Trouble Brewing

[il Padrino Ute]

Originally Posted by RC Vikings

Tithing settlement, ppi's and Saturday evening stake conference. These three just seem so unnecessary to me I won't go.

You left out Sunday School and ward activities.

[RC Vikings]

Originally Posted by il Padrino Ute

You left out Sunday School and ward activities.

I didn't want to sound like a total heathen but you are correct.

[UtahDan]

I went to a funeral earlier this week for the parent of one of our long time employees. There was an old guy who sang a song called "Some Call it Heaven but I Call it Home" or something like that (non-lds obviously). It was pretty good except that the folks from the funeral home in the AV booth never quite had the soundtrack loud enough for him so he kept pointing toward the sky to get them to turn it up, pretty much the whole song. It was very difficult to suppress the inappropriate laughter. The preacher who spoke was nice enough.

[il Padrino Ute]

Originally Posted by RC Vikings

I didn't want to sound like a total heathen but you are correct.

I'll take the heat for being a heathen. I am an ALUF - I'm used to it.

[creekster]

Originally Posted by SeattleUte

There's nothing more moving than a great funeral oration presenting the decedent's life like a work of art. Like brides are always beautiful (I really believe that old saying; I've seen many a plain woman look magazine beautiful on her wedding day) those who speak at funerals about loved ones seem to really rise to the occasion, they soar.

More emotion, I mean pathos, well expressed.

[BlueK]

Originally Posted by Mormon Red Death

No kidding... I will put in my funeral that will NOT be any gospel talks. I want a roast or at least a service where people tell funny stories and good memories they had with me.

you don't have to have your funeral at the church.

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by Sleeping in EQ

The counsel on having funeral talks not dwell on the deceased is ill conceived.

Agreed. Psychologically, it's damaging not to allow the friends and family members to grieve and to remember or to celebrate the life of the deceased. Whoever penned that did not contemplate it well.

I can see the reason for the cookbook handbook, so long as people remember it's a general guidebook, not the precise how to book.

[BlueK]

Originally Posted by El Paso Coug

Members don't want to be required to look the Bishop in the face and say that they aren't full tithe payers. Tithing settlement does a very good job of collecting money. If you don't sign up, you'll get a call from the executive secretary to make sure everyone is accounted for.

as a finance clerk my observation is that tithing settlement does very little to collect money they wouldn't already get anyway. The bishop had me help call and schedule appointments with as many members as possible and it didn't make much impact in how many came in. Those who would have come in anyway came, and the rest didn't. Also, I think the characterization that it's only about money is unfair. For my bishop I really believe it was his honest effort at talking with and getting to know the members better. At least at the local level, tithing settlement isn't so much about collecting money, IMO, especially considering all the money goes to SLC anyway.

What has seemed to make a difference in my ward was when they started to emphasize sending the Aaronic priesthood out to collect fast offerings. That has clearly increased what my ward has collected this year.

[BlueK]

Originally Posted by El Paso Coug

I've been in the same ward for 8 years and we have had 3 different Bishops. Every one of them has made sure every active member comes into tithing settlement. If you don't sign up, you get a phone call. Perhaps my ward is stricter than others on this.

how would you like to be a bishop and know you have to report for every member of the ward? Wouldn't you rather talk to as many as possible so you can have the member report for themselves instead of doing it for them? He has to send the report on you whether you talk to him or not. The other purpose of it is to give the bishop an opportunity to meet with the members and get to know them.

[MikeWaters]

Yikes, I'm ok with Aaronic Priesthood collecting fast offerings, as long as I am not the one who has to drive them around every time we do it!