[Teachldsseminary] Inspiration and Stewardship

[ReaJN@aol.com]

I was the person on the music committee that choose the hymns, and, like  any 
calling, there is a stewardship that goes with it and a desire to follow the  
spirit.  I remember how I felt one Sunday when the chorister changed the  
hymns.  I had reasons for what I had chosen, and she had someone in the  ward ask 
for different ones, so she just changed them.  The bishopric  member 
announced the new ones, not realizing I wasn’t the one who changed  them.  I felt that 
I had been undermined in my calling. I was really hurt  that someone would 
just change what I had worked on, I felt, with inspiration,  on someone’s whim. 
What hymns we sing may not seem so important to the members  of the bishopric, 
but aren’t we constantly told that every calling in the church  in just as 
important as any other?  And your efforts and desires to fill  your stewardship 
are just the same whether you are Relief Society President,  Bishop, or 
choosing the hymns for Sacrament Meeting.  I agree that she and  the bishopric 
should study the handbook.  If topics can be given to her  ahead of time, that 
helps.  Maybe when they give her the topics, the Bishop  could ask her to consider 
a particular hymn.  Also, she should be giving  copies of what she has chosen 
to the Bishopric member over her in advance.   But, she should be allowed to 
use her inspiration and fulfill her  stewardship.   We do that every day as 
Seminary teachers in choosing  what to teach from the scripture block.  
 
 I just read this quote when I was studying to teach Section 84, and  it 
seems appropriate here. 
 
 “The Lord counseled us to ‘let every man learn his duty, and to act  in the 
office in which he is appointed, in all diligence.’ (D&C 107:99.) An  elder 
who has been called to an office of presidency should respect the callings  of 
those over whom he presides. He should let, indeed help, them do that which  
they are called to do without usurping their responsibilities.” (Boyd K. 
Packer,  “What Every Elder Should Know—and Every Sister as Well: A Primer on 
Principles  of Priesthood Government,” Ensign, Feb. 1993, 7) 
 
The whole talk is excellent if you have the time to read it.  
 
There may be times when things have to be changed on the counsel of a  
presiding officer, for instance, when the Stake President came to change our  
Bishopric, he requested a particular hymn, and I was glad to change, because it  was 
the Stake President.  I would also have been fine with changing for the  
Bishop, if he talked to me about it.  But those times are few and far  between.  
She has a valid question about inspiration.  I’m sure this  will be a learning 
experience for all of them.   Part of the solution  may be for the bishopric 
to analyze and discuss with her why they asked for a  change, maybe just their 
favorite?  (It may not have been inspiration,  everything they do isn’t!)   I 
don't mean to be critical of your new  bishopric; having seen my husband go 
through the same experience, I know the  learning that takes place as they are 
honestly trying to do what is best for the  ward.
 
Sorry this is so long.
 
Rea
 
Just out of curiosity, what did you mean by “line  leaders”?