Which ward to attend?

[ce4]

Now is year 2024. Before this year, home page of church website had this function: input home address, output ward. Now that function has disappeared. How to find which ward to attend?

[The Nehor]

https://maps.churchofjesuschrist.org

[ce4]

Thank you, that was most helpful. It returns Residential Ward for this Location. Now, am I required to attend that ward, or is it just a suggestion?
I would like to read official church policy about this. Where to read?

[Calm]

That is where your records will be kept unless you get special permission to attend another ward.  The way our wards are structured with ministering and callings, it can get complicated if people ward hop.  They need to be able to predict likely turnout to be sure they have enough teachers etc and that those with callings will show up for them.

But no one is going to show up at your door threatening pulling membership or refusing you entrance to another ward.  Due to my sleep issues, it was rare I could make any meeting before noon in the past, but I would on occasion make it for the later meetings.  I would go to the other ward’s sacrament meeting to receive the Sacrament and then slip out.  No one cared.

I have had a friend attend another ward due to difficulties with another family, but most members do attend the wards whose boundaries they live within most of the time.

Edited June 2, 2024 by Calm

[bluebell]

7 hours ago, ce4 said:

Thank you, that was most helpful. It returns Residential Ward for this Location. Now, am I required to attend that ward, or is it just a suggestion?
I would like to read official church policy about this. Where to read?

You are expected to attend your residential ward unless there are mitigating circumstances, but like Calm said, no one is going to force you.  You likely just wouldn't be a member of the ward you chose to attend (you wouldn't be in the directory or on the attendance rolls) and wouldn't get a calling, ministers, or be asked to speak or otherwise participate (which would be a plus for some people ).

[Pyreaux]

The odds are Wards should be the closest to you. I do hate driving across town to get to church every week, so I'd rather not attend another Ward regularly, but I'll visit the Stake Center, they have a Spanish and Single's Ward I might stay for too. I'd not miss my ward more than once a month, 3 out of 4 weeks is still "Active" by Church Ball standards (a rule that ward teams can recruit non-members, but they need to actively attend the ward they play for.) It's the only time I ever heard anyone define what an "Active" member is. Wards hold their own definitions for what constitutes 'inactive' members.

Edited June 2, 2024 by Pyreaux

[ce4]

Thank you for your personal opinions. I did more research and found some official references which I sumorise below. Note some keywords are: invite, geographic ward. Your opinions seem to match the official references I found. And this answers my question. But if you wish, you may still give more information and continue with this discussion.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/general-handbook/38-church-policies-and-guidelines?lang=eng

general_handbook_serving_in_the_church_of_jesus_christ_of_latter_day_saints.pdf
AUGUST 2023

14.  Single Members
14.1.1.1  Stake Presidency
the Area Presidency may authorize a stake president to invite all of these members to be members of a designated geographic ward.

14.3  Young Single Adult Wards and Stakes and Single Adult Wards
Most single members attend geographic wards.
• A young single adult ward for those ages 18–30 (see 37.2)
• A young single adult stake for those ages 18–30 (see 37.3)
• A single adult ward for those ages 31–45 (see 37.5)

Membership in a young single adult ward or a single adult ward is temporary:
• When a single member marries, he or she becomes a member of a geographic ward.
• When a member of a young single adult ward reaches age 31, he or she becomes a member of a single adult ward (if one exists where he or she lives) or a geographic ward.
• When a member of a single adult ward reaches age 46, he or she becomes a member of a geographic ward.

33.  Records and Reports
33.6  Membership Records
Membership records include members’ names, contact information, ordinance details, and other vital information. The ward should have a membership record for each member living within its boundaries. Membership records should be kept in the ward where the member lives.

[rpn]

inputting your address into "meetinghouse locator" in any search engine still brings up the stake, the wards (including specialty wards) and meeting times and bishops names.

[brownbear]

One of the most beautiful (and potentially frustrating things) about our church is that we have an assigned "ward family." We are forced to love and serve people, even if we have disagreements with them. While you may want to go to a different ward, most are expected to go to the ward that is in their geographical boundary. However, there are always exceptions.

[Calm]

9 minutes ago, brownbear said:

ly." We are forced to love and serve people

I am not sure “forced” is the right word here since we can easily choose not to attend church and not lose any of the necessities of life usually, however we are placed so as to have the opportunity and then strongly exhorted to take that opportunity.   If you are using “forced” in the same vein as perhaps we are “forced” to exercise if we want to have health benefits, I have no issue with saying something like we are forced to love and serve those in our wards if we desire the benefits, communal and spiritual, we are given the opportunity to receive.

Edited July 5, 2024 by Calm

[brownbear]

4 minutes ago, Calm said:

I am not sure “forced” is the right word here since we can easily choose not to attend church and not lose any of the necessities of life usually, however we are placed so as to have the opportunity and then strongly exhorted to take that opportunity.   If you are using “forced” in the same vein as perhaps we are “forced” to exercise if we want to have health benefits, I have no issue with saying something like we are forced to love and serve those in our wards if we desire the benefits, communal and spiritual, we are given the opportunity to receive.

Forced was too strong of a word, thanks for the correction.

[Calm]

2 minutes ago, brownbear said:

Forced was too strong of a word, thanks for the correction.

It sometimes can feel that way, lol.

[bsjkki]

On 7/5/2024 at 4:18 PM, Calm said:

I am not sure “forced” is the right word here since we can easily choose not to attend church and not lose any of the necessities of life usually, however we are placed so as to have the opportunity and then strongly exhorted to take that opportunity.   If you are using “forced” in the same vein as perhaps we are “forced” to exercise if we want to have health benefits, I have no issue with saying something like we are forced to love and serve those in our wards if we desire the benefits, communal and spiritual, we are given the opportunity to receive.

Or you can leave and request your records be moved.  But, honestly the year as a spectator was very healing. 

[rodheadlee]

I'm really disappointed in my ward. I've only been there once but The Bishop should  know me cuz we pay our tithes. I was 700 Mi away working and my wife was having a really hard time with Dad and the baby kittens. I called the missionaries and asked for help. The president of the elders Quorum called my wife and said he was going to assign home teachers and nobody ever showed up or called, nothing. I was really disappointed she was having a severely hard time on the verge of a breakdown. I realize they don't really know us but when somebody reaches out and says they need help somebody should show up to do it. I don't know why I pay my tithes so Faithfully. The reason we don't go to church is because Patty has had eight feet of her intestines yanked out and she can't get up and get moving in time, she has to stay near a toilet. Oh well we're all going to die soon anyways. At least they are and I'll be left all alone. It's a tossup who lives longer dad at 91 or my wife at 68.

Edited July 12, 2024 by rodheadlee

[Tacenda]

4 minutes ago, rodheadlee said:

I'm really disappointed in my ward. I've only been there once but The Bishop should  know me cuz we pay our tithes. I was 700 Mi away working and my wife was having a really hard time with Dad and the baby kittens. I called the missionaries and asked for help. The president of the elders Quorum called my wife and said he was going to assign home teachers and nobody ever showed up or called, nothing. I was really disappointed she was having a severely hard time on the verge of a breakdown. I realize they don't really know us but when somebody reaches out and says they need help somebody should show up to do it. I don't know why I pay my tithes so Faithfully. The reason we don't go to church is because Patty has had eight feet of her intestines yanked out and she can't get up and get moving in time, she has to stay near a toilet. Oh well we're all going to die soon anyways. At least they are and I'll be left all alone. It's a tossup who lives longer dad at 91 or my wife at 68.

I wish I lived nearby and could do something. This sounds urgent, could you try again, and hopefully they'll realize to do better? God bless you and especially your dear Patty. My heart goes out to you both, I will pray the best I know how that someone in the ward will hear the call to help and act! 

[Calm]

1 hour ago, rodheadlee said:

I'm really disappointed in my ward. I've only been there once but The Bishop should  know me cuz we pay our tithes. I was 700 Mi away working and my wife was having a really hard time with Dad and the baby kittens. I called the missionaries and asked for help. The president of the elders Quorum called my wife and said he was going to assign home teachers and nobody ever showed up or called, nothing. I was really disappointed she was having a severely hard time on the verge of a breakdown. I realize they don't really know us but when somebody reaches out and says they need help somebody should show up to do it. I don't know why I pay my tithes so Faithfully. The reason we don't go to church is because Patty has had eight feet of her intestines yanked out and she can't get up and get moving in time, she has to stay near a toilet. Oh well we're all going to die soon anyways. At least they are and I'll be left all alone. It's a tossup who lives longer dad at 91 or my wife at 68.

I am so sorry, Rod.  It sounds like a hard and lonely place to be.

If you are up to it, try again and be very clear about the urgency of your need.  Maybe even look up online to see who your ministers are.   Your ministers may be like me and find it very hard to meet new people out of fear of not being liked (childhood programming is dang hard to get past).  Maybe your urgent need wasn’t explained to them when they were assigned.  Maybe you reaching out will help them get past that…even though you shouldn’t have to, especially now.

At worst, you get no response from them, so you call and ask for new ministers.  That should make the point hopefully if nothing else has.

[bluebell]

1 hour ago, rodheadlee said:

I'm really disappointed in my ward. I've only been there once but The Bishop should  know me cuz we pay our tithes. I was 700 Mi away working and my wife was having a really hard time with Dad and the baby kittens. I called the missionaries and asked for help. The president of the elders Quorum called my wife and said he was going to assign home teachers and nobody ever showed up or called, nothing. I was really disappointed she was having a severely hard time on the verge of a breakdown. I realize they don't really know us but when somebody reaches out and says they need help somebody should show up to do it. I don't know why I pay my tithes so Faithfully. The reason we don't go to church is because Patty has had eight feet of her intestines yanked out and she can't get up and get moving in time, she has to stay near a toilet. Oh well we're all going to die soon anyways. At least they are and I'll be left all alone. It's a tossup who lives longer dad at 91 or my wife at 68.

I'm so sorry Rod.  You are completely right in that when someone reaches out for help we should make sure help shows up.  It was great that the EQ decided to assign ministering brothers but he needed to follow up to make sure they made it to our home.  Things fall through the cracks and i'm sure the men in your ward are good men doing their best; we all mess up sometimes.  But your feelings are valid.

Try again.  Maybe reach out to the Relief Society president since your wife is the one in real need right now.  Don't give up.  Sometimes we need a second chance to come through.

[Calm]

Rod, I put yours and Patty’s name on the temple prayer roll.  If you would like your dad to be there too, let me know his first name.

[rodheadlee]

I'm home now so the emergency is over. We managed to give away two kittens after that the rest run when they see somebody show up. 2 died from going blind. One we named Sinbad has one eye. It's so sad he is such a happy kitten. The veterinarian wants $400 a piece to take care of them. We can't even afford the 250 to get the moms fixed. We have been donating to the ASPCA for 11 years and they won't help. Nobody will help.

[MustardSeed]

52 minutes ago, rodheadlee said:

Nobody will help.

Your online community is here. 

[bluebell]

1 hour ago, rodheadlee said:

I'm home now so the emergency is over. We managed to give away two kittens after that the rest run when they see somebody show up. 2 died from going blind. One we named Sinbad has one eye. It's so sad he is such a happy kitten. The veterinarian wants $400 a piece to take care of them. We can't even afford the 250 to get the moms fixed. We have been donating to the ASPCA for 11 years and they won't help. Nobody will help.

Some places have cheap spay and neuter clinics. What town are you in?

[rodheadlee]

7 hours ago, bluebell said:

Some places have cheap spay and neuter clinics. What town are you in?

We are in the county. That's the problem we have a Redlands address we pay taxes in Riverside County and Moreno Valley has the Spay and Neuter Clinic where we're not in the city limits. Those people drive through here to go to work and throw out their unwanted pets, their  garbage on the way to the dump and run over that donkeys and the coyotes.

Edited July 13, 2024 by rodheadlee

[rodheadlee]

8 hours ago, MustardSeed said:

Your online community is here. 

Prayer for the  kittens to be healed by God would be great.

[bsjkki]

Rod, that sounds like a very difficult situation. I will send prayers. 

[Chum]

On 7/5/2024 at 6:26 PM, Calm said:

It sometimes can feel that way, lol.

At one time, my testimony was "I would gnaw off a limb to escape". My ward, not the Church.

The next ward was an hour away so I was kind of stuck no matter what.