Women never say the prayers in General Conference?

[Solon]

Maybe it is just me, but in my opinion, the following response is much more likely to kill the discussion (if that is, indeed your intent):

"Scottie....I checked. Yes, women have prayed in GC, as recently as X or Y or Z. Thanks!"

Your efforts remind me of Sisyphus....fruitless to the point of self-defeating. In your attempt to point out the redundancy, you actually generate more discussion on the very topic you wish to avoid.

PS What do you think of the BYU Cougars against OSU? I like their chances!

Sisyphus cheated death and tricked the gods. I'd put scottie in that elite camp.

Camus' essay on Sisyphus is among my favorite things ever written - even Sisyphus smiles when he turns to follow the rolling rock.

[ERCougar]

I can't ever remember a woman praying in GC. I also seem to vaguely remember hearing that women didn't pray in Sacrament meetings until an uncomfortably late date in the 1900's (I'll have to look that one up). I decided to google "why don't women pray in general conference" and guess what the number one link was?

http://www.cougaruteforum.com/showthread.php?p=237480

Even google knows that Scottie has the touch.

That was my recollection as well--sorry if someone has covered this in the remaining 120 posts I'd have to go through to check it out. I also seem t recall that women still don't ever give the closing prayer in Sacrament Meeting. Is that correct?

[falafel]

That was my recollection as well--sorry if someone has covered this in the remaining 120 posts I'd have to go through to check it out. I also seem t recall that women still don't ever give the closing prayer in Sacrament Meeting. Is that correct?

Women never seem to speak after their husbands in sacrament meeting either, but I don't think they would be prevented from doing so.

[creekster]

That was my recollection as well--sorry if someone has covered this in the remaining 120 posts I'd have to go through to check it out. I also seem t recall that women still don't ever give the closing prayer in Sacrament Meeting. Is that correct?

You only had to go to post 111

http://www.cougaruteforum.com/showpost.php?p=237734&postcount=111

[ERCougar]

You only had to go to post 111

http://www.cougaruteforum.com/showpo...&postcount=111

So does someone have access to an official Handbook? Where did this come from?

[Solon]

You only had to go to post 111

http://www.cougaruteforum.com/showpo...&postcount=111

In our stake it's women can't give the opening prayer in Sacrament meeting, but they often give closing prayers. When someone asked my wife and me to pray, with the caveat that I go first, I asked why. The clerk told me it's a stake-by-stake decision, with there being no official position on it.

As if there weren't enough rules, why do people always want to make up extras?

[creekster]

So does someone have access to an official Handbook? Where did this come from?

WHere does what come from? My ward's programs are not in the official handbook. I am pretty certain, however, there is nothing in the current handbook restricintg the gender of a prayer voice for any meeting. IN one of the other 120 some odd posts there was posted a document that shows it was once a policy, but I ma confidencet it is no longer, at least not shurch wide.

[Rosebud]

It's time for a polyandry post.

Why don't you do the honors? You've been making so much sense out of the inexplicable today. When you're done, I'll follow it up with a biting post about how polyandry and polygamy are essentially the same thing. Promise....

[Rosebud]

Creepier...!

I was thinking he might be a woman pretending to a man. This board could use a few more of those.

[Art Vandelay]

Why don't you do the honors? You've been making so much sense out of the inexplicable today. When you're done, I'll follow it up with a biting post about how polyandry and polygamy are essentially the same thing. Promise....

It is good to have you back RB...interesting it seems to coincide with the first snowfall. I hope you stick around for awhile.

[SuperGabers]

In our stake it's women can't give the opening prayer in Sacrament meeting, but they often give closing prayers. When someone asked my wife and me to pray, with the caveat that I go first, I asked why. The clerk told me it's a stake-by-stake decision, with there being no official position on it.

As if there weren't enough rules, why do people always want to make up extras?

All I have to say is WTF!!!!

[falafel]

I was thinking he might be a woman pretending to a man. This board could use a few more of those.

Creepiest!

[creekster]

All I have to say is WTF!!!!

I thik the clerk was only partially correct. Nothing in the handbook, AFAIK, says anyhting about policy with respect to eh the gender of the prayer voice in meetings. But the HB DOES grant to the presiding authority (bishop or SP) the right and duty to be reposnsible fopr all aspects of the meeting. THus, in any given Stake a SP could issue this policy (although I htink that a bishop could still do otherwise and be OK per the HB)

[Solon]

We all have access to the Church Handbook of Instructions:

Prayers in Church Meetings

Men and women may offer prayers in Church meetings. Prayers should be brief and simple and should be spoken as directed by the Spirit. All members are encouraged to respond with an audible amen at the end of a prayer.

Members should express respect for Heavenly Father by using the special language of prayer that is appropriate for the language they are speaking. The language of prayer follows different forms in different languages. Some languages have intimate or familiar words that are used only in addressing family and very close fridns. Other languages have forms of address that express great respect. The principle, however, is generally the same: members should pray in words that speakers of the language associate with love, respect, reverence, and closeness. In English, for example, members should use the pronouns Thee, Thy, Thine, and Thou when addressing Heavenly Father.

The bishopric should avoid the pattern of having a husband and wife pray in the same meeting. This may convey an unintentional message of exclusion to those who are single. Members who are not often called upon should be included among those who are invited to pray. If appropriate, bishops may want to caution those who pray not to sermonize or pray at great length.

In some areas, the person who offers a prayer has been asked to read a scripture aloud before the prayer. This practice should be discontinued. (2006 version, pp. 67-68)

[falafel]

It doesn't seem that this is followed very often:

The bishopric should avoid the pattern of having a husband and wife pray in the same meeting. This may convey an unintentional message of exclusion to those who are single. Members who are not often called upon should be included among those who are invited to pray. If appropriate, bishops may want to caution those who pray not to sermonize or pray at great length.