2014 April General Conference Thread

[Northwestcoug]

My local leaders aren't concerned so much about historicity and such (well, most of them aren't) and the specific effect it's having on testimonies, but there is a concern for all disaffected and specific local programs have been used to rescue those that are inactive. I doubt anyone in our ward could say they don't feel welcome unless they truly are trying to feel that way.

I highly doubt anyone at the local level or general level is labeling people as irredeemable. I just don't buy the guy's story at all. Anytime you use "I could be wrong" or so many other assumptions then you are treading on not just heresay but total make believe. I don't doubt there are a few GAs that think like he is describing but overall and in total leadership at all levels is concerned about the 1.

I read that facebook post. I think the word 'irredeemable' was the wrong word choice, and that kind of panned out in the subsequent comments. Of course the leadership doesn't really think anyone is irredeemable. I think the sentiment he was trying to convey was more of a 'we're not going to concede anything else to get these people back to activity. They know what to do if they want to come back. We will welcome them back, but it will be on our terms.'

At least that's what I got out of it.

[byu71]

Dehlin has turned in the past few weeks, and I think it's obvious to those who pay attention to him on any level. Something has happened to really make him mad, something on a local level at least. He's gone from doubting to inactive to participating semi - believer to pissed off antagonist over the course of the last few years. I don't blame him for this - many have followed a similar path - but it has been very public. I think he feels betrayed - my reading is that he tried to make it work as a NOM, it didn't work, and now he's mad/disappointed.

I actually feel sorry for someone who leaves the church but can't leave the church alone. It is like a breakup in a realtionship where over and over again you feel angst for the other party and continually have to justify the break up by talking trash about the other party.

I understand it during the intial breakup and for a reasonable time after. I hope this fellow can eventually let it go unlike some people I know.

[Jeff Lebowski]

7. Tad Callister as SS President is terrifying to people who had issue with his Ensign article on modesty.

I am curious why this is. Influence on curriculum?

[Green Monstah]

I am curious why this is. Influence on curriculum?

Rumor is that he's already angling to expand the definition of "self abuse" in all the youth manuals.

Bumpy bus ride? Learn to walk, you self-abuser.

Nocturnal emissions? No...subconcious SELF ABUSE!!

All joking aside, I'm neither more nor less terrified of Tad Callister now that he has an auxilliary calling.

[YOhio]

I'd like to meet someone who is actually terrified that Tad Callister is called as SS President.

[Pheidippides]

I am curious why this is. Influence on curriculum?

Yes. He is seen as a hard liner. There was a shout of hurrah in some corners when he was released, and a big groan when he was called afresh. I don't think he has much power compared to the correlation committee though, and how many new manuals is he going to be working on anyway.

[Mormon Red Death]

I'd like to meet someone who is actually terrified that Tad Callister is called as SS President.

I'd like to meet someone who could pick Tad Callister out of lineup...

I'd also like to meet the people who named their kid "Tad"

[YOhio]

Yes. He is seen as a hard liner. There was a shout of hurrah in some corners when he was released, and a big groan when he was called afresh.

Honestly you have to be making this shit up. What kind of loons do you hang around that really care?

[Uncle Ted]

6. The ROI on the missionary increase seems to be lackluster, if you assume the purpose is conversions (I only think that is a secondary motivation).

I noticed this as well.

It seems the focus of missionary work has also changed a bit as well. Besides the shift from door-to-door tracking to social media to increase the teaching pool it seems the missionaries are doing more to activate the less active members. So maybe the primary motivation has changed.

[Non Sequitur]

I'll say it. He's full of crap.

He desperately wants to be a crusader, but he's picked a cause that people don't really care about. He's Joan of Arc, tied at the stake and pissed that nobody showed up to watch.

[kccougar]

I am curious why this is. Influence on curriculum?

I'm still laughing at the idea of someone being terrified of a Sunday School President.

[kccougar]

And FYI, the new Sunday School curriculum is already complete.

[Non Sequitur]

I'm still laughing at the idea of someone being terrified of a Sunday School President.

One of my first callings that I remember was a counselor to the SS President. I had the calling for about 6 months but don't remember doing anything other than go to a couple of meetings. Best calling I ever had.

[Uncle Ted]

5. No new temple announcements - when was the last time that happened?

October 2013...

This is the second consecutive conference without an announcement of a new temple.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/8...e-to-come.html

But the church did announce the construction of a 32-story building in downtown Philadelphia.

[Pheidippides]

I actually feel sorry for someone who leaves the church but can't leave the church alone. It is like a breakup in a realtionship where over and over again you feel angst for the other party and continually have to justify the break up by talking trash about the other party.

I understand it during the intial breakup and for a reasonable time after. I hope this fellow can eventually let it go unlike some people I know.

In response to this exact idea, the following image has been circulating (language warning): http://i.imgur.com/sas1aKI.png.

It's tougher than it seems to leave it alone. You don't just walk out of Mordor, to use a cynical phrase. My Mormon upbringing and first 20 or so years of adulthood are not going away any time soon. And I still have to carefully navigate one side of the family. But I will say that things are much better and I am much happier than 6 months ago, and I expect that in a couple years I won't care at all.

In other words, I've shifted from Mormon to New Order Mormon to Exmormon, and I'm trying to now make the shift to Guy Who Has No Interest in Mormons Any More Than He Has Interest in Jehovah's Witnesses. (My secretary is one, and she's cool; I just know not to expect her to celebrate birthdays and holidays).