Self-Awareness Groups

[Jeff Lebowski]

This letter was read over the pulpit today in most wards:

http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/40005/Members-counseled-about-self-awareness-groups.html

I must confess that I am completely ignorant about these groups. What have I missed that would warrant a letter from the FP?

[Solon]

This letter was read over the pulpit today in most wards:

http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/40005/Members-counseled-about-self-awareness-groups.html

I must confess that I am completely ignorant about these groups. What have I missed that would warrant a letter from the FP?

We heard this today. I don't know anything about these groups, but I'm open to an invitation.

When the letter was read, my wife turned to me and said, "what's going on at these parties?"

I agreed - the mention of intimate rites, physical contact, late-night meetings, and pairing off with non-spouses sounds like a swingers' club.

[CardiacCoug]

We heard this today. I don't know anything about these groups, but I'm open to an invitation.

When the letter was read, my wife turned to me and said, "what's going on at these parties?"

I agreed - the mention of intimate rites, physical contact, late-night meetings, and pairing off with non-spouses sounds like a swingers' club.

I thought it was stuff like this:

http://www.thegreatlifefoundation.org/

[TripletDaddy]

It was read in our ward, too.

The announcement isn't new, though. It was culled in large part from Book 1. Been in there for at least a decade.

My first thought was for groups that encourage gays to come out of closet, along those lines. Not that the church is against gays coming out of the closet, but the list read in church outlined specific aspects of these self groups that are verboten.

We were also told to stop bugging the FP about bull crap and figure things out at the local level. Looks like our bishop wrote to T-Mo and asked whether we could attend earlier in the morning. Victory is mine!

[Non Sequitur]

If this weren't read in Sacrament meeting, you might think the letter was cautioning people against Mormonism.

[Jeff Lebowski]

If this weren't read in Sacrament meeting, you might think the letter was cautioning people against Mormonism.

OK, that was funny.

[Solon]

It was read in our ward, too.

The announcement isn't new, though. It was culled in large part from Book 1. Been in there for at least a decade.

My first thought was for groups that encourage gays to come out of closet, along those lines. Not that the church is against gays coming out of the closet, but the list read in church outlined specific aspects of these self groups that are verboten.

We were also told to stop bugging the FP about bull crap and figure things out at the local level. Looks like our bishop wrote to T-Mo and asked whether we could attend earlier in the morning. Victory is mine!

Good call. It's nothing new. The letter Lebowski linked to (and the one read in my meeting today) is dated 2001.

So, why the reiteration today?

[LA Ute]

This letter was read over the pulpit today in most wards:

http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/40005/Members-counseled-about-self-awareness-groups.html

I must confess that I am completely ignorant about these groups. What have I missed that would warrant a letter from the FP?

We read it today too. Seemed to me that the letter's talking about EST-type organizations and their prodigy progeny: LifeSpring, The Forum, etc. I read the letter carefully and was relieved that it didn't seem to encompass Covey Seven Habits training.

[TripletDaddy]

One tiny bit of verbiage that jumped out to me was that these groups imply endorsement from the Church. The church stated emphatically that it does not endorse any of these groups.

Where else would there be a proliferation of self help groups implying endorsement from the LDS church?

I am convinced that 90% of the CHOI is for the small minority of nut jobs living in Utah and Idaho. The other 10% is for CUF and cougar guard.

[pellegrino]

this letter, or something like it has been read at least three other times that I can remember, going back to my teenage years.

[Uncle Ted]

It wasn't read in our ward but I think my kids will be happy to hear that early-morning seminary is out...

"Church members should not participate in groups that:

[...]

4. Meet late into the evening or in the early-morning hours."

[RC Vikings]

2. Imitate sacred rites or ceremonies.

3. Foster physical contact among participants.

4. Meet late into the evening or in the early-morning hours.

5. Encourage open confession or disclosure of personal information normally discussed only in confidential settings.

6. Cause a husband and wife to be paired with other parties."

It looks like they just incorporated into their groups what outsiders think goes on in the temple.

[chrisrenrut]

My first impression was that it was regarding groups such as Impact Training, which is headquartered in Bluffdale. I have heard that they intertwine gospel principles in their individual and couples courses. I've also heard it's some creepy stuff. But it is all 2nd or 3rd hand info so I could be way off.

[Art Vandelay]

Uh oh, I must not have opened all my mail this week. No letters read in our ward today.

[TripletDaddy]

Uh oh, I must not have opened all my mail this week. No letters read in our ward today.

Ha, this is funny. I never thought before but it makes sense...some of these pronouncements are subject to bishops opening their mail and not tossing it in the round file.

Art's ward will be the straggling caravan showing up a few weeks late to adam ondi ahman.