Proposition 8 take a break..we can reach our destination..but we're still a ways away - cougarguard.com — unofficial BYU Cougars / LDS sports, football, basketball forum and message board

TripletDaddy · 07-06-2008, 11:58 PM

Well, the shiz is going to hit the fan soon...or at least it will get interesting.

Today I returned to our ward after missing last Sunday due to our vacation. I think I have mentioned here before that I teach the Priests during the 3rd hour. As expected, the Bishop also attends our class.

Since most kids were away on vacation this past week, there were only 2 priests in class today. We had some time to chat and I asked the Bishop about the "letter." I had initially been told that the letter had not been read in our ward, but the Bishop confirmed to me that he DID read the letter last Sunday.

I asked him why some wards read it last week, some did not, and some wards read it a few weeks ago.....inquiring as to whether the FP gives SPs and local leadership some discretion in reading these things.

He assured me that it was to be statewide last Sunday. He then busted out the cover letter that went with the actual "letter" that we have all seen here. His cover letter clearly stated that all Bishops were to read the letter on June 29.

Of more interest.....the events to come between now and Election Tuesday.

The Bishop said that the SP has instructed all Bishops in our stake of the following:

1. Over the next month or so (as early as next week for our ward), SPs, Stake HCs, and Bishoprics will be giving Sacrament talks focused on The Proclamation and other family topics. This will not be a 1-time Sunday event, but rather a common theme over several Sundays for the next few months...until the election.
2. Members of the Bishopric/Stake HC will be visiting some families asking them for donations. Bishop said that the Church has asked SPs to refrain from asking for donations from the pulpit or really during Church at all (political neutrality...). Bishop said not every family will be asked. I didnt asked what the criteria was, but my guess is that the older, wealthy families will be the ones asked to contribute.
3. As of now, there is no mandate for door-to-door campaigns, but the SP said that it was not definitely still possible.
4. We will also be encouraged to place anti-Prop 8 signs on our lawns.
5. The mantra for this movement is not "anti-gay," but "pro-family."

I asked the Bishop what would happen if he went to a family's home and they refused to donate or go door to door. The Bishop responded that it was "[our] job to help these families understand the seriousness of this issue." I didnt push him for the scenario in which the family does not agree with the seriousness of this issue because we were in front of the 2 priests and I didnt think it was the right time to go into all of that.

This is a very interesting position for me because I have never really "opposed" anything in the Church before. The last time this issue was raised in California, our ward was not asked to go door to door, so I only heard the letter read in Sacrament meeting. I didnt have to or refrain from anything because there was no individual accountability. It seems that this time, the Bishopric may come into my home and talk to me face to face.

I might need to borrow a gun from one of you guys to protect myself from the righteous indignation that will accompany the visit.

MikeWaters · 07-07-2008, 12:03 AM

Good luck with all that.

TripletDaddy · 07-07-2008, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

Good luck with all that.

I just read on CB in an FO post that in PEC today, this CBer was shown the donation slip the is specifically for Prop 8......min donation $50, max $5,000....Bishopric instructed to ask families to give all they can give.

Each slip has a space for ward and stake designations, so all donations will be tracked.

I may fill out a slip and put "zero" on the form....civil disobedience-style.

I really wish the Church would truly stay politically neutral. It is putting a lot of people in an awkward position unnecessarily.

Archaea · 07-07-2008, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TripletDaddy

I just read on CB in an FO post that in PEC today, this CBer was shown the donation slip the is specifically for Prop 8......min donation $50, max $5,000....Bishopric instructed to ask families to give all they can give.

Each slip has a space for ward and stake designations, so all donations will be tracked.

I may fill out a slip and put "zero" on the form....civil disobedience-style.

I really wish the Church would truly stay politically neutral. It is putting a lot of people in an awkward position unnecessarily.

odd that this is the battle cry for Monson's era. I wonder if this is Monson or Eyring.

What chances are it that the Proposition will be adopted?

TripletDaddy · 07-07-2008, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archaea

odd that this is the battle cry for Monson's era. I wonder if this is Monson or Eyring.

What chances are it that the Proposition will be adopted?

I am guessing that it will pass, but solely based on the fact that the last vote passed overwhelmingly. Admittedly, not scientific, but a fair barometer. The last vote was when.....about 5 years ago? I wonder if attitudes have shifted since then?

All-American · 07-07-2008, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archaea

odd that this is the battle cry for Monson's era. I wonder if this is Monson or Eyring.

What chances are it that the Proposition will be adopted?

You want my little theory? This isn't Monson at all. Probably not Eyring or Uctdorf, either.

My guess is that somebody in the twelve with sufficient muscle and momentum is encouraging the First Presidency to sign the letters and pass out the memorandums that would have been quashed under President Hinckley's direction while the new guy is still cutting his teeth on the mantle.

MikeWaters · 07-07-2008, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by All-American

You want my little theory? This isn't Monson at all. Probably not Eyring or Uctdorf, either.

My guess is that somebody in the twelve with sufficient muscle and momentum is encouraging the First Presidency to sign the letters and pass out the memorandums that would have been quashed under President Hinckley's direction while the new guy is still cutting his teeth on the mantle.

As if Monson is a greenhorn and still finding his sea-legs?

This is a continuation of 2000. Hinckley signed off on that, didn't he?

danimal · 07-07-2008, 01:15 AM

My father-in-law lived in California during the last time around, and was asked by the Stake President to donate money to the cause. He's a pretty conservative guy, but was against the proposition. He said he would think about it, but did not end up donating. The SP never followed up and nothing more was done.

There must be church leaders in CA who are against this. I'd be interested to see how they're handling this.

YOhio · 07-07-2008, 01:55 AM

Why is everybody discounting the possibility that Jesus Christ himself inspired his prophet, seer and revelator, Thomas S. Monson, to take this course of action?

All-American · 07-07-2008, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YOhio

Why is everybody discounting the possibility that Jesus Christ himself inspired his prophet, seer and revelator, Thomas S. Monson, to take this course of action?

Because that possibility's a given.

07-06-2008, 11:58 PM	#1
TripletDaddy Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 9,483	Proposition 8 take a break..we can reach our destination..but we're still a ways away Well, the shiz is going to hit the fan soon...or at least it will get interesting. Today I returned to our ward after missing last Sunday due to our vacation. I think I have mentioned here before that I teach the Priests during the 3rd hour. As expected, the Bishop also attends our class. Since most kids were away on vacation this past week, there were only 2 priests in class today. We had some time to chat and I asked the Bishop about the "letter." I had initially been told that the letter had not been read in our ward, but the Bishop confirmed to me that he DID read the letter last Sunday. I asked him why some wards read it last week, some did not, and some wards read it a few weeks ago.....inquiring as to whether the FP gives SPs and local leadership some discretion in reading these things. He assured me that it was to be statewide last Sunday. He then busted out the cover letter that went with the actual "letter" that we have all seen here. His cover letter clearly stated that all Bishops were to read the letter on June 29. Of more interest.....the events to come between now and Election Tuesday. The Bishop said that the SP has instructed all Bishops in our stake of the following: 1. Over the next month or so (as early as next week for our ward), SPs, Stake HCs, and Bishoprics will be giving Sacrament talks focused on The Proclamation and other family topics. This will not be a 1-time Sunday event, but rather a common theme over several Sundays for the next few months...until the election. 2. Members of the Bishopric/Stake HC will be visiting some families asking them for donations. Bishop said that the Church has asked SPs to refrain from asking for donations from the pulpit or really during Church at all (political neutrality...). Bishop said not every family will be asked. I didnt asked what the criteria was, but my guess is that the older, wealthy families will be the ones asked to contribute. 3. As of now, there is no mandate for door-to-door campaigns, but the SP said that it was not definitely still possible. 4. We will also be encouraged to place anti-Prop 8 signs on our lawns. 5. The mantra for this movement is not "anti-gay," but "pro-family." I asked the Bishop what would happen if he went to a family's home and they refused to donate or go door to door. The Bishop responded that it was "[our] job to help these families understand the seriousness of this issue." I didnt push him for the scenario in which the family does not agree with the seriousness of this issue because we were in front of the 2 priests and I didnt think it was the right time to go into all of that. This is a very interesting position for me because I have never really "opposed" anything in the Church before. The last time this issue was raised in California, our ward was not asked to go door to door, so I only heard the letter read in Sacrament meeting. I didnt have to or refrain from anything because there was no individual accountability. It seems that this time, the Bishopric may come into my home and talk to me face to face. I might need to borrow a gun from one of you guys to protect myself from the righteous indignation that will accompany the visit. __________________ Fitter. Happier. More Productive. "Everyone is against me. Everyone is fawning for 3D's attention and defending him." -- SeattleUte

07-07-2008, 01:15 AM	#8
danimal Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Your mom's house Posts: 588	My father-in-law lived in California during the last time around, and was asked by the Stake President to donate money to the cause. He's a pretty conservative guy, but was against the proposition. He said he would think about it, but did not end up donating. The SP never followed up and nothing more was done. There must be church leaders in CA who are against this. I'd be interested to see how they're handling this. __________________ Tobias: You know, Lindsay, as a therapist, I have advised a number of couples to explore an open relationship where the couple remains emotionally committed, but free to explore extra-marital encounters. Lindsay: Well, did it work for those people? Tobias: No, it never does. I mean, these people somehow delude themselves into thinking it might, but...but it might work for us.

07-07-2008, 12:03 AM	#2
MikeWaters Demiurge Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 36,365	Good luck with all that.

07-07-2008, 01:55 AM	#9
YOhio AKA SeattleNewt Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 7,055	Why is everybody discounting the possibility that Jesus Christ himself inspired his prophet, seer and revelator, Thomas S. Monson, to take this course of action?