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When I opened my call it was my sister that was home and I by chance was talking to my cousin on the phone (audience of 2). I called my mom after I opened it though. That was 20 years ago, so I guess things have changed some. I actually enjoy watching people open calls and I like that a big deal is made of it. In the eternal perspective of mission calls it's a huge deal to the people you will serve and should be celebrated to some degree but I think it's up to the individual on what they are comfortable with.

I think we will see a surge the next 12 months and then a transition phase the last few months of next year. If your scouting program is about churning out advancements and eagles it may flounder some. If it's about building boys, then it really doesn't matter if the boys get badges or not.

I told my daughter of the new blocks and she laughed - she said all the kids just use a VPN so they can get around it at church and at school. That option needs to be shut down.

Yes agreed. I have never been a bishop but all my friends that have been or when I was in a bishopric and the bishop would counsel with me they all talked about how there are two sides to the story. Building one's case online against the bishop's position is not sustaining the bishop and could just create more problems but I can understand seeking advice and learning when it's appropriate to talk to the stake president.

HAHA - This whole thread cracks me up. If I have learned one thing, it's that if a bishop pulls someones recommend it's probably for a good reason. It seems as though the natural man looks for justification and support in his actions.

It's case by case, but I would say if you stay clean and prepare in every way that you can there is a very good chance you will go. The bar was raised years ago but I have heard of missionaries going that have had problems in the past like this. I think gone are the days that you can just wait the automatic year but there is still hope. I would fast pray and work hard and seek the Lords will - If he tells you to go on the mission, two years from now he will tell your bishop and stake president the same thing. You may find in two years that you meet someone special and decide to get married in the temple (which would be more important anyway). 15 or so years ago I knew of someone who was married, had kids, got divorced, gave up the kids fully to the wife and then felt like he should go on a mission. Everyone would tell him no up front but the spirit changed everyone's mind - the kid served a mission. I had never heard of such a thing and thought it was crazy but it happened. Also, it's more important that you are worthy to go to the temple and one day be sealed there. than it is to go on a mission but missions are awesome and you should go if you can.

One of my favorite quotes in conference. "Good inspiration is based upon good information." Bishops receive inspiration and answers to prayers from different places - holy ghost, counselors, members etc. You letting the bishopric know you are willing to serve is good information for them and with that information they can do what they want. When I was in the bishopric I always appreciated opinions of the members and if they desired to serve. Sometimes you don't realize someone doesn't have a calling, sometimes you are waiting to give them a calling when it's right. If you have desire to serve- you will be called to the work - for missionaries they asked to be called .

Just talking about this with a friend. I understand the raising the bar and worthiness is a great part of it but the atonement still works. When I was a kid it seemed like all the young men were caught up in sin and they straightened their lives out and went on a mission and were great missionaries. I think the biggest part about being a missionary now is being better prepared in all aspects but I still see and hear of kids who messed up pretty seriously and they repent and go serve.

Just an FYI and not to nit pick but I am, it's a teachers "counsel" not training. The person leading the counsel is not supposed to teach anything and are to just lead a discussion. The leader should at least know the material enough to help facilitate and help the discussion flow but a successful teachers counsel is where the leader says almost nothing at all and ideas and the counsel teaches each other. He should be better prepared and should be asking questions to entice remarks - the lesson should flow based upon comments, questions, needs, experiences. I am with you though- it drives me nuts when someone doesn't prepare for two reasons. The person doesn't give a lesson/counsel as well as they could have and for those who can wing a lesson - they are missing out on the growth opportunity they could have had by preparing.

Good question but my guess is for Flagstaff and Prescott it's just not enough people. There are 2 stakes in Prescott and Flagstaff (1 per your numbers) so that gives you 3 and it's not like there are a lot of other places. Phoenix temple serves 20 stakes and although it's open most of the time it shuts down in the afternoon for a few hours on week days. Gila Valley though is only 5 stakes - Not sure on the amount of time it's open but it's probably significantly less than Phoenix. I think Thatcher is Where President Kimball grew up and I actually think that probably played a part in it going there but also at the time that area was looking at 3-4 hour drive to the mesa temple.

Yeah - Prescott goes to the Phoenix temple and I believe Flagstaff goes to Snowflake. There are a lot of members but I don't think enough for a temple in prescott and it's only an hour drive. Flagstaff I don't think has that many members, as it's a pretty liberal area.

Haha - maybe you were there in spirit 30 years ago before it was physically built as it was just completed a few years back. The Phoenix temple is beautiful and the baptistery is one of the best you will see.

I live about two miles from it- just got home from cleaning it in fact. Check the schedule and you can do baptisms about any time it’s open but Saturday mornings are busy with wards but they usually still squeeze you in. If you need someone to go with let me know and i will go with you if our schedules can make it work I’m pretty flexible. They have all the baptism clothes so you don’t need to worry about clothes - they usually don’t let adults do baptisms unless you bring your own names- if you don’t have names i do.

On my mission we had a small branch of about 55 people. One Sunday we had about 15 women and a teacher for sacrament meeting. No talks, no nothing. My companion and I presided and conducted - we gave talks, blessed the sacrament and assigned prayers - This probably happens a lot in 3rd world countries.

When I was in a bishopric it always defaulted to the HP group leader and down that line - We never got to the secretary or beyond that so it was never discussed if the Elders Quorum presidency was to sit on the stand. In all my years we always had at least a bishopric member but would default to the HP group leadership so if one member of the bishopric was there and nobody else they wouldn't have to sit alone.

Our ward in AZ runs at about 55% but I know we are the highest in the stake and way above normal as I think the stake is at about 38% for an average with 6 wards.

In my mission some missionaries were asked to shave twice a day because of growth. Depends on the mission president and how it looks - count on at least 1x per day and you may even have to carry around an electric shaver to touch up in the evening if it's out of control.

I love converts. I am always impressed by their faith. I'm also always worried that their faith is fragile and some rude member might offend them intentionally or not. I really think it's pretty easy to be born and raised mormon and although all members have to come to know the truth I am far more impressed with those who have the strength to leave Babylon and search for truth.

I could understand this for an every day Mormon raised in the church but for those coming back to activity, and those who are new, a calling can really be a boost to their spiritual development. Even as a lifelong member I would never have become the person I am without opportunities to serve and that mostly started as a missionary. What are callings for other than to have order in our service and opportunities to grow. Yes, you can do without but if it was a free for all can you imagine the things that wouldn't get done in this work.

We believe that God gives us weaknesses so that we will be humble. The amazing thing is there is an endless list of things we need to work on to become like God yet he is kind enough to show us just a few things at a time, not to overwhelm us. It is a process to "become" like him. It's easy for me to do the checklist things that God asks us to do and fall into the trap the Pharisees living by the letter of the law but failing to become like Him. It's interesting the love I feel from God when I repent of things and yet God knows that I will be back tomorrow or next week or next year repenting of the same old things. He must be okay with it and He must understand it. We beat ourselves up when we fail and sometimes we get a little prideful when we do well. It sure is a process though, and for a purpose we sometimes don't understand but God does and I think that is why we feel his love when we submit to his will.

I would meet with the bishop and discuss with him that you have individuals that need callings. He can put them where they are needed. You can always use an extra advisor or dual sunday school teacher just to name a few areas that would give more opportunities.

I'm not addicted to soda. I could quit tomorrow... I promise, or maybe I will stop next week. Wait I already have goals for this year so we will make it for next year. All this typing is making me thirsty...

Lots of truth there. When I was called on the high council at 33, there were a few times I really thought I must be important. It was prideful and immature to think think that way I also often felt inadequate.. I really do miss Elders Quorum and all the great people there. Every called nf holds a special place in my heart and I have needed to serve far more than anyone else has needed me to serve.

Haha - good job. That is way more effort than I care to put into the discussion of caffeineted drinks but I’m impressed with your breakdown.

Source - My friend who took President Monson fishing and witnessed it. Although I have heard on the internet that he drank caffeinated drinks by many people as well. Like I said, it may not be where you live, but in my experience it's one of the most incorrect misconceptions I hear in AZ. I drank Mt Dew at a teenager like it was water. I have not had that stuff for a good 20 years. I went about 5 years without drinking any soda and now drink Dr. Pepper (another childhood vice).