05-15-2008, 06:12 PM | #11 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: El Paso, Texas
Posts: 38
|
I read the 1999 Handbook of Instructions
cover to cover within the last few weeks. What is amazing to me is that the LDS Church is run on a very, very detailed scale. There are procedures for every aspect of Church leadership operations. Micromanagement is a very fair word.
For example, read the section on funerals. You wouldn't think that there would be that much guidance on this topic and funerals are not something that a Bishop deals with that often. Nevertheless, every aspect of a funeral service is regulated. Funeral shouldn't last more than an hour and a half. When the casket can be open and closed. Which songs are allowed. No video or slide shows. Don't focus on the decedent, but instead focus on the gospel in all talks. Bishoprics, Stake Presidencies and High Counselors really don't have that much leeway as to what they are supposed to do. Sure, there are a lot of areas where leaders are to use their best judgment, but the level of regulation and structure is shocking. I kept asking myself: Would the Lord's only true church really need to be micromanaged to this degree? Just my thoughts.
__________________
El Paso Coug |
05-15-2008, 06:15 PM | #12 | |
Demiurge
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 36,365
|
Quote:
It's because they are tired of answering questions. It's because someone who has been bishop for one month doesn't really know what to do. It's because we don't have a bishop training center in Provo where Bishops go for one month. It's because the church wants all its wards regulated and run in similar manners. etc, etc. I'm sorry that reading the handbook damaged what little testimony you have, but that was pretty predictable that would respond that way. |
|
05-15-2008, 06:17 PM | #13 |
Demiurge
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 36,365
|
Also, I bet El Paso, that you will be the one most upset when your bishop strays from the handbook. Just a prediction.
|
05-15-2008, 06:17 PM | #14 | |
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 10,665
|
Quote:
Contrast the micromanagement to the total vacuum the LDS Church has become in terms of doctrine, and the banality of any discussion of its past. Big Brother. Newspeak, etc.
__________________
Interrupt all you like. We're involved in a complicated story here, and not everything is quite what it seems to be. —Paul Auster |
|
05-15-2008, 06:19 PM | #15 | |
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: El Paso, Texas
Posts: 38
|
You paint me as some apostate . . .
Quote:
__________________
El Paso Coug |
|
05-15-2008, 06:25 PM | #16 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Valencia CA
Posts: 1,384
|
Completely agree. I can understand the notion of wanting to provide some comforting words about redemption and the plan of salvation but to try and limit the talks about the deceased is pretty deplorable. Many bishops stray from that counsel and thank goodness that they do.
|
05-15-2008, 06:25 PM | #17 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: the far corner of my mind
Posts: 8,711
|
Quote:
Our ward has had three funerals in the last year. Another ward in our building has had more than 25 in the last three years. If you are a new bishop and someone dies a very detailed description of what to do is a great comfort, I assure you.
__________________
Sorry for th e tpyos. |
|
05-15-2008, 06:27 PM | #18 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Clinton Township, MI
Posts: 3,126
|
Quote:
__________________
Its all about the suit |
|
05-15-2008, 06:29 PM | #19 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: the far corner of my mind
Posts: 8,711
|
Quote:
This sort of criticism is exactly why the church prefers not to have the HOI published for the public. Each funeral is different and each family's needs are different. The intro to the HOI points out that all actions should be guided by the spirit and so what actually happens on the ground is frequently differnet htan the exact description in the HOI. You guys are looking for an excuse to be overwrought, it seems. You should join our discusision about the refs from the Jazz game alst night. SU, despicable is far too strong of a word, and you know it. That you feel the need to defend it shows your consiciousness of your overreaching.
__________________
Sorry for th e tpyos. |
|
05-15-2008, 06:33 PM | #20 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Happy Valley, PA
Posts: 1,866
|
Quote:
I guess the big attraction to having an LDS funeral is that it's free. Shell out the bucks for a funeral home, and I'll bet you can do whatever you want.
__________________
I hope for nothing. I fear nothing. I am free. - Epitaph of Nikos Kazantzakis (1883-1957) |
|
Bookmarks |
|
|