NeedleinA

I'm not going to be much help, but... 1. I don't do FB any more (couldn't stand seeing what people had for breakfast, endless baby pictures, pet tricks and all the other non-sense). 2. So both my wife and I had/have likes to "Local" LDS FB pages: Our Stake Page, the Ward Primary, Relief Society. 3. Why do/did we like them, because they were "Local". Again, not much help, but it is something. Good luck Pam!

Just as a fun little FYI: There are some cases where "background checks" are run for certain callings. 1. Some states require background checks to be a Seminary Teacher. 2. Some countries require Missionaries to have background checks before entering them.

I will remember this the next time I need to vomit... bummer

Here is a little blurb Carb (FWIW), released back in 2010 when the latest of the versions of the HB were available. "That blue volume includes information about counseling with members. LDS authorities worried that if it were widely read, some members "might decide they don't need to go see their bishop," says Michael Otterson, managing director of LDS Public Affairs. "It made much more sense to reserve that volume for leaders."

Correct. All of the Bishops I know are very clear on this point. They are able to see the difference between the two and readily have LDS Family Services information on tap. Bishops will work in conjunction with LDSFS to help individuals, leaving deeper issues to LDSFS. Both groups have their own focus, but at times those focuses overlap as they work together to help individuals and families out. MrShorty, I think estradling75 gives a great answer to your question...

In conjunction with what LP said, here is another source on that by the Church: Our Heritage pg. 50 The Prophet and the others were first taken to Independence, and then sent to Richmond, Ray County, where they were jailed awaiting trial. Parley P. Pratt was one of those with the Prophet. He said that one evening the guards were taunting the prisoners by telling of their deeds of rape, murder, and robbery among the Latter-day Saints. Book of Mormon shares: Moroni 9:9 And notwithstanding this great abomination of the Lamanites,... For behold, many of the daughters of the Lamanites have they taken prisoners; and after depriving them of that which was most dear and precious above all things, which is chastity and virtue— 10 And after they had done this thing, they did murder them in a most cruel manner, torturing their bodies even unto death; ...

Agreed Zil Here is the Church speaking about the Handbook: "Because it is a policy and procedural manual, the Handbook is not written in language that is necessarily contextual or explanatory. Church leaders are encouraged to use the Handbook in conjunction with the guidance of the Holy Ghost. ... No handbook can answer every question or address every circumstance."

We simply have differences in opinion when it comes to this. I think, the posts originally started as inquiries, and then transitioned to complaining (murmuring). Simply adding a (?) to the end of a complaint, doesn't make it any less of a complaint. Since mdfxdb is not in a position to actually affect policy changes, these type of comments strike me as simply murmuring at this point. We can agree to disagree.

mdfxdb- Though you have been "reading" HB1 (and pasting parts of it online), you have not been "understanding" HB1. There is a big difference. This lack of understanding and training on it leads some people to confusion & frustration, both of which, I would suggest you are suffering from now. Ever wonder why HB1 is not given out to every member? Well, you are a perfect example of one reason why. After reading it, suddenly someone is now an instant Bishop. Suddenly we get to set limitations on what Bishops shouldn't say in interviews. Suddenly we get to set limits to what the Holy Ghost is allowed to say during interviews too. Suddenly we get to declare Bishops untrained. As you are murmuring against your Bishop or Bishops in general, is the spirit stepping in to give you a calm, clear peaceful reassurance that you are on the right track? I would suggest, based on your comments thus far, that this is not the case. Could it be that you are wrong on your position? Could it be that you missed the section about discussing pornography in interviews with youth? Could it be that you missed the section related to discussing "For the Strengthen of Youth" during Youth Interviews, in the which masturbation is mentioned? Honestly, do yourself a favor, put HB1 away until you get a calling that requires it.

I feel like we all need a group hug... hug it out, hug it out. (however that happens on the internet?)

Peace, love and fluffy bunnies - happy thoughts!

For this exact reason, as a parent, I was excited to have my son come home and say that our current bishop had asked him about masturbation and pornography.

Adamantium has always been my excuse too!

LP, I saw you mention this prior, but I'm not seeing anything like this...I wonder why I'm not getting that option...hum.

I'm guessing that since you have "possession" to HB1, yet you do not do interviews, you most likely are a ward clerk. If you are in fact a ward clerk, that would greatly explain why you seem to think that "training does not happen". Ward Clerks have access to HB1, but are not necessarily trained on it as you described. If you are a ward clerk that means you would have missed some of the meetings I was alluding to such as, Bishopric Training, Priesthood Leadership training (breakouts), PPIs with Stake Pres, etc. If you are a financial or membership clerk, then you don't have access to HB1. One copy of HB1 is stored in the clerk's office. So if you are a financial or membership clerk, you may have seen it sitting there, but technically don't have access to it. If this is the case, then this would further explain a lack of training on HB1. Currently HPGL If you are a clerk, great! I was a ward clerk in my past too and loved it!

Dear Apache Tomcat Error Message, Saying it nicely, I pretty much despise your guts. Every time we cross paths I want to send my fist through my monitor, in a kind and loving way of course. Why can't you just leave me alone. What have I done to you to justify such grief and agony? You appear at random daily, locking me out of the forum like some cruel twisted joke. You appear in many forms, yet there you are, cursed Apache Tomcat Error. "Get thee hence vile fiend of the inferno pit! Enjoy your day... or not. Til next we meet. (which will be soon I'm guessing). With warm admiration & razor blades, NeedleinA

Are you a ward/branch clerk? or Finance/Membership clerk?

Here is a great little 4 minute video by the Church: Pornography Addiction: Is There Hope? - His Grace Presented by a Young Woman who started watching pornography at age 11. Mormon Channel has a series of great videos on talking to your children about sex, etc. One thing that has stuck out to me over the years is... if we are not willing to, shy about, embarrassed, postponing talking to them about sex, be assured the "world" has no such reservations, and will swoop in and teach them for us instead. If you wait too long now days, you will find out that the world has already been teaching them for years.

What does 50ish have to do with anything? How about a 30ish year old Bishop, does that change anything? What do you personally do when it is time to interview 12yr old Young Women? Do you do your interviews with 2 deep leadership? Do you leave the door open?

I suppose we both can only speak about our individual situations. If you have not been through, currently not doing or asking for training/clarification in HB1, that is too bad for your area and I would consider it a disservice to all involved. This is not the case in our area. Most training in our area is a result of leaders proactively asking questions and searching for clarification. In addition, a very common answer in our meetings was, "What does it say in the HB?" We then read and discussed situations and scenarios in-depth. All of our meetings usually started out with HB training also. Why isn't this happening in your area? I don't know, but it doesn't/shouldn't have to be that way.

I'm about to step out to lunch but will leave this little thought. I think perhaps this is being seen too much like quizzing/interrogating people. Taking your example... 1. Youth says "yes" I obey the LOC. 2. Spirit prompts that the youth has further issues/concerns regarding pornography. 3. Rather than follow up with "Do you questions", the interviewer (I would) simply teach/reteach the dangers of pornography in a general sense. 4. Let the spirit teach the youth at that point. 5. Off to the next question/topic unless the youth decides to ask something further/clarification, etc. We are not interrogators, but rather there to help bring the spirit there and let it teach instead.

Unfortunately here too. At least most of the back window stickers of Calvin peeing on brand logos has gone away now too.

Took my boys to Salt Lake City Comic Con last year and saw Studio C there too. Yah, we are big nerds like that.

A couple of soap box comments regarding Handbook 1. Handbook 1 is: a. Designed for general and local church officers only. b. Any version found on the internet (excluding lds.org leadership access) is not approved to be published there by the church. c. The Church openly releases Handbook 2, not Handbook 1. d. Church Officers receive endless hours of training via PPIs, Bishopric Training, Presidency Meetings, etc. to help them use and understand Handbook 1 and fill in any "overly vague" areas. So about interviews. Interviews "are" very much a time to teach individuals and be prompted by the spirit to ask specific questions. Interviews by Counselors and the Bishop are for lack of a better term a time to: Check in and check up on them. How are they doing spiritually? Do they have any concerns or needs? How is their testimony, etc. I personally never considered any of my interviews as "quizzing" anyone.

Are you asking from the standpoint of the interviewer, the interviewee or the parent of kids? What calling do you have currently that gives you access to Handbook 1, this will help?