Elder Holland

[Rain]

50 minutes ago, CMZ said:

Yes, that's all true. What I am getting at is all the people who think that up until today that the Church had been saying, "When you go home and visiting teaching you are supposed to give a lesson by robotically reading the First Presidency message, then saying a prayer and leaving. Then you can report that you did your teaching and get brownie points for the statistic," and who then act like in the last couple days the Church came to this wonderful epiphany that we're supposed to actually care about those that we're assigned to. It's rather disappointing to see that members of the Church have been so profoundly tuned out that they missed the myriad messages coming from the Church for decades that we are supposed to love and care for those we are assigned, that delivering a message is important but not the most essential thing, and that stats need(ed) to be collected but were never, ever more important than ministering to individuals.

Yes. I have had some companions who were like this and were very impressed with my VTing when I did something more (but they were not so impressed with my lessons!)

At one point I was so annoyed with one visiting teacher who would leave a craft or food on my doorstep on the last day of the month. I hated being a checkmark.

But what I have found is that we all have a learning process and we are all a little slower in some things than others. The companion I was talking about - she has this great joy through music. I have much to learn to appreciate before I can worship the Lord through music like she can. My last companion who thought I was so good showed me how to appreciate the little moments in our friend's lives. And the VT who left things on my doorstep? I learned later she was going through a great struggle. She was doing all she could for me - she cared enough about me to do something even though to my eyes it seemed like a checkmark - for her it was everything.

So for me, even though I can see it is what they have been teaching for years I can look at it as a great teaching moment for some who didn't yet understand and realistically I have a long ways to improve. The story spoken of about the Tempe HT puts me to shame.

I've been thinking through this tonight. So many times things get away from me despite my intentions if I don't have a deadline. I've been trying to think through how I am not going to let this happen now. 

Edited April 2, 2018 by Rain

[Bernard Gui]

9 hours ago, Bernard Gui said:

Now it’s time to find new names for the YW groups. M-Men and Gleaners went by the wayside. 

Beehives? MIA Maids? Laurels? Need updating. Suggestions?

(Also hoping to avoid lightning.)

Lest we scoff at Master M-Men and Golden Gleaners, take a look at what the program involved. There was some serious work required - up to age 30! I had some older friends and relatives who earned the titles, but it was discontinued before I reached the eligible age. 

It would really be worth your while to look at this, especially if you wonder what MIA Maids are.

http://www.keepapitchinin.org/2009/08/20/master-m-men-and-golden-gleaners/

Quote

The M Men/Gleaners was more than just a class for young adults who had aged out of the youth program — more than today’s Young Single Adult “amuse ’em till you marry ’em off” program. It was an educational and experiential preparation for lifelong achievement and assuming adult roles in the Church.  One manual says of the M Men:

 

Man does not stand alone. He needs to experience achievements in human relationships, social graces, self-control, propriety, and in the cultural arts; to have wholesome fun; to understand the meaning of true brotherhood and friendship; to love and be loved; to feel his own worth and be creative in his own right; and to know the joy of real service to his fellow men.

The pinnacle of the program was to become a Master M Man/Golden Gleaner, a program which took those goals – which are chiefly focused inward, enhancing an individual’s life – and turned them outward: Those pursuing the voluntary Master M Man and Golden Gleaner recognition were in active training to run the auxiliaries and the wards – to become the future leaders of the church.

The purposes of the program were stated as:

1. To build testimonies
2. To build people through service
3. To develop leadership

The materials stressed that Master M Men and Golden Gleaners were not separate, elite groups. They did not meet together, but were ordinary members of their respective groups, serving as role models and learning to direct ward activities. “The Master M Man-Golden Gleaner program is not intended to create a new organization. M Men and Gleaners who earn these honors are expected to continue as regular members of the M Man-Gleaner class as long as they are within the age limit. It is hoped they will utilize the qualities of leadership that are developed through holding positions in the Church and community.”

Ward and stake leaders – not class leaders – signed off as the requirements were completed. The applicant had to write a detailed letter to the MIA general board explaining what he or she had done to meet each requirement and presenting the certifications of the local leaders. And it all had to be in the office with all t’s crossed by the applicant’s 30th birthday – one day late, and no Master M Man pin for you.

 

Edited April 2, 2018 by Bernard Gui