jcvaldez Posted May 17, 2015 Report Share Posted May 17, 2015 I need to settle an argument. I've always grew up knowing that only worthy priesthood holders are allowed to open and close meeting houses. And in order for the meeting house to stay open a worthy priesthood holder must be present in the building during the time building is open. Is this still true? Was ever true? Have the rules changed? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jane_Doe Posted May 17, 2015 Report Share Posted May 17, 2015 Not true. Probably never was true (certainly not Salt Lake mandated). I (a female) close the stake center up all the time (I run the family history center). Twenty years ago, my mom routinely opened up the building (she set up for ward activities). Just_A_Guy, Crypto and Traveler 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Average Joe Posted May 17, 2015 Report Share Posted May 17, 2015 Its true that if women or youth are going to be holding a meeting at the meetinghouse there are supposed to be at least 2 priesthood holders present to act as "security" Crypto 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Str8Shooter Posted May 18, 2015 Report Share Posted May 18, 2015 It has been the policy in our stake for years. I think it is for security reasons. It probably has nothing to do with priesthood.It's a good idea if you are located in high crime areas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palerider Posted May 18, 2015 Report Share Posted May 18, 2015 In our area we try to have 2 priesthood holders around during RS weeknight meetings. It's not a hand book thing. It's a request made by the RS President. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bini Posted May 18, 2015 Report Share Posted May 18, 2015 Security? Like what? What's the security for the men? Average Joe 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlimac Posted May 18, 2015 Report Share Posted May 18, 2015 The security for the men is the men themselves. Sure there may be some ninja women in the ward at the RS meetings but I personally feel better if a priesthood holder is around. Not a sign of weakness. I've been the almost last one in the building at night. It's creepy. I don't like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sxfritz Posted May 18, 2015 Report Share Posted May 18, 2015 I had not heard of the rules and they certainly are not enforced at our ward. That doesn't mean it isn't a good idea and shouldn't be carried out when feasible. I've been to unsafe areas and would understand if it was a local policy there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Litzy Posted May 18, 2015 Report Share Posted May 18, 2015 Just seems more professional to have a few priesthood holders around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hagoth Posted May 18, 2015 Report Share Posted May 18, 2015 Six or seven years ago, that was the policy in the last stake where I lived.In the few years I've lived in my new stake, I haven't heard a peep about such a thing being a policy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Traveler Posted May 18, 2015 Report Share Posted May 18, 2015 Growing up in Utah our church building were never locked but remained open 24-7. As an interesting side note - the rec-hall (as it was called anciently in Utah) was considered a "common" area - as well as most of the class rooms. However, the chapel was considered sacred and it was considered a sacrilege to wear everyday wear when entering the chapel. Our chapel had a pipe organ and it was a unwritten rule that for someone to practice on that organ - men must wear a suit and tie and ladies wear dresses. Since I am a guy, I may remember this incorrectly but I believe that ladies were expected to wear hose. For sure flip flops was taboo in that ancient culture. But times have definitely changed the culture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
askandanswer Posted May 18, 2015 Report Share Posted May 18, 2015 When it comes to the routine cleaning of the chapel by members, its sometimes the case here that the chapel will be opened and/or closed by the wife/mother as the husband/father may be busy with something else at the time they have agreed to clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omegaseamaster75 Posted May 18, 2015 Report Share Posted May 18, 2015 Sounds like local policy/rules certainly not a church mandate from Salt Lake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bini Posted May 18, 2015 Report Share Posted May 18, 2015 I can see the reasoning but seems unnecessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Str8Shooter Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 I can see the reasoning but seems unnecessary. A friend of mine had to do a law enforcement style building sweep (no weapons, but extremely thorough) because criminals and other hooligans would sneak into the church building and hide in it. It was more that an occasional event. There have been cases of women being attacked while alone at church buildings. It does not happen everywhere, but it does happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bini Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 I would assume that's not statistically the norm. In the grand scheme of things, just seems unnecessary. I mean, the church sends out female missionaries alone without make company. I'd think they'd be more of a direct target. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bini Posted May 19, 2015 Report Share Posted May 19, 2015 *male Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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