Speculations for General Conference

[Judd]

13 hours ago, Gapper said:

Looks like Mormon Land podcast LINK pretty well confirms a 2 hour block.

Listened to the first 15 or so minutes where they talked about this. I’m not seeing anything more than a rehash of what we know, and insinuating that’s where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Was there something more specific that you felt confirms it?

[ksfisher]

14 hours ago, Gapper said:

Looks like Mormon Land podcast LINK pretty well confirms a 2 hour block. 3 models are mention. a 40/40/40 block for each of the three meetings

I'm not sure that this will make people happy in the end.  If people can't stay in church for 3 hours why would they be able to stay for 2? 

If it changes in 10 years or so I could see people agitating for 1 hour church.

[ksfisher]

7 minutes ago, rongo said:

Yeah, it seems like this view of EQP simply makes the EQP the new bishop, sans keys. And relegates the bishop to a clerk (check signer, and someone who signs off on the EQP's heavy lifting).

As a former bishop I'm sure that you're aware that many time peoples temporal and spiritual needs go hand in hand.  Improvement in one are leads to improvement in the other. 

Giving the elders quorum president responsibility for spiritual welfare for those outside of his quorum seems problematic, as he does not hold keys, like the bishop does, that gives him authority and stewardship in these areas.

[rongo]

6 minutes ago, ksfisher said:

As a former bishop I'm sure that you're aware that many time peoples temporal and spiritual needs go hand in hand.  Improvement in one area leads to improvement in the other. 

Agreed.

Giving the elders quorum president responsibility for spiritual welfare for those outside of his quorum seems problematic, as he does not hold keys, like the bishop does, that gives him authority and stewardship in these areas.

Also agreed. 

[ksfisher]

31 minutes ago, Judd said:

Listened to the first 15 or so minutes where they talked about this. I’m not seeing anything more than a rehash of what we know, and insinuating that’s where there’s smoke, there’s fire. Was there something more specific that you felt confirms it?

Is it just pure speculation or do they have any gossip to back it up?

[The Nehor]

29 minutes ago, ksfisher said:

I'm not sure that this will make people happy in the end.  If people can't stay in church for 3 hours why would they be able to stay for 2? 

If it changes in 10 years or so I could see people agitating for 1 hour church.

True, but at the same time that argument justifies a 4 hour block or a 6 hour block or even a 12 hour block. If you cannot handle 12 hours it is clear you are just faithless.  

[ksfisher]

5 minutes ago, The Nehor said:

True, but at the same time that argument justifies a 4 hour block or a 6 hour block or even a 12 hour block. If you cannot handle 12 hours it is clear you are just faithless.  

Yes, I fondly recall the days of 12 hour church.  The stoning of those who arrived late and the witch burning were my favorite parts as a youngster.

[rockpond]

41 minutes ago, ksfisher said:

I'm not sure that this will make people happy in the end.  If people can't stay in church for 3 hours why would they be able to stay for 2? 

If it changes in 10 years or so I could see people agitating for 1 hour church.

I don’t mind 3-hour church but that is just the beginning of my Sunday commitments.  My shortest Sundays are 5 hours of meetings, often I am up toward 7-8 hours and that’s just in a ward YM president calling.  Others have much longer Sundays.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy to serve and I do it joyfully each week - grateful for the opportunity. 

But if a change can come along that allows me to spend a bit more time at home with my family on the Sabbath... I’m all for it. 

 

[rongo]

15 minutes ago, ksfisher said:

Is it just pure speculation or do they have any gossip to back it up?

Not only is it just pure speculation (all of it, on podcasts, this thread, or wherever), I don't think there will be any adjustment to the block schedule at all this Conference. I think we're all projecting our wishful thinking.

I enjoy speculating as much as the next person, and see no harm in it, as long we recognize it for what it is --- and aren't genuinely disappointed when it turns out to have just been speculation. I have to kind of laugh at talk of rumors being "confirmed" and all that. 

[Calm]

46 minutes ago, ksfisher said:

I'm not sure that this will make people happy in the end.  If people can't stay in church for 3 hours why would they be able to stay for 2? 

If it changes in 10 years or so I could see people agitating for 1 hour church.

There is a significance difference with kids, imo.  For many kids, two meetings in two hours is doable, three in three not really.

[The Nehor]

8 minutes ago, ksfisher said:

Yes, I fondly recall the days of 12 hour church.  The stoning of those who arrived late and the witch burning were my favorite parts as a youngster.

I used to get in trouble for trying to roast marshmallows when we did the witch burnings. They said I was not respecting the ceremony. Ah, the good old days.

[ksfisher]

6 minutes ago, Calm said:

There is a significance difference with kids, imo.  For many kids, two meetings in two hours is doable, three in three not really.

Been there.  Having sacrament meeting first is a huge help with this, in my opinion.  If a mother or father needs to take a child home I don't think that's a problem.

[HappyJackWagon]

17 minutes ago, Calm said:

There is a significance difference with kids, imo.  For many kids, two meetings in two hours is doable, three in three not really.

Especially when those meetings take over nap time. Oh, that's just me

 

[JAHS]

Here's something new that will happen before Conference even starts:
The Conference Center will be closed to the public beginning Monday prior to general conference weekend.
Water bottles must be clear. Metal containers are not allowed inside the Conference Center.
Attendees can bring small bags and umbrellas with them inside the building. Large bags are not allowed.
Any personal items such as large purses, backpacks, shopping bags, suitcases and food items will no longer be stored on Church property.
North Temple will be closed between West Temple and Main Street two hours before each session, allowing pedestrians to cross the street in crosswalks and other designated locations within the restricted area. The street will be blocked off with moveable barriers.
North Temple will reopen with limited access during each session and each day approximately two hours after general conference sessions end.
People are encouraged to walk through Temple Square and the Church plaza to get to the Conference Center.
Conference goers are encouraged to arrive early to provide adequate time to attend the event.     

Safety and Efficiency Changes to Enhance General Conference Experience

[Anijen]

35 minutes ago, The Nehor said:

True, but at the same time that argument justifies a 4 hour block or a 6 hour block or even a 12 hour block. If you cannot handle 12 hours it is clear you are just faithless.  

Reminds me of Elder Richards suggestion to the Willy and Martin handcart companies. I realize you're late (what's a little snow?), exercize faith you'll be fine... Something like that.

 

[rockpond]

21 minutes ago, rongo said:

Not only is it just pure speculation (all of it, on podcasts, this thread, or wherever), I don't think there will be any adjustment to the block schedule at all this Conference. I think we're all projecting our wishful thinking.

I enjoy speculating as much as the next person, and see no harm in it, as long we recognize it for what it is --- and aren't genuinely disappointed when it turns out to have just been speculation. I have to kind of laugh at talk of rumors being "confirmed" and all that. 

 

[bluebell]

Just now, rockpond said:

 

I've seen this on a lot of my friend's Facebook pages this week.  It's probably true.  

[HappyJackWagon]

9 minutes ago, ksfisher said:

Been there.  Having sacrament meeting first is a huge help with this, in my opinion.  If a mother or father needs to take a child home I don't think that's a problem.

That's assuming close proximity to the church. In areas like mine where distances are vast, it's very expensive to take multiple vehicles to church so that one can leave early.

[Judd]

41 minutes ago, ksfisher said:

Is it just pure speculation or do they have any gossip to back it up?

I’ll qualify my statement by saying I only listened to 15 minutes, but they had moved past that subject into something else. They mentioned nothing new, just that it had been circulating in their wards, in conjunction with the new curriculum not saying anything about RS and EQ, and also that apparently every family will get a personal copy of Come Follow Me, or something, come January. That was pretty much it.

[bluebell]

11 minutes ago, ksfisher said:

Been there.  Having sacrament meeting first is a huge help with this, in my opinion.  If a mother or father needs to take a child home I don't think that's a problem.

It's rough on the mom or dad, especially if they live far from the church (which means they have to take two cars to church or the parent has to go back and pick everyone else up) or the child needs to be taken home every Sunday for weeks or months at a time.   It's mentally difficult and can make Sundays the worst day of the week, sometimes for years at a time.  

[ksfisher]

Just now, HappyJackWagon said:

That's assuming close proximity to the church. In areas like mine where distances are vast, it's very expensive to take multiple vehicles to church so that one can leave early.

True. 

[Calm]

14 minutes ago, ksfisher said:

Been there.  Having sacrament meeting first is a huge help with this, in my opinion.  If a mother or father needs to take a child home I don't think that's a problem.

 

Just now, bluebell said:

It's rough on the mom or dad, especially if they live far from the church (which means they have to take two cars to church or the parent has to go back and pick everyone else up) or the child needs to be taken home every Sunday for weeks or months at a time.   It's mentally difficult and can make Sundays the worst day of the week, sometimes for years at a time.  

Then there is the problem when both parents have Sunday callings.

[bluebell]

5 minutes ago, HappyJackWagon said:

Especially when those meetings take over nap time. Oh, that's just me

 

Or Lunch time!  11:00 church means the kids don't get to eat lunch until they get home after 2:00.  That's hard on little ones.  Snacks can help but they don't easily replace a whole meal, especially for a kid that is also missing their afternoon nap.

[bluebell]

Just now, Calm said:

 

Then there is the problem when both parents have Sunday callings.

Exactly.  I had two babies, neither of which were old enough for nursery, and both my husband and I had teaching callings on Sundays at the time.

[ksfisher]

Just now, Judd said:

every family will get a personal copy of Come Follow Me

https://www.ldschurchnews.com/latest/2018-07-06/lds-church-to-release-new-home-primary-and-adult-curriculum-in-2019-to-improve-scripture-study-47545

The First Presidency has announced a series of resources to help Church members and their families study the scriptures at home: "Come, Follow Me — For Individuals and Families."