Why is the Handbook of instructions kept confidential?

[Mormon Red Death]

Are we Coke or McDonalds in that through our procedures we have better efficiency creating a greater religious advantage versus other churches?

Seriously can anyone make a good case for keeping the Handbook of instructions confidential?

[Goatnapper'96]

Are we Coke or McDonalds in that through our procedures we have better efficiency creating a greater religious advantage versus other churches?

Seriously can anyone make a good case for keeping the Handbook of instructions confidential?

You can't eat the meat......."how can you have your puddin' if you don't eat your meat!?"

The truth is I really don't care and haven't spent a great deal of time worrying about it. I do love it when people throw down "this is what the handbook says." I love the end all data points of GA quotes and miscaleneous handbook instructions to make a point.

[Mormon Red Death]

You can't eat the meat......."how can you have your puddin' if you don't eat your meat!?"

The truth is I really don't care and haven't spent a great deal of time worrying about it. I do love it when people throw down "this is what the handbook says." I love the end all data points of GA quotes and miscaleneous handbook instructions to make a point.

Not that I care all that much I was just wondering why its confidential. Do we have some secret religious sauce (not a sexual reference)?

[creekster]

I think they keep it confidential because it ISN'T authoritative. The manual itself says in the intro it is in the manner of guidelines to be adapted to each unit (or something like that; i haven't read it in a while). I think if it was widely available, it would be used like Scripture.

We are a common law Church but people, by their nature, want a Napoleonic code. Give us a King!

[Flystripper]

Are we Coke or McDonalds in that through our procedures we have better efficiency creating a greater religious advantage versus other churches?

Seriously can anyone make a good case for keeping the Handbook of instructions confidential?

I think it would become a hassle to defend the few bits of crap that is in there when most of the stuff in the handbook is good advice.

Also bishops would have to spend much of their time trying to reconcile their decisions with members holding them up to the standards in the book. How annoying would it be if Sister Smith came up to you every time she had a different understanding than your interpretation as to what the handbook said and tried to hold the book over year head? Mormons appeal too much to authority as it is.

Personalty I think too much is spelled out in the handbook. I understand that Bishops may feel overwhelmed when they encounter something that they don't know how to handle, but spelling out every little thing seems counterproductive to the whole inspiration/stewardship/keys idea.

It would be fun to have a good look at all the stuff in there, but I can see why they don't put the book on the internet.

[Flystripper]

I think they keep it confidential because it ISN'T authoritative. The manual itself says in the intro it is in the manner of guidelines to be adapted to each unit (or something like that; i haven't read it in a while). I think if it was widely available, it would be used like Scripture.

We are a common law Church but people, by their nature, want a Napoleonic code. Give us a King!

yep. I think it gets used in an appeal to authority too much as it is.

[Mormon Red Death]

I think they keep it confidential because it ISN'T authoritative. The manual itself says in the intro it is in the manner of guidelines to be adapted to each unit (or something like that; i haven't read it in a while). I think if it was widely available, it would be used like Scripture.

We are a common law Church but people, by their nature, want a Napoleonic code. Give us a King!

The problem is like napper alluded too. People use the handbook as authoritative.

[BigFatMeanie]

I think it would become a hassle to defend the few bits of crap that is in there when most of the stuff in the handbook is good advice.

Also bishops would have to spend much of their time trying to reconcile their decisions with members holding them up to the standards in the book. How annoying would it be if Sister Smith came up to you every time she had a different understanding than your interpretation as to what the handbook said and tried to hold the book over year head? Mormons appeal too much to authority as it is.

Personalty I think too much is spelled out in the handbook. I understand that Bishops may feel overwhelmed when they encounter something that they don't know how to handle, but spelling out every little thing seems counterproductive to the whole inspiration/stewardship/keys idea.

It would be fun to have a good look at all the stuff in there, but I can see why they don't put the book on the internet.

Ask away, I'll answer any questions you have.

[creekster]

The problem is like napper alluded too. People use the handbook as authoritative.

they will either way. It ouwld be worse if it was widely avaialbel. Trust me.

An example: there is language in the CHOI that some mebers think means there cn be NO brass or stringed instruemtns of any type in sacrament meetings. I dont htink that si what it means. Sometimes we ahve suych instruments in our meetings. Some meebrs dislikeit and, if they had the CHOI, they would likely marchinto the bishop's office and slap the page down on his desk and compalin abotu it. That is just a tiny example. Imagine all of the problems that might ensue.

Also, imagine how bad it might be if a stake or ward decided to do somehtign just a little different than usual (remeber the books say they are guidlkeines to eb adapted). Somone's nose would get out of joint and out would come the CHOI. Blechh. What a nightmare it owuld be for Bishops.

[BigFatMeanie]

Ask away, I'll answer any questions you have.

Or better yet, just go ask your Bishop to have a good look. He'll let you review it all you want in his office (or in the clerks office or whatever) - just not take it home with you.

[Flystripper]

Or better yet, just go ask your Bishop to have a good look. He'll let you review it all you want in his office (or in the clerks office or whatever) - just not take it home with you.

nah I really don't care that much. It would be fun on internet message boards to have access to the information contained therein but I can see why they don't let it out.

I am kinda surprised I feel that way TBH. I usually side on the transparency side of these issues. Plus that would require me going back to church...

[creekster]

nah I really don't care that much. It would be fun on internet message boards to have access to the information contained therein but I can see why they don't let it out.

I am kinda surprised I feel that way TBH. I usually side on the transparency side of these issues. Plus that would require me going back to church...

wasnt an older version posted on wikileaks?

[Uncle Ted]

wasnt an older version posted on wikileaks?

It seems that both the 1999 and 2006 editions are there.

[Flystripper]

wasnt an older version posted on wikileaks?

I think so...but I think I vaguely remember someone saying it wasn't there anymore. Either way I don't care THAT much.

[BigFatMeanie]

I think a new version is coming out later this year.