Note: I wasn’t going to post today, because the one I am working on is still bouncing around in my head. However, here is a short one to make my contribution for the day.
Lots of changes in the Church these past few months. Lots of surprises – but should we have been surprised?
A friend of mine, Marla, (who happens to be one of the best people I know.) caught me in the hallway after church and showed me a passage from a talk that I thought I knew well. “Good, Better, Best.” by the Elder Dallin H. Oaks. I have probably referenced that talk a hundred times in my life and blog. It is one of my favorite General Conference talks of all time.
That said, I was surprised to hear her read the following:
“Stake presidencies and bishoprics need to exercise their authority to weed out the excessive and ineffective busyness that is sometimes required of the members of their stakes or wards. Church programs should focus on what is best (most effective) in achieving their assigned purposes without unduly infringing on the time families need for their “divinely appointed duties.”
But here is a caution for families. Suppose Church leaders reduce the time required by Church meetings and activities in order to increase the time available for families to be together. This will not achieve its intended purpose unless individual family members—especially parents—vigorously act to increase family togetherness and one-on-one time.”
What year was this talk given? 2007. More than a decade ago. What we are seeing transpire now was already floated as a hypothetical over a decade ago. This teaches us a few things:
The Church is like a huge ship, it does not change course quickly or haphazardly. These things have long been in the pipeline. As the brethren have mentioned, these things are a long time in coming.
If we listen to our leaders, carefully, it will help prepare us for what is to come. Prophecy is real. For example, understanding and embracing the new ministering efforts would help us understand the implications and solutions to some of the challenges that will come about from the new home-based church emphasis.
Ironically, that talk by Elder Oaks is still prescient and still very applicable to what we are focused on right now. I recommend you go back and read it if you have a minute this Sabbath day.
Thanks to President Oaks, and thanks to Marla for making the connection.
PS: I must confess that as I was thinking this through, the words of Iago came to mind. (Not Othello’s Iago, Jafar’s Iago.)
Thanks for the post! Back in 07, when I heard this talk I thought the ‘reduced meetings’ was in reference to ward councils and things of that nature. Makes me wonder what else has been hinted at that I have only considered a certain way.
And have you heard President Nelson’s words in Chile? “We’re witnesses to a process of restoration,” said the prophet. “If you think the Church has been fully restored, you’re just seeing the beginning. There is much more to come. … Wait till next year. And then the next year. Eat your vitamin pills. Get your rest. It’s going to be exciting.” …speaking of vitamins,,,”What’s the best vitamin for Christians? B1.”
After reading your piece here I went to lds.org and listened to Dallin H. Oaks talk about Good, Better, Best. Food for thought. Thanks for the jog.
We just went to tithing settlement today. (Bishop out of town in December). We got our new manual for home study. The Bishop told us very strongly that this “hour off from church” was not for our rest but for us to use as study time. We could use our new manual any time, but the extra hour was a gift of time for ‘study’ of the gospel. We chose our study time together to be at 9 AM with church starting at 10:30 AM we would be prepared spiritually and for Sunday instruction.
With our Stake President asking us to read the new “Saints” book by end of the year. The Prophet asking the Women of the Church to read the Book of Mormon by the end of the year. I am seeing a growth in my prayers, revelations, questions and testimony. When my scheduled temple attendance happens….
Need I say, I’m polishing my anchor? Because if what I am feeling is true, I may see more testimony of the Second Coming than I thought I would in my life time.
I love this. Thank you for sharing these thoughts. Just one of the many reasons we are counseled to read and reread and study the scriptures and the words of our latter-day prophets and Apostles.
As a side note: We attended a stake conference in southern California shortly after the block schedule was announced in 1980. The general authority who spoke told us that the block schedule was preparation for the time that would come when we would be teaching from our homes and most of the auxiliaries would no longer exist. I’ve mentioned that a few times over the years and most people looked at me like I had three heads.
Karl, I remember being taught that very same thing!!
Kari I remember hearing that too! I didn’t remember until you wrote it. Same thing, 3 hour block and teaching at home. Wow!
Truth… and, you crack me up! ? Thanks for your consistent, thought-provoking musings, and for the occasional laugh!
A change announced in our Relief Society today, — all RS callings except Presidency changes will be taken care of in the RS meetings, not in Sacrament Mtg. BUT Melchizedek callings that have been only in Priesthood meetings will now be in Sacrament Mtg. Bishop also mentioned many sustainings will be in the separate organizations. sounds like only highest leadership callings will be the only ones in Sacrament Mtg.
Thank you!!