Lds Only: Changes You'd Like to See in Church This Decade

[Robert F. Smith]

Quora has just asked: “As a Mormon, what are some changes you’d like to see from the LDS church this decade?”

About 19 people answered, most of them anti-Mormons.  My answer (Jan 26, 2020) was as follows, https://qr.ae/TDGq9h ,

I would like to see the following suggestions implemented in very serious manner:

1. Publish wholly new edition of Holy Scriptures based on best textual studies now available, including a new English translation of the Bible.

2. The youth of the LDS Church to boldly “take the bull by the horns” in creating a full youth program — based on their own needs and initiative — as has already been suggested by Pres Nelson and other leaders. This should include a sound structure with excellent mentoring.

3. Fully subsidized education for returned missionaries (RMs) via an expanded Church Educational System, either online, at university, or in trade school. All expenses paid.

4. Purchase and operate two or three small colleges in central or eastern USA, as part of an expanded CES. Many colleges are now closing down, unable to obtain funding.

5. Build magnificent temple in Far West, Missouri, at the spot already dedicated for it, and then move the LDS Church Headquarters to Far West, or nearby Adam ondi Ahman.
-----------------------------------------------------------   
Other members answers to same question:
https://qr.ae/TDG3qf .
https://qr.ae/TDGBXE  .
https://qr.ae/TDGQsa  .
https://qr.ae/TDGQmI .
https://qr.ae/TDGdrw .
https://qr.ae/TDGd0h .

What is your answer, if any?  What would you like to see the Church do in the coming decade?

 

Edited January 27, 2020 by Robert F. Smith

[Tacenda]

I liked this comment best!

"Whatever the Lord sees fit to change is OK by me!"

[sunstoned]

13 minutes ago, Robert F. Smith said:

Quora has just asked: “As a Mormon, what are some changes you’d like to see from the LDS church this decade?”

About 19 people answered, most of them anti-Mormons.  My answer (Jan 26, 2020) was as follows, https://qr.ae/TDGq9h ,

1. I would like to see the following suggestions implemented in very serious manner:

2. Publish wholly new edition of Holy Scriptures based on best textual studies now available, including a new English translation of the Bible.

3. The youth of the LDS Church to boldly “take the bull by the horns” in creating a full youth program — based on their own needs and initiative — as has already been suggested by Pres Nelson and other leaders. This should include a sound structure with excellent mentoring.

4. Fully subsidized education for returned missionaries (RMs) via an expanded Church Educational System, either online, at university, or in trade school. All expenses paid.

5. Purchase and operate two or three small colleges in central or eastern USA, as part of an expanded CES. Many colleges are now closing down, unable to obtain funding.

6. Build magnificent temple in Far West, Missouri, at the spot already dedicated for it, and then move the LDS Church Headquarters to Far West, or nearby Adam ondi Ahman.
-----------------------------------------------------------   
Other members answers to same question:
https://qr.ae/TDG3qf .
https://qr.ae/TDGBXE  .
https://qr.ae/TDGQsa  .
https://qr.ae/TDGQmI .
https://qr.ae/TDGdrw .
https://qr.ae/TDGd0h .

What is your answer, if any?  What would like to see the Church do in the coming decade?

 

Good suggestions.  I especially like #2 and #4.  I believe it would be good to use a more up to date Bible translation.  I'm all for anything that lowers the entry bar to education and makes it more available to all.  This would almost be like a GI bill for RMs.

 

Edited January 27, 2020 by sunstoned

[Duncan]

I wish the local stakes, wards had more autonomy, i.e. someone in SLC deciding if a parking lot here gets plug ins for winter parking (actually happened)-why are we having someone who never lived here decide things that don't affect them? what would they care?

Sometimes I wonder what the point of ward council is, I know we have scaled back on meetings but it seems like we haven't-especially with missionary work. I am supposed to meet with my EQ counselour who is supposed to attend ward correlation and who the WML is supposed to report and to the WML the missionaries report to-that has dumb, dumb, dumb written all over it. 3 meetings are somehow better than one?  I was asked yestarday to find out how new member lessons are going and i just emailed the missionaries and skipped all middle management stuff. or just have the WML attend ward council and forget all these dumb meetings. We had ward council today, i'd say most of which could have been an email, but no.

TBH what does the High Council do? They seem all but useless. I can possibly see sustaining new stake callings, but if the they changed EQ President to a ward sustaining, what is stopping them from sustaining a high councilor or Stake Primary President? What added bonus does a High Councilor have in announcing it? I used to be a travelling companion to several men on the High Council. All we literally did was speak in a ward and then leave. That was the calling. They spoke and left. I can see them for a disciplinary council, but how often do those happen? 

Stake "Training" meetings at Stake Conference. I have been attending those for 2 decades now in one capacity or another. I have yet to be trained on anything. I hear they call them Stake Leadership meeting but what good do those do? You show up and hear about ministering again or ward mission plan again or some gospel topic again. I say ditch them. 

 

[Calm]

44 minutes ago, Robert F. Smith said:

3. Fully subsidized education for returned missionaries (RMs) via an expanded Church Educational System, either online, at university, or in trade school. All expenses paid.

I have a problem with kids going on missions more to get this than because they are committed.  Maybe up to balancing out money paid by family into mission fund?  I probably have come across one too many posts where someone is claiming to be a missionary and hating it, not believing in the Church, but out there because of purely financial incentive.

I am very supportive of educational programs for all members, I think Pathways and the PEP are great and efforts should keep expanding.

Edited January 27, 2020 by Calm

[Avatar4321]

What changes would I like to see?

1) we follow the Prophet and phase out the use of Mormon as referring to ourselves.

2) members take the invitation to study the scriptures at heart and become scholars taught by the Holy Spirit

3) members live up to their privileges and have the power of God called down in their lives 

[Scott Lloyd]

Eliminate the practice of sending Aaronic Priesthood youth around the ward to gather fast offerings. It’s a long-outmoded custom from yesteryear. It is inconvenient at best, can even be dangerous and is no longer necessary. Most anyone these days with a computer and internet access can pay his/her fast offerings as well as tithing online at the Church’s website. Or one can include the fast offering with the tithing check or in the same envelope as the tithing. 

[esodije]

Uh...tighty-whitey garment bottoms?

[strappinglad]

There seems to be a loss of ' brotherhood ' where the entire group of men would take on a project. We do projects where 2 or 3 men tackle a job but nothing for the group. We are quite insular and independent. I fear that with the I-phone generation upcoming it will get only worse. What to do???

[10THAmendment]

Id like to see women given the priesthood. 

[RevTestament]

2 hours ago, Robert F. Smith said:

Quora has just asked: “As a Mormon, what are some changes you’d like to see from the LDS church this decade?”

About 19 people answered, most of them anti-Mormons.  My answer (Jan 26, 2020) was as follows, https://qr.ae/TDGq9h ,

I would like to see the following suggestions implemented in very serious manner:

1. Publish wholly new edition of Holy Scriptures based on best textual studies now available, including a new English translation of the Bible.

I think members like you and myself see the need for this. I believe the vast majority of membership does not. I think those that see the need are the best to spearhead such a move by simply creating something that the rest of the Church then sees has value. However, I think the need for it may be best addressed by those with the gift of seership... Scholarship has a way of leading people astray...

2 hours ago, Robert F. Smith said:

2. The youth of the LDS Church to boldly “take the bull by the horns” in creating a full youth program — based on their own needs and initiative — as has already been suggested by Pres Nelson and other leaders. This should include a sound structure with excellent mentoring.

I like the direction the Church is taking of fostering a new youth program, and revamping some of the outdated divisions of youth - such as Mia Maids... I mean seriously what young woman wants to be a Mia Maid? Time will tell how successful it is. I think involving the youth in this will increase the chances of its success, but still strongly believe the program must be mentored by adults so that it doesn't get lost...

2 hours ago, Robert F. Smith said:

3. Fully subsidized education for returned missionaries (RMs) via an expanded Church Educational System, either online, at university, or in trade school. All expenses paid.

4. Purchase and operate two or three small colleges in central or eastern USA, as part of an expanded CES. Many colleges are now closing down, unable to obtain funding.

You and I have addressed this before. I found the example of a small liberal arts Catholic school which sold for just over 1 million for several excellent buildings and dorms - you probably couldn't build one of them for 1 million. The Church just lacks a social fabric presence back east to the extent that other private institutions such as Southern Virginia University have taken over the reigns of educating LDS youth by embracing LDS values and making the school friendly towards LDS youth. Yet, it is still quite expensive to go there compared to say BYU. I think the Presidency of the Church is reluctant to take on additional educational responsibilities - after all it is expensive. Maybe they find investing more profitable. However, scripture tells us that the Church will eventually build in the heartland. When extremely cheap opportunities such as the above present themselves to build the Church up there, I think the Church needs to take them... Like Calm, I am not really in favor of fully subsidized education, but currently the Church has a "favoritism subsidation" program going on, which favors those members who live in the west, and leaves the rest of the Church youth living elsewhere to fend for themselves despite telling them not to gather in the west.... After giving two years of their lives to the Lord, it seems partially subsidizing their schooling is not too much to ask. 

2 hours ago, Robert F. Smith said:

5. Build magnificent temple in Far West, Missouri, at the spot already dedicated for it, and then move the LDS Church Headquarters to Far West, or nearby Adam ondi Ahman.

Church headquarters will not move until the Lord does it. You can't force the prophecies to come true... They will come true according to the Lord's timing. Perhaps the Church should consider that they have misinterpreted the scripture, and that is why it has not come true.... ie the New Jerusalem to be built in the area of Independence...

[Calm]

6 minutes ago, RevTestament said:

currently the Church has a "favoritism subsidation" program going on, which favors those members who live in the west, and leaves the rest of the Church youth living elsewhere to fend for themselves despite telling them not to gather in the west.... After giving two years of their lives to the Lord, it seems partially subsidizing their schooling is not too much to ask. 

Yes, I would like to see that if there are increased educational opportunities to ensure it helps areas first where younger members has lower chances to associate with each other rather than areas that are already relatively easy to socialize and have access to larger institute programs.

[Robert F. Smith]

2 hours ago, RevTestament said:

.............................................

I like the direction the Church is taking of fostering a new youth program, and revamping some of the outdated divisions of youth - such as Mia Maids... I mean seriously what young woman wants to be a Mia Maid? Time will tell how successful it is. I think involving the youth in this will increase the chances of its success, but still strongly believe the program must be mentored by adults so that it doesn't get lost...

This challenge to the youth by the Church leaders may be an effort to get them to show initiative and design their own program.

2 hours ago, RevTestament said:

You and I have addressed this before. I found the example of a small liberal arts Catholic school which sold for just over 1 million for several excellent buildings and dorms - you probably couldn't build one of them for 1 million. The Church just lacks a social fabric presence back east to the extent that other private institutions such as Southern Virginia University have taken over the reigns of educating LDS youth by embracing LDS values and making the school friendly towards LDS youth. Yet, it is still quite expensive to go there compared to say BYU. I think the Presidency of the Church is reluctant to take on additional educational responsibilities - after all it is expensive. Maybe they find investing more profitable. However, scripture tells us that the Church will eventually build in the heartland. When extremely cheap opportunities such as the above present themselves to build the Church up there, I think the Church needs to take them... Like Calm, I am not really in favor of fully subsidized education, but currently the Church has a "favoritism subsidation" program going on, which favors those members who live in the west, and leaves the rest of the Church youth living elsewhere to fend for themselves despite telling them not to gather in the west.... After giving two years of their lives to the Lord, it seems partially subsidizing their schooling is not too much to ask. 

The U.S. Armed Forces uses a similar carrot and stick approach to get volunteers, with education benefits a huge draw.  The Church can actually afford to do this, and can't afford not to.  Attracting RMS (nearly half of whom are now women) to eastern and midwestern schools could provide a healthy shift for many students -- including RMs from foreign countries.

2 hours ago, RevTestament said:

Church headquarters will not move until the Lord does it. You can't force the prophecies to come true... They will come true according to the Lord's timing. Perhaps the Church should consider that they have misinterpreted the scripture, and that is why it has not come true.... ie the New Jerusalem to be built in the area of Independence...

I avoided Independence just for that reason.  However, the Church has been buying lots of property in Missouri, and developing it into a Mormon hub would take a long time.  Getting started this decade would be a huge advantage.  I left Nauvoo out of the suggestions for development, but that is another place where the Church could establish an educational institution or an MTC.

[Robert F. Smith]

20 hours ago, sunstoned said:

Good suggestions.  I especially like #2 and #4.  I believe it would be good to use a more up to date Bible translation.  I'm all for anything that lowers the entry bar to education and makes it more available to all.  This would almost be like a GI bill for RMs.

Exactly what I was thinking, and it has the additional advantage of providing the actual initiation which young men and women need in today's  namby-pamby world.

ETA: It has the added advantage of not saddling a young couple with huge student debt, which may well discourage them from marriage and children.

Edited January 28, 2020 by Robert F. Smith

[Robert F. Smith]

17 hours ago, RevTestament said:

I think members like you and myself see the need for this. I believe the vast majority of membership does not. I think those that see the need are the best to spearhead such a move by simply creating something that the rest of the Church then sees has value. However, I think the need for it may be best addressed by those with the gift of seership... Scholarship has a way of leading people astray...

....................................

It may well be that some of the "study Books of Mormon" now available will have an effect, but I'm not holding my breath.  As to "scholarship . . . leading people astray," you might want to flesh that idea out.  I'm sure you don't include Hugh Nibley in that group.  So what sort of "scholarship" do you have in mind?

[JarMan]

I definitely like the idea of a new Bible. Come to think of it, I'd like to see a Book of Mormon with modern language. If we really want people to read the scriptures, we ought to make them more understandable.

I'd also like to see an adjustment to the WoW to allow coffee and tea. My reasons: 1) the vast quantities of caffeinated soft drinks that many drink has got to be less healthy than tea/coffee, 2) I think we lose potential converts with the restriction.

[Robert F. Smith]

18 hours ago, RevTestament said:

....................... currently the Church has a "favoritism subsidation" program going on, which favors those members who live in the west, and leaves the rest of the Church youth living elsewhere to fend for themselves despite telling them not to gather in the west.... After giving two years of their lives to the Lord, it seems partially subsidizing their schooling is not too much to ask. 

........................................

You do realize that CES (the various BYU campuses) already partially subsidizes all students who attend?

[RevTestament]

23 minutes ago, Robert F. Smith said:

It may well be that some of the "study Books of Mormon" now available will have an effect, but I'm not holding my breath.  As to "scholarship . . . leading people astray," you might want to flesh that idea out.  I'm sure you don't include Hugh Nibley in that group.  So what sort of "scholarship" do you have in mind?

Well, obviously it is not all scholarship, but even well-meaning and well-educated scholars can be wrong - for example the scholars who annotated Daniel 10 and 11 in the Oxford Annotate Bible. You and I believe we see faults in the old scholarship of the KJB. We can point out those faults, but to proclaim ourselves right is not a sure thing without the gift of seership. I'm not saying it is not worth the effort, nor that it is not possible to produce something very useful. 

[RevTestament]

20 minutes ago, Robert F. Smith said:

You do realize that CES (the various BYU campuses) already partially subsidizes all students who attend?

That is why I called it a "favoritism subsidization." Those out west get a partially subsidized education and everyone else is left to fend for themselves unless they travel to Utah, Idaho or Hawaii. I'm not sure what your issue is about that. It seems a bit unfair and unbalanced to me. Maybe we should do away with BYU since educating the youth is apparently a pain in the neck - or do more to help those in other areas. I think the demand is definitely there. My son tells me BYUI has a student body of more than 33,000 if online enrollees are counted. That is greater than BYU Provo's 30K enrollment in the little tiny town of Rexburg Idaho. I have no doubt that another university opened back east would quickly attract similar numbers given the same subsidization. Church members are simply clamoring for it, and if the rate of giving to the Church is any indication, this subsidization hasn't hurt the Church any. 

[RevTestament]

51 minutes ago, JarMan said:

I definitely like the idea of a new Bible. Come to think of it, I'd like to see a Book of Mormon with modern language. If we really want people to read the scriptures, we ought to make them more understandable.

I'd also like to see an adjustment to the WoW to allow coffee and tea. My reasons: 1) the vast quantities of caffeinated soft drinks that many drink has got to be less healthy than tea/coffee, 2) I think we lose potential converts with the restriction.

We cannot adjust scripture. That should not be in the purview of the Church. The WoW gives what the Lord considers wise. I have no problem if the Presidency rescinds the requirement to gain a temple recommend. Is that what you mean? I for one do not believe the WoW regulates against beer. It seems plain to me that it is a "weak drink made from barley" and years ago was a "safe drink" used for traveling. I believe if our Lord were to write this today, that He would also recommend against drinking the vast quantities of caffeinated soft drinks many drink. They are horrible for us. I believe the idea is to guide us rather than to command us. I kind of feel the pickyunee stuff is a bit phariseeical, so I get what you are saying, but I am against trying to change the WoW itself, and feel the Lord has blessed me for following it. 

[The Nehor]

On 1/26/2020 at 11:03 PM, Robert F. Smith said:

About 19 people answered, most of them anti-Mormons.  My answer (Jan 26, 2020) was as follows, https://qr.ae/TDGq9h ,

I would like to see the following suggestions implemented in very serious manner:

1. Publish wholly new edition of Holy Scriptures based on best textual studies now available, including a new English translation of the Bible.

2. The youth of the LDS Church to boldly “take the bull by the horns” in creating a full youth program — based on their own needs and initiative — as has already been suggested by Pres Nelson and other leaders. This should include a sound structure with excellent mentoring.

3. Fully subsidized education for returned missionaries (RMs) via an expanded Church Educational System, either online, at university, or in trade school. All expenses paid.

4. Purchase and operate two or three small colleges in central or eastern USA, as part of an expanded CES. Many colleges are now closing down, unable to obtain funding.

5. Build magnificent temple in Far West, Missouri, at the spot already dedicated for it, and then move the LDS Church Headquarters to Far West, or nearby Adam ondi Ahman

 

1. Sure, if done with apostolic assistance and approval.

2. They have the tools now. We will see. I expect some will and some will not.

3. Not practical. Nice idea though.

4. I think the leadership is not interested in having more campuses. They are expensive and a hassle.

5. That would be nice.

23 hours ago, Duncan said:

I wish the local stakes, wards had more autonomy, i.e. someone in SLC deciding if a parking lot here gets plug ins for winter parking (actually happened)-why are we having someone who never lived here decide things that don't affect them? what would they care?

Sometimes I wonder what the point of ward council is, I know we have scaled back on meetings but it seems like we haven't-especially with missionary work. I am supposed to meet with my EQ counselour who is supposed to attend ward correlation and who the WML is supposed to report and to the WML the missionaries report to-that has dumb, dumb, dumb written all over it. 3 meetings are somehow better than one?  I was asked yestarday to find out how new member lessons are going and i just emailed the missionaries and skipped all middle management stuff. or just have the WML attend ward council and forget all these dumb meetings. We had ward council today, i'd say most of which could have been an email, but no.

TBH what does the High Council do? They seem all but useless. I can possibly see sustaining new stake callings, but if the they changed EQ President to a ward sustaining, what is stopping them from sustaining a high councilor or Stake Primary President? What added bonus does a High Councilor have in announcing it? I used to be a travelling companion to several men on the High Council. All we literally did was speak in a ward and then leave. That was the calling. They spoke and left. I can see them for a disciplinary council, but how often do those happen? 

Stake "Training" meetings at Stake Conference. I have been attending those for 2 decades now in one capacity or another. I have yet to be trained on anything. I hear they call them Stake Leadership meeting but what good do those do? You show up and hear about ministering again or ward mission plan again or some gospel topic again. I say ditch them. 

 

The Church Building Department and Physical Facilities upkeep groups are the only two parts of the church that are conclusively not true. I have found this is the case in every area.

The Ward Council can be a great force for good. Most fall short. Same with the Stake High Council. As to Stake training....yeah, I am often less than impressed. I remember our Just Serve training. Over an hour of Stake Leaders talking about how important service and helping others is (duh!) with a hastily tacked on 10 minute piece on the end on how to make it happen. This is sadly not atypical.

23 hours ago, Avatar4321 said:

What changes would I like to see?

1) we follow the Prophet and phase out the use of Mormon as referring to ourselves.

2) members take the invitation to study the scriptures at heart and become scholars taught by the Holy Spirit

3) members live up to their privileges and have the power of God called down in their lives 

I like these.

23 hours ago, Scott Lloyd said:

Eliminate the practice of sending Aaronic Priesthood youth around the ward to gather fast offerings. It’s a long-outmoded custom from yesteryear. It is inconvenient at best, can even be dangerous and is no longer necessary. Most anyone these days with a computer and internet access can pay his/her fast offerings as well as tithing online at the Church’s website. Or one can include the fast offering with the tithing check or in the same envelope as the tithing. 

Wooo!!!! There are places that still do that? I admit I was surprised when I was buying stuff online for the ward and saw those old envelopes for sale. Thought they just forgot to take the product off the page. I have not heard of any ward doing that since before my mission.

23 hours ago, esodije said:

Uh...tighty-whitey garment bottoms?

Wear briefs underneath if you need it. Problem solved.

22 hours ago, 10THAmendment said:

Id like to see women given the priesthood. 

I keep expecting it.

3 hours ago, RevTestament said:

That is why I called it a "favoritism subsidization." Those out west get a partially subsidized education and everyone else is left to fend for themselves unless they travel to Utah, Idaho or Hawaii. I'm not sure what your issue is about that. It seems a bit unfair and unbalanced to me. Maybe we should do away with BYU since educating the youth is apparently a pain in the neck - or do more to help those in other areas. I think the demand is definitely there. My son tells me BYUI has a student body of more than 33,000 if online enrollees are counted. That is greater than BYU Provo's 30K enrollment in the little tiny town of Rexburg Idaho. I have no doubt that another university opened back east would quickly attract similar numbers given the same subsidization. Church members are simply clamoring for it, and if the rate of giving to the Church is any indication, this subsidization hasn't hurt the Church any. 

The Pathways program is designed to fill that need for those with limited or no educational opportunities. I am hoping it can expand into other languages but that is a huge logistical hurdle.

 

Right now I would be happy if the Church could just keep their LCR website working on Sunday so I can do my calling. That and fixing it so I can adjust member's visibility settings. That function has never worked right and it is a legitimate safety concern waiting to happen.

Then again I get so wrapped up in my calling sometimes that the Second Coming seems like a good idea primarily because it will let me cull the ward list and push up attendance percentages.

 

More generally I do want to hurry to the end. It has just been getting harder and harder.

[Scott Lloyd]

1 hour ago, The Nehor said:

Wooo!!!! There are places that still do that? I admit I was surprised when I was buying stuff online for the ward and saw those old envelopes for sale. Thought they just forgot to take the product off the page. I have not heard of any ward doing that since before my mission.

 

I'm surprised that you are registering surprise. It (Aaronic Priesthood youth gathering fast offerings) has been done in every ward I've belonged to with an Aaronic Priesthood quorum and is still pretty much ubiquitous in the stakes near Church headquarters, if not elsewhere. Where do you live, anyway? Are you in a single-adult ward? I don't think they do it in those.

Edited January 28, 2020 by Scott Lloyd

[Robert F. Smith]

2 hours ago, The Nehor said:

..............................

4. I think the leadership is not interested in having more campuses. They are expensive and a hassle.

.............................

The Pathways program is designed to fill that need for those with limited or no educational opportunities. I am hoping it can expand into other languages but that is a huge logistical hurdle.

It was a huge expense after WW II to have the G.I. Bill, but it actually generated more money than it cost in the long run.  Offer that benefit for all RMs, which will require additional campuses, and it will more than pay for itself in increased tithing.  It will also lead to a baby boom, since the college kids won't be so in debt that they can't afford marriage & children.  More missionaries will go out, and fewer will come home early.  That translates into better stats in the long run.

2 hours ago, The Nehor said:

..........................................More generally I do want to hurry to the end. It has just been getting harder and harder.

Hasten the work through bold action.

[Robert F. Smith]

6 hours ago, RevTestament said:

That is why I called it a "favoritism subsidization." Those out west get a partially subsidized education and everyone else is left to fend for themselves unless they travel to Utah, Idaho or Hawaii. I'm not sure what your issue is about that. It seems a bit unfair and unbalanced to me. Maybe we should do away with BYU since educating the youth is apparently a pain in the neck - or do more to help those in other areas. I think the demand is definitely there. My son tells me BYUI has a student body of more than 33,000 if online enrollees are counted. That is greater than BYU Provo's 30K enrollment in the little tiny town of Rexburg Idaho. I have no doubt that another university opened back east would quickly attract similar numbers given the same subsidization. Church members are simply clamoring for it, and if the rate of giving to the Church is any indication, this subsidization hasn't hurt the Church any. 

There is no bar to students coming to a BYU campus to study.  I don't know what you mean.  No residence requirements.  Students come from anywhere.  However, it is tough to get admitted nowadays.  When I went to BYU they'd take anybody.

[Calm]

3 hours ago, The Nehor said:

e. I have not heard of any ward doing that since before my mission.

My last ward did it, not sure about it since the division. They deliver the ward newsletter at the same time.