Speculations for General Conference

[Bernard Gui]

12 hours ago, smac97 said:

Over the weekend our stake hosted President Joy Jones, of the Primary General Presidency.  She gave some indication that there will be additional resources and training and such regarding the ministering program.

Thanks,

-Smac

Those are sorely needed. Perhaps it was rolled out too soon. We just had our umpteenth Priesthood lesson on ministering and it was the same as all the previous ones. Going back to 1970 for me.

Edited August 30, 2018 by Bernard Gui

[e-eye]

4 hours ago, The Nehor said:

I have been hearing two hour block rumors for 20 years now. Does not mean it cannot happen. I am just not expecting it any time soon.

Agreed. 

I see, to always hear about someone who knows someone that is doing a 2hoir pilot program but yet have i actually heard of someone doing it.  Although one hour less of church sounds nice it also doesn’t.  

[Bernard Gui]

9 hours ago, carbon dioxide said:

I think vending machines in ward buildings would be a good announcement.  It can bring in some money for the Church and we can get a snack between meetings if we are hungry.

That would be cool...and pair them with the “buy a goat or a chicken” ones to help our brothers and sisters in poor areas of the world.

[california boy]

8 hours ago, Prof said:

They would unplug it on fast Sunday.

I think they would keep it plugged in, but no candy would drop out.  All money put into the vending machine would go towards fast offerings since it is money you would have spent on food.

[Calm]

7 minutes ago, california boy said:

I think they would keep it plugged in, but no candy would drop out.  All money put into the vending machine would go towards fast offerings since it is money you would have spent on food.

Just stock it on Monday and all the food would be gone by Sunday...just like my BYU dorms (have no clue if it was intentional, there were usually a few items let that no one would touch).

Edited August 30, 2018 by Calm

[Stargazer]

13 hours ago, HappyJackWagon said:

 All valid criticisms.

I'll just note that many businesses/corporations are moving this direction. My employer has adopted this as a new strategy and it's driving me nuts. The idea that things are changing so quickly organizations can't afford to wait until they have everything figured out before they do a rollout. I've seen it compared to updates on phone apps. We all get dozens of updates. Sometimes the same ap is updated multiple times in the same week, making small fixes as they go instead of waiting until ALL fixes are ready. It's kind of the opposite of taking a holistic approach. Roll out the big idea and then figure out the details, making adjustments along the way.

So we're kind of in the period where things get figured out on the fly. To me it feels chaotic, but it's kind of the new normal. I'm struggling adjusting to it as a workable philosophy, yet maybe it's the only way in the fast paced world

Speaking for frequent small updates of apps, as a software developer I can tell you that's a valid method, where multideveloper teams are working on various changes, it is frequently more efficient to push out changes piecemeal rather than waiting for an arbitrary number of them to be ready.

[Stargazer]

1 hour ago, california boy said:

I think they would keep it plugged in, but no candy would drop out.  All money put into the vending machine would go towards fast offerings since it is money you would have spent on food.

That is brilliant! 😆

[SouthernMo]

11 hours ago, Avatar4321 said:

Is that in line with the sabbath?

What is wrong about using a vending machine on the Sabbath?

[hope_for_things]

20 hours ago, HappyJackWagon said:

I'm going with 2 hour block, change of "sacrament meeting" to "worship service", clarifying that the "Mormon name update" applies to the institutional church and media, and changing the temple wedding/sealing uniform across the world- which is to say, civil wedding first and then temple sealing as soon as possible.

Nelson is a mover and shaker. I expect to see some shakin goin on.

Oh, and I also expect an endless parade of "ministering" talks.

If you are right about the 2 hr block an the temple sealing practice, those two things alone will be significant.  I hope you are correct.  

[hope_for_things]

19 hours ago, Gray said:

The adjective "Christologist" will offcially replace the word "Mormon" or "Latter-day Saint".

The one I heard the other day being discussed was Ziontologist.  Sounds like Scientologist, but with the Zion part on the front.  If that was the choice, I'd keep Mormonism in a heartbeat.  

[Avatar4321]

2 hours ago, SouthernMo said:

What is wrong about using a vending machine on the Sabbath?

Spending of money. Possibly

[Hoosier]

18 hours ago, carbon dioxide said:

I think vending machines in ward buildings would be a good announcement.  It can bring in some money for the Church and we can get a snack between meetings if we are hungry.

We had a 7-UP machine in the gym in our building when I was a kid (early 70's), also a juke box for mid-week youth activities. The machine was the kind with bottles with the tops facing out. The bottles on the front row were always empty after kids realized if you had a bottle opener and a cup, you never had to pay for any. It was taken out eventually, probably for this reason.

[mnn727]

I believe  they will announce that we are buying SpaceX from Elon Musk and designating Mars as the new Zion.

😎

Edited August 30, 2018 by mnn727

[nuclearfuels]

This is my speculation only; not reliable, not validated, not duplicated by any reliable source.

- 3 hour block changed to 2-hour

-Other: realignment of PEC, BYC, etc.

- Other: Announcement/hint/preview of the program that will replace BSA (Duty to God, I imagine)

- Opening of China to LDS Missionaries is possible (probable though?) but a lot of Chinese people in Europe, Australia, US, Phillipines - and a lot of their relatives hear and accept the gospel while on vacation outside of the Mainland; and if the PRC doesn't have LDS.org blocked, people can access that.  In a way it's already opened, if not completely.

- Women are given the priesthood in the Temple; been that way since the first Latter-day Temple was built; no one sees it becuase most of us, including me, don't really listen. Not sure why there woudl be an announcement, annoucning what's already been announced since the first LDS Temple

 

 

[The Nehor]

6 hours ago, SouthernMo said:

What is wrong about using a vending machine on the Sabbath?

I will let the tormenting hellfire explain it to you.  

[Doctrine 612]

When I was at the mtc on Sundays we were told to eat breakfast from the vending machines. I got a breakfast burrito.

 

what I would like to see at this conference 

more scripture doctrines taught, not personal stories that I am unable to relate too.

 

if women receive the priesthood it would not matter because they are already doing the work and the priesthood is not something to keep to yourself it’s a tool in order to help others.

 

i would love to see a better way to find local church leaders that actually have the training and knowledge ( create a bishop training course ) it’s getting really tiring seeing only a select few get the top jobs because of who there friends are and pass it off as revelation.

to be honest my church leadership callings came because of my associates.

[strappinglad]

7 hours ago, SouthernMo said:

What is wrong about using a vending machine on the Sabbath?

It's fine as long as you can stay within the 60 step travel rule.

[clarkgoble]

I actually am expecting a lot of changes this conference. There already were a ton but I think Nelson/Oaks really think a lot of reforms are needed with traditions not really tied to anything essential most apt to have change.

I've no idea what the changes will be. I'd like some big mission changes. I think the policy changes with the age change and related changes in finding investigators have been a disaster. However honestly I'm not expecting anything like a return to age 19 or going back to traditional finding methods. I would like to hear over the pulpit that age 18 is to allow people who are mature enough to go but that there's nothing wrong going at 19 or 20. But I doubt that'd happen. I'd love to have a rethinking and reform of the whole Stake Missionary program with closer ties to full time missionaries. I went on a full time Stake mission when I was 18 living with a regular full time missionary as a companion. It was a great experience both to get me ready for a mission but also to just extend the capabilities of the mission.

Since I'm not expecting big mission changes, what I'd like to see are greater roles for young women. Passing the sacrament is not an intrinsic Deacon duty and is largely a 20th century phenomena. Let young women pass the sacrament and act as ushers at the doors. It'd make them feel far more included and also mute the degree of feminist critique of the church. We've already let young women become home teachers (nee Ministers). 

But honestly, while I expect big changes, I couldn't tell you what they'd be. There's lots of possibilities ranging from ways to deal with apostles who lose cognitive function (thereby allowing new apostles to be called) to more mundane matters. I don't expect, contra some, any big announcements on sexuality issues or a move from the 3 hour block. I can see perhaps seriously rethinking how that 3 hour meeting functions though. However there are big practical limits on what can be done due to Utah wards having three or even four wards meeting in the same building. So my big wish of significantly shortening Sacrament service to have one or two talks isn't necessarily that workable.

One change I've not seen people discuss is having men in the primary presidency and women in the sunday school presidency. There's absolutely no reason for those restrictions.

Edited August 30, 2018 by clarkgoble

[clarkgoble]

1 hour ago, nuclearfuels said:

- Opening of China to LDS Missionaries is possible (probable though?) but a lot of Chinese people in Europe, Australia, US, Phillipines - and a lot of their relatives hear and accept the gospel while on vacation outside of the Mainland; and if the PRC doesn't have LDS.org blocked, people can access that.  In a way it's already opened, if not completely.

Given Xi's moves back towards a more Maoist conception of China and strong suspicion of religion I just can't see that happening. Had you asked me before Xi more or less appointed himself as leader for life I'd probably have entertained it. But his moves since taking things over permanently make me doubt he'd want Mormon Missionaries in China.

1 hour ago, Doctrine 612 said:

more scripture doctrines taught, not personal stories that I am unable to relate too.

Most people find the opposite.

1 hour ago, Doctrine 612 said:

i would love to see a better way to find local church leaders that actually have the training and knowledge ( create a bishop training course ) it’s getting really tiring seeing only a select few get the top jobs because of who there friends are and pass it off as revelation.

There are Bishop training but that seems quite different from who gets picked. While it'd be stupid to deny that familiarity doesn't play a huge role, in practice the "bishop training course" is being an Elders Quorum President.

1 hour ago, nuclearfuels said:

- Other: Announcement/hint/preview of the program that will replace BSA (Duty to God, I imagine)

Yup. I hadn't even thought of that. Although I wouldn't expect that this fall. Maybe in spring.

1 hour ago, nuclearfuels said:

- Women are given the priesthood in the Temple; been that way since the first Latter-day Temple was built; no one sees it becuase most of us, including me, don't really listen. Not sure why there woudl be an announcement, annoucning what's already been announced since the first LDS Temple

Typically people distinguished between ecclesiastical priesthood and cosmological (temple) priesthood. Oaks certainly opened things up a few years back by saying any authority is ultimately priesthood. But when people, especially activists, agitate for women having the priesthood what they really mean are the roles that require priesthood. (Or are presumed to incorrectly such as passing the sacrament) So blessing the sacrament and becoming a bishop are the main places people discuss.

Giving blessings actually is something that could be changed since historically women did give blessings, just not by the priesthood. There's nothing preventing that change although I wouldn't expect it for various reasons.

 

 

[ksfisher]

2 hours ago, nuclearfuels said:

- Other: Announcement/hint/preview of the program that will replace BSA (Duty to God, I imagine)

Pilot programs are going on now in the United States and will soon be start up in a limited number of non-English speaking countries. 

My feeling is that if this is announced in General Conference that April 2019 is more likely.

[sheilauk]

I would like to move to a 4 hour block!   

Seriously though,  those wanting a 2 hour block might consider the single members.   For some,  Sunday may be the only time they get to spend significant time with another adult.   In addition,  many don't have another adult to discuss scriptures with so Sunday School is important.  And if you are a Sunday school teacher,  having the 3rd hour gives you chance to join in with other members. Personally,  I love the 3 hours I'm at church and often I don't want to leave at the end of it.  I struggle through the week with doing church matters and while there I don't have to think about my chores and work etc so i savour every minute.  I would be unhappy with just 2 hours.  (And I stopped going to my previous church because I was bored, even though the service was only 90 minutes.)  

Maybe conference will talk about the extension of come follow me to adults and more about teaching in the Saviour's way. And there is also the changes to the hymn book.

Edited August 30, 2018 by sheilauk

[Scott Lloyd]

8 hours ago, sheilauk said:

I would like to move to a 4 hour block!   

Seriously though,  those wanting a 2 hour block might consider the single members.   For some,  Sunday may be the only time they get to spend significant time with another adult.   In addition,  many don't have another adult to discuss scriptures with so Sunday School is important.  And if you are a Sunday school teacher,  having the 3rd hour gives you chance to join in with other members. Personally,  I love the 3 hours I'm at church and often I don't want to leave at the end of it.  I struggle through the week with doing church matters and while there I don't have to think about my chores and work etc so i savour every minute.  I would be unhappy with just 2 hours.  (And I stopped going to my previous church because I was bored, even though the service was only 90 minutes.)  

Maybe conference will talk about the extension of come follow me to adults and more about teaching in the Saviour's way. And there is also the changes to the hymn book.

I think it is quite early in the process to announce detailed changes to the hymn book. The last revision was in 1985, and that took several years to effectuate. Along the way, two separate committees were called at separate times to work on it.

People tend to be very sensitive about their tastes in music, even devotional music, and I think that is even more the case today than it was prior to 1985. It takes a great deal of doing to navigate the various musical tastes and to come up with a product that is passably acceptable to the greatest number of people.

Then there's the matter of many different languages and nationalities that will come to bear in the revision of the hymnal.

Edited August 31, 2018 by Scott Lloyd

[sheilauk]

1 minute ago, Scott Lloyd said:

I think it is quite early in the process to announce detailed changes to the hymn book. The last revision was in 1985, and that took several years to effectuate. Along the way, two separate committees were called at separate times to work on it.

People tend to be very sensitive about their tastes in music, even devotional music, and I think that is even more the case today than it was prior to 1985. It takes a great deal of doing to navigate the various musical tastes and to come up with a product that passably acceptable to the greatest number of people.

Then there's the matter of many different languages and nationalities that will come to bear in the revision of the hymnal.

I was thinking more along the lines of just announcing the review and how people can take part,  on the basis that many may not have seen the announcement online, rather than talk about any possible changes. 

[Scott Lloyd]

7 minutes ago, sheilauk said:

I was thinking more along the lines of just announcing the review and how people can take part,  on the basis that many may not have seen the announcement online, rather than talk about any possible changes. 

Yes, it is quite possible, even likely, that this will come up during the conference.

 

[ksfisher]

40 minutes ago, sheilauk said:

 

Seriously though,  those wanting a 2 hour block might consider the single members.   For some,  Sunday may be the only time they get to spend significant time with another adult.   In addition,  many don't have another adult to discuss scriptures with so Sunday School is important.  And if you are a Sunday school teacher,  having the 3rd hour gives you chance to join in with other members. Personally, 

There are also many children and youth who, because of various factors at home, are only taught the gospel while they are at church.  It would be unfortunate to reduce their exposure to gospel teaching and the role models who are teaching it.