The Scottish Saints

[HaggisShuu]

Anyone got an idea of what the Church presence is like in Scotland? Seeing as they have a temple on the way something has to be going alright. 

We are thinking about leaving our current ward for somewhere a bit more exotic. As things are a bit stagnant, there have been only 2 converts in the last 3 years who have stayed active (one of them being me) and the ward is 60% old people, meaning by the time my daughter is marrying age, we'd have either been shut down or downgraded to a branch. So if we stay here her options are marrying a non-member or trying out mutual, which from what I've seen really only works if you're willing to move to Utah.

It's a pretty bleak picture in the UK for the Church at the minute. 
 

I have heard stories that the Church in  Scotland has fostered a very close community with massive wards if you pick the right one, but I don't know how true that is.

Thanks.

Edited December 21, 2024 by HaggisShuu

[mordorbund]

Everything I know about the Church in Scotland can be found here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/global-histories/scotland?lang=eng#mapxs1

Actually, that’s more than I know. I haven’t read the links. Check out the Global Histories for a comparison of what it’s like where you are.

[HaggisShuu]

13 hours ago, mordorbund said:

Everything I know about the Church in Scotland can be found here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/global-histories/scotland?lang=eng#mapxs1

Actually, that’s more than I know. I haven’t read the links. Check out the Global Histories for a comparison of what it’s like where you are.

Thank you for the resource. 

By the number presented there, means there is an average of 555 members per ward. Obviously not in reality because geography and inactivity, but still an encouraging number likely to grow because of the temple announcement. 

I will have to spend a number of weeks touring their wards. 

[Traveler]

On 12/22/2024 at 2:14 AM, HaggisShuu said:

Thank you for the resource. 

By the number presented there, means there is an average of 555 members per ward. Obviously not in reality because geography and inactivity, but still an encouraging number likely to grow because of the temple announcement. 

I will have to spend a number of weeks touring their wards. 

I was traveling in the UK with some friends earlier this year.  We were in Ireland for church.  There were about 6 couples attending a little ward and I was very impressed.  Though the ward was not large it was very friendly.  I do not know if Scotland is much different.  There are good families in the UK.

I am of the mind that you will be guided by the spirit.  I believe that the single greatest opportunity for our youth in preparing for marriage is a willingness to serve a mission.  When I was on my mission, often I was asked how many missionaries were serving in my mission.  My standard response was, “About half of them”.   I think this is similar to the ward members listed on the membership rolls.

There were just over 1 million members when I served as a missionary.  Most of the members were in Utah followed by California that made up close to 80% of all members.  When I was in the army – I was the only LDS in my company.  I only knew of one other active member on the base.  He and I were the only members showing up at church at a tiny branch nearby.  Things have a way of working out.  Those that honor their covenants have nothing to fear. 

 

The Traveler

[EH12NG]

I was baptised in Falkirk ward around 2012. 

[HaggisShuu]

On 1/2/2025 at 8:51 PM, EH12NG said:

I was baptised in Falkirk ward around 2012. 

How was it then? Have you visited since? 

[EH12NG]

23 hours ago, HaggisShuu said:

How was it then? Have you visited since? 

I had a fairly negative experience with the then bishop. I was due to move to England shortly after which is where I've resided ever since. I still keep in touch with one of the sister missionaries while the other is deep in the churches affairs. I think her husband has his eyes on the quorum of the 70 but he's currently trying to model himself as one of these pop culture university professors. It's all a bit strange but each to their own. 

[mordorbund]

One other point I’ll mention before undertaking a sizable relocation. My dad once told me the story of an old man who sat along a major highway back in the day. A traveler stopped and said, “Hey feller, I’m headed to that town up ahead and wonder if you can tell me what the people there are like?”

”Well,” says the old timer, “why don’t you tell what the people are like where you came from?”

The traveler replied, “Those people?! Why they are some of the meanest people you’ll ever meet! Most of them need a good punch in the face and the rest also deserve but you haven’t found out why yet. They’ll talk behind your back, savage your reputation, separate you from your friends, and leave you wondering if you have any sanity left. I wish a pox on the whole bunch of thieving, lying, cheating slobs!”

”I’m sorry to tell you,” the old man started, “but you’ll find a lot of people like that where you’re headed.”

The traveler swore under his breath and moved on. A few hours later another traveler headed to the same town stopped by the old timer. “Hey feller, I’m headed to that town up ahead and wonder if you can tell me what the people there are like?”

”Well,” says the old timer, “why don’t you tell what the people are like where you came from?”

The traveler replied, “Those are some of the finest people you’ll ever know. They’re hospitable to strangers and even more generous with friends. They’ll cry with you, celebrate with you, root for you, and remind you there’s better days ahead. I’m almost sorry I left.”

”You’ll be happy to hear,” the old man started, “that you’ll find a lot of people like that where you’re headed.”