One man band

[KillerDog]

Kid in Church on Sunday gave us a one man band performance from the pulpit. He had a harmonica and a guitar and he sang in spots.

[Clark Addison]

It would have been awesomer if he had had a big bass drum on his back that he played by stomping his foot. You may want to suggest that to him for next time.

[KillerDog]

I would have been awesomer if he had had a big bass drum on his back that he played by stomping his foot. You may want to suggest that to him for next time.

The Bishop looked like he was going to faint and the Stake President was chewing nails.

[Drunk Tank]

Our stake sent out a memo for no props during a talk (may have been churchwide?). We call it the <name redacted> rule. This certain member of the ward when giving a talk, instead of quoting the ga's, would play them over the pulpit with his iPod and speakers.

Fast forward to a few months ago, and a young deacon is giving his first talk in church, and his non-member dad comes up and has a easle and pictures to flip through as the boy is giving the talk. The Bishop makes the first couselor go over and tell the dad props arent allowed and that he would have to go sit down. The boy was clearly shaken and the dad visiblely upset. I dont believe they have been back to church since.

[falafel]

Our stake sent out a memo for no props during a talk (may have been churchwide?). We call it the <name redacted> rule. This certain member of the ward when giving a talk, instead of quoting the ga's, would play them over the pulpit with his iPod and speakers.

Fast forward to a few months ago, and a young deacon is giving his first talk in church, and his non-member dad comes up and has a easle and pictures to flip through as the boy is giving the talk. The Bishop makes the first couselor go over and tell the dad props arent allowed and that he would have to go sit down. The boy was clearly shaken and the dad visiblely upset. I dont believe they have been back to church since.

Nothing affronts the memory of Christ like a father's show of support for his young son. *sigh*

[creekster]

That is a church-wide policy sent out in a first presidency letter about a year ago or so, as I recall.

[jay santos]

Fast forward to a few months ago, and a young deacon is giving his first talk in church, and his non-member dad comes up and has a easle and pictures to flip through as the boy is giving the talk. The Bishop makes the first couselor go over and tell the dad props arent allowed and that he would have to go sit down. The boy was clearly shaken and the dad visiblely upset. I dont believe they have been back to church since.

Wow

[Gidget]

Fast forward to a few months ago, and a young deacon is giving his first talk in church, and his non-member dad comes up and has a easle and pictures to flip through as the boy is giving the talk. The Bishop makes the first couselor go over and tell the dad props arent allowed and that he would have to go sit down. The boy was clearly shaken and the dad visiblely upset. I dont believe they have been back to church since.

That's awful. This crap is so frustrating. I just don't understand how certain leaders don't get it. I mean, I want to ask them, "Was it worth it?"

[Art Vandelay]

Our stake sent out a memo for no props during a talk (may have been churchwide?). We call it the <name redacted> rule. This certain member of the ward when giving a talk, instead of quoting the ga's, would play them over the pulpit with his iPod and speakers.

Fast forward to a few months ago, and a young deacon is giving his first talk in church, and his non-member dad comes up and has a easle and pictures to flip through as the boy is giving the talk. The Bishop makes the first couselor go over and tell the dad props arent allowed and that he would have to go sit down. The boy was clearly shaken and the dad visiblely upset. I dont believe they have been back to church since.

Nothing affronts the memory of Christ like a father's show of support for his young son. *sigh*

It does sound like it may have been poorly handled. However, I do have some empathy for the bishop. He was asked (told) by the First Presidency to ensure that such things don't occur in sacrament meeting, it puts him in a unenviable predicament.

[falafel]

It does sound like it may have been poorly handled. However, I do have some empathy for the bishop. He was asked (told) by the First Presidency to ensure that such things don't occur in sacrament meeting, it puts him in a unenviable predicament.

I agree, Art. I am certainly not advocating that the Bishop ignore the First President's instruction. But I'm sure you'd agree that this Bishop could have handled this situation after the talk and in a much more humane manner.

[Art Vandelay]

I agree, Art. I am certainly not advocating that the Bishop ignore the First President's instruction. But I'm sure you'd agree that this Bishop could have handled this situation after the talk and in a much more humane manner.

I agree, at least based up on the limited information presented by DT. My personal preference, unless I could tell that something truly egregious was going to take place beforehand (setting up your Ipod and speakers) I would gently tell him before he spoke the next time not to bring any type of aids. Actually, that is why our ward always sends a letter to each speaker. It quotes what the First Presidency said about each issue and tells each speaker their topic, how long they should speak, and what time then need to conclude their talk by.

[falafel]

I agree, at least based up on the limited information presented by DT. My personal preference, unless I could tell that something truly egregious was going to take place beforehand (setting up your Ipod and speakers) I would gently tell him before he spoke the next time not to bring any type of aids. Actually, that is why our ward always sends a letter to each speaker. It quotes what the First Presidency said about each issue and tells each speaker their topic, how long they should speak, and what time then need to conclude their talk by.

Seems like an excellent approach.

[jay santos]

It does sound like it may have been poorly handled. However, I do have some empathy for the bishop. He was asked (told) by the First Presidency to ensure that such things don't occur in sacrament meeting, it puts him in a unenviable predicament.

Completely and 100% disagree.

[Soccermom]

I agree, at least based up on the limited information presented by DT. My personal preference, unless I could tell that something truly egregious was going to take place beforehand (setting up your Ipod and speakers) I would gently tell him before he spoke the next time not to bring any type of aids. Actually, that is why our ward always sends a letter to each speaker. It quotes what the First Presidency said about each issue and tells each speaker their topic, how long they should speak, and what time then need to conclude their talk by.

I think the individual letter to each speaker is an excellent idea. Too many times we assume that because a FP letter was read over the pulpit, or because an announcement was made in GC, everyone heard and is aware of the change. Not everyone in the church came from pioneer stock ancestors. Some of us are converts or came from inactive families, and we aren't aware of all the policies. Good hades, we are still just learning the docrines. I went to church all by myself as a kid from the age of 6. I attended all the meetings alone. I had no clue drinking iced tea was a no no until I was 10.

[statman]

It does sound like it may have been poorly handled. However, I do have some empathy for the bishop. He was asked (told) by the First Presidency to ensure that such things don't occur in sacrament meeting, it puts him in a unenviable predicament.

Agreed. But being a Bishop is an unenviable predicament in and of itself. I don't know how y'all do it. And it really isn't the time requirement that would scare me - not in the slightest. It's just all the baggage. My life is complicated enough...