[Teachldsseminary] OT: Callings Letter Date

[Marji]

 President Howick's remarks.  I think that they were
> misunderstood.  Of course we are free to
> choose and agency is an essential element of the Plan of Salvation.

===================

Yes, I think they were misunderstood.  And this line from the
oft-quoted BKP talk may have been overlooked, as well:

"If some circumstance makes it difficult for you to continue to serve,
you are free to consult with the leader who called you." {BKP}

And that, in a nutshell, is all Pres.Howick was intending with his
comments, also.

Growing up, I had a girlfriend from a strong LDS family whose father
was called as a Bishop.  He served diligently for one year, and then
asked to be released because of pressing family concerns.  I don't
know what those concerns were - but I have always remembered that
example and respected it deeply.  In the gospel, the family ALWAYS
comes first.

There are those who get so caught up in administrative details and
dotting "i's" and crossing "t's" and feeling quite righteous, that
they lose their focus.  I have known of children from multiple
families where the parents spent so much time on church work that the
children felt neglected and ended up turning their backs on the
gospel, because they felt so hurt -- and maybe because they needed
that time with their parents more than the "people of the ward/stake
did".

All things in their season, all things with a sense of proportion.

There are many, many people who turn down callings all the time.  Ask
any bishop and he will tell you.  It's part of what we struggle with
in this lone and dreary world.

But we on this list, having made the decision to serve, should not do
so at the expense of one another.  We are all trying, and we all
struggle.  The Lord bless us, every one.

Marji