[Teachldsseminary] Inspiration and Stewardship

[miriama ormsby]

Dear Brothers and Sisters
Elder Bednar gave wonderful counsel back in November, about NOT being 
offendable. Since giving this lesson myself during Relief Society I have 
noticed that I don't get so fired up when I feel that someone has crossed my 
path! I also learnt from this lesson that unless I know exactly what caused 
the reaction that seems so offensive, then I am foolish to react to it for 
my reaction maybe quite unjustified!! For instance, we had a combined 
preisthood and relief society meeting and the Bishop had asked the High 
Counselman in our ward to conduct a 'lesson'. What proceeded was a guidance 
on 'proper proticol'. For example , what your hometeachers are there for, 
etc.
Well during the discussion it was told that Bishop was frustrated with some 
of the requests of the members. An example was that just the week before, 
someone approached the Bishop and asked for a tithing slip for there was not 
any in the space where they are stored. So the High Counselman made a 
comment about the person who asked for a tithing slip, that he should not 
have 'bothered' Bishop for a tithing slip. I spoke to my husband 
straightaway because I felt that if that man in question was in the meeting 
then he could easily be offended and walkout and not return. I also felt 
that we don't know what happend that day, perhaps the man had already tried 
to ask the ward clerk for the slips but couldn't find him. Perhaps even, 
Bishop was the only one he could find at the time. Compared to the 
importance of paying tithing, asking bishop for a tithing slip does nt seem 
so bad.
So, I am a crusader of Not being offendable. The freeness I feeling when I 
turn the other cheek is wonderful. I don't carry the weight of bad feelings 
simmering, ready to blow, inhibiting my righteous progress. It makes me free 
to enjoy the blessings of my Father. Let's follow Elder Bednar's counsel and 
not be offendable.
Kindest Regards Sister Ormsby, Welcome Bay ward, Tauranga Stake, New 
Zealand.
>From: ReaJN at aol.com
>Reply-To: Free Email list for LDS Seminary 
>Teachers<teachldsseminary at latter-dayvillage.com>
>To: teachldsseminary at latter-dayvillage.com
>Subject: Re: [Teachldsseminary] Inspiration and Stewardship
>Date: Mon, 8 Jan 2007 22:57:07 EST
>
>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”?
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