Speculations for General Conference

[cinepro]

1 hour ago, The Nehor said:

New theory, the long awaited and sought after fulfillment of this quasi-prophecy:

‘I have no doubt but concubinage will yet be practiced in this church, but I had not thought of it in this connection. When the nations are troubled good women will come here for safety and blessing, and men will accept them as concubines.' -President Snow

[Gapper]

Two hour block broken down as follows: 

35 minute Sacrament consisting of opening song, prayer, announcements, sacrament hymn, passing of the sacrament, closing prayer (perhaps closing hymn).  Focus on the sacrament and sacrament alone and no need for talks anymore. 

45 minute Sunday School reinforcing new curriculum you have studied at home.  Revamp of classes, less being more so to speak.  Less Sunday School classes for less teachers resulting in more students discussing and studying personally to come unto Christ. 

45 minute Relief Society and Priesthood. No opening exercises for Priesthood, we meet by quorum to begin with. 

Other possible Changes: 

New Handbook released with various major organizational changes and areas of responsibilities. Purpose, ease the load and time commitment of the Bishop by increasing the load somewhat of the Elder's Quorum President and the RS President and thus increasing the role of women in the local unit. Bishop retains his responsibility over the youth, common judge, finance and buildings, with all other items, missionary work, Temple & Family History, Sunday School and Quality of Teaching, Ministering all going to the Elders Quorum President, who as the spiritual leader in the ward representing the Stake President who is the Spiritual Leader in the Stake , makes calls and assignments in each of these areas with the Bishop's approval.  Bishop then is free to deal with the Aaronic Priesthood leadership side of his calling and the temporal affairs.  I am looking for a real split here of responsibility spelled out so Bishops can't micromanage all ends and thus not do what they should do well, the youth and finances and common judge.  

End of Elder's Quorum Free Moving Company 

Ending of twice a year Stake Conference. Move to once an annual Stake Conference with very other year having a regional conference or multi stake conference with a general authority. Stake Priesthood leadership is held twice a year including all RS Presidencies, Elder Quorum Presidencies, Bishoprics, High Council etc. 

 

Changing of the Ward and possible Stake Structure in a major way which would be an official revelation modifying what is in the Doctrine and Covenants. I guess this is what I am hinting at above.  I would expect the Savior to change the organization to meet the needs of a growing world wide Church and its members at some point.  I haven't thought of specifics but this would make sense if the rumors are true of major changes and that is the undertone of late it seems.  Also, if we move to a two hour block, per above, this might have to happen. Even if we don't move to a 2 hour block major changes in ward organization via a revelation of the Savior to President Nelson could have already occurred.  I would lean toward this one personally as it encompasses what I have guessed at above. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[rockpond]

51 minutes ago, Gapper said:

Two hour block broken down as follows: 

35 minute Sacrament consisting of opening song, prayer, announcements, sacrament hymn, passing of the sacrament, closing prayer (perhaps closing hymn).  Focus on the sacrament and sacrament alone and no need for talks anymore. 

45 minute Sunday School reinforcing new curriculum you have studied at home.  Revamp of classes, less being more so to speak.  Less Sunday School classes for less teachers resulting in more students discussing and studying personally to come unto Christ. 

45 minute Relief Society and Priesthood. No opening exercises for Priesthood, we meet by quorum to begin with. 

Other possible Changes: 

New Handbook released with various major organizational changes and areas of responsibilities. Purpose, ease the load and time commitment of the Bishop by increasing the load somewhat of the Elder's Quorum President and the RS President and thus increasing the role of women in the local unit. Bishop retains his responsibility over the youth, common judge, finance and buildings, with all other items, missionary work, Temple & Family History, Sunday School and Quality of Teaching, Ministering all going to the Elders Quorum President, who as the spiritual leader in the ward representing the Stake President who is the Spiritual Leader in the Stake , makes calls and assignments in each of these areas with the Bishop's approval.  Bishop then is free to deal with the Aaronic Priesthood leadership side of his calling and the temporal affairs.  I am looking for a real split here of responsibility spelled out so Bishops can't micromanage all ends and thus not do what they should do well, the youth and finances and common judge.  

End of Elder's Quorum Free Moving Company 

Ending of twice a year Stake Conference. Move to once an annual Stake Conference with very other year having a regional conference or multi stake conference with a general authority. Stake Priesthood leadership is held twice a year including all RS Presidencies, Elder Quorum Presidencies, Bishoprics, High Council etc. 

 

Changing of the Ward and possible Stake Structure in a major way which would be an official revelation modifying what is in the Doctrine and Covenants. I guess this is what I am hinting at above.  I would expect the Savior to change the organization to meet the needs of a growing world wide Church and its members at some point.  I haven't thought of specifics but this would make sense if the rumors are true of major changes and that is the undertone of late it seems.  Also, if we move to a two hour block, per above, this might have to happen. Even if we don't move to a 2 hour block major changes in ward organization via a revelation of the Savior to President Nelson could have already occurred.  I would lean toward this one personally as it encompasses what I have guessed at above. 

 

Very interesting points.  I really like your thoughts on lightening the load of Bishops and giving the EQP some of the Bishopric responsibilities makes sense to me.

I don't see a 35-minute Sacrament meeting happening because I feel like the talks serve an important purpose (I'm thinking about the value of youth taking turns at the pulpit, high council talks as a means of the stake communicating to the wards, as well as testimony meetings).

And, this is just a nit, but your times add up to 2:05 without any time for switching rooms.  Personally, I think the 10 minute breaks in between the "hours" are important opportunities to greet fellow ward members (along with tasks like getting young children to their classes, bathroom, checking out materials from the library, etc).  You may have assumed the breaks were built into the times you listed and I am being overly -analytical.  Sorry.

[Duncan]

1 hour ago, Gapper said:

Two hour block broken down as follows: 

35 minute Sacrament consisting of opening song, prayer, announcements, sacrament hymn, passing of the sacrament, closing prayer (perhaps closing hymn).  Focus on the sacrament and sacrament alone and no need for talks anymore. 

45 minute Sunday School reinforcing new curriculum you have studied at home.  Revamp of classes, less being more so to speak.  Less Sunday School classes for less teachers resulting in more students discussing and studying personally to come unto Christ. 

45 minute Relief Society and Priesthood. No opening exercises for Priesthood, we meet by quorum to begin with. 

Other possible Changes: 

New Handbook released with various major organizational changes and areas of responsibilities. Purpose, ease the load and time commitment of the Bishop by increasing the load somewhat of the Elder's Quorum President and the RS President and thus increasing the role of women in the local unit. Bishop retains his responsibility over the youth, common judge, finance and buildings, with all other items, missionary work, Temple & Family History, Sunday School and Quality of Teaching, Ministering all going to the Elders Quorum President, who as the spiritual leader in the ward representing the Stake President who is the Spiritual Leader in the Stake , makes calls and assignments in each of these areas with the Bishop's approval.  Bishop then is free to deal with the Aaronic Priesthood leadership side of his calling and the temporal affairs.  I am looking for a real split here of responsibility spelled out so Bishops can't micromanage all ends and thus not do what they should do well, the youth and finances and common judge.  

End of Elder's Quorum Free Moving Company 

Ending of twice a year Stake Conference. Move to once an annual Stake Conference with very other year having a regional conference or multi stake conference with a general authority. Stake Priesthood leadership is held twice a year including all RS Presidencies, Elder Quorum Presidencies, Bishoprics, High Council etc. 

 

Changing of the Ward and possible Stake Structure in a major way which would be an official revelation modifying what is in the Doctrine and Covenants. I guess this is what I am hinting at above.  I would expect the Savior to change the organization to meet the needs of a growing world wide Church and its members at some point.  I haven't thought of specifics but this would make sense if the rumors are true of major changes and that is the undertone of late it seems.  Also, if we move to a two hour block, per above, this might have to happen. Even if we don't move to a 2 hour block major changes in ward organization via a revelation of the Savior to President Nelson could have already occurred.  I would lean toward this one personally as it encompasses what I have guessed at above. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I agree about the EQ moving company!

[JAHS]

A recent news article from Janna Riess suggests one announcement might be the option that missionaries may be able to serve for shorter periods to help reduce the numbers of missionaries coming home early from their missions.

More Mormon missionaries are coming home early, study shows

 

[clarkgoble]

1 minute ago, JAHS said:

A recent news article from Janna Riess suggests one announcement might be the option that missionaries may be able to serve for shorter periods to help reduce the numbers of missionaries coming home early from their missions.

More Mormon missionaries are coming home early, study shows

I know we discussed it before, although I can't find the thread, but I just have a hard time believing that ⅓ come home early figure. That's not a knock on Jana's survey - but I just have a hard time seeing that being true without hearing about it everywhere. We'd simply expect to see a lot of people coming home in most peoples wards. I just don't see that.

Assuming it is true for the moment though, I do find it interesting that mental health seems the largest factor. I wonder if there's just a difference in how the current generation responds to difficult times. I can remember a period of several months where I was completely burnt out and depressed on my mission due to a series of bad companions and working without seeing any effect in an area without a lot of members. Honestly looking back it was a horrible time and I can completely understand people coming home when they encounter that sort of thing.

[JAHS]

11 minutes ago, clarkgoble said:

I know we discussed it before, although I can't find the thread, but I just have a hard time believing that ⅓ come home early figure. That's not a knock on Jana's survey - but I just have a hard time seeing that being true without hearing about it everywhere. We'd simply expect to see a lot of people coming home in most peoples wards. I just don't see that.

Assuming it is true for the moment though, I do find it interesting that mental health seems the largest factor. I wonder if there's just a difference in how the current generation responds to difficult times. I can remember a period of several months where I was completely burnt out and depressed on my mission due to a series of bad companions and working without seeing any effect in an area without a lot of members. Honestly looking back it was a horrible time and I can completely understand people coming home when they encounter that sort of thing.

I had some rough times on my mission as well. It was during the Vietnam era where some were serving missions just to avoid the draft and unfortunately I got a few of those for companions who didn't really want to be there. 
I guess something like that would still be lumped into the mental health category. 

[rongo]

1 hour ago, clarkgoble said:

I know we discussed it before, although I can't find the thread, but I just have a hard time believing that ⅓ come home early figure. That's not a knock on Jana's survey - but I just have a hard time seeing that being true without hearing about it everywhere. We'd simply expect to see a lot of people coming home in most peoples wards. I just don't see that.

I'll knock her survey. It's garbage. And you put it well --- if it were anywhere near 1/3, we would all know it. 

I think she's inching towards Sam Young territory, and I hope she stops before the slope starts slipping. 

[Anijen]

1 hour ago, clarkgoble said:

I know we discussed it before, although I can't find the thread, but I just have a hard time believing that ⅓ come home early figure. That's not a knock on Jana's survey - but I just have a hard time seeing that being true without hearing about it everywhere. We'd simply expect to see a lot of people coming home in most peoples wards. I just don't see that.

Assuming it is true for the moment though, I do find it interesting that mental health seems the largest factor. I wonder if there's just a difference in how the current generation responds to difficult times. I can remember a period of several months where I was completely burnt out and depressed on my mission due to a series of bad companions and working without seeing any effect in an area without a lot of members. Honestly looking back it was a horrible time and I can completely understand people coming home when they encounter that sort of thing.

Clark, there are new "trial missions" now. The numbers are added into the going home early category.  My daughter has had seven surgeries on her leg and desperately wanted to serve a mission. She received a call from President Monson to Fresno California, but ultimately had to turn it down due to her leg surgeries and pain. Then she healed from her 6th surgery and received a trial mission call from President Nelson to Independence Missouri. In which she served honorably for three months.

A trial mission is where you are called to a mission for two transfers, you do not go to the MTC, you do not go through the temple. After three months, the Mission President will interview the missionary and her/his companion and will give a report back to the First Presidency. After the trial mission, if the Sister or Elder can continue,  the missionary will be given a week off,  and during that week he/she will receive a new mission call. After the new call is issued then the Elder or Sister will go through the temple for their own endowments and go to the MTC before they go to their newly called mission. If they cannot continue they are honorably released and on the records of the church as having served a full time mission. The returned missionary will be released by his/her Stake President and will be asked to report on his/her mission (give a homecoming talk). My daughter could not continue right away because she needed a 7th surgery. She gave was released and reported on her mission in our ward. She may go out again, but she will wait and see.

As far as these trial missions go, they take away the stigma of coming home early or saying they came home early. As far as the Church goes these missionaries served honorably and are considered full time missionaries who served a full mission (even if it was for three months). I love this it shows to me that the Lord loves all his missionaries and their service.

President Love (my daughters Mission President), called my daughter his "Widow's mite Missionary" because she put in 18 months of service in 3 and gave her all.

Church is true!

 

[clarkgoble]

1 hour ago, rongo said:

I'll knock her survey. It's garbage. And you put it well --- if it were anywhere near 1/3, we would all know it. 

She went out of her way to try and have a statistically significant survey. So I'm not willing to say it's garbage. But that ⅓ figure seems deeply problematic. I should note that the older Pew poll also had some answers that seemed really off.

29 minutes ago, Anijen said:

Clark, there are new "trial missions" now. The numbers are added into the going home early category. 

I'd never heard of this. That's great. But why on earth would those numbers be counted as going home early? Are you talking about Jana's poll?

[Anijen]

1 hour ago, clarkgoble said:

I'd never heard of this. That's great.

Yes, I certainly agree, it is great!

 

Quote

But why on earth would those numbers be counted as going home early? 

I do not know, maybe because we have thought of serving missions as a twenty-four or eighteen month calling and attitudes have not caught up. Maybe because they receive a call that might  be lengthened to 24 or 18 months, but some only serve the 3 months [the temporary portion]. I know when my daughter was on her mission there were three others from our ward serving at the same time. The Bishop had nice wooden plaques made up and hanging on the ward buildings wall. My daughter had a plaque made from a printed paper (it least was laminated). I was a little upset, I let it slipped and told the Second Counselor at the time my displeasure with that. It must have got back to the Bishop and later he presented her with one of those nice wooden plaques, but not until after she returned home, released, and had given her homecoming talk.  I think these temporary missions are wonderful and give all those who could not serve for 18 or 24 months an opportunity to serve the Lord and give them a little more dignity when asked; "where did you go on your mission?" 

Church is true and The Republic of The Marshall Islands is the best mission...

[Duncan]

2 hours ago, Anijen said:

Clark, there are new "trial missions" now. The numbers are added into the going home early category.  My daughter has had seven surgeries on her leg and desperately wanted to serve a mission. She received a call from President Monson to Fresno California, but ultimately had to turn it down due to her leg surgeries and pain. Then she healed from her 6th surgery and received a trial mission call from President Nelson to Independence Missouri. In which she served honorably for three months.

A trial mission is where you are called to a mission for two transfers, you do not go to the MTC, you do not go through the temple. After three months, the Mission President will interview the missionary and her/his companion and will give a report back to the First Presidency. After the trial mission, if the Sister or Elder can continue,  the missionary will be given a week off,  and during that week he/she will receive a new mission call. After the new call is issued then the Elder or Sister will go through the temple for their own endowments and go to the MTC before they go to their newly called mission. If they cannot continue they are honorably released and on the records of the church as having served a full time mission. The returned missionary will be released by his/her Stake President and will be asked to report on his/her mission (give a homecoming talk). My daughter could not continue right away because she needed a 7th surgery. She gave was released and reported on her mission in our ward. She may go out again, but she will wait and see.

As far as these trial missions go, they take away the stigma of coming home early or saying they came home early. As far as the Church goes these missionaries served honorably and are considered full time missionaries who served a full mission (even if it was for three months). I love this it shows to me that the Lord loves all his missionaries and their service.

President Love (my daughters Mission President), called my daughter his "Widow's mite Missionary" because she put in 18 months of service in 3 and gave her all.

Church is true!

 

there is a sister here who did that same thing. she didn't go to the MTC. She has something , I'm not privy to it obviously but she did the trial mission and it worked out and now she is doing her thing in one of the wards here

[rockpond]

4 hours ago, clarkgoble said:

I know we discussed it before, although I can't find the thread, but I just have a hard time believing that ⅓ come home early figure. That's not a knock on Jana's survey - but I just have a hard time seeing that being true without hearing about it everywhere. We'd simply expect to see a lot of people coming home in most peoples wards. I just don't see that.

Assuming it is true for the moment though, I do find it interesting that mental health seems the largest factor. I wonder if there's just a difference in how the current generation responds to difficult times. I can remember a period of several months where I was completely burnt out and depressed on my mission due to a series of bad companions and working without seeing any effect in an area without a lot of members. Honestly looking back it was a horrible time and I can completely understand people coming home when they encounter that sort of thing.

From NextMormons.org, Reiss' website promoting the survey/book it is stated:

"The online component sampled 1,156 self-identified Mormons and 540 self-identified former Mormons between September 8 and November 1, 2016 and is representative of American Mormons and former Mormons nationally. The online survey was supplemented with 66 qualitative interviews, generating more than 340,000 words of interviewees’ personal experiences and reflections."

With respect to early return missionaries, my question regarding her data would be if she separated out the Mormon responses from the former Mormon responses.

If she did not separate out those responses, than data highlighted in her 26-September-2018 article could be heavily skewed by the high proportion of former Mormon survey participants.

[clarkgoble]

I can't see her doing that. She's very aware of the issues and that's a pretty obvious error. I suspect the bigger issue it's an online survey which has some biases. However with 1156 Mormons the question is how many recent missionaries are there. I'd imagine it's at best ⅓ of that number. But if you're looking at that then n is only around 350 or less which is more problematic statistically.

[DispensatorMysteriorum]

On 9/26/2018 at 9:52 AM, Gapper said:

Two hour block broken down as follows: 

35 minute Sacrament consisting of opening song, prayer, announcements, sacrament hymn, passing of the sacrament, closing prayer (perhaps closing hymn).  Focus on the sacrament and sacrament alone and no need for talks anymore. 

45 minute Sunday School reinforcing new curriculum you have studied at home.  Revamp of classes, less being more so to speak.  Less Sunday School classes for less teachers resulting in more students discussing and studying personally to come unto Christ. 

45 minute Relief Society and Priesthood. No opening exercises for Priesthood, we meet by quorum to begin with. 

Other possible Changes: 

New Handbook released with various major organizational changes and areas of responsibilities. Purpose, ease the load and time commitment of the Bishop by increasing the load somewhat of the Elder's Quorum President and the RS President and thus increasing the role of women in the local unit. Bishop retains his responsibility over the youth, common judge, finance and buildings, with all other items, missionary work, Temple & Family History, Sunday School and Quality of Teaching, Ministering all going to the Elders Quorum President, who as the spiritual leader in the ward representing the Stake President who is the Spiritual Leader in the Stake , makes calls and assignments in each of these areas with the Bishop's approval.  Bishop then is free to deal with the Aaronic Priesthood leadership side of his calling and the temporal affairs.  I am looking for a real split here of responsibility spelled out so Bishops can't micromanage all ends and thus not do what they should do well, the youth and finances and common judge.  

End of Elder's Quorum Free Moving Company 

Ending of twice a year Stake Conference. Move to once an annual Stake Conference with very other year having a regional conference or multi stake conference with a general authority. Stake Priesthood leadership is held twice a year including all RS Presidencies, Elder Quorum Presidencies, Bishoprics, High Council etc. 

 

Changing of the Ward and possible Stake Structure in a major way which would be an official revelation modifying what is in the Doctrine and Covenants. I guess this is what I am hinting at above.  I would expect the Savior to change the organization to meet the needs of a growing world wide Church and its members at some point.  I haven't thought of specifics but this would make sense if the rumors are true of major changes and that is the undertone of late it seems.  Also, if we move to a two hour block, per above, this might have to happen. Even if we don't move to a 2 hour block major changes in ward organization via a revelation of the Savior to President Nelson could have already occurred.  I would lean toward this one personally as it encompasses what I have guessed at above. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your predictions regarding reorganizing the roles of the EQP and the bishop seem very likely to me. You may be wrong on some of the details, but I suspect overall you're on the money. 

[The Nehor]

Part of me would like to see a trained welfare specialist in every ward that does the initial interview for welfare help and provides recommendations to the Bishop. In some wards welfare eats up way too much of the Bishop’s time.

[rockpond]

19 minutes ago, The Nehor said:

Part of me would like to see a trained welfare specialist in every ward that does the initial interview for welfare help and provides recommendations to the Bishop. In some wards welfare eats up way too much of the Bishop’s time.

Seems like they could create the calling and make it an option for the Bishop to fill when needed.  During my 4.5 years in a bishopric, welfare issues did not use up a disproportionate amount of the Bishops time (except maybe for the year he was assigned to serve as the transient bishop).  And, often, there were other beneficial reasons for the bishop to be meeting with those members anyway.

[rongo]

28 minutes ago, The Nehor said:

Part of me would like to see a trained welfare specialist in every ward that does the initial interview for welfare help and provides recommendations to the Bishop. In some wards welfare eats up way too much of the Bishop’s time.

 

6 minutes ago, rockpond said:

Seems like they could create the calling and make it an option for the Bishop to fill when needed.  During my 4.5 years in a bishopric, welfare issues did not use up a disproportionate amount of the Bishops time (except maybe for the year he was assigned to serve as the transient bishop).  And, often, there were other beneficial reasons for the bishop to be meeting with those members anyway.

This, rockpond. I've heard ideas like this before, Nehor, but it ends up abdicating the key and mantle authority of the bishop. This would move towards bishops not being needed, anyway; you just have your "trained and certified" specialists. It reminds me of HappyJack's idea a while ago to have a "spiritual needs only" bishop, and a "temporal needs only" bishop over each ward. 

Yuck! Can you imagine getting stuck being the one who only ever met with people wanting welfare help? And, I don't think people would find that it was actually a better system to meet with a "trained professional" before letting the amateur bishop talk to them. 

[The Nehor]

11 minutes ago, rongo said:

 

This, rockpond. I've heard ideas like this before, Nehor, but it ends up abdicating the key and mantle authority of the bishop. This would move towards bishops not being needed, anyway; you just have your "trained and certified" specialists. It reminds me of HappyJack's idea a while ago to have a "spiritual needs only" bishop, and a "temporal needs only" bishop over each ward. 

Yuck! Can you imagine getting stuck being the one who only ever met with people wanting welfare help? And, I don't think people would find that it was actually a better system to meet with a "trained professional" before letting the amateur bishop talk to them. 

I know a lot of people who like being mean and saying no to people. I think they would be ideal.

[ksfisher]

16 minutes ago, rongo said:

 

This, rockpond. I've heard ideas like this before, Nehor, but it ends up abdicating the key and mantle authority of the bishop. This would move towards bishops not being needed, anyway; you just have your "trained and certified" specialists. It reminds me of HappyJack's idea a while ago to have a "spiritual needs only" bishop, and a "temporal needs only" bishop over each ward. 

Yuck! Can you imagine getting stuck being the one who only ever met with people wanting welfare help? And, I don't think people would find that it was actually a better system to meet with a "trained professional" before letting the amateur bishop talk to them. 

Often times it seems like a person who is experiencing problems temporally is also going through spiritual problems as well. 

It is interesting that the new self-reliance programs and My Path work on both together.

Many of the ideas I see on this board as to what the bishop should or shouldn't do seem to have as an end result the desire to limit the keys and authority of this office.

[DispensatorMysteriorum]

1 hour ago, The Nehor said:

Part of me would like to see a trained welfare specialist in every ward that does the initial interview for welfare help and provides recommendations to the Bishop. In some wards welfare eats up way too much of the Bishop’s time.

Amigo,

 

I am the bishop of my ward, and your analysis is very much true. I wish we had someone to call that could do this in our ward. I like the idea very much and have considering doing this. The problem is the people I'd like to call are generally tied up in stake callings or otherwise indisposed. 

[rongo]

7 minutes ago, ksfisher said:

Many of the ideas I see on this board as to what the bishop should or shouldn't do seem to have as an end result the desire to limit the keys and authority of this office.

Yes, and I am vociferously against that. If keys are neutered and everything becomes a democratic exercise locally, then would the last one out please remember to turn off the lights?

[DispensatorMysteriorum]

34 minutes ago, rongo said:

I've heard ideas like this before, Nehor, but it ends up abdicating the key and mantle authority of the bishop. This would move towards bishops not being needed, anyway; you just have your "trained and certified" specialists.

I respectfully disagree. You could call someone to do the heavy lifting, but leave it to the bishop to authorize the plan, or kick it back for further study. Ultimately the keys the bishop holds allows him to make the decision, but much of the grunt work of coming up with a plan could be carried out by others. In fact, that's my current approach in that I often delegate these matters to the EQP and RSP. They come up with a plan for the needy individuals, and then run it by me for approval. Usually I agree with the plan. Sometimes I ask for revisions. 

Edited September 27, 2018 by DispensatorMysteriorum

[The Nehor]

7 minutes ago, rongo said:

Yes, and I am vociferously against that. If keys are neutered and everything becomes a democratic exercise locally, then would the last one out please remember to turn off the lights?

It is not a democracy. Any more then a Bishop asking for his counselor’s opinion would be. The Bishop still makes the final decision.

[rongo]

50 minutes ago, DispensatorMysteriorum said:

I respectfully disagree. You could call someone to do the heavy lifting, but leave it to the bishop to authorize the plan, or kick it back for further study.

I respectfully disagree with your respectful disagreement.  

Having others do the heavy lifting, and just having the bishop authorize or kick it back for further study strikes me as making the bishop unneeded and irrelevant. I've known bishops who enthusiastically "delegate, 'til they breathe for you," but I've never liked that. I think most people want to counsel with their bishop about problems, not a designated representative.