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Are you sure that this verse in Job, and the accompanying story bits, aren't just a metaphorical way of presenting the idea that Satan's bounds are set by the Lord?

You cannot be saved without knowing you're being saved. You cannot be saved until you have learned all that you need to know as a participant in that process. The mysteries of God are nothing more or less than knowledge. Those who inherit the celestial kingdom will eventually gain all the knowledge which God now has. Man cannot be saved in ignorance. That said, I believe, in large part because of Lectures on Faith, that there are two kinds of faith, only one of which is made "dormant" by knowledge.

I hate yard work. But I've found that it's a little better if, while going as fast as the riding mower will go, you make vrooming noises.

Sounds most unpleasant to me. Sorry you didn't have a better day. Assuming I'm not in the "fast lane", if someone does this to me, I put on my emergency flashers (where the "turn signal" on both sides blink at once) and let off the gas a bit. That usually works for tailgaters and folks who think I'm going too slow - no one wants to be behind someone whose car is about to break down. (Don't tell @mirkwood, but anyone who thinks I'm going too slow is likely being reckless.)

I don't believe this is possible. An introvert is not someone who dislikes people, or prefers to be alone, or is shy, or is socially awkward, or is anti-social. (Although such things are often a part of introverts, they're not inherent. Rather, they're present because the introvert grew up without knowing what they were or how to manage their introversion - or worse because no one around them knew the cause of their reactions to over-stimulation and treated them as if they were purposely misbehaving.) Introversion and extroversion aren't preferences or choices, they are inbuilt personality types that can be controlled and pushed beyond their limits to a degree, but we're stuck with them for life. That said, introverts sometimes "act like extroverts" either to function in a world more designed for extroverts, or because they are doing something they love / are excited about. But this "state" has a "limited duration" (and a price). ("Act like extroverts" is in quotes because that's not really what's happening, it's just what it looks like, mostly because society at large still seems to think these are choices / behaviors, not inbuilt energy charging/expending methods and default mental stimulation levels. If someone wishes, I can expound.) So if "predilections toward extrovertedness" just means that you enjoy being around / interacting with people, that's not "predilections toward extrovertedness" - that's just enjoying being around / interacting with people. This is introversion. Interacting with humans is draining, while at the same time sending an introvert's brain into overdrive. It takes hours for the brain to "come down" to normal function (which is an extrovert's overdrive), and more hours to "recharge" before being ready for more human interaction. Extroverts find interacting with others energizing, and time alone draining. They need others in order to reach optimal mental stimulation, and quickly get bored or depressed when in isolation. FWIW.

I didn't mean to suggest you were. That's because you're not an introvert. I am partly joking here, but also very serious about how an introvert would respond to the events you described. An introvert might like you and even look forward to the time you planned to get together, but then something comes up on your end and you call the introvert and say, "Sorry, I have to postpone." The introvert will make sympathetic noises, express concern for whatever came up, say they're disappointed, but as soon as you hang up the phone, they'll sigh in relief. Their feelings and words will be sincere, but they'll still be relieved at not having to get together (most of the time, and assuming they're more than just mildly introverted).

An introvert would say this is proof of God's mercy and kindness and go home celebrating. (It's all about perspective. )

Not sure all that represents efficiency in my mind, but I also don't think it's worth the time to try hashing it out.

And if you're thinking, "There are too many. I can't do it." Pick one, just one, and work on that person until the Spirit tells you to pick another.

Care to give an example?

He mentions "becoming". We talk more like this in the church than we did for the first 3/5ths of my life thus far, when we talked about "doing" instead. It may be that the people in your ward will be blessed by more focus on becoming: e.g. the kind of person who is in the scriptures daily the sort of person who communes with God the sort of person who loves to God with all their heart the sort of person who serves others when they can the sort of person who cares for their body as a temple for the Holy Ghost etc. IMO, the minute you start to see things from this perspective, rather than from the perspective of "scripture study" or "prayer" or "service" or "word of wisdom" or whatever, it takes on new meaning. It stops being about tasks and starts being about becoming who God wants you to be. It's less discouraging when you mess up because you realize you're a work in progress, and giving up wouldn't just be giving up on a task, but giving up on yourself, and few of us want to do that - not really. Just another thought.

That doesn't mean you can't make suggestions, even if only to the EQP and let him decide whether to suggest something in Ward Council. There are reasons we council, and among the reasons are that not everyone notices everything, and each may receive distinct impressions on how to resolve a problem. No reason not to respectfully speak your concerns and suggestions. Respectfully, you don't know what they're thinking. Maybe they know full well they're falling short and are content to do so. Maybe they're two negative experiences away from attempting suicide. We just don't know what others are going through. All we can do is extend mercy and generosity, and continue to invite and encourage greater discipleship - preferably in a variety of ways, in hopes that eventually, one of them will "click". Patience and long-suffering are virtues for a reason. 😊

In any given group of people, it's almost certain there are those who will: Never volunteer Always volunteer Volunteer if they believe no one else can / will step up instead of them Of the first group, a very small number might accept an assignment now and then. Of the third group, if the second group don't beat them to it, they may volunteer, and most will accept an assignment. Yes, it's harder to convince leaders to make assignments than it is to pass around sign up sheets, but doing the harder thing might be to everyone's benefit. Finally, a story... As an extreme introvert, and one who went to work very early in the morning, I rarely volunteered for things. I got better after I quit working. But one day, I was reading in the Book of Mormon, and came across this: (See also Helaman 7:7 and James 3:17.) ...and it struck me what "easy to be entreated" means. It doesn't mean "always say yes when asked". It means, "make it easy for people to ask". If you say no, don't do it with a whine and excuses. Don't huff and moan about how busy you are, or ask if there isn't someone else who could do it. Be gracious, be cheerful. Make it easy on the person whose duty it is to ask you. Interestingly enough, that simple shift in thinking has also made it easier for me to accept assignments and even to volunteer. (Though mostly, it's not having to go to work every day that made it easier.) Anywho, perhaps suggest to your bishop that someone should give a sacrament meeting talk on "easy to be entreated". All of us can change. Sometimes, we just need help understanding why or how...

Häagen-Dazs

When I was called as RSP, the programmer and database developer in me wanted to make things efficient. I quickly learned that the Lord really doesn't care much about efficient. He cares about individuals.