Three Things We Should Also Ditch With The Name "Mormon."
Three Things We Should Also Ditch With The Name "Mormon."
On an average week, my institute teacher catches himself 4-5 times a lesson referring to us as Mormons but then he corrects himself and calls us Latter-day Saints. He is taking extra effort to ensure he is following the prophet and not the culture. His actions got me thinking... Along with dropping the term Mormon and LDS to more closely align ourselves with the prophet and gospel rather than the culture, what other aspects of our culture could and should we correct? Here are three things we should also ditch with the name Mormon to more closely align with the prophet and gospel.
"Mormon Standard Time"
Anyone who has lived in the Intermountain West has hard the phrase "Mormon Standard Time." It refers to the fact that it is almost an expectation that everything starts 5-15 minutes late. I have been part of ward councils where the Bishopric was consistently 15+ minutes late to the meeting! After a few weeks in a row of waiting for 15 minutes for the meeting to start, I started showing up 15 minutes late and was still 'early' to the meeting as I normally beat the Bishopric. Eliminating Mormon Standard Time starts with the leaders, it requires that meetings start and end on time, even if nobody is there yet. This is especially important in YSA wards as if you give them an inch they will take a mile.
Now, I understand it is not easy to show up to church on time. Especially when you have 3-4 kids that are young that you need to get ready. But I think we can aim a little higher when it comes to showing up on time for our meetings or activities. My mom realized we were always 5 minutes late so she moved the clocks 10 minutes forward so that everyone thought we were running late but then we were on time. You don't need to change your clocks, but maybe setting the goal to arrive at 9 am church at 8:45 rather than at 9 will help us be on time. This is so much more important as we have moved to the two-hour block and missing the first 15-20 minutes of church is now missing ⅙th of church! Let's make Mormon Standard Time a thing of the past.
Mormon Khumra (Cultural Commandments).
The Khumra are rules put in place by Jewish customs to protect the Torah or Law, often referred to as the hedge around the law. This hedge is designed to prevent violations of the commandments of God. In our day we have our own Mormon Khumra, or cultural commandments as I like to call them. These cultural commandments often start with good intentions, like helping us avoid even the appearance of sin, but these cultural commandments are just that, commandments that originate from the culture rather than the gospel. These commandments make the gospel far harder to live for the vast majority of members. The cultural exception to keep all these cultural commandments is unrealistic. Here is a list of just a few cultural commandments:
- Thou shalt only go to church in your 'Sunday Best' and if thou seest someone not in 'Sunday Best' thou shalt inform them that they need to wear nicer clothes to church.
- Thou shalt go to BYU or BYU-I.
- Thou shalt not drink caffeinated soda.
- Thou shalt not befriend the sinner or let thy children play with them. For if thy children befriend the sinner they might also start sinning!
- Thou shalt marry an RM.
- Thou shalt not forgive they brother till he has earned forgiveness and "shown he is sorry".
- Thou shalt be married by the age of 25.
- Thou shalt severe a mission at 18 or 19 for sisters.
- Thou shalt play a sport.
- Thou shalt play the piano.
- Thou shalt be clean-shaven.
- Thou shalt walk to the front of the room to offer a prayer.
- Thou must wear a white shirt to bless or pass the sacrament.
- Thou shalt discourage young kids from getting their patriarchal blessing.
- Thou shalt tell him who smells of smoke at church that "we don't smoke" to ensure he understands he is sinning.
- Thou shalt tell him that sittest in thy pew that it is your spot.
Now some of these are tongue and cheek, but in reality, cultural commandments have good intentions of improving reverence, respect, and aid us in keeping real commandments, but often they miss the mark. I know people who did not go to church because they did not have Sunday clothes! I also know investigators who were confronted for smelling like smoke. I know people who were embarrassed by their like of cultural understanding of praying sitting down in a class before and being corrected for it. In Christ's day, the Pharisees persecuted Christ for not keeping the Khumra. I honestly believe the same would happen with Mormon Khumra. Let us redouble our efforts to focus on following the prophet and living the gospel and sticking to the actual commandments and not the Khumra!
Saying "No" to callings.
A rather new trend within the church is members turning down callings. This stems from a lack of understanding of our covenants. In the temple covenant to consecrate our time and talents to the building of the Kingdom, when a Bishop extends a calling to you on behalf of the Lord he is simply asking, "Will you keep your covenants?" There is a false notion that callings should be convenient, or fit into our lives. That never has been, nor will be the case. Do you think it was convenient for the early pioneers who had just walked across the great plains to be called on a mission to the East Coast or Britan? Or for the Saints who had just settled in Northern Utah when the Prophet called them to the Cotton or Iron missions? Or to the colonies in Arizona, Mexico, or Canada? I can't imagine explaining to a handcart pioneer who buried his wife and kids while crossing the plains to follow the prophet or Heber C. Kimball who left his wife on her deathbed to serve a mission why my situation was an exception on answering a call to serve.
The notion that we have the right to refuse callings stems from pride. In Elder Uchtdorf's Oct 2007 address, Lift where you stand he said the following: "Twenty years ago, President Ezra Taft Benson shared reports from bishops and stake presidents that some members “are turning down calls to serve claiming they are ‘too busy’ or they ‘haven’t got time.’ Others accept such callings, but refuse to magnify those callings.” President Benson went on to say, “The Lord expects each of us to have a calling in His Church so that others may be blessed by our talents and influence.” Let us ditch the trend to refuse callings, or not magnify them. Let us focus on making, and keeping our covenants, even, and especially when they are inconvenient! In the words of Elder M. Russell Ballard, "Opportunities to serve others in meaningful ways, as we have covenanted to do, rarely come at convenient times. But there is no spiritual power in living by convenience. The power comes as we keep our covenants."
A time for recommitting to live the gospel.
President Nelson is now known for the changes that his administration has made, but his focus is not only an effort to correct cultural inconsistencies, it is also streamlining church policy to more fully align with the mission of the church to proclaim the gospel, perfect the Saints, and redeem the dead. Every change has been to aid in one aspect or another of living the gospel by walking the covenant pathway to come unto Christ. Our prophet is leading this charge, and now we have a chance to recommit ourselves to following the prophet, and aligning our lives with gospel rather than culture.
A couple of years ago I was award ExecSec to my third bishop and one of the High Council wanted to meet with me right after the block. I was so worried! I couldn’t imagine what they wanted me to do, and I really was just crushed by the weight of my responsibilities. I was a primary teacher and 11-year-0old Scout leader too (small ward). I didn’t complain to anybody but God, and I pleaded that I couldn’t take any more responsibility and that whatever was coming would be too much. After I spent about an hour explaining how I would be a terrible choice for Ward Secretary or Stake Young Men’s 2nd Counselor I ended my praying by saying, ‘but of course, whatever you call me to do, I’ll do.’ Then for the first and only time in my life I heard an audible revelation of just two words: “I know”
That made me feel awesomely good, and I went to Bishopric Mtg with a good will.
And then after the block my former Bishop and current High Councillor release me from being ExecSec and it turned out I had wasted all that worry on nothing.
One might think I’m asserting my own righteousness, however after serving with three different Bishops I KNOW that the callings are inspired. I couldn’t say no, no matter what, because of that. We talked and considered different people for different callings many a time and then when the praying time came that all went by the wayside as due diligence and nothing more, until heaven agreed. You may not be the best person for the job—you may be the worst! God doesn’t often choose the best person for the job, but rather the best job for the person. That doesn’t mean it’ll magically become easy. I have always been rather timid on the phone, and for the better part of four years called at least a dozen people a week for various reasons, and every time I had to quell a stab of panic before the call. Guess what I do for a living now? 100% phone work. You just never know what you might learn and how you might benefit, if you have faith that He knows better than you.
When I was 26 year old, my wife and two toddlers and I were released from a collegiate single family ward. The following week, we found ourselves in a very interesting ward. Cindy and my wife were attending a Gospel Doctrine class. Someone came and whispered to me the Bishop wanted to see me. Entering and sitting down in the Bishop’s office, Bishop South and I chatted for a few minutes. Then he called me to EIGHT positions or callings: (1) executive secretary [which involved me in doing many, many things-too many to list. Let’s I was extremely busy. I was ready at the Bishop’s requests.]; (2) two-ward early morning seminary teacher; (3) Gospel Doctrine teacher; (4) Elder’s Quorum teacher; (5). [This was an odd callingThere was no Elder’s Quorum President at the time, One was called but wouldn’t be able to take position for six months]. Temporary Elder’s Quorum President [wasn’t this a Stake President’s calling? For this calling, No, stated the Bishop.]. (6). I would be responsible for giving at least one talk a month in Sacrament Meeting. Be prepared to give more than one talk because it was not uncommon for members not to show up. (7) As executive secretary, I was to be responsible for the entire home teaching for the ward. I could be responsible for home teaching as many as 20 families a month, Elders, 70s, and High Priests combined. [One month, I had 38 families.] (8) Adult Softball couch. I just stared at the Bishop. I was going to college at Arizona State University working on my Masters Degree in Education. I was also attending Institute classes in becoming a seminary teacher. I worked full time as a custodian in a different Stake building. I was also interviewing for a variety of teaching jobs, both seminary and public education jobs. The response I gave the Bishop was YES to all eight callings. I was taught at a young age that when the Bishop ( or any Church leader) makes a call, you accept, especially if you are temple worthy. In the temple you make a commitment to consecrate your whole life to the Church. The Lord will provide. And, indeed HE did. To this day, I can not remember how I did everything plus being a good husband and father, but I did. I am now 72 years old. I have been in and out of hospitals 31 times since I was 60 years old. During that time, I have been a Gospel Doctrine teacher. The last five years, I did not hold a calling. A few weeks ago, I was lying in a hospital bed, my fifth time battling a horrible illness known as sepsis. You were lucky if you got through this illness once. Lying there, the Bishop visited me. I told him Please give me a job. He did. He called me as the South door greeter before Sacrament meeting. I was so excited to be able to serve and minister in the Church. Brothers and Sisters, serving in the Church, will bless you besides obeying the covenants and commandments of Our Father in Heaven and Our Saviour, Jesus of Nazareth. If you respond to taking any calling and attempt to magnify it to the best of your abilities, the Lord will help you in your calling. I can bear testimony to that fact. If I can accomplish doing Eight successfully, I promise you you can do one. When you do the Lord’s work, He will provide. God bless you all.
"Thou shalt discourage young kids from getting their patriarchal blessing."
I wasn't even aware that was an issue.
I like these.
I was one who didn't get married until after 30 and was often hounded and chastised for it. It wasn't that I wasn't active or wasn't looking, I was -- but I didn't go to BYU (either of them), but stayed at our local college to help build the kingdom as President Kimball urged us to do -- there weren't many choices for me, but I tried to be faithful and serve diligently.
I continue to watch as many (who live a lot closer to the church than we do) come in late to Sacrament meeting; rather frequently. I figure that if we are always 15 minutes late, maybe we need to get started 15 minutes earlier than we do. What is the definition of insanity?
I have a firm testimony of the gospel, but I am beginning to understand more and more the difference between the gospel and members of the church. I am appreciating more and more not being judged and try not to judge how others keep their covenants.
I agree that it is inappropriate to turn down church callings for the sake of convenience or the fact that we just don't like the calling. However, there are times we cannot do the calling for one reason or another. I'd rather turn a calling down than take it and not do it. I think we are proud when we make a statement like, "I've never turned down a calling." Even if that is the case, it is inappropriate to brag about it. That's another cultural issue! More likely, once or twice, many of us have been placed in a position where we are unable to accept a calling. When someone else says they've never turned one down, it puts us in an awkward position.
Hey! Emily Here!
I agree to a point. One time a bishop called me into his office to give me a calling, and I told him I would be happy to accept but I'm not sure if it is in his best interest as I was moving out of the ward in less than a month! I love the saying "Inspiration starts with information." Sometimes our bishops don't know enough of what's going on in our lives to give us the right calling, but I would be very hesitant to say that we should be comfortable with saying a hard "no" to a calling than I am to say, "I would be happy to serve in this calling, but I am concerned about how well I will be able to magnify it". I would then counsel with my Bishop and ask him what he thinks is best. He may no longer think it is right to extend the calling, or he may still ask you to serve and offer support to you so you can handle it with everything else going on in your life. I think we often forget that calling are just as beneficial to us as they are for those we are called to serve. Sometimes it is God's way of helping us in a way we don't expect, and I would never want to turn down one of His blessings just because I don't recognize it as one right away.
"Thou shalt wear a white shirt to bless or pass the sacrament."
This is entirely up to the Bishop, so it's not really within the realm of "culture." It's not up to the individuals administering the Sacrament.
And frankly, I'd stay well away from the idea of telling people not to wear white while officiating in one of our most holy ordinances.
Wearing a white shirt is a should, not a must. I knew kid who once came to church wearing a black shirt, someone told him he could not pass the sacrament, the bishop told them they could.
"Thou shalt tell him who smells of smoke at church that “we don’t smoke” to ensure he understands he is sinning."
There was a wonderful elderly matriarch of our ward (in the deep south) who overheard as she was passing by some relief society sisters tsk-tsking amongst themselves about how awful the smoke smell was from so-and-so in sacrament this morning. She stopped and put her arms around the shoulders of two of them and leaned into the conversation, bright and cheery, and in her southern belle drawl joined in with the conversation: "Sisters! Isn't it wonderful -- that all our sins don't smell like cigarette smoke?" The klatch dispersed like a bomb went off.
I had an African American coworker one time tell me she was running on CPT (colored people time). I cracked up and told her about Mormon standard time. We both had a laugh.
I think more emphasis should be placed on internals as apposed to externals. Christians follow His teachings by “resisting not evil,” “not judging,” “forgive unto seventy times seven,” “turn the other cheek,” “go the extra mile,” and etc
While serving in a bishopric many years ago, the bishop was become increasingly frustrated as he noted that though Sacrament Meeting was to start at 9am, most of the pews were empty until about 9:15. He wondered if perhaps it would be better to start at 9:15 instead.
I quickly explained to him that if we announced Sacrament Meeting starting at 9:15, the same tardy members wouldn't be there until 9:30. If we tried to start at 9:30, those same brothers and sisters would not arrive until 9:45.
It wasn't the starting time, it was a type of mentality that directed people to habitually be late.
In addition to "Mormon Standard Time", I also had another designation -- "Temple Standard Time" which is - when you are told to be at the temple at, say, 9:00am - they mean 8:30am.
I have a professional job where I work at a computer screen for 50-60 hours a week. It is not anything that I would call a dream job, but it has paid the bills for 30+ years. So why do I keep getting church callings that force me to sit in front of a computer during second hours, after the block, and also on Wed. nights? Now when I leave my work, typically I am going to work on another computer. Recently I have been called to be the Stake Technology specialist as well. We have a large and growing stake, that has four or more families moving in every week. There are many other people without callings who could do at least one of my callings without breaking a major sweat. I wish the leaders would realize that the easiest call is not always the wisest one. Sometimes it feels like Church has become just another day at work, with me doing a Job I really dont enjoy in the first place.
"He's a computer guy... he must LOVE computers, he can do all our computer stuff, no reason to trouble or train anyone else".
I have never been asked if I enjoyed what I do for a living. I dont. its just a paycheck. Were it not for my testimony... It has become a bit of a cruel joke between the Lord and myself. If I ever move to another stake, I am specifically not telling anyone at church what it is I do for a living.
I do not know how much prayer goes into these administrative callings, but I do not feel very inspired by the callings I have had for the past decade or so.
You can and should provide feedback to your leaders, directly. That's part of sustaining them, giving them the information they need in order to study things out in their mind prior to going to the Lord with whatever changes they feel might need changing.
Elder Faust presided and taught a 16 stake leadership meeting in the Denver area a few years back, and he spoke about the plimsoll line painted on a ship. If the ship is over loaded so the line goes below the surface of the water, the ship will become unstable and possibly compromised. Elder Faust mentioned this analogy to encourage us and give us permission to speak up and say no to requests for our time, including callings. It's ok to say no.
I think there are plenty of things that someone can say "no" to before saying no to a calling that comes from the Lord. To say no to a calling extended to you by your bishop implies one of two things: you do not believe that your bishop is called by God and is working under His authority when he extends the invitation to you or you believe you know better than God how you need to be spending your time. Of course, you are always encouraged to share with your bishop at the time of the calling being extended new information that you think might change his decisions (information leads to inspiration). Sometimes if you tell him what is going on he feels directed to do differently, or he assures you that he still feels like you are called to that calling.
Callings are never meant to be punishments, they are promised blessings. Deny yourself of them if you like, or give the bishop the information that is pertinent to the situation and then humbly accept any calling he may extend. Elder Faust MAY have said that, but I don't think one thing he said one time can be considered doctrine on the matter when we have the united words and examples of the entire quorum of the twelve and first presidency that tell stories about how they were called to a calling when they felt they had no capacity to take on more but they did anyway.
With regards to Mormon Standard Time..
I was a Seminary Teacher for a couple of years, and rather than have the Devotional at the beginning of class, when only a small number of students would be there, I changed it to the end of the class, when there would be more students in attendance.
By the same token, I feel that Announcements should be made at the end of Sacrament Meeting instead of at the beginning.
I disagree on calling. That word means something totally different outside of the church; it's something that you discover for yourself, not something a random man in your neighborhood decides for you. Instead we should be volunteering for how to pitch in in ways we know we are capable of. If you tell your bishop you want to be a teacher, he'll call that revelation and give it to you.
It is not "some random man" it is the Bishop of your ward who holds the Priesthood Keys and is acting on behalf of the Lord CALLING YOU to fulfill to a SMALL DEGREE your covenant to live the law of consecration.
Good article and I agree with what was presented. My only other comment is to add to the “thou shalt” portion.
Though shalt proof read your article for typos before publishing it
I will double-check for typos, sorry.
Going to the front of the room to pray is a courtesy. In normal conversation, when someone behind me is speaking, I can turn my head toward them to hear better. Can't do this when my head is bowed. I would suggest calling on people to pray who are near the isles and can easily get to the front.
I would suggest people, after they've been asked to pray, move near the isles so they can easily get to the front. Being asked to pray is a opportunity, a blessing, a gift, an honor.
I had an experience yesterday that left me wondering why the Lord would ok a calling that it was impossible for me to fulfill, let alone magnify. My response to said calling was "are you aware I work til 8pm each weeknight?" I'm waiting to hear back after he consults with the presidency to find out if they can work with my schedule or not. (I'm doubtful, but we shall see)
Sometimes it's not a calling that the Lord "would 'ok'", but the extension of the calling that gets a discussion started that needs to take place. It gives us a chance to respond in a constructive way, exercise faith, and perhaps realize that it's a process, and one that is administered by those who are fallible, who make mistakes, and sometimes need a little patience on behalf of those they serve.
Most cultures I have been around have a version of Mormon time. It's a human thing really. I'm not sure if naming it something cute like mormon time or island time or Latino time or whatever is a good thing or a bad thing but its pretty standard. There are however some cultures or groups that do not do the late time thing. For example military time, and I don't mean 24hours vs 12hours.
I really like the comment above about temple time for example! This is something I want to work on. How to get to church on time? Been a struggle for me for a long time. When your a single guy you can literally get out of be and be ready and at church in 5-10 minutes. Then you get married and have a family and that admittedly sloppy immature patter completely falls apart 😉
Just to be clear, you don’t see black or red shirts in the baptismal font, endowment, or sealing. White is required just as it should be when participating in any other priesthood ordinance such as passing the sacrament or giving a blessing. While I agree people not wearing white shouldn’t be shamed or looked down upon, they should be taught why it is important and required to wear white.
It is important, but not required. In the early church, people didn't wear white for baptisms and other ordinances. It is a practice to show respect, but not doctrine.
Except it is NOT required to wear white to pass the sacrament or to give a blessing. It is a "should" - as in, if you have a white shirt that is clean, wear it out of respect for the ordinance. Blessings can be given and sacrament passed in situations where white shirts are not possible, and they are just as valid.
@Scooter, In some parts of the world the bretheren wear skirts when passing the sacrament . . . .
@Scooter,My grandfather was a gate keeper at the Salt Lake City temple. He told me about having coversation with 3 Catholic priests. The last thing the priests said to my grandfather is "The way we see it. The true church is either us Catholics or you Later Day Saints. It seems to me that Catholics are more into their symbolics than into God. So how about cleaning your temples of all symbolics! Including that thing that sits on top that you all call Moroni. Are you into your symbolics or are you into God?
I will never understand the anti-symbol Protestant mindset.
Symbols, statues, and artwork are not the focus of our worship. Even when they are of Christ. Let alone when they depict another person/thing.
I love how Wikipedia puts it:
"A symbol is a mark, sign, or word that indicates, signifies, or is understood as representing an idea, object, or relationship. Symbols allow people to go beyond what is known or seen by creating linkages between otherwise different concepts and experiences"
The symbols in the Church are always symbols of God's love and/or Plan of Salvation. We are not going to abandon them just because a apostate protestant mindset dislikes them.
I agree with all of these, but I think there should be a caveat under the saying yes to all callings. There are situations where saying no to a calling is acceptable and even proper. When my mother was given a stake calling years ago, she was told by the stake president to say no to any ward callings unless they went through him first. A few years ago, I was released from my calling as EQ president, and then approached by a member of the high council about serving as an early morning seminary teacher. I explained to him that my job as a high school teacher requires me to be at my school 15 minutes after seminary ended, and seeing as how seminary teachers are usually the last to leave, I would be having to make a 15 minute trip in under 10 minutes. The high councilman taught me that sometimes when a person is considered for a calling, part of receiving revelation for it is doing your "homework" to see if that person is truly available for the calling, and that not being available for a calling is not always a sign of a lack of faith. These, however, would and should be considered exceptions to the rule. I have been greatly blessed by never turning down a calling (and, according to the high councilman, I did not turn down the calling of seminary teacher).
That's exactly right Bryan. You were willing to accept the calling itself, but had to explain what opposition there was to you accepting the calling. If they had a seminary class at another time, I'm assuming you would have accepted it. You never said no to the calling, you gave them all the information they needed, and then the calling was no longer extended to you to say no to. I think the high councilman you spoke to was spot on.
My father-in-law (now deceased) had NINE callings at one time. He also worked full time at the local college, plus he was a farmer and had a wife and six children! When asked to accept another, he could not say yes. It was time to give others a chance. I don't think this happens anymore, but it does illustrate what was improved upon.
We can’t entirely ditch the name “Mormon”. We are blessed with the Book of Mormon. Our ancestors (and ourselves) referred to our selves as Mormons in journals and histories. The word “Mormon” is an important word in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and I have no problem (well a slight problem) with referring to ourselves as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, but we can’t abandon the word Mormon. The slight problem I have is the name is very long in normal conversations and I always thought it was a good idea to have the nickname so as not to use the name of
Jesus Christ too frequently.
From the Handbook:
The Chart of Callings indicates who may extend each calling (see 30.8). After receiving the necessary approvals, the authorized leader counsels with the member to understand if the member’s circumstances allow him or her to serve. The leader also seeks to understand if the member is worthy and willing to serve.
When a leader extends a calling, he explains that it has come from the Lord. If needed, he may give the member time to prayerfully consider the calling, seeking his or her own spiritual confirmation.
From 18.9.3
Those who administer the sacrament should be well groomed and clean. They should not wear clothing or jewelry that might detract from the worship and covenant making that are the purpose of the sacrament. If the bishop needs to counsel a priesthood holder about such matters, he does so with love. He also takes into account the person’s maturity in the Church.
Correct, but it does not say they are required to wear white shirts. I personally like it, but just this last week there was a deacon who passed the sacrament without even wearing a tie, but he was well groomed.
Saying no to a calling when leaders have no idea what is going on in my home....... I used to be a believer in never saying no but after seeing many people serve at less than full capacity because of work, school and family I say you put family and work first and turn the calling down. No calling is worth serving poorly and making members suffer or the people you serve with having to pick up your slack. Go ahead and hate on my opinion. I got big shoulders.
Chad, I think President Nelson's response to being called as a Stake President while an active heart surgeon is a perfect rebuttal to every single point you made.
https://mylifebygogogoff.com/2019/05/how-president-nelsons-example-teaches-us-to-never-turn-down-callings.html
Here's my punctuality story:
Ward Council was 90 minutes before Sacrament meeting. The Bishop was notorious for running past the hour, leaving us no time to run home and get the family. We talked about this in bishopric meeting and he promised to do better. (I'm the ward clerk).
WC started on time, and after a SHORT introduction, we started going around the room for reports. We were doing fine until we got to YM/YW and got off on a tangent which used up the hour plus 15 minutes. The BP then asked the RS president for her report. I had had enough! I had 15 minutes left to run home, grab the family and a quick sandwich. I had a whistle in my case, and I blew it LOUD and LONG and stormed out! I think I took 2 years off the RS president's life (sorry Dorothy). She had no idea this was coming.
We never ran late again.
I am not sure if you are joking, but if not, I think the expressions of peoples faces would've been worth a million dollars. I think it is just as important, no, MORE important to end on time than to start on time.
Still laughing over “ A rather new trend within the church is members turning down callings.” This has been an issue for decades. . . especially in the mission field. Many a “devout” and active members have been known to turn down callings because they weren’t “important” enough or weren’t at a stake level.
I guess growing up it was not an issue where I lived, but now I am seeing growing trends towards it. But I guess it most likely has always been a trend within those looking for a convenient rather than a covenant path.
I live in the Midwest. Been a member for 50+ years. I've NEVER heard of "Mormon Khumra." I assume it's a Western thing.
No one calls them Khumra, but the that is the name that best fits the practice of elevating cultural practices to the level of commandment.
This is an interesting list. And I recognize that some of it is tongue in cheek, however, some of these things have come from prophets. For instance, all w worthy young men should serve a mission. And passing the sacrament in a white shirt, whenever possible.