <sigh> Once again, efficient missionary work is not the goal --- keeping them chaperoned and guarded is. No more making two appointments at the same time. Oh, well. It's easier to schedule and coordinate. I wonder how long this policy will last? I think missionary work more than any other program suffers from whiplash change in directions and policy. I agree. It's been that way for a Looooong time. Missionary work has been a litany of program after program after program. Set a date challenge. Church visits/open house etc. etc. But lets be honest. How efficient were splits anyway? I can't even count how many times I picked up a missionary for a team up only to have them look at me and say, "so...where should we go?" It was rarely time well spent. 1
Duncan Posted January 31, 2018 Posted January 31, 2018 hmmmmmmmmmmm, I went last night with an elder, he is an AP, he never said tickety-boo about it. They have been encouraging exchanges for a long time now 1
bluebell Posted January 31, 2018 Posted January 31, 2018 Our ward mission leader was busy setting up splits for the three sisters who serve in our ward this last Sunday. 1
HappyJackWagon Posted January 31, 2018 Posted January 31, 2018 1 minute ago, bluebell said: Our ward mission leader was busy setting up splits for the three sisters who serve in our ward this last Sunday. There definitely isn't uniformity to this...yet. There are a few possible reasons. 1- Not everyone has been told or remember the church wide missionary splits policy 2- There isn't a church wide missionary splits policy. Some people only think there is because it's what they see in their area and since the church is "the same everywhere" assume it must be a church wide policy. 3- People know, but don't care about the policy I put my money on 1 or 2 1
hope_for_things Posted January 31, 2018 Posted January 31, 2018 1 hour ago, rongo said: Our elders told me that Church-wide, missionaries have to stay together and cannot split up and go with different priesthood holders to double their access. I asked them if they were sure this wasn't a mission policy, and they said, no, this is worldwide now because of "things that have happened." I was trying to set up splits for them. Any WMLs or other priesthood leaders who have been told this? I have a really hard time believing this, and will be stunned if it's true, but for now, our missionaries tell me that they can only have a chaperone come with both of them. Thanks! Too bad, I know that in a couple companionships I had, I very much looked forward to splits because I seriously needed a break from my companion. I wonder how this might impact missionary companionships that are struggling to get along. 1
hope_for_things Posted January 31, 2018 Posted January 31, 2018 3 minutes ago, HappyJackWagon said: There definitely isn't uniformity to this...yet. There are a few possible reasons. 1- Not everyone has been told or remember the church wide missionary splits policy 2- There isn't a church wide missionary splits policy. Some people only think there is because it's what they see in their area and since the church is "the same everywhere" assume it must be a church wide policy. 3- People know, but don't care about the policy I put my money on 1 or 2 I can't wait until Elder Uchtdorf wields his mighty Chair of the Missionary committee powers, and all with be righted in short order!
HappyJackWagon Posted January 31, 2018 Posted January 31, 2018 2 minutes ago, hope_for_things said: Too bad, I know that in a couple companionships I had, I very much looked forward to splits because I seriously needed a break from my companion. I wonder how this might impact missionary companionships that are struggling to get along. Missionaries can be resourceful 1
rongo Posted January 31, 2018 Author Posted January 31, 2018 3 minutes ago, HappyJackWagon said: Missionaries can be resourceful Yeah, I had a dud junior, and the other companionship in the city had an amazing greenie with a dud trainer. I and the greenie became de facto companions, and our two companions rotted together in their apartment. Best of both worlds, because we wanted to work, and they didn't, and nothing was going to change that. I even went to midnight mass with the greenie on Christmas Eve (with MP permission). The duds did manage to design an elaborate board game version of RISK, using the mission as a map, and with zones and cities, with their time together. 1
clarkgoble Posted January 31, 2018 Posted January 31, 2018 (edited) 2 hours ago, rongo said: Our elders told me that Church-wide, missionaries have to stay together and cannot split up and go with different priesthood holders to double their access. I asked them if they were sure this wasn't a mission policy, and they said, no, this is worldwide now because of "things that have happened." I was trying to set up splits for them. Wow. That's a big change if true. I confess I don't like broad policies that limit effectiveness due to the actions of a few -- often poorly managed. Splits was extremely helpful both to train people preparing to go on missions but also for teaching. Going on splits with recent RMs is especially effective because they're already very effective teachers but also because it helps bring the investigator socially into the ward. If this is happening (or about to happen more broadly), I wonder if it's tied to the relative immaturity brought about by lowering the missionary age (which I continue to think was a bad idea). Don't get me wrong, I get that splits can be dangerous especially for already disobedient missionaries who get pared with perhaps the not best of members. One of the Elders who came out with me to my mission (not my MTC district - but there was a huge group that came out to my mission when I did) ended up getting disfellowshipped and sent home due to inappropriate stuff that splits enabled. So I get that kind of stuff can happen. But missions shouldn't be babysitting for 18 - 19 year olds. Edited January 31, 2018 by clarkgoble 1
rongo Posted January 31, 2018 Author Posted January 31, 2018 12 minutes ago, clarkgoble said: Splits was extremely helpful both to train people preparing to go on missions but also for teaching. They also allow the option of "dividing and conquering," or setting appointments for the same time. If this is happening (or about to happen more broadly), I wonder if it's tied to the relative immaturity brought about by lowering the missionary age (which I continue to think was a bad idea). That's what our missionaries indicated. That "bad things had happened." I think that usually, the "splitters" are good men for the missionaries to be with --- even to the point of coming up with deadtime ideas if the missionaries don't have any.
bluebell Posted January 31, 2018 Posted January 31, 2018 1 hour ago, HappyJackWagon said: There definitely isn't uniformity to this...yet. There are a few possible reasons. 1- Not everyone has been told or remember the church wide missionary splits policy 2- There isn't a church wide missionary splits policy. Some people only think there is because it's what they see in their area and since the church is "the same everywhere" assume it must be a church wide policy. 3- People know, but don't care about the policy I put my money on 1 or 2 Me too.
ksfisher Posted January 31, 2018 Posted January 31, 2018 3 hours ago, rongo said: Our elders told me that Church-wide, missionaries have to stay together and cannot split up and go with different priesthood holders to double their access. I asked them if they were sure this wasn't a mission policy, and they said, no, this is worldwide now because of "things that have happened." I was trying to set up splits for them. Any WMLs or other priesthood leaders who have been told this? I have a really hard time believing this, and will be stunned if it's true, but for now, our missionaries tell me that they can only have a chaperone come with both of them. Thanks! I went out with one of the missionaries serving in my ward last week. I was under the impression that they couldn't split up, but they said it was all right.
ksfisher Posted January 31, 2018 Posted January 31, 2018 (edited) 1 hour ago, HappyJackWagon said: There definitely isn't uniformity to this...yet. There are a few possible reasons. 1- Not everyone has been told or remember the church wide missionary splits policy 2- There isn't a church wide missionary splits policy. Some people only think there is because it's what they see in their area and since the church is "the same everywhere" assume it must be a church wide policy. 3- People know, but don't care about the policy I put my money on 1 or 2 Here is the policy, right out of the “white handbook.” Companion Exchanges. Normally, you should go on companion exchanges only with mission leaders or as otherwise authorized by your mission president. However, when you and your companion have more teaching appointments than you can handle by yourselves, you may arrange through the ward mission leader for a responsible Church member of your own sex to go with each of you so you can cover more than one appointment at a time. Normally these members should be adults, but with your mission president’s permission you may go with priest-age young men. I believe that mission presidents have the authority to modify this as needed. As messages go down the line they may become distorted, leading some to believe that a mission or area policy is more widespread. Edited January 31, 2018 by ksfisher 3
Danzo Posted January 31, 2018 Posted January 31, 2018 3 hours ago, rongo said: Our elders told me that Church-wide, missionaries have to stay together and cannot split up and go with different priesthood holders to double their access. I asked them if they were sure this wasn't a mission policy, and they said, no, this is worldwide now because of "things that have happened." I was trying to set up splits for them. Any WMLs or other priesthood leaders who have been told this? I have a really hard time believing this, and will be stunned if it's true, but for now, our missionaries tell me that they can only have a chaperone come with both of them. Thanks! I am a ward mission leader. I went on splits two weeks ago. The missionaries wanted to do splits last night, but I couldn't because of work (they called me 15 minutes before they wanted to go out which is another issue) So at least in my mission they aren't forbidden (or at least they have trouble obeying that rule if they are). I have to make them go on splits, they don't seem to want to do it voluntarily, but sometimes there is too much work to do. I make a point to tell them my philosophy is that we can't let the mission rules get in the way of missionary work. About a year a go I had to push them hard to break their mission rules to get someone who wanted to be baptized, baptized. it involved boundaries between mission It probably ended up with two mission presidents arm wrestling. But we were successful in getting the person baptized even though the situation required the breaking of a few rules. 2
HappyJackWagon Posted January 31, 2018 Posted January 31, 2018 7 minutes ago, Danzo said: I am a ward mission leader. I went on splits two weeks ago. The missionaries wanted to do splits last night, but I couldn't because of work (they called me 15 minutes before they wanted to go out which is another issue) So at least in my mission they aren't forbidden (or at least they have trouble obeying that rule if they are). I have to make them go on splits, they don't seem to want to do it voluntarily, but sometimes there is too much work to do. I make a point to tell them my philosophy is that we can't let the mission rules get in the way of missionary work. About a year a go I had to push them hard to break their mission rules to get someone who wanted to be baptized, baptized. it involved boundaries between mission It probably ended up with two mission presidents arm wrestling. But we were successful in getting the person baptized even though the situation required the breaking of a few rules. If I were a betting man, which I'm not, I'd wager that the need for splits is rarely because there is "too much work to do" and more often because young missionaries struggle to schedule effectively. 1
Danzo Posted January 31, 2018 Posted January 31, 2018 (edited) 26 minutes ago, HappyJackWagon said: If I were a betting man, which I'm not, I'd wager that the need for splits is rarely because there is "too much work to do" and more often because young missionaries struggle to schedule effectively. Lots of truth in what you are saying I have noticed that the missionaries in our area don't know how to schedule their appointments very well, but it does happen fairly often (at least in my area) that the missionaries have to double book themselves. Most legitimate appointments around here have to happen between 6 and 8 (when people are home from work). This limits the time they have to work with. Splits often help with that. Also I have found some success with involving more members in missionary work. Seems to motivate them a bit more. Due to the elders restrictions on interacting with females, I have also had to send sister ward missionaries instead of elders for follow up appointments. Edited January 31, 2018 by Danzo 2
CA Steve Posted January 31, 2018 Posted January 31, 2018 2 hours ago, HappyJackWagon said: There definitely isn't uniformity to this...yet. There are a few possible reasons. 1- Not everyone has been told or remember the church wide missionary splits policy 2- There isn't a church wide missionary splits policy. Some people only think there is because it's what they see in their area and since the church is "the same everywhere" assume it must be a church wide policy. 3- People know, but don't care about the policy I put my money on 1 or 2 4. or President Nelson hasn't attended a fireside yet at which he could announce it as a revelation.
ksfisher Posted January 31, 2018 Posted January 31, 2018 15 minutes ago, CA Steve said: 4. or President Nelson hasn't attended a fireside yet at which he could announce it as a revelation. Was there really any need to put down the prophet?
CA Steve Posted January 31, 2018 Posted January 31, 2018 10 minutes ago, ksfisher said: Was there really any need to put down the prophet? Was the "putdown" because you think I said something false or something true?
Okrahomer Posted January 31, 2018 Posted January 31, 2018 3 hours ago, Duncan said: hmmmmmmmmmmm, I went last night with an elder, he is an AP, he never said tickety-boo about it. They have been encouraging exchanges for a long time now I wish I could speak Canadian! 2
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