How do I adresses the Stake Patriarch ?

[lizzy16]

Hey everyone, I received my Patriarchal blessing one year ago today. My stake Patriarch asks people to send them a letter on there 1 year mark. So, I'm writing mine

Is it Elder M, Brother M, or Patriarch M ?

[Wingnut]

Patriarch M.

[Vort]

"Brother M" is sufficient. This is appropriate for any brother in the Church, including General Authorities.

[Dravin]

"Brother M" is sufficient.

And if protocol generally indicates another use (such as say Missionaries going by Elder) they should, gently, correct you. As Vort gets at though, nobody should be getting their panties in a twist, early in the Church you had people who referred to Brother Joseph and Brother Brigham.

[Guest saintish]

I've heard it both way, as darvin said i dont think anyone will get upset either way.

on a related note/ thread jack, has anyone ever heard of former bishops still being refered to as bishop m. long after they have been released?

[hungrytrash]

"There is also another point in this connection to which attention may profitably be drawn. It is the too frequent use in the ordinary conversation of the Saints of the titles "Prophet, Seer and Revelator," "Apostles," etc. These titles are too sacred to be used indiscriminately in our common talk. There are occasions when they are quite proper and in place, but in our every-day conversations it is sufficient honor to address any brother holding the Melchizedek Priesthood as elder. The term elder is a general one, applying to all those who hold the higher Priesthood, whether they be apostles, patriarchs, high priests or seventies; and to address a brother as Apostle So-and-So, or Patriarch Such-a-One, in the common talk of business, and the like, is using titles too sacred to be in place on such occasions. It, in a lesser degree, partakes of the character of that evil of which we are so often warned -- the too frequent use of the name of that Holy Being whom we worship, and of his Son, our Redeemer. To avoid this evil the Saints in ancient days called the holy Priesthood after the great high priest Melchizedek, while the royal and correct title is, "The Priesthood after the order of the Son of God." The use of all these titles continuously and indiscriminately savors somewhat of blasphemy, and is not pleasing to our heavenly Father." - Joseph F. Smith

[classylady]

I've heard it both way, as darvin said i dont think anyone will get upset either way.

on a related note/ thread jack, has anyone ever heard of former bishops still being refered to as bishop m. long after they have been released?

I was taught that it was a show of respect to continue to call them bishop after they were released. I researched on LDS.org, and this is what I found.

New Era, June 1980: I have a question

“If a bishop in the ward has just been released and another bishop put in, do you refer to the former bishop as brother or as bishop?”

Answer/Brother Roy W. Doxey

Because of the importance of the office of bishop, considerable space is devoted to this calling in the scriptures and in the writings and sermons of the General Authorities. As far as I am aware, the answer to your question is not available in these sources. This may suggest that the custom of referring to a released bishop by this title is acceptable.

There should be no compulsion to continue to use the title over a long period of time, however. Certainly, the first few weeks or months after a bishop’s release is the period when the members of the ward will call him by that title. It is probable that as time passes the inclination to use the title bishop will be replaced by brother.

The axiom “once a bishop always a bishop” is correct because the office of bishop is an office of ordination conferred by the laying on of hands, the same as the Melchizedek Priesthood office of elder or high priest.

As a stake president, I always referred to a released bishop as bishop, and even to this day, years later, the same salutation is used. Such a relationship continues to bring back memories of times spent in a very special calling. Latter-day Saints use the titles of bishop and president as names of respect. When they do so, they are recognizing that the Lord has called the person to a noble calling and their sustaining help is constant. They also know that when a bishop is released he no longer presides over the ward. The concern which one might voice in calling a former bishop by that title would be if members of the ward believed that he was continuing in the bishop’s role of counselor. Wise released bishops understand that when ward members come to them as though they were active bishops they refer them to their present bishop.

If I were introducing a former bishop to a congregation or audience, I would refer to him as brother and then possibly mention he is a former bishop."

[pam]

I've heard it both way, as darvin said i dont think anyone will get upset either way.

on a related note/ thread jack, has anyone ever heard of former bishops still being refered to as bishop m. long after they have been released?

I still call the man that was my Bishop when I was a teenager as Bishop E......

[lizzy16]

Once a bishop, always a bishop.

Or so is the line used in my family :)

[pam]

Shoot, I have a couple of my teachers from high school on my facebook. And that was err...ummm... many years ago. I can't get past calling them Mr. and Mrs. Even when they have both said I can now call them by first name..it's still difficult.

[skippy740]

Shoot, I have a couple of my teachers from high school on my facebook. And that was err...ummm... many years ago. I can't get past calling them Mr. and Mrs. Even when they have both said I can now call them by first name..it's still difficult.

Eh, depends on the teacher.

I call my old high school band teacher "Bob" now.

[Blackmarch]

to the OP

Brother is pretty much a catchall that works. Patriarch would be more proper tho.

[mnn727]

"Your Worship" would be a bit much.

"Yo Dude" probably wouldn't be enough.