Meddlesome Stake Presidency...

[The Fourth Nephite]

That's a good question.

I saw an employement ad for a guidance counselor the other day and it payed $32,000 a year. If your'e not offended that someone who didn't have enough sense to pursue a career that pays more than peanuts is giving your daughter advice, you shouldn't be offended that your SP is. Your Stake Presidency is probably at least marginally successful in their fields.

Man, I hope my SP takes enough interest in my kids to give them career advice. Nobody ever gave me career advice except an older missionary couple that I served with on my mission.

[il Padrino Ute]

I think your anger is misplaced here. It's not like the Stake went through and scheduled a meeting with just the troubled teens. He's talking to everyone. Think of it as a PPI with the High Councillor.

Has your daughter's HS guidance counselor met privately with her this year about her plans? Were you offended then? Did you tell the guidance counselor to mind her own business? Did you see it as an intrusion into your parenting skills?

The guidance counselor's job is to advise about matters of education. The Stake Presidency's job is to offer guidance for spiritual matters.

Of course, that's just my opinion.

[SuperGabers]

I can see why you would be annoyed with the SP, but our church is just turning the corner on trying to influence young women to pursue higher education. Although I get annoyed when our leaders get a little too involved in our personal lives, I actually see there involvement here as surprising and hopeful.

Tick, you and your wife are obviously involved in your children's lives, but there are some parents out there who don't give a damn. My guess is the leaders are trying to let those children know their options.

[Katy Lied]

The guidance counselor's job is to advise about matters of education. The Stake Presidency's job is to offer guidance for spiritual matters.

Of course, that's just my opinion.

That's cause you've already accepted the intrusive role of the guidance counselor in your kids lives.

[wuapinmon]

Reposted from http://www.cougaruteforum.com/showpo...6&postcount=36

I joined the church on 1-20-1991. My mother was not a member at the time. Around Christmas of my senior year of high school, my bishop, a wise and honorable man, called me in for an interview. My mother had been attending church each week with us, but as she was a die-hard Southern Baptist, she refused to even consider joining the Church. My bishop asked me what my plans for after high school were. Because of enormous pressure from my mother, I told him that I was going to go to Georgia Tech, get my degree, and then serve a mission. My mother had seen my LDS cousins go on missions first and then struggle to finish college, and she didn't want that for me (her worries about me were based on her own religious prejudice more than logic). My bishop then asked me if I wanted my mother to get baptized. When I responded "yes," he then said, "Mac, in the name of Jesus Christ, and by virtue of the priesthood and calling that I hold as your bishop, I promise you that if you go on a mission before going to college, your mother will get baptized some time during your mortal life." The Spirit hit me like a tons of bricks. I could only mouth "I'll go."

I came home and told my dad. We worked out my part of the bargain....since I hadn't had my entire youth to save the money, he agreed to pay for everything I couldn't earn. After graduation, I worked three jobs (Kroger, McDonald's, cutting lawns) 6 days a week and was able to earn a bunch. My mom was pissed that I was foregoing college for a 'mission' (said with as much scorn as you can imagine) and she never let my dad, the bishop, or me forget it. I was to report to the MTC on February 3, 1993. The night before I left, my mom asked me to give her a priesthood blessing. I did, and in it I felt prompted to tell her to listen to the Spirit when she missed me. Off I went.

The MTC was like prison. I felt like I was being talked down to all the time. I already had some working knowledge of Spanish, but I was mistakenly put in with the new folks. I was asked to stay with the district so I could 'help' them. Since I was a convert, I had a naive and exalted view of missionaries. One week in the MTC and I hated Utahns, Utah, the snow, the food, and everything about the place. I wanted to go home, but I also wanted to serve, and I wanted my mom to get baptized, so I stayed. 9 1/2 weeks later, I get to Costa Rica. I get put in the worst slum in the whole country because I'm a big dude and people are less likely to mess with me (that's what the mission president told me). The sun bakes the tops of my ears and the back of my neck into a pinetree bark mass of scalded skin. I have blisters the size of 50 cent pieces on the bottoms of my feet. I get sick and vomit and blow diarrhea all over the place, uncontrollably, about once a month.

But, people start to listen to what we have to say. People start getting baptized. In one area, I baptize a lady....last month I was with her and her daughter talking about how hard it was for them to get up for seminary every morning. Then one night, I come home and I have a message from the mission home to call them first thing in the morning (the phones used to shut off at 9:30 at night). The next morning, I call. The mission president wants to see me....it's serious....he won't say what. I'm to come in to the mission home immediately...taking a taxi from the parada. Oh crap! Did someone die?

I walk in the door, and I see an elder from my MTC district that I hadn't seen in months, I say 'hey." The president interrupts me, "Elder Williams, come here and read this, now."

He hands me a rolled-up piece of fax paper. I open it, heart pounding....I can taste metal in my mouth. It reads, "Dear Son, I have decided to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Love, Mom."

That's why I served a mission, and stuff like that is why I stay active in spite of all the problems, doubts, and other stuff in the Church that bothers me. My bishop was an inspired man, and that promise he made has sustained my testimony in many a dark hour.

Also, without learning Spanish, I would've been a history professor.

I'd say that the interview is not an intrusion, but rather a chance for the stake presidency to use the Spirit to bless someone's life. Maybe yall's; maybe someone else's, but meeting with priesthood authorities should be a positive thing (mostly).

[SuperGabers]

That's a cool story wuap.

[CardiacCoug]

I have to admit that I see asking kids about their plans for the future as pretty innocuous. Hopefully they are just reminding them about the importance of education and giving some encouragement and general advice if the kids have any questions.

There are a lot of kids whose parents really are completely clueless when it comes to helping them sign up for the ACT or SAT and apply to colleges, etc. so if they will just provide a little bit of help or advice with that kind of stuff, then it is harmless and probably even a good thing.

[il Padrino Ute]

That's cause you've already accepted the intrusive role of the guidance counselor in your kids lives.

And I'm proud to do it.

"This is MY house!"

[Soccermom]

In this case, I think it is actually cool that the SP was clear and specific as to what the interview would entail. It seems a bit overboard that he needs to meet with the parents too, but I'm sure there is a sincere reason he is doing so. I think if you don't feel like you want your daughter to talk to him, you should just explain your reservations and politely decline. But I'm guessing he just wants to encourage them to pursue an education and possibly promote institute. And I don't think teens can hear too often how valuable an education can be.

[Shaka]

Wuap, that was an awesome story.

[wuapinmon]

And I'm proud to do it.

"This is MY house!"

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[Jeff Lebowski]

I don't understand the anger here at all. If it bothers you, just say no.

[The Fourth Nephite]

The guidance counselor's job is to advise about matters of education. The Stake Presidency's job is to offer guidance for spiritual matters.

Of course, that's just my opinion.

All things are spiritual.

[Tick's wife]

I think your anger is misplaced here. It's not like the Stake went through and scheduled a meeting with just the troubled teens. He's talking to everyone. Think of it as a PPI with the High Councillor.

Has your daughter's HS guidance counselor met privately with her this year about her plans? Were you offended then? Did you tell the guidance counselor to mind her own business? Did you see it as an intrusion into your parenting skills?

yes, the HS counselor did meet with her and completely forgot the conversation they had a month ago about the same thing. All he wanted to do was convince her to go to a local College instead of BYU. In fact, the Counselor told her that he couldn't help her with anything in regards to BYU because he only knows about stuff for CA colleges, which makes perfect sense. However, a good counselor, mind you, I know they are overwhelmed and he is trying, but a good counselor would have offered to try and find out what he can about the school she wants to go to. We had the same question when she hads Freshman orientation. The Dean told us that they do not help or support students if they are going out of state. Not in their best interest (the HS). Sooo, as far as BYU, we were on our own and did well.

A Fireside would be a better idea and use of time. With music and positive messages.

I just think it is none of their business. Should we tell them how many times we have sex too?

[wuapinmon]

All things are spiritual.

No, they are not.