[Teachldsseminary] OT: Callings Letter Date

[E. Keith (JB) Howick, Jr.]

Thank you, Marji.

The Church Handbook of Instructions does not give any member the right 
to release themselves.  It also does not forbid them from asking for a 
release.  Marji's example is all too common.  I regularly work with 
inactive members who became inactive because they were burned out in a 
calling.  They didn't feel that they could approach the previous Branch 
Presidents for a release, and the previous Branch Presidents were 
content to let a talented individual serve without complaint.  This is 
the classical condition of LDS guilt, and it simply shouldn't exist.

Brothers and sisters, making the position of seminary teacher a calling 
in the Church is a huge blessing.  Callings come with rights and 
privileges that a mere job doesn't have.  Making the position a Stake 
calling underscores the tremendous importance of the seminary program.

But, please, if you feel that changes in your life warrant a release, 
don't feel like you can't ask for one.  The talks by Bro. Walker, 
Packer, and Eyring, were never intended to unrighteously impose an 
obligation on anyone.  They were meant to strengthen our commitment to 
our faith.


Pres. Howick

Marji wrote:
>  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

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