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Accepting Callings

Accepting Callings

This may seem similar to other threads about callings, but it is not. This deals with circumstance in your accepting.

First of all we are made to understand that all callings given to us really come from God and not the person extending the call. Look at this quote as an example:

Second, we need to determine, if a call is from God even if the person extending the call did not really pray about it?

Third, should we accept a calling if the interviewer made no effort before to find out if we could accept the calling. Example: A leader interviews you for a calling saying they want you to be 'x'. They explain that they have prayed about it and you are the one. The leader says this right off the bat only to hear you say in reply, "Well I would like to accept, but we are moving 500 miles from here to another Stake next week." In the above example you wonder two things; 1. Why the leader did not put the member first by finding out about them before the calling and 2. if it is from God then why did they not know the member was moving?

Callings Accepting

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Second, we need to determine, if a call is from God even if the person extending the call did not really pray about it?

No, I don't think is from God if the person didn't study it and pray about it. Actually if he says he did and he didn't, he's in trouble. I don't want to even think how many callings are being given in this way. I want to believe most of them are by inspiration and not desperation.

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Third, should we accept a calling if the interviewer made no effort before to find out if we could accept the calling.

I don't know, the person who is given the calling should do the things right and find out your situation first before extending the calling and if he doesn't then is up to you to say yes or no. If it was me and my situation (example: financial) do not allow me to do, I will say so.

Accepting Callings Studies Doctrine Mormon

Several years ago, I was extended a calling as a Stake Missionary.  The problem was, I was in my last quarter at BYU, and knew that I wasn't going to be in the stake for more than three more months.  When I explained this to the counselor in the Stake Presidency, he said that they would have to rethink it.

I have had this happen a few times.

My wife once had a member of the bishopric say that sometimes callings come more from "desperation" than "inspiration."

NightHawk

Callings Accepting

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My wife once had a member of the bishopric say that sometimes callings come more from "desperation" than "inspiration."

Maybe he was just kidding although I have seen it happen a lot.

Callings Accepting

Having served in two separate Relief Society Presidencies, I know something about this.  At one point I was lamenting that I didn't think we were being prayerful enough in our selection of people for callings.  The president pointed out that we prayed at the begining of each meeting for guidance of the spirit and so that we didn't necessarily need a separate prayer for each individual calling.  I think this happens with some of the callings we might see as "lesser."  

I am confident that the Bishop and his counselors are selected through much prayer and guidance of the Holy Ghost and are no doubt filling the role Heavenly Father wants.  I think this is also true of all other "presidencies" within the Church no matter what level.  However, probably less prayer goes into who will be the Ward Librarian.  Also, when looking for a pianist, more attention is payed to "Who can play the piano and is available" than to prayerful consideration.

When I was the Education Counselor, I would discuss within the Presidency meetings who was available to call and who we, as a group, thought would make a good teacher.  Then I would go home and pray about it before notifying the President if I thought this was the person who should be called.  I believe that is why I always had teachers that did a good job.  I don't think this always happens, but I think it should.

Also, I believe we need to remember how many callings in a large Ward need to be filled and how many people there are to consider.  Even with prayer, we are all human.  If I am asked to fill a calling and I think there is a reason why I might not be right for it, I would ask the person extending the call if they were aware of whatever the situation is that exists that might make it difficult for me to fulfill this call.  Then I would let them decide it they still thought this was the right calling for me.

JB weren't you just recently released from your District Presidency?  How were callings handled within your Presidency?

Accepting Callings

I agree about 'lesser' calls are not paid much mention. In your example about the organist it could be that if it was not treated as 'so simple' that a Presidency could kneel in prayer and actually come up with a name that does not know how to play, that person learns and becomes a renowned pianist. Of course this is far reaching and not likely, but it does show how through inspiration can come, not to mention I have actually seen this done.

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JB weren't you just recently released from your District Presidency?  How were callings handled within your Presidency?

I rather not say

I remember once my wife and I were sitting in a sacrament room and a Counselor in the Branch Presidency came over two minutes before sacrament meeting was about to start and said to my wife, 'We want you to be the Young Women's President'. My wife was so shocked and the Counselor looked in a rush because of the little time left that she said, 'Yes'.

So this thread is not only about the process of selection for a call but also the way it is extened to the person.

Accepting Callings

Wow, you really do have some problems over there don't you!  I can't imagine a calling of such magnitude being extended in such a way.  When I was called as education counselor, the Bishop actually came to my house to meet with me and my husband to extend the calling and be sure he would support me in it.

Even my most recent "assignment" of Home Study Seminary Teacher was extended with an opportunity to discuss what was involved not just "we want you to do this, o.k?, thanks....."

Accepting Callings Mormon Doctrine Studies

It does sound like there are some leadership challenges in TT.

My most recent calling was kind of interesting.  I have served for a little over a year as the Physical Facilities Rep for our ward.  We weren't the "host" ward for the building, so I was essentially the assistant for the main PFR in the other ward.

However, my 16 year old son and I did almost everything when it was our ward's turn.  I think I missed two or three cleanup saturdays, because I was out of town.  So, my son went instead.  All of my children helped almost every saturday.

So, one of the counselors was talking to me in the hallway while I tried to get someone's baby to go to sleep (can't even remember whose child it was;) ).  So, he brought up the fact that they wanted to release me and my family from this calling.  Then they extende the very best calling in the entire church - NURSERY!!

So, each week, I get to sit on the floor, play with toys, read stories, and eat animal cookies.  What more can you ask for?  Oh, yeah, I also get to associate with all the wonderful little spirits (we have over 30 children in our nursery).

NightHawk