No Home Teaching = No Temple Recommend

[pellegrino]

Apart from the temple recommend question, of course.

and where did that come from?

[creekster]

and where did that come from?

Not from the process that Wuap is talking about. The notion that creeping administrative decisions is the basis for the word of wisdom question is neither accurate nor helpful. Unless, of course, the goal here is just to put all decisions that one doesn't like into a broad category to make griping about the church easier.

[pellegrino]

Not from the process that Wuap is talking about. The notion that creeping administrative decisions is the basis for the word of wisdom question is neither accurate nor helpful. Unless, of course, the goal here is just to put all decisions that one doesn't like into a broad category to make griping about the church easier.

I think the level of the administrator making the decision is the only difference in this case.

[wuapinmon]

I think the level of the administrator making the decision is the only difference in this case.

Exactly. If you think their position is defensible, creekster, explain it. Otherwise, don't come in here and just take shots. I outlined, succinctly, my doctrinal opposition to their position. If you can't do the same in support of it, then I don't think you have a low-hanging limb to swing from.

[San Juan Sun]

Let me start with this thought: no one should be forced to hometeach, although most MP holders probably should. I don't think hometeaching should be a temple recommend criterion (aren't we trying to get more people to the temple?). I do think the HT program does a tremendous amount of good, is divinely inspired/sanctioned, and is an important part of fellowshipping other Saints.

With that being said, the temple recommend interview does imply that being an active preisthood holder is a part of being "temple worthy". Of course, it is the judge in Zion's job to determine and ratify one's temple worthiness. They already ask about meeting attendance, for example. I can easily see how asking about hometeaching could possibly help the bishop in the interview, without it being an offical question.

This is coming from a mediocre hometeacher, FWIW.

[wuapinmon]

Let me start with this thought: no one should be forced to hometeach, although most MP holders probably should. I don't think hometeaching should be a temple recommend criterion (aren't we trying to get more people to the temple?). I do think the HT program does a tremendous amount of good, is divinely inspired/sanctioned, and is an important part of fellowshipping other Saints.

With that being said, the temple recommend interview does imply that being an active preisthood holder is a part of being "temple worthy". Of course, it is the judge in Zion's job to determine and ratify one's temple worthiness. They already ask about meeting attendance, for example. I can easily see how asking about hometeaching could possibly help the bishop in the interview, without it being an offical question.

This is coming from a mediocre hometeacher, FWIW.

In the last two years, I've taken a different approach to hometeaching. We've been inviting our families over for dinner and getting to know them like friends. It's made life here in this small ward much more bearable. I generally feel friendship with both spouses in two of my families. They'll call us to hang out now.

We still have a spiritual message, but it's more of a discussion. We don't always get together, but there's a sense of belonging that wasn't there before. But, you can't force that, and thankfully, I have some families who can relate to my family well. Those not in that position might have a harder time, but this is working for me.

I think that hometeaching can be an effective gauge of one's dedication to duty, but should that duty be compelled by interpreting a temple covenant to which we are not currently subject in order to fit your stake's agenda? I do not believe that it should because there is only a tenuous hermeneutical interpretation of temple covenants to back up the denial of a pretty important spiritual benefit of belonging to the Church.

[creekster]

I think the level of the administrator making the decision is the only difference in this case.

Sorry you feel that way. I think you're greatly oversimplifying. But hat topic is another thread. Which is my point.

[San Juan Sun]

In the last two years, I've taken a different approach to hometeaching. We've been inviting our families over for dinner and getting to know them like friends. It's made life here in this small ward much more bearable. I generally feel friendship with both spouses in two of my families. They'll call us to hang out now.

We still have a spiritual message, but it's more of a discussion. We don't always get together, but there's a sense of belonging that wasn't there before. But, you can't force that, and thankfully, I have some families who can relate to my family well.

Sounds like you've got the true meaning of hometeaching down pat. I'm sure that what you have is what we should all strive for. I hope you made the same point in your meeting, where perhaps hometeaching is a little more about serving friends than making numbers.

[wuapinmon]

Sounds like you've got the true meaning of hometeaching down pat. I'm sure that what you have is what we should all strive for. I hope you made the same point in your meeting, where perhaps hometeaching is a little more about serving friends than making numbers.

That's just it, the meeting was about truly connecting to the families, not worrying about numbers. I was actually encouraged. Then, we got into this stuff, and I felt moved to speak.

[pellegrino]

Sorry you feel that way. I think you're greatly oversimplifying. But hat topic is another thread. Which is my point.

I don't know that there's anything to feel sorry about, other than the fact that your point eluded me until now.

you are correct, this discussion is another thread, of which we have plenty.

[Portland Ute]

In the last two years, I've taken a different approach to hometeaching. We've been inviting our families over for dinner and getting to know them like friends. It's made life here in this small ward much more bearable. I generally feel friendship with both spouses in two of my families. They'll call us to hang out now.

We still have a spiritual message, but it's more of a discussion. We don't always get together, but there's a sense of belonging that wasn't there before. But, you can't force that, and thankfully, I have some families who can relate to my family well. Those not in that position might have a harder time, but this is working for me.

I think that hometeaching can be an effective gauge of one's dedication to duty, but should that duty be compelled by interpreting a temple covenant to which we are not currently subject in order to fit your stake's agenda? I do not believe that it should because there is only a tenuous hermeneutical interpretation of temple covenants to back up the denial of a pretty important spiritual benefit of belonging to the Church.

I'm not sure why you are worried.

Sounds like you are fulfilling your responsibility in a fashion that is very much in harmony with what the home teaching program aims to accomplish.

Just answer that you do your home teaching and move on.

You sound like a very dedicated and concerned home teacher that takes your responsibility in a very serious and contemplative manner.

Sounds to me like you are fulfilling the letter of the law but even more importantly, the SPIRIT of the law.

Go forth and worry no more...

[smokymountainrain]

I'm not sure why you are worried.

Sounds like you are fulfilling your responsibility in a fashion that is very much in harmony with what the home teaching program aims to accomplish.

Just answer that you do your home teaching and move on.

You sound like a very dedicated and concerned home teacher that takes your responsibility in a very serious and contemplative manner.

Sounds to me like you are fulfilling the letter of the law but even more importantly, the SPIRIT of the law.

Go forth and worry no more...

Amen. I could learn a thing or ten from wuap in regard to HTing.

[wuapinmon]

I'm not sure why you are worried.

Sounds like you are fulfilling your responsibility in a fashion that is very much in harmony with what the home teaching program aims to accomplish.

Just answer that you do your home teaching and move on.

You sound like a very dedicated and concerned home teacher that takes your responsibility in a very serious and contemplative manner.

Sounds to me like you are fulfilling the letter of the law but even more importantly, the SPIRIT of the law.

Go forth and worry no more...

It's not about me not having a recommend--I do. I object to the entire principle that they're espousing.

[creekster]

I don't know that there's anything to feel sorry about, other than the fact that your point eluded me until now.

you are correct, this discussion is another thread, of which we have plenty.

Oh I think there is something to be sorry about, but that is another thread (or several; it could go in a number that are already out there).

[creekster]

Exactly. If you think their position is defensible, creekster, explain it. Otherwise, don't come in here and just take shots. I outlined, succinctly, my doctrinal opposition to their position. If you can't do the same in support of it, then I don't think you have a low-hanging limb to swing from.

Which position? The HT one? No, i dont think it is a part of the temple recommend questions and I would be very reluctant to add it to the requirements. But I think saying this is the same thing that happened with the WoW is incorrect, which is what my original post here said.