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The Calling

Through various answers to a previous post, I have come upon another subject that I know little about. The calling.

It seems that LDS members have a belief in a "calling" from the lord. Somethings mentioned were as lofty as being a bishop to as minor as being a Janitor. So I post my inquiries as such:

1. What is considered a calling?
2. Can anybody be called to do anything or are only specific things considered callings?
3. How does one know they are called, and is anyone provided to help the new convert decide if and/or what they are called to do?

Thanks in advance!

Calling The

Excellent questions!

Within our structure, every position is identified as a "calling". Nobody really "decides" what their calling is, they are "called" by someone in authority to fill that position. Almost everything in our church is done by volunteers.

Now, for most buildings, there are paid janitors. That is a job, the people apply for. As is much of the building maintenance, although that is normally contracted out as needed.

Sometimes the calling is very clearly from the Lord, as the person may get a dream or clear inspiration that they will be called to a particular position before it happens.

Now you should understand the the organization within our Church is very detailed and complex, including teachers for all sorts of classes for each age of children, both Sunday classes and separate weekly classes such as scouts, organized leadership positions including presidents and counselors for various sub organizations for various groups, and support functions in general.

So, here is an example: Sunday School.

There is a Sunday School President. He may or may not have any counselors. As far as I know, this position is normally filled by a man, who holds the Priesthood.

Then there are the teachers. There is a teacher for the 12-13 year old youth. And the 14-15, 16-18, adults (Gospel Doctrine), and special Sunday School classes (Marriage and Family Relations, Genealogy, etc). All within the Sunday School sub organization.

Support positions (callings) would include Librarian, Organist, Music Conductor, Physical Facilities Representative, and Single Adult Representative (talk to Farsee about this one).

Now, for some of the sub organizations:

• Primary, basically Sunday School for younger Children. This includes the nursery for children 18 months to 3 years old.
• Sunday School, for the youth and adults
• Relief Society, the oldest and largests organization specifically for women, in the world.
• Priesthood, which has at least 8 or 9 sub organizations within it. Priesthood is reserved for men (a completely different discussion).
• Young Womens, should be obvious. For young women between 12 and 19 years of age.

There are others, mainly at levels above the local congregations (wards).

So callings come down through the hierarchy, with different levels of the organization having different levels of authority to make those callings. We do believe that the people making the decisions are led by inspiration to make the callings for the best of the people involved as well as the best of the organization involved. A favorite type of story among us is how various leaders are led to make such decisions, despite their preconceived notions, or despite their ignorance concerning some things.

As for new converts, local authorities normally pray, and even fast, for inspiration concerning possible callings to issue to them, since those early callings can have a huge influence upon the new converts, either helping to firm up their testimonies and faith, or causing them to question their faith and leave the organization.

I hope this answers most of your questions.

The Calling Studies Doctrine Mormon

It does indeed! Thank you for such an indepth explanation! I was expecting something less complex, but ultimately realized the vast network of people needed to fulfill the need in the LDS church. So I can understand that essentially one is either A. Called by God, or B. Called by an authority figure in the church. This insures that all the positions needed to offer the vast amount of services and programs are filled. I really had no idea!

But of course it would belittle ones call to say that many have a true passion for what they have been called to do. Having someone really care about what they do can make all the difference.

Calling The

I think Nighthawk did an excellent job answering those questions , just let me add my own a little bit. First of all let me start by saying that all callings in the Church are important, we do not consider one more important than the other, we all try our best to work in our calling in the best way we can whether you are called as a Bishop, Stake President or simply a teacher. Now concerning the janitor's job, there are certain "callings" in the Church that are also refer within the Church office as "Remunerative Callings". My sister worked as an Accountant in the Church for years and when she got the interview they told her that her job as any other Church employee was consider a "Remunerative calling" meaning that they are being paid for what they do, yet they need to fulfill certain requirements (not only educational) but of worthiness. For example, the job she did needed to hold a Temple Recommend.

Everyone in the Church has an opportunity to serve, whether it is in a formal calling such as being a teacher or through an assignment like picking up the hymn books after the meetings are over. Everyone in the Church have the opportunity to have a calling and serve in the best way they can.

If it is in a "ward" level, usually the Bishop or one of his counselors call you to their office and have a little chat with you and they extend this calling or invitation to you. They usually tell you they have been looking for a teacher for instance, that they have been praying about it and that your name came up and that they would like you to fulfill that calling. They will also usually ask you a couple of questions about how you are doing in the Church and so on before extending the calling and then is up to you to tell them whether you accept the calling or not.

Usually new converts are given a little time to adjust and then given a calling, usually they connect easily with some members who are often supportive towards them so everything ends up working really good. Every member in good standing usually hold one calling but for instance if you live in a place where the Church is very small like in Trinidad you may find yourself with more than one calling. At the present I hold three callings!. Yep, is a lot of work

1. Seminary Teacher
2. Enrichment Leader
3. Gospel Principle's teacher

I hope it helps,
LDS

Calling The

konquererz said:

One of the symbols used by the church is the Beehive -- organized, productive, active. Everyone has a job, and everyone does their job (ideally, anyway).

This is true, and sometimes a person will accept a calling because they feel they "have to" because the bishop asked them to do a job. But then they don't do the job for whatever reason -- busy at work, not sure what their responsibilities are and are afraid to ask, sometimes just laziness, or didn't want to do it in the first place. They don't realize that they are not required to accept a calling, and in some cases, they shouldn't. In the case of someone just not doing the job, generally the bishop will try to find another person to fill the calling.

Some folks don't realize that they can pray for help, they can ask others for help, etc. In addition, when a person is called to a position, they are then "set apart" by the bishop or other priesthood holder (at the stake level, for instance) to actually receive special inspiration and help from the Lord to do their calling. This "setting apart" is a laying-on-of-hands blessing by the priesthood with specific blessings or even revelation for that person to help them. Many stories abound about the revelations and heavenly aid received by folks in their callings.

There is a saying: The Lord doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

I also have more than one calling.
1. Design and print Sunday programs with an activity calendar each week
2. Single Adult (over 30) Representative for the Stake - that's a regional area comprising many square miles (in my stake it's about 20 to 25).

The Calling

I also wanted to add that the called are not necessarily experienced in the job they called to. This gives the members an opportunity to learn new things and a chance for the person to grow in the gospel. If you are called for a job than it is not permanent. This helps you keep from getting to bored and burned out. I also agree that it is choice and you can take on as much or as little responisability as you are capable or willing. Teaching is especially rewarding since you do get asked certain things that you may not of thought of before.