changes in Missionary handbook

[Duncan]

https://www.thechurchnews.com/global/2019-11-15/missionary-handbook-lds-mormon-disciple-jesus-christ-166744?fbclid=IwAR1WKEGPt5_W1N-_CLK_c1lXFl6qxxj_TSLcYpPn-TsIUc07eU8CIr2M9bs

 

They have the new missionary handbook out now. I take there has been some changes

[Rain]

2 hours ago, Duncan said:

https://www.thechurchnews.com/global/2019-11-15/missionary-handbook-lds-mormon-disciple-jesus-christ-166744?fbclid=IwAR1WKEGPt5_W1N-_CLK_c1lXFl6qxxj_TSLcYpPn-TsIUc07eU8CIr2M9bs

 

They have the new missionary handbook out now. I take there has been some changes

Yes. I haven't read the changes yet, but my son's mission office said they will no longer be able to meet together for zone conferences. The largest group meeting together will be districts. I haven't seen other things yet. 

[Duncan]

41 minutes ago, Rain said:

Yes. I haven't read the changes yet, but my son's mission office said they will no longer be able to meet together for zone conferences. The largest group meeting together will be districts. I haven't seen other things yet. 

they eliminated zone conferences? wow! I asked the missionaries here if that happened but they haven't responded yet

[Scott Lloyd]

3 hours ago, Rain said:

Yes. I haven't read the changes yet, but my son's mission office said they will no longer be able to meet together for zone conferences. The largest group meeting together will be districts. I haven't seen other things yet. 

A pity. Zone conferences are among my fondest remembrances from my mission. 

And won't that make it significantly harder for the mission president to get around the mission to do one-on-one interviews? Or will that change too?

 

[Dan McClellan]

10 hours ago, Rain said:

Yes. I haven't read the changes yet, but my son's mission office said they will no longer be able to meet together for zone conferences. The largest group meeting together will be districts. I haven't seen other things yet. 

This isn't true. The handbook explicitly mentions who is in charge of organizing things like zone conferences. There's a section that says normally a group of missionaries larger than the size of a district shouldn't gather together in public, but this is in a section called "General Recreation Guidelines." 

[Amulek]

2 minutes ago, Dan McClellan said:

This isn't true. The handbook explicitly mentions who is in charge of organizing things like zone conferences. There's a section that says normally a group of missionaries larger than the size of a district shouldn't gather together in public, but this is in a section called "General Recreation Guidelines." 

In other words, no more regular zone BBQ's down at Alki Beach on P-Day. Oh well, the world won't end.

 

[webbles]

11 hours ago, Rain said:

Yes. I haven't read the changes yet, but my son's mission office said they will no longer be able to meet together for zone conferences. The largest group meeting together will be districts. I haven't seen other things yet. 

Zone conferences are still allowed.  Section 2.3.5 has the list of "Meetings and Councils" and Zone Conferences are in that list - https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/missionary-standards-for-disciples-of-jesus-christ/2-missionary-organization-and-activites?lang=eng#title_number19

Edited November 16, 2019 by webbles

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

16 hours ago, Duncan said:

they eliminated zone conferences? wow! I asked the missionaries here if that happened but they haven't responded yet

We seem to be doing away with so many different types of meetings. I can understand to a degree, less meetings, = more family time on the Sabbath. But, missionaries are serving full time, and are not going home to family. From my younger days, when I was able, I spent a lot of time going on team-ups, and the Elders, who always looked forward to Zone Conferences, to reacquaint, and revisit, with companions with whom they once served with, and became good friends with. 

Edited November 16, 2019 by Bill “Papa” Lee

[strappinglad]

So Zone level touch football is out? The local ERs will be pleased. 

[Rain]

4 hours ago, Dan McClellan said:

This isn't true. The handbook explicitly mentions who is in charge of organizing things like zone conferences. There's a section that says normally a group of missionaries larger than the size of a district shouldn't gather together in public, but this is in a section called "General Recreation Guidelines." 

Interesting.  I wonder if the sister was meaning something else.  She had told me it would be just like how mission conferences went away (which I had never heard of).  

[The Nehor]

Interesting changes to the book. I kind of miss the “here is a list of every stupid thing a missionary has done” that it used to be but the book is not there to amuse me.

I skimmed the whole thing and have a few thoughts:

Good call on explicitly telling missionaries not to throw together extra fasts or get up earlier or proselyte longer in order to make “deals” with God to get extra blessings. It is ‘be obedient’ but stomps on going beyond the rules to try to get more.

You can ask someone else to attend an interview with your Mission President with you if you wish.

Exchanges are required now in the mission. Every transfer a District Leader is expected to go on such an exchange with each elder in their  district, a zone leader with all their district leaders and other elders as needed, and sister training leaders with every sister in their area. Good check in mechanism.

Exchanges in members where the companionship is split up and go with separate members are gone.

Baptismal candidates may invite another to their interview.

General counsel on how to deal with more dangerous situations seems good.