Asking Autographs To General Authorities

[Suzie]

I do not know if you guys have been told this or heard about it but every time a General Authority plans to visit my ward or stake, we are kindly asked not to request autographs or pictures. Many times, people disregard the advice and request these things anyways. Do you see anything wrong with asking a General Authority for an autograph?

[andypg]

I can see the autograph thing. The Apostles and General Authorities aren't celebrities. They are spiritual leaders, shepherds the Lord has put in charge on Earth.

As much as I'd like to think it, President Uchtdorf is not a celebrity.

That being said, a picture is different. It is to capture the moment and a keepsake. However, if you do it so that you can blow up the picture and hang it over the fireplace to brag to everyone who comes in "Look who I met!" that's wrong. But as a nice keep sake I think it's ok. Personally, I would see it as kind of like asking someone you admire to take a picture so you can remember it.

Personally, I think I'd be too nervous to say anything if I ever met one to say anything but "Thank you" and ask for a blessing.

[pam]

Doesn't really matter to me if I see something wrong with it or not. It's in the CHI:

21.1.6

Autographs and Photographs of General Authorities and Area Seventies

Church members should not seek the autographs of General Authorities or Area Seventies, including signing in their scriptures, hymnals, or programs. Doing so detracts from their sacred callings and the spirit of meetings. It also could prevent them from greeting other members.

Members should not take photographs of General Authorities or Area Seventies in chapels.

[Dravin]

The first thing that comes to mind is them being mobbed and slowed down when they have places they need to go. In my experience at the end of Stake Conferences or Firesides they request people remain seated while the GA is essentially escorted quickly out to prevent the issue.

Edited January 25, 2014 by Dravin

[Suzie]

The first thing that comes to mind is them being mobbed and slowed down when they have places they need to go. In my experience at the end of Stake Conferences or Firesides they request people remain seated while the GA is essentially escorted quickly out to prevent the issue.

The first thing that also comes to my mind is safety. People sometimes get a little too excited and I am sure it can become overwhelming if you have a whole bunch of members surrounding you and asking you to take a picture with them or requesting an autograph. As andypg said, they are not celebrities but spiritual leaders and I can imagine if someone requests such things from them they might not want to offend them by saying "no".

[The Folk Prophet]

Kinda makes you think. If they had cameras, cell phones, ballpoint pens, etc., in the time Christ visiting the Nephites.... Can you imagine. "Hey Jesus, can I get a picture with you?" Seems to profane the sacred just a bit, doesn't it?

[Finrock]

Hi Suzie. I hope you're well! :)

In my opinion asking for autographs of general authorities crosses the line in to idol worship. The prophets and apostles are only great to the extent that they hear and obey God's voice and when they do hear and obey, it is God who is giving them power. Therefore only God ought to be glorified and praised. Satan wanted to take upon himself the glory of God and to be praised for his great work. Jesus taught that the glory and honor ought to always go to the Father. Prophets and apostles don't derive their authority from themselves. In and of themselves they are just men. They are no more special than you or I. The only difference in this respect is one of jurisdiction.

-Finrock

[Praetorian_Brow]

President Monson "secretly" visited his old mission president ward and I was let in on the secret, so I drove a few people up to hear him speak. It was cute to hear him retell the story of my fathers family again.

What I found unsettling is that I had arrived late, just in time for his car to take the last parking spot, which was reserved, but I saw it first. I was idling in the lot, my 3 female passengers practically plastered themselves on the windows and started taking pictures as he stepped out of his vehicle as if Bieber was there. I chided them to calm down and have a bit of respect, but to no avail. It was also disconcerting to see the blob follow him around.

Celebrity worship just seems to spillover into authority figures as a result of conditioning. Some people don't know how to act, so they act like they know how.

[Anddenex]

It would appear to me that this request is circumstantial to when GAs are visiting a ward or stake function, or even a fireside -- in other words, church related events, and I would agree with the Church Handbook specifying this will distract from the spirit of these meetings.

I remember when Elder Ballard was visiting the ward before mine, because he was visiting a grandson and was able to be apart of the baby blessing. After the meeting was over I grabbed my three little children at the time in order for them to shake his hand. He asked us a couple of questions, particularly if my oldest 7, at the time, would serve a mission? Before my son responded he said, "Yes, I see you will serve a mission." That was the end of our conversation.

I don't see asking a GA to sign a book they wrote, when not in church, but around about, as a problem. I don't see anything wrong with taking pictures with GAs outside of church functions. The spirit of the meeting isn't affected.

[skippy740]

Exactly Anddenex.

Look at what pam quoted:

Doesn't really matter to me if I see something wrong with it or not. It's in the CHI:

21.1.6

Autographs and Photographs of General Authorities and Area Seventies

Church members should not seek the autographs of General Authorities or Area Seventies, including signing in their scriptures, hymnals, or programs. Doing so detracts from their sacred callings and the spirit of meetings. It also could prevent them from greeting other members.

Members should not take photographs of General Authorities or Area Seventies in chapels.

Of course, with the plethora of meme's around, I guess breaks between General Conference sessions are "open season" for photographs?

[Anddenex]

Of course, with the plethora of meme's around, I guess breaks between General Conference sessions are "open season" for photographs?

When I think upon people asking GAs for their autograph, or taking pictures, I think it must be very humbling for them to be called to a position that they also had so much respect for. I am reminded of President Uchtdorf's talk when he shared:

"When I was called as a General Authority, I was blessed to be tutored by many of the senior Brethren in the Church. One day I had the opportunity to drive President James E. Faust to a stake conference. During the hours we spent in the car, President Faust took the time to teach me some important principles about my assignment. He explained also how gracious the members of the Church are, especially to General Authorities. He said, “They will treat you very kindly. They will say nice things about you.” He laughed a little and then said, “Dieter, be thankful for this. But don’t you ever inhale it.”

I wonder then, for GAs who have matured in their office, the request of autographs and pictures within places of worship create an awkward experience for them.

As for me, I think impromptu pictures during breaks of General Conference may also be inappropriate...it may not affect the spirit of a meeting...but it may distract from the overall spirit of General Conference, or simply remove them from where they need to be at the moment. Imagine on their end, our continual barrage of requests for pictures and they need to be at a place at a specific time. I think this then puts them in that sphere of awkward avoidance, by which they may offend a honest/sincere member who unknowingly is keeping them from an appointment.

At the same time, what a great picture opportunity for posterity to know Mom/Dad, Grandma/Grandpa met the prophet or one of the Apostles and they have a picture to pass down, if the opportunity presents itself at the right time. What is the right time? I don't know, but at least I know one non-right time, "in chapels," or other places of worship that would distract from the spirit of the meeting place. My personal opinion, if you see a General Authority coming out of the temple...probably not the best place to ask for a picture or an autograph either -- IMHO.

:)

[mnn727]

In my experience at the end of Stake Conferences or Firesides they request people remain seated while the GA is essentially escorted quickly out to prevent the issue.

Hmm, Elder Christofferson was here for a Stake Conference last fall and at the end invited all the children to come up and shake his hand.

[NeuroTypical]

I'm not a member of the sr. church leadership fandom. I won't be asking for autographs or snapping photos of church leadership any time soon.

[mordorbund]

Just in case you'd like to read old opinions on a similar thread:

http://www.lds.net/forums/general-discussion/49712-apostles-autographs.html

[Guest]

I wouldn't be surprised if at 12:10pm on Conference Sunday, a facebook post would pop with a selfie of themselves and Pres. Monson...

[Dravin]

Hmm, Elder Christofferson was here for a Stake Conference last fall and at the end invited all the children to come up and shake his hand.

Hmm, my experience remains what it is despite this.

Edited January 28, 2014 by Dravin

[EarlJibbs]

My opinion. Enjoy seeing them with your own eyes. Enjoy the moment in real time. Often times we try to capture so much with photos and videos that we miss the real life event happening before us and only remember it through the lens of the camera we were using, which is just as good as watching them on TV.

I was able to grow up frequently seeing and saying hello to President Hinckley and other GA's. When I would see them, their presence, devotion and spirit shouted at me to be a better person. In my family we never would make a spectacle of seeing a GA. I think this taught me a lesson, I decided that if I saw someone that was "famous" that I wouldn't forget myself and start taking photos and going crazy, but give them respect and space like I do everyone else. Now if you are walking downtown Salt Lake City with a giant snake wrapped around your neck like it's a scarf.... THAT I will take photos of.

[Anddenex]

Hmm, Elder Christofferson was here for a Stake Conference last fall and at the end invited all the children to come up and shake his hand.

What I have noticed is that this depends on the time restraint of them visiting the stakes, or whether or not the spirit dictates to the GA to remain and they follow the prompting.

I have been in stakes/firesides where this was the case and we were asked to remain in our seats until the visiting authority left the building. This was usually the case when they had a flight that was immediately after the meeting and they needed to get their quickly.

We also have experiences where the Prophet or visiting authority, despite their travel expectations, have answered the prayers of stakes and little children to stay and shake their hands, or as with President Monson...to actually visit a dying girls home before she passed away, due to a faithful prayer.

[Jennarator]

Just have you sealing cancelled. You get thier autograph on the letter that comes in the mail.