As I watch the Lord continue to refine church policies and practices as we are prepared to live them I have noticed that almost every change has the same goal: To aid us in living the covenant-pathway. With everyone talking about potential changes I wanted to chime in with my two cents. Now, these are not outlandish changes to doctrines or things that violate the spirit of the law, but instead, policy changes/announcements that I honestly see happening, if not during the April session of General Conference, then sometime shortly.
1st. Changes to temple sealing policy.
In the United States and some other nations if you are married civilly then you must wait one year before you can be sealed. That is not the case everywhere. In fact, there are many nations where they require a civil marriage first, and in those nations the church allows you to be sealed the next day, without a year delay.
I see two changes coming to standardize the church and temple policies: First, removal of the one year waiting time. Second, sealings requiring a prior civil marriage. Thereby avoiding any legal issues with the refusal of performing gay marriages.
2nd. Five to ten new temples.
I think we will see many new temples anywhere from 5-10. I think we will see two more in the USA. Including one more in Utah (Heber or Grantsville are my guesses). I also think we will see one in another European capital, even if the membership does not yet support it, I think either Warsaw, Bucharest, Budapest, Prague, Vienna, or Athens.
And then I think one to two more in Caribbean or Central/South America (I think Jamacia), two more in Africa (I think Madagascar will get one and maybe Zimbabwe), and one to two more in Asia/Pacific (I think Papa New Guinea/Vanuatu and maybe the South Island of New Zeland).
3rd. A ten-day social media and video game fast for the men.
Everyone except the men have been challenged to hold a ten-day social media fast. I think during the Priesthood session the men will be challenged to conduct a ten-day social media fast, but more than social media, I believe that the Prophet will also challenge us to go on a video game fast. I think we will be challenged to refocus on what matters: our wives and kids.
4th. Changes to the missionary program.
I think there could be a lot of missionary changes. A few of the options are.
- Variable length missions (6, 12, 18, 24, or 32-month missions like with Sr couples)
- Sister missionaries are now able to go at 18.
- Younger couples getting called as missionaries (I know of mission presidents who have kids under the age of 12!) I think this will likely happen with the opening of China, with as many members who know Chinese being called ASAP.
- Efforts to get more Sr Missionaries by encouraging those who financially can, but physically can’t serve to finance the missions of others who can physically but lack the funds.
5th The official canonization of The Family: A Proclamation to the World.
I can see Official Declaration #3 being The Family: A Proclamation to the World. It would cement the doctrines proclaimed as official church doctrine and remove all doubt that some members still hold going forward.
6th. Lowering the age for temple recommends.
I think they will lower the age for a limited use recommend to 8 years old. Two weeks ago I was doing baptisms for the dead in the Jordan River temple when the matron came in and talked to the youth; she talked about getting baptized at 8 and then getting a temple recommend at 8; she explained that back then you did not need to wait till 12 to do baptisms for the dead. She said one of her favorite memories was going to the Cardston temple at the age of 8. With all the efforts to help us be in the temple, I see the age being reduced back to 8.
7th. Complete overhaul of CES (Seminary and Institute).
With the recent announcement that Seminary curriculum is aligning with Come Follow Me, I see further restructuring bringing all of CES in alignment with Come Follow Me. Maybe changing to have pathways style Seminary and Institute?
8th. A new global youth program.
With the phasing out of the BSA for the young men at the end of 2019, I see the church introducing a new global youth program. A program that focuses on preparing young men and women for missions and temple covenants. With more activities combined with Young Men and Young Women, and more freedom to adapt to local situations. If not in April, I see this coming later this year.
What changes do you think could happen during General Conference?
Post in the comments!
George C Dillabough
Friday 5th of April 2019
Let us not forget whose church this is! The Lord has allowed us here to follow His counsel, not to be counseled by us! I wouldn't even try to do that in my prayers, much less in a public forum! Heresy? Presumption at the very least! Christ said it best, at His worst moment when He asked that the cup He was having to drink might pass from Him, but not as I wilt, but Father, only as thou wilt!
Shirley
Friday 5th of April 2019
Not entirely sure what you consider to be "counseling the Lord" in this blog. Civil discourse in the Church is permitted. Even rampant speculation is discouraged but not crushed. Our Lord and Savior is well aware of the pain that some ramrod-straight members inflict upon others, and will respond appropriately in his own due time. If we are not humble and kind by choice, he will introduce ways to remedy that. If we choose not to understand pain when it is expressed, he will make sure we get a good dose of our own.
Since this is our Savior's church, he also knows policies can sometimes be interpretations of doctrine that need to change with the growth of individuals, the maturity of the Church, and outside political and social issues. Not to mention that his Second Coming is literally on our doorstep!
Our Savior knows when the Saints are hurting, and he does answer our prayers, either directly or through His Prophet, currently Russell M. Nelson. Otherwise, there would never have been any policy changes whatsoever since the early days. As it is, changes often come when membership is ready for them, but also many times when we are not ready! That is when we choose to follow or to disobey.
Shirley
Thursday 4th of April 2019
Ginny, I agree with you. It makes no sense that a widow who was sealed to her late husband can't currently be sealed for time and eternity to a second husband while they are both alive.(At least not without jumping through hoops to hope for a cancellation of the first sealing. These are not always granted, and even when they are, she doesn't know if the first husband might have repented of any earthly abusive or other unworthy behavior or not. She won't know until she gets to the Celestial Kingdom herself.)
Sealings to second husbands are performed all the time in Family History work. Some widows are sealed to three or four husbands after they're all deceased, and the widow will make her choice in Heaven. So why can't she be sealed in life to a second husband, and make her choice in Heaven if necessary? (If her first husband didn't keep his covenants, then their sealing is broken anyway without any earthly action on her part.)
The current policy causes so much emotional suffering, even more so when children are born to the second marriage also. I don't see where we need ancient Israeli law in our day, where a man might marry his brother's widow, yet their children would belong to the deceased man. Even though the children supposedly "go with the mother," the end result would be the same when she is only sealed to the first husband. The children should be able to choose the father they know and love, and maybe Mom would have liberal visitation rights??!! But even without children, it is an unkind policy.
Also, a sealed widow can't even be "sealed for time only" to her second husband unless he is also already sealed to someone else for time and eternity. I've heard that "time only" marriages performed in the temple are not ever converted to "time and eternity" marriages but I can't say if that's true or not. I haven't come across that situation in my own family history work or among friends. I love our Savior's Church with all my heart but sometimes, the policies need adjustment.
Ginny Gross
Saturday 6th of April 2019
Thank you Shirley, you expressed exactly what has been going through my mind regarding 2nd sealings. We can only hope and pray that some changes come about soon.
JA NEEN FULLER
Friday 5th of April 2019
What many do not remember is that we are only looking at this though earthly eyes, we need to see it though eternal eyes, and remember that the Lord will not with hold ANY blessings that we may earn though our obedience, He will take care of offering us the sealing we need to gain exaltation. I have never had the blessing of having a celestial marriage but I know that I will be offered it, and it will be my choice who it is, I trust that the Lord will do as he has promised,
Julie Briggs
Friday 5th of April 2019
Would love to recieve this news letter
Thank you
Andre J Mostert
Thursday 4th of April 2019
Interesting that you mentioned Heber area, along with Grantsville as possible Utah Temple sites. The Heber Valley has been on the possible Temple list for some time. The only thing that might delay it further is the fact that vast numbers of our Heber area members are a currently serving in the Provo Temple. They would be missed there, but they have received great experience as Temple Ordinance workers
Jeremy
Thursday 4th of April 2019
I think that strengthens Hebers case.
Judith
Thursday 4th of April 2019
I wish thy would allow people on probation to get baptized.
Kathryn
Thursday 4th of April 2019
re: If they require prior civil marriage then temple sealings would just be a ‘religious sacrament’ (legal term) not a marriage. Therefore it would be protected.
Yeah, the problem with this is, civil marriage is already a step away from the marriage covenant that God offers His obedient children. I make a covenant with God. My spouse makes a covenant with God. Because we BOTH make an individual covenant with God, God blesses us, jointly and individually with the blessings outlined in D&C 132:19.
A civil marriage offers only a covenant with each spouse/other. It is a counterfeit of the true covenant God desires for us in order to fully return to His presence. So while accommodations may be made within a temple district due to legal restrictions, for the Lord to go out of His way to REQUIRE a counterfeit covenant 'just to create a legal excuse' I think would not happen, regardless of whiners.
Bt
Thursday 4th of April 2019
re: If they require prior civil marriage then temple sealings would just be a ‘religious sacrament’ (legal term) not a marriage. Therefore it would be protected.
This would allow The Church to continue to protect Tempe ceremonies.